A/N: All the usual warnings apply. Explicit language, adult situations, and smut.

Chapter Five

Stephanie exited the mall with her drink in hand, scanning the parking lot looking for Morelli. She felt that familiar tingle on the back of her neck, but her scan yielded no Morelli and nothing out of the ordinary.

The afternoon had warmed up and she shrugged out of her jacket, laying it on the seat next to her. She pushed the start button and the little beamer growled to life, cool air bathing her face.

She thought about Morelli and the red teddy. Maybe the reason Morelli was always looking at other women had more to do with her, than with him. She was insecure a lot of the time, and maybe that translated into boring. Dickie had certainly found her lacking. He had told her in no uncertain terms it was her fault he was fucking Joyce Barnhardt on the dining room table. At the time, Stephanie thought the problem was Dickie and his below average performance and equipment. She kind of still did.

When she thought about it though, Morelli didn't have those problems. Morelli was pretty amazing in both departments. Maybe it was possible Morelli was right, and she was repressed with all that Catholic guilt. Always afraid she'd get a reputation. It wasn't like Morelli detailing the tasty pastry encounter on the bathroom walls had helped that paranoia, but that had been a long time ago. She was a grown ass adult, with a good job, an apartment, and a damn hamster.

Things that happened in high school shouldn't factor into her thinking. Of course, childhood is what most people spent their lives getting over, so there was that. The tasty pastry incident had cut deep. She'd been hurt and embarrassed, she'd barely been more than a child. Completely unequipped and unprepared for sex under the best of circumstances, let alone the callous way Morelli had treated her. Her shame plastered on the wall for everyone to see and gossip about. It had been incredibly cruel.

Morelli was gone in sixty seconds, but everyone knew about her humiliation. That's she'd given it up to fast hands Morelli with the lizard tongue on the floor behind the éclair counter. That summer and the next school year, had been hell, or at least the equivalent of hell, if you were a teenage girl. Maybe deep down, a little part of her didn't trust Morelli because of that.

It probably wasn't fair to hold that against him, because they'd both grown-up. Morelli's childhood had been for shit, and she had no doubt those scars ran deep. He was doing a remarkable job, most of the time, at being a decent human. It wasn't like his dad had exactly been a role model. Childhood was what Morelli was going to spend his life getting over too, so she could cut him some slack.

Maybe it was time to get out of her comfort zone. Morelli wasn't an eighteen-year-old jackass anymore. He was actually a pretty great guy. He wasn't going to go around bragging about what they did in the bedroom. Probably. She sighed. The last thing she wanted was to be the talk of the precinct or the Burg.

Her mother tippling in the middle of the afternoon, wondering how she'd gone so wrong in raising her daughter. Confessing Stephanie's sins to Father John. It wasn't like that man didn't look at her like she was a harlot anyway. An unmarried thirty something with a vibrator that did sleep overs with Morelli, was bound to have a scarlet letter on her forehead. That would just cement his opinion. A little part of her couldn't help but think he might just be envious. Another great reason to skip mass. Why risk being scalded by holy water.

Besides Bella would probably give her the eye and her nether regions would shrivel up and her teeth would fall out. Stephanie mainly thought that was hooey balooey, but a little part of her wasn't so sure. Really why tempt fate. Stephanie liked her teeth, and her lady parts.

Her mind drifted to Marc Pardo, and she felt heat flush up her neck and stain her cheeks. The thoughts she'd had about him, were definitely not repressed. She'd barely managed to keep her hands to herself and her tongue in her own mouth around him. Just looking at him had made her want to do things she could barely put a name to. Her body's reaction to him had been immediate and absolute. She knew nothing about him, yet her body craved him like they were long lost lovers. Every look, every touch, every breath felt familiar and comfortable, like they'd done this dance a thousand times before.

Stephanie felt a flutter low in her belly, the unrelenting ache that had started when she bumped into Marc Pardo pulsed on. The need echoing through her body getting louder with each heartbeat.

She'd done her best to park as far away from the entrance as she could in a misguided attempt to get a little exercise, yet Stephanie still felt that tingle. The same one she noticed at the warehouse. She reached up and absently rubbed the back of her neck, and scanned the parking lot. Still, she saw no one.

She scrunched up her nose in disgust. It was entirely possibly she was just cracking up. She had the same weird tingle around Marc Pardo, although that had felt more like a buzzing that vibrated her entire body.

