Fatal mistake, p.5
Fatal Mistake, page 5
Ericka sat the cup down on the bar. “Mr. Brooks. I hope I’m not disturbing your morning.”
“Of course you are.” Nick tilted his head and smiled. “A nice disruption.”
Ericka smiled back. The two remained frozen in place and time for a moment longer than either should have.
Nick was the first to recover. “I’m in the middle of a meeting. If you have the time, I would love an opportunity to make up for Saturday.”
He was making this too easy. “I have time.”
Nick held out his arm. “Join me.”
The two walked through the office to the glances of staff along the way. The tall, dark, handsome, six-two, one hundred ninety-five pound man with long powerful arms and the five-eight, olive-toned, body of a goddess, face of an angel beauty walking next to each other. They could have been runway models.
Nick approached his office, stopping at Sylvia’s desk. “Sylvia, this is Ericka Edmonds. You think you could find something to keep her occupied until I wrap up with Sergio?”
Sylvia stood. “I’m certain I can.”
Nick turned to Ericka. “I shouldn’t be too long.”
“I’ll wait.” Ericka took a seat in the lounge area next to Sylvia’s desk.
Nick glanced at her and then at Sylvia before walking back into his office.
Sylvia smiled at Ericka. “Ms. Edmonds may I get you any refreshments?”
“No thank you.” Ericka looked around as Sylvia sat back down. “You’ve worked with Nick long?”
“We started all of this together in a two-bedroom house that was smaller than Nick’s office.”
“Really?” Ericka was surprised. “Why? It’s not like Nick doesn’t have means. Even back then he certainly would have had the means for an office building.”
“He did. But Nick…” Sylvia hesitated as she shook her head back and forth. “Nick’s a special type of person. He believes in making it on his own. See, his father wasn’t too happy with his decision to become a sports agent. So Nick, in all his wisdom, did not want to use his trust fund to start the business. So for about six months, he did a few gigs to pay the rent on a two-bedroom house. We had a kitchen, one bathroom, the living room was the reception area, one bedroom was the filing room and the other bedroom was his office.”
Ericka was fascinated by the story. The more she learned about Nick, the easier she knew it would be to get next to him. She moved and sat on the edge of Sylvia’s desk as she continued with their meager beginnings. “What kind of gigs?”
“Ah, what people don’t know is Nick is quite the musician. He could have easily had a music career like his niece, Lil Tay.”
“Lil Tay, the singer? That’s his niece?”
“Yes.”
“And Nicolas is a singer?”
“He was.” Sylvia turned to the documents on her desk and continued preparing the file. “As I said before, Nick is a very special person. We love him around here. You should keep that warning in mind.” She sent a sideward glance Ericka’s way just as Nick and his client Sergio Martinez, the catcher for the New York Knights walked out of the office.
“I’ll have a talk with the front office,” Nick said as he patted Serg on the shoulder.
“I know I’m not one of your big-time clients but Jarrett said you wouldn’t care. You would treat me just like you treat him.”
“You’re a client Serg. Your status isn’t important. You deserve the best we have to give.”
Sergio was no longer paying any attention to Nick. His eyes had wondered to Ericka, who was sitting on the side of the desk with gorgeous thighs exposed. He reached out and took her hand. “Sergio Martinez at your service.” He kissed her fingers then smiled up at her.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Ericka replied.
“Sergio this is Ericka Edmonds.”
“In that case, may I interest you in lunch?” Sergio asked with a sexy accent.
“Hmm a tempting offer, but I’m afraid I must decline. I’m spoken for” she glanced at Nick. “At least for the day.”
Sergio looked from Nick to Ericka. “Man, the dark skin brothers have all the luck.” They all laughed.
Sylvia pulled her purse from the bottom desk drawer. “Come on Sergio, I’m free for lunch.” She took his arm and strolled off.
Nick turned. “Would the lovely Ericka like to step into my office before another one of my clients tries to pick you up?”
Ericka nodded and followed him inside. The office was nice, not overbearing as some she had visited.
“Nice spacious office,” Ericka stated as she glanced around. Tastefully decorated with a touch of class.” She looked up at Nick standing behind his desk. The thought occurred to her that she could watch him there for hours and never get tired. She shook the thought quickly from her mind.
“Thank you,” Nick replied as he unrolled his sleeves while watching her. He took his jacket from the back of his chair and put it on. After adjusting his collar, he met and held her gaze. “Before we go down what I think is uncharted road for both of us. Let’s determine how we want to deal with fact versus fiction.”
“What do you mean?” Ericka braced herself not sure what was coming next.
Nick walked over and stood close enough to touch her lips with his. “You clearly want something from me. Whatever it is will be revealed in time.” He took a slow gaze over every inch of her face as if branding it to his memory, then he stared into her eyes. “Let’s hope the depth of your deception will not interfere in what I believe could be an intriguing relationship.”
His eyes unsettled her. It was as if he could read her mind and knew what she was up to. She started to speak, but he held up his hand. “Fact or fiction?”
