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  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.

  Responding to him seemed like the natural thing to do. As he prolonged the kiss, probing with his tongue, she parted her lips, surrendering to his gentle invasion. He seized the opportunity and claimed her with a kiss so deep, so searing, that her legs felt an unfamiliar and delicious weakness. His lips devoured her, his tongue stroking deep as he pulled her even tighter against him. The soft, wet heat of his mouth contrasted with the rock-hardness of the chest and erection that pressed so enticingly against her breasts and belly. The feel of his cock jutting out so insistently against her body made her insides quiver with a wild desire.

  Still, as much as her body shouted its willingness—no, its need—to give in to him, her mind flashed glaring red signals. She longed for Julian to drag her upstairs to his suite and cover her naked body with his. She knew it would be an unforgettable night of ravenous sex and passion. Maybe, if luck was on her side, it could even be three or even four unforgettable nights. But by the end of the week it would all be over. Julian and his friends would climb back aboard their jet and fly off to their world, leaving her behind in hers, no further ahead.

  When she stacked the prospect of a night or two of glorious sex against the hope of a sponsorship and a chance to live out her dream, glorious sex didn’t stand a chance.

  Even as her body melted against him, her mind fought through the erotic haze. The timing was all wrong. She couldn’t talk to him about sponsorship now—not with his mouth and hands heating her to the point of incineration. They’d barely even spoken about her goals. He’d have to be convinced of her ability, her passion for the game and her determination to make it to the pro tour. If she slept with him before they talked about all that, how could he help but think she’d had sex with him only to gain his financial support?

  He’d shoo her away like an annoying gnat.

  She broke the kiss and pushed herself out of his arms. “Julian, I have to go. I’ll see you at the course. Tomorrow’s a long day.”

  Julian stared at her, for a moment looking both puzzled and frustrated as hell. But he recovered quickly, mustering a smile as he handed her into the limo.

  As the driver sped away, Torrey kept telling herself that one night of passion wasn’t worth the risk that came with it.

  Even if she wasn’t at all sure she believed that.

  Chapter 4

  Jet was rocking by the time Julian joined the others. Brendan and Annie seemed relatively sober and soon after greeting him went back into apparently serious private discussions. Michael and Julieta looked and sounded loaded, and she seemed completely entranced. Josh and Krista appeared to be missing.

  After Torrey sped off in the limo, he’d stripped off his drenched clothes and taken a long, hot shower, trying to make some sense out of what had just happened. Until that crazy thunder and lightning show, he’d had no intention of soul-kissing the woman. Oh, he was attracted to her, all right. But when he really liked someone, he took his time. With Torrey, he’d intended to give her all the time she needed.

  But then she’d freaked out and plastered her sweet, curvy body against him. And the way she clung to him, her arms inside his jacket, her fingers gripping his back, her hips thrust hard against his erect cock, it wasn’t just a comfort hug. She’d been afraid, but she’d been on fire too.

  So he couldn’t really fault himself for kissing her like he did. And when she opened to him, he’d been ready to abandon his go-slow policy on the spot. But just as quickly as her fire had ignited, it had been extinguished, leaving him alone outside the hotel, wondering how he’d blown it.

  Michael gave him a sly gaze. “All alone, boss? What happened to the lovely Miss Green?”

  Julian flicked his hand to attract the server to their table. “Double Glenfiddich, neat, please.” He turned back to Michael. “We got caught in the rain and thoroughly soaked, so it was best for her to get home.”

  “That’s a shame,” Brendan said in a serious tone that belied his obvious pleasure at the news.

  “Are Josh and Krista dancing?” Julian asked Michael, ignoring Brendan.

  “Who knows? The way they were going at it, they probably decided to slip out again for a few minutes.” Julieta seemed to find his remark hilarious, letting forth a stream of giggles from behind her wine glass.

  With Torrey gone, Julian realized he was now the proverbial third wheel—or, in this case, seventh wheel. He downed the scotch in two swallows and had decided to say good-night when he felt a light tap on his shoulder. He turned his head to see a tall, willowy young woman smiling down at him.

  She tilted her head and smiled seductively. “Would you care to dance with me?”

  Yes, but no, he thought. Another time, he’d have had no problem taking such a beautiful girl up on her offer. Tonight though, there was only one woman on his mind, and he had no interest pursuing a consolation prize.
r />   “Thank you, but as a matter of fact I have to leave in a minute or two. I’ve got business early tomorrow.”

  “But it’s really not very late. Are you sure you wouldn’t rather postpone your bedtime a little?”

  Man, was he going to have to be rude to give her the message loud and clear?

  Fortunately, Michael rode to his rescue. “Darling, could you excuse us now, please? Mr. Grant needs to talk to me before he leaves, and if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to do that now.” Michael flashed her the grin that never failed to melt the hearts of both sexes.

  “Well, all right then,” she said with a moue. “I hope I see you again soon.”

  As she moved away, Julian nodded to Michael. “Thanks, buddy. But now I really am going to head out soon. I just wanted to have a quick drink and touch base.”

  After a few more minutes of enduring the ear-splitting rock music, Julian shook hands with his partners and kissed both Annie and Julieta on the cheek. As he skirted the crowded room on his way out, Josh came striding off the dance floor with Krista.

  “We didn’t think you were going to make it,” Josh said, his eyes conveying delight at Julian’s unexpected return.

  “Torrey needed to get home early,” he replied in a clipped voice. “I came over for a quick nightcap, but I’m heading back to the hotel now.”

  Josh turned to Krista. “Honey, how about you go back to the table and order us another round? I need to talk to Julian for just a minute.”

  “What’s up?” Julian asked as soon as Krista was out of range.

  “Jules, you look bummed. So I figure I should help you get a better sleep tonight.” He pulled Julian further from the dance floor, where the music seemed marginally less intrusive. “Hey, I know it looks like I’ve hit the mother lode with Krista. But I know you and the other guys won’t exactly be heartbroken to hear it’s not happening tonight.”