Hi all, thank you so much to everyone who reviewed, followed and favourited. I really do appreciate your support so much. I said it a couple of times when writing Ups and Downs, but probably bears repeating for the sequel - set in the mid-1990's so all culture, technology, etc. reflects this. Cheers! Hope you enjoy chapter 2! :)

Heating Up

I worked hard over the next few days compiling the statistics and data into graphs and summaries. I tried to correlate the types of crimes into bail amounts and risks of bail jumpers, and then did a monthly estimate of overall bail recovery amounts based on a ten percent rate, which was standard. After that, I went into more detail about rates of commercial and residential crime in a separate section of the report. I used my yellow pages and called the two security companies operating in Trenton currently. I asked about securing my parents' house with a basic security system, then used Vinnie's business to enquire about commercial security. Finally, I made a third call and pretended I worked for a restaurant to get a range of potential costs and options. I used these as baselines for current security offerings in Trenton and prices.

On the Wednesday, I decided to call Eddie and ask if I could take him and Carl Costanza to lunch, preferably somewhere other than Pino's. When I phoned Carlos to tell him, he asked me what a nice restaurant in Trenton would be. I told him about Rossini's, and he told me to make a booking for four for the next day. He arrived down the next morning, and we met Eddie and Carl at Rossini's. Over lunch, I asked them to talk openly about the kinds of crimes they felt were prevalent and what sorts of prosecution and conviction rates they saw. I made notes with my right hand as I tried to eat my pasta with my left hand. I only made a few splotches on my notepad, so I called it a win.

The lunch was delicious, and I couldn't help ordering their trademark tiramisu for dessert. I had to consciously stop myself from moaning out loud as I ate the creamy coffee dessert. Carlos' darkened eyes and Eddie and Carl's uncomfortable expressions told me I had not been entirely successful. After lunch, Carlos picked up the check and thanked the officers for their time and willingness to share their information. Eddie and Carl were grateful for the free lunch at one of Trenton's best restaurants.

Carlos drove me back to my apartment. I mentioned that I had made an appointment for the next day with the Director of the Law Department in the Office of the Mayor of Trenton. I wanted to talk with the Director about the courts and bail processes and current challenges with law and order in Trenton. Carlos was very impressed and asked if he could accompany me to the meeting. I was surprised but realised this was another contact that would benefit Carlos if he opened a branch in Trenton, so I agreed easily. Carlos had to get back for a telephone meeting with his senior team in Miami, so he left me with a long kiss and a promise to be here at nine thirty the next morning; the meeting was at ten thirty.

The next morning, I dressed carefully in a business suit and classic white button-up. I pulled my hair back into a twist on the back of my head and applied subtle makeup. I wanted to look professional but did not want to look overdone. My experience in my short time with Dickie Orr taught me that the legal profession is pretty conservative and low-key, so I did not want to stand out too much. Carlos arrived looking delicious in his tailored suit and I had to suppress my urge to rip his tie open and pull him into my bedroom with it. We had not been on another date yet, and I was starting to get a bit antsy. On the other hand, I did not want to mess up my carefully crafted professional image, so I reluctantly let the thought go.

Carlos drove us to the City Hall offices, and I guided him to a nearby carpark and we made our way to the office address I had been given. We were met by the Director's personal assistant, who offered us a coffee. We declined politely, and she ushered us into the Director's office, murmuring, "Ms Plum to see you sir."

I shook the Director's hand as he introduced himself as Michael DiStefano. In turn I introduced Carlos, and they shook hands. Mr DiStefano invited us to sit and looked at us expectantly. I launched into a pre-rehearsed speech about researching for a security business and bond recovery enforcement. I invited Carlos to describe his Miami office, and he complied easily with a short overview of their operations and clientele. I told the Director we were looking at potentially setting up business in Trenton and wanted to get his perspective on the current environment for law and order in Trenton and the challenges faced by the state capital in the next few years. He considered it for a few moments, and then launched into a thirty-minute discussion of crime trends, law enforcement issues, and court prosecution challenges. I made copious notes and Carlos listened intently. As Mr DiStefano started to wind down, Carlos asked a couple of pointed questions as follow-up, and I noted the questions as well as the responses. After forty-five minutes, Mr DiStefano appeared to have finished his explanation, and we stood politely to shake hands again and thank him for his time. He surprised us both when he told us that he hoped that we would set up in Trenton. He felt it would be an advantage to have a security firm with ties to law enforcement established in the city. We walked out, and I had to suppress my urge to do a happy dance at the success of the meeting.

