Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read and review this story over the holidays! I appreciate all of your comments and support very much and hope you enjoy the rest of the story!

Chapter Three

Stephanie returned home with two bags of groceries and a bottle of wine for dinner. The wine was for her husband. Joe liked to have wine with dinner. She would be having another bottle of water, what seemed like her fiftieth bottle that day if her trips to the bathroom were any indication.

She placed the bags of groceries on the counter and started removing items from the bags. She placed those items in the pantry, folded down the bags, and stored them under the sink. You never know when you might need a bag, her grandmother had always told her.

She was bent down, trying to make room in the cabinet under the sink when she felt something hard and warm press into her back. Two arms slid around her waist and she felt her nipples contract with pure excitement.

"You're home early," said Stephanie to Joe. She raised up and leaned back into him, giving his hands full access to her belly and breasts. He took advantage of this by sliding his hand under her shirt and rubbing her stomach in small soft circles before moving up to the base of her bra.

"I had other more important things to do than work, Cupcake," said Joe. He bent down and nibbled Stephanie's neck.

She let out a fierce moan.

"Would I happen to be one of these things?" she asked.

"Don't ever doubt it," Joe said and with one swift move he had rid her of her jacket, shirt and bra so that she was naked on top. Stephanie swiveled around to face him and watched as his eyes grew dark with desire. She tipped her chin up and kissed him, long and slow, enjoying the feel of his excitement pressed against her. She kissed his mouth and chin and neck. She rid him of his shirt and kissed his chest, working them both into a frenzy by the time she reached the waistband of his jeans.

Joe cupped her face and lifted her up to full height.

"Stephanie, I need to be inside you. Don't make me wait. I can't wait."

Joe lifted her up so that she was sitting on the edge of the sink.

"Here? Now? But I was just about to….."

Joe closed his eyes and groaned. His hands were clasped around the edges of her panties, trying to get them out of the way.

"Later, Cupcake. Right now, I want to feel you…all of you…wrapped around me."

He leaned in for another one of those heart stopping kisses. Stephanie felt her panties slide off her legs and land onto the floor, replaced by Joe's wonderfully skilled hands. He caressed the inside of her thighs, enjoying the moist hotness of her skin and the way her back arched when he brushed his fingers over her most sensitive areas. Stephanie locked her legs around his waist and pulled him to her. Knowing she was just as ready and desperate as he was, he slid into her, sheathing himself up to the hilt, and began a soft steady rocking motion that quickly sent them both spiraling over the edge of ecstasy.

They both clung to each other, their breathing shallow and rapid, when they were done.

"You're shaking," said Joe, pulling away only briefly to gauge the look on Stephanie's face. Her body was changing so rapidly, he was having a hard time keeping up. The idea that he might have hurt her while making love to her left him feeling sick inside. "Are you okay?"

Stephanie laughed, slightly amused and highly endeared by his concern for her and the baby. "I'm fine. In fact, I'm better than fine. I'm great! That was great! I'm just cold is all."

Joe picked up his tee shirt from the counter and dropped it over her head. Then he helped her to get down from the counter, collected their clothes, and settled Stephanie onto the couch while he ran them upstairs to the laundry basket. Stephanie was lounging on her side, snuggled up in a quilt, looking like she was ready for a nap.

"Can I get you something?" Joe said. "Water? Chips? We've got some pot pies in the freezer."

Stephanie smiled and let out a happy sigh. "I think I'm too tired to eat. I'm fine here. Sit down and watch TV and I'll make us some dinner when I wake up."

"I can't tell if that's a threat or a warning."

"It was….a warning…." Stephanie yawned and gave another smile. She was too sleepy to laugh. Already she was seeing weird images behind her closed eyes. "Remind me….to tell you….about Ranger…."

Having not had good things come from conversations about Ranger, this had Joe's curiosity on overload. He settled in beside Steph and tried to get her to say more but it was no use. She was already asleep.