Many thanks for all your reviews, they mean the world to me and speed up the writing process…except this week, when RL interferes. Please r&r, I appreciate all feedback and suggestions.
This chapter would not have happened without Stayce because I needed some help, so I chose to ask the best…Thanks Babe!
Disclaimer: Sadly, the characters aren't mine, and I don't make a dime off of them
Rating: R for smut…
Warning: Here there be smut
Living on a PrayerChapter 29
We were standing close together in front of the restaurant and Ranger's face was in my hair. And for some reason that was the nicest feeling in the world. I don't know how he did it, but he must have hailed a cab, because he pulled away from me gently and nudged me into the back seat.
"Taj Mahal," I told the driver. Even in my drunken state I knew it was only a few blocks, but I knew cab drivers in Atlantic City had probably seen it all, a drunk girl with a bad foot probably didn't even register. Whatever the reason, the driver didn't say a word as he took off. Since I was sitting down, there was no reason for me to be leaning on Ranger anymore, and yet I didn't want to let go of him. He didn't seem to mind, his arm was around my waist and he was holding me close.
Ranger must have tipped very well because the driver got out of the cab to open the door for me when we arrived at the hotel, and he was smiling. The bright lights of the Taj Mahal seemed a lot friendlier than a few weeks ago, I realized. The multi-colored searchlights were especially pretty.
"Let's go dancing," I suggested and squeezed Ranger's arm. He smiled and looked down at my foot. Oh, right. "Maybe next time," Ranger said still smiling and offered me his arm. I could hardly feel any pain, but I made sure I leaned on him heavily, since I didn't want to embarrass myself by trying and failing to walk straight…or at all.
We crossed the lobby and Ranger led me over to the reception. In my state, I was going to go up to the room directly…duh! I noticed the women who turned their head to follow Ranger; one ran into a pedestal ashtray. And for some reason, their stares made me pinch his ass. I'd never pinched his ass before, and I would have never done it sober. I hadn't expected it to be so hard, he really had buns of steel. He stopped abruptly.
"Did you just pinch my ass?" He asked. "Yup," I replied, "Had to mark you before them skanks got the idea you were available." I noticed the eyebrow he raised, but at that moment, I couldn't figure out why. I'd only told him the truth after all.
"The key to room 50110, please," Ranger said to the front desk clerk, and I was impressed. I'd been trying to remember the room number ever since we'd gotten out of the cab.
The clerk looked us over, "Who is it for?" I put my elbows on the cool marble and smiled. "Friends of Harry's," I said with a wink. And just like the first time, it worked again. I was mightily impressed with myself.
"Did you see that?" I asked Ranger when we were making our way to the elevators, "I have connecjins! I know people!" Ranger chuckled and held on to me tighter. "Yeah, you do, Babe."
He pressed the call button and while we waited for the car, I put my head on his shoulder and examined the diamond stud in his left ear. I touched the stone and when I ran circles around it with my index finger, I felt Ranger suck in some air.
"They're so purdy," I said, "I don't have any diamonds at all. Or are these cubic zirconians? They look very real. I never noticed how purdy the are…"
Ranger didn't reply but I could see the smile spreading over his face. For some reason I was amusing him again. I pulled my head away to frown at him. "Don't you know your line?" I asked, poking my finger into his chest.
"My line?" Ranger just asked. I sighed. "Isaid your earrings are priddy, now you're s'pposed to tell me they're not as priddy as I am!" I rolled my eyes, but regretted it immediately because it made me feel dizzy.
"Of course," Ranger chuckled, "How negligent of me." He cupped my face in his hand and pulled me close, kissing my nose. "No earrings could ever be as beautiful as you are, Babe." I smiled contently at that and let my head fall back against his shoulder.
When we got on the elevator, I let go of Ranger's arm until he'd pressed the 50 button. I got a vision of that 80's movie where they had sex on the elevator and my face started burning. Then of course the Aerosmith song started playing in my head and that didn't make things easier.
Ranger was still smiling when he pulled me towards him and I nestled my face against his neck. And just like that, it didn't feel awkward anymore.
"Ranger?"
"Mmmh?"
