I don't own anything Janet Evanovich has created. If I did, Ranger would never leave my bedroom. Oops…did I say that out loud:)

This story contains adult themes and language. If you can't deal, I suggest you don't read.

Any Spanish will be translated at the end of the chapters.

This is the sequel to JUST AN ADVENTURE. Reading that first is suggested.

Chapter one

She stood with her hands on her hips, looking at the paint selections on the wall. Steph had been in the paint store for over an hour, picking out colors and schemes for the Batcave. She didn't want anything over the top and bright…but she also wanted color and variety. Ranger had given her the day off to look at paint. Each guest bedroom was going to be different, and each bathroom that connected to each bedroom was going to match the bedroom it was with. Simple enough…right? Wrong. There were too many rooms, and not enough ideas. And then there was Julie's room. Ranger's daughter. Steph had been on the phone with her for three hours yesterday, planning her room. She wanted it to be girly, but also adultish…and together they had formulated the perfect room. Steph looked at the colors, periodically picking out colors. When finished, she ordered the paint and whipped out her cell phone.

Ranger answered on the second ring. "Yo."

"Yo yourself. Hey, I have a question. Can you spare me a man or two to help with this paint. There is so much of it, I can't carry it all by myself, and I don't think it's gonna fit in my CTS." Ranger laughed.

"Yeah Babe, I'll send Bobby and Lester over. They'll be there in a moment or two." Steph smiled.

"Thank you. Will you be home for dinner."
"Yeah. I have a meeting at four, but I'll be up by six." Steph said goodbye and hung up. Lou, the manager of the paint store started putting closed cans of paint on the counter.

"Ma'am, you sure have a lot of painting in front of you. Is this for a new house?" Steph paid the man and nodded.

"Yes. We aren't living there yet, just getting ready to." Lou wished her luck. Lester and Bobby pulled up in their truck, and started loading paint into the back. Bobby looked at the color labels and whistled.

"Bomber, do you actually think Ranger is gonna want these colors?" Steph shrugged.

"Dunno. But they're going in. He gave me the task of making the house a home…and that's what I'm gonna do." Lester nodded.

"You tell 'em Bomber!" The two men helped Steph load the truck, and they drove to the house. Steph directed where each color would go, and her Merrymen friends dropped the cans in the respective rooms. Furniture was set to arrive too…but Ranger had wanted to help her with that. Cal and Ram were going to come over to help paint. Lester and Bobby wanted to stay and help too. They had brought their "paint" clothes and were ready to go. Steph couldn't imagine what was better, four shirtless Merrymen, painting, or the fact that she was finally bringing the house together.

Painting was going smoothly…or as smoothly as possible with four giants and one woman doing the painting. Bobby had been painting the kitchen with a light blue paint, and some had dripped onto him from the ceiling. Cal had called him a smurf, and had been splattered. Steph had to break it up before more was hurled around. They had all of the rooms done, except for Julie's. Steph and Ranger wanted to do that themselves. The four went outside and lounged near the pool, waiting for Ranger to get home. He had given the men the rest of the day off to help Steph. Steph changed into her bathing suit, and joined them. Lester whistled.

"Damn Bomber, you're lookin' good!" Steph grinned and turned in a circle. All the working out and running she had been doing had finally started paying off. She had a toned and firmed stomach, toned arms and legs, and more confidence. Her pale green bathing suit stood out from her golden tanned skin. Cal, Bobby, and Ram applauded their appreciation as well. Steph lounged in a chair and watched them play in the water. Every once in a while, some water would be splashed on her, but she could never catch the culprit.

"Look boys…if any of you splash water on me again…I'll have to shoot you." No one answered. Steph looked up, and smiled. "Ranger." Ranger bent down and kissed her nose.

"Babe. Looks like you're keeping them busy. Carry on boys, enjoy your time off." The men resumed frolicking in the water. Ranger stripped off his shirt and sat down on the chair next to Steph's. "So, have you had fun today?" Steph nodded.

