Chapter Three
Ranger followed Stephanie to an office building a couple of miles away. He watched as she parked and hurried into the building, her long legs eating up the distance. Ranger waited a minute and followed her in. She tapped her toe impatiently as she waited on the elevator. She seemed lost in thought. But then most people were. Lost in their own little worlds, oblivious to everything around them, including danger. Ranger didn't remember what that felt like, but sometimes he was envious.
He took a minute to study Stephanie. The heels made her taller, and showcased her long legs. His gazed stopped and he allowed himself to look unabashedly at her fabulous backside. The suit emphasized the curves of her silhouette, tucking in at the waist giving her a perfect hourglass shape. Not an overly voluptuous one that screamed sex, but a more subtle, but no less feminine form. She looked fit and healthy, but still soft like a woman should be, he thought. The gentle swell of her breasts, her slightly rounded abdomen, the flare of her hips.
Everything soft about her, made him hard. She looked like a woman, and he had no doubt she felt like one too. He thought about what it would be like to run his hands over those lush curves. He could almost hear the breathy little sounds she would make. The hitch in her breathing, the tension in her body. Ranger shook his head and forcefully pushed those thoughts away. He realized for the second time in the space of an hour he was in real danger of embarrassing himself. God, what was he fourteen again? He had no idea what it was about that woman that got under his skin, but he needed to remind himself she was a mark. Nothing more than a job, and while he was an opportunist and would take anything she was willing to give, he couldn't lose sight of his real objective.
Ranger needed to get himself under control. What he needed, was to scratch the itch. Clearly it had been far too long, and it was starting to cloud his judgement. Too many hours spent working and building his business lately. Ranger certainly had no desire for romantic entanglements, but that didn't mean he lacked for female companionship. There were women that he visited on occasion. Women that he had an agreement with, that were like him. They had full lives, and financial means. They were just looking for the occasional distraction, and a bad boy with a dangerous reputation between their thighs, gave them that occasional thrill.
It took them out of their safe, scripted lives and let them be wild and demanding. He knew they were using him just as much as he was using them, and that worked just fine. Cooperative and discreet, they were not interested in romance or commitment, at least not with him. No, their relationships were with powerful men that held prominent positions in society. Men befitting of their status. That is who was on their arm when they went out. They might fuck the mercenary, but they dated the politician, the banker, the lawyer.
They eagerly welcomed him into their beds, and in return, he made sure they were well satisfied, catering to their needs and sexual appetites. It was a dance of mutual pleasure and respect. No clinging, and no emotional entanglements. It was an arrangement that worked for them both. Ranger never slept with a woman unless they understood the rules. That way, nobody got hurt.
A whisper of a thought went through his head that Stephanie probably wasn't like that. She wasn't a girl that had sex without romance. There had to at least be the possibility of commitment. A little twinge of guilt went through him, Stephanie wasn't like him. He needed to be careful, because a woman like that would get hurt by a man like him. He pushed the thought away and reminded himself, she was a job. Nothing more. Whatever it took, that was the objective. He chose to ignore the clenching of his gut.
Ranger forced his thoughts away from those lush curves and continued his assessment. She seemed like a woman that was trying to fit it. To be what other people wanted her to be. All buttoned up and respectable, but somehow Ranger got the feeling there was a lot of fire in her. Fire that just needed to be unleashed, and once it was, would burn red hot. She'd tamed her long dark hair into a sleek style that flowed like silk down her back, but her could see the hint of curls coming back in the humidity of the day.
Ranger could imagine her with that wild tangle of hair, fanned out across his sheets. She'd look like a goddess. The flush of her skin, and those bright blue eyes going blind with pleasure as he moved over her. That generous mouth begging for more. Begging him to do things to her, she'd only ever dreamed of. He'd be her first. The first man to unleash her, to take her places she couldn't yet name. The one to make her burn so hot, she might destroy them both. Ranger could make her forget the cop, and any other man that had ever touched her. Ranger realized he was fast losing the battle for control. The possessiveness of his thoughts startled him. Shit, what was wrong with him, he needed to get back on neutral ground and quick.
