Kari determined at that moment she would give him another chance. She couldn't stand the thought of anyone else in agony, especially someone she loved. She'd gone through that once with Jack.
"All right, Austin, I'll give us another chance. But only one, so don't blow it again." She looked away. "I don't know if we really should take the rest of the day off, either. Jordan is a great person to work for, but I shouldn't push it."
"We are having a business lunch, remember? It is going to take us the rest of the day. My schedule is pretty flexible. Besides, tomorrow is Saturday. I'm sure she will understand. She's a pretty smart cookie. It didn't take her long to appraise our situation. And, the hotel room has a Jacuzzi. I know how you like those!" Austin gave her a teasing look.
"Come on, Austin, stop that. I know how you love to embarrass me." Kari's face was a crimson color now. This love making was everything she'd dreamed it would be with the right person, but it wasn't an easy subject for her discuss. Especially, with the man she loved and just barely knew.
Austin put the car in gear and backed out. He threw her a glance and winked. She looked straight ahead, her chin tilted up.
"No. I just plain love you. That's what I adore most about you, Kari. You are so innocent looking and demure in public, but you are such a tigress when I get you alone. I don't know how a guy like me could get so lucky. Tell you what. If you like, we will go out for dinner first, so you can think about what you would like me to do to you afterwards."
"Austin! Stop it and I mean it! Let's talk about something else. All right?"
Kari dared not glance in his direction. She'd never met a man as persistent as he was. Sex, sex, sex. Sometimes, it seemed as if that is all the man had on his brain! She couldn't tell him that his touch sent her into another dimension. One of these days she would learn the language and ways of love. Then she would get him back.
Kari leaned back against the soft leather of the convertible, letting her hair blow freely in the wind. Austin reached over quietly and pulled her next to him. She leaned her head on his shoulder. They drove back to Orlando, discussing their new jobs and admiring the beautiful Florida seascape along the way.
Thirteen
Kari insisted on calling Jordan when they got back to the Grand Floridian, where Austin was staying for the moment. The corporation had put him up there until they could give him a condominium appropriate for his position with the company. Jordan had expected that they would not be back, saying she would see her tomorrow. Jordan told her she also expected a full report on what exactly was going on, although she'd already had figured out a lot on her own. Kari laughed and remarked that Jordan would be well informed about almost everything. They said their good byes and hung up.
Kari turned to Austin who was sitting on the bed looking at her in bemusement. He wanted her again. Kari could see from his eyes that she was the object of his desire.
"Austin, do you think I could take a shower. I have sand all over me and in my clothes."
He pointed to the bathroom without saying anything, just looking. Kari looked nervously at him, desire again pushing its way to the surface. She turned quickly so as not to give away her feelings. They would never get out of that room if she did. Kari closed the door behind her and slipped out of her clothes. Sand was in her bra and panties as she'd suspected.
She shivered as she treaded across the cold tiles and turned on the hot, steamy water. The water felt good as it poured over her. She not did hear the door open as she stood under the warm torrent of water with her eyes closed.
When Austin slipped his arms around her and started kissing the back of her neck and shoulders, she shivered again. He pressed his body next to hers, and brought his hands up to caress her breasts, breathing her name in her ear. He held her there massaging her nipples, rolling them between his thumbs and index fingers, as she struggled to turn to him.
"Not yet my darling, not yet." He continued his offensive on her rigid nipples, whispering endearments in her ear. Kari whispered to him to take her again.
"Please Austin, Please. Don't make me beg! You can do whatever you want to me. Love me now." Her pleading enflamed him with insatiable lust. He pulled her around to face him.
"Kari. Open your eyes. Look at me!"
Her eyes fluttered open, a frenzied sea of obsession. His chestnut eyes gazed into hers as she twisted in his arms.
"Slowly my tigress, slowly."
