He’s turned something so devastating and painful that happened to him into something filled with hope and love.
I squeeze his hand resting on my thigh, and he interlocks our fingers, as his thumb absently rubs my skin.
Turning to look at me, his blue eyes hold mine as he leans over, kissing me softly on the lips.
“Thanks for being here with me,” he says quietly, moving to my ear before another soft kiss touches my neck.
“There’s nowhere I’d rather be,” I smile into his hair before we focus our attention on the next speaker.
Leaning back, his arm rests against the back of my chair as his hand cups the back of my neck, doing delicious things to my insides when I feel his fingers lightly massage me.
By the time the auction starts, the mood in the room has turned to excitement as guests filled with good food and drinks get ready for the bidding.
I’m feeling pretty good on wine myself and excited to see the items for sale. I scan the list and stop when I see the last thing listed to bid on.
Dance the first dance with a Bayside Bolt.
#13 Jett Hayes
#36 Thane McCormick
#88 Colton Foxx
#27 Hunter Kane
#40 Cayden Blade
#22 Knox Stone
“You’re being auctioned?” I squeak in Knox’s ear.
“What?” He looks confused as he reads the card. “Shit. I forgot about that. They mentioned it to me in passing a few months ago and thought it would be a good money-raiser. I had forgotten all about it.”
“It’s going to raise money all right,” I mutter. I’ve seen the way girls have been eyeing Knox all night. Some of them are not even trying to hide what they want from him as they undress him with their eyes. It clearly doesn’t matter to them that he’s beenall over me in plain sight for everyone to see. They definitely don’t play by girl code, that’s for sure.
“You jealous, sunshine?” His eyebrow lifts as he tries to hide a smile.
“Would you be okay ifIwere up on stage and letting guys bid on me for a dance? Maybe I should bid on one of your teammates. It’s for a good cause, right?”
I wipe his smug smile right off his face with that one.
“Point taken,” he says, quietly. “I’ll just tell them I’ve changed my mind when they call me up on stage,” he decides, like it’s no big deal.
Watching the paddles fly up around me as another item is shown, I slowly shake my head. “No, don’t do that,” I sigh. “I’m being ridiculous. It’s just a dance, and you’ll undoubtedly raise the highest amount. I’m not taking that away from the kids just because I don’t want to watch you dance with another girl.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you upset over this.”
“I’m fine. Really.”
His eyes look uncertain, but he pulls them away when he hears his name being called. Sighing, he stands and walks to the front, getting on stage with the other players.
“Knox is being auctioned?” Olivia whispers across the table.
“Yep,” I say briskly, keeping my eyes trained on the room for anyone who dares raise a paddle.
“Oh shit,” Miles chuckles, and I ignore him completely.
“The last auction of the night is a good one, ladies,” the auctioneer says excitedly. “Bid on your favorite Bayside Bolt, and you’ll be starting off the evening in their arms as you kick off the first dance.”
