Disclaimer – We all know the drill. Any characters you recognize, I do not own. Any characters you don't recogonise, I own. I'm not making a profit from this story. It's just an idea that grew since reading the latest book.
Special thanks to Ber for being a great support, a great beta and a wonderful help with ideas for this. Thanks heaps Ber!
Warnings – Some language, adult situations, including sex. Also, this story is a Ranger centered story. It won't always be Stephanie and Morelli friendly. If you're offended, don't read. Thanks.
Hope you enjoy.
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Gil's Pub was one of New York's smaller bars, known as a place that no one ever asked any questions and everyone was welcome. It was just the type of place Ricardo Manoso, a.k.a. Ranger, needed tonight. He walked to the bar, scanning the room as he moved to the end of the bar, settling onto the barstool there and resting his back on the wall. He ordered a scotch from the bartender and waited. He hadn't given much thought to coming here. He had just needed to get out of Trenton this afternoon, an hour later he was on the road into the city and checking into The Plaza.
Stephanie had moved back in with Morelli; she hadn't told him but he'd heard. It was just temporary, according to her. It was always temporary with them. As usual, she was keeping her own apartment, though he knew she hadn't been there for almost a week. So much for her being off men, he thought bitterly. Perhaps she hadn't actually been off men, maybe she had only been 'off' him. He couldn't understand the distance she kept between them, even recently when she had definitely been 'off' Morelli. Ranger had given her time and space, but that hadn't seemed to do anything but put more space between them. He had felt a brief flicker of hope this last time when she'd 'moved in'. He hadn't been able to squash the hope that she wouldn't go back to Morelli. He had thought that maybe this time she was really going to give them a chance. Guess you were wrong, yet again he thought as the bartender brought another scotch. He downed it immediately and raised his glass for another one.
How much more time did she need? How much more time was he willing to give her? Ranger thought he had given her more than enough time to make a decision, making it clear how he felt. He knew what he wanted. What exactly did she want? He had no doubt there was an attraction there. He'd seen it, felt it even. Perhaps that was all that was ever there; simple attraction on her part, nothing else. Why else would she keep going back to Morelli? Did she have any idea how much it hurt him to see her with the cop? The bastard wasn't good enough for her and definitely didn't appreciate what he had.
What was he supposed to do now? She was back with him and had resigned from Rangeman. Was this her way of making her feelings clear? Maybe he was the one missing all the signs. She stayed with him, borrowed and blew up his cars, borrowed and damaged his men but when he so much as touched her, she would pull away. Maybe that was all he was; her friend, mentor and savior; someone to rescue her so she could run back to him. There was no stopping the sigh that came out. What the hell was he going to do? Better yet, what was he supposed to do?
God what he needed right now was a distraction. Something to take his mind off Stephanie for a few short hours. Like a gift from heaven the bar door opened. Cradling his third scotch, his eyes instinctively to see the new arrival. Even in the darkness he could see the stunning red head as she paused in the entrance. He watched as she almost glided across the room and sat down several seats from him. Her skin was extremely pale in contrast to her deep red curls that surrounded her slender face. His eyes travelled south as she ordered a drink. She was wearing a plain black t-shirt that clung to her curves and could easily have been a second skin. Dark jeans clung to her long legs accentuating the slight flare of her hips. The chunky heeled black boots she wore easily gave her two or three inches. He placed her at five foot six without shoes. Not a classic beauty but definitely striking, he felt his body respond.
The bartender returned with her drink and as he walked away she downed the clear liquid immediately. Much the way he had his first scotch. Rough day, he thought, finishing his own scotch. It seemed this pub was perfect for that. Everyone could get lost in their own misery and still not have to be alone. She scanned the bar for the bartender, raising her hand for another drink. She saw him watching her and immediately scanned his features before offering a small but encouraging smile. That was all the welcome he needed. It was the reason he had come here. Rising he moved towards her and she watched every step. He wasn't sure if the look in her eyes was an invitation or a challenge but both possibilities had his blood surging.
"Hey," He shot her a half smile. Being this close he could make out her dark emerald eyes, they almost sparkled in the dim light.
"Hi," she replied as the bartender approached them.
"Another scotch and..." Ric paused, looking at her.
"Vodka, neat," she responded. The bartender nodded and left.
"Must have been a day," Ric said tipping up one side of his mouth, "I would have said you were a vodka on ice kind of woman."
