<div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/e/e2/ThreedomGuy.jpeg)</div>With a sigh Colin Emerson regarded the last four boxes piled in the corner. Nothing like the last minute, he thought. Cleaning out the guest room that up until now had been his office had been on his list of things to do all week. He'd done a decent job of moving the furniture and electronics down to the half-finished basement, but then there had been long hours at work, there were parts missing from the new bed, and... well, 'half-finished' described a lot of things about Colin's life. Now instead of helping Bethany with dinner he was finally getting the room in order.<br/><br/>Some of these boxes had been here, still packed, since they had moved in together. He probably ought to just leave them out by the curb, but he knew as soon as he did he'd find himself missing something vital. Colin ran a hand through his wavy dark hair and stifled a sneeze from the dust. He needed time to get himself ready too. The old concert T-shirt and ripped jeans were comfortable, but not quite up to the level of formality Bethany had chosen for the evening. He'd sneaked into the kitchen a couple of times, and she looked incredible, even in a black T-shirt and jeans. Then again he always thought she looked fantastic, an opinion he was gradually getting her to share with him. He loved her to death but, as the expression went, 'the girl had issues'. Well, who didn't? It's not like he was Mr. Rogers either.<br/><br/>As he lifted the large cardboard box marked 'Textbooks (Law)', he found it surprisingly light. Something shifted inside, and there was a metal clanking sound. Curious he set the box down on the deep blue duvet covering the full bed he'd finally managed to get assembled last night. The top flaps opened easily, and he gave a sad smile as he instantly recognized the contents. So that's where that stuff had gone. He had vaguely thought it was all in that leather duffle below the basement stairs. First giving a slightly guilty glance toward the door, he proceeded to dig through the box of leather, latex and metal. A few floggers, a multi-tail whip, two ball gags... Nipple clamps -- those had been Julie's favorite, but that had been a long time ago. Honestly there was no point keeping this stuff around. Bethany wasn't interested, and it wasn't worth pushing. It's not like he needed it; it had just been a fun little sideline, years ago. Things in the bedroom with his fiancé were great. Terrific, even. No complaints.<br/><br/>He closed up the flaps of the box and stacked it on top of another -- this one heavy enough to actually contain books. Two more trips and he'd have all of this stuff downstairs and out of the way. It wouldn't be so bad, setting up his office down in the basement. A little noisy, with the furnace room and the laundry, but maybe he could even get his guitar back out and do some practicing. And with another woman around the house he'd probably enjoy the privacy. Nothing against Bethany's friend Ardy, she seemed like a nice person, really mature for her age, and he loved the effect she had on Bethany. But their townhouse wasn't exactly a mansion. He was sure there'd be more than a little bumping of elbows as they all got adjusted.<br/><br/>Colin set the boxes down at the top of the basement steps and poked his head into the kitchen. He took a moment to admire her from behind. She'd changed shirts -- now he was even more underdressed -- and was looking at something in her hand. He crept up behind her and gave her a hug, seeing what it was that she held.<br/><br/>"You look fantastic, Bee. And all of this smells incredible. You're really going all out, aren't you? Don't worry, she'll be impressed." He took the ring from her hand, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger. Gently her turned her around to face him. "The sexiest woman in St. Louis, and she can cook too. Miss Bethany Lyndstrom, I'm going to have to ask you to marry me before someone else snatches you up." He slid the ring onto her finger, and then bent to kiss her.<br/><br/>