Down and Dirty and I'm Not Thirty

This is how I imagine the beginning of Book 31 should begin! If you don't like a spoiler then read #30 1st.

The characters all belong to Janet Evanovich, I'm just borrowing them for a bit. My 1st attempt at FF.

Chapter 1

Did I just hear Joe correctly? Wait, you come back here from your long assignment in Miami telling me you want to get married? Married after all the "engagements, engaged to be engaged, going steady, break-ups and now you've decided you want it! I slugged him hard in the kisser!

"What the hell, Cupcake?" Joe shouted.

"Don't be that way, you know, Me and the boys missed you!"

I stood there just realizing it was all about him. What he wanted, what he'd expect. Then reality hit me in the face. I was a convenience to him. The years of on again, off again relationships and the verbal abuse I'd received over the years was the kicker. It wasn't my best moment, but I decided this had to end here and now. "Like I care about 'Your Boys' Nothing you say would ever be reason enough to marry you! I know about your time in Miami!I also know about your other women. I would never be able to be the wife you need and believe me, I'm not changing! The only thing I'm going to miss about you is your dog Bob!" I shoved him out the door, locked it and headed to the kitchen to fix myself a much needed drink. It wasn't my best moment but it felt like the weight of the world had suddenly been lifted from my shoulders.

It was getting late, close to midnight now. I thought about the other marriage proposal I'd received. The one that warmed my heart. Ranger was always there for me, protecting me, helping me and being a friend. No, not just a friend, my best friend! Why did he wait to ask me? It wasn't because he didn't want me it was his way of keeping me safe while he was still under his government contract. Once the Morelli weight was removed from my shoulders my future became clear.

I pulled out my cell and quickly called Ranger. "Hi"

"Babe?" "How busy are you in the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours?"I asked him. "Well it depends on what you're proposing?"he quickly replied

"We had planned on Wednesday but, oh Ranger, can we move it up to tomorrow?" He laughed, a warm chuckle more than a laugh. "Babe, I will cancel any appointments for the next three days and I'll have a plane here in an hour if it's to fly us to Vegas!" He continued on "screw tomorrow we are leaving tonight! Don't even pack, we can get clothes in Vegas! I'm on my way!" She laughed, "Rang…Carlos you are crazy!!" " Yep, crazy about you!" He replied and disconnected.

I ran to my bedroom, and hurriedly pulled out my overnight bag from my charred closet. I checked out my scorched dresser and I found some sexy lingerie from Victoria's Secret as well as a couple of the outfits I use for distractions that would be perfect for Las Vegas. I then ran to the bathroom and fixed a bag of makeup and general grooming products to keep my hair from frizzing out. That's when I felt the electricity at the back of my neck.

" Babe" Ranger turned me around and kissed me. It was an all consuming kiss, full of desire and promise. "Ranger" I looked up into his beautiful brown eyes. "Is this crazy, or what?" He just kissed me again and maneuvered me towards the door. "Look around and tell me what you want to keep. You've received an eviction notice and I'll make sure you get all you want out while we're in Vegas. Rex is already on 7 Ella just loves that little rat" I looked around and made a mental inventory of all the crap in my shabby apartment. Well what was left after the last Malatov cocktail that was launched into my bedroom window. There wasn't much, and frankly I'd hate to junk up Ranger's place with my cast-offs. He picked up my bag and we stepped out of my apartment, and headed for our trip to Vegas.