Everything familiar belongs to Janet. The mistakes are mine. Warnings for a little smut.
Chapter 20
"I'll call you right back," I said into my cell and immediately crammed it back into my bag.
It's not that I didn't want to talk to the wedding planner, but I was a little busy trying to subdue a two hundred pound case of BO. And 'ol Stinky here is getting cuffed whether he likes it or not.
Ranger and I have a little over two weeks to plan this wedding. Maybe plan isn't the right word here, since I only have to make a few major decisions while everybody else gets it done. The problem I'm having is finding time, and having a hand free, to actually talk to Martin - our wedding guru - and give him my ideas.
And right now this a-hole is where my concentration had to stay. Darin Darby - owner of Double D restaurant, where men can order ribs with a side order of fake boob - has messed with the wrong person today. I was done being polite. I lashed out with my size seven Cat boot and caught Darby on the side of the knee. And just for good measure, I rammed my elbow into his spine to make sure Darby went down. He did, and I swear the ground shook.
I pulled Darby's arms behind his back and slapped my cuffs on him.
"If you so much as breathe wrong," I told him,"I'm going to stun your ass."
"What's your problem?" He asked me.
"You at the moment. Why do you idiots always try to run?"
"Because they're idiots," Lula said, coming up to us, breathing so hard I thought the spandex covering her chest would burst on her next inhale."I have a mind to zap his ass just for makin' me have to chase after it. I really hate that. I could've ruined my new Via Spigas."
"He could have shot you instead of ruining your shoes, so be grateful that he's not carrying anything except the noxious fumes," I told her, tugging on the meaty arms attached to the mound of man lying face down on the ground."Now give me a hand here."
Between the two us, we got Darin the double-wide on his feet and into my Cayenne. I really hated to put his ass in my car. I just knew the Porsche would have to be aired out for a day or two to get the skip funk out of it.
"Well?" Lula asked, after we were all buckled in.
"Well what?"
"Don't you well what me. I've been nothin' but patient in waitin' here, and that ain't got me squat so far, so I guess I'm the one who's gonna have to bring it up."
"Bring what up?" I asked.
"You got a place to get your asses married now," she said,"and one of them planner people like rich people get, when are you gonna fill me in on my part in this? I'm just waitin' to see if you want me as a bridesmaid ... or maid of honor. I don't like either of them names, because I ain't ever gonna be anyone's maid, but I'll overlook the title for you."
"That's very generous of you, Lula," I told her, heaping on the sarcasm,"but I already told you that Ranger and I aren't doing the traditional wedding thing here. I'm debating whether I even want to walk down the aisle."
Lula's eyes bugged out. One of these days one of them is going to pop right out and hit the dash if she's not careful.
"I thought you were just shittin' us."
"Nope," I said, pulling away from the Double D building.
"Just you and Ranger? No hot Rangemen? No bridesmaid's dresses? No flower girl?"
"That's what I was thinking," I told her.
"Well, stop. Ain't no one wants to see that?"
"See what? The bride and the groom? That's the whole point of a wedding."
"I'll admit, gettin' to stare at Ranger in a tux will be worth the gas money it's gonna take to get me there, but that's it. It's clear you need my expertise here."
"No, I don't. I'm not taking suggestions, listening to demands, or considering anyone's advice on this."
"I'm tryin' to help you out. And I'm only sayin' you don't want no borin' ass wedding. Shit, you're the 'bombshell bounty hunter'. That's what the paper called you. Now you gotta live up to all the hype and have somethin' memorable on your big day."
I thought back to the fireworks scene I had in my mind that included a back-bending kiss. Yep, I think we've got memorable covered. To us, anyway. I don't really give a crap what anyone else wants.
"Our wedding is about Ranger and I. Not my mother, newspaper readers, or you," I told her."We're not throwing a party just for the hell of it. And I refuse to have another big wedding that means absolutely nothing just to make you all happy." Been there, done that, and I'm not doing it again."Ranger and I are the only ones with a say this time around."
