Here's the next update. Steph revealed the identity of the client, which explains the secrecy on her gut instincts. We left off with Steph feeling a little murderous, and many of us right there with her.
There's another hint in this chapter on the jewel thief. Let me know if you spot it.
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE. Typos are my bad and I post when I can.
Ranger's POV
The second my call with Silvio wrapped up, I went in search of Carmichael. I knew he would be with Tio Marcelo. He thinks he's untouchable for being my uncle's fixer. Sure, Carmichael doesn't know that I'm his boss's nephew. I don't need the blood connection to forgo backup for what I'm about to do: teach this asshole a long overdue lesson.
"Marcelo…" Carmichael was saying as he sat with his back to me. The two were on the rooftop seating area, having a private conversation where only the bartender and one waiter stood at attention to serve the pair. Tio Marcelo likes his privacy, something all staff in his multifaceted enterprises has drilled into them from day one. Janitor or high ranking executive, it doesn't matter.
Tio Marcelo locked eyes with me as he watched me approach, knowing that I was coming in hot. Carmichael didn't even have a clue as to the shift in the atmosphere, completely missing the fact that he no longer held the undivided attention of his boss.
Before Carmichael finished his report, I grabbed a fistful of his shirt collar. Easily, I yanked him out of his seat. I wanted him to be able to see my face clearly despite the dim lighting from the nearby fire pit. A well placed punch to the gut had him forcefully expelling the air from his lungs, confusion crossing his wide eyes. My fist found his face next, immediately breaking his nose if the blood spurts are anything to go by. Yes, I could have unleashed an incessant rain of hits on him, not stopping until my fists were covered in my own blood from splitting my knuckles, but I wasn't trying to kill him. Not yet at least.
"If you ever touch my woman again, I'll kill you." I promised, leaving him a groaning mess at my feet. The coward couldn't even fully process what just happened, yet it was engrained that his painful demise wouldn't be quick.
"Ca…" Tio Marcelo stood from his seat, running a hand through his dark gray peppered hair as he nearly called me by my real name. One thing the men in my family don't have to worry about is hair loss. My uncle prides himself on his kempt appearance. Ruining his hairdo is unheard of. He was shocked to see his cocky second in command curled up at our feet cowering in fear.
"Don't." I warned Tio Marcelo when it looked like he wanted to intervene. It's too late now.
Turning on my heel, I headed back inside and straight towards Babe. The staff behind the bar averted their gaze as I breezed past them. Good. Minding their business will help them live a longer lifespan.
As soon as I walked into our suite, I was taken aback by the silence. Stephanie usually likes to have either the radio or the TV droning on in the background, even if she's not actively paying attention to whatever's playing. Hmm. Moving deeper into the suite, it didn't take me long to find her.
Babe was laser focused on her laptop screen, not even sensing my arrival. With a smirk, an idea came to mind.
"Vamos a nadar, Babe." I proposed after tossing the bikini I asked Ella to pack in my bag for Stephanie. I know Babe's been commandeering my T-shirts since we arrived, and in anticipation of that I had Ella overpack T-shirts, as well as add some extra essentials. Stephanie wearing my clothes does something to me, unleashing a primal feeling within me, and she knows it.
Lifting her head up, long curly strands of hair whipped in an upward arc with the sudden jerk. My swim trunks suddenly felt too tight as Babe's blue eyes raked over me in detailed appreciation, the heat of her stare scorching my skin. She was giving me the look, the one that tells me she's reliving all the times her hands and lips have traveled my body in detailed exploration. Babe has a very expressive face, clearly showcasing what's crossing her mind even when she doesn't mumble said thoughts out loud without realizing it. She has to actively mask her expressions when she's trying to keep her thoughts and feelings to herself, an arduous task at times.
"Stephanie." I used her name to get her attention, because the way she continued looking at me screamed 'I want you and I want you bad!'. If Stephanie didn't pounce on me, I'd likely be the one to do so if the heat of her glare remained focused on my abs and lower half. In fact, my dick's already standing at attention. All Babe needs to do is say the word or make her move. She's been the one calling the shots for a long time, even if she hasn't fully accepted it yet. I'm ready for our Someday. It's now only a matter of time for Stephanie to take action. Of course, as the opportunist that I am, I'll nudge her in the right direction. We have a lot of time to make up.
Instead of blushing like she normally would, Steph tilted her head back to be able to meet my gaze. She wasn't going to try to cover up the glaring ogling, actively fighting the usual blush that should be creeping up her next right about now. Her electric blue eyes drilled me with an unapologetic look.
