Disclaimer: You know what is mine, and what is JE's.
OooooOooooOooooOooooO
The next morning I was entering into the Rangeman underground garage, I know Joe wanted me to include him. As I should- I mean now we worked for the same place and I had an obligation to keep my daughter safe. But I know how things worked, I'd be immediately pulled off the case and moved far away until the guy was caught. I knew I could trust the Rangeman crew to help me, I did sort of feel bad constantly appearing causing Ranger to pull people from accounts to work with me. But- if I didn't tell him about what was going on and something happened to Aly- or myself, he would be furious. I waved at the camera in the elevator and got off on 5 and nearly collided with X.
"Hey X." I said, I had only met him the one time and if I thought last time he looked like he could care less who I was- this time he shot me an evil look before stalking off. I stood there my mouth hanging open for a minute, what the hell just happened? Lester walked up to me laughing.
"Why is he so pissed at me?"
"Well- he's had a really long morning."
"So- he nearly ran me down!"
"Yeah well, he made a little comment about you that Ranger overheard. So he has basically been in boot camp with Tank for the last 5 hours."
"It's 10 o'clock in the morning!"
"Yeah well, boot camp starts pretty damn early."
"Wait- comment? What did he say?" Lester grinned again and let out another chuckle.
"We were just informed that we need to resume security on watching over you, well pretty much resume Steph patrol. Anyway, so later on that afternoon in the control room X said, 'Why are we wasting our time watching some girl when there are people out there paying us to protect them?' Which- would seem an innocent enough question. Well if that girl wasn't you- and Ranger hadn't been standing behind him listening." I did a mental head slap, but then by the sudden pain in my forehead- I realized it was an actual head slap.
"Great- so now he hates me! Is Ranger going to put X on Steph patrol to punish him."
"Ha! Are you kidding, no Ranger doesn't screw around about that stuff. If something happened to you while X was on watch- Ranger would kill him. X will be doing cubicle work for a while."
"Damn- I don't want to cause problems here! I mean come on, don't let them take all this out on X. It's a totally understandable question- shit! It's a question I still ask myself!" Lester smiled but his face was a little more serious.
"While yes- he is somewhat being punished because he basically dissed Ranger's woman," I rolled my eyes but listened as he continued. "It's more than that- on a regular basis sure we do basic security shit. However, we also do some pretty dangerous shit too, it's stressful and one thing the guys here need to know is trust. We are a team and if we go into a dangerous situation and no one trusts or listens to each other, especially the Goddamn boss- it could have some pretty dangerous results. Besides, this isn't the first time guys like X have worked here. We only hire the very best at Rangeman- but with the very best sometime comes the idea that they are the most valuable asset to our team. So they become cocky and think of themselves as above rule and that they can act on their own accord. After some time goes by though they eventually learn to work with us- and not think we're working for them."
"I can understand all that I guess- but I mean he was just asking a question. So on a team you guys can't ask questions?"
"We can, trust me when Ranger first started sending people out to protect you we all wondered the same shit. So either you bring it up in one of the meetings so you can get an answer, or you keep it to yourself. You don't go gossiping about it like a little girl. Soon enough X will realize what it means to be a part of the Rangeman team, he hasn't gone on too many large assignments- and now I'm sure it will be a while before he does again."
"Man- I feel really bad."
"Don't." Came the voice of Ranger, I didn't even see him walk up. He wore his usual black uniform, arms crossed over his chest and his stoic face looking very serious. "It's like Lester said, X needs to learn respect."
I glanced at Lester in time to see him mouth the word 'Shit', so I suppose some of the things he told me- he didn't want Ranger to hear. I bit my lips to hold back a smile.
"You have things to show me. Get back to work, Santos." It was no question- Ranger was pissed, but not at me. I'm sure it felt like the last few years with me living out of state had been like a vacation and now that I was back- the problems and concern involving me came back in a rush.
"I do."
"Wait- if it's about the stuff you and Suzanne got yesterday, I need to hear this." Ranger reached up and rubbed one of his eyes.
"What was it that you were just saying about following orders?"
"You put me on that case- I need to be informed on anything involving it." Although Ranger still maintained his serious look- amusement flickered into his eyes.
"I put you on the case after you begged me to have it." I smiled and looked over at Lester who only shrugged.
"Either way, I'm coming in there to hear about this."
"Fine."
"We'll be right there." Lester called to him as Ranger walked towards his office. I was about to follow when Lester quickly grabbed my waist and put his mouth to my ear.
