Disclaimer: The characters of the Stephanie Plum series belong to Janet Evanovich and are used here without permission. No copyright infringement is intended.
Pairing: Cupcake
Rating: Suitable for all ages
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Desire, Need Or Addiction?
By TT

Joe sat behind his desk at the police station and stared at the papers before him without seeing. His work might be important, but his mind was currently far away, plotting and scheming.

Every year he went through this, but this year was a little different.

Even when he had started seeing Stephanie, it was easy enough to pick a fight and go into an “off” phase.

This year was different, though. He and Stephanie were getting along great. They were beginning to settle into their relationship and it was beginning to look like, for once, at least, they were on the same page.

After all the ups and downs in their relationship, he didn’t want to chance a break right now.

But he needed to get away.

The sound of two of his colleagues talking about what to do for their anniversaries drew him back to the present. When one of them mentioned his wife wanted to go scuba diving, Joe knew he had his answer.

Immediately, he got on the computer and began checking prices.

Later that night, he stepped into his house and dodged Bob’s enthusiastic greeting with practiced ease.

“That you, Joe?” Stephanie called down from upstairs.

“Yeah,” he confirmed. “Just got home.” Taking a deep breath, he gathered his thoughts and called back, “Do you have a few minutes before your distraction tonight?”

“Sure,” Stephanie called down.

Joe moved to the kitchen and retrieved a beer. He wasn’t thrilled about Stephanie doing distractions for Ranger, but, it was one of many compromises they had made to have this work out. It had started with Joe insisting he go on several of the take downs with them.

Honestly, he’d been impressed with how safe they kept Stephanie. Since she was getting more training in self-defense, he decided to let his objections go. The fact that, now, he was the only one who had the pleasure of putting Stephanie’s microphone in place certainly helped.

The rhythmic clomping on the stairs of a pair of high heels alerted him to her arrival.

Joe watched appreciatively as she strutted across the room.

Stephanie offered him a blinding smile and then settled in his lap, her arms going around him. “What did you want to talk about?” she asked, kissing him lightly.

“Got a call from an old navy buddy,” he informed. “He invited me to go scuba diving with him for a few days down in the Caymans.”

Stephanie pouted. “And I don’t get to come along?” she asked.

Joe froze for just a second. He honestly hadn’t thought she’d ask. “You could come,” he said, hoping his desire for her not to didn’t show, “but it’s just going to be a couple of guys sitting around drinking beer and talking about the good old days. When we’re not in the water, that is.”

Stephanie let out a little sigh, but kissed his lips again and informed, “I’m going to miss you, but you go have fun with your friends.”

“Thanks, Cupcake,” Joe replied, kissing her a little more firmly in thanks.

“Cool,” she said as the doorbell rang. Hopping off his lap, she continued, “Time to get my mic on.”

One Month Later

Joe sat in the small hut he had rented in an unfashionable area of the island. It wasn’t his first trip to the Caymans and wouldn’t be his last, so he knew he could cover with Stephanie when it came to scuba diving.

This trip, though, he wasn’t about to leave his room.

Arranging shipment down here had been tricky. As he leaned back in his chair and reached out for the next box, he could only think that it had been well worth it.

As he opened the box, he lost himself once more in the pleasure he expected.

A knock on the door startled him, but, his conscience wouldn’t allow him to ignore the person. Staggering across the floor through the empty boxes he had tossed there, he made his way to the door and opened it.

Shock overtook him as he found himself face to face with Stephanie. She didn’t look happy. “Cupcake?” he asked.

“Joe,” she greeted, pushing the door open. She managed one step into the hut past him when she came to a stunned stop.

Joe turned and looked around the room, for the first time taking in the effect of his orgy. He felt color rising in his cheeks. “Cupcake, I can explain,” he said.

Stephanie turned toward him, her eyes wide. He could easily read the hurt in them. “I can’t believe you kept this secret, that you didn’t invite me,” she declared, her lower lip trembling.

Joe’s felt his heart contract. He hated hurting Stephanie. “Cupcake,” he started, wrapping his arms around her and drawing her close to him. “This isn’t something I’ve ever talked about or shared. Growing up… my family would never accept it. You know the type of shame it would bring to my mother and grandmother.”

Stephanie sniffled and looked up. “I know,” she assured before stepping away from Joe and turning toward the door.

Reaching out, Joe caught her arm and stopped her. “Steph,” he said, more nervous than he’d ever felt. His eyes skimmed the room and he let out an internal sigh over what he was about to do. Still, he loved her, so there could be no other option. Next year he would just have to order more. “Close the door and stay.”

Stephanie turned toward him, a look of cautious joy on her face. “You sure?”

Joe took a breath and nodded. “I’m sure.”

Throwing her arms around him, Stephanie kissed him soundly before closing the door, dropping her bag, kicking off her shoes and landing on the bed with a bouce.

A chuckle escaped Joe at her enthusiasm.

Picking up the box he had just opened he settled next to her on the bed.

“May I have a box of my own?” she asked, looking and sounding like a little kid.

“Sure,” Joe assured. “What kind would you like?”

Stephanie allowed her eyes to roam over the boxes stacked against the far wall. “I think I’ll start with some Tagalongs and then move to the Thin Mints,” she decided.

Joe just smiled and grabbed the requested box, suddenly not feeling quite so bad about sharing one of his deepest, darkest secrets with Stephanie. Who knew she loved Girl Scout Cookies too.

End.

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