Warning for lemony goodness. This is the FFn-compliant version of the chapter. For all the extra lemony goodies, check my profile for a link. Disclaimer still applies.

~oooOOOooo~

Chapter 10: To the Batcave!
Stephanie's POV

With a shaking hand, I reached out my window and typed in the first code Ranger had given me. The gates opened in front of me, allowing me to drive through. I pulled up by the garage door and parked before getting out, making sure to take the note with me.

I made my way to the front door to find two scanners, one right above the other, and a note taped to the side of them, telling me to place my thumb on the lower one and bend so my eye was in front of the top one. I followed the directions and was shocked when the house talked me.

"Identity confirmed. Welcome, Stephanie," a robotic voice said. "Please enter your code."

I was visibly shaking as I entered the five digit code that Ranger had left in my note. As soon as I had the fifth number entered, I heard the locks click open. I timidly opened the door and found myself in a foyer with a small table in the corner. On the table was a note.

~oOo~

Babe,

Leave your purse on the table and follow your nose. Feel free to explore on your way unless you want to wait for a tour guide. I can't wait to see you.

I love you, Stephanie. You are my life.

Yours,
Carlos

~oOo~

I quickly dropped the two notes and my purse onto the table and took a look around. There was a closed door on the left, most likely a coat closet, and an open doorway on the right. I went through the doorway and found myself in a living room. There was a fire blazing in the fireplace in the middle of the far wall, and there were fresh flowers sitting in the middle of the coffee table. Soft music was playing, and the lights were dimmed, so I couldn't see much of the room. I saw two sofas, a couple of overstuffed chairs, and a big area rug anchoring them all in the middle of the room.

I decided to wait to explore until after I found out what was going on, so I followed my nose through the living room and down a short hallway until I found a huge, brightly-lit, absolutely gorgeous kitchen.

Standing in the middle of the kitchen was an equally gorgeous Ranger, looking stunning in a cable knit, dark blue sweater over a white collared shirt, sleeves pushed up to his elbows. He had them paired with dark slacks and loafers, and when he saw me, his eyes lit up, making him even more handsome.

He pulled a huge bouquet of fresh flowers out from behind his back and handed them to me. Without saying a word, he took my other hand and pulled me gently to him. His lips found mine, and he kissed me. It wasn't a kiss full of lust or hunger, but it was full of emotions, nonetheless.

Pulling back, he brushed his hand down my cheek and whispered, "Babe."

I smiled softly and whispered back, "Hi, Carlos. Is this what I think it is?"

He laughed. "Welcome to the Batcave, Babe. I made us dinner, so if you don't mind, let's eat, since it's hot and ready. I'll answer any questions after that, okay?"

My stomach growled in response. "I guess that's a yes," I said, laughing.

I set the flowers down on the counter as he led me to the table off at the end of the kitchen. He pulled out my chair, and once I was sitting, he moved back into the kitchen.

Opening the huge, stainless steel fridge, he pulled out a lime and two Coronas. He quickly sliced the lime and pushed a slice into each beer before bringing them to the table. Then he went back into the kitchen and dished up two plates from the cookware on the stove and from the oven. When he set my plate in front of me, my mouth began watering even more. He had made stuffed peppers and tamales with black beans and corn.

After taking a bite of each, I looked up at him in surprise. "Carlos, this is wonderful! Why have you not made it before?"

"Babe, I don't have a lot of time to cook, and since Ella is the one that usually cooks for us, I just haven't had a chance to. This was one of my favorite dishes growing up, so I wanted to share it with you tonight."

I took another bite and moaned. When I looked up from my plate, I noticed that Ranger's eyes had darkened to a pitch black, and he was shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

"Sorry, but it's delicious," I said, grinning.

"Babe," he answered in a soft growl. "Never apologize. You are so sexy, and the sounds you make just drive me crazy with need." He leaned over and captured my lips with his for a quick, hard kiss.

"I didn't tell you when you came in," he continued, "but you look absolutely sensational. I knew you would. You make the dress beautiful, Babe. The jewelry and dress match your eyes so perfectly. Did you have a good time this afternoon? Les mentioned you went to the spa and to Mr. Alexander's. Your skin is glowing, and your hair is perfect. You didn't get it cut, just styled, right?"

I laughed. "Thank you, sweets. I had a great afternoon. I got a massage and facial," explained, wiggling my fingers toward him, "and a manicure and pedicure; and yes, I got a trim, but no length was cut off. How did your meetings go?"

