Page 35 of Boyfriend for Hire

Laughing, he lifted her off the ground. “Good job, babe.”

Gazing down at her smiling face, his heart tightened, as if a mighty fist had closed around it. They gazed into each other’s eyes, and during those brief seconds, it was as if they were the only two people in the world. Everyone and everything receded into the background, and all he saw were lovely lips that he enjoyed kissing and beautiful dark eyes. All he felt was the softness of her breasts against his chest.

“Your turn, Montel.” Royce’s harsh voice broke the moment, and Montez reluctantly released Desiree.

“It’s Montez,” he said.

“Oh, right.”

Jerk. Montez had considered ending the game in last place, but after that little display of jealousy or whatever that was, no way he was giving Royce the satisfaction of beating him. If anyone left there in last place, it was not going to be Montez.

After getting in place beside the tee, he visually lined up the ball. He hadn’t made a shot from this distance during the hours they played, but he was about to give them a taste of his skills.

Using a smooth swing, he tapped the ball with the right amount of force and watched it roll its way across the green… right into the cup.

The smirk on Royce’s face fell away when he realized that he’d come in last place.

“Great shot! That was incredible,” Mark said.

“I don’t know how I managed to do that,” Montez said with a shrug. “Guess that means I came in third, and you, Royce… you’re last, right?”

Desiree did her lip-biting thing again while Royce shot a death glare so lethal toward Montez, he half expected Royce to bore a hole in his forehead.

“What a way to spend a Saturday morning. I can’t thank you all enough for joining me. Maybe next time one of you will actually provide some real competition,” Mark said.

This man really had no idea he sucked, and Montez had been a party to his delusion.

They rode back to the clubhouse. Up front, Desiree and Mark chatted away while Montez received the freezer treatment from Royce in the back.

“I’ll see you all on Monday,” Mark said, with a wave as they walked out of the building.

Royce didn’t say a word and marched toward his vehicle on the far side of the lot.

“Somebody’s a sore loser,” Montez murmured as he escorted Desiree to her Rav-4.

She covered her mouth and laughed. “Serves him right.”

She was so beautiful when she smiled or laughed. Her joy hit him in the gut.

She faced him. “Thank you so much for today. I know that it was difficult for you to throw the game the way you did.”

“You have no idea.”

“I have an idea.” She giggled and then placed a hand on his chest.

He experienced a warm sensation where she touched, and time stood still again the way it had out on the golf course.

“Since I held up my end of the bargain, you’re going to hold up yours, right?”

“Yes. Dinner.”

“Right.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Montez kissed her cheek, though he desperately wanted to kiss her lips again. A soft sigh left her lips, and when he withdrew, she gazed up at him expectantly.

“I’m looking forward to it too,” he said. “I’ll be in touch.”

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