During the days, they were fierce nineteen-year-old rivals in a collegiate golf competition, but at night, their passion sizzled under the sheets. After Team USA won, Rio "River" Vargas returned to his native Spain and Greg Thorenson headed back to his home in the United States. But when Rio didn't respond to a letter he sent, Greg wasn't sure if Rio's silence was because Greg had beaten him for the win or because their affair had been only a four-night-fling.<br><br>Now, professionals at the height of their game, they meet again as competitors in a major tournament in the California desert, where the prize of thousands of dollars is at stake. It's been six silent years since those wild, hot nights as young men. Maybe for Rio that earlier passion had been an experiment, an aberration of who he really is and of whatever Greg may have meant to him. But to Greg, that earlier passion had been something deeper ... he had fallen in love.<br><br>Upon seeing Rio again, Greg is torn between ignoring the past or re-igniting the banked embers of emotion to see where they'll lead. But can he risk it? If Greg opens himself to love, and also wins this tournament, Rio may very well walk out of his life a second time ...

Hole in One

River still slept when Greg prepared to leave. The sheet was a jumble at his feet, and Greg rearranged it. He leaned in and kissed his lover’s shoulder. River stirred but didn’t awaken as Greg pulled the cover up to his neck. 5


As Greg let himself out, his chest ached and his head hurt. In the clinch, he knew he had the edge in this competition over the dark-haired man so soundly asleep. He was the better golfer and, barring unforeseen circumstances, he’d win tomorrow in a repeat of what had happened six years ago. Pain spread through him because he knew if he won, River would leave. As before, they’d live separate lives, travel on different tours five thousand miles apart. Greg would likely never see him again.


Chapter 16