Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE. The typos are my bad and I post updates as I can.
Morelli's POV
My jaw tightened and my hand clenched forcefully around the device when I saw not only Cupcake, but also Manoso stumbling into her bedroom. Based on the scorching kisses and heated touches, I had a pretty good idea of where they were headed: her crappy bed.
He's been who knows where, doing God knows what. Figures he'd now finally pop back in. Asshole's never gone long enough for her to finally forget about him. He probably does it on purpose, returning every now and then so that he doesn't lose his spot with the Babe he has in every city. Cupcake's delusional to think that she's his only one. Phht!
Even knowing what was about to happen next, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the triple x scene unfolding on screen. I can now clearly see why one of Manoso's street nicknames is The Wizard. He had Cupcake naked in a flash. I literally blinked and the two were naked, tumbling on her shitty, cheap bed. He may have really just snapped his fingers and her clothes were gone, gone. That, or there was a connection lag.
"Oh, oh, uuuhhh, uuuhhh mmmmmm." God her moans were next level sexy. My ego should be severely bruised seeing as Cupcake's never moaned like that with me, however, arousal coursed through my veins. Those two are scorching together, I'll give them that. The lighting in the room could be better and having multiple camera angles would elevate this into a more professional production level scene, yet I can't complain. It's still a pretty clear, straight shot.
Setting up a hidden camera in Cupcake's bedroom was a huge risk, but I felt it was the only way to find out if she was really cheating on me with Manoso. I had to be strategic in the placement, keeping it from catching her attention but also allowing me to have as good a view of her bedroom as possible. That stupid animatronic hamster her nieces gave her last Christmas was just the ideal hiding spot. Cupcake was creeped out by the way the thing recorded and mimicked any sound it captured, so she long ago removed the batteries to keep the thing from startling her at the most random times. Back then I wondered why she didn't just toss the ugly thing in the trash, instead leaving it in the wooden shelf tower on top of her dresser where she kept her perfumes, lotions and other beauty products. Now, I'm extremely glad that she kept it because the hideous plaything allowed me to single out the perfect hiding spot in plain view.
After setting up the hidden surveillance device, I've checked in every time the sensor alert buzzed to tell me that there was movement in her bedroom. Until now it has been pretty basic stuff, with Cupcake popping in and out of frame as she either got ready for bed or got ready to head out in the mornings. Nothing really useful. I did note, though, that she'd been tossing in bed a lot during the night, making me wonder if she had something troubling going on in her life every time I awoke in the middle of the night with the automatic notification. The rumor mill in the form of the Burg grapevine has been quite silent when it comes to Cupcake, so it was hard to know what could potentially be bothering her enough to continuously disturb her slumber. Usually when she's involved in another mess, the distorted rumors are sky high. This meant that either nothing was up or no one knew about it yet. Either way, one day she just didn't come home for the night, leading me to believe that she was hiding out at his place. It's what she tends to do when another lunatic is after her.
Every time. Always runs to him.
I've checked repeatedly this past week, but her place's been shining with her absence. Word on the street confirmed my suspicion that she's been staying at Rangeman since I saw her last. It's still unknown if she's hiding from a new stalker or crazy. So when my sensor went off alerting me of movement in her room tonight, the first time all week, I was quick to open the camera feed app. Honestly, I was half expecting for her to pop in to grab some clothes and then quickly head out. She must have picked up Rex earlier this week due to her not being back frequently. Who would have thought she'd unknowingly be presenting me with this gem?
I got sucked into their sex bubble without intending it. They moved perfectly in sync, matching each other seamlessly, moving as one. They were sizzling hot together.
And loud!
Cupcake looped her arms around his massive muscular shoulders long moments after Manoso's hips began pistoning intensely, nailing her hard to the mattress. Fervently searching for his mouth in between breathy moans, Cupcake left a trail of what looked like open mouthed kisses along his chiseled jaw. I couldn't really tell 'cause Manoso's big, bulky body was in the way, fully covering her smaller body with his. I got to see way more of the thug than I'd ever wanted to.
Wet, slick sounds mingled with female moans and masculine groans. I'd been so wrapped up in them, to realize that at some point my hand wrapped around myself and started stroking in time with the show. I found my relief way too fast, breathing hard before either of them apparently reached the sought out finish line. That's impressive stamina.
While I was busy using my towel to clean up and thinking how this wasn't my proudest solo session, I quickly glanced at the screen when Cupcake's rich laughter floated out of my phone's speakers. Whatever he whispered in her ear as his large hand moved over her sweaty lower abdomen in a teasing caress must have been quite the inside joke. She only ever lets out a full belly laugh when she's very amused. I also noted now that I had a full frontal view of her body since Manoso was no longer completely obstructing her from view, that Cupcake's been working out. Her body is toner than ever, the smooth skin of her abdomen taut and creamy just begging to be worshiped.
