AN: Thanks to everyone for the encouragement to continue the story. I think I have figured out my plot now. I edited 16 & 17 to fix some typos. Hope you enjoy this chapter, including the racy parts.

Chapter 18

Ranger had called Lester but I suppose I just had to wait on an update as Lester didn't appear to be in a talkative mood right now. We walked in silence to the house. There was an underground connection between the garage and its apartment and the main house. We decided not to use it, so we had to walk rather quickly.

When we entered the front door, I noticed that the library door was open and I heard the voices coming from that direction. Lester and I went in to join the team.

"He leaving a god damned trail. It's like he wants us to find him," Tank snapped.

The guys all looked a bit worn. Their faces were drawn in concentration as they reviewed the day's results.

"He wants a confrontation all right, but he wants Steph more. We tighten the security here and at the office. She's not be left alone. Got that, Babe?" Ranger nodded in my direction.

"Yeah, I guess," I didn't want to argue in front of the guys. "Can I go to Vinnie's, catch skips?"

Ranger's expression didn't change. "Off limits until we find Martinez." He waited for my response, and when he didn't get one, shot a questioning look in my direction. I countered with walking out of the room.

I headed upstairs, determined not to take my anger at the situation out on Ranger, Lester or anyone else. I thought a nice bath might take the edge off. I ran the tub to near capacity, added some fantastic bath salts I found on-line, undressed and sank into the hot, fragrant water.

I was finding my quiet place when I felt a hand stoke my thigh. "You'd better not let Ranger catch you doing that," I offered with my eyes closed, "he's not into sharing."

"Damn straight," he quipped, sliding his hand further north, his fingers stroking me in places that were making the hot water seem only tepid.

I didn't want to open my eyes, or move for that matter. The feel of his hands on my hot flesh was just too erotic. I continued to lay there in the tub, head back against the spa pillow and rejoice in the wonderful sensations.

"You fall asleep, you could drown," his husky voice proclaimed.

"You think I could sleep through this," I countered, finally opening my eyes.

Ranger's eyes were dark with passion. They changed every time he touched me. I wondered if he knew that.

"I think that you either get out of there or I join you."

I stood up, leaving the suds and water to drip off my body. I noticed that his gaze was fixed on a rivulet of water that was currently making its way down my stomach.

"Where's the team?" I didn't want to do what he wanted to do if the guys were waiting for him downstairs.

"Getting something to eat in the kitchen. I actually came up here to see if you were hungry, but you made such a vision lying in the tub like that, I couldn't control myself."

Wow, what an admission from the man of usually few words. "Sorry about that," I whispered as I brought my arms around his neck. "I know how you always like to be in control," I continued, pushing my body hard against him. I was having the desired effect.

Without warning, he picked me up and carried me back into the bedroom. He followed me down onto the bed, shedding his shirt along the way. I heard him kick his shoes off and was determined to help with the pants, but neither of us could get those off of him unless he was standing. He rose quickly, shedding the offending pants as he did, revealing his spectacular body. I didn't really get enough time to admire because he was back on top of me in the blink of an eye.

"I thought you'd be furious with me," he whispered, kissing my eyes, my nose and finally my mouth. He moved back to my forehead then started on the side of my neck, kissing and licking.

"Why waste all that energy on something I'm not going to be able to change?" My voice was hoarse with arousal.

He laughed softly in my ear. "Where is my Babe? Don't tell me that you're finally accepting the need to be protected."

I pushed at his chest, but only half-heartedly. "Don't laugh at me if you want to take this any further," I threatened.

"Oh, Babe, I plan on taking this to the limit." With that I felt him plunge inside me, all hot and thick and pulsing. It was one of the best feelings in the world. When he started to move, I could only moan. It was as if the sound of my voice effected him more. He drove himself into me and I did my best to encourage him to keep going. It was wonderful. I felt his hand slip between us, feeling me, stroking me. I wanted to encourage that as well. He brought himself up over me, crouching on his knees on the bed, positioned to make it easier to touch me. I moved my hand down and began stroking myself. His eyes glazed over and he actually sighed.

"That's right, Babe, make us both come."

I looked at him, watching him move in and out of me. He was perfection in form. He muscular arms flexed as he stroked my legs; his perfect abs rippled with the strength of every thrust. I couldn't stifle the moan and then the screams that ripped from my body as he and I joined in a killer climax.

He pulled away and moved to lie beside me on the bed. I was out of breath and slightly dizzy from lack of blood to my brain, yet I was pretty sure that there was a huge smile on my face.

"Probably shouldn't have screamed with the guys in the house," I noted after my brain started functioning again.

"Don't worry, I added sound proofing to this room, Babe. Didn't want to limit any of our enjoyment." He kissed me on the lips.

My stomach chose that moment to let out a very loud and angry growl.

"I think we finished that just in time. Sounds like your beast is getting desperate," he joked.

Ranger and I quickly dressed. My hair was damp, so I pulled it back in a modified pony tail, hoping it wouldn't look like I stuck my finger in the light socket in an hour. Ranger donned a black shirt (no surprise there) and a pair of jeans, but didn't bother with socks or underwear. We held hands as we made our way down the stairs to the kitchen. One look at us and everyone would know what we had been up to. It was hard to miss the glow on my face, or the smug look on Ranger's.

The guys were gathered at the breakfast table and Bobby was at the stove warming up contents from the freezer. Tonight was one of Lupe's night's off. We usually ate out when she was off work, but she had prepared various dishes to tide us over just in case we wanted to stay home. Ranger pulled a salad out of the fridge and placed some salad bowls on the table. None of the guys said anything about his showing up late, but I noticed that everyone was trying to avoid looking at me.

"Hey Bomber, you look all refreshed," Lester said as he walked into the kitchen. "You disappear for a while with Ranger and then show back up with you both looking all relaxed. I'd say there must be some benefit to home ownership and cohabitation."

I know I blushed, but it couldn't be helped. Ranger looked over at me. "Give it a rest Santos," he snapped, only half serious.

"Ah, boss, you get all the perks," Lester tried to sound hurt.

"Yeah, well, find your own woman. Leave mine alone."

That put an end to the jokes and prevented any other snide remarks. The guys started talking about various cases and dinner was over before I realized that it had begun. I helped Bobby with the dishes and fished through the freezer, finding a lone tub of ice cream, which I ate standing at the sink, a reminder of my old apartment days. As I stood there, I watched the interaction between Ranger and the guys. I was seeing more of Ric and less of Ranger in the conversations. This was the real man, sitting at his kitchen table, drinking a beer with the guys. I couldn't help but marvel at the change between streetwise Ranger Manoso and the nearly normal man of Ric Manoso. The best part was I loved them both.