“You’re asking if I’m about to lie to you?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t know me and you are labeling me a liar?”
“No. I’m giving you the opportunity to get to know me. Once you do, you will think twice before you do whatever you have planned.”
“If you think I’m targeting you, why even consider allowing me in?”
Nick took a step closer. He was clearly in her personal space as he whispered into her ear. “Do you feel that?” He paused for a split second. “It’s the uncontrollable urge to touch…feel…kiss.” He then looked into her eyes with their lips not a breath away. “It’s a gift from God that not many people experience in their lifetime. It’s call passion. I’m afraid if I don’t let you in, we will never have the chance to experience it. That would be a fatal mistake.”
His closeness sucked her control away. It was as if his nearness made her forget why she was on the planet, much less her reasons for being there with him. Distance…she needed distance from him.
As if reading her mind, Nick reached behind her without breaking eye contact, and opened the door. “Shall we have lunch?”
For a second, Ericka thought he was going to kiss her. When he didn’t she realized she was a bit disappointed. She took a step back. This was not going the way she had planned at all. He had a knack for taking control of things. He’d done the same thing on Saturday. Warnings in the pit of her stomach were going off. Not this man. Walk away. But she couldn’t. To complicate matters, she could not determine if the reason she could not pull away was because of Bobby or herself.
“Lunch would be nice,” she finally replied, held his gaze, then stepped out of the office.
Outside, the sky was clear blue. The air was filled with the smells of fresh bread from the bakery in the next block, the sounds of traffic and the feel of something special. At least those were Nick’s thoughts.
The sounds of merchants at the fresh market stand around the corner and the overhead train track added to a sense of uneasiness in Ericka .
“It’s a beautiful day. Let’s have lunch in the park. It’s peaceful there and will give us a chance to get to know each other without interruptions.
“The park sounds wonderful.” Ericka turned towards the parking lot.
“Let’s take a walk.” Nick held his hand out.
Something inside of Ericka told her not to take his hand. Doing so would create an intimacy that she didn’t want. It would allow him to invade her space again.
“Walk?” She looked down at her feet. “Do you see these heels? They are not made for walking. They were made to entice.”
“Mission accomplished.” His eyes narrowed. “The question is can you keep it?”
Ericka was beginning to hate the man. He was too direct. Somewhere along the line he’d figured her out. She tilted her head towards him. “I haven’t met a man yet whose attention I couldn’t get…and keep.” She stepped towards him. “The question is can you get and keep mine?”
“Oh, how I would love that challenge.”
Ericka stepped around him, then turned to face him as she walked backwards. “Where is this park of yours, Nicolas Brooks?” She gave him her most alluring smile.
He walked towards her, placing his hand on the small of her back and turning her in the direction of the park. “Only a few blocks away.” Nick pulled out his cell and made a quick call.
“I’m having lunch in the park. Will you call ahead?” He ended the call as they walked in silence for a moment.
“Are you used to having things at your fingertips?”
“I’ve worked hard to have it that way.”
“You’re a trust fund baby, Nicolas Brooks. You don’t know what it means to work hard for anything.”
Nick smiled as he looked around. “I am well aware of the public’s opinion of me and my family. The truth is we all work for a living. None of us use our trust funds for much of anything.”
“That’s a waste.” Ericka huffed. “Why have that kind of money if you are not going to use it?
He turned the corner. “Life is about a lot more than money.”
“That of course is coming for a man who has it.” Ericka smirked. “From us average Joes who have to work for a living, that statement could be seen as an insult.”
“The grass is always greener on the other side. Those with money have the same problems as those without. Ours just come with a bigger price tag. At times it’s more like a curse.”
Ericka stopped, staring at him as if he had lost his mind. “How can having access to an unlimited amount of funds be a curse?”
Nick stopped and returned the glare. “We become targets for those with less who feel we should be forced to share. Some don’t think about the damage they leave behind once they get what they want.”
Ericka thought about what he was saying as a little guilt seeped inside her gut. “Sounds as if you are speaking from experience,” she said as she started walking again.
“Not personal experience.” He fell in step with her as they continued. “I have seen the impact on both of my brothers.”
They turned another corner and Ericka could see the park a block away. “I’m certain they have moved on from the experience without a dent.”
Nick smirked. “That would be true of someone whose steps were guided based on the pocket and not the heart. In my brothers’ cases, one was guided by the heart, the other by honor. Either way, they ended up paying a hefty price.”
Guilt punch number two, Ericka thought. “Some people may not have a choice. It’s a matter of survival.”
“Sounds as if you are speaking from experience.”
Ericka stopped at the grass once they reached the park. Had she revealed something she did not intend to. She removed her shoes as she shook the thought off. She had to be careful. This man had a way of cutting through her defenses.
“Yes, Nicolas. I’ve had to make my own way in this world and I don’t regret anything I’ve ever done to survive. For the record, anyone whose heart guides their steps is asking for hurt and disgrace. That is from experience.” She walked ahead.
