“I think I’m going to stay here and guard the bar,” I said quickly, “but I’m sure Marcus would love to go.”
Marcus stepped forward, but Takahari held up his hand. “Nonsense! You are both my guests today. I require both of you. Now come, we’ll get you fitted with some clubs.”
He headed out without another word, leaving us no choice but to follow. And while Marcus strutted confidently after him, I discreetly clawed at his arm.
“Wait,” I whispered in a rush, “I can’t do this.”
He guided me through the crowd of people, never breaking his stride. “Is this like dancing again?”
“No, much worse.” I had to make him believe me. “Marcus, I’ve never played golf in my entire life—I don’t even know the rules.”
“It’s pretty simple.” We got to some sort of armory, and he loaded up two bags with clubs. “You try to sink the ball into the hole, as quickly as possible.” I bit my lip and he held up a pre-emptive hand. “If you’re about to make a ‘that’s what she said’ joke, this isn’t the place—”
“No, I’m being serious.” I grabbed his arm and he finally paused. “I have no idea what I’m doing, and I don’t want to mess this up for you. I know how you people seem to take golf really seriously...”
His face softened, and before I knew what was happening, he leaned down and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I stared up in surprise. We were standing by ourselves on the patio. No one was watching, were they?
“You’re not going to mess anything up,” he promised. Then he straightened out with a wink. “Besides...I can teach you how to swing.”
I closed my eyes with a grimace as Takahari spotted us and headed our way. “Fine,” I muttered under my breath, “but I better be allowed to drive the golf cart.”
As it turned out, I absolutely was not allowed to drive the cart. Nor was I allowed to hide discreetly behind Marcus as Takahari insisted that he and I were partners (did golf have partners?) and forced me to walk with him up ahead. Before the first hole, Marcus did teach me how to swing, but I swear, the entire experience left me more flustered than before.
“You just grip it loosely along the ridges here.” His body curved up behind mine, and I felt myself overheating despite the cool breeze. “Then twist from your hips to follow through.”
I gave it my best. “Like that?”
His chest shook as he chuckled silently behind me. “Have you even seen this done before?”
I twisted my head with a glare. “The only time I paid attention to a golf swing was when it decapitated a person in the season finale of CSI.”
More quiet laughter. “Well, then, just think of the ball as a really tiny head. Can you do that?”
My voice grew acidic. “Oh, I have someone in mind.”
“Now twist from the hips and relax.”
I tried it again with about as much success as the first time, and a moment later, a pair of cool hands wound around my hips. My breath caught in my chest as Marcus gently guided me through the twisting gesture he was trying to explain—his body mimicking the motion behind me. Almost too soft to notice, I felt his forehead press down against my hair. There was a sudden stillness behind me, and I realized he wasn’t breathing either.
A shiver ran up my spine, and when I felt like my body was going to literally explode, I scrambled to come up with something—anything—to say.
“...this feels like more than just acting.”
My eyes snapped shut. That was not what I had in mind. But as Marcus pulled away he laughed aloud, twirling a club in his hand. “Give it another try.”
I glanced out nervously at the green. “Do you think I should take off my bracelet first? I don’t want it falling off...”
“It’ll be fine. Now stop stalling and swing.”
“Just put it in your pocket for me.”
“It’s not going to come off—just swing the club.”
“Marcus—”
“Now, Miss White!”
“Fine!”