When we got back to my apartment, Carlos swept me up in a bone-crushing hug and kissed me soundly, scrambling my senses thoroughly. He told me, "I don't want to pre-empt your report, Babe, but this is looking really good. And you're doing a great job at this." I felt a warm glow at his praise and my heart lifted even further at his enthusiasm. "What's next on your agenda, Babe?" he asked.

I told him, "I am going to work on the report over the weekend, and I hope to give you a draft next week. I still have to research other bond enforcement agencies in Trenton yet, and I want to set up a meeting with Uncle Joe. Joe Juniack, I mean, the police chief."

He nodded, "That's another meeting I'd like to attend with you, Babe." I agreed, knowing it would be a good opportunity for Carlos to make another contact here. His expression turned more serious, "But, I don't want you to work on this all weekend." I was going to object. I was enjoying this; it was interesting and challenging and I really wanted to do an amazing job at it. But Carlos pre-empted me, "I'd like to take you on another date, Babe. I know you've been busy, and it's to my benefit. But I'd like to have time away from any business with you."

I smiled widely at that. Apparently, Carlos' mind had gone down the same track as mine lately; hoping for a repeat of our first date. I nodded enthusiastically, and he told me, "Tomorrow night, Babe. I'll pick you up at six-thirty again. Dress for dinner and dancing."

I smirked at him, "Can you dance, Carlos?"

He quirked an eyebrow at me, "I'm Cuban, Babe. We are born dancing." I resisted the urge to fan my face with my hand at that.

Five-thirty Saturday evening I was preened, plucked, scrubbed, and shaved. I was standing in my bathroom, finishing up with my hair. I had used hot rollers to get it into waves and ringlets over my shoulders and back. I started applying my makeup; going with dark, smoky eyes and crimson lips, wanting to enhance the 'Senorita' look I was aiming for. I had desperately wanted to buy a new dress for tonight, but bald honesty told me I was barely going to make rent for the next month, and my car payments are looking iffy. New clothes were not something I could justify. Besides, Carlos had not seen the vast majority of my wardrobe before. So, I told myself that my dress was 'new' to Carlos and to get over it. I had a black, halter dress in silky-soft material in my wardrobe. It had a flirty, full skirt that hit me mid-thigh, and I decided it would be perfect for dancing. I had my favourite VS panties on again as underwear (the dress prevented a bra) and I am looking pretty fantastic, if I say so myself.

I added the finishing touches of walking through a mist of Dolce Vita, my favourite perfume, thin silver bracelets on both wrists, and added long, dangling earrings in silver and onyx that brushed my shoulders lightly. I restocked my black clutch purse and went in the kitchen to feed Rex. A bit guiltily, I gave him a bit extra food and a couple of grapes, wondering if I was being wanton in hoping I would not be back before morning. Briefly, I considered packing something to wear tomorrow into a bag, but I didn't want to appear obvious, like I was expecting anything. As a compromise, I decided to roll up a spare pair of panties as small as I could and tuck it right down at the bottom of my clutch purse. Just in case.

Carlos arrived looking his usual delicious self and we headed out. I hadn't been consulted on the food this time, but I was pleased when he pulled up to a small bistro-type seafood restaurant on the outskirts of Newark. I love seafood. We were seated quickly, and Carlos ordered a bottle of white wine. We ate slowly, enjoying the dinner and each other's company. I ate coconut shrimp for a starter and a completely divine lobster ravioli entrée. Carlos ate sashimi tuna, which I decided not to try. But he fed me some bites of his crab-stuffed whole fish in chardonnay sauce that was to die for. I was stuffed and decided to forego dessert since we were going dancing. I didn't want to feel sick being twirled around on the dance floor. I visited the restroom to freshen up and reapply lipstick.

