"Kari. Don't be silly. You are the one who pretended to be asleep. You are being oversensitive. He has a new toy. All men are little boys at heart. He's doing something he loves. You wouldn't want to deprive him of that would you? You drag him to all those sappy romantic movies and he never says a word does he?"
"I get your point, Jordan. I guess I was wrong. I'll have to share him, I guess."
"Like he shares you with me. Think about, Kari. You and I have been friends forever. He doesn't have anyone like you and I have each other. And the baby. He'll have to share you even more. Now he has his horse. Give him that much."
"I never thought of it like that. You are right, as usual. You always see things more clearly than I do." Kari reached across the table and squeezed her friend's hand. "Thanks for being my friend always Jordan!"
"Forget it. The advice is always free. Ah, our lunch! How does it look to you? You aren't going to get sick on me are you?"
"No. I actually feel pretty good today. Maybe that visit to the doctor helped. Let's eat."
When they returned from lunch, Kari stopped abruptly in surprise. There were flowers everywhere in her cubicle. Rory poked his head around the divider.
"Someone must have been a good girl, or someone is trying to make up." Kari opened the card attached to a bouquet of multi-colored orchids.
I love you more each day. I never thought I would find someone like you. I want you in my life every hour of every day. Please say you will love me forever, Kari. Love, your husband and lover, Austin.
Kari sat down and the tears started to flow. She reached for her Kleenex. Rory was right there to comfort her.
"I'm all right, Rory. I just didn't expect this. It caught me off guard. Aren't they beautiful?"
"He's one lucky guy Kari, and he knows it. You are one of the kindest people I know. Besides being absolutely gorgeous. You've been looking exceptionally beautiful lately. Love agrees with you!"
"Why Rory, how sweet of you! I don't know if I can take much more of these personal accolades." Kari beamed with pleasure. At that moment the phone rang on her desk.
"Hi Sexy, it's me. You were so tired last night I didn't want to wake you. I hope you aren't angry with me." Austin sounded a little worried.
"You have taken my breath away, Austin. The flowers are beautiful. You always spoil me so!" Kari thought to herself that she didn't deserve it, after all, it had been she who had pretended to be asleep.
"I called my father and the arrangements are all set for this Friday. A company jet will be at the airport to pick us up around 5:30. Ask Jordan to come along. She'll be good company for you if I'm not always around. My mother will get a kick out of her. She'll be a good tonic for all of us. You did want her to come didn't you, darlin'?"
Kari sighed. "You know me so well, Austin. I'll ask her today."
"Good! It's all settled then. I'll see you after work then, honey. If you are tired I'll take you out for dinner."
"All right Austin, see you soon. Love you."
"Me too. Bye." Kari hung up the phone and hit the number for Jordan to tell her the trip was on. Knowing that her friend would be going along eased her mind. Kari was actually looking forward to going now.
Mentally she began to plan what she would take along and how she would act with Austin's parents. She would sweep into the mansion and have them have them eating out of her hands by the end of the night. Give me a break! Who am I kidding! I'm as nervous as I've ever been. What if they don't like me or even worse, don't think that I'm good enough for him?
Kari started to imagine all the horrible things that could go wrong, like falling flat on her face in front of both of them. His ex-fiancée was still there somewhere too. At that moment Kari nearly grabbed the phone to call him and tell him about the baby. No. He shouldn't make a decision based on something he hadn't even planned on. In her heart she knew that he had the right to know, but she needed to know if it was her and not the responsibility of a family that would keep him with her.
Kari sighed and raised her face up, tears forming in her emerald eyes again. She wanted what was best for Austin and she would see this trip through. After all, Mrs. DuQuaine hadn't given any indication that Kari wouldn't be anything but welcome.
Silly. That's what she was being. Once again her imagination was running wild. All the old insecurities were surfacing. Forcing those thoughts to the back of her mind, Kari turned her attention to the computer screen in front of her. Glancing once more at the flowers Austin had sent, she felt more reassured. After all, he loved her didn't he?
That evening, as Austin went out for a short ride on Firestorm, Kari ventured into the stables. She and Shadow eyed each other cautiously. Finally getting up the nerve, she moved carefully over to the stall. Shadow nodded his head up and down. Kari reached up gingerly and stroked his face lightly. Shadow seemed to be saying everything would be okay between them.
She stayed a few minutes more and then left before Austin came home. She planned on being familiar with her horse before venturing on his back. What a surprise it would be for Austin.
The knight's fair maiden stepped into her large, airy kitchen and began preparing a healthy meal of salad, turkey sandwiches, and a light Chablis that Austin especially liked. She would pretend to drink. Dessert would come later.....
Seventeen
Friday night had arrived. Kari packed conservatively, while Austin had casually thrown some clothes in a satchel. He seemed unconcerned as to what to take along. His face was flushed with anticipation. Austin had asked a neighbor a couple of roads down to watch the house and take care of the horses.
A tropical storm was brewing off the Caribbean Islands that might be heading towards Florida. He wanted to make sure the horses would be taken care of if the storm hit the coast. If this visit hadn't been so important to him, he wouldn't have left with the threat of a storm. He had left his parents number where he could be reached if things looked bad.