"Soften him up for me, sweetie. It was funny watching X in boot camp- I don't want to be on the other side of that show. And Ranger's been on edge about everything since you were attacked." I smiled, it was funny to see Lester fear Ranger, especially since he was the only one- besides me, that had no problem giving him shit from time to time.
"I'll try my best, but you know- I'm just going to throw it out there. Standing this close to me with your hand on my waist- probably isn't going to help Ranger soften up."
"Shit, you're right." He turned and glanced behind him and saw Ranger leaning against the door frame of his office watching us. Lester quickly pushed me away.
"Come on Stephanie, this is not the place for you to be hitting on me. We are strictly business here." Lester flashed me a quick wink and we both walked over to join Ranger.
Lester, Tank and Ranger had spent the last half hour examining everything I brought in. This gifts, notes, even the pictures I took of both the original smeared handprint, and my replica. All had on these unreadable expressions that made me want to scream. Apparently I was this open book that everyone could read everything about me- so sitting here watching them give no indication of what they thought was killing me.
"Can you go up to 7, and I'll meet you there in a minute?" Ranger asked me.
"Why can't you include me in this? I mean- I really shouldn't even be bringing this to you. This is evidence in an official case, I have a right to hear this." He sighed, stood, and grabbed me by the arm walking me into the hallway.
"Babe, please don't push me right now." There was more he wanted to say, I could see it in the way he looked at me.
"I don't mean to make you angry." I said softly, he placed a kiss on my forehead.
"Babe." Then he walked back into the office, I wanted to stomp back in there and demand to know what was going on. But that would be so disrespectful- never has anyone here done anything that hurt me. Everything they did for me- they did because they truly cared. I had no reason to go in there demanding things, when I am basically giving them nothing in return- except more work. Work that they would be doing for free- even if I offered to pay them.
I rode the elevator up to 7 and saw fresh muffins sitting on the kitchen counter. Ranger must have told Ella I was coming by today- because there was no way she would give him something like this. I took one and decided to just sit on the couch and wait for him to come up. I flipped through the 800 cable channels and found nothing- daytime TV sucked. It just seemed a little weird as it was for Ranger to have all these channels when the only one I could see him watching was a news channel. Right after I flipped off the TV Ranger walked into the apartment.
"Why didn't you tell me what was going on sooner?" Was the first thing he asked.
"I'm a detective, Ranger. This is my job, I'm not bringing you into every case I have just because you don't think I can protect myself."
"I know this is your job- but protecting you is my job. This isn't just any case, it's a case where your life and Aly's too is being threatened."
"Protecting me isn't your job, I never asked you to always protect me." He walked over to me, his face looked at me with an intensity I didn't recognize. I didn't back up though, I stood my ground until he stood only inches away from me.
"You didn't have to. Since you walked into my life this has become my job."
"Job makes it sound like something you dread having to do."
"Than call it my life." Our eyes locked and I wanted to look away embarrassed with the way he looked at me. But I couldn't- there was something in the way his dark eyes softened as they held mine that wouldn't let me look away. I took a step closer, I wasn't sure why- it was as if his eyes were drawing me in to him- like a moth to a flame.
"Sounds like a pretty irritating life to constantly be protecting some girl that should be able to protect herself."
"Maybe- if that girl, was just some girl."
"But she's not?" He looked at me with a passion that made me reach my hands out and grab him.
"No." Our faces moved an inch closer, our eyes never breaking from each other. But before we got too close to- I don't even want to think about 'to what', Ranger's phone went off. We both stepped back, the moment had passed.
"I have to go."
"Me too- but I'm taking another muffin on my way out." He smiled and walked out.
OoooOooooOooooOooooO
The next couple days didn't seem to do anything to help me get closer to figuring anything out. None of the guys at Rangeman would give me any information on what it was they were doing about the case. So Friday night I decided Aly and I were going to order some pizza and relax. Before bed she packed a bag for her night at Joe's, if I wasn't in there monitoring what it was she had been packing- her entire room would be in her bag. I let her bring only a couple of toys- because not only did I see first hand everything Joe had for his daughter. But I also didn't have a doubt in my mind that if there was anything this girl could possibly want that he didn't have- they would immediately go out to buy it. Joe had sent me a text at 9 to tell me he was going to sleep but he would be over at 10 and to call if there was a change of plans. Once Aly was asleep I laid in my bed watching some Jennifer Lopez movie, flipping through one of my celebrity gossip magazines. My phone rang, I sighed. I really didn't want to answer it because I was so enjoying my quiet time but when I looked and saw it was Suzanne- I decided I couldn't not answer her call.