Babe, I'm right there with you seeing those steamy flashbacks in my mind in vivid detail.
The dark blue color swirling in her electric eyes was the final confirmation that Stephanie was fantasizing about splaying her hands over my chest, starting at my pecs and moving lower down my abdomen. The delicious torture would amp the heat when her hands dipped to the waistband of my shorts, only to move to my sides instead of going further below. She'd grip my hands with hers, squeezing repeatedly as she moved up my arms tantalizingly slowly, slowly. My biceps and triceps would get prime attention from her soft hands just before Babe continued her ascend, going from shoulders to neck to spearing her long fingers into my hair.
I had to suppress a shiver at the vivid memory of Stephanie's fingers weaving through my hair, holding my head close while she wrapped her legs around my waist so she could grind herself against my hardening dick, further fanning the flames of desire as she basked in the knowledge that she makes me impossibly harder.
"Huh?" The lack of proper speech is another one of her tells. Stephanie had just been imagining, in great detail, our bodies doing that dance they know so well. Because of her detailed and deliberate eye fucking, I'm currently imagining the exact same. Above me, below me, from behind or any position there is. I'm right there with Stephanie, lost in the lust haze of our heated memories. Memories that can very well turn into reality at the snap of her delicate fingers.
My grin was wide as I silently demonstrated that I knew what she'd been thinking about. She too is reliving every time she's traced every inch of my body with her hands and mouth. Just as I've worshiped her body, she's reciprocated it to mine. Steph has confessed in the throes of passion that I'm the only person she's ever been that free with in bed. Stephanie feels comfortable and trusts me not to force her into something she doesn't like or want to do. And yes, we've checked off a lot of fantasies off her list and mine. Mmmmm. Just the memory of being with Stephanie has my body erupting in pleasurable shivers. There's a lot that we've yet to try together, and even more that we need to recreate.
"Nadar?" Steph, in an effort to clear her head out of the gutter, worked on figuring out what I'm asking as she tries to translate what I proposed while fully erasing the last tendrils of the lust haze from her mind. Babe's right there tittering on the edge, debating if she should just tackle me and have her way with me. Steph knows that I'll let her, possibly it's what's reinforcing the idea that she should put the brakes on this. We won't be leaving this room for the remainder of the weekend if we cross that line. No. We've restrained ourselves so much and for so long that once the flood gates open, uuuuh, we'll be coming all night long.
"Nadar, Babe." I flashed her my best grin as a blatant reminder of how in tune to her thoughts I was privy to. I know she can understand what I'm proposing if she focuses, given how much she's worked to learn Spanish this past year. She practices whenever she can. Hector's taught her to curse, which Babe really enjoys testing out and even comments how Spanish curse words have more passion and heat behind them. Santos is teaching her all the dirty words and phrases he deems she needs to learn. Babe doesn't know just how much she affects me when she speaks Spanish. Her voice and accent just make me feel even more entranced, wanting nothing more than for Babe to murmur in Spanish as she's kissing her way down my body.
"You're taking me swimming?!" Stephanie squealed rather loudly as she slammed the laptop closed and snatched the swimwear.
"Si." I confirmed, acknowledging her deduction method and giving her a head jerk to get moving.
Based on her sudden jolt on the bed, I can already tell that she's only wearing a tiny pair of panties under my shirt, her breasts swaying hypnotically with the jerked movement. Ay, Dios. She's going to kill me.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Steph shouted enthusiastically as she dashed towards the foot of the bed, barreling my way. Slamming against my chest, Babe's loud appreciation was shared mere inches from my face. Automatically, my instincts took over as I wrapped my arms around her squirming torso. The opportunist in me gladly held her close, keeping our bodies plastered deliciously.
"Go." Turning playful myself, I smacked her ass once she was back on her feet. The torturous slide of her curves against my taut body nearly crumbled my resolve to let this be her choice. Because once we join as one again, nothing will come between us ever again. I plan on forever, however long that may be.
"Hey!" She flashed me quite the glare for the spank, but I knew she was trying hard not to smile.
I had to adjust myself, twice, working extremely hard to calm myself before Stephanie emerged from the bathroom wearing that tempting two piece bikini I specifically chose for this trip. I was equal parts relieved and disappointed that Babe walked out wearing my T-shirt, eager to go for that promised night swim.
For our short walk to the pool, Babe left my shirt on to have coverage. I was already picturing what she'd look like with the dark blue material on her creamy skin even before we reached the pool. Luckily, the walk was short and the time flew by as we engaged in conversation. Steph was under the impression our surprise swim would be at the beach. She was momentarily saddened when the thought of our outing being canceled crossed her mind briefly.
