Chapter Two

“Let’s go Bailey. I want a front row seat,” Lucy urged, tugging on her hand.

“Whoa! Do you want me to break my neck?” Bailey complained when she nearly tumbled off the high barstool. “Lucy, the auction won’t be starting for another fifteen minutes,” she grumbled but followed her nonetheless.

“It doesn’t matter. Everyone is going to start moving to the auction area soon and I’m not missing out on my man.”

The stage had been modified to include a narrow runway with rows of chairs on both sides. It looked like they were ready for New York Fashion Week!

“Are you gonna tell me what he looks like?” Bailey finally managed to dredge up enough courage to ask.

“Who?”

“That man,” Bailey said with a sharp glance at her friend. She was disappointed when Lucy shook her head. Her blonde curls tumbled around her shoulders and glimmered in the overhead lights.

“Sorry, girl, he was dressed up as Santa and when he straightened, his fake beard was back in place. She gestured around them. “He could be any of these Santas.”

Bailey did her best to hide her disappointment. Not that she intended to bid on anyone but she would’ve liked to know what the wicked sensual wizard looked like.

“Then how will you know whom to bid on? Your man?” Bailey asked, frowning.

“Oh, that’s easy. Rob will give me a heads up when he appears on stage.”

Bailey was confused. On one hand, she wanted the unseen stranger who’d managed to tie her stomach, and pussy, for that matter, in knots. So much so that she was thinking of spending hundreds of thousands to get him. Only to have common sense intrude.

Not gonna happen, Bailey. You’re way too levelheaded to do something like this.

The atmosphere became charged as the emcee for the evening indicated the start of the auction. The women laughed excitedly and waited for the first Santa with bated breaths.

Loud music cued and Santa number one strutted down the catwalk. Bailey stared intently at him. He was tall, muscled and well-built under the suit.

She didn’t know what she was expecting but there was nothing. No pull or electric charge to tip her if he was the one who had floored her mind.

The second Santa was Lucy’s man, as she’d named him.

“Good lord, who are you and what have you done to Lucy?” she joked as she watched Lucy continue to bid higher and higher. Lucy had always been like this. Once her mind was set on something, no one and nothing could stand in her way. And she was hell bent on getting her Santa!

“Lucy, I hope you have extra savings to squander away because you’re already five grand over the bonus I paid you,” Bailey warned her gently

Lucy’s shoulders slumped. “I didn’t expect the bidding to be this steep,” she said dejectedly.

“I’m not surprised. Your Santa is popular. And he clearly excites all the women.”

“The proceeds go to child protection and welfare. I suppose that’s partly why these women are prepared to push up the bids. The owners will add an equal amount to the kitty. It’s just my luck to be competing against all the rich bitches of Chicago.”

Her disappointment was deflating to watch. Bailey softened and hugged her briefly.

“Go for it, girlfriend. I’ll make up the difference.”

“I can’t expect you to do that,” she breathed and then said with rising excitement, “Are you sure?”

“It’s for a good cause. Go for it. Go get your man. But, no more than a hundred thousand. We need to be practical.”

Lucy got up and said in a clear voice, clearly warning the others off. “One hundred thousand dollars.”

Silence followed. Bailey almost attacked the tall brunette standing next to Lucy when she smiled and opened her mouth to counter.

She never got further than drawing a breath. Lucy’s man himself closed the bid with a decisive, “Sold, to the pretty blonde elf in the front.”

Bailey laughed when Lucy’s legs crumbled and she slumped into the chair.

“He wants me, Bailey. Did you see that?”

“Yeah, I did but don’t forget the rule, girlfriend.”

Lucy smiled sweetly. “Yeah, don’t offer yourself on a silver platter. Don’t worry, my darling, he’s gonna work for a piece of this pretty elf’s ass.”

“That’s the spirit.”

The following Santa strutted on the ramp and the women shrieked as he did a hip wiggle in front of them. He caught her eye and winked at her. Bailey frowned and stared at him.

Nothing.

Not a twinge of heat or expectation followed. This was not her seductive Santa.

“Come on, Bailey. There’s only two left. You have to get yourself a Santa to play with,” Lucy prodded her.

Bailey caught Rob’s eyes across the stage and returned his smile. He was robust but sinfully attractive.

“I’ll blow Rob’s whistle later. He’s also dressed in a Santa suit.”

“Oh, please. You’re bored with Rob, Bailey and you know it. Come on, here comes number four.” 

She’d grown very fond of Rob over the past couple of years but Lucy had hit the nail on the head. Sexually, she was bored with him. Bailey turned back to the stage.

Shivers.

He strode forward with long, easy strides and a shadow of a smile on his lips. He seemed unaffected by the cheers and lewd catcalls the women were making. He stopped in the middle of the catwalk. Right in front of Bailey, spread his legs and folded his arms across his chest.

The bidding started. It was a frantic rush and within minutes it toppled a hundred K. His expression didn’t change. Bailey wished she could see what he looked like. He was tall, probably six feet two, and she knew the red Santa suit was hiding a muscled body. His face was obscured by a white curly wig, a moustache and beard. But his blue eyes shone.

Shudders.

He didn’t have to search for her. His eyes caught hers with such accuracy she was left gasping for breath. It was him.

Challenge.

“Three-hundred thousand dollars.”

“Bailey! Holy shitballs! What happened to practicality?”

She only realized the voice, that silenced the entire room, was hers when Lucy’s shocked voice registered.

His wicked lips turned upward. It was so brief that Bailey thought it was her imagination. He didn’t wait for further bidding or confirmation. He simply turned and walked off the stage.

“Well, I guess that means Santa number four just closed the bit for the pretty Ms. Clause in the tiny white tutu.”

“Holy shitballs, Lucy. What the hell have I just done?”

“You don’t know?” Lucy giggled as they walked toward the reception area where they had to pay for their Santa Clauses.

“You, girlfriend, have just bought yourself a Santa Dom.”

Holy reindeer shitballs!