| Colby’s prediction about Catherine was right. The day that she and Brian flew back to Lexington, William brought Catherine home. What began tentatively between them on that early New Year’s morning continued to flourish as the weeks went by. William returned to the man Catherine had married. His attentiveness, concern and his love for her were so obvious in all he did for her. He spent more time at home now. They would sit together while he read to her and he continually encouraged her therapy learning how to help with her exercises. And as William’s love was rekindled the years seem to slip away too. The furrow in his brow was gone, his eyes had a sparkle to them and there was a sprint in his gait. The transformation was still quite a shock, not only to Colby but to those he conducted business with. He was still a shrewd businessman, but gone were the cutthroat methods and underhandedness. And it didn’t go unnoticed by Garrett. Now there was someone who could use a reawakening. Although Colby wasn’t sure there was anything that profound that would cause Garrett to do an about face like his father. He still felt that William’s softness would be the company’s undoing. So far he hadn’t been able to make any inroads in taking complete charge. His father’s upper level executives were too loyal to William and they were keeping a close eye on Garrett which he was sure was his father’s doing. He would wait, somehow there would be an opportunity and then he would make his move. There as one card he was holding that could cause a stir. It wouldn’t directly hurt the company, but with his father so entrenched in reestablishing his life with his mother as his top priority, it just might give Garrett the edge he needed. He would bide his time, because timing was everything. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ “Come on, it’s too nice a day to stay inside.” Brian followed Colby around the shop as she placed the new shipment of frames on display. He took the larger ones and put them on the shelf for her. He had been at this now for fifteen minutes. She didn’t want to go, there was work to do. He was so persistent. No was not in his vocabulary. Golf! He had to be kidding right? But she had to admit that his attire, even though it was just khakis and a soft blue collared shirt set her heart racing. They were golf clothes, for God’s sake, but he looked so good. “You can ride in the cart and we can neck in the woods when I hit the ball off the course.” He raised his eyebrows at the thought of them sneaking off behind the bushes. “Brian, I don’t golf.” She opened another carton to find the patriotic prints she had ordered. Colby began to sort through them when Brian closed the carton and sat on it. “What do you think you are doing?” She tried to push him off, but he would not budge. “Come with me. We can make a day of it.” She rolled her eyes and went to the desk and began to shuffle through the papers that had accumulated. Soon Brian was right there whisking them from her hands. He pulled her to him and held her tight. “I want to spend the day with you. You can keep score if you won’t golf and then we can go for a swim and finish with dinner on the terrace.” He kissed her softly letting his tongue play along her bottom lip. He was so unfair. He knew that drove her wild and if he kept it up she would cave in. “In all my married years I never went with Rob. He knew better not to ask. You go and I’ll meet you later.” Colby pushed back in his arms, but Brian tightened his hold. “Besides I don’t have the proper shoes and I would need clothes for dinner and the pool.” “Fine. Let’s go. We can stop at the house to get what you need.” He took her by the hand and went down the hall to the back office. Donna was on the phone and Arlene looked up from the invoices she was working on when they walked in. “I’m stealing your boss for the rest of the day ladies,” Brian grinned at them. “We’re off to the club.” Arlene giggled at the look on Colby’s face. She had heard them out front and knew what Brian had planned. “Golf?” she laughed. Colby slowly nodded and rolled her eyes. “He doesn’t understand no.” Colby tried to wiggle out of the hold he had on her. “Oh I understand what it means. I’m just not listening. I promise you will have fun. Scouts honor.” Brian crossed his heart. “Brian,” Arlene spoke slowly, “Colby doesn’t play. Never has. You may be wise to listen to her. I would hate to see you two break up over a silly golf game.” “I beg your pardon. Golf is not a silly game. It requires dexterity, grace, poise and sheer concentration.” Colby and Arlene slowly shook their heads trying hard to suppress their laughter. “Come on,” he said and he led her out of the office. “Time’s a wasting. See you later ladies. Have a nice day.” He pulled Colby along. “Help me, please,” Colby called as they continued through the shop. Arlene watched as Brian opened the front door practically dragging Colby through it. She turned back pleading with Arlene. “Arlene, pleeeease.” “Sorry I think he’s right. You are going to have fun. Go.” Brian ushered Colby into the front seat of his Beamer and closed the door. He waved to Arlene and got in the driver’s side and Arlene waved back as they took off down the street. She felt sure Colby would feel very differently about the game of golf before the day was over. