The Perfect Stroke (Lucas Brothers #1)(68)

Riverton is yelling out that I’ll be sorry, but when Ida Sue aims the hose full-force right at his face, he shuts up and takes off running with his buddies. Ida Sue lets up on the trigger of the water hose nozzle. No one talks for a few minutes. I think Jackson might be too mad, I’m afraid. That leaves Ida Sue. My eyes go to her and I wish I could read her better.

“I think it’s time we talked, Claudia,” she says.

“I do, too,” Jackson says, and the hurt in his voice almost undoes me.

“Ida Sue, I probably should talk to Jackson alone. I owe it…”

“Nonsense. We’re family now. Now, I don’t know what’s going on and I’m pretty sure my son doesn’t know. If he did and he’s still doing business with that snake in the grass, then I’m going to rip him a new *.”

“He doesn’t know,” I confess.

“I can only assume you have a reason for that, dear. But you, I, and Jackson here are going to talk, and for now, we’ll keep it between the three of us. We’re going to have to figure things out soon, however, because that sad waste of ball sweat will be back and I’d lay odds he’ll only get meaner,” she says. I look over at Jackson and he’s nodding his head in agreement. I take a breath and agree.

“Okay. Let’s go talk in my office, though. I think people on the street have seen enough for one day.”

As the three of us walk back into the garage, nervousness floods through me. I know they’re right. I do need to talk about this. I need to find a way to tell not only them, but Gray too. I just don’t know if I can handle feeling everyone’s disappointment on top of everything else.

Especially Gray’s.





“The trick is the follow-through. See, if you choke your hold on the driver, you’re not allowing the force to hit the ball and you’re just not going to get a long drive,” I tell CC, adjusting her hands on the club and pulling her back into my body as close as I can.

“Is that a golf ball in your pocket back there, Crayon Man?”

“Ouch. Golf ball? Couldn’t you at least call it a putter or something? I mean, I’m just asking for a little respect here.”

“I didn’t realize you were so insecure,” she says, wiggling her ass against my dick. It doesn’t matter that I’m wearing slacks or that she has a skirt and panties on; when I get close to her and she rubs against me like that, I am instantly hard as a rock.

“Quit trying to make me spank your ass, Cooper. Now pay attention to your lesson.”

“Not that I’m not loving my lesson… and other things,” she says, pushing her ass against me, “but shouldn’t you be resting up for day two? I mean, you’re a few strokes behind the leaders. I’m not sure what all that means, but I don’t want to be the reason you’re too tired…”

“Do I feel too tired to you, Cooper?”

“You never feel too tired, but despite your other super hero attributes, you’re only human, Gray Lucas. Maybe you should sleep.”

“You could wear me out and then maybe I’ll nap.”

“We could go back to the hotel,” she suggests, turning in my arms to look at me. She’s wearing a cute little outfit complete with a short skirt, and I’ve been dying to f*ck her since I first saw her in it. She’s been better the last couple of days. Ever since Ida Sue came in, actually. Those two have become thick as thieves and whatever Ida Sue has done, she’s somehow worked magic and CC seems less stressed about work. She still won’t tell me what’s going on, but she says she has it handled, and I guess that’s all I need to know. I offered to help; that’s all I can do.

“What if I told you I’m not sure I can make it back to the hotel?”

Her eyes dilate and she looks around the course nervously. There are a few people out today, but not many. I don’t know where Riverton or Cammie have gone the last couple of days, but it’s been nice not having them around. I’m regretting ever listening to Seth about getting Riverton’s sponsorship. It might have been harder to get where I am now, but I would have done it. I’ve actually been talking to my lawyer to see if he could get me out of the contracts with Riverton. I don’t know the full story with Cammie, but I know enough to know she and her father don’t respect my woman, and that is not acceptable. Not now… not ever. My need to advance caused me to overlook that for a little bit. That will not happen again. There’s nothing more important than CC to me, and that includes this tournament or any future ones. Without CC, I don’t care if I ever golf again.

“Gray, it’s broad daylight and the tournament… it’s crowded,” she whispers worriedly.

“It was earlier. Now everyone has gone home. C’mon, Cooper. Live dangerously.”

“I’m beginning to hate it when you say that to me. It never ends well.”

“This time, it will. I make sure you’ll get a happy ending.”

She rolls her eyes at me and I can’t help laughing. But she reaches out her hand, which is a yes, and that’s all that counts. I take her hand in mine and begin leading her to the edge of the woods.

Time to show my woman how much fun a golf course can really be.





I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’ve been through a lot this last week, so maybe I’ve finally cracked under the pressure. Maybe it’s the fact that Gray makes me feel like a teen again. Back when sex was new, emotions were honest and raw, and life held more promise. Back before reality slowly chipped away at my dreams.