"Oh crap," I thought to myself as Ric guides me back into the elevator. I really did miss Ric, but this is so not how this was supposed to happen. My heart is beating a million miles a minute. I just don't want him to send Lester to a third world country.
"Ric I can just call my Dad," I attempted to argue as the elevator doors slid shut.
"Babe."
"You just got back. I'm sure you have more important things to do than give me a ride home," I continued as Ric led us towards the Turbo.
"Babe," Ric stated again as he opened the passenger door.
"Thanks," I conceded
The ride to my apartment was made in uncomfortable silence.
"Well, thanks for the ride, glad you're back, see you around," I rushed out as I exited the car.
Unfortunately, it didn't matter how fast I was talking or moving because Ric had already decided that he was coming upstairs with me. I am so not ready for the conversation this conversation that is about to happen.
Ric did a quick search of my apartment and then sat on my couch, crossing his legs at the ankles. I leaned against my kitchen counter facing him.
"Stop looking so worried Babe," Ric smiled.
I smiled back and took a deep breath.
"What's going on with you and Lester?"
"I'm - -- we're-- -, I'm not really sure."
Ranger stood up from the couch and walked over to me. He hugged me and I sank into him. I was enveloped by hard muscles, the smell of Bulgari, and the softness of his neck. I shamelessly sniffed at his neck. God I love Bulgari. After a minute of standing together in our tight embrace Ric took a step back. His arms falling loosely around my waist.
"Babe, refresh my memory. What was the conversation we had before I left for Miami?"
"You love me, I love you, and there is not price for what we give each other," I responded while staring into his dark brown eyes.
"Babe I do love you and I want to see you happy. Does Lester make you happy?"
"I don't know yet."
"I'm not thrilled that you are dating one of my men, but Lester is one of the best men I know."
I leaned in to hug Ric, "I love you Ric. You are one of a kind."
His arms tightened around me once again and after a moment we both pulled back to look into each others eyes. He brushed his lips against mine and I let out a slight moan. "You have any plans tonight?" he whispered with his soft lips still millimeters from mine.
As if on cue my answering machine went off at that exact moment, "Hey skinny white girl, I know you're home, pick up."
"Girl's night out," I answered Ric as I moved to answer my phone.
"Hi Lula."
Ric moved towards me while I had the phone to my ear. "Have fun tonight and be safe," he whispered. He gave me a light kiss on the cheek and then he was out the door.
"Who's that? Was that a man's voice? Girl who you got over there with you?"
"Nobody Lula, it was just the t.v." I stated while touching the spot on my cheek where Ric had just kissed me.
"You still up for tonight?"
"Of course, can you pick me up around nine?"
"I'll be there, but our girl Connie got the flu, so it's just me and you tonight."
"See you then Lula."
"See ya."
I hung up the phone and realized something really stunk in my apartment. I looked around for a few minutes and discovered that it was poor Rex's house that stunk. "I'm so sorry Rex, I've been neglecting you." He looked at me and twitched his nose.
I ended up going on a cleaning spree. After I cleaned Rex's house I went on to clean my own house. Once that was done I went through my closet to decide what to wear tonight. As usual, Rex was of no help when I showed him some of my outfits. I ended up choosing a pair of dark blue, low rise jeans, black FMP's, and a stretchy black shirt with ¾ length sleeves. I was actually enjoying spending time in my apartment and I still had lots of time before Lula would be here, so I decided to give myself a manicure and pedicure.
I put in Ghostbusters and sat on my couch to give my nails time to dry.
"Girl this club is the sheet," Lula shouted over the pounding music.
The club had a large dance floor with a huge disco ball in the center of the ceiling. The bar was off to one side and was lit up with neon lights. The bartender's behind the bar were almost as hot as the Merry Men.
Lula ordered a lemon drop. Make that two," I said while holding up two fingers. Lula and I people watched while we sipped on our drinks. "Wanna dance?" I asked Lula.
"You better believe it gurl," she stated while standing up from here barstool. Her FMP's were just as tall as mine tonight. She was wearing a very short black stretchy skirt and a very low cut red top.
