the crowd, but Avery covered her mouth and didn’t say a word. Her eyes glazed with tears and she shook her head—it was enough for me to fear this might not go the way I planned and suddenly I felt as if I were jumping out of a plane.
Seconds expanded, and my heart raced. I cracked open the box, showing her the ring and held my breath. Her shoulder shook as tears dampened her lashes, her face hidden behind her fingers. I started to tremble as well, and then I was falling to my back, tackled to the ground as she kissed me.
My fist closed over the ring box, and I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tight. The music kicked on—one of her favorites—Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You, and everyone cheered.
At the pop of a champagne cork, we pulled our lips apart and I smiled. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes, that’s a yes.”
“I love you.”
She brushed her mouth to mine. “I love you more.”
I bit at her lips. “Impossible.”
She sighed. “I want you.”
“Wanna sneak upstairs?”
She smirked and nodded. “I want to model my ring for you—while wearing nothing else.”
That sounded incredible. “Mmm. And then what?”
“I’ll let you know when I decide.”
I no longer scrimmaged for control when she wanted it because as it turned out, there was room for both of us to take turns switching it up. No matter who was calling the shots, being with Avery was always incredible.
I stood and helped her to her feet. Several of the guys clapped a hand on my back, congratulating me. When I looked to the far corner of the room, I spotted Micah standing alone. He raised his glass, and I tipped my chin. That was as far as our interactions went. He was here for the simple fact that Avery asked and there was nothing I wouldn’t give her. But I still hated the guy.
Taking Avery’s hand, I pulled her toward the banister, and we slipped upstairs. We could only sneak away for a few minutes. I followed her into our bedroom and softly shut the door.
“Pants off, Mr. Wolfe. We have a house full of guests and only about ten minutes before they realize we’re missing and I want to make every second count.”
I loosened my belt. “Who said you’re in charge?”
She arched a brow and pulled off her hideous Christmas sweater. “Me.”
“Good enough.” I dropped my pants and flicked off the lights. Within thirty seconds she had me begging, but tonight she’d be the one on her knees.
We were married the following spring, not wanting to waste time on a long engagement. Over our honeymoon, I took her skydiving and got the whole thing on tape. She screamed the entire time but also loved the rush. Although she claimed she’d never do it again, I knew she would. Avery was one of the bravest women I’d ever met. And she loved a challenge.
In the end, I had the woman of my fantasies. She was perfect in every way. Adventurous, gorgeous, silly, dangerously competitive, and my best friend. Pleasing Avery was as easy as breathing.
And she got me out of the deal, which she claimed made her the winner. I didn’t understand her thinking, but I didn’t need to. So long as she was happy with the outcome, I had everything I needed, because that meant I had her.
Avery got everything she set her mind to and sometimes it was fascinating to watch her succeed, even when approaching the seemingly impossible. But she was also incredibly easy to please because it didn’t take much to make her happy. She had the job she wanted, a home that came with a fifteen-year mortgage in a decent school district, and an average, mid-sized sedan. Avery loved pretending she was average even if she’d never qualify.
I loved letting her believe the fantasy, too. But I knew the truth. And if one of us was the winner in this situation, it was me.
My wife was no average woman. She was extraordinary. Perfection personified, in every way. Easily the classiest woman in any room, but also the filthiest in the sexiest way possible—no matter the situation, there was always something dirty on her mind. And as far as fulfilling roles went, I especially like when she wore mismatched clothes and farm animal slippers.
She’d been a lot of things in her life, a bombshell, a student, a daughter, a sister, an average girl. But she’d always be so much