Storiesonline.net ------- Snow by Eon Copyright© 2007 by Eon ------- Description: Austin Keslar is a famous model and every year his old college invites him to star in their holiday charity fashion show. Austin has always politely declined, until now. Because Kailash Washington has sent him a letter, explaining that the fashion department will support a charity for local troubled youths, but only if Austin agrees to be part of it. When the two meet, it's holiday sparks, but can they handle Christmas, unruly teenagers, fashion disasters, AND explosive physical chemistry? Codes: MF rom cons het oral ------- ------- Chapter 1 He hadn't even bothered to glance at the name of the hotel. To Austin Keslar all luxury hotels were beginning to look the same. The lobby was always floored in marble; this time a pristine, black-veined white that must have been hell to keep clean. The front desk was smooth, honey-brown wood, the lacquer gleaming beneath the light from the crystal chandeliers up above. Hotel staff wore uniforms in a sapphire shade that blended with the blue, dark green, and dove gray, the soothing ocean colors that made up the interior's main theme. Everything was beautiful and perfect and posh. It wasn't that Austin hated such places; he'd just never been able to get comfortable in them. Having grown up on a tiny little farm in the boonies as he had, no amount of hotels or trips to Paris or Milan could take the city-shy country boy out of Austin. Yet Jamison, his personal assistant, insisted that if he was going to stay in a hotel, it had to be one in keeping with his public image. Now there's irony for you, he thought, as he slid the keycard to open the door to his room. Austin the horse-boy, world famous model. Someone out there has a twisted sense of humor. He'd only done it because his mother's chemotherapy had been so costly and now it seemed he was stuck with it. "Austin!" He barely had time to take in the room—mini-kitchen and living area were immediately in front of him—when he was hit by a tall, thin stick of a young woman. For someone who weighed maybe one-fifteen soaking wet she sure could run into a man awfully hard. Jamison Henry had never understood professional boundaries and that was part of the reason that Austin had hired her. Tall and gangly like a colt—with knobby knees and everything—big brown eyes, and the largest, whitest smile he'd ever seen, Jamison had a way of charming everyone and anyone she met. Today she wore slim-fit capri jeans and a halter top. Chunky wooden bangles overtook her thin little wrists and giant hoop earrings hung from her ears. She stepped back from him, tossing her chin-length bob of bright red hair, planted her hands on her non-existent hips, and frowned. "What?" he asked, though he already knew. Jamison never had much in the way of approval for his chosen apparel of worn jeans, t-shirts, and his old, scuffed up cowboy boots. "You never change," she huffed, stepping aside to let him through the door. "And you call yourself a celebrity!" "I don't. You—" "I have your mail here," she went on, plowing right over him."Something from that college you went to. Also, I just got off the phone with Marta, she wants you to do a shoot for her again, the woman is nuts about you, I'm telling you. I was just going to go get some coffee, do you want some, I know you like lots of cream and sugar..." Austin tuned out Jamison's chattering; chances were she'd tell him all of it again later. He grabbed a thick manila envelope that was sitting on the egg-shell blue countertop in the mini-kitchen and headed for the living room. Knowing Jamison's taste in hotels, the room probably had a huge bed and the bathroom probably had an enormous shower, not to mention a hot tub, but at the moment he didn't care. He flopped down onto the rather comfy leather couch and stared at the envelope with disinterest. Every year Austin got an e-mail from the fashion department at his old community college, asking him to be in their annual Christmas charity show. Every year he refused. It wasn't that he felt charity wasn't worth it. He just wished they'd change it up a little. Every year at Christmas they held a fashion show, showcasing their own designs—some of which could be downright awful—to raise money for a local hospice. It was a great cause and everything, but pretty much every school in the area did it. There were so many important causes that went unnoticed; Austin wanted to support one of those instead. Jamison perched on the arm of the couch, crossing her long thin legs. Her bangles clanked noisily against each other as she fluffed her hair. For someone who could be so sweet and charming, the look she gave him then was downright evil. "What?" he asked again. He fiddled with the envelope, flipping it idly from hand to hand. Whenever Austin felt nervous he fidgeted with whatever his fingers could find. Jamison rolled her eyes. "At least read it, Austin, you should give them at least that much courtesy, you know." "Fine," he grumped. He'd just gotten back from Italy; couldn't she give him some alone time with his damned jetlag? Austin tore open the envelope and pulled out a piece of thick parchment paper. It had a pleasant homey smell to it that surprised him. Usually he got fancy stationary spritzed with too much of someone's flowery perfume. Even more surprising was the greeting: Just his first name in careful, bold print letters. He'd never gotten that before and it intrigued him. 'I know', the letter read, 'that you get a letter from our school every year for this. This is my third year participating in this fashion show thing and well, the other girls said they'd go with my choice of charity if I could get you to agree to participate. 'Earlier this year Sunrise, a local center for troubled youths, was burned down. The center lost everything. I went there for a while, when I was in high school. They helped me a lot, like they help a lot of other kids. But because it was one of their own kids who started the fire, people in the community don't believe that any of them should be allowed to have the center back. 'That just isn't fair! So many of these kids are the ones who fall through the cracks. They're the ones whose parents don't have time for them, or just don't care. They need the center! It gives them people who care, who show them that they're more than just dumb kids who are destined to be criminals. And besides, a wise person once said that kids need love the most when they're being their most unlovable. Please help. I need you.' The letter was signed simply with a K. Austin stared at the letter, perplexed and a little amused. He was used to the letters being professional, formal, and yet still full of... well, ass-kissing. Whoever this K was, they were extremely straightforward and to the point. He liked that. What could it hurt to look into it? he thought, glancing around the room for a clock. A quick scan revealed a big screen TV, tasteful watercolor paintings on the walls, plenty of expensive furniture, and wonderfully soft, dark blue carpeting, but nothing that would tell him anything useful. Well, wasn't that just typical. "What time is it?" Austin asked Jamison. She pulled a tiny black sliver of a cell phone from the pocket of her capris and glanced at it. "Four." He had a little bit of time before he was due to have dinner with his mother. If nothing else, he really wanted to meet this K person. ------- "Owwwwww!" Kailash Washington rubbed her head where the sizeable tube of cadmium red acrylic paint had landed on it. She'd always been a klutz but the crowded, disorganized trainwreck that was the art department's storeroom just made matters worse. Tubes of paint sat haphazardly on wobbly stacks of newsprint. Buckets meant for pottery were full of paint brushes, rulers, and various carving tools. On the highest shelves sat more paint, boxes of pencils and charcoal sticks, stacks of dirty aprons, and discarded pieces of Conte crayon. Everyone hated the storeroom and somehow she was always the one who ended up in there whenever they needed anything. Ugh, she thought, grow a spine, would you, Kailash? Even though Karen and the other girls were younger and had been at the school for less time, she had a tendency to let them boss her around. It wasn't that she was incapable of standing up for herself; the brief stint she'd earned herself at Sunrise by punching a fellow student was proof of that. But for the most part Kailash, the only daughter of two peace-loving 60s flower children, preferred to stay away from conflict. It just made life easier, on the whole. She grabbed a spiral-bound notebook that was sitting on a folded easel—great place for it—and headed toward the door. It was open just a bit and she could hear the voices of the other girls who were part of the fashion class. How could she miss them, with the way they were squealing? There was another voice, deeper and softer, and decidedly male. Curious, Kailash poked her head out of the storage room. Joy washed through her when she saw the man standing there, surrounded by the girls. He was tall—six foot four, she was pretty sure—and though she wouldn't have called him thin, he wasn't overly muscular, either. The mop of his shaggy, golden-brown hair seemed to always be somewhere between country boy lazy and shabby chic stylish. He had amazing eyes, the sort that seemed to hover between a deep green and a jewel-tone blue, with long lashes that softened the sharp angles of his face. There was no denying that Austin Keslar was gorgeous. Though Kailash still thought Karen and the others were being ridiculous. "I'm Karen Cunningham," the blonde cooed, offering him a hand with perfectly manicured nails. The kind of nails that actual art students didn't tend to have. And Karen was a lousy artist and designer both. She was thin and tall, but not thin and tall enough to be a model, and so she'd thought she could break into the fashion industry by being a designer. Austin's eyebrows rose slightly. "Karen, huh? Are you the one who sent me the letter?" Karen blinked. Kailash rolled her eyes. "That's why I'm here..." Austin went on, sounding a little uncertain. "Oh! Oh, right, of course," Karen said brightly. "I'm so sorry... I've been so busy planning the fashion show. You know how it is." Your eyes are going to get stuck that way, Kailash admonished herself, managing to refrain from rolling her eyes again. How typical of Karen to take credit for someone else's idea. Never mind that Karen had been the first to voice, rather loudly, that "those criminal brats" at Sunrise didn't deserve to have their center back. But fine, let her take credit for it. All that mattered to Kailash was that Austin had shown up. Anyone who knew of Austin Keslar knew his story. His father had apparently walked out on the family when Austin had been only a baby. He'd been only eighteen when his mother had been diagnosed with cancer. Austin had always been one of those people who others couldn't help but stare at. It wasn't just that he was good-looking; there was just something about him. Modeling agencies had been after him all the time. At twenty, when the bills for his mother's medical treatment had become too much more than they could afford, Austin had given in and signed with one of the agencies. He'd quickly become a favorite for more avant garde photographers. Kailash stepped out of the closet. Immediately the whole group turned to look at her. Austin's eyebrows rose even further. That was no surprise, really. Though not all of the girls dressed like the uptown princess that Karen did, only Kailash looked like a total ragamuffin. She didn't care. Jeans with holes in the knees, worn out old t-shirts, and combat boots that were falling apart made up perfect art apparel. It was all ruined already, so there was no need to worry about paint stains or anything like that. "Hey," she said, holding out her hand to Austin too. "Kailash. Er, Kailash Washington. Nice to meet you." The other girls glared. Austin, however, took her hand, smiling. "Kailash, huh?" he said, rolling the name on his tongue. "Interesting name." Kailash shivered. It wasn't just the way he said her name, though that was admittedly quite sexy. She could see in his eyes that he knew. He knew it was her who had sent him that letter. She felt as though he was looking right through her when his gaze met hers. The whole world narrowed down to those jewel-like eyes and it took a long moment to realize that both of them were staring at each other. Not that the other girls hadn't noticed this. Karen in particular was busy glaring as if she could put enough force into her gaze to stab Kailash through the heart. "So um... are you going to be in the show?" Kailash asked, hoping to take the attention off what had passed between her and Austin. "I'd like to, I think," he told her. "I um... I don't have a lot of time today. Can I come back tomorrow?" "Of course!" Karen chimed in, stepping in front of Kailash and smiling up at Austin. "We'll be going over some of the designs tomorrow, actually, so you should come and see them." "I'd like that," Austin said. He looked past Karen, his focus on Kailash. "A lot." Kailash felt her cheeks heating up. Though she'd had a couple of boyfriends before, for the last couple of years her time had been taken up by designing and trying to break into the fashion world, while also helping out at Sunrise. What little spare time she had went to reading—she loved to curl up with a goofy, silly chick lit novel—and babysitting her cousin Eli. In the past year she'd watched more Disney movies than she cared to think about. It would be kind of nice, Kailash thought, to have a guy like Austin paying attention to her. ------- The studio for the fashion students was at the very end of the hallway containing the art rooms. Austin followed Karen and the other girls as they made their way toward it. There were seven of them walking with him and they ranged across a fairly wide spectrum of types. There was another girl just as prissy as Karen, and one named Jenny who wore designer jeans but had charcoal underneath her much abused French tips. Another one of them had hair that was dyed bright blue and had piercings all up her ears, and she lagged behind the group, talking quietly with a short, slightly pudgy young woman who wore preppy clothing and had dimples in both cheeks. Intriguing a bunch as they were, Austin was disappointed not to see Kailash among them. He'd realized immediately that Karen couldn't be the one who had sent him that letter, even though she'd taken credit for it. As soon as Kailash had stepped out of that storage closet and introduced herself, he knew she had to have been the one. She was just so straight-forward and she hadn't seemed all that intimidated or flustered by him. Austin had found himself thinking about her, which was a little weird. When they entered the studio itself though, she was there. Split into sections as it was, with sewing machines and dress forms, the studio actually looked fairly professional. None of the forms were without an outfit of some sort—completed or otherwise—on them. Bolts of fabric leaned against the wall in an otherwise unused corner. There were a couple of long wooden tables in the center of the room that were currently covered in materials, as if all the students had been hard at work. And of course there was Kailash, standing up at her sewing machine, her hips swaying slightly to the music blaring from a small radio on the table next to her. She sang along without any care for who might walk in. "Sugar magnolias, blossoms blooming, head's all empty and I don't care..." "Kai!" Karen snapped. She looked up at Austin and rolled her eyes, probably thinking he'd feel sympathetic to her embarrassment. He didn't. Kailash turned off the sewing machine and the radio before swinging around to face them. Her hair, an abundance of strawberry blonde that went all the way down to her thighs—she'd probably never cut it in her life—swayed as she moved. She had a heart-shaped, pixie-ish face and enormous blue eyes that lit when she saw him, like he was a long-time friend and she was happy to see him. Her mouth, slightly on the thin side, curled up in a somewhat crooked smile. Austin felt the sudden urge to tweak her pert, ski-jump nose. Just like yesterday she wore torn up old jeans and a faded Grateful Dead t-shirt that had definitely seen better days. Kailash was of middling height. Nature had been fairly generous to her in the hips and breasts department and though he wouldn't have called her overweight, exactly, there was a soft, cuddly quality about her. There was simply nothing that called to mind sharpness