Chapter 54
I wasn't too sure what Ranger was planning, maybe we'd go the house and as I thought about that I realized that would be an excellent place to be.
"I've booked reservations for dinner so why don't you go and get ready and I'll pick you up at 7 sharp"
A look at my watch told me it was nearly 5, enough time for me to get ready, but what was Ranger going to be up to during that time? It wouldn't take him that long to shower and change. I felt a hand at my back and realized that I was being guided out of the room toward the elevator as though there was some urgency for me to go upstairs.
Once inside the elevator I turned expecting Ranger to be there, but it seemed he had disappeared. It seemed whatever he was up to I wasn't going to find out so as the elevator rose, I was left feeling extremely curious as to what he was up to. By the time I was inside the apartment I'd resigned myself to the fact that whatever he was planning I wouldn't be finding out about until it happened. This was Ranger we were talking about and he was still the man of mystery, something that I would never get used to but something that to be honest, made me love him even more.
Whatever he was doing would be his way of surprising me and the idea of going out for dinner with him felt exciting. It was like a date, something that we'd never done before. Hell, if I was honest with myself, it was something that I hadn't done in years. Joe's idea of a date was eating take out while watching a game followed by wild sex. There was absolutely nothing romantic about that.
I turned my attention to getting myself ready. Hitting the shower I focused on showering and washing my hair and included the task of shaving. I chose a new moisturizer to soften my skin and with a robe wrapped around me I dried my hair into soft curls. Once in the bedroom and looking through the clothes in the closet I found a dress that I was sure that I recognized, a dress that I'd bought and never worn. It was the silver dress that I'd bought for Bobby's birthday party but had never got the chance to wear. Having decided on the dress I applied some makeup, not a lot, but enough that my eyes stood out with the dark grey kohl that I used. Of course, I added mascara and a natural lip gloss. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't have time to add varnish to my nails but to be honest the pearlescent varnish from the night before looked intact so would suffice.
As I looked in the mirror and turned around, I was pleased with the final result. The dress definitely looked better on than it had done on the hanger. When Lula had picked it out, I'd discounted it as being too pale and shapeless. Looking at it now, it seemed darker as it shimmered around me. The halter neck enhanced what breasts I had with the built in bra and the bodice clung to my waist and hips before flaring out and falling above my knee. It was backless, maybe a little risqué with it falling to my lower back, but I was sure that Ranger would love it.
I added a simple silver chain with a blue pendant on it and the matching earrings, declaring myself ready. As I walked into the lounge with a dark grey bag and fitted jacket I came to a stop.
"Wow"
Was all I could think to say as I looked at Ranger stood in the doorway wearing a black suit. It fitted him exactly showing off his broad shoulders, hips and thighs to perfection. His dark silky hair fell to the collar of his white shirt which only emphasized the mocha latte color of his skin with the promise of what lay beneath. He looked edible, ever so sexy especially as his eyes travelled from my face to my feet and back again.
"Beautiful"
Was his one word response. I was almost regretting that we were going to be going out and from the way his eyes darkened I would say that he felt the same. I licked my lips as he continued to look at me and saw the slight tilt of his mouth. He was amused at my reaction to him, well come on, the man was hot in so many ways.
"Babe, we need to leave if we're going to arrive on time"
I took his outstretched hand and allowed him to pull me from the room and into the elevator. I wasn't impressed as he stood behind me and as he moved my hair to the side and started to kiss my neck, to say that I was getting incredibly turned on was an understatement. As the elevator stopped, he stood back from me, the loss of his touch eliciting a soft moan from me.
"Later"
Was all that he said as he guided me toward the Porsche. By the time we'd arrived at what looked like a very expensive restaurant I was feeling extremely frustrated. What with the smell of the car, the feel of the engine as it purred and then Ranger's hand gently caressing my thigh as he drove I felt like I was going to explode.
