Free Games We Play by Ruthie Robinson

whatever had come over them reflected in her eyes. He pulled her to him, arms around her waist, and kissed her. Who knew why, but it was a soft kiss, meant to convey deep appreciation and wonder at what had just transpired between them.
    #
    She took in a breath of air, her first calming one since they’d started this.
    “I don’t know what to say, except maybe wow,” she said, and felt his stomach move against hers as he chuckled.
    “How long are you going to be in town?” he said.
    “How long do you need me to be?” she said, and this time he laughed. He turned away from her to dispose of the condom and get dressed, and lost in her thoughts, she just stood there, staring at this thing of beauty.
Oh lord, ass and thighs
ran on repeat in her head.
    “Who are you here in town to see?” he said, turning to face her.
    She was still staring.
    “Who are you here in town to see?” he repeated, chuckling as he stepped into his boxers, followed by his shorts.
    “My aunt Myra. Do you know her? Myra Miller?”
    “Yes, I do. She comes into the Brewpub almost every day,” he said, pulling on his shirt.
    “I think the owner might be stealing from her,” she said. He looked up at her, a strange look on his face.
    “You do? Why would you think that?”
    “She’s losing money. It’s one of the reasons I’m here in town, spending the summer with her, to help her with her finances. My mom asked me to,” she said, putting on her clothes.
    “Why do you think it’s the Brewpub owner who’s stealing?” he asked.
    “She spends a lot of time there—you just said so—and I’ve checked out her account statements. I get a copy of them. How well do you know the owner, Barnabus Cooper—and what kind of name is Barnabus anyway?” she asked, sliding into her shoes now.
    “I know him well enough, and I’m sure he didn’t have much say in the selection of his name,” he said. Was this some tactic of hers he hadn’t considered, trying to pin something on him like this?
    “I’m here to check him out, make sure he’s not running some scam on my aunt. You know how people can be when it comes to money, and the elderly can be extremely susceptible,” she said.
    He nodded in agreement. “Is it important to you? Your aunt’s money?” he asked, putting his shoes on.
    “Money is always important,” she said flippantly, and gave him a wink. “I’m going to be here a while, and I’m sure you’re not going to believe this, but I really don’t do things like this so soon after meeting someone.”
    “Sure,” he said, and smiled. She couldn’t tell if he believed her or not.
    “I have my business cards in the car. If you’d like to get together again, maybe we could exchange numbers,” she said, nervous now. She was standing at the door, waiting for his response as he scanned the room.
    “Let’s meet back here tomorrow, at the end of the day,” he said.
    “What if either of us gets tied up?” she asked.
    “I won’t,” he said.
    “You’re sure your boss won’t mind?” she asked.
    “No, but I usually know when he’s going to be around.”
    “What if it’s not empty?”
    “You can use the driving range or the practice green until it is,” he said, watching as she walked over to him. She put her hands on his waist and lifted her mouth, touching her lips to his. Her tongue moved across the seam of his lips, and pushed through, and he met it with his, ready all over again, it seemed. She stepped back and smiled, like she knew he wanted more.
    “I like this town already,” she said, and laughed. He chuckled and followed her out the door.
    It was quiet between them as they made their way to her car, and he waited until she handed him one of her business cards.
Kendall Edwards, Assistant Professor, The University
it read.
    “I had a great time playing with you on the course, and then later…” she said, letting her words die out. She leaned in and kissed him again before she got in her SUV and pulled out