Thanks for not completely giving up on this story even though it took months for me to write this update and almost as long to edit it. I'm still planning on adding a few more chapters if I can. Everybody familiar belongs to Janet. The mistakes are mine alone. Warnings for a little bedroom fun.
Chapter 10
"I can't believe the day is finally here," Steph told me, as she sat down at our kitchen table and put her chin in her hand.
"Are you having seconds thoughts?" I asked, picking up the water bottle I'd set on the counter and moving to stand beside her.
My fingers had been tangled in her curls less than two hours ago as her mouth did things to me that have me hard just recalling them. And my hand got lost in her hair again now. It's as soft and uncontrollable as she is. Steph tipped her head towards me and rested it against my hip.
"Nope, not at all. I talked to Julie yesterday when you were out capturing Lansoon, and she already asked what we're planning to do when we get down there. I think she's expecting a housewarming/homecoming party."
"Which translates into you saying we're having a party," I said, not making it a question.
"Of course I said that if she wants in on one, we'll have a party. She seemed so happy at just the prospect of it, I didn't have the heart to tell her I'd have to clear it first. We can invite our guys from here, plus our new ones in Miami. That'll fill up our house fast."
"They do take up a lot of room."
"Plus, if we get our guys to see the new ones as family rather than competition for our affection, they won't be so upset about us leaving."
"They'll be upset until they're all in the same city as we are, Babe," I said. "Don't believe otherwise. Our location in relation to them is extremely important in their minds."
"And apparently our locations will match again soon, judging by how many transfer requests came in."
"They appear to want to follow us wherever we go."
"I don't blame them. I'd follow you anywhere," she told me.
"I understand that, since Miami became more than just an option."
"You fought dirty, showing me that place. Just knowing it was so close to Julie would've sold me on the house, but the calm that came over me when I walked through it, reminded me of what you accomplished with this apartment. I'd be happy living here for the rest of our lives, but distance between us and our doubters ... sounds pretty good."
"I don't care who doubts us, since they'll all be proved wrong, but you don't need to deal with them while they figure that out."
"I'd much rather spend time with you, Julie, and our guys, than argue with Morelli or my mom again."
"You ready to go spend some time with the men now?" I asked her.
"Yes and no. I don't want to say goodbye to them."
"It'll only be a few days before they switch out with the Miami Team."
"You and I know more than anyone ... how much can change in a day."
I pulled her to me for a kiss. "If the men declare you a friend, you remain one for life. Your standing with them won't change in fifty years, never mind a couple of days."
"I know you're right ..."
"I'm glad you realize that."
She rolled her eyes, but didn't agree or even disagree with me. "Okay, Rex is travel-ready, so I guess I have to be as ready as he is."
"This won't be painless, but the pain will lessen once we're all where we belong."
"Can I steal that line and use it on the guys if they make me cry?"
"If you think that will be more effective than me threatening to injure them for causing tears."
"This is what I want to do ... move to Miami, I mean."
"I know."
"And I love you."
"I know that, too."
"Since Mary Lou and I had an official 'goodbye' margarita last night, and what you call 'just a plane' has already been packed with our stuff from here, all that's left is to say our goodbyes to the guys and the girls."
"After you, Babe."
She laced her fingers through mine and kept hold of me the entire elevator ride down to the control room where I had Tank gather everyone together. She took a deep breath right before the elevator opened to all of my men, and then she took a few steps towards them.
"Okay, Guys," she said, holding her arms out wide, trying to encompass the entire floor I'd guess, "this is it. Give me a hug and keep telling me that 'you'll see me soon' so I can get through this."
"If any of you bruise or break any part of her, I'll systematically break every single bone in your bodies," I warned them all, before the hug-session could get underway.
"You know we're teddy bears. We'll be gentle," Junior said, and then he wrapped his arms around my wife and spun her in a repeated circle until she threatened to cover his uniform in vomit, in-between laughing at his exuberance.
Clearly they weren't concerned about what she could physically or cosmetically do to them, because they each wanted some time with her that didn't stop at a quick hug.
"I expect a detailed list of the best places to grab a burger or a pizza when I get down there," Santos instructed.
"Consider it done. I was fortunate in having Julie for a tour guide when we'd gone down to check the progress of the house and arrange the furniture that'd been delivered courtesy of Rangeman's 'moving company'. So I already know where to get the best empanadas and weirdest - yet good - ice cream. Did you know there's a Cuban ice cream place that makes everything from scratch ... including wine sorbet?"
"They got anything with whiskey in it?" Woody asked her.
