Apparently, the muse is happy I followed her and has rewarded me with another chapter already. Warning...Not safe to read at work or around children.

I've never been one to take long showers. As a kid I had to share one bathroom and limited hot water with five other siblings. Then the army and later the Rangers reinforced the need to be efficient and timely when getting clean. Still, knowing Steph needed some time to think, I lingered, standing in the spray with my forearm pressed to the tile, my head reading atop it.

With the life I've lived so far, there are few things left that can twist my stomach into knots. Pulling the trigger when I know I'm shooting to kill. Injury to one of my co-workers. The death of a child and currently, waiting for one Stephanie Plum to decide the fate of our possible future together, all fall into that category.

For years I've worked to keep my heart guarded from anything that would be considered a real relationship. Much like Ranger and the core team, I've had a hard time reconciling my past actions with my ability to be loved. I mean really, who, besides my mother and father, could love me after the horrors I've committed in my life?

It didn't matter that I engaged in those acts on behalf and in defense of our country. The black marks that have complied on my soul would never be able to be erased, or so I thought.

I can still remember when I, and a lot of the other guys, met a certain curly haired brunette for the first time. Her wide-eyed innocence had all of us questioning Ranger's motives for bringing her to the redecoration job that night.

Afterward, as she began coming around more and more, each of us started to get to know her and in turn, she us. None of us expect her to so easily fit within our tight knit group of battle-hardened soldiers and ex-cons. Yet, it didn't take long for us to understand what he saw in her. Before we all knew it, she'd become the light of all our lives. Some of us saw her as a little sister. Others, like me, fell quick and hard, but knowing she was Ranger's woman, so we kept our feelings hidden.

Only now, I had the opportunity to love her in a way the other men in her life failed to do. If only she'd allow me the chance. Honestly, I really shouldn't be so invested this early in our relationship. If that's what we can even call it at this point. Still, knowing her decision may very well crush my heart is making me want to puke. The exhaustion pulling at my limbs wasn't helping either. I'd already been tired from working and thinking about Steph most of the day. The five hour drive didn't help either, but struggling to properly frame that conversation had zapped what was left of my energy.

It was pushing toward midnight, and we still had a seven plus hour drive tomorrow. Which meant I needed to get some sleep. I turned off the taps, stepped out and quickly dried off. Since joining Rangeman and moving into my own apartment, I'd taken advantage of sleeping naked every night. There was something to be said for not having anything between you and a quality set of sheets.

Knowing I'd be sharing a room with Steph and eventually sleeping in my parents' house, I'd decided to don a pair of cotton shorts to sleep. If I couldn't be naked, it was the next best thing. Hopefully, Steph wouldn't mind.

When I manned up and stepped out of the bathroom, my heart sank at the sight of Steph curled up in the bed sound asleep. My attention wandered to the top of the dresser where a package of disposable travel toothbrushes lay open with one missing. Next to it looked to be a package of makeup removal wipes.

My focus shifted back to the bed, where Steph was curled tight to one edge. Even in sleep, her body language was clear. She'd made her decision and it appeared that she hadn't been able to make the leap.

On a sigh I crossed to the bed and doing my best not to disturb her, I set my Sig Sauer and phone on the night stand next to my side of the bed, then slid under the covers. While my heart might be hurting right now, it was probably for the best that this wasn't going to work out. After all, I wouldn't want to dim her light with the darkness that lives in my soul.

I was having the most amazing dream. Steph was dragging her hands down my chest, and the sting of her nails raking over my flesh seemed to sooth with her kisses that followed. Almost painfully slow, she worked her way down my torso, edging her way toward the promise land.

When warm, wet heat engulfed me, my eyes flew opened and my attention immediately slid down to find a mass of brunette curls brushing across my chest. It wasn't a dream! On instinct, I threaded a hand through her hair as I ground out a confused and aroused, "Stephanie?"

She released me on a wet pop and looked up from between my legs a grin on her face. "Good morning."

"Yes, it is," I replied as my sleep addled mind struggled to catch up with my body.

"I didn't mean to fall asleep on you last night," she said even as she wrapped a hand around me.

"T-that's okay," I managed to say despite my brain refusing to engage. She could fall asleep on me every damn night if she promised to wake me like this every morning.

"No, it's not," she purred as she gave me a slow stroke, causing my hips to jerk in response. "I know you would have gotten the wrong idea last night when you came out of the shower to find me sleeping."

