548Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or places in this story. Thanks to Janet for all the great Plum novels. This is a first attempt and will take me a while to complete. Let me know what you think and if want to read more. Thanks! And as always, thanks to Rach, Steph and Jenn for all of their help with rewording and keeping me true to the characters! Couldn't do it without you! Thanks to all the people who keep reading my story and leave the wonderful comments. They keep me going. It will be a little longer wait on the next chapter. I am still in the process of writing it and it's the busy season at work. Time will be limited.
Chapter 15
I stood in the doorway looking at a slack jawed Lester. Never, in all of the years I have known him, have I ever seen him in the state he currently was in. Shocked? Speechless? I'm not sure what the best way was to describe the expression on his face. I began to worry that maybe the dress wasn't a good idea.
"Say something, Les. Does it look that bad?"
"Damn, Beautiful," he said shaking his head slightly. "I'm not sure what Ranger did to piss Ella off, but she must want him dead." He said as a wicked grin crossed his face.
"I doubt that, Les. Do you think I should change? I mean the dress is a bit much." I said glancing behind me to view my backside in the mirror.
"The dress was dangerous before you put it on, but it's absolutely lethal with you in it. You'll be turning heads all along the way. I've got to get a picture of you; there is no way I'm passing up an opportunity like this. The guys would all kill to see you." I shook my head no. There was no way I would pose for his photo. I felt naked enough without having to wonder who at RangeMan possessed the image.
Lester's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, grimacing as he looked at the number on the display.
"Yo." He paused listening to the caller. "Yes, sir. We are leaving the hotel now. ETA twenty minutes." He ended the call and placed the phone back into his pocket. "Let's get this show on the road. The Boss is preparing to leave his location and was ensuring we were already en route." I nodded before stepping back into the bedroom to grab my purse. I took a deep cleansing breath before taking one final look into the mirror. My hair was perfect, makeup too, all topped off with the stunning dress. All in all, I felt like a million bucks. I tucked my phone inside my clutch and joined Les in the hall. I didn't want to keep the Boss waiting.
I stared out the window of the town car as we stopped near the base of the Eiffel Tower. Night had settled around us and the tower shone like a beacon guiding wayward souls to rest. I glanced over at Les, "We're having dinner here?" He nodded as he exited the car and quickly walked around to open my door. He reached in for my hand, helping me out of the car, before tucking it gently into the crook of his arm.
"I'll walk you to the elevator and then you're on your own. Ricardo will meet you in the dining room. He'll never know what hit him, Beautiful." I smiled and pressed a light kiss to his check.
"Thanks, Les."
We walked to the host's stand in front of the private elevator.
"I'm sorry, Monsieur, Le Jules Verne is closed for the evening for a private event."
"Yes, she is the guest of Monsieur Rodriguez."
"Your name, Madame?"
"Stephanie." I stated as he glanced down at the reservations book in front of him.
"My apologies. Your husband has not arrived yet. Would you like to wait for him in the dinning room?"
"Yes, please." I squeezed Les' hand before stepping forward into the now open elevator. The host smiled before selecting the appropriate floor to send the elevator to.
"Michelle will greet you in the foyer. Please let her know if you need anything." The doors closed and the butterflies took flight in my stomach. I had no idea why I was so nervous. I've dined with Ranger numerous times over the years but this time felt different.
The doors opened to reveal a room filled with candle light and extraordinary arrangements of fresh flowers.
"Good evening, Madame Rodriguez. Welcome to Le Jules Verne. My name is Michelle. I will be your lady in waiting this evening. This way please." I followed her from the elevator further into the dining room, my heels clacking on the overly polished marble floor. She guided me to a table, just out of view from the elevator. "Your husband phoned and said he would arrive shortly. He ordered a bottle of Montrachet Les Folatieres. If you would like, I can pour you a glass while you wait?"
"That would be great."
Moments later I had my glass of white wine. I couldn't remain seated for long as my nerves were getting the best of me. Patience is far from my best virtue. I rose from the table with my glass in hand and made my way over to the magnificent windows. The view was fabulous and took my breath away as I took in the city below. The city lights twinkled like the stars in the sky. I watched as boats passed under the bridges that crossed the Seine River.
