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 10

Storyline borrowed from Lean Mean 13

Ranger rode with me to the 7th floor apartment. I had managed to not fall asleep on the ride back. Yeah me! I was too busy wondering what the hell Dickie wanted in my apartment. Once I had to get rid of a couch because there had been a dead guy on it. It had death cooties. Who knew what Dickie had touched? I might have to burn the whole place down and start over. Or move in with Ranger. Where the hell did that come from? Bad Stephanie gave me a finger wave. I gave her the bird.

I was also worried about my next run in with Joe. It was one thing to lay everything on the line at the police station, but now that my adrenaline rush had ebbed, I was a little scared. I didn't feel badly about what I had done. All I had done was tell the truth, if he had been doing that, we wouldn't be in this position. The more I thought about it, the more it pissed me off. He bitched about how dangerous my job was and wanted me to quit and stay home and have his babies. But when it helped his career he was just fine having me out there with psychos trying to bbq me. Fucker.

"Deep thoughts Babe?" Ranger asked as we entered the apartment. He put his keys in the silver dish on the sideboard and I set my pocketbook next to it. God it feels good to be home. Shit. I just called Ranger's apartment home again. Bad Stephanie grinned at me. Bitch. It was just so soothing here and it smelled like Ranger. Just being here helped to calm my racing thoughts; I was on overload. I really needed a nap.

"Oh you know, Dickie cooties in my apartment, wondering how soon my mom finds out Joe heard us having sex over the phone, rehashing the meeting in my brain, how big of a hole I dug for myself there and dreading Joe's reaction to the whole thing. Oh and somewhere in the back of my mind is the whole murderer with a flame thrower thing. You know, just the average day in the life of Stephanie Plum," I tried for a little humor so he didn't see how freaked out I was really getting.

Ranger led me over to the couch and sat down, pulling me into his lap. He gave me a quick kiss. "Babe, that's a lot going on up there. I don't want you to hurt yourself." He tried to get me to smile. He kissed me again, that made me smile. "We have cameras inside your apartment and I have a team doing surveillance in case Dickie comes back. The guys even volunteered to do the clean up. I told them to go ahead, but to leave your bedroom. I don't want Lester and Tank pawing through your underwear." I blushed.

He took my face in his hands, making sure I was paying attention, "As for the meeting today, I was in awe. You kept your cool, but let everyone know the score. You stood up for yourself. Proud of you Babe. There will be repercussions for Morelli on the job I know, but it is his own doing, not yours. He will blame you, but he will be wrong. I want you to be careful. He will be looking for payback." His arms encased me in a comforting hug.

"As for the phone call," he stopped and gave me an intense kiss before continuing with a somewhat guilty smile on his face. "It may not have been the smartest move on my part I know, but I couldn't help myself. The prick deserved it. I want to kill him for all he has put you through; I could tell at the meeting, the phone call had nearly killed him." Smug smile. "I don't think you have to worry about your mother finding out. His ego is way too big for him to tell anyone what he heard." He kissed me again softly. Soft was nice, but I needed more. I snaked my hand into his hair and pulled him to me, deepening the kiss.

"I thought you were going to nap," he chuckled. My hormones had woken up as well as the rest of me.

"Not sleepy anymore," I replied. "Unless…"

Ranger groaned, "Babe, I would love nothing more than to take you back to bed and fuck you silly, but I have a meeting with a client in half an hour." He kissed me hard and fast, "And that is not nearly enough time." His voice was deep as he whispered against my lips.

"Rain check?" I suggested my voice breathy from the kiss.

"Definitely." He stood up, removing me from his lap and putting me on my feet. "What are your plans? Are you going to nap? You were up early this morning." His wolf grin firmly in place.

I poked him in the chest, spraining my finger in the process. "It's hard to sleep when someone is fondling you!" I said in an accusing tone.

His hand snaked up the front of my too short Rangeman t shirt as he leaned over and began to work my neck with his lips, "I offered to stop, but you threatened to shoot me. That's not very nice Babe." God it made me crazy when he kissed my neck like that and his hand wasn't helping my thought process.

