All recognizable characters belong to Janet Evanovich, I'm just playing.
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Bowing my head, I let the water wash over me. Ranger's shower is magic, even when he's not present. I shouldn't be in here, taking advantage of his hot water and Bvlgari shower gel, but it's just been one of those days. Besides, he did issue an open invitation to his shower and his bed. He probably meant while he was in them, but a sometimes a girl just needs to wash the day away, even if it's only 10am.
Rinsing away my special shampoo that Ranger has Ella stock for me, I think through this morning's capture and what I could have done better. It was pretty straight forward; Robert Lincoln had snuck into Delio's Garage after he was fired and smashed the place up pretty good. There was damage not only to the equipment and building, but to several cars in the service bay. A security guard on rounds surprised him and ended up with a broken arm fighting off Lincoln. All that added up to a laundry list of charges warranting a bond worth $10,000 for me.
This morning was my third attempt at snagging him. On my first try, I grabbed him as he went out onto the fire escape of his apartment. I had to choose between holding on to him and potentially going over the railing or save my life by holding on to the railing and lose him. Since I didn't want to turn around and spend the bond money on an ER bill, I let him go. The second attempt was simply bad timing; I spotted him in McDonald's but there was a playgroup meeting going on and little kids running everywhere. Knowing his penchant for violence, I let him go.
I started the day motivated to catch him; the bond was forfeited at midnight, and I really wanted the fee to pad my bank account. Going back over the search that I ran on him while working a couple hours for Ranger, I noticed he ate at the same pancake house every third Wednesday of the month. Today was the third Wednesday, so beginning at 6am I camped out The Pancake Shack, watching for Lincoln. Sitting at a tiny table for 2, I scarfed down some truly excellent banana chocolate chip pancakes while waiting. A $20 bill slipped to the waitress, with the promise of a nice tip at the end, bought her cooperation and an always full coffee cup. When I explained that I was looking for someone, she shrugged and said, "We're never very busy on Wednesdays."
A little after seven, Lincoln came in with a little pigtailed girl, maybe five years old. He scanned the room, making me glad that I had braided my distinctive curls and tucked everything up under a Yankees ball cap. With a pair of clear-lens glasses and my face angled down toward my newspaper prop, I didn't look much like the bounty hunter that tried to take him in a few days ago.
They settled into a booth with Lincoln facing the door, putting his back to me. For the next hour, watching him interact with a little girl that called him Daddy, I was hard pressed to see any resemblance to the man that caused over $100,000 in damages and swung a tire iron at a stranger. He was patient and sweet with her while cutting up her food and getting her to sit still long enough to eat; that little girl looked at him like he hung the moon. I figured there had to be more to the story.
I got a clearer picture when a woman with a pinched-up face came in and immediately got into it with Lincoln. I don't know the history, but it was a bad break-up. The patience disappeared when she grabbed the child's arm to pull her from the booth, and the words he said to her were low enough that only she heard them. Whatever it was, she immediately let go of the sobbing girl. Lincoln picked up his daughter and held her tight for several minutes until he kissed her on the head and set her down. He slumped back into the booth as he watched them walk out.
I felt for the guy, I really did; but I also felt for Delio and his lost income and the security guard with a busted arm. With Ranger's "Gotta trust in the system, Babe," ringing in my ears, I left money for my food and a healthy tip. Tucking cuffs into my back pocket and carrying my stun gun in my right hand, I went around tables to block his access to the door. As soon as he looked up, I knew that this was not going to be an easy capture.
Even with my hair hidden he recognized me; coupled with his sour mood, he was in no way friendly. I barely had time to say, "Bond enforcement!" and get my arm up to block the cute little metal syrup pitcher he threw at me. It bounced off my arm, falling to the floor and spilling. He was already following it up with a sticky plate of half-eaten chocolate pancakes that bounced off my shoulder. When I advanced on him, I slipped in the syrup pooling on the ceramic tile floor. Grabbing his shirt for purchase, I pulled us both down; he reached out for the table next to us and pulled it and its contents down on top of us.
After what felt like an eternity of rolling around on the floor with pancakes, hash browns, and eggs flying everywhere, he got a grip on my arms to fling me off. I stopped worrying about niceties and brought me knee up into his balls. I didn't tag him hard enough to do damage, but it was enough to render him immobile for a minute. He didn't fight me when I rolled him over to cuff his hands behind his back.
Looking around at the stunned faces of the other diners, I knew I was going to hear about this one from both Joe and my mother. The immediate area around us looked like a war zone with the overturned table and food everywhere. I knew without even looking down that I was wearing as least as much food as I had eaten earlier.
Mindful that Lincoln hadn't paid his bill yet, I pulled his wallet out of his back pocket while he bitched at me and left a twenty-dollar bill for the food and then another one for the mess. Grabbing one of his arms and the back of his shirt, I pulled him up out of the mess on the floor. Yeah, I was definitely going to hear about this. We were both covered in food, syrup and spilled coffee. Apologizing to the waitress as I hauled Lincoln to the door, I scooped up my dislodged hat and the bag I dropped when I realized I had been recognized.
