Chapter 2

I followed Ranger into the elevator and hit the button for 7. He raised an eyebrow at me, but didn't object. That was a relief. I really needed to have human contact. I didn't think sleep was really a possibility for tonight. Too much was going on in my mind.

I exited the elevator behind Ranger and dropped my keys in the tray on the sideboard when we entered his apartment. I turned to face Ranger.

Thanks for letting me stay here.

Ranger closed the distance between us. He put his hands on both sides of my face and tilted it up. He moved his head closer to me. I took a breath and stretched up to reach his lips. I kissed him, not a let's get naked here and now kiss, but a thanks, kind of kiss. I pulled back and looked at him, breathing a little heavy.

With that he backed off and headed for the kitchen.

Are you hungry? he asked.

Of course I was hungry, I was always hungry. That's how I'd developed this roll of fat. I zoned out thinking about Boston Cremes, Tastykakes, meatball subs, and Cluck in a Bucket. I shoved down my desire to eat. The fat had to go.

Ranger answered. He looked amused with me. Figures, I was entertainment for him after all. He'd said so himself.

What is it? he asked. Jeans too tight?

I muttered under my breath. He wasn't supposed to hear that.

I heard Ranger's chuckle from the kitchen. Sure, easy for him. He had a perfect body.

Suddenly Ranger's body was pressing me against the wall. He placed his hands on my sides and squeezed. I could help you with that jeans problem,he whispered in my ear.

That gave me a few ideas. One of them involved losing the jeans altogether. No. That's not what he meant. Probably he wanted to introduce me to the tree root diet. Maybe at this point it would be a good idea. Sigh.

Yeah? How? I asked. Ranger just smiled and ushered me into the kitchen. He had put salads out on the kitchen bar. I climbed up on a stool and Ranger joined me. We ate in silence. The salad could have used dressing, or eggs, maybe chocolate sauce. I managed to eat all that healthy green stuff, and I honestly wasn't hungry anymore when I was done.

I helped clean up the kitchen, rinsing dishes and putting them in the dishwasher. When that was done. I headed out to the living room. I grabbed a blanket and settled in on the couch. Ranger sat down next to me.

He looked at me. Want to talk about it?Talk about what? Almost getting killed? My ineptness at protecting myself? My fight with Joe? Anything in particular you had in mind? I was starting to get squeaky there at the end, so I clamped my mouth shut before I could get myself in real trouble.

Ranger just sat there watching me. He wasn't affected by my little tirade. Suddenly it was all too much. I turned away so he wouldn't see the tears starting to fall. I should have known I couldn't hide anything from him.

he said. Then his arms were around me. I let him hold me, burying my face in his shirt. I breathed in his scent and started to calm down. I kept my head pressed against his chest as he rubbed his hands up and down my back. I drifted off thinking about how lucky I was to have such a good friend.


I woke still sitting up. I was pressed against a warm body in front of a giant tv. As I tried to figure out where exactly I was, I heard Ranger's voice.

Suddenly everything that had happened flashed back to me. I felt like such a pathetic loser. I had no place to live, I was fat, and I'd fallen asleep crying on Ranger. Geez. I sat up quickly and blinked the sleep out of my eyes.

Ranger watched me. I was fidgeting, trying to figure out where to put my hands. I finally settled on resting them on Ranger's chest.

You okay? he asked.

I nodded, concentrating on not embarrassing myself further. Quick, change of subject.

I want to start running. That should distract him.

Ranger raised an eyebrow.

What? I need to be able to run faster to be able to catch the skips, and get away from the homicidal maniacs, I added silently.

Ranger directed his full 200 watt smile at me. I think it's time I introduced you to the gym.

Oh boy. I hope I'm not going to regret this. I snuck a quick glance at Ranger's body. I bet a lot of pain went into creating all those muscles. Maybe being fat wasn't as awful as I was making it out to be. It's not like I was Lula size.

Ranger must have used his mind reading skills. Babe, we'll start out slow. Just consider me your personal trainer. He stood and dragged me up to stand beside him. Putting a hand on my shoulder he steered me into the bathroom. Shower, get dressed. We're headed down in 5.

Yeah, I was going to regret this. Then again, if I was going to hang out with the Merry Men, maybe I better be able to outrun them. I stripped, stepped into the shower and let the scent of Ranger's shower gel take my mind off my thoughts of doom. I finished, dressed in one of Ranger's T-shirts and some spandex shorts from my own collection. Okay, now I was ready. I thought wearing Ranger's shirt might lend me the strength to get through the workout.


