Chapter 1: The Pay-Up
It was only two nights. I don't know why I was stressing out so much. Who am I kidding? I had to spend two nights with Ranger, two nights that would not be spent doing surveillance, playing poker, or Monopoly. It would be two nights spent predominately in his big, luxurious king-sized bed engaged in magic.
As much as I am really looking forward to holding up my end of the bargain, I am also scared. Ranger has a way to make me forget about Joe Morelli, my Trenton cop boyfriend who is 6'0" of Italian libido. He has great brown hair that is always in need of a haircut, a slim, muscular body and probably the best ass in town. We were in a contented stage in our long term on-again, off-again relationship. We occasionally spend the night together, but still always managed to return to our separate residences. I keep a few clothes, tampons, and a toothbrush at his house, and he keeps condoms in my apartment. But aside from that, we are mostly living alone. Joe has a house that he inherited from his Aunt Rose, and has slowly been making it his own, and a big, goofy dog named Bob. He recently got rid of the dining room set and added a pool table in its place.
Ranger, whose name is Ricardo Carlos Manoso, is an ex-army Ranger, former bounty hunter, and current owner of the elite RangeMan Security. He provides security services to many high-end commercial companies and private individuals. He is Cuban American and about two inches shorter than Joe, but has more muscles. His body has not even a single ounce of fat on it anywhere. And he also has one of the best asses in Trenton. Ranger is my mentor, my friend, my occasional boss, and has been my lover on a few extremely memorial nights. He once said to me that he would ruin me for all other men. With each time that we engage in the bedroom workout, I can admit that he is slowly ruining me. He is magical in bed. A while back, I helped Ranger with one of his clients. He owned an ice cream factory and we initially thought he was killed. We soon realized that he was in Disney with his wife and daughter. I accompanied Ranger to Florida to get him, and while we were there, I had a Tinkerbell moment and we spent one amazing, night together. There has always been a sexual tension between Ranger and I, and we are both always flirting with each other, but this tension has been building more intense lately. I'm not quite sure why. Then, in a moment of weakness during a wannabe Zombie attack, when I didn't have a car (for the millionth time), I made a deal with Ranger. He would give me a car, and if I went one week without it being destroyed, it was mine, free and clear. If I destroyed it in anyway, I would owe Ranger one night. Well, my car got destroyed, then Ranger gave me a second one, and we went double or nothing. I lost. This is why I am here, sitting at the bar on Stark Street waiting for my mark and trying not to hyperventilate.
My name is Stephanie Plum, and I am a bond enforcement agent, also known as a bounty hunter. I blackmailed my sleazy cousin Vinnie into giving me this job after I was laid off as a lingerie buyer and had no money. I've been working as a BEA for a few years, and while I am not the greatest bounty hunter ever, I usually, after about five attempts, get my fugitive. Except for those times when I enlist the help of Ranger. Then, it is easy as pie, because Ranger makes bounty hunting look simple. I'm trying to pick up Max Perez, who is out on a high bond for attempted murder. He was a first-time offender who got a sympathetic judge. He claims he was trying to protect his girlfriend from an unwanted advance. He is also a low-level drug dealer who is constantly surrounding by security, so I have been unable to take him back into custody. Therefore, I called Ranger. Every Thursday night, Max goes to this bar to pick up his woman of the week. His girlfriend works on Thursday nights, and he uses that night as an opportunity to cheat on her. I was wearing a tight-fitting, low cut, short red dress with 4-inch FMPs in red. I had about 3 layers of mascara on my eyes, a little liner, and red lipstick that matched the dress. I had my curly, brown, usually unruly hair down in soft curls. I was waiting for Max to approach me, so i could get him to take me outside where Ranger would move in and apprehend him for me.
