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Buffy and other characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, et. al and used without permission. No copyright infringement intended & no money earned.
Buffy tossed her keys into the bowl, while working free from her jacket. She launched her body at the couch, wiggling around to get comfortable for her brainstorming session. Her boots lay haphazardly across the room where she had kicked them off with too much enthusiasm. Small bare feet happily tapped some unknown beat that matched the one Buffy continued to hum under her breath. She discarded several, until an evil grin crossed her lips. Buffy giggled just thinking about it.
"That's purrfect for you, Ricky-boy."
She pulled out her phone and pressed the button to call Stephanie. Buffy explained everything to her cousin, who agreed to call everyone she knew. Lula was next on Buffy's call list. The vibrant black woman had her laughing so hard that she had to wait several minutes, just to catch her breath, before making her next call.
Buffy was still smiling as she dialed Ranger's number. She wondered how long it would last. The handsome bounty hunter thought his looks, brawn and background gave him the right to be in charge whenever he was around no matter the situation. Buffy understood why this worked for most people, including her cousin, but it just wasn't working for her. He couldn't come around her for more than five minutes before he tried to control her verbally or physically, both were unacceptable.
Here went nothing."Yo."
"Is that any way to answer the phone?"
"Buffy, I was wondering if you were going to call. Have you decided?"
His irritation was easy to hear over the phone. Buffy could almost see him raking his hand through his hair and messing up that neat ponytail, which would only add to his irritation. Ranger liked things tidy from his tight black t-shirt and serviceable camo pants to his slicked back ponytail. It didn't hurt that he knew he looked damn good in them. Buffy admitted she found him attractive. What woman with a pulse wouldn't? Maybe it wasn't just the Slayer in her; maybe it was her California raising that balked at Ranger's caveman attitude.
"You're not a sore loser are you, Ricky?" She purred into the phone.
"Just tell me what I have to do and where to show up," he said in a voice that almost sounded normal, if the person listening didn't have super hearing.
"Meet me at the Leather Lounge at 8:00 tonight. Give me your address and I'll send your clothes."
"Nice try, Gorgeous. I'll them up at Vinnie's."
"Get over yourself, Ricky. If I wanted to know where you lived, I'd track you down," Buffy snorted into the phone.
"Many have tried, all have failed," he taunted.
Ranger didn't realize he had just dared Buffy and declared the terms.
"Catch ya later, Ricky. Oh yeah, the instructions are included."
She heard the hard 'B' of her name as he started to protest. She knew had to stop him now or tonight's event would never from to fruition.
"You did say the winner got to call the shots for an entire night?"
He clenched his teeth, but before he could say anything, he heard the phone go dead.
"Damn it."
Tank watched his boss and best friend's face darken with anger as he cursed and threw his phone down onto his desk. He wasn't sure he had ever seen Ranger this out of control.
"What's the matter, Boss?"
"Buffy," Ranger snapped in irritation.
"Oh, what'd the tiny tornado do to rile you up?"
Tank couldn't stop from smiling whenever he thought about the small, sassy blonde. The smile quickly melted away when Ranger leveled his death glare at him.
"She told me to meet her at the Leather Lounge to pay off the bet. And, get this she's supplying the outfit."
The large bounty hunter had to bite his cheek to stop the laughter working its way up his throat. It wasn't just the location, which was bad enough or that Buffy had decided to 'dress' Ranger. Man, he had to say tiny had one wicked temper and he never wanted her to aim it at him. No, what had him biting his tongue, literally, was Ranger's expression. It was the strangest mixture of horror and childlike petulance. Tank wanted to keep his job, and had no intention to test who was the better fighter, no over this anyway.
"Don't sweat it. She's probably just yanking your chain. I mean, can you see Buffy in a place like that?"
Both men suddenly had glazed looks on their faces.
Buffy wrote out detailed instructions, which she included into the large box propped open on her kitchen table. She folded tissue paper over the contents, effectively hiding them from view, before sliding the top into place. Buffy smiled as she tied red ribbon around the outside, bringing it together to create an elaborate bow. She stepped back to admire the package and started laughing. Tonight was going to be entertaining, to say the least. She couldn't wait to see Ranger's face when he opened the box, not to mention read the instructions.
