Chapter 3

"We've got all night"

I told her as I picked up where we'd been in the elevator. My hands were slowly undoing the short zip at the back of her dress before exposing her breasts. Certainly a handful, but nothing that I couldn't work with. Within a few minutes her dress was pooled around her feet on the floor and that was when I lifted her up and carried her over to the bed, feasting on the view before me. I wasn't disappointed from the image I'd conjured up in my mind just from the touches that I'd made while we were dancing. Starting at her knee I kissed my way up the inside of her thigh, feeling her stretch her legs out wide to accept me.

As my fingers and mouth started to assault her, that was when she started to chant out words which I was sure were meant to encourage me. That was when I started to slow down, the sounds weren't what I wanted to hear but I blanked my mind to them, instead thinking of the sounds that I needed to hear. She was wet and very receptive to my ministrations and was soon screaming out words as I felt her convulse around my fingers. She was obviously very happy with the outcome but for some reason I never felt any satisfaction with what I was doing. Placing my fingers in my mouth I sucked away her juices as she watched me, her eyes changing to an intense black. The fragrance that assaulted my nose and taste in my mouth, tasted wrong, almost bitter with a strong aftertaste that was salty.

I pushed that notion away as I crawled my way up the bed to lay between her legs my weight on my elbows on either side of her. Even as she started to unfasten the buttons on my shirt the desire that had been there before betrayed me. I wasn't aroused at even thinking about the next stage of having sex with her. I had no idea what the hell was wrong with me and that was not only frustrating but almost embarrassing. Again, I was holding her hands to her sides and this time it was me that pulled away as she leant forward to kiss me. I rolled to her side onto my back, pulling the crumpled sheet over her exposed body.

"What the hell?"

"I'm sorry"

Was all I said as I quickly got up from the bed.

"You wanted it as much as me, what the hell's the problem?"

She was annoyed and who could blame her. I'd played an equal part in this triste.

"It isn't you, it's me. I can't do this"

I'm sure things were thrown at me as I moved to the door and the word "bastard" followed as I closed the door behind me. I had no idea what had just happened, it had never happened before, so why now? My mind was running rampant with me as I took the elevator back down to the street, trying to understand why I had been totally turned off by that woman.

Making my way out of her hotel I took a deep breath of the cold night air and turned toward where I knew there was a small bar. The bar was down a side street and not one where revelers would go, the clientele were mainly locals. It was quiet and dark with stools at the bar which was where I ended up. It seemed a bottle of tequila was going to have to suffice as I struggled to understand what had just happened and the barkeeper was all too happy to provide me with the bottle and a glass. The tequila slid down my throat easily and helped to numb the disappointment rolling through me.

I kept refilling the glass, becoming lost in the numbness that was starting to spread through me, welcoming it as a way to forget. In the end the bar keeper left the bottle in front of me to fill my own glass which was fine by me. I didn't want to think about what had just happened, the plans to seduce a woman and sate my own needs, I didn't want to think why I'd been unable to perform. Hell, that had never been a problem for me before. As I sat there, time became elusive, I wasn't aware of the other patrons leaving, I was totally unaware of my surroundings and to be honest was past caring.

"No more lad, you've had enough"

Had me looking up as I tried to refill my glass from an empty bottle. I glowered at the man now stood in front of me as he removed the empty bottle of tequila and the glass waiting to be filled.

"Woman trouble?"

Was all he said as he stood drying glasses. What the hell did he know, it wasn't the woman who was to blame it was me.

"No, me"

I could hardly focus on his face as he leant over the counter of the bar.

"Does she know how much you love her?"

I sat up, having to grab onto the bar to stop myself from losing my balance.

"What?"

Who the hell was he talking about, did he think that I'd loved that woman? Was he mad, she was a one night stand, a cure for the itch that I had and just some nameless woman who I had no feelings for. Maybe I slurred some words as a way of talking, though I was pretty too sure I was actually telling him to piss off.

