CaddyGirls (5 page)

Julian masked his surprise. “No one would ever know that, Torrey.”

“I’d know it. It was hard enough just to put it on tonight, but it was all I have,” she said in a soft voice. “The only other time I wore it was when my dad died.”

She didn’t volunteer anything else, and the lost-little-girl look in her eyes kept him from prying.

“I’m betting you spend your money on outdoor clothes. You’re obviously an athlete.” He hoped changing the subject would ease her sadness. Her answering smile told him he’d hit the mark.

“You’d win that bet. Whatever I can afford to spend goes on golf wear and running gear. And biking stuff too.”

No wonder her body was so beautifully toned.

He smiled back. “I enjoy mountain biking myself. We’ve got some great trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains where I live. I try to log a few hours on the weekends whenever I can.”

“Nothing like biking to keep your body in shape, is there?” The sparkle was definitely returning to her eyes.

He decided right then to spring his idea on her. “Listen, what would you say to a little golf tonight?”

Her delicate eyebrows arched. “In the dark?”

“I said a
little golf
. As in mini-putt. That place just down the Strip will still be open. I thought you might like that more than a noisy, crowded nightclub.” Ever since he’d caught his first glimpse of that black dress, he’d known Jet was out. He’d been thinking all evening about where he could take her, and the miniature golf idea had just popped into his head.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Okay, you’re on. But you’d better be prepared to get your butt thoroughly whipped.”

“We’ll see about that.” Actually, he didn’t doubt it for a minute. A competitive fire burned deep inside Torrey. And he wondered what other kinds of fire smoldered within that tempting body.

When he offered her the option of a limo ride or a five-block walk down the Strip to the Pirate’s Cove Mini-Golf, she instantly chose the walk. All the way down the street she asked a stream of perceptive questions about his company. She’d clearly done her homework, but he found her avid curiosity surprising.

Julian had never been to Pirate’s Cove, but he’d walked and driven past it dozens of times. Cheesy was the first word that had sprung to mind whenever he’d noticed the popular Strip attraction. The entrance to the course was a pirate ship’s prow that looked like it had been molded from a dingy chunk of Styrofoam. Precariously balanced on the edge of the prow stood a twenty-foot statue of Pirate Pete, saber pointing defiantly skyward. Too bad the tip of Pete’s nose had broken off, spoiling the ferocious effect.

Pirate’s Cove actually had two mini-golf courses—one regular and one black light. “Which one should we try?” he asked, leaving the decision up to her.

She didn’t hesitate. “The black light sounds like more fun.”

Julian paid, grabbed the putters and balls and led her through into the black light course. A flood of lurid colors washed over them—bizarre shades of blue, purple, pink, red and green. Even the putters and balls glowed in the dark. Garish, pirate-themed props—some hanging in mid-air—popped out of the darkness.

He turned to Torrey, intending to rip on the tackiness of it all, but the sarcastic remark died on his lips. Her black dress had essentially vanished under the black light, leaving her white underwear clearly visible, almost as if she were in an x-ray machine. She took the putter from his hand, obviously unaware of the rather spectacular display of her lush body.

His throat felt suddenly dry and prickly. One minute she’d been in a severe black dress—the next, her feminine undergarments and what they covered were in full, glorious view.

Actually, her lacy bra and panties seemed quite demure, not like the scraps of fabric some of his dates had sported. Still, the glowing white shapes of her full breasts and deliciously curvy ass were the sexiest things he’d seen in a long time. His cock instantly started to stiffen and threatened to become a full-blown, embarrassing hard-on in the middle of a family amusement center.

“Torrey?” He handed her a radioactive-looking ball as he dragged his eyes level with her face.

“This is going to be fun, Julian. You want me to go first?”

“I was thinking that maybe this isn’t such a great idea after all. I’m afraid everybody can see your underwear in this crazy light.”

She cast her eyes down and let out a tiny gasp. “Oh, my God, you’re right.” She looked up at him, her eyes even bigger than usual. “But why can’t I see yours?” She glanced across the room and pointed at a woman a couple of holes ahead. “I can see that woman’s panties, too!”