The doorbell rang. Ah, right on time. Let the games begin. Buffy picked up the box, and almost skipped to the door. She handed it to the waiting messenger. With that taken care of, and Stephanie's promise to take pictures Ranger's face when he opened it, Buffy headed toward her bedroom to prepare for the coming night. She stared at her bed where her own special outfit lay. Her laughter rang out in the apartment.
Yes, tonight promised to be interesting.
Ranger was not happy, in fact, he was furious. His outward appearance never changed. Only his closest friends could tell, and they were smart enough to laugh at him from across the bar. He stood at the Leather Lounge bar dressed in skintight leather pants and nothing else but his boots. Buffy's instructions were simple; dance with anyone that asked and wore a red ribbon.
Easy right? How many could there be?
He expected one or two to turn up to teach him a lesson, or possibly Buffy if he was lucky, but not this.
Tonight was Lady's Night, and every woman in the bar wore a red ribbon. It appeared the entire female population of Trenton was here, from Lula to Grandma Mazur. His heart almost stopped when Lula strutted up, wearing a leather bustier that threatened to explode from the pressure. She completed the outfit with leather mini shorts and thigh-high stiletto boots. Lula pulled him out on the floor to bump and grind to some song. He wasn't sure who was leading him or her breasts.
It started an endless string of dances. The last straw came when Grandma Mazur walked up in a leather bra covering her sagging breasts, leaving her pale wrinkled stomach for the world to see, but that wasn't enough. She wore leather pants that gave Ranger an unwelcome view of her shiny, wrinkled rear. He stopped cold, refusing to go any further. Turning around he headed back to the bar.
Ranger ordered a Tequila shot and swallowed it one gulp. That was when he heard that silky familiar voice, coming from somewhere over his shoulder.
"What's the matter, Ricky, bit off more that you can chew?" a husky voice purred in his ear.
Ranger spun around and his jaw dropped open then snapped shut. Buffy wore a one-piece leather catsuit that fit her as if someone had sprayed it onto her. Her hair lay curled down her back in some soft sexy style. Every eye in the bar was on them, waiting to see what would happen next.
"Tell you what, Ricky; you've been a good boy, why don't you go on home. I'm sure the girls can find someone else to dance with."
"Don't you want to dance?"
His dark eyes roamed over her body. Buffy smiled at him, easily reading his intent. She waved her hand back the way she came, and started to walk in that direction.
"Brought my own date, thanks."
Ranger grabbed her, before she could she leave.
"Don't play with me, Buffy. I don't like it," he warned her.
"But, you expect others to play according to your rules, and on your schedule. You need to learn some new rules or play with different people. Now, take your hands off me."
He released her, knowing that it would create an even bigger scene if he didn't.
"I'm sorry. I don't know why you set me off," Ranger sighed, finally allowing his true feelings for her to show through his dark eyes.
"Ranger, I'm not trying to set you off, just don't tell me what to do. I'm not Stephanie, and I don't need rescuing. Deal?"
She put her hand out for him to shake. He put his large hand in hers.
"Deal."
Ranger pulled her into his arms; his lips were on hers before Buffy knew what he intended. He kissed her with all the pent up frustration and passion he felt.
Buffy allowed the kiss, before pulling away from away him. She stepped back to look at him. Her eyes wandered over his face for several quiet moments.
"What was that for?"
"The best deals are always sealed with a kiss, didn't you know?"
His eyes twinkled with mischief and a boyish charm he hadn't allowed to peek out until now.
"Very funny, gotta go, don't want to keep my date waiting."
Ranger couldn't stop himself from asking. "Who did you come here with?" Buffy pointed to the person waiting by the door. "You're kidding me."
"Nope, said he wouldn't miss it for the world. We've been here since 7:30 watching the arrivals. Gotta say, your face when Grandma Mazur mooned you was priceless."
