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“I can’t believe you dragged me into this.” You whisper playfully to Louise as you walk arm in arm into one of the local bars. The place had been decked out in twinkling lights and snowflakes, holiday music pumping through the speakers.
“I won tickets in the raffle, and I was told that Derek wouldn’t be interested in this.” Louise beams at you. You two had become fast friends at work, and she was someone who was so effervescent and bright it was hard to say no. “Plus, it goes to a good cause, we don’t have to bid on anything.”
There are a few donation buckets for the San Diego ASPCA, as well as a couple signs that say that all profits of the evening will be donated. A few days ago, your office had held a holiday party, as well as a raffle for tickets to a special charity auction. Louise appears at your elbow holding two cocktails, handing you one.
“Let’s grab a table.” She says, her excitement is contagious, and you can’t help but grin.
Once you’re settled at a table, you get a chance to look around at the people packed into the bar. Most are dressed in their holiday finest, conversation and laughter adding to the buzzing energy in the room. There are servers wandering around, carrying trays of drinks and snacks. One walks by and you do a double take, nearly choking on your drink.
The server is tall, heavily muscle, stunningly handsome with a smile that was brighter than anything you dared to look at without sunglasses. He was also only wearing a pair of red velvet shorts with white faux fur at the waistband and hem.
“See something you like?”
Oh. His voice is warm and rich, slides down your back smooth and easy. Louise kicks you under the table and you squeak, realizing you’ve been staring at him mute. “Yes. Yeah, sure we’ll take some of that. Those.” You point to the appetizers on the tray he’s offering. “The snack. Snacks.”
His laugh is just as good as his voice, plush lower lip caught between his teeth when he winks, placing a plate on the table between you and Louse before walking off.
“Smooth.” Louise says. “Real smooth.”
“Did you see him?” You mutter, taking a sip of your drink. “Snack. Snack.” You pinch the bridge of your nose. “I’m not allowed to talk for the rest of the night, okay?”
“Sweetheart, that man is a whole fucking buffet.” Louise is tracking him around the room. “Hell, all the waiters are full on meals. Snacks serving snacks.”
You dare to look around, seeing that most of the servers were dressed like the one who had stopped by your table. There are a few women as well, wearing red tank camisoles and shorts trimmed in faux fur just like the men.
A bell clangs loudly, the conversation dying down. The lights in the bar go down, the music getting a little quieter. There’s a squawk of microphone feedback, the crowd protesting. “Ladies and Gentlemen, we at the Hard Deck would like to welcome you to our first annual Secret Santa Auction! My name is Penny, and I will be your MC for the evening.” Cheers rise, some whistling. You clap, getting caught up in the merriment.
“All evening you have seen what is up for auction. Our lovely servers have volunteered not only to help me host this evening, but their time as well.” The woman with the mic is all smiles and beautiful. “Those who place the highest bid on each of our lots…” she points to the servers who wave. “Will win a dinner date with the Helper Elf they win. Proceeds will be split between a few local charities.”
You can feel the grin spreading on Louise’s face, the weight of her gaze. “Oh no.”
“Oh yes.” She lights up. “I mean when’s the last time you went out on a date?”
“It wouldn’t be a date.” You motion between the two of you. “This, this is more of a date than what that would be.”
“Think of it as doing a good deed. All proceeds go to the sweet puppies and kittens.”
“You’ve lost your mind.” You mutter.
“You’re thinking about it. Chase that thought.” Louise grins.
“First up, we have a Helper Elf Bobby who is sweeter than sugar, and definitely on the nice list.” Penny’s voice amplified by the mic calls out. Standing next to her is a man, in the same shorts, but he’s wearing a t-shirt that matched the women’s camisoles. “A true Southern gentleman, he’s got a little spice but don’t worry, he’ll treat you like royalty. And, if you play your cards right, he’ll let you know what Bob really stands for.”
There’s some hooting and hollering, a few wolf whistles. The man, Bobby, next to Penny flushes darkly, but smiles. One of those smiles that is sweet but promises mischief.
“Bidding starts at 50 dollars!”
Bids climb quickly, a bidding war between two women. The bell clangs again, the final bid being $600. Bobby blows a kiss to the woman who placed the winning bid and disappears down a hallway.
“Please see Santa Mav, and we’ll get your gift all sorted.” Penny says, pointing to a man wearing a Santa hat and fake beard. “We’ve got two more Helper Elves waiting to make dinner plans with you, and then we’ll take a little break.”
“Our next Helper Elf is the beautiful Natasha!” A woman with dark hair and a wicked smile stands next to Penny. “If you’re lucky enough to join this spitfire for dinner, be on your toes. She’s got beauty and brains as well as an impressive right hook.”
