Austin's Pleasure

by Dalton, Kristine

  Jordan snorted. Dylan. She'd still like to tell that one a thing or two.

  "It's really great, honey. I'm happy for you. You know that he is filthy rich. You won't need this job after you get married." Jordan got out of bed and stretched, her long, black silky hair needing to be combed. "What about love, honey? I haven't heard that word mentioned yet." Jordan watched Kari in the mirror.

  "The one thing he has told me from the start is that he loves me. And we both plan on staying here and working for the company. He doesn't get along with his father, and I really feel he wants to prove he can go it alone without the DuQuaine money."

  Dismissing the conversation, Kari got up off the bed.

  "Jordan, we're going house hunting. I came to ask you to go with us. Want to go?"

  "He doesn't mess around does he? Sure, why not? Sounds like fun. Are you going in that?" Jordan surveyed Kari's red skirt and blouse.

  "No! I came home to change too. Do ya know, I tripped on the steps coming in. I hope he realizes what a klutz he's inherited! He's waiting, so let's get going. Oh, before I forget, we want you to come to Hawaii with us and be my Maid of Honor. Will you do it?"

  "You know I will. When's the day, tomorrow?" Jordan pulled on some shorts and a shirt, slipping her feet into a pair of sandals. Nothing her friend said or did now would faze her. She headed into the bathroom to put on the finishing touches.

  "Real funny, Jordan. We would like to do it as soon as possible, whenever you will let me off to go. You have to go too, don't forget."

  "How convenient!" Jordan called from the bathroom as she combed out her silky black hair. She came through the door and leaned against it watching Kari closely. "Are you really sure about this, Kiki? You have only known him a few weeks." Kari was wading through the big walk-in closet they shared. She grabbed a shorts outfit, quickly changing clothes.

  "All I know is that I love him and I don't want to be without him ever again." Kari looked her straight in the eye. Jordan threw up her hands, thwarted in her attempt to make Kari think about what she was doing.

  "I guess I'm not one to talk. Of course I'd love to be there. I'll see what kind of arrangements I can make at work. Austin will have to make his own, but I don't foresee any problems. They are so thrilled to have him, I'm sure they will give him a couple of weeks off to get married, especially if it means keeping him here. I bet you don't even know how brilliant he is." Jordan started to the door.

  "Not that you're a slacker yourself. Okay, let's get going if we are going to find a house for you. I know a couple in the area we can look at. I'll introduce you to the real estate agent that sold me my condo. What did you have in mind?" As they left the apartment Kari explained what they were looking for.

  Austin had been patiently waiting for them. Kari had changed into a cute, clingy pale emerald shorts outfit the color of her eyes. Jordan couldn't help looking sexy in her denim short shorts and little top. Austin appraised both women with admiration. Damn! If Jordan hadn't been there, he would have taken Kari right back into the apartment. God, he wanted to screw her every minute, every second!

  After their greetings were exchanged, they drove off, the girls talking about everything under the sun. Jordan loved to talk about her ex-husbands and all of their shortcomings.

  Austin listened in amusement. He couldn't for the life of him figure out how these two could be such good friends, but he could see they were the best. He would have to share Kari, he understood that. But not too often. They drove off in the direction Jordan had waved toward while she was still talking all the time. Austin grinned to himself. Life would definitely be interesting being with these two.

  ****

  The three of them, joined by a fourth person, had been driving around for about four hours, appraising various homes for sale. Either they were too large or too much in need of repair. Kari wanted something to work on, but didn't want to have to rebuild a place entirely.

  "There are two more places to look at yet today. If you don't see anything you like, I have several more places that I can show you tomorrow." Mrs. Marino, the tall, thin real estate agent driving them around in a white limousine, was addressing the three of them. Kari was getting tired and Austin was getting rather irritated. Jordan was talking non-stop, as if she'd just gotten up and was ready to go for another four hours.

  "Two more and that's it!" Austin had spoken. The real estate woman got the picture.

