I do not own the characters!

For this chapter and future ones, I am figuring since Kristina lives in a "Lake House", that perhaps there is a lake around. So I am elaborating the house for my own personal use.

Everyone at Jake's was amazed at what they had just witnessed. There was the speculation of the school girl crush turning into more, but people weren't sure how Ethan felt about Kristina. Now they had their answers too. Ethan was wondering how long it would take for the news to get back to Sonny, and how long it would be till he sent for him. It hadn't been very long ago with the misunderstanding in The Dominican and Sonny calling him "A Coward", and Ethan telling Sonny at the house that he wasn't going to stop seeing her and they were just friends. Right now he didn't care, he wanted to be with her more than he could have ever possibly imagined.

"Why don't you start working the room saying your goodnights to people and we can get out of here and go somewhere else." he said as he moved away from her.

Kristina walked over to Sam and Jason and they warned her to be careful. Sam knowing that her mom still wasn't home and wouldn't be back until Monday and it was only Saturday night. She hugged them good bye. She walked around and said a few goodbyes and gave hugs and found Ethan.

"Ok, I am ready", she said as he took her hand and led her to the door.

A little bit of silence in the car till Kristina began clearing her throat getting ready to talk.

"I had no idea you played the guitar, it was beautiful and it meant a lot to me with you singing it to me. I love Kenney Chesney, and that is one of my favorite songs." she said as she smiled at him.

"I meant everything I said. That first time I saw you something in me clicked, friendship. I could talk to you about anything, and I am certain my friendship turned deeper into the love for you that I had growing in me.", he said as he reached out for her hand.

"So Mr. Lovett, your place or mine?" she asked with a chuckle.

"We are heading to your house", he said as he pulled down the street.

It was a gorgeous night out, the moon was shining over the lake and the stars were twinkling in the sky. As they pulled up to the house, Kristina got a bit nervous. She didn't know what was going to happen now.

"Do you want to come in", she asked with a seductive smile.

Ethan had popped the trunk, gone around and grabbed a bag and then went and opened the door and took her by the hand to help her out of the car. He led her to the front door. She stopped to unlock the door and he brushed the hair away from the side of her neck and started placing small kisses making it difficult for her to open the door.

They walked into the house and he put his bag down on the chair, he took her in his arms and just held her tight as he kissed the top of her head.

"Do you have someone's head in the duffle bag", she asked with a bit of confusion

"Nope, just some clothes in case we decided to come back here, I wanted clothes to change into so I could be comfortable if that's ok with you." He said.

"Sounds like a great idea, I am going to go upstairs and change into something more comfortable. You can change in the bathroom downstairs", she said as she walked up the stairs.

Kristina went upstairs and grabbed a pair of sweatpants and an oversized sweatshirt out of her closet and changed into them. She went into the bathroom; she let her hair down, and washed all the makeup off her face. He heart was racing; she had huge butterflies in her stomach. She couldn't understand why she was getting so nervous. This was Ethan, and even though he told her tonight that he loved her. It wasn't like he was some new guy she had just met.

She headed downstairs looking all cozy and sat on the couch and waited for Ethan who was still in the bathroom.

He had brought sweatpants and a hoodie to change into. He kept thinking to himself while he looked in the mirror. You need to keep this under control. She is still young and not as experienced as you. You need to let her set the pace, and you need to know when to put on the brakes. He splashed some water on his face and headed out to the family room.

Kristina was sitting there smiling when he came out.

"I guess you could say we are having a PJ party", she laughed.

"I guess you could say that", he replied as he bent down a softly kissed her.

"Ethan, do you want to take a walk down to the dock and relax outside, it's a beautiful night", she asked.

"Sounds perfect, luv", he said as they headed for the door.

They walked down the dock hand in hand with the moon and the stars shining brightly over them. Ethan sat down first and pulled her down so that she was leaning back against him between his legs with her head resting on his chest. He could smell her sweet perfume, and he found himself smelling her hair.

"Kristina, I want to talk to you, and I don't want you to say anything until I am done", he told her.

"Am I going to regret having this conversation", she asked after all that had happened already tonight.

"No, nothing like that. There are just things I need to tell you and then you can let me know how you feel about these them." he said.

"I want you to know that I do love you, more than ever thought I could love someone. I am going to talk to Sonny and Alexis and see if this mess can be straightened out. I know when we kiss sometimes things get heated and we both feel excited, but I don't want to rush into things with you. You aren't some one night stand that I picked up. As beautiful as you are and the way you make my heart race, I would love to make love to you, but this isn't about us just jumping into bed and having sex. I think it is much more than that. First and always first, you are my best friend, and that will never change. As far as our relationship we build off of our friendship. If you will have me, I would love nothing more than to have you on my arm as my girlfriend and yes, that would mean that we are dating. Friendship, Trust, and Love... No Secrets!" he said as if he seemed relieved to finally get all of that off of his chest.

Kristina felt like her head was spinning, she couldn't believe everything he had just said to her. There were small tears trickling down her face. She was sure they were tears of happiness. She wiped them off and was facing him.

"Is it my turn to talk now?" she asked.

"The floor is yours", he told her.

"Ethan, I knew from the first time I saw you, I knew there was something special about you. You made my heart skip a beat. I have waited for a long time to date you, and there is nothing I want more than I to be your girlfriend. You are my best friend and I don't want to rush into anything either. In the past it was always about sex, not making love. Declarations of love that weren't really there, but used against me to get me into bed. I love you more than I thought was possible. I want there to always be friendship, love, trust, and honesty. So I ask you as well to be honest with e.", she said as she let out with a sign.

There was nothing else that needed to be said between them for the time being, they sat on the docks, lips pressed tightly against each other. The passion rose as their tongues started to dance around each other. For now, they were just figuring things out, and that was ok with both of them.

Yes, there are more chapters to come…..

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