"I don't know, but there was a Guinness and chocolate ice cream-option. I got distracted when I reached the rum cake with walnuts ice cream, that includes rum and cake, so I didn't see what came after that."
"You and I can check it out as soon as I hit Miami," Bobby told her.
"Are you scheduling a date with my wife, Brown?" I asked.
"Yeah, but it's a platonic playdate so I don't have to worry about immediate and massive blood loss. You can just say I'm providing protection while she's out getting a snack."
"And here we were thinking you'd never learn anything," Tank added.
"Sure ... you get to laugh your ass off since you're going with them today," my second-in-command was told by Santos.
"They want the best watching their backs, so they got him," was his reply.
"We're all gonna need waders if you keep piling that shit up," Brown said, getting him a 'good one' punch from Ram.
"Babe?" I asked, seeing her eyes fill up.
"Sorry," she said on a sniffle.
"What's wrong, Steph?" Hal asked her.
"I'm going to miss this ... miss all of you," she answered.
Lester risked a broken arm by slinging his around Steph's neck. He gave her a gentle noogie to the head, followed by a quick kiss placed on the top of it.
"We'll all be back irritating the hell out of you by next week," he assured her
This time her tears were happy ones. "Promise?"
"I'll promise you that," I told her, sliding my arm around her back and kissing her curls instead of rubbing my knuckles across them.
"He's the boss, so us showing up is a sure bet," Vince said to her.
"You guys are the best ..."
"Hear that, Tank?" Santos said. "She said we're the best ... not just you."
"She's being nice because she's leaving," he joked. "That's the only reason she'd say that."
"I said it because I mean it, but your bickering is making me less sad about going," my wife told them.
"Yeah, right," Bobby said. "You're hiding your pain behind a sarcastic Wonder Woman front. You'll be balling until we're back providing backup for you ... and annoying the shit out of you both in the process."
"Yup, you've got me all figured out. Ranger will have to spend his first week in Miami just comforting me."
"Is comforting what we're calling it now?" I asked against her ear.
Her elbow landed softly in my ribs, but I can feel her muscles relaxing in my arms at the flirty teasing. She'll feel bad for a few minutes, but tomorrow morning over freshly-made doughnuts from her favorite Miami bakery, she'll already be planning exactly how to celebrate their arrival in Florida.
The men squirmed uncomfortably as her tears fell for real when Ella and Louis appeared to say goodbye. Ella has been a positive mother figure for Stephanie and any type of separation won't be an easy one. I figure a raise and bonus for both Guzman's, and a new vehicle thrown in, will make this only a temporary parting. Ella's just as upset about losing us as Steph is sad about saying goodbye to her, so I'm sure a mutually beneficial arrangement can easily be worked out.
"Uh, Steph," Gene said from the monitoring station, "your mom is currently on hold. She called the front desk, claiming your cell isn't working."
"Hmmm ... it's funny how that happens sometimes to certain people."
"You want me to tell her that you left already?" He asked.
Like the rest of the people in this building, he wanted to spare her any and every kind of pain, especially when the largest source of it keeps being her own family.
"No. I'm a Manoso ... and sort of a mom now, so I can handle saying goodbye to mine."
She walked over to the monitors and to the phone that the call had been patched through to.
"Yeah, Mom?" I heard Steph say. "I'm assuming Val told you we're leaving today? Yep, I know you go shopping at that time and on every Wednesday since you married Dad." She rolled her eyes when I moved in closer. She paused. "Yes ... I really am moving. This afternoon I'll officially be a Miami resident. The countdown is down to minutes now."
"Don't remind us," Bobby said to no one in particular.
"Look, I'm sorry you're upset," she said to Helen, "okay, I'm really not sorry at all since you don't seem to get why I'm still upset myself. I have more important things on my mind than how to calm yours down. I'm sure you also know we're due at Val's before we hit the airport. If you want to say something, like you're sorry or that you'll miss us, you can catch us there ... without Joe showing up to play bad cop to your insulting cop. I'm warning you now, if he magically appears ... we're outta there and I won't be back to the Burg, not even to visit."
"You can call Valerie from the plane," I offered as a solution.
"With a prepaid trip to Miami, she might be okay with that," Steph said back.
"First class for two visits," I told her, upping the ante.
"But I want to see the girls and let them know I'm not abandoning them."
I said a mental 'fuck' because I know how close she's become to her nieces. If I had to guess, I'd say she sees a lot of herself in Mary Alice and wants to keep Angie from turning into Angie Morelli or the old Valerie. I couldn't argue with the stop even though I'd prefer to get out of Jersey with no further interaction with her family, but having a daughter and four younger sisters, I understand how vital it is for young girls to know they're a major factor in the lives of the people they look up to.
