I am so sorry for how long it has taken me to update. I'm without a computer at the moment and have to either go to a friends house or use the library. I'm working on getting my laptop working, but I'm not sure how long it will take. I wanted to take a moment and thank those of you who have sent messages asking about me... I'm fine... I think. Just getting ready to join the world of singles again. My husband of eighteen years has decided that he'd rather date college girls than be married to me. So, there it is. I found an apartment and moved my things out and the paperwork is in process. I hope to be able to get back to updating regurlarly, but I'm not sure when that will be. Just know, I've NOT abandonded this story. IT WILL BE FINISHED! Now, enough about me! Thank you all for the reviews you've left; I'm sorry I've not done individual replys, just know they are very much appreciated! On to the newest chapter. It is shorter than the rest, but I hope you'll enjoy it!
Stephanie took a moment and looked around the living room. It was done in masculine colors, not too dark but just right for what she knew of Ranger, no Carlos, she thought to herself. The couch was a sectional and could be rearranged however you wanted to. There were mahogany end tables at each end, with a matching coffee table in the center. The coffee table showed no rings from cups so she assumed either he never drank in the living room, or he used coasters. There were a few paintings and portraits hanging on his wall. Pictures of Ranger in his desert fatigues surrounded by other men; a few that she recognized from work.
There was a family portrait hanging above the fireplace. She wanted a closer look at it and asked, "So,when do I get the tour?"
"Anytime you want it, Babe," he replied as he kissed the top of her head.
"Well, I think now would be a good time," she smiled. If I stay here much longer, who knows what will happen and I'm not ready for that yet.
Ranger stood up and pulled Stephanie with him. "Then let's get started." Ranger watched her pad over to the fireplace and look at the portrait on the wall. Sliding up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her head. "That was the last family portrait taken. It was just before my father passed away three year ago." Pointing to the people in the picture, he told her, "That's my mother, father, me, my older brother Armando, my older sister Celia, and my baby sister Ana."
"Where do they all live?" she asked.
"Mama and Celia live in Newark. Ana and Armando have moved to Miami. Ana is an accountant while Armando runs my Miami office."
Stephanie turned in his arms, "Just how many offices do you have?"
"Trenton, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, and I'm thinking of opening one in Indianapolis."
Stephanie was surprised at all the locations, "Wow, that sure is a lot of them. I didn't realize you had that many."
"Well, business is booming," he smiled.
Leading her from the living room, she saw the kitchen. There were marble countertops, an island in the middle and a bar on the opposite end separating the kitchen from the dining area. Pots and pans hung from the ceiling above the island. "Wow, so not what I expected for you," she whispered.
"I know. No one really knows who I am, Steph. What you see at the office is just a mask of the man. I have to have everyone believe what I want them to, or lives could be in danger."
"Yet, you let me and Adrian in?" she questioned.
Nodding, Ranger took her hand in his, "Yes, I'm letting you two in. I want you to know the man behind the mask. I want you to know the real me… not just Ranger, but Carlos as well."
Stephanie leaned on her tip toes and placed a chaste kiss on his lips, "Thank you for allowing us to see you."
"MAMA!," they heard from the guest room. Stephanie and Ranger took off running through the living room and down the hall to find a frightened Adrian sitting in the bed, clutching his bear.
"Oh sweetie," cried Stephanie as she scooped him up in her arms. "I'm right here."
Adrian clung his mother and bear, "Me touldn't hear you. Me tawt you lefted me."
"Oh sweetheart, Mama wouldn't leave you in a strange place. You were napping, so Carlos was showing me his home."
Adrian pulled back from his mother's shoulder and looked at her, "Who Tarlos?"
Ranger chuckled, "That's me, buddy."
Adrian looked at Ranger and tilted his head, "No, ou Rander."
Stephanie and Ranger laughed, "Ranger is his work name. His real name is Carlos."
Adrian looked like he wanted to say something else, but refrained. "Did you have a good nap?" Ranger asked and Adrian nodded. "Are you hungry?" Another nod. "Well, I have it on good authority that there are Teddy Graham snacks and juice in the kitchen just waiting for you."
Adrian hopped of Stephanie's lap and ran to the door, "Where the titchen?" he asked hurriedly.
"Come on babe, we need to show the man to the kitchen."
Adrian turned around with his hands on his hips, "Me not man. Me mama's baby boy."
Ranger tried to hide his smile, "I'm sorry. I forgot. I won't let that happen again."
"Be sure not to," Adrian scolded as he waited for directions to his snack.
As Adrian ate his snack, Ranger showed Stephanie more of the house. He had a back porch that was screened and she was sure it would be perfect for sitting on at night. There was a hot tub just off the back porch and a pool in the back yard.
Off the kitchen were stairs leading to the basement. "What's down there?" she asked.
"My home gym."
"I should have guessed," she said as she rolled her eyes. After seeing the rest of the house, it was decided that the three would spend some time in the pool. Adrian ran to get his Thomas the Tank trunks and floaties while Stephanie changed into her bikini.
Stepping from the guest room, Stephanie spotted a bare-chested Ranger leaning against the opposite wall waiting for his companions. She saw his gaze slide up and down her body and she swore she heard a low growl as he took in her red bikini.
"Dios," he muttered, allowing them to walk down the hall in front of him. As he watched her hips sway back and forth, he had to tamp down the feelings he felt stirring up. He knew it was too soon for either of them; he didn't want this to be like all his past relationships. He didn't want a good fuck for now and leave in the morning. No, he found himself really wanting a lasting relationship with Stephanie and Adrian.
As they stepped up to the pool, Stephanie helped Adrian with his life jacket and floaties. Once Adrian was set, he looked at Ranger, "Me jump in?"
"Let me get in first to catch you if you need it, okay?" Adrian nodded and waited while Stephanie watched Ranger dive in the deep end. His body sliced through the water like nothing she'd ever seen before and she found herself in a trance watching as he surfaced directly in front of her.
As the water cascaded down Ranger's chest, Stephanie found herself wishing she could be his towel. "Coming in, Steph?" he asked bringing her out of her naughty thoughts.
Looking around, she noticed Adrian was already in the water and splashing Ranger. He never was afraid of the water; Bobby and Ram had made sure he was in the water as much as possible when he was an infant. Bobby promised her that he'd teach Adrian how to swim using the Rangeman pool.
Dropping her towel that wrapped around her waist, she jumped in the pool and surfaced in front of Ranger and Adrian. After swimming and playing around with Adrian for a little bit, it was time for the three to get out of the pool and find some lunch. As Stephanie dried Adrian off with his towel, she felt Ranger come up behind her.
"Thought we'd form a drying line," he whispered as he wrapped a towel around her body.
"Who will dry you off?" she asked with a smile.
"I'll be dry in just a few moments."
"Of course. Water wouldn't dare stay on your body for more than a few moments," she teased.
After lunch, the three sat down and decided to watch a movie. Since Ranger didn't have any children friendly DVDs, they decided to see what was available on pay-per-view. As they were flipping through the channels, Ranger's land line began to ring.
"Yo," Ranger said as he answered. As Ranger heard the voice on the other end, Stephanie saw the expression on his face change and she wondered who it was.