Kiss Me Crazy (14 page)

***

In the evening, they headed to their parents’ for dinner with an apple pie they’d picked up from the donut shop.

Her mother’s guests turned out to be Dexter Richardson and his parents. Dex was a junior and the star quarterback at her high school when Kara was a freshman. She had the most awful crush on him. Hel, half the school had a crush on the tal, handsome jock. He stil looked good, which made Kara wonder why he was alowing their parents to hook them up.

After the initial awkward hugs and greetings, he cornered her on the patio. Soon they were swapping stories. Turned out he’d lost his wife when his three-year old twin daughters were born and was presently doing his residency at a local hospital.

“I’m sorry for your loss. Where are they…the twins?” Kara asked.

“At home with my sister. My mother threatened to stop helping me with them if I didn’t come with her tonight.”

“Poor you. At least mine didn’t need to threaten me.”

“Does that mean you don’t mind this?” He waved to indicate their parents’ attempt to bring them together.

Kara chuckled. “Oh, I do mind. I just don’t fight my mother over it. You?”

He flashed a self-conscious smile, a dimple winking on his lean cheek. He realy was a handsome man. Too bad her heart didn’t leap when he looked at her.

“This is a first, but I don’t mind,” he said. “I got to see you again.” He frowned and added, “My mother likes to remind me that the twins need a mother, but I’m not ready to go down that route again. However, I can take an old friend to dinner while she’s in town.”

“Old?” Kara made a play of looking around. “Who?” The two of them burst out laughing, drawing attention from the people inside the house. Even though she’d enjoyed talking to Dex, Kara wasn’t sure about having dinner with him. She promised to cal him the next day and they traded business cards.

The evening wasn’t a total fiasco like the previous ones her mother had arranged. As for Penny and Dex’s mother, they wore smug smiles throughout the meal. After dinner, Kara got a chance to see and okay some of the designs her father had come up with for her frames.

Briana and Kara didn’t get home until after eleven. Kara missed Baron’s cal, but he’d left a message to cal him back. When she did, she shared with him her day and didn’t realize he didn’t say much until after she hung up. Maybe she shouldn’t have mentioned her mother’s tendency to try and marry her off every time she visited. At least she hadn’t mentioned Dex.

***

Mid-morning the next day, Kara and Briana were by the pool when Mrs. Marten walked out of the house and said, “Ms.

Kara, you have a visitor. He’s in the foyer.”

“Tel him to come out here, Mrs. Marten,” Briana instructed the housekeeper.

“Who do you think it is?” Kara sat up and reached for the robe.

“Probably Dex. You made quite an impression on him.” Briana winked.

“Not that kind of impression.” Kara was tightening the sash of her robe when the tal figure stepped onto the deck.

Her heart hurtled upward to her throat and a gentle wash of warmth curled around her stomach when she looked up. She took in his light blue shirt and charcoal pants, the wolfish, inteligent eyes, and the bone-crumbling smile. She started around the pool, grinning.

“What a wonderful surprise. Why didn’t you say you’d stop by today?”

Every muscle in Baron’s body shot to sexual alert at Kara’s husky voice. She’d starred in his dreams for the past few nights, but seeing her in real time shocked his system. “Then it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

He gave her a slow perusal, the flushed porcelain skin, lush curves, and that sexy walk of hers. He’d never drooled over a half-clad woman until now.

In the past few days, he’d deliberately left out the news about VanderMarck Junior and the missing colection during their telephone conversation. Part of him had hoped the man, now in police custody, would reveal where he had stashed the artwork. In fact, Baron would have continued to stay in Idaho until the police finished their investigation, but last night changed everything.

Kara tended to talk fast and jump from topic to topic when edgy. Their conversation had indicated she was uneasy about something. Gut instinct told him she was having doubts about the decision to go away with him, which could be a prelude to ending things between them. So he did what any sane man nuts about a skittish woman would do—flew down to woo her up close.

Now he watched her glide toward him, tension tightening his gut with each step she took. Acting on impulse was out of character for him.

“I was on my way home and thought to check on you ladies.”
Let’s hope it doesn’t explode in my face.

“Was it, uh,” she glanced at her watch, “ten hours ago we spoke on the phone and I said we were doing fine?”

“Yes, you did.” He chuckled at her teasing. She stopped in front of him, her generous smile making him long to stoop low and capture it in a kiss. “But I was hoping you and your sister would accompany me to lunch. And if you have time, maybe show me al those wonderful childhood haunts you’ve been talking about. Of course, that’s if Briana’s up to it,” he added.

