~15~
Ranger rolled Steph over about thirty minutes after she fell asleep and she didn't wake up. He knew between her classes and all of the training, she hadn't slept much each night. Then, add the night out with the guys, she must have been exhausted. He was glad he had reserved the hotel room for the night. She deserved a night of fun and relaxation.
He woke her up in another thirty minutes and pulled her into the ocean. They spent about an hour playing around in the water and just enjoying themselves. Ranger was going through his own personal hell when he saw her walk out of the water in that skimpy, water drenched bikini. Good God, going slow was going to kill him. But, he knew that's what she wanted and needed. She'd rushed into her marriage with the Dick and the unhealthy relationship with Morelli and had never truly dated someone who would worship her and treat her the way she deserved to be treated. She deserved more than pizza and beer on the couch, watching the game on television.
They went back to the cabana and saw that the picnic basket had been delivered. Ranger opened it up and pulled out all sorts of snacks Ella had packed, along with a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. They lingered in the cabana, eating and drinking the wine. They talked about their childhoods and families. Ranger knew a bit about Steph's family, but she had no idea about his family, other than Julie. He also talked about his short marriage to Rachel. They avoided talk about work, but she was surprised to find out that Lester was a cousin, as was Silvio from the Miami office.
They headed back to the room and he sent her into the bathroom to shower and get changed for their night out. Once she came out wearing the hotel's bathrobe, he headed in for a quick shower. When he came out, she was dressed and then headed back into the bathroom to finish her hair and makeup. He got dressed and was finishing up when she walked out and posed for him. "Well, like what you see?" "Babe, you're beautiful." He walked over and grabbed her hand and brought it up to his lips for a gentle kiss. "Absolutely beautiful."
Ranger walked her to the elevator, still holding her hand. He gave it a small squeeze and she smiled at him. They went to one of the restaurants in the hotel and had a private dining room. There was a single red rose across her plate and it made her smile. There were no menus on the table and Steph asked about it. Ranger said he'd pre-ordered their dinners and if she didn't like what he ordered, she would be able to order something else.
By the time the first course was over, Stephanie wasn't questioning anything with the meal. The wine that was paired with each course was wonderful. By the time dessert arrived, she was more than a little buzzed and couldn't stop smiling. Ranger chuckled at her expression when the dessert was presented. They each had a large piece of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate curls. Steph almost fell off her chair when she saw Ranger eating his piece of cake. "Ranger, is the temple being polluted tonight?" "Babe, even I eat dessert every so often. I just don't make a habit of doing so." They finished their cake, drank the rest of the wine and then Ranger stood up and held his hand out to Steph. "Ready?" She nodded and reached out to him.
Hand in hand they walked out of the restaurant and across the hotel to the front door. Ranger handed his claim slip to the valet and soon his car was brought to the door. He helped Steph inside and walked around to the driver's door. He looked at her and smiled before driving off. They drove in silence about twenty minutes before he pulled up to a club. He got out and helped Steph out of the car and handed his keys to the valet. They walked past the line of people waiting outside the club and walked to the door. Ranger did a complicated handshake with the bouncer at the door, introduced Steph and then pulled her inside. Inside the beat of the music was pulsing throughout the club. He led her to a table and then ordered a bottle of wine. Steph laughed and asked "Are you trying to get me drunk?" Ranger just laughed and she realized he never answered her question.
Instead of waiting for the wine to arrive, he grabbed her hand and led her to the dance floor. The music had a Latin sound and a fast beat. Even though the beat was fast, Ranger pulled her into his arms and moved her slowly around the floor. He pulled in as close as she could be and grabbed her waist with his hands. She put her arms around his neck and they danced. About two songs in, he spun her around and pulled her back in so her back was against his chest. With his hands on her hips, he moved them to the beat. Steph leaned her head back to rest on his shoulder and he leaned down to softly kiss her neck. She let out a sigh and when the song ended, they walked back to the table to find the bottle of wine waiting for them. They sat and drank a bit and then headed back to the dance floor. Steph never wanted the night to end. This was the best time she'd had in a very long time on a date.
