Page 24 of Enticed

Captain will address the crowd first to reiterate the cause we’re raising money for—the families of those who lost loved ones while on duty—then he’ll introduce each deputy and ask us to explain the date we have planned. As soon as we’re done, he’ll open up the auction. Bids will be placed in increments of fifty dollars, and the highest bidder will win the date. A contract will be signed between the purchaser and the deputy, agreeing to the donation and to the date.

“Alright, Becker. You’re up first,” Captain says to one of our rookies, a short blonde that has proven to be tough as nails.

“Glad I get to go after you,” I lean over Cash’s shoulder to rile him up. “Then I know what I have to beat.”

“Yeah, you got lucky. But what’s sad is all the leftovers will be there for you. The grade-A women will be so distraught over not winning me, they’ll probably leave and go cry in their cars, leaving the truly desperate women as your possible dates,” he says smugly.

Fuck, he’s got a point. Cash is a good-looking guy and lots of single women throw themselves at him daily. I don’t consider myself bad looking either, but now Cash has my confidence wavering a bit.

Christy Becker raises a respectable three-hundred dollars and a shit-eating grin from the man who won her date. Two more deputies go up and do well also, before it’s Cash’s turn on the stage.

“Cash Williams, ladies and gentlemen!” Captain shouts into the microphone as Cash ascends the stairs on the side of the stage, waving out to the audience like he’s on a float in a parade. His tan skin and blonde hair make him an eager purchase for all the screaming women.

“Cash, you know how this goes by now. So tell the audience, what’s your idea of the perfect date?” Captain puts on his best show host performance. I secretly think he’s enjoying this way too much.

Cash glances up to the sky in thought and then answers in a womanly voice. “That’s a tough one. I’d have to say, April 25th. Because it’s not too hot, not too cold… all you need is a light jacket.”

A cacophony of laughter echoes among the crowd while I chuckle and shake my head backstage. The fucker went and quoted Miss Congeniality and killed it. And next weekend is the 25th, so his date could line up perfectly. Damn, the man has charm, I’ll give him that.

“Alright, alright. Nice joke, son,” Captain teases him.

“Thank you, sir. But seriously… whoever wins the date with me will be treated to a night of luxury—a candle-lit dinner, a stroll under the stars, and a cake decorating and testing appointment at a local bakery where maybe we can pick out the cake to be served at our future wedding,” he winks at the audience where lines of women whistle and swoon at his words.

“Alrighty then, sounds fun. Let’s start the bidding at fifty dollars,” Captain shouts as women throw their paddles up in the air, fighting for a night with Cash as he stands on stage and flexes his biceps beneath the khaki shirt of his uniform.

After a back-and-forth battle, Cash is sold to a MILF who licks her teeth as he slides up next to her at the table to sign the contract.

Two more deputies get their turns as my hands sweat, awaiting my fate.

And then it’s time.

I stroll up the steps, tugging Roark behind me, and focus on Captain before peering out into the audience.

Holy shit, that’s a lot of people! I’m not sure how many people live in the town anymore, but if I had to guess, I’d say most of them are standing out there on that grass somewhere.

“Cooper Walsh, everyone!” He introduces me and the crowd cheers, the voices of my parents and sister pull my eyes to where they’re standing right in front of the stage. Great! They’re front and center to witness my humiliation. I wave and smile at the people below me before Captain’s voice pulls my attention again.

“Alright, Cooper. Tell everyone what kind of date your buyer can expect to get with you,” he shoves the microphone in my face, almost knocking my teeth out.

“Well, for my date I wanted to plan something that would show her who I am outside of my job. So, when I’m not working, I’m going for a run with my German Shepard, Roark, and then enjoy a few hours at the park with him, playing catch and wearing him out. Then, I thought food would be nice, so lunch is a must. Overall, I just kind of want to get to know the person, see if we hit it off and then go from there—in a setting that doesn’t put too much pressure on us. I think finding someone you can be comfortable around in every-day life is key…”

That was not at all what I had rehearsed in my head, but by the murmurs of agreement in the crowd, I’d say I did okay.

“Alright, you heard him ladies. Let’s start the bidding at fifty dollars!”

“Fifty!” A voice shouts from the left behind my family, before Misty Chambers appears with a mouth-watering smirk on her mouth.

Oh fuck! She hasn’t won a date yet? I figured by now she’d have clawed her way into someone else’s pants. I might end up eating my own bet if Misty wins me.

Shit, shit, shit! Someone else please bet, please!

Misty moves closer to the stage, side-stepping people in her way and leans forward, providing a direct line to the cleavage spilling out of her red halter top. A tight jean skirt barely covers her ass, and she chews on a stick of gum, smacking her lips together while eye-fucking me in plain sight.

I know it’s warmer than usual for this time of the year, but she barely has clothes on—she must be freezing.

“One-hundred!” A different voice calls from the right, but I can’t make out who it’s attached to.

“One-hundred and fifty!” Misty fires back with her paddle in the air, as the other voice raises the bid again.

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