Lula went quiet, and I knew from the years of dealing with my mother that she was gearing up for another attack. In the meantime, though, I'm going to enjoy the peace and quiet, and focus on not breathing in any Darby fumes. There's nothing Lula can say that will change my mind, but it could be entertaining to see her try.
I took a right and pulled into the parking lot of the police station. Darby was booked relatively quick and I got out of the station without seeing Joe anywhere. I do think it's finally sunk in that I'm going to marry Ranger, but I still don't mind dodging another uncomfortable encounter with Joe if I could. He told me not to invite him to the wedding, and I'm not. We haven't reached that place yet.
"What are you doing?" I asked Lula, when I got back to the Porsche.
She had an open book on her lap and a pen in her hand. I guess this explains the size of the bag she was hauling around today.
"My date last night didn't turn into an all-nighter and I needed some chips and ice cream to compensate, so I went to one of them open all night - we got everything - stores and saw this," she said, holding up a Batman activity book intended for children."This shit's addictive. You want to do one? They got word searches, mazes, and if you're feeling artsy, there's pages to color, too."
She handed me the book and I flipped it open to a page that had Batman's body as a maze. You had to go from his chiseled lips all the way down to his Bat Boots. I smiled.
"What?" Lula asked."What're you smilin' about?"
I handed the book back to her."I don't need this," I said to her."I already know my way around Batman's body. Up or down, forward and back."
Lula's eyes went from questioning to glassy just before she started fanning herself.
"You do, don't you? It ain't fair. All I got is this kid's toy, while you got a life-sized superhero sex toy."
Yep, I do. And it's an interactive sex toy, too.
"You almost had a superhero," I told her, not feeling at all sympathetic,"but you blew things with Tank."
"Tank sure gave that Thunder the Wonder Horse a run for his money, but you gotta have somethin' outside the bedroom."
"Since when do you care about anything outside the bedroom?"
"Since Tank chose those damn cats over me. I don't come in second to no one."
Neither does Tank's cats apparently.
"Now that we got Double D Dickhead there taken care of ..."
We?
"Why do you want a weddin' with no bells and whistles?" Lula asked, getting her second wind."Is this about your mother? She givin' you trouble again? I can take care of her for you. I got a way with people."
Yeah, an offensive one.
"No," I told her."This is about me and Ranger. I want this ceremony to be solely about us. Like our vows will be. And us standing alone at the altar is appropriate."
"I don't like it," Lula told me.
"You don't have to like it, Lula. The next time you trick a guy into agreeing to marry you, you can plan whatever freak show kind of wedding you want. This one is ours, and we want simple."
"Now that was uncalled for," Lula said."How many times do I have to say Tank wanted to marry me?"
"Until it becomes true?"
"What's goin' on with you? You seem cranky today. Is the stress gettin' to you? You gettin' your period?"
"No to the stress, because there isn't any. Which is why Ranger and I want a simple wedding. And you just hit on one thing that really pisses me off. Why does everyone think a woman is PMS-y if she has a strong opinion about something? Joe used to ask me the same thing every time I stood up for myself or disagreed with him."
Lula tipped her head to the side."Hmm, you got a point."
Of course I do.
"So ... back to the attitude ..." she continued.
"There. Is. No. Attitude. I'm just getting sick of everyone trying to make this about them. My mom, now you ..."
"I just thought you'd need a big, beautiful woman next to you in case you cry, or faint, or something."
"I'll be fine. And if I do faint, I'll have a big, sexy, Ranger to catch me."
"You sure? I can be real discreet at that altar."
Yeah, about as discreet as Joyce at a billionaire convention.
"That is one thing I'm definitely sure of."
Lula pouted for a full two minutes, but just when I thought she'd found another angle to work, Lula went back to her book and left me alone. Apparently miracles can happen any time of the year.
I dropped Lula off at the bonds office, got my check from Connie, and then called the planner back.
"We're having a wedding minus the attendants and going with a cocktail-style reception," I told him.
