Chapter 7—Stress Unrelieved
Stephanie's POV
Carlos Mañoso stepped out of the elevator, looking hotter than ever. He was wearing a long-sleeved black shirt tucked into a pair of bun-hugging black jeans. Black cowboy boots completed his Bad Bart look, minus the black hat.
His eyes widened noticeably when he saw me and then his face lit up complete with a stunning smile. I felt myself go damp. Crap! This was one dangerous man. I could feel the walls go up all around me and double locks closing over my heart. I'd need all the defenses I could muster to get out of this unscathed.
The first words out of his mouth were, "You came?"
I thought, 'Nearly! Keep looking at me like that and I will.'
He stared at me for a moment then burst out laughing. Damn, please tell me I did not say that out loud. I hadn't spilled my thoughts like that since college. Something about this handsome man unnerved me and had me acting like a silly schoolgirl. I wanted to crawl into a deep dark hole. I knew I blushed to high heaven.
"Babe, you're full of surprises. I was beginning to think I'd never hear from you." He kept staring at me. He obviously hadn't expected me to show up. Not a very trusting soul. Wise man!
"I always keep my promises. Is there somewhere we can talk?" I asked, conscious of a very interested audience pressing in behind me. With one look from their boss, the mass of men in back of me scattered.
"This way, please." A very polite Carlos guided me into his office. After seating me in a comfortable chair in front of his desk, he asked, "May I offer you something to drink?" When I declined, he excused himself and stepped outside.
I couldn't hear what he said to Lester, but from Lester's tense body posture it wasn't pleasant. Both had no expression on their faces. Maybe the ability to maintain a blank face was a RangeMan hiring requirement. I figured I was witnessing a dressing down even though Ranger never raised his voice. There was something about his look or stance that commanded instant obedience. Good thing I was never in the military. I didn't react well to orders.
After speaking quietly to Lester for a few minutes Carlos came back in closing the door. He joined me in the second chair a few feet away.
Smiling, he started, "I'm glad to see you again…Babe. I'm pleased you came in person. Can I give you a tour of our operations here?"
As much I enjoyed being in his presence, I knew better. He was just too damned handsome and charming. I needed this to remain a business-like relationship. "No, thank you, Mr. Mañoso. It looks highly technical and way over my head."
"Please, call me Carlos. And I really wish you'd tell me your name, even just your first name, so I can call you something other than Babe."
I smiled back, "Babe's fine with me. Can we get down to the business at hand?" I waited for some sign of agreement. He looked wary, but there was a slight dip of his head that I took for approval.
I removed a slim white envelope from my jacket pocket and held it out to him. I was silent until he took it.
"That is my first payment for the ruined suit, Mr. Mañoso. I will deliver the same amount once a month until my debt to you is paid in full. If you would let me know how many months it will take, I'd appreciate it."
Now knowing his suit had been a ridiculously expensive Brioni, I recalculated the payment period from months to years. I tried to keep my anxiety from showing in my face.
He glanced inside the envelope and sighed. Then he handed it back to me. I shook my head and held my hands in my lap.
He tapped the envelope on his knee several times, exasperation marring his deep sultry voice, "I can't accept this. I won't accept any money for a damn piece of cloth."
"Mr. Mañoso, I've gone to great lengths to raise that money. As I told you last week, I always pay my debts. I insist you take it." I stood up, preparing to leave. Carlos rose with me.
"Is that your bicycle in the garage?" he asked. I groaned but nodded. "Do you always ride a bike? Or…don't tell me…please, don't tell me you sold your car just to pay me?" A look of disbelief came over him.
"Bicycles are an excellent form of exercise and I like to do my part for the environment," I hedged and felt my cheeks go hot.
"Babe," was all he said.
Then he asked another unexpected question. "How did you get up here? All new visitors are restricted to the first floor lobby. Did one of my men bring you up here?"
There it was. How was I going to answer that truthfully without him blaming the guys?
"I take full responsibility for breaching your security. I didn't know I wasn't supposed to park in the garage. Please don't blame your employees. They were all waiting for me as I got off the elevator. I couldn't have gotten anywhere without their knowledge." I watched his jaw clench and I cringed as I heard the words coming out of my mouth. "They seem very competent," I added.
He was silent a good long while. "You sure do take responsibility for things that aren't your fault. The paint and suit were just an accident and you getting into the garage unnoticed is a blessing in disguise, because it highlights a weak point in our security. I should be paying you for that."
"I appreciate you trying to let me off the hook, but a debt is a debt. I'll deliver the second payment to you in one month. Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Mañoso." I walked toward the door.
He followed close behind. "It's Carlos, please. I can tell this means a lot to you, but there must be some other way, some compromise both of us can agree on. Why don't you let me take you to lunch and we can talk it over."
"I owe you money. I'm not going to let you buy me lunch…Carlos." I could see he thought he was wearing me down when I called him by his first name. Maybe he was. He was awfully charming.
"You'd be doing me a favor, Babe. We're normally so busy around here, none of us eat lunch very often and when we do, it's usually junk food." He made a point of sniffing the air. "It smells like today's unhealthy lunch was very greasy fried chicken. You don't want me to get sick, do you?"
