Bang, bang, bang!!! "What the…?," I mumbled as I stood up from the couch where I had fallen asleep. "Who is knocking on my door this early in the morning?" I asked looking at Rex. "I'm coming, I'm coming," I grumbled. I wrapped a quilt around me because I looked down at myself and realized I was only wearing a tiny pink tank top and panties. I stumbled to my front door and opened it to find Lester wearing faded blue jeans, tennis shoes, a blue t-shirt, and a shiny black eye.

The anger I had felt towards Lester last night suddenly dissipated and I found myself moving towards him. "Oh my God, what happened?" I asked as I placed my hands gently on his handsome face.

Then, just as suddenly as my anger had dissipated it came back full force. I was now in complete bitchy mode and as I stepped back in to my apartment I could see the look of confusion on Lester's face.

"Can I come in?" he asked as he took a step forward.

"Sure," I stated as I took a step back into my apartment. I continued moving and walked into my kitchen to make coffee. After I dumped some coffee and water in the coffee maker I returned to the living room. What I found was Lester sitting on my couch and looking like a sad puppy dog. "Do you want some ice for your eye?" I asked. I might be mad at the guy, but I'm not heartless.

"No thanks. I already iced it earlier," he said while sitting up straighter. "Stephanie I think we need to talk."

"Alright," I answered while taking a seat at the other end of the couch.

"Did I do something to upset you Steph?" he asked in a quiet voice.

"What would make you think that?" I asked while turning my body on the couch towards him.

"Well, I got a 5am wake up call from Ric wanting to meet me in the gym. When I met him in the gym he tried to beat the shit out of me and told me that if I ever hurt you again I would end up in the hospital."

I looked down at the couch, unsure of what to say next. After all, I haven't even had my morning coffee yet.

"Steph?" Lester questioned while reaching over to touch my hand. I flinched away.

"You want a cup of coffee Les?"

"Sure," he said while following my into the kitchen.

I reached up to get two coffee cups down from the cabinet and turned to find Lester staring at the garbage can.

"I did piss you off," he said quietly while looking back up at me with those same sad puppy dog eyes.

"I went to a new club last night," I said quietly while keeping my eyes locked on his. "And I met a beautiful blonde named Veronica."

"Shit," Lester whispered while scrubbing a hand across his face.

"I'm sorry that Ric hurt you this morning," I continued. "I know we only went out one time, but Ric saw how upset I was last night and…." I stopped talking, unsure as to what to say next.

He took a step towards me, "I'm sorry you were upset. Veronica is someone I have dated on and off for awhile now."

"You can see anyone you want," I quickly said.

"But, I don't want to see anyone. I want to see you," he took another step towards me.

"Do you mean that," I whispered.

"Yes."

"Does Veronica know that?"

"She will."

"When," I asked while taking a step towards Lester and putting my arms around him. I allowed the quilt to drop to the floor and enjoyed the feeling of his warm skin against my bare arms.

"I'll meet her today for lunch and tell her," he answered while pulling me into a hug.

I placed my head against his chest and breathed in his scent. I just stood there enjoying this quiet moment with him.

"Steph?"

"Hmmm?"

"Since we're clearing things up I want to ask you a question."

"Hmmm?" I asked while snuggling deeper into his embrace.

He placed his chin gently on top of my head, "What's going on with you and Ranger?"

"We're friends," I answered.

"And does he know that?"

"Yes, he does," I replied while smiling and looking up into Lester's eyes.

"Well okay then," Les answered and hugged me even tighter.

LSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLS

Lester had gone off to clear things up with Veronica and we decided to meet up later for dinner. I had spent my morning drinking coffee and talking to Rex when there was a knock at my door. I smiled when I opened the door to a fresh boquet of sunflowers. The card read ---Baby, this is to replace the flowers from yesterday. A limo will be by to pick you up at 7, please pack an overnight bag----Les

By 6:55 I had given myself a pedicure, manicure, conditioned my hair, shaved and lotioned everything and was just putting the finishing touches on my outfit. I had chosen a flowing blue dress with short fluttery sleeves and a beautiful silky ribbon that tied at the waist. I had chosen to simply fluff my curls and wear lip gloss as my only hint of make up since Lester seemed to like it so much when I went without all the makeup and hair products. I was just doing up the buckle on my strappy sandals when I heard the knock at my door.

My breath caught in my throat when I saw Lester. He stepped into my apartment wearing charcoal grey slacks and a royal blue button up shirt. "Lester,…" I began.

"You look pretty hot yourself," Lester grinned back.

"Shall we?" he asked while extending out his arm so I could loop mine through it.

"Yes, we shall," I responded while picking up my clutch and overnight bag from the couch.

I couldn't believe my eyes when we stepped out into the cool evening air. "You rented a stretch limo," I asked immediately.

"Like it?" Lester asked while opening the door for me.

"Yeah," I responded while sliding in.

"It will take about an hour to get to where I'm taking you and I thought this would give us a chance to relax and get to know each other better," Lester stated while sliding in next to me and uncorking a bottle of champagne. He was able to open the bottle without either one of us losing an eye.

"Alright," I said while relaxing back against my seat with my glass of champagne in hand.

Lester moved to sit across from me so we were facing each other.

"Well, you know that I was born and grew up here," I said. "What about you, where did you grow up?"

Lester smiled and took a drink of his champagne," I was born and grew up in Miami."

"What brought you to New Jersey?" I asked while sliding my shoes off and getting more comfortable.

"Even though Ric and I both grew up in Miami we didn't meet until we were in the Army. When Ric started Rangeman he gave me a call and here I am."

"Do you go back to visit your family often?" I asked while sipping the last of my champagne and setting the glass down.

"I don't have any family left to visit," Lester said quietly while staring down at his glass of champagne.

"Oh," I responded just as quietly.

Lester looked up, "I don't have any brothers or sisters and my dad left when I was a baby. I don't know if he is dead or alive. My mother died while I was away on a mission."

I got up and sat next to him, putting my arms around him. He let his head fall onto my shoulder. "I'm so sorry Les, I never knew."

"It was all a long time ago, it's okay, he said while lifting his head and looking into my eyes. "Steph?"

"Yeah?"

"I think I'm falling for you."

"Me too," I breathed out.

"Really, you're falling for yourself?" Lester laughed loudly.

"Oh, haha," I stated while punching him in the shoulder.

While he was still laughing he caught my hand and pushed me back on the seat. I could feel the cool leather of the seat against the back of my arms. He leaned down and his beautiful hazel eyes met mine and instant before our lips met. I closed my eyes and placed one hand on the back of his neck, my other hand clutched onto his back, and I just enjoyed the feeling of Lester Santos kissing me.

Lester gently pulled away from me, "We're here Baby."

"Huh?" I asked completely confused.

"Where I was taking you beautiful. We're here."

LSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLSLS

Sorry it took so long to update---hope to have the next chapter up by the end of the week—also plan on having some good smut in the next chapter thanks for all the great reviews I really appreciate it---