Less one on one time with my family that way, and I think the guys will have more fun in a less stuffy environment. I know I will. I already gave Martin our wedding song, and arranged to have my mother far away from our table in case I do decide to invite her. I also put Grandma in between the Merry Men she requested. I still have to pick the flowers and food, and figure out the order of the reception, but I should be able to wrap those up tomorrow when Martin pays Rangeman a visit. I'm pretty sure hearing that the building is full of hot men is the reason Martin is being so accommodating.
I drove on autopilot back to the Rangeman building. I noticed that all Ranger's vehicles were in the garage as I parked. Good deal. I captured my skip using only my footwear as backup, and got to see Ranger before dinner. Today is definitely a good day.
The temptation to take the five flights of stairs was there, but I nixed the idea. I've been keeping up with my morning workouts, but I'm still nowhere near as dedicated to fitness as Ranger and the guys are. Plus, taking down someone twice my size should count as extra cardio and weightlifting.
I waved to Vince and Ram and walked to Ranger's office. The door was closed but not latched. I was debating whether to knock when I heard Ranger's voice from inside.
"Come in, Babe."
I smiled to myself. It's a direct order from the boss, so I guess I have to do what he says. It had absolutely nothing to do with me wanting to see him.
I dumped my bag on the chair in front of Ranger's desk as I passed it to get to him. I dropped into Ranger's lap and kissed him.
"Did you have a good day?" Ranger asked me.
"Yup. And it's even better now," I told him.
I suppose in any other company, it's not really good to sit in your boss' lap at the office and lean happily against the muscled wall of his chest, but Ranger and I have never played by the rules in anything we've done. And office displays of affection have become so common around here, the guys only crack jokes about it every other day now.
"You picked up Darby?" He asked.
"Yes. He's being locked up as we speak."
"Any problems?"
"He tried to get away from me, and Lula was Lula, but other than that, things went surprisingly well."
"I'm glad to hear it. Are you in the mood to go out tonight?" Ranger asked me.
"Go where?"
"Out to dinner, Babe? Where do you think we'd go?"
"I don't know. I just wasn't expecting a dinner invite."
"Steph, we eat together all the time."
"Yes, but this sounds like a date," I told him, like that wasn't totally obvious.
"It is a date," Ranger said.
"See."
"Did I miss part of this conversation?" Ranger asked.
"Yeah, but that's okay. What's the occasion?"
"It won't be long before the wedding happens ..."
"I know. I can't believe it can be counted down in days now."
"And we also have something important to discuss."
Uh-oh.
"Like what?" I asked him."The last time you asked me to dinner out of the blue, I thought you were dumping me. You're not calling off the wedding are you?"
"Just the opposite, Babe."
"How so?"
"We need to figure out our living arrangements," Ranger told me."I think it's time you hand your keys back to Dillon."
"I was planning on cleaning out the rest of my crap," I said,"but it just seems like something is always happening and I never get around to it."
"That's why we need to set aside some time to do it. The next few weeks are going to be even busier for us, between finishing up the wedding plans, checking on the changes to the house, and a possible honeymoon if I can get you out of Miami. We'll have even less time for a move than we do now."
"Hmm, maybe we should go on a honeymoon then make a pitstop in Miami on our way back," I said to Ranger."That way, you only have to worry about getting me on a plane back here."
There, that sounded like a well thought out plan.
"Ever hear the phrase 'too much of a good thing', Steph?"
"Yes, but it doesn't apply to doughnuts or vacations."
"It should apply to doughnuts," Ranger said, wrapping his arms around mine so I couldn't elbow him.
"You know what happens when I don't have any sugar in my system," I told him, thinking of what Lula called my jelly doughnut hormones.
"Why do you think I try to get you to stop eating it?" Ranger asked me.
"I knew it! You don't care about health, you care about me wanting to jump you."
"I do want you hungry for me instead of junk food, Babe, but I also need you healthy and with me for as long as possible."
"And that's why you proposed to me?"
"Yes, among other things. Like you trying to attack me whenever you see me without a shirt on."
That just shows that Ranger doesn't know me as well as he thinks he does. I have to resist tackling him when his shirt is on, too.
