SPOV (Steph)
After lunch at Pino's I headed home to wrap up a few last minute details before leaving for New York in the morning. I still have my packing to do, but I'll do that when I get home from dinner with Ranger, Steve, and Sam tonight. I will also be taking Rex with me when I leave to meet Ranger at Rangeman in a couple of hours.
He made reservations at Rossini's for 7:30 and it's nearing 5:00 now. I still have to shower and get ready. I want to look good for Ranger and the others.
I walk into the kitchen and gather Rex's things; food, bedding, wooden chew toys, and the bag of fruit treats I just picked up on the way home. This way all I have to do is grab Rex's cage and things on my way out the door.
It's 5:00 now so I need to hit the shower. I scurry to the bathroom after locking my front door up tight. I learned my lesson the last time I left my front door unbolted. Morelli busted in and handcuffed me, naked; to the shower rod; while he tore my place apart looking for the distributor cap to his Jeep Cherokee. And I had to call Ranger to release me.
I took a lengthy shower as well as shaved, exfoliated, and lotioned up well afterwards. Now to choose my attire for the evening.
I walk to my bedroom closet and scan over the choices. I pass over the slut wear I use for distractions, pausing at a classic red dress hanging in the middle.
It falls nearly to my knees, is belted at the waist, and has cute cap sleeves. I think this would be the perfect dress to wear for a casual dinner out with friends.
I pull it on and look through my shoe wardrobe for something to match. I spy a pair of classic red pumps with a low 3 inch heel. Hey 3 inches may as well be ballet flats to a Jersey girl!
I put simple good hoops in my ears and transfer the necessities from my big purse to a gold clutch evening bag and head for my front door. I glance at the clock on the DVD player and see that I am right on time, it's 6:45.
I grab Rex and his things off of the counter, lock up behind us, and dash to the car. I carefully place Rex on the passenger seat then climb in to the driver's seat and hit the road to Rangeman.
I pull into the underground garage less than ten minutes later. I wave to the guys on the monitors once I get in the elevator and start my ride up.
The doors open on the fifth floor command center and I yell out a greeting to the guys on duty. I hear a smooth voice from behind me.
"Looking good there Beautiful, did we have a date tonight that I forgot about?" Lester teases.
"Only in your dreams Santos!" I jest back.
"You know that's right!" He retorts.
I can only laugh and shake my head at him. Les will always be a flirt, but he is a hoot to be around when you're feeling down.
"Don't you have work you should be doing Santos?" I hear Ranger growl from his office doorway.
"Yea Les, make yourself useful and go down to my car and bring Rex and his things up. He's going to be staying with you all for a while." I order. Les give me a playful mock salute and darts toward the stairwell.
"You look very nice tonight Babe. Are you ready to go?"
"Yepp, time for you to feed the beast Batman." I giggle. Ranger is wearing one of his tailored-to-fit Armani suits, sans vest of course. He looks down right edible too.
My eyes glaze over when he removes the jacket and tosses it onto the couch in his office; leaving him wearing his black slacks and dark dress shirt. Then he removes his tie, throws it to join his jacket, and loosens up the top three buttons of his shirt.
I hear the elevator ding behind me. I turn to see who it is. It is Vince and Woody escorting Steve and Sam up to us. I am once again hit with just how handsome Steve is. He is wearing a pair of loose fitting jeans and a dark blue button up shirt. I stand there ogling him silently.
RPOV
The elevator opens and Vince and Woody exit with Captain Rogers and Falcon behind them. I peer over at Steph and notice her noticing the Captain. Oh yeah, she's definitely interested.
I'm happy to see her attention on someone besides me, or that ass-hat cop. He's a cheater and will no doubt follow in his father's footsteps to become an alcoholic abuser.
Me on the other hand, I am no danger to her physically, but her heart is another story. I have the potential to ruin her faith in love. Don't get me wrong, I do love her, I just can't love her like she deserves. First of all there's way to many people who could show up one day to try to kill me; and I can't put her in that kind of danger.
Secondly I don't think I can open myself up like that emotionally. I was trained to be the best, that means detachment from emotions. I am no longer able to let my emotions show. That blank mask that she hates so much is permanent.