Lincoln was strangely docile as I led him to my car and got him belted into the backseat. The trip to the cop shop was blessedly silent; a stark contrast to the loud bitching that was surely waiting for me. All chatter stopped when we entered the intake area, the sweet smell of syrup trailing after us. Cameras came out to document my latest mess, no one bothering to hide it. Thanks to the braiding, my hair might not have been as crazy as usual, but the eggs and pancakes ground into it made for a frightful sight.
The in-take officer was just handing me my body receipt when Joe slammed open the door between the station and the jail. "What the hell, Cupcake?"
Joe and I have been off-and-on for years; we were currently very much in an off phase that I was perfectly happy to continue. In the middle of a fight about going to dinner at his mother's house, he gave me an ultimatum: us or my job. I chose option three…me. Ignoring my ex-boyfriend, I thanked the officer for the receipt and turned to leave without acknowledging Joe or his question. He said nothing, just followed me to my car.
"What happened this time?"
I continued to ignore him until I unlocked the door.
"Stop ignoring me, Stephanie!"
I counted to ten while gritting my teeth. "We are not together. I don't owe you any explanation and I don't have to listen to you. Now move."
I left him there with a red face and an angry vein pulsing in his forehead. My phone was sounding my mother's ringtone even before I left the parking lot. At least four calls went to voicemail before she gave up. Halfway to my apartment, I switched course and drove to Rangeman. I knew Ranger was in Boston for reviews and a high dollar takedown, but I really wanted to hide out for a bit. I knew the men on monitor duty would get an eyeful when I maneuvered between the car and the elevator, but no one stopped me as the elevator whisked me straight to the seventh floor.
I figure I've been in the shower for at least a half an hour now. My body got a quick washdown with Ranger's heavenly shower gel before I tackled my hair. With all the dried food, it took some doing to get it unbraided and brushed out. After three rounds of shampooing and then a round of conditioner, my hair finally feels clean. The steam from the hot water is wrapping around me like a warm hug; the only thing that would make it better would be if Ranger was actually here with me.
The break from Joe is coming up on three months now. It's a little stab to the heart to admit that I don't actually miss him, not really. And when I think I might miss him? We have another scene like today where he automatically thinks I screwed something up. Was the takedown messy? Sure, but Lincoln probably would have had the same reaction to a cop. I got him, and there were no injuries, no weapons involved, and no need to call the police. I consider that a win.
My lips tick up into a smile when I think about the last time I sat with Carl, Big Dawg and Eddie for lunch at Pino's; they started throwing around stories about their early years on the force and mixed in with their tales was a delightful little story about Joe landing in dog shit while tackling a suspect and having to stay in uniform for another four hours. Funny how I'd never heard about him having problems. I've been holding on to that little nugget of information for a time when he really annoys me.
Things with Ranger have been slowly changing during this off phase. He's always been affectionate, but he's been a little more public about it around the men this last month. It's nice and weird all at the same time. We've been spending a couple nights a week together; more importantly, he's been calling to chat with me during the day and simply sitting with me in the evening. He's even been giving out little golden nuggets of information about his family and his time in the Army. Again, nice but weird.
The nights, though? I'm not sure there are words. Making love with Ranger has always been beyond anything I could compare it to in my limited experience, but now it feels like...more. More eye contact, more gentle touches, more time just being together before we drift off to sleep. I let myself get lost in the memories of the night before he left for Boston last week; as we were wrapped together after a particularly energetic and boundary-pushing session, I swear I heard him whisper "I love you" with no qualifier after it.
Finally conceding that I need to get out of the shower while I still have energy to move, I regretfully turn off the water and grab one of the sinfully fluffy towels I placed on the little table beside the glass shower door. Drying off feels like another trip to heaven and I vow to use some of the Lincoln capture money to upgrade my pathetic cheapo Black Friday bargain basement towels.
My hair gets another run through with a wide-mouth comb before I grab a jar from the counter I've never noticed before. It looks like some high-end moisturizer, and I give it a try. My skin feels baby soft, and I smile a little before putting it back next to my make-up. I've never questioned why Ranger keeps my hair and cosmetic stuff around; maybe I should.
Opening one of the drawers I've taken over in the closet, a bright blue dress catches my eye. I'm sure it wasn't hanging here before; I would have noticed a gorgeous, fitted wrap dress with a plunging neckline and asymmetrical hem. Running my hand along the silky material, I wonder where it came from.
Shaking my head to clear it, I reach in to grab a pair of my embroidered Rangeman undies when my hand encounters lace. A lot of lace. Looking away from the dress, I see bra and underwear sets in a rainbow of colors filling the drawer; my utilitarian bikini cut underwear takes up a very small corner. Looking back at the dress, and then over toward the bathroom, I wonder what's up with all the new additions.