"I like you a lot better when you're not all controlling and secret-keeping and macho," I said, not moving my head, "You look cuter when you're all open with me, too. Like, before, you were not my favorite person at all. I liked Miguelito a lot more 'n you." I couldn't see his face, but he had started to run his hand up and down my back, and it felt nice. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said softly.
"'s okay," I continued, "you were nicer later and we were talking for a change. I liked that. But just so you know, I'm still mad at you." I ran my finger over the outline of his muscles on his t-shirt.
"Can I ask you a favor?"
"You know you can, Babe."
"Can I…" I was interrupted by the soft 'ping' that announced we had reached the 50th floor.
The outside of the casino, the lobby, even the elevator had been totally fine. It wasn't until I stepped out into the hallway that the memories came back. What was I thinking? I couldn't go back to the room where Teddy had attacked me!
"It's okay, Babe," Ranger whispered softly into my ear, molding his front to my back as he slipped an arm around me. "I'm with you this time, you're safe."
"You and that ESPN," I scoffed and Ranger laughed out loud. But his presence did help, I wasn't alone this time. And Teddy was locked up 80 miles away, I could do this! Especially with those four glasses of courage I'd had earlier.
We walked to the room like that, Ranger almost carrying me as my feet barely touched the floor. When I hesitated in front of the room, Ranger took the key card out of my hand and pulled me inside with him.
"Aren'tchoo gonna do your Batman stuff and make sure it's safe?" I pretended to draw a gun out of a shoulder holster and pointed it every which way, showing him just what I meant. Ranger chuckled again and drew me closer. "Batman doesn't use guns. And anyway, I think we're safe for the moment," he said, "at least from bad guys." And then he kissed me. We stood in the foyer area of the suite and he kissed me, just like that. And I was drunk. I'm a happy drunk, but unfortunately, I'm usually not awake long enough for anything more than a giggle and a hug.
But even in my altered state, Ranger's kiss woke all those feelings I'd almost forgotten. I pressed myself against him and opened my mouth willingly when his tongue sought entrance. One of his hands cupped my butt while the other kept busy sneaking under my shirt. I moaned into his mouth when I felt his warm fingers on my skin.
I ran my fingers through his hair, loosening the pony tail. My hands then did some wandering on their own and I could feel Ranger growl, his whole body vibrated with it and I could feel it straight down to my doodah.
When he broke the kiss, his breathing was ragged, open-mouthed and shallow. He ran his fingers down the side of my neck, his thumb in the hollow at the bottom of my throat. Slowly, he brought his mouth down to that tender spot where my neck met my shoulder and I shivered involuntarily.
My eyes drifted shut and I gave myself over to the sensations, accelerated by the alcohol and the excitement of the day. Ranger's tongue ran small, hypnotizing circles over my neck and when he sucked the skin into his mouth, I gasped and my knees almost gave out.
At first I mistook the knocking for the beating of my heart. But when Ranger pulled away, cursing and breathing heavily, I realized it had been at the door. Ranger led me over to the couch where I let myself fall back until I lay spread-eagled, waiting for his return.
I heard Ranger pull his gun and craned my neck to look over the back of the couch to see what was going on. It took me several days afterwards to realize I'd never been scared at that point. Ranger was there, nothing bad could possibly happen.
Ranger opened the door to a hotel waiter and I giggled when I remembered how I'd done the exact same thing. I'd been all vigilant with the hotel personnel and then I'd opened the door for Teddy without checking.
Ranger waved the man inside, he did his usual spiel of the 'standard welcome order for suite 50110' and disappeared. With some effort, I managed to get up off the couch. There was food, and champagne and I wanted both. Possibly with Ranger for dessert. My mouth watered at the sheer thought of it. I was way too drunk to reign my thoughts in.
Ranger was still looking at the spread, shaking his head slightly when I pushed him aside gently and grabbed a couple finger sandwiches. He took the champagne bottle and poured two glasses. I raised my eyebrows. "Diluting the temple some more?" I teased.
"More 'n you can imagine," he said and handed me my glass. I should have realized that more drinking was a bad idea. I never know my limits.
Ranger took a strawberry and brought it to my mouth, his eyes on my lips. I took a bite and he finished it off, then we both took a sip of champagne. It reminded me of 'Pretty Woman' and I smiled at the thought. "Don't you appreciate this whole seduction scene?" I asked Ranger, almost giggling.
