Foolish Gamble

by Lita Lawson

  Austin glared in his friend’s direction. “You enjoy your sister inflicting misery on me?”

  “Nah.” Don drawled, “I enjoy watching a good sparring match between two dominant people. Both of whom I love, I might add.” He winked at Austin and took another swallow of bourbon.

  The blue cloud of cigar smoke invaded Austin’s senses. “You know, I never said you could smoke in here.”

  “What are dens for, but for manly talks, good booze, a cigar, and every now and then, a beautiful woman?” His blue eyes twinkled with wicked pleasure.

  Austin scowled at him. “I don’t know who is more impossible, you or your sister.”

  Austin heard Don laugh out loud at the same time he smelled the perfume of Annie Mae before she entered the room. It was like her own private calling card, spicy and potent, announcing her assertive personality.

  “Speak of the devil.” Don got up from his chair and buzzed a kiss on his sister’s cheek. “You look simply marvelous, my sweet.”

  Austin couldn’t help but agree with Don. Annie Mae’s blonde hair was set in a riot of curls atop her head. Long diamond earrings draped from her ears to her shoulders and a diamond choker adorned her shapely neck. She was dressed in a shimmering black gown that hugged every voluptuous curve of her body.

  When she turned sideways to kiss her brother, Austin’s breath inhaled sharply. The back of her gown had sheer netting covering her entire back. Where the netting reached her hips, it continued in a smaller sliver, encircling part of her derriere and continuing down to mid-thigh. Damn, the woman was a temptress.

  As much as her brazenness and sense of adventure had endeared her to Austin’s heart, he didn’t think he wanted his woman to parade around in front of people like this.

  When Annie Mae turned to face him, he could see her blue eyes glittering like cool pools of ocean water. There was no mistaking her anger. She pulled her brother’s cigar from his hand, took a puff and blew out a perfect blue circle. Austin watched as she advanced toward him, her hips swinging with every step she took. Arms folded across his chest, he stood his ground.

  “Darling.”

  Austin didn’t miss the dripping sarcasm in her tone. She placed one of her devil red fingernails on his cheek, and slowly slid it down to his lips. Her touch made him cringe.

  “Why don’t you get me a flute of champagne? I do say, I am parched from today’s activities.”

  Gritting his teeth, he moved to the credenza and fixed her the drink. Without a smile or a word, he handed it to her.

  “Thank you, dear,” Annie Mae purred.

  Austin threw back the rest of his bourbon for reinforcement. This time, he didn’t feel the bite of the alcohol.

  “Don, why don’t you leave Austin and me alone? I do believe there are things we need to discuss,” she cooed.

  Don grinned widely at his sister. “Not on your life, sis. Besides, I think Austin could use some moral support. I know what your ‘discussions’ can be like.”

  Austin saw annoyance flash briefly in her eyes, but it was immediately replaced with cool pools of blue. Don made no attempt to leave.

  “Where did you take off to before Skeeter’s race?” Austin demanded, glaring accusingly at Annie Mae, “And why the hell did you give away Bella Donna?”

  Apparently undaunted by his gaze, she answered simply, “Why, I felt a need to rethink our relationship.” She grinned like a Cheshire cat. “And I had the nicest conversation with that Whitaker girl.” Her blue eyes bored directly into his. “I felt so sorry for her, you know, her ‘situation’. The drunken dad, the dilapidated farm. I have so much to be grateful for. It was the charitable thing to do. The rich are supposed to share their wealth with someone so downtrodden.”

  “You mean my wealth?”

  “You gave it to me. So it was mine to give.”

  One of the fakest smiles he had ever seen spread across Annie Mae’s features. He had the strongest urge to literally wipe it from her face. Clenching his fists at his side, he asked, “And what exactly happened during your ‘conversation’ with Cassi?”

  Her blue eyes became frostier. “You’re already on a first name basis with her? My, those poor people sure can be quick to use any advantage they get.”

  Austin’s anger ratcheted up a notch at the way Annie Mae talked about Cassi, like she had been the manipulative one. Every fiber in his being told him Annie Mae was the manipulator and Cassi was the innocent. It was apparent to him Annie Mae had carelessly signed away his prized racehorse to get even with him. But he wanted to hear it from her very own lips.

