Page 21 of The Billionaire's Christmas Wish

Audrey leans into my touch, her expression growing serious. “It won't be easy standing up to our families.”

“Maybe not.” I tilt her chin up. “But we'll face it together.”

I lean in, pausing just before our lips meet. Audrey closes the distance, kissing me with fierce tenderness. In this moment, nothing else matters but her.

When we break apart, Audrey rests her forehead against mine. The vow hangs unspoken between us—wherever this path leads, we walk it hand in hand.

Audrey is everything to me--I won't lose her again. I'll protect what we have from anyone who tries to come between us.

Because one thing is clear—Audrey is mine, and my heart entirely belongs to her.

I’ve made my decision. It’s time to confront my parents once and for all. I'll make sure this Christmas together isn't our last.

I'll give her anything her heart desires and more. So much more.

I'll give her everything.

Chapter9

Audrey

The following day, the crew is hurriedly packing and setting up for a reshoot due to a technical glitch. We’re running behind schedule, and everyone’s nerves are on edge.

Luca and I are tucked into a quiet corner backstage, stealing a quiet moment. He looks as drained as I feel.

My voice barely rises above the clatter of crew moving equipment.

“I thought we’d pull an all-nighter, but you handled it. You’re the glue holding us together.”

“Take credit where it’s due, Auds. Your attention to detail is incredible.”

I beam, my heart expanding at his praise.

People scurry away, and the noisy clatter dies down. As soon as we’re alone, Luca places his hands firmly on my hips.

This incredible and complicated man cups my chin, blazing dark eyes staring like I’m his most precious possession. Suddenly, the air between us is electric.

Luca’s hand tangles in my hair, tugging firmly. I gasp. He dips his head so we’re inches apart, brushing a sweet kiss onto my lips.

Resting his forehead against mine, he says, “One more scene to shoot. Then we can get out of here.”

Although work is a struggle, I’m motivated to push through to get home as quickly as possible. “Can’t wait.”

Luca’s husky voice sends a thrill straight to my aching core. “We’re working on something special tonight, and I want to get down to business right away.”

I have a witty comeback for his spicy innuendo, but he pulls away, disappearing before I can call him out. This man—always full of surprises. One moment, he’s a sexy beast, and the next, a teddy bear.

Luca can transform ordinary moments into something magical. He makes the world a better place. We spend all our free time together. We are inseparable, and our love feels like a treasure—our little secret.

While the crew senses the electricity between us, they respect our privacy enough to keep their distance. Everyone, that is, except actor Abel Clarke.

Quite often, when we’re alone, Abel will make comments that skate close to the edge of decency. Hardly surprising—Abel has a knack for grating on people's nerves–he’s a bona fide pain in the ass.

Despite the fact he irritates me, I can handle him. Luca’s keeping his cool, but he’s already dealing with so much. I see his clenched jaw and how his knuckles turn white when gripping his tablet–no need to burden him more.

I'm in the makeup trailer, watching the clock and increasingly frustrated by Abel's tardiness. He's not answering calls, and I have a sinking feeling this doesn’t bode well for the scene we have left. Each minute we delay puts the shoot at risk of blowing over budget.

On top of that, Christmas is breathing down my neck, and gift-hunting for Luca is proving impossible. Every time I try to shop online, someone barges into the makeup room.

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