She started giggling as she walked away. Ranger watched Buffy join Big Dog at the door. Big Dog was dressed as the biggest badass biker Ranger had ever seen. He might have pulled it off, if it weren't for the extra large beer belly protruding from his middle. It was true many bikers had the large belly. But, but the ones people gave plenty of room and respect had ones that were rock solid not jelly bellies. Ranger shook his head wondering if his reputation would survive Buffy Summers.
Hell, would Trenton survive her?
Ladies Night at the Leather Lounge was the talk of Trenton for two solid weeks. Everywhere Ranger went women asked him to dance. He bit his tongue and smiled politely, knowing something else would come along to take his place in the limelight. He wondered how Stephanie handled it whenever she blew up another car.
Ranger had learned his lesson when it came to Buffy though. He treated her as an equal whenever they met at the office, offered his help should she need it, but otherwise was polite and respectful. The bright smiles and occasional jobs she allowed him to help her with proved that he was on the right track. He slowly started building the relationship he had tried to force on her. Buffy had even hinted that his changed attitude could put him in the running for that second date he had mentioned.
Lost in thought, he almost missed the red and black motorcycle driving like a bat out of hell. He admired the sleek machine and the driver certainly knew how to handle the powerful machine as he swerved through traffic. His phone started ringing, turning his thoughts away from the driver and back to business.
"Boss, just got word that Tito jumped bail," Tank sounded anxious on the phone.
"Shit! Let me guess, Vinnie bonded him and Buffy was in the office."
"You got it. That girl is fast. Connie said that she barely had time to type the papers, before Buffy shot out the door."
"Did anyone warn her about Tito and his hobby?"
"Lula tried," Tank hedged.
"Well," Ranged snapped, not liking where the conversation was going.
"Lula said, and I quote, 'That girl got this scary look, made me think Tito betta run, and run fast.'"
A string of cuss words in several different languages burst from Ranger's mouth.
"Tank, I'm following her now. We're on Fifth heading north. Get the guys and meet me. She's going to Eddie's."
"Dios," Tank muttered under his breath. "We're right behind you, boss."
Known sex offender, Tito Johnston's favorite habit was to threaten his victim's lives. The police know he was responsible for at least twelve rapes, but they couldn't prove it and they suspected him of several others. He targeted young girls between the ages of fifteen and twenty. They were all badly beaten, terrified beyond imagination, and everyone of them refused to testify against him. Tito was very thorough with his threats. He detailed everything he would do, not only to his victim's but also to their families and friends.
Buffy saw red when she read the file. All she could think about was what if it were Dawn, Willow, or someone else she knew who couldn't fight back. She planned to teach this Tito a lesson then lock him away forever. Buffy would ensure Vinnie didn't bond him out again.
The motorcycle tires squealed as they stopped in front of a seedy bar named Eddie's. It sat directly across from the High School. The perv could watch the girls leave and pick his next victim.
Buffy spotted him sitting at the bar, walked over and plopped down on the bar stool next to him.
"Can I get a coke?"
Tito sat up, when he heard the young female voice next to him. He looked over to find a petite blonde sucking on her straw. She peeked over at him then glanced down shyly. Tito felt the hunger grow in the pit of his stomach. Here was prime meat and it fell right into his lap.
"What you doing here, little girl?"
"My bike broke," she shrugged, "tried to call home but no one's there."
"Maybe I could look at it for you," Tito said, pitching his voice low and smooth.
He leaned closer to her without invading her space too much. Buffy worked hard not to draw away and keep the repulsion from showing on her face. She sat up straight on the bar stool, spine straight, her perfect posture pushed her small breasts forward. Tito worked hard to keep his cool, and not scare her, not yet anyway. Buffy had to say he had his game down to an art, if you were into Picasso on acid, painting with blood and bodily fluids. Not what the critics would 'ooh' and 'aah' over at the Met.
"Would you? That'd be great. I have to get home before I get in trouble," she responded with the right amount of worry in her voice.
Buffy hopped off the stool. She gave Tito a bright smile then proceeded to chat on and on about having to hurry home.
Tito tuned out the chatter, while he planned what he intended on doing to that delectable little body. A huge grin crossed his face when he saw that she had parked in a dark corner in the back of the club.
"Damn it, Buffy, where are you?"
