Into You (3 page)

I watched as she took it all in. Her expression changed from boredom to confusion, to surprise. I followed her eyes over to the two bags of golf clubs waiting for us. She still hadn't said a word, so I
thought I'd break the silence.

I reached into one of the bags and pulled a club from it. “Since you never played, we’ll start off at the driving range. This way you can get the feel of swinging the club and making contact
.” I extended the club to her.

“Are you for rea
l?” she asked reaching for it.

“Then we’ll travel to somewhere far away and play a nice par three course.
Nothing too hard.”

My mind drifted, sorting through the courses I knew, hoping I could remember one with tall trees to offer shade, and a babbling brook in the background while I pulled her down into the grass . . .

“You are serious,” she said awed. The sound of her voice brought me back to the present. Back to the moment and task at hand. First she had to get to like me. I had to make up for my less than stellar reaction when we met.

“C’mon give it a shot.”

I stepped in close to her, unable to fight the desire to reach out and brush a strand of brown silk behind her shoulder. Why did she draw me in like a moth to a flame?

“What kind of club is this anyway?”

I smiled at her ability to focus on a game she had no interest in while I could think of nothing but the softness of her skin. “Anxious to learn?”

“Challenge doesn’t frighten me.”

“Then this will be fun." I wasn't sure if I was referring to golf or me. "This is a nine iron,” I said motioning to the club in her hand.

I set up a tee in the appropriate rectangle and placed the ball on it. Next, I demonstrated how to pull the club back, swing, and follow through.

"Usually you practice with the woods or the driver, but maybe it's better for you to start with this. You might be able to handle it better."

Seeing Elizabeth step up to take her turn I retreated back near the golf bags and watched as she futilely swung the club over and over, getting red in the face from missing the ball.

“Mind if I show you something?” I asked.

“Sure.”

I stepped up behind her, breathing in the sweet scent of her perfume. Looking over her shoulder I put my arms around her, and adjusted her grip on the club hand over hand. Her hands were soft, like the fur of my mother’s cat. I wondered if the rest of her skin felt as warm and smooth. I wanted to toss the club away, and explore her body instead. I shook it off. Not yet. If I played my cards right there would be time for that.

With nothing more than a thin veil of air between us, I felt heat generating and wondered if it came from my thoughts alone. Did she feel it too? I couldn't get a read
on her. Not a clear one anyway.

“Bend your knees.”

She did as I instructed and I wondered if she'd be that trusting, that willing to listen to me in all things.
If only!

“Relax and let me lead,” I whispered in her ear.

Elizabeth did as I asked. That made me want to move her hair aside and kiss her neck all the more. I shook my head, hoping to clear my mind. I had to control myself, and my thoughts. I had to keep my head on the ball in front of us. Together we brought the club back, swung and hit it.

“That was great.” I stepped back, as she turned to look at me.

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. “I bet you say that to all the girls you bring here.”

“You’re the first." I admitted as light and playful as I could, once again
leading her through the proper form of swinging a golf club.

“Yeah, well, what can I say? I’m honored,” Elizabeth answered flippantly, as if she didn’t at all believe me. Where was the attitude coming from?

“You should be.”

My words didn't possess the sentiment I wanted to get across. I meant to hint that there was something special about her, something that made me want every experience with her to be new and
different, including this one.

She turned her face slightly toward mine just in time to catch me staring. My heart sped up and my muscles tensed ever so slightly around her, an involuntary reaction. Usually when I'd find myself this close to a woman she wasn't wearing clothes, and it was for the sole purpose of mutual pleasure. Thinking about the close proximity of our bodies stirred my desire for her, bringing it up to the rim, about to boil over.

My lips parted slightly as I wanted to say something, but unsure I could speak without making a fool of myself I changed my mind. I needed distance. I had to move away, or else I wouldn't be able to keep my hands from touching her. Everywhere. I couldn't risk that yet. Already I knew I wanted more from her than a romp in the sack. I unwrapped my arms from her waist and stepped away.

“You’re a quick study. I think you can handle it from here,” I said taking my place next to the golf bags again. In an attempt to keep my hands to myself, I crossed my arms over my chest.

She stared at me in silence for a moment. Our eyes met, locked. I recognized the look in her eyes and fought hard to keep in control. Maybe she wasn't as innocent as I thought. She wanted me, too.

I breathed a sigh of relief. I couldn't be sure standing so close to her. Aside from the fact she allowed me to be so close, she gave no other indication she was even attracted to me. Except that she showed up. I wasn't sure she would. I heard doubt in her voice when I called her earlier.

I watched her wondering what magic spell she cast on me. This wasn't how I acted around girls. And the strange sensations running through me, this excitement, it was foreign.

I tried to pull my eyes away from her, but couldn't. I realized the intensity of my gaze and chided myself. If I didn't get it together, I'd scare her off for sure.

Chapter 7

Elizabeth

This was the strangest first date I ever had. Even the way we met was surreal; bumping into him on the streets of Brooklyn. I rarely met guys there when I lived home with my parents. What would be the chances of meeting someone an hour away from where I live, who lives in the next town over back in New Jersey?

I felt a jittery energy flow through me every time Carter came near. And when he touched me, warmth spread like a blanket through my body. I glanced at him and felt his eyes soak me in. He wanted me; I had no doubt about that. It was what he wanted me for that made me nervous.

Something in his eyes sent chills down my spine. Like his eyes somehow had the power to peel the clothes off of my body. I hoped we hadn't just begun a much more dangerous game than golf. I knew nothing about him. He could be a rapist or serial killer. At least he armed me with golf clubs if I needed to fight him off. But what if he was the type that got off on that?