or hard angles. Austin found that rather appealing. He found that he wouldn't mind knowing what it felt like to snuggled up to her. You just met her, for crying out loud, he reminded himself. Now was a bad time to start thinking with the wrong part of his anatomy. "Come to get a look at the operation, huh?" Kailash said, her voice holding a slight teasing lilt. She hardly spared a glance at Karen. "Ah... yeah." Austin turned slightly as he spoke. He didn't want to be rude to the other girls. Not even to Karen, who was getting on his nerves by crossing her arms and huffing like a child throwing a temper tantrum. "I don't want to interrupt you, though. Maybe I'll um... just look around a bit while you work." Kailash's quirky smile broadened. "I don't mind. If the others don't, it's fine with me." Though Austin was curious to see if Kailash's ability to design matched her quirky exterior, he started his exploration on the opposite end of the room. He saw quite a few things that were really interesting—the goth girl and the little prep worked as a pair, which had surprisingly great results—and he also saw some stuff that made him cringe. The fashion world could be bizarre, no doubt about it, but the pieces for this show were meant to be, for the most part, more functional than what would come down the runway in a Christian Dior couture show. They'd be up for sale, to add to the donations to the Sunrise charity. Some of the pieces were meant to be more high fashion or for special occasions. Austin found that these fell rather squarely into two different categories: Brilliant or horrifying. He paused a while to look over Jenny's work, which had a lot of classic inspiration to it, but he pretty much skirted around Karen's station completely. After what felt like ages he was back to Kailash's work area. Austin stepped closer to her than he probably should and leaned over to see the sketches laying on her table. The mingled scent of sun-ripened raspberries and vanilla reached him and he inhaled deeply, while resisting the absurd urge to lean his cheek against her soft hair. She had gone very still, but she didn't pull away from him either. Damnit, Austin, he thought, you don't know her! What the hell are you doing? He stepped away, moving to one side so he could still see the sketches. The one on top was a men's design, something that he actually wouldn't mind wearing. It was a nice big coat with fleece trim, not so different overall from some things he'd seen before, but it was carefully constructed in suede of varying tan and brown and was put together, he noticed, much like a quilt. There was a sort of quirky charm about it that Austin really liked. "You have a good eye," he told Kailash, as he flipped curiously through the sketches. "Nothing too wildly outrageous, but none of it is boring, either." Kailash shrugged and kept her focus on the sewing machine. "I try." "I like this," Austin went on, wondering if he'd offended her. He supposed he couldn't blame her if he had. What was it about her that threw him so? "You know... it's really beautiful..." He tapped the sketch with a finger. It was a short dress with a sort of Grecian inspiration; a gathered empire waist and skirt of a nearly sheer material that rippled and moved pleasantly. Double shoulder straps were accompanied by cute, off-the-shoulder short sleeves that puffed and curved in a way that was reminiscent of blooming flowers. Instead of being white or cream, as such designs often were, it was a wonderful blend of watercolor purple, blue, and green. Austin pushed the sketch in question towards Kailash again, trying to get her attention. "Is this for the show?" he asked. "Hmm?" Austin leaned closer to her, frowning. "If you're angry at me, then I apologize," he said. "But please don't ignore me. I'm here because you asked me to be." Kailash turned her head suddenly and he realized that he'd once again gotten a lot closer than he should have. He found himself staring into Kailash's eyes, which were wide and a bit startled. Her cheeks turned a warm, sweet pink. Austin saw her lips part slightly and wondered if perhaps she was feeling the same thing that he was. Then she dropped her eyes, looking down at the sketch he was referring to. Her body shifted slightly, unintentionally he was sure, and she was standing closer to him. He got another hint of that sweet smell of raspberries. "Oh... no," Kailash said. "This one is... mine. If I ever get the chance to make it. All the others are, though. Some of them are done... they're stored away. Others are in progress. I guess I'm going to need you to let me fit the coat on you. If you don't mind, that is." "Oh, not a problem." Austin grinned. "Though my ice cream addiction could cause an issue." With surprising and charming boldness, she reached over and poked him in the stomach. "It had better not," she said with mock-severity. Her eyebrows raised slightly and a teasing smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Women around the world would mourn those abs, I'm sure." Austin laughed. "Promise me you will too, and I'll swear off ice cream until after the show." "Well... I'll think about it." God but she was fun. Yeah, there were women who flirted with him, but usually in earnest. Otherwise they didn't have the guts to be teasing and playful with him like this. Austin glanced up as Kailash returned to her work and found Karen glaring at them. Oh geez, he thought, sighing. I'd forgotten how much I hated community college. There were a lot of students who just never grew up and still acted like they were in high school. They had a tendency to not realize there was a world outside their own heads. He wasn't about to make the judgment that Karen was all bad but she certainly seemed immature. Austin just hoped she wouldn't cause problems. Austin's cell phone rang, startling him. He reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out the little Razr phone that Jamison had insisted he buy. The damn thing was too small for his tastes but on the other hand, it fit in the pocket of his jeans, which was mighty convenient. He glanced at the small screen and saw Jamison's number. "Damnit," Austin grumbled. "I have a shoot..." "Just make sure you're here on Wednesday when we start working on fittings," Kailash told him. She raised her voice as she added, "I'm sure the other girls understand that you have work to do." A murmur of agreement. Even Karen seemed to understand. None of them looked really happy about it, but then, neither was Austin. He wanted to stay longer and learn a bit more about Kailash if he could. If his libido was interested, maybe he should indulge in a bit of personal curiosity, as well. He put the cell phone in his pocket—he could call Jamison back when he was done here—and took a step back from the table. Kailash turned off her sewing machine again and turned to him. "Tell me something," Austin said, keeping his voice low. "Anything at all. About you, I mean." One eyebrow rose curiously. "Why?" "It's only fair. You know I have a weakness for ice cream. That's top secret, you know. My enemies could use it against me." "Okay, okay," Kailash said, laughing. "You're a lot weirder than I expected you to be, but fair enough... I collect antique jewelry." And that was it. She returned to her work, flicking the sewing machine back on, as if he was no longer there. No explanation or anything. Strange little creature, Austin thought, shoving his hands in his pockets and turning away. And she calls me weird! As he headed out of the studio though, he couldn't fight the urge to smile. Aside from getting to see his mother, he hadn't thought there'd be much good about his visit home. Now he was beginning to think he might have been wrong. ------- Why, Kailash wondered, as she dashed down the hall, do I have to be late at the absolute worst times? She felt a little strange. Karen had chewed her out for dressing like a slob while meeting with a professional in their industry and for once Kailash had to admit that she had a point. At the same time, she didn't want Austin to think she was trying to impress him. He left her a little flustered, especially since her body reacted when he got too close to her, and she felt an urge to just lean into him and enjoy the feeling of it. But she thought she was doing a pretty good job of not letting it get to her, even being able to tease him. In fact, Kailash liked teasing him. It was fun. So she'd compromised. Her jeans were fairly new, much cleaner and in much better shape than what she usually wore, and they clung to her a bit more than she liked. She'd also worn a top she'd designed and made herself, with a gathered empire waist like the one in the sketch Austin had liked so much. This had long, fluttery sleeves of sheer chiffon that came down off her shoulders. It was one of Kailash's favorites and so she'd worn it even though she'd had a few misgivings about what he might think. After all, why should she care what he thought? He was just here for the fashion show and after that she'd probably never see him again. So then why did her heart start beating faster when she opened the studio door and saw him standing at Kerry and Rose's work station, talking to them? He too was dressed a little tidier than the first time she'd seen him, though Kailash noted with some amusement that he was still wearing his beaten up old cowboy boots. Would you stop that? she chided herself. You don't know this guy at all. Except that he likes ice cream. Stop acting like a twelve-year-old girl. Of course, at that moment he turned and smiled at her, which didn't help matters. "Nice to see that I'm not the only one who's late," Kailash commented, glancing around the room, which was otherwise empty, apart from Jenny, frowning over something at her work station. Kerry grinned wickedly. "We told Karen and the others that Austin called and said he'd be late," she explained, pushing a lock of blue hair behind one heavily pierced ear. "Jenny was the only one smart enough to realize we were full of it." "You're always full of it," Jenny called across the room, without looking up from her work. "We knew you would want to start getting Austin fitted before the other girls started demanding their turn," Rose put in. She smiled tentatively. "We've already got a couple of male models to work with anyway." "Looks like I'm all yours," Austin commented, grinning. "Lucky me. Do you do heavy lifting?" "For you I might consider it." Shameless flatterer, Kailash thought, but she was smiling. She headed toward a closet at the back of the room, where their finished and mostly finished pieces were kept. When she'd made the coat she'd had Austin in mind, so hopefully she wouldn't have to do much adjusting to it; that wouldn't be very easy. The silk-screened t-shirt with the intricately patterned vine and leaf work—her own design—might be another story. She hadn't originally intended for it to go underneath the coat but now she thought it just might be fitting for Austin. Kailash would let him wear his own jeans, though. Nothing she could come up with would make his butt look as good. Stop it! she scolded herself yet again. As she walked back to Austin she noticed that he was staring at her. His gaze drifted slowly downward, taking in everything, and she knew he wasn't looking at the coat. Don't blush, don't blush, don't blush, Kailash thought, even as she felt her cheeks heat up. She knew that the deep sapphire blue of the top looked good on her and all, but she couldn't remember anyone ever staring at her like that. Of course, she was staring in return. How could she not? Beneath the golden sunlight spilling in through the studio's wide windows Austin looked way better than any man had a right to. Kailash cleared her throat. "The coat," she said, hoisting it up. "Wow." Austin took it from her carefully. "Yikes... this must have been a lot of work. The workmanship is..." He tilted his head and gazed at her intently. "Very impressive. I'm starting to wonder how you've gone undiscovered." "It's not so easy for most of us," Kailash said, smiling. She took the coat back from him. "I hope you don't mind the coat. I know it's not exactly the best weather for it, but we want to make the show a winter wonderland sort of thing. Snow machine and everything." "Snow machine, huh?" "California isn't exactly the place to live for white Christmases. I haven't seen the snow in years." Kailash shook out the coat and held it up for him. It slid on easily for the most part. I'll have to do a little work in the shoulders, she thought, frowning. They're broader than I'd realized... Well that wouldn't be too hard so long as she was careful and smart about how she did it. She'd made sure that the area of the shoulders was one piece, since it would be an extremely difficult spot to have to fix if it was quilted. It looked good on Austin regardless, though that was no surprise. "So you like the snow?" Austin asked, as he shrugged out of the coat. "Always did. My parents and I lived in New York until I was sixteen. Then they up and decided to backpack across Europe and sent me out here to live with my aunt. They... haven't been back since. And I haven't seen snow in... about seven years now." Kailash stopped herself. She hadn't intended to say that much, but as she'd been spreading the coat out on her table to get a closer look at it, it had all just sort of... slipped out. Though her parents sent her postcards and gifts a lot, she hadn't actually seen them since they'd left. It didn't surprise her very much. No one had expected her free-spirited parents to stay in one place for as long as they had. When they'd left Kailash had been sad, but she missed her home more than her parents. They weren't bad or anything, it wasn't as if they hadn't loved her, but that hadn't really been enough to keep them there. She straightened and turned, nearly running right into Austin, who was standing closer than she had realized, watching what she was doing curiously. Of course, Kailash also hadn't noticed that Jenny, Kerry, and Rose had all vacated the room as well. Damnit, she thought, who do they think they are, Granny Matchmaker? On the other hand, Austin was pleasantly close. She could just feel the touch of his breath against her cheek. He smelled like soap and hay, not the overbearing colognes that men tended to wear these days. "If I'm bothering you," Austin murmured, "please tell me." "You're not," Kailash assured him. Her voice sounded a little breathy and far, far more bold than she had ever been in her life. Austin leaned closer. It felt to Kailash as if her whole body was taking notice of him. He rested a hand on her hip, just a light touch, and every nerve seemed to wake up and start singing. Do that again, she thought, when he withdrew his hand. Like he was reading her mind he touched her again, this time running his hand up along the curve of her waist. It was crazy. She wasn't the type of girl who did this sort of thing. Yet when Austin got close enough that his lips brushed ever so lightly against hers, Kailash didn't pull away. The door of the studio slamming open made them jump apart though. Kailash quickly leaned back over the coat, hoping no one had seen anything. Judging by the way the girls chattered amongst each other she didn't think that they had, but just to be on the safe side she glanced up cautiously as they began filing in. No one was looking in her direction, especially since Austin had begun to wander among the work stations. Most of the girls would likely want him modeling something for them, if possible. Kailash had a feeling her time alone with him was over. She watched him while she worked. Austin was so professional and patient, even when Karen was fitting him for a truly hideous looking vest that did nothing for him. Karen was one of those girls that thought men should wear pink. Which would have been all well and good if Austin was at all suited to the color pink, but he wasn't. He could work a lot of looks—from the wholesome country boy he was to a promiscuous rock star with the most amazing bedroom eyes a woman could imagine—but pink he couldn't manage. Poor boy, Kailash thought, stifling a giggle. She shouldn't laugh, she really shouldn't; after all, he was there for her. He approached her again later, when she'd gotten too caught up in her work to pay attention to what anyone else was doing. Kailash was so focused on the fussy chiffon she was working with that she didn't notice he was there until he cleared his throat quietly. Austin chuckled softly when she started. "That's not funny," Kailash grumbled. She'd almost gotten her fingers caught under the needle. Austin rested his