7.

We droved home in complete silence, the usual for Ranger. I got tired of the silence about halfway through the trip and started playing with the buttons on the radio. There was a lot of static and then voices, sounded like the police scanner. I pushed some more buttons and classical music filled the car. After some more button pushing, I was making no progress. I slumped back in my chair and rolled my eyes.

Ranger cut his eyes to me. "Babe." He pushed two buttons and changed the station to alternative, my favorite. No use in asking how he knew, from the file he had on me I'm sure he knew how many cavities I had.

I looked out the window the rest of the way home. Trenton was dark and most people were asleep. I was starting to feel disappointed. My buzz was wearing of and I was kind of sorry I missed my chance with Stan, he was cute. Too bad he was a criminal. I was starting to feel kind of embarrassed, too. Ranger probably knew the whole time that I was making out with another guy. I only felt a little embarrassed now, but I knew I would be mortified in the morning when I sobered up.

We pulled up in front of my apartment building and I reached for the door handle.

He put his arm around my shoulders and I turned back to look at him. He studied me for a couple of beats. He started by looking into my eyes, then to my hair, and then downward. He pulled me to him and kissed me. It was soft at first, but then was more demanding.

"Mmmm." I moaned. All thoughts left my mind and the only thing I wanted now was Ranger.

Ranger pulled away and looked into my eyes. "You really think I have no attachment to you?"

Why now? This should definitely be a conversation to have after a night of wild monkey sex, after we both came to our senses.

"No, I know you care about me you just don't care about me. Like you love me but you don't love me." He got a serious look in his eyes and stared ahead out the windshield. I quickly added, "But I'm totally okay with that." So what's a small fib? I would have said anything at that moment to get Ranger to start kissing me again.

"But I do love love you. If my life wasn't so…"

I planted my lips on his before he could finish. I knew where this was going. I'm not a relationship type of guy. Yada, yada, yada. I don't want to put you in danger. Blah, blah, blah.

He put his free arm on my stomach and was making his way up to my breast when his pager buzzed.

"Damn" I whispered.

He looked at the readout and made a small grimace. I raised my eyebrows, "Jeanne Ellen?" So what if I was being immature? I was still pissed about seeing him with her.

He shook his head. "Business. Nothing that can't wait."

He got out of the car and opened my door for me. I got out and started to walk but everything started to spin and I tripped over my own feet.

"Just how much did you have to drink?"

"Not too much, I know exactly what I'm doing." I assured him.

"I hope so."

We entered to lobby and took the elevator. By the time the elevators opened on my floor, we were back in full make out zone. Still mid lip lock Ranger led me down the hall and pinned me against my door. He got the key out of my purse and opened the door for us. We stumbled in, kicking off our shoes.

Ranger flicked the light on and I could hear Rex pause from running on his wheel. I imagined him rolling his eyes at me before resuming his nightly run.

We were walking back to the bedroom when the room started to spin. I stopped kissing him and closed my eyes to make the spinning stop. And then I threw up.