Ransom

by Laramie Briscoe

  “There’s plenty of shit I’m scared of.” I run my hand up and down Rambo’s head, enjoying the way he snores. It’s one of those sounds that reminds me of home.

  “Oh me too.” She plays with his tail. “But I mean when it’s time to get shit done, even the scary stuff, you just do it. Fear waits on no one.”

  “That sounds like a Renegade saying.” I grin over at her.

  Her answering grin is soft, tired. Her eyes are heavy and I can tell she’s close to giving up the ghost of trying to stay awake. “That might be some Ryan Kepler wisdom right there,” she confirms. “Or he stole it from Mason, but ehh.” She shrugs.

  “You tired?” I ask as I yawn widely.

  “Yeah, it’s been a long day.”

  Disentangling myself from Rambo, I get up off the couch and reach out my hand to her. Pulling her up so we face each other, I put both palms on her cheeks, forcing those blue eyes of hers to meet my green. “I’m gonna let Rambo out to do his business, lock up, and check everything. You go on to bed. Whichever bed you want to get into is totally and completely up to you. I’m not pressuring you for anything. I’m fuckin’ wiped tonight if you want the truth. All I want is you to be comfortable.”

  A sleepy smile spreads across her face. “Okay,” she whispers. “Goodnight, Ransom.”

  Not gonna lie, there’s a place in the pit of my stomach that’s a little disappointed. I lean in, kissing her on the forehead. “Night, Stelle.”

  She walks down the hallway while I coax Rambo out the door and make sure he does his business. After that, I use both our key fobs to make sure our cars are locked, then check the doors, before arming the security system that came with the house. Turning out the lights, I tidy up the rooms as I go through them, checking to make sure everything is where it needs to be. As I get to my room, I tell myself it’s okay she didn’t want to be with me tonight.

  Except when I walk over the threshold, Rambo at my feet, we both stop. There, sitting on the side of the bed, her hair down around her shoulders, those short shorts of hers off, and wearing only a long t-shirt, is Stella. She shrugs, looking sexy, cute, innocent, and a siren all at the same time.

  “Didn’t know which side was yours and where he sleeps.” She tilts her head to Rambo.

  Fuck. This woman, caring about my dog. “He sleeps in the corner.” I point to his bed. “I sleep on the left.”

  She walks around the mattress, pulling the sheets and comforter back. “Then I’ll sleep on the right.”

  Those words? Best I’ve ever heard.

  Chapter 9

  Stella

  Today has been a better day than yesterday. I’m crediting the fact I slept – and I really mean slept – with Ransom last night and woke up to him this morning.

  “You sure you can’t call in today?”

  My eyes travel the sleepy face laying beside me. “I wish I could, but Kels will kill me if I do. Today is a lab day, and we’re always busy. She can’t handle it on her own. Our part-time chick, Karsyn, we like her, but she’s got no damn common sense. Basically, Kels and I run that place.”

  “Bummer.” He pulls the pillow under his cheek as he rolls over onto his stomach. His biceps flex as he gets comfortable. “I don’t have to go in until two today.”

  “I wish I could hang with you until you go to work,” I pout. “Does that mean you get off late tonight?”

  “After midnight,” he yawns.

  Now I feel bad. It’s six in the morning. Hopefully I haven’t completely messed up his sleep schedule. “Go back to sleep, please? I’ll be quiet.”

  “I’ll go back to sleep after you leave.” His voice is scratchy, deep, and sexy as hell.

  Slipping out from under the covers, I almost scream as I see Rambo at my feet. The only thing giving him away is the clinking of his tags. “Shit, he’s quiet.”

  “He is.” Ransom leans over to scratch the top of his head. “He probably needs to go out.”

  “I can do it.”

  “You sure?”

  I don’t want to tell him that I hope this is something that comes to be a routine for us in the future. Maybe he’s not thinking that far ahead, but I definitely want to show him I can handle the life he lives. “We got this. I’ll let him out, then get ready in the bathroom down the hall so I don’t disturb you too much.”