hands on her table and leaned forward. "Neither is me standing around in a pink vest," he said softly, his eyes twinkling, "but I noticed you over here having a lot of trouble not laughing." "Okay, fine, guilty as charged," Kailash said, trying and failing to sound annoyed. "I have something else that I didn't get a chance to fit you for. Are you going to be back tomorrow?" "I've got a shoot," Austin told her. "And lunch with my personal assistant." He paused, looking thoughtful. "You know, you should join us. Technically you're the client and you really should meet Jamison." "Oh, I don't think I should..." "I do. Come on... you owe it to me for laughing at my woes." Kailash raised her eyebrows at him. "Your woes, huh?" she teased. "All right, fine. Though you know we're all your clients, not just me." Austin just smiled in response. Maybe he didn't intend for it to be one of those drop-dead sexy smiles, but it was. With a last 'good night' to the room in general he left, leaving behind a mixed group of women who were either extremely disappointed or too wrapped up in their own work to notice just that moment. They'll all be upset when they realize he's gone, Kailash thought. I know I am... Which was just strange. It was all a little crazy. Never in her life had she been attracted to someone like that. She felt a bit like she had crashed head first into... well, into something. I've had enough for today, she thought. Her shoulder and neck ached from leaning over the sewing machine. As Kailash straightened, she caught Karen glaring at her. Well, what did she expect? The two of them had never gotten along and now with Austin here it looked like even civility would become difficult. She supposed that she could tell him she'd changed her mind and not go to lunch. In fact, she could just be polite and professional to him and not examine this thing between them at all. But I don't want to do that, Kailash thought, turning away from Karen. And I certainly won't do it for her. ------- Of all the places that Austin could choose to eat if he wanted, Charlie's was the last place most people expected him to go. What would a famous model being doing eating at a tiny cafeteria style restaurant, after all? Well, aside from the fact that it served the best French fries he'd ever had, it was small and out of the way, and even after all these years people didn't realize that he ate there. Never mind that, with the exception of how he'd become a model in the first place, his love for French fries was the best known thing about him. With Christmas only a couple of weeks away Charlie's was decorated with strings of colored lights and paper Santas, with a gaudily trimmed tree tucked away in one corner. When Austin was home during the winter holidays it was often hard to remember it was that time of the year, with the sunshine and the relatively warm weather, but Charlie's always made him smile. The owner—who was indeed named Charlie—tried so hard. There were even fake presents sitting under the equally fake tree. I bet Kailash will like it, Austin thought. It's cheesy, but it'll probably make her smile too... "So where is she?" Jamison stood next to him, fiddling with an empty, pink plastic tray and looking impatient. In jeans of a deep raspberry red leather and a black satin corset-style top, plus a tiny bit too much make-up, she was looking like a deranged rock star. It was a look she somehow managed to pull off. The door came flying open, sending the bells above it rattling wildly. Everyone in the restaurant looked up as Kailash scrambled through the door, looking harried. If Jamison was a rock star then Kailash was a hippie princess. She wore a simple white camisole with lace trim, a long, tiered white skirt, and a tie-dyed fringed scarf tied around her hips. Her strawberry blonde hair hung free as usual, though it was a bit ruffled from the breeze today. Austin watched her scan the restaurant curiously, taking in the Christmas decorations. Then her eyes fell on him and he saw them light up in a way that was becoming pleasantly familiar. As Kailash reached them Austin handed her the tray he was holding and picked up another one. Then suddenly Jamison put herself forcibly between the two of them and eyed Kailash up and down. "Sorry I'm late," Kailash said, her eyebrows raising slightly at Jamison. "It's not a problem." Austin stepped into line. "Jamison, knock it off." "You haven't invited a girl to lunch in six months, Austin," Jamison said. "I want to know why this one is so special." Austin glanced at Kailash and rolled his eyes. If she was offended by Jamison's behavior it certainly didn't show. While they stood in line waiting for their lunch—the usual for him, fries, a BLT, and a chocolate milkshake—Kailash continued to eye the decorations with a certain longing. He remembered what she'd said about her parents and wondered if Christmas had been something that had been special to her. Austin had never known his father—the man had walked out when Austin was just a baby—but he had always loved holidays with his mother. At last they had their food and found a table. As usual, Jamison's tray was piled high with more food than anyone would think a beanstalk like her could possibly eat. Two slices of pepperoni pizza, a huge pile of fries, a cup of chicken noodle soup, nachos with thick orange cheese, a sizeable chocolate chip cookie, and two small squares of chocolate cake; all of it sat on her tray. That was aside from the massive plastic cup full of Diet Coke. His tray and Kailash's—which contained only a simple turkey sandwich and a bottle of Snapple lemonade—looked downright barren in comparison. Kailash stared at Jamison's tray with wide eyes. "That would go straight to my hips." "I wish it would," Jamison said wryly. "I've got the metabolism of a fifteen-year-old boy." She eyed Kailash's tray. "Not a big eater?" "My uncle cooks these dinners... could feed an army." Kailash gestured expansively as she spoke. "And god but the man can cook. I tend to eat light during the day, otherwise I might not have enough room to make it to dessert and that would be a tragedy." Kailash was the kind of person who smiled often and laughed a lot, and when she talked she was so expressive. Austin sat back and watched, impressed by how quickly she won Jamison over. There weren't a lot of people in the world that Jamison actually liked. Hard not to, he thought, smiling to himself. Maybe he should stop wondering why he was feeling the way he was and just go with it. As it was, she was sitting on the booth bench next to him, her knee only inches from his. Austin couldn't help glancing at her, taking in the way the soft cotton clung to her body. "Austin mentioned you guys were getting a snow machine for the show," Jamison was saying. She had already made her way through both slices of pizza, her fries, and most of her nachos. "Is it all holiday themed?" "Not exactly." Kailash was busy picking the crust off the bread on the second half of her sandwich. "Not that clothes, anyway. It would be impossible to get all those girls to go for that. But we want to keep something of a Christmas theme going, because that is part of the point. Though... I think we'll avoid the paper Santas, charming though they might be." Austin chuckled. "What, no Christmas trees with Smurf ornaments?" "I love Smurfs as much as the next girl," Kailash said, struggling to keep a straight face, "but no, I'm going to have to veto that one." "I think this is the first time I've seen Austin smile while talking about a fashion show," Jamison said. "He likes the shoots all right but he is a spoiled little diva when it comes to runway." "Hey!" Austin protested, while Kailash laughed. "Come on, give me a break. You've seen some of the things I have to wear on the runway." Which did sound kind of diva-ish, now that he thought about it. Though he didn't feel as bad after Kailash flashed him a small, sympathetic smile; you couldn't be that interested in the fashion industry without seeing some of what came out of it. Smurf ornaments were a small worry in comparison to a few of the things Austin had seen in the studio. And it seemed as though Kailash was doing an awful lot of the work and planning for something that was supposed to be a group project. When all their food was gone they got up to leave, dumping empty containers in trash barrels and leaving the trays on top of a stack of them. Jamison's cell phone rang as they were heading for the door, filling the restaurant with the distorted notes that Austin thought might have been "Love Shack" by the B-52s, though it was really hard to tell. She swiped the cell phone out of her purse and waved for Austin and Kailash to go on ahead while she answered it. That was fine with him; he wanted a few minutes alone with Kailash. It was sunny outside and warm, with a pleasant breeze. Certainly the impression of the holidays was far lessened. Austin trailed after Kailash as she made her way to a slightly banged up, light pink VW Bug. Well I wouldn't have expected that, he thought, grinning as she leaned up against the car. Pink... very cute. "What?" Kailash asked. She shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes at the car. "I inherited it from my aunt. It's not my fault." "I think it suits you," Austin told her, stepping closer to her. He reached out and rested a hand on her hip. Kailash looked up at him from beneath her lashes. "I'm not that kind of girl." "I'm not that kind of boy," Austin murmured. He dropped his hand from her hip. "For some reason you make me feel like I am." Kailash's eyes searched his face curiously. Austin waited, uncertain what to do. Should he apologize? This wasn't the first time he'd been far more forward with her than was right. That wasn't the sort of thing he usually did. Yeah, sure, he'd had relationships over the years, including ones with models, before he'd found out that that was a bad idea. But standing this close to Kailash, wishing he could burying his fingers in her hair and pulled her close, wanting to see if her mouth was as soft and sweet as it looked... this wasn't something Austin was used to feeling. And she had responded to him yesterday in the studio. Or at least she hadn't pushed him away or gotten angry with him. He was just thinking he should make that apology when Kailash rested her hands against his chest. Her fingers curled around the fabric of his t-shirt and she used her hold on him to drag him close to her again. Austin's whole body tensed in anticipation. Her kiss was a light one, determined but still a bit timid. It shocked him, how he reacted to the soft touch of her lips. He wound an arm around her waist and pulled her against him, holding her tight, and pressed his mouth to hers, barely able to rein in the sudden urgency he felt. Kailash squeaked in surprise but she didn't try to pull away from him. She felt as cuddly as she looked. Yet he found that her sweet demeanor hid something far more feisty. Her lips parted at the gentle insistence of his tongue and she met it with hers. Kailash's teeth nipped at his lower lip and he returned the favor, chuckling softly against her mouth. Austin pressed her against the car, pinning her in place so he could run his hands along her body, following the line of her sides, tracing her waist and hips. The thin cotton wasn't much of a barrier between his hands and her skin but he still felt like it was too much. He wanted to actually feel her... "What are you two doing?!" Kailash skidded away from him so fast that Austin would have landed face first against the car if he hadn't been able to get his hands underneath him. He turned around to see Jamison standing there, her arms folded across her chest. Kailash stood a few feet away, her cheeks bright red. "Could you two at least not do that in public?" Jamison was doing her best to sound stern but her eyes were alight with amusement. "I'm sorry," Kailash began. She stared at the pavement. "I... I won't—" "Girl, don't be stupid," Jamison interrupted. "The boy's got it bad for you and look at him! They don't get much hotter than that! Just don't do it in public... Believe me, you don't want to be on the business end of the paparazzo's' cameras." She looked at Austin, frowning thoughtfully. "I don't know what's gotten into you, but maybe you should bring her to meet Justine. You know how she is." "Justine?" Kailash looked at him curiously. It didn't seem to Austin, based on her expression, that she wanted to put a halt to what was happening between them. "No way," Austin said, glaring at Jamison. "No, no, no... don't you... put that down!" He made a grab for Jamison's cell phone but she danced away from him, laughing loudly. God damnit, Austin thought, groaning. This is what I get for hiring her, I guess. "Who's she calling?" Kailash asked. Austin sighed. "I'm a grown man, Kailash. You'd think I could live my life without my PA," here he glowered at Jamison, "tattling on me to my mother!" He took some small comfort in the fact that Kailash, rather than being unnerved by that, seemed to find it just as hilarious as Jamison did. ------- Chapter 2 The old farm house hadn't changed much since Austin was a child. A few years ago his mother had had the charming sienna paint job retouched but aside from that it was still the same mid-sized, two-story cottage he'd always known. The whitewashed fences, the bench swing on the front porch, the paddocks and the small red barn... he loved it all. His driver didn't care over much for the gravel driveway, but that wasn't Austin's problem. His mother had never wanted to change the farm and so no matter how much money Austin made, the only work ever done on it was repairs. The inside of the house hadn't changed much over the years either. Decorated in tans, creams, and warm browns, there had always been something distinctly cozy about it. Soft, thick rugs were spread over the wooden floors. The couches and chairs in the living room were old and overstuffed but still in great condition. The plain wooden paneling of the walls was partially covered by old photographs—Austin at all ages, his mother, other family members, the horses, cats and dogs they'd owned over the years—and a few charming oil paintings he'd bought for her more recently. Coming home was always a breath of fresh air for him. Austin stepped in the door and put his key ring on a hook just inside. He could smell something chocolatey baking; dessert, no doubt. "Mom," he called, though he figured she would be in the kitchen. "You're late!" came back the singsong, teasingly chiding response. Shaking his head, Austin passed through the living room and into the kitchen. It was small and a bit shabby in a cozy way. An old table of dark wood sat in the corner, surrounded by four chairs, each with a worn, dark green cushion on it. The refrigerator was still plastered with report cards and A+ assignments from Austin's grade school years. And of course there was his mother at stove, wearing the same sunflower print apron she'd been wearing since he was five. It was as if time stood still at home. His mother turned to face him. Her graying hair was extremely short and there were a number a fine lines at the corners of her eyes from smiling so much, but to Austin she was as beautiful as she'd always been. His mother was one of those people who just had something, a way about her that was impossible to ignore. Always one for being comfortable regardless of the circumstances, she'd dressed in simple black pants and a scoop-neck top with three-quarter sleeves. Austin knew that, like Kailash, his mother had a thing for clothing made of floaty materials, long skirts and fluttery sleeves, but she never wore such things when cooking. Justine Keslar had ever been a sensible woman. "I'm not late," Austin said, leaning down to kiss her on the cheek. "Or at least, not really late." "Where's your friend?" she asked. She put an arm around his waist and gave him a quick squeeze before having to turn and give the pot on the stove her immediate attention. "She'll be here—" The doorbell rang as he spoke, surprising him. Austin blinked. "Wow. She's on time." "Well, go get the door," his mother said, turning long enough to give him a playful swat on the arm. "I want to see this girl." Scattered as she could be, Kailash had apparently made an effort to be on time today. As Austin passed through the living room again he felt an odd sense of relief. He wanted his mother to like Kailash. Why it was so important was a different question entirely but he could look at that closer at some other time. Kailash stood, fidgeting from foot to foot and glancing around the farm. She jumped when the door swung open. Oh