I woke up the next morning just before my alarm was supposed to go off. I reached over and turned it off, and looked down at the gorgeous beauty in my arms. It was as if we were both so comfortable, neither of us moved all night. Her head was still on my chest and she had her left leg and arm draped over me. I was beginning to try and untangle us, when she laced her fingers with mine. When I looked down again, I was looking into her hypnotic eyes, and couldn't help the feelling that I was also gazing into my future.
"Go back to sleep Kitten, it's still very early."
"Where are you going this early honey?" It felt like there were butterflies in my stomach when she called me 'honey'.
"Most of us get up this early to go down and do a morning workout." I kissed the tip of her nose. "I'll be back in about an hour." She didn't let go of my hand.
"Let me throw on my workout clothes and I'll join you, if that's ok." I smiled.
"Of course it's ok. I didn't know you worked out." She giggled.
"What, you think I naturally look like this?" I chuckled. "Besides, you think I'd pass up a chance to see a gym full of hot sweaty guys working out?" I growled, and she giggled again. She was teasing me. She started to stretch, and I swear she looked like a cat when she did. She went to the bathroom to change her clothes. When she came out she was wearing a tight, low cut sports top that also ony went down to her navel, and a pair of tight yoga pants. My dick twitched, and suddenly I thought of another way to get our workouts in.
"Kitten, if you walk in there looking like that, there is going to be a riot." She rolled her eyes.
"Oh please. Have you seen some of my stage outfits? They're big boys, I think they can handle it." She grabbed her yoga mat and a bottle of water out of the fridge and looked at me. "Are we ready to go?" All I could do was nod. I was trying to think of anything I could to keep my problem below the waste from 'growing'. I led her out of the apartment and she actually suggested the stairs, and I grinned. Once again she laced her fingers with mine and held my hand as we jogged down the stairs. When we walked into the gym, it instantly fell silent and all eyes were on us. I even heard some weights being dropped on the floor. I wasn't quite sure what to say, but Kat did.
"Hey guys. I'm sorry to crash your workouts, but I need to work out too. Is it ok if I stay?" I looked around and saw everyone just nod with their jaws on the floor. They were looking her up and down, and I wasn't liking it too much. I started to growl, when Tank clear his throat.
"Christ you guys! Get it together. At least act like you've been around women before. You've been in war zones, I think you can handle Kat working out with us." I saw Kat biting her lip.
"Maybe I should just come back later." Everyone shook their heads. Lester was the first to recover.
"Sorry gorgeous. We're just not used to seeing beautiful women in here this early. Steph doesn't get up until much later." Kat chuckled.
"Well, I'm not usually up this early either, but I woke up when Ram did and decided to come with him. You guys won't even know I'm here. Maybe I can talk Steph into doing yoga with me. It's actually great for flexibility, strength, stamina, all kinds of things really. I'm actually surprised you guys don't do it. But I guess you guys think it's pretty girly. But honestly, you guys might want to give it a shot. You'd be amazed at what the flexibility can do for fighting."
She walked over to a spot between the treadmills and sparring ring and rolled out her mat. I walked over to the treadmills to start a warm up jog, giving every guy a warning glare to not stare at my woman. I looked over at her every so often and saw her doing the different yoga poses. Her eyes were closed, and her body movements flowed so gracefully. She is amazing. I started to give yoga more credit. The next time I looked over, I saw all the guys crowded around her. I was getting steamed, until I also saw Ranger over there. Now I was curious; so I hopped off the treadmill and made my way over. When I got there, I saw what everyone was so enamored with. Kat was on her stomach, with her legs bent all the way up to her head and her feet were on either side of her head. Her eyes were still closed as she was breathing, but she sensed us there.
"See, I told you that yoga does wonders for flexibility." She looked so cute with her eyes closed and a grin on her face. She proeeded to bring her legs down and she layed spread eagle on her back. She lay like for a few minutes, then opened her eyes and got up. Ranger unfolded his arms and clapped a few times.
