Hello! I'm currently working on some pending stories and the muse has been in a drought. This idea came to mind so I decided to give the muse what it wants and write. And did I write.
Basically, I got this idea from the whole '31 days of Halloween' concept. Stephanie and Ranger have been dancing around each other for some time and what better season for Stephanie to decide it was time to get her man than, well, "Halloween" season?
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE. Mistakes and rusty writing are mine.
Day 1- October 1st
"Thanks, Babe." I said distractedly as I motioned for her to leave the file with her search findings on my desk.
Just when I thought she was about to turn on her heel and leave, I caught movement in my direction. It was so quick that I didn't even have time to lift my gaze from my computer screen. In the span of five seconds her hands landed on my cheeks and the atmosphere in my office shifted from professional to personal.
With her hands cupping my face, her lips pressed against mine. The impromptu kiss attempted to morph into something more serious when her tongue swiped at my bottom lip and demanded entrance. As if afraid to break this moment, I remained motionless for several beats.
Babe was on a mission. Her tongue swiped my bottom lip, again, and this time my lips parted in invitation. As our tongues dueled for dominance, my initial shock was quickly replaced by willingness. Our kiss wasn't gentle. It was insistent and frenzied. It was almost as if we were trying to pour all of our emotions into this one kiss.
A small eternity later, she finally wrenched her lips away from mine. We were at eye level, breathing hard as we worked on replenishing our oxygen supply. If I tilted my head just the tiniest bit forward, then our lips would meet again. So close, yet so distant.
Her hands moved from my face to my shoulders during our kiss and mine somehow found their place on her sides, my thumbs gracing the underside of her breasts. I am an opportunist, after all.
Her blue orbs focused solely on me and I suddenly felt very vulnerable. Could she read the desperation in my eyes? Could this be it? Are we finally going to fully cross that line? The stupid line that was more like a wall that I solely created?
I waited, giving her my full and undivided attention.
And waited.
But her kiss swollen lips remained silent. Babe didn't speak. I had to fight myself to be patient and wait her out. There has to be a reason for this spontaneous act.
After several beats of silence I stupidly watched as she pulled back and walked out of my office.
My heart was pounding in my chest as my whole body buzzed with the pent up energy coursing through me. Was Babe about to tell me something important? Did she change her mind? I had to talk to her. Something told me this was the closest we've ever been to finally fulfilling our deepest desires. If she backs down... If I let her back down... Could we finally seal our fate?
It took me several minutes to snap out of my stunned state and bolt out my chair.
Of course, just my luck would have it that chasing after Babe would be no simple feat.
"Woah!" Lester gave me a mock scolding about running in the hallway after I bumped into him in my haste.
"Move." I ordered impatiently. I can't let her leave after that display of emotion. This could very well be my last chance to fix my mistakes where she's concerned.
"Where you goin' in such a hurry?"
"I need to talk to Stephanie." I gave him my best menacing glare. "Move."
"She just left."
My stomach clenched and I felt my heart start beating faster. She ran. She got scared and ran away. Because you hesitated to kiss back, Idiot.
"She didn't run away." Lester scoffed, apparently reading my mind. "Beautiful has afternoon patrol duty with Woody." My cousin clasped my left shoulder sympathetically. "You're too on edge, man. Maybe some fun time will be good."
Shrugging his hand off my shoulder, I sprinted towards the stairs and practically flew down to the garage.
S&R
Steph's POV
"Thanks, Babe." As he distractedly motioned for me to leave my findings on his desk, I found myself cataloging his every move.
Six weeks ago I finally took his job offer seriously. Working at Rangeman full-time has provided many benefits, including working side by side with Ranger. The magnetism that usually hovers between us has intensified tenfold. There's a charge of electricity in the atmosphere that has become almost impossible for me to ignore.
Today, as I placed the manila folder on Ranger's desk I couldn't help but rake my eyes over him. My internal inventory included the way his usually fitted T-shirt seemed to be tattooed to his skin today. I also noted how deliciously Bulgari his scent currently was. I suddenly felt like I would combust if I didn't move closer.
I've craved his kisses, his company, and pretty much everything about Ranger these past several weeks more than ever. And yet he seems totally oblivious. So much for being a self-proclaimed opportunist.
And just as I was willing myself to turn on my heel and leave, a little nagging inner voice told me to just go for it. Take it! Take him! Make the first move for a change!
