Chapter Twenty-Five
Audrey
Wolf doesn’t do anything by half measures. This includes everything in life. I know what’s happening right now, or I have a very strong suspicion, but I don’t let on. He’s not that good at hiding his excitement. He’s also wearing a brand-new shirt, which he never does, and keeps sneaking glances my way as if it’s killing him not to bring me in on his little secret. I’d be laughing if I weren’t so nervous at the moment.
I’m gazing at the sleek white plane parked on the private runway like it’s a dragon I might have to duel. I’m filled with a mixture of excitement and fear.
“How are you doing?” Wolf asks as he stands at my side, his signature aviators on. He’s giving me time to decide on my next move. I want to tell him I’m fine, and I’m trying to be, but I’m not quite there yet.
The reality is that I’m very aware that the last time we were in a plane together, it hadn’t ended so well. That’s an under-exaggeration. We barely escaped a burning inferno. I can’t let fear hold me back, though, and this is a huge part of Wolf’s life, so I have to get over my fear. I’m going to get on the plane, but I need a few moments.
“We were fine after our crash landing. I’m trying to convince myself I can do this,” I admit. “I want to be okay, but I’m scared.”
His smile falls away as he scoots closer to me, his fingers rubbing my cheek as he brushes my hair behind my ear. “We don’t have to do this.”
What makes me want to go on the plane even more is knowing he’s speaking the truth. He won’t be upset if I don’t get into the plane and ruin whatever he’s planning. He’ll fully understand. This, above anything else, makes me want to fly with him. I love that he accepts me as I am and wants me to be happy.
“I understand,” he tells me. “To be honest, the crash was the scariest thing I’ve ever been through. I haven’t let on how much. Having you beside me in danger was terrifying. I promise I’ve checked this plane over ten times. I’ll never put you at risk again if I can help it.”
I nod. “I want to be at your side through thick and thin. I also don’t want to take away something that gives you so much joy.”
I love how we can talk like this, love that he understands me, and I understand him. Together we’ll conquer our weaknesses and thrive on our strengths.
I move forward. “Let’s do this. I’m going to be nervous, but each mile will dissipate my fear.”
“We can take as long as you need.”
“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 words MARRY ME, AUDREY are 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.
“I love you,” I gasp. His gaze burns into mine.
He grips my hips and guides me. “I love you for an eternity,” he tells me.
He kisses me again as he squeezes my hips tight and surges up, making me scream against his mouth when a release washes over me. He soon joins, leaving us both breathing heavily as we soar to the heavens and slowly float back down again.
He keeps me wrapped in his arms, our bodies still connected as one. “I promise you’ll never regret marrying me. I’ll strive every single day to make you the happiest woman alive. I’ll cherish you as you should be worshipped, and though I’ll make mistakes, I’ll admit to them, and do better next time. Now that I’ve found you, there’s nothing that will pull me away. I love you.”
“You don’t even have to do anything. I love you, Wolf, that’s enough.”
I lean against him, skin to skin, heart to heart. He chuckles. I’m too content to pull away to look at him this time. “I guess we’re officially flying into forever now,” he tells me. I chuckle against him.
“That’s quite the cheesy line, Mr. Young.” I pause while I gently bite his shoulder. “We’re doing it with no flight plan, no map, and no idea of our final destination.”
“Mmm, with equally cheesy lines, we’re a match made in heaven.”
“Hey, that was pretty brilliant,” I tell him.
“Everything you do and say is brilliant.”
It takes a while, but we somehow manage to untangle from each other’s arms. I always feel empty when we do. But I also know it won’t be long until I’m right back where I’m supposed to be. We somehow manage to get home, where we immediately get naked again and curl up together with a blanket wrapped around us.
“I don’t think my fear of flying is completely over, but I know it will fade more and more each time we go up,” I tell him.
“If you ever feel unsafe, you tell me and we’ll take a train if we need to.”
“I know you mean that, and it matters more than words can say.”
“You’re all that matters, Audrey. I want you happy, and I’m willing to do anything to make that happen.”
“I trust you to keep me safe.”
He kisses me long and slow. “We’ll always fly together, no matter where life takes us.”
I give him a big grin. “Okay, we can always fly, as long as you promise me one thing.” I try to keep my tone serious. He looks concerned.
“Anything.”
“The next time we crash land, you have to jump into the water first. That was ridiculously cold. Try landing in a more tropical place.”
It takes a moment, then he throws his head back and laughs. “Let’s just avoid crashing.”
“That sounds like a better plan.”
We stay in each other’s arms as we both think about what’s ahead. I’m sure it will be amazing no matter what obstacles or challenges head our way. We’ve found each other and now we’re an unstoppable force. It doesn’t get better than this.