man, Austin thought, as he took in the sight of her, is she trying to kill me? She wore an adorable dress, a knee-length confection in a soothing dark brown with a layer of coffee-with-cream colored chiffon over it. With its off-the-shoulder neckline, those long, fluttery sleeves he'd just been thinking about, and subtle, creamy lace trim at the hems, it was the sort of thing that was perfect for her and just made her look all the more tempting. Adding slouchy calf-high boots of brown suede, a number of chunky wooden bangle bracelets, and a necklace crafted of pale paua shell discs, gave Kailash that wonderful hippie princess look. She smiled timidly and brushed a lock of hair out of her face, her eyes focused somewhere beyond his shoulder, her cheeks turning a pleasant pink. Austin wanted to scoop her up and hold her close but now really, really wasn't the time to be giving into his urges. This is dinner with your mother, he reminded himself, as he stepped aside and gestured for her to come in. Behave yourself. Austin's mother met them in the living room. Over the years Austin had seen a lot of reactions to his mother. People would stare, they'd pointedly look away to prove they weren't staring, or they'd be unable to look her in the eye and would instead gaze at some spot somewhere around her chin. Kailash simply smiled that warm, sweet smile she had and held her hand out. If she was fazed in the slightest it didn't show. Oh, Austin knew she would have known about his mother—most did—but knowing wasn't the same as being prepared. At the moment she might be looking as healthy as anyone else, but his mother's gentle face, combined with hair still extremely short from treatment, was still jarring. "Austin!" his mother scolded, smiling broadly. "You didn't tell me she was so beautiful!" "Guess I thought it was obvious," Austin said, taking pleasure in the way that Kailash blushed. "Well, it's good to meet you," his mother said to Kailash. "I knew something was distracting the boy." Kailash smiled. "I hope not. He promised me he'd lay off the ice cream." What have I gotten myself into? Austin wondered, as his mother laughed. He would be no match for the two of them, especially if Kailash got over the bit of nervousness he could see in her. There was a tension about her body, a rigidness to the way she stood. He couldn't blame her; meeting the mother of a guy you barely knew had to be nerve-wracking. Never mind the whole model factor. Fortunately Austin's mother had always been adept at picking up on that sort of thing. "The sauce needs to simmer a while longer," she said. "Why don't you show Kailash some of the farm?" "I'd like that." Kailash's eyes lit at the idea. "I've always been such a city-girl... I rarely get to see so much open land and it's so beautiful out there." "Well, in that case." Feeling in a silly, happy sort of mood, Austin offered her his arm. "Shall we?" Kailash rolled her eyes. "That won't excuse you from punishment for eating ice cream." "Hey! I'm innocent!" Kailash gave him a skeptical look that quickly dissolved into giggles. She stumbled and leaned into him just a little as they made their way outside. Not that Austin was about to complain. He enjoyed the press of her, the weight of her body, and was disappointed when she put distance between them again. The sun was beginning to set in the distance as they made their way across the farm. The grass was gilded in orangey light and it rippled in the light breeze. Kailash looked around as she walked, her eyes wide and taking in everything. The wind toyed with her hair and she pushed it back behind her ears, too busy staring to be exasperated. Small and simple though it was, there was no denying that the Keslar farm was beautiful. She looks at home here, Austin thought, as he opened the barn door for Kailash. She might say she's a city girl, but she doesn't look like it. She looked like the kind of girl who spent days stretched out on the grass in the shade of a tree, daydreaming or maybe sketching her designs. Soft shuffling and snorting filled the barn. They had two old mares, one chestnut and one paint—who immediately stuck her head over the stall door—an ancient brown pony that had been Austin's when he was a little boy, and a rather overly friendly old she-goat. Kailash cooed in delight and went to the paint mare, reaching up to pet her muzzle. The mare whickered in pleasure and lowered her head to get her ears scratched. "Joanie, you old attention whore," Austin said affectionately, reaching up to rub her nose. He stood behind Kailash, enjoying the scent of raspberries and vanilla mingling with the smell of hay and horse. "My parents used to take me on carriage rides in Central Park when I was a little girl," Kailash said. "They always complained about the way the horses were treated, but they gave into me when I was small..." She glanced up at him and rolled her eyes. "But they were also the sort of people who would get on your case if you looked at a chicken nugget with ill intent." Austin chuckled. "My mom's only problem with chicken nuggets was that they were bad for me. Though she stopped telling me I could never have them when I caught her sneaking some herself." Kailash laughed along with him. Austin lowered his head and rested his cheek against her hair. His hands dropped away from Joanie to settle on Kailash's hips. Really, he ought to have more control than that, but he seemed unable to find his willpower when she was near him. He pulled her up against him and away from the stall, much to Joanie's annoyance. Kailash turned in his arms. Though she didn't pull away from him, her eyebrows rose and her mouth quirked slightly. "Aren't you even going to try to get to know me?" she asked. He could hear the teasing note in her voice. "I do know you," Austin said, blinking at her in a (probably failed) attempt to look innocent. "I know you collect antique jewelry." "You don't know what I do with it," Kailash reminded him. "Besides, I told you that. That's cheating." This time he was the one who raised his eyebrows. For a moment they just stared at each other. Then Austin shifted his grip on her, tugging her around so that her back was to his chest and her arms were pinned against her sides. Kailash squealed in surprise as his fingers found ticklish spots beneath her arms. She wriggled, laughing, as he tickled her, and though she twisted and struggled, she wasn't strong enough to break his grip. There was a guilty pleasure to feeling her squirm against him. Her laughter was sweet too, just shy of being horsy in tone, but she laughed with her whole body and it was wonderful to listen to. Finally Austin relaxed his grip just a little and stopped tickling her, but he didn't let her go. Instead he leaned his head down and pressed his mouth against her ear. Gently he nipped her earlobe and he felt her lean back into him. Somehow he found the willpower to not drag Kailash into the nearest empty stall. "That," he corrected, his lips still against her ear, "was cheating." "No," Kailash said quietly. "That's where you're wrong." She turned suddenly and grabbed him by the shirt, much the way she had the day before in the parking lot. This time she was rougher, more demanding as she pulled his mouth down to hers. Pleasantly surprised, Austin buried his fingers in her hair and kissed her back. Using her body she backed him into the door of an empty stall and managed to hold him there. Not that he was going anywhere when she was kissing him like that. Though in spite of the boldness of it, Kailash was timid with her tongue, touching the inside of his lip briefly and uncertainly. Austin found he liked the combination. He took control of the kiss. With one hand cradling her cheek, he coaxed her into opening her mouth for him. Austin trailed his other hand down the back of her neck, tracing her bare shoulders with his fingertips. Her hands braced against his chest and inched downward curiously. He could feel the press of her fingers exploring the contours of muscle beneath the cotton of his shirt. Austin pulled his mouth from Kailash's for a moment and looked down at her, into eyes that were wide. He found himself smiling. "Go ahead," he murmured. His fingers slowly trailed around along her collarbone. "You know, you're far better at cheating than I am..." Kailash's cheeks turned red but she didn't let that stop her. Her hands trembled a little as they slid beneath his shirt. The warmth and softness of her skin made him groan. He leaned down to kiss her again while she touched him. It was a light kiss this time; his lips trailed over hers in a faint brush. Austin felt her shiver and her fingers convulsed, her nails pricking at his skin. Kailash stood on her toes, seeking more out of the kiss than just that faint touch. He would have given her anything she wanted if it wasn't for the sound of his mother calling them in to dinner. "Wow," Austin said, taking a quick step back from Kailash. "I thought I stopped having to worry about that once I moved out." Still red cheeked and panting a little, Kailash laughed. "I um... I guess we'd better go in..." "Yeah." He watched her smooth down her dress, which had gotten a bit rumpled in all the activity. "Though... what do you use the antique jewelry for?" Just because he was attracted physically didn't mean he wasn't curious about the rest of her, too. "Most of it gets used in my designs," Kailash explained. She linked her arm through his again and he could tell that she was regaining her composure. "Some of it I change around, reconstruct, that sort of thing. Some of it goes as is. A few pieces I keep. What about you?" "Me?" "Hey, if I'm going to keep telling you things about me, it's only fair." Austin shrugged. "'Fraid there's not a whole lot to tell," he admitted. "I spent a lot of time as a kid helping mom with the farm... Occasionally I like to read and stuff, but I guess I just... don't have a lot of time. Though I'm sure mom can dig up some nice, embarrassing childhood stories for you." "Ooo." Kailash grinned. "Now that sounds like entertainment." ------- Dinner was fairly simple but it was still one of the most delicious things Kailash had ever tasted. There were meatballs and bits of sausage in the sauce, both of which were apparently homemade. The pasta itself—also homemade—was just the right texture and there was a tanginess about it. She couldn't quite put her finger on what the flavor was but it was surprisingly good. Kailash was glad she'd agreed to come. At first the thought of meeting Austin's mother had been nerve-wracking but Justine—as she insisted upon being called—was so nice, it was impossible to be nervous. While they talked, mostly about the fashion show, Kailash kept an eye on Austin. Maybe he hadn't realized it himself but he'd sounded so sad earlier, when he'd talked about not having time for much. She knew that models tended to have busy lives but still... He's too young, she thought. He's way too young to have had so little chance to live. In its way it reminded her of the kids from Sunrise. A lot of them had grown up much too fast as well. Though in other ways they hadn't really grown up at all. Kailash wasn't sure whether to smile or groan at that thought. "How long have you been working with them?" Justine asked. They'd gotten onto the topic of Sunrise. "Oh geez..." Kailash twirled her fork idly in her pasta. "It's been quite a few years now... The ones who were there when I first started have all moved on. These days we have a few new kids, but most of them have been there a couple years now." "They sound like an... interesting bunch," Justine commented, her eyebrows slightly raised. Kailash sighed. "They can be the smartest, most savvy kids you've ever met," she said, "but a lot of the time they don't want to try. Too many of them have been told by their own parents that they'll never be good enough. We try, but..." But the fact was that none of the staff at Sunrise could really take the place of parents. Sometimes they were able to be like brothers and sisters to the kids but they weren't around enough to help more than that. Since the fire it had been even more difficult. It was Kailash's hope that they could raise enough money with the fashion show to rebuild the Sunrise building and still be able to buy Christmas presents for the kids. It was tradition to have Christmas breakfast with them, after all. And even Ryan, Kailash thought. If they'll let me, I want to bring him something too... "So am I going to get to meet them?" Austin asked. "I can try to arrange something," Kailash replied, smiling. She was glad he wanted to meet them. "It's difficult, without the center, to get them all in one spot, but I'll see what I can do." "Well, I think this is wonderful," Justine put in. "It'll be good to see Austin get some hobbies again. He was always such an active boy." "Mom..." "Why, when he was a toddler I just could not get him to stay in his clothes. He used to run stark naked all across the farm..." "Mom!" Kailash tried very hard not to laugh but the wicked gleam in Justine's eyes didn't make it easy. She could just picture Austin being that sort of boy. Heck, she could kind of imagine him being that sort of man, though she doubted he'd let his mother catch him these days. Austin glowered at her, which just made Kailash giggle and accidentally swallow a piece of pasta whole. She liked hearing Justine speak about Austin's childhood, even—or perhaps especially—the parts that weren't meant to be humorous and teasing. He really had been an active boy, always out riding his pony, climbing trees, and helping his mother keep the stable clean. Of course much of what he did now, when he was at home and had the time, was the same. Somewhere along the way Kailash felt herself developing the urge to drag him off backpacking across Europe. Though Justine always sounded light and cheerful when she spoke, Kailash could tell that she felt bad for her son's lack of free time. By the time dinner was over and dessert—simple but delicious chocolate cake—had been eaten, Kailash was trying very hard not to hatch some harebrained scheme to kidnap Austin and take him away from everything. It wasn't her place to do that, after all. She didn't know him well and she was just his... his... well, she wasn't sure what she was to him, really. But she certainly wasn't in a position to be telling him what he should and shouldn't do. "It was really nice to meet you," Kailash said to Justine. "And you too, sweetheart," Justine replied, smiling broadly. "I think you're a good influence on the boy." She winked playfully and waved as Kailash stepped out the door. Austin followed, muttering something beneath his breath. Night had fallen while they'd been eating and it was dark and cool outside. There were flood lights on near the stable and smaller lights at the front of the house, so Kailash could see enough to get to her car. Besides, with Austin walking next to her she didn't exactly feel like she had anything to worry about. Except maybe being pounced on by a hot guy, but who was she to protest that? The two of them leaned against the side of her car, enjoying a companionable silence for long moments. I'd like to come back here some time, Kailash thought, staring at the open fields. She shivered as a breeze rushed over them and stepped closer to Austin, who put an arm around her shoulders. Yes, she'd definitely like to come back here. It was beautiful and peaceful and this was where Austin seemed most comfortable. "When would you like me to try to arrange that meeting for?" Kailash asked. "Well..." Austin stretched, reaching his free hand above his head. "I'm going to be out of town for the next few days, so it'll have to be after that." Kailash felt a sharp stab of disappointment. "Oh," she said quietly. "Okay. Well um... I don't think I'll be able to get you in to see Ryan, though. They're being really strict about that..." "Ryan?" "The kid who started the fire." Austin turned abruptly, his eyes widening in surprise, but Kailash was expecting that. "I know how it sounds but... You know, Ryan's mother never knew who his father was. So he never met his father and then when he was only four his mother disappeared. She just left one day and never came back. "He's been to so many foster homes. For a while he got to live with his grandmother, here in California, but then she passed away. He's just been shuffled around so much. This time he'd actually managed to make friends with some of the kids at Sunrise but then his newest foster parents... They got the baby they'd been wanting and they were afraid Ryan would be a bad influence on the child as it grew up. So they found a home for him