Carlos drove us into Newark to a night club playing mostly Latin music. I could dance a little Salsa and Mambo, but I was by no means an expert, so I hoped I could be able to keep up with Carlos. He assured me he was a strong dance lead, so I allowed him to lead me to the floor and we began to Salsa to the sensual beat. I was having a great time; Carlos was a great dancer, moving with a fluidity and grace that belied his muscled physique and he was able to lead me to look almost like I knew what I was doing. After three dances, I was feeling flushed and breathless, both at the exercise and the constant brush of Carlos' body against mine. Carlos led me to a table and sat me while he went to get us drinks. He returned with long drinks that tasted of tequila and lime and were really refreshing.

We alternated dancing and sipping at drinks. I had consumed more alcohol than I would normally, and I was starting to feel pretty tipsy, so I asked for a non-alcoholic drink the last time we took a break. We stayed until about one in the morning and Carlos led me out to his car. I asked if he was alright to drive, and he smiled and told me he had switched to non-alcoholic drinks a couple before me. I smiled at him. He hesitated slightly sitting in the car, and I wondered why? He turned to me and said, "Babe, would you mind coming back to my place for the night? I'd rather not drive all the way to Trenton right now."

I nodded, my heart loudly beating in my ears, and told him, "That's fine, Carlos." He drove to his apartment in silence. In the underground garage, he took my hand and led me toward the elevator.

"Would you like to try the elevator, Babe?" I nodded without speaking. The feeling of slight panic was there but tempered by the alcohol and Carlos' strong arm around my waist as he led me into the elevator car. He pushed the button for the sixth floor, and I did not realise I had been holding my breath the whole trip until it rushed out of me in a gasp as Carlos led me out of the elevator. I smiled shakily at Carlos, and he returned a kind, reassuring smile back to me. "Proud of you, Babe," he said. He led me into his apartment; once inside, I stood uncertainly in the living room, not quite sure what was going to happen now. What did I want to happen? What did Carlos want to happen?

Carlos moved into the kitchen and got us both a bottle of water, and handed one to me, as he led me to the sofa to sit down. He spoke gently, "Nothing is going to happen that you don't want, Babe."

I let out another shaky breath and answered him, "I'm not really sure what I want, Carlos. Sometimes I feel like I've known you forever. Other times I remember we only met just a week ago. I'm… I'm very attracted to you. But… I also feel like we could have something special together. So, I don't want rush anything. How… how do you feel?" By the time I finished, my voice was almost a whisper.

He took his time replying. "A bit like you. I guess, Babe. I'd love to have sex with you. You're beautiful, likeable, sweet, and very sexy. I think we'd be really good together. I haven't thought about having any kind of relationship for a very long time. I didn't really think my lifestyle lends itself to relationships. But you swept into my life and turned it upside down in a matter of hours. And now… I'm not sure. I know I would like to hold you tonight. Just hold you and sleep beside you. Can we do that?"

I nodded, partly in disappointment, but mostly in relief. I felt like it really was too soon for sex; after all it is only our second real date. But to be held tonight by Carlos would be incredible. Carlos led me into the bedroom and retrieved another of his t-shirts for me to wear. I ducked into the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth and change into the t-shirt. Carlos went into the bathroom after me and came out wearing a pair of silk boxers. I gulped at the sight of his smooth, mocha skin over his bulging muscles and sculpted eight-pack abs. We climbed into bed, and he gently drew me into his arms, settling me against him with my head resting on the junction of his arm and shoulder quite naturally. Secure in his warmth and strength, and comforted by his spicy, masculine scent, I drifted easily into sleep.

My dreams were… interesting.

In researching for this story, I discovered something really interesting. If you already knew this, you can stop reading immediately! But for those who may not live in or near New Jersey, it might be new info, as it was for me. In 2017, NJ introduced new legislation that basically eliminates most bail bonds. Like nearly ALL cash bail bonds. This means - no bounty hunters! Vinnie is out of a job, and so is Steph! Whoa! I hope Steph is doing something else by 2017... maybe working for Rangeman or something else. If JE was writing the series (from the start) today, she'd have to set it in another state! Just thought I'd share. :) If you want to know more, just Google 'bail reform New Jersey'.