  He laughs, deep and low in his throat. “I can sleep anytime, anywhere.”

  “While that’s probably true, it would make me feel better to know you got good sleep. You have a job you need to be alert for.”

  “Thanks, Stelle. Rambo doesn’t need to be fed until later on, so just let him back in and he’ll either come back to bed or roam the house.”

  Walking around the side of the bed, I bend down, kissing him on the cheek when he turns his head to face me. “Be careful out there.”

  “Always.” He catches my wrist, circling his fingers around my flesh. “Tell me if I’m coming on too strong, but I’d love it if you were here when I get home tonight? It’s Friday and I’m off tomorrow.”

  The uncertain way he says it warms my heart. Just like last night, he doesn’t make assumptions, and I appreciate that more than I can tell him. “You’re in luck.” I run my fingers through his hair. “Kels is going with Ruby tomorrow to a concert in Birmingham and they’re spending the night. I was gonna be by myself anyway. I’d much rather spend time with you two.”

  “I’ll text you the door code to the back door. It’s a number padlock, and I’ll include instructions on how to turn the alarm off.”

  “Perfect. I’ll come here after I have dinner with Kels and pack a bag.”

  Rambo makes a noise then, nudging my leg. “I think he’s ready to go out.”

  Ransom laughs. “I think he is too. See you later.”

  “Yeah.” I kiss him again. “See you later.”

  “Get that smile off your face.” Kels snaps her fingers. “Let’s get it together, we have three more patients to see and then we can go to fried chicken sandwich night at The Café. I’m starving.”

  I am too, but I’ve found myself getting distracted today, mostly by thoughts of the man I spent the night with. Better than anyone, I know this is the excitement of being in a new relationship, but at the same time, Ransom is different than any other man I’ve been with.

  “Call this one back, Stella.” Dr. Patterson hands me a chart, interrupting my thoughts.

  As I check the labs this person is going to get, I make a deal with myself to stay focused until Kels and I can get out of here.

  Ransom

  The night has been pretty calm, but I know not to count on it. As soon as I start counting on it, all hell will break loose. Pulling up in front of The Café, I park before grabbing Rambo’s leash. In the back he prances, making noises because he knows where we are. Getting out, I walk to the back and open up his door, snapping his leash on him.

  “C’mon out.”

  He pulls me toward the front door, making me laugh. “Chill, Mom will have you your favorite. I texted her and told her we were coming.”

  It’s close to seven as we enter the bustling restaurant. We get looks, like we always do, but everyone is used to seeing us around here. Over in the corner, I see Kels and Stelle along with their parents, talking animatedly with one another. As I’m about to go to find my mom, Menace sees me, waving me over. Since he’s my supervisor, I immediately go over to where he sits.

  “Hey,” everyone yells as I make my way across the crowded dining area.

  “Hey,” I answer. Stelle smiles at me, and I do my best not to smile at her with the private smile of two people who spent the previous night together.

  “How’s it going?” Menace asks. “You having any issues tonight?”

  “Nope, we did a drug sniff for a traffic stop, and that’s about it. Just been driving around.”

  “Hopefully that’s all you’ll have.”

  I hook my one hand into my vest. “Yes sir.”

  “Hey sweetie!” I hear
the sound of my mom’s voice as she comes up behind me.

  Rambo barks loudly as he hears her voice. “He knows what you have for him.” I bend down, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

  “I do, I have some dinner for you too. Wanna come eat with me on your break?”

  “We didn’t mean to monopolize his time,” Renegade apologizes. “Have a good night, Ransom.”

  “Thanks, see y’all later.”

  When everyone else looks down at their food, Stella looks at me. She mouths see you tonight, and I smirk before going over to the booth that’s always reserved for our family. Mom pulls Rambo to the side, setting down a bowl of the turkey and gravy he loves. She scratches his head before she looks at me. “How many sandwiches you want?”

  “Just one, with some fries, and a huge glass of water. It’s hot as hell out there.”

  She gives me my food, then has a seat across from me. “I haven’t heard from you in the past few days.”

