Tagged: Carlos Woos

Chapter 126: How Do I Love Thee?

A/N: Based on a true story (mine!)

Steph’s POV

“Babe.”

“Yes?”

He closes his eyes, a half smile on his face. “Torture.”

“Worse than dinner at my parents’?”

We’re both smiling. “Much worse.”

The masseur smiles. “This conversation is deja vu. You two have been here before, haven’t you?” he asks me.

Ranger’s fingers lace with mine. “Yeah. We have.”

—oOo—

When we left Atlanta last night, Ranger was in a much better mood. I think we both were.

I had half a pineapple upside down cake.

Was it better than my mother’s? Nope.

Did I make it all by myself? Yeah, with some help from Hec, who refused to be cut out of the fun and stuck with the cleaning.

Was it ooey, gooey, buttery, and sweet? Oh yeah! Continue reading →

Chapter 116: Brown has lost his fucking mind

Bobby‘s POV

Occasionally, I have a really good, and really scary, thought.

I had one last night. It was so good I got out of bed to do some research. After two hours of searching, one hour of plotting, and ten minutes thinking of a co-conspirator, I’m ready.

“Candace?”

I move swiftly to catch her cup of coffee. Hal appears and I wave him off.

She smiles. “Sir. Sorry. Good morning.”

Extra glow. Good job, Hal.

“I need your help.” I wait until she opens her office and gets comfortable. I’m in no hurry and I tell her to take her time. Once she’s ready, I detail the plan to her and sit back. She’s smiling.

“You guys really like to meddle in other people’s lives, don’t you?”

I shrug. “No. But will we help our brother when we see he needs it? Yes.” Continue reading →

Chapter 115: Business and Pleasure

Steph‘s POV

Ranger is red and panting. “Babe.”

“Ranger.”

I’ve never seen him this aroused and it looks a little painful.

Smack!

He grips the door frame harder and clenches his teeth. His muscles are knotted and tense, his face carefully blank. He’s been holding this position for thirty minutes, determined to allow me to explore my kinky fantasies.

Problem is, I don’t have any. I’m making this up as I go. And I like it. Continue reading →

Chapter 114: Your Words vs. My Actions

A/N: I got playful with Mañoso in this chapter. Because I know you might be confused:

Ranger: The military trained soldier, who thinks of things in military terms.

Carlos: The closest approximation of Ranger’s core self. The part of him that only Steph gets. The vulnerable side of Mañoso.

Ric: The ‘normal’ side of Ranger. The side the guys know, the side people might be allowed to see. Mañoso’s ‘normal’ train of thought.

When you see brackets [], the personalities are arguing.

This should be fun.

Ranger‘s POV

She’s staring at me.

“Babe.”

“Carlos.”

I open my eyes, a smile curving my lips. Steph’s looking at me, a happy smile on her face. “Hey.” I kiss her.

“Hey.”

“Kinda cold for bikinis, Babe.”

“Damn.”

I laugh. Steph. The one and only. She leaves to hit the bathroom and I roll over onto my back and stare at the ceiling. She climbs back in and settles on my chest.

“Ranger?” I don’t answer. “Ranger?” She looks up. I’ve raised an eyebrow. “Carlos?”

“Babe.”

I get poked. “More than one word.”

“What’s up, Babe?”

“We need to talk.”

What does that mean? What did I do? “About?”

Continue reading →

Chapter 105: I Meet Her Friends

Saturday

Chenae’s POV

Lula and I wake up bright and early (or somewhere around 9 AM) and go for a run. She’s determined to get her stomach flat for that wedding dress. I’ve gained a little weight and now that I’m going to be in the wedding, I need to trim down a bit.

I’m going to be in my brother’s wedding! I had to praise HIM and give thanks for my blessings. The one thing I assumed my attitude had completely ruined was given back to me. I have my brother’s love and respect again. Continue reading →

Chapter 102: We Come to One Accord

Tank’s POV

Lula’s quiet. That’s always nerve-racking.

“Tankie?”

“Hmm?”

“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?”

Depends on what I have to lie about, but yeah, I’d lie to you in a heartbeat. Or, more correctly, I’d redirect you. “What do you want to know, Lula Bear?”

“Steph had beard burn all over her face.”

“I noticed.”

She’s quiet. “I know what I want to think but I need to know if I’m right.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t wanna be wrong.” Continue reading →

Chapter 101: Together with my Best Friend(s)

Ranger’s POV

I love my Babe.

She screams loud enough to bring hotel security to the room.

And Mark. He shows up, gun drawn, and is determined to search the room until he realizes his boss isn’t exactly dressed.

So is Diego. And Hec. And Connie, ML, and Candy. Each one shows up, guns drawn and confused. Well, not ML. She shows up with a pot.

“ML, what’s the pot for?”

“Well, I don’t have a gun. I found a pot. I made do, OK? I was worried and I grabbed a weapon. So sue me.” Continue reading →

Chapter 95: I FINALLY Get It

Steph’s POV

“Steph?” I turn. Zip. “Want to try again?”

I quickly grab my things, check with Hector on 3, and join Binkie and Zip in the garage. Just like yesterday, we travel to Franklin Park and set up. It’s 0800, we have breakfast burritos from Ella and we’re feeling good, although it’s chilly. I wonder when the cold front from Boston will travel down here. I bet Mijo would love to play with some snow before he goes home.

Zip clears his throat. “Verify.”

I look. Yup, that’s the target. Drew Stefanic. He’s just climbing out of his car when I approach.

“Hi, Drew!” I’m extra loud to accommodate his hangover. Continue reading →

Chapter 82: Alone with you

Ranger’s POV

The distraction was simple. I bought Babe a ticket from Miami to Newark to leave at 1300 on Friday. By 1100, Diego had her at the airport and walked with her to security. He ensured she made it through security with her bag before leaving. I idled in the cell phone parking lot until my phone beeped, then swung back out to the arrivals area and retrieved Babe, who had changed clothes, shoes, and hairstyle in the airport bathroom.

“Hey, Carlos.”

She’s gotta stop doing that. I can’t stop smiling. “Hey, Babe. Enjoy your bit of Mission: Impossible there?”

“Yes!” She kisses me then snaps her seatbelt. I’m staring, dumbfounded, at her. “Ranger?” She waves her hand in front of my face. “Carlos? Tampa. Let’s go.” Continue reading →

Chapter 76: The Consequences of My Actions

Danny’s POV

I have a head full of dust and a headache. I also have an intense desire to body slam this RangeMan.

“Perhaps if you told me what you were looking for, sir, I might be able to help you find it.” Jason, in charge of the gym and garage. Usually the man in charge of those areas also has charge of the building. I know he’s curious but I’m doing an assessment. He’s been following me around all morning and I’ve asked him, politely, to leave. He hasn’t. My instinct is to tell him to go away, rudely.

“Go away. Now.“

He looks shocked, then angry, before he turns on his heel and marches off. Thank god. Peace and quiet at last. Continue reading →