  He tried to keep his voice calm. “It’s true? You signed over my racehorse to a complete stranger?” He gave her credit for not shrinking an inch or stepping back in the face of his anger, but at this point in time, he no longer cared about her reaction or had any need for her. “You bi—.”

  A knock on the door interrupted his words.

  “Damn,” Don muttered. “Just when things were getting good.” He got up and opened the door.

  Cassi tried to keep her nerves from getting the best of her. After passing through the black and white marbled foyer, she realized just how out of place she was. Crystal chandeliers hung from the tall ceilings, illuminating the well-dressed revelers, and making it impossible for her to miss their stares. She needed to find Austin alone, right now, so she could leave.

  She knocked on the double doors and a man in a white jacket opened the door to the den. She spoke softly, “I was told I’d find Austin Keller in here.” She looked into his face. He had boyish good looks, dusty brown hair with streaks of blonde and big blue eyes. Dressed in a white dinner jacket and black dress trousers, he was quite attractive. His eyes appeared kind, and his smile seemed open and honest.

  “And you might be?”

  A woman’s voice cut off her reply. “Cassi. What brings you here?”

  It was Annie Mae. That was the last thing she expected.

  “So you’re Cassi. I’m Don. Don Ashworth.”

  He took her hand in his, gave a mock bow, and kissed it. He leaned toward her and declared, “We were just talking about you.” He whispered so only she could hear, “You’re quite the talk of the town tonight.” He wrapped his arm around hers and escorted her further into the den. “I’ll protect you from the wolves.”

  Cassi quickly took in her surroundings with awe. It was like places she had seen on TV shows touring celebrity mansions. A dark wood wainscoting covered all the walls and overstuffed leather furniture filled the room. She inhaled the scent of leather, cigars and powerful men.

  In front of her stood Annie Mae and Austin. Annie Mae looked like she had stepped off a New York City runway. And Austin, well, she wasn’t prepared for the sight of him in a tux. The black of the suit intensified his dark hair. The white collar was unbuttoned near the top, exposing a smattering of dark chest hairs. The bow tie was undone and hung loose below the collar. His hair seemed tousled and his eyes looked more intense than she remembered them. She was way out of her league here and wanted to leave as fast as she could hand over the papers.

  Austin was surprised when his gut tightened at Don touching Cassi. He wondered where the hell that feeling came from. Sure, he was attracted to her, probably because she was so different from Annie Mae and the others he had dated. She was dressed in a tuxedo with a shiny white blouse underneath the jacket, revealing a hint of a white lace bra and soft curves nestled below. Austin had to resist a wild urge to grab Cassi by the hand and run from the house out to the horse pastures, leaving the party and people behind.

  Glancing over at Annie Mae, he now noticed how harsh her appearance was in comparison to Cassi’s natural look. He also noticed she had become quiet, which was never a good sign.

  Cassi offered, “Look, I didn’t mean to interrupt anything here. Austin was too busy today at the track for me to return his horse registration papers to him, so he invited me here tonight.”

  “Cassi, dear,” Annie Mae purred, “Where on
earth did you get that outfit? Is cross-dressing the next fashion trend? I must get me a tux as well.”

  Austin’s temper was rising. Annie Mae had no right insulting Cassi. It wasn’t her fault that Annie Mae had gotten her involved in all this.

  Looking at Cassi, he stated, “Perhaps tuxedos for women should be the next fashion statement.” He admired the way the jacket clung to her curves. The slip of white lacy bra visible tempted Austin to discover what it looked like without the blouse on. “You look quite nice.” He was surprised when she blushed at his compliment. Annie Mae always expected them. Come to think of it, he did not ever recall Annie Mae ever blushing.

  Austin directed his attention toward Cassi, glowering at Don, who still had his arm around her. “Tell me again what happened today, Annie Mae.”

  “I, um…,” she stammered.