He backed her against the wall, clasping her hands up over her head. Their fingers entwined, writhing with each other, a prelude to what was to come between the rest of their bodies. His eyes never left hers as he moved his body close to hers. The steam was getting hotter and thicker. She didn't know if it was the shower or their passion.
"Kari, I want you. I want to make love to every single part of your body. Tell me to do it. Tell me."
Her eyes fluttered shut and she sighed. "Yes Austin, you can have me."
"Say it Kari, like I told you to."
"I...I...can't Austin." He whispered in her ear, at the same time releasing one of his hand to run his palms back and forth over her hardened, taut nipples.
"Yes, you can. Come on Kari, say it, Make love to all of me Austin."
"Austin....Austin...I...Oh...." She hesitated, forming the words in her mind.
"Make love to me Austin, please, make love to every part of my body," she whispered in his ear.
"Tell me where to start. Where you like me to touch you first." His teeth nipped her ear. "I'm waiting, Kari."
"I-I can't say it, Austin."
"Yes, you can. Kari, tell me to lick your nipples." His lips moved to her throat, nipping the flesh gently. "It's what you want me to do isn't it, Kari?" He placed a chaste kiss in the hollow of her throat.
"Yes. Yes. Austin, please." Her nipples were aching with heavy desire.
"Say it, Kari. Say it." Austin whispered as his lips progressed toward their destination.
She struggled with her prudish morality, breathing heavily. "Yes, Austin. I want you to lick my nipples." There, she'd said it. Suddenly, she felt free.
"Yes, Kari honey, I will taste your golden nectar and much more."
He lowered his head, keeping her arms above her with one strong hand. His mouth caught one breast and began its hungry assault while he gently fondled the other. Kari thrust hers body towards him, attempting to give him as much of her as possible.
When she thought that she could take no more he swept her up and turning off the shower with one hand, strode quickly into the bedroom. Grabbing protection from the dresser, he slipped it on. Lying down, he pulled her astride him. He guided her expertly up and down on him, his fingers slipping inside of her simultaneously. She cried out his name. Water was dripping on his body and wet hair was tumbling in every direction in her impassioned frenzy to have him.
With every thrust, he brought her closer and closer to the ecstasy they would experience together. As Kari suddenly felt fiery satisfaction once again explode in her, she drove herself faster and faster until Austin joined her in their own private stormy ocean of unquenchable thirst. She fell forward on him and lay spent, her head on his breast, her hair covering them both like a warm, wet blanket. They both fell asleep, lying there like two innocent children who had just discovered a most wonderful treasure. They slept peacefully for a long time.
****
Austin woke up and peered at the clock on the night stand next to the bed. It was 7:30 p.m. He rolled over and looked at the sleeping woman next to him. There was such a look of such contentment and peace on her face, he hated to wake her up, but he was famished. He hadn't touched his lunch and, combined with their frenzied need for each other, he needed to nourish his body. He stretched and gently shook Kari. She moved and slowly opened her eyes. Once focused, she smiled at him, reaching up to brush his dark blonde hair out of his eyes.
"I hope I look as good as you do, Austin when I wake up." He leaned over and kissed her.
"Oh you do my darlin', y
ou do. It's 7:30 and I don't know about you, but I could eat a big steer about right now. Let's take a shower, get dressed and go eat. The hotel has a wonderful dining room and the food is great."
"All right, Austin, but you go first and then I'll take mine. We won't get out of here otherwise and we'll starve to death!" A frown crossed her face. "I just remembered. I don't have anything to wear because my clothes are all dirty from the beach. I'll have to go back to my apartment and get a change of clothes. Besides, this place is very fancy. I noticed the elegant decor of this hotel when I walked in."
Austin got up. Slipping his on shorts he walked over to the wardrobe. Kari couldn't help but watch his every move. He reached in, turning around with garments in his hand. She recognized them instantly.
"My red skirt and blouse! How did you get them?"
"When I went to your room in Hawaii, I saw red in the trash, so I looked. I took them, hoping I'd be returning them personally."
