"Ranger! How many times have I told you not to sneak up on me!"
I almost jumped out of my skin hearing Ranger loudly say my name. I wanted to feign anger at him, but I was too excited about the $2 million dollars, and he was a sight for sore eyes. I can't believe how much I have missed him, feels like he has been gone for a month. I feel safe and a bit gooey inside with him around, just his presence makes me feel like it is good to be alive. I'm am tempted to forget that as a smug grin appears on his face.
"Need to be aware of your surroundings, Babe." Giving me a little bad boy grin as he tucked a stray curl behind my ear.
"There's no time for that now, I've got news!" I'm smiling so big my face hurts, but I can't control my excitement. No more worrying about paying my rent, I will be seen as a success to my mother, and I won't ever have to choose between peanut butter or olives. From now on it was both, Rex and I are going to be living the high life! That 2-story hamster mansion just became a reality. I admit I didn't want to be bothered with this executor business at first, but it couldn't have come at a better time being as I had just come up with new life goals. It seemed that fate was on my side for once.
"Oh yeah? Does it have anything to do with finding a certain someone? I heard about your good fortune."
"The guys have big mouths, I wanted to be the one to tell you." I said through a scowl as my eyes surveyed the room looking for Lester or Cal,., I still had that knuckle sandwich for them., but nothing is going to ruin this day for me. I bounced up from my chair, to standing tall next to Ranger takingand took his large hand in mine, practically dragging him off to his office in Stephanie Cavewoman style. I began walking towards his office but didn't make it far,I was pulled back from my advance, something was impeding my progress and I had an idea exactly what it was. I had a large Cuban weight that wasn't budging, Ranger was in an uncommonly playful mood it seemed.. I turned and gave him a death glare, pulling as hard as I could but it didn't nudge him an inch. No way could I pull my hulking mentor unless he allowed me, eventually he conceded and slowly began walking forward, with me giving me a small laugh. I pulled and pushed him up in front of me through the doorframe of his office, eager to get back to my searches, I came upcoming behind him and placeding both my hands on his lower back to speed up his passage although I was tempted to give a squeeze to his tight tush. Once we made it in his office, I swiftly closed the door with a bang and just as swiftly turned back to face him looking like I just found the 'X' on the treasure map., I was completely giddy. I'm sure I looked more crazed than anything, I felt like I had just downed 3 espresso shots. I was riding a high ever since I made it back to Rangeman, I was almost frantic with the search engines. I had even commandeered the cubicle next to mine that Cal used so I could run even more searches at once. Usually, I will get hits back in the first 30 minutes, but so far, I'd had been at it for 2 hours and had no more information than what the attorney had provided me. It was odd, my sSpidey-sense was telling me notifying Melanie Ford that she was now a millionaire would not be as easy as I thought. A whole new life was riding on this, research is what I was best at, and I was coming up empty.
All my thoughts seemed to clear from my mind when I looked to see Rangerhim sitting on the edge of his desk. His , eyes showeding signs of fatigue but were boring into me with amusement regardless. His long legs were crossed at the ankle, arms loosely crossed over his expansive chest. He wore the regulation Rangeman uniform of black Belleville boots, black cargo pants and a skintight black t-shirt. I softened at the sight of his beauty, a little sigh escaped as I drank in the man that I've longed to see. I've often wondered how I got to this point, when exactly did I start depending on him so much? He was my rock, the best friend I've ever had, and I was irrevocably in love with him. Ranger was the one constant in my chaotic life, I've often felt there was an invisible string tying us together and I hoped it always would be that way.
Ranger gave a small head nod to one of the plush chairs in front of his desk, that was no one was ever going to accuse Ranger of being Mr. Hospitalityhis version of an invitation. to have a seat and make myself at home. I closed the distance quickly and sank back against the soft black licorice leather of the chair. Ranger had the best of everything, I always loved these chairs. and o One day I snuck into his office and turned them every which way looking for a manufacturer name and model number. They were listed as Mid-Century Show Chairs, the wood legs and arms were espresso, vegan leather in licorice whichwhich was a subtle black. I loved how deep the chair satwas, I could curl up in it so perfectly and had thought about buying something similar but the price tag of $1200 relegated this chair to my Pinterest board. Ranger listened in awe as I told him about Marvin Estes basically staging a sit-in protest at the market over his coupon getting denied and how missing his court date brought him to me. How I found Marvin at a flea market but that he was a bit germophobgermaphobeic and freaked out when he couldn't wash his hands so I had to refill the restroom soap dispenser for him before I could take him for processing. Ranger lowered his head, and his shoulders began to shake his head back and forth. The little rhino in me stopped grazing, perked her head up and with a blade of grass dangling said, "Are you laughing at me? What exactly is so funny Ranger?", my voice risingaising with each word, hands finding their place on my hips. I'm not sure what I expected but when he raised his head, looking at me through his lashes, there was a softness in his face.
He looked at me with such tenderness, "Babe, I promise I'm not laughing at you. Not a lot of things surprise me anymore but Yyou are the one thingperson that I never see coming. I'm proud of you, Babe."
The words I craved to hear flowed over me, I was elated. filling me with such joy, tThis man makes me feel like I can conquer the world. I quietly said thanks, compliments were so far and few between in my life that I didn't know what to do with made me uncomfortable. I decided to ignore the awkwardness I felt and forge ahead continuing to ued tellingtell Ranger about my meeting with Marvin Estes attorney that morning and the only thing that stood between me and $2 million dollars was finding one Melanie Ford.
"I've heard the name Estes before, makes big investments. Genius with madness. tThere is an Estes Children's Zoo in downtown Trenton. They have a petting zoo area, you can ride camels."
