A/N: A big thank you to everybody who has reviewed. The reviews are what keep the story going, and they make me want to write so much faster. So keep them coming. :)

Skylar747 - thank you for the idea! lol

Warnings: Slight smut.

Disclaimer: Not mine, believe me, I'd know if they were.

Primal

Chapter 4 – Desire

Man is the only animal whose desires increase as they are fed; the only animal that is never satisfied. -Henry George

I was watching myself in the mirror in my bedroom and was feeling pretty happy with the result of two hours worth of preparing for my date. I was wearing a midnight blue dress that brought out my eyes. The dress was made of a smooth light fabric and the flowy skirt fell a few inches above my knees. It was perfect to go dancing in, and it made me look seriously hot. My eyes were lined with black, and my lips nude, giving me an ethereal look.

Earlier in the day I had been to the bonds office to check on FTAs. Unfortunately business was pretty low so I'd have to find another way to pay rent. I did, however, find Lula there, which in itself was a little weird since it was Saturday. She had offered to accompany me to the mall, and three hours and a stop at McDonald's later, we had found the dress I was currently wearing and the perfect FMPs to go with it. Of course the rent problem was now even more urgent, but the shoes were top priority.

Scott was taking me dancing to this new, and I hear very hot, club and I was really looking forward to it. I hadn't been dancing in ages, and even if I'm no goddess on the dance floor, I can move pretty well. I was just stepping into my FMPs and grabbing my little clutch when I heard a knock at the door. He was a few minutes early, but that was fine. Smiling I opened the door, only to find a very sexy Ranger outside. I stopped dead in my track and just let my eyes wander over him, taking in the incredibly hot man that is Ranger. He was wearing jeans that probably were made with him in mind, and one of those t-shirts that he wears which make me want to wrestle him down and fuck him on the spot. I slowly took all of him in and when I finally reached his eyes he had an amused look on his face.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, switching from instant arousal to defensive mode.

"Looking good, Babe." he said, eyeing me in much the same way I had him just a minute ago. "Can I come in?"

"No, I have a date. And he'll be here any minute. What are you doing here?" I asked again.

"Me and some of the guys from RangeMan are going out. I was wondering if you'd want to join us?"

"Hate to disappoint you, but I already have a date, remember?" I said, trying not to sound too happy with myself. "Thanks for asking though." I smiled.

"You should probably go now." I continued when I didn't get an answer from him.

"Yeah… Wouldn't want to give your date the wrong impression." he said, sounding a little bitter.

"Exactly" I quipped, closing the door in his face. Holy shit, he was going to kill me, no-one closes the door on Batman… It's in the same category as hanging up the phone on him. Strictly forbidden. Probably law in some states. I took a deep breath and checked the peephole. Ranger was gone. Thank God for small favors. I leaned back against the door and tried to pull myself together and a knock on the door promptly scared the shit out of me.

I opened the door again, but instead of a deadly sexy Ranger I found an almost equally sexy Scott. He smiled and handed me a single pink rose.

"You look absolutely stunning." he said, looking me up and down with admiration clear on his face.

"Thank you, you don't look too bad yourself."

He flashed me the dimples and I felt my legs go soft. No, not bad at all. I put the rose in a vase and we were off. He rode down in the elevator with me, doing small talk the whole time. When we got outside I felt a moment of panic when I thought we were heading to Ranger's car. But apparently Scott had the same taste in cars as Batman himself, since he drove a black Porsche Turbo.

"That's your car?" I squeaked.

"Yeah, this is my car." he said, looking funny at me, probably wondering why I was watching the car as if I expected it to jump up and bite me. Scott opened the door and I got into the passenger seat. I ran my hands over the leather and burrowed into the seat, pretending it was Ranger's car. I caught myself doing it and immediately stopped.

We drove to the outskirts of Trenton and parked at a large building that looked pretty average, hadn't it been for the unbelievably long line of people outside. Apparently everyone it Trenton wanted to dance tonight. I looked at the line resignedly and tried to determine how long we would have to stand outside. But apparently Scott had other ideas and headed straight for the door. He did one of those complicated hand shakes with the bouncer and three seconds later we were inside the sexiest club I'd ever seen. It wasn't sleazy or anything. It was just sexy. Deep oranges and reds adorned the walls, and the music was Latin with a very sensual beat, alternating songs with a salsa beat with slower, more sensual songs.

