41. WTF

By 1900, everyone had eaten a delicious meal and gotten acquainted. Besides Lester, Vince and Manny had brought dates, and Zero had invited his girlfriend Michelle. Hector was all smiles when he introduced his new man Andres to Lil. She was impressed, Hector's date was all kinds of yummy. The rest of the men were just there to have fun. Considering that Junior and Zip had to work at eleven, and Bobby and Woody were on call, the drinking would be kept to a minimum for many of the guys. Here's to cheap thrills. Ranger was mysteriously absent during the relaxed dinner, Lil tried to get information out of Tank, who only told her to stop worrying and have fun. Tank was not one of the men who had to abstain, and he was doing a damn fine job of denting the Captain Morgan stock.

Lester, taking his hosting duties very seriously, clinked his glass to get everyone's attention. "Super Sexy Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to the first ever Rangeman New Years Eve Orgy!" A few of the guys laughed, Bobby smacked him. "Ok, Ok, it's just a party. But if any ladies are interested…?" The women were giggling, Lil was rolling her eyes hard enough to make herself dizzy. Tank, realizing that this was going to go downhill fast, spoke up instead. "You'll find each room has been set up for different entertainment. So go explore and find what you like. Until the party ends, the elevators have been locked down, any room on this floor is open to guests. Restrooms are over there." With that, he lifted his glass in a salute and drug Lil to the 90's room. On cue, the DJ started a series of songs that transported Lil back to her high school days. Awesome!

Without her having to ask, a very attractive server brought Lil a Coke without ice. Awww. Ace, Ram, Hal, and Slick had followed Lil and Tank into the 'club'. It seemed without dates, Lil was going to be their dance stand-in. Damn, how was she ever going to manage? Each man was dressed to kill, even Hal was looking more assertive, like a big blond cat on the prowl. Oooh, the scenery was nice. Three sips into her soda the DJ made a terrific song choice. Lil heard 'Out in the streets, they call it murder' and she squealed. Like a teenage girl at a Forever21 sale. Grabbing Tank and Ace, she began to dance. Tank had to remind himself to remain calm, keep track of the head on his damn shoulders… not the other one. Turns out, Lil had been holding out on them at Lush. Her dancing tonight was still appropriate for mixed company, but shit. It was just sexier, smoother, freer. In reality, Lil was more comfortable in this environment. Knowing that the only people there were her friends and family. It was fucking liberating, and Lil was a woman who was in need of some serious liberation. As long as she remembered how short her dress was.

Four songs later and Lil was very glad she had taken that nap. She was having fun. Hal had even started to dance with the group, which was as adorable as it sounds. Ace and Lil were bumping and singing 'everyone fall in love sometime', the others were watching with giant smiles. It was so nice to see everyone cut loose like this. By the time Beenie Man started to blast through the room, Lester and the others had joined Lil's group. The men were rapping 'Girls dem sugar' while the women were singing 'if I could be your girl'. It was classic dancehall all the way.

Ranger had been watching from his office upstairs. There was no reason for him to be there and not with the others. Unless you wanted to count his extreme need to prepare himself for seeing Lil in the flesh. Holy Shit she looked fucking exquisite. He had stopped in on five to return a report to his desk, that was all. Since it was already a few minutes after six when he entered his office, he thought he'd peek at the cameras and see what she was wearing. It wasn't stalking… really. That was a monumental mistake. Here he was, over an hour later, damn near paralyzed with arousal. He had watched the group eat and get drinks, then go separate ways to different rooms. The problem with having a party in a building like Rangeman, there were cameras everywhere. When she had started dancing with Ace and Tank to Marley he forgot to breathe for close to a minute. Cursing himself for a lack of control he stood and pushed in his chair. A few deep breaths, an adjustment to his pants, and he was out the door heading for the stairs. Four flights later he kept up the mental pep-talk as he entered the lobby and followed the sound of Mya. Shit. He thought he was prepared to see her, to breath the same air. Jesus, if she dipped any lower they were all getting a free show. Ranger stood in the shadows, allowing the stimulation to increase, intensify. It was a sweet kind of torture that he was learning to appreciate. She wasn't tormenting him on purpose, hell she probably didn't even know he was there. It didn't matter. He wanted her to feel some of this sexual anguish. He was going to find a way to turn the tables on her. Then they'd both be screwed… hopefully.

Shortly after their group dance, Lil wanted to head over to the karaoke room. She was still feeling good, but thought a break was in order. Tank agreed to go with her, as did a few others. Ranger followed three steps behind, entering the room not long after. Lil sat her almost empty glass onto the first table, a server quickly replaced it. While she was thanking him, three small pills appeared next to her drink. Lil looked up in surprise to find Carlos standing there. "It's ibuprofen Dulce. You've already been dancing a lot. Might want to head it off at the pass..." She grinned at his thoughtful attention and downed the medicine. She was struck by his masculine beauty, Armani looked damn fine on Carlos. She wanted to ask where he'd been, but couldn't seem to make words come out. Why was her fricken mouth so dry? Lil didn't miss the fact that he looked like he had just run a small marathon. Had he been working? He was looking a little flushed… They turned their attention to the front of the room where Vince was talking secretively to the new DJ. Everyone took seats, the conference room layout and size ensuring that each position had an excellent view of the 'stage'.

