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The Dating Game

Chapter 4

I watched as Lester's throat worked; his green eyes slightly larger than usual.

"You seem surprised," I said, tilting my head to the side.

"I am Beautiful. It didn't go how I'd planned the other night and frankly I thought I'd blown it. So did the rest of the guys. They've been giving me shit for the last two days."

I just smiled and wondered if they'd want to know that the only thing that had made me consider this harebrained scheme was the memory of Ranger's arms around someone else. Probably not. Lester and I walked toward the elevators since Cal and Junior had arrived to use the gun range. I smiled at them and then said a small prayer of thanks that neither of them was in on this deal. They are both a little scary.

Once we were on our way back to the fifth floor I asked, "So, what is the plan then? Did you guys work out all the details on Operation Date Stephanie?"

Lester chuckled, "Actually we did, though we never got around to naming the op."

"I'm disappointed. I figured you'd have code names and battle plans and a special off-shore bank account all lined up for this," I teased.

Lester turned to where I was standing against the side of the elevator car and braced his hands on either side of my shoulders. He leaned in until I could feel the heat radiating off of his tanned and toned body as he hovered merely an inch from me. His breath was hot on my neck as he breathed, "Oh, I've got plans. Don't you worry, Beautiful."

I felt a tingle from the top of my head to the tips of my toes as his words caressed my skin, and I opened my mouth to respond, but could only make a small, high-pitched, strangled noise in the back of my throat.

In an instant, Lester had withdrawn to the other side of the elevator and as we stopped on the fifth floor he smiled and nonchalantly said, "So, I'll pick you up at 7:30 tonight?"

"Tonight?" I squeaked, still not fully recovered. "So soon? You'll be ready?"

"Beautiful, I was born ready."

Holy Moses.

I spent the rest of the day on pins and needles. It hadn't taken long for news of "Operation Date Stephanie," as it was now being called, to spread throughout the building. All throughout the day, the guys who were in on the deal stopped by to say hello and the ones who weren't, stopped by to bemoan the fact they'd been left out. Apparently there was already a betting pool going. Odds favored Lester since the stunt he'd pulled on the elevator had been witnessed by many and retold to all. Frankly if I were allowed to bet, I'd put money on Lester, too. He was hot and just memory of his breath caressing my skin was enough to send shivers straight to my doodah.

The only person conspicuous in his absence was Ranger, but then again he'd been making himself scarce around me for some time now. The one good thing I could say was that I was genuinely in a better mood now and for a few moments Lester had even gotten me into a state of "Ranger who?" It seemed like the second part of my plan was working better than I had expected and I was actually looking forward to meeting up with Lester tonight.

At about quarter to five, as I was shutting down my computer and getting things wrapped up for the day, a courier brought a large flat box to my desk. I took the card with trembling fingers since I've been known to attract all sorts of psychos and severed body parts. I doubted that any thing seriously dangerous could get past the guys who screen the office's in-coming mail, but you could never be too careful.

I opened the card that was addressed to me and immediately blew out a sigh of relief. It read:

Beautiful,

Wear this along with your dancing shoes. I'll see you at 7:30. I can't wait.

Love,

Les

Ooh, presents! How exciting! I pulled the top off of the box, like a kid at Christmas. Inside was a gorgeous, flirty red dress made of a gauzy silk layered over a red satin underskirt. It was designed to flare when you moved; it would be perfect for dancing. And I knew exactly which shoes I was going to wear with it. I checked the size - perfect, too. How the heck?

I gathered up all my things and headed out the door. For the sake of the other guys, I tried to contain my excitement as I left the building, smiling and nodding to everyone I met. I slipped out of the elevator and was walking to my car when Ranger pulled into the garage. He stepped out of his car and approached me as I put my things onto the passenger seat.

"Yo."

"Yo yourself," I replied with a sad smile.

"Babe, I need to talk to you about something, you have a few minutes to come up to my apartment?"

Now he wants to talk. I haven't had this many words from him in six months and the first time that I'm not anxiously waiting for this moment, here it is.

I cleared my throat and thought about how to put this. "I, uh, have a date tonight, so now isn't a great time. Maybe we could talk tomorrow."

"Oh," Ranger said, looking crestfallen for just a moment. "Sure, yeah that's fine, it'll wait."

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow. See ya, Ranger." I pulled out of the garage, my earlier excitement a little dimmer.

At 7:25 PM I was just about ready, I was just fighting with my damned bracelet, when there was a knock on the door. I checked myself in the mirror one last time before answering. Makeup was good, dress fit just right, shoes were perfect and my hair had actually cooperated with me for once. I think I was as good as I get.

I ran to the door and opened it to see Lester standing behind an enormous bouquet of red tulips. "Oh, they're beautiful," I breathed, taking them from his hands. I smiled up at him and shyly said, "Hi."