Ranger opened my door and took my hand in his, keeping hold of it as we walked inside. The entrance to the restaurant was elegant, but small, with a woman stood behind a tall lectern, a smile on her face as she greeted us.
"Manoso"
Was all Ranger said before she was scrolling through a screen set into the top of the lectern.
"Welcome to Skylight Mr Manoso. Jerome will show you to your table"
I almost said something as she continued to smile at Ranger but for once I was too busy looking around. The whole place was colored a dark blue with lights hanging down from a very high ceiling, probably to give the illusion of stars in the night sky, but what surprised me was the sound of music emanating from ahead of us, beyond the wall. We followed a waiter who took us up a set of stairs that lead out onto a mezzanine that surrounded a room below us.
There were alcoves all around the edges with tables and chairs offering privacy to the diners and below us was a dance floor with live music. As I walked with Ranger, I noticed that the theme of a sky at night continued here. The ceiling was high again with lots of small lights hanging down. As I slid into the booth of one of the alcoves, I was surprised at just how private we were. I couldn't see into any of the other booths that I knew were there.
Taking a menu from Jerome I was pleased that there was enough light from the star shaped lamp on the table to be able to read it, though did notice that this was one of those restaurants where there were no prices on display.
"I'll be your waiter for this evening. I'll bring your wine while you peruse the menu"
Okay, so maybe Ranger had ordered the wine when he had made the reservation, so placing the menu in front of me I started to read it.
"How about we order hors d'oeuvres for a starter. That way you can try out more things?"
I nodded my head as Ranger suggested that because a look at the menu for starters had me in a quandary as to which one to choose because they all looked good to me. I smiled up at Jerome as he brought the wine to the table and watched as Ranger took a drink from his glass before nodding his head. That had Jerome filling up both of our glasses with a deep red wine. As I lifted mine to take a sip, I felt Ranger touch his glass to mine and looked up to see him looking at me intently.
"To us Babe"
Was all he said before we were disturbed once again by Jerome, so of course, my attention was drawn to the plates that were being deposited onto the table. They looked amazing and it was then that I realized just how hungry I was. I wasn't too sure what they all were but how they were presented was very impressive.
"Crème fraiche and caviar tartlets, maple caramelized figs with smoky bacon, shredded sprouts with raisin and pine nuts with silky ricotta, lobster toast with avocado and espelette pepper, savory mushroom and parmesan palmiers, carrot tart with ricotta and almond. Enjoy"
I looked from Jerome to the plates as he gave us an explanation of what was contained, totally impressed with Ranger's choice. We actually sat in companiable silence as we each helped ourselves to the hors d'oeuvres, well Ranger was silent but I'm sure I was moaning at the delightful tastes that pleasured my taste buds. Once we had finished Jerome appeared and we each ordered our choice for the main course.
For once I was actually going to choose something that wasn't covered in creamy sauce, pork steak cooked in maple syrup served with new potatoes and fresh vegetables. Okay maybe my taste in food had changed slightly but even I knew that you didn't come to an expensive restaurant and not try something new. Of course, Ranger went with some type of grilled fish along with his obligatory salad and brown rice. Once Jerome left us, I felt Ranger take my hand and start to pull me out of the booth.
"Dance with me Babe"
My answer was to follow him down the internal stairs and onto the dance floor. The band started playing something slow and sexy, the voice of the male singer echoing around the room. Being pulled into Ranger's arms my body was flush to his as he slowly started to move with the music, and I was lost in the feel of him surrounding me.
"Listen to the words Babe"
Was whispered into my ear so that's what I did though I was curious and a bit surprised that he knew what the song was.
