She grabbed his hand in a panic, trying to pull him down beside her. “No! He’ll hunt me down!”
“Stand up.” He pulled on her hand and helped her to her feet. “I’ll protect you from him.”
The door to the guesthouse opened and Ted walked in. Melody spun toward him, feeling the terror from his glance. His presence made her inch back from John.
“John, Cody called,” Ted said. “He’s sick with the flu, so we’re hunting for another practice partner for you.”
John grabbed Melody’s hand and pulled her up beside him. “Fine. Call Nadia.”
“Will do.” Ted shot Melody a nasty glance, then left the home.
She felt the tears filling her eyes, but wiped them away, hoping John wouldn’t notice. She wanted to get away from this house as soon as she could.
He faced her, studying her face. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
“He really scares you, doesn’t he?”
She sighed and waved him off. “I’m okay.”
He was silent, seeming as if he wanted to see into her brain. She couldn’t let him know about her life, or he’d consider her damaged goods. No one would want to walk into the hornet’s nest she called her life.
“Want to play tennis?” John finally asked.
“But Nadia’s comin’, right?”
“Nadia’s out of the area right now,” he whispered. “She’s sleeping with her boyfriend up in Connecticut. It’ll take them a while to find her.”
“Is she a tennis pro, too?”
“Nadia Jaffee? She’s one of the best female players around, seeded number two right now. Yeah, I’d say she’s a pro. She also fired all her entourage and started with a brand new group, because they were treating her like my group’s treating me. As soon as she did that, her game improved.”
“Are you going to do that?” Melody asked.
“I’m not established enough yet. But these guys know their job’s on the line if I don’t perform. What they don’t know is their jobs are on the line if I do perform, too, because I can hire or fire anyone for any reason, without any extra notice. That’s the nice part of the job. Now, do you want to play? I don’t need a rigorous workout, but want to get back to the basics of the game. You’d be perfect for that.”
“But I’m a novice and out of practice.”
He smiled. “Even better. The best way to learn something is to teach it.” He grabbed her hand and walked with her out of the guesthouse and toward the tennis court. “No one will be watching us because they know I like to play alone. Once Art gets here, he’ll have a few comments, I’m sure, but when Rob arrives, that’s when I have to be in top form.”
“Who’s Rob?” she asked.
“The coach. He’s the drill sergeant, but very nice about it. He’s the only one I’d keep if I were redesigning my team. He’s been in my position before and even told me to find a stable girlfriend to keep my head where it needs to be. He knows I’m lonely.”
“Did he know about last night when you went to the train station?”
He leaned closer. “No one knew about it and it’s a secret,” he whispered. “If that gets out—”
She covered her mouth, worried she’d gotten him in trouble. “Oh no. Chuck asked me where we met and I said the train station. He wanted to know why you were there, but I told him nothin’.”
“Good. If anyone asks, I was sending someone back home. If it hits the press, I’m doomed.”
They headed back through the trees and onto the court. She put her purse on a chair then walked toward him on one side of the net.
He faced her, squinting from the sunshine. “I’m going to assume you know nothing—not even how to hold a racquet, because something might click for me when I do that.”
“Got it. I’ll play dumb.”
“First, we really need to warm up, because I’m stiff from working out too much yesterday.”
“I understand. Do y’all mind if I do what I used to do in high school?”
“This doesn’t really have anything to do with tennis, so go ahead.”
She bent down, starting to stretch. Her muscles were tight because she didn’t have time to exercise any more. She did many calf and hamstring stretches while he did some warm up exercises of his own. She finally did a backbend to stretch out her back, then did a straddle split on the ground, pulling her head to each side to stretch even more.
“That’s what you had to do in high school?” He pointed to her, sitting on the court.
“Not really. I was on the gymnastics team, too, and this seemed to work for tennis as well.”
“A gymnast played tennis?”
She sat up and faced him, pulling her legs out front. “It kept me going. It was either join a sports team, get a second part-time job or go home.”
“Home wasn’t desirable?”
“That’s a different discussion,” she said, standing up. “I’m ready to play.”
“Fine. Let’s start with the basics.” He handed her a racquet and showed her how to hold it, shaking hands with it. She played along, even though everything was coming back to her.
“Now, when you hit the ball, you’ll use a forehand or a backhand, depending on how your wrist is turned.” He showed her and had her practice it. “Let’s not worry about the rules at first, but only hit the ball.”
“Just don’t hurt me,” she said.
“I won’t as long as you don’t hurt me, either.”
She laughed at him while he grabbed some tennis balls and walked to the other side of the net. He hit a ball to her, and her racquet hit the ball, bouncing back over the net to him, within the lines. They both kept the volley going for a while, until she decided to take the game to the next level. She waited until the ball was in the right spot, then positioned the racquet to put a spin on it. The ball sailed past John, right out of his reach.
“What was that?” he asked, watching it go.
She started to laugh. “That’s the West Virginia Wail. Ever heard of it?”
