I do not own these characters. They are the soul property of JE. Ranger just came to my yard to talk today.

05Layers of Ranger

Rangers POV

"I just have a little time this morning, I was out for my run and stopped by. Coffee would be nice, just black please.

Friday night was perfect. Steph was as beautiful as I've ever seen her. Hair in soft curls, eyes sparkling, the dress; the dress was made for her. Her soft but firm breast in a halter top just makes my mouth water. It was all I could do to not attack her before we left her apartment. Her already long slim legs elongated by the FMPs, the ankle ties so sexy. I wanted her legs wrapped around me in the worst way. But I was strong, one kiss and I whisked her to the limo. We jumped from one temptation to the next.

I lectured myself all the way to the restaurant, stay strong soldier you can do this. I have been held captive and tortured for days and I don't think it was as bad as that. Her Dolce Vita perfume, that dress, her soft skin, those red lips, the soft hair, and her moans at the champagne and food. Dios, I was almost gone and we were still an hour from the restaurant. I tried to make small talk about her day, her skips this week and who she had lunch with.

I think she was enjoying my state. Only fair after all the times I had taken her to the edge with kisses and touches. Then I would walk away like a fool. Not this time, there is no more walking away. I'm committed to this mission.

Back to the date, we finally made it to the restaurant with our clothes still on. That was an effort. We were escorted to our room where we sipped champagne and talked while watching the sunset over the mountains. That was truly beautiful all the color of the rainbow coming together over the snow capped mountain as the snow turned purple and red and gold: story inspiring, but not a beautiful as my Babe.

I took her in my arms and we danced the waltz. Such a graceful dance not hot and steamy like Latin dance, but special just the same.

The meal was good and we stopped to dance and talk between courses. I had answered all of Steph's questions and just before dessert she was really getting into the Hungarian inquisition. I had worried she would want to know a lot about my missions but she was more interested in my early years and my family. She touched on my early military career and where I met the Merry Men as she calls them.

It has always been hard for me to talk about the things I have done, my time after the Rangers is the hardest. Many of those things have pulled my soul into darkness, but I think Steph understands.

She told me she didn't want the details of what I had to do there. That she knew it would be upsetting to her and me to talk about. That she knew I had done dark things in the name of country and freedom was all she needed. She then kissed me and said I was a good man the best she knew. That I had a strong moral code and that all of my past was what made me the man I am today.

Maybe the past is like an anchor holding us back. Maybe, you have to let go of who you were to become who you will be. Maybe with the help of this wonderful woman, I can be Carlos again at least for her.

I know I can't erase the past. I can't change it, it will always be there; A part of my life. Now I just have to figure out how to move on.

After we finished eating we carried our wine glasses and strolled through the gardens by the lake. The night was a bit cool so I wrapped my suit coat around Steph's shoulders. She snuggled under my arm. I guess you could say it all felt like heaven to me. I took her in my arms and kissed her passionately, trying to show her all the love that I felt. When we broke apart Steph gazed into my eyes. I carefully kept my blank face away and told her I loved her.

Steph called up one of my old comments, "In your own way".

I told her yes in my own way. With all of my heart, the only way I know how to love you.

She just stared at me with wide teary eyes. "What exactly does that mean Carlos?"

I held her in my arms and poured out my heart. Telling her that we had had a relationship for some time; there was no denying it. That I had loved her since the first time we met. I told her that my love had only grown since our special night and that I no longer wanted to deny that love.

Wrapping her in my arms tighter I told her that I wanted our someday and I hoped she did too. The cards, the gifts, the flowers and tonight were all to help me show you how special you are.

After my little speech, I waited for herresponse. I waited patiently, holding her tight while she processed what I had said.

She pulled away and looked in my eyes for a minute. I guess she saw what she was looking for because she cupped my face in her hands and kissed me.

"Carlos, I have loved you almost since I met you. You are more than special to me. You are my friend, my best friend. You are my mentor and my protector. I love you with all my heart; I am in love with you."

At that moment I knew, the risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief-But the pain of grief is only a shadow when compared with the pain of never risking love. I realized in that moment that I didn't want to risk that pain. This wonderful woman had given me the greatest gift of all, her love.

We walked to the limo wrapped in each other's arms.

The drive back to her apartment was another test for me. I had to keep reminding myself to keep control of my inner beast. I wanted to hold her, ravish her with kisses, and make love to her all night. That was not part of the plan; the mission was to make it to the weekend. I had to keep my eye on the goal.

When we got to her apartment she asked me to come upstairs. I told her yes, just for a few minutes. I had to take a deep fortifying breath.

We sat on the couch with bottles of water; I have to say I was at my weakest right then.

We held each other and kissed for a few minutes when I felt my resolve slipping I backed off.

