Date Doctor (The Date Doctor Book 1)

by Stori Summers

  “You are teaching me. This isn’t about me having sex with you, and I was assured that for what I’m paying this would be hands-on training.”

  No wonder this guy got stood up.

  “Well, you weren’t talking to me, were you? I’m not about to get fingered in a restaurant by a stranger so you can see if you’ve still got it. Okay?”

  His nostrils flared at me, his eyes darkening with the clear frustration on his face.

  “I’m sorry that you were misled about––”

  “Six,” he said cutting me off.

  I stared at him not sure I heard him correctly. “Six?”

  “Thousand,” he said on a harsh breath of heated air that danced over my neck. “For whatever I want.”

  Pressing my lips together I was turning his proposition over in my mind as I looked around to see if anyone noticed his hand was between my thighs.

  Crawford.

  He was standing at the entrance and looking right at me. For some reason, he looked really pissed off. It couldn’t be because I gave them the slip, they didn’t even know that I knew they were following me.

  “Yes or no?” Ranger’s voice was getting deeper in an angry way that probably wouldn’t bode well for me.

  I watched as Crawford held up a gold ring and threw it in the trashcan next to the hostess desk.

  Bryan, you gave me a fake ring? Oh shit. Shit. You asshole.

  “Yes,” I said. “For six.”

  “Well then? Open your legs.”

  My body trembled with nerves, fear, and who knew what else. “You want training. This isn’t how you go about this. You would kiss her first. Touching her shoulder or the top of her thigh would be next.”

  His hand slid away from my inner thighs and I sucked in the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. He was coming in fast, I put my hands on his shoulders slowing his progress. “Ranger, start off slow. Show me how you want to cherish me.”

  The warmth of his lips against mine felt strange. He wasn’t my husband. But how silly was that? I didn’t have a husband anymore. His hand traced my jawline before sinking into my hair.

  His eyes were squeezed tightly shut, and as he kissed me I knew it wasn’t me he was kissing. The passion and need he had for Raven, whoever she was, was a lot.

  I can’t remember ever being kissed like this.

  Chapter Five

  My arm was around his neck, and my mouth was open. I was loving the way his tongue was making love to my mouth. I’d let myself forget that I wasn’t Raven, I just enjoyed his attention thinking that Raven was lucky.

  His other hand cupped my breast through my dress.

  My eyes popped open as his thumb teased my sensitive nipple. It was not appropriate for him and me to be doing what we were but it seemed to be for Ranger and Raven. I felt how much he wanted to please her, to awaken her hunger for him.

  I didn’t stop him as his hand continued down my stomach to my lap. This time as his hand slid under my dress, and I allowed him to begin to explore the skin of my thighs.

  “How am I doing? Don’t lie.” He demanded. His command was hot as his lips brushed over the lobe of my ear.

  Swallowing I nodded. “You’re taking your time. That’s better.”

  “What will make you want to open your legs wide for me and ask me to touch you, Raven?”

  I don’t know what Raven’s preferences are, this is harder than I thought it was going to be.

  “Tease me,” I said. “Don’t give me what you think I want right away. Does that make sense?” I had just finished my question when his fingers were already gliding over my panties. My breath hitched, and I felt my body reacting to his touch.

  The mound between my legs was achy and getting wet in anticipation of Ranger’s touch. I turned my face into his neck, my breath coming faster as he found the sensitive nub between my folds.

  This can’t be happening. How can I be so turned on? What the hell is wrong with me?

  I closed my legs again, my shock at myself scaring me.

  Ranger didn’t allow me to squeeze his hand out this time. “I can see you like this. What can I do to make it better? Help me please her, don’t hold back. I need your help.”

  I’m helping. I’m helping, that’s what I’m doing.

  Swallowing, I opened my mouth and whispered the answer to him, “Keep going, kiss me, and tell me what about me is turning you on.” It was more guidance than I’d ever given Bryan. Then again, I’d never been in such a desperate situation before.

