Page 65 of Turbulent Fires

“Nope. That’s not how I work. I’ll keep obsessing. It’s time to rip off the bandage.” He pulls me close, hugs me, and we move to the plane.

My heart’s pounding as he helps me climb inside, but I’ll be okay. It’s better to face our fears than allow them to conquer us. I’ve never been that person, and pray I never am.

We’re soon moving down the runway. Wolf reaches over and squeezes my thigh before placing one hand on the wheel and one on the throttle. We pick up speed and lift off. My body tingles as I fight fear. I can do this. I don’t speak. I stare straight ahead at the perfect sky as we lift higher.

He levels off at about five thousand feet, which I’m grateful for. I’d rather keep a bit lower on this first trip out. Clear blue and gold light streams in through the windows; the ocean to the left of us looks like polished glass.

The flight is smooth, and with every landmark we pass, my fear loses strength. Wolf’s a master at flying, and I trust him to keep me safe. He flies like he’s a part of the sky, every movement filled with confidence and precision.

My fingers still clutch my seatbelt, but I’m breathing in and out. He turns the plane, and I watch the coastline pass beneath us as the sky starts to darken with the setting sun. It’s glorious. I’m glad we’re doing this, glad I’m conquering my fears. The sky is as much home to Wolf as the land, so I need to feel as at peace with it as he does.

“What do you see over there?” Wolf asks, drawing my attention to the right.

I smile as I look at him, so devastatingly handsome in his aviators, his shoulders relaxed. He might’ve felt fear in our crash, but he’s jumped back in, and is as confident as always. I’m so glad I met him, so happy to be the one he loves.

I look down and see lights, leaning forward to take a good look. My chest instantly tightens as I smile with joy. There’s no room left for fear at what the words say. I knew today was the day, but I had no idea how he was pulling it off.

On a wide open field below, with what appears to be a thousand sparkling lights, the wordsMARRY ME, AUDREYare spelled out big enough for even a jet at 35,000 feet to see.

I laugh with joy as I look at Wolf, this man who will always bring me joy. He’s grinning ear to ear, looking quite pleased with himself. I stare a little harder and notice a couple of fools dancing around like little toy soldiers. I’m sure they’re shouting too, though they have to know there’s no chance of us hearing them. They can only be his brothers.

“You’re crazy. Do you know that?” I ask.

“You love me anyway.”

“Yes, I love you anyway, and yes, I will be your wife.” Tears prickle behind my eyes. I don’t often cry, but I let the emotion flow through me. Having an idea he was going to do something, and actually being in the moment of him doing it, are two different things. I feel safe, loved, cherished, and wanted, and I know I will for the rest of my life.

“There’s no going back now. You’re stuck with me forever,” he says.

“Only if we keep on having adventures together.”

He throws his head back and laughs. “I promise I’ll always surprise you and give you the best adventures, even when we’re eighty.”

“That’s a deal.” I lean over and kiss his sweet mouth as I run my hand over the bulge in his pants, needing to seal this promise with far more than a kiss.

“Audrey,” he chokes as his pants swell beneath my fingers.

“Yes, love?” I say as I kiss my way down the side of his neck. “Maybe we can knock another thing off my bucket list and join the mile high club.”

He groans as he shifts uncomfortably in his seat. I taste the skin of his neck, satisfied that I’m driving him crazy as his pulse pounds out of control.

“Woman, do not make me break the promise I made to you before we climbed into this bird. I need to get you safely back on the ground,” he growls. This should fill me with fear, but it only makes me laugh. I sit back in my seat with a pout on my lips.

“How fast can you land?” I ask as I undo a button on my blouse. He turns the plane and picks up speed.

“Much faster than our smooth ride out here,” he assures me, making me laugh while he grumbles. I look over at his pants, feeling very satisfied I’m the one who’s made him so uncomfortable. I love teasing this man, love that I have the power to bring him to his knees.

“I should’ve proposed on the ground,” he grumbles, and I laugh some more. I feel so free right now. If he wanted to end my fear of flying, he’s done it in the most beautiful way possible. I barely manage to keep my hands to myself as he expertly flies us to the private airstrip. He lands with barely a bump, then speeds to the hangar where he pulls inside and shuts off the engine. I gasp as he undoes my seatbelt and hauls me to him.

“You’re a tease,” he says.

“Mmm, you make me want to be everything.”

The engine doesn’t have time to cool before our clothes are ripped away. His lips are on mine, and my body’s on fire as his hands travel all over my skin.

There might not be a lot of room in the plane, but it’s just enough space for me to lift up, then sink down onto his beautiful shaft. We both moan in pleasure as our flight ends in the most beautiful way possible.

Our kisses slow as I move up and down on him, pressure building, our love strong enough to see us through any storm in life. I pull back as I move up and down, my eyes barely open.

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