Kara turned her head and Baron folowed her gaze to the blue and white poolside cabana. The housekeeper had told him Kara and her sister were by the pool, but Briana wasn’t visible from his position despite the sheer curtains covering the structure.

“I’l ask her,” Kara said.

“Lunch would be fabulous,” Briana said, stepping out of the cabana. She gazed at them through dark sunglasses. “Why don’t I entertain Mr. Fitzgerald while you change, Kara.” Her voice was a low seductive purr.

Kara hesitated, then gave Baron a tiny smile and shrugged.

“Sure. Can I get you something to drink?”

“No thanks. I’m fine.”

Once again, Kara glanced toward her sister. “Okay then.

I’l be back in a few.”

Baron frowned. He didn’t know whether Briana sent sensual vibes to al men she met or merely singled him out for some depraved reason. Whatever the case, her actions bothered Kara and tolerating it wasn’t an option.

He trapped Kara’s hand before she took another step.

“Just a sec. Aren’t you forgetting something?” His gaze caressed her lips then locked with hers.

She squinted at him. “What?”

“You haven’t greeted me properly.”

He knew exactly when she caught his meaning. Her face tightened with alarm and she shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“You think too much.” He gave her a lazy smile meant to put her at ease and silently urge her to sway toward him and claim him. This could prove she stil wanted him and also tel her sister to back off, or it could backfire. What then?

“It’s been two days, sweetheart. I’ve missed you.” He reached out and looped a strand of hair behind her ear, lingering on her slanting jaw.

Her eyes widened, teling him he’d surprised her. Good. He didn’t care if she knew how much he wanted her.

Kara sighed but the smile she gave him started smal and took on a reckless quality. She leaned forward, pressed a hand on his chest and reached up to brush lips with his.

Baron shuddered at the feel of her mouth and the rush of her sweet breath against his skin. Her tongue flickered flirtatiously against the outer contour of his lips. As though his response made her bolder, she gripped his shirt with one hand, cupped his cheek and yanked him down. What folowed was the sweetest taste on earth. The ful effect of the moist interior of her satiny mouth almost brought him to his knees.

Blood rushed below his belt and in seconds, he was harder than a steel rod. There was only so much a man could take before he succumbed to the spel a woman wielded, and his control when it came to Kara was already nil. The point of the kiss ceased to matter as Baron opened his mouth and welcomed her questing tongue. She indulged herself and he, a glutton for punishment, reveled in the erotic licks and nibbles.

Time ceased to exist.

It took every muscle and tendon in his body not to take over and show her the ful range of his need. He gripped her arms, puled back, and stopped the torture. They stared at each other, a hot buzz of sexual tension shimmering between them. Her eyes were luminous, her lips wet, lush, and inviting.

“God, you’re beautiful.” Her mouth twitched, then she giggled. The pure joy of the sound created warmth in his chest he couldn’t explain. He faked irritation. “I offer you a compliment and you laugh?”

“No, I’d never do that.” She gave him a beatific smile.

“Thank you for the compliment. I was undecided about something but I’m happy it doesn’t matter now. I’l go and change.” She flattened the shirt she’d scrunched only minutes ago and glanced toward the cabana. Her voice dropped. “Be nice to my sister.

Pregnancy can mess with a woman’s head.”

Somehow Baron doubted Briana needed an excuse to act outrageous. He watched Kara walk away, loving the way her bikini bottom hugged her firm ass. If a man went to hel for every X-rated fantasy, he would have dethroned the devil by now.

As soon as she disappeared inside the house, Baron took a deep breath and turned to face Briana, who watched him through her sunglasses, arms crossed, and mouth turned up in a sneer.

Physicaly, she was a striking woman, but she couldn’t hold a torch to his Kara. Kara’s subtle beauty combined warm personality with just the right amount of sass, but the way she dropped everything to run to her sister’s side showed a caring side of her any man would appreciate.

Baron offered Briana a smile. “How are you feeling, Mrs.

Wilkins?”

She whipped the sunglasses off her face and squinted at him. “How am I feeling? If you must know, a whole lot better until you showed up. What sob story did you give my sister to make her disregard what and who you are, Fitzgerald?”

Baron raised a questioning brow. “Excuse me?”

“You’ve got to be packing more than good looks for my sister to mess around with you when she knows you’re a married man.” She planted a hand on her hip and gave him a scathing once over. “So what is it? The missus doesn’t understand you? You’re on the verge of getting a divorce? Or are you staying with your wife because of the children but you don’t realy love her?” she finished in a mocking falsetto voice and started toward him. “I have one word for you. Bulshit. I’m married to a bal player and have heard them al.”

