Page 34 of Secret Pucking Unicorn

He grimaces. “Aye, we are to stand on stage like stallions at stud and get bid on. I offered to write a check to buy my freedom, but Teagan won’t let me.” The plea in his blue eyes makes it obvious what he’s going to ask of me. “Please bid whatever you must to win me. Here’s my credit card.” He shoves the card into my hand, then clasps his hands behind his back so I can’t give it back.

I know Declan is trying to save money to buy his farm. I don’t want him to waste it on this. As I slip his card into my clutch, I think about the balance on my credit card left over after I wrapped up things in New Zealand before I left and my flight here. I can bid around two thousand dollars, but it will be every penny I have available to me. It’s absolutely worth it in order to have time with Declan. Hopefully, the bidding won’t go too high, because the thought of another woman getting to spend time with Declan tonight is too dire to consider.

“I’ll do the best I can,” I promise.

They open the doors for the guests, and soon the ballroom is full of men in suits and women in gorgeous dresses. There is an air of merriment, and the champagne is flowing. Because Dec is taller than average, he’s easy to spot in the crowd as he meets fans and poses for pictures. An advantage of him being almost seven feet tall is, all the women who would try to kiss him on the cheek can’t reach him. I feel a jolt when his eyes meet mine over the crowd. When he gives me a sexy wink and a half smile, it’s more than a jolt. It’s like I stuck my finger in an electrical socket while standing in a bathtub full of water. It’s a pulse throughout my body, concentrating on my abdomen and nether regions. I want this man. I’ve always been attracted to him, but this is the first time I’ve felt a bone-deep desire like this.

The players get time off through the night to eat away from the fans or spend time with their dates. When it’s Declan’s turn, he beelines for me.

“Have you eaten yet?” he asks.

I shake my head.

“Would you like to join me?”

“Yeah,” I say, suddenly feeling shy.

He takes my hand and tingles run up my arm.

We fill our plates with lobster, filet mignon, and other delicious things that are thankfully not the haggis we would have if we were celebrating Hogmanay in Scotland.

We take seats with Brick, Crosby, Daphne, and Logan.

“Isn’t this spread incredible?” Brick asks, as she enjoys her shrimp cocktail.

“It is. Miranda is thrilled it’s not a Hogmanay feast,” Declan says.

Logan smiles knowingly. “Not a fan of haggis, Randi?”

I shudder at the thought.

“What’s haggis?” Daphne asks.

“You don’t want to know,” Declan and Logan say in unison, causing me to choke on the sip of champagne.

Daph looks at me, and I shake my head, agreeing with the guys she’s better off not knowing the truth about haggis.

“The auction is next,” Brick says. “I hope whoever bids is okay playing blackjack.”

“Same,” Crosby says. “What about you, Mac?”

He shrugs. “Depends who wins. I’d be okay doing karaoke or dancing.”

“I didn’t think you could dance,” Brick says.

My head whips around to Dec because I know he’s lying.

“No, I said I don’t dance. I can dance, but I usually choose not to.” He bumps me with his shoulder. “I’ll dance with Miranda if she wins me.”

I bump him back. “Are you saying I have to pay you to get you to dance with me?”

“Eh, maybe you can convince me to give you a freebie.”

“Be careful, Randi,” Logan says. “The first one is free to get you hooked.”

Yeah, like I need any help with that.

Teagan pokes her head in the side room we’re inhabiting.

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