Ranger scanned the streets. He lost her on the way and looked in the lot at Eddie's. He pulled into the parking lot and picked up his phone.
"Have you seen her?"
"No luck, Boss."
"I'm at Eddie's…Come here…She's bound to show…We might as well be here when she does."
"We're right behind you."
Ranger turned around to see two black Bronco's pull up behind him. Tank and Carlos got out and met him as he slid out of the driver's seat. They walked toward the rundown bar as if they were ready to go to war. The other men remained outside, covering the front and monitoring the action. The bar sat butted against buildings on all sides except on the right, where it shared one narrow alley. There were no through streets, and the parking was at the front and on the street. Three large Broncos had effectively blocked anyone from exiting, along with the men standing guard. Ranger stepped inside with Tank and Carlos flanking him. The bar quieted when the few customers started looking at the backdoor with longing. Before Ranger could approach the bartender, an old man stumbled in from the alley.
"Think someone's killing someone back there," he slurred, "or a cat, can't tell."
Ranger turned to his men, and they took off running for the back exit. They hit the door with their guns drawn and senses alert. Ranger took the left, with Tank and Carlos taking the right.
"Took you boys long enough."
There was Buffy lounging on her bike, with her feet on the handlebars.
"Some old man said there was trouble back here."
Ranger straightened up to lean against the exit door, while slowly removing his finger from the trigger. He didn't relax just tried to appear as if he did.
"Meow," she grinned, sweeping her hand toward the wall behind her.
Their eyes followed the graceful motion. Hanging on the back wall from carefully placed throwing stars and one wicked knife embedded between his legs hung Tito Johnston. The man who preyed on the weak and enjoyed their fear had learned the meaning of the word. His expression showed Buffy gave him a healthy taste of it, and it was not to his liking.
"She's crazy. Get me away from her."
THUNK. A silver star landed mere centimeters from his face.
"Uh, Gorgeous, you want us to take him off your hands?"
Ranger stepped away from the wall slowly. He was trying not to make any sudden moves. There was an angry blonde with sharp objects between him and the fugitive. He had no intentions of becoming Buffy's new target.
"Not yet. Want you to witness his confession, before he takes the ride downtown. Now, Tito talk to the men like the good little weasel you are," Buffy ordered in a voice that was as hard-edged as her chosen weapons.
"Don't know what she's talking about. I didn't do anything."
A knife sliced through the air, joining its twin between his legs. This one nicked him, causing him to squeal like a stuck pig.
"Tito, do I need to remind you what I promised to do to you if you don't go to jail?"
A sculpted eyebrow rose as her voice dropped to a soft whisper. Another knife appeared; this one was long, wicked, and deadly. The one use for a blade like this was mutilation or death. Its lethal edge gleamed in the dull light.
"You can't let her do that. You heard her threaten me; you're witnesses, all of you."
Tito frantically looked at Ranger and the others for help. He tried to free himself from the wall. It only succeeded in cutting his inner thigh wider. He stopped moving, as the sweat already beading his brow started to run in rivulets down his face.
"I didn't hear anything. Did you hear anything, Tank?"
"Nope, you hear anything, Carlos?"
"Not me, I didn't hear a word."
Tito started talking and wouldn't stop, until he confessed to over thirty rapes. Buffy picked up her phone.
"You get all that Eddie?...That enough without bothering the victims?...Ranger, Tank and Carlos witnessed everything...I never laid a finger on him...If you need me to I can sign a complaint without bringing in any of the other victims."
Ranger's entire body stiffened when he heard the last part of the conversation. Tank knew all hell was about to break loose. He just wondered if there was anywhere big enough for him to hide.
Buffy hung up the phone. She didn't bother to look at the man who had decided he was her personal guardian angel or was that guard dog?
"You don't have to do anything to him, Ranger. I took care of it."
He stopped one foot in front of Tito, turning back to get a good look at her. A bruise marred the right side of her face and her lip was bleeding. Ranger stormed over to her and pulled her off the bike. His eyes searched for any other injuries. He noted her torn shirt, but no additional damages. A low growl escaped his lips at the idea of her hurt, or worse.
