Thank you for the great response to the first chapter and for giving the story a chance. I am a Babe, so hang tight;)
Also, huge thanks to Kim for looking over the first half of this chapter. I've been battling a nasty case of writer's block (I even struggled to write a research paper despite having all my information and outline ready), so her input really helps steer me back in the direction I want to go. She is also helping me with 'Plan to not Plan', so that one might be updated sooner rather than later. I just finished all of my requirements, so as soon as grades are official I will have my B.S. That means more free time to write:D
I wanted to focus this chapter solely on Steph's internal battle with the stir of emotions she's having after seeing Ranger again, as well as introduce Ranger's 'competition'. The next chapter will be S&R's catch-up meeting;)
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE. Mistakes are mine.
I hurried to my car, tossed the bags in the back seat and quickly sat behind the steering wheel. Before I gave myself the opportunity to do something I could regret, I put the Mercedes in motion and peeled out of the lot. With both heart and mind racing, I drove on autopilot with a white-knuckled grip.
I never thought I'd see him again, but I'd be a liar if I said it didn't feel good to see him. Ranger definitely gets better with age. He has a few wrinkles when he smiles now and his body isn't as bulky as before, but the man is still temptingly handsome. Speaking of desires, I was tempted to reach out and touch him. My intention would have been to make sure he was okay, just to reassure myself that he was really before me in the flesh. But I'm not sure I would have been able to control myself. I haven't seen him in over two years, yet it seems both my body and mind have yet to let him go.
And that's not comforting knowledge. Not now. Not when my life seems to have fallen in place in just about every aspect I can imagine: finances, health… and love?
My mind was racing a mile a minute, replaying the encounter over and over until I reached my apparent destination. When I registered the fact that I had not only parked, but was in the process of collecting the bags from the backseat, I realized I was outside of my fiancé's house.
Yes, Stephanie. You are engaged. You shouldn't feel anything other than friendly feelings for Ranger now.
As I walked towards the front door, a snort escaped at the thought. The man barely graced my fingers when he handed me my bags, and I was ready launch myself at him to rip his clothes off right in the middle of a busy shopping center. Fuck! Why did he have to return now of all times? Just one week after I said yes to marrying another man…
Taking a deep breath and shaking those dangerous thoughts aside, I unlocked the door. "HELLO?!" I called out even as I closed the front door. Leaving the bags on the couch I called out again as I checked my phone for any missed calls or messages.
"Are you early or am I running behind?" I heard his voice before I lifted my gaze from the screen. Ben padded barefoot towards me, clearly fresh out of the shower. The towel he wrapped around himself rode low on his hips, allowing my eyes to feast on his toned torso.
Yes, Steph. Focus on Ben and the present.
"Judging by the lack of missed calls or messages, I'm guessing early." Forcing myself to forget about a certain man in black, I flashed Ben my best grin as I shoved my cell in my front jeans pocket.
"Perfect!" His blue eyes lit up with excitement. "I can definitely use your expertise to help me narrow down my wardrobe choices."
I couldn't stop the smile that escaped at his enthusiasm. This one was definitely not forced. "I got something for you." Rummaging through my shopping goodies until I found what I was looking for gave me a moment to finish wiping him from my mind. "Here."
"We're going all out, eh?" His attempt at wagging his eyebrows was hilarious. As I burst into laughter Ben donned the Super Man T-shirt I got him. It was a perfect fit. "What about you?" Grinning I unzipped my jacket to reveal my Batman tee. "Now why am I not surprised?" He teased, flashing me his best smile. Ben knows I had the biggest crush on Batman when I was a kid. He just doesn't know that I got to be intimate with the real life version.
I'm not sure if it was the current storm of conflicting feelings I was torn between or simply Ben's big smile that possessed me to launch myself at him and kiss his lips like there was no tomorrow. It was a hungry and desperate kiss than involved more than our mouths. Somehow my hands joined the mix, tugging at his new shirt as my hips rubbed against a quickly hardening piece of his anatomy as my tongue tangled with his. Ben got the message loud and clear, instantly pressing me closer.
The ringing of a phone interrupted the moment, just before I made his towel disappear. "Damn." He breathed against my lips as I fetched my phone from my pocket, brushing his erection in the process. "Interrupted by the ring."
More like saved by the bell. "Hello?" I answered on the second ring, clearing my throat a few times in search of my voice.
"Aunt Steph, you're coming, right?" Angie asked, sounding extremely anxious.
"Yes. I'm at Ben's." Even Ben heard her shriek of excitement, which made his smile return.
"But remember you have to pick me up, otherwise mom won't let me go." The relief was clear in her tone.
"Of course." I assured her we'd be there in a few before I disconnected.
"I better get a move on it, huh?" His words and his hands had different ideas since he was still holding me close. At my nod, Ben sighed and with obvious regret let me go to take one step back. "Then let's get a move on it." Leading the way back to his bedroom, Ben stuck on the topic of our plans for today. "Seriously, what should I wear?"
"It's hard to believe you've never been to an amusement park." I commented as I selected a pair of comfortable jeans for him to wear. When Angie informed me two weeks ago that her group was having Senior Night at Six Flags Great Adventure, she quickly redirected the conversation to ask, or beg depending on who you ask, me to do her an immense favor: to help convince my sister to give her permission. I was more than glad to help. In the end, Val agreed as long as I tagged along to chaperone the event. I love the park almost as much as I love The Shore, since those were two of my preferred hanging out spots when I was growing up. When I mentioned it to Ben, he admitted he's never even been to a street fair. Almost instantly, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to introduce him to the adrenaline rush of the fast and noisy rides.
"My mom was afraid the mechanical ride would derail, killing me in a horrible, gruesome way." He shook his head at the memory. "She exaggerated a bit. Then there was college and work and, well, here we are." He shrugged, swapping the towel for boxer briefs.
"I'll give you a few to deal with that," I cocked my head to the side for emphasis and told him I would wait in the car.
"If you help, it can be quick and fun." He suggested at my retreating back. "Come on, Babe."
I froze in place. It was as if I cannonballed into cold, dark waters. After all the will power and concentration I put into place to get him out my mind and bam! In the span of second he returns with full force.
My mouth suddenly felt dry and my palms started sweating. I felt faint and nauseous all at the same time. Too many emotions for one day…
"What did you just call me?" I must have found my voice after all, because next thing I knew I had whirled around to face Ben.
"What?" Frowning, Ben asked if I was feeling okay.
Ignoring his question, I repeated mine. "What. Did. You. Just. Call. Me?"
"What I always call you: Steph." Ben walked towards me, using his medical knowledge to scan me from head to toe as he moved. "Steph, what's the matter?"
"No-nothing." Forcing myself to let it go, to let him go, I assured Ben that I was fine. "I skipped lunch, so I'm a little grouchy." Plastering a weak smile did the trick.
"Give me a sec and we can grab something on the way." He pecked my cheek softly as I nodded in agreement. God, what did I do to deserve him?
This time when I turned around to exit the bedroom I said a silent prayer. I was going to need all the help I could get, divine or otherwise, to make it out in one piece from this emotional rollercoaster.