It's not an illusion. There's finally a new chapter for this story. I wanted to go back and reread One for the Money to settle some order of events, but it took longer than anticipated. Anyway, here's some story movement with a little more S&R interaction.
Again, thanks for the great response to this story.
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE.
Ranger drove me back to the Buick on Stark Street. I was silent, taking in the surroundings when I decided to speak up. After all, for whatever reasons, he'd saved my ass. And not just literally.
"Thanks for last night." I asked how I could repay him. "I don't know. Maybe I could buy you lunch or something." Oh geez! That sounded like I was inviting him out on a date.
The car rolled to a stop behind the Buick and Ranger shot me a glance. "You owe me, Babe." His almost grin and wink made me want to rip my clothes off. And his for that matter.
I controlled myself, just barely, and got out. I thanked him again as I moved to the Buick- which was still intact- and fished out the keys from my pocket. I could feel the heat of his stare, but refused to look back. A second later his shiny black car pulled away from the curb.
I angled into Big Blue and let out a whoosh of air. You're playing with fire, Stephanie, I thought. As much as I'd fantasized about hitting the sheets with Ranger, it couldn't happen. It wouldn't happen. We were complete strangers.
Oh, but it would be good! I couldn't argue with that thought, so I decided to think about something other than a naked Ranger.
I was about to plug the key in the ignition when I spotted the same woman from last night.
"Hey." I waved as I approached, moving slowly.
"Mmm, girl, you still looking for that man/woman?"
"Yeah." I gave her one of my cards since last night I didn't get the chance to.
"Mmmhmmm…" She took the card, stuffing it between her enormous boobs.
"Well, thanks…" I waited her out, hoping she bought on and gave me a name.
"Lula." She finished for me.
And then I felt a shift in the atmosphere. It was like a dark cloud was hovering over Stark.
"You'd better leave." Lula's warning was accompanied with a flash of alertness in her eyes. It was a quick sign, but I caught it. Interesting.
"Well, well, well." A man's voice purred, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
I turned to face him, finding a muscled Latino man. I recognized him from a poster I saw at the mall. Benito Ramirez, the boxing golden boy of Trenton. Or so the sign advertised.
"How much?" He flashed me a dirty grin, undressing me with his gaze. Eew!
"Nah, uh." Lula clicked her teeth with her tongue, shooing me away. "White gurl's confused." She made a point of staring me down. "This ain't her corner."
Benito ignored her, taking a step closer to me. "The Champ asked you a question."
My heart starting beating faster as my fight or flight response automatically switched to flight.
And then as if I'd summoned help there was another shift in the atmosphere, this one benign compared to Ramirez's. "Got your keys." Ranger said, his solid form suddenly appearing at my side.
"Awesome." I turned and hightailed it back to the Buick. I grunted with the effort, but made it in pretty good time and without looking back. Before I opened the door to angle inside, a large hand landed on my right shoulder. "That makes three, Babe." And he was gone.
I angled into the Buick, carefully siting down. I shifted uncomfortably, until I settled in a good position to drive. Turning the key in the ignition, I caught a peek of Ranger driving away in his shiny black car.
Damn. I had a feeling these IOUs would cost me. That meant I had to stop racking up the bill.
S&R
The drive back to my apartment was uneventful. I spent it pondering why Ranger would call me Babe. Gotta admit I liked the nickname a little more than I should have.
After going up to my apartment, which took me longer than usual to hobble on over to the elevator and down the hall, I realized it was later than I thought. I'd slept most of the morning away and in a few minutes it would be noon.
"Any news?" I asked Rex as I dropped some food pellets in his glass home. When there was no response I move to my answering machine. It was blinking furiously with several messages, all from Connie, telling me to call her.
"I got your messages." I said when she answered on the second ring.
"Where have you been?" She asked, but before I could answer, continued. "Vinnie turned up last night."
"Really?" That was certainly interesting.
"There was some sort of chaos on Stark Street last night." She said that Vinnie was caught in the confusion; apparently he'd spent some time with the ladies on the block. "Come to the office. I've got something for you."
"I'll be there." I didn't mention my brush with that chaos last night and disconnected.