First let me say – WOW! Thanks to everyone who has added this story to their favorites and/or reviewed! I truly appreciate your kind words and suggestions more than you know! You've really encouraged this newbie to try another chapter!

One reviewer asked when this story takes place in the JE timeline. I have read through book 17, including all of the between the numbers. I have 18, but I can't bring myself to read it knowing that Steph and Ranger STILL won't be together at the end- sigh. So, I guess this would be after 17. Spoilers and background info from all of those books is possible.

Rated for language and smut. If the smut offends you, don't read between the *s!

Chapter 2 - Chicken

The drive back to Rangeman was quiet, and for once I was grateful that Ranger had slipped into his driving zone. It gave me a chance to think. I turned towards the window and leaned my forehead against the cool glass as thoughts and emotions flew through my head.

I was angry, scared, hurt, embarrassed, and confused.

The two men in my life made absolutely no sense!

What on Earth had possessed Joe to come over tonight, of all nights? We had broken up 4 months ago. I hadn't even heard from him in at least 2 months. All of sudden tonight he wanted to have pizza, beer, and watch a movie? Or something? Jeez! And did he actually think that telling me I needed to choose between being his girlfriend or Manoso's whore was going to end well for him? Gah!

And then there was Ranger. He was every bit as frustrating! Thanks to the low number of skips, I'd been working at Rangeman practically full time for months. He knew that Joe and I were over. Mr. I'm an Opportunist. Mr. I'll Be in Your Bed as Soon as It's Empty for Too Long. Ha! Four months! Four stinkin' months! And other than running into him at work or doing a distraction, there was nothing. Zip, zilch, nada, nothing. Some flirting in the break room or my cubicle, some necking and groping when he attached my wire. That's it. And then he says "She's mine, and I protect what's mine," to Morelli? What the hell had he meant by that?

Is it possible to get a cramp in your brain? If it is, I definitely had one right now. I let out a sigh and rubbed my temples, trying furiously to make some sense out of tonight. So I guess I was back to Joe's ultimatum- Did I want to be his girlfriend or Ranger's whore? Although I didn't especially appreciate the language, Joe was actually pretty accurate with the choices. He wanted to date, get married, and have kids. Ranger pretty much just wanted sex with no strings attached. Sigh. I didn't know what the hell I wanted! Actually, that's not true. I just didn't think that what I wanted- namely a relationship with Ranger- was an option right now.

I stared blankly out the window as we pulled into the Rangeman parking garage. Sighing, I stood up and climbed out of the car. Ranger raised an eyebrow at the sigh, and I just shook my head. Hey! Look at me having an ESP conversation with Batman!

Ranger put his hand to the small of my back and led me to the elevator, fobbing us up to 7. I wandered into the kitchen, my mind still going a hundred miles a minute.

Ranger leaned against the counter. Since I was wearing his shirt, his gorgeous mocha latte skin was still on display. Yum! "So what did Morelli want tonight?"

"No idea." I answered honestly. "He said he left a message, but I didn't get it. I must have been in the shower when he called. He brought over Pino's and beer and wanted to know if I wanted to watch a movie or something." I did little air quotes around the or something.

Ranger's expression darkened at that. "You didn't invite him over tonight?"

I looked at Ranger incredulously. "No! I was getting ready for the distraction. Why would I invite him over?"

Ranger lifted his shoulders a fraction of an inch, his version of a shrug.

I glared at him. What the hell was he saying? "We broke up 4 months ago. I haven't heard from him for months now. I have no idea why he stopped over tonight."

Ranger crossed his arms over his bare chest. "Just thought maybe you gave him the impression that he was welcome to stop by, that's all."

I narrowed my eyes at him. Was he trying to pick a fight with me? Blame this all on me? What difference did it make why he was there? "What are you saying, Ranger?"

A muscle near his jaw jumped. "You guys have been in this cycle for years. On again, off again. I'm just pointing out that your words and your actions don't always match up." And then he smirked at me. Jerk!

"Don't you smirk at me!" I shrieked at him. "You are every bit as bad! You say one thing but do another! You tell me that you're an opportunist, promise me that if my bed is empty too long, you'll be in it. Then nothing! You're all talk!"

"Is that what you want, Babe? You want me to make good on those promises?" His eyes were dark and dangerous, and there were little frown lines around his eyes and mouth. I couldn't tell if he was disappointed or pissed at me. My brain was screaming RETREAT, but my mouth was in high gear, and there was no stopping it now!

"Everyone on the street thinks you're a badass. Grown men piss their pants when you glare at them, but you know what? I think you're a chicken!" Oh my God! Did I really just say that?

"What?" he practically roared.

"You heard me! You're a chicken! You told Joe you always keep your promises. So put up or shut up, Carlos Manoso!"

Ranger stared at me in disbelief for about 3 seconds before he strode across the room. He pressed himself up against me, pinning me to the wall. I swallowed hard. One arm snaked around my waist, yanking me against him and his other hand fisted in my hair. "Oh, I'll put up, Stephanie!" he whispered before his lips came crashing down on mine. There was nothing tender and loving about that kiss. It was ferocious and possessive. I felt like he was branding MINE across my lips.

