I do not own these characters . They belong to Janet Evanovich. I know that Ranger and Steph got intimate quickly, but I wanted to establish a foundation for their relationship to build on and fall back on in the future. It is going to be a bumpy ride. I hope you will all like it. Thank you again and please keep reviewing.

Chapter 5

Stephanie's POV

I woke up to the sun slanting through the cabin windows. Ranger had me wrapped in his arms and I felt warm and safe. I willed myself to hold on to this moment. I knew that when we went back ashore today, we would have to be different people and I wanted to have this moment to hold on to. I knew Ranger was awake because his arms tightened around me. Then he began to laugh when my stomach growled, breaking the sweet silence of the room.

"Your appetite is better than any alarm clock Babe." I pressed myself against him and he kissed the top of my head. There was a knock on the door and Ranger brought the blankets around us, making sure I was covered completely before speaking. "Enter."

Lester stuck his head in the door. "Breakfast is ready if you two can pull yourselves away from each other. We also need to make an appearance on shore today. Time to get our heads in the game."

I felt Rangers sigh. "We'll be up in a few minutes. What are your plans for the day?"

Lester laughed. "Well while you two are touring the romantic tourist attractions, I will be hitting a few strip clubs. Got to build on Les Martinez's reputation you know." He ran his fingers through his hair. "It's a tough job, but someone has to do it." He closed the door and I felt Ranger's head rest against mine.

"Well I guess we need to do what we came here for right?" For once, I was going to be the strong one. I can't even imagine how exhausting it is being Batman all the time. He slowly loosened his hold on me and I took his hand. "You want to join me in the shower or do you want some time on your own?"

He squeezed my hand and kissed my shoulder. "Babe." He then quickly lifted me from the bed and carried me into the bathroom. We enjoyed each other, and for some reason there was a sense of melancholy. We both knew that whatever lies ahead, we wouldn't have this time back for quite some time. When we had run out of hot water, Ranger reached out and grabbed us each a towel. He stepped out first and took my hand to help me. Ranger went back into the bedroom and I followed him, opening up my suitcase and locating my makeup bag. Ella had appeared to have taken care of everything. Like there was any doubt.

Ranger dressed quickly then returned to the bathroom to shave and brush his teeth. I pulled out a sky blue dress from the garment bag that was hanging in the closet. I noticed that there was a suitcase marked "shoes", and when I opened it, there was a pair of high heeled strappy sandals to match.

Ranger came to me, placing his hands on my cheeks. "Take your time Babe. I'll meet you upstairs." He kissed me and it almost felt like I was saying goodbye to him; my version of him. He looked into my eyes and smiled. "I love you Babe. Please don't ever forget that; no matter what." He kissed me once more then quickly turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. I closed my eyes and replayed last night's events in my mind. I went back into the bathroom and made myself into Stephanie Martinez. I pinned my hair back on one side and place a beautiful art deco comb that I found in my jewelry case in it. The other side I tamed the curls slightly, but let them be loose and slightly wild. I carefully applied my makeup and went into the bedroom. I moisturized and picked out a pushup bra and thong that perfectly matched my dress. I slide the chiffon fabric over my head. It was meant to be worn off the shoulders, with a wide ruffle drawing attention to my breasts. I pushed the shoulders in place and put on my sandals and a delicate silver anklet. I then put on matching earrings and a necklace. I slid on my "wedding ring" and sighed before looking at myself in the mirror.

Standing, looking back at me was me, but not me. I had to put Stephanie Plum somewhere else for awhile. I noticed the changes in Lester, Bobby and Ranger. Even when we were on the plane, they were who I knew, but not who I knew.

I smiled at the stranger in the mirror and then sighed and headed up the stairs, grabbing my purse off the nightstand.

When I reached the deck, a beautiful breakfast of eggs, sausage, fruit and toast was on a table under an umbrella. I crossed and slid my hands around Rangers neck, kissing his cheek.

"Everything looks delicious. Who's the chef?" Ranger's hand reached up and gently took my hand, bringing me around to the chair next to his. Lester and Bobby looked at me and smiled.

"That would be me Mrs. Martinez." Bobby smiled and winked at me.

"Well my compliments Robert." I started to fill my plate and quickly eat.

"You look great Beautiful. I'm kinda wishing I was the one who volunteered to be married." Ranger raised his one eyebrow at Lester. "We are going to head towards shore. Are you ready? Once we get there, we are on."