"Alright. We'll stick with our original plan, but I'm not putting up with your mother trying to manipulate you again. And if Morelli shows up, he'll be leaving the Kloughn home on a gurney. Whether it's escorted by the M.E. or paramedics will be determined by his mouth."
"I figured as much. I want to see my nieces and that's it. We'll head out before anything can happen to upset them."
I believed her, but Tank insisted on coming with us to the Burg instead of just meeting us at the airport. We were concerned for nothing in one way, since Helen and Frank were no-shows, though Mary Lou, Connie, and Lula, were there. I was pissed as hell on Steph's behalf that the people who should love her as much as I do, continue to hurt her, one intentionally and the other just by not giving her any thought at all. Not that Steph would let on that she's angry and feeling hurt again.
Away from the crowd, she hugged her nieces, and handed them tickets to come to Florida in July when they're out of school for the summer. And she also gave a shocked Valerie, Albert, Mary Lou, and Edna, tickets to match. Connie and Lula were too busy annoying Tank, plus talking and taking snacks to realize a flight-exchange had been going on around them but didn't include them yet.
Another confrontation would've take place if the Plums had shown up, since there are no flights reserved for them. Our home is a refuge and only people who can keep the peace, and strictly adhere to the serenity-guidelines we've put in place, are allowed inside the gate.
"I want you all to come see the place," Steph was telling her family. "And Julie would love some pool-mates, so don't even think of not visiting us."
"Oh my God, Steph," Valerie said, still surprised.
"This was all Ranger," she said. "You can thank him. I think he wants to make sure there's nothing I'll miss in Jersey so I'm not tempted to come back. If you guys are frequent visitors, I'll have the best of all worlds."
"That was my goal, Babe."
"A goal met, with Ella, Louis, and the men, coming with us," Tank tacked on, already impatient to be leaving.
Small talk isn't his thing, neither is talking in general.
"Coming with us?" Steph teased, catching him in a friendly hug. "You love us, don't you? You can go ahead and admit it."
He was pleading the fifth, but the three of us know that if he didn't care about us, he wouldn't have risked a visit to the Burg - which he's said feels more like hell than some of the places we've been sent in the past.
"You ready?" He asked instead.
She grinned at him. "Yeah," she said, before turning back to her nieces. "I know you'll both roll your eyes, but give me another hug, Girls, and check for packages in a few days. I'm sending you each something from Florida until you can come shopping with us yourselves. I happen to know there's an excellent shopper living there who knows all the shortcuts to the stores you'd like."
She gave each girl a squeeze and I was surprised that Tank and I were embraced by the girls as well, even Angie who I thought would be a hard sell. I had a flashback to Julie at the same age when Lisa wrapped her little arms around my neck and slapped a loud kiss to my cheek before smiling happily at me. Since Steph moved into my apartment, they haven't been strangers to the Rangeman building and they've ceased to be shy around me or my men.
"If Lisa keeps looking at you like that," my wife said to me, nudging Tank in a playful way, "we're going to have to stick her in our suitcase and take her with us."
"They barely even let you carry lotion onto planes, Aunt Steph," Angie told her Aunt, "you won't get Lisa past security."
"Our plane is special, and it has its own unique security team, so I doubt anyone except your mom could stop me."
Mary Alice glanced at me and then gave her aunt a conspiratorial grin. "I bet Uncle Ranger can make anything possible."
Steph stopped picking on my best friend for a minute and came back to me. "He already has."
We left shortly after that and got started on our Miami life. Steph didn't sleep on the plane, but she kept hold of my hand once again, leaned her shoulder into mine, and stayed quiet for most of the flight. She was processing the goodbyes and lack of some much-needed apologies, parental affection, or closure if the first two weren't going to happen. She'd say that she's the only one responsible for her own happiness, but I disagree. I've always had a reason to live, but she made me want to. And as an unspoken and on-going 'thank you', I plan to do what I can to make her also love her life and be happy every day of it.
Tank whistled low and at length after he stepped inside in our new home.
"You said you bought a house ... not a fucking manor," he told us, moving not just his eyes, but his head as well as he took in the large foyer.
"It's too much house for us, isn't it?" Steph said, looking at it like she had originally, through a 'visitor's' perspective.
"No," he said shrugging, his initial surprise gone. "It suits you."
"It should," I added. "Most of our conversations lately have revolved around what paint colors and furniture we like."
"It paid off," Steph told us. "We haven't been here for two weeks, and it still felt like 'home' from the second we unlocked the door."
"You could fit your apartment in this area alone," Tank told us, moving slightly towards the winding staircase.
