31. Chocolate Milk

Tank Tuesday had been very productive. They were making good headway on finding new suppliers for the security equipment that Lil deemed over-priced. She even located a medical supplier that was cheaper and more efficient than what Rangeman currently used. She was working on the contracts, while simultaneously trying to set up an automated ordering system. The goal was to order the pieces they used most often in bulk, to get a better price and to insure there was always adequate stock. They discussed possibly having that concept carry over to weapons and ammunition as well. But agencies like the ATF tended to freak if too much ammo was moved at once. They'd figure it out. Starting out with handcuffs, shackles, and the like would be easier. Lil was dying to hear from Cal about their NYC trip to pick up Fordham. The chopper had taken his team into the city last night, the actual apprehension was planned for this afternoon. Two of the men would stay to accompany Fordham to the local Bureau and turn him over, while the others would return on the chopper.

Wednesday with Les, Zero, and Junior had been a real eye opener. Now that Lil had a good grasp of the contracts and services, they started letting her into the tepid waters of 'difficult clients'. She was equating them to the whales the casino was always trying to land. One client in particular, had been plaguing the team for some time. The Quartermain's were essentially the Kennedy's of Trenton. Rangeman had been trying to secure a contract with them for two years. The Husband, Richard, was very amenable to their offered services. The wife, Beatrice, was a man eater. Even Lester was scared of her. Anytime the team made progress on a contract with the husband, the wife would enter the picture and become completely unreasonable. If they could get signatures, Rangeman was looking at an additional three homes and two corporate buildings. In other words, stupidly large sums of money. Lil listened in as Lester called Mr. Quartermain on speaker. He sounded pleasant enough. When the wife took over the call, Lil decided to fight fire with fire. Cripes, she was a total dragon-lady. Lil explained the Rangeman services, yet again, and that SHE would be the family's direct contact for all business. Diplomatically she added that their company only dealt with the nicest, most respectful clientele, which meant Lil expected the Quartermain's to act accordingly. Before Beatrice could let out her plume of smoke Richard agreed, signed the contract electronically, and sent it over. Les was beside himself. Lil patted him on the shoulder. "The husband needed to see that we weren't going to let his wife push us around. He probably gets enough of that at home already." He was still stunned. "Les, buddy, the Quartermain's security company needs to come off as more tough than his bitch of a wife."

Lil spent Wednesday afternoon riding a high of success. Ella had come by to pick up Tilde, asking if she could keep her for dinner. Ella said she would bring her to the apartment at seven thirty. Lil agreed. It worked out well as she still needed to complete the Fordham report for Carlos. Cal had called minutes before, all had gone according to plan. Excellent! Man it felt good to be back in the saddle, so to speak. Lil had her report complete by 1600. She knocked on the boss's door but found his office dark. Not knowing if he was in the building she texted him.

L: I have your report ready, where should I leave it?

C: Bring it up to 7 please, you have clearance.

L: 10-4

Lil had never been to the seventh floor, to Carlos's personal space. She was nervous, hesitant, and very curious. Entering the elevator she hit the button for the seventh floor and flashed her fob over the panel. Up she rose. Here goes nothing.

She stepped off the elevator and looked around, it was a similar hallway to the one on six, but only one large door stood as an option. She knocked, noticing there was no key or lock mechanism to be seen. If she had to guess, she figured a fob opened the door too. Too busy musing on the security feature, she almost jumped when Carlos swung his door open. He was wearing black sweatpants that hung low and a tight, well-worn Army tee. The shirt was stretched across his chest and biceps, threatening to rip. His feet were bare and his hair was damp. Sweet Cheezits. He gave her a devilish smile, standing back so she could enter the foyer. His place was just what she would have expected; masculine, modern clean lines without feeling too cold, a neutral scheme that offered tranquility. So this was were the boss did his relaxing. "Would you like a drink?" His smooth voice startled her out of her examination. Lil nodded.

She followed Carlos to the kitchen, setting her report on his black marble island. He pulled out two stemmed glasses and a bottle of chilled sparkling water. Lil raised an eyebrow. "What are we celebrating Carlos?" He gave her a small smile, "You, and your very successful two days." Lil blushed. Oh Boy. "It's not that big of a deal", she took a sip of her bubbly drink. "I beg to differ. Between Fordham and Quartermain, you've secured Rangeman at least 1.8 million dollars. And I received a call from Mr. Pearlman an hour ago, he would like to discuss future business." Lil's eyes tried valiantly to remain in her head. Nope. "That's wonderful Carlos, I'm sure you'll get Pearlman's contract. He had already heard of you, knew your reputation." He noticed how easily she turned the light from her direction to his. Sneaky. He switched gears, throwing her off balance further. "Are you done for the day? Do you need to fetch Tilde from Ella?" She took another sip, "Yes, I'm done. No, Tilde is having dinner with Ella and Luis. I don't have to be back down until 1930." He smiled again, all the watts were blazing. "Good, then you can stay here, talk to me while I cook dinner." Lil's brain was screaming 'Danger Will Robinson!', hanging out with Carlos might be dangerous… for her self control. "Did you have something specific to talk about?" Damn, her mouth was NOT listening to her brain. In fact, her brain might have just packed its bags and skedaddled. Shit.