“It looks like the light picks up white things under dark outerwear,” Julian said, mentally kicking himself for his lame idea. The last thing he wanted was to embarrass her. “Why don’t we try the regular course instead? Or we could just leave, if you want.”

She grinned, her teeth glowing an unnatural shade of white. “No, let’s stay here. I can handle it, Julian,” she said with a little laugh. “I’ve worn bikinis that reveal a lot more.”

He smiled back.
I’d like to see those.

“Okay,” he replied. “Just don’t be surprised if I can’t keep my eyes on the game.”

“Oh, you’re too much of a gentleman for such sexist behavior.”

“Tell that to my hormones.”

She tilted her head and feigned exasperation. “Are we going to play some golf or stand around here jawing all night?”

He laughed, so turned on by her easy self-confidence that he wanted nothing more than to haul her back to his hotel room and make love to her for the rest of the night.

Later,
he promised himself.
 

“Hit away, but you might want to be a little careful bending over.”

Once they started to play, it was clear Torrey had made it her mission to beat him. She rolled in putts from all distances, caroming shots off curbs at just the right angles and skillfully avoiding the devious traps the glowing pirates had set to snag the complacent. Julian tried to keep up with her, but she showed no mercy. Worse yet, she laughed deliciously every time he got himself blocked in a corner or under a hazard.

But he didn’t care. Mini-golf, be damned. He got all the kicks he needed from his not-so-surreptitious glances at her luscious curves. And despite her good-humored protests when she caught him in mid-ogle, he could tell she really didn’t mind the attention.

“Okay—you kicked the hell out of me,” he joked after she snaked a ten-footer underneath a brass cannon prop on the final hole. She’d beaten him by four strokes.

Torrey pointed her putter at him like a rapier. “I thought that was the whole idea.”

“Could you try to be a little more competitive?” he said as he steered her out of the eerie black light. He had to muster all his discipline to keep his hand from drifting down over her sweet little ass.

She grinned. “Oh, like the guy I caddied for this afternoon?”

“That’s different,” he said, shaking his head. “The guys and I are tight, but every time we get on a golf course, all hell breaks loose. It’s our way of letting go of the pressure that builds up from working together all the time.”

“So warfare is really a safety valve?”

“Something like that. But hey, I find the fact that you don’t take prisoners admirable. You’re going to need that attitude if you want to get to the pro tour. And then make it all the way to the top.”

“Is that the way you made it to the top? By being ruthless?” She cast him a veiled glance, but her voice was level, with no hint that she’d be judging him by his answer.

“Not ruthless. Determined is a better word. I knew what I had to do, and I wouldn’t let any obstacle block me. I’d go around it if I could and over it if I had to.” As they strolled out past Pirate Pete, he looked up into the sky. The Vegas neon flooded the night sky, turning it a milky yellow. A few drops of rain had begun to fall.

Torrey held out her palm. “It hardly ever rains here.”

“I know. I think I should flag down a cab.”

“That would be great. Even though it doesn’t rain that much in Vegas, when it does it can be a hell of a downpour.”

The words were barely out of her mouth when the sky opened up, soaking them both in seconds. Julian scanned the Strip for cabs. A couple splashed by, but they were occupied.

Torrey slipped her hand around his bicep. “Why don’t we just walk? It’s not far, and we’re already drenched anyway.”

“I guess you’re right.” He shrugged. “How much more water can we absorb after this?” As they hurried up the Strip, he kept his eyes focused straight ahead, trying his damnedest not to stare at her. He’d already done that enough in the mini-putt. But he couldn’t stop himself from stealing glances. She looked like she’d come from a wet t-shirt contest—the little dress clung to her skin, revealing even more than the black light had shown him at Pirate’s Cove.

Torrey was all softness and curves and beautifully toned muscles, with everything in perfect proportion. Water plastered her long hair to her scalp and streamed down her fine-boned face, but she smiled as if a stroll in the pouring rain was the most natural thing in the world. She couldn’t have been more alluring than she was at that moment.

Julian hoped like hell she wouldn’t notice the massive hard-on that was surely visible as it bulged out his soaking wet slacks.

