A/N: This is my first attempt at a sequel, so be warned. Also, I decided to kick the rating up a level because well, they're married in this story. There's bound to be a few scandalous situations here and there. Also, be aware that this story's probably going to take a while. I've shifted my focus more to an original story that I really want to finish, so these chapters may show up sporadically. Maybe hold off until it's complete if you have a hard time waiting. Thanks for reading! Enjoy!

I rolled over in my sleep and drowsily searched for the heat source I wanted to snuggle into. Inch by inch I scooted over until I finally registered that the other half of the bed was empty. I blew out a small sigh of disappointment before I felt a familiar pair of lips brush across my forehead.

"I've got an early meeting this morning," Ranger said quietly as he finished buttoning up one of his black dress shirts.

I squinted open one eye before turning over onto my back. "Can't you be a little late? I'm cold."

His eyes darkened with a hint of desire. "Cold, huh?"

I gave a little impromptu shiver. "Freezing."

He glanced at his watch. "Sorry, babe. Not this morning. This client's kind of particular, and I really should make an effort to be on time."

My bottom lip came out in a faux pout. "Too bad." I slid out from under the covers and strutted toward the bathroom. "Guess I'll have to settle for a hot, steamy shower to warm me up instead."

I glanced back over my shoulder with a devilish grin. The game was too fun not to play, but I was just seconds away from losing. I really was cold now that I'd slipped out of the warm bed. Especially considering I wasn't wearing anything.

Ranger came up behind me and pulled me flush against him. I gave a small squeak of surprise before he brushed my hair aside and started kissing my neck. His hands travelled south over the curves of my body, shamelessly torturing me for the naughty little game I'd played.

"Still feeling cold, babe?" he whispered seductively in my ear.

All I could manage was a small moan in response. Coherent thought had long since gone out the window.

With one final strategically placed kiss on my neck, he took a step back. "You're absolutely killing me here," he added with a subtle shake of his head.

My brain was still rebooting, so I just blew out a wistful sigh in response.

"Want to take a slow, leisurely morning up here, and I can help you with that shower when I get back?"

It was an offer only a fool would refuse, but I had a lot of paperwork to catch up on considering the longer lunches I'd been taking recently with my boss. "I've got some stuff to take care of downstairs. If I don't, I'm not going to be very popular with my coworkers."

Ranger made a face that almost looked like disappointment. Cute.

"But," I added quickly, "maybe if you've got some time later this afternoon we could get all sweaty in the gym and come back up here to rinse off."

Ranger sucked in a breath. "Shit. Now I need a shower again." He pulled me back into his arms and strategically rubbed himself against me. His problem was pretty obvious. And it was a big problem. Whoops! Shame on me…

"You are downright evil sometimes, Stephanie Manoso," he growled before stealing another kiss.

I shrugged. "What can I say? I learned from the best."

He shook his head and kissed my nose. "I need to go before this gets out of hand." He turned and headed for the door. "I love you," he called over his shoulder. "And I expect you to hold up your end of that gym bargain later. No weaseling your way out of it like you always do."

I put my hands on my hips. "What's in it for me?"

A slow smile worked its way across his face. "You put in the work at the gym, and I'll make sure you get the best shower of your life."

Oh boy.

My name's Stephanie Plum Manoso. And my life has always been fifty shades of complicated. My family is complicated, my job is complicated, and my love life was very complicated. Up until recently. And it took a complicated mess with a con artist to start setting a few things straight. Like my relationship with Ranger. Batman. Carlos? Hubby? Guess I'm still trying to settle on a name.

The real problem resided in the fact that I was never really sure what to do with him. The guy was a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in muscles wrapped in black, sexy clothing. But something changed when he almost lost me to Ben. Or rather, Barney. It's a long story. Regardless, some crucial barriers came down, and things started getting a lot less complicated between us.

Even after all of that, I still didn't know exactly what to do with him. So naturally, I married him. And the complications haven't magically vanished like they do in all those fairytales. He still works long hours, and my eating habits still drive him nuts. But at the end of the day, it's nice to know that the ring around my finger isn't going anywhere. The love we have for each other is now the one consistently uncomplicated thing in my life. Love, as it turns out, is strangely simple. Go figure.

I took my shower and ate the breakfast already sitting out on the kitchen counter. Two cups of coffee later, and I was down at my desk on the fifth floor sorting through my stack of contracts, waivers, and assorted other documents that looked important. It wasn't my favorite part of the job, but my coworkers are fun and I think my boss kind of has a thing for me. Turns out mixing business and pleasure can be all sorts of exciting. Not that I didn't know this already. Ranger and I have kind of been doing it off and on for years.

My desk was just starting to materialize again when I noticed a subtle shift in air pressure. Guess the boss was back in his office. I straightened a few loose documents before deciding to take an impromptu break. For good mental health.

I knocked on Ranger's door and casually walked in. He glanced up from his computer when I took a seat on the corner of his desk.

"How was the meeting?" I asked with a flirty grin.

"The details are kind of fuzzy. Had a helluva time concentrating after that stunt you pulled this morning."

I gave my best "who, me?" expression, and he twitched a small smile in response. Then he nodded towards the door indicating he wanted me to close it. My heartrate kicked up a few notches as I began to worry that this might be payback for earlier.

"W-w-what's up?" I asked while shutting the door. Damn those telltale stutters!

He stalked toward me and pressed me up against the wall. His wolf-grin appeared and I almost had an orgasm on the spot. "I've got a question for you," he said huskily.

My body was screaming "yes!" already. "Uhh…"

He leaned closer and kissed me. My knees threatened to buckle. "Interested in a little treasure hunt, babe?"

Oh, hell yes! Treasure hunts were my absolute favorite! "Mmmhmm…" I moaned as I reached for the belt buckle on his pants.

He grinned before opening the door, suddenly pulling me toward the elevator. Guess this meant I wouldn't have to stifle crude noises in his office…again. That was thoughtful of him.

We rode the elevator up to seven, and I followed him into the apartment. He pinned me against the door once we were inside and slipped his hands under my shirt tracing slow, seductive lines along my treasure map. He'd just started his conquest of the twin peaks when he whispered something in my ear.

Verbal language wasn't registering in my brain at the moment, so I asked him to repeat it. After all, I didn't want to miss out on any clever treasure hunting suggestions.

He pulled back slightly. "I asked if you still had that silver key."

I looked at him blankly. "Silver key? What's that supposed to mean? You haven't used that euphemism before."

He laughed. "No, babe. The key. The silver key from the whole Ben fiasco."

"I'm sorry. I'm still stuck on treasure hunting. What exactly are we talking about here?"

"The key to the missing mystery case. You still have it, right?"

"Probably." The processing cortex of my mind was apparently still short-circuiting.

"How long would it take you to find it?"

At the current rate my mind was functioning, probably forever. "An afternoon?"

"Perfect. Meet me downstairs in the gym at 1600. Bring the key."

"Wait. What?"

"The gym. Four. You remember the deal from earlier, right?"

"Yeah, about that. I'm pretty sure it says in our marriage vows that I can't be held responsible for deals made prior to seven in the morning."

Ranger kissed me again. "Nice try." He made his way toward the door.

"But what about the treasure?" I protested. "And the map? Aren't we going to finish the treasure hunt?"

"Oh, I don't need a map to find that treasure, babe. But if you want me to use one, I better see some serious sweat effort later in the gym."

He walked out the door leaving me in a dopey daze with a suspicious feeling that I'd just been played.