Chapter 6

"Yeah, you could say that," Tai continued. "I mean, it didn't start out that way. I went on two dates with Mr. Cocksure, and then went to bed with him. I should know by now. Once guys get you in the sack, that's it. Then it's 'Goodbye, darling. Had a great time, but don't call me, I'll call you.'"

"What's his name?" Erica's eyes continued to focus on "Mr. Cocksure."

"Um, let's see. Carlo, I think. Funny, here I am complaining about the guy and I can't remember his name, just his anatomy. Of course, it is hard to forget a superb piece of anatomy like his."

Carlo? Erica thought back to Rosina's note. The man upstairs went by Giancarlo, but Carlo seemed a common enough name. Yet, if she went by Tai's description, the dark man could easily be her heating-vent Lothario. Returning to her friend, Erica found herself giggling. "That big?"

Tai shrugged with a sly smile. "Not big, just muy expierencia. He knew exactly what to do, how to do it, and what I wanted. That's hard to find in a guy. Most don't give a crap if you come or not."

Sitting back, Erica brushed her bare arm along Tai's. "So you could say he's the virtuoso of the lovemaking world."

"You could, but with one exception. When you get right down to it, he doesn't offer any real affection, just goes through the motions. If you understand what I mean."

"Oh, yes. I certainly do."

When their waitress returned, she brought the plates of appetizers and another pitcher of beer. Then, after depositing it all on the table, she announced to the group, "The beer is compliments of the gentleman at the bar."

Six pair of eyes traveled to the Man in Black. Sacha was the first to give their surprise benefactor a wave of thanks, and the man nodded acknowledgment before returning his attention back to the bar.

"Ooh, now there's a hunk if ever I saw one!" Sacha commented, his voice ripe with interest. "I wonder who's the darling recipient of his undying love." Their flamboyant co-worker allowed his gaze to travel to each of his drinking companions. "I'd say one of you ladies is the lucky gal. Go, girlfriend!"

"I don't think he's a client." Craig frowned. "You gals know him?"

Both Erica and Tai expressed their lack of acquaintanceship; but when Erica turned to her colleague, Tai threw her a collusive wink.

"Well, whoever it is, I gladly accept his generous offer." With that, Victor began to pour the beer as each table member passed his or her glass.

Instead of a refill, Erica decided to tackle the plate of nachos, the tortilla chips rife with black beans, jalapenos and lots of oozing queso de asadero.

Maritza had yet to transfer her gaze from the bar and back to the group. "Well, whoever he is, he's gone now."

Erica flicked her eyes in that direction and discovered that indeed, the man had left the bar.

"Interesting," Mari continued. "What could he want in return? More importantly, why was he so generous?"

"Well, maybe you should go after him." Tai leaned across the table and gave Erica's sister a playful smile. "He can be your first interview. Just be careful, he may bite."

Maritza laughed with delight. "That's never stopped me before!"

"Well, he's gone now, so I say, we eat up!" Erica distributed the stack of plates that came with the food platters. For some reason, she wanted to redirect everyone's attentions back to the table and off the mystery man.

"Well, pass me some of those hot wings," Sacha commanded as he held up his plate, "and let the party really begin!"

By the time Erica settled back with her own appetizers, she allowed her gaze to drift back to the bar. Nope. Their enigmatic and attractive beer benefactor hadn't returned, but had simply vanished into the night.

* * *

Erica's eyelids flew open. She had barely fallen asleep, into a dreamless, deadened if not sodden sleep, when something tickled her subconscious and brought her back to the surface. The noise ceased for the moment, and she noted the silence and the darkness around her, until the murmur of voices returned-from above.