Chapter 7
"Five more minutes," I mumble while shoving a fluffy pillow over my head.
"It's just the phone, Beautiful," Lester whispers.
I remove the fluffy pillow from my head and crack one eye open to look up and find
Lester smiling at me. He flips his phone open and answers with the customary, "Yo."
I lay back and listen to his phone conversation. He goes from smiling, caring, and playful to angry in a nanosecond. "I told you….," he states angrily into the phone and is obviously cut off by the person on the other end. There is a pause while Les listens to the caller and then he grounds out an angry, "Fine."
Les flips his phone shut. He leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees while rubbing a hand across his face.
I sit up on my knees and wrap my arms around him from behind, "Baby what's wrong," I whisper while kissing his bare shoulder blade. Seconds pass while we both sit there and the only thing I can hear is our breathing. I tighten my arms around Lester, trying to show him that I am here for him.
Silently Les stands up from the bed and I allow my arms to drop. He turns toward me and holds out his hand. I step up from the bed and go to him. The anger that had flooded his face moments ago is suddenly filled with sadness. "Come here," he whispers in a voice filled with emotion. He wraps his arms around me in a tight embrace. It feels so good to have him hold me like this and even though we are both naked I am not thinking about sex at all. He is holding me like he needs me right now. We stand together in this tight embrace until Lester lets out a deep sigh.
"The person that called me just now gave me some unexpected news," he whispers into my hair as he rests his chin gently on top of my head.
I was already used to Ric and the other guys getting sudden calls and having to go on missions, so I already knew what Lester was going to say next.
"How long will you be gone?" I asked while closing my eyes and trying to make a memory of what it felt like to be held by my man.
Les started laughing and took a step back from me. "I guess that is what you would think," he half mumbled while smiling at me and running his fingers up and down my arms.
"What," I asked not understanding why he would laugh at me.
"I'm not leaving for a mission, Baby," he answered softly while looking directly into my sapphire blue eyes. "I do need to take care of some unexpected business and I won't be able to see you for a couple of days."
"Oh," I breathed out on a sigh of relief.
"Unfortunately I need to be somewhere in a half an hour, but I will call Bobby to come pick you up."
"Okay," I stated while turning to go freshen up in the bathroom. Les's hand reached out and grabbed my shoulder.
"Hey," he whispered while turning me back towards him.
"Oh shit," I mumbled while looking down and hoping he wouldn't see the tears starting to burn my eyes.
"Last night was wonderful and I'm really happy we're going steady now," he grinned at me. "This is not how I thought our morning would go and I want you to know that I plan on making it up to you."
I just looked up into his handsome face and smiled up into those gorgeous hazel eyes.
He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on each of my eyes, "Please don't cry," he whispered.
"Okay," I responded. "I'll be ready to leave in just a few minutes," I stated while walking off towards the bathroom.
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"Hey Bomber," Bobby greeted me when I slid into the leather seat of the black SUV he was driving for the day.
"Hey Bobby, thanks for the ride," I answered while putting on my seatbelt.
"What are your plans for today?" Bobby asked while pulling out into traffic.
"Not sure yet, I called Connie this morning and there are no new skips."
"This morning Ranger told me that we are way behind on searches and he could really use your help."
"I guess now I know what my plans are for today," I answered while smiling into Bobby's brown eyes.
Bobby went back to silently driving and I took a really good look at him. He is very handsome like all the other merry men. He is slightly shorter than some of the men at 5'11", he has dark skin, warm brown eyes, and his hair is cut even shorter than Lesters'.
"Lester," I thought to myself. "What the hell am I doing, falling for this guy so fast?" "Maybe it's good I won't see him for a couple of days just so I can think about everything." "But, I will miss that fantastic sex," I grinned to myself.
"Hey what's so funny over there?" Bobby interrupted my thoughts.
"I need some sugar and fast," I shot back at him.
"Okay," Bobby stated in mock seriousness while pulling into a Safeways parking lot.
15 minutes later Bobby and I walked out of the grocery store with 2 white mochas, a sheet of birthday cake, and some chips for later.
The only sounds that filled the SUV on the drive back to Rangeman were the slurping of our white mochas. The only thoughts that filled my head were of how good that birthday cake was going to taste.
