Without a word, they drove to the condo. He waited outside while Kari went in to change.
****
Austin drummed his fingers on the elegant black leather as he thought about the events leading up to his getting a job near Kari. He had definitely used his name and influence with Jordan. He felt a little guilty in using her to get to Kari, but he knew Jordan would understand. Using people was something his father was good at. Austin had learned well. It was something he didn't intend to do again, once Kari was his.
A lot of her integrity and innocence had already rubbed off on him. He could see that she really distrusted him. Probably hated him too. He wouldn't blame her at all. He felt sad about that, because he wanted her to trust him completely. Austin DuQuaine was really going to have to put on a convincing show.
If things went the way he planned, they would be on their way to Hawaii to be married again soon, in a real ceremony, this time. As far as going to Hawaii, he didn't think a couple of weeks would be a problem for Jordan, especially where Kari was concerned.
He'd been in Florida about two weeks, before joining the advertising agency. He'd tried to bide his time before making a move in her direction. There were many times Austin wanted to go into the building where she was located, just to get a glimpse of her. Indeed, one late afternoon he'd parked his car in the parking lot, and watched as Kari emerged from the building. The mere sight of her had seared his very soul. He'd found himself gripping the steering wheel to regain control of his reeling emotions. Austin knew she needed time to get over the some of the hurt before he stepped in her life again.
He looked in the rearview mirror and raked his tense hands through his sun bleached hair. He had been doing that a lot lately. Face it, DuQuaine. She makes you nervous. This was another new experience for him. It seemed to be the story of his life, lately.
Kari’s handsome husband looked up as she came serenely down the steps. His beautiful wife was dressed in a simple white skirt, white gauzy shirt and sandals. Swirling just slightly below her thighs, the skirt revealed her long, coltish, tanned legs. Her lengthy, light auburn hair was tied loosely down her back, her bangs hanging seductively in her eyes, a luminous green in the Florida sun. Austin started to sweat, remembering those slim legs wrapped around his naked waist. Damn! She looked good. Not just good. Sexy. Hell. He'd have a hard time keeping his hands off her and his mind out of the gutter.
He jumped out to open the door for her. She glanced at him, an innocent smile on her face, and slipped into the seat next to his. She folded her hands neatly in her lap, looking straight ahead. Austin was in deep trouble, and he knew it. Gunning the engine, they roared off in the direction of the small coastal town where they were going to have lunch.
****
Austin pulled into an ocean side restaurant. He escorted Kari to a table facing the expanse of deep blue. The beach was deserted on this lovely day. He mused that in a couple of weeks it would be filled with drunken teenagers from all over. “Sex on the Beach” would be more than a drink that week. Austin pulled the chair out for Kari and sat down facing her.
Kari was looking around, everywhere, but at Austin. It reminded her of the first time they had tried to have lunch, and how he'd tried to ruin their conversation right away with his arrogant talk about knowing all about women like her. He was wrong then, and he was wrong now. Austin was watching with a guarded expression on his tanned face. He spoke cautiously.
"Kari, look at me. Please. I need to tell you everything that's in my heart. Please give me this one chance. I know that you don't think I deserve it, but even a condemned man is given a last request."
Kari brought her eyes in line with his, knowing this wasn't going to be a comfortable situation. No, she wasn't going to give in easily! Ice Queen time.
"I'm listening. And it’s not like you are in a prison or anything, Austin. You can get and leave at any time."
Touché’. Austin felt like he was treading on the frozen Arctic in bare feet and sweating in the hot sun at the same time.
"First of all, I was wrong not to tell you right away about Lisa. I didn't expect to want you so much, Kari. I...I didn't expect to fall head over heels in love with you from the moment I saw you. I won't deny that. That first day in your room, when I found out you were, ah, well, rather inexperienced, your innocence and pure honesty caught me completely unaware. If I wasn't completely in love before, I was by then. Hopelessly." Hurriedly, he continued.