Lula and I had a great time dancing for a few songs. The dance floor was packed with all different kinds of people. This place had something for every one.
"What do you think of this place Lu?"
"I think it's great, but I'm not feelin' so good," she said while bending over slightly and holding her stomach, " I think Connie gave me that flu bug."
"Come on I'll drive you home," I said while walking her back towards a barstool.
"No, you're havin' fun. You stay and I'll have Tankie come get me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah gurl."
Lula pulled her cell phone from her tiny beaded bag and called Tank. "He'll be here in ten," she said when she got off the phone.
"How is it that wherever these guys are they can always get to wherever we are in ten minutes?" I asked out loud.
"That is pretty strange," Lula replied with a confused look on her face.
"Come on Lu I'll walk you outside so Tank will see you right when he pulls up," I said while helping her up from her barstool.
About five minutes after we got outside a shiny black SUV pulled up to the curb.
"Come on honey, I'll take care of you," Tank said while getting out of the large car and helping Lula into the passenger seat. "You gonna be okay here by yourself Bomber?" Tank asked while turning to look at me.
"Oh yeah, I'm just gonna dance a little more and then I'll call a cab or something."
I watched the SUV drive away and went back towards the bar for another one of those lemon drop drinks—they were pretty yummy.
I walked back into the club and danced my way over to the bar. I sat down and ordered another lemon drop. A gorgeous blonde woman sitting next to me nudged my arm, "These bartenders sure are cute, huh?"
"Yes they are," I answered
"I'm Veronica," the blonde said while holding out her right hand.
"Stephanie," I held out my right hand.
"As hot as these guys are they don't even compare to my guy."
"Sounds like you are one lucky lady," I responded while taking a sip of my yummy drink.
"Yeah, I am a lucky girl. My Lester is one of a kind."
I choked on my drink. "Lester isn't a very common name and I happen to know a Lester," I said casually. "What is your Lester's last name?"
"Santos, his name is Lester Santos. Do you know him?"
"No no," I lied. "Um, excuse me Veronica I need to use the ladies room. It was nice meeting you, I forced the fake smile to stay on my face.
"See you around," Veronica called after me as I walked off towards the bathroom.
As soon as I made it into the bathroom I collapsed on the couch. After a few deep breaths I pulled out my cell phone and hit speed dial number one.
"Yo."
"Ric?"
"Babe, what's wrong?"
"Can you just come pick me up at the new club by Pleasure Treasures, please?'
"Be there in ten."
A few more deep breaths and I exited the bathroom. I walked towards the front door praying that I would not run into Veronica. Thankfully I made it out the front door. I breathed in the cool night air while I waited for Ric. Why was I so upset anyways? I only went on one date with Lester. Why did I care if he was dating another woman? Because I think I was starting to fall for him I admitted to myself.
But, I've heard the Merry Men talk and I know that Lester is known to be a player. What was I thinking getting involved with him?
I was broken out of my thoughts when I saw the black SUV pull up. I slid into the passenger seat. "Can you just take me home Ric?"
"Sure Babe," he answered with a concerned look in his dark eyes.
Once the car started moving I let the quietness envelop me and I let the silent tears fall. Ric placed his hand on my thigh. I turned to look at Ric and found searching brown eyes. His hand remained on my thigh as I turned my head to look out the window.
When we made it to my apartment we walked side by side to the elevator. When we reached the door of my apartment I saw a clear vase of sunflowers sitting outside my door.
"New stalker Babe?" Ric walked over and inspected the flowers.
"Here," he stated while handing them to me.
The card on the flowers simply read Baby
---Les.
I proceeded to unlock my apartment door, walk into my kitchen, and cram the entire vase of flowers into my garbage.
"Oh," Ranger stated.
I looked up to find him standing right behind me. He then walked off to check my apartment. He came out from my bedroom, walked towards me, placed his warm hand on my arm and leaned in to kiss me on my cheek. I could feel his warm breath on my ear as he whispered, "Goodnight Babe."
Ric waked out the front door and I walked towards my freezer looking for the two men in my life who never let me down, Ben and Jerry.
This story is a Lester story and he will be in the next chapter