Chance Encounters

Chapter 54

oOoOo

Ranger POV

Feeling her luscious, warm, sleepy body snuggle some more into mine made me smile as I slowly woke up. It was still dark outside, but later than my usual start to the day. It's quite a heady feeling, sleeping in like this, something I rarely do, exceptionally rare in fact. But, oh, what a wonderful feeling! This feels so damned good. I am the luckiest guy.

And all this from a chance encounter. I never would have thought I'd be here, like this, in bed together, married with this woman whom I love with my heart and soul. It was just a momentary encounter, but here we are. Who would have predicted that?

In that magic moment when that Morelli asshole arrived on the scene of when her car blew up, she grabbed me and commanded me to kiss her. I chuckled at that memory which made Stephanie roll into me some more. Madre Dios. She feels so soft and warm and divine. I love that warm sleepy feel about her so much that I crave it some more. And she's all mine, and I am all hers.

Last night we were busy making our own fireworks and it was something that seems to get better each time. Having waited so long to consummate our couple status was indeed worth the wait. I damned well knew that we would be beyond compatible but even I underestimated the power she has. I really feel that what we have is special and unique.

Laughingly I had indicated that I was going to ruin her for all other men, but the opposite was so very true. Never have I had a sexual partner, any partner for that matter, who made me feel, laugh and love all at the same time. I really enjoy the playfulness, the mischief and, of course, the passion. Madre Dios, I can't get enough of her. I have always had impressive stamina and she is able to sustain hers so much that it drives me wild. I feel. That's the big difference.

My hand slowly caresses her back and my fingers burrow into her beautiful hair. She looked damned good with her hair straight, especially that dark tone at last night's Halloween bash. It made her skin glow and her stunning blue eyes so much more vivid. But, I really love her curls, her wild curly hair. After the bath last night and a refreshing shower during the night to rinse off the stickiness of yet another wicked dessert, her curls have sprung back.

She stirs and hums, with that sweet drowsy moan. I nuzzle her neck and gently pull her hair aside to reveal those beautiful blue eyes, greeting mine with a radiant smile.

"Hey, Mr Manoso," she crooned, her voice quite husky from our night of delight.

"Hey to you too, Mrs Manoso," I smiled.

She lifts her head up, looks at me and then the bedside table and then back at me again, sitting up quickly, suddenly awake, her eyes alert.

"Carlos, you smell so good, always. But. Oh. My. God. Can you smell that?"

I look at her in surprise. Confused. Astounded in fact.

"Smell what?"

"Bacon!"

And she moaned.

"They're cooking breakfast!"

I laughed out loud as she leapt out of our bed in all her glorious nakedness. For one, I cannot believe that me, with the smell of my Bulgari which she loves so much, has been cast to second place for the smell of bacon cooking downstairs! I should feel shattered but I can't stop laughing.

"Babe!"

"I know. I'm sorry, Carlos. I am famished and, at the moment, the lure of a hearty breakfast with bacon overwhelms me."

"But, Babe. I hope you are going to get dressed first …" looking her up and down, hungrily I might add, as she had already pulled the door open to race down the stairs.

Aghast, she looks at her self and then bursts out laughing as she quickly slams said door.

"Omigod! That would have been funny."

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind. But Stephanie Michelle Manoso, I definitely would mind!" I leapt for her as she slammed the door shut, screaming hysterically at my swiftness.

I can't resist in kissing her hungrily and nuzzling her neck and giving a few little nips along the way.

"Standing here, looking all gorgeous and so sexy with those big blue hungry eyes gives me an appetite, Stephanie. And you know I have a mighty big appetite …" which I emphasise with a not so subtle hip thrust. Using my sexy bedroom voice which I know does things to her and on cue she shudders in my arms. Madre Dios! I see the conflicted emotions flash in her eyes as she moans.

"I could change your mind …"as I slow steer her back to our bed.

"Oh, Carlos," she moans sexily, "Put that, that thing away." But she didn't pull away, not one bit, even adding a forward rub of her own, letting another little longing moan escape.

"That Thing? My Thing? You called it lots of other words last night and wanted me to put it in all of your warm places and, my Thing was ever so happy to oblige."

She chuckled that warm cheeky chuckle and she knows I'm right.

"So, me and my Bulgari are now shafted to second place by bacon? Is that how it's going to be Querida. I am crushed." Kissing her neck and then her lips as she hummed into mine.