Smiling, I fobbed us into the closed off area. Babe was immediately in awe of the space, really liking the faux nature inspired decor. Also, it made it exponentially better that we had the place to ourselves. Tio Marcelo's wife, Tia Izaira, handed me a key fob that would grant me unrestricted access, including the areas closed off to the public, along with our suite keycards, when we arrived yesterday.
Not one to waste time, Stephanie dropped my shirt on the first chair she passed, hauling ass towards the deep end. I lagged behind so that I could enjoy the view, especially her ass encased in the mini bottoms.
Babe dove head first into the water, moving with a speed and grace I've only seen from professional swimmers. Steph's love of the water is clear, yet I haven't had many opportunities to see her in her favorite element. Hawaii was the exception and she kicked my ass every time we went in the water. Perhaps we're due for another beachy getaway, one that's all about us without the excuse of a job.
I tried to catch her, wrapping my arms around Babe's slippery body, but she was too fast. Strategizing on the fly is my expertise, quickly setting out to apprehend a fugitive Babe.
"Ah! That's cheating!" Stephanie accused indignantly when my trap worked, landing me one elusive, slippery Babe.
I smiled triumphantly as I moved us towards the shallow end. Stephanie sticking out her tongue set my body ablaze once more. In a playful mood, Steph kicked her feet rapidly to create water splashes.
"Babe." I wasn't going to apologize or feel bad for taking advantage of my opportunistic ways, leaning down and pressing my lips against her deliciously tempting ones. With a bit of coaxing, Babe's tongue tangled with mine in a passionate kiss.
I was thinking the waterfall on the opposite end would provide great cover as I didn't see us making it back to our room in time. Babe reciprocating the kiss and then taking over as she used her hold around my neck to pull me closer was enough invitation for my opportunistic ways. Steph had to be aware of my immediate reaction, which was currently rubbing against her right hip with our combined movements.
Life seems to want me to pay for every one of my wrongs this weekend, a rude and most definitely inopportune interruption ruining our moment so long in the making. I could have been buried deep inside Babe, working us towards an explosive release if the intrusion didn't happen just now.
McNamera's wife was the culprit, not only intruding in our private time but doing so completely naked. The instant Stephanie saw the woman, she froze.
"Babe." I whispered as I automatically pressed Stephanie to my chest, for once not worried about holding her too tightly. The change in Babe was instant.
"Este hombre es mio!" The warning came out as a growl, completely going over McNamera's head. The woman didn't even bat an eye at the obvious 'back off' tone, smiling at me with a look that highlighted her intentions.
Not paying our intruder any mind, I locked eyes with Babe. She just blurted out that I'm her man without filtering her words. The blue eyes that are usually so full of love and positivity, currently reflect dark, murderous thoughts.
"Babe." It was my turn to growl when she shimmied out of my hold, using a cheap shot to get me to release her. Reaching for my dick underwater got Babe her freedom. "Babe." I refused to break the spell having our gazes locked created, mentally conveying that I could care less about the naked woman Steph is so clearly not happy crashed our impromptu private party.
Stephanie is beautiful, something she forgets constantly unless she's milking her appeal during a distraction job. She's the reason why those jobs have such a high success rate.
Currently, she looks even more drop dead gorgeous with her wet curls plastered to her head and neck. The flush over her chest and the pinched look on her face make her stand out to me even more than the distracting bikini I picked out for her. Babe doesn't even have to try, monopolizing my attention, love and desire. She's the one I want. It's obvious to everyone, except maybe her.
"Sure." Babe said through clenched teeth as Marissa waded between us, making a deliberate show. I kept my attention solely on Stephanie, locking eyes with cerulean eyes that are shooting daggers back. I do not care about indulging the wannabe temptress looking for a reaction from either of us. "I can share." Stephanie was furious, but I got the sense that she was mad at me when she mumbled something unintelligible under her breath. Babe is fuming, but I'm not the one to be mad at.
"Babe." I gritted out deeply, already sensing that she was going to bolt. Stephanie is completely misinterpreting the situation, most likely thinking that my attempt to curb her anger was because I was looking out for the woman currently standing between us.
"Have fun." Babe ground out, making a speedy escape. She didn't even bother grabbing the T-shirt she was wearing when we came in, only snatching the room keycard from where I left my stuff before joining her in the water.
"Your wife is soooo lovely." McNamera laughed with what she believed was a seductive sound, taking two steps closer while licking her oversized lips. "You are yummy." She declared, reaching out to place her wet hands on my chest.
