This one is a little shorter than the others but I didn't want to leave you guys hanging for too long without an update. Enjoy!


SPOV

My meeting ran late but Ranger didn't seem to mind, especially since the client was brining Rangeman on to oversee security at 2 new hotels. We walked across the street and I immediately loved the building. It was 3 floors; the first would be open and welcoming to clients, with a reception desk and seating area for people to wait. The second floor was going to take over as the conference rooms and the 4th had the offices for Tank, Ranger, and I.

"I think its great Ranger." I said admiring the large picture windows that ran across the entire floor. "I think I'm in love with the windows."

He laughed and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. "That's what sold me too." We stood like that for a few minutes, closing my eyes I breathed in the bvulgari mixed with a spicy scent that was unique to Ranger. It was moments like these that made me feel at home. No matter where I was, if Ranger was there it felt right. "I need to tell you something but I'm worried it might upset you."

A dozen ideas flew through my mind: He was leaving again, Morelli was causing trouble, maybe he didn't want me to move over here with him now, or what if … "Babe, chill out."

"Was I talking out loud again?" He chuckled.

"You mom called me." Talk about ripping a bandage off. "I'm only telling you because I said I would, and I've never lied to you before, I don't want to start now. She said she misses you and would like to see you."

I scoffed and pulled away from him so I could pace, "The last thing my mother said to me was that God was punishing me for not marrying Joe. That's why the baby died." I stood, hands on hips showing how pissed off I still was about the conversations, "I was still in the hospital Ranger. She didn't even ask me how I was or how I felt. She came in and lectured me about growing up and being a good housewife."

I could tell Ranger was pissed and wondered if he would have told me about her phone call had he known about our argument. "I wouldn't want to talk to her either if I were you. And I wasn't telling you this to try and convince you to go see her; I just wanted you to know."

It was relieving to know he understood why I hadn't spoken to her since the hospital. That was another thing Joe was trying to force me to do. He would leave me messages letting me know he had just had dinner with my parents and it would have been nice if I joined them next time. It was ridiculous and only infuriated me at the time. Now it just made me sad. Sad for them, not me. Maybe I should go over there, let them see how well I'm doing. "I'll think about it."

He nodded and stalked towards me. I say stalked because the look in his eye made me tremble and for a moment I understood how an animal might feel right before attacked. But this wasn't a look of menace, it was one that carried a promise of mischief and I backed up until I was up against the wall. His arms placed on either side of my head, hips holding me so I couldn't move.

"Want to christen the new building?" His lips were so close I could feel them brush across mine as he spoke. When I looked into his eyes they were completely dilated and darker than I had ever seen. Not able to speak I nodded and saw a flash of a smile before his lips descended on mine.

We quickly peeled off our clothes and I wrapped my legs around his waist as he pressed me against the wall, his arms holding me under my thighs for support. "Do you know how amazing you felt last night babe?"

He was taking turns sucking on each of my breasts and I could feel his tip rubbing along my slit. I moved trying to get him inside me but he had me held so tight all it did was rub his tip across my clit, making us both moan. I remembered my orgasm from the night before and felt my walls clench, what if it was just a onetime thing though.

"Don't go there Quierda."

"Maybe you should find a way to distract me then." I teased. He made a quick adjustment and was instantly inside me. It wasn't slow like last night either and I clutched at his shoulders trying to keep up with his movements.

I felt the slow burn in my stomach signaling I was close, but I had felt this before and nothing happened. With Ranger it was different somehow though. This was more than physical; it was like he was stroking my emotions with every thrust of his hips.

"Oh thank god!" I screamed right before my orgasm crashed over me. I felt every nerve in my body tingle as my walls pulsed around him. He came right after me shouting something in Spanish before he covered his lips with mine.

We both sank to the floor and he turned so his back was to the wall, pulling me onto his lap. Gently he stroked my hair as our heart rates and breathing slowed.

"Maybe this was your fault the whole time. What if you really did ruin me for all other men and that's why I couldn't… you know."

He barked out a laugh, "You never disappoint Babe."

A few hours later all papers had been signed and Ranger hired some contractors to begin the renovations to his new office building. They said everything should be done in a couple weeks and then Ranger would send in his tech team to wire up the security. Our goal was to move into the offices in just over a month.

Tank and I began working together to interview and hire new security and officer personnel. Ranger and I spent every night together, getting to know each other in a more physical way, if you know what I mean.