He looked at me confused. "Babe?"
I should have known he hadn't seen the movie. I shrugged, emptied my glass and refilled it, then I sauntered over to the bedroom, taking off my shoes and socks as I went.
By the time I reached the king-sized bed, I was in my underwear and didn't really know how it happened. I heard Ranger walk into the bathroom somewhere behind me, but the room was spinning too much for me to turn around. I put my glass on the nightstand, took off my bra and panties and slipped under the million-thread count sheets.
My glass seemed too far away to reach, so I waited for Ranger to come out of the bathroom. It took a while until I heard the bathroom door open. He killed the lights and I could only see him in shadow.
"I can't reach my drink," I said and Ranger chuckled again. "That's a good thing, Babe, trust me. You'll be grateful in the morning."
I felt a cold draft of air as he lifted the covers and the bed dipped when he sat down on it. "Hey, no hogging the covers," I scolded, "I'm getting cold here."
"I'll take care of that," Ranger whispered, suddenly very close to my ear, and I could feel his arm snake around my waist. "You're naked," he said a second later, "good thinking."
I was naked? How'd that happen? I couldn't remember taking my clothes off, but now that I thought about it, it made perfect sense to be naked in bed in a luxury suite. I turned to my side and snuggled into Ranger. "You're not," I said and tugged at his shirt.
"Not a good idea, Babe," he said, taking my hand in his, "this shirt is pretty much the only thing standing between you and my fast-disappearing restraint."
I frowned and looked up at him, we were almost face-to-face. "What are the other things, I'll take care of them, too."
The bedroom was dimly lit by the moonlight that shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, but I could clearly see the smile on Ranger's face. He had his head on his arm and brushed a strand of hair out of my face with his free hand, with the other, he ran his thumb over my hand.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but let's not do anything we might regret in the morning," he whispered. This got through to my drunken brain. He was rejecting me again. I gasped and tried to pull away, but by that time, the look on my face must have given away my thoughts, because Ranger tightened his grip on my hand.
He may have mumbled "Fuck regret", I wasn't sure. He said something before he maneuvered us so that I was pinned under him.
"Let me go," I pressed out through clenched teeth as I struggled against him. I was very quickly sobering up.
"Not a chance," He said brushing his lips back and forth against mine. His tongue traced the seam of my lips, begging for entrance, and I parted them unconsciously. With a sigh, I slipped my arms around his neck and held on tight as I returned the kiss. I was glad Ranger hadn't let me run away and escape to the bathroom.
Our tongues danced with each other, exploring, searching, stroking, and I felt the heat spread through my body. When Ranger was sure I wasn't going to bolt, he rolled halfway off of me, balancing himself on his right arm, and let his hand wander over my body. It left hot trails as it traveled from my neck, brushing my breast, down over my naked belly.
He bent down and let his mouth follow his hand and I arched into him. I may have been panting at this point, maybe we both were, I couldn't really trust my senses anymore. Impatient for skin on skin contact, I pulled Ranger's shirt free and he lifted his head up long enough for me to pull it off him completely.
He repeated his caresses coming back up until his face was inches from mine, and a smile lit up his whole face. I skimmed my hands over his chest and pushed them upwards, reveling at the feeling of his hard muscles under my palms. Ranger closed his eyes and kissed me again. This time, there was nothing slow and timid about the kiss. His tongue was plundering my mouth. My hips started moving of their own accord, rocking against him, and my fingers were digging into his back. Fireworks exploded behind my eyelids when he started caressing my breast, gently at first, then more firmly, and I couldn't stifle a moan as I threw my head back and arched my breast into his hands.
"Ranger," I gasped breathlessly, but I was rendered speechless when he pinched my nipple and let his mouth wander from my jaw, over my collarbone to my breast. When he started sucking on my already pebbled nipple, I fisted my hands into his hair and he growled low in his throat.
His hand slid from my breast down over my belly, and I thought I was going to explode when he drew circles around my belly button.
He shifted his weight and pushed his knee between my legs before he let his hand trail down further, never releasing my nipple. I lifted my hips up and felt his erection against my core. I moaned in frustration when I realized a layer of fabric still stood between me and heaven.