I was still cleaning myself up when they were gearing up for the second round! Like, what?! It's gotta be impossible. What the hell is he on? I'll admit it, to myself, that Manoso's bigger in all accounts. Guess the 'roids were kind to him, not shrinking his dick. Shit, there's nothing that can awaken my boys after such an intense release and here's this show off already at near full mast.
"Oh come on!" I grumbled as Manoso wound Cupcake up for another scorching round. What's more is that I just now noticed that there's no used condom in sight. What the hell, Cupcake?! She was always adamant, unbudging every single time about her 'no condom, no sex' rule with me and we were together for years! On and off, but still!
Immediately, both Cupcake and Manoso went statue still. The instant their heads turned, again in complete synchrony, to look directly at the camera I knew I'd messed up. In my getting sucked into their lust fest, I forgot to hit screen record to save the footage and have proof of her repeated infidelity. The setup I have only shows real time footage, but doesn't automatically record. I would have needed a more sophisticated system. Cupcake would have definitely noticed if that were the case. In my shock at how fast he was ready to go once again, I accidentally tapped the screen over the microphone icon.
They absolutely heard me!
My heart beat faster as I watched Ranger bolt out of bed, with Cupcake following right behind him. While he headed straight towards me, Cupcake bent down to pick up his discarded army coat and slipped it on before trailing after him.
Just as they zeroed in, I panicked and exited out of the app. Swiping furiously, I made sure all running apps were closed before I powered off my device.
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!
S&R
Ranger's POV
After nearly eight weeks away, I'm finally headed back home. This mission turned out to be longer than my team and I originally anticipated, but I'm happy that we're all coming back to U.S. soil unscathed after successfully completing our task. That's a win in my book.
In all the time I was away, I had to keep fighting myself to not think about Stephanie as often as I really wanted to. The more focused I was, the faster we could be done with this mess. Now as I recline in my seat and watch the land below get closer and closer, I finally allow her to fully emerge and fill my every thought. When I turned my phone on once I was officially stateside, I was relieved to know that she hadn't had any attacks in my absence.
After powering on my phone, I was instantly caught up on everything that happened while I was gone. On that catch up report it was mentioned that Stephanie's been staying in my penthouse for the past week or so. There seems to be no active threats to her life as the streets have no intel. The photo I received from Santos of her wearing one of my Rangeman T-shirts while helping with the massive stack of searches tore a smile out of me. Looks like she's missed me as much as I have, if she's wearing my shirt as part of her uniform and not just when she's in bed.
As I approached my waiting transport after landing, I decided to check on Babe's trackers. I'm itching to see her and don't have the patience to play the 'you just missed her' game. When I started driving to Trenton from Newark she was out and about, likely after her current FTA. By the time I neared the city limits, she was already at the Bonds office after delivering her skip to the TPD without any reported incidents.
Steph beat me to her apartment building by mere minutes. Parking in her lot, blocking her latest SUV, a dark blue RAV4 that's only a handful of years old with less than fifty thousand miles clocked and in okay condition even for Steph's standards, and the dumpster. This is as good as being out of the way for Babe's neighbors' standards, making it less likely that anyone will bitch for parking in the lot.
Grabbing my duffel, I sprinted to the lobby doors and then jogged upstairs, keeping my movements stealthy when I spotted Stephanie stopping in front of her apartment to dig out her keys. She has the habit at times of forgetting she'll need them again, dropping her keys inside of her shoulder bag when she gets out of her car in the lot below, only to then have to dig through them inside of her unorganized shoulder bag once she's at her door.
With a wicked grin on my face, I silently dropped my bag as I slipped my arms around her waist from behind. "Babe." I whispered in her ear, giving her midsection a squeeze. Crowding her against her front door while being unable to keep myself from instinctively rubbing myself against her tempting ass was risky. I'll be lucky if she doesn't squirm out of my grasp, shoot for my dick, and ask questions later.
"Ranger!" She dropped her bag and keys in obvious surprise, craning her neck to confirm that it's actually me.
"Babe." I flashed her my best smile, the one she calls my megawatt smile and never fails to make her wet. The only reason I know this vital piece of intel is because she's let it slip when she mumbles out her thoughts without being aware of it.
"You're back." She said, mostly as a way to utterly convince herself, as she fully twisted around in my hold to be able to wrap her arms around me.
Stephanie clung to me tightly, burying her face against the side of my neck as she breathed me in. I didn't shower this morning with my evil shower gel as she calls it, but Steph doesn't seem to mind the basic fresh scent. Raising on tiptoes, her arms squeezed my neck as she tried to press herself impossibly closer to my front, her breasts plastering against my chest in the process.
"I'm here, Babe." I said against the side of her head as I reciprocated the fierce squeeze, kissing her curly hair as my hands moved up and down her back.
