CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
BIRTHDAY SURPRISES
PART 1
They had plain old vanilla sex, and it was wonderful. Ranger's last words before they both fell asleep were, "It's after midnight. Happy Birthday, Babe."
She woke to an empty spot beside her and, a rose and an envelope on his pillow. She picked up the rose first and sniffed. Then she tore open the envelope. Birthdays were special to her. And even in her 30s, she still felt that your birthday should be declared a holiday. Her hands shook as she read the note. "Do not go to your office today. You have an eleven o'clock appointment at 'le Mizz' day spa. You are scheduled for a full day of pampering and treatments to celebrate your birthday. I'll join you here at six. Don't forget today is Friday…we have unfinished business…Love, Carlos."
Friday! Steph had forgotten that Fridays were D/s training days. Surely, Ranger would let things slide. After all, it was her birthday! Damn! Not today! How can he expect me to be all submissive-like on my birthday? Just because he doesn't like to celebrate his, he shouldn't be such a crab about mine. Still…'le Mizz' is the hottest day spa in Trenton. I hear that they give you champagne and orange juice while you get your nails done. Ooo, maybe this will be fun.
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What a wonderful treat! Steph's car was valet parked. She was greeted with a genuine smile by Sarah, the Services Coordinator, who introduced to her team of stylists and attendants. A full body massage was followed by a cleansing trip to the sauna.
Then came the most surprising, painful and embarrassing part…waxing. The attendants started at the top with her eyebrows. Her underarms weren't too bad and her legs were now smoother than they ever had been. But when they started for her bikini line, Steph began to protest. "But Madam, the Monsieur ordered a full body waxing. He was very insistent that we follow all his instructions and assured us that you would comply. He said to remind you that it was Friday. Does that make any sense to you?"
Steph could feel her face flush at the mention of the word, Friday. He is so going to hear about this! Arghhh! "I didn't mean to question you. I just didn't want any service that was not already paid for. This session was a birthday present."
"What a wonderful man you have in your life, Madam. So thoughtful and so generous." The woman was preparing the wax with a smile that belied her obvious sadistic tendencies.
Steph lay, spread-eagled on the table and counted the ceiling tiles. I feel like I just took a side trip to my gynecologist's office. OUCH! Even with the ice and pain-relieving spray, this part of the day was not fun.
When the ordeal was over, Jennifer, her defoliator, handed her a large hand-mirror and requested that Steph inspect her handiwork. At first, Steph was going to refuse but, the expectant look on Jennifer's face and just plain curiosity got the best of her. OMG…there was a triangle of trimmed pubic hairs pointing down to a very pink and very nude landscape. This is just perverted. Ranger, we have got to talk. I just can't figure out how to get my naked koozie into a conversation.
As soon as total deforestation had been achieved, Steph was sent to the showers. Wrapped in a decadent plush terry robe, she was ushered to the salon for final preparations.
Her hair was shampooed, conditioned and styled. There was a little pang of guilt that she was allowing someone else besides her stylist at the mall to cut her hair, but surely he would understand. Her hair was kept long, but layered and feathered towards her face. A temporary chestnut highlight was added. Her nails were done in a tastefully neutral pink and her makeup was applied. This consisted of a light dusting of powder, lip gloss, understated eyeliner and coats of mascara. But the surprises were not over.
"Your clothing has been laid out in the dressing room for you, Madam. Please follow me," Sarah, her Services Coordinator instructed and she headed towards an adjoining room.
"These aren't my clothes," Steph protested. Instead of her jeans and sweater that she had been dressed in, there was a beautiful, handkerchief-hemmed black and silver cocktail dress, thigh-high silk stockings and a pair of black 3-inch heels. She looked around and wondered why there was no lingerie.