Even though we hadn't run into Joe since the night he pulled us over, Ranger asked me to wear the emergency clip in case he was lying low planning his next attack. I still wanted to have a conversation with him but with the new changes at Rangeman it was difficult to find much time, beside the fact that when I had extra time I wanted to spend it naked in bed with Ranger. I also hadn't called my mother back. There was too much hurt there and I wasn't ready to listen to her lecture me about Joe and the baby. For the first time since the accident, actually for the first time since Ranger left for his mission, I was happy and enjoying life again.

A month had passed and we were moving into the new office. Lester had taken over as manager of the control room and Bobby and Hal were helping me with client accounts, since I wasn't able to find anyone I thought would be a good fit. Tank and I were able to hire 10 new guys allowing everyone to get back to regular schedules.

It was fun taking clients on a tour of the office. They loved the mock set up allowing them to see how their security and surveillance would be handled. Even older clients were calling to set up meetings, never getting a chance to see how business ran behind the scenes before.

Ramon, one of the new guys was manning the reception desk when he called me, "Hey Steph, got a walk in client for you. Do you have a minute?"

"Of course, I'll be right down."

Ranger was on the phone so I stuck my head into Tanks office. "Hey Steph, what's up?"

"Just going downstairs for a minute. New client walked in off the street. I'm free for the next hour so I figured I'd just fit them in. Do you want to join me?"

When they weren't busy Tank and Ranger had been tagging along for the tour, answering the security questions for me. "I'm swamped right now Steph. I can come if you want me to but…"

"No, no, I got it." I smiled and headed down the stairs. When I opened the door I stopped dead, my mother was sitting in the waiting area. Her eyes met mine and I wanted to run back up the stairs and hide in my office. I was so not prepared for this. Ramon saw my reaction and stood, thinking there was a threat somewhere.

"Is something wrong Steph?" He hand was at his hip, ready to draw if need be.

My mother stood and walked towards me, nose in the air, "Is this how you treat your mother Stephanie? By having a hoodlum threaten me with his gun?"

I narrowed my eyes, "He's not threatening you mom. This is a security company; it's what he's trained to do. Protect me and the company when an unwelcome party is present."

She scoffed at my choice of words and waved her hand as if to disregard what I had said. "I just want to see my daughter, and since you haven't bothered to call me back I thought I'd just march down here and see what's been keeping you so busy."

Fine, I'd play her game. I decided to act as if she was a new client that I was showing around the property. "Well, this is the new building we just moved into. If you'll follow me up to the second floor I'd be happy to show you how the control room works and go over what type of surveillance and security we offer." I turned on my heel, not caring if she followed and headed to the elevators. As usual, Ramon had one waiting for me and as I stepped inside I quickly hit 2, hoping the doors would shut before she had a chance to join me. No such luck.

We were silent in the elevator and when the doors opened I continued my speech. "What would you like to see first? How the control room works or our security cameras?" I was leading her past the conference rooms towards the model set up at the end of the hall.

"I'm not looking to purchase security Stephanie. Stop this nonsense and talk to me." My hand was on the door to the show room and I turned, glaring at her.

"What is it you'd like to talk about mother?" The elevator dinged at the end of the hall and I saw Ranger step off and head in our direction. He looked intense and powerful and I relaxed instantly, knowing my mother wouldn't dare mow over me in front of him, or at least I was hoping she wouldn't.

"Mrs. Plum, it's a surprise to see you here." His arm wrapped around my waist, a show of support and comfort. "Were you seeking security for your home? We have a great home surveillance system I'd be happy to show you."

My mother stuck her nose up the air and turned her attention to me, ignoring Ranger, "I thought we'd speak alone Stephanie. This man doesn't need our dirty laundry bared to him."

Ranger's expression turned wicked and his voice lowered as if he was telling her a secret, "Trust me Mrs. Plum. I've seen plenty of your daughter's dirty laundry." Finishing his sentence with a wink, I paled, and my mother's mouth dropped open.

Once she had composed herself again her voice was belittling, "Didn't you learn anything when you killed your baby Stephanie? God punishes…" She squeaked when Ranger stepped between us, invading her personal space.

