(A/N-So it's Halloween and I had originally planned to add a few new Halloween theme stories at the beginning of this week, but I had a health issue and family, work, you know...life. I'm sorry they are late and I'm trying to finish the next chapter of Mated, it will be short, sorry. If you would like to have more of these Halloween theme (sort of) just let me know in review and let me know what you think of these. Thank you and Happy Halloween to all, and be safe! Ty to Lynn for staying up this morning with some coffee to beta read these. Love you girlie. And if you have read A Dauntless Ball, they might be a little similar but they will go in opposite directions.)

(Edit 2/4/19-I re-did a little of this, so hopefully it's a little better as I got a little lost in how to continue this, but now there's more coming real soon.)

It was Halloween and Tris Prior had just gotten off the phone with a client that wanted to speak with her main boss, Four Eaton of Eaton Enterprises, a global management consulting and professional services. And at that moment, Four walked out of the elevator and from the looks of it he wasn't in a good mood.

"Get me Max Collins on the phone immediately," Four barked as he marched into Uriah Pedrad's, Tris' supervisor's office, shutting it behind him as he did so.

Tris waited no time and quickly got Max on the phone and put the call through to Uriah for Four. She could hear his voice raised as he talked to Max. "I know it's for a good cause, Max. It's just last minute to spring this on me. No Max, I don't read my emails that's why Lauren does it for me. How would I know if she reminded me?"

Tris had to laugh at that.

"Fine, I'll go. Yes, I know it's good for my image. What do you mean a playboy image by the way?"

Tris thought of how every week Four was in the paper with some model on his arm going to some function of some sort.

"Fine. I'll have Lauren pick me out a costume. I'll call you tomorrow," Four said as he obviously ended the call.

"Damnit!" Four yelled from inside. Some of the other workers stopped in their tracks outside the office, but Tris knew to just stay out of his way until he cooled off. Tris was almost done typing a report for Uriah when Christina texted her.

Christina: So how is the Beast?

Tris: Snarky as usual. How is your day going?

Christina was her best friend and worked as a nurse at a local hospital.

Christina: Not too bad. Hey guess who got tickets to the Paws of Hope event tonight?

Tris: Nice. Is Will taking you?

Christina: No he's out of town. I was thinking my bestie might want to go with me?

Tris: Are you serious? But I don't have anything to wear for that.

Christina: You're talking to your own fashion guide. Leave work early and come by around five and we'll get you ready. And it's a costume party and I know just the outfit for you.

***PAGEBREAK***

A few hours later the two female friends were just getting off the elevator at the Hilton in downtown Chicago. One was a bundle of excitement and the other was well...nervous.

"I don't belong here," Tris said.

"Nonsense, just mingle like they are all here to meet you," Christina said as they started to make their way down the long staircase that overlooked the ballroom below it. The ballroom was decorated in fall colors, with cobwebs and jack o'latterns all around. The windows were cracked to let in the cool, night air.

Christina was wearing catwoman costume, while Tris was dressed up as Cleopatra.

"I shouldn't be here," Tris said as she stopped walking on the staircase.

"Tris, stop it. You look beautiful. Now relax, you're the Queen of everything here," Christina said as they continued their way down.

***PAGEBREAK***

Four was thinking about sneaking out of the party when his eyes locked on a woman coming down the stairs, there were two of them actually, but only one had his attention. Perfect breasts threatening to spill from the elaborate dress she was wearing. She smiled quite bashfully, as young men vying for her attention immediately swarmed around her. She was obviously Cleopatra, only with blonde hair and he, well he was Mark Antony.

Four couldn't peel his eyes from the woman. There was something familiar about this woman, but he couldn't quite place it. He tried to imagine what she would look like without the feathered mask covering most of her face, without her hair piled elaborately on her head, and without the ornate gown covering her delectable curves. It was driving him crazy; he was sure that he knew her.

He had come to this event to try to help animal shelters in the city along with his own image. He was about to make his way over to where this mystery lady was when he was stopped by one of the presenters of the event.

"Mr. Eaton, it's your turn," she said.

Four had done a few things he regretted in his life, but he had a feeling this one might top the list. The spotlight shone in his eyes, but he smiled as he'd been instructed and gave a sweeping bow before making his way onto the stage. Applause—and a few cheers that he suspected were from his friends greeted him

"Alright ladies, we have one of the most sought after bachelors in the city of Chicago, up next for your bidding attention. This is Four Eaton," the emcee said. "We'll start the bidding at two hundred dollars,"

Four sucked in a breath. And so it begins. Step one of rehabilitating his image—donate his time to charity. And besides it was for a good cause, he loved animals-dogs in particular.

