Here's a little more. I know you're all dying to know Rangers reaction. Hope this will tide you over til the end of the week, when I upload more. Thanks for all the great reviews, you guys are awesome!

Disclaimer: The characters you recognize belong to Janet Evanovich.

"You really threw up on Alex?" Ranger questioned. He seemed to find this information amusing.

That's not what I was hoping he'd focus on. We sat in silence for quite a while. Ranger was still holding my hands in his. The steward excused himself and offered us our meal. Our hands separated to lower our trays. Ranger must have felt the loss as well as he then gently placed his left hand on my thigh. The silent gestured meant so much, I suddenly felt hopeful. Maybe he will forgive me; maybe he does love me too. We ate our meal.

The food was really good and I was feeling a lot better. I tried to get a look at Ranger without making it obvious. I started with a sideways glance and couldn't really get a clear indication of what he may be thinking. I turned my head towards him and looked up at him shyly from behind my lashes. He lifted my head up gently with his finger until we had complete eye contact.

Ranger began speaking with a soft calm voice, "Everything changed when I met you. My black and white world suddenly had colour and it was easy to love you so much. Something I never imagined was to lose myself in your love. It just happened."

I felt a tear escape my eye. I didn't want to cry, Ranger was saying all the right things. I was waiting for the 'but'. His words were beautiful and meant so much. I drew in an uneasy breath. Ranger brushed the stray tear away with his thumb.

He continued and I braced myself for the letdown. "I can't give you what you need Babe. That's why I told you to repair your relationship with Morrelli. You need someone stable, who will give you a family, marriage, a home in the Burg, Friday night dinners with your family. That's not me. And you deserve better. You deserve the best and that's not me."

I was so frustrated with him, didn't he realise that I didn't want those things. They're the things my mother wants for me. But they're not what I want. If I did, I'd be with Joe right now. I had to calm myself before I went into full rhino mode. Controlling my breathing and counting to ten. Then twenty.

"Ranger, I don't want a safe, normal life. I don't want children and I certainly don't want to marry again. Once was enough for me. I just want to be with you, share my life with you. You're my best friend and I know we can be happy together."

"Are you sure Babe? Because being with me isn't going to be easy. I'm set in my ways and I'm kinda a control freak and I'm defiantly not good with sharing my feelings," he said while holding my hand and rubbing his thumb across my fingers.

Did this mean we'll try? I suddenly felt a warm flush across my body. Was it too much to hope for, that he'd give us a chance? My mind was racing and I needed it confirmed. "So you're saying…"

"I'm saying we'll try." Ranger gave me one of his 200 watt smiles and I melted into him.

We held each other tightly for what seemed like hours. But in reality, maybe only 10 minutes.

Ranger eased his hold first, just enough to see my face. He looked into my eyes, "Before spending more time with you, you need to know that you're the love of my life. I wasn't expecting it; something I never imagined was to lose myself in your love. It just happened and I'm already yours."

Our lips met and exploded into a smouldering kiss, filled with love and passion that I'd never experienced before. God I loved this man.

The captain made an announcement. We were beginning our descent into Miami.