"You will leave, now." Her eyes were wide and I could only imagine the dangerous look he was giving her. "If you ever try to blame Stephanie for what happened to her and her daughter again, I will make sure it's the last thing you ever do." Was he threatening my mother? I expected to feel something, ashamed or embarrassed by his actions or words, but instead I felt proud and supported. This man truly loved me and he was not going to stand by and let anyone, including my mother, bring me down anymore.

My mother took a step back and cleared her throat, "Please, excuse my choice of words. I did not mean to insinuate that she purposefully lost the baby I…"

"Yes you did." I cut her off. "Just like you did in the hospital mom. You and Joe both blame me for what happened. Do you really think I wanted to get in an accident and lose her? The only hope I had at finding unconditional love from another human being?"

"Don't be silly Stephanie. I love you. Joe loves you. You need to stop being so childish and settled down. You're 30 years old for God's sake, your eggs are dying!"

"I can't talk to you." I started to walk away and stopped. This was what I always did, run from my problems. "You know what, your wrong." I turned back around. "You and Joe don't love me. Sure, maybe you love me because I'm your daughter and you have to, but you have never supported me or encouraged me to do anything other than what you wanted me to do. Even when I was doing well in life, if it wasn't what you thought I should be doing you found a way to bring me down." I was walking back towards her now and she diverted her eyes from me.

"Joe should have driven me home that night mother. He should have made sure I got home okay. Not only because I was carrying his child, but because he supposedly loved me, and I was a wreck! It's not my fault I got into an accident. I didn't force that guy to go drinking and driving," I was remembering what Ranger had told me that night and used his words to try and make my mother understand. "And it is most definitely NOT my fault that the baby didn't make it!"

Ranger reached for my hand and squeezed, letting me know he was proud of me. I was proud of myself too; 30 years I let my mother berate me and make me feel like what I wanted and needed didn't matter. She was too worried about what other people would think.

"I never meant to blame you Stephanie. I know you didn't ask for this." Her voice was quiet and on the outside she seemed to mean what she said. But I couldn't shake her words to me at the hospital and in the hallway just now.

"If you don't blame me, then why would you use phases such as 'this happened because God is punishing you' or, 'you killed your baby'?"

We stared in silence for a few minutes before Ranger spoke up, "Do you blame Stephanie for what happened?"

"No, of course not."

"Then, if I'm not too out of line," he looked to me before continuing, "I think it's best if you left now and thought about the words you have used with her. I know I wasn't there when everything happened, but I've talked with Steph numerous times about how it affected her and I can promise you this, you have hurt her. Your words and actions have hurt your daughter."

In all my life I have never known my mother to back down. She doesn't like to have her flaws pointed out and even when she knows she is wrong, she won't admit it. Nodding she walked past us to the elevator "I believe I can see myself out."

Once she was off the floor Ranger turned to me, "You okay?"

Was I okay? I didn't feel so angry at her anymore; it helped to have her listen to what I had to say even though she didn't really hear me. In fact, I felt as though a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. "Yeah, actually I feel better than I have in a long time." He tugged me in for a hug. "Thank you, for sticking up for me."

RPOV

"Babe" There was no other response needed. What did she think I would do, stand by while her mother tried to convince her she was at fault for what happened? No, it had taken her long enough to accept it wasn't her fault; no way was I going to let her mother try to tear her apart again.

We had made dinner plans but information on a high bond FTA had come in before Steph's mom showed up. Tank and I were going to take 2 of the new guys out and see how they did with take downs. "Would you hate me if we rescheduled our dinner tonight?"

"Ranger." I laughed out loud at her mocking me and kissed her forehead. "I could use the time to run over to my apartment and get a few things anyway."

She had been living with me at Hayward but liked the idea of having her apartment to go back to. I wasn't going to complain, as long as she was with me; I didn't care where we slept. Hayward was just easier for both of us since it's where we work. "Should I meet you at your place or will you be warming my bed?" I backed her into the wall and brushed my lips over hers.

"Whatever you want Batman." Bad choice of words. My cock twitched and I knew she felt it by the smirk on her face.

"Playing with fire babe." She laughed and kissed me, this time deepening it by forcing her tongue into mine. I groaned, she was playing dirty and knew it. It was time to up the ante and see how far I could push her. Moving so my mouth sucked at her neck I whispered, "If it's whatever I want then you should cuff yourself to my bed wearing absolutely nothing. I'll be home by 10." I smacked her ass before walking away, leaving her breathless in the hallway.