Another song shot. This one is super fluffy and sappy.

Hard To Love - Lee Brice

Ranger POV:

Earlier today:

"What aren't you telling me, Carlos?" Steph asked.

"I can't," I told her.

"Can't or won't?" she challenged. I saw anger flash through her eyes. "You're withholding things from me, just like Joe used to."

"That's not fair, Steph."

"Isn't it, Ranger?"

I let out a breath. "We need to talk," I told her softly. She nodded.

Now:

Steph sat across the table from me. Her face was serious, her hand wrapped around mine, her eyes tender and soft. I raked my free hand over my face and through my hair.

"Babe," I rasped out.

She squeezed my hand. "Ranger you keep pushing me away," she said. "You were going to give us a chance."

I laughed, without mirth. "I'm hard to love," I said. "I know I don't deserve your love."

"Carlos..."

"No, Babe, hear me out. I know you love me, and I know I don't make it easy," I told her softly.

"No, you don't," she agreed with a small smile. "That doesn't mean I love you any less."

"You've given me a million second chances, and every time I screw up, you come back."

She stood, her hand and eyes never leaving mine. She sat in my lap, holding both of my hands to her. "That's what you do when you love someone, Carlos. You forgive their fuck-ups."

I kissed her forehead, with a small smile gracing my lips. "I don't mean to take your for granted. I do, though. I think you'll always be there through anything, but one day it will be too much, and you'll leave." My voice trailed off.

"Listen to me." She grabbed my face. "I love you. You're mine, I'm yours. The only thing that could make me leave you would be if you cheated on me. If you told me to leave, you know I wouldn't."

I kissed her softly, I couldn't help myself. She looked so beautiful telling me what she needed me to know. "I'm not a good man," I whispered. I needed to push her away, I didn't deserve her. She was too good, and I was a monster. If she spent too much time with me, I would taint her.

"You're not a monster," she said against my lips. "You did what you had to, you're not a monster in my book. Who the hell cares what other people think?"

"I wish I could see myself like you do," I told her, pushing a curl back behind her ear.

"It wouldn't be hard," she said. "All you have to do is look in the mirror."

I shook my head. "I can't give you what you need," I told her. "You deserve someone better."

"I don't think there is anyone better," she shot back.

"This won't be easy," I told her.

"I know." She smiled softly.

"I'm just a man."

She leaned down and kissed me again, before resting her forehead against mine. She wrapped her legs around my waist as I stood, carrying her to the bedroom.

"I love you, Carlos, and whether you believe it or not, you're the only man for me." She said.

I kissed her again, this time desperate. "I love you, too. I don't want you to ever leave me."

"Don't give me a reason too," she told me as we fell into bed. She rolled so that she was on top and pulled her shirt off, flinging it across the room. She grabbed my hands and put them on her hips.

"Love me good," I told her.

She grinned down at me. "I always do," She purred.