~ Beverly ~
I had definitely begun to fall for Dane, but my heart was still a bit unsure of what would happen when he left. We’d only spoken about it briefly, so knowing ours could either be a long-distance relationship or not one at all was still up in the air.
I’d never been an up in the air type of person, but Dane made me think of myself differently. He wasn’t judgmental or condescending; he was kind and honest. It was the manwhore reputation of his that worked my nerves until they felt frayed.
Confidence was a new feeling for me, and I’d been working on mine for years. Even when the bitches from my past made rude comments the night I’d met Dane, I had still been able to hold my own. I was proud of the way I looked and felt. But this gorgeous man in front of me could bring all my self-doubt back if I let him. I knew he would never want that, and he would be mortified if he knew he was the reason for me feeling the least bit insecure.
“How about we get back to my family? They probably think we’re in here having sex, and I wouldn’t put it past Jack to ask.” Dane chuckled, but my heart stopped.
“Are you kidding?”
Holy shit! Did they think we’d be having sex during a family dinner? Oh my God! This is what I get for getting lost in my own head. I didn’t realize we’d been in here that long.
“Yes, I’m kidding.” Dane kissed my cheek.
Relaxing a bit, I smacked him on the arm. “Don’t do that to me!”
He laughed and I followed suit. Before he opened the door, he grabbed me by my hips and pulled me close to him. I could feel my body come alive as he looked into my eyes.
“It’s you, Beverly. I want you and only you. Time or distance won’t change that. Please tell me you feel the same.”
Dane’s pleading tone caught me more off guard than the sex comment had. His words flew into my ears and straight to my heart, putting me in a quandary. My first thought was I should tell him I didn’t feel the same, but that wouldn’t be true. To lie to spare myself any pain would be a travesty. But if I let myself fall for this man, there was a chance for him to break my heart.
Still unsure, I decided all I could do was level with him. If my parents had taught me one thing, it was to never stray from the truth.
Looking up into his worried brown eyes, I said, “I’m scared, Dane.”
“Of me? You’re scared of me?” His grip on my waist loosened as he leaned back to study me. The corners of his mouth turned down. “Why?”
I looked away and took a breath before looking back into his eyes. “No, I’m not scared of you. I’m scared of what’s going on between us changing.”
He gave me his panty-wetting smile. “Of course it’s going to change, but’s only going to get better. Trust in your heart, Beverly. That’s what I’m doing, and this is a novelty for me. I’m sorry for making you feel anything other than special, because that’s what you are to me. You’re different, and I mean that in the best way possible. Never have I given my heart to anyone, but it’s yours if you want it.”
Relief sprinkled with a dose of nerves coursed through me. “Yes, of course I want it. But, Dane?”
He smiled and reached up to brush back my hair. “Yes?”
“Will you be able to be faithful to me?” Maybe that wasn’t fair of me to ask, but given his history, his looks, and the lovely golf groupies that hung around him, it needed to be.
His brow furrowed and he dragged his tongue over his teeth. “When I say something, I mean it. What about you and your heart?”
I studied him for a moment, but not so long that it might offend him. As it was, I felt as if I had, but how could I not ask? The man was the epitome of perfection, and as easily as I fell for him, others could too if given the opportunity. And I wouldn’t be able to blame them; his charisma alone was a chick magnet.
“My heart is yours,” he said solemnly. “It actually has been since the night I met you at the club. You stole my breath away, and I haven’t gotten it back yet. You made my heart beat in a way it never had before, and I know that might sound cheesy, but it’s true.”
Feeling better, I rolled up on the balls of my feet and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. “I think we should get back to your family now.”
“If we must.”
Dane kissed my forehead, and hand in hand, we headed back to finish dessert. My entire body seemed lighter, as if a weight had been lifted. In a way, I suppose it had been.
By the time we got back, his parents were getting ready to leave. I promised them I’d be in touch as soon as I settled into my apartment. Everyone in his family had been so gracious to me.
