Disclaimer: As always, I don't own 'em . . .
A/N: Sorry this took so long, major writer's block. It's gone now . . . I hope.
CHAPTER FOUR/THREE
Tank helped me up and I let out a yelp when I looked down at my body. I was still in my pajamas. I probably didn't want to think about how I got into them in the first place. Tank laughed.
"I brought a few of your things from home. Clothes are in that dresser by the wall and some of your personal items are already in the bathroom. I'll wait if you want to take a shower." I thought about Tank rooting around in my home but decided to be grateful rather than embarrassed.
"I thought I was only staying a couple of days."
"Just in case bombshell. I'll let you get ready."
"Tank."
"Yeah?"
"Who changed my clothes?" He gave me a wolf grin and walked out of the room.
It took me nearly 20 minutes in the shower because my arm still hurt a lot. I'm sure the doctor made arrangements for physical therapy, but I don't remember a thing. Tank probably will. I looked in the dresser and sure enough, my clothes were in there. I chose a pair of jeans and a white button-up blouse. I had a brief thought that I should be embarrassed that Tank had packed all my sexy underwear, but what did I expect? Tank must have packed using the same bag that I took to Vegas with me because in between two shirts was a picture of me, Lula, and Connie at Caesar's Palace. I set it on the dresser and moved to the bed to change. Getting into the pants and underwear was only a small problem, but I quickly realized getting into the bra was not going to be possible without help. Someone must have been reading my mind because there was a knock on the door. I was so relived when I opened the door, I forgot who the only other person in the house was. Tank had the grace to look embarrassed and only made one or two comments about finally seeing me naked. When I was finally ready Tank handed me my pills and a glass of water. It took only 5 minutes to get to the Mall. I knew that it must be away from the Burg because I had never been here. Not that it mattered, lead me to a Macy's anywhere and I'm home.
I was surprised when I finally met Suzie. I'd seen pictures of her but they were the family portrait kind with her and Tank sitting with the boys on their laps. In real life she was short, around 5'3''. Tank, being over six feet towered over her. I wasn't surprised, though, when I saw them together. Two things were very clear, Suzie and Tank were completely in love, and he was completely whipped. Suzie and I shook hands and exchanged 'Nice to meet you's,' and she gave me a quick once over.
"You didn't get into those clothes alone." I didn't know what to say. This was possibly the worst first impression I could have made on this woman. I looked up at Tank but he just gave Suzie the widest smile I've ever seen from any of Ranger's men.
"I got to see her naked." I hid my face in my hands. This was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. I felt her arm loop through mine and I looked at her. She smiled at me and led me away as she yelled, "Pervert!" over her shoulder to Tank. She led me straight to Macy's and in spite of the Pink and White hearts all over the place I immediately felt better. They were having a Sale and for a minute I was sure that the bullet had hit it's target and I had died and gone to Heaven.
Lester showed up a few minutes later and they escorted us through the store. Tolerating with loud protests our stopping to model everything from Turtleneck knit sweaters to string bikinis, including all kinds of jewelry. I was self-conscious about my shoulder but Suzie said not to worry. Many, many, many outfits later the guys left Macy's weighed down with bags, none containing men's clothing. As we were getting ready to leave a small shop caught my eye and I walked in without thinking.
"Where are you going?" Suzie asked.
"I don't know . . . I'm staying in this safe hose and it's gorgeous, but it's practically empty. I found a picture in my things and thought I'd get a frame for it." I looked at Suzie and she had this small smile on her face. I had the feeling this was a private joke that I was on the outside of.
"You know Steph, I think that's a great idea. Maybe you can find some other things to liven up the place."
"I won't be staying there that long . . . will I?" I looked at Tank.
"Nah, but you could always take them with you when you leave." So that's exactly what I did. I found a beautiful gold picture frame with small emerald jewels inlaid around the inside of the frame, it cost almost as much as the print of Thomas Kinkaid's "The hidden cottage" that I bought, and nearly twice as much as the old English silver candlesticks.
"Plan on staying for a while bombshell?" This from Lester, who had barely said two words the whole day.
"I can use these at home, really." They all looked at each other and smiled. I was having a great time, but I was really getting tired of being the outsider.
