Chapter Thirty- Five

Now wasn't that fucking fabulous. Stephanie gave Ranger's date a tight smile and prayed she would just finish her business and move on. Up close the woman was even more stunning, but she was also older than Stephanie had originally thought.

The woman's eyes locked with hers and she strode towards Stephanie with purpose. Oh boy, so much for flying under the radar. Stephanie barely suppressed a groan. This night was turning into an epic cluster. Trenton wasn't that big, and she knew eventually she would probably run into Ranger. She just hadn't expected to run into him when he was on a date. That took it from bad to total shit show.

"You're Stephanie Plum." It was more a statement than a question but Stephanie answered anyway.

"Yes, I am."

"I'm Vinita Alvarez, a friend of Carlos'. It's a pleasure to meet you." The woman extended a delicate hand with perfectly manicured nails. Her expression was open and her eyes were warm. This didn't feel like a confrontation, and the woman certainly didn't seem jealous. Of course, why would she be. Stephanie was nothing to Ranger except a completed job. Stephanie had no idea why the woman would even know who she was.

Stephanie's realized she was staring at the woman's outstretched hand like she had never seen a French manicure before or a diamond quite that big. Fortunately, her Burg training took over before it became too awkward, and she reached out and took her hand. The woman's grip was firm and she had a no-nonsense air about her that Stephanie couldn't help but like.

Vinita clearly saw confusion swirling on Stephanie's face. "I'm sorry, this probably seems weird. It's just Carlos has talked so much about you, I had to meet you. That is a beautiful dress. You are certainly every bit as stunning as Carlos said you are."

Stephanie barely registered her words. Later she would probably wonder why Ranger would be talking about her to anyone, but right now she was focused on the word friend. What exactly did that mean? They had looked so relaxed with each other. So striking together.

"You're Ranger's friend?" Stephanie couldn't keep the doubt from creeping into her tone. Stephanie knew it was rude and exactly none of her business, but apparently her manners had fled the building like she should have done the minute she saw Ranger.

The woman gave her a smile. A genuine one that reached her eyes. "Yes, friends."

"How did you meet?" Stephanie wanted to smack herself in the head the minute the question was out of her mouth. Say nice to meet you and leave. Apparently, Stephanie thought a little self-torture was the way to go.

Vinita eyed her for a moment, like she was weighing how much to say. "At a charity function much like this one. Carlos was there for me when my husband died, and over time we became friends."

"There for you?" Stephanie realized she was starting to sound suspiciously like a parrot.

"Yes. He saw me. Talked to me. He didn't treat me like glass, and my grief didn't make him uncomfortable. My husband and I had been married thirty years, and his death was sudden and unexpected. It was very hard, a difficult time. I was not in a good place." Vinita's voice trailed off for a moment. It was clear, Vinita still missed her husband.

"Carlos was just there for me. He never judged me, or my grief. He just gave me what I needed, when I needed it. Friends like that are rare, and they are special. So yes, Carlos and I are friends."

"I'm sorry." Stephanie murmured, suddenly feeling like a gigantic jealous jackass.

Vinita gave her a sad smile. "Thank you. Something like that teaches you to appreciate life. It teaches you not to hold back. It makes you bold. You no longer care much about what people think of you, and you don't save the good china for a special day, because just being alive is special enough. I imagine you know a thing or two about that after what happened."

It was clear that Vinita knew a lot more about Stephanie than Stephanie knew about Vinita.

"Yes. I certainly bargained with god that if I got a do-over, I wouldn't worry so much about what other people thought." Stephanie replied, a little surprised that she said that out loud to a stranger. Somehow saying it made it real.

Vinita tilted her head. "Then what are you waiting on?"

"Waiting on?" Stephanie was back to sounding like a parrot. A confused one.

Vinita lifted her elegant shoulder in a half shrug. "There are two things that I know. Carlos is a good man and he is in love with you."

Stephanie gave an inelegant snort. She had a fleeting thought that sophisticated Vinita never snorted like that. "No, it's not like that. He is not in love with me, and Rang.. Carlos doesn't do relationships."

