I am in awe of the response I got to the last chapter. Y'all are seriously the best, and I thank you sincerely. As Gayle and Ram got together, I debated how far into their relationship I wanted to peek (at least in my head). I know that this story started out rated T, but... As a result, I decided to put the Smut warning in. That way you can skip if you want, but I think Ram is just too hot.. ;-)

As always, all the characters that seem familiar probably are. We have Janet Evanovich to thank for that. The mistakes are mine, though.

I can't stop smiling. I can honestly say that Ram really knows how to make out. It's been a week since we had our conversation, and I don't think I can be any happier. Next week I have to go back to school, so I'm spending as much time with him as I can.

Tonight we're going to meet with the guys at Shorty's after work. Ram tells me that they get together often for pizza and beer to blow off steam. He got to my house just after six, and we headed over. I know that these men are important to Ram. I hope that I can fit in.

When we walk in the door, I am reminded of the day that Stephanie brought me and my sister to Tank's birthday party. These men tend to fill up a room. The difference now is that I know some of them, and I am here as Ram's date. I waved hi to the people I know as Ram leads me to the tables they have commandeered. Stephanie took over and introduced me to the guys again.

I was a little nervous, even though everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Binkie fixed the problem for me when he turned to me and said, "Did you two really meet when you blew up your car?" A hush fell over the group and all eyes turned to me.

I blushed a little. "It wasn't my fault."

Everyone laughed at that and started on the 'Stephanie blew up another car' stories. I knew most of them, after all she is a Burg legend for destroying cars, but these guys told the stories with so much affection that it was easy to laugh with them. Once the mood was lightened, the guys started to tell embarrassing stories about each other. At some point, they turned to embarrassing Ram stories. I know they were picking on him for my benefit, so I listened with rapt attention. I found out from their stories that most of the guys have worked together since they were Army Rangers, and that Hal and Ram were in basic training together.

After hours of listening to everyone talk, the party started to break up. Ram and I said our goodbyes and headed back to my house. When we got there, I made a decision. As soon as he opened my car door and helped me out, I took his hand and looked into his eyes. My voice came out shakier than I intended. "Stay?"

He pulled me to him and kissed me. "I would like that."

As soon as we locked my door behind us, Ram picked me up and carried me upstairs to my bedroom. When we got there, he set me back down on my feet, holding me close to his body. He cupped my face in his palm and said, "I've wanted this for a long time, Bonita." Then he kissed me.

Smut Warning

His kiss was gentle at first. His lips soft as he held me close. He threaded his hand through my hair and deepened the kiss, his tongue seeking entrance which I granted eagerly. His other hand slid down my back, pressing me closer so that I could feel his arousal. I moaned and reached up to unbutton his shirt.

Sliding his shirt off of him is a sensual experience. I revel in the feel of hard muscles over hot skin as I slide his shirt down his arms. He unzipped my dress and slid the shoulder straps down, but we are so close together that it stayed trapped between our bodies.

He pulled away and my dress fluttered down to pool at my feet. His heated gaze swept across my body. I closed the distance between us and kissed him again as I unbuttoned his pants. He stepped out of them and moved us to the bed.

I leaned back across the bed and just stared at him. Ram is sexy as hell with his clothes on. Without, he is pure male perfection. He knelt on the bed and removed my panties. I couldn't wait to feel him. Ram climbed back into the bed and pulled me to him. "You are so beautiful, Gayle."

We took our time exploring each others bodies. Every lick, every touch sent heat shooting through me. I shivered at the feel of his calloused fingers on my breasts, and when his lips closed around my nipple, I was ready to combust. He kissed his way down my stomach, settling himself between my legs. He opened me to his hungry gaze. He whispered, "So beautiful", lowering his mouth to taste me.

I was so needy by then, that my first orgasm raced through me. Ram brought me through, and when he slid his fingers into my wet heat, my second slammed into me. I screamed his name to the ceiling, helpless to stop the sensations.

Ram kissed his way back up my body, pausing to suck one of my nipples into his mouth. I arched my back, still on fire. He kissed me deeply, slowly easing himself inside me. He filled me in a way I had never felt before. He stilled to give me time to adjust. I needed him to move, to feel him thrust himself into me. I need to see his control shatter as he drives me to completion. My voice is hoarse as I moan, "Please, Ram."

"I can't go slow, Bonita. I need you too much." In answer, I kiss him possessively, using teeth and tongue to tell him what I need. With that, he understands what I want. His pace is frantic as I grab his back, urging him deeper and meeting his thrusts with a heated passion. My next orgasm is just a fierce as the last, and I am again screaming his name. This time he shouts my name as my walls clench around him and he empties himself deep inside me.

We laid wrapped in each other on the bed and relearned how to breathe. The sweat cooled from our bodies as he traced lazy circles across my back. I looked into his brown eyes and smiled. "That was worth the wait."

He smiled back at me and said, "Gayle, that was just the beginning."

End Smut Warning

We made love several times during the night. Ram is an amazing lover, and by the time we drifted to sleep, dawn was beginning to slip over the horizon.

I woke up at around eleven o'clock. When I opened my eyes, I was still wrapped up in Ram. He was propped up on one elbow, watching me. "Good morning, Bonita."

I smiled and leaned in for a small kiss. "Good morning." I didn't want to get out of bed, but nature was calling. I stood up and stretched, feeling the delicious ache from last night.

When I finished using the bathroom, I dressed in a pair of jeans and a stretchy top. I went downstairs to find Ram in my kitchen leaning against my counter while the coffeepot dripped liquid gold into the carafe. He had put on his slacks from last night, and looked amazing bare chested in my kitchen.

He pulled me into his arms and gave me a thorough kiss hello. When we pulled apart, I was breathless, and Ram was giving me the full dimple smile. He asked me, "What would you like to do today?"

I got mugs out of the cupboard and poured us some coffee. "You don't have to work today?"

I handed him his coffee, and he pulled me back into his arms. Kissing me on the top of my head, he said, "I'd like to go back to my apartment and get changed, Gayle, but after that, I'm all yours."

After a hearty breakfast of coffee and donuts, we hopped in Ram's car. He put the top down and we headed off to Rangeman, where he has an apartment on the fourth floor. This time Junior was at the front desk when we walked in. I waved at him as we passed on the way to the elevator. He smiled and nodded, and we were on our way.

The living room in Ram's apartment is dominated by a giant TV. There are three game consoles attached. He followed my gaze and smiled. "We have tournaments in our down time." He gave me another quick kiss. "Make yourself comfortable, I'm going to take a quick shower."

I looked at the games he had stacked by the consoles. By the time he walked out of his bedroom, I had everything set up. He asked me if I had decided what I wanted to do today. I turned on his TV to show him the game I had chosen. "Care to make a wager?"