I stood up and asked her if she would go with me for the weekend to the beach. She happily said yes.

I picked Steph up the next morning in the Turbo. She loves that car, the roar of the engine the soft leather seats. She almost melts into the seat.

We drove in silence to the beach; I was in my zone, Steph listening to the radio.

When we were shown to separate but adjoining rooms she just looked at me and nodded as I told her where she slept was her choice. I think you know my choice by now.

Shortly after arriving we were walking on the boardwalk. Checking out the shops and posters for the Memorial Day weekend activities; there was a picnic on the beach, beach volleyball, a bodysurfing contest and a Memorial Day Service and parade.

We planned a long two days, I wasn't much for beach volleyball but I could do the bodysurfing contest. Steph decided to play volleyball and watch the bodysurfing. She told me she had to keep an eye on my body. I wanted her to keep more than an eye on it.

We would join in the picnic on the beach, great sand in my food.

I told her that I would like to go to the Memorial Service. I always feel that is my way of honoring my friends and comrades who have been lost in various missions. I thought about how important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes.

Shortly after noon a voice over the speakers announced the surf was up and that the contest would start in one hour. We rushed to get changed to our suits.

Steph found a spot on the beach and watched, cheering me on. I could hardly take my eyes off her but I did my best to make her proud. I am always proud of my Babe, but I wanted her proud of me. I don't know when I started feeling that, but I did want her to be proud of me.

Steph jumped in my arms when I came out of the water. Proud of you Carlos. Yes, my heart swelled. I didn't take first place; I was beaten by a skinny teenager. I could tell I was in first place with my Babe.

Next was the volleyball, girls against guys. The game got heated; there were tumbles in the sand. I couldn't stop looking at Steph's lithe body in her bikini. Dios, have I told you how she turns me on. I couldn't get up to yell for her, didn't want to give everyone a show with my condition. The final play was all Steph, she spiked the ball over the net right into one of the opposition's upper thighs, knocking him down, and he was curled into a ball while rolling in the sand.

Proud of you Babe, but I did hurt for the guy. He probably wasn't going to have fun tonight.

We were both exhausted walking back to the B&B.

We enjoyed a romantic meal on the balcony before deciding to test the hot tub. I handed Steph into the tub then slid in behind her pulling her close. I have to give you the abridged version here. We spent the next two hours exploring our relationship and our bodies. I have never felt as relaxed and sated as then. I can comfortable say making love was never so good.

Just as I had hoped Steph decided to sleep wrapped in my arms and the next morning we gave up one room.

MEMORIAL DAY

The next morning we were up and waiting for the parade at 0900. There were dogs in funny clothes, clowns, a band, and cars with girls in bikinis; I have to say none as beautiful as my Babe.

There was a troop of men from the local VFW joined by men in uniform. I wasn't in uniform so I stood at Parade Rest and they passed by. The man on the speaker announced each group and praised their Patriotism. He finished by saying Valor grows by daring, fear by holding back. The men in this parade are our heroes as are many of the men watching this parade. You know who you are and we thank you all for what you have given to this country.

Steph wrapped her arms around my waist and we looked at each other with tears in both our eyes.

The parade finished we walked to the beach and claimed our place. I slathered her skin with sun screen. The day was warm so we played in the surf swimming and dunking each other. She screamed when I swam out into the waves and went under only to swim under water and pull her legs out from under her. She came up laughing and spluttering.

I pulled her into deeper water so we could get a little closer. When I was in chest deep water I slowly pulled her bikini bottoms off, wrapping it around my arm, and showed her again how much I loved her body. I don't think I will ever get tired of worshiping her body. She lost all control when I went under water and touched my mouth to her center. Then we were totally together and I was swallowing her cries of passion. I helped her on with her bikini and we just floated in the surf with her on my chest, enjoying the afterglow.

Slowly we made our way to the beach to enjoy the picnic. There was a huge meal set out buffet style. There were open fires on the beach with grills manned by locals; cooking ribs, hot dog, and hamburgers. There was every type of salad imaginable on a long table. One table was devoted to fifty or sixty different desserts.

My babe was in heaven, as she moaned her way down the table trying to make choices. I got salads and our drinks and went back to the towels waiting for her return.

She finally made her way to me with three plates. She had a hamburger, some gooey salads and a plate of several desserts. Babe.

Finished with our meal we walked hand in hand down the beach at sunset. Life couldn't get any better than this. We had each other, we were prepared for our someday.

As we got to the B&B and another glorious night in the hot tub I could only think; now the only thing is to make our someday permanent, how long should I wait before taking that step? I didn't want to rush but I wanted to put a ring on her finger. I wanted everyone to know she was MINE!"

Word count 2300

Babe-squad 3 prompts

Perfectlyplum 1 quote, 7 words, 1 scenario