Billionaire Devils Club-Palm Beach

by Ashley Woods

  Kristen looked him over, “Well, you are quite a catch, and still young, shouldn’t be long.”

  He looked into her eyes, “Kristen, there is something I need to ask you…”

  One of his dinner friends came up and interrupted him, “Mike. I’ve got Pittsburgh calling on my cell. You need to come over and talk to him.” Michael looked at him and nodded his head.

  “Kristen, I have to go, it’s an important call.” He leaned closer to her, “I really need to talk to you. I will be right back.”

  Kristen started to finish up her drink. She wondered what Michael had to say to her that was so important. He looked so handsome and very successful, and she wondered what business he was in.

  She curiously watched as the phone was handed to him by a lanky brunette, wearing a chartreuse Dior number. With his other hand, he lit her cigarette.

  Kristen speculated, “That’s probably his girlfriend. What’s he doing with a smoker? He is too much of a jock.” She was surprised that she felt jealous. She had a faraway look in her eyes, when William appeared out of nowhere.

  “Well, Kristen, I see you are keeping yourself out of trouble.”

  “William?” What are you doing back so soon? She uncomfortably looked in Michael’s direction. He had now left the room.

  “I just finished up my Texas business early. I am glad that you are here. Let’s get dinner somewhere.”

  Kristen felt a bit reluctant. She was not happy how he treated her at the ball and still needed time away from him.

  She also did not want to leave Michael.

  “Just a minute William. I need to visit the ladies’ room before we go.” Kristen went into the lounge and leaned on the door as it closed. She felt giddy, and her breathing grew heavy as she fell deep into her memories.

  Ahh, Michael…he was her next-door neighbor, and her teen-age crush! He was two years older than her, and besides a few stolen kisses, he had always treated her like a little sister. Michael was very popular and was always busy dating the cheerleaders and prom queens. He seemed to have a special light about him that touched everyone that he was with. She constantly fantasized back then about how he would be the perfect loving husband, and how cute their kids would be. She always knew that he was “The One” for her!

  Seeing Michael tonight, still made her heart pound out of her chest, and she needed to resolve these unfinished feelings for him. She wanted to give him her phone number, but there was no easy way to do it with William there.

  When she re-emerged, William looked concerned.

  “What took you so long? Come on, my driver is waiting.” He grabbed her by the arm and rushed her out the door.

  Unknown to Kristen, Michael Hansen had merely stepped into another room so that he could hear better on the phone. He looked out the window and saw her entering the limousine. He abruptly hung up on his caller and then ran out after her but was too late!

  As traffic whizzed by him, Michael stood sadly in the middle of the busy street, watching as Bensinger’s car headed off towards the lake. Michael desperately wanted Kristen to know that he always had special feelings for her since they were young, and that he had always wanted to tell her that. Though he never let on, he liked her so much that he always felt incredibly shy around her, and the words just couldn’t come out.

  Now, he was afraid he lost his chance and wondered if there would ever be another opportunity. Michael knew he could find out her phone number if he wanted, but he was still not sure of how she felt about him. For now, sadly her dance card looked filled.

  Kristen did not enjoy being with William at the restaurant. All she could think about was Michael, and she wanted to sneak back to Cabaret to find him. After a few bites, she pushed aside her meal.

  “William, I am not feeling well. I am going to go home.”

  “Alright Kristen, I see some of my friends in here. The driver can take you back to your car.” He then walked over to them, instead of walking her out.

  Kristen thought, “Wow, not even a kiss.” She was even more eager to see Michael.

  The driver dropped her at Cabaret, and promptly drove off. When she went back into the bar, Michael was gone. Once again, he had vanished from her life. Kristen sadly sighed, and she felt like crying. She would have loved to catch up on things with him.