"We're going out tomorrow night!" She squealed into the phone.
"That's great hun, I hope you guys have fun."
"Yeah me too- oh and here's the thing, you have to come with."
"Um… What are you talking about?"
"The only time I actually talked to Lester face-to-face was right after the attack when I looked awful and dehydrated. Our texting has been great and I really like him- but I am so nervous that we're going to meet up and sit there in this awkward silence."
"So- me tagging along as the third wheel is even more awkward! Besides- things aren't going to be awkward, you'll have fun."
"You won't be a third wheel- I'll find you a date."
"No- absolutely not. I am not going on a date with someone that I don't even know and be a buffer for you. Because when you and Les hit it off- I will be stuck with this guy that I will more than likely not like."
"Come on, Steph! I promise it won't be some weirdo!"
"No- Besides what would Lester say if you randomly showed up with me?"
"Well I actually already told him that I was going to invite you because you didn't have Aly tomorrow night. He was cool with it- he actually sounded relieved to know you were going to be there too."
"No way I am not going."
"Please, Stephanie!"
"I don't know." I really didn't want to go, dating sucks. Especially since I would have less than 24 hours to prepare myself for a date with a guy I would probably hate. On the other hand, I really wanted to be able to hang out with Suzanne- and Les was always so much fun. Besides, I didn't want things to go wrong for them, all because they were too nervous to just be themselves.
"I'll think about it, okay?"
"Okay!" She said sounding like a little girl that was just told she was going to be getting a pony for her birthday.
"That's not a yes!" I said quickly.
"It's pretty damn close! Night!" She quickly hung up- probably before I could change my mind. Not that my mind was truly made up yet. I figured it was time for bed before I got anymore calls where someone was forcing me into something I was too much of a pushover to turn down.
Joe had arrived at exactly 10 o'clock and I couldn't tell who was more excited about this- him or Aly. We switched over the car seat from my car to his, and they drove away. I made sure Joe knew to call me if he needed anything at all- or if anything went wrong. And not to be embarrassed if he needed help with something. He didn't seem worried though, I could see it in his expression- he was born to be a father.
I put on my bathing suit and went and laid out in the hammock hoping my skin would soak up some of the sun's rays and produce a nice little tan. Everything had been so quiet and relaxing that I practically fell off the hammock at the sound of my phone ringing.
"Hello?" I breathed into it- I had accidentally answered before checking the caller id.
"If I'm going to this tonight- so are you."
"Ranger?" I asked confused, looking down at the caller ID- sure enough it was Ranger.
"Expecting someone else?"
"No- what thing are you talking about?"
"This double date Lester and Suzanne have decided to create at last minute."
"Wait, you're going?" Okay- now I was really worried I was going to fall off the hammock. "How did they convince you to go?"
"Lester pulled the 'family' card and just kept babbling away until I finally said I'd go. Then he told me that you might not be going, but no matter what I have to go. So I'm calling you to tell you I will be there to pick you up at 8."
"I don't even know what we're doing."
"You don't?" Ranger asked- the smile in his voice really made me nervous.
"No."
"We're going to a Mexican restaurant for drinks."
"That doesn't sound too bad."
"Yeah- well it also has a large dance floor and Saturday nights this place basically becomes a nightclub- with better music."
"What! Who picked that?" I yelled.
"Lester- that's always been the place he brings girl's to that he actually wants to impress. So at least that means he really does like your friend."
"I need to let you go."
"I'll be there at 8." He disconnected and I immediately dialed Suzanne.
"Dancing!" I yelled into the phone when she answered.
OooooOooooOooooOooooO
Suzanne had brought over tons of make up, hair stuff and outfits. She picked out her outfit- a blue dress that looked like it had once been a large T-shirt. The top was loose and hugged around her chest but once it got to her waist the fabric formed itself around every curve of her butt and thighs. Even though she argued with me for a good hour about how I needed to wear a dress- I still refused. There was no way I was going to go in a dress and somehow fall and expose my panties to the entire place. We spent the day doing facials, polishing, and tweezing, Suzanne did a great black and grey smoky eyeshadow look on herself. But even though this was her date, and I was simply just going with to make sure the conversation didn't die- Suzanne begged to do my hair and make-up. I agreed, but told her that if she made me look like a hooker, or a poodle I wasn't going to go anymore. The whole time she worked on me, she didn't let me look into the mirror and every time I asked what she was doing to me- she just responded with 'You'll see'.
