Not mine, but a girl can dream.

Warning: language and sexual innuendo and smut, actually this chapter is lots of smut, but all integral to the storyline, I promise you.

Better Man 9

Storyline borrowed from Lean Mean 13

Light was streaking through the blinds. I blinked. There was a hand on my breast. A yummy mocha colored hand. It was lazily kneading my breast and rubbing across my nipple, sending shivers down my spine.

"Ranger," I whispered. No answer, his hand still working my breast. I let out a little moan. I tried again, slightly louder, "Ranger."

A sleepy, "Mmm…" was all I got. Time to step it up; even though Ranger wasn't awake yet, I could feel a part of him that was up and eager to start the morning out right. I wiggled against the morning wood that was pressed firmly against my ass. That didn't stop his hand, if anything it encouraged him. Now he was plucking and rolling my nipple between his fingers.

"Ranger," I tried for a whisper, but it sounded all throaty and sexy. His hand was making me crazy. He didn't answer me, but I felt his erection grow as a low moan came from him. He moved his leg, wedging it between mine as he pressed harder against my back. His leg was pressed between mine; he brought his knee up so if I wiggled any more, I would be riding his thigh. He pulled his leg back slightly before pushing forward again and rubbing against me. "Ranger!" It came out with a little more force than I intended since he chose that moment to rub his thigh against my clit, sending a rush through me. Well, now his leg was all wet, serves him right.

"Morning Babe," his voice was sexy from sleep. He leaned in and started kissing my shoulder and neck.

"You were…were fond…fondling me in your sleep," I stuttered. I was having a hard time forming thoughts, much less words. He was working me against his leg and his hand was still torturing my nipples.

"Mmm…good dreams," was his excuse, although he didn't sound too sorry.

I tried to sound indignant, "I…I…thought," pant, pant, what was I saying? Oh yeah, "we ha…had a rr...rule ab...b...about that." Take that Batman.

He chuckled, "Do you want me to stop?" Bastard.

"God no!" I squeaked out as I rode his thigh. His right hand had my nipples aching as he slipped his left arm from under my head so he could torment my clit with his fingers. Jesus. He licked and sucked at my neck before moving on to my ear; licking the shell then pulling back to blow on it causing a shiver to run through my body. I was close, so close. My heart was pounding so hard in my chest that it was echoing in my head impossibly loud. Wait, that wasn't in my head. That was someone pounding on the door. Fuck. Ranger froze and groaned in frustration. Groaning seemed like a mild reaction. I wanted to shoot someone.

He pressed his forehead to my shoulder and sighed. "Don't move. I'll be right back." He stepped into the closet and threw on a pair of gym shorts before storming out of the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Even so I could hear him open the front door and bark at the person on the other side, "Report." If I had been on the receiving end of that order I would have peed my pants. I could hear more barking from Ranger and then a big booming laugh. Tank. Then there was more indistinguishable barking from Ranger followed by more laughing from Tank then the door slamming shut.

Ranger stalked back into the bedroom, a predatory glint to his eyes and a devious smile on his lips. He stripped off his shorts and closed the door behind him throwing the lock. He looked at me like I was lunch. Gulp. My eyes widened as he stalked towards me. My hormones were chanting yes, yes, yes. Smart Stephanie said oh shit, and I scrambled backwards to the other side of the bed. He was too quick. He grabbed a hold of my ankle and dragged me back across the bed. He crawled up my body like a man on a mission, his eyes taking in the sight of my naked body. "Going somewhere?" His voice was deep and sexy. No words would come out as I looked at him wide eyed. So I just shook my head no. He was acting like a hungry animal, but one that wanted to play with his prey first. My nipples hardened again as I whimpered and felt a new rush of wetness between my legs. I am a sick, sick woman. He paused for a minute, looking in my eyes searching for fear or apprehension. Finding lust instead, he continued.

He dipped his head and took one of my nipples in his mouth, scraping his teeth against it before teasing it with his tongue. He released it and placed open mouth kisses from my breast up to my mouth, pausing to speak. "I kiss thought kiss I kiss told kiss you kiss not kiss to kiss move," he reminded me before kissing me forcefully. I moaned into his mouth and sucked on his tongue while I pulled him to me. He pulled back, a smirk on his beautiful lips. He gave me a quick kiss and disengaged my arms from around his neck as he backed away from me, "But if you have somewhere else to be we can just do this later."

"Bastard," I said with no heat behind it. He grinned. Playful Ranger? This was new. I can do playful. Bad Stephanie is good at playful. I sucked my lower lip into my mouth and chewed on it like I was thinking hard about my choices. He was studying me, waiting to see what I would do. For some reason he thought I was unpredictable. Go figure.