I moaned and in a raspy voice answered, "I didn't know you were into nice." Bad Stephanie was pulling the tiger's tail.

"Babe." He growled. He grabbed my hips and pulled me towards him roughly, catching my mouth in a bruising kiss, his tongue and teeth exploring my mouth and lips. He pulled back putting space between us. "Tonight." It was a promise.

"I'm heading out to check in at the office and I still have to pick up a few skips, Simon Diggery and the Beaver guy." I told him, realizing how not normal my life was. He steered us out of the apartment and into the elevator.

He raised one eyebrow before replying, "Take the Cayenne. Why don't you take Lester for backup? He's definitely a beaver guy," he said with a suggestive tone. I blushed. Lester was a fun guy, quite the ladies man. I was happy to take Ranger's car since my last POS died the day after Dickie disappeared and I was hunting Simon Diggery. Tank had the car towed to where ever my cars spend the ever after.

The elevator stopped on 5th floor. Ranger headed to his office and I collected my Merry Man for the day. I didn't really think I needed Lester's help with my skips, but Dickie seemed to have it in for me and his one remaining law partner Petiak who had a thing for flame throwers sill out there, so backup would be a good thing. In truth, I was less worried about Petiak and Dickie than I was running into Joe.

"Looks like it's you and me today Beautiful," Lester gave me a big grin as his green eyes twinkled. If I had to have back up, I could do a lot worse. Lester was gorgeous, Latino and a wall of muscle. He was easy to be around. I would say he was like a brother, but since I have had some very non brotherly thoughts about him on occasion, we'll just go with friends.

"You're a lucky man Lester Santos." I teased.

His eyes swept my body from head to toe, "Doesn't look like I'm the only one getting lucky lately." I blushed. Fortunately I was saved when my cell rang. Batman.

"Babe, don't forget your gun and stun gun." He reminded me. I would have been annoyed if I hadn't forgotten them. Doesn't mean I couldn't give him a hard time about it.

"Yes Dad," I replied dryly. Lester grinned.

"Babe," and he was gone. The man and his phone manners; I blushed thinking about his earlier phone call with Joe. Maybe I am just becoming a nympho and an exhibitionist; yesterday an orgasm in a parking lot, this morning sex while my ex listened on the phone. Damn, Ranger just ruined another pair of my panties and he wasn't even in the room.

Lester and I made a pit stop on 7th for my gun, stun gun and dry panties. I didn't tell Lester about that last part. We loaded up in the Cayenne and headed to the office. I hoped having Lester with me would ease some of Lula and Connie's questions. Who knew what rumors were flying around the burg. My cell phone had 82 messages in voicemail, but I deleted them all without bothering to listening to them. Half of them were my mother I'm sure.

Connie was in the middle of her manicure and Lula was reading Star magazine behind her desk when we walked in. Lula was out of her chair before I could get out "Hello."

Lula started rambling, "White Girl, where you been? We haven't seen you in days. Joyce has been looking all over for you. Grapevine said you've blown up two buildings and found 3 dead guys. You didn't kill them did you? 'Cause they already thinkin' you killed the Dick. They also said you was at Supercop's house an you shot him in his ass, but the newest is that you ripped him a new one in front of the whole PD today. And what's up with you? What are you wearing? You look like a mini Ranger although I suspect that man ain't got a mini anything." With that last thought her eyes glazed over and she started fanning herself.

Lester had been wearing his blank face, ignoring the gossip until Lula mentioned Ranger's package. His eyes got big and he choked a little bit. I ignored him.

I thought it best to set the record straight, "No I didn't kill or shoot anybody. Not that I wouldn't like to. Yes I was at the scene of two buildings exploding and found 3 barbequed bodies. But none of it was my fault. I didn't kill Dickie, in fact he isn't dead. He has been alive and well this whole time, living at Joe's house under police protection." Both of them sucked in air in shock, oh girls hold on, I am just getting started.

"Joe was supposed to have kept me up to date on the investigation. He intentionally kept me in the dark so I would keep investigating and pass what I learned onto him. He has been lying to them at work, letting them think he had told me and taking credit for the leads I found." The girls' eyes were like saucers. "Today Ranger and I had to give our statements about the bodies and explosions. Joe was there along with his boss and a whole bunch of other officers. When I found out he was supposed to have told me all of this, I let everyone know what he had been up to." Both of them were doing very good fish impressions.