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Brian had a distinct feeling he had pushed a bit too far. Colby was distant and her body language told him that she was off limits to any kind of intimate contact. When he had leaned in to kiss her on the fifth green, she had turned her face causing his lips to brush her cheek. She grudgingly kept score paying strict attention to his instructions but was totally uninterested in the game as her eyes continually roamed back and forth not bothering to watch him play. She had begged and pleaded with him all the way to the house but he wouldn’t listen. She continued her pleas as she reluctantly packed up a swim suit and a sun dress but all he would do was smile and kiss her telling her that she would feel differently by the end of the day. Golf! She was glad he enjoyed the game as long as she didn’t have to endure it. It was too slow, an old man’s sport. She didn’t quite get why Brian, who was young and virile, was so enthralled by this laid back past time. So she rode in the cart, but her mind was a million miles away. Brian continually had to call her back so she could write down his score. And for the front nine holes this was how it went. Brian tried everything, even getting her to help him find the balls that he shot into the trees. There was no ‘making out’ in the bushes and he was beginning to think Arlene was right. This afternoon could be their undoing. As he teed off at the eleventh hole Brian watched as the ball sailed straight down the fairway. It landed on the green and his fellow teammates slapped his back. It was the first shot of the day for him that hadn’t veered either left or right or worse still in the trees that banked each fairway. Colby had looked up just as he hit the ball and she watched it soar high into the air. With her hands shading her eyes she followed it’s path as it landed softly on the outer edges of the green. This was a par four hole and Brian had reached the green on his first shot. She knew enough about the game to know that he had a chance to make this hole in less than the required number of shots. Brian sat next to her in the cart. She gave him a half smile and they rode in silence to the green. As he got out to mark his ball, she called to him. “Good luck.” Brian looked at her a stunned expression on his face. “Thanks. I’ll probably need it.” The others had made the green on their first shot too, but Brian was the furthest away. So he putted first. Colby sat intently as he lined up his club with the hole. Brian took a couple of practice swings and hit the ball hard. It rolled towards the cup just skimming the edge and moved past it. The sighs from the rest of them came in unison. He tapped the ball into the cup a grin on his face. He had birdied the hole. Colby wrote down his score and jumped out of the cart and came towards him. “You did it,” she smiled and hesitantly kissed his cheek. Actually watching him had been a bit of a turn on. The intensity, in which he concentrated on the shot and the movement of his body as he swung the club, sent all sorts of sensations through Colby. “Yeah I did, didn’t I.” He looked at her trying to figure out why the sudden turn around in her actions. “Look Colby, I’m sorry about dragging you here today. I just thought it would be fun.” He put the putter in his bag and grabbed the water bottle hanging from the strap. He took a long pull of the liquid and wiped his mouth. “If you want I can have someone come and get you and take you back to the club house and I’ll meet you there when I’m done.” He started towards the front of the cart when she took his arm. “No. I’m sorry Brian for acting so childish about coming with you today. I just never took an interest in the game and Rob never pushed me knowing how I felt. Give me another chance. I can’t promise that I’ll want to come all the time, but it was truly a beautiful sight to watch you hit that ball down the fairway just now. Watching you move so slowly and deliberately, well I’m almost embarrassed to say what it did to me.” She blushed at her words. She turned to get into the seat when he stopped her. “Oh, and what did it do to you?” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her nose. “It’s definitely not something you can do on the golf course.” She grinned at him. “Save it for the club house?” She shook her head. “The cabana by the pool?” She laughed. “Well we’re having dinner on the terrace so that is out.” He began to pout. She took his face in her hands and kissed him softly. He pulled her tight and forced his tongue into her mouth tasting deeply. “Whoa. That’s even a bit too much for the golf course. But keep that thought for later okay.” She smirked. “I was almost afraid I could have caused some serious problems between us today, Colby. I apologize for being so hardheaded but I just wanted to be with you.” “Don’t. I was wrong. I was acting like a spoiled child.” She loved him so much and right now with the sun shining on his face, his eyes just sparkled and she found herself just lost in the depths of them. “I love you and I don’t think a silly golf game would have been our undoing.” She slid into the seat and waited for Brian’s comeback. “We’re not going to go through that again are we?” He said as he started the cart towards the next hole. “Well then you have to prove me wrong. So maybe you can use your knowledge of the game to give me a few pointers?” She gave him a sly grin. “You’re on,” he agreed. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Colby let the sundress fall over her body coming to a stop just above her knees. Her sun-drenched skin enhanced the soft blue color and even though her nose and shoulders were a bit too pink it gave her a healthy glow. She applied a minimal amount of make up and then took one final look in the mirror. A grin curled at her lips as she thought back to the afternoon. Brian played the next two holes with the other two men and Colby kept score as before except now she watched intently as they all proceeded toward the objective hole. On the 15th fairway Brian coaxed her out of the cart and then tried to get her to hit the ball. She argued that she had no idea what to do when he took matters into his own hands. He told the others to play on without them. The foursome following them was a good three holes behind so Brian knew they would not hold anyone up. What followed was the most unusual golf lesson. Brian stood behind Colby letting his hands rest on hers. The nearness of his body sent a warm flush through her. As he guided her through the swing of the club she could feel his body brush against hers. Colby turned to look at him and he told her she was to keep her eye on the ball not him. He kissed her cheek and pulled her back to her original stance. They pulled back on the club and hit the ball. Just thinking about what happened next brought a smile to Colby’s face. The ball went sailing into the woods. Colby had pouted but Brian just kissed her again. And so the rest of the game took on the same scenario over and over. Each time Brian held her close Colby could feel herself slipping further and further into a state of sheer desire for him. And putting was even worse. He couldn’t get any closer. Brian knew the effect he was having and although he enjoyed teasing Colby, he had a hard time controlling himself. By the time they reached the 18th hole Colby was soaked with perspiration and the sexual tension between them was unbearable. They parted at the clubhouse to the respective dressing rooms. Colby changed into her swimsuit quickly anticipating the cool pool water would quell the raging need in her body. They had agreed to meet at the entrance, but when Colby exited Brian was no where to be found. She asked the clerk and had been told that Mr. Littrell would meet her inside. Colby shrugged and shook her head thinking women weren’t the only ones to change their minds. She found two lounges and dropped her towel. She dove into the pool, breaking the surface at the half way point. She began to swim back and forth letting the water and even strokes work out all the pent up tension from the golf course. As she flipped to start back down the pool she hit another swimmer. Colby came to the surface to stare directly into Brian’s blue eyes. “Brian, what,” she never finished. He took her in his arms and kissed her boldly right there in the pool in front of God and everybody! He left her breathless. “Brian, really, what do you,” he stopped her again with his mouth. “You are beautiful,” he said when they parted. “I’ve been watching you. You barely cut the water with your strokes. And all sorts of evil things were going through my mind as you swam back and forth. If we were alone, I would,” She put her hand on his lips. Brian!” She felt her face flush and she could see some of the guests watching them. “We are in a public place. Control yourself.” She tried to put some distance between them, but Brian held fast. She could feel his manhood against her and it was causing an ache between her legs. Her swim was supposed to relieve all the tension from their golf game but it was returning as Brian continued to hold her close to him. “Brian, please, or I might do something I will regret." “Oh, tell me.” He smirked. She slipped out of his arms and swam to the opposite side of the pool. But before she could get up the ladder he reached her letting his hands run up her legs. She squealed causing the other swimmers to stare at her. “Stop! Please!” She whispered as she climbed the ladder and went to the lounge. Brian noted her serious tone and followed her out. Colby draped the towel on the chair and sat down and closed her eyes. Brian knew not to say anything so he went and got them a tall, cool drink. Just thinking back to the exchange between them made Colby warm. She picked up the thin wrap in case it was cool on the terrace. She wondered if Brian would be where he said this time. He was and looking as handsome as ever. This was his third set of clothes for the day and she couldn’t decide what he looked best in. Actually it didn’t matter what he had on, because the clothes just seem to fit him perfectly. He escorted her to their table. His playfulness of earlier in the day was gone. Not that he was serious but Colby noted that his demeanor was reserved and very attentive. It had truly been a day she would never forget. This was something she and Rob and never done. And it was all because she never wanted any part of golf! Well Colby supposed that had all changed today. She would never make the women’s PGA but she would definitely like to spend another day having Brian ‘teach’ her the finer points of the game. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Brian opened the French doors and let the cool evening air in. He brushed the hair away from Colby’s neck and dropped soft kisses along her shoulder as he eased the strap of her dress down her arm. Colby rested back against his body luxuriating in the feel of his mouth on her. The whole day had led up to this. Every touch and look since they left the shop was just a prelude to what they both craved. “Brian, please,” Colby panted as he turned her in his arms. His mouth covered hers and she melted into him. Brian picked her up and placed her in the bed. “Now about those evil thoughts you had earlier,” she grinned at him. |