"Well," I said, pausing like I was still debating, "I should get up and get around you know, I have lots to do today, places go, people to see." His eyebrow was quirked as he waited for me to continue. Sounding completely disinterested I kept going, "I mean it isn't like I want to have sex with you. I mean I don't need to have an orgasm this morning or anything…" I was going to continue on, but he pounced on me, capturing my mouth in a greedy kiss.

"Babe, that's not what you said last night," he teased. "I need you to get over here and fuck me Ranger." He rocked his hips, teasing me with his cock, "I want this. I need this." He stroked against me, longer and slower. I moaned hearing my words on his lips. I should have been embarrassed but it just made me hot.

I tried to remain passive, "I mean if you want to, I don't want to disappoint you. You do make some impressive arguments." I reached up and grasped his cock emphasizing just how impressive I thought he was. I grinned back at him and licked my lips. His eyes darkened and the next thing I knew I was face down in the mattress with Ranger stretched out across my back.

"Playing with fire Babe," he whispered huskily in my ear. He licked and nipped his way down my spine while his hands traced down my sides to caress and play with my ass. I tensed when I thought he was getting a bit too playful. "Trust me," he whispered before he continued. I relaxed, hell I was a pile of goo. He traced a hand up the back of my thigh before slipping between my legs to stroke my slit.

"Mmm..." I moaned into the pillow. He slipped his other hand around my waist and pulled my hips up off the bed, leaving me on my knees. Still being goo, I left my head on the pillow. He traced my slit with his fingers while he teased my breasts with the other hand. I moaned into my pillow which he took as encouragement. Can he read me or what? He slipped his thumb inside me cupping me in his palm.

He groaned as my hips bucked at the welcome intrusion. His thumb thrust in and out of me, the rough pad rubbing in just the right spot sending small waves of pleasure through my body. His middle finger found my clit, circling it, but never touching. My back was on fire as he licked and bit along my spine. I could feel the tightening in my belly as my hips bucked against Rangers hand, hoping to get his fingers on my clit to send me over the edge. Just when I thought I had made some progress he quickly withdrew his hand from me. Fuck.

"Ranger!" It started out a scream of frustration, but ended a strangled moan. Before his name was off my lips he had grabbed my hips and rocked the tip of his cock against my clit. Omigod. I needed him inside me and I needed it now. 10 minutes ago would have been best, but I'll work with what I've got.

"Babe," he whispered hoarsely asking permission. He was kneeling behind me, between my legs with his hands on my hips, running the head of his cock up and down my slit teasing me. This was new for me. I hadn't trusted Joe or Dickie with this position, it left me too vulnerable. With Ranger I had no doubt. I wanted this.

I tried for yes or sure or ok, but my brain had shut down and all I could think about was what I wanted him to do to me. My body felt like I had been hit with 5000 volts. My heart was racing. I was so consumed with need after the false start. I didn't care about anything but getting him inside me. It came out more of a groan, "Fuck me. NOW."

He growled, grasped my hips almost painfully and sheathed himself in me wholly. I gasped. Jesus, Mary and Joseph. If I thought he filled me last night it was nothing compared to the sensations I was having now. With him behind me, he felt impossibly huge. He pulled back slowly before thrusting back in deeper. He bumped my cervix and I shrieked at the sensation. He stilled, afraid he had hurt me. "Don't stop," I panted. He pulled back again slowly. We were both breathing heavily when his cell phone rang. Fuck. Fuckity, Fuck, Fuck. God hates me. God does not want me to have an orgasm today.

I felt Ranger collapse against my back as he growled in frustration. I screamed. I made a decision. That is it. I've had it. I am having this orgasm and I am having it now. I tried to regulate my breathing. Panting, I was able to convey my message, "If you stop, I will get your gun and shoot you."

"Babe," he chuckled which caused a whole new wave of sensations to pass thru me, my muscles clamped down on him and he groaned. He straightened himself while wrapping his arm around my waist to hold me to him he reached over and grabbed his phone. I was hoping he was going to smash it into a million pieces so we could continue. I was surprised when he flipped it open.

"Speak." He sounded almost normal, how does he do that? I expected him to pull away from me, but he kept his other hand on my hip and resumed stroking in and out of me at a leisurely pace. Ok, this is multitasking at its finest. Curious, I turned my head to catch his gaze. His eyes were dark with need while the wolf grin had returned in full force. Oh god, Naughty Ranger! I moaned in anticipation and his cock was coated with a new gush of wetness. He moaned but was able to pass it off as a hmm, I'm thinking about it sound, not a I'm in the middle of having sex sound. That one he could cover, but how long could he hold on? Come on, this is Batman we are talking about here, the king of control. Wonder what it would take to snap that? Bad Stephanie wondered. I gave him my own wolf grin. He had the decency to look surprised for a second before returning to his call. Challenge accepted.

