Kiss Me Crazy (15 page)

“Oh, that would be tragic, especialy since I was hoping we would take Old Town Troley to Del Mar and have a picnic on the beach. Sorry, we didn’t bring swim suits.”

He leaned back to peer into her face. “Are you teasing me?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” She opened her eyes wide and gave him an innocent stare.

He tweaked her nose. “You’d dare just about anything. A picnic sounds wonderful. Let’s go for Mexican… spicy chicken quesadilas, taco salad, the whole works.”

Once they got their lunch, they bought tickets, and hopped on a troley. Wrapped in their little world, Kara hardly paid attention to the tour guide explaining San Diego attractions to the rest of the passengers. At Del Mar, they found a secluded picnic spot with a breathtaking view of the ocean.

“This is a favorite place of yours,” Baron said.

She smiled at him as she settled on the ground. “How can you tel?”

He inclined his head toward the families picnicking in the grassy area above the beach. “Look at the crowd out there yet you knew exactly where to go.”

“It’s one of the few places my parents would bring us on weekends and holidays.”

Baron helped her remove their lunch. He’d bought pop while she preferred bottled water, but they ended up sharing the drinks. The quesadilas were yummy, the stuffed fries hot, and the conversation stimulating. Watching his eyes light up and the sexy curve of his lips as he laughed over shared colege anecdotes filed her with a longing that went beyond wanting to be lovers for two weeks. It was five years ago al over again, laughing and flirting, never getting bored in his presence. He was weaving a spel with his smile, his eyes, and his hands. This time, she didn’t fight it. She welcomed every touch, look, and smile he threw her way.

After lunch, they hopped on another troley and headed to Balboa Park. Armed with passports to the park and pamphlets of museum exhibits, they took off from the Visitor’s Center, starting at the Museum of Photography.

“I practicaly lived here,” Kara said when they got to the San Diego Art Institute/Museum of the Living Artist. “By the time my art teacher started bringing us here, I was already taking lessons from one of their artists. They have wonderful outreach and educational programs.”

“It’s good your parents supported you. A lot of parents tend to think no one can make a living as an artist.” He sounded almost sad and Kara wondered if his family hadn’t approved of his interest in art. Could that be the reason he got a masters degree in business?

“Actualy, my mother thought it was a waste of time and money to enrol me in the program. Dad, on the other hand, understood artistic creativity.”

“He’s quite a man, your father.” The respect in Baron’s voice was unmistakable. “I enjoy the conversations he and I have whenever he visits L.A.”

Kara smiled, remembering everything that made her father so special. “Yeah, he’s pretty unique.”

Halfway through their tour, they stopped for drinks then finished with a walk through the Japanese Friendship Garden. “If I don’t sit down and rest my feet, you’l have to carry me home.” He led her to an empty table in the courtyard of the Tea Pavilion and started to rub her back once they sat. When she dropped her head, he massaged her shoulders. “You’re tense.”

“These past few days have been crazy. I think I’l make an appointment for a massage as soon as I get back home. My body is kiling me, especialy my poor feet.”

He shifted his chair, indicated her foot and patted his knee.

“Up.”

“No.” She planted her feet firmly on the ground and ignored his chalenging stare.

“Come on, Kara. It’s my fault your feet hurt.”

“How do you figure that?”

“If I hadn’t stopped by today, you’d be home with your sister. If I hadn’t insisted on a tour of San Diego and walked your legs off al over Balboa Park, Old Town—”

“Okay.” This was such a bad idea, but his expression made her feel like she was making a big deal out of nothing. Sighing, she shifted to face him, lifted a leg, and laid it on his knee. Then she rearranged her dress around her legs, minimizing exposed skin. The corners of his mouth tugged as though he was suppressing a smile.

“Crack a smile and you’re in deep trouble, mister.”

“Wouldn’t dare.” His hand landed on her ankle, and butterflies flitted and dipped in her stomach. His hands were large and warm, and the feel of them on her skin sinfuly stimulating.

Seriously, letting him massage her feet was a no-brainer. What was she thinking?

The sight of him undoing her sandal distracted her. Such a mundane task yet he made it so sensual. He grazed her toes and a delicious rush of energy and quivering heat shot up her leg. Kara wiggled her toes. Thank goodness she didn’t have chipped nails or nail polish.

“What time are you flying home tomorrow?” he asked, interrupting her musing.

Kara dragged her eyes away from Baron’s hands. “Nine-thirty. Briana’s mother-in-law is coming tonight. You?”

“Tonight. Which part hurts the most?” he asked.

“The arch.”

He wrapped a hand around her toes, pressed the sole of her foot with the pad of his thumb, rotated and kneaded the muscles.

“Oh, that feels good,” she said, closing her eyes. “Where did you learn to do that?”

“Here and there. I’m available if you ever need a ful body massage. In fact, why visit a masseur when I’m around?” Kara’s eyes had snapped open before he asked the last question. Every time she thought she had her emotions under control he said or did something to put her on edge. Her unruly, annoyingly rebelious mind folowed, conjuring X-rated images of the two of them. This time, his timing was perfect.

