Chapter 7 #2
“Thank you.” He nodded to her, then proceeded to flip Travis over and tie his hands together and then tie his feet to his hands.
Travis squeaked a protest but only fought feebly. He looked terrified and confused. If he hadn’t been manipulated by the note sender and had just tried to shove his way into her house, she’d feel bad for him.
Price glanced up at her as he finished. “You go inside and get warm. I’ll stay with him.”
“Okay.”
She eased back through the door, shutting it firmly behind her and leaning back against it, rubbing at her fingers to restore the blood flow.
Price was here. For her. He’d rescued her. He was her personal Superman. Instead of being angry at her for accusing him, Price had come for her and protected her.
How had he been so close and known to come for her? Could he possibly be the note sender and have orchestrated all of this as she and the police originally thought?
No. She didn’t want to believe that. Couldn’t believe that. Not Price. She’d have to ask those questions and get the answers, but instinctively she trusted him.
Yet her instincts had been wrong before.
She didn’t know what to think. Right now she wanted to concentrate on her heroic rescuer. A thrill went through her thinking of how dangerously dark and handsome he’d looked with the black hoodie shadowing his face, his dark eyes intense on her, pinning Travis and saving her.
Sirens sounded, and Addie wilted in relief. If the police took Travis and questioned him, could she get Price alone? She wanted to know that he was as good as he seemed, get her questions answered, and thank him properly.
She touched her lips. Could that mean …? Maybe. Despite her concerns, her stomach hopped with anticipation.
The next hour was draining as the police hauled off Travis who kept protesting he was only trying to bring Addie dinner.
Detective Thayne came inside her house and questioned her.
She saw Detective Moshe questioning Price out by the police vehicle.
Weren’t they both freezing? Would she get a chance to be alone with Price and thank him?
Studying Detective Thayne as he wrapped up, she asked, “It’s much too convenient that Price Sanderson was right there when I needed someone. Is there any way he could be the note sender as your captain originally thought?”
The detective looked startled and then cracked a rare smile.
“Absolutely not. I know Captain Byington originally wondered if Captain Sanderson could have used his connections and skills to harass you, but we’ve checked him out from every angle.
That man is so clean and heroic I’d give him the Distinguished Service Medal if he hadn’t already received it.
That’s the third highest honor in the Navy if you didn’t know.
Captain Sanderson works for the Aiden Porter.
Did you know that? I got to speak to Aiden. ” He looked proud of that fact.
“I did know that. You told me.”
“Oh, right. But no. I would trust Captain Sanderson with my sister, with my wife, with my daughter if I had one.”
“All right. Wow. Thank you for the reassurance.” Detective Thayne definitely had some hero worship going on with Price that seemed to have only grown in the past week.
She couldn’t say she blamed him. Price appeared as heroic as any man she’d ever met, and he wasn’t a man who bragged or postured. The Distinguished Service Medal, third highest honor in the Navy. Wow.
“We’ll be in touch. Hopefully this Travis character is the one writing the notes or knows who is.”
“I hope so too. Thank you.”
“Sure thing.” Finally, Detective Thayne walked out the door. Addie followed him onto the porch, hugging herself for warmth.
Price focused in on her with those dark eyes shadowed with long lashes and she had her own case of hero worship. She felt like she was lost and found. Could a man this incredible have walked into her life and been there for her right when she needed him? Joy and gratitude swelled in her heart.
She swayed and leaned against the doorframe for support.
Price said something to Detective Moshe and then he rushed up the steps past Detective Thayne.
He paused to say ‘thank you’ to Detective Thayne and accept his praise, but as soon as he pulled his hand back from shaking the detective’s, he was up the stairs and in her space.
His warmth surrounded her, and she found it impossible to catch a breath. Price didn’t touch her, but he was close enough she could feel the heat from his body and feel protected by his strong frame.
“Are you all right?” he asked. His hand lifted as if he wanted to reach out to her, but then it dropped back to his side. Was he afraid to push her too fast? His dark gaze was intense. Why wouldn’t he touch her?
“Thanks to you,” she managed.
“I’m glad I was here.” He looked broody and mysterious and impossibly enticing.
“Why were you here?”
