SPOV
Eventually I awoke. My throat was scratchy and my eyes hurt from last night. I'm not a pretty crier so I can only imagine what I looked like this morning. Ranger was sitting up in bed naked under the sheet typing on his computer. It was almost 8 am and I was confused why he was still here and not at Rangeman.
"I told you we would talk. I didn't want to put it off." I nodded. He put his laptop to the side.
"I don't think I should go to Julie's party, I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable."
Ranger shook his head "Julie invited you and Ron knew you were coming with me and was fine with it. If you don't go Julie will be disappointed and your also giving Rachel more power over your emotions then she deserves... What Rachel told you was based on her experience with a warped sense of anger because I wouldn't join her vision of the family she envisioned. From the doctor's notes it seemed like Rachel idolized my looks but didn't care for anything else about me. She still thinks of me from 13 years ago then the man I am now. I've never communicated with Rachel about anything except Julie so I can see how she may feel that way. I'm not looking to change my relationship with her, if she wants to voice her anger at me I'll listen but she isn't a part of my life. When I visited I mostly sat in the living room with Julie while her parents were doing other things around the house. I rarely took Julie out of the home to go anywhere and we really didn't talk much. I mostly just asked her questions about school and her life...
Babe you know I can't promise you forever in my line of work but I can promise you the rest of my life. To love you, forsake all others, to care for you even when you drive me crazy... I'm with you because I can't live without you anymore. I don't need a piece of paper holding me to those words because you know when I say them I mean them." Ranger was looking deeply into my eyes while playing with a curl of my hair.
"You may feel differently when you have two newborns at home screaming at all hours." I bit my lip.
"I'm Cuban. I'm use to a lot of noise and I need a lot less sleep then you. When we both need a break we have Ella or a babysitter. Just because we have kids doesn't mean I'm going to stop chasing you, seducing you every chance I get." I felt Ranger's erection against my hip.
"I never want you with anyone else Babe. I have just as much to lose as you... I saw the fear of losing me in your eyes last night...Both of us are going to mess this up at one time or another but you were honest with me last night. That was important to me above anything else. I love you and I love how our good days outnumber our bad. But even on the bad days I hate being apart from you."
"I just want you Carlos." Ranger kissed me and started moving on top of me. I wrapped my legs around his waist just as his tip started to enter me I heard loud pounding coming from our bedroom door.
Ranger growled as he turned his head. "Go away Santos!"
"Can't cuz! Steph your phone is blowing up. Tank says he needs you now."
Ranger said something in Spanish as he grabbed his pants off the floor, pulling them up leaving the button open. I covered myself with the sheet as Ranger unlocked the door. Les tried to poke his head in but Ranger pushed it away hard and took the phone from him.
He handed me the phone. With a raised eyebrow.
"Hey what's up big guy?"
"I left you four messages yesterday and you didn't call me back." He sounded stressed.
"I'm sorry I..." He cut me off now sounding panicked.
"I have a date tonight with Eve. I don't know what to wear. Do I buy chocolate? And what is the deal with "I'll call you" at the end of the date?... Wait more importantly do you have plans tonight at six because I can plant a bug at the table and a comm unit in my ear. Can you help with the conversation during dinner?"
"Wow that was fast." Ranger was trying to make me put the phone on speaker but I just shook my head no and smiled. I covered the phone.
"Do we have plans and what time?" Ranger's faced went blank.
"I'll get off at 7 then dinner at 730."
"Ya Tank I'm free until 730. Wear that black suit I've seen you in for client meetings and a white shirt or black shirt, open at the top, no tie. Flowers are romantic, I'm partial to a single red rose but pink roses are nice too. Nothing yellow that means friendship to me... Dinner is nice with dancing and since it's New Year's Eve take her to the park for the fire works or find a high building to watch them from. That would be romantic. And I don't know anything about comm units to set this up." Ranger looked really confused now.
"I can have Santos set something up for you, you just need a laptop."
"Are you sure you want me in your ear? It's not romantic with three at dinner." Tank was really quiet.
"Please Steph. I've never felt this way before." My heart went out to him.
"No problem. I can help until my date with Ranger. She must be special if your..."
"I'm not talking about it. Later." And he hung up on me!
"All of you have the worst phone manners in the world!" Ranger started taking his pants off again and smiled at me.
"Let me make it up to you now." He was giving me his bedroom eyes and cat ate the canary smile.