Connie recovered first, "What did Joe have to say for himself?"

"He couldn't say anything, too many people around. I am sure he is pretty mad at me, but I could give a flying fuck." I was done with Joe Morelli. He had screwed up my life for long enough.

"Un huh, guess that means you dumped his sorry ass. 'Bout time." Lula had finally regained the ability to speak. I was hoping to grab files and be on our way before Lula could revisit the whole Ranger part of the conversation. It was too much to hope for.

"So Batman looking after you now? That why you got tall dark and handsome following you around today?" Lula looked at Lester like he was lunch. He paled a little bit and tried to hide behind me.

"Ranger has been helping me figure out what has been going on with this whole mess with Dickie." I thought about telling them Lester was my back-up today, but I didn't want to hurt Lula's feelings. "Since I have been digging around looking for Petiak there are some crazies after me. Lester is guarding my body today." Hearing that Lester looked surprised at first then he glanced up and down my body like he wouldn't mind guarding it all up close and personal.

"Batman been helping you out in any other ways? You know like sexual?" Yeah, I really needed her to spell it out for me. Just the thought of it made me blush; I didn't trust my mouth, so I just nodded no.

Then Connie joined her, taking in my appearance. "I don't know if I believe you, you're looking a bit too cheerful to have just dumped your boyfriend, unless you had break-up sex." I needed to get out of here and fast, I wasn't ready for this. I didn't really know what was going on with Ranger and me. I did know I wasn't ready to talk about it with them, hell I didn't know if I was ready to talk about it with him.

"No, she's glowin alright, but that ain't from Supercop, she burning way too hot. I'm guessin she was lit up by a Cuban stogie, a big ol thick one at that."

Geez, Lula never was one for subtle. Before I could come up with something to say, my phone rang. Thank god! Shit. It was my mother. Going with the lesser of two evils, I answered. Lester stayed behind to pick up Rangeman files. I stepped out to answer to phone.

I thought it best to be proactive, so I didn't wait for her to speak. I just started answering the questions I knew would be coming. "No mom, I didn't kill anyone. Dickie is still alive; he has been living with Joe. Joe has been lying to me and taking credit for my work. Yes, I broke up with him. No I don't think he and I will be getting married. I have work to do mom. Dinner Sunday, maybe, I'll call you. Bye Mom." I hung up quickly. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, if I waited long enough maybe Lester would just come out and I wouldn't have to face the firing squad again.

When I opened my eyes I realized I wasn't alone. There was a very angry Italian in the alleyway.

"Cupcake," he grabbed my arm. His voice was angry, his tone even and measured.

I twisted and yanked my arm away from him, "Don't call me that Joe." It reminded me of the bakery, the poems, and the misery this man has caused me.

"What the fuck do you think you are doing Stephanie?" He glared at me.

"I thought I was working Joe – this is the bond's office, I'm a bounty hunter remember?" I waved my arms around pointing to the building.

He snorted. "I mean what was that shit you pulled this morning?"

Hmm, I wonder if he was talking about the phone sex or the meeting. I wasn't about to ask, so I just looked at him and waited for him to continue.

He must have been really angry because I waited him out. We both knew I had no patience. "Your lies are going to cost me my job." He hissed.

My hackles rose, "Who was lying? If I remember correctly it was your lies that got you into this. I had nothing to do with it!" I wasn't shouting, but my voice was raised. "It was your game we've been playing; I just let everyone know the score."

He snorted in disbelief. The man was delusional, "Would you have been so brave if Manoso hadn't been sitting there holding your hand?"

"Ranger doesn't need to hold my hand Joe, I'm a big girl." Bad Stephanie got a shot in next, "And if I remember right, his hand was on my knee. But his hands have been so many places lately; it's hard to keep it straight." Baiting an angry Italian man is not a good idea, but I really didn't care. I wanted Joe out of my life for good; he was just going to need a push.

