Author's Note: All right, then. Looks like I'm onto something here. I've always wondered what things would be like if Steph and Ranger became true partners in the field, in life, and in the bedroom without that pesky love triangle nonsense and this here's gonna explore that. Now, it's time for our heroes to explore each other for the first of many times. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: "Honestly, it's not mine!"

"How'd he get in?"

"Picked the lock."

"How'd you get in?"

"Picked the lock…look, get yourself a couple of deadbolts…and lock that shit up."

-Ranger and Stephanie in One for the Money (2012)


The next time my mother scolds me for being impulsive, I'm just gonna smile and laugh.

Going off of my high of shutting Morelli down, I decided to take the reigns and shove Ranger down to my bed. Before he finished landing, I was on him and sucking on his neck like a vampire. He tasted sweet and spicy, like cinnamon and chocolate and I was determined to see if he tasted that way everywhere. Ranger's hands slid under my pink and purple sundress and the thing came off easily. I was in my pretty light grey demibra and cheeky boyshorts, the fabric far away from my now band aided wound. His eyes were blazing as I let my hair flip over one shoulder, showing off the blooming love bites he left at the door.

Sliding my hands down his 8 pack, I unzipped his cargos and reached in, pleasantly surprised to feel nothing but skin. Commando for the Commando. It fits…

He laughed and I blushed.

"Did I say that out loud?"

"You did."

Oops. Oh, well. Getting him out of his pants, I felt my entire lower half coil like an eager spring at the sight of him. Good god in heaven, how is he gonna fit in me without splitting me in half? The prospect was more sexy than frightening but still…

"Oh, my God…" I growled as his fingers slid under my panties, rubbing tenderly at my aching clit. Ah, yes. That's how. Moving into his ministrations, I started moving his shirt up his torso and he twisted until I could chuck it in the direction of my dress. Knowing fingers undid my bra with a snap and his lips closed around a nipple immediately. Normally, I wished my breasts were a little bigger but the fact that one of them could fit in this gorgeous man's mouth easily definitely worked in their favor. He sat up and held me to him, going between both of them until I was mewling at him.

"Carlos…"

"Hmm?" he purred, toying with my 'S' necklace as he nuzzled my sternum.

"Please…"

"Please what, Babe? Touch you, lick youfuck you?"

"Yes! Especially the last one!"

He snorted and put me underneath him, supporting himself on one hand as he carefully slid off my sodden panties. I was squirming underneath him, trying to thrust myself onto him and his hands held me down by the shoulders. Keeping his gaze on me, he fetched his wallet and pulled out a condom, sheathing his twitching member with practiced ease.

"I'm on the pill." I assured him softly. I forget about a lot of things but never my pill…

"My family is fertile." he replied bluntly before capturing my lips in a devastating kiss.

Wow. I didn't know men knew how to be that honest, especially in times like this, but I certainly appreciate it. My eyes bulged as he began to enter me, a loud groan escaping him as my body tried its very best to take him. I'm rather small down there and Ranger is…well above average. As in hung like a damned donkey or maybe an elephant…oh, god! Is this what Madeline Khan felt in Young Frankenstein? No wonder she had hit all those high notes…Jesus

"Ooh…" I groaned, my whole body shivering with want and pained pleasure.

"Do not move." he said in a strangled tone. "If you move, I'll blow. God, you're tight…"

I whimpered and locked my legs around him, my foot traveling up and down his calf. A visible shiver went through him and he slowly, slowly started to move. Moans and groans escaped me and I nibbled at his ear, the pain quickly being outweighed by the sheer bliss of having him inside me. He was warm and silk over steel, an intoxicating scent of soap and male making my head swim. I ran my hands over his back, rubbing and scratching, noting what he liked more. I marveled at the contrast between our skin tones and squealed softly as he brushed against my G-spot all on his own. The others had practically needed a GPS…

"Not me, Babe…I know how to please you…" he murmured confidently as he did it again and again and again…

A loud cry escaped me as his mouth returned to my breasts and he growled in delight as my nails dug into his back. Ranger likes it rough. I can give it to him rough just as long as he doesn't stop. We had found a rhythm of hard, deep thrusts and he tilted my hips up so he could brush against my clit when we came together. My mattress was squeaking and my headboard clanged as we both gripped it for leverage, his hand on top of mine. Our eyes met and I could tell that it was just as intense for him as it was for me. What is this? How is it like this so soon? Why am I attached to this guy so quickly?

And more importantly: why is he attached to me so quickly?

Our lips met again and I could feel my orgasm begin, my tunnel quivering faster and faster until I broke the kiss with a piercing shriek of his name, my head going back as I arched. His hips braced me and I gripped him with white knuckles, screaming and moaning as my climax shook and rocked me. His teeth sank into my shoulder and both of his hands thrust me up onto him a half dozen more times before he joined me with a muffled yell. Looking, I could see his toes curl into my sheets and I pressed sloppy kisses to his shoulder as he finished. Good…so…fucking…good

I wheezed for air and threw an arm over my eyes to try to make the world spin a little slower. Dimly, I registered him disposing of the condom and soon, I was covered by him and my discarded blankets. He was heavy but not too heavy and I sighed deeply, relaxing into my pillows fully.

"Holy… fucking… hell." he rasped after a couple of minutes.

"That pretty much sums it up. So…I'm your friend, your bounty hunting padawan learner, and definitely your lover, now. We are going to do this again in many ways and in reasonable places, regardless of public opinion. Non-negotiable."

"Agreed."