"It's a large house, we get it," she replied, "but it's our big home, and if you spend more than five minutes in it, you'll love it, too. Come and see the living room."
"The bags ..." he said, trying to thwart her, but she can move a car - or a "tank" in this case - when she's motivated.
And she succeeded in pulling him through the rest of the house, downstairs and up. The house is large, but we were able to make it feel intimate with warm tones on the walls, personal items from countries I've had the fortune and 'misfortune' to visit placed on end tables and bookcases, and pictures of those we love put on both the flat surfaces and walls. Combined with random seating areas, the larger spaces were scaled down without them feeling cluttered.
The multiple windows in each room should have me wanting a weapon in my hand as I entered and passed through them, but the property is secluded enough so privacy isn't a concern ... even without the security fence, cameras, multiple alarms, and gate, protecting the grounds.
I left the bags by the front doors and trailed behind them as Steph gave Tank the grand tour and showed him the room he'd be sleeping in, since he already told Julie he wasn't staying in her 'girl room'. There was a real concern about her bed not supporting his frame so he'd staked out our guest room until the penthouse at this Rangeman was finished being redesigned to fit his needs.
When our home purchase became final, Tank had started schooling Jimenez on how things in Trenton would work for him when he transferred from here, with me reinforcing what was being told to our Miami overseer. I felt confident that Tank's 'home' here will be his and his rescue cats' final one when Santos brings the fluff-balls with him. If Steph offering to make a fresh pot of coffee in our new kitchen is anything to go by, ours will be his home away from his Miami home.
Once a leaving date had been decided on, I'd arranged with Rachel and Ron to have Julie spend the weekend with us, and her mom also agreed to let us take her out to dinner on the same day we arrived. My daughter was as excited as Stephanie was when we went to pick her up. My wife tried to order Tank to get into the car and come along, but he didn't want to intrude on our first night here together. He should've realized that my daughter is more persuasive than even I or Steph is.
After a polite greeting at the door, I walked away from the Martine house with my daughter under my arm.
"Where would you like to go?" I asked her, fully intending to treat her to her favorite meal at whatever place she chose.
"Can we just order pizza and eat at your house?" She asked, as she hugged Steph through the open car window, before buckling herself into the backseat. "We can call Tank and tell him not to eat yet."
"Do you think it's fair to us to have to share you right after we get you?" I replied.
"Probably not," she said, "but you're a generous Dad who doesn't like telling me no unless it's something bad for me. And you're also a caring guy who wouldn't want your friend eating alone on his first night in a new city."
"And ... it's Julie for the win," my wife added. "She's got the right idea. It's something I was hoping for, too, since we were planning on a family dinner. We just have to make sure we order two pizzas for him alone. He doesn't eat it often, but when he does ... it's best to count just to make sure you have all your fingers by the time dinner's done."
Julie laughed as Steph dug out my phone from my pocket and called Tank before I could say no if I was inclined to, which I wasn't. I know as well as he does how critical to survival having family is - even if it's not biological. And I don't mind sharing mine with someone who became a huge part of my extended one when we both needed someone we could trust to keep us alive. We've been doing that for each other ever since.
Steph called in the order at Julie's preferred place, and on the way there we discussed everything from her siblings, to our move, and if Rex needs a brother or if we should go bigger and become dog owners now that we have room for one.
"Nice try, Kid," Steph told our daughter, "but your Dad still occasionally gives Rex the 'stink eye' ... and he's in a contained cage. I'm not sure he's ready for a pet beyond Lester."
"Uncle Lester's fun. You guys really should stop picking on him."
"Someday," I told her.
Santos and I have a history that's not at all humorous, but the fact that he can still provide comedy relief to the others is a major reason why I haven't fired his ass years ago for the shit he's done to 'keep up morale'.
"It's still hard to believe that my Trenton family is going to be only minutes away now."
"I'm betting your grandparents will be buying a house here by Winter," Steph guessed. "They miss you and Miami."
"The weather here is pretty good all year, except when we get a hurricane or two. They really should move down here. It'd be good for them ... with no snow to shovel or cold weather to deal with."
"If you tell them that the next time you call," I told her, "you'd make their minds up faster. Or you could go the direct route and just ask them to change states. They'll be looking for their own place by the weekend."
"Really?" She asked.
"Are you kidding?" Steph replied. "Those two love you more than anything. You aim those killer brown eyes their way and they'll be tapping out in seconds."
I cut my eyes to her.
"One of the hazards of watching TV with a bunch of adrenaline junkies ... is you pick up random sports-related phrases that you then try to work into conversations so you sound like you know what you're talking about." She held up my phone that she'd kept possession of. "Should we call the grandparents now, or wait until tomorrow?"