"The Monsieur had these delivered just this morning. Aren't they beautiful?" Sarah was gushing as she helped Steph into her new designer duds. The dress seemed conservative with a high choke-collar neckline and A-shaped, sleeveless bodice. When she turned it around to see the back, she was shocked. There was no back…or at least not enough of a back to mention. The high neck in front was achieved by tying long silk sashes behind the neck. Those sashes fell down the back and blended with the skirt. The skirt's waistline was well below her waist and mere inches above her butt crack. This is one dress that will never see the outside world. I can't even wear panties. The mystery of the missing lingerie had been solved. This is a for-his-eyes-only dress. We must be dining in tonight. Darn, I wanted to party a little.
Then, standing on a platform surrounded by mirrors, Steph got a look at the new her. She hardly recognized herself. I'm beautiful! It only took all day, and I could never do this myself, but damn I clean up pretty good!
As Sarah walked her to the door of the spa, she handed Steph two shopping bags. One contained her old clothes that had been laundered and carefully folded. The other contained all the products and makeup that had been used in her transformation. Steph reached in her purse for her wallet. She figured the tip would have to be enormous, but well worth the wonderful day.
"No, no Madam. The gratuities have been taken care of. It has been our pleasure to give you a birthday treat worthy of the special woman that you are. Obviously, the Monsieur knows a treasure when he has one. Happy Birthday!" With that statement, Steph's car was pulled up to the door and the valet held the door for her. She put on her denim jacket in hope that it would cover her practically naked back, took a deep breath and headed to Haywood and Ranger.
She wished that someone from the burg could see her now and fought the temptation to drive by the bail bonds office to show off to Connie and Lula. No, too many questions. Besides, it's almost six o'clock and I don't want to be late.
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After parking her vehicle in the Rangeman garage, Steph slipped on her new shoes and headed for the elevator. She passed some of the guys that were just getting off shift. Hal greeted her with a gasp and a "Wow!" Woody promptly elbowed him in the ribs. "You look really nice, Steph," was Woody's smiling assessment. He was mindful of the security cameras and careful not to leer. His mind was his own, however, and leering was the cleanest of his thoughts.
As the elevator door opened, Steph took off her jacket and took in a deep breath. The apartment door was ajar when she exited the elevator. Ranger was pouring champagne when she walked in. He stopped in mid-pour and his sudden intake of air was audible. MINE. "Babe, you look stunning! I always saw you as beautiful, but now you are off the charts!"
Steph blushed from the top of her newly coifed head to her perfect pedicure and all parts in between. "Thank you so much. I felt like a princess all day. This is just too much." She slipped her body between Ranger's champagne-glass-holding hands to give him a serious kiss.
Ranger's hands found her back immediately. He began running the chilled champagne flute down her spine, causing goose bumps all over her body and heat to descend to her nether region. He stepped out of the embrace and offered her a sip from one of the glasses. "I wanted us to have a quiet drink together before we started out this evening."
"Start out? We're going somewhere?" Steph was hit with two waves of emotion. The first was one of excitement. She had just spent a full day being pampered and poofed and wanted to show off the amazing results. The second was one of panic. Her beautiful dress exposed more than she felt comfortable with…and she wasn't wearing any underwear.
"Babe, I'm taking you out and showing you off. There's something that needs to be added to your wardrobe." With that comment, Ranger reached in his Armani suit coat and pulled out a delicate platinum bangle bracelet. It was a thin flat band that alternated black diamonds with what looked like screw heads. He slipped the loosened bangle onto her left wrist. Two of the screws actually functioned and using a platinum mini screwdriver on a heavy platinum chain, he locked the bangle onto her wrist and placed the chain around his neck.
"There, now everyone knows that you are mine," his voice was low and possessive.
Steph wasn't sure if she liked the idea of being 'owned,' but she sure liked the idea of being possessed. I wonder if he knows the effect he has on me? Then she saw the mutual lust in his eyes as he took her hand and walked down the foyer. Oh yes, he knows.
Stopping at the closet door, Ranger reached in and removed a quilted, black satin wrap. "Here, this will look better than your denim jacket," he laughed as he placed it around her shoulders. Then he whispered in her ear, "This will keep the top of you warm. It will be my pleasure to keep the bottom part warmer."