  That night, Kristen couldn’t get to sleep, and she needed to calm herself. She went downstairs to sit in her recliner. As she closed her eyes, her mind drifted her back to Michael, and the summer days they spent on Lake Michigan…

  Michael had always worked at the local sailing beach during the school break. Through the years, Kristen would often find herself leaving the swim area to wander over to the boat shack to visit him. The two of them would then huddle together and tell each other their dreams. She always yearned for the day to come when he would realize what she truly meant to him.

  That day finally came! To celebrate her 16th birthday, the Hansen family took her on vacation with them to the Caribbean. Mr. Hansen had arranged to have a private yacht at their disposal, and one afternoon, Kristen and Michael had the vessel all to themselves.

  Michael announced, “Now is the time to teach you how to fish.”

  Kristen looked sad, “I don’t know Michael, I don’t like to kill things, not even bugs.”

  “Don’t be silly. It’s fun. Come on, I will show you.” He gave her a few instructions.

  She leaned over the railing, casting out her line while Michael kept his strong arm around her slight body, preventing the wind from carrying her off. She loved his scent of cocoa butter and musky cologne. He patiently coached her, until she hooked one.

  “Very good Kenworth. I am impressed.” He gave her a smile as he removed the fish for her, and she proudly held it up, as he applauded.

  “OK, now let’s put it back in the water. I can’t stand to see it suffer. Please Michael?”

  “I don’t know if this is the sport for you.” Michael leaned way over the side, and gently released the fish. When he turned back, he softly said, “You are so sweet.”

  He then gave Kristen a long kiss. No one was there, except the ocean, and they couldn’t stop once they started. The magnetism was so strong.

  Kristen challenged him, “Michael, do you like me?”

  Michael gave her a cocky look, “Of course I like you Kristen. You’ve always been my buddy.”

  Kristen pressed on, “Not like that Michael. You know what I mean.”

  Michael stood back from her like a bee had just stung him. But, he didn’t have a chance to answer her.

  Unexpectedly, his family arrived back early. They pulled up in a dinghy and boarded the yacht.

  His father laughed, “So, did you two have a good time together?”

  Michael just smiled at him and went below deck. Kristen told Mr. Hansen about her fish, as she lamented to herself at the loss of her opportunity to land Michael too.

  Two weeks later Michael went off to an Ivy League school out east, and she never saw him again...

  The phone rang, and Kristen was jarred from her thoughts.

  “So, can you forgive me? I know I acted a bit like a cad tonight by not saying good-bye.” William was now in full apologetic mode. He was also slurring his words, so she knew that he had been drinking.

  “I just don’t know where this is leading to William? In fact, it is like it never even got started.

  William arrogantly replied, “Well, don’t think about it too long. I don’t plan to jump through any hoops to convince you of anything. I am too busy for that teen nonsense.”

  He began to get angry, “Ever since I took you to the gala, you have been acting differently. You are not the same girl that I met just a short time ago.”

  Kristen was confused. “Where was this coming from?”

  He continued, “Chicago is a very small pond. You belong with the other sharks in Palm Beach. You are always talking about it. Why don’t you go back down there and leave me alone? Even my wife knows not
to act like that.”

  Kristen exclaimed, “Your wife? You’re married?”

  “Why the hell are you asking me that? You know I’m married, and you were well aware of what you were in this for.”

  “No, no I didn’t know. I would have never started up with you if I had.” Kristen felt totally deceived.

  It was a well-known fact, to at least everyone else in town, that William was quite the philanderer; he had been parading girls around for years.

  He kept his wife tucked safely away in the distant suburbs, while he stayed at his downtown “bachelor pad during the work week. And, as long as his wife had her luxury life, she did not care.

  William acted disgusted, “Oh, get real Kristen, you are so full of it. I can at least tell you honestly, that I have never gotten a divorce because it would scare the shareholders.

  Seriously, my wife has no concerns, she knows the drill, and I have no plans to discuss this further. It is a non-issue. Understand?”