"Kat, that was damn impressive. How long have you been doing yoga?" She smiled.
"About three years, give or take." She opened her water and took a few sips.
"Would you mind instructing some of my men, if they choose to explore yoga?" She lit up.
"Not at all. I'd love too! It would be a way for me to pay all of you back for letting me stay here." Ranger shook his head.
"You don't owe us anything Kat. We were first hired to help protect you and the club. We've all come to know you and care about you. We protect you because we want to." Everyone echoed the sentiment. She smiled.
"Thank you Ranger, and everyone. That means a lot to me." She went around and gave each and everyone of my friends/coworkers/family a hug and kiss on the cheek. This woman is so wonderful and has such a huge heart. I hope there is room in there for me...all of me...the good, the bad, and the ugly things I've had to do. I was brought out of my thoughts when Kat put her hand on my arm.
"Deep thoughts sweetie?" I looked down at her and smiled.
"Just thinking about what a big heart you have and how accepting you are of all of us." She smiled and then furrowed her brow.
"I have no idea why people look at you guys the way they do. They can't see past their own noses to see what wonderfully amazing people you are." Then she smiled again. "But that's just their loss, and me and Steph's gain." And she put her arms around me and gave me a sweet little peck on the lips. Lester just had to break the moment.
"Ok you two, take it upstairs." I glared at him and Kat buried her head in my chest and laughed. If they both only knew what I wanted to take her upstairs and do, they'd both be blushing. Everyone returned to their work out and Kat got on the treadmill to do a jog. She looked so sexy with that thin sheen of sweat on her body. I needed to get back to MY workout, before I embarrassed myself.
We both finished up about the same time. I told Kat to go ahead and go upstairs to shower and that I'd shower here in the locker room. She nodded and walked out the door. I finished quickly and when I got into the apartment, I could hear Kat singing in the shower. I walked over to the door to listen. She was singing Skyfall, and my mind immediately went to the first time that I saw her, and I smiled. I wondered if love at first sight really does exist. I walked in the kitchen to make us breakfast. When she was finished and came out of the bathroom I had omlets on the table ready for us. She looked at me and smiled.
"You cooked?" I nodded. She inhaled deeply. "It smells wonderful." I waited expectantly as she took a bite. "MMMMM, oh my God! this is terrific! Thank you." I grinned.
"You're very welcome. I'm glad you like it baby." She smiled and we ate in a companionable silence. When we were finished, she told me to sit and she went over and did the dishes real quick. I just can't help but think how natural all of this feels. I looked down at my watch and noticed I had to go to the morning meeting.
"Kitten, I have to go to the morning meeting now. I'll stop back in afterwards, ok?" She nodded and got a cute little smirk on her face.
"Ok dear. Have a great day." She came over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I stuck my tongue out at her, and her smirk turned into a wicked grin. "You better keep that in your mouth unless you plan to use it...on me." Heaven help me. My dick twitched and I grabbed her and gave her a real kiss. When I pulled back we were both breathless.
"Ok, I really have to go now. I'll be back later." She nodded and I kissed her on the head and walked out the door. As I headed up the stairs, I thought, this woman's going to be the death of me...but what a way to go.
When I walked into the conference room for the meeting, I instantly got a bad feeling in my gut. Everyone looked at me with grim expressions. I furrowed my brow, but took my seat. Ranger took charge of the meeting.
"Morning gentlemen. I got the preliminary report back on the tarantuals. The poison they inject is a paralitic. They only have one poison sack, so generally, it's not fatal. But in large doses, it can paralyze the entire nervous system; shutting down the lungs and heart. Only one of the tarantuals had the poison sack, so it's more likely that who ever did this only wanted Kat freaked out or incapacitated." I clenched my fists together and worked my jaw. What the hell was going on? What did this person want with or from her? I had more questions.
"Are we any closer to finding out who this is?" I looked at Ranger, hopeful.
