THAT MIAMI GLOW

Another ACROSTIC story, where the first letter (in bold) of each new chapter spells out the main title. Another challenge to myself, and with which Ms Margaret was wholly on board.

I also included the writing prompt from Jo-Ann Fiore, from the Facebook Ranger Should Get the Girl site.

This story was intended as a one shot, but my Muse ran away with the plot. When this story went over the 10K words, I decided to make it a chapter story. There are 13 chapters, one for each acrostic letter. So, Chapter 1 is T, for the first letter of THAT. Chapter 2 is H, for the second letter of THAT. And so on, until all 13 chapters make up the title in full: THAT MIAMI GLOW.

I will be posting twice a week.

oOoOo

Ranger POV

Chapter 1: T

Trenton. Pfft! (Yes, I rolled my eyes.) We had escaped from that rat race at the right time deciding that both of us needed a break. Coming down to the alluring and inviting warmth of Miami. It was partly to oversee some staff changes between the Trenton and Miami Rangeman offices, and, of course, to catch up with Julie. That was a decision made easily. The bitter cold of a windy, sleety, slushy Jersey winter was getting dull and depressing in more ways than one. Oppressive, especially for Steph. Some actual Miami blue sky warmth was definitely the order of the day, with the promise of spending time at the beach. Stephanie was quickly on board with the idea. How could she resist?

I chuckled at her spontaneous response, thinking out loud, as she so often does, "Oh my God! I get to have Carlos all to myself! Ohh … the things we could do …" she muttered on a moan.

Lester and Bobby glanced at each other, momentarily like deer in the headlights, before doubling over with laughter.

"TMI, Steph!" to which she just shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, but still with the evidence of a cute blush.

"Babe, I have some ideas too," I whispered, my voice huskier as I wolf-grinned at her. Her wide-eyed endearing look was so enchanting as she chewed her bottom lip.

"Oh well, you know what I mean," she counter responded, which made me growl as her wicked mischievous grin appeared. Oh yes, I liked how she was thinking.

That was the bonus for both of us, the promise of some exclusive one-on-one time, which we both deserved. So, we were going offline. I couldn't remember the last time I had such a break, with the welcome prospect of spending quality time with Stephanie. Yes, I have been offline before but that was very different. I was visualising all sorts of possibilities and smiled. Yes, this was going to be good.

After sorting the Rangeman staffing issues, nothing bad, just reviewing and making some changes, then we would be officially offline for two weeks. I was really looking forward to that. Besides, these chilly winters are quite restrictive, making our day to day job, and the various tasks we do, very challenging out in the field.

If it wasn't for meeting Stephanie so long ago in that diner, I would have moved on once the Trenton office was up and running smoothly. We had made a name for ourselves in the hood, and I was just preparing to go back to Miami, when Connie called in a favour. That's when my plans were derailed. I was in my Street Ranger gear, after another round of reinforcing our street cred when Stephanie walked in.

Shaking the hood is always like a rumble in the jungle, but nothing to do with heavyweight boxing. We were just showing them who was going to run this town tonight! And we meant business. Going in, sometimes sorting out gangsta fights, but not taking sides but certainly not policing their behaviour. Nothing to do with the drug scene or other illegal trades, it was essentially, a means of getting a pulse on the hood, you know, who's involved in what and where. We were not interested in any involvement in that scene. Our plan was not to take over the hood, but to make our presence known and felt, like some subtle intimidation, and threats. We had to be forceful and show we meant business. It was also like a monitoring aspect, and mediate where it was warranted, if we were able to gain benefit from that situation. Our mission was to earn street cred which ultimately would make our job easier. To be honest, we did enjoy this aspect of our craft, making a name for ourselves, and instilling fear of the consequences in wronging us. Our military experience was a massive advantage, but the urban jungle is not to be underestimated. Always be aware of your surroundings was one of my mantras. Knowing what's happening in your surroundings was critical.

But Stephanie was something else. She came from left field, catching me off-guard blind-siding me, totally unintentionally. I thought helping her by showing her the ropes of Bounty Hunting 101 might quickly change her mind. Damned if she somehow got under my skin, in a good way. I felt protective towards her and in monitoring her progress and technique, she intrigued me. I felt drawn to her. Much later, somehow, she had wormed her way into my dark heart, I don't know when that happened exactly. To protect her, I had the word on the streets go out that Stephanie Plum is Ranger's woman. Don't mess with her, or you'll have to deal with me, and they were not going to like that. Even despite the fact she was in a weird on/off relationship with the cop, I felt a tug to my heart every time I saw her. And, those brilliant blue eyes. Madre Dios. They did things to me. She made me feel. She made me smile.

Now, she's mine, we are together and I am looking forward to our Miami vacation. I smiled thinking how all those mishaps and cars going to Car Heaven, as she so cutely put it, drew us inevitably closer. I found it hard to resist her, looking for opportunities to be near her. She wasn't like other women who would automatically objectify me or want to get into my bed. That was refreshing, for a change. Not even the diamond studs in my ears on that first encounter seemed to impress her. She was pretty gutsy, after her initial pep talk before she walked into that diner. Admitting how desperate she was and determined to do this bounty hunting thing as her last resort for survival, had me intrigued.

We've come a long way since then, before we both admitted our commitment issues were intruding on what we already had, which everyone else could see. We already had a relationship, as well as a working relationship. Once we accepted that, we started dating and my life has done a complete backflip. And I am pleased it did. Stephanie was a force to be reckoned with in so many ways.

Planning this vacation was important. So many possibilities. Where to go first? Decisions, decisions.

oOo

TBC