Round Robin

Chapter 5 (Directorofchaos)

RANGER

When the delectable Miss Plum first came off the elevator on the 7th floor, I nearly froze when I realized what I'd done. I'd invited a woman to my private sanctuary. I'd never, ever done that before. Ever. Never even had the urge. I went home with women; they did not come home with me. Then I randomly, somewhat accidentally extended an invite to Stephanie for dinner when the words just popped out of my mouth, something that was becoming a habit around her. But as soon as she left after the meal, the penthouse felt strangely empty. I fucking loved having her in the space. I didn't want to think about what that potentially meant for the future, because it freaked me the fuck out. All in all, it had been a great evening, and I slept a lot better knowing she was downstairs and not vulnerable to the stalker.

More than 3 weeks had passed since she moved into Haywood, and a lot had happened since. We'd identified none other than Joe Morelli as the prime stalker suspect, but so far, the fucker had been good about covering his tracks. I'd persuaded Steph to stay in the apartment on the 4th floor, but she'd insisted on helping Ella as payback for what she considered to be rent. She'd completely taken over breakfast duty, and the breakroom was constantly filled with fresh, homemade fruit jams, homemade scones, biscuits, and toasted slices of homemade bread in addition to our normal eggs and meat. I'd wanted to ban the scones out of the principle of being a "dessert" but when she'd handed me a lemon scone with a blueberry jam on top, I had to admit, it was probably one of the most delicious breakfasts I'd had in a while. She would get up around 4 in the morning, do some baking, have breakfast set up by 6, and was usually out the door by 8 to walk to the salon. I'd tried to have her use one of our fleet vehicles, but she'd flat out refused.

The men loved having her around the office though and were constantly volunteering to help her. It had taken me a while to realize why I was so pissed off about that, but eventually had admitted to myself that it was simply because she was mine. She just didn't know it yet.

It was 7:15 in the morning, and I'd just gotten off the phone getting the latest update from Gazzara, I knew it was before her normal leaving time, so I jogged down the single flight of stairs to give her the update in person. I'd expected the find the hall empty, but I instead found Stephanie in the hallway barefoot, a smile on her face, hairbrush in her hand, talking to my cousin.

"So, 2200 hours then?" Santos asked, leaning casually against the wall.

"What time is that in normal person speak?" Steph asked him.

"10 tonight," he said. "Will that work?"

"Sure, I'll be done by then," she said. "I'll see you then."

What the hell?! She disappeared into the apartment and shut the door behind her with a decisive click. Santos turned and the smile on his own face disappeared immediately when he saw me. I glared at him.

"It's not what you think," he said immediately.

"Don't give me that shit, Santos," I said. I wanted to call him on actually hearing him make a date with her. It was Friday, so at least she didn't have to wake up as early tomorrow. We'd had dinner together almost every night the past few weeks, and I'd been foolishly thinking she enjoyed it as much as I did, and had expected her to be there tonight, too. Feeling like a dumb fuck, I spun on my heel and stalked back up the stairs. Once inside my office, I slammed the door with too much force and sent Stephanie a quick text with the update from Gazzara just so she knew.

ME: Heard from Gazzara, still nothing concrete. Watch your back today.

STEPHANIE: No worries. I'll have enough to go buy my new bed tomorrow, so I'll be out of your hair soon.

I stared at the screen in confusion and furrowed my brow. She was buying a new bed. Why? I guess I just assumed she'd stay here at Haywood for a while, at least until we got the stalker thing taken care of, and possibly even beyond that if I could finagle it. Her apartment really was shit and in a terrible neighborhood. But I guess if she was setting dates with my men, I'd rather not have to watch it take place in my own building. Firing up my laptop, I dove headfirst into work, trying my best to push the sexy, curly-haired woman who had captivated me right out of my mind.