At the thought of him, the ache marched on. The throbbing becoming almost unbearable. Her trembling fingers slid up her inner thigh, grazing the lace on the edge of her panties. God, what was she doing? Her skin felt flushed, and her breathing was uneven as she toyed with the lace. The heat in her building with each passing second. She bit her bottom lip and moaned as her finger delicately pushed under the lace and moved over her, testing, teasing. Feeling the slickness of her unmistakable need.

Indecision gripped her. Was she really touching herself in the parking lot of the mall, thinking about some mysterious stranger that had caused her body to overheat with just a look? She was embarrassed by the wantonness of her actions. Her fingers hesitated, even as the throbbing continued. Screw Morelli she thought as she pushed her fingers home. She wasn't repressed, she was a woman on fire, and Marc Pardo had lit the match. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back, feeling the sensation of her fingers as she eased the ache.

Ranger watched as Stephanie got into her car. She was just sitting there like she was deep in thought. Irritation skittered through him that she was probably thinking about the cop. Man, that guy did not deserve her. But Ranger got it; he really did. Morelli was a good-looking man, and a pretty decent guy, as long as monogamy wasn't your thing, or you didn't mind sharing him with a mob princess. He had a reputation with the ladies, and if rumors were true, he and Terry Gillman were regular bed partners, and had been for decades.

As Ranger watched, he saw Stephanie's expression change. He narrowed his eyes, adjusting the binoculars, and looked closer. Her skin looked flushed and she was biting her bottom lip. Was she? No way, that was his own dirty mind playing tricks on him. He was projecting his fantasy onto her. She was a good little Catholic girl, all buttoned up. Wasn't she? He saw the little O she formed with her mouth, and the look of pleasure that crossed her face as she shuddered.

Oh, holy hell, she most definitely was. God, that woman was going to kill him. Flat out be the death of him. All girl next door on the outside, all sensual on the inside, just waiting to be unleashed. Ranger thought she might be the hottest woman on the planet, because he was about a hundred percent sure, it wasn't the cop she was thinking about when she made that face. Desire coursed through him. And now he was sitting in a mall parking lot with a raging hard-on wishing it was his hand between her legs and not hers. Ranger was doomed, and he knew it.

Thirty minutes later Ranger watched her pull into the parking lot at E.E. Martin. He was still hard, and was beginning to wonder if he was going to stay that way the rest of the day. Ranger prided himself on self-control, and that woman had just shredded the last of his. His entire image of her blown all to hell. That little scene in the parking lot was going to be burned into his brain, forever. It was definitely going to be the thing that kept him awake at night, he knew that with absolute certainty.

Ranger had taken a chance at the mall. He didn't push her to schedule dinner, he'd just given her his card. Well, Marc's card. Instinctively he knew pushing her would be the wrong choice, that she would overthink the whole thing and withdraw. It was pretty clear, Stephanie just needed to get out of her head and feel sometimes. After the parking lot, he had a feeling she would be calling. At least he hoped she would.

Ranger shook his head. What was wrong with him. This wasn't a damn date; no this was a job. She was a way to gain access. Nothing more. He needed to remember that. Ranger needed to get his head on straight.

He texted Vinita that he was on his way over. Some time with her would be just the thing he needed to cure him of his growing Stephanie Plum obsession. He'd spent the entire drive over wondering what kind of panties Stephanie had on. If she had panties on. Imagining the feel of her skin. He could almost smell the tingle of her scent in his nostrils, wondering if she would taste as sweet as he thought she would. Ranger was sure if he really put his mind to it, he could make her forget about the cop.

Ranger put the Porsche in gear, and roared out of the parking lot. Enough, he admonished himself. By the time Ranger pulled through the gates of the Alvarez estate, he was back in control. His body was his own again, and his thoughts were carefully curated.

Ranger assessed the Alvarez estate as he pulled up the driveway. The ivy-covered brick mansion was flanked by formal gardens. A fountain graced the circular brick drive, that lent an air of aristocracy to the property. The estate had the charm and elegance of a bygone era. He could just imagine garden parties and ladies in fancy hats. It wasn't really his taste, but the quiet and order of the grounds always had a calming effect on him. On the rare occasion he stayed over, breakfast on the terrace or a swim in the pool, had been luxuries.