  My gaze strays to Stella. “Been really busy, but you know you can call me anytime.”

  “Holden says I need to let you live your life.” She blushes. “That you might have a girlfriend you haven’t told us about and I’m ruining your game.”

  Shaking my head, I take a bite of my sandwich. “Mom, I’m never too busy for you. Even if there is someone in my life.”

  “There is?” Her eyes light up.

  “I said if,” I remind her. “Things are looking up though.”

  “What aren’t you telling me?”

  Stella and I have already said we need to keep this quiet until we figure out what’s going on, and I’m not about to go back on that. “When there’s something to tell you, I will. How’s Cutter? I talked to Dad earlier tonight, and Cutter lost his scholarship?”

  Cutter is my little brother and had been at the University of Alabama on a football scholarship. At the end of last year, he’d gotten in trouble, and we’d all been waiting to see what the school would say.

  “Yeah, he found out yesterday. He’s not taking it very good.”

  “He shoulda thought about that,” I remind her.

  I’ve always been the older brother, the responsible one of the two of us, but this shit is going too far.

  “You know he got his heart broken, Ransom.”

  “Mom, I get that, trust me, I get it. I was with him when it happened. He’s got to get over it. He’s got to be a productive member of society.”

  “He’s doing his best.”

  And I know with all her heart she believes that. But I know my brother, and I know he’s not doing everything he can right now.

  “Dad won’t allow it indefinitely, and neither will I.” I gulp my water down.

  “I know, but for now, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt.”

  Stella, and the rest of the crew that was in their party, get up to leave. Mom and I speak to them for a few minutes, and I can’t help but watch as she walks away.

  My phone buzzes in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see a text from Stella.

  S: Going back to my apartment now to pack my bag. Gonna take a nap when I get to your house. Wake me up when you get home.

  “What’s that smile?” Mom sees a story and she wants it desperately.

  “Not yet.” I give her a look, eating the last of my food. “Me and Rambo have to go, but I’ll talk to you later?”

  “Love you, Ransom, be careful.” She reaches down, stroking Rambo’s head. “Keep each other safe,” she says softly.

  “Love you too, Mom. You closing tonight?”

  “Yeah, it’s my turn.”

  “Text or call me when you close, I’ll come to walk you out.”

  “Will do.”

  She hugs me one more time before we leave, and as I get into my SUV, I take a minute to answer Stella’s text.

  R: Wake you up no matter how late it is?

  S: No matter how late. I can handle this, Ransom.

  As I put my phone back in my pocket, I realize I’ve never wanted someone to be able to handle my life as much as I hope she can.

  Chapter 10

  Ransom

  Midnight rolls around as I make another lap through town. The lights are still on at The Café, so I know Mom hasn’t closed up yet. Parking, I go to the door and knock. It’s not like I don’t know the code, I’ve worked here enough in my teenage years, but my Mom is a cop’s wife and she does carry. I don’t want to accidentally be shot.

  She appears from the office, giving me a smile. Quickly she makes her way to the door, opening it. “Hey, thanks for stopping back by.”

  “This is too late for you, Mama,” I tell her what I’ve been thinking for a long time. She needs to stop doing these closings. “You need to let the other people close.”

  “They have families too, Ran. You and Cutter don’t need me anymore, and your dad is working all types of hours, just like you. I get bored.”

  “Then find a fuckin’ hobby, Mom. I worry about you, and I know they do too.”

  “I can take care of myself,” she argues.

  It’s then I see dark circles under her eyes and realize her smile doesn’t go quite as wide as it used to. “Are you upset about what went down at the family property? Something is obviously bothering you.”

  She sighs, shrugging her shoulders. “It’s complicated, Ran. I have a lot of memories of that place. Not all are good, and it’s just…” she trails off. “It’s stirring up a bunch of feelings I thought I’d come to grips with a long time ago.”

  “Then talk to Dad.” I follow her into her office. “That’s what he’s there for.”

  “I will,” she promises, closing the safe and turning off her computer. “I’m kind of trying to come to grips with stuff on my own before I bring it to him.”