The back of her knees hit the bed and she stopped me with her hand on my heart and the other drifted down to my very happy Thing. I groaned in response. I was caressing her ass as she tried to explain.

"Carlos. I love everythingabout you, especially your mighty Thing. And your appetite, too. You always smell so manly and mine and the Bulgari enhances that even more. But…"

We both laughed out loud. My head dropped. Her head thumped onto my chest. Stepping back, I raised both my hands in the air in defeat.

"The monster within has spoken," and she tried not to look too remorseful when her tummy rumbled in that beastly way again. Perhaps I had overworked her last night and needed replenishing. Speaking of appetite, her appetite for food is a wondrous thing.

"Five minutes. We feed the Beast. However, … if you take longer than five minutes, the Thing will win and the Bulgari Beast takes over. I kissed her passionately before she squealed and jumped away to get dressed. Madre Dios. I love this woman!

In just under five minutes we were rushing down the stairs, laughing and crashed into the kitchen where our families were gathered. They all laughed as Stephanie rushed to the bench and Manny handed her a plate heaped with bacon, scrambled eggs, a hash brown and a grilled cheesy tomato. She beamed at him, giving him a kiss on the cheek, and Hector too as he handed her a glass of freshly squeezed juice. She inhaled the aroma with her eyes closed and sighed happily.

"I love you guys!"

Amid the laughter, there were high fives and money had changed hands. Assholes.

Lester shit-grinned me with an entire plate of bacon and a Japanese paper fan. Oh no, he didn't. He nodded with a salacious grin. Bastard. I know my cunning cousin would do outrageous things but this was one of his cheekiest. Hector and Bobby nodded and their actions confirmed my doubts. He had gone up the stairs and fanned the bacon outside our bedroom door!

"Muy sexy," he grinned. Fuck! Did he see her too? He didn't hang around anymore. Ram quickly rescued the plate of bacon which was easy for him being taller than Lester.

"You have to share Santos!" he grinned.

I gave my cousin the "I'm watching you," sign with two fingers to my eyes and pointing at him. I will exact my revenge and he won't know when it's coming. That will keep him on tenterhooks for a while. We have played this game over and over for years growing up, and when the opportune situation arises I will ambush him. Hm. Babe was enjoying her breakfast feast and inhaling a coffee. Maybe Stephanie would like to help. That kind of mischief is right up her alley. Yeah. Lester saw my grin as my eyes glanced at my Stephanie and he shook his head vigorously. Yeah, that was a good idea, Manoso. I flashed him my best shit-eating grin, mouthing the words "You are so dead, cuz". Bobby, Hector and Manny laughed out loud obviously having watched our silent dialogue and enjoying it. Ram slapped him on the shoulder, making Lester jump and laughingly added, "Dead man walking, Santos. What did you do? You are so dead." Shaking his head with a commiserating look for Les, he started taking bets for the Demise of Santos. My eyes were still on Lester, raising my eyebrows in a taunt.

"Carlos? Are you playing nicely?" Stephanie chirped with a watchful glare at Lester and I.

"Oh yeah, Babe. But … you know, I think Lester forgot the rules on how to play nicely."

Her instant sharp look made him squeal. It was quite comical. Fight fire with fire, I say. We need to best him at his own game. It's just a matter of time.

I also indulged in a hearty breakfast, my body needing replenishing after our night of passion and fireworks. Yes, I had bacon, some poached eggs balanced by the corn, avocado and tomato salsa. I passed on the burritos but did add some Caesar salad and a slice of Shorty's frittata. Obviously, I had an appetite this morning. I nudged Stephanie as she grinned at me, holding out a forkful of maple dripping pancake with some blueberries. Ah, yes. The joys of food with this woman. I ate my mixed berries and mango smiling at her. She's something else. My Vixen.

I saw that Ella was being waited on and was not allowed to serve or cook. They gave her the royal treatment, like multiple chefs offering their wares, serving with tongs, Hal with a tea towel over his wrist. Ella beamed at her 'boys' and thanked them. "De nada," was all they said. She smiled at me and Luis seemed to get the same treatment. They take care of our Rangeman family so well. They deserve it.

