28.
Justin
The streets are lined with twinkling lights and festive decorations. Two months after we finally made Crystal a stakeholder in EnergiFusion, the holiday season in San Francisco is in full swing. Inside the EnergiFusion factory, workers scurry to put the finishing touches on the new battery-production setup. We’re so close to seeing our batteries come off the assembly line. Despite the guys’ lengthy holdout, the power-sharing deal SHN outlined for us has taken the pressure off of everyone. The guys now seem to acknowledge how valuable Crystal is, and where they once doubted her abilities, they now look to her for guidance and respect her opinions. With Christmas only ten days away, there’s a newfound harmony at work, and I couldn’t be more glad.
I pull in at the valet for Van Clef and Arpels on this Friday afternoon, my heart racing with anticipation. Other than our house, I’ve never spent this much money on anything before, but it’s worth it for Crystal. I step out of the car and head inside, excitement and nervousness washing over me.
As I approach the counter, my palms feel sweaty. The sales associate greets me with a smile, and I explain that I’m here to pick up an engagement ring. She nods and asks for my name, then disappears into the back room.
A moment later, she emerges with a small box in her hand. My heart skips a beat as she opens it up, revealing the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen. The oval diamond sparkles in the light, flanked by two smaller diamonds on either side.
“Wow,” I breathe, reaching out to take it from her. It’s heavy and solid in my hand, like my commitment to Crystal.
As I leave the store to pick Crystal up from the office, I’m grateful for Caroline Sullivan’s advice. Without her guidance, I might never have found the right ring.
Now, all that’s left is to surprise Crystal and ask her to spend the rest of her life with me. I can’t wait to see the look on her face. Tonight is going to be very special. And she’s not expecting a thing!
I make my way through the heavy traffic, back to the office, and when I arrive, I send her a quick message to let her know I’m waiting downstairs for her. A few minutes later, Crystal settles into the passenger seat of the Suburban, looking exhausted after a long week of work. Her eyes close, and she takes a deep breath as she relaxes into the seat. She’s been working hard lately, getting everything ready for the company’s move, plus taking a class at Berkeley, and I want to give her a break.
“Hey, babe,” I say, reaching over for her hand. “How about we take a little trip this weekend?”
She opens one eye and looks at me skeptically. “What kind of trip?”
“It’s a surprise,” I say, grinning.
Her eyes widen, and she sits up. “Really? You’re serious?”
“Absolutely,” I say. “I even packed a bag for you, so you don’t have to worry about anything.”
“Wow,” she says, shaking her head. “Twist my arm. I love that you knew I needed a break. Thank you.” She kisses me on the cheek, lacing our fingers together.
As we drive out of San Francisco, my phone rings, and I answer it without thinking. It’s one of the intellectual property lawyers working on the patent for the battery, and I listen carefully as she explains some new developments. The rhythmic thump of the car going over the bridge has Crystal sitting up and looking around, curious about where we’re going.
“Thank you. I’ll look for that on Monday morning,” I say, ending the call and turning to look at Crystal. “Just some work stuff. But we’re almost there.”
She smiles at me, and warmth spreads through my chest. No matter how busy or stressful things get, she always makes me feel better. And soon, I’ll be able to show her just how much she means to me. This weekend is going to be perfect.
When we arrive at the bed and breakfast in Yountville, which is up in Napa Valley, about an hour from San Francisco, Crystal is practically glowing. She spins with her arms open wide as she exits the car. “Thank you for the surprise. This looks lovely.”
We go inside to our room, and while she’s arranging her things in the bathroom, I put the ring in the safe and pray no one breaks in and takes it. I can’t wait to propose tomorrow and spend the rest of my life figuring her out.
Ready for dinner, we walk hand in hand down the block to the restaurant. The night air is crisp and cool. I direct her to enter French Laundry, and we’re seated right away. From there, a wonderful evening unfolds. The tasting menu is a slow and relaxing parade of delights, and it allows us to fully enjoy the wine pairings as we dine.
“Is this how it’s always going to be?” Crystal asks.
The corners of my mouth turn up. “I hope so.”
We eat oysters and caviar, grilled Pacific Shima, and risotto with truffle shavings. From time to time, the need to tell her all about our plans for tomorrow almost overwhelms me, but I hold myself back. I don’t want to ruin the surprise.
When we’ve finished every delicious morsel they’ve brought us, we walk back to the bed and breakfast.
“I now understand why people speak so highly of French Laundry,” Crystal says. “Dinner was fantastic, and each course was just enough to leave you wanting more, but I’m full.”
I agree, but I fall speechless as I turn and take in her beauty. Everything about her captivates me. My heart races as I search for something clever to say, but my mind is drawing a blank. “I love you.”
She stops and steps toward me. “I love you too.”
Her lips touch mine in a gentle caress, sending a rush of warmth through my body. The world seems to fade away. I hustle us the rest of the way back to our room.
Once the door closes behind us, she reaches for my belt buckle and deftly pulls it open. My cock is immediately hard as my pants drop to the floor at my ankles.
She kneels before me and licks her lips as she stares up.
“God, you’re even more beautiful now,” I whisper, my voice trembling with desire.
She smiles, her eyes filled with lust and love. Taking me in her mouth, she swirls her tongue around my shaft. I moan softly, unable to control the sensations coursing through me. Her skilled hands work in tandem with her mouth, stroking and squeezing as she pleasures me.
With a low growl, I pull her up and lift her onto the couch, our bodies colliding in a frenzied embrace. Kissing her passionately, I strip off her clothes, desperate to be inside her. Her breath hitches as I slide in, our bodies melding together.
This is my forever home.
I thrust into her, our hearts pounding in sync. She moans softly, her legs wrapping around me, pulling me deeper. The familiar rush of ecstasy builds within me as I look into her eyes. With one final thrust, I explode inside her, our bodies trembling beneath the waves of pleasure.
Afterward, panting and entwined, I pull her close and whisper, “I never want to leave this place.”
She kisses me gently, her breath warm on my skin. “Neither do I.”