I know it's been a while since I've posted anything, but work has been beyond hectic. I'm hoping that with the holidays I'll have some time to finish up some pending chapters for several ongoing stories, but for now I have this little piece. It came to me this morning and I couldn't deny the muse.

Disclaimer: Mistakes are all mine. The Plum universe belongs to JE.

His movements picked up speed, his pelvis slamming into mine with pleasurable force. "Faster!" I moaned. I wanted and needed for this moment to be unforgettable. It was our last night together and I wanted to make the most of it.

"Babe." For whatever reason he's never called me by my actual name. And now that I think of it, that's perfectly fine. No one has ever made me feel like this and I doubt anyone ever will. Had he called me by my given name I would have always been reminded of our time together every single time I had sex.

"Oh!" The change in pace was deliciously inviting what promised to be my most intense orgasm as of yet. Oh, who am I kidding? I'll always be reminded of this. His scent, the feel of his muscles beneath my fingers, the barely restrained strength behind every thrust, his long and thick... "Yes!" All it took was a slight angle change and I achieved the greatest pleasure I've ever experienced.

"Babe, Babe..." Moaning his name for me, he quickly followed.

Sprawled next to each other, breathing hard and completely spent in that moment it felt like everything was right with my world.

As our bodies began to cool, he wrapped an arm around my waist to press me flush against his left side. Tempting lips nibbled their way across my shoulder and up my neck. "Do you really need to leave?" His tone and the fire reigniting between us was indication of how much he didn't want our time to end.

I blew out a sigh. As much as I wanted to stay and worship his body just as he's worshiped mine, I couldn't. I desperately wanted to but I couldn't. Two weeks of incessant indulgence has to be enough. I can't just ignore the real world. Although I've really enjoyed his company, I can't just drop my whole life just to stay here. "Yeah." I sighed again, because my hands had resumed their exploration of his taught body. He made me feel different, wanted even. The fact that we've spent the better part of two weeks fucking each other senseless was proof enough. Heck, I've had more sex in the last two weeks than I ever had in my thirty-something years. And it's all been really good.

"Not even one more hour?" He breathed the request right against my ear, just as his fingers explored down south.

"I'm... I'm going to miss my flight. I-I can't." And I really couldn't. It was time to get back and face the music. Plus, I couldn't just stay here forever. Eventually, I'd have to leave. Best to do that before I really get attached to this man.

"Guess we'll have to be quick this time." Even before he finished his statement I was already straddling his strong body. This was it. This would be our last time and I was not going to waste it.

S&R

I was fidgety during the entire flight. My palms itched and my whole body felt like it was on fire. Shit, you'd think I was going through massive withdrawal from the hardest of drugs. And maybe that's exactly what he'd been. A deliciously addicting drug.

The stewardess was offering drinks so I glad took a little vodka bottle. As the liquid burned my throat on the way down I hoped it would do the trick. I had to stop thinking about him. It was over. My Hawaiian getaway was over and so was whatever it is we had. "You're headed back, Steph." I murmured as I willed myself to forget.

But forgetting will be hard since every time I close my eyes I picture him. Oh boy! What have I done?

A layover and a lot of little bottles later, I finally arrived. Mentally, I told myself that nothing had changed. That I was still the same and the promises I made before I left still stood. New beginnings and no going back. Not this time.

I was lucky enough to snag a cab relatively quickly. It was late so the drive from the airport home wouldn't be as hectic.

With a generous tip, I dismissed the driver so I could have a minute alone before I entered the building. After several beats of silence I realized that nothing seemed to be different. The building was still outdated and filled with senior citizens who always got the best parking. A small smile escaped. Nothing had changed. That was good.

S&R

I didn't sleep. It was impossible. I couldn't find a comfortable spot as hard as I tried. My body was seriously missing a certain body by my side.

"It's over." I reminded myself.

The drive to the office was uneventful. It was the exact same routine I've been through hundreds of times. By the time I strolled into the office with our usual combo of coffee and donuts I felt like no time had passed since the last time I'd been here.

"Hey, girlfriend!" Lula greeted me enthusiastically. Or maybe she was happy to get coffee and a maple bar. Hard to tell with her sometimes.

"Hi, Steph." Connie offered me a soft smile as I handed her a coffee cup. "How was your trip?"

"It was fine." I fibbed. It was better than fine. It was fuckstatic… I mean, fantastic.

"You look good." Lula said through a mouthful of pastry. I nodded my head in thanks.

"You do look good." Connie added, giving me the once over.

I washed my donut down with a gulp of coffee. These two are notorious for being able to tell when I've had sex. Or maybe I'm just easy to read? Who knows.

"Morelli stopped by yesterday." Connie was not going to sugarcoat anything. Good, because I felt confident enough to handle anything the Burg threw my way. "Don't worry. Lula told him to scram."

"Damn straight. I don't care how hot he is, no one gets to leave my friend at the altar and think they can come a'crawling back. No sir!"

Connie gave Lula wide eyes as if she couldn't believe what just came out of her lips. I wasn't even fazed. Lula has no filter. I know that. Connie knows that. Hell, all of Jersey probably knows.

"Good." I said as I sipped more of my coffee. It's a cheap substitute to a certain mocha skinned hottie, but it'll have to do from now on. I never even asked him his name. At the time it was a perfectly good arrangement for him to call me Babe and for me to call him Ranger. Who knows if I'll ever see him again.

And just as the silence in the office was bordering creepily eerie, I felt a familiar tingle in the back of my neck.

"Oh, good. The security guys are here." Connie hurriedly brushed off the remnants of her sugar donut off of her generously big boobs.

"Another break-in?" I asked, feeling bad for leaving the two of them to deal with what is undoubtedly my job as boss.

"They tried. Couldn't get in." Connie added the reminder that with me no longer having a connection with Trento PD via Morelli, we'll be open season to the increasing wave of crime in the area. "They're supposed to be the best." Connie rounded the desk to briskly walk over towards the front door, so I followed.

"And they're hot too!" I heard Lula mumble at my retreating back.

Rolling my eyes, I exited right after Connie so I could introduce myself to the security experts.

Just as I was about to extend my hand to the large, almost tank sized man standing before me I caught a glimpse of someone rounding the back of the shiny new SUV parked at the curb. I felt the air rush out of my lungs and my feet seemed to be glued to concrete below my feet. I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Babe." His smile was bright and big enough to reach his ears.

OH. MY. GOD….