With those words, Steph felt hot moisture between her legs. Damn! I don't have panties…hell, I don't even have hair there. I'll have to air dry before I can sit down. Everyone will be looking at the back of this dress and I don't want them to see any wet spots. You did this on purpose, you Dominant bastard! She saw the smirk on his lips and twinkle in his eyes, and realized that he had been reading her thoughts. Steph was torn between the urge to slap that smile from his lips or kiss them. She went with option number two.
"Good choice," Ranger said softly as they left the apartment and headed for the elevator.
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Ranger's new black Cayman-S was waiting in the garage, warmed up and ready to go. Steph had loved his Carrera, but the Cayman had found a new place in her heart. Memories of the crushed Carrera still haunted her nightmares. I came so close to losing him that night. So much has changed in just over a year. I just wish I knew for sure if it is for the better. I want it to be for the better.
"Stop it," Ranger's tone was full-on Dom.
"Stop what?" Steph was pulled back to the here-and-now in an instant.
"Stop over-thinking things. At times like this, when you are with me, it is my job to do the thinking for both of us. It is your job to be in the moment and just enjoy." He grinned as he added, "You might want to hike up your skirt. The seats are warm and washable, there's no danger in leaving telltale wet spots." Then he out and out laughed as he closed her door, ignoring her dagger eyes.
Their first stop was Antonio's in mid Trenton, a high class bar and grill. As the valet parked the car, Ranger adjusted her wrap, making sure that it hung low and kept her back modest. As modest as you can be with no underwear and a nude koozie.
"We are just stopping here for a quick drink and to say hello to a few friends," was the only explanation he gave Steph as they entered the bar area.
As they walked to the bar, Steph recognized two familiar faces. Connie and her long-time beau, Thaddeo, smiled as Ranger escorted her to the bar. He assisted her to maintain ladylike decorum as she attempted to hike herself up onto the padded, high-back stool. Thank goodness the stool will hide the back of this dress. Could he have planned it that way? Of course he could! He thinks of everything. He wouldn't embarrass me in front of friends. When am I going to learn to trust him?
"There they are." Spinning her stool around, Steph was face to face with Lula and Tank. It was shocking to see Lula in a conservative-for Lula hot pink cocktail dress, and Tank was remarkably handsome in a suit.
"Ranger suggested we meet for a birthday drink in your honor. This sure beats Pino's for a beer," Lula said. She was glancing around and suddenly her eyes locked back on Stephanie. "Girl, you seem right at home in a fancy place like this. Damn, you look like a million dollars! And check out at this bracelet! Cartier!"
Steph felt herself blushing, not at the compliment, but at the surprisingly knowing look in Lula's eyes. Does she know? She's been on the street for years and kink is no stranger to her. What if she asks? What do I say?
Thankfully, Connie picked that moment to change the subject. "Thad ordered us a round of champagne. Let's toast the birthday girl… or should I say the birthday woman. You do polish up nicely, Steph."
After an hour of small talk and laughs, Ranger broke up the gathering by helping Steph off her seat and adjusting her wrap. "We have private reservations cross town and must be going. I've arranged dinner for the four of you here. Just let the bartender know when you want to be seated. Thanks for joining us to celebrate this important date in history…the birthday of Stephanie Michelle Plum." He kissed her gentlemanly on her cheek.
"Private reservations… there's more?" This was starting to become way too overwhelming.
"Oh Babe, the night has just begun." Ranger gave her a wicked wink as he hustled her into the car.
Steph felt a tinge of arousal when the cool leather seat made contact with her nude-on-nude bottom. It feels so naughty yet it feels so nice. You knew I would fight you on this and yet you knew I would get off on it, too. You know me better than I know myself. What else are you going to teach me about myself tonight? Steph smiled as they drove off into the night and toward her next surprise.