A few hours later, Ranger and I lay sated and happy together in my bed. As content as I was, I couldn't keep my mind from running. Why had I allowed that to happen? I'm not a casual sex kind of girl. Especially if it's with Ranger. I know I love him. He knows I love him. And I know he loves me in his own way. Unfortunately, it's not a way that allows me to just sleep with him whenever the moment arises.

After a few minutes, Ranger tucked a stray curl behind my ear and asked, "Still up for dinner, Babe?"

As if on cue, the beast within woke, causing Ranger to softly chuckle in his throat. "Let's get you fed before that thing attacks."

Both of us cleaned up and got dressed. Ranger grabbed my hand and led me out of my apartment. As he tucked me into his truck, curiosity was starting to get the best of me.

"What's this dinner all about anyway?"

"Can't I just take you to dinner?" Ranger said, with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course you can. But usually, you're still in your Rangeman uniform. And it's never a secret where we are going."

"It's no secret. You never asked."

So he had me there. Still, we rarely went out to eat. Ella usually just made something, and I was invited to his seventh floor penthouse apartment. Anything Ella made was better than anything I'd eaten at a restaurant anyway, so it never bothered me.

"Well then, where are we going?"

"To my parent's house", Ranger replied. I couldn't tell if he was trying to hide his smile or trying to keep from driving off the road so we wouldn't have to go.

"WHOA! Uh, don't you think you might have wanted to ask me first?!"

For the first time, ever, Ranger looked terrified. I could not figure out why he was doing this to me. Where did this come from? We aren't even in a relationship! Hell, I just ended one with Joe not even 24 hours ago. I wonder how much it would hurt to tuck and roll out of a truck going 55 miles per hour. I'm pretty high off the ground. It would probably hurt a lot. But would it hurt more than the rejection I might receive from Ranger's parents? Or the rejection from Ranger when he sees what a social loser I am?

"You're right, Stephanie. I should have asked you. We can go back."

Remember when you were young and you got in trouble? Your mother always screamed your first and middle names. That's how I feel when Ranger calls me Stephanie and not "Steph" or "Babe". It doesn't help that he looks completely heartbroken right now. I've never see Ranger show so much emotion. His normal blank stare is failing miserably tonight.

"I just don't know if I'm ready, Ranger. I just dealt with everything with Joe this afternoon and barely had time to recover. This is a lot. I guess I just don't get it. Why? Why now?"

All he did was drive. His blank face was now locked down. He didn't look at me. He didn't say anything. He pulled an illegal U-turn and headed back to my apartment. I decided to just turn and enjoy the scenery outside. Honestly, I was getting pretty pissed. How could he plan something this serious without telling me, then get mad when I'm just not ready. He knows commitment and all that comes with it scares the hell out of me. Now he's pushing me, and giving me false hope. We will never be in a relationship. He's always made that clear.

We pulled into my complex and I turned back to Ranger, who was still staring out the windshield.

"I'm sorry, Ranger. Really. Just give me a couple days. Let me let everything that happened today sink in. Please."

I turned to get out of the truck, and he grabbed my arm.

"You want to know why I did this, Stephanie? Because I want it to be time. We have a lot to discuss, but this is the start. I may not have gone about it the right way, but I'm also trying to learn. Batman isn't Rico Suave. I haven't been in a relationship in almost thirteen years. I don't know what I'm doing. But I want to learn. And I want to be good. I will be. Just give me time."

Again, WHOA! Not only was the almost diarrhea of the mouth, for Ranger, but he said relationship. He also admitted to not knowing everything, which I still don't believe.

"Wait, relationship? What are you talking about?"

"Like I said, we have a lot to talk about. I'll call you."

I had no idea what to say. So, I did the smart move. I got out of the car and practically ran into my apartment.

...

All recognizable content belongs to Janet Evanovich

Sorry about the super short chapter. They won't all be as long as the first one, but I promise I'm going to try to make it fun and exciting.

Wonder why Stephanie's running from Ranger? It's going to get better!