We spent the rest of dinner talking about the meetings he'd had throughout the day.

When we finished our meal, Ranger asked with a small smirk, "Dessert?"

"Wow, dessert, too? You're spoiling me tonight! Of course," I said, grinning.

He stood up and took a step over to pick up my plate. Instead of grabbing the plate, he dropped down to one knee in front of my chair and turned me to face him.

Sliding his hand into his pants pocket, he pulled it back out and had a small, black box in his palm.

"Carlos!" I cried softly.

He put a finger to my lips to hush me.

"Babe, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. For years, I thought I would never truly fall in love. Then several years ago, I met this incredible, curly-haired, blue-eyed beauty that literally took my breath away. That same gorgeous woman has me wrapped around her finger even more so today. I didn't think it was possible to love anyone as much as I love you. I didn't think I was worthy of loving or being loved. You make me want to be a better man, Babe. I have finally realized that I can't live without you. I don't care when. I don't care how. Stephanie Michelle Plum, would you do the honor of becoming my wife?"

My eyes, which had begun tearing up at the beginning of his speech, were now weeping in earnest. Ranger took my hand and pulled a beautiful, princess-cut sapphire and diamond ring from the box. He had it poised at the end of my third finger on my left hand, waiting for my answer.

I decided to cut him some slack and not make him wait any longer. "Ricardo Carlos Manoso, it would give me nothing but pleasure to be your wife. I love you," I said softly.

He slid the ring on my finger, whispering, "Te quiero, Stephanie," before crushing his lips to mine. Dessert was forgotten as he swept me into his arms. He carried me to the stairs, our lips and tongues meeting the entire way. When we reached the stairs, he set me on my feet, tangling his fists in my hair and pulling me tighter to him.

I was suddenly overwhelmed with need to have him inside me. "Carlos," I begged, my voice husky.

My hands moved down to the button on his slacks, and as quickly as I could without doing any damage, I had them undone and down around his ankles. His erection sprang free, and before he could do anything more than groan, I had dropped to my knees and begun pleasuring him with my mouth.

Before he could orgasm, he pulled back. "Wait, Babe. I want to be inside you. Let's go upstairs."

I shook my head and turned over on the stairs, so I was on my hands and knees. Pulling my dress up to my waist, I showed him without words that I had nothing on underneath. Giving him a pleading look over my shoulder, I silently begged him to take me.

Our coupling wasn't gentle. His hand gripped my hip too hard, my knees rubbed the carpet with every thrust...but by the time I came, I felt none of it. All I could feel was pleasure as he followed me over the edge.

We collapsed on the stairs, our clothes damp with sweat and our breath coming in gasps. When we could finally sit up, we took stock of our positions. My dress was around my waist, and Ranger's slacks were still around his ankles. I would probably have bruises on one hip from where he had been holding me, and my knees were raw and bleeding from rugburn.

When he saw the red knees and handprint on my hip, his eyes darkened again and seemed to be shiny with unshed tears. "Babe," he whispered. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Oh God, I'm sorry."

I cupped his face softly and put one finger over his lips to shut him up. "Carlos, don't be sorry. I wear every single mark with pride. I wanted this as much or more than you did. I'm not one bit sorry. Don't you take this and make it bad for me. I love you. I loved that. Please, for me."

He nodded and pulled me close.

We lay there on the stairs for several minutes before I laughed. "What a sight we are! Come on, Batman. Let's go get cleaned up, and then if you're up to it," I said, grinning and running my fingers up the length of him, "maybe I'll let you make it up to me. On the bed this time."

He stood up, pulling his slacks up and zipping them without bothering to button them, and then took my hand and helped me to my feet. He smoothed my dress down and kissed my lips tenderly before whispering, "Let's go upstairs, Babe. I want to show my future wife what will be her favorite room in the entire house." He smirked and began leading me upstairs.

Opening one door, he led me inside. I looked around at the beautiful furnishings but barely had time to glance at everything before he pulled me to another door. This time when he opened it, he stepped aside and pushed me ahead of him gently.

For several minutes, I did nothing but stand there, mouth open wide, jaw nearly down to my chest. "Carlos!" I gasped softly.

"Babe." He smiled his full two-hundred-watt smile and wrapped his arms around me as I continued looking around the beautiful room.