If possible, his face was an even deeper shade of red. "Whoring yourself out for protection? He doesn't want you. It is just a game. He only wanted you because you are mine. This morning on the phone only proves that. All of that was for my benefit." Smug Bastard.

"No Joe I think I benefited more from this morning than you did. I haven't benefitted like that in a long time, maybe ever. Oh and Ranger, yeah he benefitted quite a bit too. You I'm sure were just left with your phone in one hand and your dick in the other." Holy Shit. Did I just say that? Nope wasn't me. Bad Stephanie has clearly taken control of my mouth again.

Purple, he was turning purple. "You have been fucking him this whole time, behind my back haven't you?"

I could feel the rhino coming on, seething, I responded, "Joe look at me. Take a good look at me." I turned 360 degrees for emphasis. "I look like a woman who has been thoroughly fucked, satisfied in every way." His eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened. I couldn't stop, "Have you ever seen me look like this before? Nope. So you can be sure I have not been fucking him behind your back."

"This isn't even about him Joe. It's about you. The way you treat me, the way you have always treated me. You take what you want from me without a thought for what I need. The garage when we were kids, the bakery, dating, our jobs, it has all been about you. I have just been a way for you to get off, get over and get ahead. What about me Joe? What about what I want? You never thought about what I want or what I need." God this felt good, to say what I have had bottled up for so long.

He had the nerve to look hurt. Stupid Fucker. "Come on Cupcake, don't be like that. We are good together. We were meant to be. I've been in love with you since I was eight years old." He was trying to give me bedroom eyes. What he was giving me was the creeps.

I snorted, "You mean since you fondled me in your dad's garage when I was in kindergarten. Don't you think there is something wrong with that Joe? Oh I know, how about when you took my virginity behind the case at the Tasty Pastry when I was 16? I didn't say no, but I didn't say yes either. Hell you didn't give me a chance to say anything. You were done and out the door without a backwards glance. I guess it was good for you though, good enough that you wrote about it all over town and humiliated me while you took off for two years. I am not sure what is more pathetic Joe. You, thinking that this how you treat someone you love or me, for thinking it was what I deserved. Well no more Joe. I am done. I am done with you, and done with this fucking town telling me I am not good enough, that I deserve to be treated this way." I turned around to storm off. I didn't get too far; Joe grabbed my arm and spun me around. He pulled me tightly to him.

His jaw was tight, his voice angry, "I don't know who has been putting these ideas in your head Cupcake, but you are crazy. This is your life, this is who you are, what is expected of you. You've always thought you were better than this, than us, than me. You've made it hard on me, made me look bad. You need to stop fighting it, accept this life and what your place is in it." His grip on my arm was getting to be painfully tight. With that look in his eyes, I knew he was hearing nothing I was saying and every time I said something he got angrier. If he got any angrier I was really going to get hurt. So I did us both a favor. We needed a time out. I used my free hand to grab my stun gun off my belt and gave him a jolt. I saw the shock register on his face before he went down like a ton of bricks. I straightened myself out and headed back out of the alley. Lester had just stepped out of the office, I nodded towards the car and we both got it. I had climbed in the passenger side; I was a little shaky from my conversation with Joe.

As I handed Lester the keys he looked towards the alley and raised an eyebrow. Why can't I do that?

"Drive." I said my voice uneven.

He started the car and pulled away from the curb and glanced down the alley as we passed. From this angle you could see the lower half of Joe's body on the ground, the rest of him hidden behind the garbage cans.

Now both of Lester's eyebrows went up. Crap. "Who the fuck is that?"

"Joe." I can do the one word thing. I would be full time at Rangeman soon, I should work on it. That is of course if I don't go to jail for assaulting a police officer first.

"Is he dead?" Lester sounded nervous. I bet he would get in big trouble if he let me kill someone while he was my back up. That thought made me giggle.

I chewed my lip. "Nope, I stunned him. He wasn't listening to reason. He needed a time out." Of course, makes perfect sense. I wonder if that would hold up in court? Another nervous giggle escaped.

Lester threw his head back and started laughing. Tears were rolling down his face.

"Remind me never to piss you off Beautiful." I rolled my eyes.