  Fear wasn’t an option. Not when it came to earning the money Ranger promised me. I needed it if I was going to have more than an ice cube’s chance in hell of surviving.

  “Raven.” He spoke low and deep. “You bring me to life. When I’m with you, I’m finally home.”

  His heartfelt words didn’t match the urgency of his touch or the heat radiating off his body. He was holding back. “No, Ranger. Don’t whisper sweet nothings. Tell me what makes your body hungry for mine.” I pressed my hand over his, stopping the movement so I could think straight. “Telling Raven what has you so aroused will make her feel sexy and beautiful.”

  “She will want me to touch her if I make her feel beautiful?”

  “Sexy and beautiful,” I said making myself look him in the eye while his hand was still pressed against my panties.

  His phone rang.

  I thought for a second that I was going to get a little breather to collect myself but he didn’t remove his hand from between my thighs when I released my hold on his hand. Instead he continued to pet me through the silk of my panties while he answered his phone with his other hand.

  Seriously? You’re taking a phone call now?

  “I understand,” he said. “That makes sense actually. It explains why she wasn’t aware of what I expected.”

  My body stiffened as his words registered in my sexually stimulated and scared brain. He was talking to the pimp of whatever hooker was supposed to have shown up.

  I should have realized this was going to happen? How could I let things get this far gone?

  “Because she’s already here.” He wrapped his fingers around my panties, holding them and me in place when I tried to stand. The look he directed at me was reproachful. “She’s perfect. I don’t want another girl,” he said into the phone.

  My cheeks burned as I watched him, waiting for the ax to fall. Would he get really pissed and hurt me? Or would he call the cops? The very real possibility of him having me thrown out of the restaurant and into Crawford and Danny’s arms, after everything, without anything to show for it and nothing to offer the sharks wanting my blood sank in. I leaned toward him.

  “Can we get back to business please, Ranger?” I asked him.

  He handed me the phone. “It’s for you.”

  I forced a smile and put his phone to my ear. “Yes?”

  “Who the fuck is this?” An electronic sounding voice demanded.

  “Yes, I am the girl he wants. He just told you as much.”

  The person on the other end laughed sounding like a demon with the electronic voice disguising feature. “You don’t know who you’re messing with. Don’t think for a minute I’m going to let you get away with––”

  “I’ll tell him. Goodbye.” I hit end, switched his phone to silent and handed it back to Ranger.

  The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up. I was feeling pretty damn vulnerable with so many threats aimed my way in less than a twenty-four hour period.

  I never thought in a million years my death would be caused by the hands of a bookie or a pimp. I hope my parents aren’t seeing this.

  The champagne arrived. I planned to have at least a couple glasses to get me through whatever would be coming next, but Ranger told the waiter to have the bottle sent to his room at the Windsor Court Hotel.

  Having lived in Louisiana nearly all my life, I was familiar with the hotel, at least by reputation. I’d never stayed at the Windsor, nor did I think I ever wo
uld. The hotel is not for a lowly, barely full-time, high school dance teacher. Not for what they charge for a basic room.

  A silly part of me thought perhaps what Ranger and I had already done was all he wanted to learn from me. Here he thought I was some kind of expensive escort, an expert who could teach him to seduce, when, in reality I was nothing more than a hooker. No way was he taking me to the Windsor Court Hotel.

  Then his hand slid away from between my thighs and took possession of my right wrist. He stood and I barely had enough time to lower the hem of my dress as he hauled me up onto my feet. The grip he had on me let me know he was not finished with me.

  I really could use a belt or something for this shit.

  My nerves were raw and even though I knew I could end up being manhandled by Ranger or whatever his real name was, I knew he was a better option than the two gorillas waiting to kill me or beat a warning into me.

  “I’m not going anywhere until you let me know we’re finished,” I whispered to Ranger as I guided his hold on my wrist to my hand. His fingers interlocked with mine, and when I say locked, I’m talking triggered bear trap locked.