We stood locked in the embrace for long moments, just holding each other until my hands dipped below her waist. The temptation was just too great, my hands automatically cupping each ass cheek. Taking advantage as the opportunist that I am, I used my firm hold on her flesh to rub her against the growing bulge in my pants. God, it should be scary how much I want this woman.
The nearly desperate, tongue heavy kissing session we had right there in the middle of the hall was interrupted by Babe's neighbor across the hall just before it turned indecent. Regretfully, we took a step back from each other in an effort to cool off. Once the interrupting party headed down the hall and into the elevator, Babe and I focused solely on each other again. The big, bright smile she flashed my way told me that she knew that I came straight to her as soon as I landed in Jersey. My heart thundered under my ribs as it hit me that this moment wouldn't be possible if I hadn't gotten my head out of my ass, obliterated the bullshit obstacles we put in our way so we could give ourselves a fair shot at being happy together. Just imagining what that horrible alternate reality would be like left me feeling a way I don't ever want to feel again.
"I've missed you so damn much." Babe confessed, mirroring my sentiments as she hugged me briefly.
"Babe." I admitted that I've missed her too, following her inside.
The door barely clicked shut and the locks engaged when we were on each other, desperate to become one again.
Our mouths latched onto the other's, our hands were everywhere all at once as we made our way back to her bedroom. By the time we landed on her bed fully naked, I could sense how ready she already was. Somehow we both knew that this wasn't going to be the slow, sensual type of coupling we both enjoy to prolong. No, we're letting the hot, carnal lust take over after not seeing each other for the better part of nearly two months.
Our kisses became a clash of lips, tongues tangling in a practiced dance, as we continued our re-exploration of the other with our hands, bodies moving in tandem to reach the finish line. Regardless of the lust haze enveloping our sweaty bodies as my hips thrust rapidly, repeatedly moving in and out of the sweet heaven between her legs, I could tell that Babe's mind wasn't fully in the moment. Something else is occupying her thoughts, which doesn't really happen when we're about to have a combined orgasm.
"Babe?" I searched her deep blue eyes as I asked her what was wrong. Due to my continuous pumping, Babe gasped and closed her eyes instead of answering me right away. I could feel the beginnings of her internal clench barring down on me.
"Don't stop." Looping her arms around my shoulders, Babe locked eyes with me as she pressed her lips to mine. Her kiss, the intensity in her eyes and the way she met my every move was her way of silently communicating that whatever had been occupying her mind and keeping her from fully being in the moment here with me had been pushed back. Good. We'll have time to talk about whatever may be bothering her soon.
Focusing on taking her up and over the edge, our kisses grew needier as air became a must. Babe's strangled moan amidst our labored breathing was the last of her tell tale signs, relief flooding through her as she reached an intense climax just seconds before I followed with an equally toe curling one.
Settling on my side beside her, we continued to touch each other as our choppy breathing returned to normal and our slick, sweaty bodies began to cool.
"I hear my T-shirt and shower gel bandit has struck again." I whispered in her ear, using my fingers to trail along her taut abdomen in obvious tease on a set path lower.
As unbelievable as it may seem, she's got me ready to go again just by being in close proximity. Add in her rich bark of laughter at what she likes to call my Ranger humor, and mmmm.
The sizzling embers of our desire had sparked a new fire, leading to what promised to be yet another delicious round. Except, we didn't get to do more than heated caresses when we were interrupted.
"Oh come on!" A male voice boomed loudly, the unexpected soun coming from somewhere near the bedroom door.
Automatically, we turned our heads in unison upon hearing the intrusion. Since I kicked her bedroom door closed when we came in, that meant the voice came from within the room. I gauged it sounded near her dresser, which was extremely odd.
I bolted out of bed, instinctively reaching for my Glock as I stalked barefoot in the direction of the noise. With how in tune we always are with each other, I felt more than heard Stephanie follow behind me. Rapidly scanning the target area, my eyes scrutinized every detail as they raked over the items on top of her dresser.
"Babe, you got another rat?" I 'joked' as a deflection, because the only place where a hidden surveillance camera could be was the robotic hamster perched on the middle shelf where Steph keeps her lotions and perfumes.
"It's a hamster." Stephanie easily latched onto my unscripted plan, following along without missing a beat. "Ham-stuh." Babe emphasized, looping her arms around me from behind as she plastered herself to my back much in the same way as I did when I snuck up on her in the hallway in front of her front door earlier. "It mimics sound." She explained like I didn't already know, reaching around me to lift the pint sized toy. When she did, we clearly saw that it had been tampered with.
"Babe." In that moment it was confirmed that we didn't just imagine the vaguely familiar male voice that grumbled incredulously seconds before.
Someone put Babe on surveillance. That someone isn't happy to see that we're together, protesting loudly enough to give themselves away.
Discreetly, I covered Babe's hand resting over my abs with mine as a silent acknowledgement of the discovery and a promise that we'd get to the bottom of this together.