The expensive mistake.

Deal Sealed

Eric stepped into the club, wiping the blood from his fists with his white handkerchief. With Anton right behind him. He scanned the crowd near the bar, seeking Tricelle’s radiant smile. Instead, he felt a plummeting gut feeling when he found her laughing with another man. The man leaned closer to her, his hands too close for Eric’s comfort.

Something clawed at his insides like a wild beast. Anton saw Eric’s stern face. He couldn’t help but smile. Eric had always been a stern man, keeping his emotions in check, but in the few hours he had known Tricelle his whole manner had changed.

“You said she needed to unwind,” Anton said, trying to hide his smile.

Eric straightened his shoulders and moved straight toward the unknown man. With a few steps, he was right behind Tricelle and the man.

“Miss Wincher,” Eric said, each word strained with restraint. When she looked up, a smile brightened her face.

“Eric!” She exclaimed, her joy reaching her eyes.

The stranger next to her smile disappeared in an instant. His gaze shifts from Tricelle to Eric.

“And you are?” Eric’s tone was icy, the threat simmering beneath the surface.

“No one.” The man said before he grabbed his beer and moved away like an animal that had been chased away.

“ Bye Bye,” Tricelle said, waving as the man disappeared through the crowd.

Tricelle looked innocently at Eric.

“Are you done with your Mafia business?” She asked with a sincere smile.

Anton covered his mouth to stop from laughing. He had never met a woman that could speak so bluntly to his boss. She was intoxicated.

Anton was waiting for Eric to drag her out of the club, instead, he took a seat next to her and ordered himself a drink. Surprised, Anton nudged the lady on the other side of Tricelle away and also stood next to her like a protective father.

“ I am done with all my …” Eric’s face lit up with a smile. “Mafia business.”

Tricelle smiled back at him, swaying with the rhythm of the music.

“I don’t know why I never came to places like this,” She said loudly, her laughter mingling with the music. But her laughter soon turned into a single hiccup.

Eric enjoyed her carefree attitude and took a sip of his drink.

“Easy there, Tricelle,” he said, his voice smooth like aged whiskey. Tricelle blinked her hazed eyes and took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind.

“ I thought it was a mistake meeting the dangerous Mr.Eric Black, but I needed this. You’re not so scary, I still would love to know why everyone is afraid of you.”

Before Eric could answer, he saw Tricelle’s eyes widen as a manicured hand seductively slid around his neck. He immediately recognized her perfume, Ramona.

Ramona tossed her hair over her shoulder and leaned in close to Eric.

“Mr. Black, I thought you had left, I am still available”. Ramona spoke with Eric, but her eyes were locked on Tricelle.

Anton’s smile turned into a frown when he saw the way Ramona was looking daggers at Tricelle.

Tricelle narrowed her eyes, even in her intoxicated state she knew that this woman was trying to make her jealous. A wry smile crept onto her lips as she reached for her drink, swirling the vibrant liquid in her glass.

“He didn’t leave, he is waiting for me,” Tricelle said as she downed her drink, “but I am leaving now, and so is he.” Tricelle’s tone, playful and sharp, cut through Ramona’s advances like a blade.

A smile appeared on Eric’s face, as he watched Tricelle stand up and take his hand in hers, pulling him up and leading him to the door.

‘ Brave little thing.’ He thought as he held her hand tenderly.

Anton could only stare at Ramona, his eyes as wide as hers. He started to chuckle as he followed Tricelle and Eric.

When they reached outside, Eric pulled Tricelle's hand towards him, making her stumble backward; he didn’t think that she would start to fall.

Instinctively, he caught her before she fell to the ground.

“Wow, I am sorry, I didn’t intend to pull you down.” His expression softened when he saw her giggling. With that, he slid his arm around her waist and legs, picking her up with ease.

Tricelle leaned into him, despite the swirling scents of alcohol, he could smell her sweet perfume, a floral note that calmed the dark edges of his world.

The scent of her hair and the touch of her skin against his, was making his body stiff.

Anton opened the car door as Eric placed Tricelle softly on the seat, and climbed in on the other side. Tricelle shifted on the backseat, realizing for the first time that she was drunk.

Eric sat next to her, watching her with a big smile. She had a certain innocence that struck a chord in him.

“I am sorry.” She said softly as she blushed. She felt more embarrassed than she ever was.

“Just looking out for a lady in need.” His eyes darkened with unspoken weight as he added, “But it didn’t seem like you needed help.”

Tricelle chuckled, a light sound that tethered Eric to the moment.

“You said we should unwind.” Her bravado sparkled in her eyes.

Anton started the car looking back at Eric, waiting for his command.

“We are taking Miss Wincher home,” Eric said, holding Tricelle’s gaze. For a moment he was sure that he saw something.

Leaning closer to her, he whispered. “You seemed disappointed." Tricelle was keenly aware of how near he was, how dangerous it felt, and how much she wished he could lean in closer.

“No, I am fine. This was a business meeting after all,” Tricelle said with a faint smile,

“Do you know how business meetings end?” Eric said. A seductive smile appeared on his face while he brushed his hair back.

“I believe so?” She answered, unsure.

“It ends with a contract being sealed,” Eric said as he moved a little closer to her.

“It does...” Tricelle replied, feeling the heat that flowed through her body.

“When people are married they seal the deal with a kiss.” Eric brushed her cheek with the backside of his hand before he continued. “What deal do you want to seal?”

Without waiting for her reply, he took her in his arms and pulled her onto his lap. Eric ignored her gasp as he wrapped his arms around her waist, and pressed her body against his.

The feeling of his chest was better than anything Tricelle could have imagined. She savored the stir of his breath on her neck. Tricelle sat very still on his lap, her emotions fluttering through her mind.

“Maybe we can seal the deal. I will send you all the information in your accounts tomorrow,” Tricelle whispered in Eric’s ear.

Eric smiled, she wanted to kiss him like he wanted to kiss her.

Without hesitation, he kissed her. He kissed her with passion and a hunger he didn’t know he had. Her sweet scent filled him as he pulled her closer. His blood started to tingle, and his body started to ache in all the right places.

Tricelle, in return, wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips harder against his, tasting him. Her heart was hammering in her chest. She had kissed a few men in her life, but this was different, she wanted more.

Eric’s hands started to move slowly to her breasts, then he suddenly broke the kiss. Tricelle seemed startled by his sudden movements.

“Our deal is sealed,” he said, gasping for air, but I want to make more deals with you … When you are a hundred, present yourself.” He said, locking eyes with her.