Chapter 6
Diesel pulled out my chair for me. I smiled up at him as he gently pushed my chair closer to the table. He was being a perfect gentleman. Marianne placed the tray of lasagna in the centre of the table. She retreated to the kitchen to grab the rest of our meal. I heard laughter as she returned closely followed by Raoul. He carried the salad while Marianna carried the garlic bread. She was laughing from his very animated story. After a quick prayer, we passed our plates to Ronnie to dish out the lasagna.
We talked about our goals for the following day. "When do you want to leave?" Grandpa decided to ask. I wasn't sure if I even wanted to leave. Spending time with Grandpa was amazing. Having him coach me as I learned to box was a memory I will treasure forever. His face looked younger than when I first arrived. Our time together meant as much to him as it did to me.
"Never. I want to stay here forever, but that's not exactly realistic. I'm not really sure when I want to leave. I do know I should go home soon. I need to find a job." Tears threatened to release from my eyes. What I want and what I need are two very different things. I loved spending time with Grandpa. Considering I reached my goals of self improvement and mental healing, staying here kind of feels like running away. I'm ready to face everything I left behind. Stephanie Plum is not afraid of a challenge. Diesel and I grew very close over the past few months. I was finally ready to give us a try.
"Wherever you go, I will follow you. I just want to be wherever you are," Diesel whispered. I could see the love in his gorgeous brown eyes. He ran his fingers through his thick sandy blond hair. I realized it was a nervous habit.
"Okay," I whispered back putting him at ease. "I want to go back home tomorrow. It's time to face face the music." Grandpa beamed with pride. His gentle push and Diesel's promise solidified my decision.
Diesel used his phone to send a quick text. I had no doubt he was arranging for his friend to stock my cupboards and refrigerator with food. Ronnie looked excited. We discussed my progress and she said I was ready to return. I'm not the same woman I was when I first arrived. During my training I left the scared, approval seeking and weak woman behind. This improved Stephanie Plum is very strong, capable and emotionally sound.
Mom will not recognize me. She no longer has the power to pull the strings on my emotions. I've also learned to moderate my sugar intake. I no longer have the desire to eat away my feelings. Loving a man incapable or unwilling to commit was no longer on my mind. Ranger made his decision a long time ago. My self esteem isn't so low as to fall back into his bed. Sensing where my thoughts were heading, Diesel gently squeezed my thigh. He silently offered me his unwavering support.
"I'll make the arrangements after dinner," Grandpa announced. He had his own jet. All he needed to do was contact his pilot and file a flight plan. We'll know the time of our flight before we head for bed tonight. I had a strong feeling Diesel was planning to stay with me tonight and I was more than okay with that.
Raoul was keeping us entertained. He was telling us one absurd story after another, each one funnier than the last. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard, tears streamed down my face. Diesel wrapped his arm around my shoulder to hold me in an upright position. I was dangerously close to face planting into the table. Ronnie suggested we move to the living room where we'd be more comfortable.
Diesel pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his strong arms around me. I felt tingles run along my skin wherever he touched. He was causing my hormones to go into overdrive. Attempting to keep my distance from this amazing man was becoming more challenging every day. I know it was my idea to take it slow, but I was beginning to second guess my resolve. "When you're ready. I'm waiting for you to initiate," he whispered before kissing the sensitive spot behind my ear. I squirmed in his lap, causing the father of all erections to press against my ass. It took all my control to not grind into him.
My last sexual encounter was with Morelli the week before I caught him with Terry. During my stay here, I wasn't even tempted to take matters into my own hands, fingers or shower massager. Diesel's hands tightened on my hips. "Sunshine, please stop moving." Heat rushed through my body effectively soaking my panties. I was more than ready to have a relationship with this man. Going home couldn't come soon enough.
"Piccolo zucca, your flight leaves in an hour. Have you packed your bags?" Grandpa asked.
"Not yet. I'll run upstairs to take care of it." I jumped off Diesel's lap. Grandpa smiled when Diesel not so discreetly fixed himself. He followed me to my room so I could pack. "I'm going to miss you Nonno."
Grandpa waited for me to zip my suitcase before pulling me into his arms. "I'm going to miss you too. I loved having you here with me. Please come back to visit whenever you want."
"I will Grandpa. Thank you for helping me. I love you." I started crying when he kissed my forehead.
"Love you too. Keep the secure phone." I knew he was asking me to call him frequently. Diesel arrived to grab my suitcases. "I'll come with you."
"Okay Grandpa. It will give us more time together." I kissed his cheek before grabbing his hand. He placed my hand in his arm and led me to the car. His driver was waiting outside the front door.
Diesel placed our bags in the trunk and helped Grandpa get into the back seat. I grabbed Diesel's hand before I took the middle position. He quickly got in the car beside me. Diesel held my hand as we drove towards the private airfield. Grandpa and I discussed ways to remain in contact with each other. My secure cell phone would be hidden in a compartment behind my water heater. Nobody is to know I have it. Only Grandpa and Diesel have the phone number.
I was about to argue, but Grandpa stopped me. "I expect you to check in once a week," he insisted. "A phone call, not text. Use your secure line. Promise me."