On his next thrust, I threw my hips back to meet him. His eyes opened a little wider, Ranger shock as he hoarsely asked, "When?" He grasped my hip a little harder and as he thrust again he ground into me with a circular motion before pulling back again. I moaned appreciatively.

"No," he barked into the phone. Hmmm… I reached back with one hand and grabbed his ass, pulling him hard into me as he thrust.

"Later," he choked out and then he growled. The person of the other end may have thought he was dissatisfied with them. Let me tell you, that was a satisfied groan, his angry groan is a whole different animal. Upping the ante Ranger pulled nearly all the way out and waited until I whimpered before thrusting hard into me. Another shriek. I seriously hope that isn't Ranger's mom on the phone. Pleased with my response Ranger repeated the move. Something between a growl and a groan escaped my lips. Who knows where the hell it came from? It was a sound I did not know I was capable of making. I knew it was my move, but the position we were in limited my access, plus I had a worthy opponent. I gave up on my quest and started a new one called Operation Orgasm.

Ranger stilled completely as he smoothed his hand over my hip and across my stomach. With the gentlest touch he grazed my clit and said in a deep voice, "Fine."

"Ranger!" I yelped.

When I opened my eyes again, his wolf grin was firmly in place as he spoke into the phone in a deep voice, "No, she and I will be coming together." Omigod, omigod, omigod. He snapped the phone shut and dropped it before grabbing my hips and pounding into me with delicious force. My body tightened as he released his grip on one of my hips and reached to stroke my clit. I came hard, shaking from the intensity of it. Pretty stars danced before my eyes.

"Ranger!" His name was my strangled cry. He thrust into me twice more before spilling himself inside of me.

"Stephanie…Jesus," He moaned, collapsing on top of me. "Va a ser la muerte de mí, (You will be the death of me), but what a sweet death it will be," he whispered into my hair.

He rolled onto his side next to me as he traced lazy patterns on my over heated skin. I needed to tend to Mother Nature, but I was pretty sure walking was out of the question in my condition. Ranger kissed me on the cheek and then slapped me playfully on the ass, jumping from the bed.

"Babe, grab a shower, I'll call Ella for breakfast. That was Morelli; we need to be at PD in an hour to give statements about last night." He chuckled as he grabbed his shorts and headed to the kitchen, ducking the pillow I threw at his head.

"What?"

God hates me. Yup that's it. That is the only explanation I have for the situation I am currently in. Ranger and I are on our way to the police station to give our statements. Oh goodie. I can't wait. What does it say about my life when explaining how I happened upon two more charred bodies and witnessed yet another explosion were the least of my worries? We are going to meet my ex boyfriend cop to talk about the case where I am accused of kidnapping my ex husband asshole. Along for support is my current whatever Ranger was. Lover? That makes me feel like I just stepped off a soap opera. Anyway this should be one for the books considering the ex boyfriend just listened to me get seriously fucked by the current whatever.

I have been so freaked out since Ranger told me it had been Joe on the phone. I got ready in sort of a daze. I dressed in my Rangeman uniform, going for a professional look. I didn't need much as far as make up, my skin was glowing. If Joe thought I looked like a light bulb last night, today I was like a beacon in a friggin lighthouse. Oh well, so much for being professional. Ranger so far had been quiet, just a self satisfied smirk on his face. Bastard. I was uncharacteristically quiet until we were in the truck. Then the damn burst.

"I can't believe you did that with Joe on the phone!" I couldn't hold it in any longer. His smile got a little bigger and a small chuckle escaped him.

"Babe," was all he said.

"Ranger," I replied in a less amused tone.

"I didn't think it was in my best interest to stop," he reasoned. Like there is a good reason to have sex with your ex listening on the phone. I quirked my eyebrow, well I tried anyway. He took pity on me and continued. "You were looking a little crazy there Babe. You threatened to shoot me." He said smugly. Ok fine, I was partly responsible. I did egg him on, but I didn't know who was on the phone.

"Fine, but I didn't know it was Joe on the phone. You should have stopped me." I mean it is only common sense. I may not live by burg rules, but I did learn good manners. It was in poor taste for one's ex to listen to you have sex less than 24 hours after the break up. Maybe the rule wasn't spelled out specifically, but it was implied I'm sure.

