Disclaimer - Not mine; wish they were. All mistakes are mine and mine alone.

***SLIGHT SMUT WARNING***

Chapter 11

Ranger pulled up to Sam's house at 9:00 the next morning. He immediately honked the horn to get Bobby's attention; he was not one to wait. A minute when by and Ranger was just about to pick up his cell when the front door opened. Bobby walked out, but Sam ran up behind him for one last kiss. She was wearing a short robe and from what Ranger could see, not much else.

Finally releasing him from her grip, Sam waved to Ranger before skipping back into the house. An embarrassed looking Bobby climbed into the SUV.

"Guess you had an interesting evening, Brown," Ranger smirked.

Bobby shifted his feet in the floorboard and his boot caught on something. Leaning down, he retrieved Stephanie's black thong.

"Uh, boss. Looks like you had an interesting evening yourself," Bobby laughed.

Ranger grabbed the thong from his hand and stuffed it in his pocket. "Don't tell Steph; she'd be embarrassed," he said in an even tone.

"No problem," Bobby replied.

"Listen Brown, I don't know how serious you are about Sam, but I think it goes without saying that if you hurt her, I won't be the only one standing in line to kick your ass."

"I would never do anything to hurt her. I can't think of anything but protecting her. The fact that she's a target is killing me. I can't wait to get proof that Chuck is behind this. At least then I'll know whose ass to kick."

"You need to keep your focus. Being distracted won't do Sam any good and may end up hurting her," Ranger lectured.

"How the hell do you keep yourself in check with Bomber? No offense, Ranger, but that girl is like a magnet for trouble."

"Lots of practice, man" Ranger laughed, "Lots of practice."

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Sam strolled into her office around 10:30 a.m. Stephanie looked up from the security installation plans she was reviewing and beamed when she saw the dazed expression on Sam's face.

"I guess everything went well last night," Stephanie assumed.

"Better than I could have imagined," Sam smiled. "It was fantastic, it was magical, it was….." Sam trailed off as her thoughts turned to the previous evening. She looked at Stephanie and said, "He told me that he loved me."

Stephanie's eyes widened. "Oh, Sam, I'm so happy for you both!" She jumped up and pulled Sam in a friendly embrace. "Didn't I tell you?" she teased.

"Yeah, you did," Sam conceded, "I just can't believe it. I mean, I knew we were close friends, but honestly, it's the first time I've felt truly connected to another man since Brian. And it only took us three years to figure it out," she laughed.

"Now you're starting to sound like me and Ranger," Stephanie grinned, "But, actually, you two had more to overcome than we did."

"I know," replied Sam, "But, I feel like we should have come to this conclusion before now. Why did it take so long?"

"Because you weren't ready," Stephanie simply stated. "You had to work things out emotionally about Brian before you could be free to love someone else. Giving your heart to someone is tough. Nobody wants to be hurt, but that's the risk you take when you fall in love."

"He's such a good man, Steph. I can't believe how lucky I am to have him."

"He's the one that's lucky," Stephanie assured Sam. "Now, let me make sure this installation goes smoothly, or none of us will be 'getting' lucky," joked Stephanie.

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When Ranger and Bobby arrived at RangeMan, James Winston was waiting for them.

"Report," barked Ranger.

"The investigation into the explosion has been completed," James began. "The blast was set off by a cell phone that we have determined belongs to West Georgia Trucking. While we cannot place Chuck Fields as the one that actually activated the device, we did found a partial print on the truck that was a match to him."

Bobby immediately tensed.

"Has the information been turned over the authorities," Ranger questioned?

"Not yet, I wanted to hold off until I discussed the evidence with you," James replied. "We've had a tail on him for the last two days. So far he hasn't strayed from what I assume to be his normal routine. If he's got something planned, he hasn't raised any suspicions."

"Keep the tail on him for a few more days. I want to be notified immediately if anything changes. I'll make a decision within the next 48 hours," Ranger commanded.

"On it, boss."

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When Ranger and Bobby arrived at Field's, the RangeMan crew was packing up their truck. Bobby immediately went in search of Sam. Stephanie was in the parking lot on her cell phone, but when she saw Ranger, she quickly ended the call and sauntered over to him.

"I missed you today," she smiled.