"Hmm, why waste space with the ice?" she replied simply. Bad day was an understatement but she wasn't in the mood to talk about it, especially with a stranger. She could deal with it in the morning but for now she wasn't going to think about it. Ranger understood that statement and didn't press further.
"Ric." He held his hand out to her.
"Harper," she murmured taking his hand. The surge that shot through him at her touch told him the attraction was mutual and strong. He kissed the back of her hand and she was sure her breathing had stopped for a moment. It had been a long time since she had felt such an attraction to any man. If there had ever been any doubt who she was going home with, it was instantly gone. However, she wasn't going to just give in.
"Smooth," she grinned. It was clear she was going to make him work for it.
"Its working though isn't it," he leaned in slightly with a confident smile. Harper couldn't help but grin. This was exactly what she needed. An ego boost that could only come from an attractive man or a great fitting pair of jeans.
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They had spent an hour talking about nothing at all, really. Nothing too heavy, it seemed both were nursing wounds and they both wanted the same thing tonight. Harper was definitely ready to get out of here. As the bartender ask about last call, Ric shook his head.
"How do you feel about Champagne for breakfast?" He asked her. She quirked an eyebrow.
"I feel like that's highly optimistic."
"I'm over at the Plaza. Interested?" He asked standing and offering his arm. Harper smiled at him as she slid off the stool.
'Yep,' she nodded slightly, scooping up her bag before she took his offered arm. He led her out of the bar.
'I'll get us a cab.' He hadn't driven here, knowing that he would be in no fit state to drive at this stage of the evening. A few moments later, a cab pulled up at the curb. Ric opened the door and helped her in before he slid in beside her.
'The Plaza,' he told the driver, looking over at Harper. She was beautiful and it had been a long time since he had wanted a woman the way he wanted her. He needed this, a single night to really escape. There had been no one for awhile now and he needed this. Ten minutes later, a bellhop held the door open.
'Good Evening Sir, Ma'am,' he nodded to both of them as Ric quickly paid the driver, not bothering to wait for the change before he slide out of the cab. He turned to help Harper out and putting his arm at the small of Harpers back, he led her through the marbled foyer and toward the elevators. Ric fished out his room card before the elevator doors opened. He allowed Harper to enter first before he followed. Harper watched as he reached across her, swiping the room card and selecting the eleventh floor.
He looked across at her as the elevator doors closed with a soft thud. He wasn't sure who moved first, however he crushed her up against him, pushing her back against the elevator wall and kissed her. He felt rather then heard her moan as she instantly responded to him. He eagerly explored her mouth, keeping up pinned between himself and the wall. He tangled his fingers into her hair as she kissed him back with equal passion. God, he needed her and he was almost tempted to take her then and there. The elevator shuddered as it stopped and opened to their floor, forcing them apart.
'Our stop,' Ric grinned across at her, taking her hand in his and pulled her quickly out of the elevator and they quickly headed down the hall to his suite.
Ric swiped his card in the door, the pair tumbling in together, such was their eagerness. The suite door was barely closed before Harper found herself up against the wall beside the door, Ric up against her and kissed her again, harder this time, more demanding. If she had thought he could kiss in the elevator...
'Ric,' she moaned as finally their need to air forced them apart. God, she needed him. He lowered his kisses, nuzzling her neck. He placed a few kisses and nips against her skin.
She couldn't help her shudder when he found that sensitive spot just under her ear.
'Hmm, sweet spot?' he whispered in her ear teasingly. He placed a kiss against her earlobe before he lowered his kisses, gently biting the same spot that had made her moan. She didn't answer beyond another moan and he grinned. 'Hmm I take that as a yes,' he smiled. 'First sweet spot of many Harper,' he whispered into her ear. 'And I intend of find..' he kissed the spot again. 'Every,' he bit it gently. 'single,' kiss. 'one,' kiss. She shivered at the very suggestion and he grinned.
'Cold?' he teased her with a wolf grin. Cold? God no, she was burning up
He ran his hands over her shoulders and arms, caressing her skin. His left circled the outside of her breast, flicking across the peak, bringing it to immediate attention. He did the same to the other breast. God, how many times had be imagined being in this exact moment with his Babe? He mentally shook away the thought. He was meant to be forgetting about her tonight.
He tugged down the straps of the black tank top before he tugged it over her head and tossed it aside. He took a slight step back, running his eyes over her. Her skin was even paler across her abdomen, few freckles here, perfectly smooth. She was wearing a lacy emerald bra, which perfectly matched her eyes. Her stomach was almost flat, except for a slight womanly curve.