"Babe, there was no stopping you. Who did you think it was?" Anyone but Joe! I don't know, but with Ranger's cock buried inside of me Joe was the last person on my mind. I guess I didn't think about who it was.

"I just hoped it wasn't your mother." I said quickly under my breath. He let out a bark as his laughter filled the cab of the truck.

"Babe, if it was my mother, I wouldn't have answered the phone." He had to choke it out, not done with his laughing fit.

My eyes got wide and I asked incredulously, "You knew it was Joe and you answered it anyway? How could you do that to me?" By this time we had pulled into the lot across from the station. He put the car in park and turned to look at me. The smile was gone.

"I didn't know it was Morelli, just the PD. Tank had told me they had called the office wanting us to come in and make statements. It was Detective Gobel who Tank talked to, not Joe. This isn't even Joe's case. Joe took it upon himself to call me personally. He knew you were staying with me. While his questions were job related, the call was personal. He was using his badge to harass us. I'm sorry I didn't tell you it was him." He paused for a minute before leaning into me continuing, "You seemed pretty determined to finish things and I kind of lost control. But it was both of us, it was not a one sided deal. Whatever is between us, both in bed and otherwise, it is both of our responsibility, our choice. Got it?" He finished with a gentle kiss to my lips before pulling back to wait for my reaction. I thought the kissing was going pretty good, so I leaned back to him and kissed him with a little more heat.

"You're right. I wouldn't have let you stop this morning if it had been the friggin Pope on the phone. When I found out it was Joe, I was scared, of the calls from my mom, the rumors that will hit the burg of what he will do to me." He looked like he wanted to interrupt, but I gave him a quick kiss before I continued. "I know we talked about the burg and not worrying and all that stuff, but old habits die hard, so please be patient with me. I am working on not being scared of Joe, but just his phone call shows that he isn't just going to let this, us, me, go." One more kiss for courage, "I don't know what is going on with us. I know we need to talk about it. Whatever it is, it's nice. But just know the way you are with me, the way we are together, it is new to me. I'm not used to being given any choices or options. I'm learning." I gave him a soft smile which I hoped conveyed how grateful I was to have this man in my life.

He returned the kiss and hauled me into his lap and kissed me soundly. He gave me his full 200 watt smile and said, "Proud of you Babe."

Then we were off to face the firing squad. Oh Boy!

The officer led Ranger and I to a conference room where we found six men seated around a conference table. They all looked familiar, but Marty Gobel was the only one I knew by name. I took a seat opposite the door and Ranger sat next to me. There was just one seat left, directly across from me. I assumed it was for Joe. Great. Informal introductions were made around the table. One of the guys was the Fire Marshal, Ken Roiker and one was Joe's boss, Captain Targa. I guessed we were waiting. Lovely, I am so not good at waiting. I chewed on my lip, lost in thought. I glanced at Ranger who was looking at me, his eyes slightly dilated. I mouthed "Sorry," feeling myself blush.

The door swung open and Morelli marched into the room, a dark look on his face. He gave a curt nod acknowledging Ranger and I before indicating to Gobel to start. That started the ball rolling. Ranger and I were asked to give our statements about last night as well as the other dead body and explosion I encountered this week. Each of the men took turns asking questions. No one seemed to question our stories. Ranger didn't mention the 40 million. I kept my interaction with Mr. Stapled Nuts to myself. We mentioned our surveillance at Dominos minus the orgasm in the parking lot. No one mentioned Dickie at all. So far Joe had remained silent. His blank cop face was on, but it looked like it was slipping. Every time Ranger spoke, something flashed across Joe's face before he got a grip. Everyone seemed to be ignoring the elephant in the room, well one of them anyway, so I decided to ask.

"What about Dickie?" I asked. Joe sucked in a breath.

Marty asked me, "What about him Steph? Did you want to talk to him? We can make arrangements."

"No I don't want to talk to him. I was just wondering when you were going to tell me not to worry, he wasn't dead after all so forget that whole kidnapping and murder thing. That would have been nice." This got Captain Targa's attention.

All of the men but Joe looked curious. Joe's eyes were on the table. Marty looked at Joe and back to me again before saying, "Of course. We dropped that investigation shortly after I spoke with you." His eyes flicked to Joe before back to me again. "I apologize that I did not contact you personally to inform you of the development Ms. Plum." Ms. Plum – what the fuck is that about? That was an awful formal sentence for a man who spent more time gossiping with me during my last interview than inquiring about my alibi.

