Page 31 of Turbulent Fires

“If I’m motivated I can... and with you, I’m highly motivated.”

“What do you want out of life besides adventure?” I ask.

He doesn’t hesitate. “You,” he says. There’s a twinkle in his eyes, but an underlayment of seriousness as well. I think he means it. At least, for now, he does. Do I want the same? Right now I do, but will I feel this way when we’re no longer in paradise? That’s the real question.

It’s so odd because men like Wolf aren’t usually open. They’re supposedly emotionally unavailable, and might say all of the right things to get lucky, but don’t keep it up in the morning. This isn’t true with him so far. He’s become more romantic the longer we’re together. I don’t know what to do with it.

“I was right in my first assessment of you, Wolf. You’re a truly dangerous man,” I tell him.

His wolfish smile is firmly in place. “Only to those who need to be afraid.”

The performance continues as we finish our meal of grilled fish, roasted vegetables, and the best coconut rice I’ve ever tasted. Dessert is shaved ice and chocolate mousse, which we share with a bit too much enthusiasm.

We’re not far from our villa, so when we finish our meal, we walk hand-in-hand along the beach back to our place with our bare toes curling into the silky sand while the stars gleam above us as a guide.

“I’ve always looked at relationships like cages meant to trap a person, that settling down meant the end to great adventures,” he says.

“I’ve felt the same,” I admit. I’m not feeling it now, but I don’t add this because I’m not really sure what we are to each other.

He pauses for a moment as we continue walking. I wait. Then he makes my heart skip a few more beats with his next words. He’s very good at this.

“I think the right person doesn’t keep you from flying, but instead, they jump with you.”

I’m smiling as I walk by this incredible man’s side. “You know all of the right words to say,” I tell him.

“They aren’t lines,” he assures me.

“I don’t think they are.”

He stops and pulls me to him as he brushes hair from my face. “You’re amazing, Audrey. I love your laugh, how you challenge me, how brave, wild, and curious you are. I didn’t see you coming, but now I don’t want to see you go.”

I reach up and run a fingertip over his jaw. “Don’t let me go,” I say, shocked at my words.

He smiles before leaning down and kissing me beneath the stars. I melt against him. He lifts me into his arms and rushes forward, done with the walk. We’re ready to fall into bed together again. He owns me in this moment. I wonder how long it might last.

Chapter Twelve

Audrey

I love to be a person on the go... and I also love lazy days of lounging in the house with nothing but my pajamas on. If I get a little of both each week, I’m a very happy woman. Right now, I’m lying in Wolf’s arms on my couch, and we’ve just finishedSnakes on a Plane. It’s an old movie I’ve never seen, but it has me thinking twice about flying anywhere. I smile.

“You know the chances of that actually happening are slim to none,” Wolf says.

“But not impossible,” I tell him. He laughs.

“It’s just a silly movie with an incredible actor,” he assures me.

“Gotta admit, Samuel Jackson is one of my favorites. Not quite as good as Morgan Freeman, though. I don’t need to read the description when I see him starring in a movie.”

“Yes, Freeman’s one of my all-time favorites. He and Sean Connery.”

“We’re on the same page.” The scary thing is, we seem to be on the same page for most issues. I can’t think of anything, at this point, that we disagree on.

Before he can respond, my doorbell rings. I look up in confusion. I never have people randomly stop by. There’s no need for that anymore with text messages. Everyone will send a quick message asking if I’m available. I don’t think I have any packages being delivered either. Then again, I do a lot of midnight phone shopping so it’s not inconceivable. Before I do anything else, I hear my door open.

That’s when horror fills me. There’s only one person I know besides myself who has the key to my condo. I look at Wolf who seems to be wondering if he needs to be in fight mode or not. There’s no flight with this man unless he’s in the sky.

“I’m so sorry,” I tell him. Understandably, he’s confused.

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