Chapter 8

Stella

"Are you going over to Ransom's tonight?" Kels asks as she and I watch one of our shows on Netflix. I have about twenty minutes before I have to leave, and we're getting in one last episode of This is Us before I do.

"Yeah." I yawn, picking my phone up from beside me.

She's lounging in our chair, I'm spread across the couch, which was the worst thing I could have done when I came home. It's been a long day, and damned if I'm not tired as hell.

"You gonna make it?" She giggles. "Maybe you should pack a bag, just in case you end up staying."

The thought has merit, but I don't want to seem presumptuous. Grabbing my phone, I fire off a quick text.

S: So I'm super tired because it was a really long day a work today, but I want to see you. Would it freak you out if I bring a bag over in case I'm too tired to drive home?

I'm nervous as I wait for him to respond. This is much closer to boyfriend/girlfriend territory than I'm sure he wanted to be in. Never mind I just invited myself to stay at his house. If this doesn't send him running for the hills, I don't know what will. Waiting for him to respond is like waiting for Christmas to get here.

R: I thought I'd have to work harder to get you in my bed, Stelle…LOL! No seriously, I'm beat too, it's been a fuckin' long day. But I wanna see you, it's what's kept me going, the only thing I've been looking forward to.

A smile spreads across my face.

S: I told you I'm a good southern girl until you convince me I'm not. Also, I think I said I wasn't hard to convince. You almost home?

R: Heading there now, meet me?

I'm already getting off the couch.

S: See you there!

"Excuse me, we were watching a show!" Kels grumbles as I walk toward my room.

"Ransom said he's been looking forward to seeing me all day." I hold my phone to my chest like most women would a bouquet of flowers.

"He's liked you a long time," she reminds me.

"I forget the two of you are close."

"Hello, our dads are best friends. We spent as much time at their house as we did ours."

A feeling comes over me, maybe jealousy? "Did you and Ransom ever…" I let the thought trail off as she laughs.

"Oh my God, no! Never even thought about it. Not with Cutter either," she mentions his little brother.

"Always had eyes for Nick?" I give her a little shit about it.

"Maybe he'll start to notice me like you've started to notice Ransom." She shrugs. "If not, I'm having fun hanging out with him. One day it'll be our time. Go get your stuff packed," she reminds me.

I run across the room, hugging her tightly. "Thanks for being understanding."

"Umm, dude, I'm gonna eat your chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and use one of your Lush bath bombs. This night is perfect."

"I love you, Kels."

"Love you too, go get your hot piece of man meat." She stops, shivering and turning up her lip. "And I will never say that again about Ransom as long as I live."

Laughing, I go to my room and start packing a bag. She might not say that ever again, but I will every day of the damn week.

* * *

He and I pull into his driveway at almost the same time. His police-issue SUV pulls in right before me. Luckily for the two of us, he doesn't live anywhere near other members of the MTF, and most of them don't just show up at each other's houses. Neither one of us are too concerned with hiding my car.

He gets out at the same time I do. "Hey." He grins, taking that full bottom lip of his between his teeth.

"Hey." I smile back, waving like a fucking idiot. I can't help it, I'm excited to see him.

"I'd love to hug you right now," he says as he starts to open the back door, to get Rambo out, "but I stink. We went for a nice long run in the woods, and it's been hot as fuck today."

His hair looks wet and I can see sweat stains on his long-sleeve shirt. "Why the long sleeves?" I've never thought to ask my dad, but I'm sure in this relationship there are a lot of things I'll be asking I've never thought to ask before.

"Tattoos." He pulls the sleeves up, showing the tattoos on his strong forearms. "We used to be able to show them, but then we got a new Police Chief and City Manager." He grimaces. "I like both of them, but they have no idea how hot it is out there."

Going to the back of my car, I grab my bag, putting it over my shoulder. His green eyes follow the move. "You were serious about letting me stay, right?"

"Yeah." He scratches at the beard on his chin as he lets Rambo out. The dog comes over to me, standing on his back legs and putting his front paws on my stomach, begging for attention. I give him some, ruffling his fur, before he walks back over to Ransom and has a seat beside his master. "I do have an extra bedroom, ya know, if it's a little too soon for you. Cutter uses it mostly."

"I don't know, Ransom. I've been eyeing that California King since the first time you gave us a house tour. I think it's just about big enough."

His eyes darken with a lust I've not seen in them yet. The feeling washes over me, leaving goosebumps in its wake. "Barely big enough for all the things I could do to you." His voice is low and hoarse, a rasp of emotion ready to roll over my body.

"That's a promise I'll hold you to. Not tonight, but give us some time."

Rambo stands when Ransom makes a noise. "I got all the time in the world for you, Belle. But for now, let's get on inside."

He reaches for my bag, which I give to him, impressed by his manners. Judging by the dark circles under his eyes, he's had a physically demanding day, yet he's being a gentleman. Somehow, I knew he would be.

* * *

"I'm gonna go take a shower. Make yourself at home. If you wanna order pizza from the Double Dip, they'll put it on my tab. They know what I like, just give them my address," he tells me as he stands at his kitchen table, beginning to take off the armor that proclaims him to be an officer of the law.

I've watched my dad do this a million times, probably more. I always saw my mom eyeing him when he did, and I never got the fascination. Right now though? Now I get it. My eyes are glued as he takes off his thigh holster, sitting his gun down on the table, next comes his utility belt, and then I'm mesmerized as he unhooks his bulletproof vest, sighing as he pulls it over his head.

"I'm thankful for that thing, for the protection it gives me, and all the extra pockets, but damn it's hot, and heavy as hell."

I reach over. "Can I pick it up?"

My dad doesn't wear one like this. His is plain, it's not as big as Ransom's, he can't hook his fingers in the sides like Ransom does. His doesn't have a ton of pockets, which I guess Ransom needs because of Rambo.

"Go for it."

When I lift it, I expect it to be light, but I actually struggle. "It's heavier than I thought."

"Yeah, every night it's like working out wearing a weight vest. I wear about thirty pounds of gear, and then Rambo weighs near seventy. I have to be strong." He runs his hand through his hair.

"You sure are," slips out before I can stop it.

He gives me a smirk. "Order the pizza, Stelle. I'm hungry." The flash in his eyes makes me wonder if he's only hungry for food.

As he walks away from me, down the hall to where his bedroom is, he takes the shirt off, giving me a clear view of his muscular back. He's gotten some new ink back there, and damned if I don't moan in disappointment when he disappears into his bedroom.

Rambo looks between the two of us, seeming as if he isn't sure who to stay with. "Go ahead," I tell him. "He's your person, I get it."

Rambo nudges me with his head before padding down the hallway and laying outside Ransom's door. I can hear the shower kick on. The bathroom he has attached to his bedroom is as spectacular as his California King. One day, I'll give it a shot. Maybe we'll give his big bathtub a shot together.

Trying to ignore the fact Ransom's a few feet from me, naked and wet, I grab my phone and place the pizza order. Then I go sit in the living room, trying to remind myself that good southern girls don't put out on the second date.