Page 11 of Simply Irresistible

Chapter 3

What have I done? I don't want Emma to feel obligated to go out with me because I bid ten thousand dollars on her. What impression does she have of me?

I focus my attention on Charlotte, who is enjoying her second pink drink, when I realize both she and Emma have a profound effect on me.

While my mind is still racing in circles, I spot Amanda walking on stage. She starts her end speech and thanks everybody for their generous donations. For a moment, she sends me a subtle wink.

"Can I go to Mom now?" Charlotte asks while jumping off her chair and bouncing her weight from one foot to another.

"Sure." I rise and hold out my open palm, and a second later, her small, warm hand grabs mine. As soon as she detects Alisha when we arrive backstage, she lets go of my hand and runs to her while shouting her name.

"Hey, sweetie. Did you enjoy yourself?"

"Yes, I did. Did you see Giant and me at the table?" she asks while twirling on her tiptoes.

"Yes, I saw you!"

"And did you know we bid on Mommy?" Charlotte stops spinning, and her eyes search the room for Emma. Amanda walks up and halts next to Alisha, a smile gracing her face.

"Where's Mom?"

The question has barely left her lips when a voice emerges.

"I'm right here, cupcake."

The little lady spins around and runs into her mother's arms. Emma's face shows love as she welcomes her girl in her arms by returning the hug, and the gesture stirs something in me.

"Did you have a good time?" Emma asks, briefly glancing towards me.

"Yes. Giant and I drank a fruity pink drink. You were the prettiest mommy of the entire night.”

The green-eyed beauty laughs and strokes a delicate hand across her daughter’s cheek. "Well, thank you, sweetheart."

When she stands up and walks past me, a cloud of her scent hits me. It's sweet—a mixture of vanilla and aromatic spices—and it reminds me of a warming drink my grandmother used to make when Amanda and I played in her backyard in the winter. She'd call out our names when it was time to go inside, and when we entered the kitchen, it always smelled the same—vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves. I love that scent.

My eyes drift over Emma, who changed into casual, dark, blue jeans that emphasize her hips, brown shoes with heels and open toes, and a green shirt with buttons on the front.

She stands next to Alisha when she turns and meets my gaze. She bites on her bottom lip, drawing my attention to them, and in my mind, I can't help but wonder, again, what they taste like.

"Uh... thank you for staying and watching Charlotte. I appreciate it," she says while her fingers tuck a lock of shiny brown hair behind her ear.

"No problem. It was my pleasure. We had a brilliant time."

Silence is thick between us, and her cheeks become flustered as we gaze into each other's eyes. My cock reacts, and I feel like I'm back to being a high school kid—staring at the girl he has a secret crush on with his hormones flaring up every time he's near her. She breaks our eye contact and glances at Charlotte, whose face shows a super-sized grin.

"Let's get you home, missy. It's way past your bedtime."

"Do you need a ride home?" I ask, running my hand through my hair.

"Oh. No, thank you. I came in my car," she says while avoiding looking at me.

"Say goodnight to everybody, Charlotte."

"Bye, everybody," she says, waving her hand. When she lifts her head and her eyes pierce mine, I squat in front of her.

"Goodnight, Giant."

Everyone, including Emma, views how she hugs me with her little arms. Her limbs slide around my neck as I lift her off the ground.

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