"Wait ... what do you mean try to attack you? I've gotten you on your back quite a few times."
Ranger pressed a kiss to my temple."Only because I let you, Babe."
"You would say that," I told him.
I know Ranger has complete control over his body ninety-nine percent of the time - the other one percent is divided between when I'm in trouble or when he's inside me - so I'm not surprised to hear that. The fact that Ranger lets me believe I have him at my mercy shows just how much he loves me.
"I would say it since it's the truth, Steph."
I shrugged."I could take you down if I really wanted to," I said, totally lying my ass off, but I like not being afraid of provoking Ranger."You know I've been working out. Just yesterday, Junior showed me some new holds."
"You can test out a few of them tonight when we come back from the restaurant," he told me."I'd skip dessert if you want more of a chance."
Ranger had changed his arm lock, keeping one around my back and the other slung over my thighs. A mistake on his part, because this time I did elbow him.
"What time do you think you'll be done here?" I asked.
"By five at the latest," Ranger told me.
"Good. Plenty of time to change into something that will have you begging."
Ranger put his mouth to my ear."Never gonna happen, Babe."
I tilted my head and brushed my lips against his."We'll see," I whispered against them.
And then I got to my feet so Ranger couldn't convince me to surrender before we even leave the building.
"I'll be waiting for you upstairs," I told him, trying for a suggestive tone.
And then I closed the door quickly behind me so I'd get the last word for a change.
"Shit," I said to myself, once I moved away from the door.
"What's wrong, Steph?" Hal asked.
"I might have just placed a bet I can't cover," I told him, mentally running through what I have in the closet upstairs.
Do I have a dress here that Ranger hasn't seen me in that will knock him on his ass?
"I'm sure Ranger will cover whatever you need," Hal said to me.
I tried not to blush when I thought of what exactly Ranger will be covering with his mouth, hands, and body tonight after dinner.
"Yeah, he probably will," I told Hal.
I took the stairs this time - since it's only two flights instead of five - and I mentally patted myself on the back when I noticed that I no longer gasp for breath when I skip the elevator. I'm making progress.
I let myself into the apartment and apologized to Rex for not spending much time with him today as I walked through the kitchen. I showered - to make sure I was free of any residual Darby stink - shaved, and lotioned, taking my time. I did as much prep work as I'll probably do on my actual wedding day. I put on Ranger's robe and started on my hair. I dried it using a round brush to make it less curly and more wavy. I moved onto make up, and went a little heavier on my eyes than usual and softer on my lips. I knew whatever lipstick I chose wouldn't last very long, between my drooling over Ranger or him kissing it off me.
I left the bathroom and went into the bedroom. My engagement ring is really all the jewelry I need, but I added the pair of diamond studs Ranger had given me for Valentine's Day this year. Now is the hard part, deciding what to wear that will rival the perfection that is Ranger. Tonight I'm planning on living up to every letter in the Bombshell Bounty Hunter name.
I slid on a pair of thigh high stockings, and shimmied into a matching lacy black bra and panty set. If my outfit didn't melt Ranger's clothes off, seeing these on me would. I chose the highest heels I own, and decided to go ahead and wear the dress I was saving for our honeymoon. I have to haul out every big gun I own tonight. And this particular dress is very similar to the one I bought a lifetime ago. It was short, tight, and black. And hopefully Ranger will have the same thoughts running through his mind when he sees this dress as he had with the other one.
Ranger came in just in time to zip me up.
"I'm glad you're here," I told him, quickly giving Ranger my back so he could secure the dress before seeing all of it."I can't reach the zipper."
I can reach the zipper all on my own, but why not tease Ranger a little bit more. Now I understand why he used to do it all the time to me, it is fun. Of course, I'm nice enough to only flirt outrageously when getting Ranger onto a bed is a sure thing.
"Ranger?" I asked, when I didn't feel the zipper moving.
"Yeah, Babe?"
"Is there a problem?"
"Yes. You're wearing too many clothes."
"Not really," I said,"considering my dress could fall off at any moment if you don't zip me into it."
