Chapter 17：Part of The Plan

It was the night before the wedding and everything was in place.

Well, almost...

Cassie was still at Ethan's place; they had spent the day together and blocked out the world or the drama temporarily. The chef catered to their every whim and the housekeeper spent the day delivering and removing trays from the bedroom. They binge-watched movies and TV shows on Netflix; their phones were off and they avoided social media because the buzz was all about Cassie and Ethan's upcoming nuptials.

"We have to get out of bed babe..." Cassie sighed and snuggled against him, feeling the beat of his heart... or was that her own?

He pushed the hair from her neck and his lips sizzled a hot trail in its wake. "The weather is not conducive my love. It's a sign..."

"Hmmm..." she groaned with pleasure. "I wish...but I need to go to that dreaded rehearsal dinner."

"It's raining. Let's stay in bed," he said as he kissed her shoulder.

"We can't." She giggled and put her arms around his neck.

"Fine..." he rolled his eyes before he looked down at her. "But tonight-"

"Can't do tonight babe. I'm going to be sleeping over at the mansion with my purported inlaws."

"Great..." He shifted his position as he grabbed and fluffed a pillow to hide his grimace.

She pulled away from him, propping up on an elbow as she studied his face. "Ethan...you know this is part of our plan. We have to carry it out until the end. It's too late for us to back down now."

"I know. It doesn't mean I like it." Gathering her in his arms, he pulled her close - his lips seeking hers hungrily.

She reluctantly pushed him away but gave him a chaste kiss before jumping out of bed. "I need to take a bath and get ready. I'm so late."

He snatched her around the waist and laughed, dragging her onto the bed with him. "I'm sorry if I got carried away last night... I have a lot of respect for you. I hope you know that?"

"No harm done right?" Cassie grinned.

"I know that you're not ready to take things further and I'm completely okay with that."

"Thanks for being patient with me." She touched his cheek gingerly. "I know that you'd never hurt me Ethan...not intentionally anyway. I trust you."

"I trust you with my life, Cassie." He told her. "I'm so glad that my jet crashed and I got a chance to know you." She laughed when he said that. "I didn't know that being stranded on an island with you would lead up to this moment. The moment when I finally met the love of my life. I can't imagine my life without... I love you Cassandra Winters." The sincerity in his voice brought tears to her eyes.

Deep down she knew she felt the same way and there was no point in holding back those feelings anymore. "I love you too Ethan Hunter."

A smile of joy and satisfaction lit up his eager face. "I can't tell you what hearing that does to me."

"I think I need to get used to it too." She smiled now the same happy smile as then when he had looked into her eyes.

She stroked his hair and kissed his forehead. "This isn't how I wanted to do this but...marry me Cassie Winters?"

"What?!" she blurted out, and then caught her breath.

He laughed softly. "Wrong answer princess. You're supposed to say yes!"

"I-I don't know what to say, Ethan..." She watched him, still dumbstruck. Was he in love with her as well, or was he simply taking what he could get?

"Yes?" He prompted again as he slid off the mattress and knelt down before her. "Say yes my love. Say you'll marry me." He cajoled gently. Strong warm fingers touched her hand and his palm slid under hers, entwining their fingers together.

He seemed sincere, this couldn't be an act. She knew that. She could see it in his eyes. This was Ethan, her Ethan. She knew him better than anyone and vice-versa. She may have had betrayal issues but Ethan had proven to her time and again, that he was nothing like Kace. Actually he was far from it-the complete opposite. Ethan was her destiny.

Cassie's stomach did somersaults as she drew a few shaky breaths to calm herself and then touched his face before she said: "Yes."

"Yes?!" Ethan's face broke out into an ecstatic smile as he rose to his feet again.

"Yes!" she grinned unable to contain her happiness a second longer. "Yes, I'll marry you, Ethan Hunter!"

With a whoop, he leaned down and swooped her into his arms, twirling her in the middle of the room. "YEEEEESSS!"

A joyful, unexpected frenzy, of which he had thought himself incapable, possessed him. This felt better than closing a billion-dollar deal any day.

Cassie giggled, feeling giddy with happiness as she gazed up at his smooth bronze features. "Some one's excited..." she grinned, her eyes twinkling.

"Sweetheart! you have no idea!" His arms wrapped around her and he kissed her thoroughly, leaving her breathless.

"I've got to call my parents and tell them the news," she finally remembered. "Is that okay?"

"Yes, of cos," he replied. "But first..." he raised his index finger, indicating that she should wait. "Just give me a sec. Sit here," he led her to the chaise lounge in the corner and walked into his dressing room. She could hear him pressing the buttons of his safe before he came back, holding a small golden box.

Going down on one knee, he flipped the case open to reveal a gold sapphire engagement ring, that matched the color of her eyes. He reached out and claimed her shaky hand, slipping the ring on her finger slowly. It was a perfect fit.

"Better?"

"I love it!" She gasped as tears pooled in her eyes.

"And I love you." Before she could get a word out, Ethan covered her mouth with his.

Her heart was about to burst with happiness. Everything that happened was so surreal. She couldn't believe that she, Cassie Winters-was getting married to Ethan Hunter?