Sweet baby, our sex has meaning
Know this time you'll stay 'til the morning
Duvet days and vanilla ice cream
More than just one night together exclusively
Baby, let me be your man
So I can love you
And if you let me be your man
Then I'll take care of you, you
For the rest of my life, for the rest of yours
For the rest of my life, for the rest of yours
For the rest of ours
We're drinking the finest label
Dirty dancing on top of the table
Long walks on the beach in April (beach in April)
Yeah, I promise, darling, that I'll be faithful (be faithful)
Baby, let me be your man (let me be your man)
So I can love you (I can love you)
And if you let me be your man (let me be your man)
Then I'll take care of you (I can love you)
For the rest of my life, for the rest of yours
For the rest of my life, for the rest of yours
For the rest of ours
Give me your body and let me love you like I do
Come a little closer and let me do those things to you
This feeling will last forever, baby, that's the truth
Let me be your man so I can love you
Baby, let me be your man (let me be your man)
So I can love you (I can love you)
And if you let me be your man (let me be your man)
Then I'll take care of you, you (I can love you)
For the rest of my life, for the rest of yours
(For the rest of my life, for the rest of yours)
For the rest of my life, for the rest of yours
(For the rest of my life, for the rest of yours)
For the rest of ours (for the rest of ours)
Song by Zayn Malik - Let Me
I felt Ranger's hand on my cheek and looked into his face, the love that his expression encompassed nearly bowled me over and it certainly brought tears to my eyes. The words from the song were still reverberating around in my head. Yes we'd told each other that we loved each other and certainly Ranger's actions could always be seen to support that. I watched as he suddenly lowered his body and it was only then that I noticed the swirl of mist around us on the floor. I focussed back on his face, tingles shooting down my spine as he reached up and took my hand.
"Let me be your man Babe, for the rest of my life, for the rest of yours for the rest of ours. Marry me Babe"
In his hand he was holding a ring, the light from above us reflecting off the stone. I looked from the ring to his face and realized that he was waiting for me to answer him. There was no need to think about the answer, no feelings of dread came over me, only absolute joy that he really wanted to marry me, me the woman who had caused him so much trouble, me the woman who loved him with every part of my being.
"Yes"
I felt the ring being slipped onto my finger, but I was so intent on watching his face as he stood up. It was so perfect and being surrounded by the swirling mist with the tiny points of lights all around us I felt like I was flying above the clouds. My hands were fisted in his hair as I pulled him to me, our mouths fusing, tasting and exploring, feeling the depth of love pour from me. One of his hands was laced through my hair while the other was pulling my hips closer to him making me feel as though we were interlocked together.
I felt as he pulled back slightly, my head dizzy from the kiss but wanting more. To hell with eating anything else, I wanted to devour him, every part of him and the heat soaring through me made me even more anxious that I was almost tempted to pull his shirt from his trousers and start to explore as soon as possible.
That was when I suddenly felt him tense and my eyes flashed open, worry enveloping my senses. Sound filtered through to my fogged brain, the sound of people shouting some even screaming. The mist had risen to head height, so I had no idea what was happening. I stepped away from Ranger to turn around and try to see more, my hand still being held by his. I felt people pushing past me and instead of the sound of music there was a loud blaring sound. Why was the alarm sounding, was there a fire? Movement seemed to be in every direction, and it was then that the shouts became understandable.
"The doors are locked"
"We can't get out"
"We're trapped"
I heard coughing as a woman fell onto me, her hands pulling at my arm as she slowly sank to the floor. Oh hell, the smoke, we were inhaling smoke. The dizziness that I'd felt before came back to me making me feel disorientated and when another person stumbled against me, I lost my hold on Ranger's hand. I seemed to be turning around and around, the white of the mist everywhere around me with the diffused points of light blinking at me.
"Ranger"
I called out, sure that he would be somewhere close, ready to get us out of here. I probably panicked, not good when I was inhaling even more of that smoke into my lungs, but as I breathed in and out quickly it didn't smell or taste of smoke that came from something burning. It tasted almost sweet and sickly and seemed to get stuck in my throat. My head started to swim, and the dizziness finally took over as I felt myself falling, falling and drifting into clouds with the sound of my name being called becoming dimmer and dimmer as my eyes closed.