Kari stretched and got out of bed quickly, reaching for a robe he'd left for her. She was still groggy as she made her way to the shower. He really blazed out of here. A tiny alarm was going off in her head as the warm water ran down her face and over the rest of her aching body. What had he meant by that last comment? Kari shook the dangerous thoughts away. After all, he had promised they were married and she trusted him. Didn’t she?
Kari’s hands strayed between her thighs. Her vagina was swollen and would ache today. It was a good ache though, a wonderful ache. The thought of Austin touching her made her shiver despite the warm water.
Still basking in the radiant aftermath of the night before, she dressed at a leisurely pace after stepping out of the shower. Peering into the mirror attached to the inside of the closet door, Kari shook her head, while running her fingers through the tangles. Addressing her glowing reflection, she mockingly curtsied.
"Good morning, Mrs. DuQuaine. And how are you this morning, Mrs. DuQuaine? Oh, I'm just fine. I'll just have a little of that, James. Mr. DuQuaine didn't have anything before he left?" She swirled around, preening herself. Mrs. Kari DuQuaine. It sounded amazing. Exciting. Kari touched her swollen lips, feeling a slight burning around them where his rugged mouth had been just minutes before. As a contented sigh escaped her lips, Kari grabbed her satchel and headed downstairs. She pushed back the uncertain encroaching thoughts starting to crowd her mind. She didn't want to think about what she didn't know about him. Not now. Not yet.
Breakfast was waiting as Austin had predicted. She downed a cup of coffee, nibbling a sweet roll so as not to offend James, even though she wasn't really hungry yet. James escorted her to the door where a car was waiting to take her back to the hotel. As she relaxed on the way back, she relived the night before. Kari had a glow about her as she stepped out of the limo, and walked into the lobby of the hotel. Going to the desk, there was a message from Jack. She went upstairs to call her dad. Kari McKinnon had a lot to tell her father.
Nine
Austin was furious as he drove the slick ebony corvette reserved for the private use of the DuQuaine family while in Hawaii. He had just found the perfect woman and Lisa's arrival would ruin everything. His handsome, angular face was tormented with several conflicting emotions as the road stretched before him. He couldn't even enjoy the lush, green beauty that rushed passed him.
His plan to inform Kari about Lisa and a few other details would have to wait. He knew it wasn't going to be an easy thing to tell her, or for her to hear.
She had to know he loved her. After all, he had married her, hadn't he? Besides, how do you tell a woman who has been made love to, that the man who had professed his love for her, and married her, was supposed to marry someone else, even if it was a matter of convenience and there was no love involved? He had to end that chapter today. Lisa's arrival had managed to completely complicate matters. He tried to put himself in Kari's place, and decided that he wouldn't like it one bit.
Austin gripped the steering wheel tenaciously. He would get this over quickly and have Lisa back on a plane before the day was over. He and Kari could be together for a late lunch if things went his way.
A smile crept to the corners of his mouth as thoughts of last night entered his mind. Kari had surrendered completely and lovingly to his every demand. Even when he'd woke her up for the second time, urgently wanting her again, she'd complied willingly and with such sweet innocence, he'd felt guilty.
Austin had never felt so loved or so wanted. It made him want to protect and take care of her for the rest of their lives. The hero wins the heroine.
Austin shook his head vehemently when he thought of the life he would have had as Lisa's husband. There was no turning back now, even if it meant his father's displeasure. “It's worth it,” Austin thought to himself as he turned off the secluded road and on to the freeway that led to the airport.
Austin pulled into a parking spot vacated by a huge van filled with several tourists. He was always lucky like that. Untangling his wiry frame from the vet, he strolled in to the lobby of the airport.
"Austin, Austin darling! I'm over here."
Turning at the sound of a familiar, but unwelcome voice, Austin spied Lisa, smiling and waving. She was looking as great as ever. He could see that if he didn't claim her, several other men would gladly take his place. He wished someone would. Austin raised his hand in greeting, walking over to meet her.