Stephanie had no idea why she said that last part. Love and relationships were two different things. If living in the Burg had taught her anything, it was that you could be married to someone and not be in love with them. She was beginning to learn the reverse was true as well, but she pushed that away.

Vinita gave a dismissive wave of her hand. "There are all kinds of relationships. Do you think about him all the time? Miss him with every fiber of your being, turn to tell him something even when he isn't' there because he's the only person you want to share it with?"

Stephanie felt tears prickle her eyes. "Yes." She whispered.

"That's love, and that is a relationship." Vinita reached out and placed a hand on Stephanie's arm. "Right now, I know he doesn't love you the way you think you want. But that doesn't mean he doesn't love you with everything he has. Give him a chance." With that Vinita gave her arm a squeeze and left.

Stephanie stared after her wake. What the hell had just happened? She really didn't know what to make of any of that. Stephanie sat down on the velvet bench and took a minute to compose herself, just shaking her head. Of all the things she expected, that had not been it.

The woman was clearly privy to a lot of Ranger's life, and she was clearly protective of him. There was no doubt Vinita cared about Ranger, but Stephanie wasn't so sure about the just friends part. Then again, Vinita had said Ranger loved her, and Stephanie should give him a chance. In what alternate world did that make sense? Vinita had been sincere, but she was barking up the wrong tree. The truth was, it was Ranger that needed to give Stephanie a chance. Stephanie slowly stood, and made her way back to the ballroom before Montero sent a search party.

Montero was cornered by a couple, and she could see the fake smile pasted on his face. When he saw her, his smile changed. He was tracking her with his eyes, as she crossed the room. The intensity of his gaze made her feet falter just a little, and she saw his eyebrow raise a fraction of an inch. He introduced her to his companions, and then let his hand rest on the nape of her neck. His thumb made lazy circles and sent tingles through her body.

When the couple moved on, Montero leaned down, his voice close to her ear. "You about ready to get out of here?"

"Uh hum."

Yeah, Stephanie was pretty sure if she didn't get out of here, she was going to leap off the balcony to escape. The whole encounter with Vinita had left her confused and shaken, and she was terrified she was going to run into Ranger, and she just didn't think she could manage a conversation with him right now. Her nerves were raw. The room was too bright and too loud.

They turned to leave and came face-to-face with Vinita and Ranger.

Stephanie stopped short and felt a jolt go through her body at Ranger's nearness. She could hear the blood rushing in her own head, her pulse throbbing with dangerous intensity.

She knew Montero had felt her reaction. The lazy circles he had been making with his thumb stopped, and she could feel the tension coming off of him in waves. It was telegraphed down his arm to where his hand rested on the nape of her neck.

The air around them crackled and hummed. Ranger's eyes were locked on Montero, and the cloud of testosterone billowing around them was suffocating. She could practically feel Montero vibrating behind her and the muscle in Ranger's jaw was ticking at an alarming rate. She could see the vein in his neck bulging. They were both armed, and she had a feeling that might not be a good thing. Stephanie was frozen. Unable to move, unable to speak, or even blink. It was like being caught between two competing force fields.

"Manoso." Montero finally said to Ranger.

Montero extended his hand. Ranger took it. The grip looked punishing, and their smiles looked more like they were baring teeth than greeting each other. Stephanie watched as they sized each other up, both battling for dominance. She prayed they didn't get into it, because she had no idea who would win. They were like two titans clashing. The overt display of macho aggression might have been entertaining, if it weren't for the very real fact Stephanie was a little terrified, they might actually start throwing punches. It would be like the epic battle between Godzilla and King Kong, and everybody knew how that turned out. The only thing destroyed was everything around them.

Vinita clearly sensed imminent danger, as she put her hand on Ranger's arm and moved between Montero and Ranger. Stephanie thought Vinita was far braver than she was or possibly stupid or both.

"Marshal." Vinita's cultured voice washed over them. "I'm so glad you were able to join us. There is someone I'd really like you to meet." There was a hint of steel running through her tone that seemed to snap both Ranger and Montero out of their measuring contest. Their hands dropped, and Stephanie let out a little relieved breath.

A distinguished looking gentleman approached them. He was smartly dressed, trim, and had salt and pepper hair. He looked like a man at ease with wealth and power. He seemed familiar.