Ranger, his team, and I met at RangeMan, and when Ranger first looked at me in this dress, I knew I was in trouble. His eyes dilated black and as he looked me up and down. I usually wear a slutty black dress when doing distractions, but I was in the mood for color tonight. I figured I'd meet Joe after we were done, and I knew that he loved this dress, as he was with me when I bought it. I didn't think of Ranger's reaction, and now I see that this was going to be complicated. He escorted me into his office to secure the wire. As he put the wire on under my bra, he said two words to me, "Tonight, Babe" before giving me an earth-shattering kiss that made me weak. I looked at him, and I knew better than to try to back out. "Suspect is approaching, be ready" I hear Ranger in my ear and I get ready to play the role.
"Shot of Tequila, vodka rocks, and something for the lady in red." Max says to the bartender.
"Another Corona, thanks." I smile at Max. I have long ago learned to stick with beer during these distractions. Much easier to avoid getting drugged when I could see the bottle being opened by the bartender.
"Are you here alone?" Max inquired, while mentally undressing me with his eyes. I am mentally rolling my eyes and trying to hold back my gag reflex.
"Yes. I was supposed to meet my boyfriend here about 45 minutes ago, but I guess he stood me up." I say while glancing at my watch. "I swear, this is the last time that I let that creep get away with standing me up. I mean, I rushed home from work, got myself all fix up for him, wore this stupid dress that he loves, and then he doesn't bother to show or call. What an ass!"
"Well, I'm sorry to hear that. My name is Max."
"Stephanie." I shake his hand, but he takes my hand in his, and kisses it. I can see how he manages to get women, he is a charmer. He has dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and café au lait complexion. "I hope, maybe, we can get to know each other a bit, that is, if you are not meeting anyone here yourself." I say while batting my eyelashes.
"I would love to get to know you better." Our drinks arrive, he downs his tequila, and starts on the vodka. I take a swig of beer. He reaches over and puts his hand on my leg and starts to move it up my thigh. I gently and playfully bat his hand away. "Aren't we a little adventurous? There are too many people around for my comfort."
"So, we can go outside and get to know each other better, either in the alley, in my car, or my home. Do you have a preference?"
"Well, let's just go outside and take it from there", I say as I down the rest of my beer. I grab his hand, place it around my waist, and start to bring him outside. He downs his vodka and follows. Once we get outside, I move his arm away from me and made like I am going to kiss him. It is at that moment that Ranger cuffs him. "Bond enforcement. You missed your day in court. We'll help you get back there now."
Ranger passes him off to Tank. "Take the paperwork, bring him to the station, and get the body receipt for Steph. I'm taking her home. Good job guys." We watch as Tank and Hal leave with Max, and as Lester, Cal, Miguel and Hector all get into their cars and drive away. Typically, we would be first to go, but Ranger is waiting for some reason.
Ranger takes my hand and pulls me towards him. He give me a kiss that is deep, intense, full of passion and desire, so when we stop for a breathe he whispers in my ear "I hope your rested." He walks me over to his Porsche 911 Turbo and leans me against the car. He puts his hand inside the top of my dress to remove the wire he placed there earlier and was rubbing and squeezing my nipples while he had his knee between my legs. He kisses me again and I immediately feel warmth flow throughout my body. I moan. "You want me bad, don't you, Babe." Ranger is always so controlled, he never puts on this much of a display in public. Even though I'm a little bit of a prude when it comes to public displays of affection, I can't help but be so completely turned on.
"No, not at all." I try to seem disinterested and nonchalant, but I don't think I pull it off. I am barely able to catch my breath and I am on the verge of having an orgasm right there and then. I know that I am playing with fire.
"Well, I guess I'll have to work on that." With that, Ranger pulls away from me, opens the door, puts me into the car, buckles me in, kisses me again, closes my door and walks to his side and gets in the car. WTF! I don't know why he suddenly stopped. I mean, he almost had me. He starts to drive away, glancing at me from the corner of his eye. I am working hard to calm down. I need a cold shower desperately. Halfway back to his home at the RangeMan headquarters and my apartment, he pulls over and parks the car, then he grabs my face, and gives me a kiss that makes me forget everything. He's fondling my breasts, and kissing my neck. "Your place or mine?"