The hand around my waist slid down to my ass. He grabbed one cheek and squeezed hard, pressing me against him. He broke off the kiss and leaned back long enough to pull his shirt off over my head. I gulped in some air, but before I could ask him what the hell he was doing, his lips were back on mine. His warm skin pressed against my bra and bare skin, and I forgot that I wanted to say anything at all.

He lifted me up, both hands cradling my ass. I instinctively wrapped my legs around his waist, and I could feel how hard he was. I groaned and rubbed against his length, winding my arms around his neck. His right hand traveled up my leg to the top of my fishnet thigh highs. He grabbed my black lace thong and gave a sharp tug. The thin fabric gave way with a rip, and he flicked my ruined panties towards the couch. Two fingers teased my dripping lips. "Dios, Babe, you're so wet! Is this all for me?" he asked huskily.

"Yes!" I gasped. Ranger growled as he slammed his fingers inside of me. I screamed and tossed my head back, his fingers pumping quickly in and out of me.

I began panting and thrusting, riding his fingers. I could feel the low burn growing in my belly, and I closed my eyes and started chanting, "Oh God, Oh God, Oh God!"

"That's it." Ranger whispered hoarsely, curling his fingers inside of me. "Cum for me."

"Ranger!" I screeched and clawed at his back, shuddering as my muscles spasmed and clenched around his fingers.

I was still riding the wave of my orgasm when I heard the rasp of a zipper. Ranger pulled his fingers out, and I groaned. Before I could miss the feel of them inside me, I felt the tip of his cock at my entrance. My breath hitched, and he buried himself inside of me in one hard thrust. I let out a scream at the sudden invasion and started to move, but his hands gripped my hips, and stopped me. "So hot, so tight." Ranger ground out through clenched teeth.

He took a few deep breaths. Getting himself under control, Ranger pulled out and slammed himself back inside me. God! I had forgotten how big he was! With every fast, deep push, my walls stretched to accommodate his girth, and I could feel his head nudging my womb. "You feel so fucking good!" he growled. I moaned in agreement.

One of his hands tangled in my hair and yanked my head to the side, exposing my neck to him. He licked and nibbled from my ear to my shoulder before finally latching on to the base of my neck. I let out a shriek as he bit and sucked greedily on my pulse point. I knew there would be a mark, but right then I didn't care. He could do whatever he wanted as long as he kept pounding into me.

"Is this what you wanted?" he asked roughly.

"Yeeeeesssss!" I groaned, digging my nails into his back.

Both hands locked onto my ass then, and he began to speed up his thrusts, pressing my back against the wall as he pumped in and out. Somewhere in the back corner of my mind I registered the fact that the textured wall was biting into the soft flesh of my back, but that thought was pushed aside when his lips crashed down onto mine. His tongue forced its way into my mouth, tasting me, taking what he wanted. He bit my lower lip and sucked it into his mouth, growling.

From the speed and force of his thrusts, I could tell that he was close. His fingers began circling my clit. "Cum with me," he ordered in a gruff voice. He pinched my clit roughly between two fingers, and I was gone.

"Ranger!" I screamed as I bucked and thrashed against him.

Seconds later he shouted my name as I felt burst after burst of his cum coat the inside of me.

Ranger leaned into me, his legs trembling, and we both slid down the wall. We ended up lying on the floor, a tangle of hot, sweaty limbs. My heart was racing, and I was trying to get my breathing under control. My head was resting on Ranger's chest, my cheek right above his heart, and I smugly noted that I wasn't the only one who seemed to be affected. I have no idea how long we stayed like that on the floor, wrapped around one another. It seemed like hours but was probably only ten minutes. We were brought out of our stupor by a loud banging on the door to the apartment. Lester's voice called out jokingly, "Get your clothes on! We're coming in!" If he only knew!

I leaped up off of the floor, intending to head for the bathroom, but my legs wobbled underneath me. I grabbed onto the dining room chair to try to steady myself but somehow only succeeded in knocking it over and falling back onto the floor.

Ranger just stared at me. He was trying to keep his blank mask on, but it wasn't working. He grabbed his shirt off of the floor and yanked it back over my head before pulling me to my feet. He kicked the tattered thong under the couch as Lester, Tank, and Bobby came barreling in.

Ranger inclined his head towards the living room. I turned to lead the way and wobbled. Ranger reached out and wrapped an arm around my waist, steadying me as I blushed a deep red. The guys traded worried glances and Bobby stepped closer.

"You OK, Bomber?" he asked, concerned.

I blushed again and just nodded.

Tank and Lester settled into the two leather recliners, leaving the couch for Ranger, Bobby, and me. Ranger led me over to the couch and pulled me down next to him. Bobby sat on my other side.

"Ranger said he wanted me to check out your upper arms?" Bobby clarified.

