Page 8 of Bought By Santa

I scan the room, hunting. Not for pleasure—no, this is pure strategy. I need someone with deep pockets, a man who can’tresist a damsel dressed in glitter and false promises. At the bar, I see exactly the kind of man I’m looking for. He’s got that look, all sharp suit and sharper eyes. Money. His ring finger is naked, and he’s alone.

“Is this seat taken?” I ask, my voice dipped in honey. I place my clutch on the bar, making it clear I’m here to stay.

His gaze travels up from my stilettos, slow and appreciative. “It is now,” he says, a corner of his mouth ticking up.

“Thanks.” I ease onto the stool beside him, crossing my legs. The slit in my dress parts, a deliberate tease. “What’s a guy like you doing all alone on a night like this?”

“Looking for trouble,” he smirks, turning to face me fully.

“Careful,” I tilt my head, “Trouble has a way of finding you first.”

“Then I must be lucky tonight.” His eyes hold mine, a challenge flickering within. But he doesn’t know I’m playing a different game.

“Maybe we both are,” I respond, warmth spreading through my body—not from the drink he slides my way, but from the play. This is it, the dance I know so well.

“Tell me,” he leans in, close enough that I catch the scent of his cologne, “what’s your name?”

“Carolina,” I say, letting the name roll off my tongue like a secret. “And you?”

“Does it matter?” he counters, and there’s amusement in his voice.

“Only if you want me to scream it later,” I quip, and his laugh is a low rumble that suggests he might just take me up on that offer. My eyes stray to my black clutch. There are three condoms in it, and I’ve poked holes through the foil of each one. Yeah, I’m that desperate to land a rich man.

I touch his hand, an accidental-on-purpose brush that sends a clear signal. He leans closer. “Tell me, Carolina, do you believe in Christmas miracles?” he asks, eyebrow cocked.

“Only the kind that comes wrapped in greenbacks,” I reply, all brash honesty cloaked in flirtation. Because beneath the glamor, the desperation claws—I need this, for Willow, for me.

“Then let’s see if I can’t make a believer out of you,” he says, and I can feel the night shift, the stakes raising with each breath.

“Try me,” I challenge, because I’ve got nothing left to lose. And tonight, maybe, just maybe, I’ll win something worth keeping.

After a few martinis, we move over to one of the couches. No longer limited by the awkwardness of sitting at the bar, I rest my hand on his thigh and run it up and down—close enough to his member to know he isn’t indifferent to my advances.

“You’re really something,” the guy rasps, wrapping his long fingers around my wrist and pulling my hand onto his hardness. “Are you just teasing me, Carolina?”

Tilting my head to the side, I flutter my lashes. “The only teasing I do involves expensive lingerie,” I purr.

He looks at me through hooded eyes, and just as I think he’s going to finally kiss me, he leans back, putting more distance between us. “Is that so?” he questions.

I swallow the sigh threatening to spill free. But seriously, how long must we play this game? We should already be at his… wherever he lives. “It is,” I rasp.

He nods to himself, seemingly lost in thought for a moment. Then he stands abruptly. “I need to take a piss.” My nose scrunches in distaste at his crudeness. “But if you’re still here when I come back, I’d love to take you home and find out what kind of lingerie you’re wearing.”

I nod eagerly as I watch him walk away. Even smiling sweetly when he turns around to check if I’m still waiting on the couch. Ah, now I get it. This guy thinks I’m going to make a run for it.Maybe he’s been burned in the past, but I’m not going to do that. He’s exactly the type I’m looking for, and I intend to take full advantage of him tonight.

While he’s gone, I pull my phone out of my clutch. My thumb hovers over the glowing screen, the pulsing beat of the club fading into the back of my mind. I type quickly, words to Willow.

Me: I love you, sis. I promise I’ll visit again soon *pink love heart*

The message sends, and for a moment, my heart stills. She’s the reason I’m here—the reason I do anything. My sweet sister is everything I no longer believe in. She’s kind, gentle, and she’s just… she’s one of those people that just continues smiling no matter what life throws at them.

When the guy returns, he does a double-take, his eyes widening as though he can’t believe I’m still here. Well, believe it mister.

“Are you ready to show me your lingerie?” he asks as he sits back down. He grins in an obnoxious way that makes it clear he thinks he’s being cute.

“Are you ready to earn the privilege?” I volley. If I’m reading him right, I can’t be too eager. Leaning closer, I move my hand up his inner thigh, purposefully stopping just before I reach his crotch. “Or is that toohard?”

He swallows thickly and cants his hips so his erection grazes my hand. “It’s definitely hard, alright.”

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