“I rent the house four doors down. I was out on a run and heard you yell at him.”
“Why?”
He tilted his head to the side.
“I mean, I understand the run. Why are you renting the Blotters’ home?”
His gaze trailed over her, steamy but holding something back. “An assignment.”
She had a multitude of questions about that. “What kind of assignment?”
“I … I’m sorry, Addie, but I can’t disclose that.”
They studied each other, and she felt that conflict raging in him. He wanted to trust and confide in her, but he’d promised someone—most likely his boss, the high and mighty Aiden Porter—that he would keep his clients’ information and case confidential.
“Some kind of privacy agreement and pledge to your boss or your client?”
The relief in his gaze was tangible. “Yes.”
“Price.” A cold chill raced down her spine. Him being here was far too coincidental. “Did my sister hire you to protect me?”
“Your sister?”
“Daphne. Did my sister go behind my back and hire you? Daphne Belle.” She studied him, praying he wasn’t skilled at hiding the truth. Price wouldn’t hide the truth from her. Not Price.
“Daphne Belle did not hire me,” he said, holding her gaze.
Relief filled her. It still felt far too convenient that he was right here on an assignment, but at least Daphne hadn’t hired him when Addie had told her no repeatedly. “You can’t share what assignment you’re on?”
“I can’t.” He shook his head, his dark eyes pleading with her to understand. “Do you understand … why I can’t share?”
“I don’t like it,” she admitted. “But I understand and don’t want you to betray your client’s trust.”
“Thank you, Addie.”
She studied him, overwhelmed by the blessing of him being at the right place at the right time to rescue her. “Detective Thayne says you’re trustworthy. Do you think I should agree with him about that?”
He gave her a slight smile. “I do. Addie …” He looked her over. “I’m glad I was here. I’m sorry Travis was so pushy.”
She nodded. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t come. Thank you.”
“Anytime.” The word felt like a promise. Price would be here … for her. It was some kind of miracle that his assignment had him living four doors down.
“Did you know I lived here?” she asked.
“When I got my assignment, I figured out that was where you lived.”
It bothered her that he couldn’t share what his assignment was, but she respected him for it as well.
It only showed how trustworthy and loyal he was that he wasn’t bragging about whatever job he was on.
A lot of wealthy people lived on The Cape.
She wondered if he was protecting one of them or if he could be watching for drug runners or traffickers using The Cape to smuggle.
“Why didn’t you … come say hello?” she asked.
He studied her, his dark eyes even more conflicted. “After our last conversation, I didn’t want to show up on your doorstep and make you stressed if you still had suspicions about me.”
She swallowed, feeling horrible that she and the detectives had accused him. If only she could change that night. Price rescuing her was a second chance she hadn’t known she’d be gifted.
When she didn’t respond, he drew in a breath, backed up a step, and gestured to her. “You should go inside. Get warm. I’m worried about your fingers.”
He was worried about her. That melted her heart even more.
“Hopefully Travis is the perp and you won’t have to worry anymore.”
“I hope so too.” She tugged open the screen door and backed into the house.
Price gave her a small smile and turned to go.
Her heart and stomach dropped. He was leaving. No chance to properly thank him.
But he turned back, and her heart soared.
“Make sure to deadbolt the door and keep the cameras on,” he said. “If it wasn’t Travis, you’re still in danger. I’m close by if you need help.”
“Oh,” she said. That wasn’t what she’d wanted him to say. “Okay.”
“Okay.” He studied her and didn’t move for a beat.
She moistened her lips. Could she summon the courage to ask a superhero type of man like Price to come inside and let her give him a kiss of gratitude?
Too bold? Too juvenile? Too fast? She was second guessing everything.
Except for him. He was every bit as heroic and incredible as she hoped he would be.
He turned away again.
“Price.”
He glanced over his shoulder, those dark eyes full of hope. “Yes?”
Addie’s heart raced, and she felt that same hope reflected inside of her. Price was the good guy. He’d rescued her. He was here for her. He was so manly and incredible she didn’t know if he would be interested in a graphic designer who’d messed things up with him once before.
There was only one way to find out.
“Please forgive me for suspecting you. Will you come inside?”