all the way on the other end of the state." Kailash looked directly at Austin. "Now he's in jail for setting the fire and they can't move him anywhere. We visit him when we can," she said. "Even the other kids. It's hard to hold it against him. I guess none of us can imagine being so desperate to not have to leave..." She shrugged, not really sure how to phrase what she wanted to say. At first they'd all been so angry with Ryan. Kailash had been the one to sit there with him, to let out her frustration on him until he'd done much the same in return. He'd never been one of the kids who opened up much but that day he'd told her everything. After that she'd found it difficult to be angry with him. Kailash had suffered enough fury after her parents left that it had landed her in Sunrise for a while. What was it like to be abandoned by so many people? Even if others wanted to judge Ryan, she found that she couldn't anymore. Kailash turned away from Austin. She felt his hands on her shoulders and it felt nice, warm against skin that was growing cold from the breeze. He turned her around gently and leaned down to kiss her forehead. I'm really going to miss him, she realized, leaning against him. I know he's only going to be gone for a few days but... How strange, to miss someone so much when you knew them so little. ------- Aside from the music drifting from the radio and the steady whirr of the sewing machine, the studio was quiet. Kailash had decided to spend lunch there, working on her dress. It was the one Austin had pointed out, the one she hadn't thought she'd have time to make. She'd been using much of her spare time to complete it. Why not? Working took her mind off the fact that Austin was somewhere far away, somewhere that she couldn't reach no matter how hard she tried. She didn't even have a phone number. Some of her time was also spent dodging reporters, especially the last few days. At first Kailash hadn't known what to do when they'd begun approaching her. Then she'd received a call from Jamison. She and Austin were working up some publicity for the fashion show while still trying to keep Kailash from having to deal with the spotlight. So far the reporters weren't showing up at the college or at Kailash's home, or anything like that, but they did call her a lot. She might have been annoyed if she wasn't so grateful for all the help Austin and Jamison were giving her. It was looking like this would actually be a success. I have to find a way to thank him, Kailash thought. She sighed and ran her fingers along the fluttery fabric she was working with. It was the same wonderful watercolor shades that she'd used in her sketch and she loved the way the dress was turning out. What bothered her was that she was worried that Austin might not like it. And why on earth should she care about that? "Enrique Iglesias, is it? That's a far cry from the Grateful Dead." Kailash would have jumped out of her skin if she hadn't recognized the voice immediately. As it was, she cringed and jabbed the power button on the radio. She almost forgot to flick off her sewing machine before she spun to face Austin. Did he really fluster her that much? Jamison had called and told her that Austin would be back in town today and though she'd been hoping he'd show up, Kailash had known it was possible that he wouldn't feel up to it. But he's here, she thought, unable to stop herself from smiling. He was there with her and he looked so good. She hesitated at the edge of the table, uncertain what to do. Then in a few swift, long strides Austin had closed the distance between them and swept her up into his arms. Kailash buried her face against his shoulder, effectively muffling a rather girlish squeal of delight. It was such a ridiculously romance hero type of gesture but it was also apparently impossible to not enjoy when it happened to you. When Austin set her down again Kailash took a few shaky steps back and tried to straighten herself out. She'd worn the long white skirt and camisole that Austin had seemed to like, that day at lunch. Taking a deep breath, she leaned against the table and managed to regain her composure. Why couldn't she have had her Doors CD on when he'd arrived? Or at least a better radio station. Would it kill you, she thought at the universe at large, to let me not embarrass myself for a change? "It's a guilty pleasure song," she explained, gesturing at the radio. It was just her luck that he'd catch her swaying in time to 'Hero', of all things. "You know... as in 'I wouldn't let my dog catch me listening to it' type of guilty pleasure." Austin settled next to her, chuckling. "Well, I suppose there are worse options for that." "What about you?" "Me?" Austin widened his eyes at her in mock surprise. "If I wouldn't tell my dog that, I'm not about to tell you." Kailash stuck her tongue out at him. "And that's all I have to say about that," she huffed. For a moment Austin merely stared at her. He looked caught between the urge to laugh and the desire to roll his eyes. Instead he wrapped an arm around her and dragged her close. We shouldn't do this here, Kailash thought, resting her head on his shoulder. If the other girls walk in... But she couldn't bring herself to move. It felt nice to rest there with his arms around her, listening to the steady thump of his heart beating. Maybe what was happening between them was crazy but she was beginning to realize that she didn't care. Austin nuzzled the curve of her ear gently. His breath was warm against her neck as his lips trailed along the line of her throat, kissing all the way down to her collarbone. Self-control, Kailash reminded herself, even as she turned her head to press her lips against his neck in turn. People could walk in at any second... Austin braced a hand against her back and she could feel the heat of his skin as though there was no cotton between them. She wanted to kiss him, like she did in the barn that day, but instead she somehow managed to lift her head and pull away from him. "How was your trip?" Kailash asked. Her voice was so breathy, such an obvious telltale that it made her wince. "Not too bad," Austin replied. He didn't let her go, though. "I do enjoy some of it, you know... But this time there was more to miss than just home..." She let him pull her close again. This time she found herself in his lap, though his perch on the edge of the table was a bit precarious. Not that it mattered. He's stronger than he looks, she thought, leaning back a bit in the protective circle of his arms. Kailash remembered getting to run her hands along those abs of his. Women around the world probably would mourn the loss of those. She leaned forward again and gazed up at him curiously. Women all around the world wouldn't mind a chance with him, she thought, so then... "Why me?" she asked, voicing the doubt aloud before she could stop herself. Austin touched the tip of his nose to the tip of hers. "I could ask you the same question," he pointed out. "But why not you? I like you." He snuggled her against him. "You're cuddly." "For your sake I'm going to take that as a compliment," Kailash said, laughing. This time she gave in to the urge and kissed him. The way he kissed her back certainly seemed to confirm how much he'd missed her. Austin held onto her tightly as though he never wanted to let her go. Kailash did manage to wriggle out of his lap. He murmured a protest against her lips, but she grabbed his hands and tugged, pulling him with her. She kept kissing him as she moved, which proved to be a good way to get him to follow, if a little bit dangerous. When they bumped into a table she broke away from him, giggling. She turned and continued tugging him towards the storage closet at the back of the room. If things were going to be clumsy—and it seemed to Kailash that a little bit of klutziness was unavoidable—they might as well stay away from sewing machines and tables. "The closet?" Austin commented. "My, Kailash, and here I'd taken you for a good girl." "Then you were obviously sorely mistaken." She opened the door and slipped inside. Austin chased after her, catching her before she'd gone very far. He pinned her against the wall not too far from the door and she was too busy laughing to stop him. The door swung closed, but light flooded in from windows in the back, a bit dusty but enough to see by. Kailash squirmed, unable to stop her laughter, as Austin planted ticklish little kisses all over her face, neck, and shoulders. His hands slid beneath the camisole she was wearing and over her stomach, making goosebumps rise on her skin. Kailash closed her eyes and relaxed against the wall, enjoying his touch. It was both soothing and, oddly enough, arousing at the same time. His hands traveled up along her sides, his fingertips catching spots that were slightly ticklish. That light touch trailed across her ribs, and Austin continued to kiss her, gentler kisses that found every inch of bare skin from her shoulders, along her neck, tracing the curves of her ears, the line of her jaw, anywhere he could reach. Kailash buried her fingers in his hair and tried to find places to kiss him back, but it was distracting, with his hands stroking the undersides of her breasts. She gasped as his thumb brushed over the tip of her nipple. It stiffened beneath his teasing, the rolling and pinching that tread a fine, thrilling line between what she liked and what she didn't. She leaned into Austin, her teeth seeking his skin, curious to see where his boundaries lay as well. He made a soft snarling sound as she bit into his shoulder but if he was actually angry, it certainly didn't show. He pressed her hard against the wall and sank his teeth into her shoulder in return, though he was a fair bit gentler about it than she was. Kailash surprised herself by moaning softly in response. Then Austin's mouth was on hers again. One hand dropped back down to her stomach, moving down to her hip and then her thigh. His fingers bunched in her skirt, pulling it up. Kailash went still, trembling as his hand stroked the inside of her thigh, trailing so close to the edge of her panties that it made her jumpy with anticipation. Austin broke the kiss to gaze down at her as his fingers slipped beneath the thin cotton. He watched her so intently that she could feel herself turning red. Yet with his fingers stroking her slowly she had no time to be more embarrassed than that, nor any inclination. She let her hands drop, let every part of her body relax, though her hips moved against his touch and she could not really stop herself. Kailash was wet enough that it was easy for him to thrust a finger inside her. Her eyes widened as she felt his thumb press up against her clit and she bit her lip to keep from crying out. She swallowed hard, trying to keep from getting too loud, but each time his finger slid in and out it got more and more difficult. Finally Austin kissed her again, his mouth muffling her noises. Kailash whimpered softly, throwing her arms around him and clutching at him, her body moving in time to meet him. The sound she made when she came was drowned out by his lips. Kailash stood for a long while leaning against him. Austin pulled his hand away but he didn't let go of her. What on earth had gotten into her? This wasn't the way she behaved. But her body was still quivering, her nerves still alive with the sensation that had just rocked her. She breathed in deeply, smelling the simple scents of farm and man. This is not good, she thought. I'm falling for him... She could find a way around that, couldn't she? Enjoy his company, maybe a bit more, and not fall in love with him... A sound in the studio startled them both. Kailash heard the door, then the chatter of voices. "Oh shit," she hissed, backing away from Austin. "Kailash?" one of the girls called from the room beyond. "Hey, I thought she stayed in here for lunch..." Kailash thought fast. She pressed a finger to her lips, indicating that Austin should be quiet, then tilted her head in the direction of a dress form standing not too far from them. He must have understood, because a moment later she was backing out of the storage closet holding one end of the form and Austin had the other end for her. Don't blush, Kailash told herself. Don't give them any reason to believe that anything went on in there. She and Austin brought the form over to her work area. Two others were there but both of them already had dresses on them. When the form was set down Kailash turned to find the other girls staring at them curiously. Karen looked positively murderous but that wasn't anything new. You sure know how to get yourself in really deep, Kailash thought, groaning inwardly. Will you ever, ever learn? Well, she'd made a resolve to not let Karen stop her relationship—or whatever it was—with Austin, and that wasn't about to change. "Thanks for the help," Kailash said, turning to him. "Are you staying or... ?" "As much as I'd love to," Austin said, smiling at the other girls, "the jetlag is coming to haunt me. I just wanted to see how everything was going." "Most of us are almost done except for finishing touches," Jenny told him. "It's good you're back... I've got something I want to fit you for." Somehow Kailash made it through each of the girls greeting Austin in turn. While he spoke with them, patient and calm as always, she went about setting her dress up on the form. Then she managed to excuse herself on the premise of walking Austin out and telling him what was going on with Sunrise. She could feel the suspicious looks as she walked out of the studio. And yet oddly Kailash found herself smiling. Maybe it was just impossible to feel bad after what had happened or maybe a devious little part of her was taking pleasure even in Karen's jealousy. Maybe both. "I um..." Austin cleared his throat. "I'm sorry for mauling you like that..." Kailash stared at him. "Sorry? Why?" "Usually I at least try to behave like... well, like less of an animal." "Please don't." Kailash couldn't quite believe she was saying it, but hey, weirder things had happened, right? Austin laughed. "Quite a pair we make, huh?" "It's quite shameful," Kailash agreed. She leaned against his shoulder, using her body to give him a playful nudge. "Look, if you really feel guilty, you can make it up to me by visiting the kids from Sunrise tomorrow. We've managed to get them all in one place for a few hours." "Okay. Sounds good to me." "Yeah... let's see if you're still saying that tomorrow." ------- "I can't believe you snuck out on me!" Austin winced and pulled the phone away from his ear. He had considered having Jamison go with him when he went to meet the people from Sunrise, but she'd been on his case so much lately that he hadn't really wanted her there. He'd made the mistake of confessing to her that he was thinking about taking a break from modeling and she'd been furious. Not that he blamed her; he probably could have been gentler in his delivery. It was just that lately Austin was beginning to think he was letting too many things pass him by. "Look, Kailash is a sweet girl, but what the hell is going on between you two?" What indeed? Austin sighed and stared out the window at the houses they were driving past. It was a nice day, clear and sunny, with a pleasant hint of coolness to the air, and in spite of Kailash's warning he was looking forward to this. And her. He was looking forward to seeing her again. Even if she wasn't mad at him, he was still feeling like a bit of an animal. For some reason, when he'd seen her yesterday, he'd lost what control he had. While he was away Austin had missed her far more than he had expected to. The driver brought the car to a stop in front of an old two-story house. It was gray with a plain white roof and it would have been gloomy, were it not for the half-dozen teenagers running around, trying to string up colored lights. A boy with a red bandana on his head and saggy jeans stood at the top of one ladder, holding up the string while trying to hold up his pants. Kailash was on a ladder next to him, carefully hammering hooks into place. She wore overalls and her hair was back in a long braid, and Austin could see the nails she held clamped between her teeth. Which was probably a good thing for the three boys below who were holding the ladders, because Austin got the feeling—based on the expression on Kailash's face—that they were saying something that was getting on her nerves. Two girls in low-rise jeans and tank tops were working on winding strings of lights through the branches of a skinny little tree in the front yard. They chattered back and forth with one another and occasionally exchanged retorts with the four