I looked at Ranger and then back to Lester. "Yes Les, I am ready. Now why don't you and Robert get lost so I can enjoy breakfast with my husband?" Ranger grabbed my hand and kissed it while our other two companions left to take us back to the shore. "So Carlos, where are you taking me today?"

"I thought we could do a little shopping and then there is a great place I want to take you for some lunch and some of the best Mojitos you have ever tasted." The smile that came across his face actually made me excited for the day.

"Well since I've never had a Mojito before, that won't be a hard task." Ranger laughed and shook his head.

"Well you need to get used to them because Manny and the boys drink them constantly. You'll like them Babe."

We finished our breakfast in silence and Bobby came and cleared the table. We docked and once off the boat, it was decided that Bobby would go with Lester so that Ranger and I could have some time alone. Ranger took my hand and we walked towards the resort where the marina was located. I looked up and the sky was so blue that it didn't seem real. We walked to the railing that surrounded the boardwalk and I gasped as I realized the water and the sky were the same color. I didn't realize it was possible for the sky and water to be this clean, this perfect. Growing up in Trenton you get used to gray.

Ranger took my hand and we walked towards the row of shops that ran the length of the boardwalk. I saw so many beautiful pieces of art and dresses. When I came across a red dress that made my eyes pop out of my head, Ranger took it from me and instantly bought it. After several hours and swipes of the credit card later, we entered a small jewelry store. When the bell on the door dinged, a man who reminded me very much of a pirate, came out from the back room. He smiled at Ranger and extended his hand.

"Nice to see you Carlos. So you finally decided to bring the little woman in?" He winked at me, and there was something about him that instantly drew me to him.

"Stephanie this is Jack. Jack this is my wife Stephanie." I extended my hand and he took it and kissed it. He had shoulder length gray hair and a full bushy beard. The whiskers tickled my hand and I giggled.

"What do you say you run away with a salty old pirate me beauty?" He wiggled his eyebrow at me, causing a full laugh to escape. I looked to Ranger and he was smiling.

"I just came to see if what I commissioned is ready you old bastard." I looked to Ranger and he winked at me.

"Of course it's ready. Didn't I say it would be ready today? I may be an old sea dog, but that doesn't mean I'm not a man of my word." He reached under the counter and handed Ranger a box.

"Thanks Jack." Ranger then preceded to hand the box to me and I gaped at him. "Check out the old man's handy work. I had him make it just for you."

I slowly opened the box and inside was a string of black pearls, and a pair of earrings to match with a diamond setting suspended above the pearl on each earring. I looked closer at the necklace and what I at first thought was the clasp, turned out to be an octopus, surrounding the strand. It was made out of diamonds and one of its arms held and even larger black pearl. It was beautiful.

"I love it. Thank you so much." I put my hand on Ranger's neck and pulled him into a bone melting kiss. He pulled back from me and kissed my nose.

"Hey I made the son of a bitch, what do I get?" Jack was really starting to grow on me. I turned and leaned over the counter, kissing him on the cheek. "Well I guess that will do for now. But if you ever get tired of this piece of shit, you know where to find me." He laughed and started back towards the backroom again. "Now get out of here, I have work to do."

Ranger took my hand and we started walking down the boardwalk again. Like clockwork my stomach growled.

"Good thing the restaurant is just up ahead." We quickened our pace slightly and the hostess nodded in recognition when we walked through the door. We were brought to a table on the patio overlooking the ocean. "Let me order for us Babe. Trust me."

"You better not skimp on the dessert mister." He laughed and looked at the menu.

Our waiter came over and asked for our drink order.

"We will both have a Coco Mojito and we will start with the stuffed mushroom and crab claw appetizers."

"Are you ready to place the rest of your order Mr. Martinez?"

The waiter knew his name, but I didn't let the surprise show on my face.

"Yes, Paul, my wife and I are going to share the stuffed shrimp and the paella and for dessert the Chocolate Rum Cake and the Key Lime Pie."

"Very good choice Mr. Martinez. It is a pleasure to have you here Mrs. Martinez. If I can get you anything, please let me know."

Ranger and I chatted about the history of the Keys and we talked about the people he had met since he had been here. The appetizers and drinks were so good, but when the entrees came, I was lost for a moment.

