Hi! Working on pending story updates and hope to start regular postings after the upcoming tax deadline.
For now, here's an undercover S&R short story. Who doesn't love S&R as partners in the field?
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE. Typos are my bad.
Stephanie's POV
The tingling on the back of my neck began from one second to the next, upping in intensity within moments. That was my heads up that Ranger was near. The second alert came from the collective gasps from the women seated all around me.
"Wow!" The woman directly across from me breathed out as she reached for her wine glass.
The tingling became incessant, just like my smartwatch does when a turn is coming up on my GPS search. It was a constant jab that began radiating from my nape to my spine, sending tendrils of electricity across my heated skin. The zapping reached maximum levels just before a whoosh of air indicated his presence behind me.
"Babe." One large hand cupped the back of my neck, squeezing in that way only he knows will remove that numbing kink. Ranger's other hand slid around the front of my head, caressing my cheek as he simultaneously tilted my head to the side and back as he leaned down. His lips pressed against mine and as soon as his tongue teased my bottom lip, I let myself be enveloped in the moment. My tongue tangled with his while my left hand wrapped around his right wrist for support, instantly tilting my head further to be able to fully engage in the type of ardent kiss that would normally only happen behind closed doors. It was easy to get lost in the lust, my body screaming at my brain to shut up and go along with the pleasure.
"Mmm…" My strangled moan was partially swallowed by our kiss, thankfully. I'm certain it would have been quite the moan, because just this kiss alone has my entire body engulfed in fire. My doodah is reminding me how long it's been since I've had a social orgasm, quickly sending the message to my lips so the kiss could be prolonged.
"Saw this and thought of you." Ranger said loud enough for the other women to overhear after we broke for air. It took me several rapid blinks to shrug off the lust haze he invoked, stoking the fire within so effortlessly.
"It's gorgeous." I thanked him, reminding myself that we were here to do a job as I perused the sparkly gold bracelet he somehow fastened to my left wrist. The stones looked suspiciously like real diamonds and sapphires, yet I didn't want to think about how much this thing cost. Knowing Ranger, I'm guessing a lot.
"It has a tracker and panic button." Ranger whispered in my right ear, making it look like he was still on his kissing quest with the nips he left all along my jaw before his tempting mouth reached my ear. "Ladies." Ranger acknowledged the other women briefly, flashing that captivating, panty ruining thousand watt smile of his before he went back to his circle of husbands.
We're here at the request of one of his long-time clients, on the hunt for one sneaky jewel thief. Ranger's client invited us to a lavish weekend in his luxurious West Coast hotel, introducing us as one of his mega rich friends from New York. This small coastal town is known for how super well off their residents are, which made the consistent disappearance of pricey, one of a kind jewels all the more unexpected. My money is on this being an inside job, because the story Mr. Client fed Ranger was honestly in my not so professional opinion bullshit. There was more to the story that he wasn't sharing, which is why he didn't involve the authorities.
"That was sizzling." Betty Carmichael, wife of a very powerful attorney in the area, commented before she chugged her mimosa flute in full.
"How long you say you've been together?" Marissa McNamara asked, eyeing me in a way that made me feel very, very naked. Out of all the posh housewives I've interacted with since yesterday, Marissa has consistently made my Spidey senses tingle and repeatedly go off. There's something about her that I just can't quite put my finger on. And her husband? He's sleazy as they come. Andrew McNamara makes my cousin Vinnie seem like a saint! Go figure! There's at least one guy out there that's more of an ick than Vinnie. Yikes!
I gave myself a mental pep talk, making sure to rehash what I've shared since this weekend began. Knowing that being unable to keep my fibs straight would derail this whole operation, I went with sprinkling a little bit of truth. Keeping it brief, I said that Ranger and I have been in each other's lives for several years now.
"Ah." Marissa nodded as she refilled her wine glass. "You're still in that newlywed phase." Her leering grin should have warned me about what was about to come out of her overly fluffed Botox lips next. "No wonder he got you that bracelet, seeing as the sapphires match the way your blue eyes darken when you two get naughty." Flashing another pointed smile my way, Marissa made sure to shine light on the fact that my eyes have been a relatively light shade of blue today, matching my summer dress. After Ranger's seductive kiss? The light blue was replaced by dark, dark blue swirls.
I felt the blush creeping in, yet did my best to fight it. The women are all looking at me expectantly, waiting for me to share something juicy. They'd be disappointed to know that in reality the details aren't as salacious as they imagine, given our true relationship. Or should I say, lack of?
"I bet you're doing it more than twice a week." Holly Tanabe was seated to my left, so I guess she got a pretty good front row seat of the action.
In full color, HD and everything.
"Twice a week?" Mary Anne Suslova scoffed incredulously. "Don't complain. That's more than my once a month." She sighed in frustration, her eyes flickering to the group of men on the other side of the rooftop venue. Mr. Client's hotel has a VIP rooftop area that overlooks the ocean. The salty breeze and sun make this a dream location. My role is to infiltrate the wives of the friend group to get intel while Ranger attempts to do the same with the men.
"Ha! You're lucky." Betty muttered something about her husband getting a lot more action than she does.
I had a flash of heat spread within me at the reminder of my short marriage with Dickie. Are all lawyers boinking someone else at their firm?! Ugh!
Rein it in, Steph. Rein it in. I mentally calmed myself down, swapping the images of Dickie and Joyce going at it on our dining room table with flashes of naked Ranger. It never fails to shift my mood, thank you very much. All that strong, muscular arms and torso with broad shoulders narrowing down to even more powerful thighs and legs. Tan skin, strong, Bulgari scented, big di…
I had to blink rapidly, reaching for my faux mimosa to give myself some refreshment. I discreetly asked the waiter to make sure my drink was all orange juice. I have to keep myself alert.
"At least you're getting some." Betty added to no one in particular, shooting daggers at her husband. Hmm, Betty's husband is Mr. Client's right hand man. There may be something there, since lawyer boy has at least two lifestyles he needs to fund.
"The spa is ready for us." Mr. Client's wife returned to our table, excited to usher us to that promised pampering.
As we walked inside, I felt someone sidle up next to me. From the corner of my eye I caught the fake boobs and lots of teased blond hair. Marissa.
"You're one lucky lady, Laura." Marissa told me. Yeah, Ranger and I are using fake names for this undercover job. It's actually quite refreshing to be unknown here. No Bombshell Bounty Hunter reputation precedes me for a change.
"Why's that?" I engaged, fluttering my eyelashes in an exaggerated innocent motion.
"Oh, please." Marissa's leering looks have been next level and it's barely day one of this get together. "Don't act all innocent. Your husband gives off big dick energy. The vanilla facade is a good one, but it's unnecessary with me."
I didn't know what to say to that, so I smiled politely as I kept moving.
When Marissa insinuated some group fun, I rolled my eyes while she trailed slightly behind me.
This is going to be a long, long weekend!