Ranger was many things in bed, passionate, loving, dominating but sweet. He could read my body and know exactly what I wanted without direction. And just in case I missed the message of how much he loved me with his lips, he told me, again and again how much I was his and would always be his. I hated how the old insecure Stephanie was still inside me coming out at the worst times and vowed to work on it this coming year.
Ranger and I were catching our breath after making love and I knew he was waiting to pounce about Tank. When he finally spoke I rolled over giving him a big smile.
"So Tank has a woman and needs your help?" I started giggling.
"I've been sworn to secrecy. When he is ready to tell you he will... Don't give him shit about it either! He is nervous enough as it is." Ranger used his hand the wipe his face. He did this when he was stressed.
"Just tell me it's not Lula again."
"It's not Lula." I kissed his nose. Ranger looked a little more relieved.
"Are we good?"
"Yeah Batman were good. I'll go to Julie's party... Rachel is probably insecure about me too which is why she lashed out... You've never brought a woman to meet them before but I'm not going to make a scene a Julie's party, if Rachel is out of hand I'll leave. We can address the issue at the meeting but I'm not important in this scenario. I want you to focus on telling her things will be changing due to her actions."
"Rachel would never make a scene. I've already found someone to put into place. Julie's check won't be issued to Rachel tomorrow, instead it will go into an account I've setup up already. I called Rachel this morning and left her a message to call me back but I think she is avoiding me right now because of your conversation yesterday. I have a feeling I will hear from her when she notices the check not in her account."
"Sneaky. She has to decide if she wants to talk to you to find out about the money or not." Ranger and I finished showering and dressing.
"What's your plan today Babe?"
"I'm staying here. I was going to watch King but I'll do it tomorrow first thing. I'm going to work out now, make calls, do some background checks then I have a conference call with Tank." I started giggling. That's what Tank asked me to call it. "I guess Les is setting it up for me here? It will also give me time to get ready for our date. Are we going out or staying in?"
"In. I have meetings all day but call me if you need me."
I walked Ranger to the door and saw at the dinning room table my Vigo portrait unwrapped by Les and sitting at the table. Near his face was a post-it note speech bubble. It said "Pie Good!" with Les's pie all eaten, only the empty pan left.
Ranger saw it and stopped short.
"Please tell me that's Santos's painting."
"Nope." I popped the p. "I thought of it in the screening room." Rangers shoulders relaxed. He gave me one last kiss and took his Porsche to work.
RPOV
I was worried for a minute Babe would put portrait into our bedroom. I don't think I could have sex with it watching me. When she asked what are plans were for tonight I realized I didn't make any. I meant too but it slipped my mind. I'm not use to making plans for the holidays I usually work. I knew it was too late for a reservation so I said we'd stay in and now I'm screwed. Marisol was taking off early today so I called Santos.
"Yo."
"I forget to make plans tonight for me and Steph. I told her dinner at 7:30 your place, your still going out right? Do you know anyone who can decorate and make dinner for us?"
"Ya I'm going out... my housekeeper Sofia can put some romantic crap together with music but it will cost you. Anything special you need I will call her right now."
"A single red rose and I'll call my guy at Cartier now. She is going to be home all day so make sure Sofia keeps this between us."
"Her English isn't great, when I drop off the computer I'll tell Steph Sofia is coming and to stay out of the main rooms..."
He started giving me grief about me dating so I hung up on him. I called Cartier on my speed dial. Christmas Day I added it to my phone just in case I ever really messed up with Babe per Tank's suggestion. I still couldn't believe she bought me my dream car. It made me want to shower her in diamonds but she would never wear them. Steph likes low key everyday jewelry and would be upset with something flashy and be afraid to wear it out.
I wanted her to wear something special tonight, something that showed her I loved her and Rachel was full of crap. I've thought of proposing to her the last few months off and on but now isn't the right time especially after last night. I know Babe isn't ready yet and I'm still working on my own issues about marriage but I'm 99% sure I do want to marry her someday. The timing is key. I don't want to scare her off and I don't want her to think it's because she is pregnant.
I noticed Steph wears her wedding band from Greece on her opposite hand everyday for the last month. I thought it was just a piece of jewelry to her but I notice her smile at it sometimes and how well she takes care of it. I heard Babe tell Mary Lou on the phone the black diamonds represented me and the white her. I didn't think of it at the time when I purchased it. I just thought it was a beautiful piece that reminded me of her.
"Mr. Manoso."