Ranger made more exceptions with Vinita than most. She was in her mid-fifties, smart, educated, and cultured. She'd lost her husband of thirty years a couple of years ago. He'd died of a massive heart attack while driving his Bentley on the New Jersey Turnpike. Vinita had been devastated. Thiers was a story of true love.

Born into poverty, they had built a business and an empire together. Years of hard work, toiling side-by-side had finally paid off, only to be ripped away from them at the last minute. Vinita's whole world had crumbled. Vinita had been slowly picking up the pieces, finding ways to fill the void left by her husband's absence. She wasn't ready to date or remarry, but Vinita was still a beautiful, vibrant woman with needs.

They'd met at a charity function a year ago. She had been witty and charming. Even though she was more than twenty years his senior, they had clicked. One thing had led to another, and Ranger had ended up in her bed. He smiled at the thought. Vinita had made it clear, she had no interest in a relationship with him. She'd been kind and gentle with her rejection, and had won a tiny piece of Ranger's heart with her charm. Ranger genuinely liked Vinita, and he thought she felt the same way about him.

They'd never be anything more than friends, but Vinita was a generous and gifted lover. Ranger enjoyed spending time with her. He felt comfortable in the knowledge that Vinita would never fall in the love with the likes of him, and, as such, on occasion spent the night with her. He'd done so more in the early months of their relationship than he did now. Vinita had been terribly lonely, missing her husband, and Ranger's presence had helped ease that pain. Ranger couldn't even imagine what it would be like to have a constant in your life for thirty years, and then one day it just be gone.

Vinita opened the door when he arrived. She was in a robe, and he suspected nothing else. Vinita was a practical woman. And a beautiful one. Her long dark hair was loose around her shoulders, and her face was largely unmarred by time. She had laugh lines around her mouth that betrayed a life well lived, with many happy moments and smiles. Her dark eyes sparkled with intelligence. Her face devoid of make-up, letting her natural beauty shine through.

He gave her a genuine smile.

"Carlos." Vinita's cultured voice drifted over him.

Vinita always called him Carlos rather than Ranger. But then the man she had met at the charity function had been Carlos, the businessman, owner of RangeMan, a firm that provided corporate security and personal protection to high-end clients; not Ranger the mercenary bounty hunter.

She smiled back and gave him an appraising look, her eyes darkening, telegraphing her desire.

Ranger felt his body start to respond as he closed the door behind him. He was in front of her in two strides, cupping her face and kissing her. Her response immediate as she pressed against him. His hands slid down and untied her robe, pushing it open. His hands spanned the smooth taut skin of her abdomen and then slid upward, until he cupped her ample breasts, massaging and teasing her dark nipples between his fingers. She moaned against his mouth and ran her hand over the length of him, stopping to work the buckle on his belt.

Yes, Ranger thought, this is what he needed to get his mind off Stephanie Plum and his body back under control. His thoughts drifting until he felt Vinita's hands pushing against his chest.

Ranger stopped and looked at Vinita. She was assessing him. She stepped back and closed her robe, tying the belt.

"Carlos, I'm not sure where your mind is, but it isn't here with me." Her smooth voice washed over him. There was no anger in her voice, just concern.

Ranger realized he wasn't even hard. "Vinita." He began, an apology evident in his tone.

She held up her hand. "Come, I'll fix you a drink. Then you can tell me what's bothering you."

Vinita reached out and took his hand, tugging him into the study. She went over to the bar and took two crystal tumblers and poured a generous amount of whiskey in both.

She handed him one and downed the other one in one swallow, pouring herself another, giving him a little shrug.

She sat down on the couch and waited.

Ranger was too keyed up to sit, so he took a sip of the whiskey. The smooth liquid burned down his throat hitting his belly. He raked a hand down his face. Where to start, what to say. Ranger wasn't even sure. How did he explain some women he didn't even know had captivated him? Dominating his thoughts, torturing his body.

Vinita just waited. Her success in business had taught her the value of silence.

"There's a woman." Ranger started.

Vinita's elegant laugh drifted over him. "Of course, it is a woman, cariño. But what is the issue?"

Ranger gave her a wry smile.

"I barely know her, but I can't stop thinking about her." Ranger shrugged. "My head isn't on straight. She's a job, but instead of doing my job, I keep thinking about her. What she likes, how to make her laugh."