"As we got to know each other, you were so much fun and easy to be with, I found myself needing you more than I've never needed anyone. So much more, Kari. That was very difficult for me, because I never intended to need anyone. It was a lesson my father taught me well. Lisa never meant anything to me, even though we were unofficially engaged. It was to be a marriage of convenience, a merger of two companies, so to speak. My father and hers had arranged this early on in our lives. I never loved her, Kari. We were friends, but that was it. I swear it to you."
Austin looked at her with determination in his somber, darkening eyes. Kari was about to comment when the waiter brought the lobster salads they had ordered. She averted her eyes, silently spearing a piece of seafood, as he continued.
"You walked into my life, turned it upside down with one look, and I didn't know how to handle the situation, Kari. I was going to call Lisa that next day and tell her everything was off, but I never got the chance. She came to the islands instead. When she arrived, I was going to tell her right at the airport, but I just couldn't be that cold. I honestly didn't know what I was going to do. I did know one thing though, Kari."
Austin reached over and took the fork out of her hand. He grasped her hand in his.
"Look at me, Kari. Please, look at me." His grip tightened. Kari looked up into dark, swirling pools of tumultuous emotion, and quickly glanced away.
"I knew then that I could never live without you in my life. I was going to tell you about Lisa once we were married. In fact, at breakfast the next morning."
Kari looked at him with all the coolness she could muster. "Married? Did we really get married? Wasn't that your little joke on me, Austin? You got what you wanted out of that marriage.”
"It was no joke, Kari. We are married. It was all legal. In fact, I've asked that a license be sent to me, so I can prove the truth to you. I'm telling you now, Kari. I love you and I want you to marry me again, this time in a ceremony of your choice. Tell me you still want me and that you will say yes."
"No, Austin, I won't marry you, again as you say. And what makes you think I ever really wanted to be married to you in the first place?"
Kari sat like the snow queen in her ice palace. Whew! He deserved that! This was going to be much harder than he'd anticipated.
"Please, I will get on my knees, if you want me too." With that, Austin got up and came around to Kari. He got down on one knee.
"Really, Austin, please, get up. Everyone is watching. Get up. You are embarrassing me again. I think you enjoy doing that." Kari avoided his eyes, knowing full well what looking in his eyes meant.
"Not until you say you will at least give me a chance. Look at me, Kari, please. Look at me." Kari looked, and knew then, she was losing ground, fast.
"All right, Austin, all right! For Heaven's sake. Get up! I'll...I'll think about it!"
"You won't be sorry, Kari." He whispered fiercely, rising up swiftly. He wasn't used to kowtowing to any woman. She was making him do things he wouldn't have even considered, a few weeks ago.
Kari felt like dying on the spot. Everyone in the place had been eavesdropping on their little one act play.
Austin took her by the hand, almost dragging her out of her chair. Digging in his pockets, he dropped several bills on the table. Keeping a firm grip on her wrist, he stepped around several tables of admiring faces. The sound of clapping followed them out.
Kari's face flamed with embarrassment. "Where are you taking me? And I didn't say I would marry you again, or that I want to be with yo
u. You can't do this. I said I would think about it, but that didn't include anything else! You didn't even touch your lunch, Austin. Austin!"
“I wasn’t hungry for lunch, Sweetheart.” Austin grinned as she looked at him in shock.
“You-you-you can’t just walk into my life and-and-Austin. AUSTIN.” His young wife sputtered as he continued to guide her gently out of the restaurant and across the road towards the beach. He was practically dragging her behind him as they continued beachside. She nearly stumbled and fell, protesting all the while. He pulled her behind some large boulders out of sight of anyone and pushed her up against the rocks.
"Kari, oh Kari, I can't wait any longer to hold you. I want you now." Austin groaned as he started pressing kisses on her face and neck. "Please let me touch you, make love to you."
He needed her right then, the urgency so strong he could hardly withstand it. She had to know that she was his. He continued his tender assault on her lips and neck, his hands boldly caressing her arms.