"Calvin. I need a necklace by 7 pm tonight. An everyday piece for a woman with an inscription that says... Babe All my Love, All my Life. Platinum preferably that pairs well with my prior purchases in my account. I'll send my man to pick it up today. Charge it to my account. I also want to place a future order for some charms to be picked up at a later date. Something to do with the New Year's, a gun, something to do with family that includes that word, some kind of heart for Valentine's Day, a lion and a Cuban charm of some sort. " I tried to think of things I had coming up that I would be doing with Babe or we had done already. I planned on taking her to some Cuban places on this trip as well as the zoo because she likes animals.
"Of course Sir. It will be ready by 3 and I will alert you when I have the charm designs for your approval." I hung up. I liked Calvin. He had great taste and an eye for design. I told him Babe's style years ago and he has been my contact since. He never asks too many questions and has always helped me picked jewelry for my aliases that involve Babe as well as my gifts to her in the last few months.
I drove to Rangeman and thought about Babe. Rachel hid her anger towards me for many years and I never saw it but I did see her attraction to me at times. Most women were but I've learned to ignore it. And Rachel was never obvious about it, she would check me out when she opened the door. I chalked it up to not seeing each other for months on end.
I hated what Rachel said to Babe and now I'm glad I found someone to administer the account for Julie. I'm also removing the bodyguards after the meeting. I'll keep Mace, Scully and King on a rotation to monitor Julie discreetly but I'm not wasting my resources anymore. If Rachel continues her attitude towards Babe I'll also pull the schooling for her other children. Ron understood my position before he left our meeting, I'm not concerned with his reaction at all. I feel like a fool though, at the time I thought I was doing the right thing by their family. I let guilt cloud my judgement. I just thought by helping them I would also help my karma too. I let the issue roll because I thought it would fix itself eventually but now I'm ready to wash my hands clean of it.
Rangeman and Babe need to be my priority now. I can't go into the wind unfocused, I keep getting this feeling I'm going to be called soon. I made sure my will was up to date before I left Trenton and I wrote Babe a new letter telling her how much I loved her and the babies that I wanted her to be happy in life if I die. I asked her to let Tank watch over her and them and not push him away.
I asked that she live everyday to the fullest and know I'm proud of her no matter what. I didn't mention I didn't want her to go back to Morelli, Tank already knows if anything happens to keep him away no matter what. It's one thing for my children to grow up not knowing me, it's another for Morelli to fill their minds with hate and lies about me. Babe would never allow that but I didn't trust him. I trusted Ron to protect and love Julie, now I need to do the same with my family... my family, it's still sinking in for me.
SPOV
I walked on the treadmill for an hour then decided to start getting ready early for my evening. I shaved everything which took a long time since my growing belly makes it hard to see every inch of myself. Then I exfoliate and rubbed lotion all over myself. I wasn't ready for my dress so I put on some shorts and a button up shirt to do my hair and makeup. I kept it simple with a smokey eye. I noticed Ranger liked it that way.
I messaged Slick that he had off today and to have fun but to "Cover his stump before he humped."
He messaged back "Don't worry. When I can't cover my rocket, I leave it in my pocket." He told me to call him if I needed anything but he deserved the day off and to have some fun too. I could only imagine the parties tonight at some of these night clubs we drove by yesterday and was thankful I didn't have to go. Clubs were never my thing not even in college.
For breakfast I had some toast with black olives and raspberry jelly then some Life cereal with caramel syrup I found in the cabinet. I was really lucky Les wasn't a health nut. Ranger told me I would feel more comfortable here then at Rangeman and he was right. The view from the windows was amazing. It was so peaceful here but I couldn't see myself living in Miami full time. Grandma Mazur is getting older and I want to be with her for as long as I can. I don't know what I will do when she gets to old to live alone. I know she won't want to live with my parents again and I can't see her wanting to live at a facility. I'd probably move her into the house with me and Ranger but who knows if that will fly with him.
I need to make a point of getting them together so he can see all of her shades not just horny. I put bags from yesterday's shopping trip into our bedroom and started packing the items back into my suitcase so I wouldn't forget. I decided to procrastinate a little and do some laundry. I washed Ranger and my clothes then our sheets and towels. Les told me he has a house keeper but she only comes once a week since he doesn't make a huge mess and lives alone. I asked him if he brings women here and he told me no, not just for security reasons but he dates a lot and doesn't want to lead anyone on or have a gold digger try and move in on him. I got his logic but he was a really great guy and it would be nice to see him settle down one day.
