Disclaimer: Not Mine.. Always Playing

Author's Note: I put a new poll on my profile, check it out and let me know what you think! I am glad everyone enjoyed their first date! I had a lot of fun writing it!

P.S. Italics are Spanish

News In The Burgs

I woke up once again to my cell phone ringing. It has been ringing non-stop for the past two days. Since my most perfect date with Ranger, everyone is coming out of the wood work to ask me how it went. I quit answering my phone unless it was Lula, one of the Merry Men or Ranger. I mean people that I haven't talk to in years have been calling trying to find out who the dark sexy stranger was. I told one nosy lady none of her damn business and then I hung up. My mom has been the worse. She called over 30 times yesterday and left over 30 messages. Every time she called she left a damn message.

"Stephanie, this is your mother."

"Stephanie, you need to call me."

"Stephanie, who was that man?"

"Stephanie, are you in trouble?"

"Stephanie, are you pregnant?"

"Stephanie, are you married?"

"Stephanie, why are you kissing strange men in amusement parks?"

I mean come on gee whiz. It was a date. My first date. With Ranger. I want to share all the details, but not because people are nosy. I want to share the details because it was the perfect date. He made me feel so special and wanted. He made me feel as though as I was the only woman in the world.

After the fireworks were over, he bought me a caramel apple and we headed home. I fell asleep on the way back and he woke me up with a soft kiss in the car. When I opened my eyes and seen him, I smiled and he smiled right back. We went to the 4th floor together, but he only helped me open the door before giving me another soft kiss and saying good night.

I fell into a deep sleep that night. It was the best night sleep I have gotten in the longest time. Longer than I can even remember. I haven't seen much of Ranger since our date. He has been busy with new clients and old accounts. There has been a lot of skips too. Everytime he does see me, he smiles at me or he winks. Ranger winking is too hot for words. He really is the sweetest man ever.

I glance once again at my phone and sigh. She's never going to quit calling until I talk to her. I answer the phone.

"Hello."

"Stephanie Michelle Plum, this is your mother. I have been calling the last 2 days trying to get a hold of you about this strange shifty eyed man you were see with. Why haven't you been answering my calls? This is serious, young lady. Stephanie, are you in some kind of trouble?" I sigh and resist the urge to scream.

"Mom, I've been busy. I do have a job you know."

"Don't you talk to me like that, missy." Missy? I roll my eyes.

"What is so important, mom?"

"Why are you kissing strange men in amusement parks?"

"He's not strange, he's my boss." I hear sharp intake of breath. Shit, I said the wrong thing.

"You're dating the boss? Stephanie, please don't tell me you are trying to sleep your way to the top of the company." I snort. I wish.

"No mom. It was a date." A perfect date.

"Are you going to bring him by the house to meet us... your parents."

"No."

"Are you ashamed of this man, Stephanie?"

"No I'm not. But why should I bring him to dinner to meet you guys, when you're still inviting Joseph Morelli to dinner even though I told you I would never ever date him again."

"Stephanie, don't you take that tone with me. Joseph is a good man and a good cop." I snort.

"He molested me when I was 6." I swear I think she rolled her eyes.

"Stephanie, you were playing a game. All kids play it." I resisted the urge to reach through the phone and slap her.

"Yea Mom, a game where he stuck his finger inside of me."

"Stephanie! Such language." Say what?

"Mom, I have to go."

"Either you invite him to dinner or no more dessert for you." Was it worth it? What if I invited him and he hated my family so bad that he never wanted anything to do with me again? I sigh.

"I'll talk with him."

"Good, see you at 6." Wait. What? I hear the line click and go dead. Bitch! She hung up before I could say yes or no. I'm not going to dinner tonight. Not happening. I want Ranger all to myself for a little while longer.

I hit the ignore button on my phone. My ignore button is going to quit working if I keep hitting it the way I am. My whole family wants to know about my date. Apparently one family member or another saw me with Steph. I smile at the beautiful face that comes to mind. I had a great time with her. She was laid back and easy going. She enjoyed that I took her to a Cuban restaurant. A family owned restaurant, but that she didn't know that. Then I decided to take her to the amusement park. Back when I was younger I took a girl to an amusement park, not the same one of course. She complained the whole time. It was sort of a test for me. My whole family loves amusement parks and that's one of my most favorite memories. When I thought of taking Stephanie, I was hoping she enjoyed it. Stephanie loved every minute of. She wanted to ride the roller coasters over and over again. I went with her.

The look on her face when I sucked cotton candy off her fingers. I don't eat sugar. Don't care for it. Never have, but when she offered me the sweet sugar from her fingers, I would have been a dumb ass to turn her down. The look on her face said it all. She was as turned on as I was. While watching the fireworks, I kissed her and she melted against me. She snuggled into me and there was no where else I wanted to be. I didn't want to take her home. I wanted to take her to my bed. Keep her there all weekend long. But I really like Steph and I want to take it slow with her. So I gave her another kiss at her door and walked away. Hardest thing I ever had to do.

"Who was that?" I look up at Tank. I cock my eyebrow. "Just wondering, man. That's like the 20th time you have hit ignore in the last 30 minutes. It must be family." I give him my deadly blank face and he smirks.

"It doesn't matter who it is. I'm busy and they know this. I have to work."

"You should just go ahead and answer it. They are all going to keep calling until you answer the phone and answer their questions." I sigh. He has a point. Damn it. The phone rings again and I glance at Tank. He stands up, nods, and walks out of my office. I hit the green button and put the phone to my ear.

"Hello Mama."

"Carlito, why haven't you been answering your phone? Are you avoiding your family?" I smile.

"Of course not, Mama. I have just been busy with work."

"You are always busy with work."

"I know Mama, but it's what I signed on for when I decided I wanted to own my own business."

"Your cousin, Miguel and his wife saw you with a very beautiful woman on Friday. Explain Ricardo Carlos." I let out a sigh. She used my first and last name. I'm screwed.

"Her name is Stephanie, Mama and she works for me."

"So it was a business dinner? Not what I heard, Carlito."

"No Mama it was not a business dinner. It was a date."

"Well tell me about this young woman. I heard she had the most beautiful blue eyes." How the hell did she know that? "I have my ways, Carlito."

"She started working here before I came back from my last mission. She's friends with all the guys here."

"She treats them as equals?"

"They're her best friends and they adore her."

"That's sweet. How is it you came around to date her?"

"I like her, Mama. I asked her out."

"Did you have a good time, Carlito?"

"I had a wonderful time, Mama. She's a wonderful person."

"When do I get to meet this lovely woman?"

"Soon Mama I promise."

"You bring her to dinner tonight at 6." She hangs up the phone before I argue and tell her I'm too busy. I'm not taking Stephanie to dinner at my parents' house. I want to keep her to myself for just a little while longer.