He walked up to the net and she joined him. “No. We were playing nicely and you decided to put a spin on the ball. I didn’t know you could do that.”
“I was number one on our team for two years straight. Our coach was also a baseball coach before he was the tennis coach, so he taught us all about spins on the ball.”
“So you want to play dirty? What’s the score then?”
“Fifteen-love,” she replied, standing right in front of him on the other side of the net. “But love means nothin’.”
He offered her a grin, reached across the net and touched her hair. “Only in tennis. In life, it means everything.” His hand moved to her cheek and she felt the warmth of his fingertips. “Your skin is so soft.” His glance moved down to her lips. “You’ve never been kissed before. Right?”
“No, sir,” she answered, trying not to swoon over his touch. He was just so adorable, his voice so mesmerizing and his touch so hot. He had some sort of magnetism over her, and she couldn’t get away, even if she wanted to.
He moved closer, his other hand going to her arm, massaging it and making her close her eyes. His touch did magical things to her, and she liked it.
“Does that feel good?” he asked.
“You have no idea,” she whispered, her eyes opening again.
“How does this feel?” He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers, his arm going around her back.
“Incredible. I like the way you teach tennis.”
“You’re a great student, too.” He pulled her closer and captured her lips with his, the intensity and passion building as he kissed her. He penetrated her mouth, dancing with her tongue in some sort of unwritten choreography. She wrapped her arms around him, never wanting the sensation to end between them. She felt her breathing change and tingling fill her body.
“Are you going to introduce me?” The voice startled her.
Melody backed away from John’s face and turned her head toward
an older man, walking with a cane.
“Rob! I’m glad you could make it.” He smiled at Melody. “This is Melody Gray, from West Virginia. She’s in town for a wedding.”
“You are? Is the wedding being held here in this court?”
“No, sir,” she said, lowering her eyes while feeling her cheeks heat up in embarrassment. “I’m sorry you saw that, sir.”
Rob started to laugh. “I’m not. It’s about time John found a nice respectable girl to make out with on the court.”
“Excuse me?” she said, her eyebrows rising.
“Don’t worry about it. So, what’s going on other than kissing across the net?”
“She just threw me a curveball,” John answered. “The score’s fifteen-love.”
“You hit a ball he missed?” Rob asked Melody.
She shook her head. “It wasn’t like that. He wasn’t expectin’ it. We were just hittin’ the ball and I kind of gave him the West Virginia Wail.”
“West Virginia what?”
“A curve ball with plenty of spin,” John said. “If I’d have known it was coming, it would’ve been an easy hit. But someone decided to play dirty.” He shot her a glance and she started to laugh. “Oh, and Cody’s sick with the flu. I told them to call Nadia.”
“She’s in Connecticut and doesn’t want to be bothered,” Rob said.
John’s grin turned devious. “I know.”
Rob laughed, then pulled out his cell phone, walking away.
John faced Melody. “Obviously you know more than I think you do. Now, about serves, you throw it over your head before you hit it and make sure the thing lands on the opposite side.”
“I understand.”
“I just bet you do, but I’m going to show you the right way to do it.”
“Yes, sir.” She held her laughter while he walked to her side of the court. He stood behind her and showed her how to throw the ball and how to hit it. She practiced a few times, but he stopped her and corrected her form.
“Watch that you don’t put your foot inside the line.” He raked his eyes over her body. “Interesting. Do me a favor and watch me serve. I want to know if I’m doing what I’m saying. I want a powerhouse serve.”
“Sure.”
Rob joined her, both watching his serve. “Going back to the basics?” he asked.
“Yes, I am,” John said, serving again. “I’m trying to improve my form, using Melody as my student.”
Rob faced her. “You’ve played before, right?”
“Yes, in high school.”
“Go ahead,” Rob said to John. He served a few times, but every few serves, missed the right spot on the other side of the net.
“Same problem,” John said. “But I think I can fix it.” He tried a few more times, and finally was serving very consistently.
“Nelson is coming over,” Rob said. “Until then, I think you two can play. Just go easy on him,” he said to Melody with a grin.
“I will. I’m expectin’ to win.”
“We’ll see.” John laughed, then walked to his side of the court. He let her serve first, and they played for a while. She missed a few of the hits, but he missed none. By the time the first set was over, Melody was exhausted and Rob had gone. She moved her purse from the chair to the ground, then seat down beside him on the sidelines.
John threw her a towel. “For someone being out of practice, you held your own very well.” He leaned down to a cooler and handed her a bottle of water.
“I don’t have the stamina you have, though. I haven’t played for about seven years.”
Another man walked onto the court and started to stretch.
“That’s Nelson,” John said, leaning over and lowering his voice. “I can beat him easily, but he’s okay as a practice partner.” He smiled, meeting her gaze. “I’d rather play you, though. You’re much prettier than he’ll ever be.”
She grinned. “If you talk more like that or give me another kiss, I’ll be putty in your hands.”
“Oh yeah?” He stood up and moved to stand in front of her. He leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss. “Putty yet?”
“Almost. If I weren’t so tired, I’d take you dancin’.”
