"Claire," Anton whispered, his voice husky, "are you sure about this? About everything?"
She could see the worry in his eyes, but also a deeper longing.
"I am," she replied, her voice barely audible. "I have never been more sure about anything."
That served as the final confirmation needed. Anton closed the space between them, his fingers gently brushing her cheek before pulling her into a tender, lingering kiss.
Soon, the kiss deepened, becoming more intense as years of pent-up tension flooded out.
Anton pulled away suddenly, his breath heavy and eyes locked with hers.
"Ant," Claire said in a quivering voice, unsure of what he was about to do.
Slowly, Anton began taking off his shirt, his eyes never leaving hers. Claire's heart pounded in her chest as she watched.
As the fabric slipped away, it revealed a carved torso, every muscle defined and firm under the dim light. His skin was smooth and bronzed from the sun, and a faint trail of hair ran down his chest to the waistline of his jeans.
Claire was breathless as she took in the sight of him, her fingers itching to trace the hard lines of his body, feeling the power and warmth that radiated from him.
In that moment, they both realized they had crossed a line they could never uncross.
"Well, fuck it," Claire thought in conclusion.
He drew closer for another kiss, and this time, his hands did not hesitate. They moved with purpose, sliding down her sides, pulling her closer, feeling the curves of her body, and getting a handful of her plump bottom. And hers found their way to his chest, feeling the heat radiating from him as she pulled him even tighter, as if attempting to permanently merge their bodies into one.
The intensity of their embrace caused them to lose balance, and with a soft gasp of surprise and desire, they fell back onto the bed, their lips still locked in a passionate kiss.
Anton pulled away for a moment as he reached for the lamp beside the door and turned it off.
"Ant…" Claire cried softly, dripping with desire.
"Shh, you're with me now," Anton reassured.
The world around them faded away as they surrendered to the heat of the moment.
***
Claire awoke the next morning to the soft light filtering through the curtains. She reached out lazily, expecting to feel Anton beside her, but her hand met only the cool sheets. She sat awake, blinking away the traces of sleep, her heart sinking.
She noticed a note on the table beside the bed. With a sense of dread, she picked it up and read the simple, scrawled message: "I'm sorry."
Panic began to surge through her as she quickly scanned the room. Her eyes fell on the spot where Anton had placed the briefcase after she gave it to him.
It wasn't there.
Her heart pounded harder. She looked over at the closet, hoping for a miracle. Hoping Anton didn't do what she imagined he did.
She rushed over and flung the closet door open. Then it dawned on her; the briefcase was gone, and so was Anton.
Claire stood there, staring at the empty space, her mind reeling. The events of the previous night replayed in her mind—their passionate connection, the promises made.
Why would Anton do this? What had driven him to take the money and leave without a word?
Well, besides the worthless "I'm sorry."
She sank to the floor, her emotions a storm of anger, sadness, and disbelief. The warmth of the night before seemed like a distant dream now, replaced by a cold, harsh reality.
Just then, her phone suddenly rang. Her heart skipped a beat, a sense of suspicion creeping in.
She answered the call, her voice shaky. "Hello?"
"Miss Claire," the deep, familiar voice of Big John, the hefty man came through the line. "I trust you have had time to consider Don Lucas' proposal."
"Don? Am I dealing with the mafia?" Claire thought in fear.
She swallowed hard, trying to steady her voice. "Y-yes, I have."
"And?" he prompted, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.
Claire's mind raced. She took a deep breath, her expression hardening. There was no turning back now.
"I'm in," she said firmly, her voice carrying a newfound determination.
"Very well," the hefty man replied, his tone almost approving. "Don Lucas will be pleased. We will be in touch soon with further instructions."
The call ended, and Claire sat in the silence, the gravity of her decision sinking in. She was about to step into a world she didn't fully understand, but she was committed now.
What next?
"Fuck you Anton," she whispered under her breath and broke into tears.
What now?