They were still two blocks from the Bellagio when the first flash of lightning lit up the sky. Torrey jerked to a stop as a deafening peal of thunder crashed over their heads. It felt like it slammed directly into her chest, squeezing the air right out of her lungs.

“What’s the matter?” Julian halted in his tracks, his brow furrowed with concern.

“I…I…” The words caught in her throat as panic threatened to swamp her. She reached blindly for Julian, her hands seeking the security of his powerful body.

He didn’t hesitate, pulling her into an enveloping embrace. She crushed herself against him, wrapping her arms around his broad, strong back. Their clothes were so wet they might as well have been naked. Torrey couldn’t believe the heat that blazed between their bodies—it was almost enough to turn the rain into steam.

Julian sensed her full-blown anxiety. “Torrey, everything’s fine. Whatever it is, you’ll be fine. Try to relax—I won’t let anything hurt you.” His deep voice began to dissolve the panic that gripped her limbs.

His body felt wonderful pressed against hers, safe and full of life-giving warmth. But she forced herself to step out of his arms.

“Julian, let’s hurry, okay? I need to get inside the hotel as soon as we can.”

They hurried past Planet Hollywood and crossed against the light to the other side of the boulevard. A few seconds later they were inside the row of shops that led into the Bellagio casino.

Torrey felt her thudding heartbeat slowly settle. But when Julian clasped his arm around her shoulders, it instantly reignited the heat generated by her desperate clutch in the pouring rain. Even in the middle of her panic attack, she’d been acutely aware of everything underneath his dripping wet silk shirt—his broad, sculpted chest, his wide, smooth shoulders, his narrow waist and hard stomach. In the midst of her fear, her body had softened, responding to his hard-edged masculinity at the most primitive, carnal level.

As they passed the glittering windows of Tiffany’s, Julian guided her toward a small bench set out of the way. “I’m going to take you straight home, but not before you tell me what just happened out there.”

Damn
. She knew she had to tell him something, but she wasn’t prepared to give him anything more than the stripped-down version. She would tell him what scared her, but she wouldn’t tell him why. The last thing she needed were questions from him about her father’s death, or the subsequent depression that had taken her down a dark and humiliating path. If Julian discovered the truth about those days when her life had spun out of control, he might very well decide she wasn’t the best candidate for a sponsorship.

Torrey looked away for a moment, gazing down the long walkway toward the casino as she tried to compose her thoughts. When she turned back, his eyes showed a depth of patience and understanding she hadn’t expected.

“It was the lightning, Julian. I’m afraid of lightning.” She swallowed hard, resisting the urge to tell him everything. “Really afraid. Especially when I’m outside.”

He nodded, reaching to take her hand. He stroked her fingers, and his light touch filled her with an impossible yearning for something she didn’t even know was missing.

“You’re not exactly alone in that, Torrey. Lightning can be damn scary. I remember once when I was out in my boat—”

“Don’t, Julian. Please, no stories about lightning strikes. Not now.”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

She could see how surprised he was by the depth of her fear. His dark eyes were full of both regret and sympathy. Torrey jumped to her feet, hating that he might feel pity for her.

“I should go home now. I have to get out of these clothes.”

“The limo should be parked around the side,” he said. “I’ll call the driver to make sure.” He punched a number into his cell phone and spoke a few words. “He’s waiting. Let’s go.”

When they reached the limo, she stopped before climbing inside. “Thank you, Julian. I had a wonderful time, even if we did get wet.”

He looked startled. “Torrey, you don’t need to say good night here. I wouldn’t think of sending you home by yourself. Especially when you’re so upset.”

His gallantry touched her, but the last thing he needed was a long drive in soaked clothes. And the last thing she needed right now was him asking her any more questions. She laid a hand on his muscled chest, feeling the heat that radiated through the wet silk.

“That’s not necessary, Julian. But thank you for offering—it was very sweet. I’m sure your driver will get me home safely.”

“But…”

“No, really—I insist,” she said in a firm voice, forestalling his objections.

He gazed at her narrowly, looking intent on arguing her decision. But instead of saying a word, he pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with a tender but demanding kiss.