Chapter 7

The rest of the car ride we were both silent. In my head I was freaking out. What would happen between Ranger and me during my time spent at his apartment? And if anything did happen Morelli would never take me back. I stole a look at Ranger. God he was gorgeous. I shook my head. No nothing would happen. We're merely just friends. Yeah right.

"So when do you think you're friend will be leaving?" I asked. Ranger turned his head to me. The corners of his lips turned into an all knowing smile. I blushed and turned my head concentrating on the houses we were passing. At last we turned into his apartment building. Ranger parked the car and we walked inside the elevator. I watched the numbers rise as we passed the different levels. I was doomed.

Ranger unlocked his car and we both walked into his apartment.

"Well, I'm exhausted," I quipped. I was eager to avoid him, which really meant I was hiding from temptation. "Goodnight."

"I take it you want to sleep on the couch."

"The couch is perfect!" I squeaked. Ranger retrieved me some blankets and set up my bed. After he was done, he pulled me into his arm and kissed me. I felt like I burning up and I would soon only be a pile of ash on the floor. Finally he let go.

"I'm going to have a shower." Ranger announced. He then walked away and disappeared into the bedroom. I still stood there with my mouth open like an idiot. Why did he have to be so damn hot?

Sighing I crawled into bed. I could here the sound of the shower running. I would go to hell for the images in my mind of Ranger in the shower. I moaned loudly. Staying true to Morelli was going to be a challenge.

I woke up the next morning without knowing where I was. Realization hit when I saw Ranger carrying me a plate of food.

"Oatmeal?" I said staring at the plate. Ranger nodded. I took the plate and ate a spoonful. I shuddered.

"What kind of oatmeal is this?"

"All natural. No sugar."

Figures. But my stomach was growling loudly so I continued to shovel it in my mouth. The taste did not improve.

"What are you going to do today?" Ranger asked me once we both had finished.

"Go to the office to see if there is any more FTA's to bring in." Ranger nodded. I began to feel uncomfortable sitting so close to him.

"Can I have a shower?" Ranger nodded. I scurried into the bathroom. By the time I was thoroughly clean and smelling like Bulgari, I stepped back into the living room. Ranger was gone and there was a note and a set of keys on the counter. The note read, "Needed truck. Here are keys to the Porsche." I tried not to topple over with excitement.

I used the other key on the key ring to lock the apartment. Once inside the garage I climbed into the Porsche feeling extremely cool. Connie and Lula were going to lose it when they saw my riding in this.

I cruised over to the office. As I expected Connie and Lula were out of their seats staring at me. I grinned.

"Girl you are the shit!" Lula squealed as I walked into the office.

"I don't know how you do it." Connie shook her head in disbelief. Neither did I. A second later Vinnie came storming out of his office and glared at me.

"I suppose you haven't found Mueller yet? Christ I have three days till I have to give over the money! Why aren't you chasing him instead of hanging around here?"

"He tried to kill me three times! He shot Morelli! I'm not looking for him anymore!"

"So? You're just going to give up?"

"Just give it to someone else!"

"Grr…" Vinnie growled and marched back into his office slamming the door behind him.

"Don't give her any new FTA's until she finds him!" He yelled from his office. Lula, Connie, and I rolled our eyes.

"So who else is there?" I asked.

"Well, let me see," Connie rummaged through the stack her desk. "Oh here's one you'll like. Mooner needs to be brought in. He probably just forgot his court date, again."

Without even bothering with the file I drove over to Mooner's place and knocked on the door. I walked up his driveway and pounded on the door.

A couple seconds later he opened he's door and stared at me.

"Shit," he said registering slowly. I forgot my court date!" I nodded with a smile.

"Come on, I'll take you to reschedule."

"Thanks man." He looked outside. "Whoa, is that you're car?"

"Yeah."

"Nice, very nice."

We both climbed into the car and I drove off. Mooner kept repeating whoa, until we reached the station.

"Now that was sweet." He said. I left him to reschedule after I received my receipt. Felling good, I drove over to McDonald's drive-through and order three large fries and three Cokes for Lula, Connie, me. Unable to resist the intoxicating scent of French fries I pulled over into the parking lot and chowed down. Halfway through, I noticed that someone was standing behind the car.

"That's weird." I said to myself feeling a little afraid. The figure moved beside me. Blue eyes, brown hair, approximately 6'2. Oh my God! It was Mueller!

He had a knife in his hand and started stabbing it through the window. Glass fell all over me. Shrieking I put my foot onto the pedal and pressed down. Mueller dropped the knife just missing me by an inch. I didn't stop gunning until I felt I was out of Mueller's way.

"Wow," I said after shaking for about a minute, "This car really is fast."