boys. There was another girl, mostly hidden by the overhang above the front porch. Her mousy brown hair was put up in a lopsided ponytail and her glasses were sliding down her nose as she devoured a massively thick book. She appeared oblivious to what was going on around her. "Are you listening to me?" Jamison demanded. Austin winced again. "Sorry Jami..." he said. "I really am. It's just that I've arrived and well..." "You've really got it bad, haven't you?" "Maybe I'm just curious about the organization I'm going to be doing charity work for." Jamison snorted. "I'm sure you are," she said. "But you've also got it bad. Look, you'd better make it up to me later. And nothing crappy like bringing me French fries. It'd better be good!" Austin grinned. "Yes ma'am. I'll see you later tonight." He could hear Jamison grumbling before he hung up the phone. She wasn't angry though; after all, she sometimes ignored what he said too, and for less innocent reasons. Austin would make it up to her later regardless. It seemed like no matter how hard he tried these days he always ended up feeling like a heel. As he stepped out of the car he drew quite a bit of attention. The two girls working on the tree turned to look at him and ended up staring. The girl on the porch blinked at him from above the rims of her glasses. Kailash and the boys noticed him at the same time. While Kailash worked on depositing nails in the front pouch of her overalls, the boy on the ladder next to her let out a shout and jumped down. The two boys holding the ladder scattered, letting it collapse to the ground with a loud clang. Austin could see Kailash rolling her eyes and muttering to herself as she climbed down her own ladder. "Whoa!" one of the girls exclaimed as he approached. She had dark, curly hair and stood with her hands on her hips, bubbling with attitude. "That'll teach me to believe you, eh, Kai?" "You should've learned that a long time ago, Rita," Kailash said, as her feet hit the ground. She whirled on the boy with the bandana. "Erik, if you ever do that again..." "Whatcha gonna do, huh?" Erik asked, stepping towards her in a way that seemed, to Austin, far more threatening than was necessary. "Put me in the corner?" Kailash straightened—which made her still quite a bit shorter than him—and got right up in his face. If she felt the least bit threatened by him it didn't show. That's my girl, Austin thought, grinning. She looked like maybe she could handle herself with these kids. Which was good, because Rita and the other girl were eyeing him in a way that made him feel something like a hunted gazelle. The little bookworm was still watching too, but she looked more curious than anything else, and her eyes kept flicking towards Kailash and Erik. "Damn straight I'm gonna put you in the corner," Kailash retorted. "Now get your skinny ass inside and tell Linda to get some lemonade. Capice?" "Dude," Erik grumbled, as he headed towards the porch. "No need to get all snippy with me." Kailash rolled her eyes. "You guys go too," she said to the other boys. "We'll be inside in just a moment." She turned to the girls. "You too, girls. Now. We can finish this later." The little bookworm scrambled to her feet and dashed inside before Erik even reached the porch stairs. Soon all of the kids were filing into the house. One of the other three boys paused at the front door and turned back to face Austin and Kailash. He was big and, well... blocky was really the best way to put it. His jeans were way too big on him too, and he was wearing a Tupac shirt. They look like something out of one of those inspirational movies, Austin thought. Though maybe not quite as um... niced-over. "Nice to meet ya, dawg," the boy said, before heading inside with his fellows. Austin stared. "Dawg? Seriously?" "Yes, seriously," Kailash sighed. "They really talk like that, I'm afraid. Don't worry though... they'll grow on you." "I'm sure. Like bad fungus." "Pretty much..." Kailash pushed stray tendrils of hair back behind her ears and smiled sheepishly at him. "I adore the little brats, most of the time, but they're being quite a handful today. Come on..." Austin followed her up onto the porch and into the house. Inside it looked a bit like a Christmas tree had exploded all over the interior. There were lights, garland, wreathes, and a number of other things—including Smurf ornaments—all over the place. It looked as though it had been decorated by a dozen different people who all had their own ideas about what Christmas should look like. Which, he thought, it probably was, come to think of it. There were at least seven kids and two staff members that he'd seen or heard of so far and he doubted that was all of them. Kailash led him into the kitchen. It was full of kids—all seven of them—and smelled strongly of gingerbread. There was a tall blond woman at the oven, wearing a blue apron with yellow ducks on it. She was using a spatula to scrape cookies off of a sheet. Another woman Austin hadn't seen yet sat at the kitchen table, with Rita on one side and the other girl, a redhead, on the other. Together they were working to ice cookies that had already come out of the oven a while ago. It was all so loud and chaotic, with the boys standing together talking and laughing and the blond woman speaking with Kailash. And in the midst of it all, tucked away in a corner, her nose deep in her enormous book, the girl with glasses was still reading, unperturbed by the noise. Now that, Austin thought, is impressive. He noticed that Kailash was watching him, smiling. "Yeah, I know," she said. "Well, this is Linda," she gestured to the blonde, "at the table with Rita and Camila is Lena, and that," this time she pointed to the bookworm, "is Wren. Before the day is out she'll probably look up and say hello, but until then it's best to leave her be." Wren lifted her head, blinked at Kailash a few times, then turned her gray eyes on him. "Hello," she said simply, and dropped her gaze back to her book. Austin tried really hard not to laugh, he did, but he certainly didn't succeed. There was just something about Wren that reminded him a bit of... well, of Kailash, really. And he noticed the somewhat wry but mostly fond look that Kailash gave Wren before turning back to the business at hand. This was definitely going to be an interesting day. Whether or not it was a good kind of interesting... that remained to be seen. ------- Austin had to admit that he was impressed. Using a large, circular auditorium in the school building, Kailash and the girls had created a pretty amazing runway. The auditorium itself had eight entrances, four up on one floor and four on a lower floor. Guests would enter through the doors higher up, since most of the lower doors were blocked by the runway. It ran around the edge of the auditorium, with only one doorway unblocked, and that was for the models to enter and exit from. In the center of it all was a miniature forest of pine trees—real ones, apparently—draped with false snow that looked pretty convincing. The kids from Sunrise were there, helping set up the rest of the decorations. Well, except for Wren, who sat in a seat high up, occasionally peeking over the edge of her book to check out the goings-on. Wren was apparently off the hook for decorating since she had created an ingenious inventory system that would make the whole operation flow smoother—or as smoothly as any fashion show ever did. Wren wasn't the only one who'd come up with something clever, from what Austin had been told. Science and engineering students from the college had teamed up to create a snow machine specifically designed for use in such an event. Though the output could be adjusted, it was meant to send up light puffs of artificial snow that would come down like gentle flurries. Austin had seen it at work earlier and yet again he'd been impressed. Not only did the machine work the way it was supposed to, but the students who'd created it planned to be there throughout the show to make sure nothing went wrong. The machine was in one of the alcoves created by the cut off lower entrances and would send snow up over the runway and the miniature forest. Kailash was running around, making sure that the decorations got up, that the boys from Sunrise stayed at least ten feet away from the snow machine at all times, and of course checking to see if all the designs were finished. Austin wanted a chance to speak with her but he could wait. He would offer to help, but Kailash seemed so harried that he really didn't want to bother her. There was a creak as someone sat down in the chair next to him. It was Karen, dressed simply for once in jeans and a t-shirt, with her hair pulled back. At the moment none of the girls were dressed up; there was just too much work to do. Karen propped her feet up on the back of the chair in front of her and sighed. Austin might not have liked her much but even he could admit that she'd been doing her fair share of the work. Actually, he thought, I just wish that Kailash would sit down and take a break too. He watched her scamper across the runway to talk with the guys manning the snow machine and quelled the urge to go after her and force her to sit down. "I know you don't like me," Karen said suddenly, "but I wish everyone would stop looking at me like... like I'm going to sabotage the whole thing or something." Austin shifted in his chair, uncomfortable. Why was she saying this to him? "I... I don't think they think that..." "I know what they think." Karen stared down at the runway. "They think I'm not serious about being a designer. Kailash especially. I heard her say it. But she's wrong." "Maybe you should tell her that," Austin suggested. How did he get into these things? "I mean... I'm probably not really the person you should be talking to if you're having a problem with Kailash." "She listens to you," Karen pointed out. "Look, Karen, the fact is that you don't act like you're serious about designing. This is the first day I've seen you look less concerned about your manicure than about your work. Maybe if you start acting seriously the others will take you that way. Including Kailash." Karen continued to stare at the runway and Austin could see the hard set of her jaw. Well, either she would listen to him or she wouldn't, but he wasn't going to sit here all day trying to get her to. The fight between her and Kailash wasn't his business and he certainly wasn't going to claim that he really knew either side of it. Granted Kailash had made a better show of herself than Karen, but Austin didn't doubt that she had said that Karen wasn't serious about designing. Like any other type of artist, fashion designers had little patience for people who weren't truly serious about it. He saw Kailash step down off the runway and duck through the doors leading out of the auditorium. Now's as good a time as any, Austin decided, rising from his seat. He made his way down and stepped right onto the runway. Rita, who was busy setting down more of the false snow beneath the trees, looked up and grinned at him. She waggled her fingers and winked as he passed. Beyond the doorway the hall had been turned into a dressing room. It was fairly wide, so there was plenty of room for the racks of clothing and the tables that had been set with mirrors for the make-up crew. Austin knew that other models would probably be showing up soon and it would get really chaotic back there. For the moment it was Kailash, shuffling through a pile of papers stacked on a desk at the far end of the hall, and Kerry and Jenny setting garments on the racks. When the two of them saw him they cleared out, Kerry giving him a knowing look before passing through the doors. "It's a goddamn clipboard," Kailash was muttering to herself. "It shouldn't be this easy to lose track of!" "Hey," Austin said softly. "Not right now, Austin," Kailash grumbled, as she shifted piles of paper. "God, I can't believe this! Where is it?" Austin saw a clipboard sitting atop two racks that were standing close together. He grabbed it and held it out to Kailash. She froze and for a moment she just stood there, staring at it. Slowly she reached up to take it from her and he could see that she was trembling. She turned around to face him and leaned against him, her head on his shoulder, taking deep breaths. She's never been the one running the whole show before, Austin realized. He put his arms around her and held her, feeling a sudden surge of protectiveness. Being in a fashion show could be stressful enough; he never wanted to be the one running the whole shebang. "Sorry," Kailash murmured, turning her head to be heard. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean..." "I know, sweetheart." Austin kissed her temple gently. "This is stressful. And no matter what you do, it all gets disorganized and chaotic and just goes to hell. But believe me, it'll all work out in the end. I promise." Kailash took a step back. "I know," she said. She rubbed her nose, trying to hide a sniffle. "I just... I'll be okay. I will. I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed right now." "Well, maybe this will perk you up a bit," Austin said. He pulled a box from the pocket of the light jacket he was wearing. While he'd been out of town he'd gotten the chance to stop at an estate sale; not normally his thing, but he'd been looking for something. Austin watched as Kailash opened the box and gently lifted out a heart-shaped locket. It was silver, with blue, purple, and green enamel flowers on the front. Though he'd had it cleaned up a bit, one could still tell from looking at it that it was an antique. Kailash stared at it, her mouth open in surprise. "Oh Austin..." She held the necklace up. "It's beautiful... but... I can't..." "Yes, you can," Austin insisted. He gestured for her to turn around and when she did, he helped her put it on. "It matches your dress. Besides, it took a lot of effort for me to figure out what you might like, so you can't refuse." Kailash half-turned to look up at him and smiled. "Thank you," she said quietly. "For everything." Her smile widened. "You know, you really are turning out to be my hero..." ------- Chapter 3 Though she'd been uncertain even while she was making it, Kailash had to admit that the dress had come out well. She could even look at herself in the mirror and think that it looked good on her. The empire waist was suited to her body type and the watercolor purple, blue, and green looked good against her skin and brought out her eyes. Before the show had begun Lilith, the best make-up artist they had working for them, had forced Kailash to sit down and get her make-up done. Lilith had done an amazing job, making her skin look flawless and her eyelashes dark and thick. Jean, their best hairstylest, had decided to get in on the act shortly after that. She'd been thrilled to have so much hair to play with. It hadn't taken Jean long and by the time she was done, Kailash had a braid wrapped like a crown atop her head, with the rest of her hair still flowing free. She'd added the locket that Austin had given her as a finishing touch and she kind of liked the full effect. Austin, who had been just as busy as the other models getting ready, had still taken a long moment to appreciate the way she looked. Now that the show was underway, Kailash only had time to worry about making sure the models got the right clothing and got out on the runway. She could hear Jenny out in the auditorium, announcing the collections, and she could hear the audience's response as well. The whole thing was hectic and crazy, made worse by the fact that far more people had showed up than they could have anticipated. Between people who just wanted to see the show and press, Kailash had had to get campus security to keep people out of the hall where everything was set up. "Goodness, it's nuts out there!" came a soft, raspy voice from Kailash's right. "It is," Kailash agreed. "It's kind of wonderful, too. Thanks for all the help." When all the people had begun flooding in, Kailash had started panicking. Then Austin had made a phone call and ten minutes later, Marta had shown up. Somewhere in her mid-forties, Marta was vibrant and loud—when she wanted to be—and a lot of help. After years of dealing with reporters she'd been able to shout them into toeing the line, at least long enough for Kailash to get some organization going again. Not only that, but she was helping to keep order behind the scenes as well, as much as anyone could. Yet again, Kailash thought, Austin comes to my rescue. "Hey, don't worry about it," Marta said. "Besides, hard to say no when Austin asks. He's such a sweetie." Kailash smiled. "Yeah..." "Are