Baron frowned, his head spinning from trying to folow the woman’s hurled accusations. “Married?”

“I’m tired of men like you taking advantage of women like my sister.” Briana clicked her tongue and gave him an annoyed look. “So whatever crap you sold her stops right here, mister.

Scuttle on home to the little wifey and leave my sister alone, or I swear I’l come to L.A. and make your life a living hel.” Annoyance sliced through Baron. “Do you always jump to your sister’s defense without checking out your facts?”

“I don’t need to check anything. My mother knows you’re married, and my sister sure as hel didn’t deny it when I mentioned it. Yes, we Michaels watch out for each other.” She dismissed him with a curt wave and turned toward the cabana. “Get lost before I resort to my old M.O. to get rid of you.”

Baron laughed.

She turned around and glared at him.

“Listen Briana—”

“No, you listen, Fitzgerald.” She jabbed a finger in his direction. “I’m pregnant and don’t have the energy to pretend I’m stealing you from Kara to protect her. She doesn’t need that crap from me anymore. So just leave.”

Steal him from Kara? She could hope. Obviously the kiss between him and Kara hadn’t served its purpose. Baron moved closer to Briana even as her eyes narrowed with each step he took.

“I’m not married, okay?”

“Please.” She made a face.

“I don’t know what your mother told you. I’m not nor have I ever been married. And I’m sure as hel not using your sister.” Briana continued to glower.

Baron rubbed his nape. He was tempted to ignore her and her crazy assumptions, but seeing the way Kara had dropped everything and run to her side, the two sisters were close.

Antagonizing Briana would be counterproductive.

“Alow me to explain,” he said.

***

Kara twisted in front of the vanity mirror and smiled. The teal and green dress was worth its exorbitant price. She knew exactly the right accessory for the outfit, her favorite tan walking sandals with vintage accents and the matching tote bag. Inching closer to her reflection, she studied her face.

The makeup was minimal but it couldn’t cover her puffy, just-been-kissed lips or the fact that her eyes glowed with pent up desire. Her heart refused to settle into a normal rhythm since she’d kissed Baron. Even worse, she could stil taste him.

What’s he doing here?
Kara wasn’t buying his explanation of stopping to check on her and Briana. The sneaky eye candy was pushing for an answer about their Idaho trip by being ultra-charming and attentive. Like chalenging her to a kiss then letting her take the lead. Was that a prelude for what was to come? Would he be that accommodating in bed? Her past lovers never alowed her to initiate or direct their lovemaking. Truth be told, she’d never felt the urge.

But with a wiling Baron…an ilicit zing shot through Kara at the possibilities.

Pushing aside her wicked thoughts, Kara pinned up her hair with hair clips, leaving a few strands to frame her face. One look at her watch and she hurried out of her bedroom.

No one was on the pool deck when she stepped outside, but a deep male voice folowed by her sister’s high-pitched giggle emanated from the closed curtains of the cabana. A chil settled under Kara’s skin, kiling her euphoric mood and freezing her in place.

Anger, jealousy, and disappointment slammed into her. The past rushed back with a vengeance, bringing with it the insecurities, the hurt, and the humiliation.

Kara didn’t know how long she stood stil, feeling as if smoke was coming out of her nose and ears. It seemed like eternity before her mind let go of the past and her eyes focused on the cabana. She redirected her anger where it belonged, at herself.

This must stop. She was a grown woman with an A-list of clients who valued her expertise as an art conservator. Her looks might not stop traffic but she was known to turn a head or two when she made an effort to showcase her God-given attributes.

And just because Briana’s M.O. used to start with trysts at a secluded place didn’t necessarily mean she was with Baron.

Kara took a calming breath, lifted her chin and started around the pool. She’d seen grown men act like idiots around Briana. It wasn’t easy to resist her sister, especialy when she turned on the charm.

Kara whipped the curtains back when she got to the cabana and blinked, the fight whooshing out of her so fast she felt light-headed.

Briana dragged her eyes from the high-def T.V. screen where some soap opera eye candy was plotting someone’s demise.

“Stil here?”

“Yeah. Where’s Baron?”

“He left to find you.” Briana sat up and angled her head, her eyes twinkling. “I like him.”

Kara frowned. “Why?”