Ranger watched as the elevator doors opened and she got on. He would have ridden up with her, but his new plan was taking shape. He needed to accidentally bump into her somewhere else. Somewhere they could have a conversation and he could work his many charms on her. Get her to trust him, get her to agree to a date. Once that happened, Ranger was pretty confident he'd be in her apartment and, if he was lucky, in her bed in no time. But right now, he needed to stay out of sight.
He watched the numbers above the elevator. The numbers kept clicking over until it got to four. She'd gotten off somewhere on the fourth floor.
Ranger went to the directory to see what businesses had offices on the fourth floor. An insurance agent, an advertising business, and an OBGYN. Ranger felt a little stab behind his eyeball. His money was on the doctor. God, what if she was pregnant by the cop? That would definitely put a crimp in his plan, not to mention, for reasons he didn't quite understand, he didn't want her to be tied to the cop.
Ranger texted Silvio his computer specialist the name of the doctor. Maybe Silvio could hack in and check the medical records. Ranger took the stairs to the fourth floor and casually passed by the doctor's office. Stephanie was sitting in the waiting room flipping through something on her phone. Well, that confirmed that. Ranger wasn't sure why it felt like he had a knot in his stomach.
He took the stairs back down and headed to the car to wait. Apparently, the doctor's office had very poor cybersecurity. His phone dinked before he even got to the Porsche. It was Silvio. Ranger opened the door, and slid into the buttery leather seats and took a deep breath before he pulled up the file. The tension in him eased as he read the information from Silvio. Stephanie was definitely not pregnant, and not planning to get that way any time soon. He decided to ignore the fact he was relieved.
He reminded himself, he was only playing a part. He was just going to get close to her for information. He wasn't doing it for real. He figured if he reminded himself of that enough times, he might start to believe it. Ranger had no idea what it was about that woman that seemed to just suck him in.
Irritation rippled through him, and he pulled up his contact list, flipping through looking for the right answer. His fingers flew over the keys as he texted Vinita Alvarez. Yeah, she would do. He'd pay her a visit and work Stephanie Plum right out of his system. Vinita liked things fast and just a little rough, and that was exactly what he was in the mood for. Exactly what he needed to get his mind where it needed to be. A minute later his phone chirped alerting him to a text. He didn't even bother to look at it. He knew Vinita's answer would be yes.
A half hour passed and he saw Stephanie exit the building. He followed at a safe distance, and with each passing turn Ranger got more confused. Stephanie was heading into an area that was mainly dilapidated warehouses. What could she possibly be doing in this part of town?
Ranger had to hang back further as the traffic thinned. The farther back he dropped the more concerned by was that he would lose her. His hands gripped the wheel so tightly his knuckles started to turn white. No one much came to this area, unless they were a pimp or a drug dealer. A little frisson of fear snaked through him. This was not a safe neighborhood. He was glad he'd decided to spend the day watching her. What if she'd come down here alone? Any number of bad things could happen.
He wasn't sure if she was brave or stupid, but he decided right then and there he needed to keep better tabs on her. He told himself it was just for her safety, that it wasn't because something about her made him want to protect her, and make sure nothing bad ever touched her. It wouldn't due for her to get maimed or killed before he got the information he needed from her. That was it, that was all. The throbbing behind his eyeball called him a liar.
As Stephanie followed the directions to the address listed for the mysterious vendor Raymond had given her, unease slid through her. This part of town wasn't Stark Street but it wasn't far off. Abandoned warehouses and dilapidated buildings, and not much else. Junkies, drug dealers, and hookers were the only people she saw as she drove through the vacant side streets. Maybe it was a new vendor and the rent had been cheap she tried to tell herself. Maybe they were on the edge of a revitalization. Someone had to be the first. No matter what she told herself, something about this just didn't feel right. It hadn't from the moment Raymond handed her the vendor list.
When she got to the address she parked and sat in her car staring. Yeah, nothing about this seemed normal. She should really just leave. That would be the smart thing to do. Lucky for her, good judgement and common sense had never been at the top of the list. Curiosity got the better of her. She was here, why not take a few minutes to check it out. Maybe the vendor had moved, maybe they were relocating. There could be any number of explanations. If only she believed them.