"Damn it, Buffy, you could have been hurt, or worse. He could have…"
Buffy did what she always did, the unexpected. She kissed him, a soft tender kiss. It was over so quickly Ranger wasn't sure it even happened. If his lips didn't tingle, he would think that he had imagined it.
"I knew what I was doing, Ranger. I've played bait before. If you only knew. I'm what you could call a pro at it. Believe me I know exactly what could happen."
"You are the most stubborn woman I have ever met."
Ranger raked a hand through his hair, messing up the smooth ponytail. He sat her back on the bike.
She gave him a saucy smile. "Keeps it interesting, don't ya think?"
Buffy turned, winding her body around the motorcycle like a lover. The powerful machine revved to life in the small back ally.
"Do you mind taking this trash in for me? Eddie's waiting for him. I'll meet you there."
Tank walked up to Ranger. "I think you met your match this time, boss."
"You might be right, Tank. Ought to be a great ride finding out? You and Carlos take care of Tito, not sure he'd end up at the jail if I took him," Ranger commented over his shoulder as he walked away from the back alley.
Tank and Carlos exchanged knowing looks.
"Oh yeah, he's got it bad."
Ranger walked into his apartment. After disabling the security system, he went to the kitchen for some water then walked into the living room to sit on the large brown leather couch. He wasn't sure when he knew he wasn't alone, but the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Ranger slowly pulled out his gun.
"Who's there?"
"That's not very hospitable."
Buffy's soft voice teased his ear. A small pink tongue flicked the lobe, sending shivers down his spine. Ranger pulled her over the couch onto his lap. Buffy laughed, smiling up at him.
"Hi."
"Hi, yourself. What are you doing here? Not that I'm complaining."
Ranger enjoyed seeing the twinkle in her eyes. She was even more beautiful without the usual wall she kept around her. He wasn't sure what he had done to deserve this, but he hoped he wouldn't do anything to mess it up this time.
"That's good. I'd hate to think I broke into the Batcave for nothing."
"Just how did you find my apartment? Better yet, how did you get in?"
Buffy flipped around to straddle his lap.
"Pick one."
Ranger's focus went from the conversation to the warm body on his lap.
"Huh?"
Buffy put a finger under his chin to bring his face up to meet her eyes.
"I'll answered one question - pick one."
"How did you find my apartment?"
He wrapped his hands around her slender hips. His thumbs found purchase against the sharp edge of hipbone. He pressed lightly, hanging on to ensure he didn't lose the quicksilver creature before him. His large hand wrapped around her slender hips to allow his strong fingers to splay across her back. The tips of the middle fingers touched across her spine. Ranger felt the soft musculature tense and release in an almost undulating wavelike pattern. His mouth felt suddenly dry and he fought to swallow.
She leaned back to look up at him. Her lips turned up into a winsome smile. It was the type of smile that had lured men into the crashing rocks through the ages.
"It was easy. This is the last place anyone would look for you, so I looked here first. The apartment choice was easy, very predictable. The penthouse because there aren't any neighbors and it come with more security. All I had to do was find your Ci in the garage, after that it was easy peasy."
"My car isn't in the garage where you can see it."
"Course not, Silly," Buffy responded, her tone somewhere between half-mocking and teasing. "Knew you had to protect your rep. Soo."
She stretched the word, holding down on it long enough to give it several extra syllables.
"Figured this place had to have several entrances, especially for their more exclusive residents. Wasn't hard to find if you know where to look." She shrugged her shoulder at the simple logic of the statement. "I did, found it, and found your car. See simple. Don't know why Stephanie said it was so hard to track you?"
Buffy's brow tilted downward as her nose unconsciously scrunched, showing her confusion. Ranger knew he was in trouble before, and watching that upturned nose scrunch in that endearing way completed the job. There was no going back and he did the only thing he could do. Ranger started chuckling and it soon turned into a full-belly laugh.
"Only you, Gorgeous, only you."
He swept in for a scorching kiss. Ranger reluctantly pulled away to stare down at her beautiful face. He couldn't keep from smiling at her in admiration.
"It's called bait and switch or hiding in plain sight. Everyone thinks of me as Ranger, here I'm Mr. Martinez, a respectful Cuban businessman."