He walked over and laid them next to her. She clutched them to her as he turned around and went towards the shower. Kari rubbed the soft, silky fabric against her cheek. He had loved her enough to save her favorite outfit. Of course it fit her like a glove, making her look like a sex kitten. That might have had something to do with it.
Rising, she looked at herself in the mirror, pushing her hair away from her face. She was a sight in an oversized terry robe that came two inches past her hands and was dragging on the floor. She turned as she heard the door open to the bathroom. Austin came out with a towel wrapped around his waist. What a glorious body he possessed, and, it was all hers.
"Your turn honey. You can use the dressing room next to the shower. I'll get dressed out here. I'll call and make a reservation while you are getting ready."
"All right Austin, but you keep away from the shower this time and I mean it."
"Yes ma'am!" He bowed and swept his arm in the direction on the shower. She swept passed him and through the door leading to the shower. After a minute he followed her in.
They ate with abandon, polishing off a meal of steak and scallops. While relaxing with coffee and dessert, Kari wanted to talk.
"Tell me about your family and your business, Austin. I hardly know anything about you. I want to know everything there is to know about your life. If we are married as you say, I don't think I need any more surprises."
"It is difficult to talk about someone you barely know."
She could hear the bitterness in his voice.
"My father and I never agreed on anything. He is not a man you would really like to know, Kari." His mouth was set in stern fashion. He wasn't saying anymore.
"Well, tell me about your mom, then." Kari prodded him gently. Austin smiled as he thought of his mother, but it was a sad smile.
"My mother is a wonderful person, Kari. You would've liked her and she would've liked you. She is a former beauty queen, a typical southern belle. Life would have been hard without her around."
"What do you mean, would have liked her? She isn't-isn't dead, is she?" Kari was relieved as he shook his head no.
"What is it then? I'd hope we would be able to meet. I can't wait for you to meet Jack. He's married to his girlfriend Wanda by now. They are so great, Austin. I know my dad will love you as much as I do." She had such a glow when she talked about Jack. At the same time she vaguely remembered him saying something or other about losing his family. Kari had let it pass at the time.
"I hope he won't love me in the same way, honey." Austin looked at her in that teasing way she was getting used to.
"You know what I mean, Austin. Stop trying to change the subject. Tell me." Kari blushed as she caught his grin.
Austin shrugged his shoulders. "There isn't much to tell. My dad got into the oil business when he was about my age. He worked long hours and built up an empire in twenty years. Somewhere along the way, he left my mother and me behind, not physically, but mentally. The business is his life. I'm out now, so it doesn't matter to me anymore. You are my life now, Kari. You have given me something I never thought I would have. I will cherish you always because of that."
Austin leaned back in his chair, regarding her with concern. He couldn't believe that a woman as lovely, caring and with such a passionate love for life, could be sitting across from him, willing and wanting to spend the rest of her life with him.
"I want my family and Jordan to be at our wedding. It wouldn't seem right if your family wasn't there too, Austin. Please consider it. I don't want you to be sorry someday that they weren't there for the most important day of your life." Kari looked at him with compassion. She could sense his painful reluctance to talk about his family.
"I really don't want to talk about it anymore if you don't mind. Speaking of getting married, I'll call James and let him know that we will be staying at the house in Hawaii for a while. I'm sure that my father hasn't told anyone there about his private family matters. If Jordan will be going, maybe we can make it sooner rather than later." He gazed at her thoughtfully a moment.
"Tomorrow, I thought we could look for a place to call our own. I have enough money for a down payment on a house. How does that sound, darlin'?"
Kari regarded Austin with interest. He certainly didn't want to spend any more time talking about his family and she didn't want to push him too hard. Things would work out eventually, she was sure. Buying a home was moving pretty fast, too. Just like him, too, to move from one thing to another without skipping a beat. Especially if one topic was his family.
"Are you sure you want to do something like committing to a home so soon?"