"Unfortunately, we are not. There are no pet stores that even carry that type of tarantula, so that's a dead end. Don't worry Ram, we'll find out who's doing this and put a stop to it. In the mean time, I want a two guard detail on Kat at all times when she leaves the building. I already called Steph and asked her to bring Kat in." I nodded once. About that time, in bounced Stephanie and Kat. Kat looked around at everyone.
"Why do you guys look like your dog just ran away?" I tried to manage a small smile.
"What are your plans for today?" She smiled wide.
"Steph and I are going shopping. She suggested retail therapy, and I thought it was a brilliant idea!" She giggled. I heard Ranger's voice over my shoulder.
"Kat, we are putting a two guard detail on you anytime you are out of the building." She furrowed her brow.
"Is that really necessary?" The look I gave Ranger said, 'I'll field this one'. I looked at Kat pleadingly.
"Yes it is. One of the tarantulas was poisonous. Until we find out who's doing this, and stop them, it's not safe for you to be alone. Please Kitten? For me?" She narrowed her eyes at me.
"Ok. But that was just dirty saying it like that." She stuck her tongue out at me. So I decided to remind her of what she said earlier.
"You better put that back in your mouth unless you plan to use it...on me." She gave me a wicked grin.
"Oh baby, I plan too." She licked her lips and my jaw dropped. Then she turned to Ranger like nothing happened and smiled.
"Ok, who's going to Victoria's Secret with us?" I turned and saw everyone raise their hands. I saw Ranger's lips twitch.
"Put your hands down. Babe, who do you want to take?" Steph answered.
"I'll take my usual. Lester and Hector." I was happy about Hector, but not too thrilled about Santos. I knew Santos would control himself with Steph, but with Kat, I wasn't so sure.
"We'll wait outside until the meeting is over." Steph and Kat walked out the Ranger dismissed us, Lester put his hand on my shoulder. I turned to face him.
"Don't freak out Ram. I know she's your girl. I'll take care of her." He actually looked serious.
"Thanks man. She means a lot to me." He grinned.
"I've noticed. I've never seen you this hot for some chick."
"I guess that's the thing. She's not just some chick to me." I looked around.
"We haven't even slept together yet." Lester's eyebrows shot to his hairline.
"She's been in your bed twice, you guys have been dating for the last month or more. What's the problem?" I glared at him.
"You know the shit I went through with Karen." He frowned and nodded. "I was a little gun shy when we first started dating, but now, I want it to be something special. I want it to mean as much to her as it does to me." He looked at me for a moment. "What are you looking at Santos?" He got a big goofey grin on his face.
"You're in love with her, aren't you bro?" I looked at him dumbfounded. Was I in love with her? This certainly felt different from any other relationship I'd been in. When I thought about her, I knew my answer, and I didn't hesitate.
"Yeah, I am." He smiled at me and I smiled back.
"I'll keep your secret."
"Thanks man. Just keep an eye on her."
"Will do." We walked out of the conference room together. Kat turned and looked at us.
"There's something different about you two. You seem...closer. Are you dumping me for Lester?" She smirked. I walked over and wrapped my arms around her.
"Never." I bent my head and gave her a searing kiss. When I pulled back, she had a glazed look in her eyes. Lester being Lester, had to break the moment.
"Man, I thought we had something special. This hurts me. I don't know how I will go on." He feigned hurt and tilted his head back and brought the back of his hand to his forhead in a dramatic fashion. We ALL rolled our eyes and laughed.
After Ranger and I said goodbye to our women, Steph took Hector's arm and Kat took Lester's. They walked to the elevator and waved goodbye to us. When the doors closed, Ranger clapped me on the back.
"Congratulations Ram. She's a special woman. Treat her right, and you won't have any problems from any of us." The corner of his mouth was turned up into a half grin.
"I know she is. I plan on treating her like a queen, for as long as she'll have me." He smiled a full smile and gave me a nod.
