A/N: I hope you all enjoy this chapter. A lil bit of smut towards the end. Please let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Surefire by John Legend
"Cause I may not know a lot of things but
I feel it in my chest
Know I won't let the blue flame die
We can't lose hope just yet
'Cause it's once, just once in a lifetime
And we're scared to love but it's alright
I may not know a lot of things but
I know that we're surefire, yeah
Know that we're surefire, yeah"
Defining Moments
Chapter 22: Full of Love
Steph's POV
Carlos and I continue our exploring on the dance floor. My panties are ruined at this point, and his hand slides down my leg and back up again, his palm skimming over my butt and landing at the small of my waist. He pulls me closer and bumps his hips against mine. I let out a small groan and he pulls back. His pupils are completely dilated and his breathing is a bit labored. He rests his forehead against mine and we relax against each other like that for a moment. Of course, Lester can't leave us alone for long. He comes up from behind and slaps Ranger on the back.
"Finally got your head outta your ass, huh?" Les asks with a grin. I bite my lip to keep from laughing. I've never seen anyone speak to him like this. Thankfully, both Carlos and I have...calmed down. Carlos steps back and eyes Lester.
"Lester," Carlos says with a nod. Lester just rocks back on his heels and grins.
"Come on primo, you can't hog her all night. This is her night!" Les says punching him playfully on the shoulder. My eyes go wide and I look back and forth between the two. I must say I've never seen this dynamic before.
"Watch it, cousin," Carlos all but growls as he pulls me into his side. His hand trails up and down my bare shoulder causing a fire to race up my skin.
"Don't be a party pooper, Ric," Lester whines. I roll my eyes. Carlos looks down at me and presses a kiss to my forehead.
"You're right. Let's go say hi to everyone," Carlos says and we head to the outdoor seating area. I'm surprised to see most of the crew sitting back down. Only Sally is missing. All of the girls are grinning at me. I force myself to leave his side and go take a seat in between Mary Lou and Connie. I don't want to be away from Carlos considering it took us this long to finally admit our feelings for each other.
"Girl, the heat you two are admitting could set this place on fire!" Mary Lou exclaims, "plus you two were putting on quite the show." Connie nods in agreement, and I blush.
"He came in and admitted he's been stupid, said he wants a relationship with me and said that he loves me," I divulge with a giddy smile. They both squeal. We're busy chatting when someone clears their throat. Carlos is standing with a glass of champagne raised. One of the waiters passes out a glass of bubbly for the rest of us.
"Good evening everyone, I apologize for missing dinner. I'm happy to be here now. I just wanted to say Congratulations to Stephanie. I always knew you'd make your dreams come true. I'm so proud of you, Babe!" Carlos lifts the glass and we all take a sip.
"And, just so everyone knows-I love you, Stephanie Michelle Plum," Carlos continues. I swear my jaw hits the floor at his admission. Mary Lou nudges me to stand. Carlos holds out his hand and I take it. He pulls me to him and lays a steamy kiss on me. Our friends hoot and holler. I'm too tipsy to care. I can't believe Carlos Mañoso just admitted in front of everybody that he loves me. We break apart but he keeps an arm around me. I'm not sure if it's the alcohol, my supportive friends, or Carlos' arm around me but I'm full with a nice warm feeling. I snuggle into Carlos and squelch a yawn. He looks down at me and chuckles.
"Are you ready to get home?" he asks, his lips skimming the shell of my ear. I nod, my eyelids suddenly feeling like a thousand pounds. A quick glance shows the rest of the group is about ready to go as well. We file out and into the Hummer. I'm surprised when Carlos comes in after me. He sits down and pulls me on to his lap. He draws lazy circles on my thigh on the ride back. I never knew he'd be so publicly affectionate. I must say, I don't mind. I see Lula and Tank cuddled close, Xandra is sitting on Bobby and it looks like they're ready to get a room. Surprisingly, Connie and Lester are looking close as they chat. I hope he doesn't break her heart. Quinn, Mary Lou, Sally and the rest of the Merry Men are chatting. I smile at the scene around me and the wonderfully warm man behind me. He smells good too. I turn my head and my nose skims Carlos' neck. I inhale his unique smell. I love the Bvlgari soap he uses. The limo stops and Mary Lou is the first off the party car. She gives me a hug and promises to call in the morning. Next stop, the hotel for Quinn and Xandra. I'm unsurprised to see Bobby get off with her. I feel Ranger's lips on my ear.
"Babe, will you stay on seven with me tonight?" he asks before clarifying, "just to sleep." I turn my head and meet his lips with mine.
Before I know it, we're outside of RangeMan. I assume the limo idles at the curb due to the nightmare it would be getting out of the parking garage. Carlos gets out before me and then helps me down. The Merry Men trail behind us as we head into the building. Carlos' arm is draped over my shoulders. I lean into him on the elevator ride up. It's been so long since I've been up to his apartment. The guys say goodnight as they get off on five. We step out on seven and he unlocks his apartment. I don't know why I'm surprised he keeps his door locked in this secured building. He opens the door and everything looks the same. He drops his keys in the bowl beside his door. Carlos heads to the kitchen and pours two glasses of water. I follow behind him. He hands one to me and smiles softly. His hair has come loose and is hanging around his face. His eyes are like melted caramel chocolate.
"Look, Babe, I just want to be clear. I only ever met with Jeanne Ellen for the mission. I cannot stand her, and I just want to make sure you have no doubts," he informs me as he leans against the counter. I take my own sip of water to stall as I'm not sure what to say. Seeing him with Jeanne Ellen had been the catalyst to me saying no more to my mediocre life. While I was once intimidated by her, I know who I am now. She's still gorgeous sure, but Ranger has never lied to me, and I don't think he'd start now.
