“Depends on what kind of Natalie time we're talking about.”
“I’ll show you.” He kisses me, and I melt into him the way I always do. His hands slide down my back and grip my ass, pulling me tighter against his body. I loop my arms around his neck and lose myself in the taste of him.
“We have a house full of guests,” I remind him.
“They can wait.”
“Your mother is downstairs.”
“She can definitely wait.”
I laugh and push gently against his chest.
“Fine, fine.” He releases my ass but keeps his hands on my waist. “There's actually something else I wanted to talk to you about.”
“What is it?”
He takes a deep breath and steps back. And then, to my complete and utter shock, he lowers himself to one knee.
My hand flies to my mouth. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like I'm doing?” He opens his hand to reveal a small velvet box. “I'm proposing to the love of my life.”
“But we just moved in together. We haven't even unpacked all the boxes.”
“You know I don't do things in halves, baby.” He opens the box to reveal a ring that steals my breath. It’s a stunning oval diamond surrounded by smaller stones, set on a delicate band. “When I know what I want, I go after it. And I want you. Forever.”
Tears are already streaming down my face.
“Besides, my mother told me I'd better put a ring on it fast before someone steals you away.” His eyes crinkle with amusement. “And you know I always listen to my mother.”
A laugh bubbles up through my tears. “That's not true.”
“It's true when she's right.” He takes my left hand in his. “Natalie Cross, you walked into my life when I was at my lowest point. You put me back together piece by piece. You believed in me, and you loved me when I didn't deserve it.” His voice thickens with emotion. “I can't imagine my life without you, and I don't want to. Marry me. Please.”
“Yes, of course, yes.”
He slides the ring onto my finger, and it fits like it was made for me. Then he's on his feet, and I'm in his arms, and we're kissing again.
“I love you,” he says.
“I love you too.” I pull back to look at the ring on my finger. “It's beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you.”
“That was cheesy.”
“I don't care.” He kisses me again. “I get to be cheesy. I just got engaged.”
I laugh and wipe the tears from my cheeks. “We should go tell everyone.”
Ethan presses a kiss to the top of my head. “You deserve everything good in this world. And I'm going to spend the rest of my life making sure you get it.”
“That's a big promise.”
“I'm a big guy. I can handle it.”
I elbow him in the ribs, and he laughs. “Come on.” I take his hand and tug him toward the door. “Let's go share the news.”