I nodded again and pushed up the sleeves of Ranger's t-shirt.

Bobby sighed and looked at Ranger. "There's too much fabric bunched up for me to be able to see the tops of your arms. If the other guys go into the kitchen, would you feel comfortable taking off the shirt? Or do you want to go change into a tank top?"

Before I could answer, Tank spoke up. "We'll step into the kitchen." He made eye contact with Ranger. Ranger nodded and got up to follow him and Lester. Damn ESP! Although I could guess what Tank wanted. Probably something to do with Joe. Hmm… I wonder what they did with him after Ranger and I left?

"Bomber?" Bobby's voice broke through my musings.

I grabbed the hem of the shirt and yanked it over my head, blushing. Bobby has checked me over numerous times. And my strapless bra was pretty much the same thing as a bikini top. In fact it covered more than some of my bikini tops, but still! Sitting in front of a guy in your bra is uncomfortable!

Bobby ran his fingers lightly over my arms and had me move them all around- out to my side, up and down, over my head.

"I think you'll be OK. It doesn't look like anything more than bruising. It'll probably hurt, and your arms may swell just a little, but you should be fine. Take some aspirin if it bothers you too much, or you can try rubbing some of this on the bruises." He held up a tube of medicated cream.

I nodded and leaned over to grab Ranger's shirt off of the floor.

"Jesus Christ!" Bobby yelled.

I jumped and stared at Bobby wide eyed. He stared back with an outraged expression on his face.

Ranger, Tank, and Lester ran back into the room. I squeaked and pulled Ranger's shirt against my chest as quickly as I could, so that I wasn't flashing my bra to Tank and Lester.

The guys looked back and forth, between my shocked face and Bobby's furious one.

"What the hell did Morelli do to your back?" Bobby roared.

My back? What was he talking about? I looked at Bobby, confused.

"Huh?" I ever so eloquently replied.

Lester interrupted. "Her back's fine, man. I saw it back at her apartment. Not a scratch on it."

Bobby took a deep breath. Then he answered in a slow, measured voice as if Lester and I were either really young or really slow. "Your back is bleeding, Bomber. You have scratches and marks all over it. What happened?"

I just stared at Bobby. My back was bleeding? Since when? "I… I don't know." I answered.

Bobby leaned across the couch and turned me so that my back was facing the guys. He gently pushed against my shoulder so that I was bent over.

I heard all three of them suck in a breath of air, and I was pretty sure that at least one of them had mumbled a few choice words under his breath.

"What happened?" Bobby repeated.

Lester was directing his blank face at Ranger. "Her back didn't look like that at her apartment, man. What happened in the last half hour?"

Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced over at Ranger. He looked like he was going to be sick. When I looked at him, he lowered his eyes and wouldn't meet my gaze. What the hell? Why was he acting guilty? It wasn't his fault if I had scratches on my back, right? Then my brain clicked into high gear. Shit! Yes, it WAS his fault! Well, OUR fault. I certainly hadn't been complaining at the time, but evidently my back had been rubbing against the textured wall a little harder than I had originally thought!

"I'll get some ice." Ranger turned to walk into the kitchen, and I let out a strangled cry. Omigod! His entire back was covered in red nail marks! It looked like he had wrestled a grizzly bear to the ground!

Lester followed my gaze and choked out a laugh. "Damn, Beautiful!"

Ranger turned around and glared at Lester. "What the hell is so funny?"

Lester smirked. "Nothing, cuz. But I think we may have solved the case of the mysterious marks on Beautiful's back. I'd say whatever caused hers probably caused yours, too."

Ranger took one more look at my now horrified expression and put two and two together. "Santos, mats 0500!" he barked. Then he headed into the bedroom to grab a shirt.

Lester smirked at me. "You need to register those nails! They could be considered lethal weapons!"

I blushed furiously, and Tank frowned and smacked him upside the head. "Ow!" Lester whined.

Bobby led me into the bedroom and had me lay down on the bed so that he could clean and treat all of the scratches. Ranger finished pulling on a shirt and sat next to me on the bed, holding my hand. When Bobby stepped out to get his supplies, Ranger leaned down and brushed a curl behind my ear. "I'm so sorry, Babe. Your back looks horrible. I guess I got a little carried away."

"We got a little carried away." I corrected him. "And it was worth it." I smiled and squeezed his hand. Ranger started to say something else but stopped when Bobby came back into the room. Bobby cleaned all of the scratches carefully and started rubbing cream into them. It felt so good, so relaxing. Add the fact that I was lying on thousand thread count sheets after a stressful day, and it's no wonder that I was drifting off into dreamland.

Somewhere in the back of my brain, Smart Sensible Stephanie was lobbying for me to stay awake and have a grown-up, mature talk with Ranger about what had just happened. Unfortunately for her, Stupid Stephanie had decided to pull a Scarlett O'Hara and worry about that tomorrow. After she got some sleep. Lots and lots of sleep.

TBC

Let me know what you think!