"You just gave me a good reason not to help you," he said.
And I felt the warmth of Ranger's hands on my bare skin as he slid them inside my dress. The cheater.
I jumped out of reach and zipped myself up. Damn. Ranger is the reigning king when it comes to seduction. And he, along with my now tingly skin, were not about to let me forget it.
"Is there a problem?" Ranger asked, using my own words and body against me.
"Yeah," I told him.
"And that would be ... ?"
"I'm supposed to be getting dressed ... not undressed."
"You can get dressed again afterwards. We have some time."
"No. You'll mess up my hair," I said, trying not to give in.
"You're not worried about your hair, Babe."
"No, I'm not. I'm worried about not wanting to leave if we get horizontal. So go get ready."
"Are you positive that's what you want?" Ranger asked, closing the distance between us again.
No. Not at all.
"Yes."
"All kidding aside, Babe, you really do look beautiful," Ranger said, kissing my bare shoulder.
"Thank you, but you're still not getting me naked until we get back," I told him.
"I can wait," Ranger said to me,"and also make it worth yours."
I no longer doubt Ranger's cockiness. I know even if I don't order dessert, I'll still have plenty to look forward to.
Ranger took a fast shower, I bet just to re-Bulgari because he knows just how much I love the combination of it and his skin. Yep, Ranger is good. He came out with only a towel wrapped around his waist and took his time getting his clothes from the walk-in closet. I watched the muscles in Ranger's back and arms contract and release as he pulled a pair of black pants and white dress shirt out of the closet. Ranger didn't acknowledge my presence, but I knew he was aware of my staring since he dropped the towel and very slowly put his clothes on. I'll have to remember to reapply my lipstick before we leave. I'm pretty sure I just chewed it all off.
"You're staring, Babe," Ranger said, as he slid his belt through the loops on his dress pants.
"Yeah, I am. That was the point, wasn't it?"
"You have to ask?"
"No. You win. You're way out of my league," I said, accepting defeat.
"That's not true, Steph. The shower I just took was a cold one."
I couldn't stop a smile at hearing that.
"We're perfect for each other, aren't we?"
"Yes," Ranger told me. Then he kissed me.
My hands were wrinkling the front of Ranger's shirt when he lifted his head.
"Are you ready to go?" Ranger asked, skimming my neck with his lips.
I sighed."No, but I feel we have to."
"We don't, Babe, but I'd really like to take you out before the wedding catches up to us."
"The calm before the storm?" I asked, looping my arms around his neck.
"There isn't going to be a storm, Steph. And pretty soon all we'll have to do is show up."
"You seem to be overlooking a few things, like Julie will be here along with Rachel. Your family will be meeting mine for the first time. And I still have to make a final decision about inviting my mother."
"Do you want her there?" Ranger asked.
"I'm not going to be upset if she isn't, but I don't know if it's worth the extra trouble to try keeping her away. If she does come, I want two of the guys with her at all times. If she even thinks of ruining our day, I want her literally picked up and removed."
"I can arrange that," Ranger told me."Do you want to put Cal and Hector on her, just as a reminder of Shorty's?"
"If they don't mind," I told him.
"They don't," Ranger said, making me believe Cal and Hector weren't going to be asked.
"Martin is dropping by tomorrow," I told Ranger,"to finish up everything. Do you want in on it?"
"You can use my office."
"Okay, but if you stick around, you have to play nice. He's a little afraid of you."
Since Martin's half Ranger's size, and probably weighs less than I do, I can see why he would be. Ranger could snap Martin in two if the mood struck.
"He's got nothing to worry about," Ranger assured me.
Yeah, right.
I let Ranger go and went back into the bathroom to check my makeup. Turns out I needed more lipstick, but could have skipped blush altogether. My cheeks were pink enough just from that kiss from Ranger. I touched up my lipstick and made sure Ranger wasn't wearing any of it before we left. Ranger had his arm around my shoulders as he locked up the apartment and escorted me out of the building and into his Turbo.
