Earlier in the day...

There were two solid taps on the office door and before it flew open. Lester marched inside followed by Tank and Bobby. Les closed the laptop and pushed Ranger out of his chair."

"We need to talk," Les said.

"I don't know what the fuck your doing Santos but you're asking for an ass kicking."

"We need to talk about Stephanie," Tank said.

"Is she hurt?"

"No. She's safe. I just saw her at Pino's a few minutes ago. She was sitting alone eating a slice of pizza and she looked so sad and lonely it made me want to kick your ass," Lester continued.

"What does any of this have to do with me?" Ranger growled.

"Everything, asshole," Bobby said stepping forward. "She's been like this since you left six months ago. Did you know that she dumped the cop, this time for good. He took a job down in Camden and was gone two weeks later. A couple months ago Eddie stopped me at the station bragging about working with Steph at the gun range. Said she could hit kill shots in rapid secession without lining up the shot. He said she was also working out at Cobra Dojo two days a week. So you tell me why would a woman who is terrified of her gun and despises exercise is suddenly so interested in both?"

"Only one reason I can think of, she wants to impress a you," Tank added.

"If you don't make play for her soon someone else will. Only He won't be a jerk like Morelli and she might really give her heart away this time. Then you'll never have a change to make her your woman in more than name. Hell, the Bombshell is hot, maybe I'll ask her out myself," Lester said dodging Ranger and he lunged toward him.

"Think about it Ranger, the woman is a real special and she won't be available much longer," Tank said turning to leave.

"Cousin think about it, really think about it. She's been there for you so many times do you think a girl like Steph would do those things of she wasn't in love?"

00000

I stood in front of Ranger my heart pounding so hard I was worried it might leap from my chest. He remained frozen in place, his eyes locked with mine. Then his eyes closed and he turned away from me. Dropping his head as if he'd been defeated.

"So this is what this feels like," I whispered tying the belt of the coat hiding my body. "I'll be going. I'm sorry I interrupted your evening. I can see myself out."

Quickly I flung the door to the apartment open and rushed into the lobby. Just as my finger connected with the button I felt the air shift behind me. Glancing over my shoulder I saw Ranger standing in the apartment doorway.

"Babe, don't go."

I stood still willing myself to stay strong. He'd rejected me. How could I stay? I couldn't my pride wouldn't let me.

"Please stay."

I mustered my strength and remained steadfast. Not giving an inch. I refused to let him see my face or comfort himself by offering kind words. The elevator doors opened and I stepped inside and pushed the button for the garage never looking at Ranger.

The doors opened to the garage and before I could step out the door to the stairwell crashed open and Ranger ran out at bullet speed. He scanned the area looking at the cars then turning his head to the elevator he spotted and broke into a sprint across the garage. In a panic I furiously pressed the button to close the doors. The doors closed but Ranger was quicker stepping between them to stop their movement.

"I love you."

"But?" I asked.

Ranger shook his head and took a step toward me.

"I love you," he repeated.

The doors closed and Ranger used the fob to bypass us to the penthouse, and scramble the camera feed. He was standing against the wall opposite me; watching. Neither of us moved or spoke. When the doors opened to the penthouse lobby Ranger put his arm out and gestured with his head toward the apartment door.

"Ranger you don't have to explain. I understand you've always been honest about your stand on relationships."

"Why did you leave?" Ranger asked. "You didn't give me a chance to say anything."

"You turned away."

"You surprised me. I wasn't sure what to think. One second I was trying to figure out how to get you naked and then next you say you love me. I'm sorry I turned away. I was trying control of my body so I could talk to you. Let's go in the apartment, we have some things to talk about," Ranger said.

I stepped off the elevator and noticed the door to the apartment was ajar. When my footsteps faltered Ranger stepped beside me and placed a reassuring hand at the small of my back.

"I was panicked you would get away. I can't believe how scared I was when those elevator doors closed. I think my heart stopped for a few seconds," Ranger said closing the door behind him."I think I may have jumped the last flight of steps hoping to catch you." Ranger closed the space between us and took one of my hands in his placing it over his heart. "I love you. I'm not a traditional man, Babe. I won't be at the dinner table every night and you won't always be able to just pick up the phone and call me. But I'll love you like no one else can. I already do. I love you just the way you are. if you want to learn about new things or improve a skill because it's what you want that's fine, but don't do it to impress me. I'm already amazed by you every single day."

"I love you, too. With every thing I am I love you. I know this is a complicated choice but it's the only choice that's right for me. I'll probably keep going to the self-defense classes because I like them but that wine tasting class is boring. Maybe I'll get one of the guys here to help me with my gun skills. Eddie's been great but his oldest..."

"Babe," Ranger interrupted me. "We'll talk about it tomorrow," He said as he pulled in his arms and brushed a kiss across my cheek. "Tell me again," he whispered against my lips.

"I love you."

Ranger pressed his lips to mine and kissed me with tenderness and passion that promised a lifetime of love. Soon the kiss changed and he pushed his tongue into my mouth and I could feel his body changing against me. I broke the kiss and reached into the coat pocket pulling out the hat and placing it on my head before dropping the coat on the floor. I watched Ranger's eyes as he slowly scanned my body from head to toe.

"Babe is this my Christmas present?" He asked his voice deep and sexy like rich chocolate. He traced the fur trim of the bustier with his finger sending a tingle of electricity straight to my doodah.

"Have you been a good boy this year? I asked in my best sex kitten voice.

Ranger gave me a sexy grin and ran hand down my body and touching me in places I'd only dreamed of and when I shivered in anticipation he kissed me behind my ear and whispered, "I have been a good boy, but that's about to change."

OoooooooooooooO

Merry Christmas! ~ R