Vinita was just smiling at him. "It's called love Carlos. You might think you are immune to it, but it gets us all in the end."

Love? Absolutely not. Lust sure, but no Ranger wasn't having feelings for Stephanie. He was definitely not in danger of falling in love with her. He scoffed at the idea. Ranger didn't have time for that kind of nonsense. He ignored the churning in his gut that told him Vinita was a perceptive woman.

Vinita laughed at the look of abject terror that crossed his face. "This woman, what is it about her that draws you in?"

Ranger thought about it for a minute. "There is a lightness about her. An innocence, a zest for life. I don't even know, because I don't know her."

"But you can feel it? When you look at her. Sometimes it is just like that. It was that way with Alejandro. We looked at each other and just knew." Sadness swept across her features. "It seemed impossible, crazy even, but it wasn't. Thirty years later, I still felt the same when I looked at him. Sometimes it's just that way."

Ranger was shaking his head. "I don't do relationships, and this woman. She's not the kind that does casual sex. It would never work. I'd hurt her, screw it up. Besides she may be a criminal." Ranger was pacing, his energy betraying his confusion.

Vinita's perfect eyebrow arched up. Ok, so that was a stupid thing to say he thought. A lot of people would say Ranger was a criminal.

"Maybe you don't do relationships, because you have never found a woman you wanted one with." Her voice was gently chiding.

Ranger shook his head. "No, it's not in my life plan. I've done so many things that I need to make-up for."

Vinita gave him and indulgent sigh. "Plans are just that Carlos. Plans." She waived her hand around in a sweeping gesture. "Sometimes plans change and we have to adjust."

Maybe Vinita was right. Maybe plans did change. He thought about it for a minute. No, that was crazy. Ranger wasn't a guy that was going to blow up his life plan for some woman.

"You're a good man Carlos. We have all done things were aren't proud of, but self-flagellation doesn't fix that. It just makes you, and everyone around you, miserable. Life is short. Enjoy what you can, and who you can, when you can. You never know when it will change. One moment can change everything. You don't want to be sitting around wondering what if. Connections like that are very rare."

Vinita gave him a big smile. "Assuming, of course, she even likes you. Perhaps you are not as charming as you think."

Ranger gave a bark of laughter at her teasing.

Things were getting too dark, and it was clear her thoughts were going down a path she didn't want to travel. Vinita was never a woman to wallow in self-pity. Still there was a sadness in her voice that made Ranger's heart ache for her.

"I never thought I'd see the day, that the great Carlos Manoso was felled by a woman." Her eyes were twinkling.

Ranger snorted. "Yeah, well I'm not so sure that day is today." His eyes traveled down her body, darkening as he took in the swell of her breasts and her long, lean legs.

He threw back the whiskey and put the glass down on the bar. He dropped to his knees in front of her, and reached for her robe, untying the belt pushing it open, running his hand down her body. He felt her tremble at his touch.

He pushed her thighs apart moving between them. He ran his hands under her hips pulling her to the edge of the couch. "At least let me do this for you." Ranger said as he lowered his head between her thighs.

Vinita's eyes closed and her head fell back. Ranger heard her sigh her agreement.

Stephanie had spent a frustrating afternoon trying to make sense out of the financials. She'd looked at the numbers backwards and forwards and they still were confusing. Her calls to the vendors had gone unanswered.

Stephanie decided it was time to talk to Raymond. The clock said it was four forty-five, as she picked up the phone. She hoped he would have time for a quick meeting. His assistant, Angie, answered on the second ring.

"Hi Angie, it's Stephanie. Is Raymond around?"

"Sorry Stephanie, Raymond left and won't be back today." Came Angie's nasally reply. The woman perpetually sounded like she had a head cold.

"OK." Stephanie let out a frustrated breath. "Will he have some time tomorrow?"

Stephanie could hear Angie's acrylic nails clicking on the keyboard.

"Raymond is booked most of the day tomorrow." Tap, tap tap. "He could do six, otherwise it will be next week. Raymond will be out of the office the rest of the week."

Stephanie thought about it. Her presentation was due to the executive team in two weeks, she didn't want to wait until next week to get her questions answered.

"Sure, six will work." Stephanie told her.

"OK, you're all set. Have a good night Stephanie." Angie rang off.

