Chapter 8

Stephanie's POV

Marco and I hit the gym at Uncle Sam's house. I stripped down to my bra and boy brief panties before punching the bag. Marco stopped me within a few minutes to tape my hands. "Thanks," I mumbled before continuing. I couldn't get over my anger. Sensing what I needed, Marco moved me to the mats. After taping his hands, we sparred.

I gave Lester and Tank enough time to drive Ranger and Bobby back to Trenton before calling Tank. "Hello," Tank said when he answered the phone.

"Hey, Big Guy," I greeted. I could tell from his reply that he was happy to hear my voice. "Did Lester and Ranger get back?"

"Give me a minute to check the camera feed," Tank replied. I heard him clicking away on the keyboard before saying, "They just pulled into the Rangeman garage. Both men are here."

I sighed in relief. "Thank you. Marco and I can come home now. We wanted to make sure Ranger couldn't follow us." Tank laughed which was music to my ears. He had a sexy laugh.

We talked for a few minutes before it was time for me to go home. "When are you moving back to Trenton?" Tank asked.

"Soon. Marco and I bought a house. It closes in two weeks," I replied.

"Your mother called Rangeman again. She wants to know when we'll bring you home," Tank said. I wondered why she thought I worked out of town for Rangeman. "Little One, please don't be mad. Lester, Bobby and I told your mom that we sent you to Miami to train the men on searches."

"She probably thought I should have come home months ago. How did you explain my extended leave?" I wondered.

"We said the men in Miami decided to teach you self defence." I laughed after he answered my question. He's not exactly lying because I did get training. "Your dad never called."

"Because he knows where I am and who is keeping me company," I said.

"Frank knows his son is alive?" Tank asked. I couldn't stop the laughter from erupting because my dad and Uncle Sam hatched the plan to keep my brother safe. "Don't answer that, Little Girl." My man figured it out for himself.

"Smart man. I should call dad. He can get mom to stop calling," I said. "Oh. Sorry for cutting our conversation short, but Marco's ready to leave. I have to return Uncle Sam's sat phone."

"Take care, Little girl. Let me know when you get home," Tank said.

"Sure, Big guy. I know you'll worry until I'm home safe. Love you," I replied. I heard him gasp before I hung up. Marco was smiling when I returned Uncle Sam's phone. "Why are you grinning like a lunatic? You're scaring me."

"You told Pierre that you loved him," Marco replied. I thought about the end of our conversation. Marco was right. I told Tank that I loved him. Those words used to be difficult for me to say, but I had no problems saying them to Tank. My brother remained silent as we got into the car. He waited until we took the onramp to the highway before asking, "Do you love Pierre Sherman?"

I thought for a few minutes before replying, "Yes. I'm not sure when it happened. We've talked every night for the past few months. I guess it was a natural progression."

"He's a good man, Steph. Do I need to tell him what I'll do if he hurts you?" Marco asked.

"Probably not, but it wouldn't hurt to remind him," I joked. We laughed for a few minutes. "I wonder how many Merry Men will give him the shovel talk."

"You can count on Hector, Ramos, Ram, Bobby, Lester, Hal, Charlie, Hawk, Uncle Sam and dad to threaten Tank." I shook my head because men were weird.

As I dialled dad's number, Marco's phone rang in my hand. "Hello."

"Hi, pumpkin. How are you and Marc?" Dad asked. I put the phone on speaker for Marco to hear both sides of the conversation.

"We're good," Marco and I replied.

"It makes me happy to hear you both together. Can you meet me for breakfast at the IHOP?" he asked. Mmm… pancakes. Dad and Marco laughed. I must have said that aloud.

"Sure, dad," Marco replied. "At 0700?"

"Yes. My usual fare is out of town. See you tomorrow," dad said and hung up.

Since it was late, we stopped at McDonalds to buy dinner. Marco parked in the hidden garage when we got home. I collected the garbage while Marco grabbed our travel bag. He disarmed the security system and took our clothes to the laundry room. I engaged the alarm before tossing the trash. We were locked away in the safety of the hideaway.

When I reached for Marco's phone to call Tank, he shook his head and gave me an iPhone. "I asked Hector to get this for you," Marco explained. "It isn't linked to Rangeman."

I hugged Marco and replied, "Thank you." My phone turned on and asked me to set up facial recognition. After setting up the phone using Hector's recommendation, I went to my bedroom to call my man.