"Did you see the house?" Ranger shook his head. Steph rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand. "Well, come on then, I'll show you." The couple walked through the house. Ranger seemed to like the calm colors. His eyes grew dark at their bedroom. The walls had been painted a deep red color with gold trim. Ranger put his arms around her and pulled her close.

"I think the house is wonderful Babe. You did a good job." Steph smiled and kissed him passionately.

"Thank you." Nothing more was said. Ranger made quick work of taking off her bathing suit, throwing it to the floor. His hungry mouth kissed her neck, tasted her sun warmed skin. She moaned softly as his fingers traced her inner thigh. Ranger pulled off his swim trunks and slid into Steph. She gasped with pleasure as he pushed deep. They tousled around on the floor, each one calling out the other's name as they climaxed. Ranger sighed and sagged onto Steph. She smiled and kissed his nose, wrapping her arms around him.

"I love you Ranger." Ranger smiled and squeezed her gently.

"I love you too." Then he laughed. "Do you think the boys are wondering where we are?" Steph grinned wickedly and wrapped her legs around his body.

"Does it really matter?" Ranger grinned and kissed her deeply. Yeah, he was ready for round two.

Bobby was getting bored with the whole swimming thing. He was hungry, it was a Friday night, and most of the Merrymen would be going to a new dance club for beer and pizza. He dried off and looked around. Still no Batman and Bombshell. He grinned. It had been just over a month since the Diego Santos scare. Bomber had proven herself to everyone that she could handle almost anything, and shouldn't be taken lightly. Before Diego had died, the sexual tension between Ranger and Bomber had been crazy. Ranger had told him that every time something good was about to happen, he would be interrupted. So it was impossible for them to sexually be together. After Steph had killed Diego, the couple had been completely free to be together. At least twice a day they would sneak off to their apartment and come down later looking completely satisfied. Steph would have a smile on her face, and Ranger would be more relaxed and calmer. Of course, everyone knew what was going on…it was impossible to hide. The new pool in the office was how long it would take for them to get hitched. Bobby had his money on one year.

Cal looked at his watch. "Well boys, we should probably get dressed. The Merrymen are going to be assembling at Medino's soon. And I want to go out." They dried off and dressed, leaving a note for Ranger and Steph telling them to meet the guys at Medino's. While in the car Lester smiled.

"Isn't it great that those two are finally together?"

Steph had fun at Medino's. The atmosphere was happy-go-lucky, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Hal was wearing a big, gaudy, hat that had a birthday cake on top, and was grinning from ear to ear as more beer made its way to him. Steph and Ranger mingled with their friends, enjoying the drinks that were readily being handed out by bartenders. Bobby pulled Steph out onto the floor to dance. With a grin, he put his hand around her waist.

"Don't worry, I'll behave." Steph laughed as he twirled her to the salsa music playing. All the Rangeman employees were good dancers. She figured it was a requirement. The music stopped, but a much slower tune came on. Ranger tapped Bobby on the shoulder, and Bobby handed Steph over with a grin. Ranger brought Stephanie close.

"Babe, have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" Steph smiled and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Mmm…yes you did. And you acted how you felt twice. Remember?" Ranger grinned and inhaled deeply in her hair.
"That's right…I did…maybe we should go out to the car, and I'll tell you again." Steph laughed and poked him gently.

"Let me enjoy my dance, Batman." They held each other close…much to the satisfaction of the present Rangeman employees. It was about time those two were happy and together. It was what all the Merrymen had pushed for, had plotted for. There had been secret meetings, epic schemes, outside help, and infinite amounts of hope that their boss and Bombshell would end up together. And it had finally happened.

TBC

Sorry it kinda went nowhere. I was getting sleepy. :) The next chapters will be better. Review and if you want to…tear it apart. I think I'm gonna need the criticism to pull this together…