***This story is a sequel to On the Run. It's a story about the beginning of Ranger and Stephanie as a married couple. There won't be much angst in this story, just a lot of fluff, SMUT and love. I don't own anything and not making any money. Hope you enjoy!

***Conclusion of Chapter 17 of On the Run****

Ranger swept his bride up into his arms and carried her out of the courthouse, down the steps and to the truck. He placed her in the truck, buckled her seatbelt and kissed her deeply. "Babe, I know this is going to sound corny, but, thank you, for making me the happiest man alive."

Stephanie placed her hands on the sides of his face and pulled him toward her for a soft kiss. "Yeah, but I like it. Now, take me home, Batman."

His smile was almost blinding, as he replied, "As you wish, Mrs. Manoso."

"Just You and Me, Babe"

Chapter 1

"The Trip Home – Part 1"

He saw her squirm out of the corner of his eye. He knew it was always difficult for her to sit still and not talk while she traveled. He, on the other hand, enjoyed the peace and quiet of the open road. He waited……3……2…..1 and smirked when she blew out a breath.

"Ok. That's all I can take. You have to talk while we drive, or I'll go insane."

"Babe, we haven't been on the road an hour yet and you're bored with me already." He loved trying to get a rise out of her.

"Ranger, being bored with my husband is not possible. Bored with the ride, now that's a different story. I have to keep my mind occupied or sleep and I don't want to sleep yet." She wanted to talk, to know more about her 'husband'. Wow! The word 'husband' sent goose bumps up her arms and warmth all the way to her doodah.

"Babe, did you hear me?" Ranger looked at his wife with a single raised eyebrow.

She could see the glint of humor in his eyes. "Um…no…actually, I got a little distracted by the word 'husband'."

He laughed out loud, took her hand and pressed a kiss to the knuckle above her wedding rings. "Mind boggling, isn't it? So, what do you want to talk about?"

A little shiver ran through her from the sensation of his lips on her hand. He was willing to talk, so she was going to take full advantage of it. "Tell me about growing up, you know, a little background information is going to be necessary when I meet your family."

He nodded, but she could see some troubled thoughts behind his eyes as he told her about his brother and sister's. "I have a younger brother and sister, Manuel and Celia and an older sister, Isabel. They're all married with several children each. Celia's my favorite."

His voice, low and tense, alerted her to the underlying tension between him and his siblings. She sensed that he didn't like to talk about it. "Why is Celia your favorite?"

He smiled warmly as he thought of her, "She's the only one who supports my lifestyle. The other's think that I should get a 'safe' job and be like them."

She noticed that he hadn't mentioned his parent's. "And your parents, what do they think?"

She thought he almost sighed, but of course not, Ranger never sighs. "My Dad died when I was in the Army and my Mom tries to understand about my life. However, I have to warn you; she won't be very understanding about you and me."

Stephanie's frowned petulantly at his words, "Why?"

He took a deep breath, "Because, you're white, not Cuban and you don't speak Spanish. Babe, I'm not telling you this to hurt your feelings. I'm trying to be honest and up front about it, so, you'll be prepared for her disapproval. I also wanted you to know that no matter what her feelings, they won't make a difference to me. I love you and will stand with you. I'm not a very religious man, but I do believe in a higher power and know that the Bible says, leave and cleave. Just you and me, Babe, that's all that really matters."

Her stomach churned with worry over his words. She didn't want to cause hard feelings between him and his family. "Did they feel this way about Rachel? She's white and you two have a child together."

He thought about it for a minute, trying to figure out how best to explain this to her. "Babe, I didn't give them much of a chance to object or not. Like you, I was married for all of two seconds. They don't know her or Julie very well."

Stephanie contemplated his words and what they would mean to the harmony of their marriage. She flipped the phone open and put it on speaker, dialing Tank's number. She held up a finger to Ranger's raised eyebrow. When Tank answered with his customary, 'Speak', she laughed a little. "Hey, Tank."

"Bombshell? Don't tell me that the two of you have already run into trouble."

"No, we're on the road. I was wondering if you could do me a favor."

"At your service, Mrs. Manoso."

She paused, he couldn't possibly know. "Excuse me?" She could see the smirk on Ranger's face. Damn, ESP.

"Steph, what else could you have been doing all morning? Besides… I pulled up the GPS, just for kicks and saw that you guys spent the morning at first, Clausel's Jewelry store and then the Selmer Courthouse."

Well, she was glad that he hadn't ESPed her, one clairvoyant in the family was enough for her taste. "So…..you didn't tell anybody, did you?"