All of the younger generation were sitting around a large table in the dining room when Jack rubbed his hands together and said, “Okay, redemption time.”
I had no idea what he was talking about, but everyone groaned except for Drake, who laughed. He was truly a striking man. The way his sea-blue eyes contrasted with his dark hair was stunning. But when he slid on his glasses, even my heart skipped a beat. Not the way it did with Dane, but I could see how easy it would be to fall for any of these Prescott men.
My focus landed on Lucy, who gazed at Drake as if she’d just laid eyes on him for the first time. They were perfect together.
Before I knew it, Jack had the board game Trivial Pursuit set up in the center of the table. Gretchen rolled her eyes and complained that she hated this game, so she would watch.
“No way, little sister. I need your pop-culture expertise.” Jack placed his hand on her arm, willing her to stay.
I leaned toward Dane and whispered, “What’s going on?”
He shook his head. “Jack is all pissed off because Drake always kicks his ass, and now that Lucy will be Drake’s partner, Jack is fucked. He’ll never be able to beat them.”
“I heard that, you prick.” Jack’s jaw ticked as he glared at Dane, who started laughing.
“You were meant to hear it. I don’t know why you don’t give it a rest. Are you still pissed because he ranked higher than you in high school? Maybe it was because you’d rather have your nose between April’s legs than a book.”
Gretchen crinkled her nose. “Ewww! I don’t need to hear that.”
“Who’s April?” Lucy said, asking the question I was wondering.
Dane crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair. “April was the girl who lived next door to us. She and Jack were extremely close until her family moved away during her senior year and left Jack with a case of blue balls.”
Josh and Dane exchanged glances and smirked, but Jack didn’t seem amused.
“That’s so sad.” When the guys all gave me a dumbfounded look, I explained, “I meant about her leaving, not his balls.” Seeing how everyone around the table was fighting back laughter, my face flamed. I needed to get back on track. Turning to Jack, I said, “Have you talked to her since?”
Jack sat down now that the board was set up and everyone had their pieces. “No, and I don’t want to talk about her now.”
I could feel my eyes go as wide as the circles on the board. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“No, I’m sorry.” Jack grabbed my hand and gave it a quick kiss. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
Drake leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “Brother, you have more money than any of us combined, and your success is through the roof. Winning or losing this game isn’t going to make a difference.”
Everyone stared at Drake before they burst into laughter. But not Jack; he was deadly serious as he said, “Bullshit. Let’s play.”
Jack broke us into three teams—Drake and Lucy, Dane and me, and he had Josh and Gretchen. We were all doing well. Dane handled our sports questions, Josh seemed to be a whiz at geography and entertainment, while Jack was just plain smart. He was right about Gretchen; she was a pop-culture whiz, and I wasn’t a slouch either. I happened to be excellent at this game, but I didn’t dare say anything for fear Jack would get more upset. He was awfu
lly competitive.
It wasn’t long before the game was tied; we all needed one more triangle to win. Drake rolled the dice and landed on yellow. Jack sighed while Drake and Lucy shot a knowing glance at each other. The category was history.
Dane started laughing as he read the card. “Who was the only American to become vice president and president after resignations?”
Lucy rolled her lips between her teeth in an attempt to stifle a laugh. Now that I knew she had been a history teacher, I pressed my lips together too as I gazed expectantly around the table.
Drake placed his hands on the back of his head and glanced at Lucy. “Do you want to take this one, honey, or would you like me to?”
“By all means, go ahead, dear.” Lucy smiled lovingly while grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Drake’s face split into a wide grin. “Well, my brother, there’s always the next time. The answer is Gerald Ford.”
When Jack glanced at the answer card in Dane’s hand and grimaced, everyone burst into laughter. Well, everyone but Jack.
“Of all the fucking questions to get.” Jack reached across the table and shook his brother’s hand. “Next time, you’re mine.”