I had, but the was no reason to make her feel bad about being tired. "I told you I would be okay with whatever you decided."

"I know, but I wanted to tell you my decision last night. Consider this both my apology and answer." Before I could reply, her very talented mouth returned to its task as she stared up at me through her lashes. Fuck if she wasn't the most gorgeous creature I'd ever seen.

My body jerked from the contact. "Jesus." I can't count on both hands the number of times I awoke to wet dreams about her doing just this thing to me. My dreams were nothing compared to the real thing.

While I wanted her to continue almost more than I wanted my next breath, I also had a couple dozen questions needed answered. The least of which was how she managed to get my shorts off with me waking. Yet, I couldn't seem to form the words and instead the question popped out as a directive. "Yeah, sweetheart, just like that."

My focus zeroed in on where her lips wrapped around me with such loving care, and it didn't take long before the pressure began to build. Christ. If I let her continue, I was going to blow like some horny teenager.

Knowing I was about to horribly embarrass myself I threaded my hand through her hair a second time and tightened just enough to garner her attention. "Steph," I ground out. "Pet, stop."

She flicked her gaze up, meeting mine, then slowly let go. "Fuck!" I hissed at the loss of contact.

"Did I do something wrong?" she asked, her expression one of confusion.

"Oh no, sweetheart." I shifted my hand to graze my fingers along her cheek. "Not at all. Your mouth is amazing and as much as I'd love to let you finish, I don't want our first time together to end like that. Come up here."

She slowly slid up my chest, her breasts brushing over my abdomen along the way, and for the first time, I realized she was completely naked. I reached down, pulling her the rest of the way up and took her mouth in hard and demanding kiss. The whimper it pulled from her only served to fuel my desire. God, she tested every bit of my control.

When I finally released her, she eased back to straddle my hips, her core landing directly in the sweet spot. My fingers wrapped around her waist, holding her in place. I was too close to the edge to take her just yet. It was time to slow this down just a bit. "How did you manage to get my shorts off?"

Her look turned sheepish as her fingers danced over my pecs. "I woke up wrapped in your arms and started to move, but you tightened your embrace so I couldn't pull back. I thought you were awake, so I started talking to you. It took a couple of minutes for me to realize that while you were responding to me, you weren't really awake. So, I asked you to lift your hips so I could remove your shorts."

My eyes widened at her statement. "And I did?"

Her grin widened. "You did and you had the most gorgeous smile on your face as I pulled your shorts off."

Well, hell. Not once in my thirty-four years has anyone ever told me that I've talked or responded to them while still asleep. Was it something I'd done just because subconsciously I knew it was Steph? The thought of being so easily manipulated bothered me and it would be something I'd have to investigate, later. Right now, a more pressing situation demanded my attention. "Did you strip, or did you go to bed naked last night?"

Her smile remained as she met my gaze. "I went to bed naked. I wanted to surprise you, but I accidentally fell asleep."

Well shit! Way to go Ramsey. I couldn't have read the situation more wrong last night if I tried. Though, in my defense, when I emerged from the shower, she'd been covered to her neck by the blankets. The last thing I would have considered was her being naked and willing and yet sound asleep.

I wanted to shift her just a little and slide home, but the honorable part of me that still existed needed to make sure this was what she really wanted, and she wasn't just doing this out of some sort of guilt. "You're sure you want to do this?"

"I do," she replied and narrowed her gaze. "With some stipulations."

My brows winged up in surprise. That certainly hadn't been what I expected. "Already negotiating your limits?"

"Sort of," she replied and began to chew on her bottom lip. I was quickly realizing she did that when she was nervous. Using my thumb, I pulled her bottom lip free, then leaned up to kiss her. "Okay, pet. Let's hear your stipulations."

"You're sure?"

"I don't say what I don't mean, Steph."

"Okay." She blew out a breath. "First, I'll concede control, if you do too."

I felt the frown encompass my face. How in the hell would that work? Somebody had to be in control. "You want to clarify that for me?"

"I'm willing to try the kink with you and I'm even willing to try and give up control, but once in a while I want to be the one in charge."

"You're already in charge."

My reply earned me a frown from her. "What I mean is I want to be the one putting you in restraints and testing your limits. It doesn't have to be all the time, or even equal time. Just once in a while."

