In Good Company: Chapter 17

“I think I like golf more than I thought I would,” I offer before looking over at Cal. We’re about an hour into the charity golf event and have only been able to play two holes.

I don’t mind that it’s taking longer than what Cal says is typical. I’m actually enjoying spending time with him. He seems more at ease than normal, and it’s exciting to see him outside of his house. I’m used to our only conversations being in his kitchen over a meal.

“Is it my excellent company that’s made you change your mind?” he asks smugly. His lips twitch with the beginning of a smirk.

I shake my head and can’t help but smile at his comment. “I don’t know if I’d describe your company as excellent, but what I meant was I understand why people like golf.” I look out the side of the golf cart, taking in the breathtaking view of the Pembroke Hills world-famous golf course. There’s a reason people pay big money to keep their membership at Pembroke, and the golf course is one of the biggest ones. You can’t play it unless you’re here with a member, and even then, from what I understand, the club has to approve it.

Cal keeps the golf cart stopped as we wait for one of the couples in front of us to finish their round. I was shocked to find out that it was Preston Rhodes and his influencer girlfriend, Emma Turner, only two people ahead of us. My dad’s a huge Manhattan Mambas fan. He’d be shocked to know I’ve served them before at the club. The two are very nice. And clearly very in love because they’re too busy making out on the green to quickly take their turn at the hole.

I don’t mind. The extra time with Cal is…nice. Things don’t feel like they have to be as professional between us. Not that our constant bickering is very professional in the first place.

“What have you liked most about golf so far?” Cal asks, breaking me from my thoughts. I lean back in the seat, crossing one leg over the other while I think about his answer. I throw a look in his direction, finding his gaze on my legs. His eyes snap to mine immediately, his jaw getting tight after being caught.

“What’s not to like?” I counter, holding my arm out of the cart. “The view is breathtaking and one of a kind. The weather is beautiful. It’s relaxing. Maybe I need to take up golf as a hobby.”

This makes him laugh. I’m learning to love the sound of his laugh—the real one. He has a sarcastic one he uses often, but this real one, the one that rumbles deep in his chest…it’s kind of sexy.

Can you find a man’s laugh sexy without finding him sexy?

I bite my lip before looking at him out of the corner of my eye. He is sexy, no matter how much I don’t want to admit it. I just have to remind myself that no amount of good looks or charm can cover up the fact that he needs to be off-limits to me for multiple reasons.

“Anytime you want to come golf at Pembroke, you let me know, and I’ll get us a tee time.” The golf cart we’re in isn’t very wide, so when he shifts his body, his knee bumps against mine.

I let my gaze travel over his face, trying to figure out if he extended the invitation to be polite or if that’s something he wants to do. Deep down, I know he wouldn’t have offered if he didn’t want to; it’s just hard for me to accept that answer. If I accept it, I might think too deeply about what it means.

I might find it cute…charming…a sign that maybe he and I are developing a friendship, no matter how crazy that might sound.

Cal reaches between us and presses his fingertip to my temple. “What are you thinking about? I didn’t expect the offer for us to golf together again would take so much thought.”

His hand drops to the leather between us as I give him an apologetic smile. “I was thinking that you haven’t even seen me swing a club yet. No matter how much I enjoy being a passenger princess while you expertly hit the ball, I’m actually terrified to do it myself.”

He taps his fingers against the space between us, his pinky just barely brushing against my bare thigh. I freeze at the feeling of his skin against mine, trying not to let my body shiver in pleasure from the softest touch. “Don’t be scared. I’m here to help you.” His words are soft and sincere, something I didn’t know he could be.

Neither one of us moves for a moment, too busy staring into each other’s eyes to do anything else.

What is happening?

My heart races, no matter how many times I try to tell it to stop. Even though he can be perceived by those who don’t know him as cold and cunning, I now know better. He’s charming and charismatic when he wants to be. The way he’s looking at me right now, it’s like nothing else I’ve ever felt before.

I tear my gaze from his just in time to realize the line of golf carts ahead of us has moved. He notices too, both our bodies jostling a little as he presses on the gas and guides the cart to the next hole.

Cal puts the golf cart in park and looks at me. “Want to give this hole a try?”

My eyes widen. “Not really.”

This makes him laugh. He slides out of the seat and stands up. I don’t know why, but the way he adjusts his golf club is kind of hot.

Is golfing supposed to be this hot? Or is it just because Cal’s doing it?

I shake my head. Maybe the summer sun is getting to me. Why am I having these thoughts about Cal?

“Lucy Rae Owens, come out here and show me your golf swing,” he commands, his voice thick.

I stare at him in shock, my butt staying planted in my seat. “How do you know my middle name?”

He lifts his hat and runs his fingers through the longer tendrils of his hair at the top before placing it back on his head again. “It was on your resume. Now, come on.”

Even though I’m still a little stunned about how my full name sounded coming from his mouth, I follow directions. My feet hit the pavement, and I meet him where he now stands at the front of the golf cart.

He smirks and cocks his head toward the green. “Let’s see what you’ve got, Lucy Rae.”