She turned off the car and opened the door, thinking she might be abandoning the last vestiges of good sense. When she got out, she felt that weird tingle at the back of her neck. That distinct feeling that she was being watched. She scanned the area taking her time, really looking. Still, she didn't see a thing. This was starting to really get weird and creep her out.
Stephanie briskly walked up to the warehouse, doing her best to avoid the broken bottles and used needles that littered the parking lot. She tried the door. As expected, it was locked. She cupped her hands and tried to look through the dirty glass. She couldn't really see anything through the grunge that coated the glass. Grunge that had been building up for a while. If the vendor had moved out, it had been a lot time ago. Stephanie picked her way up the crumbling concrete stairs to the loading dock. There were three garage doors on rollers. She tugged on the first one. It didn't budge. To her surprise the second one she tried rolled up, with a screech of metal on metal. This was a bad idea, but then Stephanie was the queen of bad ideas. What was one more she thought.
Stephanie took one more look around, scanning the area. Her spidey sense was clanging like a mariachi band. Still, she saw nothing as she scanned the area. Stephanie took a deep breath, and kind of wished she hadn't. The whole area smelled like decay and despair. Garbage, old motor oil, and the vague scent of burned tires permeated the air. Stephanie steeled her spine and slipped inside. Five minutes. She'd give it five minutes, and then head back to the car.
Ranger watched with a mixture of fascination and horror as Stephanie rolled up the door on the abandoned warehouse and slipped inside. What the fuck was this crazy woman doing? Was she meeting somebody or did she just have a death wish?
Ranger checked his utility belt and sprinted across the lot towards the warehouse. Any number of things could go wrong, and fast. He needed to get in there and somehow manage to get close enough to her to protect her, but not be seen. Yeah, good luck on that he thought. He slipped in, pressing his back to the wall clinging to the shadows. He could hear the click of her heels on the concrete floor as she made her way through the warehouse. Her pace sounded quick and determined. He couldn't help but wonder if she was meeting someone.
He'd just rounded the corner when she whipped around. Ranger barely managed to duck behind a wooden crate.
"Who's there?" She called. Her voice held just the slightest tremor, the only sign that betrayed the fact she was scared.
Ranger held his breath, not even daring to breathe lest she hear him. The woman definitely had good instincts. His approach had been silent, but somehow, she just knew he was there. Like she felt him.
The seconds ticked by and Ranger prayed, willing himself to remain completely motionless. He could hear her ragged breathing. She was clearly nervous. What seemed like an eternity went by and he heard her heels clicking on the floor as she ventured further into the warehouse.
He didn't dare move until there was more distance. Damn if that hadn't been close.
Stephanie wandered through the warehouse, apprehension causing her spine to tingle. She could swear someone was in the warehouse, but yet she didn't see or hear anything. It was like she could feel a presence. She knew just how crazy that sounded, but probably slightly less crazy than the fact the presence felt protective. Yeah, she thought she'd lost her damn mind for sure.
The warehouse was empty. The dust was thick, the air smelled stale. No one had occupied this space in a really long time. Stephanie made her way to the office. She turned the knob, but it didn't budge. The door was locked, which seemed odd. She peered through the small window. The office looked clean, and the locks on the file cabinets looked new. Maybe the vendor really was here. Maybe this was new space, and they planned to renovate. A little of the tension eased out of her shoulders. She made a note to call them and arrange a meeting later in the week.
Stephanie turned, and her heart lurched. She gave a startled yelp. She would have sworn she saw a shadow move. Her breath was coming in quick pants and fear caused her stomach to flutter. She stood immobile watching, willing herself to remain calm. A pigeon fluttered up to the rafters, its soft cooing echoing in the empty warehouse. She let out a pent-up breath and chastised herself. She was just jumping at shadows, or in this case birds. No one was here, but her nerves probably couldn't take much more of the whole breaking and entering thing. Not that she had really done any breaking. If the door was unlocked, did that count as breaking and entering? She figured it was better not to find out. She quickly made her way back to the loading dock and exited, pulling the rolling door down behind her.