"Thank you for telling me that," I say looking up at him. I move closer to him and he puts a hand on mine.
"Look, Stephanie, I will be trying my best to be open with you. It's not my strong suit so you might have to remind me every now and then," he explains pressing a kiss on my neck. He sets our glasses down. He puts his hands around my waist and sets me on the counter. His hands skim my rib cage and his thumb flicks right over my nipple. I don't have time to wonder how he knew exactly where it was under the fabric of my dress. I moan as he does it again. He pulls back and rests his forehead against mine. His breathing is uneven.
"Babe, you drive me crazy with the slightest touch," he admits as he lays a trail of kisses from my temple, behind my ear lobe, down my neck, and on my shoulder. I moan as I wrap my legs around his waist. He carries us to the bedroom where he lays me down on his heavenly bed. He dips his head for another kiss. Our tongues tangle, and I writhe beneath him. He says I do something to him, well it's no secret he does something to me. His hand slides up my thigh and he pushes my dress up further. Carlos nibbles my lip and pulls back.
"Babe, I want to do this right. I want to woo you and take you on dates," he admits as his finger traces the edge of my panties. I let out a little moan.
"Ra-Carlos, we can do this right," I say as I struggle to maintain my composure, "but maybe we don't have to do it in the right order? I mean look at our relationship so far." He flashes a grin at me.
"Well, the part of me being an opportunist is still true," he replies as his fingers slip in my panties. He uses two fingers to stroke my wet folds.
"Dios Babe," he groans, "you're so wet." I moan as he pushes one finger inside of me. I wriggle underneath him. He adds a second finger and pumps in and out of me. He leaves a trail of hot kisses down my neck and follows the line of my v-neck. He grips the edge of my dress with his teeth and pulls the fabric over my breast even as he continues pumping in and out of me. His lips close around my nipple and my hips buck forward. He's driving me crazy. His tongue swirls around the pebbled peak and then he uses his teeth to graze my sensitive bud. He pumps his fingers faster and then uses his thumb to put pressure on my clit. I can't stop the moans as he continues his ministrations.
"Carlos," I pant as he brings me close to the edge, "I need you, please." He looks up at me with his dark eyes and he smiles. He continues at a faster pace and claims my lips in a passionate kiss. His tongue exploring my mouth. He takes his free hand and pinches my nipple between his fingers. He increases the pressure on my clit and rolls my nipple again. He continues until I'm a writhing mess before the combination drives me over the edge. I grip his shoulders as my hips continue bucking underneath him.
"Carlosss!" I moan as I reach the peak and one final pump pushes me over the edge. I'm trembling as he slides his fingers from me. I open my eyes and watch as he takes his drenched fingers and puts them in his mouth to suck them clean.
"Mmm, my favorite dessert," he says in a husky voice before he leans over and presses a kiss to my lips. I sigh in contentment. This is the first social orgasm I've had in...oh god...over a year. I push Carlos over and straddle his hips. I grab the edge of his sweater and start pulling it over his head. I throw his sweater to the floor and lean down to press a trail of kisses over his collar bone, his chest, belly button, and stomach. He groans underneath me and grips my arms. I duck my head back and claim his lips with mine. I use my nails and skim down the sides of his body. It works as intended as goosebumps break out. I smile and lean down to press kisses on his chest. I slide down and begin undoing the button on his pants. He helps me slide his pants all the way down. I'm not disappointed to find him commando and standing to attention. I press a kiss at the base of his shaft and he groans. I cup his sack in one hand, and I use my other one to guide him into my mouth. He moans in pleasure as I take him as deep as I can. I bob up and down using my tongue to drive him crazy. He hisses as my tongue strokes him. I can tell he's close. He grabs my arm and pulls me up his body. He flips us so he's on top. He stands for a moment and helps unzip my dress and slide my panties off. He presses a kiss to my lips.
"Are you sure you're ready?" he asks, his eyes warm and probing.
"Yes," I respond, laying back on the bed and pulling him on top of me. He sheathes himself with a condom before positioning over my entrance. He captures my lips in a kiss, and I tilt my hips up, allowing him to enter me in one smooth motion. I gasp as I adjust to his size. He stills immediately and his knuckles turn white as he grips the sheets.
"Carlos," I whisper in a breathy moan. I can't help my hips from starting to move on their own accord. I have one hand at the small of his back and the other wrapped around his bicep. He brushes a stray piece of hair out of my eyes and kisses my lips tenderly. He draws his hips back, pulling almost all the way out before thrusting into me again. I grip onto him as he begins a fast pace.
"Oh yes, yes," I moan as he continues. He moves his hand down to and presses on my clit as he continues driving me home.
"Cum with me, Babe," he groans as he thrusts deeper into me. My hand grabs his butt and my nails dig in as he goes even faster.
"CarlosCarlosCarlos," I chant as I near the edge. I reach down to squeeze his sack and we both explode together. I see stars behind my eyelids. He's covered by a sheen of sweat as he rests against me. The weight of him feels nice. I sigh contentedly and press a kiss to his chest. He rolls over and disposes of the condom.
"Mmm, that was nice," I purr as I stretch. Nothing like two Ranger induced orgasms. Top it off with love and life really can't get better. Carlos lays his head on the pillow and wraps an arm around me so I'm pressed against his side.
"Babe," he sighs, "I'll never get enough of you. I love you." I smile.
"I love you too," I reply. I've never been one to say I love you so easily, but with him, it does come easily.