Austin grabbed their bags and hoisted them into the back of the Wrangler. After picking up Jordan, looking controlled and cool as if this was an everyday occurrence to her, they drove to the airport and parked the jeep in a rented parking space for the weekend. As they approached the DuQuaine private jet, Kari's old insecurities welled to the surface. Noting her apprehension, Austin tightened his arm around her. He bent to whisper in her ear as they neared the steps leading into the jet.
"Don't worry, darlin' girl. My parents will love you as much as I do. They won't be able to help themselves."
Kari sighed and took Jordan's hand too as they boarded the plane. Jordan was already flirting with the pilot that had come to greet them.
The trip was uneventful except for Jordan and Kari reminiscing about their high school days and some old boyfriends. Austin had settled in comfortably, enjoying the light banter between the two friends. He'd always been too busy for any of the high school social life. He was rather envious of their memories, but he reminded himself that he'd started his own memories with Kari now.
Knowing his wife was nervous about meeting his parents, he was glad that Jordan could be with them. She'd help Kari through this, probably more than he could.
After all, he was going home to something he'd known most of his life. He had no doubt that Kari would fit in, but he could sense that she had doubts. Austin knew he would be right there for her if she needed him at all. She didn't have a thing to fear. He relaxed as the steward handed him a scotch on the rocks. He noticed Kari had asked for mineral water while Jordan, naturally, accepted a glass of champagne. He slipped his hand in hers. Kari smiled at him dutifully, continuing her conversation with Jordan.
Candice and Mitchell waved as their son and two very attractive women emerged from the jet. Candice guessed right away that the redhead was the one her son loved. She was the opposite of any other woman he'd been with before, especially Lisa. She seemed more mature too. That was comforting. She would take care of him in a way a younger woman would not.
The other must be her friend Jordan. Candice watched her son's face as they approached. In all the years she'd nurtured her son, he'd never looked like this. A peace had softened his features. And love. Ah yes. Love. Candice looked up at the tall, lean man next to her. His face was unreadable, but she knew he was finally happy too.
Austin put his arms around his mother and hugged her tightly. She looked years younger since he'd seen her last. She had a glow he hadn't seen in years.
"Mother! I missed you so." He straightened up and addressed his father.
"Hello sir." Mitchell smiled then and clasped Austin's hands, pulling his son to him in an embrace.
"Hello son. It's good to have you back. We have much to talk about."
Austin was completely caught off guard by this show of affection from his father. He squeezed back the dampness beginning to sting his eyes. Kari and Jordan stood respectfully and silently at this apparent joyous reunion. Austin quickly disengaged himself from his father. He turned and grabbed Kari's hand.
"This is Kari, my wi-my fiancée. My mother and father." Kari extended her hand quietly, but with great dignity to both people.
"It is a great pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. DuQuaine. This is my friend, Jordan Walton."
Candice and Mitchell greeted both women. Mitchell DuQuaine was especially appraising Kari. She would do nicely he decided. A Yankee girl would not have been his choice for Austin. He knew it could be tough in Houston being from the north. But, she was definitely a beauty, as was her friend. Mitchell observed her to be a little younger than Austin. He would know much more by the time this weekend was over. He wanted to make sure that his son, the heir to his enormous fortune, was happy with his choice. He had made a mistake with the Wentworth girl.
"Let's go. We don't want to waste any of our time together." Mitchell took Candice's hand and beckoned the others to follow.
Austin was in a daze as they followed. His father had completely thrown him off guard. He'd felt that something had changed while speaking to him on the phone before, but this was something different. He hadn't seen his parents hold hands in years.
And his mother! She looked as he remembered as a child. Older yes, but somehow younger and more lovely than ever. His father looked more relaxed than he had in years. Austin shook his head in amazement. This was so much more than he'd expected. He put his arms around Kari and Jordan, walking them along to the waiting limousine.
Austin hardly stepped in the door before Harriet, the housekeeper, was all over him like a glove. She gave him a bear hug and immediately stepped back to survey her former charge. Eyeing him up and down she could see that he was a changed boy(man).
"Well, I can see I won't be seeing as much of you as I had hoped, but that's good. Someone is obviously taking good care of my boy."
She peered around him to view the woman who had taken her place. Kari stood rooted to the spot where she stood, not knowing what to make of this person who obviously held an important position in the DuQuaine household.
"Hummmph! You are a skinny thing aren't you?" Harriet turned her full attention back to Austin, dismissing everyone else.
"Come in Mr. Austin. I'm making your favorite dinner. " Surveying the others again, she defied anyone to disagree with her. Austin put his arm around the older woman with evident affection and ushered her into the house. He could see that he was going to have to please more than one woman this weekend. The rest of the company entered behind them.
Kari and Jordan were in awe as they walked through the door. Neither had been in a home this large or elaborate. Jordan had been to formal parties at the homes of the executives of her company, but nothing like this. Austin was still conversing with Harriet as they made their way to the kitchen. A young man approached them, taking the bags the chauffeur had brought in behind them. An older woman met them as they entered the huge hall.
