Page 57 of Turbulent Fires

“Mmm, that sounds like a good plot for a book.” She pauses for a moment, then looks at me. I wait, seeing she wants to say something that appears to be difficult for her. I hold her close as I rub her back. She sighs.

“I’ve begun writing a book. I don’t know if I’ll ever finish it, but the words keep pouring out of me. I’ve discovered a lot of it is our story,” she says in a rush of words.

I beam at her. “That’s amazing.”

“Don’t get excited about it or anything. I don’t know if this is a passing phase or if it will lead to anything. But I want to start telling you things, big and little. That’s hard for me, and I’m trying to change.”

I laugh. “I guess we’re both far out of our comfort zones now, but at least we’re doing it together.”

“Look at us growing as humans,” she says with a laugh.

I hold her tight. “Audrey, you’re incredible. I love everything about you, the sarcasm, kindness, loyalty, and even the royalty. I love the entire package.”

She shakes her head. “The royal stuff is strictly between us.”

“Do you really think you’ll be able to hide it forever?”

“I’ve managed to do it so far.”

“Well, your secret’s safe with me, but you know Joseph Anderson is the king of finding information.” Her eyes widen in horror, and I squeeze her a bit tighter. “He won’t sell you out even if he finds out,” I assure her.

“I hope not. I love my family, but I don’t want to be a part of that world.”

I lean down and kiss her, and the rest of the world falls away as it does every single time we’re intimate. We’re no longer pretending to be anything other than who we are, and we’re still together. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt this good in my life. I have a feeling it’s only going to get better from here.

Chapter Twenty-One

Wolf

We take off as the sun begins to dip below the horizon. The painted sky is streaked in tangerine and rose as we lift off over the California coastline. Audrey is beside me in the co-pilot seat, her blonde hair catching the light, her sunglasses perched low on her nose, and a grin on her lips telling of secrets she has to share.

“Where are you taking me, Wolf?” she asks for the fourth time as she pokes me in the ribs. I’ve been very secretive.

“No matter how many times you ask, I’m not sharing,” I tell her with a laugh. “That would take away the romantic surprise, Your Highness.”

She rolls her eyes. “You’re never going to stop calling me that, are you?”

“Nope.”

“Well then, you should know it’s a criminal offense to kidnap a princess and take her away to a mystery location to violate her.”

“I was going to blindfold you too, but I was afraid you’d scratch my eyes out.”

She laughs. “You’re a smart man; that very well could happen,” she assures me. Damn, this woman makes my heart beat faster every moment I’m with her.

We took off from a small private airstrip right outside of Long Beach. I have a very romantic sunset picnic planned at a secluded cove I’ve flown to before. Just Audrey and me with a bottle of wine, a blanket, some delectable treats, and a loss of clothes. It doesn’t get better than that.

However, plans don’t always go the way we want them to. If there’s one sure thing in life, it’s that we aren’t in control of our own fate.

Twenty minutes into our flight, my left engine coughs. No big deal. I make some adjustments. Then the engine sputters. Audrey looks at me with worry, knowing these aren’t usual sounds. I give her a smile . . . right before the engine dies.

I flick some switches, check my gauges, then go through everything I’ve been taught. “Come on baby, you can do this,” I mutter. I’m growing more concerned, but don’t want Audrey to see it.

“What’s going on, Wolf?” she asks, no longer smiling. She’s worried, but not panicked. She trusts me. I pray I don’t betray that trust.

“We’re having a little hiccup; stay calm.” She nods, doing remarkably well at holding it together.

That’s all about to change, though, as the second engine drops in power. A shrill alarm echoes through the cockpit of the plane.

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