My daughter laughed and so did my wife, but I know Stephanie had been serious. If she had her way, she'd want to live on an island away from the rest of the world, but one that is completely inhabited by the people she loves.
"Let's enjoy tonight," I suggested, "and over the weekend we can tackle convincing everyone we like in Jersey to move here."
She sighed and dropped my phone into her lap. "Fine. Pizza, Tank, and home, it is."
Since our food was already ordered, we didn't have to wait longer than it took to get to the restaurant. I left my ladies in the car while I got and paid for the order that will hopefully keep Tank and Steph fed. Neither one has body fat to spare, but they both eat like they have an extra stomach to keep full. They can consume and metabolize even a meat lover's pizza, which was one of Julie's recommendations.
Tank opened the door for us and met us at the car as I parked. I didn't feel any sense of intrusion at him having access to my home like this. I've trusted Tank to have my back too many times to count and in situations I wish I couldn't remember, and I trust him here. So instead of chewing him out, I shoved the stack of pizza boxes into his hands and draped an arm around each of my women's shoulders, escorting them inside.
The four of us ate on the back patio by the pool with only the outside and kitchen lights on, and I felt conflicting emotions when it was time to take Julie back to the Martines. I've always thought of her as my daughter, a Manoso, and I still resent having to 'return her' like a lost fucking kitten. But knowing that I'll have time alone with my wife helped to settle any unpleasant emotions. I'll work out my parental feelings another day.
Steph had tried what Tank attempted by bowing out of dinner, and she offered to stay home and give Julie and I time alone, but that worked about as well with Julie as Tank's plan did. When Steph and I got back home from dropping her off, our friend had made himself scarce, so she and I just walked the perimeter of the downstairs to be sure everything was cleaned up, not that Tank would ever let a dish sit in the sink for longer than it takes to be put in there, and then she and I rechecked the doors and alarm before heading up to our room.
She stood in the middle of the master bedroom that is now painted a light steel blue, with white trim and black furniture and accents. She'd argue it, but I know she purposely stopped in front of our bed so she'd be framed by the black letters she'd wanted hung over the headboard ... Mr. & Mrs. M. I didn't fight the wall decorations because my dick respectively salutes her every time she declares herself Mrs. Manoso.
"Would putting on one of your shirts for bed be a waste of time?" She asked me.
I reached out and snagged her wrist, pulling her as close to me as was physically possible.
"What do you think?" I replied, wrapping my arms around her.
"I think you're going to get me naked in record time, and purposely withhold your shirts to keep me that way."
"I married a smart woman," I said, bending my head to kiss her.
"What about marrying a sexy one?" She flirted back, once I let her lips go.
"I lucked out. My woman is smart, sexy, beautiful, and one of the most special people I've had the pleasure of meeting."
"You realize that I'm already planning on us both getting lucky, you don't need to make me melt on top of getting me extra hot for you."
I slid my hand under the hem of her t-shirt and trailed my fingers up and down a three-inch section of her spine. I felt her shiver ... and I smiled into her exposed collarbone.
"You'll be 'hotter' in a minute," I promised her, and I peeled her shirt off over her head.
Her flesh-toned bra was distracting this morning when I watched her put it on, but right now it's pushing my fly to its breaking point, so it had to go. Once that was gone, I let my mouth have its way. With my lips dragging on her nipple, I moved her backwards until she was on the bed, then I got to work on uncovering the rest of my treasure.
I left her breasts after both nipples were hard and wet from my mouth, and my fingers toyed with the button on her low-rise jeans, but instead of undoing them ... I lowered my head and hovered over her navel. The pulse behind it conveniently brought her stomach up to meet my lips. Her belly went concave again as she reacted to my touch. I followed it and smiled into the beat.
"Stop teasing me," she said, impatiently tugging my shirt out of my pants.
"No," I told her, kissing each rib before moving up to her breasts again.
Telling Stephanie 'No' is like waving a red flag, followed by a white one of surrender. I fully understand that and am looking forward to how she takes me down. She got my shirt off and she clearly wasn't going to let me remove her pants without being able to touch what's in mine. She succeeded, but I only allowed her a few strokes before I moved out of her reach to get her completely undressed.
I earned myself a glare for that, but her payback as I got rid of her sneakers, socks, jeans, and thong, was to stretch her arms out over her head so her nipples and the sway of her breasts as she breathed would catch my attention again. My shirt's already MIA, and I ditched my boots and socks, yet I purposely left my cargos open but still on.