Ranger noted the occupied office, and gave a little curse. Now wasn't that interesting. Maybe Stephanie had come to see someone. Little Ms. Plum was getting more interesting by the minute. Every time he peeled back a layer, he learned something new about her. Ranger would have liked to have broken into that office and looked around. Locked doors and files always piqued his curiosity. But he didn't want to lose Stephanie. He would have to come back later and investigate. He gave one last longing look at the office and quickly followed her. His boots were silent as he went. He heard the door roll down and picked up his pace. Ranger slipped out, hugging the side of the building just as the little red beamer headed out of the lot leaving a trail of dust in its wake.
Stephanie's nerves were still buzzing as she pulled out of the neighborhood and made her way towards the more respectable side of the city. Her stomach gave a loud grumble, and she realized maybe a tastykake for breakfast wasn't going to hold her all day.
Between the less than pleasant experience of being poked and prodded at the doctor's office and freaking herself out in a largely abandoned warehouse, Stephanie decided she had earned some lunch or at least something with lots of chocolate, and maybe some whipped cream.
She pointed her car towards the mall. It was the best of both worlds; she could get a pretzel and a Frappuccino all at the same place. A one-stop junk food heaven.
Stephanie pushed through the doors into the mall. The smells of the food court wafting over her, making her mouth water. A harried mother pushing a double stroller with one hand, and tugging a reluctant toddler with the other, suddenly careened out of nowhere knocking into to Stephanie upending her purse, spilling the contents. Loose change, and lipstick rolled away as people scattered in all directions, pretending not to notice.
"Sorry." The mother stammered. Just then the toddler let out one of those blood curdling screams, and Stephanie winced. The sound stabbed through her head like an ice pick.
"Don't worry about it. I've got it." Stephanie gave the woman a weak smile and waived her away as the toddler began to wail in earnest. Stephanie squatted to start retrieving her belongings, when a pair of black Bates boots tucked into black pants came into view.
Great Stephanie thought, just what she needed, help from the security guard, or maybe the SWAT team by the looks of things. She tilted her neck back, allowing her gaze to rise. Stephanie's mouth went dry as her eyes traveled upward over the black cargo pants that showcased powerful thighs. Stephanie's eye fluttered to his crotch, and she felt heat flush across her cheeks as she forced herself not to stare at the impressive bulge sitting at eye level just begging for attention. She willed her eyes to keep moving. She continued her journey upward over the painted-on back t-shirt that stretched over a well-defined, broad chest. The sheer maleness of the form in front of her was impressive, but it wasn't until she got to his face that she was pretty sure she went down for the count. Awareness surged through her and her panties got embarrassingly damp.
Wow, she thought. Literally just wow. That was all her addled brain could really think. The man gracefully crouched in front of her. Suddenly Stephanie was hit full-force by the experience, the perfection of his features staring at her with dark brown eyes fringed with thick dark lashes. At eye level he stared at her with such scorching intensity, he stole her breath. All she could do was stare at him. Stunned and speechless. It felt like the air around them was humming with electricity, and she instinctively shifted back, sprawling on her ass, whacking her elbow on the floor with a sharp crack. Stephanie knew it probably hurt, but she barely even registered the pain.
She couldn't take her eyes off of him. They were glued to his face, his sinfully perfect face. Balanced features, and lush, full lips that she desperately wanted to reach out and touch. Maybe even taste. The completely wanton thought caused Stephanie's lips to part as he gave a little gasp, inhaling his slightly elusive scent that flitted around her like a butterfly. A light, intoxicating scent of citrus and bergamot that teased her senses. She had an almost overwhelming desire to reach out and touch his long, dark hair just to see if it was as silky as it looked.
His face completely impassive and unreadable, he held out his hand to her. He was probably early thirties, like her. Stephanie just stared at his hand for a beat. Get a grip she told herself. At least pretend like you're normal, because right now she knew she was acting slightly deranged, especially since she was staring at his hand wondering what it would be like if he was touching her. Would his touch be gentle or would it convey dominance, because the one thing she was sure about, was this was a man that was used to being in control. A shiver went down her spine at the thought.
Stephanie placed her hand in his. The touch sent a jolt of desire through her so strong she barely managed to suppress a moan. She saw his brows furrow slightly as he pulled her up with him with the kind of ease that only came from true strength.
"Are you OK?" His rich deep voice slid over her, wrapping around her in what felt like an intimate caress.
