Thank you dear reviewers. I am grateful you want me to continue. Don't you just love these characters. They just beg to have their stories told. Expect to hear more from Lula, Tank and Joe. They just have to intrude on Steph and Ranger's world. Just so everyone understands, these stories don't pay the bills and were created in the mind of Janet Evanovich. We're just lucky she's sharing.

Chapter Two

I wasn't too thrilled about driving Ranger's Porsche back to the garage. I haven't exactly had the best success with any of his vehicles as yet. He actually keeps reminding me that they are just cars, but in the back of my mind, I keep thinking about how guilty I feel when one blows up. So far, my best luck has been with the Ducati that he purchased for me to use.

I parked the Porsche next to the truck Tank always drove. I locked it up and headed for the elevator. Based on the time of Ranger's flight, I figured that I could easily put in a couple of hours on the computer before going upstairs to the empty apartment. The in-basket in my cubicle was nearly overflowing. I started the first of many searches and quickly lost track of time. The ringing of my cell phone nearly made me jump out of my skin.

"Yo," I gasped, still trying to slow my heartbeat.

"Breathless? I'd better not have to kill any of my guys," Ranger stated flatly.

I could not tell whether he was serious or not, so I decided to play it safe. "The ringing phone surprised me, that's all."

"So you're obviously on the computer, right?" ESP and some sort of super vision….the man had skills.

"Okay, smart guy, yes, I'm at work. Where are you? Don't tell me the plane has already landed."

"Babe, you need to take a break. My plane landed an hour ago. It's after 8:00 pm. Have you eaten yet?" He already knew the answer.

"No, but I'll find something. Ella probably left dinner in your apartment." I still didn't think of it as my apartment or even our apartment and it seemed to bug Ranger a bit.

"Call me back when you get into our bed. Maybe we can have some fun over the phone." He was kidding, right?

"Sure," I was actually missing him now that I stopped working. "I haven't wanted to go to the apartment because I knew it would be empty. I think I miss you," I admitted.

"Babe, I miss you too. Call me when you go to bed." He hung up just like that.

I took the elevator to the seventh floor and let myself in with the key. It was dark so I turned on every light I came to. Ranger had made some concessions to the fact I lived here now. There were flowers on the table and a few other feminine touches that didn't exist before last month. My clothes were hanging in the clothes with his and yes, my toothbrush occupied the same holder as Batman's. Every night I considered how lucky I felt to have finally realized what I felt for the man. It hadn't been an easy road, I thought as I sat down the dinner left for me by Ella, but it worked out in the end.

The past couple of years had been a trial by fire of sorts. I had been shot at and fire bombed and stabbed. I wrestled with overweight, sweaty men while rolling in garbage, but looking back now it had been worth it if I ended up here. The worst part of the past two years was dealing with my feelings toward Morelli. While we have a tentative friendship now, it had been tough on both of us to admit that we had to let go.

I showered quickly, forsaking the washing of my hair until tomorrow. I wanted to climb into bed and call Ranger. There were times when I forced myself to call him Ric, as he had asked that I do, but it really didn't come naturally. To me, he was Ranger. I called as requested.

"Babe," the deep voice was hot and sexy. "You in our bed?"

"Just climbed in and I have to say it sure is lonely all by myself," I purred, the thought of those dark eyes melting with lust warming me to my toes, not to mention everywhere in between.

"I know I won't get any sleep thinking of you there wearing my tee shirt and those little panties I like so much."

I smiled. "How did you know what I'm wearing? Do you have this bedroom rigged with a camera? If so, Ric, you are in so much trouble."

I felt the smile through the phone. "No way, Babe, I wouldn't share you. I told you before, what happens between us stays between us."

I remember when he said that. He also said that if I came home without my underwear, he'd be looking for the man who got me that situation. Maybe Ranger had a jealous streak.

"You called me Ric," he said with a sigh. "I like that."

His voice was smooth and sexy. I could picture him lying on the bed in the hotel, no shirt, long legs crossed at the ankle. Ok, better stop that.

"What exactly are you doing?" Let's see how good my sensory perception was.

"Sitting here talking to you, wishing you was here. What about you?"

I smiled to myself. "You already know what I'm doing. You asked me to call remember. Shirt on or off?"

"Off."

"Pants on or off?"

"On."

So far so good. I remembered the scene at the airport. "Did you enjoy being frisked?" I knew he wasn't happy about that one.

"There's only one woman I want frisking me," he offered.

"Hey, you'd better tell her hands off. You're mine." I really hadn't meant to say that out loud. I swallowed hard. It was too early in the relationship to get all possessive.

"That works both ways, Babe."

I was never very good at phone conversation and neither is Ranger, so we ended the conversation shortly thereafter. I snuggled down into the king size bed with its expensive Egyptian cotton sheets and inhaled the scent of Ranger left on the sheets. I don't think I'll ever get used to the feelings just a scent inspired. I was lying there thinking very lusty thoughts when my cell phone rang again. I didn't both looking at the screen, assuming it was Ranger calling back.

"Yo, did you forget something?"

"No, but I do need to talk to you," Joe Morelli replied. "I'm in the garage of the building. Can you get me up to Ranger's apartment."

Whoa, I wasn't expecting this. "Sure, I will meet you downstairs in a few." Now what was up with Joe? I never expected him to show up here of all places. I hurriedly dressed, leaving Ranger's shirt on (no bra underneath) and went down to the garage.

Joe was standing next to his bike, a Ducati like the one Ranger got for me. He looked tired, a day's growth of beard making him also look a bit dangerous.

"Joe, is everything all right?" If he was here now, something was terribly wrong.

"Cupcake, I need your help."