"Okay Nonno. I promise." It went without saying not to discuss him with anyone at Rangeman. Tank and Lester would never defy a direct order from their superior. My Grandpa outranks Ranger. We arrived at the airfield sooner than I expected. Grandpa gave me another hug and kiss before releasing me. Diesel slid from the car before me. Even at a private airfield, Grandpa remained hidden. He's always aware of his surroundings. When I exited the car, I was careful not to look over my shoulder at Grandpa.
Diesel grabbed our suitcases and walked up the stairs into the plane. I followed close behind. As he locked our luggage into the closet, I took a seat beside the window. Cinnamon and Christmas cookies alerted me that Diesel took the seat beside me. He held my hand as the plane taxied down the runway and took off. We talked about what we expect from each other in a relationship.
"I talked to Ranger already," I began. "He knows we'll never be intimate again. Did you know he offered me a job?"
"Are you considering his offer?" Diesel asked.
"Yes. I have a feeling Vinnie hired a replacement. If I don't have a job with Vinnie, I'll have to take a job at Rangeman." It wasn't an ideal situation, but I have bills to pay. Diesel or Grandpa couldn't continue to pay my way. I would go absolutely crazy if I didn't have a job to occupy my time.
"One day at a time Sunshine. I'm not going anywhere. As long as you want me, I'm here." He leaned into me to place a tender kiss on my lips. An electric charge moved through my body. Every kiss with this man set my body on fire. I felt a strong magnetic pull to him.
"What happens if you don't want me anymore?" I already knew the answer, but I still needed him to say the words.
"Never going to happen. One day I'm going to marry you." I could actually see us married, my belly swollen with his child. Getting married and having children with Diesel didn't scare me. It made my body hum in anticipation.
"It's too early for us to consider marriage, but I can honestly see it. The two of us holding hands as we take a stroll through the park. My stomach swollen as our baby grows inside me. We'll be good for each other," I whispered against his lips not wanting to break our intimate connection.
"I want that too Stephanie. You're my security, my strength, my heart and my life. You are the centre of my universe. I don't want to spend another minute without you," he quietly said. Spending every waking minute wasn't realistic.
Since the first day Diesel entered my life, I could see myself with him. "Sounds like a wedding vow," I joked. We've known each other for a long time, but we never crossed the thin line between friendship and something more. It was a line I was more than ready to cross now. I'm ready to have a relationship with him.
During the last few months, I slowly realized he's always been there for me. He may not have rescued me as often as Ranger, but I know he was always around. I could sense him every time. "All the times I smelled cinnamon and Christmas cookies... that was you." I wasn't asking if it was him, I was acknowledging that I knew it was him.
"It was me," he admitted. "I have a confession."
"They say confession is good for the soul. What's on your mind?" I attempted to keep our conversation light. He was more serious than I had ever seen him.
"I sent copies of your photos to myself then sent a copy to Joe Morelli and Terry Gilman with a message that you know their secret." Okay, that was bad, but I understand his reasoning.
"Thank you. If it wasn't for Joe receiving the email, Terry wouldn't have been caught. How could I be angry?"
"I was hoping you would at least forgive me. Not being angry with me is more that I hoped for. I have another confession." I waited for him to continue, "Did you ever question why my cousin Ranger or Lester would come to your rescue before anyone else?" he asked. He leaned away from me to look into my eyes, wanting me to see the truth in his words.
"A few times come to mind." More than a few if I was being honest.
"I sent them messages when I was unable to help." It made perfect sense. I was grateful when Batman or Lester came to my rescue. The mystery has finally been solved.
"I always knew there was more to the story. Why didn't you tell me before now or was it a secret?" I wondered. I knew the answer... he truly loves me.
"Not a secret. I was afraid you'd be mad at me. After talking to your grandfather, I realized not telling you would cause more issues." He was right. If I had stumbled across this information on my own, the old me would have been furious.
"The old Stephanie would have been angry, but the new Stephanie understands. You wanted to protect me... I understand. Thank you for loving me Diesel." I leaned into him and pressed my lips against his. "I'm ready now. I love you too," I whispered.
He deepened the kiss. His tongue stroked mine as my body reacted. I moaned into his mouth and swore my feet started smoking from the heat of the kiss. Reluctantly I broke the kiss. We had more to discuss if we want to have a serious relationship.
Diesel asked to move in with me. It was too soon according to some people, but we've known each other for a long time. Sharing my bed is something we've done many times before. There is only one difference between then and now. This time when we share my bed, it may not be completely platonic. "Of course you can move in," I agreed. "It's not like we haven't shared a bed before."
"I'll be your personal pillow and heating blanket," he joked. I could certainly live with those terms. "We'll look for a bigger home."
I rested my head on his shoulder as we talked about our goals. A few things started weighing heavy on my mind. "I'm worried about Joe."
"He can't harm you anymore. Officer Joseph Morelli will get exactly what he deserves." Diesel assured me Joe will be reprimanded for sharing secrets with the mob. Terry is currently incarcerated. All Joe's cases are being reviewed, especially ones involving my FTAs. I will be receiving a monetary reward for my hard work to solve the cases. It didn't hurt to have Rangeman backing me.
"I'm going to take the job at Rangeman," I decided. "Your cousin was a complete ass, but him and his men always had my back. They need my help and I could use their support."
"I'm so proud of you Stephanie."
The pilot announced our ETA and asked us to buckle our seatbelts. We're almost home.