His brows rose. For one awful instant, she was certain he’d say no. His dark eyes were conflicted, and his mouth tightened.
But then he surprised her by hurrying to the door frame and stopping in it. His manly presence surrounded her. She was losing a lot of heat from inside the house, but Price’s heat felt more enticing.
“Why?” he asked simply, staring down at her.
“I need to … properly apologize. And thank you.” She blinked up at him and prayed she wouldn’t have to spell it out. She trusted Price and she was in awe of him.
His dark eyes lit with a fire that might consume her. She quivered with anticipation.
“Addie.” His voice was husky. “You’re forgiven for ever suspecting me, but are you certain you … want me inside with you? I know men have pushed boundaries with you in the past.”
Her stomach pitched with nerves and anticipation. She wanted to kiss Price. She trusted him to protect her. Could she trust him to honor her boundaries?
“It’s only you coming inside so I can thank you, not boundary pushing.”
“Only a thank you?” he murmured, his eyes dropping to her lips then meeting hers again.
“Yes,” she managed through her tight throat. He knew what she wanted. Right? “Nothing more. Nothing less.”
He gave her a slight smile, and a thrill rushed through her. “I don’t know how I could refuse a thank you from you.”
Her stomach hopped.
Addie stepped back from the door. Price strode in, turned, and pushed the door shut behind him. She could hardly believe Captain Price Sanderson was in her house, and that she’d offered him a ‘thank you’. She assumed they both knew what she meant.
Did he think she was silly? His gaze didn’t say so. It reflected the longing she felt in her own heart.
Leaning against the door for support, she grasped his sweatshirt and tugged him closer.
He pinned her against the door with his strong frame.
For the first time, she felt the full effects of Price’s lean and manly frame pressed against her.
It robbed her of oxygen and made her soar to the highest heights.
She pushed his hoody off his head and threaded her fingers through his short hair.
He framed her face with his palms. His hands were cold.
“Freezing!” she exclaimed, giggling.
He smiled. “Sorry. I’ve been outside for a while.”
“Because you were protecting and rescuing me.”
“I’m grateful I was here.”
“Me too.” She tugged his head down as she arched up. “And you more than deserve your thank you.”
“Addie.” He paused a breath length away. His dark eyes looked conflicted again. “I’m not sure.”
She should step back and let him work out whatever was bothering him, but she’d missed Price the past week and felt awful about messing things up with him.
“I am.” She angled in and their lips met. If she’d thought the length of his body pressing against hers had been thrilling, she’d had no clue what thrilling was. This kiss blew every other kiss with a long list of men out of the water.
Price hesitated for half a beat as she kissed him, and then he took command of her lips in a way no man had ever been confident enough to do before. He kissed her deeply and he kissed her thoroughly. Warmth and tingles and every good thrill and joyful feeling rushed through her.
When Price released her from the kiss, she was lightheaded and thought she might be floating above the world.
“You’re welcome,” he whispered against her lips.
“For the kiss?” she asked, clinging to his neck.
“For rescuing you.” His gaze swept over her. “Thank you.”
“For the kiss?”
“Yes.”
She smiled, and she wanted to do it all over again.
Unfortunately, he released her and stepped back. Disappointment made her feel weak and dizzy.
“I’d better let you get some rest,” he said, suddenly formal and stiff.
He was honoring her boundaries, and she appreciated that, but she worried he was already regretting letting down his guard.
He swung the door open and stepped over the threshold.
“When will I see you again?” she asked. “Do you have time with your assignment?”
He glanced back at her, his dark eyes searching her face. “I could make time … for you.”
Her pulse took off again at that look and those words.
“Dinner here? Tomorrow night?” She only had a few more days before she flew out.
He nodded, a slight smile on his lips. “I’ll see you at six. I’ll bring dessert.”
Addie almost told him that his kiss was the only dessert she wanted, but that would be too forward. Despite the connection arching between them, she didn’t know him that well.
“Thank you again.” She touched her fingertips to her lips.
“Thank you.” He smiled and turned to go.
Addie had to let him go. She didn’t like him leaving, but he cut an imposing figure striding away. She shut the door, deadbolted it, and leaned against it again. Right against this door where she’d kissed Price.
Whew.
She would never be the same again.