Chapter 8

I was feeding Rex when my phone rang. "Hey", a sexy voice said.

"Hey to you. What are up to today?"

"I was hoping you would want to do something with me."

"I would like to but guess who came home and he's not in great shape. I'm going to get dressed and go to Rangeman in a little bit. I need to keep an eye on him for a few days. You should come by. It's Sunday and it should be quiet."

"Does he have any idea how lucky he is?"

"Nope. I'm positive."

"Okay, maybe I'll see you there. Talk to you later precious. Bye."

Guys got phone manners. I like that.

When I got to Rangeman I let the control room monitors know that Brian might come by and what he was driving so they would let him in the garage. I went to Ranger's office and peeped in. His head was on his desk. I walked over to him and gently put my hand on his silky head and caressed him. He raised his sleepy eyes and looked at me. I grabbed his hand and pulled him up out of his chair and led him to the couch. I sat on one end and I pulled his body down and his head down on to my lap. We didn't say anything. He just sighed and he closed his tired eyes. I gently massaged his head and his neck and back. I felt his tension ease into sleep. He was so beautiful and so damn complicated.

Tank peeked in a few minutes later and smiled at me and then slowly closed the door.

A couple hours later, Tank and Brian both peeped in. "Hey sit down guys." Ranger opened one eye and looked up. He smiled at Brian. The smile spread across his face like the one Tank had given Brian the day I first brought him to Rangeman. They must have a huge history. Something big had happened between them. Ranger got up and shook his hand, hugged him and went through the same routine that I had seen before. I played hostess and asked for drink orders and came back in a little bit. They were laughing, animated and talking about old history. They looked at me and stopped a minute and went right back to talking.

I sat down next to Ranger and he possessively put his hand on my leg and kept talking. What I had gotten from the conversation was that the guys had gotten themselves into some "deep doodoo" and Brian and his team had dropped in from the air and taken an airport to get the guys out of harms way. Maybe this happened more than once too. They weren't from the same branch of the military but the bond and the respect was equal. They were brothers just as sure as Ranger, Tank, Bobby and Les were.

When they began talking about me I was a little embarrassed. Ranger was laughing about me picking up Brian as a skip. He told him his Babe always gets her man with pride. His Babe. How I wish that were true. When it came time for Brian to go he kissed me on the cheek and told me to call him. Ranger was looking at the two of us. Tank left the office.

Ranger said, "Will you have dinner with me and stay tonight Babe?" "Sure I will Ranger. That's why I'm here. I want to take care of you."

"No, I mean I want to make love to you tonight. You please me. I need you Babe."

I sat on his lap and looked in his eyes. "Ranger, you have had me for a long time. Your just too stubborn to keep me. This bond we have is huge. Why don't we just drop the rules and see where it leads? You deserve to be happy and so do I." He smiled and pulled my head down to kiss him.

"Do you love me Babe?"

"You already know the answer to that question."

"What would you do to be with me?"

"Almost anything."

As we finished eating dinner Ranger grabbed my hand and led me to the bedroom. I undressed him using everything Lester has taught me and then I seductively undressed myself and pushed him down on the bed on his stomach. I lay on top of him licked behind his ears and began a trail down his shoulders and then his spine and spent extra time rubbing the base to relax him. "Oh God Babe. Your different. Where did you learn this?"

"Lester."

He rolled over and stared at me.

"It started as an accident. After Morrelli and I broke up I was sex starved and breaking shower massagers by the dozens. Les and I went out dancing and I attacked him in his sleep the next morning. I was asleep to and I rode his morning wood like Zorro. Clothes on that is." Then to my surprise a smile spread across his face.

"Why are smiling? I figured you'd pitch me out. I just knew I had to tell you though."

"Go on Babe. Tell me the rest."

"Well it turns out our Lester is not a bend a gal over a desk and give it to her kind of guy. There is a lot more to him and he is an honorable man. Turns out he's more like a tantric God and he spent the last several weeks as my teacher. We didn't go past second base but he helped me a lot. It was really difficult for me while you were away Ranger. Please don't ship me or him to a third world country." He continued to smile.

"Why are you smiling like that, Ranger?"

"Would it surprise you to know that I would prefer you to be with one of my men than Morrelli or a stranger? Lester, Bob and Tank are my brothers and extentions of me. I trust them to take care of what is mine when I'm away."

"Your not mad?"

"No Babe, and I might just give Lester a raise because he has taught you well. I know how my men feel about you. I'm not jealous where they are concerned." Be back in a minute. I heard him talking on the phone and then I heard him open the door and the next thing I knew Lester was standing in the doorway staring at my naked butt with a grin on his face. Ranger walked in behind him and lay on the bed next to me.

I was shocked and stone silent for several minutes. "You…you called him? Oh shit."

I put my head in my hands and began mumbling. They both chuckled. I felt the bed sag on the other side of me and then fingers through my hair. "We have permission to continue our lessons beautiful." I looked at Lester. "What?" Then I turned and looked at Ranger. "You want us both Babe? Would it make you happy to not have to give up what you and Lester have begun?"