I sat in the living room to run a quick background on my new client Carmel Havens. Married for five years to Scott Havens. They met at work before she took a new job at a larger marketing company. They lived together in condo in Robbinsville with a Bull Dog name Cinnamon but no children. Carmel wants to know if her husband is cheating.
I looked at his credit card history and didn't see any hotel room charges or large amounts of money being removed... I will probably have to follow him. A lack of charges or missing money doesn't mean he isn't cheating, he just isn't paying for the place. Scott was a very good looking man, very Chris Hemsworth from the movie Thor. In Carmel's email she said she was suspicious because she thought she could smell perfume on him one night after work and sometimes she can't reach him at work when she calls. Carmel confronted Scott in the past but he told her she was crazy and nothing was going on and how much he loved her. Carmel doesn't think she is crazy and wants a baby soon but needs to know if her husband is faithful before she takes the next step with him. She said she was referred from a friend of a friend that knows Sally Sweet. I have to call him it's been too long. When I get back to Trenton maybe I should catch his band playing a show.
I looked back at Carmel's information. I knew that feeling she had, your gut says he's up to no good but you cant find the proof. You check his clothes, credit cards, sometimes his phone or browsing history but he covers his tracks. Dickie was like that until I tricked him. I told him I was going to be gone all day then watched from a distance for a car to show up. It did not even an hour later. I caught his butt screwing Joyce on my dinning room table. I think I was more upset it was Joyce then my marriage ending. I printed everything out and created a new folder for Carmel. When I got back I'd meet with her and see if she could afford my rate, if not I'd work with her, even doing payment plans for people.
I ran a credit search on Reid Grey but it was still maxed out. I moved on to the victim that alerted everyone to the killer in the first place. Jacquelyn Bridges, 34, Vermont resident. She lived alone but was engaged to Jerald Pool who was in Africa working as a Doctor for several months. I reread my notes about how the factory was closed for two weeks due to poor weather and Jacquelyn didn't return to work afterwards. After three days she was reported missing by her best friend that also works with her. Jacquelyn was found two miles from the factory under a tree five months later.
I ran a search on Jerald Pool days ago and found out he returned back to Africa but couldn't find much on him recently. After Jacquelyn's body was discovered I saw Jerald entered therapy for several months to deal with his grief then returned to work. I didn't see any storage units listed and he didn't have an address in Vermont. I even called his parents before Christmas and no one called me back. I decided to try them again then her friend who reported her missing.
"Hello?"
"Hello Mrs. Pool my name is Stephanie, I'm investigating the murder of Jackie Bridges... I'm not a cop please don't hang up." I caught her just before she did.
"We got your messages. I know who you are, we didn't call you back because we don't know anything. My son is moving on. It took him a long time but he is ready again."
"I understand. I'm having trouble getting a hold of him but what is your take on Jackie's death? You don't seem to care much for her by your tone?"
"I think she was cheating on my son for many years while they dated and it was a mistake he ever proposed. I don't think she would have made my son happy in the end and I don't think she cared about his work or goals." I rolled my eyes at her.
"What makes you think she was cheating?"
"I'd go over to her house sometimes to check on her for my son and she never let me in, like she was hiding someone inside. I saw a love note on top of her mail once too something about her beauty and smile."
"Do you remember what the note said exactly? Or who has it now?"
"No. I just remember the initials H.W. but I couldn't figure out who it was. I even looked in our town phone book but no one in her age range matched. Most of her things the police took or her friend Kathy. Jerald took a few gifts he given her, some mementos of their time together like photos but everything else went into the trash. I threw it out myself. Her friend Kathy took some clothes and some jewelry, a few photos. I told my son my thoughts on her, I just never cared for the girl and it's not kind to speak poorly of the dead but I'm happy my son didn't marry her."
"So no date books, papers, laptop or the love note?"
"No as I said it was trashed." I groaned. I sent her a picture of my suspect but she didn't recognize him.
I thanked Mrs. Pool for her time then moved onto Kathy's number. Kathy said the same thing as Mrs. Pool except she didn't think Jackie was cheating, Jackie didn't like her fiance's mother in her business which is why she never invited her inside. Kathy didn't know anything about a love note and she said she didn't see anything in her things when she cleaned it out with Mrs. Pool since her fiance was too upset to do it himself.
