Page 6 of Simply Irresistible

Chapter 2

Keep breathing, I say, stationing myself in front of the full-body mirror. I can do this. My attention falls to my feet. I'm wearing black high heels with ankle straps that show off my toned legs. My eyes wander further to my form-fitted moss green dress that ends a centimeter above the knee. Okay, I look good in this outfit. My hair is flowing around my face, and my make-up is natural with eyeliner, blush, and a hint of lip gloss.

"God, I'm nuts for doing this. Alisha, you owe me," I mumble while my heart palpitates in my chest. She might be one of my best friends, but persuading me to take part in a charity auction is ridiculous. I'm moments away from standing on a podium where men will bid on me for a date.

Amanda, Alisha's boss, has organized this auction. It's a fundraising event for the children's hospital. While hosting this unique event, Amanda puts her clothing line in the spotlight by bringing each participant on stage in one of her outfits. Alisha had to find one participant for this evening, and that turned out to be me.

Why didn't I stick with my first answer?

My hands get clammy imagining myself going to dinner with a stranger, and I pinch the bridge of my nose with two fingers.

What if I hate the guy? Or he turns out to be a serial killer or a pervert with a weird fetish? I groan to myself. Going on a dinner date is scaring the shit out of me.

"Hey, girl!"

Bella walks into my dressing room, and we hug each other. Together with Alisha, this woman has been with me through thick and thin. She is gentle and relaxed—the opposite of Alisha's straight-talking, in your face personality. Despite their differences, though, both women are like sisters.

"Alisha persuaded you to take part in the auction." She giggles.

"Oh, please. It's making me sick to my stomach. Want to go in my place?"

Bella gives me a playful wink. "No way. Keep in mind, it's for a noble cause."

"There's no way I'm going to raise any money. I'm a mother with a six-year-old daughter. These men will run for the hills when they discover that. The guys out there don't want that kind of commitment."

Bella's facial expression has changed from happy to determined. "Oh, please. You are a gorgeous, young, hot mommy," she declares, placing her hands on her hips. "And Charlotte is the coolest kid you could ask for."

I laugh at her supportive statement. "Thanks, Bella, for boosting a girl’s confidence."

"To be honest, it's time you put yourself back on the market."

I rub my hands over my face. "Yeah, but I don't want to give Charlotte false hope."

"What?" Bella shrugs. "You're going on one date. You're not marrying the man."

I take a deep breath and explain my concerns, "Charlotte told me she hopes I find her a new daddy tonight."

Bella blinks in silence at this revelation.

"This morning, she asked if her real daddy loves her, and if he will ever come back."

Bella takes a deep breath. "Damn, that's a hard conversation."

"Yes, it was," I say while fidgeting at my clothing. "So, you're right. I need to be open to meeting a nice man."

"Okay, stop it there," Bella says, lifting a finger and pointing it at me.

"Let's be clear. You're not settling for a nice man, girlfriend. You need to set your guy bar way higher." She waves her hand above her head. "So, you're going for an irresistible, panty-dropping man that can swoop you off your feet."

I roll my eyes at her comment. "That is raising the bar to skyscraper heights.”

"It's better than waiting and settling for a conservative, likable guy. They will bore you in no time. I've dated those,” she mumbles. "You need to trust me when I say you need to find a panty-dropping, super-passionate man." Bella's lips curl upwards. "Because it's time for you to get laid, girlfriend.” She points to my cross with an enormous smile. "How long have you been without a hard cock between your legs?"

Heat colors my cheeks red at Bella's straightforward question.

"That's what I mean," she says while cocking an eyebrow. "Since Charlotte, you haven't been with a man. Your body is craving a real man: not that pink vibrator we gave you a few years ago. Please tell me you're at least using that from time to time."

I didn't imagine I could turn redder than this, but my face must be the color of an overripe tomato with Bella's intrusive questioning. Right away, my mind drifts to the past.

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