"Hey, Beautiful. You look perfect." I twirled for him. The dress was beautiful red silk with just a hint of gold thread shooting through it so that it shimmered in the light. The top tied behind the neck, leaving my back and shoulders completely bare and the neckline fell in soft folds to show a hint of cleavage. It was fitted through the waist flaring out at the hips so that it swung out as I twirled around.

"Thank you for the dress, it's gorgeous."

"You improve it."

I blushed, "You're not so bad yourself, Mr. Santos." He looked scrumptious in a black silk shirt and charcoal grey pants all of it showcasing his perfectly toned muscles and caramel skin. Then I reached out for his arm, "Come on in so I can put these in water and grab my wrap."

As bustled around in the kitchen looking for a vase I asked, "So, where are we off to tonight?" I grabbed my red satin wrap and set the bouquet of tulips in a vase on the table in the foyer.

"There is this little place I know that has great food and a live band, I thought we could check it out."

"Sounds great. Let's go," I grabbed his hand to pull him up from the couch and was surprised when he kept my hand and brought it to his lips. His eyes held mine as he kissed the palm and then tucked my hand in the crook of his arm. He led me out of my apartment and down to the parking lot where his dark green XJ8 Jaguar sat waiting for us. He opened the door for me and helped me get in, then walked around to the other side.

"I'm kinda nervous," I told him. I could feel my blush returning and I was surprised again when he grasped my hand in his and kissed it.

"Me, too. Beautiful, the pressure here is all on me. You just relax and enjoy yourself."

"Alright," I agreed and decided to stop thinking about anything beyond what was happening right here and now.

The restaurant served traditional Mexican dishes in an intimate and upscale setting. The lights were low and there were white candles everywhere. Very romantic. From a room toward the back the sounds of a salsa band were audible when the connecting door was opened. Clearly this was a spot where people who knew how to move got together on a regular basis. The waiter addressed Lester by name and with my permission he ordered for the both of us without looking at the menu.

"Come here often?" I asked, a smile tugging at my lips.

"I do. But usually not with such lovely company."

I smiled at his compliment but had a hard time believing that I was the first date that he'd brought to La Luz de la Luna.

"Usually I come here with my younger brother and his friends for the dancing."

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner while Lester filled me in on his family and his past. He was born in Miami, and moved to Trenton after leaving the army. His younger brother and sister followed him not long after. His mom, who was of Mexican descent, and his father, who was of Cherokee ancestry, still lived in Florida along with his two older brothers and their families.

I thoroughly enjoyed my meal, which Lester seemed to find incredibly distracting, and I was pleased to be out with someone who was willing to reveal the little details about himself that were essential to who he was. After we finished our meal, Lester guided me back to the dance floor. I was overwhelmed by the music. It seemed to be a living thing. Pulsating and throbbing like the very blood in my veins.

Lester asked if I would care to dance. I happily accepted silently thanking my mother for forcing ballet and modern dance on me when I was young, so that I had a natural rhythm and ability to pick up new movements easily. Especially with a skilled partner, and it took me less than 30 seconds to realize that Lester had skills.

I had already known that he was naturally graceful, which seemed at odds with his muscle bound appearance, but on the dance floor he was a thing of beauty. And together we had such heat that if I hadn't been in a crowded room, I'd have thrown him to the ground right there to see if he could move horizontally with the same passion and poetry. I doubt he'd disappoint. Deep breaths, Steph.

For an hour we danced, bodies touching, hands caressing, hips swaying. Perfectly in sync.

Far too soon, Lester was whispering in my ear that it was time to get me home. The drive to my apartment was quiet, but comfortable and before I knew what was happening, I was standing on the steps in front of my apartment building, both of us agreeing that it was a better idea to part down here, far from my bedroom.

"I had an exceptional evening, Sweetheart. I hope we can do it again, soon." He was standing with his hands entwined with mine, one step below me so that our heights were nearly comparable.

"I had a wonderful time, Lester. Thank you." I leaned into him and slid my hands from his grasp and up his arms until I reached his shoulders. Lester slid his hands around my waist, pressing me against him as he lowered his lips to mine in an achingly sweet kiss. Mmm… tingly.

When we separated, he took my hands in his once again and pressed a kiss onto each palm, then stepped away.

"Goodnight, Sweetheart."

"Goodnight, Lester."

I watched him return to his car parked at the curb. As I turned to enter my building, I had the oddest feeling that I was being watched. I directed my attention to a dark corner of the lot where I sensed as much as saw Ranger leaning against his Turbo, watching the entire scene. I knew he was there and he knew that I knew.

"Everything okay?" Lester called from his car. My eyes snapped back to Lester where he was waiting dutifully for me to get safely inside.

I flashed him a smile and answered, "Everything's fine. Goodnight."

I turned and entered the building feeling anything but fine.

La Luz de la Luna The Moonlight