I asked Kathy if Jackie had a secret she was hiding from everyone since Slick noticed a pattern with the other women. Kathy said she didn't know any secrets but Jackie would have told her if someone was bothering her or something major was going on. She never believed Jackie would just run away so she reported it to the police but no one believed her at first. I sent Kathy a picture of my suspect but it didn't ring any bells for her either.
I moved onto my next victim. Cristina Fox. Went by Crystal Fox an escort for Masquerade Escort Services. Lived in Brooklyn, New York and reported missing one month later by her landlord. I grabbed her employer's number and made the call, last time the secretary blew me off so I searched for her personal cell.
"This is Leeanna."
"Hi Stephanie Plum, before you hang up on me I'm not a cop, I just wanted to speak to you about Cristina Fox. I'm hunting down her killer who has also killed many other women. I just need a minute of your time."
"You have two." I asked my usual questions then sent her a picture. Leeanna said she didn't know anything and the man wasn't a client, she would have recognized him. When she said she was sorry Crystal was dead I believed her. She talked about how Crystal's clients liked her for parties and she was a decent person despite her background.
I looked up her family then remembered Crystal grew up in foster care and her parents were in prison. I doubt she'd voice her issues to clients so I called her landlord who was very rude and told me the moment he was alerted she died the police looked for evidence again but he trashed everything in the apartment to rent it our to the next person since he depended on the income. I asked if he had kept anything of hers and he said no. The things worth money he sold to a pawn shop for back rent and the rest he hired a service to clean out. I described my suspect to him since I called his land line and he said he barely remembers Crystal let alone some guy. Great!
I moved onto Amber Lynn Tabernacle, originally from North Carolina but moved to the Lower West Side of New York City. Parents had a nasty divorce over infidelity and Amber wasn't close to either. Amber had a sister from her father's new wife and worked for a small publishing house as a small time editor of mysteries. She worked from home a lot and was reported missing after one week because she did not return emails, calls or submit work. Her boss reported it to police and stated, she was a hard worker, independent, kept to herself and didn't mix business with pleasure. I called both of her parents who blamed the other for her death and lack of communication. I could see why Amber didn't call them often I was getting a headache myself. They said Amber hadn't spoken to them for years, she was tired of being in the middle of their fighting. I asked if her half sister and her were close but her father told me no. I called the land lord but he passed away months ago from a heart attack according to his wife.
I had no new leads at all. The last victim I researched was the first victim.
I knew I would have trouble finding information on victim's more then two years old since a lot of time has pasted, things that belong to these women are gone and people's memory's are faded but I was hoping for a scrap.
Regina Patterson came from a broken home in Ohio, she was a receptionist at an animal shelter that only worked part time so her boss reported her not showing up to the police after two weeks. A month after she was reported missing he Landlord re-rented her apartment to a new tenant. The landlord's number on record was disconnected. Regina's cause of death was lack of oxygen. I looked up her employer's number and called him.
"Dr. Labbe's office."
"Hi may I speak to Garfield it's very important." I thought if I used his first name she would put me through and it worked.
"Hello?"
"Hi you don't know me but my name is Stephanie Plum and I'm investigating Regina's murder as well as other murder's after hers that are related. Do you know anything about loves notes she received? Someone following her? Any secrets she was hiding?"
I also described my suspect and he said no. He didn't know her that well and only gave her a job because he felt sorry for her. Her father was an alcoholic in town and her mother was often in other people's bed's so we she turned 18 she moved out as fast as she could. Eventually she was a waitress until she got a job at the animal shelter. Garfield reported her missing to the sheriff because she didn't seem like the type to disappear but she didn't live in a great part of town either." I thanked him and hung up.
I heard the alarm disengaged while I was sitting in bed then a loud knock on the door.
"Come in!"
I notice it was almost 5 pm. Les came into the room with a laptop and headset in hand.
"This is for your conference call with Tank and Ranger asks that you stay out of the kitchen and living room until he comes home so your surprise isn't ruined for tonight. Sofia my housekeeper is here now to help but she doesn't speak a lot of English. She is also tidying up the main rooms and doing some laundry for me too... You looked stressed what's up?"
"I'm really stalled on my case. I'm running out of evidence to look for."
"Hmm well I'm home now for the day and I still have a few hours to get ready. Let me grab a whole pie with two forks and I'll look at the evidence with you. I always wanted to be Nancy Drew... Maybe you just need a fresh pair of eyes." Les wiggled his brows making me laugh.
