Author's Note: Forgive me.. I did reply to those I could who gave me a review for my last chapter, however they were short. It was not meant to be rude or anything. This week has been rough. I woke up Sunday morning, sick as a dog. I've been sick all week. However... I've been going to work because I'm in training and not able to miss one day. I've tried to write this week and today was the first day I was actually able to... and out popped this chapter. Still fighting the cold.. coughing, sore throat and I can barely breath.. it is getting better though, Thank God! Fingers crossed for me, please...

And... Ranger & Maya will be explained.. I promise. But I just LOVE how y'all just 'adore' Maya.. ;-) And Ranger's reaction to what Hector said.. next chapter... ;-) Maybe.. lol! I gotta tease!

Not Mine!

Chapter Eleven

"So you're apartment was fire bombed."

Steph looked up in confusion at Hector who just let himself into her apartment. She gave him a key when she first moved in, trusting him explicitly. She didn't regret her decision. Even despite the news she learned about Hector not being gay. She was… content with giving him the key. In fact, she liked it that he had one and used it.

"Um…" Steph looked around. "Considering I'm standing in my apartment and not on fire, I think you heard wrong." She teased with a grin.

Hector laughed. "I meant your old apartment, Florecita."

Steph's teasing smile and confused face disappeared and concerned clouded her bright blue eyes. "Was anyone hurt?"

Hector closed the distance between them and gathered her in his arms. "No one was hurt, baby." He replied, kissing her forehead. "They have yet to rent it out. I do believe they're hoping you come back."

Steph shook her head, sending her curls bouncing. "Not a chance. I love my new apartment." She then let out a little sigh. "Benjamin Kelly?" She questioned cautiously.

"Maybe, but Steph, I doubt it."

"Maybe he just wants to get rid of me before I tell someone and he gets a rape charge against him."

"Maybe…" Hector didn't sound so convinced but Steph let it go. She wasn't so sure Kelly was the one that fire bombed her old place. But if he didn't then who did?

She wanted to go back to denial land so she changed the subject.

"What happened to your face?" She asked, touching his bruised cheek gently.

Hector grimaced, not wanting her to be upset. "Ranger." He replied with a shrug.

Steph's eyes narrowed in fury. "What the hell?"

"He wasn't happy, Florecita."

"What did Ranger say?" She asked gingerly.

"He was upset, Steph. He wants to commit murder and if he finds Kelly before we do, he will."

"He wasn't mad at me? Or disgusted?" Steph's voice caught on the last part as she fought back tears.

Hector pulled back, gripping Steph's upper arms, keeping their eyes connected. "Why would he be disgusted, Florecita?"

Steph just shrugged. She was unable to answer as tears welled up in her throat.

"Steph, what happened wasn't your fault. You did nothing wrong. Benjamin Kelly should be disgusted with himself. He was in the wrong and he is a piece of shit. He is the who needs to be killed. After I torture his fucking ass for a while. You are a fucking survivor because you haven't let him take control of your life. You are still here, still fighting and you are ready to kick his sorry bastard ass yourself. So no, Ranger isn't disgusted. I am not disgusted and I know once you tell the rest of RangeMan, they will not be disgusted. They will be pissed the fuck off and out for blood."

Steph nodded and wrapped her arms around him, giving him a hug. Hector returned it, holding her tight.

"Steph?' His voice was soft, questioning.

"Yeah?"

"How come you don't want to see Ranger? Did he hurt earlier or something?"

Steph pulled away and walked into the kitchen. Hector followed behind her, frowning. She grabbed the bread, peanut butter, and olives and set to work. As she fixed them sandwiches, she talked.

"First, he let himself into my apartment. I don't know how he got through my new door and locks and all, but he did. Because my tv was on and I thought I was safe, I didn't hear him." Steph paused as she handed Hector a sandwich.

He took it but kept his eyes on her.

"He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me, he said he missed me, I think. But my mind had done shut down as I went into panic mode. And that's how you found us." Steph spoke in low tones, ashamed that she reacted that way to Ranger.

Steph took a bite of her sandwich and then got them glasses of milk. Hector watched her in silence, silently fuming at Ranger. Ranger, for whatever fucked up reason was married. He had no business coming to Steph's apartment, letting himself in, and touching her in any way.

"Hector?"

He looked up at Steph, wondering at her wary tone. "Huh?"

Steph motioned towards his hand. "What that sandwich do to you?" She teased.

Hector looked down and grimaced. His line of thinking had made him crush his peanut butter sandwich in his fist. He didn't have any claim on Steph. Yet. But he hoped in the future he would and that part of him didn't want Ranger anywhere near her. He knew that was irrational and insane but he also knew they had a history. One that he didn't and wouldn't be able to compete with. He just wanted her to want him as he wanted her.

Fuck, he needed help.

He finally gave Steph a smile and uncurled his hand from the sandwich and took a bite. He hated olives but he smiled and ate it anyway.

"Still good." He assured her.

Steph giggled and continued to eat her own sandwich. "What was on your mind?" She asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

His eyes turned dark with lust and desire and Steph swallowed hard, trying to force the lump in her throat to go away. She didn't understand that look, not when it was coming from Hector.

Sure he wasn't gay, but was he into her… like that?

"I am."

Steph's head shot up, meeting Hector's eyes. She must have said that out loud, she realized. His eyes still dark with desire. She licked her now dry lips and she heard him growl.

"Florecita, please stop looking at me like that. I'm only a man." He begged.

"I… uh…"

Hector dropped his sandwich and slowly advanced on her. Taking his time, he was giving her time to tell him to stop. He almost wanted her to stop him. He didn't want to scare her. He reached out and watched carefully. When she didn't flinch or pull away, he threaded that hand through her hair and pulled her to him.

"Tell me no, Stephanie." He ordered.

She shook her head.

He groaned, dipping his head. His lips barely brushed hers before he pulled back to meet her eyes.

"Please tell me you want this. Tell me yes, Florecita."

She nodded.

"I need the words, baby."

She rose up on her toes, bringing their mouths a little closer.

"Hector?"

"Mmm?"

"Please kiss me."

With those three little words, Hector sealed his mouth over hers and his whole world exploded.