I felt Ranger chuckle against my flesh when I tried to loosen his belt. He caught my hand in his and bent it up over my head. He stilled, just looking down at me, studying me. His eyes were black pools of passion and I knew that they only mirrored mine.
"I want you," I said breathlessly, "I need you inside me."
"I know," he said and his smile got wider. For a scary moment, I thought he was going to leave it at that, but then he released my hand to push himself up and open his belt.
I heard his pants fall and moaned in anticipation. Instead of lying back down, he stood at the foot of the bed and pulled me down by my ankles. Moonlight danced across his flawless body and the vision was breathtaking.
"I love you," I whispered, not really meant for him to hear, more of a thinking out loud thing, but I knew he heard me. He lifted one of my legs and kissed it from the tip of my toe, over the instep, up to my ankle, along the calf, to the back of my knee, stopping every now and then to let his tongue linger, to nip or suck on the most sensitive spots. I thrashed my head from side to side, unable to hold back any longer, needing release. Instinctively, my hand slid between my legs, but Ranger caught it again, leaning down.
"No, me," he said hoarsely and replaced my hand with his mouth. I cried out as his tongue circled my clit and his hands kneading my buttocks were bringing me closer to the edge.
I lost all sense of time and place when I felt the orgasm build inside me. Ranger's hands wandered, igniting my flesh, moving to the rhythm set by his tongue. I might have cried out when I came, it felt like a tidal wave crashing on top of me, like all the colors of the rainbow exploding right in front of me, like…heaven. Heavenly release. Strong hands were riding the wave out with me, his hot lips traveling upwards, dipping into my belly button.
I was still trying to catch my breath when his mouth caught my lips again and when I tasted myself on him, I was instantly ready for more. I could feel his rock-hard cock at my entrance and I tried to lift my hips to meet it.
With a moan, he finally thrust into me, and this time I was sure I cried out. Not in pain, but in surprise and pleasure. He stilled to give my body time to adjust to his enormous size, waiting for me to make the first move. I grabbed him and pulled his head down to me, meeting his lips. At the same time I bucked my hips and he groaned in my mouth. I could feel his tension, he was trying to pace himself, but I couldn't wait any longer.
Ranger put a hand on my hipbone to hold me in place, as he slowly pulled back, only to thrust into me again a moment later. He lifted his head, breaking the kiss, and when I opened my eyes a slit, I found him watching me with every thrust, studying my reaction to his movements.
I couldn't remember ever feeling sexier, ever feeling so… alive.
I could feel his control slip as he quickened his pace and I could feel the waves inside me starting to build, I was holding nothing back. Ranger was still watching me, but I couldn't keep my eyes open, I moaned his name as my walls clenched tight around him and my hips bucked.
A final thrust, and with a growl, Ranger spilled himself deep inside me. He collapsed onto me for a moment. Our ragged breaths came in sync and I could hear my heartbeat beating double time. And I realized that I couldn't just hear, I could feel his heart beat as well. It only took him a second to push himself up on his elbows and break the skin contact, but I made sure he wouldn't get away. I snaked my legs around his hips and wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him close to me. Very slowly, I was coming down from my high and I dared to open my eyes again.
Ranger was smiling again, meeting my gaze before he planted butterfly kisses all over my face, ran his tongue over the shell of my ear and down my neck.
This was what he feared we might regret? Not if I died tomorrow, I thought. I had just scaled heights I didn't even know existed and if this was my last moment on Earth, I'd die a happy woman.
Ranger rolled off of me and I mewed in disappointment when I felt him slipping out of me. He settled beside me and pulled me close, nestling his face at my neck. "Sleep Babe," he murmured, "Get some rest before we do this over again." I could feel his smile against my skin and snuggled against him. "How about I wake you when you've had a chance to recover," I quipped and Ranger's arm tightened around my waist. It was pretty much hot air, since I was pleasantly numb, ready for sleep. I inhaled his scent deeply and sighed contently.
I woke up alone in the bed, spread-eagle on my back, the sheets tangled around my limbs. My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth and it hurt to even open my eyes, let alone move my head.