“Why indeed,” she said.

He arched a brow in question.

“My answer is yes. Yes to the two weeks in Idaho,” she added in a rush.

A sensual gleam glistened in the depth of his gorgeous blue eyes. “Baby, you picked the worst moment ever,” he chided, his voice a low throb.

“I love surprises, receiving and giving them.” She glanced at her other foot. “So are you going to finish…?”

“First things first,” he murmured. One minute he was leaning back in his seat the next he was a breath away from her. He cupped the back of her head and gave her a long, steaming kiss. He smiled into her eyes when he let her up for air. “You won’t regret your decision.”

“I know. I’m caling the shots.”

Baron laughed. “That’s right.”

“So if I said I want you to make love to me tonight, what would you do?” she teased, but waited eagerly for his response.

Baron grinned. “I’d cancel my flight, check us into a hotel and slap a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on the door for the next forty-eight hours.”

Baron grinned as he sped toward San Diego International Airport, the teasing gleam in Kara’s eyes stil playing in his head.

Gorgeous and unpredictable, she was going to keep him on his toes. He looked forward to anything she planned to throw his way, learning about personal quirks only a lover would know. He grinned with anticipation.

A driver honked and zoomed past, reminding him he was cruising below the speed limit. He stepped on the gas and focused on his next move. It wasn’t in his nature to be impulsive, even though the detour to San Diego had gotten him more than he’d expected. The trip to Idaho would be the beginning of the rest of his life and he had no intention of leaving that to chance.

His cel phone interrupted his thoughts. Baron puled the instrument from its holder, saw the number and brought it to his ear.

“Bryant, what’s happening?”

“We just got a breakthrough,” Bridget VanderMarck’s lawyer said in an exhilarated tone. “The cops recovered the colection. Jake had used a boat to transport and hide them.

Whether everything is intact is another story.” Baron resisted the urge to shout out in jubilation. “That’s great news.”

“Yes, it is. Are you stil planning on coming back this weekend?”

“Yeah. Sunday.”

“Should I tel the housekeeper to expect you?”

“No, that won’t be necessary. I spoke with her before I left. Have you given Bridget the news?”

“Yeah. She was relieved, but she hinted at giving Jake part of the colection or a share of the proceeds from the sale. You may want to cal her.”

“I’l stop by her place tomorrow,” he said and hung up just as he puled up at the car rental parking lot. Whether Bridget decided to give part of the colection to Jake or not shouldn’t be a problem. She’d stil want them authenticated.

Baron returned the keys and the SUV to the rental company and caught a shuttle for the terminal. The place was unusualy busy and forward motion became slow and frustrating.

Deciding to not wait until he was seated before making the next cal, Baron punched in Kara’s number.

“Can you be ready to travel by Sunday?” he asked her.

“To Idaho?” she asked, not masking her surprise.

“Yes.” She was silent and he felt something shift in his gut.

“If you need more time….”

“No, no, I’m fine with that. Yes, I’l be ready.” Baron grinned. He would have waited another week, months for her if she needed it. “I’l see you on Friday.” The next cal he made was to his office. His assistant picked up the phone after two rings. “Gena, I should be back in an hour but I need you to do a few things for me before you leave for the day. Book a flight for two, first-class, to Hope, Idaho, via Spokane.”

“Which day?”

“Sunday. Leave the itinerary on my desk. Cancel al my appointments for the next two weeks, starting Monday. I want to talk to you and Rick before—”

“Baron?” a voice caled out from somewhere to his left.

He turned and searched the faces hurrying past him. A vaguely familiar woman in low rise jeans, tank top and slanted hat gave a brief wave in his direction. He moved toward the wal where she was standing, her hat so low it hid her face.

“First thing tomorrow morning. I’ve got to go.” Baron snapped his cel phone shut. Recognition dawned as he moved closer to the woman and he stiffened. “Valerie?” She gave him a self-conscious smile. “Imagine seeing you here.”

The past rushed back with a vengeance, yet for the first time the sense of betrayal that usualy accompanied thoughts of her was gone. He studied her dispassionately. Her skin hung loose on her bones and the heavy makeup couldn’t cover the bags under her eyes or the caged, feral expression in their depth. Her once glorious dark locks were stringy and dul.

“Yeah, imagine that. How long has it been?” His tone came out neutral and indifferent.

“Five years,” she mumbled.

A tense moment folowed as they stared at each other, her expression apologetic and his, he was sure, uninterested. What the hel happened to her? It was hard to reconcile the gaunt woman before him with the curvaceous one he was once engaged to. He folowed her gaze to the entrance of the men’s restroom.

“You look wel,” she added softly, drawing his attention.

Baron couldn’t bring himself to return the compliment, but the realization that hit was exhilarating—Valerie and the pain she’d caused him no longer mattered. He’d moved on. He gave her an easy smile and lied smoothly, “You don’t look bad either, Valerie.

It’s been interesting seeing you again.” He turned to leave.