My bare skin always attracts her and it seems to have done more so tonight. The way her eyes swallowed me as her throat has, and how she seemed to almost unconsciously reach out to trace my face or body, has me convinced that she sees the man behind all the muscle ... and wants to touch and love him, too. I've made my body my temple for work purposes, but she genuinely seems to worship it and everything it does - and feels - for her.
I stretched myself on top of her, being careful not to crush her with my weight, and I fit my mouth to hers again, loving the feel, taste, and openness, of her. Her lips parted and so did her legs, which put me in the place that I feel I most belong ... focused on, surrounded by, and completely overwhelmed, by her.
I had plans to seduce her slowly, making her beg to be mine all over again, but just the hint of her inner heat and her fingers returning to trace my abs - and further below them - had my arms shaking and my throat groaning loudly. My body lying along hers should be restricting her movements, but she's persistent and creative when she wants something, and the moisture coating my fingers when I moved so I could slide them into her let me know ... right now she wants me.
"Don't even think about drawing this out," she warned, using her legs as emphasis to make sure I stay close.
"I was thinking of nothing else but drawing this out," I cautioned right back.
And then before she could force my hand ... or more accurately my dick, I moved quickly and fused my mouth to her, alternately licking, flicking, and sucking, her clit so she'd be hotter, wetter, and far more relaxed, by the time I fill her.
"If you and this didn't feel so frickin' good," she bit out in-between clenching her lip and her hands, "I'd kill you ... right after I return this particular favor."
Considering how tightly her thighs are holding my head and shoulders, I'm not too concerned about her threat. "You can 'return the favor' only after I'm done playing."
When I could see the whites of her eyes as I glanced up her body to her face, I decided we'd suffered enough, or at least I have. But the orgasm she'd experienced at my simultaneous tongue press and finger thrust, had me believing discomfort isn't what she was feeling. I decided I wanted to feel her next one on and around me. While she was still coming down from my sex-induced high, I wrapped her legs around my waist before she could think to say it was my turn before she'd allow a combined release ... or at least insist that I should be as naked as she is.
Her blue eyes had just been opening to gaze sleepily at me, but I'd made them close again when I'd pressed myself slowly inside her. I rested my hands by her shoulders on the bed and moved my hips forward and back with hers meeting me every step of the way.
We were doing more than okay on the bed, but I didn't want her to just be enjoying herself and my body, I wanted her sweating, panting, and so desperate for me she can't see straight or be still at all. I stayed buried deep inside her, but curled an arm under her back, cupped her ass with my other hand, and took us off the mattress and against the wall between the bed and walk-in closet.
"Ranger ..." Steph gasped, as the position-change had me taking her even deeper than before.
"Yes, Babe?" I asked around one nipple, the other one in my hand now that I have more limbs free.
My free hand snaked between our bodies from behind and I opened her more fully to my thrusts. If I want her mindless with need, I have to do my part to get her to that point ... which I did easily. A combined flick of my tongue to her breast in time to my hips advancing and retreating, had her entire body turning into a full-length, clenched muscle before finally going completely limp in my arms. I wasn't far behind, having her inner muscles continuing to squeeze me even after she'd exploded on me.
I sank my mouth down on the soft skin of her neck and gave her everything I had. And I fell just as bonelessly against her a few beat later. Her legs were still circling my waist, holding my cargo pants mostly up, and her hands stayed linked on the back of my head as she tried to hold me tighter to her.
"If I haven't said this before, I love being with you," she said into my hair.
"You have said it, but I'll never get tired of hearing how much you love and want me."
"Good, because I don't plan on staying quiet on that one annnnytime soon."
I kissed her again before taking us back to the bed. I wasn't ready to let go of her yet, and she was willing to go along with whatever I needed. She didn't seem upset at using me for a bed until it was time to get ready for sleep. Knowing our house is secure, and Tank doesn't barge in anywhere, she didn't even bring up the subject of a nightshirt again after we got cleaned up and had brushed, flossed, and she'd washed her makeup off. Back in bed, she turned on her side to face me, dropped an arm across my equally bare waist, and flung a leg over one of mine, before going 'lights out' as she'd say.
It took me longer to relax enough to actually rest, but the day was an almost perfect one ... so when I did fall asleep, a smile was hinting on my lips.
The following morning, after Tank left for this city's Rangeman building, I stayed behind to have breakfast with my wife.
"How are you doing with being completely away from your parents and the Burg?" I asked her, on the start of day two of our Miami-move.
"Now that I'm free from the expectations and even more disappointments on that end, I'm seeing that what I was there was basically a liver with legs. Every day I was going around absorbing everything toxic, just doing my best to filter it and absorb at least something slightly beneficial from all the crap I was being fed."