"Vinita, love. There you are." The man gave Vinita a welcoming kiss and turned to Ranger shaking his hand.

"Carlos. Thank you for escorting Vinita. I knew I was going to be late, and I just hated the thought of her coming alone."

Ranger nodded. "It's my pleasure Senator."

Stephanie's head snapped up. Vinita's date was none other than Senator Byron. A long serving member of congress. A man that was reportedly exploring a presidential run.

The Senator had his arm around Vinita's waist, and she leaned into him affectionately. Everything in his posture screamed intimacy. It was pretty clear the two of them were dating.

"I'd like you to meet U.S. Marshal Rafe Montero." Vinita said by way of greeting.

Montero and the Senator shook hands.

Ranger gave Vinita a look that said you could have told me you were dating the Senator. Vinita just shrugged and gave him the look that said sorry, not sorry.

Stephanie suddenly had a flash of clarity. Vinita was busy playing cupid, and their little run-in in the ladies' lounge had been anything but an accident. It had been Senator Byron that had insisted Montero attend the event, and clearly Ranger had been roped into escorting Vinita. Vinita was fearless, she'd give her that. Stephanie couldn't imagine Ranger taking too kindly to anyone playing him, but it was clear his affection and respect for Vinita were genuine, and mutual. Stephanie's eyes cut to Vinita, and Vinita gave Stephanie a small smile, her eyes twinkling. It was pretty clear Vinita knew she was busted.

"Marshal. I have some people I'd like you to meet." The Senator was already drawing Montero away.

Vinita looked at Ranger. "Maybe you could keep Ms. Plum company for a while."

With that Vinita floated off, and Stephanie and Ranger were left staring at each other.

The ballroom suddenly felt hot, the air heavy and oppressive. Stephanie was afraid she might be sick as she felt alternately hot and cold. She could feel cold sweat starting to mist her skin.

"I have to get some air." Stephanie stammered and practically ran out of the ballroom onto the balcony. She gulped in fresh air, hoping to calm her nerves. Her whole body felt like it was on fire, and her legs were trembling. She moved to the darkest recess behind topiaries that decorated the balcony. She didn't need Trenton's finest witnessing her nervous breakdown.

Stephanie felt Ranger come up behind her. They were so close their bodies were skimming. She could feel the heat radiating off of him. His fingertips lightly stroked the curve of her spine, sending shivers through her.

Stephanie was suspended. She couldn't move, breathe, think, or speak. She'd thought about this moment a hundred times over the last month. Maybe a thousand. She'd played every fantasy out in her head. What it would be like, what she would say, and now it was like her brain was in neutral. She remained motionless, caught in his force field, mute.

"You look gorgeous." Ranger's voice was like silk sliding over her skin caressing her taut nerves, sending little tendrils of fire curling through her.

Ranger leaned down and pressed his lips to the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder, and Stephanie was lost. She leaned back into him and he wrapped his arms around her. His cheek was pressed to her the side of her head. She could breathe again. His delicious scent tickled her nostrils, and a little sigh escaped her throat as she melted into him. This is what she had been missing.

She could feel the hard expanse of his broad chest, the silkiness of the tux against her bare skin. She closed her eyes, afraid if she opened them, it would all just be a dream. His solid form molded around her, and she could feel his strength and warmth seep into her. He swept her hair to the side and gently kissed her neck, his lips hovering over and gently sucking the pulse point. She knew he could feel it fluttering wildly.

"I like the way you've let your hair go curly," he finally said. "Suits your personality. Lots of energy, not much control, sexy as hell. You were the most beautiful woman in that room tonight."

She smiled at his words. It felt like the distance of the last month just faded away, warmth spreading through her. She felt herself relax and start to believe it was real. Ranger was really here, holding her.

Stephanie gave herself a mental shake. What was she doing? Ranger thought she looked nice, that didn't change a damn thing. Stephanie pulled away from him and turned to face him, his hands moved to rest on her hips. Standing there in the darkness, illuminated only by the moonlight, he was breathtaking she'd give him that. Her eyes flickered to his mouth, and for one moment she wished he would just tell her what she desperately wanted to hear, and then kiss her, and make her forget about everything else.

