Chapter 6

Stella

To my disappointment, after I kinda issued the challenge, Ransom hasn’t made a move. Not that I thought he would, it was a little more direct than even I’m used to. If there’s one thing I do know about him, it’s that he’s a gentleman, because that’s what his parents raised.

Yawning, I flip my phone over from where it sits beside me. At some point we moved to the outside couch, Rambo laying in the middle of us, surprising me by putting his head in my lap. When I see the time, I almost have to do a double take. “I didn’t realize it was so late.” I show him the screen, already having flipped to midnight. “I have to work tomorrow.”

“Shit, I’m sorry,” he apologizes as he slightly nudges Rambo off the couch. “I didn’t even think about it. I don’t go in until a mid-shift.”

“Don’t be,” I stick my feet in my shoes, standing up to stretch. “I had a really good time, thanks for letting me come over.”

As the night has progressed, his slight beard has grown in more, his eyes have gotten a little more lazy, and the man who stands before me is one of the hottest I’ve seen. It’s still muggy, but the night has cooled slightly.

“I’m glad you came over. Let me walk you to your car.”

Always a nice guy.

“We can go through the gate.” He motions to the fence in the back.

We walk over slowly. When I stop, he reaches around, pulling the lever so that the gate opens, then shuts as we walk through it. “Can’t be too careful, sometimes Rambo can beat it. He likes to roam, even if he is trained to do as he’s told most of the time.”

“Isn’t that all of us?” I wrap my arms around myself. “Don’t we all like to roam, even though we know we should do what we’re supposed to?”

“I think that’s true.” He nods as we get to my car.

I lean up against the passenger side door, not wanting this night to end, but knowing it has to. If I don’t go home and get some sleep soon, I’m not going to be worth a shit in the morning. My eyes watch Ransom’s arm as he lifts it up, grabbing the back of his neck. The gesture is hot as it makes his bicep tighten, showing off the tattoo he has there. He grins, seemingly knowing that I’m looking.

“So…” He moves his arm down, putting his hands in his shorts pockets as he shuffles his feet slightly.

I giggle, because I can feel it between us, but I’m not giving in that easily. “I’ve done it all so far, you’ve gotta make the next move.”

His green eyes shine bright in the dimness of a security light next to his garage. A wry smile showing on his face. “Oh really?”

“Yeah, I mean I’m a good southern girl with pearls and all.” I bite my lip as I give him a wink.

He laughs, slightly throwing his head back. The move shows off his strong neck, his Adam’s apple prevalent as it bobs up and down with his laugh. When he looks at me again though, his gaze is serious, all humor gone. He steps closer to me, getting all up in my personal space. His hands are still in his pockets, and I want so badly for him to pull them out, to touch me. When I can’t stand it anymore, I lightly fist his tank top in between my fingers.

“Ransom…”

“Shhh.” He pulls his hands out of his pockets, bringing one finger to my lips as he quietens me. His other hand curls around my hip, pulling me so that our bodies touch.

The air between us is thick, heightened with the electricity bouncing between us, a storm ready to erupt. I’ve never felt anything like this in my life. When he speaks, his voice is low, barely a whisper. “Thank you for coming over, thank you for bringing me food, bringing my dog a toy, and for being amazing company tonight.”

Letting go of his tank top, I wrap my arms around his neck, holding on tightly. When he removes his finger from my lips to curl his hand around the back of my neck, I inhale deeply. These lips of mine are suddenly dry and I can’t help but lick them.

He moans, an agonized sound deep in his throat. When I lift my gaze up, I see his is zeroed in on right where I left a trail of moisture.

“You’re welcome,” I answer, whispering back to him, digging my fingers into his hair at the nape of his neck.

“Stelle,” he starts, but then shakes his head. “Aww hell, whatever.”

Those are the last words I hear before Ransom Thompson’s lips cover mine. This kiss? It’s a claim, in every sense of the word. It doesn’t start out slow and teasing, he doesn’t ease his way into it. He owns, dominates, commands with a slight pressure on the back of my neck, tilting me the way he wants me to go. His tongue sweeps, coaxing me to open for him, and open I do. The force of the kiss is so much more than I thought it would be. I stumble back, letting my car take most of my weight. Ransom uses that to his advantage as he presses a thigh between my legs.

Moaning against him, I let one of my hands travel down his body, curling around his waist, holding him closer to me. The hand at my hip trails down to my ass, big fingers holding me firmly against him allowing me to feel his hardness pressing against the heaviness of my core.

When we finally break apart, both panting, staring wide-eyed at one another, I’m shocked. I knew we would be explosive if we ever allowed ourselves to light the fuse, but I’m not prepared for this sexy man in front of me.

His palms cup my jaw as he leans in again. “You gotta go, Stelle. You can’t stand here in my driveway all hooded eyes, bruised lips, and panting chest. I can’t take it.”

And who knew Ransom had this way with words. Wiping his lip of the Chapstick I put on after dinner, I moan when his tongue chases my thumb. “You have no idea what you look like, because if you did, you’d question the sanity of me leaving. But I agree.”

Regretfully I let him walk me around to the driver’s side door and open it up for me as I slide in. “I get off work around eight tomorrow. I know that’s late to have dinner.” He lets the invitation hang in the air, letting me decide what I want. “And it’s easier to come here because of Rambo.”

“Okay.” I grin up at him. “I’ll be here.”

“We’ll order pizza or something.” He leans into the car door. “It’s not easy to date me, Belle. I’m a lot of long, weird hours, broken promises, and at the mercy of criminals.”

“That’s okay.” I lift up, kissing his jawline. “I know what I’m in for, and I know it isn’t easy. I’m not afraid of late nights and unknown plans.”

“If you’re willing,” he trails off. “I’m willing.”

“I’m more than willing,” I assure him. “Just maybe between us for a while. If this doesn’t work out, I mean family and friends could be affected. I don’t want Kelsea to feel weird, or my dad to feel weird around you at work. Being able to work with him is essential to what you do every day. But I’m not willing to give up this attraction we have.”

“Agreed, there’s more to think about here, besides us. I’m not willing to give up on this attraction either. And make no mistake about it, Stelle, we have chemistry. We go on a few dates and see how it goes. When we’re ready, we’ll let everybody know. Sound good?”

“Sounds good to me,” I agree, wrapping my arms around him.

He kisses me, this time chastely, before he shuts my door. I start the car and roll down the window. “Just let me know if you’re gonna be late or on time tomorrow.”

“Trust me-” a lazy smile spreads across his face, “-you’ll hear from me before then. Let me know when you get home?”

“I will.” I blow him a kiss as I back out of the driveway, and when I finally get far enough away, I let out a scream so loud I’m almost sure he can hear me. I wonder if what just happened was some sort of crazy dream, but as I put my fingers up to my still tingling lips, I’m convinced it was real.

Not able to wait any longer, I Bluetooth Kels - who cares what time it is?

When she answers, telling me that Nick is still there, I don’t even feel bad. We all need one friend to confide in, and that girl, she’s always mine.

“Kels, you aren’t going to believe what just happened…”