Disclaimer: JE owns the character. I just like them to do what I want them to.
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I opened my eyes and immediately shut them. I think that I might need to hold off on that for a moment. I tried to roll off of my stomach, but I realized that I was pinned down. What happened last night?
Think Stephanie, I told myself. I clearly remember the fight with Joe as we watched yet another one of my cars burn to ruble. Joe shouting and me flapping my arms. I swear that I thought that I felt myself lift off the ground for a second. I remember calling Lula and meeting up with her and Connie for margaritas. They're the perfect summer treat, right?
That's all I've got. Nothing after the margaritas. Not good. I think that I need to try opening my eyes again. I slowly opened my left eye and my heart stopped beating. This room looks familiar. Fourth floor RangeMan apartment. Not good. I wiggled around a bit. NAKED! Definitely not good. I took in a deep breath as I tried to calm myself.
Old Spice? I know that I smell Old Spice. Think Stephanie… who wears Old Spice? I tried to think, but my head started pounding. I reached up and put my hand to my eyes and pushed them back in my head. This is so bad that it's almost funny. How did I end up in bed with a Merry Man? This is just to much to deal with on top of a hang over.
I wonder how good my chances are of being able to get out of this bed without disturbing the person next to me?
"Not good," a low voice whispered in my ear.
Whoa! Shit! This is bad!
"Not really," the voice whispered as he kissed the back of my neck.
A loud bass started coming from the apartment next door. I grabbed the blankets and pulled them over my head. I felt a pillow pulled on top of the covers and the chest behind me shake with laughter.
"I'm hung over!" I shouted. I instantly regretted doing that. The hammers in my head went into over drive and I felt my eyes start to water. I automatically snuggled into the warm body behind my searching for comfort. The arm around my waist tightened its grip.
"Don't move," the voice whispered after he lifted up the pillow. "Relief is on the way."
"Coke and fries?" I asked.
"Yeah. But not form McDonald's. Sorry Honey, but I'm not ready to face the guys either. I'm really glad that I have time off. I can stay held up in here for the next two days and hope that something else happens in the mean time."
I stuck my arm from out of the covers. "Phone?"
I felt my cell phone slip into my hand and then I felt him move out of bed. I pulled my phone under the covers and stuck it in front of my face. I flipped the cover open and scrolled through the phone book. I found the number to the office and hit talk.
"Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. This is Connie. How may I help you?"
"I'm calling in dead," I said to Connie.
"Where are you?"
"You don't want to know. I'll see you tomorrow." I said and then hung up. I immediately shut my phone off. I know Connie. She would call me right back and start hounding me. She's from the Burg and it's in her nature to be nosey.
"Coke?"
I stuck me hand out from the covers once more. I felt a can being slid into my hand. I pulled the can under the covers and rolled it across my forehead before opening it. I chugged the whole can in one drink. I put my hand back out and felt the empty can removed from my hand. A fresh one was slipped back into my hand. I pulled in under the covers and found two Tylenol on top. I popped the pills and drank half of the coke. I started to smell fries so I popped my head out from under the blankets.
I smiled up at him as he handed me a plate of fries that were straight from the oven and covered in ketchup. I shoved several in my mouth and instantly started to feel better. I fed him a couple and he smiled down at me. This may not be to bad. Ranger may freak, but he's out of the country doing lord only knows what.
"How long do you think that I can get away with hiding in here with you?" I asked.
"Indefinitely. Unless you don't want to lose your job."
"I'm covered for today. Tomorrow is going to be a problem though. Then there is the clothes issue," I said as I remembered that I was naked.
"I don't see an issue," he said as he smiled down at me.
"I'm naked."
"I still don't see an issue."
I gave him the typical Burg eye roll and he laughed. He took my empty plate and walked it over to the kitchen sink. I scanned the floor and found my underwear and my t-shirt while he was washing the plate. I quickly grabbed them and threw them on. I found my purse and started rummaging through it. I know that I have a thong in here somewhere. Bingo!
"I'm using your shower," I said as I headed to the bathroom.
"Knock yourself out."
I took my time in the shower. I was still trying to figure out what happened last night. I put myself on autopilot as I thought about what I was going to do. How could this have happened? With him? This was so not good. I mean, he's really great and all. The man is worthy of being on the cover of GQ. Maybe I can get him to understand that it was just a one time thing. Then, maybe we can convince the guys that nothing happened.
I climbed out of the shower and started drying off. I was drying off when I felt a tender spot on my lower back. I turned around in the mirror to see if I had a bruise or a cut. A TATTOO! Where did that come from? OHMYGOD! It's his name on my back!
"Steph, how much do you remember from last night?"
"Evidently not that much," I said through the door. I couldn't hide the panic in my voice.
"Do you have one too?"
"Yeah."
"Can you open the door? I feel stupid talking to you like this."
I wrapped the towel around myself and opened the door. I looked up at him and he looked confused. He didn't remember to much either. He turned slightly to show me his right arm. Up on his bicep was my name. I had to laugh. I turned around and slowly lowered my towel to reveal the tattoo on my lower back.
"That's hot!" he said as he dropped down to his knees to get a closer look. I felt him run his finger lightly over the lettering and a felt a rush of desire run through my body.
What is that? I asked myself.
"I have your name branded on me! What the hell happened last night?" I shouted as I turned around. "Do you remember anything? I don't even remember seeing you last night. The last thing that I remember was margaritas with Connie and Lula."
"I remember going out with the guys for drinks. I remember joining you guys and drinking lots of margaritas. That's it," he said as he stood up.
"You don't remember getting the tattoos?" I asked.
"No," he said. Then a wicked grin crossed his face. "Wait. I do remember something else."
I stood there for a moment searching my mind. Then it came to me in a rush. It was hot and steamy. I felt my cheeks start to burn as I remembered the experience that we had shared during the night. The touching. The kissing. The orgasms. Plural. Then little things started coming back to me.
"We went to a club," I said slowly. "With some of the guys. Lula, Connie, and Tank stayed at the bar and I went with the rest of you guys. I remember dancing and drinking a lot of beer."
"What about the tattoos?"
"I'm still lost on that one. Who in their right mind would tattoo someone who was drunk?" I asked as I threw the towel on the floor. No sense in being modest, right?
That was a mistake. I quickly found myself wrapped up in his arms. I looked up at him in surprise and his lips came down on mine. It was a sweet, soft kiss that made my knees go weak. I ran my hand up his chest to the back of his neck and pulled him down to me. I really needed more. I felt his chest rumble with a laugh, so I bit his lower lip.
"Hey," he said when he pulled back.
"It's not nice to laugh when you're kissing someone," I said.
"Honey, you're killing me," he said as he pulled me closer for another kiss.
I whispered his name as he picked me up off the floor and carried me back to his bed.
"Hal."