Chapter Eleven

A couple of hours later Ranger snagged me around the waist. "Are you ready to get out of here?"

I nodded. We headed down to the beach and strolled through the sand. It was a beautiful moonlit night. We chatted about everything and nothing as we walked hand-in-hand.

"Did you think we would ever get here?" I asked.

Ranger shook his head. "I wanted to, but no I didn't think I would ever be this lucky. That's why I did the whole fake wedding with you. There were probably ten other ways to infiltrate that network, but I thought that was the closest I would ever get with you. I guess I wanted to pretend for just one night you were really my wife, but I knew immediately it was a mistake. I knew one night was never going to be enough."

"Which is why you panicked and acted like a jackass afterwards" I added helpfully.

Ranger laughed. "Exactly. And, in case you are wondering, the real thing is much better than I ever imagined."

Ranger pulled me to him and gave me a long, deep kiss. "So, what would you like to do?" Ranger was pressed up against me and what Ranger wanted to do was not a mystery. I could feel his hard length against my belly.

"Well, I've heard even super heroes have limits, but I thought we might test that out. I'm thinking make love all night and watch the sunrise." I gave him my best innocent doe eyed expression.

"Babe, that I can do" he said as he pushed me up the beach to the hotel.

Ranger never disappoints. Ranger is a man of his word, and we thoroughly tested the super hero theory. All night.

The next morning, I woke-up alone. I could see the promise of sunrise on the horizon. I pulled on my robe and padded out to find Ranger.

I found him sitting on the balcony in a lounge chair. He reached out and took my hand and settled me in front of him. I leaned back and rested against his chest. He wrapped his arms around me and trailed kisses up my bare shoulder, up my neck to the base of my ear.

"Good morning Mrs. Manoso" he whispered.

I smiled. "And a fine morning it is Mr. Manoso." I replied.

We sat and watched the sunrise. I think we both love the sunrise for what it represents. Such beauty, hope and promise. Today it also represented a new beginning.

"Are you happy?" Ranger asked.

I frowned. That seemed like and odd question. I turned around and straddled his lap so I could face him.

"Of course, I am. Why do you ask that?"

Ranger shrugged. "I know you love Montero. And, we both know he is the better man."

The uncertainty and vulnerability written all over his face made my heart stop. Ranger is not a guy that telegraphs his emotions. Usually if his tongue isn't in my mouth, I have no idea what he is thinking.

Today his emotions were all over his face and they broke my heart. He always seemed so sure of himself, so sure of everything. Like nothing that had happened bothered him. I realized Ranger was just really good at hiding the truth. The Montero thing and this last year had taken its toll.

"Ranger, we go after the Vegas, the Wylands, and the Petrovs of the world. That's what we do. I know when you went after Vega you had no idea you were going to be gone so long. Or, that you would have to let me think you were dead. I don't blame you, not anymore. Just like I never dreamed getting on Petrov's boat would have turned out the way it did. I got involved with Montero because I thought you were dead."

"Babe, I know it was my fault. I'm not blaming you for it, but I also wouldn't blame you if you wanted to be with him. He's a good man."

And, there it was in all its raw glory. Ranger's insecurity.

I cradled his face in my hands and locked eyes with him. "Yes, I love Montero just like I loved Morelli, but I never loved either of them like I love you. It was never a question. Montero is not the better man. Not for me. I loved you from practically the first moment you walked into that diner and called me sweet thing. If soulmate is a thing, you are definitely mine."

Ranger kissed me. It was a gentle, reverent kiss. Ranger sat back, his calm demeanor back in place.

"You want to know when I knew I loved you?" I cocked my eyebrow and waited.

Ranger gave me his wolf grin. "When you called me to unlock you from your shower curtain rod and you were naked."

I laughed and Ranger untied my robe. We spent the next two hours testing all sorts of new limits.

Ranger and I spent a few days in Miami bumming around checking out his old haunts. We drove down to Key West and spent time at different places along the way. We kayaked, parasailed, visited the turtle hospital and generally acted like newlyweds.

I know people say that being married changes things. I never really believed that before, but I do now. I felt a whole new level of closeness to Ranger. Now that this was permanent, it seemed like we were more open with each other. It was a good feeling.

All too soon it was time to return to DC and back to work. We flew home, and trudged into the apartment.

"I'm beat" I said. "I'm going to grab a quick shower and go to bed."

Ranger nodded and went back to sorting the stack of mail that had piled up from our time away.

I went into the bathroom and stopped. I was stunned. While we were gone, Ranger had the entire bathroom redone. In particular we had a whole new shower. It looked amazing, and it had multiple shower heads and nozzles and a steam feature. I figured the space shuttle was slightly less complicated.

My heart did a little clench. Les' black eye and now a brand-new shower. I felt tears in my eyes. Ranger and I really had a clean slate and a whole new beginning.

I walked out. Ranger was watching me intently. He was doing that thing where he measures your heartrate and peeks inside your soul.

I walked up to him and unzipped his pants. I slid my hand inside and wrapped it around Ranger's most perfect part. "I want you to help me shower."

Ranger's eyes had dilated almost black. "Babe, I'm your man" he said and pushed me towards the shower.

"Yes, you are" I said.