His eyebrows rose. “Dancing?”
“I love dancin’, but that’s a different story.” She glanced behind him. “I think he’s ready.”
“Watch me destroy him.” He winked and walked away.
Melody was glad she didn’t have to play John any more. Her muscles were tired and she was out of shape. She picked up her purse, removed a pad of paper and a pencil and watched the game. John glanced at her, then served first. She watched him play for a bit, then started to sketch him as he played against Nelson, beating him at every opportunity.
After the first set, John sat down on one side of her and Nelson pulled up a chair on the other. “I’m Nelson,” he said, shaking her hand. “What’s your name?”
“Melody.”
He smiled. “A southerner? Where are you from?”
“West Virginia.”
John reached over and picked up the paper from her lap. “You drew these? Just now?”
“Sure. Not a big deal. It was somethin’ to do.”
“Amazing!” John leafed through all the pictures. “People would pay big money for these, you know.”
“I’m not that good,” she answered. “I just like to draw.” She took the papers from him and shoved them into her purse.
“Can I have one of those?” John asked.
“What? The drawings?”
“Sure. I’d love to have one. They’re all of me, too, aren’t they?”
She couldn’t imagine he really wanted them, but was probably just being nice. “Yes, actually, they are.” She handed him the papers. “Pick whatever you want. I don’t mind.”
“Can you draw some of me, too?” Nelson asked.
“Sure. When you get back out on the court, I’d love to.”
John took one of the pictures, walked into the house, then returned. The two men drank some water, then went back onto the court.
While they played, Melody sketched some pictures of Nelson, but her eyes kept returning to John. He was so handsome and his kiss still burned on her lips. She knew, though, she had to get out of his life, or Ted would physically remove her. The man terrified her and she knew why, too. He was the same type of person as her father, who was the scariest man she’d ever known.
As she was drawing, another man with an angry face walked onto the court with a cell phone up to his ear. “I don’t care if you do think that way, he’s going to win. I can guarantee it. Don’t pull your sponsorship because of rumors!”
Rob walked outside, with a limp and his cane, and sat down beside Melody. “That’s Art.” His voice lowered as he leaned closer to her. “He’s the manager, and he’s an angry man. If I were John, I’d dump him and find someone who knows what they’re doing.”
She glanced over at Art, standing closer to the house, his face red with anger. “He looks angry,” she said. “Do you have any say in the matter?”
“Not at all. Art’s friends with John’s father, so it would be tough to get rid of him, even though John and his dad don’t get along. It’s worse than a soap opera, I swear.” He looked down at his leg. “If it wouldn’t have been for a car crash I was in a year ago, I’d be more involved, but life deals you what you have to handle, and I’m stuck.”
“That’s a real shame.” She saw his wedding ring on his hand. “What does your wife think?”
He sighed. “My wife died in the same car accident. Every time I limp, I think of her.” He wiped his eye. “She was the love of my life.”
Melody reached over and gave the man a hug. “I’m so sorry. My mamma died when I was eight, and I can only imagine what you must be feelin’.”
“I’ll be okay. I’d like to date again, just because it’s so lonely. But with John’s schedule, I don’t have a lot of time to devote to finding someone nice. It’s probably fo
r the best.”
Her heart felt so sorry for this man, who seemed as lonely as John. Why were there so many lonely people in New York?
“I’m lonely most of the time,” she said. “I work and take care of my father, but he doesn’t even know I’m there.”
He turned toward her. “So you have a rough life?”
“I guess, by the standards up here. Back home, it’s nothin’ unusual because I’ve lived it all my life.”
“You know, John could change all of that for you. He could make you very happy.”
She shook her head. “John needs someone who’s on his level. I’m nothin’ but a back hills girl, not that there’s anything wrong with it. For example, all I’d have to do is bring chitlins or somethin’ with pig to a family get-together, and I’d be ostracized for years. No, I’m not the girl for him.”
Rob leaned over and pointed at John. “He thinks otherwise. See the way he glances over at you? You’re the one he wants, and I can guarantee he’s not going to let you get away.”
“But I’ve only known him since last night.”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re exactly what he’s been looking for. You have your head on straight and he knows it. He needs someone like you and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was in love with you already.”
“Since last night?” she whispered. “That’s hardly likely. Love takes time. You don’t just fall in love overnight.”
“I did with my wife. We were married three days after we met, in Vegas. I didn’t have a lot of time, and we both knew it was right.” He smiled. “It just took me three days to convince her. I was playing the circuit in tennis, and had an afternoon off. I met her in the mall, and took it from there. That was seven years ago, and we’d been happily married that whole time.” He wiped his eye. “I miss her, but you remind me a lot of her. She was very happy about life even when the fates were against her, but willing to do whatever it took to get the job done.”
He was right about that. She had to do whatever it took, because she had no choice.
Art snapped his cell phone shut and sat down on the other side of Melody. “Who are you?” he asked, watching the game.
“My name’s Melody, and I’m a friend of John’s.”
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