"Hello?" Tank asked.

"Hey, Big guy," I replied. "Copy my number to your phone. Marco bought me a new phone."

"Have you programmed my number?" Tank asked. "I'm saving your number as MLG." Before I asked what the acronym meant, he said, "My Little Girl." Following his cue, I programmed his as MBG.

"So, how angry was Ranger?"

Tank's POV

I laughed when Stephanie asked about Ranger. "Fit to be tied," I replied. "Ranger learned that Jeanne Ellen withheld important information from the intel. The General recommended they should approach the wife. Jeanne Ellen ignored the advice and moved in on the husband. Cortez wasn't as smitten with Jeanne Ellen as she indicated."

"Are you saying that Jeanne Ellen was responsible for their mission failure?" Stephanie intuitively asked. Jeanne Ellen had an overinflated sense of importance.

"Yes. Jeanne Ellen always thought she was more important and talented than the Rangers. Lester, Bobby and I refused to participate in any missions involving Burrows," I confessed. Every mission I got assigned that involved Jeanne Ellen was FUBAR'd.

"Hmmm," Stephanie said. She didn't elaborate on what crossed her mind. I told Stephanie that I loved her too, but she got lost in her thoughts. "Did you say something?"

"Yes, Little Girl. I said that I love you too," I repeated. I heard Stephanie suck in a breath. I've loved her since the moment we met at the redecorating job. Stephanie didn't judge me for throwing the crackhead out the third-floor window.

Our first surveillance shift got her bombed by the druggie. Thank goodness the crackhead blew apart, or I would have killed him with my bare hands. Nobody hurts my Little Girl and lives to tell the story. We talked for another hour before Stephanie stopped talking, and I heard her soft snores. I laughed before hanging up. Setting my phone on my nightstand, I closed my eyes and smiled as I fell asleep.

My dreams felt real. Stephanie was kissing my face. She lightly kissed my lips, and I returned the kiss with fervour. I felt her press her toned body against mine. Her fingernails scratched over my nipples, causing me to wake up. "How did you get here?" I asked, staring into the blue eyes I wanted to see the most.

"Hector. I couldn't sleep," Stephanie replied. "He told me you were at home."

"How did you get past the cameras?" I asked. She raised both eyebrows and shrugged. Hector obviously helped her get past the external security and alarm pad.

"Are you complaining?"

"No, Little Girl, I am not complaining. I had a wonderful dream about you," I said. She giggled as she ground into my erection. I moaned as she pulled her shirt over her head. Her perfectly toned body was on display. "You're beautiful."

"So are you, Big guy," she replied. I placed my hands on her face to kiss her. She smelled of strawberries and coconut. Her mouth opened when I touched her upper lip with my tongue. I nearly came in my boxer shorts when she moaned. "It's been a long time, Pierre," Stephanie said when she broke the kiss.

"For me too," I confessed. I haven't had sex since I broke up with Lula. "I'm clean, but we'll use protection." Stephanie nodded as I rolled her onto her back. I reached into my nightstand, grabbed a couple of condoms and tucked them under my pillow. Stephanie's hands went into the elastic of my boxer shorts and moved them down my legs. I felt her toe hook into the waistband to push down my body. Her hand stroked me as I took a few deep breaths to stop myself from coming in her hand.

"Don't keep me waiting, Pierre," Stephanie purred. I kissed her face and found the spot behind her ear that increased her moans. She let me mark her skin as I sucked. "Get in me now," she demanded.

I grabbed a condom, ripped open the package and sheathed myself in the latex before plunging into her tight body. "Stephanie," I groaned. I gave her time to acclimate to my size, but she wasn't willing to wait. Unable to control ourselves, I slammed into her until she screamed my name. Her walls tightened on my penis, pulling me over the edge. I emptied myself into her body and collapsed while saying her name.

"Thank you, Pierre. I feel better now," Stephanie said.

"Me too," I admitted. "But I'm not done."

"Neither am I," she purred. We spent the next few hours taking pleasure from each other. I was more in love with her after connecting physically. "I love you more," Stephanie surprised me by saying.

"You spoke my thoughts," I confessed.