"That's a unique take on it."
"I'm a unique kind of woman."
"So what organ are you today?" I asked, still amazed at my interest in what she's thinking every second of every day.
"Today I'm a big 'ol heart. I feel nothing but love for you, Julie, my guys ... and my life. I swear, I'm okay. I think I needed this move more than you wanted to provide it."
"Every time I worry about you, you give me more reasons to believe I don't have to anymore, not that I'll ever stop making sure you're alright. I'm taking no credit for the change, but you have become a different woman over the last few weeks."
"The power of someone believing in you should never be underestimated."
I couldn't disagree, so I kissed her instead. A few Jersey 'Merry Men' are arriving as early as this afternoon, and she and I will be picking Julie up for the weekend. The next few days will be busy ... not only getting our daughter used to us being here 24/7, but helping the Trenton guys get accustomed to being Miami men now. I've spent enough time at this Rangeman building during the hours I couldn't spend with Julie, and Stephanie can make herself integral in any environment she's placed in, so this transition should be a seamless one.
We left for Rangeman at nine and Steph wanted to come bearing gifts so we made a pit stop at the bakery she was hoping to try the last time we were here, and she picked up a couple dozen homemade 'Pop-Tarts', with fillings ranging from chocolate and peanut butter, to cinnamon sugar, and mixed berry. Plus a box containing over ten cups of freshly-brewed hot coffee.
Ramon, Bobby, Cal, and Binkie, were the first to get here. And though it's been just over twenty-four hours, she hugged all four like she hasn't seen them in weeks. Though to be fair, she treated the Miami Men to the same greeting, along with a snack-bribe.
My gut knotted at seeing someone other than me touching her, but knowing it's strictly in a surrogate brother kind of way, had me relaxing the still close to the surface kill-Morelli instincts. I didn't interrupt the exchange and I let her become more at ease with my people however she felt comfortable doing it. She trusts me and knows I'll never hurt her, and she deserves the same respect. If she would've allowed herself to admit that she loved me, Morelli could never had come between us.
Since I kissed her, and even before that bonds office-moment, she let me know that I'm the only man who had her absolutely terrified of her feelings. The guys can make her laugh and have her feeling sad for what they've been through, but only I can make her cry with a compliment, have her quivering with desire from a single kiss, and laughing hysterically at a well-timed comment she'd call 'Ranger-humor'.
She claims to have learned a lot about herself from being with me, but I've also grown once I was sure she could handle all of me ... and still want more. I stood back and watched her charm my men into total compliance. The guys who don't know her ... will soon enough. And they'll want to protect her, even without an order or a paycheck, just so they'll have more opportunities to hang out with her.
Steph still isn't sure about being given her own office in this Rangeman branch, so I'd planned to ease her into that by having an extra desk put in mine until she realizes that what she does requires just as much space, privacy, and concentration. I already ordered the semi-used conference room closest to me to be cleared in anticipation of her agreeing she needs her own domain beyond a cubby. Her days as a search-jockey are over. She can see her own potential now ... and she wants to live up to it.
Even by Friday, Julie hadn't lost any of her enthusiasm from the first time she'd been picked up. Her bag was packed and she had no issues or questions about staying with us for longer than an hour. Although Rachel was a little worried about a 'party' that would have my men around my daughter, Julie squelched that concern.
"Dad wouldn't have hired anyone he doesn't know or trust," she said to her mother, making me momentarily speechless in her defense of me and my people. "They're cool, but I know that if I ever felt weird around anyone, he'll fire them the second after I tell him about it. He's actually way worse than you are at wanting me safe at all times."
"There's no question there," I said automatically. "If someone slipped through my psych exams and made you at all uncomfortable ... they won't be working for me or be a member of my organization any longer."
They also won't likely still be alive, but these two don't need to know just how thorough of a protector I am.
My daughter grinned up at me. "I know. The guys have been great to me, both here and in Trenton."
Not all of Rachel's fears were alleviated, but my men have been watching Julie since before she was born for a multitude of safety reasons with no problems, so she had to relent. If she was inclined, she could accuse me of anything she wants, but me purposely putting our daughter in danger can never be one of them.
I had no doubt that Tank and Stephanie would have everyone under control and plied with 'refreshments', by the time we got back to the house.
"I love this place," Julie said, following right behind me as I got her things from the trunk of the car.
"I'm glad. This is just as much your home as it is ours."
"That's what Steph told me, too, when she'd been helping me decide what to do with my room."
