“We can talk about you.”
That was the end of the laughter, which made me very sorry I’d mentioned it. Luckily, we’d pulled up to the country club where Dane was participating in a charity event. It was the last day of the tournament and still early in the afternoon, so I just needed to find out what hole he was on. I parked the car and before we got out, Lucy placed her hand on my forearm.
“I do want to talk, but not in the car. It’s a really long story, and I just don’t want to start until I can finish it.”
The atmosphere in the car went from light and easy to thick and uncomfortable. It was as if a black cloud hung over us, and I didn’t like that feeling at all. When I slid out of the car, I went to her side to open the door but she beat me to it.
I gently tugged on her arm. “Always remember, I’m on your side. I’ll protect you from whatever or whomever bothers you.” I kissed the top of her head and tried to get that light and easy feel between us again. “Now, let’s go and see how my brother’s balls are doing.”
She smiled up at me. “Thank you.”
We walked toward the large white tent to pick up our passes and were informed that Dane had just made the turn, so we headed for the tenth hole.
“It’s so pretty here,” Lucy said as she scanned the course.
She was right. The grass was so green it looked artificial, and the shrubs were flawlessly manicured. The sky above us was a brilliant shade of blue, which made for a perfect day for golf.
As we approached the tenth hole, Dane was on the tee box.
I leaned over to Lucy and nodded toward him. “That’s Dane.” He had on black slacks and a gray golf shirt. His jet-black hair fanned from under his Titleist cap.
I laced my fingers with hers and maneuvered us so we could see his shot. The ping of a perfectly hit shot rang out, and we watched it sail down the middle of the fairway. When I looked at Lucy, she was squinting.
On her tiptoes, she craned her neck as she whispered, “Where did it go? Was it good?” Her nose crinkled as she shielded her eyes from the sun with her free hand.
I squeezed her hand. “Yes, it was a great shot.”
Dane strolled down the fairway, carrying his own bag. He was so calm and relaxed. What a life my brother had, being able to travel the world while doing what he loved. Like the rest of my family, I wished him well, hoping he made the pros so he could earn a decent living.
We ambled down the fairway to the green and waited for them to hit their next shots. Four golfers played together, and Dane was last since his shot went the farthest.
He swung, and his ball traveled in a high arc to land about four inches away from the cup. Lucy and I applauded along with the rest of the gallery. Dane ended up with a birdie, which made me proud of my brother.
We followed him around the rest of the course and finally made our way to the final hole, number eighteen. The entire afternoon, Lucy never let go of my hand until it was time to clap or cheer. She was so relaxed and carefree, and I loved this side of her. She looked adorable in a little pink skirt that showed off her dreamily shaped legs, and a white V-necked top that accentuated her breasts. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail.
My brother was going to love her.
I glanced down to find Lucy beaming. “I’m so glad you’re my girlfriend.” I pulled our joined hands to my lips and kissed hers.
“Me too.”
Dane ended up placing second, and we met him after he finished posting his scores. He spotted us as soon as he walked out of the players’ tent.
“Hey, big brother.” He set his bag down and took off his cap, stowing it in one of the pockets of his bag before he gave me a brief hug. Then he turned to Lucy.
“Aw, you brought me a gift. Thanks!”
Before I knew it, he had Lucy in his arms. She giggled when he dipped her and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
“Okay, okay. You can let my girlfriend go now.”
Lucy blushed as I pulled her to my side.
“Damn, possessive much?” Dane shot Lucy a wink, and I shook my head.
Typical Dane.
“Lucy, this is my younger and not-so-shy brother Dane. Dane, this is my girlfriend, Lucy.”
“Good to meet you, Lucy.” He maneuvered close to her ear, but spoke loud enough for me to hear. “If you ever get bored with this old man, call me.”
“I don’t see that happening,” she said sweetly with a big smile, “but thank you anyway.”
That’s my girl.
I kissed the top of her head. “Let’s get out of here.” As we made our way to the parking lot, I said, “You did great today, Dane. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks, man, and thanks for coming and bringing my next girlfriend.”
He chuckled, but I put him in a headlock and gave him a noogie like when we were kids. Lucy started laughing, and I finally let him go with a playful shove. Dane rubbed his head and rolled his eyes.
“See you both at the house tomorrow.”
On the way to my parents’ place, I was glad to see Lucy looked at ease. I gave her a sideways glance and said, “Excuse my brother.”
She waved a hand in the air. “I think he’s adorable.”
“Yeah, he’s a cutie, that’s for sure.” Sarcasm dripped from each word, but my brother was undeniably a good-looking man and definitely a chick magnet. I was surprised he didn’t have golf groupies—or maybe he did.
“I envy your family,” Lucy said, her words tinged with a hint of sadness.
“We aren’t perfect.”
“Maybe not, but you have and love each other.” As I glanced at her curiously, she added, “That’s more than some people have.”
She was right; sometimes we took those in our lives for granted. Naturally, no one ever thought they did, but then time passed, things happened, and before you knew it, you forgot to say the three simple words you’d been meaning to say: “I love you.” Some people seemed terrified to say those words, but when you said them to someone you didn’t want to be without, it wasn’t scary at all. It was simple.
I planned to tell Lucy this weekend, and I prayed it wasn’t too soon, but it was how I felt. I’d said those words in my head every time I’d kissed her—and hopefully she heard me.
CHAPTER 15
~ Lucy ~
Wow! I craned my neck to look at the Prescotts’ beach house as we pulled up to it. It was larger than some of the other oceanfront houses on the street, but not at all ostentatious. The swing on the wraparound porch practically called out my name, inviting me to sit down and relax.
When we got out of the car, Drake slung his arm around my shoulder. “Welcome to our home away from home.”
He popped the trunk and grabbed our bags. With my hand in his, we walked up the wood steps leading to the front door that creaked when we opened it. “I’m so glad you’re here with me. It looks like we’re the only ones here.” His eyes sparkled as they met mine.
“Thank you for inviting me.”
Drake showed me around the downstairs, and then we went upstairs and took a long hallway to the end. When he swung open the door, I was sure my chin hit the floor, because the bedroom was absolutely gorgeous. In the center of the bedroom was a king-sized bed with a tufted headboard, covered in luxurious bed linens I couldn’t wait to sink into, surrounded by cream-colored walls adorned with silver-framed abstract pictures in soft colors. Other furnishings looked as if they were antiques, including the rocking chair that sat in the corner, but it was the small bronze chandelier hanging in the center of the ceiling that set this bedroom apart from any other I’d seen.
“This is my favorite room in this house.” He tugged me forward. “Let me show you around.”
That was apparently code for let me strip you naked and get you in the shower because that was exactly what happened. Before I knew it, my T-shirt was off and Drake’s mouth was on my breasts. I dropped my head back and gripped his hair. The warmth of his tongue caressing my nipple through the lace cup of my bra drove me crazy.