Easily deflecting her unwanted advances, I avoided all physical contact as I swam towards the opposite pool's edge. Placing both palms on the orate rock tiles for support, I was out of the pool before she could even think about what her next plan of attack would be.
"Have fun…" I said over my shoulder, snatching my things and Babe's shirt. "…alone." I muttered under my breath as I exited the recreational area.
Making my way back to our room took me a bit longer than I'd like to admit, but it was difficult to move at a clipped pace with a hard on that bordered on painful. Stephanie being upset with me for something that I have no control over, pissed me off. She tends to do that. Stephanie's the only person that can make me feel this unbalanced. With all the back and forth we've had, intensified heavily with our close quarters this weekend, I'm on edge. Instead of my desire filled reaction evaporating, my body is engulfed in flames, needing an outlet.
A loud female gasp snapped me back into focus as I came face to face with a woman delivering a package to one of the rooms on our floor. "Buenas noches." She managed to say without stuttering, averting her gaze quickly.
Using the shirt Babe left behind, I covered my reaction to Stephanie. With a curt nod in passing, I wished the staff member a good night as well.
I fobbed my way into the suite, knowing that Stephanie had to be here. For one, she's not going to go anywhere else wearing close to nothing, regardless of how pissed off she is. Second, the tingling on the back of my neck just intensified the moment I crossed the threshold.
Bypassing the bed, I headed straight for the bathroom. The door was locked, as expected, but Babe knows there's no lock that can keep me out. I was inside within seconds.
Taking a moment to compose myself, I tracked Babe's silhouette through the glass enclosure. She had her back to me, possibly refusing to turn around and face me. There's no chance in hell that Stephanie doesn't know I'm standing here. Yanking my wet trunks off, I decided to join Babe. I'm not going to let her hide. Not this time.
As predicted, Stephanie spun around to face me when she felt me slip inside the glass encased shower. Her eyes were that dark, dark blue that usually only makes an appearance when she's either really turned on or really pissed off. Smirking, I knew it was a little bit of both. It's no secret that seeing me in the nude makes Steph's brain short circuit.
"Babe." Flashing what she calls my thousand watt grin, I reached around her to grab my shower gel, the one she's been clearly using.
My grin widened as it finally sunk in why Babe left so abruptly: jealousy. Stephanie was consumed by jealousy at the mere thought of me giving the time of day to another woman. The white hot anger I was feeling moments before waned considerably, as I know exactly what she's feeling. I had to eat my words and bite my tongue for a long time every time she went back to Morelli. It was my fault that fucked up cycle continued as long as it did, I know that. I'm not punting the blame solely on Stephanie for my twisted sense of how things should have been for her sake. Most of that blame lies on me.
Her eyes shifted color once again, turning that near glowing blue that disarms me, as she raked her eyes over me from head to toe. The heat of her stare sears my skin, hotter than even the scalding water Steph likes to shower with. She's clearly watching my hands, following as I lathered my torso and then lower. Sure, I gave her a deliberate show. The heated stare as I deliberately gave my painfully hard dick three tight strokes had me on the verge of tipping over. All this playful teasing has me fighting the need to find release. I want her and she wants me, a feeling that goes beyond just carnal desires.
With a smirk of her own, Babe mirrored my temptation as she too took her sweet time lathering up. My hand gripped my dick tightly as her small, delicate hands traveled over her sinful curves.
I nearly lost the battle when she tilted her upper body back to allow the water spray to cascade over her head. Her movements were hypnotizing, suds washing away as soapy water swirled over every swell and feminine curve.
I admit that I broke first, releasing my hold on my dick abruptly to be able to frame her pretty face between my large hands. Steph's eyes search my face questioningly, but don't flinch. She doesn't even freeze out of pure survival instinct. Despite it all, Stephanie trusts that I won't intentionally hurt her.
When we met, I thought she wasn't going to last a day as a bounty hunter. How could she? She was a lingerie buyer before becoming a BEA out of pure necessity and desperation, blackmailing her sleazy cousin into giving her the job. Surprising even herself, Babe stuck it out regardless of the many unexpected setbacks, uncovering a crime ring, avoiding a violent rapist, and capturing Morelli. Not bad for a rookie. Early on I understood that she was made of stronger stuff. The fact that she trusted me to uncuff her from her shower rod while being completely defenseless and at my mercy was one of the early defining moments of our history. That first redecoration job I sent her to also demonstrated her true character. Not many, if any, women would willingly stick out a job surrounded by unknown men that could very easily overpower them. Babe? She gave me and my men a chance, somehow able to read us well and knowing that there was more to us than what meets the eye.