Drake laughed as he and Lucy stood up. “Thanks for everything.” He hugged everyone good-bye, including me.
I loved this family.
CHAPTER 21
August
~ Dane ~
“I promise I’ll call you when I get to Florida.” I wrapped my arms around Beverly as we said good-bye in front of her apartment, and she nodded as she snuggled against my chest.
Today was the big day, the day I’d prepared for my entire life and had been looking forward to just as long. The thought of finally becoming a TGP golfer brought me such joy, it wasn’t possible to describe.
Leaving someone behind hadn’t been in my plans. It wasn’t something I’d ever thought I’d have to deal with. Several of my buddies already on the tour were married or attached. Some of their women and families traveled with them, but most would wait to come out on the last day—especially if their guy was winning.
What made it especially hard was that I’d had the last two weeks here in Virginia with Beverly after she’d moved. I’d just gotten her back with me, and now I was leaving. Again.
Beverly’s grip tightened around me. “I’m going to miss you.”
Fuck. Leaving was even harder than I thought it would be. When I placed my hand on the back of her head and pulled her closer, she sighed.
Letting out a breath, I said, “I need to get going. The drive is long, and I need to get out before traffic hits.”
It was only five in the morning but it would take me at least thirteen hours to get to Tampa, so I wanted to get a move on. I’d rented a car to drive down so I wouldn’t put the miles on my Jeep. Jack would have offered his plane, but he was flying in a client, so it wasn’t available. It was another reason he couldn’t come to watch me play in the qualifier.
My entire family felt horrible that they wouldn’t be able to cheer me on in person, but I understood. I’d love to have them there, but at the same time, I’d feel horrible if they came all that way and I screwed up. I’d rather them wait for me to make the tour.
“I’ll talk to you soon?” Beverly whispered. When she looked up, her eyes glistened in the darkness.
My heart sank. The last thing I wanted to see was a tear rolling down her beautiful cheek.
“Yes, I’ll call you. I promise. And good luck with your new job today.”
I cupped her face with my palms and rested my forehead against hers. We stood silent for a moment, inhaling each other’s breaths. Our noses touched before I pressed my lips to her eyes, cheek, chin, jaw, ear—anywhere I could get to without having to let her go. It wasn’t until our lips met that I lost my self-control.
Before I knew it, she was in the air, her legs wrapped around my waist as the early-morning breeze blew her hair back. Our kiss was as desperate as if we were saying good-bye, which in a way we were, but I preferred a see you later.
Beverly tightened her thighs and rubbed herself up and down my stomach. My dick was instantly hard, pressing against my basketball shorts. She was wearing a short bathrobe over one of my T-shirts, so I lowered my shorts enough to free my straining cock.
“I’m taking you right here.” When I reached under the robe to stroke her and discovered she was bare, I groaned. “You’re killing me. I don’t have a condom.”
“I’m on the pill.”
“Good,” I said quickly. “And you can trust me. I’ve never had sex without protection before.”
I wrapped one arm tightly around her, supporting her, and when the fingers of my other hand found her pussy, she was wet and ready. Grabbing her waist with both hands, I slid into her with one quick thrust.
“Holy fuck!”
Her heat instantly clenched around me as she let out a moan. “Yes, Dane. I don’t even care if anyone sees. Please . . .”
It was if I was possessed. I gripped her ass and moved her back and forth, pumping into her. Her heels dug into my lower back as she met each thrust, keeping us in perfect sync.
“No one will see us,” I said. It was still dark out, the moon and sun hadn’t traded places yet. “I would never let someone else see you have an orgasm. That’s reserved for my eyes, and my eyes only.”
She blinked, her breathing ragged as she raked her teeth across her lower lip. “Please tell me that you’ll always want me. I need to know that you won’t forget about me.”
“Never. I’ll never forget about you, and I’ll always want you. You’re mine, do you hear me? Just mine.” I let out a deep groan as my balls tightened. “Bev, I can’t last much longer.”
