LITMIR.BIZ

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the laughter and applause that arose from the ballroom each time the bidding concluded for an individual, Cassidy decided it wouldn’t take long to get to Tim.

      Still, she lingered in front of the long mirror, taking a second to add a touch more orange-marmalade gloss to her mouth before fluffing her hair with her fingers. For the evening festivities, she’d resurrected the true blond of her childhood then tipped the ends with royal blue to match the color of her eyes.

      Though she often wore glasses in vivid hues or patterns, the frames were a fashion accessory rather than a necessity. Tonight she’d left them in the small apartment over her shop, the place she now called home.

      Cassidy smiled broadly, making sure there were no lipstick smudges on her teeth. Satisfied, she sauntered into the ballroom on five-inch heels.

      After obtaining a number for bidding, she secured a spot halfway back from the stage and watched the spirited bidding for a date with Zippy. Mr. Business Exec with the receding hairline and Mr. Snowboarder with the sun-streaked shaggy hair both seemed equally determined to win a date with the beautiful attorney.

      Zippy was the last woman on the list. The bidding reached one thousand dollars before Business Exec conceded to Snowboarder. Once the applause ended, many of those who’d stayed to watch headed to the adjacent ballroom where silent-auction items flanked the perimeter of the room and a champagne fountain anchored the center. A plethora of hot hors d’oeuvres were dispensed by waiters in black pants and white shirts, holding silver trays.

      Thankfully, not everyone left in search of food and drink. Cassidy calculated at least a hundred remained in the ballroom when Lexi stepped forward to introduce Tim. The dark-haired social worker, lovely in navy chiffon, included in her introductory remarks that Tim had grown up in Jackson Hole, was a respected member of the medical community and the father of twin girls.

      The young doctor’s face remained calm but Cassidy wasn’t fooled. He was nowhere as relaxed and confident as he appeared. Her fingers tightened on the numbered paddle in her hand. She’d made a promise and was ready to do her duty.

      Nick, Lexi’s husband and well-known family law attorney, was serving as the event’s guest auctioneer. He took the microphone from his wife and his gaze scanned the audience. “Do I hear a bid of one hundred?”

      For a second the room was silent. One hundred was the lowest acceptable bid. From what she’d overheard while she waited, the lowest winning bid so far had been three hundred, while eleven hundred was the night’s record. Most had come in around five hundred.

      Cassidy was just lifting her paddle when she saw a redhead off to her right raise hers.

      She recognized the woman in the sexy black dress that hugged a taut body and emphasized ample breasts. Leila Daltry was a customer at Clippity Do Dah. She stopped by regularly to get her hair cut and for an occasional color boost. A registered nurse, the striking redhead worked in the obstetrics department at the hospital. Though she wasn’t the right woman for Tim, Cassidy liked her well enough.

      Nick asked for a two-hundred-dollar bid. When none was forthcoming he moved into his going once, twice speech. Cassidy stopped him by lifting her number. No way was she letting Leila get Tim that cheap.

      Leila turned slowly and her cat-green eyes narrowed. Though the RN had always been friendly enough, Cassidy absorbed the feral gleam directed her way and grinned back.

      If Leila thought a hostile glance could intimidate her, she was mistaken. Cassidy Kaye ate feral cats for breakfast.

      “Three hundred,” Nick confirmed when Leila waved her paddle as he upped the bid.

      The curious gazes of the well-dressed men and women in the room were now shifting between her and Leila. Once again, Nick upped the bid. Without even thinking, Cassidy lifted her number.

      “Four hundred is the bid,” Nick called out. “Do I hear five?”

      The redhead hesitated now, her gaze shifting from Tim’s impassive expression to Cassidy’s cool gaze. Though nurses were paid well, the cost of living in Jackson Hole was through the roof. Five hundred dollars was a lot of money.

      Leila tossed her head and raised her paddle.

      “We’re at five hundred dollars,” Nick pronounced. “Will someone give us six?”

      Let it go, Cassidy told herself. Five hundred was a respectable bid.

      “Going twice,” she heard Nick say.

      Without taking a second to talk herself out of it, Cassidy shot her hand into the air.

      “We have six hundred.”

      Leila’s head snapped around and the satisfied smirk on her face vanished. If looks could kill, Cassidy would be six feet under.

      “Going once, going twice. Six hundred dollars to number ninety-eight.”

      It was a charitable donation, Cassidy told herself as she wrote out the check. Though she had to admit dropping that amount of money in a single night hurt.

      Or rather it did until she turned and found Tim standing. Right. There.

      “I’m sorry you got stuck,” he said.

      Normally never at a loss of words, for a second Cassidy could only stare. Her heart gave a painful twist.

      “I mean, I know you were only trying to increase the bid. I can give you the money to—”

      She shot out a hand, stopping him before he could say more. “You’re not getting out of our date that easily. I bought you fair and square, mister.”

      He smiled then, a warm easy lifting of his lips that did strange things to her insides. And when he took her arm, she realized he was worth every penny.

      They strolled into the ballroom, where they both enjoyed a glass of champagne. After handing the empty glasses to a passing waiter, they wandered out onto the veranda, where the conversation shifted from mutual friends and future events to their upcoming “date.”

      “I’ll pay for the evening.” Tim’s tone brooked no argument. “You pick where we go. Fair?”

      Cassidy considered for a moment then nodded.

      The moon bathed his face in a golden glow and a light breeze tousled his hair. He really was a great-looking guy. Not only did he have a fabulous face, his lips were firm and perfectly sculpted.

      As she stared, she wondered what they would feel like, taste like...

      “Sounds like we’ve got a deal.” He stuck his hand out but she ignored it, keeping her gaze focused on his lips.

      Cassidy firmly believed hesitating or second-guessing was for wimps. Stepping close, she wrapped her hands around his neck and covered his mouth with hers.

       Chapter Two

      That smoking-hot kiss was still at the forefront of Tim’s mind two weeks later when he pulled into his parents’ driveway. Probably because this afternoon would be the first time he and Cassidy would be alone together since she’d surprised him so thoroughly after the bachelor auction.

      Over the past four years, his friend Jayne had brushed several kisses across his cheek. Nothing that came close to the sensual feel of Cassidy’s warm full lips plastered against his mouth. Before he could get his rioting emotions under control, he’d kissed her back. And it had taken all of his willpower not to continue kissing her.

      He wondered if that was how they’d end this evening, too...

      “Yippee, we’re here,” one of his daughters called out from the backseat as he eased the car to a stop in front of the two-story white clapboard that had been his home as a child.

      Large leafy trees protected the house and the lush green lawn from the late-afternoon sun. A variety of perfectly groomed bushes added to the home’s well-tended appearance.

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