Hi. Remember me? I bet you do along with the promise to put something out by New Years... And here we are a week later.

I know excuses are like armpits... but I'm going to give it anyway to anyone who actually reads these. Work was wild (and is finally slowing down next week... thank God!) and I had writer's block like nobody's business. See, I have this story that is formulating in my head and it won't go away. I tried to do two stories at once and didn't like it, so I'll finish this one (and I WILL finish it. I hate leaving things unfinished), then post the next one. Problem is... it won't shut up. Which makes it very hard to think about anything else (i.e. this story). So I think I'll start formulating the next story and hopefully that'll help. Keep your fingers crossed.

Not mine. I just own the words that the I make them say, not the characters that Janet so graciously lets us twist and turn like pretzels.

Ranger's POV

The moment I walked onto the floor, silence followed me. Most of the men stared, but a brave few nodded their head to me in greeting.

Fear and respect. Here, I had them in spades.

Tank was waiting outside the conference room. "Just in time for the meeting."

"I never miss one."

"I know that. But I thought with the circumstances…"

My eyebrow rose.

"Dude, you did your own version of the walk of shame."

Jesus. Did I live in a frat house? "Can we get down to business now?"

"I thought you already did that?" Lester asked, poking his head out the door.

I sighed and rolled my eyes in my head. Doing it outwardly would definitely shock the men.

"In." I barked to the men. They paled slightly and followed my orders. When the rest of the crew settled, I motioned for them to begin.

Each man took their turn talking about the FTA pickup, Hal's condition and when he could return to duty, the accounts, potential hot spots, and cases that the feds needed our help on. Things were running smoothly in every department down to Ella, who was bringing in sandwiches.

"Questions?"

I sighed again when Lester raised his hand. "How was it? Is she a ten like I think she is?"

"Dismissed." I said, packing up my things. Most of the men moved.

Most, but not Lester.

"Come on, one detail? One tiny detail?"

"The bedroom is in the back of the house. Go."

Lester waited till we were alone. "Not cool dude."

"Don't call me dude. And I'm not telling you anything."

"Why not? I tell you everything."

"That's because you're a pig."

"You used to share."

That was true. I shared my conquests with the guys.

But that was before Stephanie. No one needed to know the details of my intimate night with her. "We're done here." I left the room.

Lester didn't follow, but Tank was waiting for me. I nodded him into my office. "Not you too." I said when I sat behind my desk.

"What?"

"I'm not sharing anything."

"Did I ask you to? Do you want me to share about Lula?"

I grimaced. No way was I asking about them. "So what do you want?"

"I want to make sure that you're remembering our conversation about her."

Tank was my best friend and I didn't appreciate him meddling in my life, but when he looked out for Stephanie like that, my respect for him rose.

"I'm not going to screw her and bolt. She's more than that."

"I was right. You do like her."

"Of course I like her. I don't sleep with people I don't like."

"Lest we forget Jeanne Ellen."

I shivered. "That was too many tequila shots and a mutual need to fuck."

"True. Man, that is one icy woman."

No arguments here.

"So? You're going to see her again, right?" Tank pushed.

"Jeez. Can't a guy go to work without being badgered about the woman he's seeing?"

"Not when it's Stephanie."

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Yes, I am. I was going to call her later and set something up."

"Be sure that you do." He got up and started to leave.

"She was perfect, you know."

Tank stopped and turned. "She's pretty perfect."

"Did you know that Dickie called her the ice queen?"

"Yeah, all because she wouldn't… you know." Tank looked uncomfortable. This was an awkward conversation as it is. We didn't need to talk about specifics.

I felt my fist clench. "Yeah, I know." If I ever ran into him, I was going to put him on the ground for her. I looked up at Tank and grinned. "Ice queen, my ass."

Tank grinned back. "Nice."

Stephanie's POV

"Hey Connie! Come look at Stephanie's face!" Lula shouted across the floor. There was a lull in the business and Lula wanted answers. "Girl, you got some last night!"

There was no denying it. My face was glowing with happiness and I couldn't get the grin to go away.

"Well? How was it?"

I continued to grin. Lula joined me. "Damn, girl."

"Did you find anything out?" Connie asked Lula.

"I was waiting for you! Took you long enough."

We both knew she was only a few seconds behind. Connie and I rolled our eyes at each other.

"Spill it girlfriend."

"I don't like to kiss and tell." I said, blushing.

"Shit, that's half the fun. If I was in a dry spell like you were… not that it would ever happen to me… I'd scream it from the rooftops."

She had a point. I did want to scream it from the roof.