Against her will, Kari felt her body go limp in his arms, pressing against his strong, muscular body. Closing her eyes tightly, squeezing back the impending tears, she willed herself to be strong. She couldn't let him back into her life, even though the thought of never touching him again as he held her now, left her devoid of feeling-anything.
"Let me go, Austin. I won't let you hurt me again. I...I trusted you. I let you make a fool of me."
Twisting around in his arms, Kari leaned against the sun bleached rocks, her forehead resting on her fists.
"Go away, Austin. Go back to your fiancée and your fancy life. Leave me alone. You got what you wanted. What else can you take from me?"
Austin circled her in his arms, drawing her against him.
"Please, Kari. I know that I should've told you about her, and the money. It was stupid of me not to tell you right away. And I don't need the damn money. It's you I want. And you are nobody's fool."
"Austin, I don't want your arms around me. You lied to me about everything."
Dropping his arms from her waist, he leaded over her with his hands palming the boulder on either side of her shoulders. "Not about everything, Kari. I didn't lie when I told you I loved you. It wasn't a lie when I made love to you. I never lied to you about anything. I just didn't tell you everything about myself. I know I should have, but I was afraid you would run the other way as soon as you found out I was from a wealthy family and I was supposed to marry someone I didn't love." Austin grasped her shoulders gently, turning her around to face him again.
"Kari. Please, honey. Give me another chance. You are the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"You hurt me, Austin. How do you think I felt when she answered the phone?" Tears shimmered in her emerald eyes.
Frustrated, Austin dropped her arms again. How could he deal with something he didn't understand? Women had come and gone from his life without a whisper. Kari had entered with a bang, and he hadn't known a moment's peace since she'd left. Now, as she stood there, sad, puzzled, confused, his heart broke for her. And himself. She had so much love to give, and he had so much to take. Austin realized he could drain that love, if he wasn't careful with her heart. He began again.
"Kari, I was wrong. I need you to forgive me. I'm here because I love you. I want us to start over. I want to live with you, be with you. Please, baby, please. Say you will give us a another try." Austin pulled her to him gently, cupping her face with his hands.
"Please Kari, forgive me?" Big, brown eyes pleaded with her.
She sighed, covering his hands with hers.
"No-Yes Austin, oh Austin, I want you, too. Lord, help me. I can't stop loving you." Kari felt the desperation in her voice.
His heart beat wildly. "Oh, honey, sweetheart, I'm so crazy for you. I love you so much."
Austin's mouth found her lush, warm lips as his hands tugged her shirt from her waist. Slipping his hands underneath, he felt her warm, yielding flesh as his hands sought her breasts, his thumbs running back and forth over her nipples, hot and rigid in his grasp. Kari's arms slipped around his neck as her mouth opened to allow his tongue to penetrate its soft moistness. A low moan of pleasure escaped her lips. He reached around to loosen her hair so it fell over her shoulders. Kari pulled back momentarily, catching her breath.
"Austin, I don't know about this. Especially here on the beach. What if someone comes. Austin, please Austin, I want you to make love to me. No, this isn't what I want. I don't know what I want." Kari's mind was confused and filled with passion at the same time.
"Shhh. I'll hurry darlin', don't worry." He feverishly slipped her skirt down and unbuttoned her shirt, pushing it off her shoulders. He removed her panties and bra in one swift move. Austin put his arms around her waist, lifting her as if she were a feather, placing fiery kisses on her navel. Slowly, her handsome young husband lowered his beloved against his sizzling, aroused body.
Parting her legs, holding her by the back of her thighs his tongue began to caress her, driving her wild with unfathomable sensations. Kari suddenly gripped his shoulders, clawing his flesh as wave after wave of orgiastic pleasure surged through her body and soul.
Her body went rigid as she brought her head down, her hair falling around his head and shoulders like a silken curtain. As she cried out his name repeatedly, Austin pulled her down, stripping off his shirt and pants. He reached into his pocket.
