Page 104 of Putting Out
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“Are you ready?”
Mark Leonard sat across from Reilly in the limousine Luke had rented to take them to the course. He smiled at her reassuringly and she smiled back.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she said.
“You look great.”
“Thanks. It’s sort of a statement outfit.”
“Did the statement have to be so short?” Luke reached over and took her hand, which he noticed was trembling.
“You said to not let them take away my being a woman. I’m just reminding them. Besides, you think this is bad, you should see some of the outfits I’ll be playing in. Regulations will be met, but Vera Wang went out of her way to make golf gear sexy. Very impressive.”
“The press is going to freak,” Kenny laughed. “Every man there is going to want you and hate you at the same time.”
“I know I would,” Mark added, then pulled up when he caught Luke’s glare. “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t realize you two were…That is to say I thought you were just friends. I didn’t know you were also…”
“Going at it like monkeys,” Kenny chimed in. “For days. You ought to be in the bedroom next to them. It’s like living next to a zoo.”
“Kenny!” Reilly shouted. “Will you shut up?”
“He’s stating the obvious,” Luke said, pleased their relationship was in the open. Where Mark, with the high-school-quarterback good looks, could plainly see it.
Luke had asked him to come around more often after the incident at the golf course. He’d become like Pierce and Odie, somewhat of a fixture around the house. He didn’t sleep over, but he checked the perimeter of the property several times a day, reviewed the mail and screened calls from reporters who had tracked down Reilly’s whereabouts.
Mark didn’t take chances. Any chances. Everything was scrutinized, which made him the perfect bodyguard. It was a comfort knowing she was guarded around the clock. If Reilly went out, Mark went with her. If Reilly stayed in, he stayed, too.
That he was charming and engaging and perhaps somewhat of a flirt was Luke’s bad luck. And postponing all relationship talk until after the tournament was not helping, either. Not that Luke considered he was going to have to compete with Mr. America for Reilly’s affections, but he would have liked things between them to be more settled.
Sure the sex was great and he was happy to be having it again, but he wanted more. Luke and Reilly weren’t the type to make goo-goo eyes at each other all day, so it wasn’t a surprise Mark wasn’t aware they were lovers, but it did seem like something a man whose profession was observation shouldn’t have overlooked it.
Unless he wanted to overlook it.
“Guess this means I won’t be asking you to dinner after all this is over, Reilly.” Mark winked at her and Luke had a feeling he’d done it just to rile him.
“Don’t make me come after you,” Luke warned him. “Especially not when I know you have a gun.”
“Hey, can’t blame a man for trying. Like I said, I’ve been a big fan of Reilly’s for a long time. Having the chance to work with you, it’s been great. Sorry if I’ve been a little starstruck.”
“Not at all,” Reilly assured him. “But I have to say it’s not typical for a man to follow a woman’s golfing career.”
“My mother was on the LPGA tour. Back in the day. It was sort of a family tradition.”
“Leonard?” Reilly said the name aloud. “Doesn’t ring any bells.”
“It wouldn’t. She never made much money, but she loved the game. I was there all the time as a kid watching her play. I guess it stuck. Now, if I’m lucky enough to be in a city where an event is going on I make it a point to get tickets. I’ve seen you play a few times.”
“I thought you looked familiar.”
He laughed. “Right. Me and all the other gapers. I always get as close to the ropes as possible. If I have to beat up a few women to get there, well, it’s all in the pursuit of watching great golf. I even caught a ball once when you tossed it in the air.”
“Get out.”
Mark laughed sheepishly.
“I know this is corny but I was hoping you could sign it. I never had the balls, pardon the expression, to stand in line behind all the young girls you get after a round looking for an autograph.”