I gave him a perplexed look, attempting to raise my eyebrow but failing. It did compel that compelled him to supply further information. Shrugging his shoulders, "My niece had a birthday party there a couple of years ago."
"I'd like to ride a camel."
Ranger pushed up off his desk, I watched his muscular arms flex from the movementstrain against his shirt and I squeezed my thighs together tighter. He seemed to glideg the short distance to me andracefully stood looking down at mecame to stand before me, he takingook my breath away. I felt a tinge of concern The closer he came to me as it was evident the more I saw just how exhausted he was, it looked like he was running on little to no sleep. The corners of his mouth tilted up as he pulled me up from the chair, his hands encircling around my waist holdingpulling me firmly up against him.
"I think I can find something better for you to ride than a camel, Babe."
Normally I never initiate anything physical with Ranger, in the past when he has stolen kisses it is all I can do to hold on for dear life. I've always been a passenger on this ride we've been on since the day we met, more than willing to ride but never brave enough to takinge the wheel. Looking up at his handsome face I noticedsaw the tension in his jaw, his shoulders were tight, there was something troubling him other tiredness, that much I knew. He always felt so responsible for everyone around him, I guiltily admitted to myself that I never thought of how much pressure he had to be under. I don't know much about his time in the military, but I know he led large groups of men and he does that now too according to Lester, when he goes in the wind. Being responsible for the life of others is almost unfair, what if you made the wrong decision and it cost someone people their life? I have trouble choosing between paper and plastic. an internal debate when I'm trying to choose between paper and plastic. Maybe choices he has made in the pastthat could be some of the skeletons in his closet he hides, why he doesn't do relationships. Even with Rangeman, having several locations to manage and just making business decisions would be a daunting endeavor. We don't want to forget all the fiascos that I have put him through. I'm surprised he hasn't doesn't have a head full of gray hairs. I hope he knows how grateful I am to him, but I doubt it, saying thank you and expressing gratitude always left me feeling too exposed, too vulnerable. Ranger really has given so much to me without asking for anything in return, I think it is beyond time that I brought some balance to our relationship.
Thinking this was the perfect opportunity to help him relax and for me, aa chance to implement my new life plans., I placed a hand on each of his forearms as I leaned back so I could look into his deep chocolate eyes. I ran the soft palms of my hands slowly up and down his caramel mocha arms, his arms felt like steel encased in velvet. I felteling every taught muscle as they relaxed under my touch, it wasn't lost on me the multiple thin scars on this incredible man, more than likely caused by a sharp blade. noting every scar on this incredible man. HHis eyes burned hot at my stroking; the soft fuzz of his hairs danced under my fingertips. My hands leisurely made their way over his elbows to feel the smooth skin of the back of his biceps, he always tells me to be careful or I'll get burned. Right now, it felt like my fingertips were dancing over hot coals. The fine lines around his eyes melted away and I let my nails lightly drag over his skin, I felt his arousal against my stomach. My body temperature was rapidly rising but I needed to remind myself what I was trying to convey to him. I wanted to comfort him, I wanted him to feel how much I love him, that I was here for him just as he has always been there for me. I firmly grasped tugged on his biceps, tugging them hard to bringing his arms even tighter around me., I saw athe slight look of surprise uponin his face at my act but he obliged me by wrapping his arms around me tighter like a snake coiling around it's prey. He raised his eyebrow to me in question, but I only smiled coyly and just continued my appreciation of his muscular arms, breathing in his intoxicating scent. My hands madke their way up to his shoulders and I push my body flush against his, smashing my breasts against his hard chest. I heard a small whimper that I thinkam sure came from Ranger, his beautiful lips parted and there was now a sure look of shock was on his face for just a moment before he covered it. My forward behavior seemed to have scrambled up Ranger's circuitry and it felt good.
My phone rang breaking the moment, but I hoped he was pleased with the small introduction to the new Stephanie Plum. I wanted to prove to him that I know what I want and who I want. As one of my favorite comedic idols, Bill Murray said in What About Bob?, baby steps. Ranger was watching my every move and I couldn't help but grin. I found at the look of puzzlement on his face. Lula on the line to was calling to complain about grease stains inside her new 'Koach' pursed, stuffing your purse with fried chicken will tend to do that.
I still feel shellshocked from Steph's slow seduction she just did to me. I have no problem stealing kisses, soft touches, it drives me crazy to see how my Babe reacts to the smallest touch from me. She will often have a dazed look in her eyes, and I was afraid I was sporting that same look now. My heart was pounding when she was sensually skimmeding my arms with her tender hands, looking me in the eye the whole time. I'm pretty sure that she felt how excited she got me, it wasn't like I could hide it when we were hip to hip. I wonder what she is playing at, maybe she was too hyped up about her $2 million dollar payday. The guys told me she had a story to tell me that I wouldn't believe but I could believe it. Things like this always happened to Steph, she had the kindest heart of anyone I have ever known. She's always treated her skips with respect, like a mother cat, she tended to their needs before she worried about bringing them in. This time, karma was in her favor. When I arrived back to Rangeman with Tank, I knew she was here, I could feel her. I walked up to her cubicle to find her staring at the cubicle wall, she never showed any signs that she knew I was there, so I called her as I normally do but I got no response. Three times I said 'Babe' but she continued staring off, I looked over to Tank that was watching from his office door and grinned at me. I couldn't help but smile myself before I called out loudly by her real name, that always got her attention, but I also never raise my voice to her. It brought her out of whatever imaginary land she was in, scaring her of course and I couldn't help but tease her.