I surprised even myself when I suddenly cupped his cheeks in my hands and pressed my lips to his.
Sadly, he tensed immediately. His stiff demeanor and the lack of kissing back threatened to crumble my bravery. This was my first time initiating a kiss between us, aside from whenever we've already been deep in the throes of passion. Nervous that this was a mistake, I swiped my tongue against his bottom lip as I silently begged him to kiss me back.
I put myself out there and the thought of my feelings not being reciprocated caused a knot to form in chest. A familiar clench in my stomach prompted me to try again. This is it. The moment of truth. If he doesn't respond I'll have to accept that he's moved on.
Relief, among other things, flooded through me as he finally kissed me. The instant his lips parted and our tongues touched my whole body buzzed with his energy. Our kiss morphed from stiff to frenzied in nanoseconds. Our tongues mimicked a dance our bodies know all too well.
When the need for air became a must I jerked back, severing our heated connection. Breathing heavy and in close proximity, I watched him. He watched me back. We were both silent, unsure of what was next. Once I realized he wasn't going to break the silence first, I decided it was best to continue with my Rangeman assigned duties. I extricated myself from his hold and exited the private cocoon of his office.
I stood outside the closed door for about a minute, gathering my thoughts and emotions, before I squared my shoulders and pushed myself away from the cold wood.
"Ready?" Woody met me halfway to my cubicle, my utility belt looking tiny draped over his left shoulder.
"Sure. Let's do this." I took my belt and followed him to the elevator.
"Need help?" His question made me realize I was on my fourth attempt at fastening my utility belt.
"Nah, I got it." Luckily the fifth time was the charm and the belt clicked into place.
We were two parking spaces away from our fleet SUV when I felt a familiar tingle in the back of my neck. The door to the stairs crashed open, prompting us to turn around. I knew even before I laid eyes on him that it was my man in black joining us in the underground garage.
"Babe." He looked completely edible standing mere feet away. His clothes looked tighter and his body looked harder than usual.
My body might have been wetter than usual at the sight of him.
"Ranger." I greeted with a small finger wave as he approached. A small involuntary shudder escaped at the way he scanned me from head to toe. He was ogling me the same way I was.
"Dinner tonight?"
From the corner of my eye I noticed Woody busying himself with getting the SUV ready for our departure. "Sure." I agreed to dinner just as a wicked idea formed. I made the first move, which meant I was calling the shots. My mind raced with endless possibilities. I was determined to get my man, my way. "The guys and I are having dinner at Shorty's at six. Join us." I had to hide my grin at the way Ranger's muscles involuntarily flexed.
"Babe." He nodded in agreement, albeit disappointed.
"Cool. See you later, Batman." With another finger wave I spun on my heel and sashayed my way to the SUV.
"Ugh." Woody's very uncharacteristic groan as he backed out of the parking space snapped me out of my dreamy state.
"What?" I feigned innocence by exaggerating the flutter of my eyelashes.
"You're playing with fire." Woody and I have become regular partners, which could explain why he suddenly became very chatty about my personal life.
"You know, I love October." Woody rolled his eyes in a perfect impersonation of me as he stopped for a red light. "There's this, I don't know how to explain it..." I pursed my lips in thought. The light turned green and as the SUV put us in motion the words came to me. "There's this vibe, this feeling in October, you know?"
"Mmmhmm." Was as much as Woody was going to delve into the subject.
S&R
Our afternoon patrol was uneventful until the last 20 minutes of our shift. We got a call over by Route 1 and it took a little longer than anticipated to make it to Shorty's.
By the time we strolled into the Pizza joint Lester, Ram, Bobby, Tank, Hal, Cal, Vince, and Ranger where already seated. Several tables had been joined together to accommodate our large group. Ranger was at the head of the makeshift long table, his back to the wall. The guys scooted their chairs for us to join in.
"We ordered Pizzas and subs for us to share." Lester pipped in.
"Babe." An empty chair magically appeared to Ranger's right. The only other empty chair was on the opposite end of the table, across from Ranger.
Perfect!
"I'm starving!" With a grin, I took the chair opposite Ranger's.
"You're going to get us all killed." Woody whispered my way as he was forced to take the seat Ranger intended to be mine.
This time I had to hide a grimace when the heat of Ranger's stare hit me. What have I unleashed?