I Do

“Well, you did make an excellent point about our memories and our past holding us captive.”

Ethan leaned forward and held the neck of his glass.

“You know from where I am, it sounds like you are still giving a lot of power to your past.”

Josie bit her lip and exhaled loudly.

“Maybe I am,” she said before she downed the contents of her glass. “But I am only going to tell you if there is more of this wine lying around somewhere.”

“As a matter of fact, I have one in my suite,” he said and she grinned.

“Mr. Beckett, are you trying to get me to come up to your suite?” she asked and he nodded.

“Depends. Is it working?”

She pushed her chair back and stood up. She was still looking at him as she tucked her clutch under her arm.

“You tell me,” she said seductively and then began to head for the exit.

Ethan smiled and followed her out. He could still see her body so perfectly outlined under the blanket. He could not help but lust after her. Her body was perfection after all.

When they got to his suite, Ethan leaned against the closed door and watched her as she explored his suite.

“I thought my suite was large but this… I could fit two of mine in yours. Maybe even three,” she said as he walked over to the bar. He opened a bottle of wine and poured two glasses before he walked out to the balcony where she was standing.

“This must have been what made people rush to the Titanic,” she said in a soft voice. “Having such a view.”

He smiled and handed her a glass.

“Tell me something, Josie,” he started as he leaned against the railing. “How exactly has someone not snatched you up?”

Josie shrugged and toyed with a curly lock of her hair.

“It is kind of hard to meet the right kind of man when you are hidden away for hours on end in a dead-end job,” she said before she took a long sip of her wine.

“Should I be feeling guilty right now?” Ethan asked. “I have been known to keep you in the office sometimes into the wee hours of the morning.”

She smiled.

“No, I am talking about my former job at Rank Media. I thought it was a great opportunity for my career but as it turned out, it was a toxic work environment. I’m happy I left.”

“I’m happy you left too,” Ethan said before he took another sip of his wine. “And I am even happier that you are here with me right now.”

The tone in his voice had changed and his smile was no longer there. He looked into her eyes which shone in the dim light and then placed his glass on the sill. He took a step forward and took her glass from her before he put it next to his own.

“Really?” she asked in a whisper and he nodded.

“Yes, it gives me a chance to do something I have been thinking about doing for a long time,” he said as he pushed the blanket off her shoulders. “You may not have noticed it but you have been a real tease lately. You know that?” he asked as he held her close.

His other hand was slowly going up her back to find her zipper.

“What are you doing?” she asked as he pulled the zipper on the back of her dress down.

“Tonight I want to show you just what you have done to me. I want to show you the kind of power you have over me.”

“Marry me,” he said in a whisper.

Josie looked up at him and smiled.

“What?” she asked, surprised.

“Marry me,” he said again and she smiled before she nodded.

“Okay.”

He gently stroked her chin.

“Okay? Really?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said, still smiling. “Yes!”