Skating on thin hearts

Chapter 10- A date at the golf course

The golf ball rolled back toward him, stopping neatly by his shoes. Instead of bending to pick it up, James gave it a lazy kick with the toe of his polished loafer, sending it skittering across the green.

The sun was merciless, a white hot glare that made the manicured grass shimmer. The only saving grace was the wide umbrella shading him. Apparently, Lila Harrington’s idea of a “perfect date” was dragging him to a golf course in the middle of a scorching afternoon.

He would have much rather been indoors, preferably in a bedroom. Not because he was particularly invested in her, but because s*x was simple, physical, and required no promises. Unfortunately, he knew indulging Lila would be dangerous. The moment she mistook pleasure for commitment, he’d be shackled to expectations he had no intention of fulfilling.

“Yay!” Lila squealed, her voice carrying across the quiet course. She clapped excitedly when her ball dropped neatly into the hole. “Did you see that, James? It went in!”

She came skipping toward him, ponytail bouncing, tennis skirt flaring. James forced a smile, but his eyes betrayed him, sliding down her long legs glistening with sun-kissed sweat, then lingering on the curve of her thighs where the skirt ended.

He rose reluctantly, grabbed a club, and positioned his ball. A quick swing sent it arcing wide, missing the hole by a mile.

Lila burst into laughter, her melodic voice dripping with amusement. “You’re so bad at this, James.”

He glanced back at her, lips quirking in a smirk. “Wanna know what I am good at?” The words slipped out before he could censor himself.

Her eyes widened slightly, but he turned away, brushing it off. The caddy was nowhere to be seen, and the basket of balls was empty.

“I’ll go find someone for more clubs.” He tugged his sleeves up and strode toward the clubhouse, grateful for an excuse to step out of the sun and away from her eager gaze.

At the reception, he checked his watch. He’d give her another hour, maybe less, then vanish. Harrington could take it up with the board if he had a problem. James Carter did not do long-term, and he certainly didn’t do family-approved courtships.

“Mr. Carter, is the experience to your satisfaction?” a feminine voice chimed.

He lifted his gaze from his phone. The receptionist was a brunette with large, inviting eyes, generous curves, and a mouth that looked sinful wrapped around anything.

A dark heat coiled low in his gut. Well, this might solve my problem.

He leaned on the counter, smile lazy, predatory. “Aren’t you a pretty little thing?”

Her lips curved faintly. “Thank you, sir. I’m glad you think so.”

James dragged a thumb along his jawline. “I’ve got a proposal.”

She tilted her head. “And what would that be, Mr. Carter?”

His smile sharpened. “You give me five minutes of your time, and I’ll make sure it’s worth yours. You know exactly what I mean.”

She hesitated, eyes flicking around nervously. “I… I can’t leave my post. I don’t want to get fired.”

“No one’s firing you.” His tone dropped, edged with impatience. Lust was already tightening his control, and he hated waiting. “Find me a room.”

She swallowed, then tapped the computer. “I’ll book VIP room three. It’ll be charged to your account.” Her fingers toyed with the ends of her hair as she added, almost teasing, “I’ll wait inside.”

James grinned, flashing his teeth. “Good girl. Strip down and look sexy. I’ll be there in a minute.”

He pushed off the counter and strode back out. Lila was lounging under the umbrella, phone raised high, streaming to her followers.

“So I’m here with my boo thang,” she giggled into the camera. “But no, you can’t see him yet, not until there’s a ring on this finger.”

James’s jaw tightened. He loathed this circus. Social media, staged romances, endless gossip columns, he had spent years keeping his private life locked down, and Lila was exactly the kind of woman who broadcasted everything.

He whistled sharply, signaling her to end the live. She lowered the phone reluctantly.

“You took so long. I was beginning to think this was a solo date,” she teased.

“Caddies are all busy.” He adjusted his cufflinks, voice smooth. “I need to take an important work call. Just five minutes.”

She pouted. “You promised no work on dates.”

“It won’t take long,” he reassured, already moving away.

Her attention drifted back to her phone, setting up another recording. Perfect.

James returned inside and strode down the quiet corridor. Opening the door to VIP Room 3, he was greeted with the sight of the brunette sprawled across the bed, wearing nothing but sheer striped tights.

Heat punched through him. “Well, aren’t you full of surprises?”

He closed the door and advanced, unbuckling his belt with deliberate slowness. “I thought you were just a pretty face. Turns out you’re a freak too.”

Her breath hitched as he crowded her against the wall, one hand gripping her waist, the other sliding up her throat to hold her still.

“You like it rough, don’t you?” he murmured darkly.

A whimper escaped her. He took it as confirmation. His palm cracked against her ass, leaving a red imprint, and she writhed.

“Yeah,” he growled, “you like that.”

He pushed her forward, bent her over, fingers driving into her slick heat before he replaced them with the thick length of his c**k. He slammed into her, the sound of skin meeting skin echoing off the walls. She moaned, sharp, needy and his groans followed, guttural, unrestrained.

The room filled with the scent of s*x, with the wet slap of movement. He pulled out abruptly, dragging her by the chin to face him.

“Now ride me.” He dropped onto the couch, watching as she straddled him eagerly.

Her breasts bounced as she moved, and he caught one n****e between his teeth, tugging, while his hand kneaded the other roughly.

Faster. Harder. His control snapped as he bucked into her, then shoved her off at the final moment, spilling hot release across the leather couch.

Breathing heavily, he leaned back, smirking. She lay there panting, dazed.

“Where’s my money?” she whispered, almost shyly.

James pulled a roll of bills from his pocket and tossed it onto the floor. “Pick it up. We never met. Understand?”

She nodded quickly, scrambling for the scattered cash.

Satisfied, James straightened his clothes and tugged his belt back in place. He opened the door, only to freeze.

Standing in the hallway, arms folded, was a familiar figure and the last person he wanted to see.

Sophia.

Her eyes glittered with wicked amusement.

“Well, hello, brother.”