I know that if I say my place, there was a way that I could back out of the deal tonight, but that isn't likely. My queen size bed is not as conducive to our needs as his king size bed with is great sheets. Plus, he has a better shower and that shower gel. "Your place," I replied, "quickly."
With that, I see him smile and he pulls away from the curb. We arrive at the building and the gates open for his car. He parks the car, jumps out and opens the door for me. He pulls me out of the car and into another mind-numbing kiss against his car. He repeated what he did outside the bar. He once again pulls back from me and starts to drag me towards the elevator. We get on and he jams the cameras while hitting number 7. Ranger, who is always so in control, is out of control, and it is great. He is reaching under my dress with his hand and has my panties off of me before the doors closed. He is reaching for the zipper on the back of the dress and is practically pulling the dress off me before the doors open to his apartment. He can't get his door open fast enough. Once we are inside, he throws down his keys on the counter, drops his gun belt, and undresses me and pushes me against the door in under 90 seconds. He is fast and furious, with his kisses, his hands, and his body pushed against me. He pushes me against the door. I am pulling off his clothes a fast as I could. I want him so badly. He lifts me up and puts himself inside me. He is kissing me, with one arm wrapped around my waist and the other around my neck. He is pushing himself inside me fast, but then slows down before going fast again. I could feel myself reaching my first climax, and I couldn't help but run my nails up and down his back. I am kissing his neck and moaning. Finally, we both release ourselves. Ranger holds me against the wall until we both catch our breath a little, then he gently puts me down. He takes my hand and leads me to the bedroom, to his bed where we start again, but this time slow and gentle. It reminds me of our first night together, where we made quick, passionate love before he slowed down and showed me a gentler side. Whichever way Ranger wants to go, he is still magic.
I wake up the next morning to his watch alarm. We are tangled in his sheets, Ranger naked and me with just his t-shirt on. "Morning Babe." Ranger pulls me over and starts to kiss me again.
"I see you are fully awake and at attention." I said while reaching down to stroke him. I straddled Ranger and decide to start the day off with exercise.
Two hours later, we are sitting in the kitchen eating breakfast together. "Babe, thank you for last night and this morning. I'm sorry if I was a little rough, but, seeing you in that dress last night." He shook his head and sighed. "I love you, Babe." He said softly.
I get up and sit on his lap. I give him a kiss, and say "I love you, too, Ranger. More than I thought I could ever love someone." I freeze when I realize what I said. Ranger's eyes opened wide and he starts to smile. I am panicking. I can't believe I just told Batman that I loved him! When did this happen? Oh, my goodness! What was going to happen? I try to jump up, but Ranger holds me in his lap.
"You love me?" He asked, incredulously.
I sigh, "Yes. And it scares the shit out of me."
Ranger looks into my eyes, and it seemed like he is trying to figure out what to say. I am bracing for the heartbreaking blow. "I know that I have often told you that marriage was out of the question. I know that I told you that I loved you in my own way. I know that I have pushed you back to Morelli on more than one occasion. I know that I have told you that I carry two guns and a knife." He starts to tell me. I feel the tears coming. I know this is going to be the point when he tells me that what he feels for me is only sexual and that he is going to have to end our friendship. He is going to ask for the key fob back. He is going to leave my life. "The truth is, Babe, I cannot live without you. I need you in my life. I need you in my arms. I need to comfort you. I need to keep you safe. I realized when we were in Disney just how much I love you, and that I want you to be a permanent part of my life. I know that you and Morelli are on again. I know that he loves you and you love him. But, I would like the opportunity, when and if you and Morelli are off again, to be the one and only man in your life."