Ranger drove to Princeton with his hand resting on my leg when he wasn't shifting gears. I was actually hoping the drive would last longer, but sooner than I'd like, Ranger pulled up to the restaurant. The place was big, full of windows, and no doubt their entrees cost more than my rent. Well, I won't be paying rent on my crappy apartment anymore, but still ... I know I wouldn't be eating here if it weren't for Ranger.
Ranger and I were shown to a table, and I looked around the room as I was sitting down. The dining room had dramatic arches, cream-colored walls, dark wood, and linen everywhere. Definitely a place I can see Ranger frequenting. He ordered us a bottle of wine and the waiter disappeared right after pouring our water. I looked at the menu and tried to keep my eyes from bugging out like Lula's had earlier.
"Don't pay any attention to the prices, Babe," Ranger told me."Order whatever you want."
I'd like to, but I do have a wedding dress to fit into. Then again ... it's only one night. And I am hitting the gym every day, so maybe I could get something other than a salad. I decided on the spinach and artichoke pasta, which to me is just a fancier version of mac and cheese with a few green things sprinkled in to make me feel less guilty about eating it. Ranger chose pork loin with roasted something or other that I wouldn't eat unless a gun was pointed at my head and a finger was on the trigger. I might even choose the bullet over the vegetables in the end given the choice.
Ranger waited until our wine was brought to us and then immediately started listing our living options. I was momentarily struck by the fact that I actually have a lot of choices - and a huge say in everything - with Ranger.
"Do you want to continue living on the seventh floor, Babe?" Ranger asked."Or should we start seriously looking for a place away from it?"
"But we - you - just bought a house, Ranger," I told him."You can't just go around buying up the entire eastern seaboard."
"I can, Steph. And I will do exactly that if you suddenly become interested in real estate."
"As much as I'm flattered and freaked out by that ... no," I said."We can stay at Rangeman until we find a place that's right for us. I say we just focus on the wedding, and getting the Miami house set up for habitation, and then we can search for a house so the guys can have a place to hang out, too."
"That's not a good selling point, Babe," Ranger told me.
"You wouldn't have hired any of the guys if you didn't like them."
"Doesn't mean I want to hang out with them after hours, or share you with them, Steph."
"You say that now, but you'll be annoyed with me soon enough and thankful for the distraction."
"Not true, Babe. You're all the distraction I'm ever going to need," Ranger said."But we'll do this your way for now. When do you want to get the things in your apartment packed up?"
"Do you think Dillon would be upset if I hurl a molotov cocktail through the door? That's really helped in the past to empty the place out."
"While that is an effective way to cut down on the moving time, maybe we should hold off on the explosions and stick to picking a day and having a few of the guys load up what's left."
"That's the less fun way," I told him,"but we can give it a shot. The wedding's on a Saturday, and Julie and Rachel will be coming in a few days before that, so we should get any odds and ends tied up. That way you'll be able to spend as much time as you can with Julie while she's here. Martin said he can be over early. When we're done, I can head over to my apartment and get started there. We can make your place officially ours before we leave for our honeymoon. When things quiet down, we can look around Trenton, or someplace nearby, for an actual house if we still want to."
"Sounds like a plan," Ranger said to me.
"Good," I said back,"because our food is heading our way. And I have a hard time thinking and eating at the same time."
"Which explains why you continue to put trans fats and refined sugar into your body."
"Yeah, but you know I balance that out with a fat-free Cuban dish once in a while, so it eventually evens out."
"Is that why you ordered the worst thing on the menu tonight?" Ranger asked me."Because you're planning on having me after dinner?"
"It's definitely not the worst thing," I told him, nodding to the plate being put in front of me."It has vegetable bits in it and everything."
Ranger looked like he was on the verge of sighing, but he left my dinner alone after that. He is the one who told me to order whatever I want after all.
I asked Ranger's opinion on the remaining wedding stuff, and what I should chuck from my apartment, and dinner was gone before I knew it. I did forgo my dessert, preferring to keep my hormones on edge, and Ranger had my wine glass refilled during dinner, so to say I was feeling very good would be an understatement.
