A/N: Sorry this is a pretty short chapter update but I promise you it's a tasty one. =)

Previous Chapter: He laid me gently down on the bed and brushed my hair away from my face. "I need you, Babe. Will you let me have you tonight?"

I bit down on my bottom lip unsure if I was able to push Ranger away any longer and slowly nodded my head. He flashed me the most intense wolfish grin before plunging his tongue into my mouth and kissing me with the greatest of desire but as fast as he lit the fire inside of me, he pulled away as abruptly and pushed himself off of the bed.

I sat up suddenly and watched him walk towards the door and I could feel my heart shattering into a million pieces.

CHAPTER 21

Ranger moved swiftly towards the door and oddly slid the dresser in front of the door. My heart almost leapt out of my chest realizing that he wasn't trying to run out on me. He turned around and flashed me another brilliant smile.

"Prying eyes, Babe," he winked at me. "And an idiot cousin," he added before crawling back onto me.

"Oh, I thought you were trying to run."

"From this?" he asked sliding off my shirt and pants and making all of my clothing disappearing within seconds like magic. "Never," he kissed my neck lightly as his hands slid down my torso.

"Then why are you still dressed?" I growled. Where the hell did that come from? I'm not what you would call sexually aggressive.

Ranger chuckled, "Patience, Babe. We have all night."

"Patience is not a one of my strong suits."

"I know," he grinned and kissed my nose.

I reached down and began unbuckling his belt and cargos. What the hell was I doing? I'm never this forward and what the hell am I doing with Ranger? My heart started pounding faster inside of my chest — beads of sweat dripping off my brow. My hands were getting clammy as I clumsily fumbled with Ranger's pants.

And suddenly my hands shot out in an attempt to shove Ranger off of me as a gasp escaped my mouth asking him to stop. My chest grew tighter as I gasped for air and my head began to spin uncontrollably.

"Babe," Ranger grabbed my hands. "It's ok. Slow deep breaths. Concentrate."

I blinked back tears and tried to focus on the Ranger's soothing voice to bring me back to reality. But honestly was this really reality? Being with Ranger was more like a fairy tale, not something that you would actually think to happen in real life. Not in a million years did I think I would be here with Ranger like this.

"Babe," Ranger caressed my cheek and brushed my hair out of my face.

I blushed at the realization of what had just happened and to make matters worse, I was completely exposed. Not just exposed emotionally but physically as I sat on the bed completely naked. I tucked my knees into my chest and hugged them resting my chin on my knees.

"I'm sorry," I said softly, "I don't think I'm ready yet."

Ranger pulled me into his lap and cradled me, "Babe, I understand. I won't push you if you don't want to, but I can help you if you let me."

"Help me with what?" I tilted my head up so that I could look into his soft brown eyes.

"Help you forget the bad, replace the feelings of terror and hurt with feelings of security and passion. Let me help you ease your pain," he spoke slowly and concisely as he slowly placed his lips onto mine.

"Carlos…" I breathed airily then chewed on my bottom lip.

"Quierda, let me help you…" he tilted my head and place a gentle kiss on each of my eyelids. "Please."

That just about did it in for me as I threw my arms around and within seconds was lost in his kisses and the security of his arms.

"Open your eyes and look at me, Babe," he commanded gently. "Don't close them. Remember and trust that it's me here with you and no one else," he brushed the tears from my eyes. "Concentrate on my touch…" he kissed my neck gently "…my voice…" he kissed my shoulder softly "…my kiss…" he trailed his lips to the swell of my breasts and traced his tongue around my nipples causing my body to buck towards him "…remember the way I taste…" his lips covered mine as my body filled with screaming passion "…concentrate on the way I feel—"

I felt a pinch at my inner core and dug my nails into Ranger's back as he filled my body with intensity. I let out a satisfying moan at the same time he growled out my name. He stilled after a long satisfying second of him completely filling me and we stayed still gazing into each. I tried concentrating on his penetrating eyes boring into me and not on the throbbing of my sweet spot from the alien feeling of the immense size of his manhood.

"Are you ready for this, Babe?" his voice rumbled in a low sexy panty melting tone.

I bit my lip and nodded.

"Say it," he demanded.

"Yes," I complied shyly.

"I can't hear you," he growled as he gradually pulled himself away from me.

In a panic, my hands slid down his back and grabbed hold of his muscle-toned ass and forcefully tried holding his body back up against mine to no avail. "Yes!" I cried out in urgency.

"Like you mean it," he pumped himself back in and flashed a wolfish grin.

"YES!" I cried out in ecstasy as his body slammed into mine and it felt as his tip was reaching all the way to my stomach.

"Yes, what?" he teased my nipples.

"Yes, Carlos. I'm ready," I placed my hands on his face lifting his head to face me. "I want you."

He displayed to me the most brilliant 300 watt smile before our lips collided into the most satisfying kisses that took my breath away. We made love several times throughout the night and with each time the passion grew even more passionate and intense. The security that I felt with Ranger made me feel like he'd effectively chased away the demons that currently haunted my subconscious locking them away securely deep in the dark corners of my brain.

Making love with Ranger was better than I could ever imagine it to be. He was tentative and his hands were like magic. Being with him just felt right — every kiss, every touch, every thrust sent tingles throughout my body. I'm not sure if he felt the same but I swear I physically saw sparks.

I curled myself into Ranger's arms and shut my eyes willing myself to sleep. I felt him shift behind me as his member slowly grew against my lower back. This man was like a machine. He just kept going and never seemed to grow tired. I'm sorry but I'm not built the same way and if I didn't get some shut eye before the sun rose, I would be one excruciatingly cranky girl.

I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. If I lay still long enough, maybe he'll take the hint and go to sleep himself. Hopefully, he's not reading my mind right now and since all of the blood has seemingly rushed from one head to another.

"Babe," he whispered softly in my ear pulling me closer to him which I wasn't sure was possible as I was pretty convinced that we've gotten rid of any possible space between us.

I remained silent with my eyes closed but turned around to face him and squished my face into his chest.

"Are you awake?" he pressed kissing the top of my head. He shifted away from me and slid a little lower on the bed so that we were face-to-face. I could feel his breath on my lips and his hand caressing my cheek. He leaned forward and placed searing kiss on my lips and whispered, "Te amo," before wrapping his arms back around me and tucking my head into his chest. "I love you, Babe," he said quietly before drifting to sleep.

My eyes flew open as the words flitted about in my head repeating itself over and over again. Ranger had just told me that he loved me.

Did I feel the same way about him?

Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! ~Angie