THAT MIAMI GLOW

Ranger POV

Chapter 12: O

oOo

Our marriage was always going to happen. As I said before, it was inevitable, yet it was up to Stephanie when that would happen. I allowed her to choose when the time was right. Ironically, her answer came after a blissful morning in Miami, while we were soaking up some healing vitamin Ds, on a glorious sunshine filled day on the beach. After our vigorous morning activities and a swim, we'd had a peaceful walk along the beach. Thankfully, being the off-peak season, it was not crowded with tourists.

The sky was a lovely blue, just like her beautiful eyes. She was watching some small fluffy white clouds slowly move across the sky and smiled. As she put her hand up to shield her eyes from the sun, her eyes were captivated by the diamond ring as the sun made it sparkle spectacularly. She closed her eyes and sighed as she lay on the beach towel beside me.

"This is just so beautiful, Carlos. Just you and me, the sun, that glorious blue sky, the sea and the beach. It's just perfect, and so peaceful," she sighed. "Our escape was perfectly timed. I'm glad you stole me away from that cold, bleak environment. This is the best vacation I have ever had."

"Good to know. But, how do you mean? Surely, you have been away before?"

"Well, to Point Pleasant, and camping out by the lakes and hiking. Oh! And let's not forget Hawaii! That was the first time I was ever overseas. And … wow! That was amazing, just the two of us. It was so romantic at that couples' resort, and was I afraid to think about it too much, although I kept wondering when the blissful feelings would stop. Was it real? Your face, your touch, your loving was so intense. They were real. I saw love, but was scared that it was just part of the plan or cover, to get The Rug and his wife. I was so mesmerised by your real face, your eyes especially, like I see now, my Carlos. I couldn't help myself. When we did that commitment ceremony, I felt so wonderful and elated. It was overwhelming. Part of me never wanted it to end. It was like we were in a happy blissful bubble. And then Morelli had to go and spoil it all."

She sighed wistfully and then did that cute little frown with her lips twisted. She blew a wayward curl off her face.

I was lying on my side watching her, gently stroking her from shoulder to hip, as she made those cute expressions on her face with each changing thought. Her smile was radiant remembering those special times in Hawaii. I too sighed, remembering that wonderful, memorable week of love and total liberation. She was absolutely right. I felt it so strongly, and wanted to just forget about that skip, and live in the moment. Just to be with her. Craving. Desire. Love. Being so far away from Trenton, and that Burg, made me want things. Want more. Want more with Stephanie, not just the stolen kisses in the alley and that one memorable night of wondrous passion. She ruined me for all other women. And to think I thought at the time, if I had her, just once, I would get her out of my system and be able to move on. But it was the total opposite. I was such a fool. I had seriously underestimated the impact she had made upon me.

From the moment we arrived at the couples' retreat, a luxurious five star resort, I had this wild sensation as soon as I unlocked the door to our very private bungalow. It felt so overwhelming, especially that particular moment when I put the rings on her finger, kissing the rings once they were in place. Stephanie went all quiet.

"We have to be Mr and Mrs Manoso," I said, to explain. "They're real," I reassured her, "especially chosen for you."

She gasped, not at the beautiful rings, but at my reaction, the reverence and sheer love I showed, and my voice slightly husky with this new emotion. I felt this strong surge of overwhelming longing for her, for this to be real. That was a most wonderful week, just the two of us, so magical and romantic. Then, when we had the rings blessed for the commitment ceremony in renewing our vows, I felt it even more intensely. Stephanie did too.

But like she said, Morelli fucked that up with his unexpected arrival. And just like that, the moment was gone. It was never spoken of again.

Coming down to Miami, with the difference in climate alone, has brought a new glow about her. Okay, smug I can be, in admitting that I could be solely responsible for that glow. But the escape away from all that miserable cold and all that noxious bullshit, that had a lot to do with it too.

