Chapter 25 - The date

/Stephanie's Point of View/

We'd made it back home by 1700, and Ranger insisted we needed to leave by 1815 to make our reservation. He wouldn't tell me where we were going. He just told me to wear something appropriate for dinner out.

I looked in my closet and wasn't inspired. I had done a little shopping since moving here, but I'd been worried about needing to potentially up and move again, so I'd spent money sparingly until I bought the car...but even that had been on a strict budget.

Trying to live up to my goal of spending less, I'd focused on developing a capsule wardrobe that was multifunctional, but today I was a little underwhelmed with my choices.

I decided to take a shower while mulling over my decision. I still hadn't been inspired by the time I was done, so I wrapped myself in my towel and proceeded with taming my hair and applying makeup.

At 1800, there was a light tap on the door. "Babe?"

"Yeah, don't I have 15 minutes?" I replied turning around to Ranger who was dressed in black slacks and loafers. He was holding two shirts, a black silk button down and a royal blue golf shirt.

"Yes, but I was wondering what you'd decided to wear."

I scrunched my nose, "I couldn't decide. I'm just not inspired by my closet."

Ranger smiled, walking up behind me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed my neck. "You are beautiful in anything. Wear something you're comfortable in." Then he added with a smirk and catching my eye in the mirror, "unless you need me to pick."

I chuckled. I love how this man makes me laugh. "Help yourself," I said, gesturing to my only partially full closet.

"Babe, half your clothes are in the bedroom."

"True," I said, gesturing with both hands; one in each direction. I swear he looked disappointed that my towel hadn't slipped off. Maybe he really didn't care what I wore? Thinking about it, I didn't really care what he wore either. Not that I was looking for him to be naked, but it was the man, not the clothes, that interested me. I found him sexy in anything he wore, but I really wasn't after the sex appeal. I just wanted to spend time with the man I admired….the man I, dare I admit it, loved.

Ranger took his shirts and headed into my closet then walked through the bedroom. As I put the final touches on my mascara, he handed me a matching set of aquamarine underwear, a simple, black, a-line skirt, and a flirty off the shoulder blouse with long sleeves.

He had slipped on the silk shirt and proceeded to button it up while watching me. I scooted to my closet and pulled the door shut. I considered changing out the blouse, but figured I probably shouldn't.

We were out the door at 1815, and Ranger escorted me into a black Porsche 911 that had apparently been delivered since we arrived back at the house.

Ranger headed to the outskirts of downtown to a hole in the wall restaurant that served farm to table foods. The menu was set with five courses including a salad with fresh berries and nuts, a fresh pasta dish with roasted garlic, a pan seared salmon with a pesto crust, a cheese plate, and a flourless chocolate cake. I was in heaven, but in truth that may have more to do with the man than the food.

I'd never had Ranger be so attentive. He had sat adjacent to me and was in almost constant contact be it from his knee touching mine, his hand holding mine, or his gaze locked on mine.

We chatted about normal date things which surprised the hell out of me.

Ranger talked about his family, his work, and his personal time away from the office. I learned about his siblings and their families. I learned about his grandmother that raised him and still expects him to stay in line and not cuss. He spoke about some training he's considering doing for the military including training the next generation of Rangers in tactics. Apparently, Ranger had been considering leading a Ranger training class. We talked about books, movies, and hiking. Ranger liked to hike on his days off and sometimes spend the night under the stars.

I talked about my friends I'd made here, my cooking classes, and my self improvement plan. He was surprised I'd wanted to learn to cook, but I admitted enjoying it when there was no pressure. I shared my adventures in dining across the town, and we discussed some restaurants he might enjoy including a local gospel brunch. I shared about my lack of shopping which surprised Ranger.

After dinner, we walked down the street to a local blues club. We sat shoulder to shoulder and thigh to thigh listening to live music while sipping pretty cocktails. As I began to tire, I laid my head on his shoulder and he pulled me closer. As the set wound down, Ranger stood and gave me his hand.

We walked back to the car in silence, fingers entwined once again. I was asleep before we made the block. When we got back home, Ranger kissed my cheek gently and walked me into the house.

I don't actually remember changing into my pajamas, but I woke up the next morning encircled in Ranger's arms once again.