"How hard would it have been Detective Gobel? I would have been grateful for a phone call, an email, hell here in the burg you could have written it on a sticky note in the break room and I would have heard about it." Here we are offering them help on their investigation and they don't even have the common decency to tell me to cancel my reservations at the big house. "If this how it is going to be, I doubt I will have any information to share with you in the future." I was in control, but the insult I felt was evident in my tone. Ranger's arm came up on the back of my chair as a show of support. Either that or he was ready to keep me from flying out of my chair and throttling the lot of them.

"Ms. Pl… Steph," he looked at Joe again, but Joe refused to return his glance. Joe's eyes were busy burning holes into the side of my head.

"What!" I snapped my head in Joe's direction, my stare as fierce as his own. I heard several of the gentlemen clear their throats and a few chairs scraping back from the table. Ranger's other hand was braced on my knee.

Marty tried to explain, "Steph, I'm sorry I didn't contact you myself. I asked that you be kept informed of the developments. I should have checked in with you." He cleared his throat, "Well then…" He stood up like he thought this was over and we could all go on our merry little ways.

I glared at Joe, but directed my question to Marty, "Who? Who did you ask to keep me in the loop?" like I didn't know.

"Um, well I asked Detective Morelli to keep you up to date." I know he hated ratting Joe out, blue wall and all that shit.

Joe still hadn't spoken. His jaw was set. The cords in his neck were drawn tight. He showed no shame or remorse.

I still wondered, "Did Joe tell you he was keeping me up to date with the case?" Was he just too busy to tell me or was he keeping me in the dark on purpose?

"Well, now that you mention it, I asked him and he said he was making sure you knew what you needed to." Marty answered uncomfortably.

Fucker. "Would you say that knowing that my ex husband was not dead, not kidnapped and in the personal care of Detective Morelli were things I needed to know?" If he was going to treat me like shit, I was going to let everyone know he was treated me like shit.

"Of course, those are all things I wanted you to know, oh and that you were no longer a suspect. I worried that if you kept looking to clear your name you could make a target of yourself and these are some dangerous guys we are looking at." Joe shot Marty a look that made him pale.

"But Marty, if I wasn't out clearing my name, I wouldn't have come across all of the leads I passed onto Joe. I am sure he told you they were from me?" I smiled sweetly. I heard audible gulps from around the room. I summarized so everyone knew the score, "Marty, you thought it was in my best interest for my mental well being to know I was no longer a suspect as well as my physical safety? But the downside of me knowing that would be that I would no longer be aiding in another police investigation – off the record again of course." His eyes went wide as I laid it all out in the open. He just nodded. "Well I learned all of those things for myself when I was attacked last night at Detective Morelli's house by Dickie Orr. I would like to press assault charges. Could you help me with that?" Now he looked like his eyes were going to bug out of his head. Joe's mask had slipped and his face was turning red. His hands gripped the table so tight his knuckles were white.

Marty was incredulous, "He assaulted you?"

I nodded, "Verbally and physically yes."

"While in Joe's custody?" he asked in disbelief.

I looked directly at Joe and answered, "While in Joe's kitchen."

Joe looked ready to blow. Marty stuttered, "Well, we could, um if you really want…" He looked to Captain Targa for direction, but Targa's glare was focused solely on Joe.

All at once the tension was cut by the sound ofmultiple cell phones shrieking. Did I tell you I really hate cell phones? All of the police officers grabbed their phones, grateful for the save. Joe bolted out the door before answering his. The 5 of the other gentlemen followed suit. Cowards. Marty hung back offering his apologies and promising to contact me personally with any new developments.

Ranger and I left the station saying a few hellos and climbed in the truck. I buckled my seat belt, laid my head back and closed my eyes. I felt Ranger's lips on mine, a soothing kiss. I sighed and his tongue traced my lips. We were just getting to the good part when his cell phone rang. He groaned and leaned his forehead against mine.

He pulled back and answered, "Talk."

I was just about to bitch about how much I hated cell phones when mine started ringing. Checking to make sure it wasn't my mother, I answered, "Yo."

I didn't get to hear Ranger's conversation, but we both hung up at the same time.

"Dickie is missing. He took off from Joe's house this morning." I told him. Gobel had called me as promised.

Ranger relayed the gist of his conversation, "He made a pit stop at your apartment, looking for something. He was gone by the time the guys got there." What the hell was he doing at my place? Now there would be Dickie cooties all over my stuff. Eewww…

"What do you want to do next Babe?" I was exhausted.

"Can we just go home?" I asked him. "I need a nap." I closed my eyes again. I heard the smile in his voice as he answered.

"Sure Babe."