Page 38 of Serenity at Seagrove
"Well, thank you for saying yes," he said to both.
They walked back to Serenity, both aware that something had changed, even if neither one of them was ready to name it yet.
* * *
Luna stood on the practice green right at sunrise, watching Archer as he set up for their impromptu lesson. The morning air was crisp, which was unusual in the Lowcountry, so she was enjoying it. It carried with it the scent of freshly cut grass.
"Okay, the first rule of golf," Archer said, handing her a club, "is grip. Everything else builds from there."
Luna took the club and tried to mimic the way she had seen him hold it. Archer shook his head, moving in to stand behind her.
"May I?" he asked softly.
She nodded, and he stepped closer, his chest barely brushing her back as he reached around to adjust her hands on the club. She couldn't help but feel her heart speed up at his proximity and the gentle way he positioned her fingers.
"Like this," he said, his breath warm against her ear. "Left hand here, right hand here. You feel how they work together?"
"Yes," Luna said, trying to make sure her voice didn’t shake. She was acutely aware of him, the solid warmth of his presence, and the faint scent of his aftershave.
"Now, for the stance." Archer stepped back slightly, and Luna felt a loss. "Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent."
She followed his instructions and tried to focus on the mechanics of what he was teaching her, rather than the way his eyes followed her every move.
"Good," he said. "Now we're ready for the swing. Remember how we talked about breathing in class? Well, it’s the same kind of thing here. It’s all about the rhythm and allowing your body to move naturally."
He demonstrated the motion, and Luna watched the fluid grace of his swing, the way his shoulders seemed to cooperate today instead of fighting him.
"Now your turn," he said, moving behind her again. "No pressure, nice and easy."
Luna took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on the mechanics, but it was really hard. Archer was a very good-looking man, and he smelled like heaven. How was she supposed to figure out how to swing this golf club when she couldn’t stop thinking about his breath against her ear?
She drew the club back and attempted to mirror his fluid motion.
"Wait," he said softly. She hadn’t noticed that he was there because her eyes were closed. "You’re too tense right here." His hand moved over her shoulder. "Remember what we practice in class. Let the tension flow out. You’re a pro at this."
Luna closed her eyes for a moment, focusing on her breathing. When she opened them, Archer was now at her side.
"Try again," he said. "This time, feel the rhythm of it like the ocean. There’s power, but there’s also grace."
She swung again. This time, the club connected with the ball and sent it rolling across the practice green. It didn’t go very far, but it was straight.
"Beautiful," Archer said.
When she looked at him, she wasn’t sure if he was talking about the shot or something else.
"Well, I had a good teacher," she said.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, she felt like the early morning air was electrified. He cleared his throat and stepped back slightly.
"Are you ready to try another?"
Luna nodded, already missing how close he had been to her just moments before.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, they worked through different shots. His instruction was focused but gentle, and she found herself stealing glances at him, noting how natural he looked out there, how at peace.
"You’re very different on the course," she said when they were taking a break.
"Different how?"
