Read Online Playing for Hearts by Debra Kayn - Free Book Online

money with yours, if you want to try. It’d make a fun date in the future.”
    â€œDeal.” John motioned behind him. “We better go get our seats before the action starts. Do you want to sit with us, Kate?”
    â€œSorry, I can’t. I need to help Jackson behind the scenes. His parents have him talking business with a few of his father’s business partners. You two go win.” Kate leaned over to Shauna and whispered, “Another date? You go, girl.”
    Fifteen minutes into the silent auction, and Shauna couldn’t keep up with who won what item. The men in the group ignored the silent bidding part of the rules, and egged each other on all across the room. The laughter and teasing brought out the most generous wallets, and the high priced items were quickly gone.
    â€œHere comes the one we want.” John slipped his arm behind her. “Get ready.”
    She pressed the paper flag she held in her hand onto his chest. “I can’t do this. You do it.”
    He laughed. “Nope. You’re going to win us our next date.”
    â€œOh God … ” She clutched the flat wooden handle tightly. “I’ve never done this before. I can’t even understand the auctioneer when he’s throwing out the price.”
    â€œThere’s nothing to it. When I squeeze your shoulder, lift your arm high in the air.” He leaned back and crossed his legs. “You’ve got to be fast.”
    The announcement of the beginning of the bidding came and the room quieted. Shauna scooted to the edge of her chair, practically jumping up every time John gave her the signal. She forgot about the others, and put her hand on John’s knee. They were in this together and it didn’t matter if they won or lost, she was having a blast.
    The bell rang, signaling the end of the bidding, and she collapsed back in her chair, laying her head on John’s shoulder, laughing. “That was so much fun. It almost makes me wish we’d won, so we could celebrate.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about? You did win.” John laughed and pulled her up from the chair. “We’ve got a prize to go collect.”
    Her jaw dropped, and she forced herself to recover. “What? We won? Are you sure?”
    He gathered her up in his arms and hugged her. “Damn right. We’ve got ourselves another date and I can’t wait to have you all to myself next time.”
    She smiled. A date. With John. Suddenly, she was looking forward to another night with him.
    It wasn’t until later, when they’d gone outside, that Shauna let her excitement over winning show. The beautiful evening and high spirits had her twirling around in a circle on the grass in her bare feet, shoes in one hand, the certificate in her other hand. She laughed as the cool night air washed over her. If this was the way the rich entertained themselves, then maybe she’d start playing the lottery.
    â€œYou enjoy winning.” John leaned against the side of the house and watched her.
    She held out her arms and danced. “Yes. It’s the best thing ever. I’ll remember everything about this night.”
    John pushed himself away from the wall, cupped her face, and gently kissed her lips. She froze, but before she could think about what he was doing, he told her to wait and he’d go round up the car. She stared out into the darkness where he’d disappeared, smiling. She could do a lot worse than John Bigstraum. He’d done everything right tonight, and she was glad she’d come with him.
    â€œYou have no idea what you’re doing.” A familiar masculine voice came from behind her.
    She whirled around. Grayson stood over at the corner of the patio, his coat thrown over his shoulder. With all the excitement bubbling inside of her, the shadows pushing in on her, Grayson’s presence was like a beacon in the night. She moved toward him, until she could see the stormy