They stayed at the club for a few hours before Steph started yawning. Ranger helped her to the door and held her in his arms while they waited for the car to be brought around. Once inside the car, they headed back to the hotel and they pulled up and he walked around to help her out. They held hands the entire way to the room and once they got inside the room, Ranger locked the door and took off his suit jacket. Steph kicked her shoes off and headed towards the bedroom. Ranger followed her and headed into the bathroom to change. He came out in a pair of shorts and t-shirt. Steph unconsciously licked her lips when he walked out and he laughed. He pushed her into the bathroom and waited until she came out. When she came out in a sleep shirt and shorts, he ushered her into bed. He tucked her in, gave her a soft kiss on the lips and stroked her cheek. "I had a great time tonight Babe. Get some sleep and I'll let you know when it's time to get up in the morning." She looked at him as he walked out of the room. "Ranger, where are you going?" "Babe, I'm going to sleep in the other bedroom. We're going to take this nice and slow. Good night." And then he walked out and shut her bedroom door. She heard another door open and close and then she let out a groan. She did not want to go nice and slow. In fact, she was hoping for fast and furious once they got in bed, but apparently someone had other plans. Good God, why was he such a perfect man?
~16~
Steph woke the next morning feeling extremely frustrated. She went to the bathroom, tried to tame her hair and then headed out to the other room where she could smell coffee. She walked in and found Ranger in just his shorts, looking sweaty and hold a cup of coffee out to her. "I just got back from the gym and found breakfast had been delivered. Have a seat and I'll be out in a few minutes, I want to take a quick shower." Steph sat down and drank her coffee, deciding to wait to eat until Ranger came back. Within five minutes he was back and sat down at the table with her. They ate in silence and then Steph got up and went into change her clothes. She found that Ranger had packed an extra change of clothes for her besides the dress she wore last night. She brought her bag back to the living room and waited for Ranger to come back from the other bedroom.
"Ready to go Babe?" Steph nodded and they headed down to the lobby where he handed over the claim ticket to the valet. The car came around and Steph got in without waiting for Ranger to help her. He looked at her quizzically when he got in the car. "Babe, did I do something to upset you?" "No Ranger, why would you say that? I've had a great time here with you." He didn't reply but he knew that something changed in her from the time he put her to bed until now. The ride back to RangeMan was in silence, with just the radio playing softly in the car. He pulled into the garage and got Steph's door open before she could do it. He handed her bag to her and then walked her over to the elevator. He tried to hold her hand, but she pulled it back and dug through her bag, like she was looking for something. She continued this until the elevator stopped on her floor. She practically ran out, yelled a thank you over her shoulder to Ranger and got into her apartment and shut the door before he could even move out of the elevator. He stood there for a minute just staring her closed apartment door before he headed up to his apartment.
Steph locked her apartment door and dropped her bag on the floor by her bed. She flopped down on the bed her in thinking position and went over the past day and night in her head. What had she done to turn Ranger off to her once they got back to the hotel room? She thought the night had gone perfectly. From the rose on her plate at dinner, to seeing Ranger eat chocolate cake, to the massive amounts of wine that she drank, to the dancing. God, she loved to dance with him. He was so sexy and muscular and she felt like she fit perfectly in his arms. She eventually drifted off to sleep.
Upstairs in Ranger's apartment, it was the same scene. He was sitting on his couch, staring at the television, replaying the night over in his head. What did he do to turn her like she was acting? She practically ran into her apartment to get away from him when they got back. He was still sitting there an hour later when Tank and Lester showed up. They let themselves into his apartment and stood looking at him. Lester quirked an eyebrow at him and said, "What's up boss?" Tank asked, "Didn't Bomber have fun with you?"
He looked at them and motioned them into the living room to sit down. "I don't know what happened. We had a great time. She was amazed at the hotel and the beach. We spent time at the beach, swam in the ocean, had an incredible meal and then went to a club and spent a few hours dancing. Once we got back to the hotel, I put her to bed and headed to sleep in the other bedroom. Once she got up this morning, she was a totally different person. She barely spoke to me and when we got back here, she ran out of the elevator and locked herself in her apartment before I could even step out of the elevator."
Lester laughed and said, "You slept in another bedroom and not with Bomber?" Tank looked at Ranger for an answer. "Of course I did. It was our first real date and I'm still technically her boss until she starts working for Tank tomorrow morning. I didn't want to do anything that would make her feel uncomfortable, but somehow I screwed it up."
"Did you tell her why you didn't sleep with her?" Tank asked.
"Well, no. Do you think I should have told her?"
"Ranger, you maybe the dumbest person I know," said Lester. "Of course you should have told her. She went with you, not knowing you were spending the night at a hotel with her and when she found out, she was probably excited. I know how she thinks and now she probably thinks you don't want her. I better go talk to her."
"Carlos, you are an idiot," said Tank. He shook his head and walked out the door behind Lester.
Ranger sat and stared at them. Did he really screw it up with Steph on their first date?