"Naw wouldn't want to spoil your fun. The whole company is going to shit, Hell, for that matter the whole town is going to have a coronary and Ranger's family….I want a front row seat for that meeting. I can't wait to see their faces. I also want to be the first to congratulate you, it's about damn time. Now, what did you need from me?"

"Last month, I saw an ad for Spanish classes at the extension center. I was going to sign up before our recent escapade. Since today is the last day for registering, I was wondering if you could sign me up." She snuck a peek out of the corner of her eye to gauge Ranger's reaction. She saw him frown at first and then smile slightly in understanding, as he gave her hand a soft squeeze.

Ranger broke his silence and added, "Tank, while you're at it; sign Hal up, too. Put it on the Rangeman credit card; then Hal and Steph can travel to and from classes together. He's the only one left on the day shift that hasn't taken a course in Spanish. I've been meaning to get him into a class anyway." It was true, but it would also ease his mind about her leaving class at night by herself. He knew why she'd been planning to take the class and it touched him deeply.

"10-4."

Ranger's laughter was a low rumble at the shocked expression on Stephanie's face when she realized that Tank had hung up. "Babe, proud of you."

She let out a huff and shrugged her shoulders. "Well, I can't do anything about being white or not being Cuban, but I can learn to speak the language that your family speaks. Besides, I was planning on taking the course anyway. You didn't have to pay for it, you know."

"Steph, you agreed to work with me when we get back to Trenton. There'll be some expenses that I'll want to pay for because you work for the company and then…..there'll be expenses that I'll want to take care of just because I want to. I'm your husband and I want to do things for you. That's part of the package of being married to me. I like buying you things because I love you and want you to be happy."

She leaned over and gave him a soft kiss below his ear, whispering, "thanks." Then she saw he was exiting the highway. "I hope that wherever you're going, there's food and a restroom, because both are fast becoming a necessity."

He took her to lunch at a very nice Japanese restaurant. The food was similar to Beni Hanas, but without the whole group eating experience. Instead they had a private table and their cook stayed in the kitchen. Thank goodness, because Ranger was in a playful mood. In the secluded corner, he pulled her close and draped his arm over her shoulder to play with her curls. His other hand moved stealthily under her dress and up her thigh, while he whispered words of love in her ear.

She was wet and ready by the time his fingers grazed the lace edge of her panties. She breathed his name as he stroked her through her panties. His deft fingers found her pleasure center through the thin material. When the orgasm overtook her, he swallowed her cries of passion by covering her mouth with his.

"Babe, I love to watch you come."

As soon as they got back on the road, Stephanie dug her pillow out of the backseat, spent a few minutes making her nest and snuggled down against Ranger's thigh. "You sure you don't want me to drive for a while?"

"No," his wolf grin in place, "you're going to need all your energy for our wedding night."

Since she was pretty certain he was right, she dismissed her consciences and settled down for her nap. It didn't take long for her eyes to drift shut and she was out like a light.

Ranger felt the peace, of her snuggled close, wash through him like soft rain on a warm summer's day. She did that to him and for him. As he slipped into his driving zone, he smiled to himself at her presence in the truck. It always brought a sense of calm just having her near. He searched his brain for the reasons he'd had for not having her in his life and berated himself for his previous foolishness.

The miles seemed to disappear as he thought of the life he would build with her. It was then that an image of her heavy with his child popped unbidden in his mind. At first, his stomach clenched and then she mumbled something in her sleep and his calm returned. Yeah, it was definitely an image that he'd like to see. 'Someday.'

He pulled into the drive and gently rubbed her shoulders. "Babe, wake up, we're at the motel."

His groin tightened as she sat up and stretched her arms above her head, causing the material of her dress to draw tight against her pert breasts. He couldn't resist trailing a knuckle across the peaked nipple.

She paused mid-stretched to take notice Ranger's dark eyes. He was so beautiful and all hers. Yum. She licked her lips in anticipation of the night to come.

Ranger's eyes twinkled at her reaction. "Babe, let's go check in, I'm sure there's a really great bed in there for what's on our minds."

"Where are we, Ranger?"

"Roanoke, Virginia."

As they walked into the luxurious lobby, she smiled mischievously at him. "Ah, Babe, and you were doing so good. Now you're back to one or two word answers."

He hooked an arm around her neck, "My wife, the smartass." He almost purred when she patted him on his ass.

"Yeah, but you like my ass, just as I like yours."

He kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Yeah, that I do."

They checked in and Ranger guided her towards the elevator. With the bellman in the elevator, they behaved and kept their hands to themselves. When they arrived at their floor, the bellman led them into their suite.