I knew danger lurked in the shadows.
Danger to my body if I allowed him to keep touching me. Danger to my heart if I allowed myself to drop my guard. I could tell already, he was the type of guy that could find a way under my skin. Once there, it was a short journey into the blood stream where full possession would take place.

In an attempt to clear my head, I turned my attention back to the ball. I lifted the club intending to use some of the tension I felt rising in my body to hit it with all my might and send it screaming into the screen in front of me. Instead I hit it over the top and the ball went forward two feet with little distance or power.

“Am I making you nervous?” Carter asked, a cocky grin on his face.

Smug bastard.
“Not at all,” I lied forcing my eyes not to look at him.

I looked down and steadied the club next to the ball, hoping to line everything up and relax my nerves. I didn't notice Carter approach until he stood toe to toe with me and brushed my cheek del
icately with his index finger.

“I hope you don't mind me staring. I can't seem to keep my eyes off you.”

I realized why he had me so off balance and intrigued. He reminded me of someone I wished I could forget. The only guy I ever loved.

“Does that line have a high success rate?” I asked, anger boiling over. Anger at his assuredness, anger at the memories and emotions he stirred in me. And anger at the line he used. Just when I thought maybe this night had a chance of turning into something wonderful he goes and throws a line out at me.
A trite and awful line.

"What? No." He looked surprised and upset by my question. The same question he asked me last night "I wasn't using a line."

"Right and the moon is made of cream cheese."

His eyes dropped.
No doubt searching for a new and improved cliché. I couldn’t believe how I almost let myself be taken in by him. Once again he proved to be the same narcissistic jerk I met the night before, rehearsed and insincere.

"I don't understand," Carter said meeting my eyes once again, looking for the first time unsure of
himself. “What just happened? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing."
I sighed, realizing I overreacted. I couldn't judge the world based on my one bad experience. I shook my head, "Just frustrated with this stupid ball.”

Carter grinned and stepped back, off to the side once again. As I readied myself for the next shot, I felt his eyes crawling over my body. He did make me nervous and uncomfortable, in an excited, I-have-butterflies-soaring-through-my-belly sort of way. I raised the club and swung with all my migh
t, completely missing the ball.

“Nice and easy," Carter said, his voice soft and gooey, like melted caramel. "The key is being relaxed. It looks like you want to send the ball to the moon.”

Ooh was he annoying!
I wanted to forget about him. Forget about how much I wanted him, and how much he wanted me. I had no chance of doing that if he kept drawing my attention back to him.

“Maybe I am. I’m using imagery. Pretending the ball is someone’s head.”

He snickered. “Is it my head?”

I meant to place the club head
down, instead I banged it into the green. And it was all his fault.

“Has anyone told you what a pig headed jerk you are?  You’re rude, e
gotistical and exacerbating!”

Carter stepped close, reached for my hand and pulled me close to him. He took hold of the golf club and let it fall gently to the floor. With both his hands free he buried them behind my hair and caressed the base of my head. My heart took off in a high speed chase.

"You want to tell me what set you off?"

I shook my head.

“Why don't we take a break from golf for a while?”

I fought to keep my composure. I needed to break free from his hold, his tantalizing touch. I swallowed hard knowing the best thing for me
was to get far away from him.

“Maybe you’re right.  Maybe we should just go home.”

“No,” Carter’s eyes betrayed his disappointment at my suggestion. “That’s not what I meant. You don’t really want to leave do you?” He dipped his head down to brush my lips gently with his own.

I felt my resolve melt in his arms. His lips were soft, warm and delicious
. And I wanted more.

“What did you mean then?”

Again he gave me a quick kiss before pulling away.  “Wait and see.”

Chapter 8

Carter

I had no idea what changed her mood so suddenly. Could she be that upset from catching me stare at her? I had to keep myself in check, stay in the present, not get too far ahead of myself or the night might not end the way I hoped. For a change that meant a second date, not sex.

I ushered her over to a seat at the table in the back, just outside the bay, before I disappeared behind the black canvas to get the supplies Trevor promised to hide for me. I could always count on him. I glanced toward the front of the store and noticed the lights were dimmed and Trevor was nowhere to be found. He knew I'd lock up and return the keys in the morning.

Great.
We were all alone, just like I'd planned. I stepped out from the area behind the canvas with a large weaved basket in one hand and a blanket slung over my shoulder.

I noticed a smile creep across Elizabeth’s face as she watched me lay the bl
anket across the green carpet.

“You going to stay there or join me for a picnic?”

“A picnic? Really?” Her eyes lit up again. "I never had a real picnic. Not that this is real, but it's more real than no picnic at all, ever."

I smiled as she rambled on, highlighting her nerves. Glad I wasn't the only one trying to feel my way through the situation. I spread the blanket over the fake green grass. “We can go anywhere you want.
East coast. West coast. Augusta?”

"Anywhere?"

I nodded.

"But you mean just on a golf course don't you?"

"Trust me, they're beautiful and can be incredibly romantic."

She twisted her
mouth, I could tell she didn't believe me. Fine, then I would prove it to her. I went over to the computer and searched for a course I knew well, with a lot of trees and water hazards. I gave us clear blue skies with nothing but birds chirping in the background. Next, I had to set time of day. I was tempted to set it for night. I'd love to simulate a picnic under the moon, but thought that might make her uncomfortable. Especially since I knew what it would do for me.