The truth was, she royally sucked. Not that she’d admit that to Wes.
He smiled proudly at a ball Bella had launched into the atmosphere. Had to have gone that far, because Kaylee couldn’t see it anymore. “Good job,” he called.
Kaylee swallowed. And swallowed again. Because suddenly something else occurred to her. Wes wasn’t only teaching Bella for the fun of it or because he admired her talent… He genuinely cared for the little girl.
Seeing her self-centered ex teach a little girl how to play his favorite sport had an odd effect on Kaylee’s chest—a pinching, pulling sensation that made her heart ache.
Bella grinned over her shoulder, seeking Wes’s approval.
He nodded and said, “Practice what I taught you the other day while I get Kaylee set up.”
Kaylee squared her shoulders. She would not let Wes acting adorable with a little girl affect her. Lots of men liked kids. This was no different.
Except it was different, because this was Wes.
He’d never cared about anyone but himself. He might have said he loved her when they’d dated, but his actions had made it clear she’d never been his priority.
Kaylee pulled out her golf glove and slipped it on. “How often does Bella practice?”
Wes shrugged. “Her parents come here quite a bit. I’ve been instructing her off and on all summer.” He turned to her, his expression dead serious. “That girl’s gonna be a pro someday.”
For a moment, Kaylee just stared. He almost seemed to care more about a small child’s success than his own. And that wasn’t like him at all.
“What if she decides to quit golf and take up dance?” She was goading him like she used to do. Only now she wasn’t sure how he’d take it.
Wes snarled. “No way. Not if I have anything to say about it.”
Kaylee laughed. He’d taken it exactly how he used to—with an air of arrogance and disgruntlement. Though deep down, he’d always been a softy at heart.
Her smile faded. Didn’t matter if he had a good heart. Sometimes that wasn’t enough.
Trying to keep things light, she said, “You never know, Wes. Women change their minds.”
His expression fell and his mouth hardened. “I’m familiar with women changing their minds.”
Shit. She’d not meant to go there so soon. She was still trying to get them back on good terms. And if taking lessons was how she’d accomplish it, that was what she needed to focus on.
Kaylee turned and grabbed a golf club. “So what do I need help with the most? My swing? My stance?”
Wes looked off into the distance, as though he knew she was changing the subject. When he peered back, his gaze was neutral. “Your posture, form, and just about everything suck, so we’ll start at the beginning. Right where I started Bella.” He grinned smugly.
“You enjoy rubbing in how bad I am?”
“Do you really want the answer to that?”
“No,” she grumbled, and set a ball on a wooden tee she’d shoved into the soil.
“Hold up.” Wes walked over and grabbed her club. “First of all, we’ll start with a pitching wedge, not your driver. You need to build up to the longer clubs.”
He dropped the driver in her golf bag, grabbed one of the shorter, smaller clubs, and handed it to her. He bent over and removed the wooden tee she’d used to prop up the ball, and set the ball flush with the grass instead.
Wes scanned her body.
And her chest warmed, belly dropping into a tingly, achy mess.
How was it that her body still reacted when he looked at her? Not cool.
The first time she’d met Wes, he’d zeroed in on her at a college party and asked her to dance. That dance had turned into a kiss, which had turned into an overnight stay at her house that lasted all weekend. They were inseparable for two years after that. And it seemed her body remembered him and responded accordingly.
Be strong. You’re engaged! Wes was observing her golf stance, not checking her out—though she was pretty sure he’d given her a boob check earlier. Didn’t matter.
“Let me see your grip,” he said.
She held out her club and showed him the grip her fiancé had taught her.
Wes shifted her hand slightly, his warm palm grazing the skin on her bared fingers. A spark of heat swept up Kaylee’s arm, and his gaze shot to hers, as though he felt it too.
He let go of her hand and cleared his throat. “Not bad. Give me your starting position.”
Kaylee went through the motions of her setup, and swung the club the way she’d practiced.
Wes pressed his palm to his forehead and shook his head. “Jesus, Kaylee. Are you sure you want to take up golf?”