  "I think this next place is more what you are looking for, from what I've been hearing. It's just down the road, a rather private home set back off the main road. It has small, but adequate stables, and about 150 acres, with a small shelter away from the main buildings."

  They drove a couple of miles and the limo turned onto a private road. Approaching the home, Kari was taken aback. It was perfect. The house of her dreams. She just knew.

  Cypress trees gently swept the ground surrounding the house, hiding it from the main road. As they pulled up, Kari jumped out of the car, trotting toward the verandah. What a porch! It filled the front of the house, a two story white clapboard. The verandah continued around one side of the house. Kari circled around to see the porch continue to the end of that side of the house.

  Double doors opened up on to the side verandah in two places. Austin and Jordan followed Kari as she surveyed the entire building from the outside. It was an old house with an updated three car garage attached to the other side. Austin had noticed the small stables in back. That was definitely a plus. He hadn't done any riding since he'd gotten back from Hawaii. The tall, handsome Texan missed it sorely. Once a horseman, always a horseman. It was the second great love of his life.

  Horses had been his first love until he'd met Kari. It would give him great pleasure to teach her to ride. As he watched the animated glow on her face while she explored more and more of the area, he knew there would be no arguing with Kari on this one. She was in love! He felt a stab of jealously. They followed her back to the front. The real estate woman was no fool either. She could see a sale here.

  "Would you like to see the inside? I happen to have the keys to this one. The owners have moved already, so you can see it without any clutter."

  "Oh yes. Austin, let's go inside." Her face was flushed with excitement. How could he refuse his lovely wife anything? He didn't think he could.

  "Okay, darlin'. Let's take a look." He already knew what would happen once inside.

  They entered through enormous double white doors. The inside was one large great room with a huge fireplace at the opposite end of the double doors leading to the side patio. On the same side were double doors leading to a huge master bedroom. It had been updated with his and her bathrooms, a Jacuzzi in between.

  Kari could already picture a king-size bed with white silk curtains streaming down from a canopy. Everything would be a romantic white in this room if she had anything to say about it.

  Austin was picturing a bed in any form, with a naked Kari in it. The floor would do just as well too.

  Back in the great room on the side with the fireplace, two spacious doors opened into a large kitchen with large, white shuttered windows exposing a complete view of the back yard and the stables. In the front room, a wide staircase led to the second floor that opened up to four more generous bedrooms.

  Austin was thinking study already. Two rooms were exclusively for guests, each having a private spacious powder room and shower. The other two were somewhat smaller, sharing a bathroom. Grand, expansive windows in each room opened to spectacular views on each side of the house. Kari loved lots of windows in a home. This was undeniably her dream house. Oh, some things needed fixing, but it would be a labor of love. A fresh coat of paint would be a good start. She was sold, hook, line, and sinker.

  "Can I speak to you a minute, Austin?"

  She literally dragged him downstairs. Scrupulously, the real estate woman eyed Jordan. Jordan already recognized the fact without the woman's look, that Kari was long gone over this place. Knowing her best
friend as precisely as she did, Jordan understood very well that Kari couldn't contain herself when she found something she wanted. She was an open book for everyone to read.

  Austin put his hand over Kari's mouth before she could get started. "I know this is what you want, and so would everyone else in this county if you had your say right now. Let me handle this, Kari? You are too excited to be rational about this. I like this place too, but let me check a few other things out before we make a final decision. Will you give me that?" He took his hand from her mouth.

  "You're right of course, Austin. I think you have an idea of how I get when I want something."

  He took her in his arms and kissed her with such passion that she needed to hang on to him when he took his lips from hers. "I know, Kari." He whispered in her ear. "I found out the hard way."

  He stepped away leaving her giddy, going outside to check the layout of the house. Meanwhile, Jordan and Mrs. Marino were coming down the stairs, Kari's friend dominating the conversation. The real estate woman saw Kari and cut Jordan off in the middle of a sentence.

  "Well, Mrs. DuQuaine, what do you think of this place?"