Sex, he sounded like pure sex, and not just ordinary sex. No, he sounded like the kind of sex that leaves you shattered, legs trembling, begging for more. She wondered what that voice would sound like as he whispered against the shell of her ear, telling her all the things he was going to do to her. Because she had no doubt, he would be the one in control. This was a man that knew exactly what a woman wanted. She started slightly, where had that thought come from?
An unmistakable clenching between her legs, caused Stephanie to bite her lower lip in an effort not to reach out and yank him to her and kiss him. It took a moment for Stephanie to realize he was actually speaking to her, and what he was saying didn't have anything to do with sex.
Shit, she was acting like an idiot. Not that it was that unusual, but she was pretty sure she'd never met anyone that affected her the way he had. The man was a complete stranger, and she was fantasizing about jumping him in the middle of the food court at the mall.
Stephanie tugged her hand from his, hoping the crazy connection would be broken along with the physical contact. It wasn't, and she sighed. He made her think of primal, raw, sheet-clawing sex, and just looking at him enthralled her. She reminded herself he was a stranger.
A busty blonde in a short mini skirt and stretchy tee that strained across her breasts, wiggled up next to him. "I think you dropped this." Her voice sounded all breathy. It took all of Stephanie's willpower not to roll her eyes. Clearly the make-up compact was not his, it was hers, but the blonde was acting like she wasn't even there.
The hot blonde was everything Stephanie wasn't. She was every man's go to fantasy. Long tanned legs, big breasts, and a small brain. The mystery man had been looking at Stephanie like she was the most fascinating woman on the planet. Maybe even the only one, but she knew now the blonde was here, she' be forgotten.
But the stranger never looked away from her face. He just reached out and took the compact. "Thanks." He said with a bland disinterested tone. He turned his body away from the blonde, effectively dismissing her. Tall, dark and dangerous just kept looking at her, studying her like he was memorizing every detail of her face. Like she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Stephanie could feel her own pulse pounding in her throat as she swallowed with an audible click.
Finally, he broke eye contact and reached down to pick up her scattered belongings. Her addled brain skipped and stuttered back into gear. He shoved the things in her purse, handing it to her. She took it on instinct, because it was clear her brain was not yet fully engaged.
"Are you OK?" He repeated. The rich rumble of his voice, finally penetrating her sluggish brain.
Suddenly Stephanie was embarrassed. Nothing like being awkward, clumsy, and tongue tied in front of the most self-assured man she'd ever met. Maybe even the best looking one.
Stephanie was terrified her voice, if she could even find it, would come out sounding like Minnie Mouse.
"I'm fine." She mumbled as heat infused her cheeks. Her voice only slightly resembled Minnie Mouse. Lucky her, she wouldn't have to see him again and relive this embarrassment. A little pang went through her at the thought.
Ranger watched her reach up and rub the tingle on the back of her neck as confusion fluttered across her face. She stared at him for a beat, like maybe she thought he seemed familiar. Ranger held his breath and the moment passed.
"Thanks for the help." She finally squeaked and stepped around him and scurried off.
Ranger watched her go. Shit, he thought. That had been. What? He wasn't even sure. When she put her hand in his, a jolt of awareness had gone straight through him. Ranger was pretty sure nothing like that had ever happened to him before, and probably never would again. He felt his cargo pants get uncomfortably tight as he watched her fine ass walk away, the slight sway to her hips causing his cock to throb. Way to go jackass, he thought. He'd been about as smooth as a teenage boy asking the head cheerleader to prom. And shit, she'd just walked off. He needed to get his head out of his ass and think of something. He was supposed to get a date with her, not have her sprint off like the hounds of hell were chasing her.
Having a stable of discreet and willing women suited his lifestyle, but apparently Ranger was rusty when it came to charming women and getting dates. It was pretty clear he was off his game, if Stephanie's response had been any indication. He winced. This really needed to work, because he didn't have a back-up plan.
He looked down in his hand. At least he'd had the presence of mind to keep her ID badge. Ranger took a deep breath and followed her, enjoying the view as he went.
A/N: Thank you for the feedback and reviews. It is always great to hear different perspectives, they keep me motivated and creative.
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