Ranger pulled out a credit card before I could even offer to pay for something. I didn't complain at all. I figure if he wants to show off, I should be nice and let him. We left the restaurant shortly after that, and Ranger's hand stayed low on my back until we reached his car. I felt the heat of it again when we made it to the Rangeman building and took the elevator back to his apartment.
When we got inside, Ranger's eyes were all over me. They traveled from my soft curls all the way down to my FMPs.
"You really are beautiful, Babe," he said, bending his head to kiss my neck.
My entire body broke out in goosebumps at the feel of Ranger's mouth on my skin.
"You are, too," I whispered."And I still have days when I can't believe you're mine."
"Believe it, Babe. I am yours, and I'm also going to be your husband soon."
"That can't happen fast enough for me," I said to Ranger, sliding my hands up his chest, toying with one of the buttons on his shirt.
Ranger looked down into my face."You're not joking, are you?"
"Nope. I can't wait for our wedding day. I always thought I was scared of being tied down, but I've learned that it's more that I was scared to be tied to the wrong person. I've got the man I want, and becoming your wife is something I'm really looking forward to. That being said, there will be nothing in our vows about obeying anybody. I'm just letting you know that now."
"I don't want a wife who 'obeys', Steph. There's no fun in that. And I don't expect, nor do I want, you to be any different after we're married. I want you as you are, but I wouldn't be opposed to adding in something about a permanent security detail."
"Good idea," I told him."I definitely want one of those for you."
"Babe."
"What? You're the one who brought it up."
Ranger was quiet for a minute, probably rethinking marrying me. That thought was quickly shot to hell, though, because Ranger's body seemed to want in on our discussion. His arms came around me, lifting me up like I hadn't just eaten my weight in pasta, and carried me to the bedroom. My stilettos sank into the carpet as he set me down. Ranger ground his mouth down on mine, while his hands made quick work of my dress. I started in on all Ranger's buttons, first on his shirt, then the one on his pants once I got that stupid belt of his out of the way.
Ranger paused when he saw my lacy underwear. My plan was to have him under my control tonight, but Ranger was fast igniting, burning me up right along with him. And I discovered that I really don't care who's on top tonight as long as someone is. I slid Ranger's shirt off his shoulders and just stared at him for a beat. I swear, Ranger's chest is an aphrodisiac all on its own.
His mouth closed over a nipple through the fabric of my strapless bra while he unhooked the back it. When it fell away, the feel of Ranger's mouth on me with no barriers had me moaning, something I keep claiming I don't do.
"Something wrong, Babe?" Ranger asked, moving to my other breast.
"Nooo, everything is just right," I said, trying not to bite through my lip as Ranger's lips closed over me, gently sucking my nipple harder.
His teeth joined the party and I whimpered when they gently nipped at my sensitized skin.
"It can get better," Ranger told me.
I didn't doubt it or him. As soon as Ranger's hands moved to the waistband of my barely there undies, I knew I was a goner. If Ranger touched me anywhere in the area from my knees to my collar bones, I was going to lose it. Ranger eased me down onto the bed, and my shoes, stockings, and underwear were added to the heap of discarded clothes on the floor. He left his own clothes on the carpet before sliding into bed with me.
Ranger kissed me again and his fingers traced my body along my shoulders, over my breasts, across my stomach, and finally they stopped between my legs. His hands moved my legs apart and he took his place between them. Ranger's mouth left mine and started moving in agonizing slowness down my body to join his hands. When Ranger licked my hipbone, my legs relaxed even more right before his lips and tongue started in on me. It was the best kind of torture, but even as my body gripped his fingers, I knew I needed more. Soon.
When the aftershocks subsided, I opened my eyes.
"Holy shit," I said to Ranger.
"That good, Babe?"
"That good," I told him.
Ranger knows how to get the most out of every experience, whether it's a business deal or a lovemaking session.