Nick watched her reaction. That was the most honest thing she had said since they met. He smiled. He was making progress.
“We’re over by the tree.” He pointed as he walked up behind her.
Ericka looked in the direction of a huge maple tree. The trunk looked as if it could seat two large adults on either side. Beneath it lay a blanket, with a basket a bottle of wine and two glasses. The man standing next to the tree looked as if he was expecting them. He smiled the moment he saw Nick, then rushed towards him.
“Mr. Nick.” He extended his hand. “It is wonderful to see you again.”
“Thank you Raul.”
“I understood you had someone joining you. So I took the liberty to add a little something different.”
“I appreciate that. How is Lizbeth?”
“Beautiful, as an expectant mother should be.” Raul beamed with pride. “May I seat your lady friend?”
The man approached Ericka as she tried to determine how she was going to get to the ground in the dress in a dignified manner. Something about the man’s smile was contagious. She smiled back.
“You are as beautiful as my Lizbeth,” he said as he whispered in her ear. “Cross your legs and I will hold your hand as I lower you to the ground.”
She gave Nick her purse and followed his instructions, surprised by the ease of the maneuver. “Thank you Raul.” She smiled up at him. “Is that homemade bread I’m smelling?”
“It’s the only way to serve it, nice and hot with butter.” Raul turned to Nick. “Enjoy.”
Nick removed his jacket and put it behind her back allowing her to lean back against the tree trunk.
“Chivalry is apparently not dead.”
Nick smiled and sat down on the blanket across from her. “Let’s see what Raul prepared for us.” He opened the basket releasing the aroma of pasta and hot bread. “Do you like Italian?”
“What Italian do you know who doesn’t?”
“Ah,” Nick said as he placed a napkin across Ericka’s lap. “Something new about the lovely Ericka. Part Italian, part African-American.” He gave her a container. “How many years ago?”
“Twenty-six.” She opened the container with glee. “Baked Ziti.” She put the container to her nose and inhaled. “Ah, heaven.” She gasped while stuffing a piece of bread into her mouth.
Nick was holding a container with a salad. “I take it the salad doesn’t stand a chance.”
“After this?” Ericka laughed. “Are there any utensils in there?”
“Here you are.” Nick looked up as he opened his container. Ericka had started eating. “Are we going to say grace?”
Ericka froze with her fork half-way to her mouth. “Excuse me?”
“Grace. You know the few words of thanks spoken before every meal.”
“Oh, that…okay.” Ericka put her fork down.
Nick lowered his head and said grace as Ericka lowered hers and watched. “Don’t believe in God.” Another bit of information about the lovely Ericka.”
“It’s not that I don’t believe in him. I just think he is in some people’s lives more than others.”
“I take it you believe you are one of the less fortunate,” Nick asked as he took a bite of homemade lasagna.
This was a taboo topic. Talking religion was personal…too personal. Ericka spread her legs out and crossed them at the ankles as she continued to eat. “Tell me about your family.”
Change of topic, Nick thought kicking off his shoes. He stretched out on his side and rested his head on his hand, with one knee up. His container, now on the blanket in front of him, he continued to eat. “Family. Two older brothers and a sister. What about you?”
Long legs. Thick thighs. Big feet. All three distracted her. Did he ask a question?
“Me what?”
“Family. What about your family.”
“I don’t have any.” She shrugged, “I mean I have a baby brother. We talk every now and then.”
“What about your parents?”
“My mother passed away. My father is still in California…somewhere.”
Yet another piece of the puzzle surrounding the lovely Ericka, Nick thought as he continued to gather information. “Is that where you live now?”
“No, I’m working out of Atlanta right now.”
“What kind of work do you do?”
Ericka froze.
Nick laughed. “This is either your first attempt at a con or you’re not very good.”
That’s just it. She was extremely good at what she did. Working cons had afforded her a life of comfort most people only dreamed of. But this man was proving to be difficult. That’s because the con was wrong. Ericka had always picked her targets. She had never been paid to do a con against someone. She would select her target, set her goal and take steps to accomplish what she wanted. This con was all wrong. It was for someone she did not like, against someone she liked too much.
The struggle on her face was a good sign. Having difficultly with a con indicated there was a good soul inside. He sat up. “Let’s make this easy. You tell me what you want. I’ll give it to you. There will be no bad feelings. Leaving the opportunity to explore the possibility of us.”
“There is no possibility of an us,” Ericka quickly replied. “I’m here for a purpose. Not to let you sneak into my heart.”
“Who said anything about your heart? It’s your panties I’m trying to get into.”
The laughter in his eyes let her know he was teasing. “You are a terrible tease, Nicolas Brooks.”
“I know. So what is it that you want from me Ms. Kennedy?”
Her eyes caught his and held. A slow smile began to form on her face. She put her container down. “You had me from the beginning didn’t you?”
“No. Not the very beginning. I thought one of my clients was your target until the intentional bump.”
