I'm happy that some of you enjoyed that post. There are interesting times ahead.

The Proposition

"What?" Marissa asked shocked and wondering if he really said what she thought he said.

"Marry me." he repeated softly, his eyes sparkling as he looked at her.

Marissa smiled. "I think I've already agreed to that." She said. "Don't tell me you've forgotten. Let me remind you. We were in your car on the Cohen's driveway …"

"No. I haven't forgotten." he smiled. "I mean here ... now."

Marissa pulled back a little to focus more clearly on his face, wondering if he was kidding or something. But he didn't look it. "Are you serious?" she asked.

Ryan nodded. "Never more so." He assured her.

"But …" she started to reply, a million thoughts running through her brain. She looked down at her jeans and sneakers and said "I know I said I wanted something simple but I'm wearing jeans, sneakers and a baseball cap …"

Ryan cut her off "Just tell me if you want to marry me?" he asked again. "It's a simple question." He explained.

When put like that Marissa knew that there was only one possible answer. "Of course." And as she watched the hint of a smile broaden on his face she added "Anywhere, anytime."

Ryan moved to retake her lips in his as the Ferris Wheel finally started to move again. He knew it was fate's sign that he'd made the right decision.

---

When they got off the Ferris wheel they quickly made their way through the crowds of young families and back out into the main street. Ryan promised himself that one day they would return with their own children and tell them about this fateful evening. He hadn't said another word to Marissa and she was starting to wonder if she had imagined it all. There was no doubt that her blood pressure was raised from their heated make out session but surely her mind wasn't playing tricks on her. As they started to make their way back to the Bellagio she couldn't take the suspense any longer so she stopped dead in her tracks and waited until Ryan turned to look at her and said. "What just happened back there?"

Ryan replied innocently "We went on the Ferris wheel. I thought you would have noticed."

"And …?" she pressed him to continue.

Ryan looked at her as if he didn't know what she was talking about. "And what?" he asked.

"And … was there anything else?" she asked frowning. She wasn't sure if he was playing around with her or not. Maybe in the anxiety of the moment, being stuck at the top of the Ferris wheel, it was Ryan's mind that had played tricks because he seemed to be acting as if nothing unusual had happened. Marissa decided that she would just go along with it for the moment. Surely he would say something about it soon ….presuming that it really did happen.

Ryan shook his head. "Nothing I can think of." He assured her.

"Then why do you seem to be in such a hurry to get back to the hotel?" Marissa asked.

"Because the tour is over and I'm looking for my tip." Ryan replied a small smile on his face. In truth his mind was working frantically making lists of things to do. But he wanted to try to surprise Marissa. He was scared that if they started to discuss it then she would think of some reason why they should postpone it.

Marissa couldn't help but return the smile. "And just what do you think would be an appropriate tip?" Marissa asked.

"The tip I'm hoping for, is of the highly inappropriate type." Ryan assured her. "And you promised to double it." He reminded her.

"So what does that mean?" Marissa asked.

"It means you won't be getting out of bed for quite some time." He replied, a smile stretching from ear to ear.

---

They managed to get back to their suite unnoticed and Marissa excused herself to go to the bathroom and freshen up. Ryan quickly called Keith with a list of instructions and then made himself comfortable. There was nothing else he could do until Keith got back to him.

When Marissa re-entered the room she smiled at Ryan lounged out across the bed, remote in hand, as he flicked through the TV channels looking for something to watch. She still didn't know quite what to make of what had happened on the Ferris wheel, but she had decided that if he didn't bring it up again then neither would she. Either her imagination was playing tricks on her or Ryan was and either way she wasn't going to lose sleep over it. She didn't want him to think that she didn't want to marry him, but there were too many reasons why they couldn't possibly get married right now so it was probably best to just let the whole thing pass. Her only concern was that Ryan had had second thoughts about the whole thing. But then she would have to agree that it didn't make sense right now anyhow.

"Find anything of interest?" she asked as he changed the channel yet again.

Ryan quickly turned off the television and ran his eyes over her from top to toe making his intentions clear. "Now I have." He replied as he patted the bed beside him indicating for her to join him.

Marissa did so happily. "Still looking for that tip?" she asked as she moved into his waiting arms.

"Well … I think I earned it." He replied lightly kissing her on the tip of her nose.

"Yes … you … did." Marissa replied between kisses.

The kisses intensified and deepened as their hands roamed over one another's bodies. The desire between them, threatening to ignite.

Marissa sat up and straddled him, pinning him to the bed and starting to peel off her clothes, suddenly finding them much too restrictive and wanting to feel her skin against his.

Ryan watched in awe as she dispensed of her blouse and bra and then she started on the buttons on his shirt. He couldn't take his eyes off her as he moved his hands to her breasts and watched her nipples harden between his fingers, her desire obvious in every way. Her eyes filled with passion. Once his shirt was dispensed with, she ran her hands over his muscular torso and then lent down until their bodies touched and their lips met. Her breasts moving over his chest, her tongue in his mouth, he could feel himself responding to her and he couldn't wait for what was to come. He loved it when she took charge and she obviously wanted to take things to the next level. Marissa stood up and pulled off her own jeans and was dispensing of her thong when the phone rang.

"I'd better get that." Ryan said breathlessly.

"No. Leave it." A naked Marissa said wanting to finish what she had started without interruption.

Ryan looked at her again, torn between wanting what was in front of him and what he knew the call was likely to be about. "Just one moment." He said reluctantly and picked up the phone. "Yes." He listened for a moment all the time with his eyes on Marissa now sitting on the edge of the bed. She still had not bothered to reach for her clothes and as Ryan continued to listen she became bored and started to run her hands over him trying to distract him from whoever was on the other end of the call.

Ryan was listening intently but as Marissa started to work her magic on him he tried to hold her hands in his spare one to stop her from distracting him. But the more he tried to stop her the more she persisted. She moved on to the bed and was now running her naked body over his while her hands worked on the buttons on his fly. Ryan pushed her hands away but he couldn't stop her as she moved behind him and started rubbing her naked body against his back this time. Her breasts pushed into his back as her hands wrapped around him to persist with their mission of removing his pants. "Ris." He gasped.

Marissa hesitated for a moment and then started her assault again this time nibbling on his ear at the same time.

This time Ryan actually stood up and moved himself away from her and out of reach. "I'll see you in a minute." He said into the receiver and hung up.

Marissa looked up. "See who in a minute?" she asked.

Ryan thought quickly. "There's some problem with my presentation for tomorrow. I just have to go and sort it out." He said.

"Now?" Marissa asked. She didn't like the idea of their activities being interrupted.

Ryan took another look at the beautiful naked woman in front of him and couldn't believe that he was about to leave her but he knew that it was all for a good cause. He nodded his head. "Yeah. I shouldn't be too long."

Marissa stood up and walked to the wardrobe to pull out one of the hotel gowns. "I hate to tell you but you look pretty long to me." she assured him making it obvious she was referring to the large bulge in his pants.

Ryan looked down and noticed that she was right. He couldn't very well walk out the door in this state. He pulled his shirt back on and made sure he left it out hoping that it would cover the bulge but then realised that it was even difficult to walk she had him in such a state of arousal. He tried desperately to rearrange things so that he could get out the door without too much discomfit. "Don't you go anywhere." He instructed. "We've got unfinished business." He said.

Marissa laughed. "Hurry back or I just might start without you."