Damn! No protection. His body was throbbing to the rhythm of the crashing waves against the shore. Austin's need to be inside Kari was too great. He laid her on the sand and mounted her, wrapping those luscious legs around his waist. Riding her, each thrust was more urgent than the one before, like the tide coming in relentlessly.
He lost it with a violent shudder and lay against her, murmuring her name repeatedly. Kari wrapped her arms around him, holding him close, reveling in his familiar masculine, musky aroma. As they lay there in the warm sunshine, the reunited lovers listened to the to the ocean gently lapping against the shore. Their passion had been like an ocean squall, violent but swift.
Austin promised himself that next time he would take more time just for her. He hadn't been able to stop the insatiable lust he had for her. Screwing his wife had been the only option. Her intense desire had surprised and delighted him. He buried his face in her lustrous hair, momentarily.
As he got up, Kari sat up, pulling her legs underneath her. Laying back against the rocks, her emerald eyes closed in sweet satisfaction. What had happened to her? Comprehending the fact that it was like nothing she'd ever experience with anyone other than Austin, Kari realized the man before her held her happiness in the palm of his hands. She would never be the same person she was before. Austin, gazing at ocean was feeling much the same way.
Gradually coming to her senses, Kari realized they were both naked on an open beach. She opened her eyes and admired his long, narrow muscular body as he stood looking out to sea. She loved the way his dark, blonde hair wafted in the breeze.
"Austin, Mmmm.., Austin! I think we better get dressed, don't you?"
"Oh. I imagine we should. He turned to face her, standing there in his full glory.
"You realize of course, this is just the beginning. I'm going to make love to you every chance I get, no matter where we are, Kari." He stared unabashedly down at her, allowing himself another lengthy look at her naked, voluptuous body.
"You are so beautiful, sweetheart. So sexy. I could look at you like this forever and never get tired of seeing that sexy, naked body." He moved toward her impulsively, dropping on his knees. He dipped his head and nuzzled her breasts, making her nipples hard again.
"Please Austin, I...I...I'm not used to being uh, undressed in front of...oh you know what I mean!" She gathered her blouse to her chest and held it against her body, covering herself.
"Would you mind turning around while I get dressed?"
Austin laughed, leaning over to kiss her. He turned his back and stood up splendid in his nakedness. He had no suc
h qualms. Kari blushed, but couldn't help staring as he pulled on his pants and shirt. She got dressed quickly. She could feel her nipples still taut from his touch straining through her blouse.
Austin grabbed her hand, his eyes sliding hungrily over her. They strolled, arm in arm back across the road to the car. He held the door open for her as she got in. He went around the car and slid in next to her, putting his arm on the back of the seat fingering her long, silky hair.
"Let's go to my hotel, Kari. I'll order dinner and we'll spend the night together. I'll call Jordan and let her know."
"I don't know, Austin. We both just started our jobs there, and we are taking off already." Besides, how do I know I won't wake up in the morning and find you gone?" Austin tightened his arm around her shoulders and glanced down.
"I had that coming, Kari. I realize I've put you through hell. It won't happen again, I promise."
"Do you really know, Austin? I don't think so. The pain was so intense sometimes, I didn't know how much longer I could stand it. If it hadn't been for Jordan and my new job, I would still be a mess. Now you walk back into my life and want to start where we left off." She turned her gaze on him.
"This is not easy for me, Austin, seeing you standing there, wanting to believe every word you say, loving you all over again, only more this time. If you left me again, I would never get over it. Do you understand my pain now, Austin?"
Austin took her in his arms, holding her tight. He stroked her hair, lovingly.
"Don't worry, darlin'. I won't leave you. Please trust me again. I need you to believe in me. If you don't believe in me I won't be able to believe in myself. I've held on to the hope this last month that you would take me back. You weren't the only one in pain, Kari. I know that you don't believe me, but I was in as much pain as you were." Maybe more, because he was losing his family at the same time. He held her tighter.
Austin's Pleasure Page 10