And maybe take out a billboard.

I shook my head of those thoughts. "It was nice."

"Nice? Nice? Shit, that doesn't sound good. Either he has a small piece or he didn't know how to use it. Or both."

"What? No!"

"You say the painting was nice. Your sister is nice. You don't say that a night of hot, passionate lovemaking is nice."

She wasn't going to let it go. "Fine. It wasn't nice. It was the hottest, greatest night of my life. I lost count."

"Lost count?" Connie asked.

"She's talking about the big 'O'." Lula whispered.

"Jeez." Connie fanned herself.

"He's big right?"

"He gives the fireman from Magic Mike a run for his money."

"Wooow."

"That's what I'm talking about." Connie said. "Has he called yet?"

I shook my head. "Not yet."

"Don't worry, he will."

I grinned. "I know. He'll call." I said confidently. I paused. "Don't you have work to do?"

"Cocky, isn't she?" Lula said. "She gets one big cock in her and…"

"Stop." Connie said. "I got it."

Thank god. I didn't want to know where she was going to go with that. I shook my head of all lusty thoughts about Carlos and got back to work. I had to keep busy until lunch.

Easier said than done.

Three hours later, I was playing basketball with crumpled pieces of paper when my phone rang. I sat up and answered. "Hello?"

"Hey." Carlos.

"Hey." I said, softer.

"How are you doing?"

"Good. Keeping busy."

"Playing basketball?"

"You know me too well."

"I know paperwork too well. I just scored a three pointer."

I giggled. Carlos paused. "You're doing… okay, right?"

Now I smiled. "I'm just fine."

"I just want to make sure. I'm bigger than you're used to and it had been a while and I was a little rough so…"

"Oh my god, you're rambling."

He chuckled. "I guess I am, Babe." He paused, and then sighed. "I've never had this happen before."

"The rambling?"

"Feeling something… more."

"More?"

"More than I normally do. I can't walk away from you Stephanie. I don't want to."

"Good. Because I'd just chase you anyway."

"Good to know." I could hear the smile in his voice.

"Let me put you at ease. I'm fantastic. Last night was perfect. And…" I bit my lip and moved to close my door. "I liked it."

His voice dropped. "Liked what?"

I blushed. "You're going to make me say it, aren't you?"

"Yes."

I blew out a breath. "I liked that you were rough. It was… mind blowing."

"Good. And it was perfect."

I grinned. Payback was a bitch. "What was?"

He chuckled. "Last night… and you."

I bit my lip. "So what do you have planned for the rest of the day?"

We talked about our days. I had a meeting with my suppliers and he had a few with concerned clients as well as a few FTA's. He didn't have enough time to leave the office for lunch, so we put the phone on speaker and had one in our office.

It may not have been the best lunch date, but it was still pretty close to perfect.

"When can I see you again?" He asked when we finished lunch.

"How about tomorrow?"

"Six okay?"

"Perfect."

"Don't go crazy, Babe."

"Don't get shot, Batman."

He chuckled, then hung up. I was still smiling when my phone rang again.

"Stephanie, it's your mother."

"Hi, ma. I know. All phones have caller ID now."

"Don't sass me."

"What's up?" I asked, deciding to let it go.

"I was wondering when you'll be coming over for dinner again. We haven't seen you since Christmas."

"That was only two weeks ago. I'll be over soon."

"I'm making a roast tonight. And pineapple upside down cake."

My mouth watered. "Save me a piece. I can't come tonight."

"Oh. Is it your job?" She asked with a hint of disdain.

My eye twitched. "No, ma. I have a date."

She paused. "And he doesn't mind that you sell ladies panties?"

Nope. In fact he rather enjoyed the selection I picked out last night for my little show and tell hour. Not that I wanted to tell my mother that. "He likes that I have my own business."

"Well bring him over. We'd like to meet him."

"I think we already have plans." And if we didn't, I'd make sure we did.

"Fine. Bring him soon, then."

"Sure." When hell freezes over. "I'll be over soon, okay?"

"Okay. Let me know and I'll make your favorite meal."

Love you too, mom. "Will do."

We hung up. I think that was the first time since I opened my business that we didn't hang up after yelling at each other.

I probably made her happy when I told her I had a date. She'll be on cloud nine for a week. I'd rather her be happy that I was supporting myself and doing a damn good job with this store, but that was a long way away.

Still, it was progress. And that's all I can hope for.

So I know we all wanted this to be longer, but right now, something is better than nothing. I hope to make the next one longer. Please do me a solid and show me the love!