A/N: Sorry this took so long, major writer's block. It's gone now . . . I hope.
CHAPTER FOUR/THREE
Tank helped me up and I let out a yelp when I looked down at my body. I was still in my pajamas. I probably didn't want to think about how I got into them in the first place. Tank laughed.
"I brought a few of your things from home. Clothes are in that dresser by the wall and some of your personal items are already in the bathroom. I'll wait if you want to take a shower." I thought about Tank rooting around in my home but decided to be grateful rather than embarrassed.
"I thought I was only staying a couple of days."
"Just in case bombshell. I'll let you get ready."
"Tank."
"Yeah?"
"Who changed my clothes?" He gave me a wolf grin and walked out of the room.
It took me nearly 20 minutes in the shower because my arm still hurt a lot. I'm sure the doctor made arrangements for physical therapy, but I don't remember a thing. Tank probably will. I looked in the dresser and sure enough, my clothes were in there. I chose a pair of jeans and a white button-up blouse. I had a brief thought that I should be embarrassed that Tank had packed all my sexy underwear, but what did I expect? Tank must have packed using the same bag that I took to Vegas with me because in between two shirts was a picture of me, Lula, and Connie at Caesar's Palace. I set it on the dresser and moved to the bed to change. Getting into the pants and underwear was only a small problem, but I quickly realized getting into the bra was not going to be possible without help. Someone must have been reading my mind because there was a knock on the door. I was so relived when I opened the door, I forgot who the only other person in the house was. Tank had the grace to look embarrassed and only made one or two comments about finally seeing me naked. When I was finally ready Tank handed me my pills and a glass of water. It took only 5 minutes to get to the Mall. I knew that it must be away from the Burg because I had never been here. Not that it mattered, lead me to a Macy's anywhere and I'm home.
I was surprised when I finally met Suzie. I'd seen pictures of her but they were the family portrait kind with her and Tank sitting with the boys on their laps. In real life she was short, around 5'3''. Tank, being over six feet towered over her. I wasn't surprised, though, when I saw them together. Two things were very clear, Suzie and Tank were completely in love, and he was completely whipped. Suzie and I shook hands and exchanged 'Nice to meet you's,' and she gave me a quick once over.
"You didn't get into those clothes alone." I didn't know what to say. This was possibly the worst first impression I could have made on this woman. I looked up at Tank but he just gave Suzie the widest smile I've ever seen from any of Ranger's men.
"I got to see her naked." I hid my face in my hands. This was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. I felt her arm loop through mine and I looked at her. She smiled at me and led me away as she yelled, "Pervert!" over her shoulder to Tank. She led me straight to Macy's and in spite of the Pink and White hearts all over the place I immediately felt better. They were having a Sale and for a minute I was sure that the bullet had hit it's target and I had died and gone to Heaven.
Lester showed up a few minutes later and they escorted us through the store. Tolerating with loud protests our stopping to model everything from Turtleneck knit sweaters to string bikinis, including all kinds of jewelry. I was self-conscious about my shoulder but Suzie said not to worry. Many, many, many outfits later the guys left Macy's weighed down with bags, none containing men's clothing. As we were getting ready to leave a small shop caught my eye and I walked in without thinking.
"Where are you going?" Suzie asked.
"I don't know . . . I'm staying in this safe hose and it's gorgeous, but it's practically empty. I found a picture in my things and thought I'd get a frame for it." I looked at Suzie and she had this small smile on her face. I had the feeling this was a private joke that I was on the outside of.
"You know Steph, I think that's a great idea. Maybe you can find some other things to liven up the place."
"I won't be staying there that long . . . will I?" I looked at Tank.
"Nah, but you could always take them with you when you leave." So that's exactly what I did. I found a beautiful gold picture frame with small emerald jewels inlaid around the inside of the frame, it cost almost as much as the print of Thomas Kinkaid's "The hidden cottage" that I bought, and nearly twice as much as the old English silver candlesticks.
"Plan on staying for a while bombshell?" This from Lester, who had barely said two words the whole day.
"I can use these at home, really." They all looked at each other and smiled. I was having a great time, but I was really getting tired of being the outsider.