Bare Chested Ranger Ch. 4
A/N: Thank you for your patience and kind reviews.
Stephanie watched as Ranger moved around his kitchen with ease. She marveled at how comfortable he seemed there. He sliced vegetables and assembled turkey wraps for each of them on whole wheat tortillas and placed them on plates.
"You're staring again," he grinned not looking up.
"Sorry, just seeing another side of you, I guess," she said.
"I imagine we'll see a lot of sides of each other we hadn't seen before. You up for the challenge?"
She didn't know how to answer that. She had no idea what she was in for or what to expect.
He put the leftover ingredients away and shocked her by pulling out a small bag of chips to go with her plate. He sliced up an apple for himself and carried the plates to a cozy little bistro table out on the back deck. She grabbed some bottles of water from the fridge and followed him.
"So, what do you think Babe?" he asked.
She wiped her mouth on the paper napkin. "About what?"
"Anything." he said, "You're being so quiet. What do you think about being here, about seeing my house, about taking on this case, about anything?"
"That's a lot of stuff to think about Ranger," she said picking up her wrap and taking a bite. "MMM," she moaned, "This is really good."
Ranger smiled. "Thanks Babe."
Stephanie grabbed her bag of chips and jerked them open popping the bag and sending chips flying all over the table. Ranger chuckled and picked up the potato chip that landed on his plate and popped it into his mouth. Stephanie stared at him, mouth wide open in utter shock.
"Careful," he said, wolf grin beginning "Or I'll get ideas,' he said using his index finger under her chin to close her mouth. Her face began to pinken when she realized what he'd just implied making him chuckle again. "I'm sorry Babe, I couldn't resist." he picked up an apple slice and tossed it at her. She couldn't help but laugh when it hit her in the chest and slid between her breasts, wedging itself there. "Still getting ideas?" she asked with a wicked little grin. Rangers eyes fixed on what little was visible of his apple slice, "More than you know," he said trying to decide if he should follow his desire to go in after it. He picked up another chip near his plate and ate it deciding to change the subject as she fished the apple slice out of her top. He imagined using his tongue to retrieve it making sure to take his time and taste the skin surrounding it and hearing the little moans he knew would escape her lips. He felt a twitch in his board shorts and stifled a groan.
"Not a temple day?" she asked tossing the apple back at him.
"Hmm?" he said shaking his head to clear his mind as the apple bounced off toned chest back onto his plate."
"You ate potato chips." she stated. "That stuff'll kill ya, you know." she said happy to be able to use his words against him.
Ranger grinned and took her hand from across the table playing with her fingers. "I like to live dangerously," he said and winked bringing her hand to his lips and placing a soft kiss on her knuckles.
Stephanie's face flushed as the touch of his lips to her skin sent a current through her body. She pulled her hand back and dipped her head trying to regain composure.
Ranger picked up his wrap and took a big bite, silently pleased that he had such an effect on her.
"So," she said finally picking up her wrap again, "Tell me about this case." He got up from the table and went inside without a word. Stephanie paused mid-bite wondering what he was doing. Why did he get up and leave? Just as she started to panic Ranger returned with a file and set it down on the table.
"Shannessy Hanlin," He said sitting back down at the table. "Robbery and assaulting a police officer when he was arrested. He has successfully evaded re-capture so far with disguises and illusions."
"Illusions?" Steph asked raising both eyebrows. She had meant to raise just one but hadn't mastered that expression yet. Ranger's lips curls at the corners.
"He works as a magician- slash -illusionist and he is booked on this cruise as the entertainment under one of his aliases. It's a couple's cruise. We go in as a couple…" Couple was the last word Steph heard. Ranger watched as she got a faraway look then suddenly stiffened. He knew he had groundwork to lay with her before she'd believe he wanted to be with her for more than just a night of passion.
Stephanie didn't know yet but he had finally completed his contract. His life was his own now. He would never lead a run of the mill 9 to 5 life with the picket fence but he had finally come to the realization that she wasn't looking for that thanks to some rather blunt words from Tank recently.
Tank cornered him a couple of weeks ago. Ranger had returned to the truck where Tank was waiting outside the bonds office. Tank had seen his friend lead Stephanie into the alley and when they exited the semi-secluded area 10 minutes later, her lips looked swollen and she appeared a little dazed. Ranger's t-shirt had the distinct impression of Stephanie's small fist twisted into the front of it.
Tank smirked to himself and shook his head thinking how dumb this was for such a brilliant man. Did he really think no one knew what went on in those private talks?
"How's Bomber?" he asked. Ranger's face hardened and he gave him a glare that said drop it.
"No can do Rangeman," Tank said hitting the door locks so Ranger couldn't escape.
"Don't," Tank said, "I'm not afraid of you and its time you heard what I have to say!"