Candice came up behind the two women and put her hands on their shoulders.
"This is Maurita, my housekeeper. Come girls, she and I will show you to your rooms. I know you must be tired and would like to be refreshed before dinner." They nodded without speaking and Maurita led them up the great winding stairs.
"Take your time. Maurita will be up to get you when it is time for dinner. Here we are." She stopped in front of two doors side by side.
"You will find a door that opens between your rooms so you can visit with each other." She hugged each one in turn, pausing in front of Kari. Jordan excused herself and disappeared into her room, Maurita following her.
"I hope you will be happy here, dear. I will always be grateful to you for bringing my son back, no matter what happens. He is stubborn like his father and would not have come back on his own."
"I'm sure that he would have, Mrs. DuQuaine. He talked about you both often."
Kari stretched the truth a little to make her feel better. Candice patted her on the cheek. She turned and left Kari standing there alone.
What had she said about no matter what happens. Her imagination started again. No. She wouldn't think deceptive thoughts. Sighing, Kari opened the door to her room. She hadn't even thought about the fact that she and Austin would have separate rooms. They hadn't slept apart since that night she had feigned being asleep. It made her nervous to be out of her element; and she certainly was as she gaped at the room that surrounded her.
The suite was bigger that the great room in her own home. A huge king size bed was in the center with gold silk brocade flowing down from the canopy overhead. Surveying the mini-apartment, she noticed huge drawers and her own dressing room that was as large as her own bedroom. The same gold brocade curtains hung from the enormous, floor to ceiling windows.
A knock on the door between hers and Jordan's room brought her back to reality. She went to the door, unlocked her side, swinging it open.
"Get down, baby! Get a load of this place, or should I say palace. This is going to be great! I want to be rich rich rich!" Jordan was enthralled and as usual, wasn't intimidated at all.
"It is so...so...big. This is not my type of place at all, Jordan."
"Get used to it, honey. Someday this will all be yours. Can I come live with you then?"
"Cut it out, Jordan. Austin doesn't want any of this. He told me himself." Kari looked rather defensively at her best friend.
"Maybe, Maybe not, but I'm going to enjoy myself while I'm here. And, Kiki, so should you. Why are you so nervous? I have never seen a man more in love than Austin. If I didn't know better, I think that you are feeling a little threatened." Jordan came over to her and put her arms around her shoulders.
"Don't worry, Kari, everything will be fine. Just be yourself. That is what Austin loves about you and so do I. Now let's luxuriate and get ready for dinner." Kari hugged her friend.
"You are right as usual, Jordan. I'll see you in a while." They embraced again and each went to their respective dressing rooms to ready themselves for dinner.
Kari had just finished dressing in her white silk blouse and skirt when the door opened. Austin shut the door quietly behind him. He strode over to her side and wrapped his arms around her.
"I finally got away from Harriet." He kissed her on the neck. "My dad intercepted me on my way up here to find a time that we could talk. Mmmmm. You taste so good."
He continued to plant fervent kisses on her face and neck while his hands cupped her breasts through her blouse. She slid her arms around his waist and laid her head against his shoulder. Liquid fire ran through their veins simultaneously. Austin began to fumble with her buttons while Kari brought her hands around to his aroused manhood, quickly unzipping his jeans, caressing him at the same time. Passions ignited, they tore at each other’s clothes as if it had been days instead of hours.
Austin groaned, wrenching her blouse off her shoulders, at the same time liberating her bra to reveal the treasure he was seeking. His mouth found its target as she put her hands inside his silky shorts and began to massage his penis.
Austin swept he
r up in his arms and had her on the bed in less than a heartbeat.
"Kari, oh honey, I'm so hot for you. I need to be in you."
"Yes Austin, yes. Come in me. I need to feel you inside me." She moved restlessly, devouring his burning kisses and caresses.
Through the haze of the inferno they'd created, came a familiar sound. Someone was knocking on the door repeatedly.
"Miss McKinnon. Miss McKinnon."
"Damn! Oh Lord. Not now!" Austin swore under his breath, rolled over and groaned.
They both lay half undressed and still on fire. Kari caught her breath and leaped off the bed quickly, going to the door, throwing a robe on at the same time.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Dinner is going to be served Miss McKinnon. The others have already gone down except you and..... except you Miss." Maurita hesitated through the door.
"I'll be right there. Thank you Maurita."
Kari glanced at her husband, lifting her shoulders as if to say what can we do?
“Come here darlin.” Austin crooked his little finger at her, fire dancing in his amber eyes.” A little old knock on the door doesn’t change anything.”
“But Austin, dinner is being served and-” Kari’s works were cut short as Austin pulled her down against his enflamed torso. “ My boy needs some lovin’.” He guided her mouth over his bulging cock. Groaning loudly, his fingers dug into her shoulders as the rhythm of their bodies rocked the four poster bed violently.
"Very good, Miss Mckinnon." There was a pause. “Uh hum! Should I tell the party that you will be a short while?” Kari released Austin, trying not to giggle. “We-I’ll be right there.” Whispering to Austin, Kari begged him to stop while she still had her dignity.
Austin's Pleasure Page 15