"Okay- all done."
"Can I look now?" I asked her- it was 7:40 and I knew Ranger would be here at 8- on the dot. Lester was picking Suzanne up at 8 too- but apparently it wasn't very cool for all of us to ride in a car together.
"First, get dressed into this." I had been sitting in just shorts and a tank top so whatever outfit she picked out would look fresh as soon as I put it on. "Oh and I went through your lingerie drawer- I'm weird I know. But I found a couple things- you can pick." She held out a couple bras and a couple pair of lacy thongs. The thongs I more kept as a joke- Mandy had made me buy them once, but I had never worn them.
"I don't really care."
"Then here." She held out a matching set of a black Victoria's Secret push-up bra that had silver lace around it. The thong was black with the same silver lace as the bra. I looked at the bed and saw the rest of the outfit- the black perfect fitting pants I had worn on my first day of work. Plus a white top, the material was thick so as I slipped it on I didn't have to worry about my black bra showing. I had completely forgotten about this top- it sat over the top of my pants and along the back it hung tight against me. In the front though it was a little more flowy with a deep V-cut that showed off my Victoria's secret enhanced cleavage greatly. I called to Suzanne, who was waiting in my bathroom and she handed me a pair of silver FMPs. I gave her my 'you can't be serious' look but she insisted.
"Now you can look." She smiled- beaming at me.
I walked over to my closet and opened the door where I had a full length mirror on the other side and froze. There was no way this was me in the reflection- I stood speechless but Suzanne snapped me out of it.
"SO!"
My usual long thick curly hair had been completely straightened. Not a curl or a wave could be seen. My hair looked a few inches longer and she had put some product in my hair that not only smelt amazing but also gave it a shine. It looked amazing, I ran my fingers through it- not believing it was my real hair. But it wasn't just my hair or outfit that looked good- it was my make-up too. Suzanne knew I didn't wear much besides mascara so she didn't do too much to scare me. There was a black line of eyeliner going across my lid and continued on a little past the end of my eye. There was a soft bronze sparkle shadow and tons of mascara.
"You're killing me here Steph!"
"This is amazing!"
"I know." She said with confidence. "Do I look okay?"
"Better than okay!" I said back.
"Good! Well I better get home, see you in a little bit."
I followed her downstairs and grabbed the little black purse Suzanne insisted I bring. I loaded up my wallet, keys, mascara but before I could drop my phone in- I had to make a call.
"Hello?" Joe answered on the second ring.
"Hey- how is everything going?"
"It's great- we're having a blast."
"Good- listen I can't talk long. I just wanted to say Suzanne and Lester are dragging me along with on their date- it was really last minute. But Ranger is going to be with- and I don't know I just wanted to tell you."
"Thank you for telling me, I hope you guys have fun." The sincerity in his voice was surprising.
"Oh yeah- you too."
"Thanks, I'll call you in the morning. Night cupcake." Joe disconnected and I stood there for a few more minutes with the phone still to my ear. There was no way that conversation just went the way it did. I was about to call him back and ask if we just talked on the phone but I heard a knock at the door- no time now. I stuffed my phone in the bag and went to the door.
"Wow." Ranger said as he opened the door- but I could say the same thing about him. From head to toe he looked perfection, he a pair of dark jeans like he had the other night when he was over for dinner. On the top was a tight black T-shirt that showed off his perfect chest. His leather jacket was on over the shirt and a silver chain hung from his neck.
"Bad wow?" I asked- sure I thought it looked great. But- this was an entirely new look for me, the hair alone was a shock even to me.
"Not at all." He reached his hand out and moved a strand of hair behind my ear like he usually did with my curls.
"Suzanne did it, I've never worn my hair straight like this."
"I like it." The smile on his face comforted me and all my nerves went away. What was I nervous about anyway? Ranger was my best friend, and Lester and Suzanne were great friends of mine too. As far as I was concerned- this was going to be just a fun night out with friends.
"Shall we?" He asked extending his arm out to me to grab onto, I smiled.
"We shall."
We arrived at the restaurant at the same as Lester and Suzanne and I couldn't help but smile at the sight of the two of them. Lester was extremely attractive and if he had been with just an ordinary looking girl- she would have been invisible next to him. Suzanne was far from ordinary, together they looked like they should be walking the red carpet together. Inside was incredible- the only lights were those on the dance floor that lightly lit the rest of the place. The music was loud and the atmosphere was great. The hostesses walked us over to a booth in the corner, I was about to sit down on one side but Ranger grabbed my arm and directed me to the other side. Of course, I should have known he would make us sit with our backs to the wall.