He gave me another of his 200 watt smiles. God, this man was stunningly beautiful, not pretty boy handsome, but manly man, drop dead gorgeous.
"One good lunch isn't going to save your life," I quipped, opening the door.
He stepped closer to me and his voice dropped an octave, "There must be some other solution, something besides money. Maybe a service of some sort?" I felt his hand on my back as he continued to talk.
His voice dropped another octave. "I could always use a friend, Babe. I'm under a lot of stress and having someone to talk to would be a great stress reliever. How about it? That could be a service you could provide?"
I couldn't believe what I was hearing…and feeling. His hand was still stroking my back and moving lower as we talked. Was he implying what I thought he was? I could feel anger boiling up within me. A stress relieving service. Yeah, right. Boy, did I misjudge him.
I let him have it with both barrels. I went from reserved to rhino rage in three seconds flat. First, I twisted around and slapped his hand away from me. Then I continued to let my hands do half my talking, waving them around like the good Italian girl I was. Well, half Italian, all Jersey.
"You ass! You arrogant, chauvinist ass! You refuse to accept my money, but you expect me to …to…service you? I'm not your friendly hooker! You can 'relieve' your own goddamn stress. Go to hell!"
I flipped him off and stomped out the door into a wall of wide-eyed men. Didn't anyone work around here?
Unable to move forward, I turned back for one parting blow. Carlos was standing stock still, his eyes wide as saucers and his mouth hanging open, an incredulous look on his face. My Jersey heritage suddenly deserted me. I couldn't think of anything strong enough to fling at him. Crass callous cad came to mind, but I swallowed it. I dove into the black sea of men and they parted trying to avoid even a glancing touch from me. I jabbed at the elevator's 'down' button over and over, my breath coming in short gasps.
I felt rather than heard the men melt away from me. When I turned around, Carlos was so close I had to tilt my head back to look him in the eyes…eyes as dark as the deepest night. He was not a happy man and that was putting it mildly.
In a tight, controlled and quiet voice, he uttered, "I would never ask that of you, Babe. I'm appalled you would even think it. I was simply trying to find some non-monetary compromise we could both live with. I see we're at an impasse."
He tucked the white envelope back into my jacket and reached around me hitting the down button.
The doors opened and I rushed on. I turned around and jabbed 'G.' Our eyes met and I swear I saw a flash of something other than his angry glare just before the doors closed. I held myself rigid all the way to the garage. I was confused, still seething with anger, but doubt and regret were creeping in. I'd been incensed when I thought Carlos was asking me to 'prostitute' myself and now I was humiliated for acting like a fool. I felt like crying, but not in front of the damn security cameras.
As I stalked over to my bike, a huge dark form loomed over my back. God, were they all giant silent ninjas around here? My heart was beating a mile a minute and I spun around expecting to see Carlos, but standing there was my dinner buddy, Tank. I nearly collapsed with relief.
Tank reached out his arm to steady me. "Are you okay, Steph?" he asked.
The tears came and I was powerless to stop them. I was usually strong in emotional times like this as long as no one gave me any sympathy, but the minute someone tried to comfort me I lost it. Tank didn't skip a beat and wrapped me in a bear hug until I got myself under control again.
As I straightened up and stepped back, Tank peered into my face and asked the obvious, "What's wrong?"
I sniffled and shrugged. He pressed on, "Did someone here hurt you?" I shook my head no. Tank continued, "Why are you so upset, Steph? And what are you doing here? Did you come to see me?"
I leaned against my bike. "Oh, Tank. I've made a mess of things, as usual. I over-reacted and made a fool of myself. I'm a walking disaster who constantly puts her foot in her mouth."
"Steph, you're not making any sense. Why are you here?"
"It's a long story, but I came to see your boss. I owe him money and came to pay him. When he refused to accept it, I thought he was implying an alternate payment plan more carnal than cash. I got mad and lit into him. In so many words, he told me I was wrong about him. I thought I was the offended party, but now I'm thinking I offended him."
"It's pretty hard to offend Ranger. Why do you owe him money? Did he do some security work for you? Talk to me. If he insulted you, I'll kick his butt to kingdom come."
"No, no need. I think I insulted him. It was all a big misunderstanding." I stood back up and placed my hand on Tank's forearm. "Oh, and Tank, no one here knows who I am and I'd like to keep it that way. I can't explain why, but please don't let on you know me or my name or my business."
Tank reached out and lifted my chin up until our eyes met. "Steph, are you in some kind of trouble? Because if you need any help, I'm here for you."
I almost started crying again at his kind words and the sincerity in his voice. He was a truly good and gentle man and I was grateful that our shared history of family diabetes had brought us together. Sharing dinner a week ago had sealed our friendship. Food was a great healer. Wait! I looked up at Tank, a huge smile spreading across my face.
"I'm not in any trouble, other than being a fool and being way too impulsive. Tell your boss I'll be back a week from today, same time, same place with my payment. And thanks, Tank, for being such a great friend and listener."
I swung my leg over my bike and started toward the closed gate. I looked back and waved at a confused Tank as he aimed a handheld remote my way. The gate rose and I pedaled into the warm sunshine eager to put my new payment plan into action.
