Chapter 6: If You Can't Handle It, Don't Play

Eric asked directly, making Sierra feel embarrassed. In fact, she had never been intimate with Roger before! When they were together, the most they did was a light kiss and nothing more. Sierra remained silent for a long time. Eric didn't press her further and finished his cigarette as the car moved along. He parked the car on the side of the road.
Before Sierra could ask anything, she heard a faint sound as he unfastened her seatbelt. Then he lifted her onto his lap. Her coat was removed to reveal that she was wearing very little underneath and her clothes were half-wet which quickly stained his grey trousers dark - it looked indecent just looking at it.
Outside, there was heavy rain and strong winds while inside the car, their situation went from clear to blurry due to the rhythmical movement of windshield wipers back-and-forth across its glass surface.
Sierra found herself forced to lie on top of him while kissing him passionately. Eric's technique was excellent; within moments he had taken control over Sierra who surrendered herself willingly into his arms.
Occasionally opening her eyes during this passionate moment, she saw how wanton she appeared in reflection through window glass which surprised even herself: Was this really what kind of woman I am?
Seeing things getting out of hand like this made Eric realize that being an important figure meant not resolving such matters inside cars so he leaned against her small mouth corner and whispered hoarsely: "There is a high-end inn nearby where we can spend the night."
Sierra regained some clarity in thought but still felt dizzy from all those kisses; up until now Eric only wanted a one-night stand with her so she hugged his neck gently and pleaded softly: "Mr Howard... wait..."
Eric lost interest immediately after hearing that plea from Sierra's lips again.
He reached for another cigarette instead then slowly lit it up before taking a puff then said in a cold tone: "If you can't handle it, don't play. It's quite boring."
Sierra felt embarrassed but still kissed him again.
Eric didn't respond and just stared at her with his deep eyes.
Sierra blushed; she had never acted like this before but the little teasing was not enough to affect Eric who smoked half of his cigarette then put it out before saying: "I'll take you home!"
Sierra couldn't bear sitting on his lap anymore so she slowly moved away. Both adults knew that stopping halfway through such an intimate moment would be awkward for both parties involved.
Eric gazed at her face while breathing heavily as Sierra sat back down in the passenger seat without putting on his coat again. She turned her head slightly and looked out of the car window, knowing full well that what she did wouldn’t change anything between them.
She felt hopeless inside herself.
For some time after that, there was silence inside the car as neither spoke a word to each other.
Finally, Eric dropped Sierra off at home when the rain stopped. He didn't get out of the car to open her door or say goodbye properly - he simply nodded curtly towards her direction from behind the wheel.
Sierra didn’t want to give up yet though: "Mr. Howard... Can I add you on WhatsApp?"
Eric refused but thought about it for a moment before speaking gently: "You should contact Mr. Lucas Rodriguez instead; he is also famous in our industry."
He leaned over and picked up one business card from storage compartment then handed it over to Sierra along with Mr. Rodriguez’s contact information printed on its surface which made their fingertips touch briefly causing Sierra's heart rate to increase rapidly upon seeing how handsome Eric looked even when angry like this!
But despite all these feelings running wild within herself right now, Eric cut straight through them by opening her door himself and saying calmly: “Miss Adler, let's not see each other again.”
Sierra couldn't stay in the car any longer, no matter how thick-skinned she was. She got out of the car and closed the door behind her as Eric drove away.
Standing alone in the dark night, Sierra felt a chill run down her spine...