  Cassi said, “Annie Mae was crying in the bathroom. She signed over your horse, Bella Donna, to me. I couldn’t imagine what in the world she was doing. She said she wanted to get back at you for not getting her a diamond.”

  “Annie Mae, is this true?” Austin faced her.

  Her blue eyes flashed before him. “Yes,” she spit out. “I signed your damn horse over to her. I was expecting a ring, and was quite disappointed when I didn’t get one.” She batted her eyes at him a few times. In a petulant tone, she continued, “You know I don’t like to be disappointed.”

  Austin wasn’t buying her act. He spoke, the words deadly calm. “You signed my horse over to a complete stranger?”

  This time Annie Mae stepped back an inch or two from him. “Austin, honey. I was so disappointed. You know I love you.” She placed her hand on his chest and he swatted it away.

  His fingers clenched into fists and he resisted the urge to choke her. “You signed over my horse because you were disappointed?”

  “But, sugar—”

  He interrupted her. “Don’t you ‘sugar’ me. I thought we had potential, maybe even a future together. But if you can treat one of my horses that way, then there’s no future for us.”

  “Austin! Please don’t say that.”

  Austin didn’t want to air anymore of his dirty laundry in front of Cassi. She outshone Annie Mae, both in honesty and class. Turning to Cassi, he grabbed her arm away from Don and ground out, “I need some fresh air.” Trying to reassure Cassi he had everything under control, he said, “We can talk outside.”

  He didn’t give a damn if they caused a scene as they rushed through the foyer and down the hallway. Let them talk all they wanted. He was tired of living his life under the microscope of the society pages.

  Cassi had trouble matching his long angry strides and could barely keep her balance in the high heels she was unaccustomed to wearing. She didn’t know where he was taking her, but enjoyed the feel of his hand possessing hers. His touch brought thoughts of being kissed passionately while held in his arms. Thoughts that she hadn’t had in a very long time until today.

  At the end of the hallway, Austin pulled her behind him rushing through the kitchen and opened a door to a porch and ran down the back-steps. They passed a large in-ground swimming pool. Guests mingled around the gaslights, talked gaily, some smoking cigarettes or cigars. Only a few were curious enough to glance their way.

  They hurried along a gravel path. Austin hadn’t slowed his pace any and Cassi was having trouble with her high heels. Finally, she tugged on his hand to slow him down. He spun around to face her, his strong jaw still clenched in anger.

  “Please, slow down,” Cassi begged as she took in big gulps of air, trying to catch her breath.

  “Sorry,” was his only gruff reply.

  Releasing her, he jammed his hands through his hair and looked back at her. His gaze showed no emotion. Shadows from the moonlight highlighted the square jaw of his face. Being around him was like nothing she had ever experienced before. A raw magnetism emanated from him. Power, self-confidence and sensuality surrounded him.

  He took her hand again and pulled her forward, but his pace was slower now. Cassi inhaled the night air and enjoyed the scent of lily of the valley wafting in the breeze. The day had been warm for April, but the temperature had dropped with the loss of sunshine. Even through the tuxedo jacket, the air chilled her. With her free hand, she wrapped it around her waist for more warmth.

  “I’m sorry.” Austin let go of her hand and took off his jacket. “You’re cold. Here, this will help.” He placed his jacket over her shoulders, his hands lingering a moment longer than necessary.

  The jacket still held his body heat and it warmed her. His musky scent lingered in the fabric and surrounded her.

  “Look, Mr. Keller—” Cassi started to talk, but he interrupted her.

  “Call me Austin. You make me feel old with that mister stuff.” A slight smile curved his lips.

  “Okay, Austin,” Cassi said. “We don’t have to keep walking. I’m prepared to sign your horse back over to you. I never had any intention of keeping her.”

  “I know. But I had to get out of there. If I stayed another minute in that room with Annie Mae, I would have lost my temper.” He looked down at her as they walked. “Sorry I doubted you earlier at the racetrack. I just couldn’t believe Annie Mae would do such a thing.”

  “That’s all right,” Cassi replied. “I can imagine what a shock it must have been to discover your girlfriend had given your horse away.”

  They neared a barn to their right.