"Expecting an attack?" I asked with a smile as he slid in after me.
"I've learned to expect anything when you're around." I rolled my eyes and turned to look at the menu. The others did the same but after a minute Ranger moved the curtain of my hair that fell between us over my shoulder and leaned close.
"What are you getting to drink?"
"I want a frozen margarita, no salt on the rim."
"Ooh! I want the same thing." Suzanne chimed in to us.
"And some chips and salsa or something!" I added with a smile.
The waitress came over and it looked like she was about to have a heart attack standing in the presence of these two sexy men.
"What can I get you?" She asked in a thick Spanish accent.
I was about to speak up but Ranger put his hand on my thigh to stop me. Then he spoke up and gave the woman our order in Spanish- the sound of it made me feel like I was going to melt right there. The waitress left- looking like she felt the same way I did. Ranger's hand didn't leave my thigh though as he turned back to the attention of the table. No part of me wanted to protest, I felt like maybe I should- but that thought didn't hang out long. Not long we received our margaritas- the guys got beers. Then chips and salsa, and chicken and cheese quesadillas arrived. Everything tasted amazing, the conversation flowed really well and while the guys didn't slam down their beers- Suzanne and I had no problem finishing off two margaritas.
"Let's go dance." Suzanne said to all of us, Lester agreed and before I could answer I felt something vibrate. I looked down and realized how close I was sitting to Ranger, it had been his cell phone in his pocket that was vibrating.
"Sorry." I muttered scooting away, he only responded with a smile as he pulled out his phone.
"I have to take this." He said getting up and walking away. I felt my body temperature drop about 50 degrees as Ranger left my side.
"Come on." Suzanne said to me, no point sitting around waiting.
Lester, Suzanne and I danced to a few songs, and even though most of the songs required just one partner- Lester found a way to make it work with us both. I felt bad, I didn't want to take this time away from the two of them- but Suzanne didn't look at all bothered by this. Once the song slowed down and the couples started to press against each other in a slow dance, I knew I wasn't sticking around for this one. I turned to leave and let them enjoy the dance themselves and ran into Ranger.
"Sorry that took so long." He said wrapping his arms tightly around my lower back.
"Everything okay?" I asked, my arms finding their way around his neck.
"Everything's great." I couldn't help but smile and blush. We moved together as one, occasionally he'd twirl me, or dip me but every time he pulled me back closely into him.
It didn't feel like there was anyone else in the room, all I heard was the beat of the music, and all I saw- was Ranger. Our eyes held with the same intensity they had just a couple days ago. Normally I would never be able to stare this long into one person's eyes without glancing away. This was different- I couldn't look away, I didn't want to. Then I realized his lips were moving, he had been softly singing the song that was being played in Spanish. I moved closer so I could hear, and his lips touched my ear as he recited the song perfectly. I had no idea what he was saying- for all I know he could have been telling me he was going to kill me and bury the body so no one could find it. But I didn't care- I felt as if I was going to melt right there on the dance floor. There was many things about Ranger that any woman in her right mind would find attractive. But moving together with him listening to him sing softly in another language into my ear topped the charts in what made him sexy.
All too soon though the song ended and picked up to a faster Salsa dance. I didn't expect Ranger to stay and dance more, but once again I was surprised. We danced not only to that song but to about a dozen more. Ranger moved us around, his body completely control of his moves- and mine- it was like nothing I could ever have imagined. I have known this man for years and just when I thought I knew everything about him- I learned something new- something that made him more incredible in my eyes. The four of us finally stepped off the dance floor and I could tell by the way the two of them looked at each other- they had just as good of a time as Ranger and I. They were going to go for a drive and asked if we wanted to join them, we politely declined and made our way out to Ranger's car.
OoooOooooOooooOoooO
We arrived in front of my house and as I went to open my door Ranger grabbed my wrist and told me to stay put. I quickly looked around- wondering if he saw something or someone that I hadn't. I watched him walk around the front of the car to my door and open it for me. He held his hand out to help me, and I grabbed it without hesitation.
"What was that?" I asked him, a smile touched his lips- it seems he had smiled more tonight than I have ever seen him smile before. I looked down and realized our fingers were laced together, I couldn't remember doing that- but I wasn't going to fight it.