Well, Stephanie guessed she'd just have to take it up with Raymond tomorrow. She packed her things and headed to Morelli's. The closer she got the more her stomach cramped. The scene at the mall replaying itself over and over in her head. It was nothing. She was just overreacting, thinking the worst.

Morelli's truck was in the driveway when she got there. Dread dogged each step as she made her way to the front door and let herself in.

Morelli was in the kitchen, beer in hand. He smiled at her when she walked in. She did her best to smile back and act normal. His arm snaked out and wrapped around her neck pulling her to him. He pressed a kiss to the side of her head.

"I got you something today." Morelli's voice was low and seductive, just brushing across her ear. A little shiver went through her, but the knot in her stomach refused to budge.

"Oh?"

Morelli pulled out the pink baby doll she'd seen him buy at the mall and dangled it from his fingers, waggling his eyebrows at her.

"What do you think? Want to try it out?" He asked.

OK, so the he had been buying her lingerie, the knot in her stomach eased a little. But what about the red teddy?

Stephanie realized she was looking at the baby doll like it might be a snake, when she saw the furrow between his brows. She pasted a smile on her face.

"I love it." She went up on her tip toes and gave him a kiss, hoping God didn't strike her dead for lying and having premarital sex.

His arm went around her waist and pulled her tight. She felt his body, solid and familiar. She relaxed into him, and some of the tension eased out of her. She could tell, he was ready to get the evening started as he pressed up against her. But then again, when was Morelli not ready for sex.

There was a time when her mother warned her to stay away from the Morelli boys. Her mother had said they couldn't be trusted. They were all sex fiends. She had been convinced no Morelli man will ever amount to anything. While her mother might have decided Joe was the exception to the rule and that somehow, in spite of his genetic disadvantage, he'd actually managed to grow up, Stephanie wasn't so sure. He was definitely still a sex fiend, which she had to admit had merit. The question was, could he be a monogamous one. The jury was still out on that.

"So, you want to put it on?" He asked as he trailed kisses up her neck.

Did she? Maybe. The red teddy was still weighing on her mind, but less and less with each flick of his tongue. Should she ask him about it? Tell him she saw him at the mall.

He took her silence as agreement, and turned her around and gave her ass a little smack. "Put it on. I'll be up in a minute."

Stephanie trudged up the stairs. At least the talk was off the table for now. She went into Morelli's room and started stripping off her clothes, her jacket slid off the bed to the floor and she reached down to pick it up. Peeking out from underneath the bed was the Victoria's Secret bag.

Stephanie gave it a little tug and pulled it out. Inside was the red teddy. She let out a sigh. She was being stupid. Morelli had bought them both for her. He was just waiting to give the other one to her later. Warming her up, no doubt. That was his MO. Work up to asking for what he really wanted. Ease her into to it, because he knew it wasn't really something she was comfortable wearing.

She rolled her eyes. Gawd, what was wrong with her. A little pang of guilt hit her over the Marc Pardo thing. The way she'd lusted after him, agreeing to dinner. It almost felt like she had been cheating.

Well, she would just never call Marc Pardo. She'd throw the card away and that would be that. No harm no foul, just a few errant thoughts, and a little lone rangering starring the mysterious, and oh so sexy, Marc Pardo. She blushed at the thought. She had no idea what had come over her and possessed her to do that. A complete lack of control and decorum apparently.

Morelli was right. She needed to trust him. Stop overthinking the whole thing.

She used her foot and slid the bag back under the bed, and took the baby doll to the bathroom. She peeled off her bra and pulled it on. It was cute, sort of. Not that cute had really been what she was going for. She was beginning to think she might know Victoria's secret. Her lip curled back a little as she looked at herself in the mirror. Stephanie was pretty sure it was the fact no one over the age of thirty should be wearing that shit.

She took a minute to brush her teeth and fluff her hair. Hot sex with Morelli was just what she needed. What they both needed. Then maybe they'd talk. Or not. Talking was overrated. Maybe they'd just have hot sex again. That was an idea she could get behind. Speaking of behind, maybe it was time to give Morelli what he wanted. Try something new. An involuntary shudder went down her spine, but she ignored it.

She stepped out of the bathroom and Morelli was waiting for her. His eyes traveled down her body, causing her to shiver with anticipation. The look on his face said he thought the baby doll was more than just cute.