  Kristen firmly replied, “I am sorry William, but if you are married, then we are through. I really have nothing else to say to you. I enjoyed your company, and I am sorry that it has to end this way. Good-bye. She hung up the phone with no regrets and was ready to move on.

  The next day, in another part of Chicago, not far away from where Kristen lived in the suburbs, Michael Hansen had just finished a rigorous work-out. He also had trouble sleeping the night before, because he could not get Kristen out of his mind. He then took his frustration out on the fitness center’s machines.

  As he was getting dressed in the locker room, he ran into an old friend from high school. Both sat down on a short bench, as they cooled off. They began reminiscing about mutual acquaintances. His friend started to tell him all about his new girlfriend.

  Michael got excited, “Hey, I know her. She lived about a block from me. In fact, she was a good friend of Kristen’s.”

  “Who? Kristen Kenworth? My brother used to date one of her sisters. They were all babes.”

  “So, does your girlfriend still talk to Kristen?”

  “Sure, in fact we just saw her last week at a party. My girlfriend hangs out with her all the time.”

  “You don’t happen to have her number, do you?

  “You know it’s funny Mike. I actually do. My girlfriend used my cell to call her and she left it in the phone.” He handed it to him, “Here take it down.”

  Michael reached for his phone and put Kristen’s number into it. He then smiled and stuck it back in his pocket.

  “Thanks for this! Now maybe Kristen and I can do a double-date with you soon. I just ran into her last night and I really want to spend more time with her. I have always liked her.”

  His friend smiled, “Glad I could re-unite you old lovebirds. It will be fun to party with you both.”

  The old friends walked out together. Michael got in his car and instantly called Kristen. He had obviously forgotten about taking a passive stance.

  The phone rang once, then went dead. Michael felt upset. He dialed it again. This time the phone went straight to voicemail. He heard a message saying that the “box was full.” He then tried a text, but it bounced right back stating that the phone was not in service.

  Michael then went on the internet to link the number to her address, but nothing came up. He just shrugged and proceeded to drive home. He was not happy with how his day was starting, and he was not satisfied that he might have to wait years before running into her again. He wanted to see her now.

  He felt it even stronger than ever…

  3 DARK GAMES

  The last Sunday of the month was extra warm and sticky, and Kristen had nothing to do. It was too unbearable to go to the lake, so she turned up the air conditioning, and plopped down on the black leather lounger. She clicked through all the cable channels.

  “What a rotten day, nothing is even on TV.”

  She decided to challenge the elements and drove downtown to go shopping. She parked in a city garage, and then wandered from store to store along Michigan Avenue.

  After she could not find anything that interested her, she made her way over to sit at a patio café. She ordered a Pepsi and quietly watched the tourists as they came down the sidewalk.

  As she looked to the north, she saw a familiar male figure walking her way. He was dressed in black pants and a white shirt, with a dark silk tie. It was Karl from the ball! He had noticed Kristen too, and made his way over to her. He ducked his head under the table umbrella and sat down.

  He nodded politely, “Miss Kenworth, I am surprised to run into you.”

  Kristen gazed at his handsome, dark looks, and felt shy. She replied, “Hello Karl. Are you back in town for a while?”

  Karl partially smiled, “I do business in Chicago very frequently.” He acted uncomfortable answering her question.

  He looked at her glass, “Is there alcohol in that?”

  “No, I am not one that enjoys drinking during the day. I am out to shop. I am on a mission.”

  He looked around, “I can see you have not completed it. Where are the bags?”

  “Guess, I can’t quite get in the mood. I was going to try again later,” Kristen shrugged,

  “I would like to take you and find you some outfits. Let’s go.” It was apparent that he was telling her that she was to come with him, it was not an offer.

  Kristen gave him a curious look as she rose from the chair and reached down for her purse. Karl went over to her and held her elbow. He left a fifty on the table and walked Kristen down the street, and straight into Prada.

