The next day Slade woke up early and was watching TV. Candy woke up stretching with a big yawn. She looked up and the sun hit her in the face. She shoved her head back under the pillow.

“Morning sleepy head. Sleep well?”

“No. I hate this stupid handcuff. What time is it?” She yawned.

“9:30. Colt said he is on the way. I was thinking after we get showered we can go do something fun today. I don’t know about you but I think we need to relax for a while. Maybe all the fighting is because we’re stressed out.”

She pulled back the pillow. “What are we going to do?”

“I was thinking we could go to play mini-golf.”

“How the hell are we going to be able to do that?”

“Work together. It would be hard but might be fun. Colt and Tomi are going too. We can maybe catch a movie and lunch.”

“Okay. Sounds fun.”

***

A while later they were at the mini-golf course.

Slade’s best friend Colt was laughing. “How do you two plan to do this? It’s not going to work.”

Slade stood rubbing his chin. “We can do it. We just have to be creative.”

Candy looked at Tomi cocking her head to the side. “In my obituary, tell them I lead a happy life. The last thing the man who killed her said was… FOUR!”

Slade yanked the line to pull her to him. “Get over here woman. We can’t lose to them.”

He pulled her in front of him with the golf club trying to get her to bend backward with his arm around her waist.

Candy was laughing hysterically, “I’m not a pretzel! Wait. I got it!” She stood beside him. "I just have to pretend to swing when you do. Try to mimic your swing."

Slade considered it. “Okay. Try it.” After his swing, the ball flew and bounced off a nearby tree. “Crap. That didn’t work, Sprinkles.”

“Hey. It’s not a science.”

"Nice try though."

He leaned over and kissed her cheek with a peck. Candy ran her fingers over the heat left behind from his soft lips. She blushed and looked around to see if anyone else noticed. Tomi smiled at her. Candy looked away trying to hide her flushed face.

After a few holes, Slade got an idea. “Hey, Colt? They said we have to be together, right? Didn’t say what hand has to be cuffed. Get the key and change Candy’s cuff to the other hand.”

She got curious. “Why?”

“Because that way I can stand behind you and we can swing at the ball together. We will be cuffed on the same side.”

She furrowed her brows. “Sure your not trying to get close to my booty? You are very determined to have your arms around me. I think you get some sick joy out of this handcuff arrangement.”

He leaned down wiggling his eyebrows. “Hmm? Maybe I do."

Tomi tried to hold back a giggle as Candy's mouth dropped open at his obvious flirting.

Slade gave a cocky grin. "I also want to win this game. As competitive as you are, I know you do too.”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine. Okay.”

Colt changed her cuff and Slade grabbed her waist putting her in front of him. Just as if he was teaching her to play golf. He wrapped his arms around her and Candy could feel his hard chest and strong arms around her. Somehow it felt warm and safe. He put his hands over hers on the golf club and shuffled in closer.

She could feel him pressed against her and she almost lost concentration. It had been a while since a man had been this close. Her breathing got a little heavy feeling him pressed to her backside. It had been this way when they slept but today it had been different. Slade had been different. More affectionate and flirting relentlessly.

He leaned in smelling her sweet cupcake scented perfume. Slade closed his eyes and let himself take in her scent. He craved being this close to her. Closer. She could feel his breath on her neck and Candy felt her body shutter. His lips grazing her earlobe. She had been fighting to not feel anything for him but this Slade was not the man she thought he was. He was slowly becoming more than just her sexy tormentor.

“Ready?” He said in a low deep tone with his breath tickling her neck sending goosebumps across her skin.

A warmth crept straight to her core and little squeak escaped her. “Ah-huh.”

“Swing.” They watched the ball rolling into the hole. “Hole in one!” Slade was surprised it worked and his mouth hung agape. The corner of his lip curled up. “Well, I’ll be damn. We did it.”

“We did it? WE DID IT! WHOO!” Candy cheered.

Slade wrapped his arms around her celebrating hugging her from behind. Tomi and Colt watched them quite surprised to see them get along so well. It was clear there was more to Slade's actions than the competition. The flirting. The looks. It was too obvious to miss.

At the next hole, Slade and Candy were taking their turn laughing and having fun. Tomi pulled Colt aside.

“Have you noticed Slade seems a little more than just trying to be nice to her?”

Colt watched them. Clueless to the cues. “What do you mean?”

“I’m not sure but I think Slade likes her. Like, really likes her. Look at the way he looks at her. You can’t tell me you never noticed it before.” Tomi crossed her arms smiling.

“Humm? You know. I have thought that for a while now. But, I bet she likes him too. She’s just better at hiding it.”

“How you figure?”

“Look at her. It’s in her eyes. When anyone says anything about either of them they defend each other. But, they fight all the time, probably because they are not willing to give into it. They would have to admit this all was just games to be around each other. Don’t you remember boys in school pulling girls pigtails and teasing them because they had a crush? It’s just like Gage is with Isis. Everyone sees it but them. It’s seriously crazy but looks like what’s going on. Love makes people act like idiots. I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t end up together.”

Slade walked back over with Candy. “Okay. You guys won. This was fun. Why don’t we grab lunch and see a movie.”

Colt changed the handcuffs back on Candy. “We have to meet with Davis to give an update on you two.”

“Ok. That’s fine. Candy and I can grab a cab.”

Candy looked confused. “You still want to go to the movies with me? I mean... with the cuffs on?” She bit her lip blushing.

“Of course. It’s early. Not many people go this time of day. I'm having a good time with you.”

"I am too," Candy shrugged. “Okay. I’m in!”