I am shocked. This is not the admission that I was expecting. I just stare at him, open-mouth, and take a deep breath. "Does this mean that you will possibly consider marriage and a family sometime down the line?" I asked.
"If my marriage is to you and my children are your children, then yes. I am open to the idea of being married again."
I am so happy. Batman wants me. Batman loves me and will consider being my husband. I kiss Ranger. Needless to say, we didn't manage to leave his apartment that day or night.
Saturday morning arrives. Ranger and I enjoy our breakfast together. He is dressed and is getting ready to go down to the control room. I feel a little awkward about leaving, especially since I knew that all the men working were aware that Ranger and I arrived in his apartment Thursday night and didn't emerge until today. Especially after knowing that he scrambled the camera feed in the elevator before we reached his apartment. I sigh.
"You know the men know every time you stay here or I stay with you. You know they assume that we have had sex before. Why are you embarrassed suddenly?"
"It's because you lost your control. We practically did it against your car in the garage and then again in the elevator. Usually, we are calm, cool and collected on the outside." I replied.
"Babe, they won't look at you any differently. They all love and respect you. I guarantee that if we were to end our friendship, most of my men would defend you and would beat up me…or at least try to." He laughed. "Many of them view you as their sister." He added after seeing the confused expression on my face.
"Well, I always wanted a brother." I said with a smirk.
"Have you checked any of your messages since you got here?"
"No. You have been keeping me too busy to worry about messages." He hands me my charged phone. I turn it on and see I have four voice messages, all from Joe. I had completely forgotten about Joe. Crap. I had left off with him that I would see him after the distraction. I never made it to him and never called. I pressed play for message one. Thursday, 11:02 p.m. "Hi Cupcake. Good job on Max Perez. I know that he was a big bond. Call me when you're on your way home. We can celebrate!" Friday, 8:00 a.m. "Hi Cupcake. What happened? I waited at your apartment. Did you go to my house? Give me a call when you get a chance. Maybe we can meet up for lunch at Pino's." Friday, 12:08 p.m. "Hey, Steph, where are you? I'm starting to get worried. I can't meet you for lunch. I just caught a case. I'm not sure when I'll be able to see you. Hopefully, tonight. I spoke to Connie. She said you haven't been yet. Please call or text. I just want to know you're alright. Bye, Cupcake." Friday, 2:45 p.m. "Why were you working with Ranger last night? Why were you wearing that dress, and why was he kissing you? And why were his hands all over your body! You better not be at RangeMan!" Fuck!
I put my head down in my hands and try to compose myself. Joe found out. How? Ranger's men would never rat us out. No one was in the back of the bar. Max wasn't around for that part of the debriefing. How did Joe find out? At that moment, I hear the intercom and Ranger's voice. "Babe, you have a visitor. Please come down to conference room 2. It's Morelli. He knows you are here. I'm stalling him."
I leave the safety of Ranger's apartment and go down to the fifth floor. I say hi to the guys at the control desks and walked into conference room 2. Ranger was there, Joe still hadn't been brought up. "I wanted to make sure you were here before him. Do you want me to stay with you?" Ranger asked.
"No. I need to face him on my own. He knows I've been here since Thursday. He suspects, no he knows that we have slept together. Somehow, he knows what happened outside the bar on Thursday between you and me. He left me a message."
Ranger had the start of a smile. I could tell he thought this was a good thing. I know that this is an opportunity for me to give Ranger a chance in a relationship, but I am annoyed at myself. I don't want to hurt Joe and didn't start off with that as my goal. "Should I have Cal bring him up?"
"Yes. I'm as ready as I'll ever be." I sigh. Ranger walks over to me, takes my hands in his, and looks me tenderly in the eyes. "Whatever you want, whatever your chose, whoever you chose, I just want you to be happy. I'll be in my office if you need me. I love you, Babe." He gives me a soft, tender kiss that felt so much more intimate than some of our much deeper and passionate kisses. We only break away when we hear a throat clear behind us.