We headed back to Haywood, since I didn't get my nap earlier, I thought now would be a perfect time. The skips could wait. I dropped Lester off on 5th floor before heading up to 7 for a bite to eat and a nap. I found peanut butter in the cupboard and a loaf of worthless white bread. God I love Ella. When my mom learns I stunned Joe, I may need to ask her if she will adopt me for real. I made a sandwich and headed to the bedroom. I stripped off my clothes and threw on one of Ranger's t shirts and climbed into bed. I was out by the time my head hit the pillow.

I've always had a good imagination. As a child it irritated my mother and scared my teachers. It keeps me entertained, day and night. It kept me sane on stakeouts and it helped me have the best dreams. Right now I was dreaming about Ranger. Hmmm…naked Ranger. In bed. With me. I ran my hands over his beautiful chest and abs. As much as I love his abs, there was something lower that had caught my eye. I snaked my hand lower, I expected to get a moan from him as I gave him a firm squeeze pumping up and down very slowly. He laughed. I know I had met Playful Ranger this morning, but laughing seemed a bit much in this situation.

"Babe, wake up." He kissed my neck while he rolled us, pinning my body beneath his as he stripped off my shirt.

"Hmmm…" God I have a great imagination. He felt so real and smelled so good. I tightened my grip and pumped a little harder. That got me a gasp.

"Babe." He sounded shocked. My eyes flew open and were greeted by a pair of dark brown ones, dilated to almost black. "You were fondling me in your sleep." He grinned and gave me a quick kiss on the lips.

"Un uh, I was not." I denied.

"Babe," he answered as he glanced down. Sure enough, there was my hand wrapped around his dick, working him pretty good if I do say so myself. If denial doesn't work, move onto distraction.

"Don't you like it?" I gave him a little squeeze. As my hand reached the head, I used my finger to scoop up the impressive amount of precum I had worked out of him. I brought my finger to my mouth and sucked it in, cleaning it off. "Mmmm…" God he tasted good. I pulled my finger out of my mouth and gave him my wolf grin.

His lips crashed down on mine. I guess my distraction worked. His tongue was exploring my mouth, tangling with mine while we traded control of the kiss back and forth. A moan of satisfaction came from my throat. Ranger released my mouth and his lips traveled to my throat. He licked and sucked gently as his hands found their way to my breasts.

With his lips against my throat he spoke, his voice deep with arousal, "I was sleeping." More kissing my neck. "It's hard to sleep when you do that." As he said hard, he rubbed himself against me showing me how hard it was. Oh god.

"Sorry," I said in a sexy voice that didn't sound sorry at all. I batted my eyelashes at him.

"Babe, that's not very nice." His lips reached my nipple. He nipped catching it in his teeth.

"Sorry," This time I tried to sound sincere, but I was so turned on it came out sexier than the first time. Ranger growled and sucked my nipple into his mouth continuing to tease it with his teeth and tongue. He released it suddenly and ravished the other one.

"You haven't been a very good girl today. You threatened to shoot me." He licked my nipple and then blew on it. "You teased me while I was on the phone." He sucked my nipple into his mouth and scraped it between his teeth before releasing it. "And you fondled me in my sleep." He kissed me deeply while rocking his cock against my center. I moaned. I needed him inside of me soon, like yesterday. Well he was inside me yesterday, but I need it again today and asap. "And you stunned a cop." Shit. I am going to kill Lester.

Ranger brought his eyes up to look at me. My eyes were open wide, awaiting his reaction. His face was serious, but his eyes were smiling. His lips started to smile and slowly it grew into all 200 watts. "Proud of you Babe." He grinned. His lips captured mine again in a fierce kiss.

Breathless from the kiss, I panted, "You're not mad? Who told you? Did the police call? Do they want to arrest me? I don't want to be someone's bitch." I whined. He laughed. He was laughing at me. I was going to be Big Bertha's bitch and he was laughing at me. I wasn't into girls; well that one time in college but that is not important right now.

"But I would like to hear about it later." Wolf Grin. Shit. Out loud. He kissed me again to stop me from glaring at him.

