Chapter 9

SPOV

At 6 I made my way to Ranger's apartment after changing into something other than my uniform. It amazes me how great the guys in this building have been, especially Ranger, I don't know if I would have made it through all of this without them. I have Lester for comic relief, Hector for office gossip, and Bobby to help me work out my aggression I'm feeling. Ranger has worked with me on my gun, but my severe allergy to them is really putting a hitch in the training. Not that I'm not trying to work with my gun, I just feel like I should be able to do damage to someone without the potential to kill them.

Ranger has offered me anything and everything I could imagine, and I will always be grateful for his friendship. It honestly feels like I've known him my whole life. I can feel him when he's near and I love that he calls me Babe. It just makes me feel special, especially with everything that's going on now.

I exit the elevator and make my way to the front door of Ranger's apartment. I knock on the door, no one answers, but the door opens. I let myself in and make my way around the apartment trying to see if I can hear Ranger and let him know I'm here. Ella must have not fully shut the door when she dropped off the food in the kitchen. Slowly I make my way to the bedroom and stick my head in the open door, to say I was not prepared for what I saw was the understatement of the century. There stood Ranger in all of his naked glory, fresh out of the shower. Not an ounce of fat on his body, probably the most beautiful body I had ever seen. I try to let Ranger know I'm there but words fail me. I open my mouth and it's dry as the desert. I cannot speak.

"See something you like Babe?" Ranger's words force me out of my mute state.

"Uh, no I was just letting you know I was here, the door was open when I got up here." I bite my lip and turn beet red.

"Let me grab some clothes and I'll meet you in the dining room. Make yourself at home Babe." Ranger heads for the dressing room and I head back to the dining room.

I sit down at the table thinking about what just happened. I just saw my boss naked. Okay let me rephrase that, I just saw my boss naked and I liked it. I'm still a married woman right now, and I need to push those thoughts out of my head. I cannot think of him like that, besides the fact that he would never find me attractive.

"I smell burning Babe, what are you thinking about?" Ranger asks as he takes the chair across the table from me.

"Nothing," I say as I turn beet red again, I need to get my emotions and hormones under control before this gets any worse. I need sugar, that's why this is happening. All this healthy eating has screwed with my hormones.

"Don't be embarrassed about walking in after my shower, you didn't know I was in there." Ranger says as he grabs my hand.

"I'm not embarrassed about walking in, I'm embarrassed about staring at you like a horny teenager." After I realize what I said I just groan and cover my face with my hands, "I really need to learn to quit thinking outloud."

"Don't' be embarrassed, I know I would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed. There is chemistry between us, but I will not act on it until you're comfortable. You are going through a rough time, and I will be here for you in whatever role that you want. Right now we need to get this situation with Morelli taken care of, then we can move on from there." Ranger leaned over and kissed my forehead as he pull me into a half hug against his chest.

"Ranger thank you so much for everything you've done for me. It means so much to me. I feel like I'm getting a second change at my life and I couldn't have gotten this far without you." I say as I pull away and sit up straight in my chair, "The sad thing is you've been better to me in the past few weeks than Joe was in our whole relationship. Every guy I've ever been serious about has cheated on me, and I just don't think I can go through that again. At this point I'm wondering if it's something to do with me, maybe I'm damaged goods."

"Babe you are not damaged goods, the guys were idiots. Both Morelli and Dickie Orr were idiots for treating you the way they did. Just because you've come across a couple of assholes, don't think that's the way every male is. When you find the right person you know, there is an instant connection to them. You know when they are near, you know when they're upset, and you know how to make them feel better. Trust me Babe there are a few good men out there within the assholes."

Ranger and I finish up dinner and sit in the living room and talk for hours until I start yawning. I get up off the couch and lean down to hug Ranger and kiss him on the cheek, right as I start leaning down I trip over something on the floor and fall face first into his lap. I get up quickly and turn bright red.

"Babe, didn't figure that you were the type of girl that skips straight to third base." Ranger says with a chuckle.

"Ranger shut up! It's not funny. Not only did I see you naked tonight but now I have fallen head first into your lap. I don't see why you even keep me around."

"Do you hear me complaining? From my point of view tonight I had a wonderful evening with a wonderful woman who ogled my naked body and tried to make sexual advances at me, what man is going to complain about that?" He was full out laughing at that point, which eased my tension.

"I'm going back to my apartment, why don't you walk with me to the elevator so I don't try to take advantage of your body again." I say as I roll my eyes.

"Come on Babe," he takes my hand and we head out the door.

As I go to enter the elevator I hug Ranger and kiss his cheek. He pulls me close to him and gives me a huge hug then leans down and kisses the top of my head before he lets me get into the elevator.

"Sweet dreams Babe," Ranger says as the elevator doors close.