A few minutes later he returned and laid a new blanket over the already made bed.
"I don't want Ranger's fluid's on my baby smooth skin."
"I washed the sheets already weirdo." I would miss Les when we left. He always made me smile.
I left him all my notes and got up to change into my dress for tonight in the bathroom. I had to log into the computer for Tank in 45 minutes then listen to his date till Ranger arrived. I never saw Tank this nervous with Lula but I thought it was sweet. It was killing me to know if she was from the match maker I set him up with or someone else but he was tight lipped about her.
I picked a simple black maternity dress I received from Christmas that accentuated my best parts, my boobs and legs. My bump was sort of hidden by the fabric of the dress that you couldn't tell I was pregnant unless I was side ways. It was pretty too with crystals around the v neck of the dress and comfortable halter straps.
"Do you think Ranger will like this?" Les smiled.
"Ya I don't expect you to wear it for too long...if you need any items to enhance your evening check my closet on the right side." I blushed red.
"We're good."
"Do you have a lady in mind tonight?"
"No but I will find one at the party then go back to her place or a hotel room. You two kids can have fun alone but tomorrow I'm calling for a movie night, Ranger's over working me lately."
Les read over the papers while I started getting the computer on and headset adjusted. I had ten minutes to go.
"He's smart and a planner. He picks victim's that don't have a lot of people to care about them and he doesn't kill them violently. He doesn't leave marks on them so he must not touch them much after he changes their appearance. My guess is he works for himself or makes his own hours like a sales man for example. They travel a lot, meet many different people, go to many different functions to network. Did you look and see if any of the woman went to functions or parties open to the public before they were taken probably months before?"
"No." I made a note to look into that, it was a decent idea and more then I had right now.
"I noticed in your notes he was only caught twice on camera and both weren't very visible camera's to the eye because of a tree or a piece of the roof covering it but otherwise you couldn't find him in any videos... It's like a game, he sent you to the factory so you would chase him like he has been chasing you... I see two ideas, you can continue to ignore him and he may lash out and send you more gifts or you can challenge him. Make it clear your on the case and aren't impressed with his abilities at all. Piss him off in some way." I heard my laptop beeping but I wanted to finish this conversation with Les so we agreed to meet up tomorrow.
"Hey Les!" He turned around to look at me. "Cage that snake before you shake and bake." He was surprised then laughed. He pulled a roll of condoms from his pocket then winked as he left.
"Steph?"
"Hey Tank. You ok?"
"No I'm sweating." I had to hide my mouth from laughing.
"That's normal just make sure you smell good. If you don't, stop and grab some cologne or something. Where are you right now?"
"Sitting in the parking lot, I'm early."
"Just be yourself big guy but don't show her your cat pictures right away only show her one if she asks first."
"I just saw her park, she's early too."
"Good. Don't forget your flowers just breathe. Be a gentleman pull out her chair and be polite. Introduce yourself with a hand shake then lightly place your hand on her lower back to guide her to your table. If you get nervous just pretend your talking to me at the table."
Tank POV
I hand a napkin in my pocket and I kept wiping my forehead. I wiped my hands on my pants a bunch of times too. I noticed Eve enter the front of the restaurant and I was a few steps behind her. When she saw me she smiled and kissed my check as a hello. I touched my check with my hand like an idiot.
"Hi I'm Eve and you must be Tank." I heard Steph in my ear. "Say yes. Nice to meet you, you look beautiful tonight."
I repeated her words and was thankful I included Steph now otherwise I would be a bumbling fool right now.
I went up to the hostess then lead Eve to our table just like Steph told me. I notice Eve blush.
"I've never been here before Tank have you?" I just shook my head no. Steph spoke up "You can at least tell her no. Use your words. God between you and Ranger it kills me sometimes."
"No, but I had a recommendation from my friend Steph."
Eve looked curious "An ex?" What? I felt my eyes widen.
"No!..No my best friend's woman." Steph spoke up "Don't call me his woman, say girlfriend like a normal person to her instead of the cave man name he uses."
"Girlfriend... she prefers but he calls her his woman in private." Eve was smiling at me now. The waiter took our drink order and we had a little champagne and water. I didn't notice anyone in the restaurant or the decor I just kept looking into her eyes then at her lips.
"I'm a little nervous it's been a long time since I've been on a date Tank so if I stumble in conversation you will have to excuse me. My friends told me all of these rules and it's a lot! I rather just spend the evening getting to know each other with out the games." I felt better but still a little nervous. Steph spoke up so I said her words.
