Chapter 208 Charming, Yet Dangerous
"Eric's so generous! I want a membership at Alahle Club!"
"I want to renew for two more years! Eric's dependable!"
The guests were thrilled and moved.
Ellen got a text from sales saying tonight's revenue was the highest ever!
Eric might be loaded and flashy, but he's no fool.
Tonight, he treated everyone, which seemed reckless but actually boosted his popularity and the club's rep, driving more spending.
"Such a waste," Molly said, lowering her lashes and biting her lip shyly.
"What? Worried about my money?" Eric raised an amused eyebrow.
He had spent a lot tonight for her, but he enjoyed it, feeling more content than ever.
Eric couldn't tell if he was trying to please Molly or himself.
Molly blinked and nodded gently.
"Interesting. Most women want me to spend on them, but you're worried about my money." Eric leaned against the railing, glancing at her blushing face. His lips curved into a charming smile. "So, do you want to manage my money?"
He was a bit drunk, making his words more suggestive.
They stood close, shoulder to shoulder.
Molly didn't quite get the flirtatious tone but felt Eric's warm breath on her ear, making her feel both comfortable and ticklish. She shivered slightly and said,
"I'm not a bank. I don't want to manage your money."
"It's not just banks that can manage my money, Molly."
Eric smiled, his chest rising and falling. He lifted a strand of her hair, enjoying its feel.
"Why don't you curl your hair anymore? I thought it was cute."
Molly's heart ached, and she turned away with red-rimmed eyes. "I don't like curly hair."
"Don't like it?" Eric was surprised, feeling a momentary emptiness as the silky strands slipped through his fingers.
"I don't like curly hair, but you saved me and helped me find my teddy bear tonight." Molly lifted her face, her eyes shining. "I'm grateful. You can do whatever you want."
'Whatever I want?'
A dark fire ignited in Eric's heart, and his breathing deepened.
With other women, he'd think it was a hint of desire.
But from Molly, it was pure and innocent, like a clear spring flowing into his heart.
"Eric."
A waiter walked in with a tray holding a bottle of decanted red wine and two glasses. "This is a fine wine Mr. Diaz brought back from Flancia. Please enjoy it with this young lady."
Eric nodded, and the waiter left after setting down the wine and closing the door.
Molly's eyes lit up at the sight of the wine, and she licked her lips.
"Drink together?" Eric saw her eagerness and asked with a smile.
"Can I?" Molly's eyes widened, looking particularly eager.
"Of course. I know you like to drink. Otherwise, last time..."
Eric trailed off, recalling what had happened in the bushes that night. He cleared his throat, trying to dispel the rising heat in his body.
Before he finished, Molly had already picked up the decanter, poured the wine into a glass, and sniffed it like a little puppy.
She swirled the glass, observing the color and tears of the wine like a pro.
Finally, she took a small sip, savoring the wine's changes in her mouth.
"It's a 1998 Merlot from Beauclair Vineyard, a special reserve. Deep purple, full-bodied, with caramel, mocha, and vanilla notes, and a hint of acidity in the tannins."
Eric was stunned. 'Molly can paint and taste wine?' He had run nightclubs for years and owned vineyards in Flancia, but his wine-tasting skills were nowhere near hers. 'Molly's truly talented!'
Jessica and Debra were fuming. They wanted to storm into Eric's private room and drag Molly out.
"Jessica, I'm telling you," Debra cried in the bathroom, her false eyelashes half off. "Molly's definitely involved with Eric! He went all out to find her a teddy bear! When has he ever been so attentive? Even with you, he still chose Molly. I can't stand it! It's too frustrating!"
Debra played the victim, stirring up Jessica's emotions.
But Jessica was already furious. "How can Eric do this? He's never been so attentive to me since we were kids!"
In the past, she lost expensive toys, and Eric would buy her new ones without a word, better and more expensive. She thought she had his unique affection. But compared to what Molly was getting, it was nothing!
'Eric, who hates trouble, turned the entire Alahle Club upside down for a broken toy for Molly!' The more she thought, the more her heart ached.
"At home, Edward also protects Molly. Now Eric is pampering her too. If this continues, we'll both lose our places!" Debra said.
"Does she even know her place, trying to compete with me?" Jessica's face twisted with rage. She stormed out in her sharp high heels.
As soon as she left, Debra stopped crying, her eyes cold and mocking. She hummed a tune while reattaching her false eyelashes.
Molly and Eric had several rounds of drinks and were slightly drunk.
Molly, usually reserved, became lively after drinking. Her wine-moistened lips moved non-stop like a machine gun.
But Eric enjoyed her rambling, finding it relaxing.
"Did you know? Women are naturally more sensitive to colors!" Molly's face was flushed as she took another sip. "The X chromosome has a gene that enhances color perception. Since women have an extra X chromosome, they're more sensitive to colors!"
"Oh? Really." Eric smiled, his gaze moving to her slightly pouting lips and the delicate feet in her plain sneakers. His eyes grew darker with desire.
"And also, they say women are made of water, but actually, men's bodies are 60% water! Women's bodies have more fat content!" Molly grew more excited. It had been a long time since she had talked like this.
Suddenly, the lights went out.
"Huh?" Molly was confused. "Eric, did your club lose power?"
Her body was instantly enveloped by a surge of hormones, causing her breath to hitch, with all her blood rushing to her pounding heart.
Eric knelt before her, lifted her chin, and kissed her passionately.
The hot breath of the wine mingled at their noses, their lips and teeth entwined.
Dreamy, ethereal music began to play.
A flash of light revealed Eric's half-closed eyes, close and shining like stars, captivating yet dangerous.