  He looked around and went toward the shoe displays. Without asking her what she liked, he picked out three pairs, all with very tall and spiky heels, and handed them to the clerk.

  “Please go to the back and find us these in a Size 8.”

  Kristen didn’t say a word, as he again took her arm as they left.

  The shopping continued as Karl took her to more stores, and now picked out her outfits. It was uncanny that he knew her sizes, and he had remarkable taste when it came to style. He even picked out matching scarves and several articles of lingerie for her.

  Whenever Kristen tried to speak, he would give her a look, and she would instantly clam up. She seemed to be maturing even more by the minute, as she learned to restrain herself. There was nothing romantic between them, but strangely, Kristen felt like he owned her.

  Both of them had handfuls of bags, with no room for more. They sat on a bus shelter bench for a brief rest.

  Karl looked over Kristen, “I think you should have short hair. We are going to take care of that now.”

  Kristen blurted out, “What are you talking about? There is no way I am cutting my hair! I barely know you. This is too weird. I am going home.”

  Karl looked at her sternly, “You know that the only place you will be going is back with me to my hotel. I want to see how you look in your new wardrobe. We will pass on the hair for now.”

  Kristen gave him an incredulous look and was ready to protest again. But, she was so fascinated by him, that she longed to see what would happen next. She was afraid to disappoint him and feared he would lose interest if she did. He was so gorgeous, and she was dying to have him.

  Karl hailed a cab, and they arrived at the Ritz-Carlton a few minutes later. He kept her in his grasp as they walked in the large doors. Karl frowned at her when she smiled at the doorman and held her arm even tighter. He ushered her across the long lobby and into the elevator.

  As they ascended to the top level, Karl moved closer to Kristen. He looked at her for a brief moment, as if he wanted to kiss her. She readied herself to embrace him.

  He then straightened his body, “You are correct. You would look awful with short hair.”

  The bell sounded their floor, and Karl picked up most of the bags, and nudged her with them, “Down this way.” Kristen walked in front of him.

  Karl had a very luxurious suite. It was one of the nicest she had ever seen. He put the parc
els he was carrying in a corner.

  He then reached for hers, “Please be seated Kristen.”

  She began to set herself down on the couch.

  “No. Over there.” He pointed to a large wing chair by the window.

  She slowly walked over to it, sat down, and gave him a sullen look. He made no comment and turned his back to her as he carefully pulled all of her clothes out of the bags. Kristen knew that he had spent a small fortune on her and wondered what he was now expecting in return. She wasn’t sure whether his attitude was just an act and was hoping for a quick warm up. She was ready.

  Karl held up a strapless white leather dress and reached for a pair of silver shoes with glass heels, “Please put these on. You may choose your undergarments.” He tilted one of the larger lingerie bags toward her, as he looked away. Kristen gave him an amused look and reached in to find the sexiest ones.

  She thought, “This should make him cave in. I will just come out wearing these.”

  Karl also knew what she was thinking and stated, “Please reappear in the entire ensemble. Then we will have you try on something else and go to dinner.”

  Kristen felt like his Barbie doll and walked off into his bedroom and closed the door. She put on the outfit and fixed her hair and make-up. She looked great but felt confused. She sat down on the bed wishing that he would join her.

  Karl knocked on the door. In his no-nonsense English accent, he said, “Come out of there please. I assume you are ready?” Kristen did not answer.

  Karl came in, and sat down closely next to her, “Kristen, what do you expect from me?”

  She didn’t know how to reply. Although, he remained reserved, she could feel his heat emanating around her. She was so sure he liked her, “Why wouldn’t he show it?”

  She considered making the first move and began to lean toward him.

  He abruptly stood up, “You are dressed. Now please go back out to your chair.” He proceeded to walk back to the couch, and she sat reluctantly.

  He walked quietly up to her, reached to her neck, and put a silver dog collar around it. He then clipped on a thin black leather leash, “On your knees, please.”