"I…I don't understand."

"Babe. One of my biggest issues was making you mine and then leaving you behind alone if something happens to me. I couldn't handle the thought of leaving you hurt and alone. Lester loves you very much. You loved myself and Morrelli at the same time. Could you love us both? Our love doesn't come with the ring but we can give you everything else you want. A home, children and all the love we can lavish on you. We have shared before and I want to watch you with him." He kissed me and Lester began sliding his hand slowly down my body. They both started to move closer to me.

My ears started to ring and I began to hyperventilate. I pushed them both away and jumped out of bed and grabbed my clothes and ran to the bathroom and locked the door. I dragged them on in a hurry and opened the door. When I got to the bedroom they were both still on the bed but, Lester was now naked. "Babe, stop and come back to bed. This is going to be good."

"You bastard. You can both fuck each other", I whispered. I ran from the room and out of the apartment. I took the elevator down to the garage and saw Hal getting into an SUV. "Wait Hal, I need a ride." I pitched Ranger's keys into the Porsche and jumped in with Hal.

"Could you drop me at my apartment please?" Hal nodded.

Tears began to fall down my face and I called Brian.

"Hello."

"Brian…ca…can I hide at your place for a couple days? I know it's a lot to ask? I don't know where else to go." I sobbed.

"I'll be at your apartment in about fifteen minutes Stephanie."

"Hal, could you please act like you didn't hear that conversation if any one asks?" "No problem Steph. If there is anything that I can do will you call me?" I nodded.

I ran into my apartment and threw clothes and toiletries into my bag as quick as I could. When Brian knocked, I grabbed Rex and his hand and ran to his car.

When he pulled out of the lot and began driving, he looked over at me. "Can you tell me what happened?"

I sobbed. "I can't talk about it right now. My life is such a fucking mess. Did I tell you I'm a disaster magnet Brian. Shit, as a matter of fact you might want to turn the car around and take me back."

"Ranger?" I nodded. "Did he find out about Lester?" I nodded again.

"He was angry?" I shook my head no. He put the brakes on and pulled the car over. "Are you fucking telling me that he was happy about it.?" I nodded.

"What? He doesn't want you?" I nodded my head yes. His eyes got wide. "I don't think I'm fucking understanding this." I looked away out the window. "What the hell did he say to you, Stephanie?" I couldn't speak. He sighed and put the car into drive.

Brian pulled into a drive with a nice house and a large garage not far from the airport. He opened my door and took my bag and my hand. I grabbed Rex and he led me to the door and unlocked it. I looked around. It was masculine but warm and homey. He turned my face to him. "You can stay as long as you like. No strings."

"Thank you Brian. I can't stay at my apartment because there is no lock that can keep Ranger out and I just can't see him right now. I think I have decided I'm quitting my job at Rangeman tomorrow."

Then I felt angry. Really angry. "He has used me and strung me along for the last time. Share me? That fucker! He led me to believe earlier tonight that he loved me and really wanted to be with me."

I thought about Lesters's words. "It wasn't enough that he made a deal with me for a one night fuck for help with a skip and I took it and I let him." I looked at Brian. His eyes were huge with shock. "Then the next morning he basically told me that he didn't want me and sent me back to my ex, Morrelli. Then the hypocrite poached every opportunity to put his hands on me and stupid me; I let him." I looked at him. "I see the shock in your eyes. What does this make me? A slut? Not worthy of love and a normal life?"

Tears began falling down my face.

"I don't know what to say except your wrong. You are worthy. You are one of the most special women that I have ever met with the biggest heart of any person I've met. Ranger is a damn fool and he needs a fucking punch in the nose. I'm stunned by what you just told me. I don't know what I was expecting but, definitely not that. By the way who is your friend there?"

"Rex, he's my hamster. Do you mind? He's not much trouble. He was the best pet for me because like I said I'm a disaster."

He grabbed Rex from me and put his hand through my hair and pulled me to him. He kissed me with passion and tons of tongue and almost brought me to my knees. "You are precious and you deserve more than that. That's not a choice for a woman like you. You need someone to help you make all your dreams come true."

"I'm not trying to push but, I would love it if you would sleep in my bed and let me hold you. No strings. It's been a long time since I've held a beautiful woman that's important to me. If you get uncomfortable, you can move to the guest room."

"I think that would actually be nice. I don't think I want to be alone. I'll just cry myself to sleep."

"Okay come on up stairs and I'll show you around and you can get ready for bed. You need a t-shirt or something to sleep in?"

"No, I'm good thanks Brian." Then my phone rang. I looked at it. It was Ranger. I turned it off and dropped it so Ranger couldn't track by GPS. Brian took my hand and led me upstairs.

I changed and met him in the bedroom. He pulled the covers back for me. "I don't bite and I certainly don't share." I got in and he pulled me to his warm chest. He kissed me on the forehead. "Good night precious girl."

TBC