"That woman must be worth talking to, with the way you've been talking out loud, son"

I didn't think I was that drunk and had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. I hadn't been talking to anyone so what was he on about? I wasn't aware of him moving, but suddenly felt his strong grip around my arm, wondering how the hell he had moved so quickly. I knew that I was trying to push him away from me but failing miserably.

"Go find your Babe, before it's too late"

Was the last conscious sound that I heard before the world started spinning and I gave in to the darkness that surrounded me.

There was a sound that had me conscious of being awake and a horrendous throbbing at the back of my eyes. My mouth felt dry and tasted vile making me wonder what the hell had happened. Opening my eyes, I saw the view spinning in front of me, so quickly closed them. I felt like shit and that was when I had a vague memory of drinking tequila. A loud noise in front of me had my eyes opening again, this time the spinning sensation eased but it didn't make anything look real. Images were unfocused and movement had my hand move to the back of my trousers. Discovering that there was no gun at my back had me panicking slightly. Where the hell was I?

"Coffee lad. Thick and black and a couple of Advil"

Did I know that voice, maybe I did, but I had no idea where from. Looking around me I discovered that I was laid down on a bench seat with tables and chairs surrounding me. Pushing myself up so that I was sat upright on the bench had me closing my eyes again. I hadn't felt this bad since, that was too much like hard work trying to remember, besides it wasn't important.

"Your phone kept going off, so I answered it. Your friend was worried where you were, said he'd be here soon"

Sure enough my phone was sat next to the mug of coffee and I was pretty damn sure that it would have been Santos calling. Looking further I was surprised to find myself inside a bar. I had no idea how I was here, no memory of what had happened after leaving that woman in that hotel. I did remember the disastrous outcome of when I was in her room though and chasing ideas for why it went so wrong. If I'd worked it out while I was in a drunken stupor the answers weren't there now. Did I ignore it? Definitely not something that I wanted to dwell on.

As I finished the coffee and downed the Advil, I had to say that I was feeling slightly better. The caffeine was helping and probably the tablets and the headache was down to a low buzzing in my head. Movement caught my eye at a door at the back of the room, so I watched as Santos walked in and came and sat next to me.

"You had me worried when I couldn't find you back at our hotel. Good night Ranger?"

My answer was to ignore him, the less he knew the less he would try to annoy me with any sarcastic comments. No way was I ever going to be telling anyone what a failure I had been.

"Why the hell did you end up here?"

Okay, maybe I'd have to come up with some sort of excuse.

"Over quickly and she passed out. I needed a drink"

The owner came over to collect my mug shaking his head as he returned to behind the counter, making me wonder what that was all about.

"We need to head to the hotel and pick up our bags, maybe you need to freshen up while we're there"

The idea of a shower was certainly a good one, plus I really didn't want to be turning up back at Rangeman feeling as I was. I showered quickly before shaving and dressing. I'd brought a Rangeman uniform with me knowing that I'd end up back there this morning.

Looking at my reflection in the mirror I looked pretty normal, okay maybe some darkness around my eyes but that would soon pass. I was actually feeling better, the effects from the alcohol had almost receded but I felt in a foul mood with what had happened, so just wanted to get back to Rangeman. I wanted to put as many miles as possible between me and this part of town hoping that somehow it would obliterate the total failure that I'd experienced. I made sure that I had my phone and wallet from the jacket I'd worn the previous night, pleased that everything was still inside and slipped the guns and knife into place before picking up my packed bag. The room hadn't really been used so there was no mess to clear away.

Santos was waiting for me in the parking lot and surprised me when he took the keys from my hand and got into the driver's seat.

"I picked up your tab at the bar from last night, no way are you driving after the amount you drank last night"

I couldn't argue because I couldn't remember how much I'd drunk and he was right, the last thing that I needed was being stopped by the police. No doubt there was still alcohol in my system. I turned on the music system and was happy just to become absorbed in the sound as Santos drove, thankfully my mind empty of any thoughts. It was as we were nearing Trenton that Santos turned the volume down and I noticed him touch the control at his ear for the mic that connected to his phone. He didn't have access to the blue tooth from the car, that was only connected to my phone, which had me wondering who the hell was calling him.