I headed out of the bathroom and joined Ranger in the living room.

he asked. He didn't stop to wait for an answer, just opened the door. I followed him back to the elevator. I punched the button for five since that was the floor he'd said the gym was on. The door opened to reveal a room full of what I assumed was exercise equipment. I recognized the stationary bicycle and treadmill. There was a weight bench and something else that must be a torture device. There was a place to sit, and weights that you could drag forward with your hands and legs. Ugh!

I snuck a peek at Ranger. Surely he didn't expect me to use all this stuff in one day. He was staring me down. He lifted his chin, and I looked up to see a track suspended from the ceiling. Wonderful, looks like I was going to get to go running first. I saw stairs leading to the track. With a resigned sigh, I started toward them. I knew it would be too much to hope for an elevator in the gym.

I heard Ranger behind me, so I kept climbing until I reached the track. I was certain he'd stop me if I tried to back down. Besides, I needed to work on that icky fat roll. Being able to button my jeans wasn't optional.

First we're going to do some stretches--then we're doing laps. You need to keep up this time.

I decided to let the keeping up comment go. I'd deal with that later. I followed Ranger's lead in doing stretches. My muscles were starting to feel a little looser when he finally stopped. We took our places on the track, each in our own lane. He looked over at me. I had the urge to yell ready, set, go, but I managed to control myself.

Ranger took off at a dead run and I really did try to keep up, it didn't do me any good. Before I knew it he was back beside me. He'd already gone around the track once. He slowed a little keeping pace with me.

he said. He grabbed my hand and pulled me along with him as he picked up the pace again. I hustled and managed to keep from being dragged around the track, just barely. We ran two laps that way before Ranger dropped my hand, allowing me to slow back to a normal rate of speed. I did one more lap jogging, then decided I should really start walking so I could breathe. I watched as Ranger did three more laps around me. He pulled up beside me on the last lap.

You haven't been running, have you Steph?I run all the time, I protested. Ranger gave me the I know your lying look.

Oh, all right, I only run when I have to catch a skip, or for a really good shoe sale.

Ranger shook his head. I think he almost smiled. That's why we're here. Let's cool down and then we'll try some weights.

I must have looked shocked because Ranger reassured me,We'll start with light weights today. You can work your way up slowly.

I was beginning to wonder whether this whole idea of working out with Ranger wasn't really a death wish.

You're not going to kill me, are you?

Ranger was perfectly composed as he answered. No, we're doing something we should have done a long time ago. I've neglected my mentoring duties by not making sure you're 100 prepared for this job. We're fixing that now, Eliza D.

I was happy he cared, but I had a sneaking suspicion he was going to insist I carry my gun, too. Carrying a gun always made me uncomfortable. Judging by the number of times people had been trying to kill me lately, though, maybe I should pay attention.I guess I really needed to improve if I was going to keep working as a bounty hunter. On the other hand, I wasn't sure I'd survive this workout, let alone ever be able to chase down a skip again.

You're doing fine, Babe, Ranger said, handing me a small set of barbell weights. Thank goodness they were light enough for me to lift. I followed Ranger's lead in doing weight exercises. After a few minutes I felt like the weights were getting heavier and heavier. I'd hate to think of what would have happened if he'd given me the heavy weights. As it was I was sure my arms were going to fall off.

Finally, after I'd lost any ability for coherent thought, Ranger took the weights away. I sank down to the floor and put my head down between my feet. That felt fine. I could just take a little nap here on the gym floor. I wasn't going to listen to Ranger telling me to get up. Sleep was good. Sleep was my friend. I'd exercised, I didn't need food today. I'd have to get up to have food, and I was staying right here.

I felt Ranger's arms wrap around my waist. He hauled me up unceremoniously, and placed me on my feet in front of him. I leaned my back against his chest. If he was going to make me stand, the least he could do was support me.

he said in his most seductive voice. I felt a rush of electricity shoot through me. Ah hell, I was going to have to stand up, or else have an orgasm on the spot just from leaning on him. I was hopeless. I straightened and pushed away from him. I didn't get very far because he spun me around with a light touch on my shoulder. His mouth hovered at my hairline as he spoke.

We really should feed you before you start the day.I'm not hungry, I said. Denial is my best friend. Unfortunately my stomach decided to disagree very loudly. Traitor.

Ranger laughed. Right. Ella's already brought breakfast into the apartment for us.Well, I suppose it would be rude not to eat Ella's food,I conceded. I liked Ella, I didn't want to offend her.

I followed him out of the gym and back up to the seventh floor. I thought about taking the elevator while he climbed the stairs, but I figured the chances of me falling asleep before I got to the top floor were too great. Besides, this way I could watch the muscles in Ranger's back ripple while he climbed.

You're staring, Babe.

Who, me? I asked innocently.

He just continued up the stairs silently. Must not have fallen for the innocent act.