A Date to Play Fore - Heidi McLaughlin Page 0,8

his shoulder, looking like a complete idiot. He’s not fooling anyone. “Watch it? Hell, honey, I play it. Did you want to go hit a couple balls?”

Yes, please go kick his ass, Leah. I know you can. However, I don’t want her anywhere alone with that douchebag.

Leah holds a hand over her chest while exaggerating her voice. “Wow, I didn’t know I was in the presence of a professional golfer.”

He chuckles. “Well, now, I wouldn’t go that far.”

I would because I’m sitting right next to her.

“Back to my question,” Leah says, “do you want to know who I know?”

He nods and leans in. His fingers are touching her arm, which really pisses me off. Leah’s not mine, but I know she’s not into this guy. She tells me she doesn’t like me, but I know she tolerates me. “I think you should get to know me,” he says.

Leah picks his hand up and sets it back in his own space, but he’s not taking no for an answer. I can see the impatience in his eyes. This isn’t going to turn out well at all.

“Come on, babe. You’ve been playing hard to get all night. I’ve bought you drinks, talked to you, it’s time to give me what I earned.” He grabs her forearm roughly and that’s when I’ve had enough.

“Let her go,” I say in the most demanding voice I can.

“Who the fuck are you?” the asshole asks.

“The one making sure you remove your hand from my friend’s arm before I remove it for you.”

The guy stands, and I do the same. He has to look up at me, which sends my ego soaring.

“Greyson,” Leah’s voice is calm, and it makes me wonder if she’s trying to protect me from hurting myself or getting hurt. “He’s just a drunk guy at a hotel bar.”

“We should take this outside so I can kick your ass,” the guy spits.

I laugh because that’s fucking funny. I eye Eli in the corner, he’s watching intently. If this guy makes one move, Eli won’t hesitate to beat some ass.

“Actually,” I say, taking Leah’s hand in mine. “We were just leaving.” I pull Leah behind me and out of the bar. We turn toward the lobby and head outside. I fully expect the guy to follow but he’s not behind us. It’s a shame because I really would’ve loved to pound that cocksucker’s face in.

“Who was that guy?” I ask. It’s crazy how protective I feel over her.

“I don’t know. I had dinner with my parents earlier and thought I’d unwind. He sat down and at first I thought he was cute, but he kept drinking and encouraging me to drink.”

“How much have you had?”

“One glass of wine and then I switched to water. I didn’t want to leave the bar because I thought he would follow me. When I saw Eli walk in, I saw my escape, but a group of women attacked him right away.”

“He would’ve pushed them away for you Leah. Despite the tension between your brother and me, Eli would put your first.”

Her eyes meet mine. “Just like you?”

I nod.

“Thank you for what you did. I didn’t see you come in but when you sat next to me, I saw a window of opportunity.”

I step forward and pick up the piece of hair hanging out from her ponytail. I play with it for a second before placing it behind her ear. “I like you Leah, and it’s not because it bothers your brother. I really do want to take you out on a date.”

A mischievous smile spreads across her face. “Just because you saved me tonight doesn’t give you a free date pass.”

There’s a massive smile on my face and the words are sitting on the tip of my tongue, but my head is slowly shaking. “I don’t have a hero complex and I don’t want you to regret the yes you’ll give me.” I shrug. I lean in and press my lips to her cheek and whisper, “Tomorrow. You and me. Golf match. Eight a.m. If I win, you go on a date with me.”

She slowly steps away from me and nods, still grinning that devilish smile of hers. “Deal. Tomorrow it is then.”

The game is on. I had to win.

4

Leah

Am I playing with fire? Unfortunately, yes. Does it excite me? More than I’m even willing to admit. I’m not the kind of woman to always play it safe, but I’m responsible enough to know what I should and should