I will always be there for her though. She will forever be my best friend and under my protection. Though if she hooks up with Cap, she will have a whole building full of Avengers and SHIELD agents that will want to take over my job as her hero. I allow a small smile to break through my bad-ass blank face as I realize that I am totally fine with that.
I look down at the Rolex on my wrist and see that it's after 1900 and we need to get going or lose our reservation.
"Nice to see you again Captain. We need to get going if we're going to make that reservation."
"Where were you Ranger? You were in your own little world for a little while there." Steph says.
"Just thinking about things Babe." I respond.
She shrugs while giving me a knowing look that says, 'we'll talk about this some more later mister'.
When we reach the garage, I speak again. "Let's take the Cayenne. Everyone should be comfortable."
Everyone nods their assent and we all climb in the Cayenne. The ride to the restaurant is short. We arrive in plenty of time to make the reservation.
SPOV (Steph)
The ride to Rossini's is quiet. Everyone seems to be in their own little world, contemplating whatever. Ranger hands the keys over to the valet and we enter the restaurant.
The hostess greets us and asks if we have a reservation. Ranger replies.
"Manoso, table for four."
The hostess then leads us to a quiet table in a back corner. Ranger always has to be able to see all of his surroundings. I notice Steve and Sam also scanning for threats, after Steve holds out my chair for me and we are seated. Hmmm... I can't remember the last time Ranger held out a chair for me.
"Your server will be with you shortly to take your order." The hostess informs us.
"Thank-you", Ranger replies.
"So what type of food do they serve here?" Sam inquires.
"Mostly Italian, but they can do burgers and salads if that's what you want." I tell him.
"Nah, I like Italian. I'm sure I'll find something I want on the menu."
"Well as Ranger can tell you, I have a weakness for pasta, especially their pasta with alfredo sauce. And I apologize in advance for any sounds that may sneak out of my mouth while I'm eating."
Ranger smirks and nods his head in agreement before saying.
"Eating a meal with her is a pleasurable torture."
Steve and Sam have confused looks on their faces. They will learn soon enough. The moans that escape my throat when I eat are involuntary, I can not control them.
This is when the waitress appears to take our orders. She starts with Ranger. She is openly staring and ogling him. The only thing missing is the drool dripping down her chin.
"I'll have the grilled salmon with roasted vegetables and water please." He informs her.
Steve looks to me and says, "ladies first", so I order next.
"I'll take your sausage alfredo on angel hair pasta, with broccoli, a tiramisu for dessert, and a Coke to drink."
"That sounds good, I will have that too." Steve adds.
"I want a big old slab of lasagna and a side salad with a sweet tea." Sam finishes our order.
"And bring us a nice bottle of Chianti also please." Ranger tells her before she turns to leave.
"Who is going to drink all that wine Ranger? I know you don't drink or desecrate the temple, and you know that two glasses is my limit." I utter.
"Don't worry, I'll finish the bottle off. The super soldier serum doesn't allow me to get drunk." Steve lets us know.
"Good to know." Ranger quips with a slight smirk.
I give him my best Burg death glare as I kick his shin under the table. That only makes him smile bigger. Jerk!
I know he is relieved that there will always be someone sober around to look out for me when I have too much to drink, but I'm afraid he's giving Steve the wrong impression about me. I'm not an alcoholic like my mother!
Minutes later our food arrives and conversation becomes sparse while we enjoy Rossini's fine food. Of course I am moaning my way through the meal.
As I take my initial bite of pasta and sauce, the first deep-throated moan leaves my mouth. Both Steve and Sam's heads whip up simultaneously with astounded looks of awe on their faces.
"Holy crap gorgeous." Sam squeaks out, while Steve just gulps audibly and blushes from his neck to his cheeks.
"Well I did warn you." Ranger chuckles.
"Can it Manoso!" I snip at him.
"Babe," he sighs.
By now Steve is looking directly down into his plate and his left hand has mysteriously disappeared down to his lap. Ooops. Oh well, he'll get used to it.
I try to finish my dinner with a minimum of moaning, but I can't promise anything when I get my hands on that tiramisu. The moans will come long and hard from that creamy deliciousness.
After the dessert plates are clear Ranger suggests. "Let's have a cup of coffee before we leave."
I know what he's doing. And I'm sorry it's my fault they have to take a few minutes to get their bodies back under control again. I've heard it's hard to walk straight with a raging hard on. But I wouldn't know about that. I don't get them, I just give them.
