Unwanted Distraction 7

A/N: Just playing, they will never be mine. Thank you to Sasha for being my beta.

I was just asked out on a genuine date by Ranger. There is nobody who exudes raw sexual magnetism like him. Of all the women in the world he has asked me, Stephanie Plum.

Ricardo Carlos Manoso was beyond hot; they should really introduce a new word into the English language to suitably describe him. The heat that I feel whenever he is around threatens to ignite me. His rapt attention would transform me from a smoldering mass to a raging inferno of lust in mere seconds. I had fought the attraction that was for one man and one man alone for so long.

I just hoped that I didn't spontaneously ignite thinking about him. For Rangers careless boast was indeed my ruination for all other men. After our one night he had haunted my dreams and thoughts. That night fired many a fantasy. If we didn't work out I was afraid that the flames of our passion would singe me and leave me as a pile of ash.

I took a fast glance at Ranger and hoped that steam and smoke were not coming out my head as I thought of Ranger's naked, sweaty, perfect, muscular body. I can only pray that Ranger had a fantasy about having sex with a Cyclops.

"Steph, you're not a Cyclops. You're the woman I love! To me, you're the most beautiful woman in the world.A m, usted es la mujer ms hermosa del mundo entero."

"I wished my brain was faster than my mouth. It would really be nice not to say everything I thought, especially to you," I muttered to myself.

"Steph, there is nothing to apologize for. We are a couple now. I might not be such a mystery anymore. When happens when you decide that there are

plenty of other suitable men out there for you? I'm still not the suburb, picket fence and family man yet."

"One Ranger is all Ill ever need, babe." I smiled gently at him.

'I'm your one man, Babe."

I tried to stifle a yawn but it escaped anyway. I was exhausted because I hadn't slept all night. Sure, I was unconsciousness for a fair amount of that time but that doesn't constitute a good night's sleep.

Boy, I ran from hot to cold in no time flat. First I was thinking of nothing but jumping Ranger and now all I wanted to do was sleep. The painkillers must have taken affect because once I started to yawn I couldn't stop. Closing my eyes for a minute, I was awakened by the car stopping.

We had arrived at Haywood. Ranger exited the car, ran over to my car door and helped me out. Holding me like a porcelain doll that was about to break, we went from the garage to the elevator. Using his key fob, Ranger called for it. Once inside, he hesitated before pushing a button.

"So, Steph its your call. Four or seven? If you decide to stay on four, you could stay at the infirmary so Bobby could monitor you. I would rather you stay on seven though, so I or Ella can take care of you."

"Hmmm, what a tough choice! Do I want to stay on four with numerous hot, sexy Merry Men about or up on seven with one very sexy, private-duty, Cuban nurse to take care of my every need. Decisions, decisions."

"You know I don't share. Maybe, I should make the decision for you," Ranger growled out.

"I need incentive. How about another kiss?" I asked as I inched closer to him. I pulled the hem of silk shirt towards me, trying to draw him closer. "Sorry, I forgot your shirt was silk, I mumbled. I dropped the shirt hem as if it was on fire."

"Steph. Stop apologizing. Its only a shirt. An iron would smooth out any wrinkles." Ranger was leaning in towards me, about to kiss me, when we were interrupted by a call.

"Yo". Ranger flipped his phone open and answered it. Turning to me, he said, Babe, why don't you wave to the guys. We're on the monitor."

"You didn't scramble the cameras? I guess the great Manoso wasn't aware of his surroundings." I crowed as I jabbed Ranger's rock hard abdomen.

"Payback is a bitch."

"I can't wait." I took the fob from him and scrambled the camera myself. Then I rose up on tiptoes in order to give him my best bone melting kiss.

I achieved my objective as Ranger's eyes darkened, indicating his emotions. "Feeling bold are we, my lusty wench."

He had forgotten about the phone which had dropped to the floor. Our make-out session was interrupted once again but this time it was my phone.

"Hey beautiful if you could let the boss out of the lip-lock I know you have him in, you both need to come to five. We got new info on the jokers that you had the run-in with at Fire and Ice last night."

"Okay, Les. Here he is." I knew Ranger had heard what was said and was anxious to speak to Lester.

"Talk." Ranger said and listened with his undivided attention. Once in awhile he would interject, saying explain or asking a question. "Is it really necessary for Steph to be at the briefing? She has been through a lot and is dead tired."

"Babe, change of plans. I have to go to five now. Ella will get you settled either on four or seven. Whatever you choose will be fine. I will get my opportunity. I am an opportunist after all."

In my prissiest tone I replied, "Are you trying to distract me again. I'm going to five with you. I can sleep later. Scout's honor."

"Somehow I find it out hard to picture you as a scout especially an obedient one."

"Was that a dig? I was a very good scout until that last incident."

"The last incident. Do I even want to know what happened?"

"Maybe if you're a good boy I will tell you someday."

Ranger was about to come out with a comment of his own when the elevator door opened on the fifth floor. Placing his hand on the small of my back Ranger ushered me towards the conference room. When we got there we went into the room. Seated already around the large mahogany table was Tank, Lester, Bobby, Jeanne Ellen Barrows and three people I didn't recognize.

"Bomber, nice look you've got going. Really meshes well with the outfit you're wearing. ET meets disco queen." After Lester finished speaking he began to laugh in guffaws as he enjoyed his own joke.

"Santos." Ranger barked.

Lester's complexion paled three shades lighter at the tone of Ranger's voice. It looked like he wanted to shrink away.

Introductions were made and I learned that three gentlemen were two FBI agents and a member of the Trenton police force. The two FBI agents were William Asher and Saul Mason. The third man was a Trenton police liaison for hate crimes, Earl Stevens. The meeting was about to commence when someone I would have never expected joined us.