Leaning down, I sealed my lips over hers, kissing Babe like there was no tomorrow. She didn't fight this overwhelming pull between us, resting her hands on my shoulders while she kissed me back with the same fervor.
Just when air became a must and I wanted nothing more than to press her back against the glass as I pounded into the sweet heaven between her legs, I backed her up a few steps instead. Adjusting the water temperature, twin hisses left our lips when icy cold water washed over our burning with desire, longing and need sizzling skin.
I don't want any confusion or rash decisions when our Someday starts, so a heads up was only fair game.
"The ball's in your court, Babe." I laid out what we've been clearly dancing around for years, explicitly telling Stephanie that I'm good to go as soon as she's ready. Someday is here. She just needs to get onboard.
Adjusting the water to a neutral warm, we stood facing each other under the cascading water. Neither of us said anything, our eyes boring deep into each other's souls. At this point, all I can do is wait for her to make a choice. I don't want to push her too far, knowing that she's afraid. Afraid to mess up what we already do have.
"Babe." I'm not above using the effect I have on her to my advantage though, conveying that we could finally have what we've longed for what felt like an eternity. All she needs to do is make the first official move.
The spell was broken when alarms began blaring incessantly and the lights cut out, momentarily leaving us in total darkness. Turning off the water, we remained still, facing each other even if we couldn't see, as the alarms continued loudly. Moments later an emergency light flickered on outside of the bathroom, bathing us in minimal lighting as it spilled in through the door I didn't bother to close after I broke in.
Stephanie only reacted to the fire alarm when I nudged her into action. She blinked rapidly before sidestepping me and leaving me alone in the shower. I followed only after I took a moment or two to calm my body down.
"Babe." I let out a bark of laughter when I noted she returned my previous trick, leaving me only with a face towel to dry off. Sneaky.
I wasn't surprised to see that Babe slipped into sweats and a hooded sweatshirt by the time I emerged from the bathroom. I grabbed a pair of jeans, tucking my weapon at the small do my back as I threw a shirt over my head and grabbed a jacket that I'll probably end up giving to Steph at some point once we're outside.
"This is not a drill." The robotic sounding message droned as we exited into the hall, following the instructions to exit the building using the nearest stairwell.
Taking Stephanie's hand in mine, I led the way. Babe followed, grabbing a fistful of my waistband with her free hand to keep us from being accidentally separated in the shuffle. The action reminded me of a time when she did something similar during a B&E snooping outing.
"Let's get this done, so that we can focus on us, Babe." I said against her ear once we were outside, guided to a designated safe zone by directing staff.
"Babe." Stephanie parroted back, matching my message. "I have the bracelet in my pocket." Babe's kept her head in the game, thinking ahead in case this turned out to be a false alarm. Smart.
"Babe." Kissing her neck, behind her ear, I praised her for her quick thinking. Now more than ever I'm convinced that we're looking for someone who's on the inside.
We had maybe a minute to ourselves when Marissa burst our bubble for the second time tonight.
Once again she stood before us full on naked. "I didn't have time to grab something to cover myself with." Battling her eyelashes exaggeratedly, Marissa looked at me expectantly as she made a show of shivering.
"Oh poor thing." Babe used her fakest sweet tone, conveying that she didn't really care despite the friendly tone. "Here." Without further thought, Steph removed her oversized hooded sweatshirt and handed it to McNamara.
I couldn't keep the smile off my face, at least not fully, when Stephanie slipped her arms around my waist under my jacket. Pressing herself to my front tightly, I got the memo. Loud and clear. Within seconds, we stood hugging each other fiercely while we waited the chaos out. This was a silent declaration that we've reached our Someday, ready to take on anything together.
"Yes." Stephanie murmured against my neck, whispering so softly that I barely registered the words over the growing commotion around us. "This is me saying yes to Someday."
We have a lot to talk about regarding our new couple status, but for now I'm content with holding her in my arms and knowing that we're on the same page for once.
"Steph." I hissed when she rotated her hips against mine, teasing me deliberately. Due to the continued chaos all around us, no one heard me using her real name. Staff is busy redirecting guests while sirens blared in the distance.
"Don't break my heart, Batman." She warned, scraping her teeth against my throat as fair warning.
"Babe." I didn't have to explicitly outline how she'll cut off my dick if I ever act like Orr or Morelli. The warning isn't necessary. I'm not looking to further sabotage our happiness.
Stephanie's response was that seductive throaty laugh of hers muffled against the side of my neck. At this rate I don't even care if the hotel burns to a crisp or if we don't find the jewel thief. I've already found my partner in crime and she's wrapped safely in my arms.