Vince took the offered microphone with a smile and donned a fedora before sliding across the floor in one smooth motion. The unmistakable sound of Sinatra filled the air and the women cooed. Vince's first 'Fly me to the moon' had them all swooning. Even the guys were impressed. Damn, Vince could croon. He was paying extra special attention to his date, Lindsey. She was eating it up, who could blame her? Tank sat down next to Lil with a refilled drink… here's to more courage. He handed Lil a small binder filled with songs. "Your next sister." His tone left no room for argument, Lil chuckled. She flipped through the options and made a selection on instinct, noting the number for the Elton John song she liked. When Vince finished, everyone stood and clapped. Lil made her way to the front as the rest of the Rangeman party-goers filed into the space. Lester was rubbing his hands together in anticipation, his date just smiled while hanging on his arm. Lil took the mic and adjusted her dress, no amount of pulling was going to make it longer, it was just habit. Piano chords filled the air, followed by her sultry 'Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, sings just for the band.'. Well shit, that little measure of control Ranger had secured was fading, fast. No one in the room was making a sound. Tank caught Ranger surreptitiously adjusting himself under the table and laughed silently. He had known for a while that his boss and best friend was a complete goner where Lil was concerned. Good. Lil ended the song to uproarious applause, she blushed bright pink and headed back to her waiting seat. Ranger looked like he'd been running again. Oh… The jig was up.

Zip took the microphone next, offering an incredibly steamy rendition of 'Let's get it on'. It was too bad he hadn't brought a date and had to work later… his singing would have ensured he was getting lucky tonight. Lindsey, Michelle, Stacy, and Manny's date Maggie, ran to the front and performed an exuberant version of Party in the USA. Maggie and Lindsey had good voices, the other two made up for their lack of singing talent with lots of cleavage and smiles. It was cute. Everyone was having fun, many were getting more intoxicated by the minute. Lil watched as Lester, Bobby, Slick, and Hector huddled themselves into a corner. Uh oh. If this was anything like the night at Lush, they were in for a really good show… Tank slammed back another drink and smiled at Lil. "Alright Sister, I'm as ready as I'm gonna get. This one's for you!" The big man sauntered to the front, his gait a little looser than usual. Lil was holding her breath, she knew this was either going to be a complete disaster or absolutely amazing. She was betting on amazing. The music started and she whistled, oh boy, Tank singing Al Green… By his second chorus of 'let's stay together', all the women were singing backup from the audience. Tank was fabulous, his range was nearly as broad as his massive shoulders. Damn. The temperature in the room had definitely increased a few degrees. Ranger was watching Lil closely. Tank returned to the table and she jumped up to hug him, almost flashing Ranger her backside in the process. "Pumpkin you were awesome!" Tank's cheeks were tinged fuscia, his eyes dancing with relief that he had made it through the song. As he was blocking her view of the front, she had no idea who was next. She wouldn't have believed it anyway.

A deep, soulful voice echoed around the room and they all fell quiet. 'How can I just let you walk away, let you leave without a trace', Hal was a deep crimson while singing a perfect version of Phil Collins. Oh. My. Sweet. Cheezits. The Rangemen were even more shocked than Lil. Poor Hal, the flush didn't leave his cheeks for the entire song, but it didn't matter. He was spectacular. The level of emotion he imparted into every word was heart-wrenching, genuine. All five women swarmed him at the end, giving hugs and kisses. Hal resembled a ripe tomato. Bless his heart. Lester and the other men moved to the front with swagger, here we go. Their chosen tune started as they moved in unison. Lil placed a hand over her mouth, eyes wide. Ranger was smirking next to her. The quartet gyrated rather explicitly while removing their shirts. She was never going to hear 'I wanna sex you up' and not think of these fine men. Magic Mike was an amateur sideshow compared to Lester, Bobby, Slick, and Hector. Lil slid her eyes to a very aroused Andres. Yup, Hector was gonna have a long night.

Lil wanted to do one more song before heading to explore more of the first floor. She gave the DJ her number and waited for the others to sit while the men redressed. When the tune started, Vince recognized the song in the first two notes and killed the overhead lights. Lil was encased in a soft glow from the DJ's equipment and the battery operated candles on the few tables. 'It's been seven hours and fifteen days, since you took your love away', Lil's eyes were closed again, singing in her own world. Ranger was trying to remember to breathe. It was a struggle. Oh, he had to pay her back, get her to feel even a tenth of his arousal and frustration. Lil's emotional song ended with gasps from the crowd. She smiled politely at the others and gave a silly bow, breaking their trance. Through the clapping and hoots she walked back to her seat, only... Ranger wasn't there. Vince had turned the lights on, but she still didn't see him.

Lil sat down next to Tank. Tank was stock-still, his rum raised halfway to his lips. Tank was paralyzed, eyes looking to the front of the room. Lil followed his gaze and lost her ability to think. Ranger had just taken the microphone. Another button at the top of his shirt had come open, his hair was loose, sleeves rolled up his powerful forearms. F.U.C.K. "Oh My Word", it was all she could muster. Ranger's eyes never left Lil. 'In my life, there's been heartache and pain. I don't know, if I can face it again', his words were sinking into her, pulling her under his spell. Holy Shitballs he could SING. Like, sign him up for a record deal right now. And he was singing Foreigner, to HER. Lil's night could not get any more surreal. The other Rangemen were well beyond shocked. None of them had ever seen their leader sing, let alone do karaoke. Tank was still frozen, poor guy. Lil's heart was racing far past marathon status, straight to full out sprints. In the end, the only other words spoken at the table were from Tank… "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?".