Page 25 of Enticed

The two women battle back and forth, making my price rise to five-hundred dollars in the blink of an eye. My family is wide-eyed and open-mouthed, witnessing one of the highest wars today. Cash earned six-hundred dollars, so I know I’m on my way to beating him and then a new voice chimes in.

“One-thousand dollars!” She shouts as a collective gasp filters through the crowd.

“One-thousand dollars to the lady in the back. Do I hear one-thousand and fifty?” Captain asks the crowd as silence descends amongst the people. Even Misty Chambers looks astonished until the pissed-off look comes over her face, her eyes narrowing in the direction of the mystery bidder.

“One-thousand going once… one-thousand going twice… sold to the lady in the back for one-thousand dollars!” Captains shouts and points in the winner's direction as the crowd claps wildly, celebrating the biggest payout for our program today.

A sigh of relief graces my lips as I shake Captain’s hand and exit the stage on the other set of stairs, guiding Roark beside me and heading straight for the table to sign my contract.

But when I see the woman waiting for me there, I can’t fight the shit-eating grin that my lips showcase. Because now I know for certain—she can fight it all she wants, but Clara just showed all her cards.

Chapter 9

Clara

“That Cash Williams sure is a piece of meat I’d like to take for a test drive,” the lady standing next to me waters at the mouth as Cash takes the stage.

“Get in there, then. Go fight your heart out!” I nudge her shoulder as she takes a deep breath and makes her way closer to front.

I stand back, my arms folded over my chest, basking in my good deed. I called in every connection I knew, every business for donations and offers for them to host a booth—and it all paid off. And now the Date the Deputy auction is unfolding in front of me, providing worthwhile entertainment. All I need is a Coke and a bucket of popcorn as I watch the desperation and excitement of the auction.

Who knew Emerson Falls needed its very own form of speed dating?

My eyes drift over the crowd as several more deputies take the stage, spouting off details of their dates. John Donaldson, one of the oldest men on the force and a widower, speaks of wanting to take his date to the Bingo Hall and then to an early bird dinner. I can’t fight the smile that comes over my face, watching the older women in the crowd shimmy their hips at the chance to bid on him.

At least there’s still hope for me. When I’m pushing sixty and still single, I’m hopeful there will be men like John that will still believe in love and will take me out to Bingo—even though once they realize I’m a sore loser, I’ll probably end up right back at square one.

“Cooper Walsh, everyone!” Captain shouts from the stage where Cooper appears, holding Roark close to his side. The whistles and cheers from women on the grass get loud and obnoxious, immediately raising my blood pressure.

And then I let out a sharp breath.

Whatever. Let them have him! Cooper Walsh and I will never happen—I attempt to convince myself as I listen to him ramble on about his date.

What self-respecting woman would want to go for a run and then throw a ball at a dog for an hour or two?

You! You would Clara! Don’t act like you haven’t fantasized about running past Cooper in the park or making his dog fall in love with you…

No… NO! I just want to fuck him, get him out of my system. That’s all I need to do.

Okay, keep convincing yourself of that, you oblivious tease.

I’m so busy arguing with myself in my head that when I finally filter back to reality, I see Misty Chambers and some other woman battling in a bidding war over Cooper. I swear I can see the sweat beading on his forehead, nervously glancing over at Misty every time she raises the stakes.

Part of me wants to let her win—serves him right. Having to take Misty Chambers on a date would be the perfect penance for kissing me and leaving me suffering from the effects of an emotional whiplash.

But then the other woman who’s fighting over him turns her face to the side and wow… she’s gorgeous. Long blonde hair, blue eyes, long lashes and perfect, full lips. Her body is nice to look at too—and then something inside of me snaps.

“One-thousand dollars!” I shout, and then my hand covers my mouth in shock. Multiple faces twist in every direction in an attempt to find my voice. But I can’t say another word—because I’m in such deep astonishment myself, I feel like I might throw up.

“One-thousand dollars going once…one-thousand dollars going twice… sold to the lady in the back for one-thousand dollars!” Captain shouts as deafening cheers echo around me.

I wait to move towards the table where the contracts are being signed and checks are being handed over, fearful to draw attention to myself and give up my identity. But as I see Cooper and his dog descend the stage, I muster up the courage I need to face him.

As soon as Cooper sees me, a mischievous grin tips up his lips, and the fucker thinks he has me figured out.

“Well, well… one-thousand dollars, huh? You know, I would have given you a date for free, Clara,” he says while picking up a pen to sign the papers placed in front of us.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Cooper. The only reason I bet on you was to save you from Misty Chambers,” I lie as the jealousy I felt earlier comes back. I didn’t want Misty or the blonde bombshell to sink their teeth into him—but he doesn’t need to know that. “Despite how much I loathe you, I couldn’t let Misty sink her claws into you—no one deserves that punishment. Plus, the donation is a tax write-off, and the money is going to a good cause.”

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