"Babe. No one is going to jail. Yes, Lester told me. I called Connie and Lula to look after him until he woke up. I didn't want anyone else to find him." He tried to reassure me.

"What did he say when he woke up?" I cringed at the thought.

Ranger smiled. It must not be that bad then. "He swore a blue streak and then had to listen to Lula read him the riot act over the way he treated you. He finally escaped when she spent 5 minutes rummaging in her purse to find her glock."

"Sorry," I said again. His eyes turned dark.

"You've been very naughty." His voice was deep. Omigod, Naughty Ranger was back.

"Sorry," I repeated in a throaty whisper.

"Babe I think you need to be punished so you learn your lesson." He latched onto my nipple again for emphasis. I felt a rush of wetness between my legs.

"Uh huh," so eloquent, that's me.

Ranger moved down my body, positioning himself between my legs.

"Mmmm…" He licked up my slit, parting my lips. He repeated this, over and over again, just circling my clit. My belly tightened and a ball of heat travel from my center out in all directions. I could feel my orgasm building. I bucked my hips at his mouth, trying to get more contact, I was close. He backed off and started kissing down my leg, rubbing the muscles as he went.

"Bastard," I muttered.

He chuckled. "Naughty girls don't get what they want Babe. Name calling isn't nice. You don't seem to be learning anything." He scolded me, sucking on a patch of skin on my inner thigh, leaving a mark.

"Sorry," I moaned.

His eyes darkened even more. He thrust one finger in me, stroking in and out lazily while he circled my clit with his other finger. I tried rocking against his hand, to take him deeper and faster. He slowed even more and took his other hand away from my clit and held my hips to the bed. Well that certainly backfired. I tried to behave. I was still for what felt like hours while he tortured me. My good behavior was rewarded. His finger sped slightly, and he added a second. He used his tongue to circle my clit, his other hand still holding my hips to the bed. I could hardly stand it.

"Please," I begged, "Please Ranger."

He didn't answer. He just continued at his painfully slow speed making me crazy with longing.

"Please Ranger, I need you inside me, please." I choked out.

"Will you behave?" His voice was heavy with need.

"Yes, I'll be good, I promise," I sobbed.

He slowly removed his fingers and positioned himself at my entrance. He pushed into me, just the head and he stopped. I whimpered.

"Promise?" He pushed in a little farther.

"Oh god yes." He buried himself inside me before pulling back slowly and sliding back in at an agonizingly slow pace. I wasn't going to make it. I was going to die of need on the edge of an orgasm. I reached up and pulled him to me, kissing him fiercely trying to covey my need. I rubbed my breasts against his muscled chest. He groaned. I felt his thrusts speed slightly and a little more force behind them. On the next thrust I met him with my own and he growled.

"That's naughty Babe," his thrusts came harder and faster. I put my feet flat on the bed to give me better leverage. I grasped his gorgeous ass and pulled him hard to me as I thrust up to meet him grinding my hips into him, finally getting some pressure on my clit.

"Very," I moaned as I sucked on his nipple and bit down hard.

He grabbed my hips and pulled me with him as he sat back on his haunches, my ass resting on his thighs and my back arched towards the bed. He stilled, his eyes locked on mine.

"Good," he said, "I'm not into nice." He gave me a wicked smile as he pounded into me, his pace furious. The new position slipped him deeper inside me; his ridge hitting just the right place with every thrust. The muscles in his arms and neck worked in unison, moving my body up and down his shaft. The sight alone nearly made me come.

I reached up and began to rub my clit furiously as I came screaming. "Thank God…Ranger." I was panting furiously.

Ranger growled as he watched me come. "Oh God…Steph" he ground out as he followed me over.

He slid his arms under my shoulders and hauled me up to him, kissing me passionately, both of us breathing hard. He rested his forehead against mine.

"You are a wicked woman Stephanie Plum." He laughed.

My voice thick with lust, I answered. "And that makes you a lucky man Carlos Manoso." He growled and I felt him start to harden again inside me.

He kissed me roughly. His voice was husky, "Babe, I like hearing you say my name. But I am going to love hearing you scream it."

Oh Boy!