"Well, seeing that this is a date- I'm going to do it the way a first date should be." We stopped at my front door and I looked at him.
"This was a date?" His smile was showing his amusement.
"We were on a double date."
"Yeah- well I know that, but I guess I just- I don't know." His hand rested against my cheek, his thumb gently rubbing back and forth.
"Is it okay to say this was a date?" I looked at him and nodded. Then in an instant his lips were pressed against mine. I could hardly believe what was happening- sure he had kissed my cheeks and my forehead over the years. But the last time our lips touched like this was just days before I left for Wisconsin. But this kiss was different. My eyes closed and our lips moved together, his tongue traced slowly along my lips. My hand found its way to the back of his neck and the kiss slowly deepened. I always knew I cared about Ranger- that was nothing new. But this kiss had ignited a flame I didn't quite understand, a deeper need than one I had ever felt with him before.
Before I had time to figure it out he pulled back and smiled at me. I didn't even realize he had grabbed my keys, but now my front door was open.
"Good night, Stephanie." He said, about to turn to go.
"Good night, Carlos." This stopped him in his tracks, his eyebrows raised at me in curiosity. I have always called him Ranger, as did everyone.
"Carlos?" He asked me.
"Well- everyone knows about Batman, he is dark, mysterious and very sexy. But no one really knows him, so if I were to ever be going on a date with Batman- it would actually be Bruce Wayne I would want to be with. Not a lot of people know who Bruce Wayne really is. So if this was a date- I would rather be on a date with Carlos instead of Ranger." His eyes shifted down to the ground- a smile spreading wide across his face. He grabbed my hand and pulled me to him for another kiss- still intense but not nearly as long.
"I like the sound of that." Carlos said before stepping back. "Now get inside, because if someone comes along and kidnaps you off of your front step and ruins my amazing night- I'm going to be really unhappy." I smiled.
"Well we don't want that." I walked in the house and shut the door and watched as he got in and drove off. I went upstairs and changed into my pajamas and laid in bed. There was far too much on my mind to sleep, and while I had one of the most amazing nights and there should be thousands of questions running through my mind. There was really only one thing I could think about- Joe.
OooooOooooOooooOoooO
Ranger POV
I put the car into gear and sped away from her house as fast as I could. Hearing my name was nothing new- my family all called me Carlos. It was way Stephanie's lips formed it, and the way she had said it with such confidence. A few years ago I would have told her how much I enjoyed it hearing it- by spending the night making her scream it out in ecstasy. This was different though. I always knew I loved my babe- there was no other way to explain why I did what I did for her. But it wasn't until I left her in Wisconsin that I realized- despite all my instincts screaming at me to be the stoic soldier- I had fallen in love with her. Every time I went up to see her I knew if I had really wanted to sleep with her- I could have. Not that my babe was by any means easy- but the longer she went without anyone else in her bed, and the intensity that was always between us- would have let me have her as many times as I wanted.
I couldn't though, because I was in love with her- but no matter what she said or how she acted, things still weren't resolved with Morelli. I knew sooner or later she would come visit him or he would go see them. Months before she had been offered this job I could see the look in his face when I saw him- he was miserable without her. And at least half a dozen times I was driving at night and I would pass by her old apartment and see his car in the parking lot. He was just sitting there, waiting for her- needing her.
As much as I wanted her to be mine- I didn't just want to sleep with her- I couldn't. It killed me the way every time I would go see her, the way she felt rejected by the way I didn't make a move for her. It eventually got easier- I was able to sleep with her in bed and just hold her close. Then that last time when I went to drive them home- she was tempting me to a point here I almost gave in. She had needed me then, and had it been any other time, or any other girl I would have given her exactly what she wanted. But I couldn't, not right before she was going to come home to Morelli. I told myself if I ever went back to see her that I would just be her friend, until her and Morelli had truly and completely ended it.
My original plan was to back off when she came back, and decide on her own what she wanted. But seeing the two of them together killed me in a way I had never before felt. I knew I couldn't just let her go. I wouldn't just go away without putting up a fight. I didn't doubt Morelli loved her and longed for her. But I wasn't going to just stand back this time- because I loved her and needed her too. Stephanie Plum had come into my life with such force that I knew I would never truly be able to let her go.
I was stopped at a red light when I felt my phone vibrate. It was a text from Lester and it just read:
You're welcome
I couldn't help but smile- okay so maybe I did owe him. Because for once, I didn't feel like a ranger trained to obey and perform- with my babe I was alive.