"Darling, it's so good to see you. I hope you don't mind that I decided to surprise you. It was so dreadfully boring back home, and I needed a change."
Lisa gave Austin a peck on the cheek, motioning a boy to bring her luggage. She tucked her arm through his, leading him away, still talking about how bored she'd been at home and could they go for an early lunch seeing as she was starved from the flight over.
"Lisa, will you let me get a word in edgewise here. I wish that you would have let me know you were coming. We have some things to discuss and I didn't plan on talking about things here. I have a lot of business to take care of, and I don't have a lot of time to spend with you."
Now why didn't he tell her right now about Kari instead of saying he had business to take care of? This wasn't going to be the piece of cake he thought it would be.
Suddenly, Austin felt trapped. Lisa had flown hours to get here and he couldn't just tell her he'd fallen in love with someone else in a week and had gotten married since he'd been gone.
He led her to the passenger side of the car and helped her in. She slid in with the graceful ease of a model. The girl fit the car perfectly. The boy looked like he fit. The trouble was, the man inside didn't. Austin simply couldn't tell her here, or right now. Heaving a sigh of frustration, he strolled around to the driver's side and got in.
As they drove away, Lisa was saying they would have plenty of time to do things and business would just have to wait. As he half listened to her prattle on about gossip from home, Austin knew that he might have to delay his rendezvous with Kari for a few hours more until he could break the news gently to Lisa. She would be angry. Not because she loved him, but because no one dumped Lisa- she left you. He could imagine what the society papers that she so adored would say about the break-up. He didn't care if she told them she broke it off. She wouldn't be alone for long either. In fact, he mused as she continued to drone on, Lisa Wentworth would be engaged again before the year was out. Still, this would be difficult, and she would definitely be angry.
"Austin, are listening to anything I say? You have barely said a word to me since I got here. If I didn't know you better, I'd swear you had something, or someone else on your mind."
He almost drove off the road. “Get a hold of yourself, man,” he chided himself.
"I've just been very busy, Lisa. And I do have a lot on my mind right now. I've already told you that!" Austin's voice was edgy and he wondered if she really suspected something. Women seem to sense when things were not right. And Kari was so much more sensitive than Lisa. Would he be able to concoct a story to keep Kari from becoming suspicious while he ended his relationship with Lisa? He hoped he could. There were no options here.
Austin pulled up in front of the house that a few hours ago had been a place where his wildest fantasies and dreams of the future had come true. He'd have to act fast and with firmness if he wanted to keep that dream alive. He unwound himself from the car. James was already opening Lisa's door and greeting her, as a proper English servant would. The trio walked into the house, shutting the big, ornate doors behind them.
****
It was 1:00 p.m., and Austin hadn't called her. Kari had called Jack, going on and on about Austin. She just couldn't bring herself to tell him she was married, yet. They always told each other everything and she would tell him soon. But not right now.
Jack had seemed pleased that his daughter had finally met someone whom she seemed quite taken with. He had causally mentioned that he and Wanda had been thinking about a short trip to Las Vegas for the coming weekend. Kari had
protested that he wasn't strong enough yet, but Jack had pooh-poohed that notion. After all, hadn't she left him in Wanda's able care? Just how able, he didn't reveal to her. Kari had sighed and said something about his always being so stubborn, and said okay.
They had said good bye, and now a few hours later she sat waiting for Austin to call. Kari didn't like this at all. She walked over to the phone several times but didn't had the nerve to press the house number. But, she had to know. He'd blown out of there so fast. Suddenly she shivered, a tingling feeling running up her spine. Kari knew something was wrong.
Maybe he was going to lose his job. Maybe it was because of her. All sorts of thoughts went through her head. She made her decision. Kari picked up the receiver and asked the hotel operator to put her through to the estate. The phone rang twice.
"The DuQuaine residence. Who's calling?" The DuQuaine residence! Austin had said it belonged to the business he was working for. Slowly, it began to dawn on her. It was his business. But, why had he lied to her? Well, he hadn't really lied, just hadn't told her the whole truth.
