Page 6 of The Addendum

He shifted, his eyes opening, meeting my gaze. “I feel you staring, my Katy. Ogling me while I sleep. Keep looking at me like that, and I’ll take you up front and we’ll join the mile-high club.”

I smothered my laughter. I leaned close and pressed my mouth to his.

“As if. Go fuck yourself, VanRyan,” I teased against his lips.

I felt his smile as he cupped my head, kissing me back. He loved my “signature expression,” as he called it. Unlike the first time I’d snarled it at him, it was now used without any rancor, instead thrown out when we teased back and forth.

“I would rather fuck you,” he murmured quietly into my ear.

“You did that already last night. Keep it in your pants until we’re alone at the house.” I smacked his chest and he laughed, capturing my hand, kissing it, and pressing it to his chest.

“Okay, my fierce little Katy. Whatever you say.”

The flight attendant stopped to offer us refreshments. I shook my head, but Richard asked for coffee and water, not even noticing the frank appraisal she gave him. Despite his past, he’d never given me a moment’s doubt our entire marriage. It was as if he only ever saw me, which was the same way I felt about him. He turned back to me, smiling. “We’ll see our girl soon.”

“Gracie or Heather?” I asked, knowing whom he was talking about.

“Kylie,” he insisted. “See what Jaxson has done to her now. Grandpa will have to correct it, I’m sure.”

“Jaxson is a wonderful father.”

He snorted. “Don’t tell him that. His head is big enough.”

I laughed. “Remind you of anyone?”

He winked, flipping down his tray as the coffee and water were delivered.

“Thank you,” he said politely.

“Anything else?” the attendant asked.

“No, this is great. The coffee is for me. The water is for my wife. I know she’ll be thirsty soon and not want to bother you.”

“Aren’t you the sweetest?” she asked.

He shrugged. “It’s my job to look after her.”

I smiled at him because he was right. I was a bit thirsty, and he knew. He always knew.

“You take the best care of me,” I agreed.

He grinned, boyish and handsome. The attendant almost melted, then she moved away no doubt to tell the other women what he had just said. They’d all be staring soon.

“Another admirer,” I muttered.

He picked up his coffee. “When you got it, you got it.”

I had to laugh.

The arrogance hadn’t changed much. He simply hid it better, and it was balanced with humility. He wore it well.

3

RICHARD

Maddox waited by the security door, a wide grin on his face when he saw us. I was greeted with our usual backslapping and a manly hug. Katy got a kiss on the cheek and a much longer hug.

When my son-in-law Jaxson appeared, I chuckled and accepted his handshake, looking around.