Pulling one of Ranger's t-shirts over my head to go with my Rangeman underwear, I pad over to the bed. The warmth of the shower is combining with the early morning to zap any energy that remains after wrestling Lincoln. Conceding defeat, I slide between blissfully soft million-count sheets and don't even bother to squelch the moan that escapes. Snuggling into the blankets, I thank the universe for the restorative power of hot showers, clean sheets, and naps. With that last happy thought, I'm out like a light.
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Feather soft kisses bring me slowly awake. The urge to panic is strangely absent, and when I open my eyes, warm chocolate-brown eyes smile down at me.
"I came home and found Goldilocks in my bed." Ranger's voice is amused and he's wearing a semi-smile while running a finger up and down my arm.
Blinking my eyes to clear the sleep from them, I take in the view in front of me. Naked Ranger will always be my favorite, but Armani Ranger might be second. It's in the top five, for sure.
"It's still Wednesday, right?"
My poor brain is confused. He's not supposed to be home until tomorrow night.
That gets a laugh out of him. "Not even you can sleep a day and a half, Babe. The take-down got moved up and we got through the reviews quicker than expected. Rather than stay, I decided to come home early."
He takes my hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss. "Heard you had a messy takedown."
"Yeah. Got into it and rolled in breakfast. Dried egg yolk is a bitch to get out of hair."
He leans forward and nuzzles my hair and I hold my breath. "Syrup. That's why it smells so sweet in here."
"You better be careful inhaling those fat and sugar particles. You're going to gain a pound and then your temple's going to go to hell." It's probably not smart, baiting him, but the bark of laughter that escapes him makes it worth it.
"What time is it?"
"A little after 2pm. Control said you got here a little before 10."
Kicking the blankets off my legs, I make a move to slide out of bed. "Yeah, sorry. I just needed a couple hours in your world to recharge. I'll get out of your hair."
He grabs me around the waist and pulls me into him. "Babe, you don't have to go."
"You just got home, so you probably need the peace and quiet even more than I do."
He gives me a squeeze. "What if I want you to stay?"
"Then you really wouldn't get peace and quiet!"
"You bring me peace, and my life is too quiet."
I'm shocked into silence. This feels important and I don't want to misunderstand. "What are you saying?"
He turns me so that I'm facing him. "I'm asking you to stay."
I don't know how long I sit, just looking at him before finally getting the words out around the lump in my throat. "For how long?"
"Until you get tired of me and my sheets."
"That's never going to happen!"
"I'm counting on it." There's no hesitation, and he's looking very, very serious.
The room is so quiet I can hear the second hand moving on the clock. I wait for the punchline of the joke, but nothing comes. Panic should be clawing its way through my chest, but it's not. There's no urge to flee and no smart-ass comment springs to mind. Thinking about the moisturizer, the dress, and the drawer full of lingerie, I wonder if this is just the next step in things changing between us.
"Ranger."
"Babe."
Fighting the need to roll my eyes, I breathe deep and reach out for what I want. "I need clear and easy to understand words here, Ranger. What are you saying?"
His hand cups my cheek and his thumb brushes across my lips. "Stay here with me, and not just for a couple hours; I want more. You. Me. Together."
Neither of us say anything, and I'm pretty sure I forget to breathe. Maybe I died at The Pancake Shack, and this is heaven. Or maybe just a dream. Not taking my eyes off the serious face in front of me, I reach down and pinch my own thigh. My flinch gets a smile from Ranger.
"This is real, Babe. Don't get back together with Morelli. Move in with me. Here or someplace new; I don't care, just as long as we're together. "
"You're serious?"
"Very. Say yes."
He lets go of my chin long enough to smooth the furrow in my brow. He doesn't say anything else, just waits for me to work it out in my head while he slips into that damn Zen mode.
"What changed?"
He hesitates before answering. "I did. You did. The list of people that might try and fuck with me did. My priorities shifted. Things have been changing for a while. Missing you while I was gone, then coming home to find you here just clarified things for me. I don't want to wait until things are perfectly aligned. That day might never come, and then I'll just be left with regrets. That sounds like a stupid plan, and I don't do stupid plans. Move in with me. Let me love you all the time instead of part-time."
My heart is hammering by the time he's done, and there's really only one way to answer that. "Ok."
"Ok?"
"Ok."
I'm caught up in a hug that leaves me gasping for air before a kiss seals the deal. Suddenly there's way too much air between us and a growl escapes me. Opening my eyes, I'm surprised and disappointed to see him backing away from the bed. That is, until his suit jacket comes off and lands on the bedside chair. I do a drool check as the rest of his clothes follow, and I take in Naked Ranger. Yep, still my favorite. The t-shirt and Rangeman undies are off before he slides back into bed with me.
"Should you be slacking off in the middle of the day?" My tone is playful, but the question is real.
He gives off that thousand-watt smile that I love before leaning forward to nibble my neck. "The big bad wolf thinks Goldilocks needs to be rewarded for sleeping in his bed."
"That's two different fairy-tales."
He smirks. "Does it matter? You're about to be very, very happy before I tuck you into bed."
Oh boy!