Jacy had shot him a look that sent him straight to hell.
He was in hell now. Scared shitless by Natalie's exhibition. The wild, yet satisfied look in her eyes told him she'd enjoyed the experience and expected more of the same.
Public sex put pressure on his performance.
He wasn't sure he could rise to the occasion.
Ever again.
Desperately seeking sleep, he eventually dreamed. A restless, frightening dream in which he stood bare-assed before fans, other ball players, and Mother Nature on the first tee of Shadow Woods Golf Course. Natalie, his very nude caddy, gripped his putter and balls.
Chapter 5
Risk Kincaid laced up his golf shoes and slipped on his golf glove. He and Zen Driscoll had arrived at Shadow Woods before the rooster crowed. Both men wanted time to warm up before the charity tournament.
To the east, the sun rose and grew stronger. The golden rays flickered through the cypress branches, patterning the grass.
"Putt or drive?" Zen asked.
"I'm going to hit a bucket of balls," Risk said. "You?"
"I'm going to practice my short game."
Risk shrugged Zen's golf bag off his right shoulder near the putting green. With the cart barn yet to open, he'd offered to carry both bags, not wanting Zen to strain his hamstring further.
"I'll be on the driving range." He shifted his own golf bag from his left to right shoulder as he circled the table-top green where Zen would practice his putting.
After purchasing a bucket of balls, he poured them out, then withdrew his driver from his golf bag. He rolled his shoulders and shook out his arms and proceeded to stretch his muscles in a practice swing.
Feeling fluid, he placed a pockmarked white golf ball on a two-inch wooden tee. Then drew back the club and slashed through the air to meet the ball with a resounding whack. The ball launched, long and straight. A solid three hundred yards.
"You hit the sweet spot," Jacy Grayson said from behind him. He slowly turned to face her.
"I've been known to find the sweet spot in golf, baseball, and women." He caught her blush, the sweep of heat along her neck and into her cheeks. The hot flushing of her skin aroused him. He angled back to the driving range and teed up a second ball. "Still mad at me, babe?"
"Mad enough to keep this conversation short."
He'd have to see how long he could drag it out. "What brings you to the driving range?"
"I'm killing time." She pointed toward the putting green. "Last night Zen saved Stevie from death by chocolate. She wanted to speak to him privately, so I wandered over here."
He looked over her shoulder. "Romeo and Psycho have arrived. A crowd's building around the players. There is no more privacy. You're free to return."
"I'll leave when I'm good and ready."
A smile tugged at the corner of Risk's mouth. Stubborn jacy? This was a side of her he'd yet to see. During the short times they'd shared together, she had always been sweet and loving. He liked knowing she had backbone. Not many people stood up to him.
Perhaps he had screwed up by not sharing the speculation over Aaron and Natalie's engagement. There would be neither rest nor romance until he once again gained Jacy's good side.
She looked damn good today. Her hair, light and streaked a dozen shades of blonde, was swept off her face and tucked behind her ears, exposing her smooth forehead and sharp cheekbones. Almond-brown contacts darkened her eyes.
Her flamboyance flashed in the amethyst-and-crystal broach pinned to her tangerine-and-peach Madras top. Floral print Bermudas showcased her legs. He admired the long-stemmed red rose that climbed her thigh; the yellow daisy tucked next to her zipper.
It might be a long time before she let him unzip her again. The thought depressed him greatly. Slamming the club against his palm, he said, "I made a mistake by not mentioning the rumor to you. Aaron's announcement's been made. It's now old news." He looked her straight in the eye. "I'm only home for a month, Jacy. I'd like to spend time with you. Tell me how I can make it better."
"I'll think of something." She turned then, and without a backward glance, walked away.
Risk watched her go, noting the straightness of her shoulders, the slight sway of her hips. The way her black-and-white saddle shoes left imprints on the dewy grass. Lolita Lampeka caught on the breeze, the warm vanilla scent a crooked finger, enticing him to follow.
He swallowed hard and held back. He'd get through the charity tournament, then charm Jacy out of her shorts.
The power of his swing sent the remaining golf balls beyond his original mark. He worked through a second bucket before heading toward the putting green. His gaze narrowed on Romeo, who now stood and spoke to Jacy. Whispered to her really, the man's lips brushing her ear. When Jacy giggled, Risk saw red.
"Morning, pops." Psycho grinned at Risk when he stepped onto the putting green. "Think you can walk all eighteen holes or should I call for a cart?"
Risk glanced at the young power hitter. Prior to the tournament, it had been decided the Richmond players would wear their team colors: a red golf shirt and navy slacks. Psycho had not conformed. Besides that, he'd breached golf course etiquette. Big time.
He stood before Risk in a gray T-shirt imprinted with a Dalmatian resembling a pirate: The sea dog wore a peg leg, single gold earring, and a black bandana decorated with skull and cross bones. Between his teeth, the Dalmatian clutched a skimpy bikini top. The words Free Those Puppies was scripted in red. Psycho's worn black jeans looked older than dirt.
Risk shook his head. Psycho's jabs at Risk's age had begun the day Psycho rose to the majors. Psycho reminded Risk of himself, when he was in his mid-twenties. Wild, edgy, believing life was a thrill ride.
From extreme sports to wild women, Psycho lived on the edge. At times dangled over.
"Zen is the only one driving a cart," Risk replied. "I've decided to walk the course. Same as you."
"I'm in your foursome."
Could the day get any better? "Behave yourself," Risk warned.
"I promised Stevie I wouldn't go off."
Risk knew that Psycho's promise could be twisted by situation and interpretation. Trouble embraced him like an old friend.
Selecting his putter from his bag of clubs, Risk practiced his short game along with six other players. He was just about to putt when he heard Jacy giggle. Again. Risk looked up in time to catch Romeo graze his fingers over her shoulder, then grin. A grin he flashed when flirting.