  “Come on inside.” He slid open the large barn door and flicked a switch. Pools of golden light from brass chandeliers hanging overhead illuminated the barn.

  Cassi looked up at them, then down at the paver brick floor, and finally, at the crisp whitewashed wooden stall doors. “Oh my,” she let out unconsciously.

  “Yeah, it’s pretty nice, isn’t it?” He asked, pride evident in the tone of his voice. “Come on, I want you to meet someone.” They walked past the stall doors bearing brass tags engraved with the names of the horses that inhabited them. Most of the horses slept, but several hung their heads out at the sound of approaching footsteps.

  One of the stall doors had a blanket of fresh red roses hanging beside it. The name on the door was ‘Skeeter.’ Austin stopped there, plucked a rose from the arrangement and turned to Cassi.

  “You forgot one thing for your tuxedo.” His eyes held hers as he slid his tuxedo covering hers aside and placed the rose in the lapel’s buttonhole.

  The touch of his fingers, barely brushing against her chest, sent ripples of delight up and down her body. Her breath caught in her throat at his nearness.

  Austin looked seductively at her. “If you wear a tuxedo, you always have to have a boutonniere to complete the ensemble.” Then he smiled at her, a thousand-megawatt charmer that held her captive.

  Cassi’s pulse quickened as he lowered his head. She closed her eyes as his lips met hers. It was a soft kiss, tender to the touch. His palms cupped her face and she was surprised to feel his calluses. She never imagined he’d have the hands of a working man.

  Austin smelled of musk and bourbon and it aroused feelings that Cassi didn’t want to think about. Since she had met him, she had imagined what it would be like to be kissed by him.

  Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck, his borrowed jacket falling from her shoulders. Sensing Austin wanted more, she shifted closer to him, and he deepened the kiss in response. She heard a small sigh escape her own throat. Daringly, she laced her fingers through his mane of black hair.

  His tongue parted her lips and tentatively explored her mouth. His arms surrounded her and she relaxed into the embrace. Pressed against his firm chest, so close together she could feel the pounding of his heart.

  Being with him, kissing him, was intoxicating. Helpless against his onslaught of sensuousness, she knew she should pull away, stop the kiss. She’d been kissed before, but never like this. She was way out of her league and any thoughts of this going anywhere were pure fantasy. This was a one-time pleasure rid
e that would end sooner than she cared to admit.

  His hands again cupped her face, and once more she was caught off guard by the rough feel of his hands, a contradiction to his wealthy playboy status. His fingers moved lower, tracing the curve of her chin and dipping farther, pausing a moment before touching the lacy top of her bra.

  She knew this moment would never happen again. Her, with Austin Keller. Cassi longed to explore it, to push past her insecurities and see what it would be like to be touched and held by the notorious playboy of Lexington.

  The jacket material still separated them. Quickly, she slid out of her own jacket, letting it fall with a resounding plop on top of his jacket. She heard his breath catch. The ability to arouse a man so experienced sent a rush of empowerment through her. The feeling was all new to her. Her hands trembled at feeling his muscles beneath his shirt as she slid her hands up and down his back.

  “Cassi,” he whispered in her ear, his breath a tickle, “what are you trying to do to me?”

  “I’m not sure.” Her voice sounded husky, “but I think I like it.” She opened her eyes and saw him grinning at her.

  “So do I,” he said.

  This time she watched in anticipation as he lowered his lips to hers again. His fingers gently slipped under her white blouse, trailing over the edges of the lacy bra. When they slid underneath the bra, it was her that gasped.

  Austin maneuvered their bodies, walking her backwards until her back rested against the rose blanket hanging from the stall door. She heard Skeeter snort near them. The smell of Austin mingled with the scent of leather and roses heightened her senses. He nestled his knee between her thighs at the juncture of her legs, and an ache grew there. She sighed into their kiss. She’d never met a man so sophisticated, so suave, and his experience left her defenseless. Somewhere beyond the fringes of her consciousness, she heard the squeak of a door and approaching footsteps.

  “Hey,” a voice yelled out, “this isn’t part of the party. This barn’s off limits.”