Everyone was eating heartily, although a few looked like they were still a bit hungover. Tiny had made a concoction in a large jug. He poured a couple glasses out, broke an egg into each one and stirred with a stick of celery, liberally adding Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco and squeezing some lime over the top. He passed them over to Binkie, Vince and Zero, and left a couple of spares for any other takers.

"Santé!"

Stephanie smiled at me, and sighed over her cup of coffee. I feel better now as she patted her tummy, without words. The beast has been tamed. She sat up and tinkled an empty glass.

"That was so yummy. You guys did a great job. Thank you so much. Last night, you all looked amazing in your clever costumes. I was very impressed. You really looked so awesome. But you all scrub up well for the morning after. To family!" and she raised her juice glass in a toast to our family who chorused "HOOAH!"

Quickly snatching another piece of crunchy bacon, as the platter was passed around for last dibs, Stephanie sat on my lap, offering me another bite before she gobbled up the rest, licking her fingers unashamedly. She sighed and snuggled into me. This was heavenly. My Babe in my lap, my friends and family all here to share family time with us.

After the clean up where everyone pitched in, not allowing the cooks or Ella to do anything but sit, eat and drink their coffee, we all just sat around and chatted. Not work, just general chatter. This was good. Rangeman was manned and we were here. Check.

It was a great night and this morning shows it too. Family is important and with our Den and Rangeman Families, we have it made. I did enjoy seeing my men prepare for the big Halloween bash and let their hair down. They had chosen amazing outfits and had really gone all out with the make up and getting into character as well. Tank as Morpheus was amazing. The perfect match. I smiled remembering Stephanie's delight and curiosity in working out who they were and who was under all the makeup. And dressed as Morticia to my Gomez, she looked stunning. She looks good in black. Not just Rangeman black. Sexy and sensual in that dress. Aye-yai-yai. We might have to keep that for another time … in my future I see some bedroom playtime.

Next week we will probably visit my family and tell them the news, the wedding news and we'll share the slide show with them. He's a mighty fine photographer our Zero. A wedding photo or two will make them happy, and for my Abuela Rosa too.

We went outside to the patio where it was much cooler, as the Autumn weather really was in full swing with a chilly breeze. On the big screen he had set up a slide show of all the photos from the Halloween party. Totally awesome. He captured some amazing action shots and had taken some truly awesome candid individual shots. Everybody had come outside with their coffees, standing by the gas heaters and watched the slide show avidly. The group photos were something special, both in colour and black and white.

The guys had tidied up after the fireworks. That was a great idea from Tank and a great cue for us to escape the celebrations. We had such a great time but I was getting horny and so was my Babe, my Morticia, the Vixen. Vixen … yeah, that suits her so much. She was a sexy Vixen last night. I gave her my wolfish grin.

"A penny for your thought, Carlos?"

"Just happy thoughts, reflecting on a great night … and an even greater night," I added with a kiss. "You made a most stunning Morticia, Querida. You are so beautiful and I just feel so lucky that you chose me. You, the Vixen, kissing me that first time."

"Oh, you are a romantic at heart Carlos. Even though that was a spur of the moment thing, I am glad I chose you."

"I can't imagine my life without you in it, Babe. You make me feel. I love what we have. You and me and our family. It's a dream come true that I never thought would ever be mine. I never thought my life could take this path. And, here we are, all this way after that one chance encounter. Te amo, Querida."

"Bubele. Je t'aime, mon Cheri."

I groaned. What she does to me! Madre Dios. That was it! In a flash I had scooped her up and raced her inside and up the stairs so the Bulgari Beast and his mighty Thing could have his way with her.

oOoOo

THE END

La fin. C'est fini.

El fin. Estáterminado.

And all that from a chance encounter.

oOo

Thank you one and all for staying with me after my long pause. Critical circumstances prevailed. My mojo is back as the real-life medical dramas and unbelievable curve balls are improving and getting better. Thank you for supporting me so kindly when, reluctantly, I had to declare Family First.

My Muse was eager to get back into writing, so we did a few one shots as part of the warm up, but they did take a lot of effort to get in the groove, a much slower process while in recovery: Morose, Shit Happens, Changes and Living in a Bubble. Check them out if you haven't already.

I wanted to complete this story before I posted the rest of the chapters. Likewise, I wanted to complete the writing of Rangeman Under Fire, which is now being posted once a week.

Very special thanks to my cheer squad and Bestie in Ms. Margaret. xox

Thanks for keeping me grounded, Babe.