My first full attempt at Plum. (My only other attempt was in my Bones/Plum story 'Personal Favor'). I've been a fan of the books for about three years now, but this is my first time writing something completely Plum. This is my take on Hawaii right before Stephanie returned to Jersey in the beginning of 'Explosive Eighteen'.

A huge thanks to my friend Caris Bennet for the look over.

Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to Janet Evanovich.

I awoke to unfamiliar sounds and it took a few heartbeats for it to dawn on me where I was.

Hawaii.

The warm body next to me prompted my eyes to open. I was greeted with an amazing view. Dark and toned, Ranger looked inviting.

Deciding that the best way to actually capture our man was by getting out of bed, I reluctantly pulled back the sheet and padded out of the bedroom.

At first the indoor/outdoor bathroom had taken some getting used to. But now, the breeze hitting my back as cool water cascaded over my head felt amazing.

I was lathering my arms when I felt the sudden change in atmosphere. My body went on complete alert and I instantly knew I was no longer alone.

Even knowing what was to come, I still gasped when Ranger's strong arms wrapped around me from behind.

"Babe." His breath ghosted along my neck and a delicious shiver raced up my spine.

"We have to..." I was trying to tell him we had to ACTUALLY go outside to stake his skip, but his mouth opened on the sweet spot where shoulder met neck and I turned to putty in his hands.

I, Stephanie Plum, have been a very weak woman on this trip.

I was still trying to catch my breath when I felt one of his hands skim my inner thighs. His recovery time was impressive and my body was only too eager to continue our private activities.

He turned me around to face him, his mouth slanting down against mine. I was busy tangling my tongue with his and rubbing against his hard body when incessant knocking drifted to us from the front door. With a groan I pulled away from our kiss.

"Ignore it." His mouth attacked my throat once again and I seriously contemplated staying indoors the entire day.

"Ugh!" I grunted when the very inopportune visitor didn't get the message and continued to pound on the door. I reached for a towel and wrapped it around my body.

"Babe." This time the endearment said I'd better get back to our shower pronto.

As I reached the door, I realized the interruption was probably a sign to get a move on it and work.

"Lookin' good, Cupcake." Morelli whistled in appreciation, his handsome face staring at me from head to toe.

My eyes widened in shock.

"I...uh..." I knew I sounded stupid, but I felt rooted to the spot. "What are you doing here?" He shot me a puzzled look, telling me I'd GIVEN him a direct invitation to join me on my much needed vacation.

I wasn't really paying attention as he continued to explain what led him to drop what he was doing to come meet me. I was in panic mode.

As if in a trance I watched him enter, signaling for me to close the door. A soft thud told me I'd done what he asked.

When he heard footsteps headed his way, Morelli turned. I couldn't really see his face, but I could imagine his shocked gaze.

"What the hell?" He growled, and maybe it was the confusion talking, but I found the sound very hot.

He stared at Ranger and then at me. His eyes locked on my hands and I flinched.

The ring.

I tried to say something, but in a flash he was moving away from me. If Ranger had been wearing a shirt, I'm sure Morelli would have grabbed him by the collar to slam him against the nearest wall. As it was, his hands landed on naked shoulders and shoved.

I wanted them to stop hitting each other. It was a nightmare, watching the two men in my life about to kill each other.

I had to do something.

I had to put an end to the disaster.

-

Maybe I was a coward for doing what I did and then catching a flight back home, but I needed to put some distance in between.

And do some serious thinking. Lots and lots of it.

I accepted a drink from the stewardess. That's when I noticed it. I'd gotten a tan in my short time in Hawaii and even though I slid the ring off my finger before boarding the plane, there was a definite impression of it.

I took a long pull of whatever alcoholic drink I was given, and closed my eyes.

Forgetting about Hawaii was going to be near impossible, especially if I had someone asking about it at every opportunity.

A loud groan escaped and I'm sure a few heads turned my way, but I didn't care. The moment I got back to Trenton everyone and their mother were going to grill me for answers.

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