I skipped lunch and spent the afternoon in the field on client meetings. It was after 6 when I made it back to Haywood, and I headed straight to 7. I removed and stored my weapons and utility belt before heading into the kitchen for a drink. I slammed a glass of water and then poured my favorite whiskey into a lowball glass. Dropping some ice cubes in I headed for the shower to let the drink rest. Half an hour later I was in a much calmer headspace, having finished both my drink and my shower. I pulled on sweatpants and debated when to have dinner. I had deliberately not called Ella for a meal, because I didn't want her to ask if it was for one or two people. And since the only one I'd ever had up here to share a meal was dating other guys, I figured it would be easier to just scavenge and feed myself. It wasn't like I was incapable of cooking or taking care of myself. Having Ella was just a luxury.

I refilled my glass and was reviewing options in the fridge and freezer when the knock sounded at the door. The clock on the microwave read 7:19, so I was perplexed as to who the fuck would be knocking at my door. I swung it open to reveal Stephanie, still in the same clothes she'd been wearing this morning standing outside the door.

"Hey," she said, smiling. I hated that my dick jumped when she did. "I know I'm later than normal; it took me a little longer to do Hal than I thought it would."

What the actual fuck?! She just fucked Hal and has a date with Lester at 10, and she thinks I'm going to feed her in between?! She started to step forward, but suddenly stopped as she took in my shirtless, barefoot appearance.

"Oh," she said, color rising to her cheeks. "You weren't expecting me. I'm sorry, I just thought…. never mind. That was stupid. I'm stupid. Of course, you have other plans. Sorry to have bothered you."

She turned abruptly and practically scurried back to the elevator, pressing the button repeatedly, as if that would make it arrive faster. I was pissed and wasn't about to let it drop.

"You thought what?" I spat. "You wanted to do me too?"

"I didn't think you'd let me do you," she said quickly. "I'd never have even asked!"

"So, what, you're just hoping for dinner between fucking two of my men?" I knew it was mean, but fuck if I cared. I had righteous anger on my side!

Her fingers froze on the button, and her face turned crimson. She slowly turned.

"Fucking two of your men?" she repeated in a half-strangled voice. Her eyes looked like a deer in the headlights, confusion nagging at her brows. I was in no mood for her to play dumb. She'd already played me like a fucking violin.

"You just finished Hal, and if I'm not mistaken you have a date with Lester at 2200." My fingers squeezed around the glass in my hand, and I wondered how much pressure the dish could take before it shattered all over the hallway.

Understanding dawned, but I didn't notice the change in her eyes as she charged toward me until she'd removed the glass from my hand and downed the double shot of whiskey herself. She gave a little cough and handed back the glass.

"Sorry, I needed a drink to have a conversation this fucking ridiculous."

"Ridiculous?"

"Yes, ridiculous."

"I was in the hall this morning," I snapped. "I heard you tell him you'd do him at 10 tonight."

"Yes, I did," she crossed her arms. "I told him I'd do him. DO his fucking hair."

Wow, am I an ass. I blinked and wondered if I'd just had a stroke. What? I just stared at her, and she went on.

"Look, the first week I was here, a couple of the men asked if I could cut their hair," she explained when I didn't speak. "It's hard to find a quality barber with available hours that work around their schedules. So, I agreed to do their hair in their apartments, thinking it would just be another way I could pay you back for all your kindness. Once I'd finished Ram and Brett, a couple more asked, and I've been doing one or two a day since I've been here, working them around my schedule with the salon and my breakfast duties. I was supposed to see Lester last night, but I ended up falling asleep, so I was rescheduling him for tonight. Then Hal caught me on the way up and was begging. It looked like his would be a simple cut, but his cowlick gave me some trouble, and it took longer than I thought. We'd had dinner almost every night, so I just assumed…." She sucked in a quick breath. "Anyway, that was my bad to presume. I've definitely made an ass out of myself expecting…. and giving you the wrong impression about your men…. even thinking you'd want…. Anyway. Never mind. Sorry. I'll go."

I snagged her around the wrist and tugged her toward me. She came easily, holding up her hands in surrender, and eventually lowering them to rest on my chest. I lowered my mouth to hers, my tongue swiping across her luscious lips, seeking entrance. She parted her lips, and I swept inside, deepening the kiss. She moaned, and I knew we were both on the same page. I drew back and looked at her square in the eyes.

"For the record," I said. "I definitely want you to do me."

"Your hair?" she breathed, and I dropped my head down for another kiss.

"That too."