Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. Janet Evanovich does. I'm just using them to have fun and flex my writing muscles.

Prologue

Stephanie Plum slumped low in her seat and gazed out the airplane window. It was a nice day in April—not too hot, not too cold. The perfect day to spend eating ice cream at Point Pleasant.

Unfortunately for Stephanie Plum, she wasn't going to Point Pleasant. In fact, she didn't know where she was going, only that she was expected to stay there. With him.

She leveled an involuntary glare in Ranger's direction. He was sitting in the seat beside her, their wrists linked together by a pair of handcuffs. Deep down, she knew he was only trying to protect her, but she couldn't help but feel a little frustrated that he had taken control of her life.

Her life.

Ranger looked over just in time to catch her glaring at him. "Something wrong?"

"No," Stephanie said tersely. "Nothing's wrong. Nothing at all."

The corners of Ranger's mouth turned up slightly. "You're mad."

Hell yes, I'm mad, Stephanie thought, but she said nothing. A silence Ranger matched with his own.

The plane taxied onto the runway, and once given the okay, began its ascent. A wave of nervous anxiety washed over Stephanie and she sucked in a deep breath.

"Relax, babe," Ranger said. He brushed his thumb over the top of her hand and she realized she was gripping the armrest so tightly her knuckles had turned white.

Tugging her hand as far away from Ranger's as the cuffs would allow, Stephanie shrugged and said, "I'm fine."

Ranger chuckled. This was the one thing he loved most about Stephanie. No matter how afraid she was, she never let that fear stand in the way of getting what she wanted.

Well, almost never. It was her fear of him that had kept her out of his bed.

It was no secret the strong feelings and sexual tension between them. He felt it, and he knew she did, too. A long time ago, they had shared one spectacular night together, a night of unbridled passion and uninhibited love making.

It had been the emotional intimacy that had frightened Ranger, and at the same time ruined him for all other women. Never before had he felt so vulnerable in a woman's arms. Her touch had been nourishing, down to his very soul. How could he have fallen so hard so quickly?

"Do you mind?" Stephanie elbowed him sharply in the ribs. "You're hogging the armrest."

Ranger nudged her arm off the armrest and stared blankly in front of him. "It's my armrest," he said.

"Jesus," Stephanie said. "What is with you? Do you have to control everything?"

Looking over at her, Ranger couldn't help but notice the frustration and helplessness etched in her eyes. He knew that feeling well. It was the same one he felt every time he had to stop himself from touching her, from kissing her, from giving in to the desire he knew they both wanted.

Like now.

A low ache started in his chest and swirled outward, until every inch of him felt bruised.

"I control what I can," Ranger said, his tone low and focused, "and prepare for the rest."

"You think you can control me?"

"No," Ranger admitted, "but I am prepared to keep you safe, at all costs. Even from yourself."

A jolt of turbulence rocked the plane, nearly lifting Ranger and Stephanie both out of their seats.

Stephanie turned to Ranger, her eyes wide with panic. "Ranger, what's going on?"

"I don't know," Ranger said. He leaned over and fastened her safety belt around her waist. Then he reached into his pocket and retrieved the key to the handcuffs. "I'm going to talk to the pilot. It's getting dark out. Looks like we're heading into a storm system."

"Ranger—"

"I'm not going to let anything happen to you, Steph," Ranger said. His voice was strong and confident, calming her instantly. "Stay here and keep your seatbelt on."

Stephanie nodded and offered up her wrist for Ranger to take off the cuffs. But before he could fit the key into the lock, the plane took a nosedive.

"Ranger!"

"Hold on, Steph," Ranger said, clinging to seat in front of him. Gaining enough leverage to secure himself into his seat, Ranger pressed Stephanie's head between her legs and covered her head and torso with his own.

Stephanie was clinging to him, her fingers tangled in his T-shirt, shaking in fear.

Hold on, babe. Hold on. We'll get through this.

We have to.

To be continued...