Free Thrown by a Curve by Jaci Burton Page B

is.” He’d been here plenty of times before with Gray, whose dad had a club membership.
    It was cool inside, and Alicia tucked the edges of her coat around her. This early in the season there weren’t going to be too many golfers on the grounds, except for the diehards who played year-round. If there wasn’t snow on the ground, they’d be getting in their eighteen holes, no matter what.
    He saw a few of them walking past, seemingly oblivious to the forty-degree temperatures outside. Some even wore short-sleeved shirts.
    Garrett was a warm-weather guy himself and couldn’t wait for the more mellow temperatures of Florida.
    He went to the front desk and got them checked in, requesting adjoining rooms.
    “Thanks for that,” she said after he handed off her room key to her. “That’ll make it easier for me to come in and take care of you if you need me.”
    He shuddered out an exhale as his mind swam with visuals of just how he’d like her to take care of him, but he brushed those thoughts aside as he saw Gray heading his way.
    Showtime.
    *   *   *
    ALICIA STOPPED IN HER TRACKS AS ONE SEXY PACKAGE of a man pulled Garrett up in a bear hug. She thought Garrett’s looks could stop traffic, but this guy? Wow. He was magazine ready, looked like he could own this lodge, with his patrician looks, perfect face, and striking whiskey brown eyes. He was as tall as Garrett, with the same lean but muscular look. His worn jeans hugged his lean frame and his long-sleeved Henley shirt clung to every sculpted muscle of his chest and arms.
    “I didn’t think you were coming,” the guy said. “Shouldn’t you be in Florida?”
    Garrett shrugged. “Shoulder injury. Still working on rehab.”
    “Oh, right. I heard about that. I’m sorry, man. That sucks.” The man’s gaze shifted to Alicia, and he offered up a smile that made Alicia’s toes curl. “And who’s this?”
    “Sorry. Alicia Riley, this is Gray Preston.”
    He shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Alicia.”
    “Same here, Gray.”
    “Alicia is my physical therapist.”
    Gray’s smile turned to something a little sexier. “Is that what we’re calling it these days?”
    Alicia laughed. “No, I’m really his therapist. I work for the team.”
    Gray arched a brow and shifted his gaze to Garrett. “So, the team pays for it? Quite a perk.”
    “You’re an asshole, Gray,” Garrett said.
    “That’s what my father tells me.”
    “Your father’s a prick.”
    Gray slapped him on the back. “And that’s why you’ve always been one of my good friends. Go on and get settled in. Trevor’s already in the bar, likely the center of attention.”
    Garrett laughed. “Of course he is. What about Drew?”
    “Haven’t seen him yet.”
    “Okay. We’ll see you soon.” He led Alicia to the elevator and, once inside, pushed the button for the second floor.
    “Gray is interesting.”
    He nodded. “Yeah. His father is Senator Mitchell Preston.”
    She turned to him as they got out of the elevator and walked down the hall. “I’ve heard about the senator. Very staunch and no-nonsense. Gray doesn’t seem at all like him.”
    “He isn’t. Wait till you get to know him.” Garrett stopped at a room. “This one’s yours.”
    “Oh. Okay. I’ll get unpacked and changed. Meet you outside in fifteen minutes?”
    “Sure.”
    She went into the room and put her bag on the bed, hung everything up and went into the bathroom to unpack her toiletries. She fixed her makeup and brushed out her hair, then went into the closet to ponder what to wear.
    They were meeting in the bar, so she decided on a pair of jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and her boots, figuring understated would be a good choice.
    When she came out of her room, Garrett wasn’t there, so she knocked on his door. He opened it.
    “Sorry. Grabbed a quick shower.”
    His hair was still damp, the ends curling. She inhaled his fresh, piney scent, which made her want to inch closer and bury her face in his neck.