Educational Opportunity
By TT
Disclaimer: The characters of the Stephanie Plum series belong to Janet Evanovich and are used here without permission. No copyright infringement is intended.
Note: Angst begins here. Should only be moderate. There will be an HEA
Pairing: Stephanie/Ranger
Rating: Suitable for people over 13
Feedback: Send comments to ttsmiscellany@yahoo.com
Educational Opportunity - Part 3: Needful Things
By TT
Snuggled into Ranger’s side, Stephanie soon began to feel her hormones perking up. As she looked up toward Ranger’s face, she found him looking down at her, his eyes dark with passion.
Stephanie, seeing her own momentary need and desires reflected in his eyes, reached up and cupped the back of his head with one hand as she shifted so she could more easily reach his mouth. Without hesitation, she kissed him, reveling in the sensation, losing herself in the emotional expression of the moment. Some small part of her mind registered her movements, how she moved from sitting beside Ranger to straddling his lap, but she quickly put that out of her mind.
Eventually, the need for air drove her to break the kiss.
Struggling to form a clear thought, Stephanie could vaguely recall there was something she needed to ask him. Even that though flew from her mind, however, as Ranger traced a line of gentle kisses along her jaw before claiming her mouth.
Completely losing herself in the kiss, Stephanie gave herself over to the sensations Ranger created within her, to the desire growing deep in her belly to the love expanding from her heart.
That last thought proved to be enough for her to break the kiss. She rested her forehead against his as she tried to catch her breath. Slowly, she came back to herself. A rueful smile appeared on her face as she took in her current position - straddling Ranger's lap with her hands fisted in his shirt.
"Morelli guilt?" Ranger asked, his voice emotionless.
Stephanie shook her head. "We're long over, you know that," she replied, opening her eyes and pulling back a little to meet his eyes. She saw Ranger's eyes dip down toward her lips and his hands begin to pull her closer. She quickly flattened her hands on his chest to stop him. "Ranger," she began. She hesitated just a moment before continuing.
Deciding this would be easier if she didn't feel him hard against her core, she tried to pull away, but he would have none of it. Closing her eyes, she admitted, "I'm not going to deny that I want you, that I need you." She took a deep breath and tried to calm the shaking she could feel building within her, that she could already see in her hands. She really, really hated this emotional stuff. For this next part, however, she needed to look him in the eye.
Scraping together every ounce of bravery she could, she lifted her eyes to meet his. "But things are different now than they were last time. I love you. I'm in love with you. I can't do casual with you." When he remained silent for a few seconds, she grew nervous and continued, "If we're going to do this, it has to be a real try, an exclusive, monogamous relationship. I don't want to change you. I know you're in & out of town, I know your schedule is insane, but... but I'd like to try."
Ranger stared at her for several seconds, remaining perfectly still. "You deserve better than I can give," he finally replied, his voice low and serious.
"I just want you," she whispered, the shaking from her hands taking over her whole body. “All I need is you to be with me when we’re together. Tell me what you can, share with me.”
Wrapping his arms around her, Ranger drew her closer to him and held her. “You need a house, a ring and a family,” he said.
Stephanie pulled back slightly and glared at him. “I need you,” she reiterated, emphasizing each word with a poke to his chest. “If it doesn’t work out, fine, but I’m not willing to go through life without even trying. I don’t need a ring or kids. I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready for marriage or children.”
His jaw clenching, Ranger took a deep breath and released it slowly. “There are things you need,” he told her. “And there are things I need to give you. And right now, I can’t promise you more than something casual.”
Stephanie pulled completely out of his arms. “Did you even listen to me?” she asked, her voice high and tight. Seeing his blank face slam into place, she felt her heart crack and her shoulders slump. Closing her eyes in defeat, she tried to gather together the remaining shreds of dignity and, opening her eyes, turned toward her bedroom. “I’ll see you at eight,” she informed, her voice sounding dead in her own ears. To be continued in Part 4: Circus
Email TT at ttsmiscellany@yahoo.com