Page 2 of Mistletoe and Mischief

“I hope we get to save some horses tonight.” I’m not sure if someone his age will get my song reference, but I don’t care. He’s not one of the men I have my eye on.

He tips his hat, a slow grin spreading across his face. I wink and sashay past, my hips swaying to the festive music. Spotting the group of businessmen I’ve been pimping all evening, the ones that make my knees weak and my sex wet, I approach with a playful gleam in my eye.

“One night with me to be wild and free!” A single night is what the auction winners get with the virgin they win, but in past auctions, relationships have developed. I don’t want these guys to get any ideas that they control my entire future. I have my own plans.

A twinge of guilt wiggles inside of me for the man’s heart I crushed two years ago. He was great, but he was ready to settle down. I wasn’t even close. Not allowing myself to go down that emotional spiral, I lock eyes with one of the bidders I’m interested in.

The man I’ve decided is the most adventurous of the group is on the phone, but laughs and calls me a savvy, raven-haired hottie. Yes.

One of the other men in the group says, “He’s on the phone with our roommate. Not sure if he’s going to make it.”

“Don’t tease me with the possibility of four guys.”

Their other friend laughs. “I don’t think he’s coming. We’d have to take the party to him.”

I can’t put a finger on what I love about these guys so much, but I’m not falling prey to any extra commitment. “If that’s a sneaky way of getting me out of here, your friend is going to be disappointed. The party already has a venue.”

“You’re a quick thinker. I like that.”

“Like it with your dollars.” I wink, turn away, and head beside the stage where Sabrina and Betsy are talking.

I blow a few kisses at potential bidders then focus on my friends. “Girls, this is it! Those three hot guys I’ve been teasing have a fourth friend. Lust ‘em and leave ‘em.”

Betsy grins. “You sure can compartmentalize.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re hoping to have sex with four men tonight. But tomorrow you’ll be right back on track with the Single, Savvy, and Successful Sirens competition. You don’t miss a beat.”

Sabrina nods approvingly. “I think you’ll win. Your bikini barista plan is so perfect—single women succeeding in business. Plus, the low overhead, high profit margin, and outstanding tips for you wild types.”

Sabrina’s smile fades.

I’ve been worried she wouldn’t be able to commit to the auction, especially on such short notice. A different group of women had signed up for the virgin auction, but when they couldn’t make it, I convinced two of my friends to save the day with me. We were already there as waitresses, so it was easy, just sign the contract and change into the sexy dresses. I try to get her out of her head. “I’ll hire you as a barista, just say the word?”

Sabrina shifts uncomfortably. “That’s still a ‘no’. But I’m getting cold feet about losing my virginity tonight.”

I wrap an arm around her shoulders. “The contract is clear. You can back out at any time, but this is the only guarantee that you’ll have a good first—”

A voice pipes up behind us. “Can I ask you about the bikini barista thing?”

We turn to see Naomi, one of the other waitresses. She picks at the lace neckline of her dress.

“Yeah, I’m opening up a line of coffee shops. Need a job?” I ask.

Naomi bites her lip. “I already have one job, but I could use another. Is it—being a bikini barista—safe?”

“Safety is part of my personal commitment to my employees. We’ll have cameras and rules. And the tips are insane based on the business models I’m following.”

Naomi’s gaze goes distant and her mouth drops open.

“You okay?” I turn to see who she’s looking at. There are a lot of jaw-droppers in here, including the flannel-clad, beard-sporting mountain men who are making dad bods my new favorite thing.

Maybe I picked the wrong guys. This rugged group looks like a lot of fun, and there are at least two of them. As the crowd shifts, I see one more. Yum.

Naomi’s gaze darts between me and the mountain men. I point out, “They’d be a catch.”

She’s practically swooning but there’s uncertainty in her expression. She looks at the floor and mumbles, “That would solve…”

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