I am so sorry for the delay in updates! My youngest son had sinus surgery on May 7th and my oldest son graduated from high school Friday night, his best friend graduated Saturday night & we had my son's graduation party today after church so it's been a busy few weeks. Things are settling down again so I promise to write faster! I want to get them on that plane (hot hot hot) and get them to Miami so the fun can begin! Thanks for hanging in there with me! Lauri

Chapter 12

I walked back into the apartment and headed to the bedroom. I pulled my 3 favorite Armani suits of Carlos' out of the closet and laid them on the bed. One was charcoal, was black and the other dark blued. I thought about the evening dresses I had bought and found shirts and ties to coordinate with them.

About that time I heard a knock on the door. I opened it to let Lester in with my purchases.

"Where do you want these Beautiful" he asked as he walked in.

"Just lay them on the bed please Les" I told him following him into our bedroom.

As he was laying the bags on the bed, a sack from Victoria's Secret fell over and spilled my newly purchased panties across the bed.

Les looked at me and waggled his eyebrows in a suggestive way.

I could feel my face flaming hot.

"Damn Beautiful I'm never gonna be able to look at you now without picturing you in these" he said while leering at me playfully as my face got even hotter.

"Lester we need to talk. Let's go in the living room" I told him as I stuffed my panties back in the sack.

He sat on the couch and patted the cushion beside him.

I sat in the chair across from him. He gave me a "one eye brow lift" damn I wish I knew how they did that!

"Look Les like I told you earlier we need to talk. I know your comments and flirting are harmless and your just trying to get a reaction out of Carlos but I have to tell you they are starting to make me feel a bit uncomfortable. Les it's taken Carlos and me a long time to get where we are and I don't want there to be any doubts in his mind that I love him and ONLY him. I know you're just having fun but for me could you please back off on the suggestive comments a bit please?" I begged him with tears shimmering in my eyes.

I didn't mean to get so emotional but just the thought of Carlos ever doubting my love made my heart ache.

Les came over and knelt in front of me and said "Steph look I'm sorry my joking around is making you uncomfortable. I never meant for that to happen. I've always been a flirt and I'm not sure I even realize that I'm doing it. I've seen what you and Ranger have gone thru and believe me I would never do anything to cause either of you one minute of pain. Honestly I enjoy pushing Ranger's buttons, but for you Beautiful I'll back off. Will it bother you if I give you a hug now?" He asked me in a tentative voice.

"Oh Les of course you can hug me. I don't want things to change between us but I don't want Carlos upset all the time either. Do you think we can find a happy medium" I asked him as he pulled me up for a hug.

"Sure thing Beautiful, we'll just have to sneak around behind his back" Les said in a playful voice.

Unfortunately Carlos picked that exact moment to walk into the apartment. His face darkened as he heard what Lester said and saw us hugging.

"What exactly are you planning on doing behind my back Santos?" he growled as he stalked towards us.

Before Lester could make things worse I said "Carlos he was just joking. You know how Les is. Please don't get upset" I said in a pleading voice as I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his middle.

"Santos don't you have something you should be doing, like working?" Carlos barked at him while giving him a pointed look.

"Yeah your right. See ya Boss, bye Beautiful. I have to pack for your trip" he said grinning as he walked out the door.

Carlos was tense as I held him. I ran my hands up and down his back in a soothing pattern. I felt him relax under my touch.

"Baby don't let Les get to you. He's always clowning around and wreaking havoc. Seriously has he ever been tested for ADHD?" I asked as I pulled back enough to see his face.

Carlos busted out laughing as he leaned in to give me a tender kiss "Babe you never disappoint."

"I'm serious Carlos, he needs medication or therapy" I said laughing at the look on his face.

"There is a nurse at St. Francis that would be perfect for him but I'm scared to fix them up because he's such a clown. He needs a woman that can put up with him and I think Shelby would be perfect for him. She's retired from the Army and was a combat medic in Iraq" I told him.

Carlos hugged me and said "Babe are you playing matchmaker?"

"Maybe" I said with a smile as he leaned in and gave me a toe curling kiss.

"What else do you need to do before we go to your parents?" he asked me as we walked back to the living room.

"I need to finish packing our dress clothes in a garment bag and take a shower" I said as I stared to walk into the bedroom.

"Do you need to shower too?" I asked him back over my shoulder.

I felt him spin me around and kiss me deeply before he said "Yeah Babe I do. We should probably shower together to save time and water" he said as he walked me into the bedroom.

He had me us naked and me wet before we made it to the bathroom door……

Wait a minute!

"Carlos what did Lester mean when he said he needed to pack for OUR trip" I asked against his mouth.

He tightened his hold on me and sighed "Babe" as he shut the bathroom door and started the shower………….