Stephanie gawked at the room as Ranger tipped the bellman. They had entered into a living room area decorated in much the same way as Ranger's apartment. The warm colors screamed masculinity. She was guessing that he'd stayed here before because it looked like a place where he'd be comfortable. The L-shaped couch was made of several shades of deep brown suede and leather. Against the wall, there was a cherry desk, table and armoire.

The bedroom was hidden behind a black framed Japanese screen. It held a chaise lounge and a king size bed. Stephanie walked to the closed door of what she guessed was the bathroom. She opened the door and nearly melted at the sight, here was the only femininity in the entire suite. After weeks of only taking shower's at the cabin, she couldn't wait to take a dip in the Jacuzzi tub.

Ranger came up from behind her, running his hands up and down her arms. "I take it you approve." He whispered at the shell of her ear, causing goose bumps to rise on her flesh and heat to pool between her legs.

She leaned into his embrace, "It's perfect." She turned then and rested her head against his chest. "You're perfect."

He pulled back to look down at her and slipped something rectangular into her hand. "Babe, there's a boutique on level four. Go; Find something nice to wear tonight."

She looked at the credit card. She knew it wasn't the Rangeman card. It was his personal credit card with Ricardo C. Manoso stamped across the bottom. She started to object, but saw the fixed look on his face and knew that expression well.

"Babe, we're not going to have this discussion every time I want to buy you something. What's mine is yours. I'd like to see my wife in something pretty on our wedding night. And since it seems that you have none of your own belongings at this time, I'm paying. There's a lounge downstairs. I'll meet you down there at 7:00 for dinner and dancing." He gave her a warm smile. "I'll be the one in black."

Ranger humor, who would've thought? He was right, they had been under assumed names for the past two weeks and she didn't even have her own bank card. They'd been paying cash for everything and she'd forgotten that all her personal ID was still back at her apartment. Well, that is until the Merry Men moved her into their apartment. She stretched up and gave him a brief kiss. "Okay, I'll see you downstairs."

It wasn't until she was in the elevator that she wondered about what Ranger was going to wear. Once in the boutique, she realized that there must be a men's store elsewhere since this store didn't have any men's clothing. She stood in the entrance in part awe and part heaven. This boutique was even better than Macy's. They had a little of everything and she absorbed herself in shopping without worrying about the cost for the first time in her life.

Quickly, she found just the perfect dress. The bodice was snug, with a plunging neckline and the halter straps criss-crossed in the back. The skirt of the dress was reminiscent of the 20's era. It had fringe which swung loosely, making a tinkling sound when she moved. The gold color emphasized the recent tan that she'd obtained. The dress came to about two inches above her knees and made her legs look a mile long.

The sales clerk helped her to find shoes that complimented the dress and then she headed toward the lingerie section of the store. The selection wasn't as wide as Victoria Secrets, but what they had was high quality. After choosing several items that she couldn't wait to surprise Ranger with, she took her selections to check out.

The sales clerk smiled at her warmly as she handed her a felt jewelry box. "Mrs. Manoso, your husband delivered these while you were in the dressing room."

Stephanie slowly opened the box and gasped when she saw the delicate necklace with a single heart shaped diamond suspended from the chain. Matching earrings were nestled at the top edge of the silk lining. Her eyes stung with tears. No man had ever bought her jewelry, well besides Dickie and that was just once. An enclosed note rested in the lid of the box which said simply, Love, R.

She looked in the mirror one last time to see the overall effect and almost had to do a double take. For a change, her hair had cooperated and looked great piled on top of her head. Several curls had sprung loose, but that just added to the look she was trying to achieve. She slipped on her shoes and headed down to the lounge.

Walking through the doors, it took only a minute to spot him sitting at the curved bar. Their eyes met in the mirror briefly, before he turned and walked towards her, devastatingly handsome in his black suit. His eyes raked over her appreciatively as he took her outstretched hands and pulled her gently against him. He skimmed his lips along the curve of her neck and in a voice tight with passion, he said, "Babe, remind me to loan you my credit card more often."

"Yeah, well, I'm not letting you see the receipt. You'll just have to wait for your heart attack when you get the bill."

He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm as they followed the maitre d to their table. "As far as I'm concerned, it was money well spent. You look beautiful." He helped her into her chair, and skimmed his hand down her bare back as she slid into her seat.

He poured champagne and they sipped while enjoying the soft music. The waiter came over and took their order. Ranger held out his hand and asked her to dance.

The soulful jazz wafted through the room as he guided her around the dance floor. They were lost in each other as their bodies moved in sync. They enjoyed their time together, swaying to the music, until their food arrived.