Ranger's dark eyes were soft as they roamed her face taking in every detail. Stephanie suddenly felt too exposed. Laid bare. What did he see when he looked at her? Did he see the truth written all over her face? That sometimes when she was in that space between sleep and waking, she could swear he was with her. She could feel him. Almost smell his tantalizing scent, and feel the softness of his skin. She would imagine the velvet touch of his fingers skimming across her body, and hear the whisper of his voice against the shell of her ear, his breath caressing her. Would he know that by looking at her?

Stephanie took another step back and he let his hands dropped away from her. She felt bereft at the sudden loss of his touch, but willed herself stay strong. It would be so easy to just step back into his embrace, and take what he was offering. There were a thousand things she wanted to ask him, but only one thing she desperately needed him to say, but Ranger didn't say anything. He just studied her. His face giving nothing away.

"I need to go back in." Stephanie forced herself to say as she pointed towards the door. "Montero and I are heading to Shorty's and then….." The look he gave her made her voice stall in her throat.

He held out his hand to her. "Come with me."

Her heart was stuttering wildly and she was afraid it might beat right out of her chest.

"Why?" Her voice was almost inaudible. Just say it she thought. Say you choose me, you love me, you want to be with me.

"I can give you a better and then." Ranger's silky voice whispered across her overheated skin.

Stephanie went breathless for a beat at the thought of Ranger's and then. Ranger was magic, but that wasn't the problem. The problem was Ranger didn't do relationships, and everybody knew magic was just an illusion designed to trick you into believing. She pulled herself together and narrowed her eyes at him, hoping she looked determined and not like she wanted leap in his arms and wrap her legs around his waist.

"You and I are done doing and then with each other." The denial sounded weak even to her own ears.

Ranger's eyebrow quirked up.

"I'm serious. I want to be with someone that wants a relationship." Stephanie's chin tilted up defiantly.

"And that's what Montero wants?" Stephanie thought Ranger sounded skeptical and irritation surged through her.

She was about to tell him he was wrong, when Stephanie realized she had no idea what Montero wanted. They had talked for a month about all sorts of things, but they had never really talked about that. In fact, they had both gone out of their way to not talk about it. Until tonight, they had never even been on a date.

Ranger held her gaze for a minute and then stepped forward and slid his hand behind her neck and kissed her. It was not restrained or polite. It was a crushing, demanding kiss meant to own her, to memorize her, to shred her defenses. She felt him nip her bottom lip, and then plunge his tongue back inside her mouth consuming her like a raging wildfire. His tongue mirroring what he wanted to be doing to her body.

Stephanie pushed away from him with a strangled sound trying to quell the fire that was racing through her veins and threatening to ignite her. She pressed her legs together, as she fluttered and clenched at the thought of him giving her exactly what his mouth promised. Stephanie reached up and touched her lips. The feel of his mouth was branded on her lips.

"What do you want, Ranger." She knew she was close to her breaking point. Her voice was tinged with a hint of desperation.

Ranger leaned in, his voice a whisper against the shell of her ear. His breath on her neck tickled her skin sending tingles down her spine. "I want to rip those panties off of you, bury myself so deep inside you that you don't know where I end and you begin. I want to fuck you until you are hoarse from screaming my name. And then I want to do it again and again until no other man's name ever passes your lips." Ranger stepped back and locked eyes with her. "That's what I want babe."

Oh my god she thought, the man was going to kill her. The wave of need that washed over her was so strong, she thought her knees were going to buckle. Stephanie's stomach twisted, heat pooling low. Her skin felt like it was on fire.

"Hmmm." Stephanie's eyes remained locked on him. "Only one problem with that Carlos. I'm not wearing any panties."

Stephanie gave him a sly smile and a wink. Sorry Batman, that isn't good enough, she thought. Stephanie was done settling. Great sex was just that, great sex. Stephanie wanted more. She wanted the fairy tale.

Stephanie walked off. She was surprised her trembling legs could carry her, but they did.

Ranger's mouth popped open and he stood rooted to the spot watching her retreating back. He was pretty sure his brain had just short circuited, and he felt a little light headed. A minute went by and he moved to follow her and explain, or maybe it was to beg. At this point, the woman had him so twisted into knots, he had no idea which way was even up. What part did she not understand?