"You both did well. Every black, white, and turquoise, inch of it screams 'Julie lives here!'" I told her. "Steph also designated one of the cabinets in the kitchen as yours ... and it's already filled with your favorite foods. There's also seasoned rice, vegetables, and cooked proteins in the fridge for easy snacking."
"Don't worry, Dad. I know healthy from Steph's usual diet, and I understand how to combine the two so I don't go overboard either way."
"That's my girl," I said, as we made our way into the house and to the 'guests' inside, dropping my free arm across her shoulders and kissing the spot where her dark hair had been gathered into a ponytail.
Steph welcomed us both with a hug and a lip-smack for me. And she and Julie immediately disappeared into my daughter's room with her suitcase, while I spoke to Tank and exchanged handshakes and 'guy-hugs' ... Steph's description of a limited contact hug ... with those who have migrated South for us.
My wife reemerged and came back to me via the wrought iron staircase, but Julie took her theater roots on her Mother's side to heart and stepped up to the balcony that overlooked the living room. I knew that specific space was going to be trouble, and Ramon had me both wanting to kick his ass and laugh at the memorable balcony scene he started to reenact with my daughter.
"But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Julie is the sun," he said, with a hand placed for dramatic effect over his heart, when he saw her standing there watching the activity below her.
If I didn't know he was just trying to entertain my wife and daughter, I'd be beating a lesson into him in the gym tomorrow morning. Julie being quick on her feet and smarter than I'll ever be, responded in kind, leaning on the railing and thoroughly scanning the downstairs as if searching for someone.
"O Ramon, Ramon, wherefore art thou, Ramon?" She recited, causing a full-on rumble of laughter from our guests.
"Who needs movies when you've got this group?" Steph asked me, curling an arm around my waist and leaning her body into mine.
"If he strays from amusing into flirty ... I'll have to break his legs."
"I'd help you do it if it was anyone but one of our guys," she told me. "Everyone knows that she's too young, she's also your daughter, and we'll both hurt anybody who messes with her ... they're just providing some good dinner theater. She's having fun, let's not spoil the moment with threats of violence in her honor unless they're needed ... okay?"
"I make no promises."
For some reason that made her smile grow wider. "I love you, you know."
"I do," I told her, "but what brought on the reminder?"
"You watching diligently to see if you have to step in and protect your daughter," she shared. "It's sexy as hell, but it also depresses me in a way I don't want to analyze."
"Because your father wouldn't do the same?" I asked, wrapping both arms around her so she couldn't move away from me.
"I guess. My dad worked nonstop so we could have clothes, mall-money, and a roof over us and food in front of us, but I never knew if that was because he didn't want us to go without the stuff other kids had, or if he just used working a lot as an excuse to never have to be near us."
She paused and then looked momentarily more dejected before she caught herself and attempted to sound positive, though the nature of this conversation made that difficult.
"I guess I do have a answer to that one, since he only works part-time now ... and he still doesn't interact with Val and I, or even the girls, unless we're standing between his recliner and the TV or our cars are making a funny noise."
"That's his problem to solve, Babe, not yours."
"I know, which makes what I get to see between you and Julie so much more sweet to me ... knowing that she receives as much respect and affection from her parental figures as you all can give her."
"I'm not sweet, Babe," I warned her, kissing the tip of her nose.
"You are ... but it's more than that. Everyone in this house, and in your buildings across the country, are here - or working there - because you saw something in them that no one else seemed to ... like you did with me."
"With them," I said, jerking my head to where the Trenton/now Miami guys had gathered, "I saw potential, loyalty, and a real need to prove themselves. With you ... I just saw love."
She stared at me for twelve seconds as my words completely sank in. "You aren't kidding, are you?"
"No."
"I love you, too."
"I know," I told her. "You wouldn't have married me otherwise."
"I hate to even think about not being your wife, but it's true. I wouldn't have married you if I didn't love you more than myself. And if this wasn't the life I wanted, nothing would've made me move here."
She's trying to reassure me, but I don't need it. If she didn't like the idea of being the center of my world and my organization, she would've kept me on the outside of her life just looking in ... not made me the focal point of it.
"I'm glad you took a chance on me," I said, against her mouth.
She completed the kiss and then aimed a smile at Julie before responding to my statement. "And I'm more relieved than I can say that you never gave up on me. You saved me in more than just physical ways."
I kept her safe and got her out of the Burg's grasp and into my building. I've been able to give her an escape with my family ... and now within a warmer climate. Each step is what we both needed, and we're okay admitting that now. We require each other to stay alive like most people rely on oxygen.
A/N: Shakespeare is the last person who'd cross my mind when it comes to what I write, but I couldn't resist adding a little Romeo and Juliet when Ramon and Julie were sharing the same party space.