  Apparently, my word isn’t good enough.

  Ranger told the waiter we wouldn’t be staying for food but to send a steak and a lobster dinner to his room as well. I smiled at him when he looked at me for approval, but I’d be surprised as an alligator hatching turtle eggs if I managed to eat anything.

  I barely had time to grab my briefcase before Ranger pulled me along with him. He was leading the way, taking us to the exit on the side of the restaurant instead of the street I’d entered from. We stepped out onto Poydras Street. I hoped it meant we would escape Crawford and Danny but per usual, I wasn’t that lucky.

  Danny was giving me the kind of smile that held anticipation, like a sibling waiting to watch the other get in trouble. Too bad it wasn’t just a spanking I’d be receiving. My heart increased its speed again, making me feel breathless and a little lightheaded.

  “What about when you’re frustrated with me and pull away from me? How do I ensure you won’t storm off?” Ranger asked me, his gaze on me and missing the far too blatant staring of Danny in our direction.

  I wasn’t entirely sure that Danny was going to maintain his distance. My knees were shaking and my thighs were rearing to run, but I knew I couldn’t do that. Running away from Danny was the equivalent of running from a bear, and in my shoes, just as scary.

  “If Raven is frustrated and wants to leave––”

  “You are Raven. You have to be for this to work.” Ranger gruffed at me with a scowl.

  I raised my brows at him and he dropped the scowl. “She looks at me like that too. What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “It means stop being such an ass, Ranger.”

  He almost smiled as he led me right past Danny. I, on the other hand, was shaking like a dried up leaf at the turn of autumn.

  Where is Crawford?

  I felt like he was going to spring out at any second. A glance behind us told me what I already knew. I could feel Danny’s eyes digging into my back just behind my shoulders even before I confirmed that he was following us up Poydras Street.

  When we turned onto Gravier Street, Ranger was back to giving me directions. “I want you to wait in the lobby while I go to the desk and check for any messages.”

  “Or I could wait in the room?” I suggested because I was pretty sure the moment he let go of my hand, I’d be snatched up and tossed into one of the graves in the cemetery I had cut through earlier.

  Ranger didn’t answer me. I supposed his silence was my answer and looked around again to see if I could spot Crawford before we stepped into the Windsor Court Hotel. I still didn’t see him, but I did see Danny and he watched me as I entered the hotel with Ranger.

  If Danny knew where I was, then Crawford knew.

  As soon as Ranger released my hand, I was wringing my fingers and checking the entrance to see if Danny planned on following us inside.

  Ranger was still at my side, and I thought he was going to tell me to stay put or something like that. Instead, he placed a fob into my palm. “Take the elevator. Use this, it will take you to the correct room.”

  I looked down at the fob in my hand wondering how it could do that, and when I looked back up to ask him, he was already walking away toward the front desk. Music started up from the live band in the lounge area startling me into dropping the fob.

  Reaching down I grabbed it from the deep green marble floor and straightened. There was still no sign of Danny at least since we’d entered the courtyard of the Windsor, but I knew he was still out there.

  I took the briefcase with me to the elevators. The shiny gold doors were all closed so I hit the button and looked around again for Crawford or Danny.

  There were a few people seated in the lounge area, more at the cocktail bar, but I didn’t see either of them. I did notice a woman with long brown hair on the arm of an older man staring my way, but I didn’t know her, thankfully.

  Once I was in the elevator, I held up the fob to the black screen above the buttons and the elevator started moving, so I figured maybe it would take me to the right place after all.

  The walls of the elevator were glass, giving me a view of the lobby and courtyard as it continued to climb. I turned back to the doors when the elevator stopped. The metallic gold doors parted and I exited the elevator. There was only one hallway with only a single door. No wonder the fob was enough to get me to the right room.

