Chapter 8
Stephanie -
I felt great. Relaxed. And I had a tan! Well, barely a tan, but I had color! I loved the beach and summer. And I hoped the Picture Pervert stayed true to form and got a good picture of Wet Beach Ranger! Yum!
I felt so good that I took the afternoon off, and met Lula for some mall time. We stuffed our faces with food court food. And then we shopped for dresses, we shopped for shoes, and we shopped for lingerie.
Hours later I carted all my stuff up to my apartment and dropped it in the foyer. I loved summer a little less now, feeling hot and sweaty. I grabbed a cold beer out of my fridge, purse still flung across my body, and downed half of it leaning against the counter.
"Tough day, Babe?"
I jumped, and just managed to not drop my beer. Ha - I'd left the door open and Ranger magically appeared. Maybe I'll keep it open from here on out.
"Shopping is sweaty work, Ranger."
Picking up the big PINK bag, he said, "Whatcha got here, Babe?"
"Flannel. All flannel." I don't think he was buying it.
"In the summer? That'll make you even sweatier." Opening the bag and peeking in, he grinned. He dug in and came up holding a lime green thong on his finger. "This doesn't look flannel. I see sweaty times in your future wearing these, too, Babe."
"Having fun?"
"Yeah, you're fun." Putting the bag down, he walked over and leaned against the counter next to me. "Hi," he said kissing me quick and grabbing my beer to finish it.
This was comfortable. And nice. "It is." Groaning, I figured I said that out loud when he agreed.
"So what's up, Ranger? Just in the neighborhood?"
"Nope. I brought you something," motioning over to my table. Huh, I hadn't even noticed.
"What is ... Ooooooh, another picture?" I pushed off and rushed over to grab it, fully anticipating sexy wet Ranger.
And then blew out a long breath. It was from our beach day, but not sexy wet Ranger. It was us, and ... sweet. Us, sitting on the beach. Me, leaning back into Ranger, his arms around me, both of us looking out at the ocean, with the sun setting around us. Sweet's not right; it's staggering, I thought, as I felt Ranger's arms come around me from behind.
Not sure what to say, I went with the obvious. "We're pretty," I said.
"We are," he agreed.
"I kept the last one. You should have this one." In truth, I needed him to take it, because I wouldn't be able to take my eyes off it.
I felt him nod behind me. We stood like that for another beat, and then separated.
"I have to go to D.C. for a few days, Babe. I agreed to do some training last minute. But I wanted to show you this before I left."
"Okay. Be safe. Umm, I'll be here when you get back!" Hesitant, I stood up on my tippy toes and kissed his cheek.
"Babe." He leaned down and kissed my lips.