There’s a few more good-natured catcalls and wolf whistles.
“A creature of legend, Phoenix will be someone you won’t ever forget. Bidding starts at $50 please!” The bids move even faster than they did with Bob, capping out at $750. Natasha waves at the winner, a deep flush on her cheeks before she’s disappearing down the same hall Bob had.
“Square up with Santa Mav!” Penny calls. “We have one more Helper Elf….” Protesting groans interrupt her. “For now, we’re going to let you all have a bit more fun before we bring out more beef.”
The server from earlier takes his place next to Penny. He towers over her, the twinkling Christmas lights making his skin nearly glow with warmth. His smile is so easy and gentle, and you swallow hard when his gaze seemingly lands on you. He winks, and butterflies explode in your tummy.
“There’s no way I can afford this.” You mutter, “I mean dinner with him is going to be ridiculous.”
“You’re getting it.” Louise grins. “Consider it my gift to you.”
“Louise,” you hiss.
“There’s a spark between the two of you. Let’s see what happens.” She grins, taking a sip of her drink. “It’ll be a great story to tell your parents. ‘This is my boyfriend, I won him in an auction.’”
You can’t help but laugh at that. You glance toward the makeshift stage and he’s watching you. There’s no mistaking it, warm brown eyes locked on you, his smile no less warm, but a bit softer.
“This is Helper Elf Javy.” Penny draws out his name, cheers rising once more. “While Southern boy Bob is all sugar, Javy is all spice. Hailing from New Orleans, this hot Cajun man will have you howling at the moon like a wild Coyote.” Once the yells had died down, Penny continues. “Bidding starts at $50.”
“Two hundred!” Louise yells.
“Two-fifty,” another woman calls.
“Three hundred.” A third enters the bidding war.
“Louise.” You glare at her, and she ignores you.
“Christmas and birthdays for the next ten years.” She mutters. “Six-fifty.”
“I’m splitting this with you.” You mutter.
“Deal, but I’m not going on the date.” Louise grins, “plus it’s a tax write off.” She winks. The bid had had risen, “Eight hundred!” Louise yells.
“Sold!” Penny calls out, ringing the bell. “Please see Mav and get everything settled.” Javy blows a kiss toward your table, and Louise ‘catches’ it, pressing it to your cheek.
“Come on,” Louise takes your hand, taking you over to the man dressed in the Santa suit. “Can we split this?”
He grins at the two of you, “Of course. Cash or cards ladies?” You pay your half with cash and a card, Louise paying off her half as well. “The winner can go ahead and join Coyote in the back room. Chat for a little bit and figure out some of the details.” He hands the two of you receipts.
“Now, go get your date.” Louise teases. “I’ll keep the table for us.”
You wander down the hallway, the noise of the bar fading away. You knock on a door labeled with a ‘staff only’ sign, and it opens. Javy is standing in front of you, that wide, beautiful smile on his face.
“I was hoping I’d see you.” He offers his hand, and you take it, letting him pull you further into the room. The door closes behind you. “If this wasn’t your type of thing, I was going to try to catch you before you left.”
“It’s not,” you laugh softly. “My friend won tickets to the auction, and she decided that you would be a good person to set me up with.”
“That’s a good friend.”
You introduce yourself properly, and the way he says your name makes your breath hitch. “I think it’s really sweet that you’re volunteering yourself.”
“It’s for a good cause.” Javy says. “When can I take you to dinner?” He pauses, flashing another one of those mega-watt smiles. “I mean, I’ve got a couple more hours here, and we could get something to eat afterward.”
“Is there anything open that late?”
“Sugar,” he says softly, and you look up from your shoes. “I’m asking you out now, not just for the dinner.”
“Really?”
He reaches out, gently lifting your chin up. His eyes are warm and gentle, his smile no less radiant, but far gentler. “Yes, really. I nearly forgot my name when I saw you walk in. I switched with one of the others so I would be able to talk to you at the table.” Javy’s touch is so warm and gentle, and you can’t help but smile back at him.
“I would like to get something to eat with you. Tonight.” You say, the words coming out in a jumbled rush. “And maybe two weeks from now. Saturday night.”
“I’d like that.” Javy says, writing his name with yours under the date that you tossed out for the auction dinner.
There’s a knock on the door before it opens slightly, a man sticking his head in. “We’ve got fifteen more minutes, Javy. I can’t stall for you any longer buddy.”
“I’ll be right there Rooster.” Javy says. The door closes, and he turns to you. “I’ll meet you in the parking lot after?” He shifts his weight, and you smile. It’s cute that this massive man is acting shy.
/end