  Kari sucked in her breath, letting it out slowly. "It is really quite lovely, Mrs. Marino. My husband is looking a few things over. We really haven't made up our minds yet."

  Austin appeared at that moment, with no particular look on his face. That look was from years of experience working in his father's business.

  "Let's go. It is getting late and I'm hungry. How about it, girls? It's past our lunch time." He turned matter of factly to Mrs. Marino. "We'll let you know what we decide once my wife and I talk it over."

  He steered Kari and Jordan out of the door and into the waiting car. As they drove back to pick up their car, Austin kept the conversation light and away from the topic of the house. He was already sold on it, but he didn't want Mrs. Marino to know that yet. They would be able to do some negotiating then. Making a deal was something he was really knowledgeable about.

  They reached the office and he thanked Mrs. Marino, saying they would be in touch. She knew this transaction wouldn't be easy with that man in charge. She also could see that Mrs. DuQuaine probably got everything she wanted from him. Well, it would be a sale anyway. She wasn't about to insult him by saying he should hurry because another customer was interested. He would come to terms on his own time.

  Kari could hardly control herself as they drove away from the real estate office. "Austin, you know I loved the house. What do you think? Did you find anything wrong?"

  "It seems to have the things we are looking for." Austin appeared to be very noncommittal.

  "Well, did you like it or not? Come on, Austin, tell me!"

  Kari looked at him, demanding an answer. Jordan, sitting in the back was enjoying every second. She could see where this was going. He was obviously teasing her.

  "Uh, it was okay. I kind of liked the third one we looked at. What do you think, honey?"

  "I don't believe what I'm hearing! You hated that place, Austin DuQuaine. I know you did!"

  Kari sat back in her seat and folded her arms across her chest, a pout on her face. Then her face changed and a sly smile crept it.

  "You know Austin, you really owe this house to me. After all you put me through, I'd think you would hand it to me on a silver platter."

  Kari had a smug look on her face now. Jordan was nearly ready to burst with laughter. Oh yeah, had she turned the tables on him!

  Austin glanced her way with a worried look. "Sweetheart, darlin', I was only kidding with you. Of course we will buy the house if you want it. " No way did he want to deal with that painful topic again!

  Kari practically threw herself on him as he was trying to drive. "Oh darling, I knew you would see it my way. I was only kidding too."

  Austin glanced in the rear view mirror and saw Jordan laughing silently to herself. She saw his helpless look and stuck out her tongue at him. Chiding himself silently, Austin knew then that he'd been had. Probably for the first time in his life. These two together were absolutely lethal. He'd have to be on his guard.

  He had to admit as Kari snuggled up to him, that she'd beat him at his own game. He put his arm around her, marveling again how he'd been so lucky to find a woman like Kari McKinnon DuQuaine.

  They pulled into the parking lot of a restaurant with an outdoor patio. Austin unwound his wiry frame from the convertible. He held the door open for both of them. It felt good to all three of them to be out of cars.

  "The food here is great. I am so famished I could eat a cow!" Jordan chatted continually as she led the way. "As a matter of fact, I think I may have eaten here with a couple of my ex's."

  Austin looked at Kari and rolled his eyes in mock horror. Kari laughed and gave Jordan a playful shove. Filing out onto the restaurant's patio, they sat down at a round table with a big green umbrella, matching the adornment of the restaurant, that was facing the ocean.

  "I'm going to have just one husband. How on earth could you survive three of them!" Kari gave Austin a shy look.

  A waiter came immediately to their table. "Good afternoon Miss Walton. We haven't seen you in a while. It's good to see you."

  "Thanks, Jimmy. And it's Jordan, remember? These are my friends, Kari and Austin DuQuaine. This is my favorite waiter, Jimmy." Austin nodded to him as Kari smiled sweetly.

  "Any friend of Miss Walton's is a friend of mine." Jimmy paused to look them over very briefly, returning his gaze directly to Jordan. "Would you care for a drink before ordering?"

