Chapter Seven

It's kind of funny, but now that I have Ranger all to myself, I find that I have a lot of questions. Sure, his sisters are pretty forthcoming, but there are still things that I knew I would have to find out from him alone. I wasn't sure he would appreciate my asking the questions. I never had any of these concerns with Morelli. We are a lot alike, Joe and I, which made it even harder to really live together. Ric and I aren't really alike at all. At times, I swear we are polar opposites. Yet, there were those moments when I just know, instinctively almost, that he's the one for me.

Last night's bedroom gymnastics aside, Ric felt closer to me than he had in the entire time we lived together. Knowing that I'm not exactly domestic, he offered to hire a decorator if I wasn't happy with the apartment décor (like it really mattered to me). I'm a shop at Macy's shopping, donut-eating, card-carrying Burg girl. There's only so much I know about décor to begin with. Still, the fact that he even thought to include me in his life like that was really touching.

I woke up to a warm arm around my waist and an even warmer chest snuggled up against my back. I knew only too well what would happen if I moved, but nature called and I knew well enough to listen.

"Babe?" His voice was husky with sleep.

"Just off to the bathroom," I offered while removing the arm around my waist. "Go back to sleep."

Of course, he wouldn't. He reached over to check the time. Shit, it was 6:00 am. He was usually getting ready to run at this time. I preferred to fake being asleep as he got ready. We had come to an uneasy truce regarding the whole running scene. I would go with him if I happened to be awake; otherwise, he would let me sleep. I did have to promise to work out in the gym, however, to compensate for my lack of exercise in the early morning hours. I guess the man didn't realize what a cardio-vascular workout sex with him could be!

I left the bathroom only to run right into Ric on his way in to shower.

"Join me." It was more a statement of fact than a request. He knew I was a sucker for that shower. Between the pulsating shower heads, the special Ranger shower gel and the man himself, I didn't stand a chance.

I followed him into the spacious bath, at least it was larger than my old apartment. He had my tee shirt and panties off before I could blink. He hadn't bothered to put any boxers on after last night, so nothing could prevent me from staring at that magnificent body. He was already aroused and it didn't take much effort on his part for me to catch up.

I was panting for breathe. "I thought you were going running?"

He pulled me closer, maneuvering me under the shower spray and began to wash my hair.

"Let's just say that I had other ideas this morning. I also thought that after last night, you might be too sore to run. You really need to be careful, Babe." He was referring to an ill-timed movement last night that landed me flat on the bedroom floor. I was hoping to forget that one.

"You could have tactfully forgotten about that," I mumbled.

I felt, rather than heard, his laugh.

We both left the shower smelling like the gel he favored. For some reason I was reminded of the time that Morelli complained that I also smelled like Ranger. That comment alone proved that guys notice stuff like that. I'm sure the rest of the Rangeman employees noticed that Ric and I tended to both be sporting that wonderful Bvlgari scent. Thankfully, I had yet to teased about it, probably due to the fact that Ranger would pummel whoever made a snide comment.

I had to admit that it was actually fun working with the guys. There was not an ugly one in the bunch. Once I got to know them, and stopped getting them shot at, I became like a sister to the group. I think that Tank and Lester were particularly relieved that Ric and I ended up together. I know that this case with Gilman and Morelli had them a bit on edge. Lester, particularly, was worried that I might slide back to Joe. If Ranger was concerned about that, he sure didn't show it.

"Babe, I have a few searches that I need right away," Ranger said from behind my chair. He handed me several files.

"No problem, boss," I teased. This comment got me a very lecherous smile from Ranger.

"Don't push it, Babe. One wise crack too many and you'll see more than your share of gym time!" Of course, it wasn't just an idle threat. He kissed the top of my head.

Most of the time, I wasn't too aware of what Ranger was doing at the office. There were a few times when he decided that we both should cut out early and head back to his apartment. A perk that came along with the role of girlfriend and one that I was starting to really get into.

"Hey, are you going to be home tonight?" I didn't even look up from the screen. I'm not even sure why I asked. He had been home, oh my god, I called his apartment home, every night except for the trip to Florida.

Ranger picked up on the home comment. "Yeah," he replied with a grin. "I'll be home. I may miss dinner, but I would never miss dessert." He was gone like the wind before I could reply.

I worked on the computer files that he left and basically lost track of time. I was startled when Tank came over and said that I had a visitor. Morelli was waiting to talk to me in the conference room.

"Hey, Joe, how are you?" He looked like shit. He hadn't shaved. The look was actually appealing, but that's as far as I was willing to admit.

"Cupcake, how it going?" He sounded tired.

"I haven't heard anything more about Terry. Did the department find anything?"

Joe took a seat at the conference table. He ran his hands through his hair, which could use a trim or maybe it just looked like it could. You could never tell with Joe.

"Yeah, that's why I'm here. They found Terry."

When Joe didn't offer anything more, I knew it wasn't good news.

"What happened?" Boy, I wish Ranger was here right now. I wondered if he or Tank already knew.

"She was found floating in a swimming pool. It wasn't where she was killed, so someone wanted her to be found. Christ, Stephanie, I feel so responsible. I talked her into helping me. What if one of her mob family connections did this?"

I really didn't feel anything for Terry. She was in a nasty business and people who had crossed her family had ended up floating all the time. I honestly didn't think she would be found alive, but the look on Joe's face made me realize that she meant something more to him than just a case.

"What's really the issue, Joe? Were you in love with her?" I didn't want to sound accusatory, but I really did want the truth.

"Hell, Stephanie, I don't know. Before you and I were a couple, Terry was a part of the my life. We hooked up once you left, but it wasn't quite the same. I guess in cop in me had a problem sleeping with the enemy." He stood up and started pacing. "I didn't want to see her killed. Then the fact that I'm probably next in line."

I hadn't thought of that, but Grizzolli would want revenge. That's the name of the game with the "family" lifestyle. I didn't know what to say to Joe, so I just went to him and gave him a hug. Unfortunately, that's exactly what Ranger saw when he walked into the conference room.

"Hope I'm not interrupting something," he deadpanned.

AN: Sorry for delay. Computer & work problems. Let's face it... real life can definitely interfer with the Plum universe.