you two talking about me behind my back?" Kailash whirled. Austin stood behind them, his arms folded over his chest, watching the two of them. He wore the t-shirt and coat that Kailash had designed with his own jeans and boots, and he'd added a cowboy hat, which she had to admit looked good on him. That coat really is well-suited to him, she thought. She was hoping that she might do all right on that piece when it came to actually selling the items. With the amount of people who'd showed up she might just have a chance at that. Though they wouldn't all get to see the clothes on the runway, Kailash was working to make sure that models would be wearing many of the designs at the reception afterwards. "Of course we are, darling," Marta responded brightly. "You look good enough to eat. Get your cute ass up on that runway and work it." Austin stared at her briefly, then shook his head. "You've always had a way with words, Marta," he said. His gaze shifted to Kailash. "Wish me luck." "Like you need it," she replied. He smiled at them both and tipped his hat before heading through the doors, passing another model just coming down off the runway. Though there were a couple of other male models in the show, none were drawing attention quite like Austin. "I know it's unprofessional and inappropriate of me," Marta commented, "but whenever I see him looking like that, all I can think is 'save a horse, ride a cowboy'." Kailash's eyes widened and she clapped a hand over her mouth, stifling a sound that was just as unprofessional and inappropriate. "I've noticed the way you look at him, you know," Marta said. "I've known the boy for years and seen a lot of girls lust after him, but you look like you really care. Be good to him." Marta patted her on the shoulder encouragingly. Which didn't do much to blunt the edge of her honesty. "If you're not, I'll hurt you." Kailash didn't really get a chance to reply. Someone calling her name drew her attention. She looked around and saw Kerry near some of the clothing racks, waving wildly at her. Oh now what? she wondered, groaning inwardly. She left Marta to handle the models going on and coming off the runway and dashed to the back of the makeshift room—not easy to do in the heels she'd borrowed. Thank god they were wedges. When she reached Kerry she saw the problem immediately. One of the gowns that Kerry and Rose had made together had a train. It was a gorgeous piece, fairly simple and elegant, in a stunning amethyst color. The train was an array of purple, cream, and dove gray that started high on the back and gave an edge to the otherwise plain garment. The fabrics were all delicate though and could tear easily, and that appeared to be what had happened. Rose and—to Kailash's surprise—Karen were both busy working to sew the train back in place while the model stood there, looking upset. "We could use your talent with a needle," Kerry explained. "Rose and I just aren't that fast without sewing machines. Karen's covered a lot of ground but it isn't going quite fast enough." "I'm so sorry," the model piped in. "I'm so, so sorry. I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing..." "Don't worry about it," Kailash said, taking the needle Rose handed over. "We were prepared for this sort of thing." Well, kind of, anyway. They'd kept needles and thread handy just in case. Karen, who was usually very good at disappearing during such events, had been there every step of the way, working hard and helping far more than Kailash would have expected. And thank goodness, Kailash thought, because she is fast with a needle. It was a really good thing that, after all her years working with Sunrise, she was getting quite adept at cleaning up messes. ------- Fortunately the reception was being held in the college's cafeteria, which was bigger than the auditorium by a fair margin. Even Austin was surprised by the turnout. It was more than just press and curious fans that had shown up, as well. There were people who were genuinely interested in the cause, in Sunrise, and they were making an effort to find out more about the organization. That was far more than Austin could have hoped for. He'd been watching when they'd approached Kailash and seeing how happy it made her filled him with warmth. Marta was right, he thought, sighing. I've fallen for her. Hard. Something Marta had taken time to point out when he'd been coming off the runway. At the moment he wasn't sure where Kailash was, since she was so busy running around and talking to as many people as she could. Austin kept hoping for glimpses of her; she was looking absolutely gorgeous tonight. Aside from the dress, which looked perfect on her, someone had gotten to her and done her hair and make-up. And he'd been right about the locket matching the dress. A good thing, too, he thought. Austin hadn't been kidding when he'd told her that it had taken a lot of effort to figure out what she might like, and he'd been relieved to see how much she'd loved it. So for the time being Austin sat at one of the tables at the side of the cafeteria, listening to Rose and Kerry talking at a table next to him. He wasn't alone though; sitting in the chair next to him, completely oblivious to the rest of the world, was Wren. The book she was holding looked to be different from the one she'd had earlier. What was it about the world that made her want to spend so much time hiding in another one? Austin would have to make it a point to ask Kailash a bit more about Wren at some point. "You know," he said, "perhaps I've gotten spoiled over the years, but I'm not used to sitting with a woman who won't talk to me." Wren looked up from her book and blinked at him. There was definitely a birdlike quality to her. "Are you talking to me?" "Do you see anyone else sitting at this table with me?" "Why would you want to talk to me?" Wren demanded. She did, he noticed, close her book and he managed to refrain from asking her how she'd remember her place without a marker. "Why not?" Austin reached for the glass of water he'd gotten earlier. "I figure, if nothing else, I can always pry for information about Kailash." That seemed to actually catch Wren's attention. She sat up a bit straighter and eyed him warily. For the first time Austin noticed that her eyes were purple. Not grayish or bluish but honestly purple. She was just a little pudgy and round-faced, as though she hadn't quite grown out of it yet. Whoa, he thought. In a few years she is going to be really stunning. He hadn't been close enough to her before to see it, but now that he got a good look at her, he saw that Wren could be quite the heartbreaker someday. Austin wondered if she'd ever realize it herself. "Kailash is my friend," Wren said. There was something defensive and protective in her tone. "I know," Austin told her. "I was thinking of... maybe doing something for her, for Christmas." "Kailash likes snow," Wren murmured. She turned her head to stare at the crowd. "She hasn't seen it in years. And I've never seen it. She promised to take me snowboarding someday." Her voice was soft and dreamy as she spoke. Wren definitely wasn't the type that anyone would think would like to go snowboarding. "You... you're just going to hurt her." Now that took Austin by surprise. What had given Wren that impression? As far as he knew, none of the kids from Sunrise had any idea about what was going on between him and Kailash. Maybe some of it was just obvious, but still... A flash of movement in the crowd caught his eye and he looked up to see Kailash standing still for a moment. When she saw Austin and Wren she smiled brightly and waved. Then someone called her name and she was off again. He stared after her, wishing that she would come and talk to him. Uh oh, Austin thought, frowning. This was even worse than Marta thought it was. He realized that he was more than falling for Kailash. It was rapidly becoming more than lust, more than like, it was... No way, he thought. It's barely been three weeks since we met... He took a deep breath. There was nothing he could do about it right at that moment anyway, so he might as well not think about it too hard. "I won't hurt her," Austin assured Wren. "If anything, I think she might hurt me." Wren turned on him suddenly. "She wouldn't do that," she said sharply. "Not on purpose," Austin agreed. He leaned back in his chair. "Tell me... did you see anything in the show that you liked?" "Why does that matter? None of it would fit me." Wren snorted. She hardly seemed bothered by the abrupt change of subject. "Nor would I have the money for it if I did. So, why are you talking to me again?" "Because I think someone should," he said. He tried a smile, hoping it would be reassuring. "So? Anything?" Wren's purple eyes were unnerving in long doses but she seemed to be softening just a little, at least. Austin was reminded of something that Kailash had said in her letter; children needed love the most when they were being their most unlovable. Maybe it was because he hadn't given up on her right away, but Wren didn't seem to be shutting him out completely. He could see the slight purse of her lips and the thoughtful expression in her eyes, and he realized that she was actually considering his question. Maybe she was only wondering if he was serious, but it was something. Austin wouldn't mind wringing the neck of the person—or people—who had made her so distrustful. "Well... I liked the stuff by those two girls," Wren said at last. "The duo. Kailash was telling me about them. Their stuff is cool." Austin nodded. "True. You know, I really like your honesty. Someone else might have said Kailash's work, just because you're friends." "Oh." Wren shrugged. "I like her work, but it wasn't my favorite. Is that a bad thing?" "Not at all. Do you think you could do me a favor?" Austin tilted his head at the crowd. "Could you find Kailash for me and ask her when she intends on calling it a night? There's something I want to show her." Wren made sure to claim her book before leaving the table. Austin watched her go, amused. Her honesty would probably get on a lot of people's nerves but there would be someone, somewhere, who could appreciate it very much. He leaned back further, letting the front legs of the chair come up off the floor. Rose and Kerry turned their own chairs to face him. Austin had noticed them going silent when Wren was speaking. It was quite some luck that they'd been sitting right there. "We could probably make something for her," Kerry suggested, before Austin even got the chance to ask the question. "We did want to do a little more for the foundation," Rose added. "These kids... they're not so bad." "And Kailash told us a bit about Wren," Kerry continued. Her expression changed to a thoughtful frown. "It's kind of creepy, actually. You'd never guess it by looking at her. Maybe a little pampering and stuff would do her good." Austin wanted badly to ask them what they knew but he didn't dare pry. Also, he wasn't sure he could keep himself from saying something about the way the two of them spoke. At least they weren't finishing each other's sentences... yet. Wren returned, clutching her book and looking a bit unnerved. Perhaps she'd finally realized how big the crowd was. As she stopped in front of the table, both Kerry and Rose stood up from their chairs. Once again Austin was reminded of a bird as Wren looked back and forth between the two of them. He saw a flash of panic in her eyes as the two women approached her. Yet neither one of them got too close to her or touched her and after a moment she relaxed. Her purple eyes were intent as she turned them on Austin. "Kailash said she's getting tired," Wren reported. "She said she'll probably be done in about an hour." "Thanks." Austin smiled at her, then nodded to Rose and Kerry. This time the two women grabbed Wren by the arms and started pulling her backwards. She let out a sharp yelp of protest and then Kerry leaned down and whispered something in her ear. Wren's big purple eyes focused on Austin for a moment. Then she flashed him a wry smile, rolled her eyes, and turned to follow Kerry and Rose. It hadn't even been his idea exactly, but maybe it wouldn't hurt for her to think that a few people had had a hand in it. His mother had always said that all it took was for a handful of people to care enough. And now he had an hour. He wanted to speak to Marta briefly, but then he had something else he needed to do. Something Wren had said had given him an idea. It would probably take a bit of bribery to accomplish but Austin had a plan. ------- The limo was a small one, quite cozy and not tasteless as some of them tended to be. Kailash relaxed on the seat next to Austin, feeling a little tired but mostly exhilarated. The show had been a bigger success than she could have imagined. And during the reception afterwards she'd spoken to so many people who had wanted to lend aid to Sunrise. She had been worried that she wouldn't be able to explain to others why the kids at Sunrise deserved to be helped. But the kids had surprised her. With Rita and Erik leading the way, most of them had made quite an impression on the guests. And yeah, they'd hammed it up a little, perhaps, but Kailash was glad to see them making an effort for Sunrise regardless. A warm breeze came down through the open sunroof. Kailash stretched, enjoying the feel of it on her skin. Her belly was full of Chinese food and she wasn't quite sure how Austin was able to eat more. He sat there next to her, picking through a carton with a pair of chopsticks, his eyes watching her. After seeing him on the runway, looking—for the most part—like a bad boy or a rough, scruffy cowboy, it was amusing to see him holding his chopsticks so primly. Kailash bit her lip against a giggle that bubbled up inside her, but it must have shown on her face because Austin paused in his eating to give her a questioning look. "Keep that up," Austin said, managing to remain completely deadpan, "and I'll have the driver turn this limo around and take you home. No surprise for you." "You won't," Kailash said. She sounded so confident to her ears that it shocked her. "You have too much fun doing these sorts of things for that." She stretched out across the seat and rested her head on Austin's thigh. Kailash had been feeling mighty friendly towards him all night, what with the help he'd given her and everyone else involved. When she'd been about to leave for the night Rose had pulled her aside to talk to her. She'd explained what she and Kerry were doing for Wren, and told Kailash about the effort Austin had made to talk to the girl. That left Kailash in a rather affectionate mood. Wren needed to see that those working at and for Sunrise cared about her. As she snuggled up to him, letting her cheek press against his stomach, Kailash watched Austin's face. Those lovely jewel-like blue-green eyes of his were bright with a smile. He set the carton aside and reached down to gently stroke her cheek. His hands were warm and his fingertips a bit work-roughened. Kailash let her eyes drift partway shut as he idly traced the contours of her face, the feeling soothing. The tip of his finger passed along the bridge of her nose, before giving it a little tweak. "You're right," he said at last. "You know, you've got a good handle on me for someone who's only known me for three weeks." "Three weeks," Kailash murmured, staring up at the mostly dark sky passing above them. "It feels like I've known you for years..." Something about Austin's presence just felt right to her. Laying there as she was, Kailash didn't feel like she was overstepping boundaries or anything like that. Never in my life have I been so bold, she thought, as I am when I'm with him. What was she going to do when he had to leave? Because eventually he would have to be gone, for a longer period of time than he had before, and she might not hear from him at all. Well, Kailash supposed she would just have to worry about that when the time came. The limo came to a stop at last and Kailash straightened. It was a bit weird having someone open car doors for her. As she stepped out of the limo she realized that they were in a district that didn't exactly cater to the poor. A building towered over them, a hotel by the looks of things; she could see the lobby through the doors and there was a bellhop, pushing a cart loaded with luggage, across it. Whoa, Kailash thought, staring up at the huge chandeliers as Austin led her inside. So this is where he's staying. She imagined he'd probably rather stay with his mother, but this was likely a good way to keep reporters away from the farm. Kailash stood in the middle of the lobby, trying