Page 6 of Collars & Kittens
“Maybe someday.”
We’re both quiet for a moment as years of friendship pass between us before her eyes twinkle mischievously. “Well, until Mr. Right comes along, I have something that might interest you.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
She grins. “Have you heard of the KHZY Hazy Cove Radio Valentine’s Day contest?”
My curiosity is piqued. “No, what’s that?”
“They’ve got a bunch of eligible bachelors in your town who are offering themselves up for a date on Valentine’s Day. You have to apply on their website.”
I snort. “You know I don’t like dating websites.”
Am I ready to date again?I keep the thought to myself because I’m not sure of the answer.
She rolls her eyes. “Livvy, this is how people meet these days. But this isn’t a dating website, it’s a contest. You don’t have a guy in your life, so what’s the harm in looking?”
I giggle nervously as my stomach tightens into knots. “I don’t know.”
I’m not willing to admit how afraid I am to date after what happened with Ben. The breakup shattered my self-confidence, and I don’t know who I am anymore. I’m happier, but I’m like a different person from the one who thought she was going to be a lawyer. I used to think I was in charge of my life and knew exactly what I wanted. Now I second guessmyself on everything, and I don’t like it. Just...how did Ben fool me for so long? Why didn’t I see he was a jackass?
“Come on, Olivia. Don’t overthink it.”
Sierra can tell I’m not seriously considering it, and after she needles me for twenty minutes, I finally give in. “All right, all right. I’ll look at it. But I’m not promising anything.”
She grins. “That’s all I ask, darling. I want you to have some fun. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find a smoking-hot firefighter on the list.”
An image of Dr. Dalton Harrington pops into my head. How about a smoking-hot veterinarian instead? There’s no way he’d be in the contest, that’s a pipe dream.
“Let me know if you see any hotties. I expect full reports.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “You got it. I’ll give you all the steamy details.”
We chat for a few more minutes before reluctantly saying goodnight. I love connecting with Sierra. It makes me feel less alone.
After we hang up, I glance at the clock. It’s getting late, but I’m not quite ready for bed yet. I pull up the contest website Sierra mentioned, figuring I’ll take a quick peek.
The KHZY website is professional, better than I expected, and the contest link is easy to find. There are photos and short bios for five local men. I scroll through curiously, recognizing a couple I saw around town. Most are decent guys, but no one catches my—
I freeze, doing a double take. Dr. Dalton Harrington’s handsome face smiles up at me from the screen. Holy shit. He actually entered this thing?
His bio says he’s the only vet in Hazy Cove—I snicker at that. As if this town is big enough for more than one—and he’s never done anything like this before. If he had one wish, he’s hoping to promote animal welfare while spending an enjoyable evening with a local woman. Aww, what a sweetheart.
As I read about the contest and the rules and skim over information about radio interviews before and after the date, I’m intrigued and can’thelp but imagine what it might be like to go on a date with Dalton. Would he be a gentleman, or does he have a fiery side?
The website says that I can submit a dating request for the specific man I’m interested in by filling out a questionnaire. After February 7th, the men will look through the women and choose their winners. It’s not like Dalton would actually choose me, so I’m not sure why I’m considering trying.
My thoughts race as images and fantasies of what I want him to do to me play in a continuous loop, each more vivid and tantalizing than the last. I can feel my panties growing damp as I debate whether I should enter. This is a crazy idea, right? He’s way too old for me, but more importantly, I’m not ready to date. It would be wrong to win when I have no intention of anything long term…but God, he’s so damn sexy.
I think back, picturing his massive hands, and a shiver runs down my body. After Agnes’s appointment, I unpacked my sex toys and spent some time reconnecting with my sexuality. I almost forgot how nice it is to do something for my own pleasure. I can thank Dalton for waking up that part of myself again.
Since then, I’ve been playing with my toys regularly and daydreaming about a real cock inside me or finally finding out what the big deal is about a guy going down on you. Half of the time, that imaginary cock is connected to someone who looks suspiciously like Dalton. Why keep playing with my toys when I have the chance of getting the real thing? It’s just one date, it’s not like we’re walking down the aisle to the altar.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I start the application. If I miraculously won, it would be one night. A fun way to dip my toe back into dating without too much pressure. I upload a recent photo of myself and fill out my basic information.
Name: Olivia Ruiz.
Age: 24.