I had been sitting at the monitors for a couple of hours. I had noticed that the SUV was still parked at the mall. I will never understand how women can spend so much time shopping. I got up to get Cal and I bottles of water. When I returned, I sat down and scanned the monitors. I was looking at the fleet monitor when I saw the SUV at the mall go offline. My heart jumped up into my throat. Cal and I sent out the standard texts set up for whenever Steph goes offline. Ranger came storming out of his office.
"Tank, Brown; you take one SUV. Ram...you're with me." I was surprised, but nodded once.
We got down to the garage and took off towards the mall. I was extremely tense. She better be ok.
"She'll be ok Ram. You know that two of our best guys are with them." Again, all I could do was nod. The lump in my throat wouldn't budge. We got to the mall and followed the smoke billowing up into the sky. It wasn't until we came careening around the corner and saw...no one, that I actually felt tears start to well up in my eyes. As soon as Ranger slowed the car down enough, I jumped out and headed towards the car. The flames were intensely hot, but I had to see if she was in there. I couldn't tell through all the flames, but I don't think I saw anyone in there. I was pacing around the vehicle screaming her name. Ranger had to stop me from getting any closer.
"RAM! Get ahold of yourself! You aren't going to be any good to her if you end up getting hurt." Just then my phone started vibrating. It was Lester.
"Where is she? Are they ok?...On our way." I looked at Ranger.
"They are all on the west side. Hector and Lester carried them away from here. He said it looks like there are only minor injuries." We jumped back into the SUV and sped toward the west side of the mall. When we pulled up, I saw Kat and Steph sitting on a bench, looking a little dazed. I jumped out and sprinted to Kat. She looked up and saw me and started to run towards me as well. She jumped into my arms and I swung her around. I carried her back over to the bench. I looked every inch of her over. Lester stepped up to Ranger and I.
"I don't know what happened. Nothing looked out of the ordinary, but when we were about 20 feet away from the car, it just exploded. Hector and I threw the girls to ground and shielded them from the subsequent explosions." I looked back at Kat and she seemed to be in a daze. I looked at Bobby and he got his little light out and shined it in her eyes. She finally blinked and shook her head.
"What the hell happened?" I looked at her and frowned.
"The SUV you guys were in exploded, causing the cars around it to explode as well." I placed my hand on the side of her face, and she snuggled into it. Bobby stood back and looked at all of us.
"Ok, both of you have various scrapes and cuts. Kat, you really need stitches above your eye and you both have very mild concussions. We need to get you guys back to Rangeman so I can clean you up." He looked at Ranger and I, and we nodded. Ranger placed Steph in the front with him, and I got in back holding Kat. She looked puzzled.
"Steph, why aren't you freaking out?" Steph snortted a little and rolled her eyes.
"I'm more used to this kind of thing than anyone should be. The majority of the cars that I've owned have been blown up. Although, it doesn't really happen anymore, now that I work at Rangeman." Kat was starting to sfhake a little bit, so I got a blanket from the back and wrapped it around her. She snuggled into my chest and slowly stopped shaking. I just kept thinking about how close I came to losing her, and she doesn't even know that I love her.
When we got back to Rangeman, we took the girls to the infirmary and let Bobby get to work. Ranger and I stepped outside to talk to hector and Lester. Lester looked at me.
"Before I forget, something happened at the mall. While we were outside Victoria's Secret, your ex Karen came up to me and told me to tell you 'hello, she missed you, and for you to call her immediately'. She was pretty insistent." I furrowed my brow.
"What the fuck is she thinking? Has she lost her mind? I've got Kat, and even if I didn't, I respect myself enough not to even think about getting back with her." Everyone gave me a proud nod. They know how bad she hurt me, but being with Kat has shown me that I shouldn't have allowed her shallowness and spiteful words to hurt me. Kat has shown me that I just might be a man who deserves to be loved by a beautiful woman, and wonderful person. Kat is the only one I want it to be.