"Missed you too, Babe," He pulled her into his arms and lightly brushed his lips against hers before pulling back and resting his forehead against hers.

"That's all I get? I thought you said you missed me," she teased.

"I did, Babe, but RangeMan got the report back on the explosion and things aren't good."

Stephanie's face went from shock to anger as Ranger relayed the information that had been uncovered.

"Shit! Sam's going to be really upset. I'm so glad Bobby's here for her."

"I thought about adding some bodyguards, but since we're already tailing Chuck and Sam is with Bobby all the time I decided against it."

"I think you're right. Damn it," Stephanie swore! "I'm so mad right now I could kick the shit out of that asshole, Chuck. I just want this to be over for her. She doesn't deserve this."

"I know your pissed, Babe, but I promise this will be over soon." Ranger tightened his hold on Stephanie and whispered in her ear, "I know how you can work out some of that anger, Babe. It's just going to be the two of us tonight, Bobby has plans with Sam."

Stephanie's legs buckled and her panties melted as Ranger continued tormenting her with his ideas of releasing her frustrations. He accentuated his thoughts by nipping lightly along the column of her neck.

"Carlos, please, I can barely stand."

"Then I need to get you someplace to can lie down. You're going to need your strength."

Ranger scooped up Stephanie, put her in the SUV and headed back to the hotel.

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Bobby found Sam in her office poring over reports. He smiled at the way she furrowed her brow as she tried to concentrate. He would give anything to avoid telling her what happened today, but he knew he had to. She had to know.

"Hey, baby."

"Hey yourself," she responded.

"Reading anything interesting?"

"Nothing as interesting as you," she teased.

Bobby pulled her up from her chair, sat down and pulled Sam into his lap with a heavy sigh.

"What's wrong, Bobby," she asked, searching his face for the answer.

"We found out today that Chuck was definitely behind the truck explosion."

"Oh my god," Sam's face filled with fear. "I didn't want to believe he was capable, that he would do something like this to me. We were family. Why, why would he?" She began crying. "I'm scared, Bobby. I'm scared of what he's going to do."

"Shhh, please don't cry, Sam." Bobby pulled her closer and softly stroked her hair. "Ranger's having him tailed 24/7. There's no way he can get to you without us knowing. I'll keep you safe, I promise."

With Bobby's loving arms around her, and his soft words of encouragement, Sam's tears gradually diminished. She looked up at him with shiny eyes and smiled. "I love you, Bobby."

"I love you too, baby." Bobby watched as Sam's eyes darken with desire. He crashed his lips to hers and she moaned in response. The kiss quickly became frenzied and Sam shifted her position to straddle his lap. Bobby growled low in his chest and Sam felt a gush of moisture as her hips rocked back and forth over his growing erection.

"Baby, you're killing me," he said in a tormented voice. "I don't want to do this here. I want to take my time with you. I want to show you everything I feel for you."

Sam laid her head on Bobby's chest and laughed. "Okay, but first you've got to feed me because I'm starving." She raised her head and kissed his lips, "in more ways than one."

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Bobby and Sam entered the supper club and the host led them to a booth beside the dance floor. They sat together with their fingers entwined and studied the menu. The waitress appeared and they placed their orders. The cocktails arrived moments later and Sam quickly gulped half of hers.

"Still nervous?" Bobby asked.

"A little bit. I think everything you've told me is really starting to sink in. I'm so glad somebody is following Chuck. I don't want to worry about looking over my shoulder all the time."

"Relax, baby, that's what I'm here for; to protect you."

"Really? I thought you were here to pay for dinner so you could get sex," she teased.

"Well, that too," he laughed.

After dinner, a small band began to play. Bobby and Sam quickly joined the other couples on the dance floor. The music was romantic and Sam soon began to feel the most relaxed she had all day. Safely tucked in Bobby's arms they glided around the floor while whispering loving endearments to each other.

After several songs and more drinks, Sam needed to visit the restroom. Bobby held her close, "as soon as you get back we'll leave. I'm ready to collect on my dinner payment." Sam blushed and headed towards the back of the club.

The hallway to the bathrooms was narrow and a little dark, but Sam pushed her fears aside and entered the small room. After finishing her business, Sam stepped back into the hallway, and bumped into someone. Before she could say, 'excuse me' she felt a prick on the side of her neck and everything turned dark.