Page 22 of Enticed

Clara, on the other hand… well, let’s just say I’m prepared for anything.

“You ready, Roark?” I converse with my dog, as if he can hold a conversation with me. I think all pet owners do this too, so I don’t question it for too long.

A resounding bark from him lets me know he’s ready, his tongue hanging out of his mouth and his tail wagging crazily behind him. We hop in my truck and head for Clove Park, where the fundraiser and auction will take place.

I have to say I’m pretty nervous about what will transpire. I know I said I was open to this date idea if it meant forcing me to push myself outside of my comfort zone and date again. But now that it’s the day of the event, I feel more nervous than I did at my first day in the academy.

Pulling into the parking lot, Roark and I descend from my truck and survey the area. I see a crowd of people already gathered—families with children playing in bounce houses and waiting in line for the face painting booth. I see my fellow deputies manning the ring toss and merry-go-round. I see food vendors and tables adorned with baked goods being purchased left and right—and then I see her.

Clara Anderson looks striking in a sleeveless navy blue dress and tan wedges—very spring appropriate attire. Her chocolate waves are pulled up off of her face, with some of her hair still draping down her back, as she talks to the committee member beside her. The smile she wears is her best accessory though—just like I told her at Kane’s party. When she offers the world to see that smile, she’s never looked more stunning.

I haven’t seen that smile much in the past few months. Her smirk, yes. Her pouty lips and her scowl—oh yeah. But that smile that blinds you, that allows you to see how happy she truly could be if she’d squash the demons she’s fighting—that’s the smile that lights me up inside.

And then she turns, giving me a clear view of her backside, hugged by the stretchy navy blue fabric—and I remember how much I want to fuck her too.

Christ, I need help.

This woman is making my mind flip-flop like a fish out of water. I can only hope that eventually, we’ll both be on the same page—my dick and my brain. Oh, and me and Clara too.

And then that inkling sitting in the back of my mind comes forward and I pause—would risking everything we have to lose be worth it? Would she ever be able to look past the fact that I’m Liv’s younger brother, the boy that followed her and my sister around just to piss them off?

Those answers I’m still trying to unveil.

“Hey, Coop,” my sister comes up beside me and Roark—yet another reminder of the obstacles I face in pursuing Clara.

“Hey, Liv. How are you feeling?”

She glances down and rubs her belly under the flowered floor-length dress she’s wearing. “Great. Kane just went to get me a brownie. This girl seems to like her chocolate just like her momma,” she beams.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less. Have you seen Mom and Dad yet?” I search around us, wondering if they’ll show up before or after the auction. The amount of people here today is by far, the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen at this event. Clara’s advertising expertise has apparently helped the cause.

“Mom text me saying they were on their way about ten minutes ago, so they should be here any minute. She wasnotabout to miss you being auctioned off for charity,” she teases.

I roll my eyes at her as Kane joins us. “Don’t remind me. I thought it was a great idea at first, when Captain explained it to everyone. But now that I’m here, I wish I could go hide or fake an illness. Don’t you think scarlet fever would get me out of this?”

“Just pray someone decent bids on you, Cooper… and not someone like Misty Chambers,” Kane chimes in, taking a sip from his lemonade and handing Liv her brownie.

“Oh fuck. I didn’t even think of that,” I reply, knowing damn well that Misty Chambers will probably bid on me.

Misty is known in Emerson Falls for being a man-eater and a stage-five clinger. If there is any woman who likes to reel them in and have you married before sunrise, that’d be her. Although, before she lets you go, she’ll make your life a living hell. You’ll earn the break-up before it’s ever granted. The last man that crossed paths with her woke up to bashed-in headlights and slashed tires when he tried to break things off with her.

“Kane, maybe you can just bid on me. We’ll say even though you impregnated my sister, you realized your true feelings for me and prefer dick over pussy now.”

Olivia smacks me across the back of my head. “Shut up, Cooper,” she growls. “That’s how rumors get started. You got yourself into this mess by working to be a deputy… so be the noble hero you claim to be, suck it up, and take one for the team, even if that happens to be Misty Chambers.”

Kane pulls her in close to him, kissing her temple and then whispering in her ear. “Damn, you’re so sexy when you get confrontational, baby…”

“Fuck, seriously? I don’t need to know that my sister’s hormones turn you on, Kane. Alright,” I wave them off as I turn to walk away. “I’m outta here. Go spend a bunch of money to help out the cause. I’ll see you two later…” I shout, turning to move forward and running face first into someone.

“Shit, I’m sorry,” I say before pushing away and realizing I’m familiar with the curves of the woman I just ran into.

“Watch where you’re going, deputy,” Clara warns, stepping backwards and righting her hair and dress to their original position before we collided. “You’re supposed to be making the town a safer place, not a potential hazard to run into.”

And I’m guessing by the venom lacing her words, she’s still pissed about last Saturday.

“I’m sorry, Clara. Ishouldhave been watching where I was going. Say, do you know where I’m supposed to be? Where is the auction being held, anyway?” I ask while looking around and pulling on Roark’s leash as he tries to chase a butterfly.

Clara shoots me a glare and then peers at the clipboard she’s holding. “All the potential dates are supposed to meet in the tent just off of the main stage. I was actually walking over there right now, if you want to follow.”

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