She dropped her club to the turf. “Yes. Now are you going to show me or not?”
“Is this all because your fiancé wants you to play?”
She noted the emphasis on her intended. Her engagement had gone over about as well as she’d guessed—meaning, not well at all. “I’ve always wanted to learn, but you weren’t…”
His brow furrowed. “I wasn’t what?” His focus turned acute, as though her answer mattered.
She huffed out a sigh. “You were too busy in college to teach me. I could have gone to someone else, but I’d wanted to learn from you.”
He stared at her for a long moment, those ocean eyes unreadable. “Arms down, feet shoulder width apart, and bend your knees.”
She blinked at the change in his demeanor. Then did as he said.
The rest of the lesson went a lot like that. Wes barked orders at Kaylee and cooed over Bella’s—admittedly incredible—form. Bella kicked ass, and by the end of the lesson, Kaylee wanted to be Bella when she grew up. Because at present, Kaylee still missed the ball more often than she made contact.
“Your form is better,” Wes mumbled. “Can’t hit for shit, but form is important. The rest will come.”
It was a backward compliment, but she’d take it because Wes didn’t dole them out often. Kaylee grinned.
Wes’s eyes widened and he glanced away. “It’ll take practice,” he said, and grabbed her club, slipping it into her golf bag. “Lots of practice, if you plan to be out on the course in… When did you say you’re getting married?” She heard the edge in his tone.
She rattled off her wedding date, mere months away, which suddenly seemed to loom over her. Must be because her golf game sucked. Eddy would be disappointed if she played poorly on their honeymoon.
Wes stared without responding. It felt like he was attempting to drill some silent message into her head with his eyes.
Some things about Wes were the same. In other ways, he was an entirely different man. More hardened. Less trusting.
“If you want to be ready by then,” he finally said, “you had better practice in between lessons.”
“I can come every day if needed.”
He flinched. “I’ve gotta get back to Bella.”
She gave him a light smile. Wes’s gaze lingered, then he turned and walked away.
Things were awkward, when at one point they’d been the opposite. Kaylee had never felt a connection like the one she’d had with Wes. Until the end, when everything in her life had fallen apart.
It had taken a long time to make things right for herself. And she planned to make things right between her and Wes too.
It was the only way to move on with a clear conscience.
Chapter 2
Kaylee’s forehead sweat and droplets ran down her temples. Her golf shirt stuck to her breasts and back, and she was panting lightly. From hitting golf balls. Who would have thought?
“Bent arm… Nope, butt’s out too far.” Bella giggled. “Kaylee, I just showed you how high to hold the club.” Bella sat on her princess perch at the far end of the driving range, giving orders. Wes’s idea.
Kaylee dropped the head of her club to the grass and looked over. “Bella, anyone ever tell you you’re a slave driver?”
Bella laughed, her giggles making her body shake on the
low storage unit where she sat.
Kaylee sighed with a smile. “I’m happy I can amuse you.” She set up another shot. “Not like my arms are about to fall off,” she said dramatically. “And my butt hurts. Why does my butt hurt?”
More giggles from the peanut gallery.
“You’re not used to using your ass muscles?”
Wes.
She swung around and Wes stood behind her, watching the entire show. “What are you doing here?”
He crossed his arms. “I work here. Oh, and I own the resort. But to be more specific, I’m here to grab my star pupil.” He glanced at Bella. “Good work. Kaylee’s form is marginally better. Keep it up and you’ll be my next assistant pro.”
Bella hopped off the wooden three-foot structure and went to Wes’s side. She tugged on his shirt and he leaned down.
He nodded at something Bella whispered into his ear. “Set up your clubs first,” he told her.
Wes watched Bella run off then turned to Kaylee. “If you’re that sore, you might want to call it a day. You look a little flushed.” He smirked.
Kaylee wiped her brow. “Gee, thanks.”
Still grinning, Wes turned and walked away.