The feeling of being watched pulled me from the sights below as I turned just in time to see Ranger enter the room. The stones on my dress twinkled in the light from the candles. I was stopped in my tracks by the expression on Ranger's face. I wasn't sure how to read it exactly but it seem like he was pleased with what he saw. I moved slowly toward him, wanting to wrap myself in his embrace.
"Babe," he said before pulling me to him. "You're like a walking wet dream in that dress." He groaned as he placed a kiss in the sweet spot just below my ear.
"You don't look so bad yourself." He gently placed my hand at his elbow and escorted me to our table. After pulling out my chair and gently scooting me back in, Ranger took his seat across from me.
Moments later, Michelle appeared at our table side. "Monsieur Rodriguez, my name is Michelle. I am here to make sure you and your lovely wife are taken care of. May I pour you a glass of wine?" Ranger nodded in reply. "The chef has prepared a luscious meal for you tonight. Your first course will be ready momentarily. In the meantime, if you need anything, just ask." She poured his glass of wine, placing it carefully on the table before disappearing into the background.
I watched as Ranger took a small sip of his wine before his eye met mine.
"Would you care to dance?" He asked. It was the first time tonight that I had noticed light melody streaming through the room. Jazz perhaps, definitely something I could slow dance to.
"I'd love to." I replied as he rose from his chair and assisted me from my own. We walked hand in hand to the dance floor. We turned facing each other. He pulled me close placing one hand on my lower back before wrapping the other in his own and placing it on the lapel of his coat. We moved gracefully as one along the dance floor. "Thank you for bringing me here."
"You are very welcome, Steph."
"I never pictured you as someone who enjoyed dinner and dancing."
"Often times, I don't get the opportunity to indulge."
"I guess dancing would ruin your bad-ass rep?"
"That's part of it. Mainly the person I prefer to dance with is usually available." He said as he twirled me away from him, before bringing me back in and dipping me slightly. I was shocked by his admission and before I could come up with a reply, the song had ended and Ranger was guiding me back to our table.
"This looks delicious." I said, looking at the plates that had arrived while we were dancing.
"I hope you like it, Babe." I took a small bite of the lobster from my plate. The flavor overwhelmed my taste buds as the caviar exploded on my tongue.
"What is this?"
"Blue lobster with gold caviar."
"I've never had caviar before." I said as I took another bite from my plate.
"It's an acquired taste, not everyone likes it. Ella doesn't like it so it is something that you will not find on her menus." I nodded as we continued to eat and drink.
Our dinner was excellent as Ranger continued to show me the different flavors of Paris. We feasted on veal and veggies that were seasoned to perfection. When I didn't think I could eat another bite, Michelle returned to collect our dinner plates and refill our wine glasses.
"Are you ready for dessert?" I was about to decline dessert all together when Ranger answered.
"Give us a few minutes." She nodded and walked away from the table. "Would you like to dance before we have dessert?" I nodded in agreement. There was no way I would be turning down the chance to be his dance partner for a second time tonight. Once again I found myself plastered against his body. The song had changed as we made our way to the floor, leaving us with something more Latin in origin instead of jazz. "You're an excellent dancer, Babe."
"As are you, but then again, with your heritage, I expected no less."
"And yet you meet me step for step."
We continued to move as one as we stayed plastered together from the waist to the floor. My body felt like it was on fire as he moved me around the floor, running his hands along my sides. I was grateful to feel that I was not the only one affected by our nearness as I could feel Ranger's hard length pressing into my backside. Feeling the effect I had on him, I put a little more wiggle in my step. I was startled to feel Ranger's hand grasp my hips tightly.
"Babe, if you don't stop, I won't be responsible for my actions." He said as he placed feather light kisses along my neck.
"Maybe we should take our dessert to go." I suggested.
We finished our dance and went back to the table. Michelle met us there with a paper bag in hand. I watched as she unceremoniously fanned her face. "I thought you might want to take dessert with you." She said slightly embarrassed that she had been watching our erotic dance. "Thank you for dining at Le Jules Verne. I hope your evening was satisfactory."