  "Sounds good. I'll take a scotch on the rocks. Girls?" Austin looked relaxed as he leaned back and stretched out his long, lanky legs.

  "How about a bottle of White Zin to celebrate our new house, Jordan?"

  "Sounds good to me Kiki. Why don't you have a drink with us, Jimmy?"

  "I can't right now Miss, I mean Jordan. Things are about to get busy." He looked at her a moment, indecision on his mind. "How about later, say around nine? I can get away then."

  "Sounds great to me. I'll meet you here." Jordan gave him her most angelic smile.

  "I'll be right back with your drinks." He left in a hurry.

  "Jordan! He is at least five years younger than you. But, he sure is cute!" Kari bent eagerly toward her friend. "How long has this been going on?"

  "Since now. I've always been interested, but I wasn't sure he was. Now I know. His father owns this place, by the way."

  "You are too much, Jordan!" Kari looked at Austin and he nodded in agreement. Later he would ask his wife what Kiki meant.

  Jimmy came back with their drinks and took their order trying not to notice Jordan too much. He was nice looking, Kari observed. His hair was the same color as Jordan's, pulled back in a short ponytail. His eyes were a soft brown with long, dark, sexy lashes that any girl would kill for. He had a lean brown body that was enhanced greatly by his white cotton shirt and pants. She could picture him with Jordan.

  Jordan and Kari drank several rounds to the house, while Austin limited himself to one drink. When their seafood salads arrived, they dug in with great enthusiasm.

  Austin surmised, as the lunch went on and there was another bottle of wine on the house, that Kari would be asleep as soon as she hit the bed. He watched her tenderly, assuming that perhaps she would be feeling a little under the weather tomorrow. Then he would have to baby her. That would be one of his favorite things to do.

  He glanced at Jordan. She would be all right. She could certainly hold her wine. She and Jimmy would have a good time tonight. He had no doubt as to who would be in charge, too. As they left, Jordan waved to Jimmy and he returned her wave.

  Kari snuggled up against Austin and giggled all the way back to the townhouse. They waved good-bye to Jordan and headed in the direction of the hotel.

  Austin parked the car and helped Kari, still giggling and weaving, into the hotel and up to their room. She threw her arms around him as he tried to get her undressed and into bed. Kari put her arms out for h
im to come to her. He laid down next to her stroking her hair and kissing the top of her head gently.

  "Austin, I love you so mush. I need you so mush."

  "I know, honey. Close your eyes and go to sleep."

  Austin wanted her so badly. Watching her sleep, lying there, an angel with an ethereal body, he felt the fire rage in him. Several times he'd wanted to say just screw it and do the same to her. She would look at him a certain way or toss her head in a saucy way, making him grow had with need.

  Austin bent his head to kiss her again, softly, so as not to wake her. Carefully, he drew the covers up to her chin. Lying down next to her, he stared up at the ceiling. Life would be complete, if only he could share his happiness with his parents. He sighed and got up. A drive along the coast would clear his head. He glanced back at Kari as he opened the door and went out. She would sleep until morning. His wife would need him then.

  As Austin raced along the highway, he knew a decision had to be made about his parents. He wanted them at his wedding, and he wanted them to love Kari as he did. He didn't want to return to Texas to live, or to the business, but he did love his parents, and he missed them. He wondered, as he passed perfect rows of palm trees, if they ever thought about him. He was sure his mother did.

  An ache began in his heart. He needed his life to be complete now. A few months ago he wouldn't have cared. That was all changed now. An angel that lay sleeping in his bed had brought the miracle he'd always dreamed about, but had never expected to achieve.

  Pulling in to a rest stop, Austin watched the sun as it was beginning to set. With his parents blessing life would be complete. After thirty minutes or so, he put the car in gear and began the drive back to the love of his life.

  Fifteen

  The next morning Kari was thoroughly ill. Austin babied her, holding her when she would get sick. He smiled to himself as she swore over and over never to touch anything fermented again. He'd made that same promise many times before he'd met her. By that afternoon she was feeling better.