Sorry for the delay, my husband had surgery and then I did. Good news we have met our deductible for the year. (New year started in September!)

A "guest" review really had me down. (It wasn't this story) The reviewer said people like me should use better grammar and punctuation, and not subject the reader to sub-par work. The readers deserved better.

I'm the first one to admit I struggle with grammar and punctuation. I am looking for another Beta. I am a bookkeeper, not a writer. I appreciate when the reader helps me or shows me how to make the story better.

Excuse the rant, blame it on the pain meds.

Thank you for reading.

As soon as Kate closed the door to her apartment Rick was taking off her shirt, she knew he wasn't taking her to bed-not at the moment anyway.

He ran his hand over the dark purple bruise covering her shoulder. "It doesn't...Kate stopped when she saw Rick's blue eyes darken, "it might sting just a bit," she conceded. She stopped talking and sucked in her bottom lip, a nervous habit she'd picked up when she was just a rookie cop.

Her writer-partner escorted her to the sofa and motioned for her to sit. She was going to protest when she saw the determination on his face and she realized he really wasn't kidding around.

"Fine," she sat obediently down on her sofa.

Rambo-Rick went into her kitchen and made an ice pack. It took awhile for her to notice that he knew where she kept everything. He didn't fumble around or have to search. He came back and placed towel wrapped icepack on her shoulder. Kate frowned as she discovered she was left alone once again, after he'd disappeared into bathroom. She wanted him, to sit beside her that would comfort her, she knew how he could make her feel better, and she could use the ice-

Images of tangle limbs and Rick's hot tongue flooded her thoughts, who am kidding I think about him all the time. Movement brought her back to the present she felt the weight of the icepack lift from her shoulder, she looked up to see he'd replaced the ice pack with his fingers, his strokes were gentle as he expertly smoothed the arnica cream on her shoulder.

Kate felt herself leaning in toward him, she had to constantly check herself at the precinct, or otherwise she would find her hands seeking to touch her ruggedly handsome partner.

She wasn't gonna lie, she found confident capable Rick sexy as hell. The bumbling class clown was gone, and he even seemed, taller.

Wow, I must have been hit in the head...taller? Kate was shaking her head chastising herself when his deep voice penetrated through her inner thoughts.

"Did I hurt you?"

"What? No…no I was just, never mind." Kate smiled into his piercing blue eyes.

Rick's face softened he stood and held out his hand "I've run a bath for you."

Kate took his hand and followed him into the bedroom.

She stood in front of the tub, as Rick finished undressing her, shivering as he slid the straps of her black lace bra from her shoulders. She didn't even feel him unclasp her bra. The man definitely had skills. His face was inches from her skin, but he wasn't teasing her, which was driving her even crazier.

He'd removed her matching black lace panties, while she was still in her lust filled haze. She needed him to make love to her reassure her-

"Kate,"

The way he caressed her name made her shiver.

"Yes?"

"Get in the tub."

Kate raised the corner of her mouth and wrinkled her forehead expressing her frustration.

Rick sighed, unhappy Kate would not do. He captured her frowning face between his large hands and leaned in. Kate closed her eyes and felt a feather light touch as his lips brushed hers. She opened her mouth to allow his access, moaning as his tongue teased. She felt his lips kiss her forehead.

"Kate,"

"Ummmm,"

"Open your eyes love."

She complied, it took a moment to focus.

He held her face tenderly. "We have all night, I've called mother, and she is staying at the loft with Alexis, unless you have other plans?"

Kate shook her head no.

"Are you ready to get in the tub now?"

She nodded.

Rick smiled and kissed her again, this time it felt like a promise of things to come. She climbed into her clawfoot oversized tub.

The hot water caressed her sore muscles. Rick infused the water with lavender and something that made the water feel soft. She reclined against the blow up pillow stuck to the back of the tub. Best luxurious item purchased to date. She loved taking a bath. She closed her eyes and relaxed.

She remembered, the day at the precinct when he told her about installing an oversized jetted tub in his master bath. They weren't even together then. It made her wonder if he was just hopeful or did he know that one day she would say yes? Kate tingled in all the right places recalling the adventures she and her partner had when they'd christened his tub.

Her eyes fluttered open as she felt the cool on her shoulder, Rick positioned the ice-pack on her shoulder and then disappeared from the bathroom.

She stopped resisting, she knew he wanted to take care of her, she was not gonna' lie it was nice, it was her own fault really, she'd never trusted anyone enough to allow them to take care of her before.

Rick was back, a short time later adding hot water and draining out the cooled water at the same time, his tub kept the water heated the thought floated through her Relaxed haze. She felt the warmth spread through the water overtaking the cold, it felt like Rick's fingers earlier, caressing her skin.

Rick knelt beside the tub he'd stripped to his black t-shirt and much to her disappointment his black commando pants were still on. The t-shirt was straining against his heavy muscled arms.

The first time Kate saw his chest she gasped. The baggy jackets he'd worn to work hid his physic. She'd stopped by one night after work. She'd decided she would return the favor of feeding him while he worked. It wasn't because she'd missed him because he'd spent the day working at home, at least that's what she told herself anyway.

Gina was threatening him if he didn't turn in a couple of chapters before the deadline at the end of the week.

He'd answered the door wearing a t-shirt and pajama pants. It was her turn to stare at him all night. His eyes twinkled every time he caught her ogling him. He'd confessed later that's the reason he didn't change. He enjoyed catching her stare at him for once.

She knew how strong he was mentally and physically, and how much her getting shot, even though it was by a paint ball, it still pained him.

"Hey," she smiled at him. It was a 'I love you to the moon and back' smile.

"Hey," he replied huskily.

"Join me?"

"I think it would be safer if you joined me in the bedroom." Rick's eyes were dark and filled with unmasked desire.

She was so ready, as soon as she started to get up Rick assisted her and wrapped her up in a bath sheet, she didn't recall having such large soft towels in her linen closet. She'd noticed other things appearing in her apartment. He had great taste, and a key. She didn't even comment he knew she'd noticed. That was all he needed.

He wanted her to have the best of everything, and he would continue to add the small comforts as long as she'd let him.

He dried her and added more cream to her bruise, and then he massaged lotion on every inch of her skin. She'd never been more relaxed, but she wasn't ready to go to sleep not until-

"Rick…."

He waited, he need her to say the words.

"I need you."

Those were the words, "all you ever had to do was ask"

The couple made love until they were both satisfied. Each of them needed the physical connection. Their partnership was strong but as lovers his flesh met hers and the two melded together as only lovers do.

It wasn't until the early morning hours the couple finally slept.

It was late morning before Kate awoke with her arm draped over his middle she was on her stomach and he was flat on his back. Kate was about to get out of bed when he touched her arm and asked her to stay in bed with him. She did.

They got up a couple of hours later, he made her an amazing cup of coffee.

The end.