Ranger's blank face fell into place. Tank sighed heavily. Ranger wanted to stop him but knew it would do no good- the big guy would have his say. Truth is if Tank speaks it is usually wise to pay attention.
"You're my best friend," Tank began staring at the steering wheel that he was gripping a little too hard. "I've watched you for four years play cat and mouse with this woman. You rush to her aide, you assign men to her when you can't be there, you give her cars, and you make a point of personally picking up files from Vinnie just to see her. You visit her before and immediately after all missions and you pull her into the alley under the guise of talking and all but dry hump the woman." Ranger glares at him but Tank is undeterred. "You LOVE this woman. When are you going to pull your head out of your ass and admit it?!"
Tank was right and Ranger knew it. He also knew his friend wouldn't let excuses fly.
While Ranger mulled over how to respond Tank continued. "The cop is history this time," he said with a sigh. He turned in his seat to look at his partner.
"How do you know?" Ranger asked.
"Steph told Lula."
"And?" Ranger demanded, "Why is this time any different?"
"She caught him with Terri Gilman. You know she'll never forgive him for cheating. She'd never marry the cop anyway- she's hopelessly in love with your stupid ass!"
This caught Ranger's attention. His head whipped around, his eyes searched for answers; sure there must be some untold truth in Tank's face. "What makes you think that? They'll just get back together after he comes up with some lame excuse and her mom pressures her to forgive him. They always do."
"No," Tank stated emphatically. "She told Lula she doesn't love Morelli and that she can't have what she wants."
"What does she want?" Ranger asked before he could stop himself.
Tank rolled his eyes. "You know, for a brilliant tactical mind you sure can be dense. YOU dumbass, she wants YOU!" Tank shook his head. "Apparently Lula called her on what she said and demanded to know why she couldn't have what she wanted…" Tank paused gauging his friend's reaction.
"And?" Ranger demanded.
Tank smirked. "You willing to admit you love her?" He waited for a response. They sat in silence for a full, torturous, two minutes. "Alright," Ranger sighed in exasperation. "Yes, I love her, now what did she say?" Ranger hated that he felt like a teenage girl gossiping about the boys they liked but God help him he HAD to know what was going on with his Babe.
Tank chuckled. "I don't know about you Rangeman but I am not a teenage girl!"
Ranger scowled. Sometimes ESP wasn't such a good thing.
"What did Stephanie say?" Ranger demanded.
"OK, don't get your panties in a bunch!" Tank said. "She told Lula that you don't do relationships; that your love comes with a condom not a ring and that you had a chance and instead of taking it you sent her back to Morelli. There was something else about being entertainment...? I don't pretend to understand women, but I know how you feel about her and that shit confuses ME! Care to explain?"
"No."
"Might help."
"She deserves better than me."
"Bullshit!"
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me, bullshit!"
Ranger just blinked in response waiting for Tank to continue.
"We all love Bomber but you have some cosmic connection with her- like you were really made for each other. I've seen it!" Tank shakes his head, "and if you tell anyone I uttered any of that I'll deny it!Ain't nobody taking my man card!"
They sat in silence again.
"My enemies are dangerous, Tank. I couldn't live with myself if something happened to her because of me," Ranger said quietly.
"We all have dangerous lives," Tank said thoughtfully. "I know both of you and she is safer with you. Have you not noticed how much danger she can attract on her own? Dios man, I have been in less dangerous war zones than an afternoon catching skips with Bomber! I'm more worried more about you getting hurt from her crazy life than the other way around."
Ranger shifted in his seat. Tank looked up in time to see Stephanie walking toward the truck. She made circles with her wrist indicating for him to roll down the window. "Hey guys, everything OK?" She asked. Her blue eyes twinkled in curiosity. She watched Ranger's expression morph multiple times in the minute she had been standing there. He went from almost pained to serious to blank to gentle and inquisitive. "Yeah Babe, we were just talking," Ranger replied.
"Yeah right!" she snorted. "You. Two. Were. TALKING?" She raised both eyebrows skeptical of this explanation.
"You need something Bomber?" Tank asked.
"Nope," she said, "Just checking on you guys. It's not normal for you two to be parked out in front of the bonds office so long unless you were keeping an eye on me... and since I don't have any threats against me...I thought I'd make sure you guys didn't need something."
"Very thoughtful" Tank said grasping the keys and turning on the ignition, "But we're good-just had some business to take care of." Ranger tried the door handle but the locks were still engaged. He elbowed Tank sharply in the ribs. Tank grunted but did not disengage the locks. Stephanie noticed the interaction and made a mental note to figure out what is going on later.
"See ya later Bomber," Tank said, "We gotta go. Call if you need anything." Stephanie watched as the truck disappeared.
Ranger turned to Tank, "WTF?"