In saying that, the escape also had a profound effect on me as well. Profound for us both, yes. I rarely take time off for holidays or vacations. I usually combine any such visit with work, like when I make sure to visit Julie when I pop down to Miami. It was always work more than pleasure. Rangeman has been a driving force and I am glad to say that from an initial business concept, Rangeman has become so much more, and, most importantly with a solid team of fine Rangemen. With Stephanie coming up on my radar, I sensed a change in dynamics.

Stupidly I was protecting my heart, citing those dumb disclaimers on "I don't do relationships". What a lot of bullshit! Pfft. Both of us were afraid of being hurt if either of us was to take that leap of faith and declare our love or make that commitment. We were both at fault. Now, we look back and shake our heads in dismay at our own stupidity. But, perhaps we needed to go through that process to finally come together like this. What we have now is beyond expectations. We have reflected and laughed over that so many times.

"I think I lost you there, somewhere, Carlos."

She kissed me lightly on the lips, just a whisper soft kiss. I sighed contentedly. I never believed I would ever be worthy of something special like this.

The need to touch her was something I felt more when we were close to each other. She closed her eyes with a contented look on her face.

"I think it's time, Carlos."

"Time? Time for what?"

My mind was racing with so many pleasurable pursuits and possibilities, all of which were leaning to more lustful activities and adventures. I reminisced on just this morning's playtime. In fact, each day was filled with lustful activities and plenty of playtimes. I can't seem to get enough of her. I know I once said to her that I could ruin her for all other men. Well, she did the same for me, total ruination for all other women, without any of my deliberate pressure and seduction routine. I only have eyes for Stephanie. My heart and soul belong to her.

Her eyes were still closed and she was smiling, when a little playful hum emerged. I did not see this coming, so she caught me completely unawares.

"Time, eh?"

"Mm. Yes."

"And what time is that?"

"Time for us to get married."

"Really?"

I grinned and I'm sure it was a thousand watts or more, going by her reaction. I took her lips in a tantalising kiss plundering her mouth with exuberance. I was so happy. I would have been happy to stay engaged but I really wanted to do the whole engaged and be married thing.

Her blue eyes sparkled with joy.

"Yes, Carlos. I think we should get married. Here. In Miami. I can't think of a better place. No one at all from the Burg. Just us and our closest Rangeman friends Tank, Lester, Bobby and Hector."

Our make-out session was getting very hot and intense. I scooped her up, stood her on her feet, keeping her steady. I shook our towels while she grabbed her beach bag, donning her sexy sarong before we raced back to our room at the beachside villa, to celebrate. Oh, what a wonderful night. All our nights are special but that one was particularly romantical.

The following day I made the arrangements and before the week was out, our friends arrived. We were married on a private beach, one late afternoon, with the promise of a peaceful balmy sunset. It was simple yet romantic with our bare feet in the sand.

Her dress was gorgeous. She wore a white sun dress that showed off her long legs, made of a wispy flowing fabric with double shoestring straps that criss-crossed low in her back. She was tanned and toned and the dress highlighted that. Her pretty barefoot sandals were delicate and bejewelled with Swarovski crystals, little pearls, and turquoise beads. Her hair was in a lovely up do, as she calls it, with some of her full curls cascading down from a crystal covered slide. I had bought her a stunning, yet delicate, white gold and turquoise necklace with matching teardrop earrings and bracelet. In her hand she held a single white orchid with trailing stems of silvery blue eucalyptus leaves and a delicate spray of tiny white flowers. As she walked towards me, arm in arm with Hector, she was breathtaking. Her smile was radiant. Hector too. He kissed her on each cheek before giving her to me.

"Hermano," he said, his voice deep with pride and happiness.