"Thanks for the ride Bobby," I said while stepping out of the car and onto the floor of the Rangeman parking lot.
"Sure Steph, anytime," Bobby responded while pressing the button on his car key to beep the car alarm on. "Now, let's go eat some cake," he grinned while placing his arm around my shoulders.
"Who said I was going to share?" I kidded while shrugging his shoulder off.
He grabbed the cake box out of my hands and we both arrived in the break room laughing and fighting over the cake box.
"I'll get the forks," I yelled while Bobby set the cake box on the small round table in the center of the break room.
"I'll get the plates," Bobby said back.
"I don't really think those will be necessary," I laughed while scooping some of the yummy cake onto my fork.
Bobby just grinned at me and we both started to devour the cake when Bobby's cell phone rang.
"Yeah," he answered his phone.
After he listened for a few minutes he looked at me and walked out of the break room. Naturally, I waited for about 2 seconds and then I walked over to the door of the break room to listen to Bobby's phone conversation. He was talking in a low voice, but I could still make out some of what he was saying. The words I caught were, "Stephanie…..Veronica…..and fuck up…"
I heard Bobby click his phone shut and I went back to sit at the table with the cake on it. As soon as Bobby sat down I asked as casually as I could, "Who was that?"
Bobby just looked at me and said, "Oh, that was just Lester. He needed some help with something he's working on."
"Oh, I think I'm done with my cake. I'm gonna go get started on those searches now," I stated while standing up and placing my fork in the sink.
"Steph," Bobby said hesitantly. "You know that Les really cares about you right?"
I turned and looked at Bobby for a second and answered with, "sure."
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"Mmmm," I groaned while rubbing the back on my neck and stretching. I have been doing computer searches all day. I'm glad that Rodriguez needed so many searches done because it has kept my mind off of Lester.
"Babe," Rangers deep voice greeted me from behind and he began massaging my neck. I dropped my hand and rested my head on my desk.
"That feels so good Ric."
"You did a lot of work today Babe and it's late."
"Mmm," I responded, not really caring what he said as long as he didn't stop massaging my sore neck.
"Would you join me for dinner?" he asked.
"Mmm," I responded again.
"Babe?" Suddenly his magic fingers stopped and I looked up to find him smiling his gorgeous smile. "Come on," he said quietly.
I stood up and stretched with my arms over my head. "So, how was your first day back at work here in Trenton?" I asked Ric while we walked toward the elevator together.
"Good, busy," he responded while placing his well muscled arm around my shoulders.
"How's Julie doing?" I asked.
"She's great. I miss her already."
"When do you think you'll see her next?"
"I plan going to Miami again next month."
The elevator dinged and as the doors opened Ric dropped his arm from my shoulders so that he could open his apartment door. Ric set his keys in the silver dish by the door and I walked towards the kitchen. Ella must have delivered dinner just a few minutes before. On the bar is a big green salad a large dish of pasta.
"Would you like some wine?" Ric asked while uncorking a bottle of red wine.
"Yes, that would be great," I answered while sliding both of our wine glasses towards him on the bar. "Dinner looks good," I stated while dishing both of our plates up."
"Ella is a great cook," Ric answered while taking a sip of his wine.
We talked more about Julie and Ric's trip to Miami while enjoying our delicious dinner. We had each had a couple of glasses of wine and I was feeling very mellow when my cell phone rang. I pulled it out of my purse and saw from the caller read out that Lester was calling me. "Shit," I muttered and Ric leaned over to see who was calling me. He looked into my eyes, as if he was looking for something. Neither one of us said anything and I flipped my phone open.
"Hey," I answered my phone."
"Hey Baby," Lester whispered.
I didn't know what to say, so I just waited for him to talk.
"Baby?" Lester whispered after a few seconds.
"Les, why are you whispering?" I questioned.
"I'm at a friends house and I don't want to wake them up."
"What's the name of your friend?" I asked while looking up to see what Ric was doing. I think he was trying to give my some privacy because he had gotten up and started cleaning up the kitchen.
"What?"
"Don't answer my question with a question." I shot back angrily.
"Why are you so mad?" Les asked.
"I don't know, should I be mad?" I questioned back.