We grabbed one of the few empty tables and Scott ordered us drinks. I didn't hear what he ordered, but I was hoping it was something strong. I could really use some liquid courage if I was going to pull off this date and make Ranger jealous. As soon as we got our drinks I took a big sip and nearly choked on it. Yep, this would do just fine. The alcohol settled in my belly and I felt the familiar heat that came with it. I felt a tingle and got the strangest feeling that Ranger was close, but I pinned that on the booze.

Scott and I chatted for a while, and I learned that he wasn't all that boring if you made an effort to actually listen to him. Apparently he was a chef at a local restaurant. What could be better than that? He was the complete opposite of Ranger. He was blond, he appreciated good food and he was sane; whereas Ranger was dark, a salad freak and not even close to sane. Scott really was the perfect man. Leave it to me to fall for the insane salad freak.

After a few drinks I was swaying with the beat and feeling the music. Apparently Scott got the hint and asked me to dance. We danced to the very steamy songs, and I was staring to feel very comfortable dancing close to Scott. His hands were everywhere, making me feel warm in all the right places. I was enjoying myself immensely when I heard a voice that made me freeze in place.

"Can I cut in?"

I felt Scott tense. He looked at Ranger and frowned.

"I don't think so." Scott said, looking him straight in the eyes.

I can't believe he had the guts to do that. Ranger was staring at him with murder in his eyes. If he had looked at me that way, I'd have peed my pants.

"How about we ask the lady. Babe?"

I looked at him, trying to resist, but in the end the temptation of dancing with Ranger won out. It wasn't like dancing with Batman was something you got to do on a regular basis. I sent Scott an apologetic look and told him I'd just be a few minutes. I had no idea what Ranger was doing here. Although, he had said he was going out with the guys. I just never thought they'd go to a place like this.

Turning to Ranger I drew a breath at the intensity in his eyes. He reached for me and drew me flush with his body just as a new song started to play an erotic Latin beat.

Ranger and I slowly started to move and I immediately realized that Ranger can dance. Ranger can dance really well. He moved with the ease and grace of someone who has rhythm in his blood. We were dancing so close that I could smell the Bulgari on his warm skin. Our bodies were flush from hips to chest, and the closeness started to have a serious effect on me. He didn't speak and neither did I. Our gaze locked, we moved as one. I was acutely aware of his hands on my hips, his lips so close to mine. I was already in a state after my dance with Scott and now that was intensified ten fold. I wanted this man so badly I couldn't think straight.

The music played with a slow heavy beat. The song wasn't familiar to me, but it was pure sex. The slow beat was intoxicating and hypnotic, a woman singing in Spanish, a slightly breathless quality to her voice. The lights glowed with an orange tint, making everything seem erotic, and all other couples on the dance floor were forgotten. The provocative music seemed to awaken something inside of me and I started to move in e very suggestive manner. Turning my back to Ranger, I brought my arm up around his neck. Our bodies were so close that I could feel him grow against my back.

He sucked in a breath when I ground myself against him. He dropped his lips to my neck and gave me a quick bite, creating a gush of wetness between my legs. I turned around again and found his lips a breath away from my own. He moved in exact rhythm with the music and held firmly on to my waist. His thigh slid in between my hips and I gasped and arched my back, trying to create more contact with his thigh. I felt like I was on fire. Had we been any closer we would probably have been arrested for lewd conduct.

"Christ Babe, I want you so bad. You're driving me crazy."

"You can have me anytime you want when we're a couple." I said, giving him a small smile. Reluctantly detaching myself from him, I thanked him for the dance and walked away, leaving him standing on the dance floor. Walking away I berated myself for getting carried away. I was supposed to make Ranger jealous of me and Scott, not nearly come while dancing with Ranger.

I found Scott at our table, looking at me with a baffled expression on his face.

"I'm guessing you guys have history." Scott stated, looking at the dance floor, where Ranger had been just seconds ago.

"Yeah, you could say that." Understatement of the year.

"Is there something going on between the two of you?" Was it the let's-get-naked dance that gave it away?

"I don't know." I answered truthfully.

"But you want there to be." Scott stated, watching me intently.

I sighed, there was no denying it after that little show on the dance floor. "Yes."

"This might be a stupid question, but what are you doing on a date with me if you're so obviously in love with Rambo?"

For a second I debated what to tell him, but then figured he deserved the truth. I took a big gulp of my drink and started to talk. Half an hour later I was getting really drunk and had told him everything about mine and Ranger's non-existent relationship.