“Then do it.”
When I slid my finger between us and rubbed her swollen clit, she let out a squeal that I captured with my mouth as we both reached our peak. Her wet core pulsed around me as I released into her.
Sated was the only way to describe the euphoria I felt, but it was bittersweet. Unfortunately, I had to leave.
Beverly unwrapped her legs and held on to me as I lowered her to the ground. Once her footing steadied, I released her, adjusted my shorts, and gave her a kiss good-bye.
Driving away and not looking in the rearview mirror wasn’t easy, but I knew if I chanced a glance, I might turn the car around. Hopefully, our morning outdoor sex left her with a gleam in her eye, and not a tear.
• • •
Florida was hot as hell. Granted, it was summertime, but shit!
Bay Knolls Country Club, the host of the qualifier tournament, was where I’d be spending the next two weeks. Knowing the layout of the course, the way the grass was cut, and the roll of the greens was imperative. Not to mention getting used to the heat. Yes, it was hot and humid in the Northeast, but not like Tampa. All you needed to do was breathe and you’d sweat your balls off. And I happened to like my balls.
After I’d played a round of eighteen holes, I headed back to the practice range to fix a few issues I had with my swing. The club had assigned each of us a caddie, and thankfully I was assigned William, who had been a member of the club for forty years. He definitely knew each curve, bump, and hazard there was on that course.
To me, a golf course was like a woman—there were curves, plateaus, and holes, each needing the proper navigation. Being unprepared could lead to a dreadful day.
When I shared that analogy with William, he said, “Son, if I would’ve thought about golf that way, I would’ve won more tournaments.” He let out a chuckle. “I’m sure Marjorie would’ve loved that too.”
“Is Marjorie your wife?” I asked as we walked to the patio and sat down at a table. A waiter came by, and we ordered a couple of beers and relaxed a bit.
“Yes, but Marjorie passed two years ago.” His voice faded as he looked out unseeing at the course. “She was my everything.”
Not knowing what to say, I remained silent. The only sounds were the birds chirping and the low rum
ble of guys talking about their golf game. Saying “I’m sorry” didn’t seem to be enough. I figured William to be in his late fifties, so she must have died young. I instantly thought of my parents and how lost they would be without each other. Just the idea of it broke my heart.
Our beers arrived, and once the waiter had walked away, I raised my drink. “To Marjorie.”
William’s eyes met mine as we clinked our glasses. As I took a sip, he asked, “Are you married?”
I almost choked and lowered my glass. “No. I’m not.”
“Girlfriend back home? Or is it girlfriends?”
When his lips curved up into a grin, it was then I guessed he was once a player, and not just on the golf course.
“Only one girl I’m interested in.” Visions of Beverly filled my head, making me smile so wide my cheeks ached.
“She must be pretty special. A man in your situation and with your looks could have flocks of women around him. It’s hard to always turn them away, but trust me when I tell you that if you honestly care about this woman . . .” He looked at me expectantly.
“Beverly.”
He smiled. “This woman Beverly, then treat her like a queen. When you find the right one, no matter who else you meet, they will never measure up. Once a woman takes hold of your heart—even if they let it go—doesn’t mean you will too, or can, for that matter. Take it from me, don’t ever put this sport before love. Golf will always be there; love might not be.”
William’s advice sent my mind spinning. Was Beverly the right one for me? How did you even know if someone was that person? She had been put second to golf since she was a child. Hell, her parents still lived to travel and play.
Just like me.
The realization sent a chill through me, so I changed the topic. The rest of our afternoon was spent talking about the course, and little nuances that might help my game.
The last time I spoke to Beverly, she was nervous about starting her new job. Thankfully, Gretchen and Lucy were helping her get acclimated. Lucy was giving Beverly tips on the Metro, which she appreciated since she was used to taking the subway in New York when she worked there. Although to her, Virginia traffic didn’t even compare to that in New York City.
Gripped (Prescott #2) Page 15
