Disclaimer: Not mine.

Thanks everyone for the reviews and encouragement!


Chapter Seven


He watches her as she makes her way across the stage, and he's not alone. Every eye in the building follows her curves, the sway of her slender hips, every gaze riveted to the fragile curve of her pale throat…He shifts in his seat and digs his nails into the soft flesh of his thighs through his trousers. The pain heightens his senses, sets his blood humming.

They may be allowed to watch, but he's unbothered by their presence. They're nothing but voyeurs…bystanders. He knows the truth, this dance is just for him; she sways and raises her hands to the silver pole gleaming under the halo of lights, her skin glows beckoning his touch.

Soon.

She twirls around showing a flash of soft curves, the graceful dip and then she's flying in a delicate ariel display that thrills him, all that power, and grace, long shapely legs perfect for wrapping around his back…

His cock strains against his zipper and he slides one hand into his pocket subtly stroking his thumb over his own flesh momentarily disgusted with himself-It's wrong the way she makes him want her, she's still pure…he knows. He's watch her for weeks now. There's no man to taint her light, she's waiting for him.

He won't make her wait much longer.

.


.

The phone was ringing somewhere in my bag.

I stopped to dig it out waving a quick hello to one of the other girls who was arriving at the same time as me and paused holding the door open. "No, go ahead." I mouthed and she nodded shutting the door. I found the phone in the bottom of my bag and cringed looking at the screen. Might as well get this over with. "Hi Mom, I can't talk right now I'm about to go into a business meeting."

"A business meeting at 530pm on a Friday?" My mother probed skeptically.

"Well, it's more like a dinner party with some of the company big-wigs." I lied on the fly. "Rubbing elbows with clients and all that." Seemed safer than admitting I was running late for my weekly Krav Maga Class. My mother would certainly question my need for self-defense classes now, regardless of my history with crazy whack-jobs.

"That sounds wonderful Stephanie, seems like you're really moving up with this company."

Yup, just climbing right up the pole.

"I don't know," I hedged. "We'll see." I pushed to change the subject before she could dig further. "Why are you calling?"

"Do I need a reason to call my own daughter?" Great, now she was on the defensive.

I tried again. "No, but if it's not really important could we chat later?"

She sighed. "Well, I know you said you would see about coming home for a family dinner…"

"I'm trying Mom—"

"Four weeks ago." She pointed out, obviously unhappy.

If I was closer to the brick wall I'd be tempted to bang my head against it. Somethings never change. I could see why Valerie had enjoyed living in California for years; too far away to be expected at dinner.

"And I just want you to know that we had someone show up to dinner tonight looking for you,"

My breath caught with a rush. Ranger!

"His name is Alex, he said you guys knew each other and he's been trying to get a hold of you…" My Mother's tone sounded mildly accusing.

My heart fell. Damn. Of course Ranger wouldn't look for me at my Mothers. I sighed. "What did he look like?" At least someone who could give me a more accurate description than Lula had seen him, Grandma had been talking about my mysterious admires notes and flowers for weeks!

"What do you mean what did he look Like?" My mother huffed in exasperation, "How many Alex's do you know?"

"Er…"

"Stephanie?" Then my mother gasped. "Oh my God! He's another Stalker isn't he?!"

"What, No!" I shot back feeling instantly defensive. At least I didn't think so. Not everyone in the state of New Jersey was stalking me…it just felt like that sometimes. And besides didn't a stalker have to actually know WHERE I was in order for him to stalk me? Was that a minor technicality or a necessary detail? Ranger would know.

Ranger would scowl at this whole conversation.

"Then who is He Stephanie?" My mother's voice pulled me from my musings.

"I met him when I went out with Lula, but it was months ago; and then I took this job and I lost my Cellphone on the subway; and had to get this new one so my number changed...so I guess he's been trying to get a hold of me." I explained.

"Well, he seemed like a perfectly nice young man." She informed me. "He brought a bottle of wine and chocolates."

"He brought wine and chocolates." I repeated dubiously after a pause. "To dinner." Was she expecting me to show up and secretly invited him…?

"Yes." My mother stated, like it was the most natural thing in the world..

"But…he wasn't invited."

"Stephanie!"

"I wasn't even there!" I pointed out.

Wait, who ate my chocolates?

My Mother sniffed. "And I apologized for that. It's embarrassing Stephanie! This nice young man has put in a lot of effort to get to know you and I can't even tell him when you're coming home for dinner; or where you live! I told him you took a temporary Job in New York, and he still seemed very interested!"

Uh oh.

"I gave him your new number." My mother continued.

"Oh Geeze, Mom…" I was full on whining now.

"What's the harm Stephanie? You come back next week, you go on one date. He's put in a lot of effort to track you down!"

"So do Serial Killers!"

"I think I'd know a serial killer Stephanie." She huffed.

"Dave." I shot back.

"Honestly, One time." Scary how my mother could rationalize setting me up with a killer. "Every other man I've introduced you to has been just fine,"

With anyone else I'd debate that comment. But arguing with my mother was as likely to get results as trying to arm wrestle Ranger.I'd just end up with a seriously bruised ego, discouraged, and annoyed."I'm busy Mom, we already discussed this remember? No men."

"Please Stephanie. He's a nice young man who really wants to take you to dinner, is that such a crime?"

I blew out a breath, By itself? No. Unless he spiked my drink, duct taped me and threw me into the trunk afterward…Maybe I could get one of the Merry Men to chaperone! I grinned picturing Tank's face if I asked him to be my wingman.

"You wait 'til he calls, set a date. It's what, two hours of your life? And if he's really that God-awful company order dessert first, call a cab and sneak out the back door."

I snorted and started to outright laugh. Was my mother was encouraging me to dine-and-dash?

"It's not like he's from the Burg!" she defended, "He's from Philly—no one will ever know."

That explained it! "I'll think about it. Gotta go." I hung up and dropped my phone in my purse after hitting silent.

With any luck, Alex would call and it would go to voicemail so I could decide whether or not to call him back.

.


.

To be continued...