Belle let out a slow breath. “All this is beginning to sound less like a potential fling and more like the start of a potential relationship. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”
A roundabout, kind way of sayingyes.
“When it comes to woman-chasing, I’m hoping he made an exception for me because I’m so freaking awesome.” Oh, Lord, was she letting herself believe what she wanted to, regardless of the evidence? “I know I could be wrong about him. But he seems sincere, Belle. And you know I have a top-of-the-line bullshit detector after what happened with Jeremy.”
Belle took off her sunglasses entirely, meeting Tess’s gaze with concern pleating her brow. “I don’t mean to be unsupportive. Whatever you decide to do, I’ll be here for you. It’s just…”
Tess waited.
“If he hurts you, I’ll feel responsible, since I basically threw you in his path.” Belle reached for Tess’s hand. Squeezed. “Please be careful. Even smart women make mistakes sometimes.”
That sounded…personal. More so than seemed reasonable under the circumstances.
“Honey? Did something happen with Brian?”
Belle was silent for a long moment. “Yes and no. But give me a little time before we talk about it.” Another pause, and then her fingers slipped away from Tess’s. “Maybe you shouldn’t listen to me when it comes to Lucas. I’m feeling kind of anti-men at the moment.”
She’d crossed one leg over the other, and her top foot was jiggling. Definitely agitated.
“Are you sure you don’t want to talk?” At her friend’s immediate nod, Tess persisted. “I’m happy to be your sounding board or your soft shoulder, if that’s what you need. Or your angel of vengeance, I suppose.”
At that, Belle snorted. “You? An angel? Please.”
“A vengeful one, like I said. The standards are a bit more lax.” Tess grinned. “So is that what you need? A flappy-winged bringer of doom?”
Belle raised her paperback in front of her face once more. “Weren’t you supposed to be working?”
A clear attempt at distraction, but she was right. Tess’s morning was almost gone, passed in a blur of Lucas and exactly zero new work-related ideas.
She tucked the tablet into her beach tote and got out her notebook. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll get back to work.”
Maybe, instead of fooling around with a twenty-something former tennis pro, she should do the same that night too.
* * *
Despite the doubtsnipping at her confidence—Wasshe being played? Shouldn’t she spend this time working instead? Given the circumstances, where could any relationship with Lucas actually go, anyway?—Tess made her way to the clubhouse that night in her sexiest oversized tee.
Which seemed like a contradiction in terms, she knew.
But she wasn’t sure how she wanted this evening to end yet, so hedging her bets and pretending she might be there for a lesson instead of lovemaking made sense. Besides, if he really did intend to pursue a relationship with her, he should know she prioritized comfort over all else in her non-professional clothing. If he wanted a woman who’d squeeze herself into Spanx and put on spike heels for a normal night out, he needed to keep on looking.
Somewhere in her late thirties, her supply of fucks had become extremely limited. Some might even say nonexistent, except when it came to her work and her friends.
And, it appeared, Lucas. Because she did indeed give a fuck about how he saw her. Whether he wanted her. So she might have pulled on a comfy tee, but she’d made certain the garnet color flattered her skin and the vee neckline dipped low. Given how much he enjoyed her boobs, he’d appreciate the amount of cleavage it displayed.
Speaking of which…
She tugged the neckline a little lower as she neared the clubhouse, her heart skittering.
Once more, Lucas was waiting for her. This time with his head up and alert, not pointed at his toes. Once more, as soon as he spotted her, he jogged her way, eating up massive amounts of ground with each long stride.
No wonder he always looked so indolent. He only had to take a single step where a normal mortal might need three. His big body had exacted a price for that advantage, though, paid in pain and surgery and a disappointing end to a promising career.
He didn’t appear worried about any of that right now.
No, he was smiling at her. Not the facile grin of a flirt, but a beam that popped his dimples and warmed his eyes. When he got close, he immediately dipped his head for a gentle press of his lips against hers, brief and sweet.
“Hey, älskling.” His arms slid around her, and he cuddled her neck with that big, warm palm of his as his fingers laced into her hair, and she almost melted on the spot. “What do you want to do tonight?”