“Don’t go…please.”

Baron cocked an eyebrow, impatient to leave yet oddly curious about why she was detaining him. She fidgeted and tucked strands of hair behind her ears with a trembling hand. Despite his indifference, he peered at her and asked, “Are you okay?” The sound of a high-speed camera clicked somewhere behind him. He gave the terminal a sweeping glance. No visible lenses were aimed at them yet he knew he hadn’t mistaken the sound. Shrugging, he focused his attention on Valerie who looked positively il. There was definitely something wrong with her.

“Are you here alone?” He spoke slowly, enunciating his words.

“No. Stu and his boys are, uh, wil be here soon.” She glanced toward the men’s restroom again. “I think about…about what happened between us a lot.”

Baron shook his head. He wasn’t in the mood to dredge up the past. “I don’t. It’s in the past and doesn’t matter anymore.”

“But it does, for me anyway. I never told you how sorry I was for how I behaved. Maybe some day you’l let me explain.”

“Like I said, forget it. I’ve moved on. You should do the same.” Valerie’s chin trembled and Baron steeled himself against the innate urge to offer comfort to a distressed woman.

“I’m so sorry,” she gulped, turned and appeared to crumble.

Baron reached for her. She clutched his arm, her beseeching eyes lifting to his. Again, he heard the clicking of a camera behind him. This time he didn’t bother to check. He was busy staring at the shaking woman in his arms.

“Are you sure you’re okay? I can cal an ambulance if you need one or find Stu for you.”

“Don’t. Please.” The panic in her eyes matched the one in her tone. Baron realized she was attempting to tug her arm from his grasp.

He let her go and took a step back. “Do you want to sit down?”

She shook her head so hard the hat threatened to dislodge.

“No, I’ve said al I wanted to say. Go. Please.” When Baron stil didn’t move, she turned and hurried away.

He continued to stare in the direction she’d disappeared, finding it hard to wrap the brief exchange around his brain. What was that about? Shaking his head, he continued on to his gate.

Fifteen minutes later, Stu, a smiling Valerie, and three men, probably bodyguards, walked past Baron’s boarding gate. She was no longer the cowering victim. Her hand in Stu’s and head held high, her gait was confident. If it weren’t for the haunted look in her eyes which connected briefly with his then shifted away, Baron would have sworn she was a different woman. He watched them until they disappeared around the corner.

Had Valerie played him again or was something else going on? She had left him to pursue a career in acting. Could the exchange outside the men’s restroom have been staged? The clicking camera, the change in her now, their past history, he’d have to be an idiot to believe the abused woman act was real. Disgust coursed through Baron. Her acting had gotten much better and he was the sucker who bought it every time.

During the short flight to L.A., the past flashed through his head. Valerie had been too wounded when they met. Abusive ex-lovers, a broken home, her list of sob stories had made it seem like she couldn’t survive another day without his support. He was no hero material but he’d lapped it up, wiling to be her savior while tiptoeing around her in and out of bed, reining in his passion for fear of scaring her. Part of him, the immature and totaly idiotic part, had liked having a woman who let him take charge, a woman whose response he could predict before he spoke and whose sole existence was to cater to his needs. Amazing what immaturity could make a man believe.

He realized Valerie would have been the wrong woman to spend the rest of his life with. A man needed a mate he could depend on, a woman like Kara. Strong, independent, and confident, yet not afraid to accept help or drop everything to run to the aid of someone she loved. Her stubbornness and tendency to be overly cautious were sure to create conflicts in their relationship. On the other hand, a little friction never hurt anybody. And not knowing what went on in her head was unsettling to say the least. Despite al that, he couldn’t trade Kara for al the Valeries in this world.

It was six when Baron stepped off the shuttle at QuikPark parking lot at LAX, tipped the valet, and entered his car. He dialed his mother’s number as he drove away.

Estele picked up after a ring.

“Mom, where are you?”

“I’m doing fine, thanks for asking. And to answer your question, I’m in the car with Simon heading home.” Baron could tel she was smiling.

“Sorry about not asking how you’re doing. It’s just, uh, what are your dinner plans for tonight?” He wanted to tel her in person that he was bringing a guest to the family picnic on Saturday.

“Eating alone since your brother is working late again.

Why?”

“May I join you? If you don’t mind a substitute.” Estele chuckled. “Substitute indeed. If you were here, I’d slap you upside down for such a humorless joke. Neither of you is a substitute for the other. You’re al equaly important and—”

“Hel, Ma, I was only kidding.”

She gasped. “Baron Fitzgerald.”

“I’m sorry. No cursing, I forgot.”

There was silence on the line then, “You owe the swear jar ten dolars.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“When did you get back from San Diego?”

Baron frowned. “Half an hour ago. How did you know I was in San Diego?”

“Because a mother knows everything.”

Baron laughed. “That worked when I was a child. Who’s been carrying tales? Lex? Chase? Teal?”

“Let’s talk when you get home, dear. When do you think that’l be?”

“Seven.”

“I’l see you then.”