"It will be." Ranger replied, taking the bag, my hand and escorting me to the elevator.
The ride back to the hotel did nothing to cool my internal temperature. I was fearful that I would self-combust at any moment. The elevator dinged, announcing our arrival on the suite floor. I pulled the key from Ranger's inside jacket pocket and opened the door. As soon as we stepped inside I found myself pressed against the door by my hot blooded Cuban. He kissed me roughly, trying to hold on to the little bit of control he had left.
"You've got about thirty seconds to get that dress off, Babe, or I won't be responsible for what happens to it." He took a step away from me. I walked away from him, teasing as I went. I slowly unzipped the zipper and as I reached the dining room, I allowed the dress to slip from my body. I carefully took a few steps away from it, careful not to snag my heels on the delicate fabric, before Ranger swept me up into his arms. He kissed me hungrily. "I've wanted to do this since I first walked into the restaurant and saw you looking out the windows." He said, placing my ass on the cold dining room table. "It's time for dessert, Steph."
I shuddered at his words. I've never seen this side of Ranger and the look of hunger in his eyes left me shivering and wanting more. The fact that I couldn't remember ever being this turned on in my life didn't help matters any. He pushed me back onto the table, leaving my legs to dangle from the edge. I felt his lips soft lips as he peppered my shoulders and chest with soft kisses. He stopped momentarily and I glanced over my shoulder to see what he was doing. Beside me sat a tray with champagne, strawberries, melted chocolate and whipped cream.
I shuttered at the erotic images that played through my mind. I remembered a time, not too long ago, that Ranger had poured a drop of flavored oil in the palm of my hand and used his tongue to taste it. I felt myself go damp as he picked up a strawberry, dipped it into the whipped cream and ran it along my breast bone. The cream was cold, but the heat from my skin caused it to melt almost instantly. His warm lips returned to my body as he gently licked along the path he had painted.
His fingers swiftly unhooked the eyelets that held the corset together in the front. They gently parted the boned lace, leaving a fresh v of skin exposed. His eyes raked over my body. "You are so beautiful, Steph." He said, bringing his eyes up to mine, allowing me to see the honesty in them. "I've never met someone who can drive me crazy and have me wanting them all at the same time." He kissed me roughly, leaving me moaning and craving more of him. Ranger reached for the champagne glass and raised it to my lips, allowing me a drink before letting it drip down my neck and between my breasts. He leaned away from me, pouring more of the chilled liquid onto my skin, causing me to groan. The bubbles bursting on my skin caused a delicious tingling making me wonder where he would pour it next. Quickly, he used his mouth to drink the champagne from my skin. I sucked in a gasp of air as his lips latched on to my right breast. He must have taken a drink just before as the bubbles did wonderful things to my overly sensitive skin.
"Ranger," I said trying to let him know just how much he was driving me insane. Not to be deterred, he sucked harder, using his teeth to gently graze my nipple. "Ranger," I tried again, this time he bit down slightly harder than before, causing me to gasp in pain. He gently laved away the pain. He pulled away again, giving me a moment to get my breathing under control. His hands grasped the sides of my thong and gently pulled it down my legs.
"I thought we had covered this before, Babe." He said as his lips traced over my abs and back towards my collar bone. "Ranger doesn't make love to you." He kissed up my neck before stopping just below my ear, "Only Carlos does." His teeth grazed my ear lobe and I couldn't stop the sensations coursing through my body.
"Sweet Mother," I started to reply but was cut off as his lips touched mine. I kissed him with everything I had in me. Never had I wanted someone as much as I did Carlos at that moment. My hands quickly found his body and quickly divested him of his shirt. I hope it wasn't a favorite, or Ella might have to find new buttons to match the ones that I'd ripped away. "I'm not sure how much more I can take." I whimpered.
"We're going to find out, 'cause I'm not done with you yet."
I had no doubt in my mind that he had a plan for tonight and I was going to enjoy each and every tortuous minute of it. Carlos' hand grazed down my leg. He tugged lightly on the strap holding up my stocking and allowed it to snap back against my skin. I gasped as the slight sting before bringing my eyes to meet his. The smile that crossed his face let me know that I was in for a world of hurt and it was going to be good.