  “It’ll piss him off when he finds out.” I know him, maybe a little better than she does, if she thinks this is okay.

  “Won’t be the first time I pissed off your daddy.”

  I laugh loudly, throwing my head back as I hook my arm around her neck. “Don’t get me involved in this, woman,” I warn her. “Let’s walk you out. I only have about another hour to go, and I need to do my reports.”

  “Got a hot date?” she teases.

  Letting go of her, I let her walk out first, as I bring up the rear, making sure there’s no danger lurking anywhere.

  Hooking my fingers into my vest, I rock back on my feet, giving her a smile. “Maybe, maybe not.”

  “Ransom Thompson, you’re being a jerk.”

  “I’m being secretive. There’s a difference.” I stand at her back as she turns to lock the door. When she’s done, we walk to her car and I open the door for her. “Be safe, Mom,” I say as I lean down to kiss her on the cheek.

  “You too. One day I’ll find out if you’re really going out on a date or not.”

  “Bet you will.” I shut the door, giving her a wave. I walk back to my SUV and watch for her to pull out of the parking lot, making sure she goes on her way without any problems.

  Shaking my head with a laugh, I get into my own vehicle and wait out the rest of my shift.

  “Bub, I love you,” I tell Rambo when we get home a few hours later. I’ve let him out and fed him, and right now we’re having a conversation. “But tonight, you can’t sleep in the bedroom. You’re gonna have to sleep on your bed in here.” I point to the other bed he has in the living room.

  He whines, putting his head on the ground, covering his face with his paws.

  “You’re not gonna make me feel bad.” I take off my gear, locking up my gun and leaving the rest of it on the kitchen table. I toe off my boots and set them beside the door. Quietly I tiptoe down the hallway, looking back at Rambo to make sure he’s stayed where he should be. “You’ll be fine.”

  He’s judging me, but I can’t seem to make myself care. I’m quiet as can be, letting myself into my bedroom. She’s left a light on for me, and the sentiment is enough to bring me to my knees. My gut clenches with an emotion I can’t expla
in when I see Stella curled around my pillow. She’s sleeping peacefully and I think twice about waking her up, but I need to see her, need to talk to her, and if my hardening cock has anything to say about it, he’d like to see her too.

  I take the quickest shower known to man, and when I come out of the bathroom, I’m surprised as hell to see her sitting up, sleepy and sweet on the edge of my bed.

  “Hey, I was hoping to not wake up you up just yet.” I rub my hair with one towel, another one is wrapped around my waist.

  “I heard the shower come on and was afraid I’d go back to sleep if I kept laying there.”

  “I’m glad you’re awake.” I walk over to her, reaching out to cup her jaw in the palm of my hand. “I’ve thought about you all day.”

  “Same here, handsome. Same.”

  “You thinkin’ about this sexual tension between us?”

  “Yeah,” she answers, tilting her face into my touch.

  “I’ve tried not to pressure you, but it’s been there for a while. At least on my side.” I rub my thumb along her lips.

  “Mine too. There was a day a few months ago, when I started to see you as something different than my dad’s friend’s son.”

  I know the day she’s talking about. Deciding to throw some truth down for her, I let her know where I’m at in this thing between us. “Eight months, Stelle, since I got an inkling I might have a chance with you. Just some internet porn and my hand, your name on my lips as I came every time – that’s all I’ve had since the moment I thought you might be mine. Hope you’re ready, sweetheart, it’s about to get serious up in here. Can you handle it?”

  Her intake of breath is sharp, a deep sigh in the quiet room. Slowly I run my thumb over her bottom lip. Our eyes meet. My dark to her light. Dropping my thumb to her chin, her tongue chases the path I took. She swallows roughly. “I can.”

  She reaches down, pulling her shirt up and over her head. A loud groan pulls from the back of my throat. She’s not wearing a bra, and in the low light of the room, her nipples tighten under my gaze. “Damn, Stelle, I’ve thought a hundred thousand times about what you look like with your clothes off. None of it ever came close.”