I groaned as my gaze fell on the glass of flat champagne on the bedside table. Why hadn't I brought the bottle of water? The day had once again started without me; the alarm clock read 8:30.
And where was Ranger? I listened into the suite, but I couldn't hear the shower or the TV, no outside sounds either.
"Ranger?" I called out, but it sounded more like a witch's croak than my own voice.
"Mmmh?" He responded from somewhere in the living room. I cleared my throat. "Where are you?"
He poked his head over the couch's back. "Right here, Babe. What's up?"
I looked around me, taking in the rumpled sheets, my underwear on the floor, a trail of my clothes all the way to the living room. "Did I kick you out?"
Ranger stood up, he was completely dressed. I frowned. "I kicked you out, didn't I? I hogged the covers, right?"
He grabbed the bottle of water off the serving table and brought it over to me. "This conversation may run a little smoother if I knew what you were talking about," he said and handed me the bottle, "You sound like you need this."
I took it gratefully and drank half of it with a few big gulps. Ranger sat down next to me on the bed. I took in is completely clothed appearance and had a shocking thought. Why would I choose the night we actually made love to kick him out when I'd always woken up on top of him before?
"Did you sleep naked?" he asked with an eyebrow quirked.
"Where did you sleep last night?" I asked, ignoring his question, as I screwed the bottle shut again. I was pretty sure I knew the answer, but I had to hear it from him.
Ranger motioned over to the couch, "You were fast asleep and all over the bed when I got out of the shower, so I took the couch. Why?"
Heat crept into my face as the memories of what I thought of as reality came back to me.
"You mean you didn't….and we…" I gestured feebly at the bed around me. Ranger looked at me puzzled. Now my face was burning. "OH MY GOD!" I wailed, covered my face with my hands and sunk back into the pillows. Please God, no!
I felt Ranger's warm hands on my forearms as he gently pulled them away. "Care to let me in on this? I still don't know what you're talking about…"
It had been a dream! I had dream-sex with Ranger and it was the best sex I'd ever had. There was no way I could look at him again and not think about it. There was embarrassed, and then there was mortified. I was definitely the latter. I closed my eyes and prayed for the ground to open up and swallow me whole.
"Are you okay?" Ranger asked, and his concerned voice just reminded me more about the Ranger in my dream. He had been so gentle, and yet sexy as hell. No, I was not okay. And the problem was not that I'd had dream sex. The problem was that I'd had dream sex with Ranger and wasn't shocked. If I had to name the feeling, I'd have to say I was disappointed it had been a dream.
"I'm gonna take a shower," I finally said and scooted off the bed, holding on to the sheet to cover me. "Need company?" Ranger teased and for a split-second, I was tempted to say yes and make the dream reality. Although he was fully dressed, all I could see when I looked at him was how he'd looked naked in the moonlight. But what if reality Ranger wasn't as willing as dream-Ranger, what if he'd stick to the 'let's not do anything we'll regret'-routine?
I hurried into the bathroom and closed the door behind me, hoping the distance would help me think of something else but naked Ranger.
My foot was better than the day before, but that little sprint had hurt a lot, since I'd forgotten all about the injury.
This was where it had happened. This was where Teddy had overwhelmed me, knocked me out and kidnapped me. Still, panic was a welcomed change from fatal embarrassment. Ranger was in the room next door, I couldn't deny that. But I could deny ever having wet dreams about him if I concentrated on my fear of Teddy. So I chose pain and panic over romantic feelings for Ranger. My mental state was going to hell in a hand basket, and fast.
I took a long, soothing shower, toweled off and moisturized for a lot longer than necessary, just to avoid facing Ranger for as long as possible. I didn't even know why it would embarrass me so much when he didn't even know what happened. Or what had only happened in my head, rather.
Right, I decided, it was silly to make such a fuss out of a dream. I ignored the gnawing feeling that I was a lot more disappointed than embarrassed, squared my shoulders, and walked back into the bedroom wrapped in the hotel's fluffy robe.
Ranger had his back to me. He was standing at the window, looking out over the ocean. He turned when he heard me approach.
"Feeling better?" he asked. I nodded and started picking up my clothes off the floor. "I ordered some breakfast, I figured you'd be hungry…" I nodded again but still couldn't look at him.