He withdrew his hand from my body and if I wanted any say at all in how this was going to go, I had to act fast. I leaned up on my elbows, and waited until Ranger was within reach. I stretched out an arm and my hand grasped his always impressive erection. I stroked, squeezed, and circled the head of it, until I thought Ranger would put an end to the torment. He didn't. Not yet. While I was busy trying to make Ranger combust, Ranger had similar goals regarding me. His mouth returned to my breasts and his fingers teased me almost the same way I was teasing him. When my hand fell away from him, and my feet dug into the mattress, Ranger moved, filling me in one smooth, sure stroke.
My arms and legs acted as one and pulled Ranger tight to me. That probably would've prevented any movement from a lesser man, but apparently the full body hold still allowed Ranger to move his body enough to bring us both to a pretty spectacular climax. I was left gasping for breath, and not because Ranger was lying completely on top of me. I'd happily support Ranger anyway I could, inside this bedroom or out in the world when we do leave the bed.
"That settles it," Ranger said against my breast.
"Settles what?" I asked, trying to draw enough oxygen into my lungs to keep them functioning.
"You're not allowed to have sugar any more. I really enjoy your jelly doughnut hormones."
"That had nothing to do with the doughnut hormones," I told him,"those were my Ranger hormones. Give me a minute and I'll show you the jelly doughnut hormones."
"Make it thirty seconds," Ranger told me, starting the nipple onslaught all over again.
"Deal," I said, and kissed the thinking parts of my brain goodbye.
The next morning, I was sitting on Ranger's lap again when Hector knocked on the door of Ranger's fifth floor office.
"Planner's here," Hector said.
"Send him in," Ranger told Hector.
I was so preoccupied wondering if our coordinator is Hector's type, I didn't catch the slight crinkling at the corners of Ranger's eyes. I never would have taken a healthy sip of Ranger's coffee if I would've seen that particular warning sign.
"Report!" Ranger barked at Martin, before Martin even had the chance to say good morning.
Needless to say, the coffee escaped the confines of my mouth and sprayed the entire surface of Ranger's high tec, probably super expensive, keyboard. I've heard Ranger issue orders plenty of time, but not like that. I never should have told Ranger that Martin is skittish around him. That was like giving Ranger permission to screw with the poor guy a little.
I turned my head and glared at Ranger. That accomplished nothing. Ranger just grinned at me and hit a button.
"Stephanie needs a towel," Ranger said towards the phone that I still think contained an express line to God himself.
"I wouldn't have watered your keyboard if you hadn't scared the crap out of Martin. You're lucky coffee is the only liquid that escaped." I was more than relieved that Martin hadn't wet himself."Martin," I said to the man who was now halfway between standing and sitting, frozen in mid-air like a terrified rabbit, wondering if moving at all will cause his death,"Ranger is just messing with you. You can sit down. I promise."
Martin did sit, eventually, but still looked unsure. Hector came back with a kitchen towel in his hand, and Martin forgot all about Scary Ranger while watching Hector's tightly packed uniform walk out.
I did my best to dry Ranger's keyboard, then cleared my throat when Martin was still looking towards the door.
"I'm sorry," Martin said to us."I don't know what got into me."
I did, but I don't think Martin would appreciate me pointing it out.
"So ... we've got flowers to choose," Martin said, suddenly all businesslike again,"a menu to decide on, and your cake. Are you going to want individual ones at each table or a large tiered cake to cut apart? And then there's the last of the seating arrangements ..."
Crap. I still have some work to do. I leaned back against Ranger's chest and waited for his arms to tighten. I didn't have to wait long. I felt the solid weight of them settle around me, and that alone reminded me of why Martin was here, he was helping in the process of making me Ranger's wife.
With every question, color swatch, and flower image Martin threw at us, I shared my thoughts and then waited for Ranger to give his opinion. When we agreed on something - or if Ranger said he didn't care one way or another - we immediately moved on. I didn't do this with Dickie, and I couldn't imagine something similar with Joe. If I hadn't known it already, the easy way Ranger and I worked together on this told me more than anything that we really are perfect for each other.
A/N: It took me a while, Margaret, but I finally managed to work your "Report!" prompt into a story. I hope your keyboard is drier than Ranger's. ;)