Carlos turned to the fridge, giving her a chance to breath. "Nothing in particular. I just thought we should get to know each other better. You live in my building, we work together now… I try to get to know my men… or woman in this case." He winked. For the Love of Everything Chocolate. He just referred to her as his woman, basically. Double Shit. Think Lil, think. Turn the tables, deflection is your friend. "OK, let's talk. Do you need help with dinner?" Carlos raised an eyebrow, "That depends, are you going to join me?" She nodded slowly, "I suppose if the boss wants me to eat with him, I should." He handed her a bowl of onions, bell peppers, fresh ginger, and garlic. Then he pointed to the cutting board and the knives. Guess she was the chopper. She began her work, peeling the skin from the ginger with a spoon and asked, "Do you cook often?" He was busy dicing chicken breast before marinating it in sesame oil and sweet chili sauce. "Not that often. I'm usually only up here for dinner one or two nights a week. Ella generally keeps me fed. But I enjoy cooking. I find it relaxing. What about you, have you always been such a good cook?" Lil laughed. "Well, I don't know that I've always been good at it, but I've always liked it. I spent most of my afternoons as a child in the kitchen with mama. She taught me everything I know. In college I tried to expand on my southern roots, learning some mid-western dishes. I didn't cook that much in Nevada until Tilde was born." Carlos nodded while placing ingredients into the hot wok. Lil noticed a rice cooker was already filled and steaming.

He took her diced veggies and handed her some broccoli and napa cabbage to cut next. "How do you like living at Rangeman so far?" Lil gave him a warm smile. "Tilde and I like it here very much. I miss having a yard for her to play in, but otherwise, the transition has been easy." Carlos brushed by her to stir his masterpiece on the stove. "I'm glad you're both happy. Your reasons for being here are unfortunate, but we're all glad to have you here. And as your boss, let me say, hiring you was one of my best ideas." Lil took the praise with a chuckle. She was watching the muscles in his back move beneath his tee as he stirred and flipped the chicken in the wok. She brought the board of veg to him, standing close enough to feel the heat from his body. Maybe that was the stove. Nope, it was definitely him.

Minutes later the stir-fry was done, Carlos dished it onto plates with the steamed brown rice. They sat down next to each other at the island with refilled glasses. For a few minutes, all was quiet. The dinner was very tasty, Lil made sure to tell him so. As they were both slowing down, he turned his head to her, "You're like a puzzle, do you know that?" Lil wiped the corner of her mouth with her napkin, giving him a bemused smirk. "How so?" Carlos chewed another bite of chicken. "I can't figure you out. You keep surprising me. It's a little frustrating." His laugh was sexy, self deprecating. Lil could have fallen off her stool. "Really? Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? Sure, I'm not very transparent, but you are way more mysterious than me!" Carlos tilted his head, really considering her words. "I guess you're right. I've spent so long guarding my privacy. Sometimes I forget to open up when the opportunity presents itself." Lil left him to think as she cleared the dishes to the sink.

He stood beside her as she rinsed the plates. "Are you familiar with Robert Frost?" She gave him a sideways glance, totally unprepared for his question, "Yes". Carlos nodded then recited the quote 'Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up'. Lil smirked. "That is very true, but Frost also said 'half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can't, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep on saying it'." She dried her hands and turned to face him. "I would rather have things to say, real things, and keep them to myself… not be one of the vacuous many who fill the air with nonsense. But sometimes, it's OK to let people in a little. Carlos, you don't have to slaughter the cow to make chocolate milk."

He threw his head back and laughed, how anyone could be so wise and so funny at the same time was fascinating. The fact that he was really attracted to her only muddled the mix. Lil genuinely enjoyed his laugh, she wished she could hear it more. "I propose an experiment." She looked down at her watch, noting that she still had over two hours before Tilde was due home. "The best way for you to become more comfortable talking, really talking, is to practice. So, I will let you ask me anything you want. You get five questions. BUT, every time I answer, you have to tell me something personal of your own choosing. And it has to be something real, not your favorite color or when you lost your virginity. She gave him an eye roll. Both of his eyebrows were raised in shock. His mind was reeling, weighing her offer. Tonight was either going to be a very good thing… or a total disaster. "I'm in."