"This is Mrs....Uh, Miss McKinnon, James. Is Mr. DuQuaine there?" She heard a female voice in the background.
"James, who is the phone for?"
"It is for Mr. DuQuaine, Miss Wentworth."
"I'll take it James. Hello? Austin isn't available right now. This is his fiancée, Miss Wentworth. Can I help you?"
Kari couldn't speak. She could hardly breathe.
"Is someone there? I can't hear you. Please speak up!"
Kari found what was left of her voice.
"This is Miss McKinnon calling. I...I did some paper work for Mr. DuQuaine, and I was calling to let him know it was done. Tell him I'll send it to him. He'll receive it in tomorrow's mail. Thank you."
Kari let the receiver slip back into the cradle. Her hands were numb. Her mind refused to believe what she'd just heard. She sank to the bed, staring at the phone. Tears unbidden, slowly flowed down her pale cheeks. The next time she looked at the clock it was 2:00. p.m.
The young Mrs. DuQuaine rose and methodically began to pack her clothes. When she reached for the red skirt and blouse, the reality of the situation hit her. She fell to the floor sobbing as if her heart would break.
How could she have let this happen? She'd really believed that he'd fallen in love with her. Well, he'd certainly gotten what he wanted. She felt like an old dish rag that had been used a few times and thrown away. How much more naive could she have been? And that marriage story! She'd fallen hook, line, and sinker.
More like sucker. Why hadn’t she asked him for more proof? But then, hadn’t she told him it didn’t matter, she would always have that night if things didn’t work out? Well, she would certainly be a lot wiser the next time. Next time! Kari laughed bitterly. Never again was more like it! She'd gotten what she'd secretly been looking for. Love. The trouble was, it came with a lot of pain and heartbreak. This time the pain would not go away for a long time. Her heart was a different matter. Once she was able to piece it back together, a permanent lock would stand between it and never being broken again. The problem was, she would be in love forever, now. Austin DuQuaine had ruined her for any other man. It was going to be a huge price to pay.
Kari looked at her bags with a tear stained face. Resolutely, she picked herself up and went about her packing. She picked up the red skirt and top. The one he'd said he loved on her. It went into the waste basket. Leave it for the next sucker, she thought angrily, fighting the terrible ache throughout her entire body and soul.
The pain! If this was what love was all about, she didn't want it ever again. She thought she'd known what pain was with Dylan. It was nothing like this! She hurt desperately and deeply. Every bone in her body ached and her mind was nearly paralyzed with agony.
Kari went to the phone, not really seeing or feeling anything. She called down to the desk, asking them to book a flight as soon as possible.. She'd been called back to work unexpectedly and needed to leave right away.
Within minutes the concierge had returned her call, stating the hotel had arranged to make room for her on a standby flight leaving in a hour for the coast. Kari thanked the young lady. With one last look at the room that meant nothing anymore, she walked out, softly shutting the door behind her.
****
Austin came downstairs around 4:15 p.m. He'd finally gotten a chance to call Kari and there'd been no answer. He knew how she liked to sightsee and shop, so he'd try her later. Right now, Austin DuQuaine had more important business to take care of, namely Lisa. Just being around her and her phony endearments made him sick. Kari had shown him what it meant to really care about someone. It felt good knowing that he was loved for himself.
"Austin, sweetie. I hope you don't mind, I've poured you a scotch and told the chef to prepare a lobster dinner with white wine."
Lisa glided over to him and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. Austin took the scotch from her and turned away. His last dinner with Kari had been lobster and he didn't feel like sharing the same one with Lisa. He turned back toward her.
"Lisa, there is something we need to discuss, so let's sit down so we can talk." He gestured toward the huge overstuffed sofa near the fireplace in the dining room.
"All right, Austin. You sound so serious. I hope all this work isn't getting to you. Oh, that reminds me. A Miss McKinnon called here around 1:00 p.m., and said some papers she'd done for you would be here tomorrow. No wonder you look so pale, darling. All you do is work. Now what was it that you wanted to speak to little ole me about?"