"I have to say that guy is exceptionally stupid not to want a relationship with you." Scott said with a small smile.

I snorted half of my drink out through my nose at the thought of Ranger being stupid. I tried to stop giggling long enough to inform Scott of the fact that Batman probably wouldn't appreciate that comment.

"Ranger can't be stupid… He's Batman…" I slurred between giggling fits.

These drinks were excellent for courage but apparently hell on brain cells. I could literally feel my brain waste away with my ability to talk and walk.

"We should get you home now" Scott laughed.

"Noo…I want to dance." I argued, trying to get up and make it to the dance floor.

"Come on Beautiful." Scott said and helped me out to his car.

I don't remember the car ride to my apartment, but suddenly we were there. The walk from the car to my door helped sober me up enough to contemplate pros and cons of inviting Scott inside. On the pro side Ranger would probably find out somehow and get really jealous. On the con side I would probably jump Scott's bones if he came inside. Or was that maybe a pro as well? I was spared making a decision when Scott gave me a hug and a peck when we reached my door.

"Will you be alright from here?"

"Yep, no problemo." I said, sounding very cool.

He laughed and turned to walk away and I made a split second decision. I grabbed him by the hand and drew him in for a kiss. I took him by surprise and it took him a moment to return the kiss. The kiss was excellent, and I felt my hormones waking again. After a while Scott broke the kiss and tucked a curl behind my ear.

"That Ranger guy is a very luck man." he said, sounding a little sad. Then he suddenly cheered up and leaned in closer to me. "I'll call you, perhaps we can make him really jealous."

Oh my god, this guy was too good to be true.

"I'd like that." I said. I wasn't sure whether I meant that I'd like him to call me or I'd like to make Ranger jealous, but maybe it wasn't that important.

Scott kissed me again and then left. I opened my door and stumbled inside. I just might have been a bit drunk still. I heard a knock on the door and assumed it was Scott who had forgotten something. I stumbled back to the door and opened it while trying to wrestle my FMPs off of my feet.

"Did you forget something?" I asked and looked up from my shoes. It wasn't Scott. It was Ranger and he had very dangerous look on his face.

"Oh shit." Very subtle Steph. I blamed it on the booze.

He took a few long strides inside. Kicking the door shut and pressing me up against the wall, he kissed me senseless. At the first touch of his tongue to mine, my mind went completely blank. He started to move down to my neck and collar bone, making me squirm and moan. His hands found their way in under my dress, stroking my thighs and kneading my ass. I made an effort to pull myself together.

"Did you have fun out?" I asked, feeling my head spin from the alcohol and the pleasure he was giving me.

"Very fun," he said, kissing his way down to the top of my breast, "but there was this incredible woman there who was driving me crazy all evening, dancing and being sexy."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Unfortunately she was busy talking to this other guy."

"He's a chef you know." I said, gasping for air as Ranger's hands massaged my breast and his mouth was busy on my neck.

"Really?" he mumbled against my neck, his breath causing shivers to run down my spine.

"Really."

I reached down and massaged his hard cock through his jeans. He jerked at the touch and bit down on my pulse point, causing me to draw a sharp breath, the slight pain causing a throbbing sensation between my legs. I desperately wanted him, but if I gave in now he'd just get the idea that he could have me anytime, whether we were a couple or not.

"I don't think this is a good idea." I said, half-heartedly trying to push him away from me.

He continued to kiss his way down to my breast, and moving the fabric to the side, drew my already hard nipple into his warm mouth. I gasped and suddenly had a hard time remembering why I wanted him to stop. He pinched my other nipple and I realized I needed this stop right now or I was going to give in and fuck him right here.

I shoved him away from me more firmly, my body immediately missing the contact.

"I would like nothing more than have sex with you right now, but it just wouldn't be right."

I could see the anger and frustration in Ranger's eyes. He was breathing hard and clenching his fists.

"I'm dating Scott, and I don't sleep around. Of course if you and I were dating…"

"You… I…"

Wow, Ranger was speechless, there's a first. I was finding it oddly satisfying to watch Ranger battle with his emotions. He apparently was at a loss with what to do, because he just turned around and stormed out the door, slamming it behind him. I was obviously getting to him. Ranger wasn't one to slam doors in a fit. I was just hoping I was getting to him in the right way, and that he wouldn't just walk out of my life, slamming the door behind him.

A/N: So, do you think Ranger should cave in already and admit to his feelings? Or should Steph do some more hunting? Should she date Scott some more?