As soon as the coffee cups are empty, Ranger signals for the waitress to come over. She does and Ranger settles the bill with her. We are soon on our way.
As we make our way to the door I feel the gentle touch of Steve's hand in the small of my back guiding me. It makes me feel safe and secure instead of 'owned'.
The valet delivers Ranger's car quickly. We all climb in and head back to Rangeman.
When we arrive Ranger excuses himself to check on a client break in. He had received a text on the way back. I walk over to my SUV and lean on the driver's door. Steve asks me what I have planned for the rest of the evening, so I start to tell him.
"I need to get home and finish packing. I have no idea what to take or how much to pack."
"If you want, I can go along and help you with that. And it won't take you as long if you have help." He grins.
That crooked grin is doing me in again. I readily agree, so we both hop in the vehicle with Sam in the back. He is half asleep already, the wine must have really went to his head. We'll drop him off at the hotel on the way to my apartment.
We arrive in my parking lot half an hour later. Sam is settled in their hotel room for the night and I have a ton of packing to do.
I enter my apartment and after Steve does a security check, we get started with the clothes in my closet. I leave all of my 'distraction outfits' hanging right where they are. I'm pretty sure I will not need them.
"What should I bring just jeans and casual stuff?" I ask Steve.
"Yes and maybe a couple of simple dresses too. You never know if someone will want to take you out for a night of dancing on the town." He smiles shyly back at me.
That settles it, I'm taking six! If I'm taking his hint right that is. I hope he was talking about himself and not Stark!
"What about bathroom stuff?" I wonder.
"No need to bring any toiletries, we'll buy whatever you need when you get there. Don't want anything leaking onto your clothes during the ride. Sam drives like a maniac sometimes." He laughs.
"OK." I respond as I start in on my shoes and Steve begins to look through my chest of drawers.
"Uh, Steph, I'll let you pack this drawer. I don't think I can ... "
He must be in the second drawer, that's my lingerie drawer. It is kinda weird thinking of Captain America fingering your unmentionables while he blushes furiously and stammers. I giggle internally.
"Just move down to the next one, my shorts and thin T-shirts are there. I have a feeling I'll need cool things."
After all is said and done I have every single suitcase I could borrow, with mine, all 7 of them; packed with clothes; not to mention the two cardboard boxes of shoes.
I am ready for bed, exhausted. I can't believe it is after 1 in the morning. Time sure got away from us. I turn to Steve and offer.
"It's too late for you to try to go back to the hotel tonight. Why don't you crash on my bed here and I'll take the couch in the living room?"
"Absolutely not! I will not force you out of your bed and onto an uncomfortable couch. I will take the couch." Steve argues.
"No way! You're way too big to be trying to cram yourself on that itty bitty couch out there. Look, we're both mature adults and can easily share a bed without losing control. I trust you to be a gentleman, so go get ready for bed while I turn back the covers."
Steve reluctantly nods and heads for the bathroom. I slide the comforter off of my bed. It's too hot to use it anyway. A sheet should be fine.
When I hear the bathroom door open again I turn around to face Steve and literally lose my breath. He is wearing nothing but a pale blue pair of cotton boxers. Holy Hot Flash!
His physique is so much better than I imagined. All hard angles and taut muscles bulging. Quick, look away Plum before he catches you ogling. Too late!
"Something wrong Steph?" Steve asks.
"Ummm ... no ... I'll just go get dressed for bed." I finally strangle the words out of my chest.
I hustle over to the dresser and pick up the clothes I had laid out for bed, a thin pair of cotton shorts and an even thinner tank top. I dash to the bathroom to change before I embarrass myself further.
I take my time changing, trying to calm my rampant Hungarian hormones down. It only marginally works. I'm still a panting mess.
I shuffle back out to the bedroom, relieved to see that Steve is already lying down with the sheet covering him up to his waist. Still, looking at his chest is plenty to get my hormones started up again. Crap!
I flip the light off and slip into the bed, resting on the very edge. No use tempting myself any more than necessary. I roll over on my side, facing away from Steve and close my eyes after a very short 'good night'.
I think to myself as I close my eyes. 'What have I done?! This night is going to be sheer unadulterated torture!' #########