Austin stared at her dumbfounded! Kari had called here and Lisa had answered. He was in deep trouble now.
"What exactly did you say to Miss McKinnon, Lisa?"
"I asked her what her business was and she told me. Why is this so important, Austin?"
"Did you tell her that you were my fiancée, Lisa?"
"Yes, of course I did. What is it, Austin? What are you trying to say to me? Did you have a little fling with this girl? You know I don't care what you do on the side, darling. After all, I am the one you are going to marry."
"I don't think so, Lisa." Austin looked at her quietly. "You and I both know it's no good between us. I'm going to marry for love and that does not include you. That's what I've wanted to tell you all day. You shouldn't have come all this way without letting me know first. You could have saved both of us a lot of pain and anger. I don't love you and I never have."
"Well, for heaven's sake, Austin. This marriage was never meant to be one of love. You knew that from the start. I don't care if you have your affairs with your little secretaries. I intend to keep my friendships. And what's all this nonsense about love? Love has never been in your scheme of things, Austin." Seeing the grim look on his face, Lisa continued.
"You realize, of course, if you break this up, your daddy will be very upset."
"I really don't care, Lisa. You can break it to the papers anyway you want to. I'll be the fall guy, I just don't care. It's over. You can keep the ring. I plan on calling my father tonight and telling him."
"You never could tell Mitchell anything to his face, Austin. Why don't you grow some balls and tell him to his face! That I would like to see. I can see I'm not wanted here so I'll get my things and go to the nearest hotel. James. James! Would you see to my things."
Lisa rose from the sofa in her regal way. The scorned socialite got in one parting shot.
"You could have had it all, Austin. Now you will have nothing except your little secretary slut, or whoever she is. I won't forget this, Austin. I'll be sure to wave at you when I see you begging from the gutter!"
Lisa turned and flounced out of the room. Austin, heaving a sigh of relief, told James to see Miss Wentworth to a nice hotel. He strode hastily to the garage and got into the sleek, black car. As he roared out of the long driveway he could think only of Kari and that he was a free man. Free to be with the one he really loved. It hadn't been easy with Lisa, and his father was another mat
ter.
Right now all he could think about was holding Kari in his arms. She would make everything all right. What was that she'd said about sending some papers over to the house? He was becoming very uneasy now. Damn! Lisa had told Kari that she was his fiancée.
Dear God! What she must be thinking right now. Austin floored the pedal, letting loose with a few choice expletives and flew down the highway.
Screeching up to the hotel, he jumped out of the car, dashing into the lobby. He rode up the elevator nervously and rushed to her door. It opened with a touch of his hand. A feeling of dread came over him when he saw a hotel maid cleaning the room. There was no sign of Kari at all.
"Where is Miss McKinnon?" He inquired fearing the answer.
"Miss McKinnon left earlier." The maid continued with her work without looking up. As he was about to turn and leave, something colorful caught his eye. He glanced at the wastebasket and saw her red outfit crushed down in it. Austin walked over and lifted it out. Garment in hand, he hurried down the stairs and over to the lobby desk.
"Has Miss McKinnon left the hotel?"
"Why yes sir. She left an hour ago on a standby flight to Los Angeles. She said that she'd gotten an urgent business call and had to leave earlier than she'd planned. Can I help you in any way, sir?" Austin was already out the door. An sick feeling churned in his stomach. This wasn't going at all as he'd planned. He wasn't even sure where she lived, but he would damned well find out. This was one time DuQuaine Industries would really come in handy. He would tell his father and then find her. That is, if Lisa didn't tell him everything first. He would be totally free for the first time in his life. Austin DuQuaine hadn't known what freedom was until he met Kari McKinnon.
One thing was for sure. His name was going to be mud in Houston for some time. The news of the dissolution of the DuQuaine-Wentworth merger would be a major source of gossip for a while. Austin DuQuaine was going to get what he really wanted for the first time in his life, not caring what price he would pay. It would cost him dearly, of that he was sure.
Austin's Pleasure Page 7