Kaylee was happy things had softened between them these last couple of days. Wes didn’t appear as angry as he’d been when she first arrived at Club Tahoe. But that didn’t mean things were comfortable enough for a deep talk. At this point, it was hard to imagine they would ever be, but Kaylee had hope.
She collected her golf clubs and lifted the heavy bag onto her shoulder. Under the weight of her clubs and with a sore ass, Kaylee lumbered toward the pro shop. Who knew golf was such a physical sport? It appeared so easy when Wes played in college or when she watched tournaments on TV with Eddy.
Just past the shop, Kaylee stopped to use the restroom and found Wes standing beside the women’s locker room. His arms were crossed and his head was bent as though he were waiting.
“You okay there?” she asked, and craned her neck to the side. “Men’s restroom seems open. You sure you wouldn’t rather use that one?”
His mouth twisted. “Funny. I’m waiting for Bella.”
Kaylee’s smile fell. “Is she okay?”
Wes lifted his back off the wall, arms still crossed. “She’s fine. She, uh…likes me to walk her to the restroom. Doesn’t want to be alone. Thinks the bathrooms are creepy.”
Kaylee’s lips parted, but no words came out. Wes, her tall, cocky, athletic ex-boyfriend, was waiting outside the women’s bathroom…so that a little girl wouldn’t be afraid? “Who are you?” she finally said.
Before he could react, Bella emerged.
“Hi, Kaylee,” she said happily, and tugged on Wes’s shirt. “Come on, Wes. Let’s go crush it.”
Wes started to follow Bella to the driving range, but Kaylee touched his arm, stopping him—and felt the shock of attraction run up her body again, dammit.
That was getting annoying.
Wes looked down at her hand and she quickly dropped it.
She glanced after Bella. “That little girl has you wrapped around her finger,” she said with a smile.
He shrugged. “She needs me. And she’s a good kid. You got a problem with that?”
Kaylee swallowed, her smile dropping. She shook her head. “No—I’m just surprised.”
“Well, don’t be. You don’t know me anymore.” He stormed off, and Kaylee stood there, eyes growing misty.
He was still angry, and it hurt, but it was also going to make what she came here to do more difficult. Even so, watching Bella and Wes together was the sweetest thing she’d seen in a long time—and it broke her heart.
Because when Kaylee saw Wes treat Bella with such gentleness, she worried she’d been wrong about him all those years ago.
* * *
Kaylee entered her parents’ Tahoe house after wiping sweat—and a few tears—from her face in the golf course restroom. She’d never have expected Wes to be so caring with a child. And it messed with her head.
“Hello?” she called out.
“Up here,” Eddy said from the second floor.
Her parents’ house was a two-story split-level with a large fireplace, open floor plan, and ceiling-high corner windows with a view of the forest. She loved this place. It felt more like home than the one she’d grown up in. Yet she’d avoided it for years.
At the top of the landing, Kaylee caught sight of Eddy in the spare catchall room, lifting weights without a shirt on.
“How was the driving range?” He forced out a breath and inhaled slowly for his next repetition of arm curls.
Enlightening, she wanted to say, but that might open up a can of worms she wasn’t ready to talk about. “Hot. Sweaty. Kind of painful. I’m still sore from my lessons the other day.”
Eddy set down the weights he’d been using. “No pain, no gain.” He huffed out a chuckle. “And you need the work.”
She pouted. “Don’t rub it in. I’m getting enough grief from Wes and Bella.”
“Bella?”
“Just another student at the range.” No way in hell she’d admit she was getting shown up by a five-year-old. “What do you want to do tonight?”
He walked over and leaned down, kissing her on the neck. He smacked his lips and his face pinched. “Salty. What do you say you hop in the shower and then I rock your world?”
Eddy was “salty” too, but she didn’t mention it. Wouldn’t have mattered, because she wasn’t in the mood for sex. Not while she was having inappropriate physical reactions to her ex.
Everything would be fine once she and Eddy married and left Lake Tahoe. For now, she would have to deal with the awkwardness. “I’d rather we hang and watch TV.”