"What do I hear for Four?" the emcee, a sitcom actor, called out. "Four Eaton built Eaton Enterprises from the beginning, we're sure you'll enjoy a date with him."

A murmur went around the crowded room as several white paddles with black numbers shot into the air. He couldn't see too much detail past the spotlight that shone down on him, but it seemed that the place was full, and that the waiters were keeping the guests' drinks topped off as they moved through the crowd.

"Two fifty, three hundred," the emcee called.

Four spotted his best friend Zeke sitting with his fiancée, Shauna—give him a thumbs-up. Zeke had found him as soon as he had arrived, and enjoyed teasing him over being auctioned off.

Which had led him to this moment. On stage in front of hundreds of people. Being sold.

"Five hundred and fifty," the emcee said, pointing at a redhead near the side of the room, whose paddle said sixty-three.

Four threw Sixty-Three a wink, and then crossed to where a blonde woman held up her paddle. The emcee called, "Six hundred."

Four squinted against the lights. It was her! Cleopatra from the staircase. There was something familiar about the blonde. He dug one hand in his pocket and flashed a charming smile at the audience—a smile he'd been using to effect since he was fourteen. He was starting not to mind being on stage after all.

"Six fifty," the emcee called. "Seven hundred dollars. Seven fifty."

Four groaned as he saw who had the lead now. Jeanine Mathews. She was sleaze on top of sleaze. He knew Jeanine wanted to just paw at him and parade him around like a puppy.

"Three thousand four hundred."

It was Cleopatra. Four tried to study her more to try to figure out who she was. She looked beautiful. In his pocket where the audience couldn't see, he crossed his fingers that she won. He could spend an enjoyable evening with her, a nice meal, maybe a drive under the moonlight.

"Four thousand six hundred."

A flash bulb went off and he smiled, but he needed to get the bidding higher for the shelter. He ambled over to the emcee and indicated with a tilt of his head that he had something to say. She covered the mic with her hand and lowered it.

"Make it three dates," he said, his voice low.

Her eyebrows shot up, and then she nodded and raised the mic again. "I've just received information that the package up for auction now consists of three dates."

Over the next few minutes, there was another flurry of raised paddles before the emcee finally said, "Going once, going twice, sold for eight thousand two hundred dollars."

Four realized he'd stopped following the bidding and had no idea who'd won.

"Number six, you can meet Mr. Eaton at the side of the stage to make arrangements. Next we have a sports star who will need no introduction." The emcee's voice faded into the background as Four realized the blonde beauty had made the top bid. He grinned.

Maybe turning his reputation around and doing his bit for charity wouldn't be so bad after all.

"What did I just do?" Tris said out loud. Something had come over her, when she had saw all those other women bidding on Four.

"You just won your boss," Christina said, clapping her hands.

"What am I going to do?" Tris asked. She had just spent thousands of dollars, granted she had the money that her grandmother had left for her since she was a child. And it was for a good cause.

"Go get him," Christina said as she elbowed her friend towards the side of the stage where Four waited for her.

Tris took the steps very slowly, she couldn't believe she had done this. Okay so she might have had a small crush on her boss for the last few years, okay since she saw him for the first time when she came to work for him. He had at first intimidated her but the last few years she had tried to keep a mask on her feelings for him. Yes, he was good looking and he knew it, but there was more to him. He was extremely passionate about everything in his life.

But that was all out of her mind right now, as she steeled herself and struck out her hand to greet him. "Hello," Tris said.

Four took her hand, but instead of shaking it, he lifted it to his lips and pressed a kiss on the back. "I'm Four, and, on behalf of the shelter, I wanted to thank you for your donation tonight."

He gave her a slow smile and her insides melted, but she tried to ignore her body's reaction. Her body didn't realize that Four was a notorious charmer who had probably used that exact smile on countless women. Which was why her brain was in charge. Well, she thought as she looked into his twinkling blue eyes, mostly in charge. He had never looked at her like that at work, but now he was looking at her as if he, as if he...thought she was beautiful.

Four released her hand and straightened. "I have a few ideas about places we could go on our first date—"

Tris shook her head. "I don't want the date."

He arched an eyebrow. "Then why did you bid on me?"

"I just wanted..." Tris stammered.

"Me?" Four asked. He grinned, but this time it wasn't a charmer's smile. It was genuine. She liked this one more—she could imagine getting into all sorts of mischief with the man wearing that grin.

"A woman of mystery," he said, rocking back on his heels. "Nice. Okay, so I'll try to see if I can get your name."

"No name," Tris said.

"No name as well? Well than what should I call you? Six or Cleopatra?" Four asked.

"Six and Four," Tris murmured.

"Would you care to dance?" An air of authority rang through his quiet words. Even the way the other men backed off when he approached hinted at his unmistakable power.

