Author's Note: Good afternoon, everybody. One, two punch for everybody. Now, that Ranger's home and safe, it's time to get back to routine. Morelli's dying very soon in Butterfly, not this one so this is going to be more like Unstoppable: emotional torment. Stephanie's paper isn't going away anytime soon and even though common sense says otherwise, Detective Voorhees just can't help himself. For this chapter, it's all about Steph and Ranger, warm, naked, and honest. Our favorite Cuban Sex God may be a tad OOC in this one but I think it's a good OOC. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: "Honestly, it's not mine!"

"How'd he get in?"

"Picked the lock."

"How'd you get in?"

"Picked the lock…look, get yourself a couple of deadbolts…and lock that shit up."

-Ranger and Stephanie in One for the Money (2012)

"I…I've never felt for anyone like I feel for you…"

We were cocooned deep in my bedding, me on my stomach and his body on top of mine from the right. Carlos' face shared the space between my neck and shoulder, giving him perfect access to my ear. I concentrated on keeping my body still, my breathing deep and even.

"There's always been a disconnect between me and the rest of the world, even my family. I really want you to meet my family, Babe. They already love you and I know you'll fit right in. But…yeah. I've always kept walls up and I never thought that I'd be able to let anyone in completely until I met you…"

His words trailed off into kisses down my neck, my back, and up again, causing goosebumps and shivers in his wake. In response, Carlos turned us to the left, his arms holding me closer to warm me. I wasn't cold. I was moved. I didn't know that kissing him would cause all this. I didn't know that getting rid of Morelli and then pushing him to my bed that morning would unlock his heart…and mine too.

"I love you so much it scares the shit out of me. I don't want to lose you. There are people in my past, my present even that would like nothing more to destroy me. Losing you would destroy me, whether to them or some other guy. I'm not saying that I doubt how you feel about me, Stephanie. I know how you feel…it's just stupid. I'm scared that you'll find another man, a worthy and normal man, and you'll leave me…"

I would never do that. I couldn't. Leaving him would destroy me, losing him would destroy me. I need him. I meant what I said in the bathtub and at Morelli's that day. I meant what I said during my declaration of War. Ricardo Carlos Manoso is the only man for me. He gets me even when I don't even get myself. He encourages me to follow my dreams, to be strong. He protects me as best as he can and he treats me like I'm special and precious and everything that a girl always thinks about in her private times. He's not a white knight on a white steed and a sword (he's more like a black knight in a SUV with a 9mm automatic...) but he is my Prince Charming. No…no, he's my Shrek. My way more attractive Shrek. He's not perfect but he loves me with everything he's got, just like the fairy tale ogre and I'm his Fiona, apparently…

Carlos turned me and kissed me softly, gently. I responded slowly, wrapping a leg around his waist to put us flat, me underneath him. Our left hands entwined and the kiss deepened quickly, making my head start to spin pleasantly. He parted my legs gently and my eyes opened to half mast, meeting smoldering chocolate…

"Did...did you hear?"

I nodded mutely and a pink tint entered his cheeks.

"Hey, none of that…you don't have to be embarrassed about how you feel. I told you that I wanted to know, remember? And it's a two way street. I love you just as hard and I'm just as scared as you are."

"I'm not going anywhere, Stephanie. I don't want anyone else."

"I know. C'mere."

My eyes fluttered shut as he entered me again, completing me.