As they ate, they talked of inconsequential things, but mostly they gazed in each other's eyes, both amazed that they had found this kind of love. After their dishes had been removed, Ranger led Stephanie back to the dance floor.

He twirled her around and pulled her back against his chest, pressing his mouth to her ear. "Babe, you're killing me in this dress. I can only imagine what you have underneath."

She leaned her head back to give him better access to her neck, as his lips brushed her pulse point. "Mmmmm, guess you're going to have to just find that out for yourself."

He spun her away from his body and then quickly back into his embrace. "I plan on it……very soon. In fact, we better head on back to the room before I make a scene on the dance floor. I just want to devour you."

Ranger left some money on the table and curled his arm around her waist. Neither spoke as they made their way to their room. The sexual energy was bouncing off of them and they were lost in thoughts of their bodies moving in an entirely different kind of dance.

In the elevator, he drew her back against his chest in their 'elevator pose'. He breathed deeply of her scent, it was something new and it was having a serious effect on him. "What is that scent you're wearing? It's driving me insane."

She smiled knowingly, "It's called Essence of Woman. It has sex pheromones in it and is guaranteed to drive your lover wild."

Kissing his way up her neck, he had to restrain himself from throwing her down on the floor of the elevator and burying himself inside her it smelled so good. "Babe, wear it for me only. If you go out wearing this perfume, I'll have to shoot somebody."

The elevator doors opened and they made their way to their room. Stephanie almost sighed in disgust when his hands left her body to open the door. Inside the door, he pulled her back into his arms to continue his assault on her neck. In a matter of minutes, he'd found the hooks that held her halter top together and her dress was pooling at her feet.

The look on his face was priceless as he took in the sight of her lingerie. The bra was white with a snowflake pattern on the cups. The bottom part of the ensemble was a skirt with a thong attached to the sheer material that skimmed the edge of her doodah and hung low on her hips.

"Oh, yeah, you can have my credit card anytime! I feel like I'm opening a Christmas present."

His hands spanned her hips as he pulled her hard against his body and ground their groins together.

She felt how hard he was and groaned out loud.

"Feel what just the sight and smell of you do to me, but…this….we need to fix." He pulled loose the pins holding her hair. "I love your wild curls, love to bury my hands in them, love to feel them brush across my chest while we make love and when we sleep."

His mouth covered hers and he scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom, never breaking the kiss. He stood her beside the bed, pulling the tie that held her bra. He kissed his way down the valley between her breasts, pausing only to press a tender kiss to each puckered nipple.

As his tongue circled her navel, she placed her hands on his shoulders realizing that he was still fully clothed. When he hooked his fingers in the waistband of her panties, she said on a low moan, "Ranger, you're overdressed. Please, I need to feel your skin against mine."

He ignored her pleas and continued to kiss a path down her legs as he removed her panties. Finally he stood and took in the sight of her standing before him completely naked. "You're so beautiful." He eased her back on the bed and began to undress.

She watched with hungry eyes as he removed his clothes, leaving them in a pile with her underwear. He lay down beside her and continued to caress her body with whisper soft hands.

He groaned at the delicate touch of her hands on his chest and arms, thinking that if he lived to be a hundred, he would never tire of the feel or the touch of her hands on his body.

They rolled and kissed, both trying to absorb each other into their own skin. When he slid silkily inside her, they both gasped at the intensity of merging, becoming one.

They entwined their hands and rode on a tidal wave of pleasure. And when they came together for the first time as man and wife, they knew that they'd found something that no one would ever come between.

Ranger rolled onto his back and pulled her tightly to his side, she lay draped across his chest. He gave her a gently squeeze, the emotion he was feeling was overwhelming. He'd always scoffed at the thought of the saying 'that the earth moved', but that's exactly what'd happened. He had no words for the feelings in his heart at this moment; the love that he felt for her was beyond verbal description.

Stephanie tried to think of something to say to express how she felt and knew she'd fail miserably. No man had ever given her such passion and tenderness at the same time. She felt something shift inside her and to say that she loved him even more than she did a few minutes ago would be precise.

"Ranger, did you feel it?"

"Yeah, Babe, I did."

She smiled as she tried to snuggle closer, "How do you say 'the earth moved' in Spanish?"

He laughed softly, her thoughts mirroring his own, "La Tierra se movie. And it did for me too."

During the night, they woke several times, reaching out for the other, pleasuring, taking, and giving. Each time they made love, it was soft and sensuous as they became one beating heart.

**AN – Just wanted to thank my great Beta Angie who has read, reviewed and made suggestions for this story. Thanks for being my sounding board!!