Chapter 1 – The first weeks of summer

POV Ranger

Summer was finally here and me and the boys (Tank, Lester and Bobby) were packing for our annual vacation. This time though I wasn't as anxious to get down to my sisters beach house, all my thoughts were on Steph and whether she would be OK without me here.

I had finally finished packing when Tank walked in, 'you look like a mess boss, you thinking of Bomber?" I looked Tank right in the eyes and he took a hasty step backwards. 'Didn't mean to intrude but we do have at least one spare room, why don't you bring her along.' I continued to look up at him.

'I don't know Tank, this is our one week vacation for the guys, Steph wont want to come.'

Tank shook his head and walked two steps closer, 'I don't know boss, but you can always ask, you know that if you don't this week wont be a vacation for you.'

'What do you mean?' I quizzed him firmly hiding all my emotions behind my blank face.

'You'll spend the whole time worried, you know you will. At least ask her if she says no than that's that. But I bet Bobby and Lester wont object to her coming along.'

I nodded in response and pulled myself of the lounge, 'I'll ask but she will probably say no.'

'To you boss, I think you underestimate the power you have over her.'

Change of scene – bonds office (Steph's POV)

I was strapped for cash so I stopped in at the bonds office, 'Hey Connie anyone skipped yet.' Connie just shook her perfectly stilled and made up head at me, 'nope, its too hot for anything but serious crime and those crims don't get bail.'

I sighed and sat down on the lounge, 'money problems again?' She asked as she tapped her newly painted and manicured nails across her keyboard. 'Month behind on the rent, the owners threatening to kick me out unless I come up with some cash soon.'

'Wish I could help Steph but I have no FTA's at present, you should talk to ranger he'd lend you some cash in an instant.'

I smile at her, ' that would be my absolute last resort and as I'm still hoping for an FTA in the next few days so I'm not there yet.'

'Not where yet?' I heard Lula ask behind me and she walked or should I say danced into the bond office. Today Lula was wearing silver and gold patched spandex and matching crop top that looked like it was designed for a size eight woman and probably would have just fit her I thought as I looked at the line forming on Lula's bear belly. Shaking my head I pulled my eyes away from the role of fat, ' just behind on rent again.' I informed her as she slid into the seat opposite me.

'Girl, you're always behind in rent.' I laughed at that and Lula gave me a confused look, ' hey I was serious.' Connie and me cracked up at that and I was still laughing when I got that all to familiar prickling feeling at the back of my neck. Connie and Lula both drew in a silent breath and Lula did and fanning thing with her hand and leaned into me, 'I think it just went up 10 degrees in here.'

Pushing her away I turned to face him, 'Babe, can I speak to you outside for a sec.'

I nodded and followed him outside and round to the alley on the side of the bonds office. As I got there Ranger hooked his arm around my waist and kissed me with a lot of tongue. 'You got any plans this week?' he asked when he had moved only slightly away (enough so that when he spoke his lips brushed against mine).

'Why?" I asked suspiciously looking up at his dark black eyes, shit he was looking at me like I probably looked at cake.

'Babe,' he chuckled as he ran kisses up my neck and cheekbone. I was getting hot flashed everywhere as he continued to move his hands lower and lower.

'Thought you might like to come along on our vacation babe.' He whispered gently into the air sending another hot flash down to my private parts.

'Our vocation?" I asked louder than I intended.

'Tank, Bobby, Lester and myself always take the first week of summer off to relax at my sisters beach house.'

'You relax? I asked looking up at his darkening eyes

'Babe, it's a beach shack on a private Island, though you might like to join us.'

'What's the catch?' I asked not taking my eyes of his face.

'Babe,' Ranger said giving a 200watt grin, 'though you might like to get away and because you're like part of my team now, I thought I would ask.'

As he talked he continued running his hands around my hardened breasts, I had no idea why I let him have this effect on me.

"Sounds good but what about…' I couldn't get the rest of my sentence out because Ranger brought his mouth over mine in a passionate kiss.

'I'll sort out the details, you just pack and be ready in an hour.'

Pack in an hour was he serious; I don't think I even own a bathing suit. Wait was I seriously going to say yes and go on vocation with four hot guys, one who I couldn't seem to keep my hands off.

'Thinking Babe?' He asked pulling me closer to him.

'Yeah, where am I going to get a bathing suit at this late notice.'