She titled her head to the side to look at him. Buffy studied him carefully.
"I can see you in that role. You would look handsome wearing the whole tailored suit, silk shirt and tie package."
She nodded as if she could picture it in her head. Her eyes turned sad almost haunted. The look passed quickly. Ranger wondered if he had imagined it.
"People have bad habits of labeling people. Take me…"
"Don't mind if I do."
Ranger flipped her over, so she lay beneath his strong body. He started nibbling on her collarbone, working his way toward her chest.
Buffy arched her back, giving him better access. His teeth grazed over her skin until he found a pert breast. Ranger suckled it through the thin shirt she wore. She pulled his hair loose from its ponytail to run her fingers through the thick, dark strands. Buffy closed her eyes, enjoying the sensations of Ranger's mouth and hands. His eyes swept back up to watch the passion start to bloom on her face.
She quickly pulled the black T-shirt over Ranger's head and threw it across the room. Her nails lightly scratched the muscles that played under his skin. The small shirt, that barely covered her, disappeared. Ranger sat back on his heals to feast his eyes on the sight of Buffy Summers.
The golden skin was a perfect foil for the rich leather. His brow rose when he noticed that her skin was the same golden color all over. It was a question for another time. His hands swept lightly over a trim, toned stomach to the bounty they sought. Cupping a breast in each hand, Ranger rolled the nipples into pebbled peaks.
"Mmm," Buffy murmured, "feel's good."
"You like that, Gorgeous?"
He scooped her up in his arms, and headed toward the bedroom.
"What are you doing?"
"Need room to do this properly."
He gave her one of his famous mega-watt smiles. Buffy rolled her eyes at him then returned his smile with one of her own. She leaned over to nip his ear with her teeth.
"Getting a little ahead of yourself there aren't you, Ricky? Would you hate me if I told you I wasn't quite ready for that yet? But, up for knowing what pleases you."
A low moan escaped his lips as he dropped her on the massive bed. It was pure Ranger; constructed from black wrought iron and covered with a tasteful but masculine cream duvet.
"Nice. Ranger enough, while still being Ricardo," Buffy said, pronouncing his name with the proper Spanish emphasis.
"Glad you approve."
His dark eyes sparkled with laughter and passion. Few people ever saw this side of him. Buffy had caught glimpses before, and she wanted to see more of the man in front of her, much more.
"You're the driver on this ride, Gorgeous. You say how fast, how slow and when to stop."
They slowly stripped the clothes from each others bodies. It was leisurely, as if they were old lovers, savoring every inch of bared skin. Lying back on the bed, they took turns learning each other. Lightly tracing the peaks and valleys, kissing old scars, uttering soft words, sharing tender kisses and giving caresses freely.
Buffy's body felt full and flush. She had reflected back over the last two weeks, and saw the changes in Ranger. She admitted she wanted him then decided to have him. She just never imagined that it would be like this. When he spoke about the way people thought about him, Buffy knew she was lost. People always saw her one way - blonde and stupid. As they lie on the bed naked and vulnerable to each other, Buffy wanted Ranger to know how she saw him. That's what led to this place right now, to this glorious place.
They moved slowly together, savoring the feelings that they were building. All the kisses, the touches and tastes, were leading to this moment, and they wanted it to last. Their breathing grew faster, as did their caresses. They knew they wouldn't last much longer but they didn't want to shatter the spell that held the world at bay, not yet.
"Feels so good," she whispered.
"Yes, mmm, good," he groaned in full agreement.
They stretched out, reaching for it, wanting to achieve that moment together. Two people shattered, screams, moans, gasping for breath, foreheads touching as they floated back to Earth. Coal black eyes gazed into hazel, no words pass between them, only tender kisses, as lids flutter close. Their bodies curved into each other naturally forming one unit, the pair allowed sleep to overtake them.
Ranger woke to find his bed empty. A note on the pillow told him he hadn't dreamed last night.
Rick,
Thanks for the beautiful night. People should always look beyond the outside,
to see the real person underneath. Your turn to find Catwoman's Lair.
Meow,
Buffy.
©CJSPlace 2004-2010TOP