“Because he’s perfect…for you, which is why I’ve decided not to be a third wheel. Go have fun with your man.” Kara made a play of glancing around. “Okay, where’s the alien space ship and what have you done with my sister?” Briana chuckled. “Oh, quit.”

“Seriously, you usualy don’t have anything nice to say about my boyfriends.” Yet Briana would go out with them for a few weeks then dump them.

Briana made a face and gracefuly reclined on the daybed, propping herself on a plump pilow. “Then enjoy it while it lasts.

Now go. I’ve a manicurist coming this afternoon and I need my beauty rest before I can deal with my mother-in-law.” She narrowed her eyes at a point above Kara’s right shoulder. “Just so you know…hurt her and I’l make your life hel.” Before Kara could turn around, Baron slid an arm across her waist then splayed his fingers over her stomach and drew her to his chest. He was bold, but she wasn’t going to give him a hard time over it, not when she was enjoying the attention so much.

Kara covered his hand with hers, reveling in the way he made her feel smal and feminine against his larger frame. His hardness complemented her softness, his scent, musky and appetizing, sent a primitive thril through her. What would he do if she turned and burrowed against him?

As though reading her thoughts he nuzzled the soft space between her shoulder and neck. “Mmm, you smel heavenly.” His warm breath teased her sensitive skin and combined with the gentle caresses of his hand on her stomach through her dress, she might as wel be naked. In a sensory overload, her mind went foggy.

“It’s just soap,” was the best she could come up with.

“Yeah, eighty bucks an ounce,” Briana muttered, referring to the perfume she religiously bought Kara on her birthdays. “When are you two lovebirds getting out of here? You’re taking up my soap time.”

“You’re sure you don’t want to join us?” Kara asked.

When Briana gave her a do-you-realy-want-me-to-come look, she added, “Cal if you need me.”

Briana dismissed her comment with a curt wave.

“It was nice visiting with you, Briana,” Baron said then his arm tightened around Kara’s waist. “Come on, let’s go.” Kara alowed him to lead her toward the house, his hand shifting to the smal of her back. For a beat, she was silent as the intense energy hummed between them, unnerving yet stimulating.

She glanced up at him just before they stepped inside the house and he met her gaze with eyes glistening with desire. No, this thing between them could never go away.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked, slowing his steps once they entered the foyer.

She studied his face, loving the way the corners of his eyes crinkled when he squinted. “This and that. Why?”

“You’re looking at me with a frown and I hate to think I put it there.”

She reached up to briefly trace the scar on his chin. It was interesting how it added character to his handsome face. “There’s absolutely nothing frown-worthy about you, Baron Fitzgerald. So, are you going to feed me or what?”

He laughed. “Only if you promise to show me al your favorite places. I want to know everything about you.”

“Everything?”

“Damn right…down to your first boyfriend.”

Kara’s jaw dropped but before she could utter a word, Baron grabbed her hand and rushed her through the front door. A silver rental SUV was parked in the driveway. He made sure she was settled in the front passenger seat before he sauntered around to the driver’s door. She stil couldn’t wrap her brain around his request. Somehow she knew it had something to do with his ‘visit’

with Briana.

Kara waited until he was behind the wheel before she spoke. “So? What did you and my sister talk about?” He threw her a sexy grin. “This and that, but we now have an understanding. She knows I’m crazy about you, and I know she’s al bark and no bite.”

“Crazy is such a strong word.”

“Not when it’s true.” He didn’t explain but instead asked,

“So where are we going to start this tour?”

“Old Town. Get us off the island and head north on I-5.

What do you mean it’s true? Since when?”

He chuckled. “Since the day you walked into my office wearing that burgundy pantsuit that hugged every curve on your body and fresh-out-of-colege optimism on your face. I don’t think I listened to anything you said the first five minutes. Why do you think I kept…keep coming to your workroom?”

For a moment, Kara was speechless. It was sweet he remembered what she wore at their first meeting. But why had he waited al these years if he liked her that much?

“I thought you came to discuss my work,” she said lamely.

“You and I both know you’re good at what you do and don’t need me looking over your shoulder. Let’s just say I’ve been plotting the last five years.”

Except for the kiss they exchanged a year ago, Baron never gave any indication he was attracted to her. On the other hand, he was a meticulous planner, probably had a schedule with when and where he would make his first move. Was the trip to Idaho part of an elaborate scheme? Not that it mattered. She was so in.

They were approaching Old Town Avenue when Kara spoke. “What if things don’t go according to your plan?”

“They won’t.”

Kara cocked her brow. “What?”