"Be right back," I murmured and went back to the bathroom to get dressed. Predictably, Ranger was waiting for me two steps from the bathroom door, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Something you'd like to tell me?" he asked, blocking my way. Shit. 'We had sex in my dream last night and it was so good it's all I can think about' wouldn't make for a good conversation starter I decided.
"It's this room," I said, throwing my arm out for emphasis, "a lot of memories…" There, I congratulated myself, not even a fib.
Ranger nodded and pulled me towards him. "I know," he said, "It wouldn't have been my first choice." He was right, I remembered now. I had been so happy I'd remembered this suite, supposedly still at my disposal. God only knew what we would have done if the room had been occupied. And Ranger couldn't know that I'd been too drunk to care about Teddy.
Ranger wrapped his arms around me and I didn't even think to resist until my head lay against his chest. Damn, he felt good. His usual scent mixed with the smell of the hotel soap and I was snuggling closer instinctively. Again I wondered what would happen if I took it further, but I didn't have the alcoholic courage from the night before anymore. When I tilted my head up, Ranger was watching me, and I got the feeling he knew there was something I wasn't telling him.
My cell phone rang at that moment. I pulled back quickly and stepped out of his reach to find my phone.
It was Thomalla and I quickly ignored the call and turned the phone off when I realized I'd totally forgotten about him the night before. Then it hit me! The trial! Shit!
"I'm supposed to be a witness for the prosecution for Teddy's trial today," I said. Ranger nodded, "Pre-trial hearing, actually, but not until noon. We have plenty of time."
I narrowed my eyes at him, "So you knew this whole time and didn't tell me? I thought I was pretty clear about the consequences of being kept in the dark last night."
Ranger's face grew serious. "I'm sorry. We didn't get that far at dinner. And afterwards…well," He didn't have to go into more detail, I remembered all too well what had happened after dinner.
"You only got the subpoena yesterday, and yes, I signed for it and promised I'd make sure you'd be there. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, I had planned to have more time to explain over dinner." Ranger ran a hand though his hair. "You weren't home to accept it yourself. And actually, there's quite a lot more we need to discuss. If you're up for it."
I was trying to decide if I was going to accept his apology, he sounded sincere enough. And I knew he wouldn't lie to me, so I nodded slowly. I wasn't quite so sure if I wanted to hear the rest of what he wanted to discuss though. The more I knew, the harder it would be to stay in denial land.
"Okay, so what's with this hearing, why do I need to be there?"
A knock on the door interrupted us, again. I had a sudden near-panic attack. "Check who it is!" I almost screamed at Ranger and he sent me a curious look that seemed to say 'Duh.' Before he drew his gun and hid it behind the small of his back as he checked the peephole. I couldn't help it, this was all too much déjà vu for me. My greed for breakfast had been stronger than my vigilance when I'd stayed here alone.
My panic took a backseat though when I saw what Ranger had ordered. I believe I squealed when I saw the French fries and Coke, I could have hugged him. "Thank you!" I gushed while he was tipping and then dismissing the waiter. He joined me at the table with a grapefruit and coffee, and I just grimaced at his breakfast.
The cure was exactly what I needed, and Ranger had remembered, again. I felt so much better afterwards. I didn't feel up to facing Teddy at the hearing, but I doubted I ever would be.
I still couldn't meet Ranger's eyes, but I was hoping he'd think that was because of my anxiety. He promised me he'd be in the court room with me if at all possible, and Thomalla had told me the same, so at least I wouldn't be alone. That's the thought I clung to as we left the hotel, took a cab back to the restaurant where Ranger's car was still parked, and took off for Trenton.
Ranger immediately went into his zone and I stared out the window. I tried to stay calm, but the closer we got to Trenton, the more I squirmed in my seat, clenching and unclenching my hands.
Ranger reached over and took my hand, lacing his fingers with mine. "You'll be fine, Babe," he said and squeezed my hand.
I wanted to believe him. But if Ranger was right, why was I was so sick to my stomach?
God, I hoped was right.
TBC
A/N: Sorry, no cliffhanger – again! Hope you're not too bored to read on. What would you like to see happening in the hearing? Will Ranger protect Steph from whatever will happen???