He looked down and gave a humorless bark of laughter. He wasn't going anywhere with his pants tented like that. Ranger was rock hard. Well, at least he knew why his brain had stopped functioning. The blood had rushed to his dick so fast at the image of her without panties, he was pretty sure he'd seen stars. That woman was going to be the death of him.

"Shit." He mumbled to himself and worked to get himself under control.

A few more minutes passed and he headed back into the ballroom. "Yo!" He snagged a flute of champagne from a passing waiter and downed it. He was going to need something to put out these flames.

Ranger looked around, but Stephanie and Montero were gone. Apparently, Stephanie had made her choice, and it wasn't him. Again. He'd asked her to leave with him. He'd told her he wanted to be the only man in her life, because she was the only woman he wanted in his. OK, so maybe he hadn't said those exact words, but surely it had been clear.

Right now, that was all he could give. He shook his head, but it just wasn't enough. And that was always going to be the problem. Ranger would never be enough, not for a woman like that.

"So long Stephanie Plum." He whispered to himself. It was time to get his head back in the game, and refocus on his priorities. Whatever the hell that was anymore.

He saw the crypt keeper slithering his way, her intent clear. "No." He hissed. She flinched back when the full force of his rage pulsed over her, and she wisely turned on her heel and went the other way. Ranger stalked off. He needed to get out of there before he punched someone.

Stephanie found Montero, and she slipped her hand in his. His worried eyes found hers.

"Let's get out of here, OK." She gave him a weak smile.

Montero nodded and they left.

A little while later, they pulled into her parking lot. They were stuffed with pizza and beer. They'd had a nice dinner at Shorty's and Stephanie was feeling much better. Dinner had been relaxed and fun. No pressure, no heavy conversation, just good food and good company.

Montero got out of the SUV and went around to open the door for her. She felt the familiar weight of his hand on her back as they got onto the elevator, and rode to her apartment.

Stephanie unlocked her front door and stepped in. She turned but Montero was still standing in the hall.

"Are you coming in?"

Montero shook his head. "No, Plum. Not tonight."

Stephanie stepped towards him and put her hand on his chest. "Why?" Stephanie was surprised and a little disappointed, she thought she had made her intentions clear.

Montero captured her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing the delicate skin of her wrist.

"Come on Plum. You and I both know I'm not the guy you want to be standing here."

Stephanie's mouth opened to say something, and she closed it. She really didn't know what to say to that because there was some truth in it.

"I'm not blind. I can see how you look at Ranger, and how he looks at you. Maybe this seems silly, because the truth is I'm not even sure I want to get married, or even have a relationship for that matter, but I do want it to at least be a possibility. And, right now, it isn't. I would just be a substitute for what you really wanted."

"Rafe that's not true. I do like you. I'm sorry if I gave you the impression."

Montero put his fingers to her lips. "Plum. Never apologize for knowing what you want. I like you too. Maybe someday things will be different, but not right now. You need time to sort out your feelings first. As much as I really want you, as much as I would like to spend the night, it would just confuse things. For both of us."

Stephanie sighed. Montero was right about that. At least one of them was exercising good judgement and common sense. "Where does that leave us?"

Montero shrugged. "I reckon that leaves us friends. At least I hope it does. I like hanging out with you. I like talking to you, and I can always use a friend."

"I'd like that, and you're right, I guess. I do have some things to work out. But you are wrong about one thing. You're not a substitute." Stephanie gave him a hug, and he left.

Stephanie closed the door and leaned back against it. She whacked her head back against the door. And then she whacked it again just for good measure. Maybe she would manage to knock some sense into herself if she was lucky, but given her recent spate of luck, she figured the odds were not in her favor.

Disappointment and despair washed over her. How could one man so thoroughly fuck-up your life. Was she ever going to get over Ranger, or would he always be the yardstick she used to measure every other man? Because if that was the case, no one would ever measure up. Hot tears started to slide down her cheeks.

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A/N. Big shout out and thanks to Litus81, a wonderfully talented writer, for insights and conversation that helped shape this chapter.