  I used it to open the door and realized I was standing in the presidential suite. There was a baby grand piano, a fireplace and a library with fine furniture. Open curtains revealed a terrace with a view of the city and the river.

  My mind fought with itself as I stood there frozen. Should I enjoy this amazing suite, the likes of which I’d never see again, for what could be my last few hours? Or should I be brainstorming how I was going to approach the enforcers with the money?

  What money, Savvy? All I have right now is a briefcase full of what is probably more fake jewelry and a promise of payment after services rendered. So, what am I gonna do?

  Chapter Six

  “Raven?” Ranger called for me before the door to the hotel room shut.

  “I’m in here.” I answered from the bathroom. I was freshening up a little since it seemed that I would be having sex for the first time in months and months. It wasn’t how I planned to end my sexual fast, that was for sure.

  Ranger was waiting when I exited the bathroom with its own private vanity desk. I would have been in heaven if I were in the suite under different circumstances. Too bad.

  “Why are you still dressed?”

  “Does Raven … I mean, do I usually undress myself and wait for you, Ranger?” I asked putting my hand on my hip.

  Again, he nearly smiled. “I wish,” he replied so quietly I almost didn’t hear him.

  What is the deal with Ranger and Raven? Is this woman his wife? Girlfriend? What?

  “Have you ever told me to wait for you in our bedroom naked?” I asked.

  “We don’t share a bedroom anymore. You barely speak to me.”

  I nodded and tucked my dark hair behind my ear. “I sound pissed off, Ranger. What did you do?”

  “Hurt. Not angry. Tell me how to fix it.”

  Uh oh. Shit. Marriage advice from me? I just had more sex with you than I’ve had with Bryan in the past year.

  He slid his hands from my shoulders to my arms, his grip tightening the longer the silence stretched between us.

  “Make me feel safe,” I said hoping that I was giving him the advice he needed. “You’re passionate about me clearly but holding onto me so tightly tells me you don’t cherish me. Be gentle until it’s time to be passionate.”

  Ranger nodded, his nostrils flaring.

  His hands slid up my arms again as he looked into my eyes and that ache he’d stirred in me before sharpened, reminding me I liked the way he touched me. He unzipp
ed my dress, the feel of his fingers kissing my skin from behind my neck to my lower back, made me shiver with excitement I shouldn’t have been feeling.

  We were both holding our breath as he guided the soft material from my shoulder and down my body.

  Ranger stared at my breasts with hunger, the tent in his pants evidence of his desire, but he didn’t continue to touch me. I could see he was having an internal battle of his own. I didn’t know what his inner struggle consisted of, but I knew mine.

  I’m glad my parents aren’t alive to see this.

  “I want to suck on your breasts and watch you cry out as I fill you with my dick, but I’ve already tried that on you.” He stripped out of the jacket he was wearing, tossing it onto the couch. “Tell me what I should do differently.”

  Well that sounded pretty good to me.

  I found I was a little breathless as I tried to answer his question. No one had ever talked to me like he had and damned if I didn’t like it. “Maybe if you show me your approach I can suggest––”

  “I pulled up your dress and went for it. Just tell me what to do from here.” His gaze was intense and bold, traveling over my skin so heavily I could feel his eyes as if they were hands mapping out my body.

  I nodded, watching as he unbuttoned his shirt.

  My nipples tightened, and I had to remind myself to breathe normally. Ranger believed I was some kind of hands-on sexual savant. If he found out I wasn’t, I didn’t think he’d take it well.

  Ranger yanked his undershirt off and over his head, revealing muscular, broad shoulders and a rock-hard body. Perhaps he was a bit on the skinny side but hell, he was the finest man I’d ever seen who wasn’t on a television or movie screen.

  Is Raven crazy?

  He didn’t make a move to take off his pants, and I realized I was waiting for that when I really shouldn’t have been. “You said you want to use your mouth on me, you should, but be gentle. I’ll tell you if I want more. Or I might pull you tighter against me.”