She laughed before stating, "I guess I have ESP after all." Stephanie thought for a few minutes before adding, "However, you and I could always read each other's thoughts." I changed the bandage on Stephanie's shoulder. She didn't complain when I put the antibiotic gel on the wounds. "Thank you, Pierre." I kissed her shoulder before kissing her lips. She cuddled into me and sighed in content.

We quietly talked for a few minutes before going to sleep. Stephanie told me that she wasn't on birth control, but she would fix that before moving into her house. I had never met a woman as responsive as Stephanie during sex. She ruined me for all women. If she'd let me, I would marry her tomorrow. I spooned behind Stephanie, pulling her ass until it rested against my pelvis. God, this woman is amazing.

"I'm not getting married, Pierre," Stephanie whispered. I stiffened from her words. She didn't want to marry me. "It's too soon. I'm not saying we would never get married. I meant we are not getting married tomorrow."

"How did you know what I was thinking?" I asked.

"My spidey sense was screaming. I swear I can hear every thought pass through your mind when you think about me," Stephanie sleepily said.

"Go to sleep, baby. I love you," I said.

"You too, my gentle giant. I love you too," she replied. I kissed the top of her head as she fell asleep. When her breaths evened, I heard a soft snore. I closed my eyes and let the sandman do his job. As I drifted into the land of sleep, I wondered how Ranger could love her and send her back to Morelli. The man was a fool for marrying Jeanne Ellen, but a bigger fool for hurting Stephanie. I couldn't get enough of this woman.

I woke up the following morning alone in my bed. When I searched my home, I discovered Stephanie had left during the night. I was disappointed to find Stephanie had gone without waking me up. I entered the washroom to shave and shower when I noticed the note taped to the mirror.

Big Guy, my wonderful Gentle Giant.

I'm not running away. I had to get home to prepare for my day. My brother and I are meeting our father for breakfast. I forgot until Marco sent me a text asking where I went. He picked me up and I got Hector to scramble your cameras. Since you had today off, I assumed you'd want to sleep in because I kept you awake. Have a wonderful day. The soreness between my legs will remind you where you were all night.

Love you ;)

It wasn't a dream. I laughed at the closing sentence. Stephanie wasn't the only one experiencing pain. My balls hurt from contracting so much. I've never had sex six times in one night before last night. I felt myself harden as I thought about licking her folds and sucking on her clit.

My shower was ice cold, yet the temperature didn't ease the problem. I took matters into my hand as I groaned Stephanie's name. It would be the first time I thought about the curly-haired, blue-eyed beauty in my shower. Seeing her firm, and sexy body was awe inspiring. She worked hard to tone her muscles during the past six months. The woman was going to be the death of me.

I got to work for my afternoon shift grinning as I remembered my night with Stephanie. Ranger raised an eyebrow but didn't ask why I was smiling. It took Lester an hour to enter my office to ask, "Well, did you and Beautiful hookup?"

Lester was a nosy bastard. He enjoyed gathering intel on the Rangeman employees. I couldn't stop the grin from appearing on my face. He correctly read my expression before saying, "If you pull the same shit on her as Ranger, I will kill you slowly and feed you to the sharks."

"Understood," I replied as he left my office. Bobby was the next person to enter my office. I sighed as he also threatened bodily harm if I hurt Stephanie. In all honesty, I was only worried about Ranger and Lula's reactions. I wanted to get Lula out of the way.

"Hey, Tankie," Lula answered when I called.

"Hi, Lu. I have to tell you something, but I'm not sure how you will react," I said.

Lula laughed before she surprised me by saying, "You've finally extracted your head from your ass and told White Girl that you love her."

"How did you know?" I asked.

"Tank, you and I were never meant to be together. Heck, you wouldn't even tell me your first name. But White Girl already knows. I knew you loved her for a long time. You're not breaking my heart. You treat my girl right, or I'll castrate you," Lula said.

I laughed until I heard her growl. Lula was serious. "Okay, I've got it, Lula. If I hurt your friend then you'll remove the family jewels," I reiterated.

"You got it, Tankie. When is our girl coming home? Vinnie is on the warpath, and Connie misses our girl talk," Lula wondered.

"Soon, Lu. I'll tell her you were asking about her," I offered.

"You do that," Lula said before hanging up. I chuckled, thinking about how ending the call without saying goodbye would irritate Stephanie.

I sent Stephanie a text, letting her know that I talked to Lu. She'll understand who I'm talking about. Within a minute, Stephanie replied, "Thx BG.