He stepped forward until they were almost touching. "I'm sorry Steph, but I have to go. They found a body." He gave her an apologetic smile. "I like it. You'll have to put it on for me later." He traced the swell of her breast with his finger. Dipping down and brushing her nipple. Stephanie sucked in a breath as she felt her nipples harden as he stroked her. His dark eyes were soft. He leaned down and brushed a kiss across her lips.

"I love you cupcake." He whispered against her lips.

"When will you be home?" Disappointment evident in her voice.

Morelli shrugged. "I don't know. Probably not until morning. Don't wait up for me."

"I'll probably just head home. I need to check on Rex. Besides, I need to be in early tomorrow." She shrugged.

"OK. I'll call you tomorrow." Morelli gave her a hard kiss and then he was gone.

Stephanie sighed. Well, that sucked. Now she was all hot and bothered and no Morelli. She pulled off the baby doll and picked up her dress shrugging into it. At least sleeping in her own bed meant she would get a good night's sleep, and wouldn't have to get up at zero dark thirty to go home and get ready for work. She folded up the lingerie, and tucked it into Morelli's dresser drawer.

Her thoughts went to the little red teddy. Maybe she'd pull it out and try it on. When he gave it to her, she was going to wear it, and let him keep the lights on. A little shudder went through her. At least she could see how bad it was going to be. Most of the time she felt like a hooker when she put on things he really liked.

She crouched down and pulled out the bag. The red teddy was gone.

Stephanie sank down onto the floor, nausea rolling through her. That son-of-a-bitch. He'd lied. Somehow Stephanie didn't think it was work that had called him away. She had a bad feeling little red teddy had called him away.

She forced herself to take a couple of slow deep breaths. Maybe it was nothing and there was some other explanation for it. Yeah, what were the odds of that. Anger surged through her and she got up and marched downstairs yanking her phone out of her bag.

She started to call Morelli, and then she stopped. No, she thought. She was not going to act like a hysterical lunatic. No accusations, no crying. She was done with that shit. They weren't exclusive. There was nothing that said they couldn't date other people. Sleep with other people.

Sure, the fact he had planned to sleep with her but left when he got a better offer made her want to shred all his clothes and light his house on fire, but he'd made his choice, and now she would make hers. And, that choice might not include Morelli anymore. She wasn't sure she could keep doing this. She felt the hurt hit her in the chest, and she pulled in a ragged breath. Well, you know what, two could play that game. Maybe it was time to start looking at other options. Options that were actually interested in her. Options that might lead to something other than the same spiral that always ended up back at the same place.

She pulled out Marc Pardo's card. She ran her fingers over the fancy embossed letters. The card didn't give much away. It just had his name, number, and consultant on it. It was elegantly simple and powerful all at the same time, much like she imagined the man. No fancy logos, no flowery tag lines. No, a man like Pardo didn't need that. She still had no idea what tall, dark and dangerous did, other than light her body on fire.

She punched in the number on her phone.

"This is Stephanie from the mall. Dinner tonight?"

Her finger hovered over the keyboard. Before she could chicken out, she punched the send button. The little icon showed the text had been delivered and she felt her stomach lurch. What was she doing? Pardo probably wasn't interested in her either. The whole thing had probably just been in her own mind.

A minute went by and then two. The knot in her stomach started to cramp and she thought she might be sick. She'd just go home, drink a beer, eat a peanut butter sandwich, and crawl under the covers and pray for a swift death. Maybe a brain aneurysm, that way it would leave a good corpse so her mother could have an open casket viewing. She'd hate to deprive her of that. A little bubble of hysterical laughter tinged with anger and sadness escaped her throat. She forced it back down.

Stephanie had just climbed in her car when she heard a little dink. She took a deep breath and pulled out her phone.

It was Pardo.

"Absolutely. What time, and where should I pick you up?"

A little zing went through her at the thought of dinner with him.

"How's 6PM?"

"Perfect."

She debated about whether or not to have him pick her up at her apartment, but then most of that information was on the internet these days, so she texted him the address.

"I'll meet you outside." She added as an afterthought. A good compromise between practical and safety she told herself.

He sent her a little smiley face. "I can't wait."

Neither could Stephanie. She put the car in gear and raced to her apartment. She had a date, with the most interesting man she'd met in a long time. Maybe ever.