"Babe, you keep making those noises and I might have to drag you into the bathroom." I looked at him and bit my bottom lip. "Behave" he growled.

Then the dessert came and I ate both things. Ranger just sat back and watched me with a small smile raising the corner of his mouth.

Suddenly, our nice peaceful lunch became extremely tense.

"Stephanie, Carlos what a pleasant surprise." Hector, the youngest of the Vasquez brothers had a chair in his hand and sat it down next to me. "I was just having a drink when I saw you two out here." He was drunk, the smell of rum seeped out of his pours. "I was going to get something to eat, but after seeing your beautiful wife Carlos, what I'm hungry for isn't on the menu." Hector ran a finger up my neck and I leaned away from him in my chair. Suddenly Carlos had Hector by the shirt, pulling him out of his chair.

"You are drunk Hector and that is the only reason why you aren't a puddle on the floor. But drunk or not, you ever touch my wife again, you will wish that your parents would have stopped having children after Victor. Do you understand me?"

Hector let out a short chuckle then nodded his head.

"We are leaving now to drop these things off on the boat and then we are heading to Manny's house for drinks. Is someone driving you or do you want us to take your sorry excuse of an ass with us?" I looked at him and I must say I was impressed with his self control. My Carlos would have laid the prick out flat without any compassion what so ever.

"I've got a driver. I am sorry if I offended you my friend, I was just admiring your lovely wife. It won't happen again." He put his hands up and nodded and acknowledgment to us as he headed back to the bar.

Ranger sat in the chair that Hector had vacated and pulled me to him. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He kisses me gently and when Paul, our waiter returned, Carlos asked for the bill.

We walked back to the boat in silence, holding hands. As we approached the boat, I noticed that Bobby was standing on the dock, standing at attention. Suddenly Lester appeared on deck with two blonds. Both were wearing dresses that could have been better described as tube tops. They obviously subscribed to Lula's ideas about fashion. They both stepped off the boat and Lester called after them.

"Thank you for a wonderful afternoon ladies." They turned and blew kisses at him then staggered towards the boardwalk.

Ranger helped me on the boat and told Bobby to come aboard. Lester reached for my hand and I slapped his away.

"Don't touch me with that, because I know exactly where that has been." The smile on his face was too much and I made a gagging sound.

"Luckily that is the first time I've heard that sound all day." He turned and started to walk away. I started playfully smacking him on the arm.

"You are a disgusting human being Les Martinez and I am horrified that my husband and you share DNA. Hopefully being a man whore isn't hereditary." He laughed and faked being wounded.

"The things you say to me. You cut me right to the core." He ran below deck to get ready. Ranger and I followed suit.

When we arrived in our cabin, Ranger turned on a radio and pulled me close to him. He whispered in my ear, "You are doing great Babe. We've been followed all afternoon and what just happened with Lester on deck really made it seem like we were family. I'm so proud of you. I'm sorry about Hector."

I pulled away from him and kissed him and mouthed I'm fine. I then went to get ready. I took my blue dress off, hanging it in the closet and then removed my blue lingerie. I replaced it with a red set and pulled my new dress over my head. I turned and saw Ranger's eyes dark. I smiled at him and shook my head.

"Get dressed or we will be late." He sighed and retrieved a black suit with a maroon silk shirt from his closet. I changed my shoes and put on the new pearls that Ranger had given me. I took my hair down and put some gel in it, but let my curls run free.

When we were ready a short time later, we went above deck and were surprised to find Manny setting on one of the chairs, his legs crossed, casually smoking a cigar. He stood when he saw me, picked up a bouquet of red roses and crossed to me.

"Carlos, Stephanie, I wanted to come and personally apologize for my idiot baby brother." He handed me the roses and offered Ranger his hand, which he shook.

"You didn't need to come all this way Manny, we are still on for drinks aren't we?" Ranger was being cautious.

"Yes, of course, I just wanted to eliminate any awkwardness before it could ruin our evening." He took my hand again and kissed it. "You are stunning pequena bruja." He exited the boat and walked towards the boardwalk.

I turned to Ranger, "What did he just call me?"

He shook his head, "Little witch."

Well I didn't think there were enough magic spells in the world to turn those three creepy toads into princes. At that moment I felt more like Dorothy Gale than a witch. I looked down and my red FMP s, and had to fight the urge to click my heels together.