Once again, she never ceased to amaze me. In all the years I've been a Dom I've never had a woman want to negotiate her position as a sub. They all just willingly accepted what I asked of them without question. I really should have known she would be different. Honestly, the fact that she wasn't so willing to just give me everything I wanted was exciting and stirred both my libido and my heart.

The fact was, I already trusted her with my life and did every time we were partnered for a shift. Trusting her in bed wasn't even a question. "Done," I said without further thought. "What else?"

The crease in her brow deepened. "Just like that? No argument?"

"This is a negotiation, correct?"

"Well yeah?"

"And I found your terms acceptable. What else is on your mind?"

For several seconds she simply stared at me as if she couldn't believe I'd given in. I have a strange feeling that she wasn't used to being in a relationship where she was really being treated as an equal.

"I'm not comfortable calling you Sir or Master. Even if it is just in the bedroom."

Deep down, I'd known that one was going to be a sticking point from the moment I'd mentioned it. My girl had a real issue with people in positions of authority. Especially ones that tried to lord it over her head. "What do you propose you call me, then?"

She pursed her lips as if in thought. "Why can't I just call you Ram?"

I leaned up and brushed my lips across soft spot of skin just above her collar bone. "Do you honestly think you can call me by my name without blushing, after you've screamed it during an orgasm?"

Her lips immediately tipped into a grin. "You're awful sure of yourself. Just what makes you think you can give me a screaming orgasm?"

"What makes you think I can't?" I challenged as I shifted my grip, freeing up my thumbs to stroke her soft and sensitive flesh.

"Oh," she gasped and tried to wiggle against my grip.

"So, what do you want to call me?" I asked, even as my thumbs stroked through her soft folds.

"Mmmm?" she asked, and I had to stifle my smile.

While I know I could easily distract her, I also know she'll eventually circle back around to the issue. It would be best to address it now. "Focus, pet. You were saying you didn't want to call me sir or master in bed. What do you want to call me?"

"Maybe I can come up with a nickname for you," she said.

The last thing I wanted was for her to be calling me something like honey bunch or sweetie pie. "I don't really do nicknames."

She rolled her eyes, whether it was at me or at what I was doing to her, I wasn't sure. She gasped then said in a tone filled with sass and arousal. "Says the man who goes by the nickname of Ram and has already taken to calling me pet."

Damn if I could argue that logic. "Point taken. Fine. You can call me whatever you want." If this keeps up, she'll have systematically dismantled every rule I had. "What else?"

"No public orgasms."

I understand her fear, but there's an element of excitement that comes with the risk of being caught that I don't want her to miss out on experiencing. "How about no public orgasms around anyone you might know," I replied.

She pursed her lips as if she was considering my counteroffer. "I won't know anyone in your hometown. That doesn't mean I want to be getting off in front of them."

Well shit. I forgot what a formattable opponent she can be when she digs in her heels on a topic. "Understood, but it's not something I'm willing to take completely off the table just yet. How about we shelve this point of discussion to revisit in the future?"

"As long as we do come back around to address it," she said.

"I promise," I replied even as I continued to stroke my thumb along her sensitive bits. "Is that it?"

"That's it," she replied, and I watched a shiver ripple through her. "Oh, God," she gasped, and her fingers tightened on my shoulders. "S-so, I guess we've come to an agreement?"

"We have," I replied, pleased at her willingness to both compromise and stand her ground.

"What does that mean now?" she asked.

I grinned up at her. "I believe that means you're now my girlfriend."

Her eyes widened and a look of pure happiness claimed her features. "Am I really?"

Hearing the delight in her voice at the knowledge she now belonged to me and in turn, I to her, had my heart bursting with joy. For the first time in years, it felt as if someone was shining a light directly on my soul. "Do you want to be?"

"Yes," she replied. Her matter-of-fact tone only adding to the love already living in my heart.

"Good." I shifted my hips, pressing against her entrance, gently reminding her of how close we were to being joined. "Then I'd say it's time for my girlfriend to take charge."

Her smile returned and she shifted her hips allowing me to slide deep inside her sweet body.

"Ram!" she sobbed as my fingers tightened on her hips, and I let out my own gasp at the glorious feeling of finally being joined.

Before I'd managed my next thrust Mister Honorable decided to make another appearance. "Fuck, pet. As good as you feel, we really need a condom before this goes any further."

"I'm on birth control," she replied.

I'd never heard sweeter words in my life. "Thank God."