"Yes. The sooner the better. I want us to get on with our life." His jaw was stubborn.
"I guess we could, Austin. If this is really what you want to do."
He turned suddenly, gazing at her intently. "It has to be what we both want, Kari." He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, nervously. "It's just that I'm used to making decisions quickly, and by myself. You'll need to keep reminding me for a while, I'm afraid." A sheepish grin appeared on his face.
Boy, don't I know that. Kari smiled her best little girl smile at him. "Do you like to fix things up? I could see buying one of those turn of the century houses and repairing it. What do you think of that idea, Austin?" Kari became animated now, talking about doing something she loved.
Austin grinned and reached over to take her small, delicate hand in his much larger one. "Sounds wonderful to me, darlin' girl. Now, Mrs. DuQuaine, let's go back upstairs so I can remove that dress that has been driving me crazy all night."
She lowered her eyes, feeling her cheeks flame up. That always excited him more, when she looked so coy. Rising, Austin took her hand, leading her out of the dining room and upstairs. The favorite dress would be removed soon, and the young lovers would be in heaven again.
Fourteen
Slipping out of the corvette, Kari skipped up the steps to the apartment she was sharing with Jordan. Austin’s wife turned, waving and yelling that she would only be a while. He waved back chuckling to himself as she caught her foot and tripped, catching herself quickly. Austin just shook his head, knowing he'd inherited an out and out klutz. Kari straightened up hastily, walking through the doors to the condominium with feigned dignity.
Boy, talk about feeling stupid! She would probably trip going down the aisle during her wedding. Maybe it had been a good thing she'd been out cold the first time. Thank heaven it wouldn't be a big, glitzy, gala event. She'd make a small fool of herself instead of a big one. Arriving at the door, she unlocked it and entered.
"Jordan, are you alone?" She didn't want to walk in on Jordan if she had a friend over.
"In here, Kiki. Come on in."
A soft, contralto voice flowed from her friend's bedroom. Kari went in and sat on the bed where her friend was sprawled out on her stomach reading a book. Rolling over, Jordan sat up, folding her arms across her chest. She cocked her head, staring at Kari.
"Well, let's have it. You know I've been dying t
o know all the details. I think I figured out that Austin DuQuaine is the one you wouldn't talk about before. Gees, he must really have it bad to follow you down here and get a job. Out with it!"
Kari folded her hands in her lap. "It's like this, Jordan. We met at the airport in Hawaii. We fell for each other. We got married the next week, but I'm still not convinced it was really legal. We consummated our marriage the following night."
"The thing was, he was supposedly engaged to someone else and conveniently forgot to tell me. I found out when I called his estate in Hawaii and she answered the phone. This was the day after I had spent the entire night with him. I didn't see a need to get an explanation from him, so I left.
"I found Jack's letter when I returned home, and sensed he thought I was going to be okay without him. I realized then, I couldn't be there when they got home. They wouldn't be able to begin a life they both deserved if I were still there. You know Jack. He'd see right away that I was miserable and want to take care of me. Therefore, my dear friend, I decided at that moment to take you up on your offer." Kari got up and went to the window.
"Never in a million years did I think he would follow me here. I figured he'd gotten what he wanted, a fling before his real marriage. I was so angry and hurt. Boy, did I ever feel stupid. I suppose I should have confronted him then and there, but I wasn't really feeling much like making an even bigger idiot of myself if it had only been a fling for him." She walked away from the window and sat on the bed again.
"Well, anyway, he must have been serious in his intentions because he went to my apartment in Minneapolis and read the letter I had written to Jack. That's how he knew where to find me. He'd already broken off his engagement to Lisa and had resolved to come after me. He says he wants only me and has asked me to marry him again, in Hawaii, because that is where we met. I'm so happy Jordan, I can't stand it. I have always felt that there is someone out there for everyone, but I never really believed it about myself. Especially after Dylan."
Austin's Pleasure Page 11