"I'm nervous too. I don't date much because I work a lot but most woman are afraid of my size too." Eve roamed her eyes over my body and smiled.
"I like a big man." I had a small smile on my lips. "What are you going to order? I'm thinking the fried calamari to start then the trout special. I'm not a huge salad fan for dinner. I enjoy food too much."
I looked at the menu and picked the first thing "Umm the meatloaf." I heard Steph talking to herself now. Hmm meatloaf. Now I want that too. Damn.
I kept a smile on my face but was trying not to chuckle at her that Eve would notice.
"Make sure your making eye contact Tank and try to smile! No blank face tonight. Ask her about herself and her family or her job." Steph said through my ear piece.
Eve told me she had a brother a year younger who was now an engineer in Pittsburgh and she became a Vet because she loved animals growing up and always took them in. Eve asked me if I had any animals so I showed her one picture of my three cats. Steph told me only one. I found it easy to talk about them and not myself. Eve showed a picture of her cat too. When our entrees's arrived I knocked over my glass of water all over the table. I could have kicked myself for being so clumsy.
SPOV
I heard the water spill and Tank trying to clean it up. I told him it was fine, it's water and accidents happen but I could tell her was beating himself up over it. Ranger came through the bedroom door in his GQ suit so I covered my microphone.
"I need a few minutes Tank's choking."
"Tank it's fine. Everything was cleaned up and she doesn't sound angry from her voice. She even laughed. Calm down, think of your cats again. Ranger just got home so I only have a few more minutes but just eat your food like a normal person, don't scarf it down and chew with your mouth closed. Eve asked you about yourself a few times and you need to explain to her in your line of work knowing things about someone can be used against them, so you will reveal yourself more over time. Try to answer her questions as best as you can though." Ranger hit a button on the computer so he could listen to what I was doing. We heard a few minutes of conversation then I told tank I had to go but if he ran into trouble to go to the bathroom and call me. Otherwise just be himself because the date was on track again. I closed the lap top and Ranger had a mega watt smile on his face.
"Tank really likes her and she seems to like him, please don't say anything he was having a hard time even asking me for help. Promise me you won't, he swore me to secrecy."
Ranger kissed my lips and promised. He checked out my dress and pulled me close.
"Beautiful Babe." He kissed my neck then walked me to the living room. I saw candles everywhere with vases of flowers, petals scattered on the floor and table. A fire in the fireplace with some Latin music playing. Ranger spun me into his arms and taught me the Bachata. Eventually we moved onto little Salsa then slow danced. I loved being in his arms. No matter the dance he was skilled with turns and dips. I wasn't very good but he made up for it in his leading of me. Eventually we heard a timer go off so Ranger walked me to the dining room. The table was beautiful in silver and red, there was even party hats for us and noise makers. Ranger had a glass of wine poured for himself and some lemonade for me.
I saw on my plate a single red rose along with a large red Cartier box. I opened it and saw a beautiful Platinum necklace with two flowers connected together. In the center of each flower was a black diamond and the other a white diamond. It was beautiful. It matched my ring and bracelet perfectly. Ranger served our dishes, some kind of Cuban meat with a salad and soup.
"You shouldn't have. It's too expensive but I love it." I started taking my current necklace off to wear my new one when I noticed the inscription. Babe All my Love, All my Life.
I loved the necklace but the inscription meant so much more to me. It reminded me if his promise this morning and made me feel safe and secure in our relationship then ever before. Ranger sat next to me at the table but I got up to sit on his lap.
"I love you Carlos." I put both of my hands on the side of his face and kissed his deeply.
When we broke from the kiss we fed each other off our plates. We gave each other little kisses and neither wanted to break our connection. I didn't even notice the taste of our food just the passion in his eyes for me. We finished and cleared our plates. I grabbed the pie and started to dish a few pieces onto the plate.
"That's not the kind of pie I eat Babe."
"No but I thought it would be fun to eat off of you." I grabbed his hand and moved him to the living room. We both removed our clothes and fooled around on the couch and floor while listening to music. Eventually Ranger carried me to bed and made love to me while I only wore the jewelry he bought for me. We made love several times then watched the ball drop on TV snuggled together. Ranger gave me a steamy kiss at midnight then gave my stomach two kisses and wished the babies a Happy New Year too.
I checked my phone before bed but Tank never contacted me. Just well wishes from everyone including Joe.