Tris felt that her heart was hammering in her chest. The man that she had fantasized about constantly for the past few years was asking her to dance. She was so aware of him sexually that it hurt. He extended his hand toward her and she took it automatically, as if she had no choice in the matter. He smiled lazily at her as his eyes slowly descended, burning a trail down her body. Her stomach flip-flopped nervously as he stared at her barely contained breasts.

She felt his warm hand on her lower back as he guided her to the dance floor. He pulled her close in a fairly intimate grasp as their steps immediately fell into synch with the flowing music. Her breasts were crushed up against his hard body. She saw him glance downward, still fascinated with the creamy flesh of her cleavage spilling out of the daring gown. She blushed as my nipples responded to his gaze, growing taut and hard. She hoped he couldn't see them through the silky fabric of her dress.

He smiled slowly, as if enjoying a secret, and then leaned in to whisper in her ear. His words caused little shivers to run down her spine. "Are you enjoying the evening?"

She smiled hesitantly, not sure if her identity was still a secret. "Yes, very much so."

"No goblins or ghost after you tonight?" Four asked as he watched her smile.

"None so far," Tris said.

"Well, you seem to have quite a number of admirers. I hope I didn't steal you away from any of them?"

His mouth so near to her sensitive ear was wreaking havoc on her control. Her voice warbled slightly, "No, not at all. I am enjoying our dance."

His fingers caressed her arm, rubbing lightly. "Despite the disguise these masks afford, I am sure that we have not met before. I would never forget such a beautiful woman as yourself… or forget such an exquisite body." He punctuated his remark with a quick nibble to her ear lobe almost causing me to mis-step.

The pent up nervousness Tris felt in his presence evaporated as his words slowly sunk into her over-stimulated brain. He hadn't recognized her! And why would he? She looked completely different in this elaborate costume.

Tris would die of embarrassment if he knew who she was, but now she could enjoy this little secret. "No, I don't believe we have met."

He watched as her eyes sparkled as he twirled her around the dance floor. He took every opportunity he could to caress her waist, rub her arm or brush an errant lock of hair from her face just to see her blush. When the song ended, he held her firmly by the elbow and led her off the floor. A cold hard stare was enough to keep any other men from approaching. He watched as she had grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and took a long gulp.

Four could see that the alcohol was starting to take affect. "You should take it easy, Six." He took the glass gently from her fingers.

He placed her hand in the crook of his arm and led her out the French doors onto the patio. . She walked lightly at his side, occasionally glancing up to stare at him. He patted her hand as he led her right to a secluded spot among the greenery. She was smiling dreamily when he grabbed her by the waist and dragged her against his body. He dipped his head and took her mouth as it opened in a little O shape of surprise. Her initial resistance melted as his tongue explored her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck, running her fingers through his hair, as he deepened the kiss.

His fingers slid up her arms and brushed across the tops of her straining breasts. He ran a palm over the top of her dress, feeling her hard tight nipples beneath the silky material. He dipped a finger under the fabric of her bodice, flicking a taut nipple. While his tongue explored her delicious mouth, he felt her soft moan.

Just then loud laughter pealed out into the night air. Someone was approaching them. Four watched as her face turned from passionate to alarmed as she slowly regained focus. She quickly fixed her dress. "I…I need to go." She turned and began hurrying back toward the ballroom.

Four gritted his teeth and went after her. He caught up to her, nodding at another couple enjoying the night air, and took her elbow. "What's the big hurry, Six?"

Tris practically pulled him over to the doors. "I just don't want to miss any of the party."

He could feel her trying to disengage her arm, but he didn't want to let her go that easily. "Would you like to dance again?"

Four could see her mind working furiously for an excuse to leave him. She scanned the ballroom looking for a way out. Suddenly, Four felt her whole body tense and her face turn pale. He looked across the room to see what had made her so frightened.

It was a man Four recognized. Uriah Pedrad. And he was heading straight this way. He wondered why Six was practically jumping out of her skin at his approach. He watched as Uriah got way laid by someone at the same time that Tris twisted out of his grasp. She mumbled something to him as she shot away through the crowd out of his reach.

He bumped through the crowd, trying to keep her small form in view. She was obviously trying to escape, but why? He followed her as she came to the opposite end of the ballroom and slipped through a door on the far wall. By the time Four reached the door and entered, she was out of sight.

As Four turned around to look for Uriah, he saw him being dragged by a dark haired woman to the elevators. Four ran to try to reach them before the doors closed but he was too late. Tonight was definitely not his night.

Trick of Treat?

Well, his treat had escaped him.

He would have a talk with Uriah Monday and found out if he had known who the woman Four was with.