“Don’t misunderstand.” He gave her a glance from the corner of his eye. “I’d love for everything to fal perfectly in place, but when it comes to you, planning means jack. We’ve wanted each other for a very long time, baby. What counts is we’re finaly doing something about it.”

Kara made a face and frowned at the oncoming traffic.

“Five years is too damn long to plot anything.”

“Ah, but some things are worth waiting for and savoring.” Without taking his eyes off the road, Baron picked up her hand and kissed the palm. “I mean to make up for lost time.” His deep, rumbling voice caressed every nerve in her body, the promise in his words eliciting wicked and wild images in her head. Having private erotic fantasies in the middle of traffic was wrong on so many levels, especialy when the object of her desire was a breath away and wiling.

Kara wanted to snatch her hand from under his, she realy did, but she couldn’t summon enough energy to fan her irritation. It fizzled out faster than champagne in a brandy snifter. She would love to say, “me too” but bit her tongue. A woman must keep a few secrets.

She directed Baron to a place to park once they hit Seventh Avenue. “Let’s start with the Clermont Hotel and Harlem of the West.”

He raised his eyebrow in question, which she knew had everything to do with their previous discussion but chose to misinterpret it. “That’s a tour of the jazz and blues scenes, including popular hang-outs for legendary singers.”

He kissed her palm again but this time he let her hand go.

“Okay. I’m al yours.”

If only. “Come on, let’s go.”

The relentless California heat, laden with seawater, packed quite a punch after the cool interior of Baron’s rental SUV. The strands of hair framing Kara’s face frizzled and went limp. She should have known the curls wouldn’t last. Thoughts of hair were forgotten when Baron’s hand took her hand in his as they skirted around shoppers. They encountered tourists loaded with cameras and school children with their frazzled teachers just as they were about to enter the Clermont Hotel.

“Just our luck,” Kara whispered to Baron as they waited.

“Except for Saturday when they give tours, I’ve never seen this many people in here.” But inside, only a handful of people miled around.

Baron studied his surroundings with interest. “It’s funny how often I come down here yet I’ve never realy toured Old Town. I remember reading somewhere that the city was demolishing buildings worth preserving because there was no proof of their historic significance.”

“No proof? Please.” She filed him in on the fight by locals to prove the building deserved to be declared a historic site. “It’s going to be a museum.”

Baron leaned down to ask, “Can I ask you a question?” Kara nodded.

“Why are you whispering?”

She gave him a sheepish grin. “I consider historic places sacred. Something about the aura gets to me.” When she realized Baron was staring at her, Kara couldn’t resist saying, “Can’t you hear the crowd? The music? Jazz…blues…”

Baron imitated her gesture, his expression serious. “No sweetheart, not a thing.”

Kara suppressed a smile. She was teasing him, yet the sweet man had taken her seriously. Keeping her expression bland became difficult. “Then imagine the place packed. Ms. Holiday’s belting a tune on stage. Louis Armstrong’s doing his thing. Now can you hear them?”

Baron frowned. “How come I can’t hear them and you can?”

Since their arms were locked, she nudged him with her shoulder and chuckled. “Because you lack imagination, that’s why.” Baron leaned back and gave her a languid once over, an irresistible grin dancing on his lips. “I have plenty of imagination.” She roled her eyes. “What you have is a one track mind, you letch. Come on, we have the rest of Old Town to see.” Baron dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Tel me more about the hotel. When was it built? Why did they cal San Diego Harlem of the West?”

Kara grinned. Finaly, a man who shared her interests in art and history. “I hope I won’t bore you. When I start, I’m like an Energizer battery.”

“I had no idea you were a history buff.”

“Guilty…ancient history, world, American, art, you name it, I’m in. If I hadn’t gone into art, I would have majored in history and become a teacher.”

“You would have made a wonderful teacher,” he said.

“You think so?”

“Absolutely. You have a way of making things sound interesting.”

Where have you been all my life?
“Okay, no more compliments. My head is beginning to swel. Come on, we have a lot to cover. I’l start with the history of Clermont hotel then the history and culture of the city.”

For the rest of the walk, Kara talked Baron’s ears off. He added funny anecdotes, flirted outrageously, and teased her mercilessly at every opportunity.

“What do you want for lunch?” she asked at the end of their walk.

“I’l let you decide.”

Kara shook her head. “No, you’re the guest and I’m the host, so what you want goes.” When a teasing smile spread over his handsome face, she quickly added, “for the duration of our tour.” Baron chuckled. “That’s like going to the beach and being ordered not to swim in the ocean.”