After placing a kiss to the top of my head he answered, "We're about to come out to the world as a couple."

Unable to resist the chance I said, "We're a couple?"

I could feel the smile spread across his face. "Don't make me tickle you again babe."

Tossing my head back to laugh I said, "I wouldn't dare."

Eleven Days Later

Chapter 5

The next morning came quicker than I had expected. The night tends to fly by when you're having fun, especially when it's Ranger's idea of fun. We had talked and laughed, kissed and teased and made love until the wee hours of the morning. We both collapsed from exhaustion around 4am. It had been one hell of a night, and that meant it was going to be one hell of a morning.

When I finally pried my eyes open I found myself looking directly into Ranger's armpit. Sometime during our brief sleep, I had wedged myself against his side with my head tucked as close to him as possible. I lifted my head, pushed against the mattress and flung myself out of bed, instantly landing on my ass.

I was trying to convince my muscles to cooperate long enough to haul myself out of the floor when I noticed Ranger peering at me over the side of the bed.

"Babe."

"What Ranger?"

"Need some help?"

"No, I'm fine. I just need to get limber that's all."

Ranger rolled back over on his back and watched me as I struggled to my feet. With a shaky sense of balance I proceeded to make my way to the bathroom. Every muscle in my body ached from the prior night's activities causing me to have to walk humped over just to make it to the other side of the room.

Ranger roared with laughter, "What's the matter Steph?"

"Shove it Ranger. You fucked me twelve ways to Sunday last night and I can hardly move!"

"I didn't hear any complaints last night?" He countered.

"That's because every time I tried to say anything you shoved something else in my mouth." I cringed as soon as the words had left my mouth. What was I doing? What in the world possessed me to bait Batman?"

Two seconds later, I knew exactly why I had done it.

When Ranger finally pulled his lips from mine he scooped me up and placed me into the bath tub. After running the water, scrubbing my back and rinsing my hair he sauntered into the kitchen to make some coffee. After watching his tight ass leave the room, I slid deeper into the tub and quickly began thanking my lucky stars.

Thirty minutes later I emerged from the bathroom a new woman or at least a woman that could walk upright. I had tossed on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt along with some sneakers and made my way into the living room.

Ranger was lounging on the couch sipping coffee and talking on his cell phone.

"Do you know if Les is still seeing that girl from the paper?" I eyed him while he paused for the person on the other end to answer. "Good, is he nearby? Yeah, let me talk to him." Pausing again, Ranger glanced at me and winked. "Hey Les. I need a favor. Call Rita and tell her you heard something big is going to go down at Shorty's today around noon." Pause, sip, pause. "Don't worry with the details, just tell her to be there for a good scoop. Thanks man."

Ranger snapped the phone shut and took another sip of the coffee. When he didn't offer up an explanation I crossed my arms and stared.

"What?" He finally said.

"What are you up to?" I said through squinted eyes.

"Nothing."

"Liar."

"Maybe." Wolf grin.

"Bastard."

"Often." Bigger wolf grin.

"Fine, don't tell me. I don't really care anyway."

"Liar." Ranger laughed.

I tossed a throw pillow in his direction and caused him to splash some coffee over the side of the cup. I laughed and ran into the kitchen.

A few minutes later Ranger bumped into me from behind. He slid his arms around my waist and dropped his head to my shoulder. "Ready to go babe? Got a busy day ahead of us?"

I squirmed free of his grasp and turned around to meet his eyes. "No I don't. I've already called Connie and she doesn't have anything for me."

Ranger bounced his eyebrows at me. "That's why you're riding with me today."

"And why would I spend all day riding around with you when I could spend my day off doing something fun?"

Ranger took a step toward me and pinned me against the refrigerator. "Trust me babe, we're going to have a lot of fun today."

At 11:45 we were sitting inside of Shorty's. Ranger was his normal calm, cool and collected self, while I was nothing short of a ball of nerves. My fingers rapped against the table as my eye darted around the restaurant.

"Come on Ranger. Give me a hint."

Without taking his eyes off the newspaper in front of him he answered, "Be patient, you'll find out soon enough."

I crossed my arms and sighed in frustration. Something big was about to happen but Ranger was offering up no clues. Just as I was about to start whining again we were joined by Lester and a pretty blonde. Before proper introductions could be made Ranger leaned over to me and said, "Do me a favor Babe, run out to the truck and grab that box from behind the seat."

I stared at him as if he had lost his mind. "Huh?"

"Steph, the box behind the seat of the truck. Will you go get it for me?"

"Is your leg broken or something?" I chided.

"Please."

Ranger never says please, so this must be important. "Fine. I'll be right back."

As I milled through the truck looking for Ranger's box, I was suddenly startled by someone screaming. I turned around quickly to see a man with a black face mask running down the street carrying a purse. Putting two and two together I figured something was defiantly wrong with that picture.

Two seconds later, a woman came into view. She was running after the man and screaming, "Stop that man!"

Deciding I would be pissed if someone stole my purse, I let me instincts take over. I immediately started chasing the guy. As soon as I was close enough to reach him I lunged my body forward and tackled him to the ground. When we both finally rolled to a stop I grabbed the bag from him and began smacking him upside the head with what appeared to be fine Italian leather.

"Oh thank you!" yelled the woman. "This fool just mugged me. And if it wasn't for you he would have gotten away!"

By this time, a small crowd had started to form. I immediately spotted Ranger, Lester and the blonde, who appeared to be taking notes. Giving the assailant one last smack I reached out and offered the handbag to the woman then rose to my feet.

"Thank you dear child. I am forever in your debt." she exclaimed.

The small crowd started clapping and before I knew it I was surrounded by a throng of well wishers. They ushered me back inside of Shorty's and began drilling me with questions. I repeated the story and answered everything they threw at me.

"What was your name again Ms.?" said a voice from behind me. I turned in that direction and realized the question had come from the blonde that had arrived with Lester.

"Stephanie." I said.

"Stephanie what?" she asked again, glancing down at the notepad in front of her. "I'm Rita Merrin. I'm a reporter from the Trenton Times. Can you spell your last name for me?"

Before I could object someone answered for me. "P-L-U-M. Her name is Stephanie Plum."

I turned my eyes to the voice and realized that it had been Ranger who had answered.

Rita smiled at him then asked. "Ah, Mr. Manaso. How is it that you know Ms. Plum?"

Without skipping a beat he added, "She's my girlfriend."

To Be Continued…