"Yeah, just coming into Trenton now"

"Will do"

I looked over to Santos wondering what was going on and noticed that he turned from the route that we were taking.

"Tank wants us to pick up some files"

I wiped my hands down over my face, shit, I really didn't want to be going to the bonds office. Was I ready for doing that? Probably the answer was no, but I knew it had to happen, and at least it would be something proactive. Another part of my life to move on with.

As we pulled up in front of the office so many memories flashed through my head and all of them involving Steph. I was very tempted to just stay in the car while Santos went inside but decided that was a cowards way out. Walking past the entrance to the alley I had to stop myself from looking down there, no way did I want to be looking at a place where I would lead Steph to and kiss the daylights out of her.

I followed Santos in, keeping my eyes on Connie's desk. I was aware that Lula was here on the couch with someone else but had no desire to get involved with a conversation with her. I blanked my face of all emotion as Connie looked up and over at me.

"Ranger, you're back"

Yeah, obviously, I was stood here wasn't I.

"There's a skip that's really high so I thought the more time you had to find him the better, but we need a conversation first"

Came from Connie as she passed the file over to Santos and continued to look at him making it obvious that she would be having that conversation with him, now. That was when I became aware of the feeling that I really didn't want to be here. It felt uncomfortable, even strange. All the vibe that I'd experienced before was missing and I realized that I only really came in here before when I knew Steph would be here. Her absence hit me like a hammer.

"Hi. I've heard a lot about you"

Came from behind me. breaking the flow of memories. I turned quickly, annoyed with myself for being ignorant to someone moving into my personal space to see Lula's companion stood next to me, a tall woman, skinny but not unattractive with her dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. Hell, she was even dressed as Steph would have been in jeans and a hoodie.

"I'm the new bounty hunter, well trying to be. I understand you used to help out my predecessor when she got in above her head?"

I nodded my head at her wondering where the hell she was going with the conversation.

"I was wondering if maybe I could call you, you know, when I really need some help?"

Looking at her, really looking at her, she looked more toned that Steph had, not as curvy and for some reason I took an instant dislike to her. Her smile looked fake and certainly didn't reach her pale honey colored eyes. In fact, I really didn't want her anywhere near me so stepped back from her. I was adamant that I would never get involved with another women like I had with Steph. I just wasn't prepared for the hurt and anger of being abandoned, because that was what it felt like to me.

"Sorry, I'm Lizzy, short for Lizbeth"

As she held her hand out to me, I took it to shake, feeling the strength in the muscles of her hand. Whereas a touch from Steph would have felt like tingles of electricity emanating through me, her touch had me removing my hand quickly. I turned seeing movement from the couch and watched as Lula got up, her eyes never leaving the interaction between us. I was surprised when she thrust a file into Lizzy's hand and basically pushed her way between us.

"Have a read of that and then we need to hit the road"

The tone from Lula wasn't her usual friendly banter, making me wonder what that was all about. Lula's next move though totally surprised me as she moved up to me, very close up and personal, something that Lula had never done before. I felt her push against me as she reached up and kissed my cheek, but it was where her hands went that almost had me pushing her away.

I was of the mind to shout at her, did she think that now Steph was gone that she was next to get close to me or was she jealous in case the new woman was. I felt her slide her hand very quickly into the back pocket of my combat trousers, underneath the jacket that I was wearing and then she was gone. Her large frame standing by the door.

"See you later Batman"

Came to me as she scowled at Lizzy, keeping the door open as she waited for her. I wasn't too sure what the hell had just happened and to be honest wasn't sure if I wanted to know or not. Santos had finished talking to Connie as they'd looked through the file together, so I was keen to get out of here.