There was a silent pause that seemed to go on forever and I moved into Ric's bedroom. As I sat on the bed Lester whispered, "I just called to say good night Baby. I'm sorry I can't be with you tonight and I will see you soon."
"Les?"
"What Baby?"
"You haven't lied to me about anything have you?"
"No, Steph. I really need to get off the phone now, good night."
"Good night Les," I whispered.
I snapped my phone shut and let out an exasperated sigh. "I'm so confused," I whispered to myself.
Ric walked into the bedroom silently and handed me another glass of wine.
"Are you trying to get me drunk so you can take advantage of me?" I kidded with him while accepting the glass of wine.
"Maybe," he grinned at me.
As I sipped my wine I began rubbing my neck again. Ric reached over and began massaging my neck again.
"You sure are good at that," I said quietly.
"Mmm," he responded.
"Ric?"
"Babe."
"Can I use your Jacuzzi tub tonight?"
"Sure Babe." "Is there anything you want to talk to me about?" he asked while continuing to massage my neck and shoulders.
"No," I stated and moved his hand from my neck while I stood up. I wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"What was that for?" he questioned with a grin.
"Thanks for dinner." "I'm gonna go use that Jacuzzi tub now."
Ranger grinned at me as I walked towards the bathroom. When I entered the bathroom I started searching for bath salts and candles. I found the bath salts, but was still searching for the candles when there was a knock at the door. "Come in," I stated.
Ranger walked in holding two large candles and a book of matches. "How did you…?" I started. He just grinned at me and walked out the door.
I filled the tub with warm jasmine scented water and lit my candles. I turned out the lights and continued to sip my wine as I slipped into the tub. I slid all the way in and leaned my head back, took my final sip of wine and set my empty glass on the side of the huge tub. I started thinking to myself--I can't believe that just last night I was in a tub a lot like this with Lester. That all seemed so far away. Everything seemed so magical last night, but now I don't know what to think. Just last night I felt like I was falling in love. Now, I'm so confused. I'll talk to him tomorrow I thought to myself. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the warmth of the bath water.
"Babe, Babe," Ric was saying in a loud voice and knocking on the bathroom door.
"Oh shit," I said while sitting up and Ric burst through the door.
"I'm fine, I'm fine, I think I fell asleep," I said while trying to cover my breasts with my arms.
"Ric, get out," I shouted when he just stood there staring at me. He suddenly turned around and walked out the door.
"Jeez," I muttered to myself. I pulled the plug in the tub, stepped out, and wrapped myself in Ric's robe. I walked into the bedroom to find that Ric had thoughtfully laid out pajamas for me. Guess I was spending the night. I am so sleepy right now that I don't care and I always feel safe with Ric. I dropped the robe to the floor and pulled on the cotton pink shorts and pulled the lacey pink tank top over my head. I went back to the bathroom to hang up Ric's robe, comb out my hair, and brush my teeth. When I was done I walked out to the living room to find Ric.
"Hey," I whispered when I saw him sitting on the couch. He had dimmed the lights and had some soft music playing. I sat down next to him on the couch. "I'm spending the night huh?"
"You just looked so tired and worn out Babe. I can sleep on the couch."
"Ric, that's silly. I know that you will keep your hands to yourself. Let's go to bed."
Ric just looked at me for a moment and then we both stood up from the couch. As we walked to the bedroom Ric turned off the lights and the CD player. When we reached the bedroom I crawled under the covers and snuggled in.
"Just gonna go brush my teeth Babe."
"K."
I was just dozing off when Ric came back into the room wearing a pair of plaid pajama pants and his hair was loose around his neck. We both smiled at each other and I pulled up the covers on his side of the bed. He slid under and laid down on his side. Suddenly I felt uncomfortable. Maybe this wasn't okay. Even though we are just friends I am dating Lester now.
As if reading my thoughts Ric interrupted my internal ramblings, "I can still go sleep on the couch Babe."
"No, no, this is fine. We're just friends, we can do this." I don't know if I was trying to convince Ric or myself.
"Then come here," Ric stated while laying his right arm straight out above my head so that I could rest my head on his chest. I snuggled into his chest, he wrapped his arm around me.
"Goodnight Ric," I whispered while placing a light kiss on his chest.
"Mmm," he responded and we both fell off to sleep.