Chapter 12

Stephanie -

I woke up the next morning alone in Ranger's bed - a place I've slept a bunch, but never done much else. Until last night. Hands down, the best night of my life. Stretching, I let myself replay last night over in my mind. Images of Ranger over me, under me, around me, ...

My mental musings were interrupted by the man himself, walking in holding the unopened box from last night.

"We forgot about this, Babe."

Smiling, I said, "We had a lot going on last night."

"And I've got the pictures to prove it."

I blushed, thinking about the shots we'd taken of each other and together. To make us equal, I got to position Ranger on the bed, in all his naked glory. He was surprisingly cooperative, and I had a hard time finding the one position I wanted to memorialize. I mean, every time he shifted even slightly his muscles rippled and I got lightheaded. Finally settling on one, we posed for a few together. It was mind-blowingly erotic at the time, and making me hot thinking about it now.

He smiled knowingly, sat down next to me and leaned in. I hitched myself up on my elbows, holding the sheet to me, and leaned toward him. "Meet you in the middle, Ranger." He kissed me, ending with a quick bite on my lips, and tugged the sheet down. "I like your middle, Babe. And all the things I can do to it. Don't hide it."

To avoid getting distracted, I asked him, "So, what's your guess? What do you think is in the box?"

"I'm still holding out for a bikini picture." I rolled my eyes, and made a grab for the box.

Holding it out of my reach, he said, "Wait. What do you think it is?" I bit my lip and thought about the last week, trying to pinpoint a photographic moment. While I considered, he started to open it.

"Well, you've been gone for a while. And I think most - if not all - of the Merry Men were around here with me and not there with you these last couple days. And I didn't do anything particularly exciting while you were gone. So, I'm guessing it's us yesterday at the explosion ... which means - grrrrr - I'll be covered in soot!"

"Babe. I'd do you - soot or no soot. In fact, I like the idea of Dirty Stephanie." His eyes darkened as though he was picturing it, and the next thing I knew both of his hands were on me, roaming my sides and under my body lifting and pulling me closer to him. Seconds later his sweatpants were tossed aside and I was straddling him, taking us both over the edge again.

Still connected, my arms around his neck, I opened my eyes to see the picture had fallen out of the box. I saw us yesterday afternoon, eyes closed, forehead to forehead. "Ranger, ... "

He tightened his grip around my waist, holding me to him, "Hmm?"

"I was right. About the picture."

Shifting, but not loosening his grip, he frowned at the picture. He was quiet for a minute, and then, "I was panicked. My heart stopped beating when I couldn't find you."

"I was fine. I am fine. We are fine."

Finally looking at me, he stared for a second, and said, "I love you."

Lightheaded and dazed again, I willed my brain to tell my mouth to open. When it did, I couldn't form any words. So I did the next best thing - I smiled at him. A real smile, which loosened me up enough to give him what he wanted. "I love you, too. I have for a long time."

We posted a sign in the office the next day -

WANTED: Wedding Photographer. Must provide recent samples of your work. Contact Ranger Manoso or Stephanie Plum.

THE END