I'm Sorry for the delay in updating. We have had so many things going on... Three deaths in the family. One of which was my brother-in-law and life has yet to go back to normal for us. I don't know if it really ever will be completely back. He was only 40 years old and died from a massive heart attack... He was one of the greatest men I know and will forever be missed... He wasn't just my husband's brother he was a great many other things as well. He left a Wife and two young teens behind. I don't know how good this will be, my focus is a bit off... Thank you for all that reviewed before... As always I am just playing a bit and own nothing…

Chapter 11

Stephanie took the joking all day for the kiss that most had witnessed. For those that hadn't heard about it and she was prodded even more from them to have an instant replay. She just smiled at whoever was teasing her and then look to Carlos to send him an evil grin to let him know that he was in for it... He would just give her his almost smile letting her know that he could take anything she dished out...

She walked by him and ran a finger over his bicep. "Carlos, you have no idea what I have in store for you. It won't be soon but you will get it and it will be good." She leaned down and whispered into his ear. "I promise." She quickly walked away before she gave into the temptation to drag him off to the storeroom and have her way with him.

She heard his chuckle as she walked away… He just didn't understand what he got himself into… she shakes her head as she makes her way back to pick up more food for her customers…

She made it through the day and settled into a booth where Ranger was currently talking to Jimmy, the owner of the restaurant. She sipped at the tea she had brought with her…

"Stephanie, you are one of the hardest workers I got and I hate to lose you when you go back up north." He said just before he got up…

"Jimmy, you guys are great and I will miss you when we do leave, but it will be a little while before we go."

"That will be great Stephanie. I will put the word out that I'm lookin for another waitress. I might be able to find one before you go." He nodded his head to Ranger and walked to the kitchen.

She sank into the seat a bit more and propped her feet in the seat under the table, next to him. "I'm so glad that the day is over, my feet and back hurt."

"Babe, how about after you get something to eat. We go home and I give you a long massage?" His voice dropping deep and husky. He pulled her feet in his lap and rubbed.

"Hmmm, that sounds nice." I love your hands on me. She was starting to relax more and more at the gentle massage to her tired feet

"I love my hands on you too Babe." He gave his almost smile as she blushed.

She opened her eyes, knowing that her face was red. "Out loud? She covered her face with her hands. "When am I ever going to learn to keep my thoughts to myself?"

Babe, you have many qualities I love and that is one of them. Don't change one thing about you. I love you just as you are." His left hand grabbed hers for a gentle squeeze then interlocked their fingers.

"I have no control and as long as you can deal so can I. I am so hungry. Let's order then go home and have some fun on our own." She gave him her most wicked grin.

"Anything you want Babe." He looked over at Judy to take their order. He really wanted to get home. He pulled his phone out just as it rang.

"Yo."

"You guys going to eat and not let us poor hungry men eat too?" Lester all but whined into the phone. He knew it drove his cousin nuts when he did it…

Ranger pinched the bridge of his nose. He wanted to grab him through the phone and strangle him. He shook his head before telling them to come in.

They wasted no time coming in and settling into the booth with Ranger and Stephanie. "Beautiful, you find the best places." He gave her a grin and wiggled his eyebrows.

She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Les, you would like any old place as long as you had access to pretty women."

Lester gave her a devilish grin. "You are so right. Too many gorgeous southern women around here and so little time."

"How many of these gorgeous southern girls gave you their numbers?" She ruffled his spiky hair.

"Beautiful, I had to get another little black book because they filled it up." He chuckled as he rubbed his knuckles over his chest.

"You are so not right Lester Santos." She turned to Zip. "You get any to add to your book?"

"Yes, never knew that accent could get to you like that, then add a pretty face to go with it and I'm done for." He paused then added. "I'm gonna have to get with Woody next time he goes out. He is always bringing stories to us about the southern girls he has hooked up with."

Lester hummed in agreement and got a faraway look in his eyes before Stephanie slapped him in the back of his head. "Sorry, Beautiful. If Ranger would only share, you would be my only girl." He gave her a silly leer.

"Les, you and "only girl" don't go together." She giggled.

"The world would be ending if Lester Santos gave up multiple girls and settled down. At least he would have Tia Maria off his back. I could call her for you. Tell her…" Ranger added, but Lester cut him off.

"Come on you didn't have to bring my mom into this." He frowned for a second then smiled back up at Ranger. "I could always return the favor to Tia Anna for you about Beautiful?" His grin got even wider as he watched Ranger's blank face fall.

"Lester." She called to get his attention, once he turned back to her she added. "We need to discuss this later. Now we need to eat. Baby is very hungry." She smiled at him.

"You got Beautiful." He gave a smirk to Ranger before grabbing a sip of his water.

They all settled down as the food came. They ate then piled into the car to go back to the house.

Stephanie went straight to the restroom. Ranger called them all to the living room. "Report?"

"Nothing . No unknowns. No problems." Zip immediately spoke up.

"Good. Zip you have the back and Lester you have the front. I will try to get her to lie down and rest. Dismissed." He turned and opened the door to let them outside.

Zip just nodded and left. Lester turned to Ranger just before going out the door. "You guys have fun on your nap. Don't get too crazy because of the baby." He all but ran out the door to miss the hit Ranger was about to get. He laughed all the way to his post.

Ranger closed and locked the door and turned in time to see her emerge from the bathroom. He gave her his wolf grin. "You ready for that massage Babe?"

She gave him her own wicked grin and walked her way over to him. "Carlos, I am ready for that and more." She wrapped her arms around his neck as her body settled into his.

He hugged her even closer and leaned down for a kiss. He slowly walked her backwards to the bedroom, kicking the closed it was already set to lock.

She stood at the bottom of the bed and stripped out of her work clothes. Ranger watched her as one by one her clothes fell. His eyes grew darker and darker with each piece that fell to the floor.

He walked to her before could take of the matching bra and panties. He gently stroked her belly. "You are so beautiful, Babe. You undo me with every breath you take." He brushed a curl behind her ear.

She lifted her hand to rest over his. She smiled up at him. "You are too good to me. I love you so much and you fill me to overflowing. My love for you grows more and more each day. I can't wait to see what piece of us this little one will get."

He leaned in to kiss her, his hands leaving her belly to slowly slide up her arms. They left her arms and gently caressed her shoulders before up to tangle in her curls. He pulled her head closer to deepen the kiss.

He laid her on the bed then followed her. He turned her to her left side and began kneading her calves first, slowly making his way up her body. He gave her a nice rub down then relaxed her further with loving her body until she drifted off into a blissful rest.

He lay on his side and pulled her to him, his hand resting on her belly. He smiled as he thought back to hearing the heartbeat. He didn't get that with Julie and couldn't wait for more first with this baby. He drifted to sleep, knowing that she and the baby were safe and he had backup for them all.