“Babe, I told you. I’m going out with the guys tomorrow night. They’re only in town for a couple of days, and I leave the following morning at the butt crack of dawn for my trip. If I don’t tap that tonight, it’ll be weeks before you get laid.”
She rolled her eyes. “Have we been together so long that you don’t even try to woo me anymore?”
He parted his lips in a silent what?
“Besides, I can handle a few weeks of no sex. Can you?”
He huffed out a breath. “Of course.” He swatted her on the ass and headed out of the room toward the master bedroom. “That’s what my right hand is for.”
Kaylee sank onto the mattress and took off her shoes, because despite not being in the mood, she was taking a shower. “This will be good for us,” she called. “It’ll make the wedding night that much more special.” And maybe make Eddy more appreciative.
Eddy had gotten lazy over the last year when it came to making her feel important. It was probably normal for couples to stop trying as hard after a while, but Kaylee wasn’t even married to Eddy yet. And she had a hang-up about not being someone’s priority.
“What?” he yelled. “No way in hell I’m waiting that long to get laid.”
Kaylee sighed. She supposed asking Eddy to wait two months until their wedding was a lot. But she didn’t want her current relationship to end up like her last. She wanted to be appreciated. Which was why she was determined to confront her past and resolve any lingering issues she had with Wes. But talking to him was going to be much harder than she’d imagined.
Chapter 3
The next night, Wes pulled down the bill of his baseball cap and walked across the Fireside Lounge to where his four brothers sat in the corner, wearing baseball hats too.
He sank into one of the cushioned lounge chairs that looked as if it had been built with rugged logs, but was actually made of some lightweight faux-wood material. “We’re more conspicuous in these things. Whose idea was it to wear the hats?”
“Bran’s,” Levi said.
Levi was Wes’s oldest brother and the CEO of Club Tahoe, now that their father had passed. And man did Levi have a rocky start filling those shoes after being a firefighter for years. But his assistant and now girlfriend, Emily, had made the
transition easier.
Emily Wright kicked ass. She was a thin blonde, but that girl was no pushover. “Where’s the velvet hammer?”
Levi tried to hide his smile. “Stop calling my girlfriend that.”
“What?” Wes said. “She’s a ballbreaker.”
Levi chuckled. “Maybe you should try being nicer.”
Wes leaned back and pointed a thumb at his chest. “I’m a perfect gentleman.”
“Except when you’re trying to get laid,” Bran said from his corner of the table. He sipped a beer with the bill of his cap pulled low.
Wes might have slept with a few women these last couple of years. Okay, he’d gotten laid as often as he could. Nothing numbed the mind better than a hot and dirty orgasm. “These stupid hats were your idea?”
Bran was the pretty one. Technically, none of his brothers needed help getting women, but women threw themselves at Bran. Which was seriously fucked up, considering he couldn’t read the finer sex to save his life. Bran had no clue when a woman was coming on to him.
He frowned. “The hats were supposed to keep the attention away. It’s been like a damned manhunt in this place since Adam’s engagement party.” He sank lower in his chair, which wasn’t easy. Wes and his brothers were all over six feet.
Adam, Wes’s second oldest brother, had recently held his elaborate engagement party at the club. But it went down during a rocky period for Levi. He’d still been coming to terms with his feelings for Emily. So when Hunt, their youngest brother, kissed Emily at the party to get a rise out of Levi, Levi had flipped the fuck out, starting a fistfight right in the middle of the festivities.
Adam pushed up the bill of his cap and shot Levi an annoyed look. He wore a suit and must have come straight from work at Blue Casino, one of their competitors in town. “Speaking of my engagement party, just because Hayden forgave you, that doesn’t mean I have. You owe me for that stupid fight, Levi. I’ll settle for free food at the wedding this spring.”
Levi shook his head. “For four hundred guests? That’s a bit rich, don’t you think?”
Adam shrugged. “You can afford it.”
Daring Wes: Cade Brothers Series Page 2