'See something you like?' she grinned after watching him scan her body. Ric grinned back, not directly answering. The straining of his pants more than answered her question. He kissed her again, undoing the front clasp of her bra and tossing it aside.
'Beautiful,' he whispered, lowering his kisses and caresses. He look the left peak into his mouth. Teasing it to almost painful attention, drawing almost continuous moans from Harper. He turned attention to her other breasts. She whimpered in need. God, it wasn't going to take much. Maybe later they would have time for a more drawn out seduction but right now, she needed him and was determined to make it happen.
She reached out running her hands over his chest. She tore hungrily at his shirt, a few buttons popping as she tugged it off his shoulders. Her eyes ran over him. A few scars marred his chest but did nothing to take away from the rippling muscles and smooth mocha skin.
'Hmm see something you like?' he laughed as she looked at him. She reached out, grabbing his belt buckle and pulled him up against her.
'It's alright,' she shrugged with a wolf grin of her own.
'Just alright huh?' he laughed, determined to prove he was far better than just alright.
She placed a few cat like licks along his neck, across his shoulder and down his chest. He swallowed a moan as she swiped her tongue across his right nipple. She undid his belt buckle before working the snap stud and zipper on his jeans and pushed them down, seeing he was going commando. She shouldn't have been surprised but she beamed at what she saw.
'Too many clothes, hot stuff,' he laughed, undoing the snap on her own jeans and zipper before he tugged them down, to reveal emerald panties that matched her bra. He tugged on them hard, the lace no match against his strength and it ripped away. At the same time he kicked off his own loafers and jeans too.
'Ric.. please..' Harper almost begged him. Christ, she needed this release that he could give her. Later they could really explore each other but now....Ric didn't need a further invitation. His desire was just as insistent. There would be more time later but now...Desire consumed him as he reached between her legs, finding her already soaked, ready for him.
'Ric,' she moaned. 'Please... now,' She could barely breathe. He reached for her, easily scooping her up against him. He used the wall to balance her and instinctively she wrapped her legs around his hips. She watched him as he carefully pressed against her. She tried to move against him but his strength stopped her.
'Harper,' he bit down on that spot just under her ear, just enough to sting as he entered her in a single thrust. She cried out, feeling that fine border between pleasure and pain. She threw her head back, her heart pounding and breathing hard as he paused in his movements. He gave her a few moments to adjust to him. She shook her head.
'God, don't stop,' she moaned, looking across at him, her arms going around his shoulders. That broke any resolve that he may have still had and he thrust into her again and again. She easily moved with him, each thrust driving them both closer to the edge. Using the wall to keep her up and one hand, he moved his other between them, teasing her clit. Her whole body jumped against his as he continued to tease her.
Both of them were moaning and gasping uncontrollably, both seeking their release. Ric felt Harper tightening around him and knew it wouldn't be long before she came. He paused briefly in his movements, Harper crying out her displeasure. He grinned, the sudden pause in movement holding them both hovering on the edge.
'Ric,' she moaned as he held them there for what felt like an eternity. Just when Harper was positive she was going to lose her mind, he moved, only minimally and then harder.
It was enough to send her tumbling over the edge as she screamed his name, raking her nails down his back, sending him over the edge and with a single final thrust, he came, spilling into her with a hoarse cry. They were both trembling as Harper fell against him, resting her forehead against his shoulder, breathing hard.
'God Ric,' she could barely breathe.
'I know,' Ric whispered as he placed a kiss against her neck God it had been so long since he had felt this way. 'I know,'
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Hours and several rounds, later, Harper was sound asleep, Ric still wide awake. He never slept around strangers.
The evening had been incredible, exactly what he had needed. He looked across at the windows, the heavy draping had been pulled but the sun was starting to peek out from underneath. Time for him to make a move. He carefully slid from the bed and quietly set about getting dressed. Once he was dressed, he packed the few things he had taken out the previous evening.
He scribbled a note to her and left it on his pillow. He looked down at her. She hadn't stirred yet. He reached out, tucking several curls behind her ear. She muttered something unintelligible before she settled again. He smiled slightly. Definitely time to go. He picked up his overnight bag and left the hotel room.
Twenty minutes later, he had settled the account, approving charges for anything else Harper charged to the room and was in his car, ready to head back to Trenton.
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