I had this chapter almost completely written the other day then realized my heart wasn't in it. I was writing words, more filler than feelings. I didn't want to post it once I finished. Hopefully this is better.

Chapter 17

RPOV

As we drove to Point Pleasant I was in my zone and Stephanie was quietly looking out the window, I could see a million thoughts go through her mind each time I made eye contact with her. She was having the same feelings I was, but she was afraid it was going too fast. I am scared to death of my feelings for her, I have never loved any woman the way I love her. I have fallen in love with her as a friend, now we've taken it to the lover stage and I don't ever want to go back. I want to spend each night with her and wake up each morning with her. She is my light in all the darkness that surrounds me.

After an hour and a half drive we pulled up to a beach house that is owned by Rangeman that has a private beach. Ella stocked the fridge with food and drinks for a couple of days in case we decided to stay overnight. Even if we didn't it would give us a place to clean up to go out to eat dinner tonight and walk on the boardwalk. I picked the beach today because I know that is Babe's happy place, and she needs some happy right now. Her whole life is changing and I want to show her that it's all for the better.

"Ranger this isn't the beach, it's a beach house." She said as we pulled into the driveway.

"You are so observant," with that she stuck her tongue out at me, "The house is owned by Rangeman and has as private beach. We have the house to ourselves and can stay here overnight. If not we have a place to clean up before we go to the boardwalk and out to eat dinner."

"That's nice Ranger. I'm just not sure if I really want to stay the night or not." She said with a little uncertainty.

"Let's go enjoy the beach, we don't have to decide right now. I'll grab the picnic basket if you'll grab the bag with blankets and sunscreen." I said as I went around and opened her door for her and helped her out of the car.

We got all of our stuff set up down on the beach and I could tell Babe was still a little uneasy. I leaned in and gave her a kiss and told her that she could talk to me about anything.

"These past two days have been wonderful, and I'm just afraid they are going to end. I'm going to do something stupid and push you away. I really care about you Ranger and I enjoy our time together. I just cannot lose you. I don't want to be one of those clingy women and even saying this makes me feel foolish. I'm just afraid after a few days you'll get bored with me and want someone else. All of the others have." Babe finished with tears brimming her eyes.

"I don't know if this is the right time for this conversation but I feel that I need to tell you this. I have never really had a real relationship; I've been with different women but not for the long haul. When I think about you I cannot imagine not having you in my life. Stephanie I know it maybe too soon to say this, but I love you. I don't want to rush you into something that you're not ready for, but honestly I think I've loved you since the day you walked into that diner to meet with me. I don't want to mess this up, and I don't want you to rush out on me, but I wanted you to know how I feel." I said laying it all out on the line.

"I love you too Carlos!" and with that she flung herself into my lap and kissed me with all the pent up frustration and passion she had.

We spent the remainder of the day on the beach swimming, eating, and making love. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon. Around 5 I told Steph to go upstairs and shower and change into something so we could hit the boardwalk and get some dinner.

I showered and changed into a faded pair of jeans and a black polo shirt with my sneakers. I was tying my shoes when Babe came downstairs in a simple blue sundress that stopped a couple of inches from her knees and a pair of sandals. She looked stunning. She had that natural glow to her skin from being out in the sun and decided to skip the makeup except lipgloss and had her hair up in a ponytail.

We walked up and down the boardwalk and I kept telling Babe to tell me if she saw something she wanted in any of the booths and I'd win it for her. Finally at the end of the boardwalk she saw a stuffed hamster with a cape and said it reminded her of Rex. It was a shooting games so I figured it would be a no brainer. I laid a $5 bill on counter and took all 5 shots at the targets, and missed every one of the targets. I did this three more times before I got fed up with it and pulled the glock from the small of my back and hit all the targets with one shot each. The guy manning the booth pulled the hamster down and handed it to Stephanie and told me to have a good day. We left and Babe got on to me for bullying the poor booth owner.

We had a nice dinner at an Italian restaurant at the end of the boardwalk and made our way back to the beach house. We decided to stay the night and spend another day out at the beach. The last thing I remember was Babe laying her head on my chest and saying 'I love you' before she fell asleep. I could get use to this.