The celebrant made it all official. We kept it traditional yet simple, adding our own vows. The guys took photos and the celebrant took our group photos with the sunset starting to happen. Afterwards we all enjoyed a delicious wedding supper at the hotel by the pool of our private bungalow. There were lots of sparkling white party lights all around us. We laughed so much sharing funny stories. This special evening was relaxing, and festive with an ambient atmosphere, the lights reflecting and shimmering in the water. It was a wonderful evening and Stephanie was glowing. She was so beautiful, I was completely entranced. The guys said their goodnights leaving us to walk into our private bungalow. Of course, they were off to celebrate further. So were we, but in quite a different manner.

Before they were to return to Trenton, we spent a day on the water with them, on a lovely yacht, a motor yacht, with all the toys including inflatables, jet skis and snorkelling equipment. It was a fun and relaxing day, fully catered with a captain and crew. The guys needed that too before returning to Trenton.

After lunch, as a special surprise for Stephanie, they wore their prized Budgie Smugglers. Of course, I had on my Sex Panther, which Stephanie loves, always making that sexy little growl when she says it. The guys proudly paraded their swimmers. It was hysterical. Stephanie was delighted that they dared to wear them. We indulged her with one group photo, side by side, from behind. Too much information otherwise. She was sworn to secrecy. She couldn't stop giggling.

They would do anything for her. She has brought so much joy into their lives too. To see these big guys, hardened soldiers and a former gangbanger, laughing so heartily was testimony to that. The ripple effect as she entered Rangeman, especially on the fifth floor was quiet astounding. Ella and Luis pointed it out. None of us had ever seen Hector smile, ever. But Stephanie somehow made everyone feel special and important, valued and appreciated. She demonstrated this so many times in defending our integrity and reputation against negative remarks. A perfect example of this was Morelli with his "thugs and criminals" routine really got to her. Her friends at the TPD trusted her judgment and accepted her perspective, contrary to Morelli's disparaging jealous and snide rhetoric.

I got a nudge. Okay, okay. She grinned at me.

As each of them strutted past, with a towel wrapped around their hips, one by one they revealed their designs with various dance moves, a shimmy or a bit of twerking. Tank had the Black Mamba, Hector had Passionfruit, Lester had Hot Chilli Peppers and surprisingly, Bobby had the cute Rubber Duckies! Not to be left out, Stephanie had her Purrfect Pussycat Leopard print triangle bikinis with those tempting side ties. Hm-mm. After a plunge in the crystal clear waters, we did agree, there was no drag. Those Aussie swimmers had a point there. Lester and Hector discussed the option of skinny dipping … definitely no drag there! The conversation deteriorated from there. But since we were not competing or swimming laps, we decided to change back after drying off but Stephanie kept hers on. At beer o'clock, we were back in our board shorts!

The hatch where they stored the jet skis was amazing, as it lifted up to reveal them neatly stored within. Riding around the bays was so much fun. It was exhilarating. We had all the time in the world. Stephanie laughed, "Boys with their toys." But she enjoyed the ride, holding tightly on to me. I tried to shake her off but she had a firm grip, those thighs too.

It was an invigorating time for all of us. The day was relaxed and lots of fun and time to chat. No talking shop. Snorkelling with Lester and Bobby as her buddies was entertaining. She was comfortable in the water and dived down easily, looking around and under the reef ledges. Lester had taken photos. She looked like a mermaid with her streaming around her head so beautifully. Lazing on the inflatables or that big flat floatie mat was just what we needed. Note to myself: include down time like this with the important people in our life. It was like team building. Soon that would be easily come to fruition.

So … It wasn't a secret, our marriage, but we all agreed that the Burg had no business in knowing. Need to know basis … they didn't need to know. We would make it known to the people who counted. Waving goodbye to our friends as they ventured back north to Trenton, we then made our way south for our honeymoon.

oOo

TBC

Sigh. So, a bit more backstory for you all. My Muse has some more to come in the next and final chapter. Only 13 chapters, remember. I was so pleased with your delight in the Helen smackdown.

Happy Easter to you all. Have a safe and happy Easter celebration whether you are travelling or like us, on a staycation. Peace and love to you all.

Be safe, keep well and stay connected.