Page 68 of Blackstone's Heart
She was pulled from those memories when she looked around and recognized where they were. Instead of heading back to his house like she thought, Ethan had brought them to their old spot on the west bank of Lake Travis. Ethan parked and cut the engine. She climbed off and pulled off her helmet.
"What are we doing here?"
"I thought we could take a little walk. Like we used to do."
Krista smiled as he took her hand. As they moved along the water's edge, Ethan draped his arms around her shoulders. "I've always liked coming here with you."
Ethan kissed her temple. "Likewise. You know, you're the only girl I ever brought here. I mean alone. Yeah we used to party out here, but I never went on walks alone with anyone else but you."
He stopped and moved her so she was standing in front of him, the almost fully set sun glittering off the lake. "Ethan?"
He cupped her face before leaning down and pressing his lips to hers. He felt her tremble in his arms as he pulled her tighter. She moaned, her hands sliding up his chest and locking around his neck. The kiss was slow, tender, Ethan pouring all his love and respect for her into the kiss. Krista matched his emotions, her own love and respect bleeding into him through their connected lips.
Ethan slowly pulled back. He caressed her cheek and just stared into her eyes. "Marry me Krista."
Krista's eyes widened. "Wait, what?"
"Marry me. Once we catch this fucker I want you to marry me. I need you woman. In my life, my bed, at my side. I want you to be with me. Be the mother of my children. I want it all and I want it with you Krista."
"Oh wow." Krista gaped. "Wait a second. Where the hell's my ring?"
It was Ethan's turn to gape at her. "Um, ring?"
Rolling her eyes, she sighed dramatically. "You bring me to our spot, kiss me like I'm your world, give me the sweetest proposal I've ever heard and you don't have a ring. Jeez."
Ethan threw his head back and laughed. "Tell ya what, let’s get on the bike and I'll take you to any dammed jeweler you want and we can pick out your ring together. As long as you say yes."
"Yes Ethan Blackstone. I’ll marry you." Krista beamed. “Now, let’s go get my ring.”
Kissing her one more time, the couple walked back to the bike, hopped on and headed back toward downtown. Ethan felt a peacefulness fill him as he sped through the streets. It had been on an impulse to propose, but it just felt so right. He just knew that somewhere Jerry was probably cheering for him and Krista.
About fifteen minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of Jared's. Hand-in-hand they walked in. Ethan watched as Krista's face broke into a million watt smile as she tugged him toward the engagement rings.
"Hello welcome to Jared's. Can I help you find something?" The young woman greeted.
"Yes ma'am, we're shopping for..." Ethan paused and looked a Krista. "Do you want to go ahead pick out the full sets?"
"Might as well." Krista nodded.
"Alright then." He smiled. "We're shopping for her engagement ring and matching wedding band."
"Congratulations." The lady beamed. "Over here are our bridal sets."
Krista moved to the case. After only a few seconds she stopped. "There! That one right there."
The lady pulled out the ring. "A beautiful choice. This is a 1 1/5 carat. The bands are 14k white and rose gold."
Ethan rested his chin on Krista's shoulder as she slipped the rings onto her left ring finger. He gently lifted her hand and tilting it left and right, watching the light catch the diamonds and band. "Is this the one baby?"
"Yes Ethan. I love it." Krista gushed.
Ethan lifted his eyes to the clerk. "You heard the lady. This is the one."
"I'll be honest. I've shown that style to lots of women. You are the first one that I can honestly say that YOU make the ring. Normally, the ring complements the woman but you are complementing the ring." The clerk said as she carefully took the wedding band part of the ring from Krista and placed it in a box. "Now, was there anything else I can help with?"
Krista turned in Ethan's arms. "Why don't we get yours too? Might as well right?"
"Only if you pick it for me." Ethan smiled.