to take it all in, while Austin spoke to the man behind the front desk. A lot of times hotels were decorated too gaudily or they were so plain that they came across as sterile. She loved the seascape feel to the place and how wide open everything was. Oh, the fashion show she could plan in a place like this... "Done gaping?" Austin teased, as he came back to her. He rested a hand on the small of her back. "I'd like to go up to my room. Unless you want to see more?" "Your room, huh?" Kailash let him steer her towards the elevators. If she really wanted to see more of the hotel later she could always ask him to show her. "Isn't that a bit presumptuous of you?" "Yes, yes, I'm a spoiled diva who always gets my way," Austin said dryly. He grinned at her. "C'mon, you." He stepped into the elevator and pulled her in with him. Laughing, Kailash stumbled into the elevator and crashed into him. Austin wrapped his arms around her and braced himself so that they wouldn't fall over. Stupid heels, she thought, without much malice. She'd had some champagne at the reception and Kailash had never exactly held alcohol well. If she was a little bit tipsy and clumsy she had only herself to blame. Okay, I've been clumsy my whole life, she conceded to herself, so that isn't wholly my fault. As the elevator rose from level to level, the two of them stood there in silence, Austin stroking her hair. When at last the elevator reached the right floor, he took her hand in his and together they strolled down the hall. It was nice, soothingly quiet, with plush, dove-gray carpeting and dark wooden doors. Each door had gleaming brass numbers on them that looked like they probably needed to be polished a dozen times a day. Wouldn't want that job, Kailash thought, feeling oddly happy and a little silly. She leaned against Austin's side as he opened a door marked with the number 806. The room was gorgeous, from what she could see of it. It was dimly lit and pleasantly warm. Kailash stepped into the living room area, turning slowly to take in the tasteful furnishings. She heard a soft whirring sound and as she whirled to find out what it was, the air was suddenly filled with a cloud of white. Soft, powdery snow came drifting down on her. Kailash raised her hands to stare as the artificial snowflakes settled on her palms. She gazed at Austin, astonished. "How... how on earth did you get them to let you borrow it?" she asked, amazed. Another puff of snow filled the air and she couldn't help a burst of delighted laughter. "Some flattery," Austin told her. He was grinning broadly, his eyes alight with pleasure. "And well... a decent chunk of cash." "This is so cool!" Kailash exclaimed, shaking snow from her hair. "And you... you're insane." Austin's eyebrows rose as he approached her. He reached down and picked up a remote that was sitting on the coffee table. Soft music started up in the background. This is too much, Kailash thought, as he caught her around the waist and pulled her close. In a good way, though. She rested her head on his chest as he swayed a bit to the music. Now she knew what it was he'd been doing during that hour before she'd left the reception. "I guess I wanted to have some fun," Austin said quietly. "Just enjoy some time with you before I leave..." Kailash lifted her head. "You're going away again?" "Christmas Eve," he told her. His normally bright eyes looked sad. "I could be gone for as much as a couple of months... Maybe I shouldn't have done all of this but..." Austin paused in his swaying and cupped her cheek against his palm. "Say it," Kailash murmured. "You can tell me things Austin. It'll take an awful lot to get me to think less of you." "I've never minded the farm work and the modeling. Growing up, all I ever cared about was helping my mother. But for some reason, since I met you, I've started to wonder why..." Austin stopped for a moment and she could tell that he was struggling to find the right words. "Why I've let it continue to define my life, even though it's no longer necessary..." Because you had to grow up so fast, Kailash thought, sinking back against him. She'd seen the same thing in the kids at Sunrise often enough. It didn't matter. It didn't matter to her if he had to leave before Christmas or if he'd be gone for two months. She wanted now. Right now, the present; she didn't want to let that slip through her fingers. After all, the man had bribed a snow machine away from a bunch of tech geeks for her. The image that formed in her mind at the thought of that made Kailash giggle. She buried her face against his shoulder and sighed happily as they swayed to the music. The machine whirred and then more snow came down on them. It was a little cold on her skin but she didn't care; it really was the most awesome thing ever. Wonder what the cleaning crew is going to think, Kailash thought. There was some snow gathering beneath their feet but at least it didn't look like there'd been a snowstorm indoors. Yet. The song that was playing changed. At first Kailash wasn't sure what the next song was, because it started off so softly. When she recognized it at last, she almost choked on a laugh. She could feel the shaking of Austin's body as he too tried, unsuccessfully, to hold his laughter in. Very cute, Kailash thought, as Enrique Iglesias' voice filtered through the room. Not sure whether to kiss him or smack him. She pulled back from Austin's embrace to look up at him. He swallowed hard and she could see him gritting his teeth against laughing. Well, it was an oddly appropriate song, she'd give him that. Instead of just swaying lazily, they actually danced. Or tried to. Kailash had never really learned and she was very much a klutz, especially in heels. But Austin was a really good dancer and once Kailash had taken the stupid shoes off, things went a lot smoother. The snow machine let out another cloud and she tossed her head back, laughing in delight as she twirled beneath the flurry. It was cold beneath her bare feet and it made the rug kind of slippery, so she ended up banging into Austin, but none of that really seemed to ruin the mood. Especially not with the music playing. 'Am I in too deep? Have I lost my mind? Well I don't care... You're here tonight... ' "You know," Austin murmured, resting his forehead against hers. "This song is kind of growing on me." "It does that." Kailash tilted her head, meeting him for the kiss. Austin wrapped his arms around her and suddenly any chill from the snow and the cold carpet beneath her feet just disappeared. She was aware of his body, lean and muscular and warm, pressed close to hers, and she could feel the beating of his heart. Even the music was forgotten as the kiss became deeper, filled with the same sense of urgency she'd felt that day in the studio. Even as Austin teased the inside of her lip with his tongue, making her shiver, he began carefully guiding her backwards, steering her towards what she assumed was the bedroom. Kailash broke the kiss to ask, breathlessly, "The snow machine?" "It has a timer." "Lovely." Austin's fingers laced through hers and he led her down a small, narrow hallway and into the bedroom. The light he turned on was fairly dim, but it was enough to make Kailash hesitate briefly. Part of it was the room which, with its soft carpeting, lovely deep mahogany furniture and enormous bed, was beautiful and a bit intimidating. She was also reminded suddenly that Austin hung out with models, had probably even slept with a few of them, and she was really no match for that. Then Austin drew her into another kiss, his tongue dipping inside her mouth, his teeth nipping at her lower lip, and Kailash forgot all about her doubts. Together they stumbled backwards until they reached the bed. Kailash threw her arms around Austin's neck as he lowered her back onto the mattress carefully. He kept kissing her, just her mouth at first, then her neck and shoulders. His hands wandered downward, the heat of his skin passing right through the thin silk of her dress. That was really only fair, since she slid her hands beneath his shirt, stealing another exploration of the muscular body under the cotton. Austin's teeth grazed her shoulder and nipped at the curve of her neck, and Kailash let her nails dig in just a bit in response. Austin's hands pushed her dress up, bunching it around her waist. She let go of him, arching her back and stretching her arms above her head to let him pull the dress off completely. Then she straightened, reaching for his shirt. Austin caught her by the hips before she could do much more then tug and lifted her. He scooted onto the bed and pulled her into his lap. While he kissed her again, distracting her from her intentions, he worked on unhooking the strapless bra she was wearing. "Not fair," Kailash whispered, as he pulled the bra off and tossed it aside. Austin trailed a finger slowly down between her breasts. "Isn't it? Well then..." He leaned back and held his arms open, allowing her free rein. Or so she thought. Kailash pulled his t-shirt up over his head and dropped it on the rapidly growing pile of clothes. The next thing she knew she found herself tumbling sidewise, and she landed on the mattress, ending up pinned beneath Austin. He held her in place while he kissed her, his mouth trailing from her lips, down over her chin, and along the line of her throat, arousing and tickling at the same time, and making her squirm. Kailash moaned as he gently nibbled his way down between her breasts. The sensation of warm breath and wet tongue made her shiver. Austin teased her nipples with his tongue, kissed her breasts and nipped gently at her skin. Kailash closed her eyes, focusing on the heat of his mouth moving ever downward, tickling her belly and exploring her hips and thighs with deliberate slowness. When he began inching her panties down, giving them the occasional tug between everything else, she thought she might scream. Every nerve in her body was wide awake and responsive to every last tiny little kiss. It wasn't until Kailash lay stretched out on the bed, completely naked and completely aroused, that she felt the first touch of Austin's tongue between her thighs. She whimpered at the lightness of it and lifted her hips, wanting to feel more. Austin started with one long, slow stroke. Then he waited, his lips hovering just above her, until she let out a small noise of frustration. All of a sudden she felt the urgency with which he had kissed her now licking her, teasing inside her but especially focused on her clit. Kailash clenched the blankets beneath her and tried futilely to keep herself from getting too loud. She was so close, her body tensing up in anticipation, when Austin's tongue slid off the spot he'd found. It was just a little bit but it was enough to halt Kailash's climax. She wound her fingers in his hair and gently pushed him back where she wanted him. "There," she panted. "Just... right there..." It didn't take much more than that, just the urging of his tongue on that spot. Kailash tried to keep from tightening her fingers too much as she came, but her body trembled so hard that she barely had control of herself. She knew it was her voice crying out but it seemed so distant. All she could think of was how good it felt. When she was able to let go of him at last, Kailash lay in a limp sprawl, catching her breath. She could hear shuffling as Austin finished undressing. Then he was stretching out next to her, stroking her belly as the rest of her trembling eased. The lighting might be a bit dim but it was more than enough for her to see every inch of him. Kailash realized that that meant he could also see her, yet it didn't bother her. The way he watched her, taking in every little movement, every soft moan that his touch induced, made her feel like someone worth looking at that way. She stretched languidly and smiled at him. "You are a responsive little creature, you know," Austin murmured. "I like that..." "You give me something worth responding to," Kailash told him. "Come here..." He was already close to her but she could tell he knew that that wasn't what she'd meant. She put her arms around him as he settled over her. Kailash lifted her body to meet his and gasped as he slid inside her. Austin made a nearly inaudible sound, a soft groan, and she saw his eyelids flutter in pleasure. Kailash stretched out beneath him and watched his face as she brought her hips up. She met each thrust, craving the feeling of him deep inside her. Little shivers ran through her body, part aftermath from her climax and part response to the slow strokes of his body inside hers. She reached up and caught his face between her hands, pulling him down for a kiss. Austin's tongue swept the inside of her mouth and she met that, too, then pushed her own tongue past his lips in turn. Kailash took a certain triumphant pleasure in the moan that won her. Good as it felt, there was something else that she wanted. Using the pressure of her hips, she planted her hands on his shoulders and pushed. Austin rolled willingly, letting her take the top. Kailash adjusted her position, settling herself more comfortably so that she could ride him. She moved, clenching her body around his as she rolled her hips, and felt him thrust up into her. His hands cupped her breasts and his fingers teased her nipples, stroking over the tips and pinching until they'd gotten painfully hard. Austin was a bit rougher than what she was used to but she found she liked it. Kailash lowered herself so that he could reach her breasts with his mouth. It was work, exhausting work that made sweat drip down her back and her breathing come hard, but it felt good, fulfilling. Austin's mouth and tongue soothed the punishment his fingers had wrought on her nipples and sent tremors up and down her nerves. Suddenly Austin surged upward, taking her by surprise. She clung to him and was amazed at his strength as he shifted both his position and hers, until he was kneeling and she was perched on his lap. Each thrust was deep and she was able to rise and fall in time with his rhythm. His fingers caught her hair and pulled her head back, exposing her throat and breasts for him. Kailash's cries got louder as he nibbled and sucked. She tugged her hair free of his grip so she could get at him with her teeth in turn, biting at his shoulder and neck. Once again she felt that tension building and when she came a second time, she pressed her face against Austin's neck, trying to quiet the sound of her crying out. Kailash felt Austin shudder and heard his groan, though he too had muffled it, pressing his mouth against her skin. She held onto him tightly, sweaty and out of breath and barely able to move. Not that that was in any way a bad feeling. Kailash felt pleasantly exhausted, all the energy drained out of her, and yet her body was very much awake and alive. "Geez!" she breathed. Laughing, Austin dropped back onto the bed, carrying her with him. "Yeah," he agreed, sounding just as breathless. "That about sums it up." ------- Except for the light coming in through the window, the bedroom was dark. Austin wasn't sure which one of them had stumbled out of bed to turn the light off, but he was pretty sure it had been Kailash. He'd barely been able to move and though he'd gotten a bit of sleep, he was still feeling pretty worn out. His body ached pleasantly. It had been a while since Austin had had sex at all, and he could not remember indulging in a woman quite the way he had in Kailash. She had just responded so well to everything, moaning and cooing at his every touch. And it had been amazing to watch her, to see the look of pleasure on her face. At the moment she was asleep, her head resting on his chest. She'd taken her hair down completely and it lay across her back, gleaming even in the pale light that filtered in. The blankets were bunched low about her hips and he could see, just barely, a spattering of freckles along her skin. Damn, Austin thought, as he ran his fingers idly through her hair. I wasn't supposed to fall in love with her. But he had. He wasn't sure how, since he still didn't know her all that well overall, but he couldn't deny the feeling. Austin had experienced infatuation before and this was something entirely different. Kailash let out a soft murmur and he saw her lashes flicker. He laid there and watched her as she woke. Austin caught a peek of her blue eyes and then she stretched from head to toe, in the long, luxurious way of a cat waking up from a nap in the sun. When she lifted her head and propped her chin in her hands to look at him, he couldn't help but smile at her. The sleepy smile she gave in return was adorable. He reached out and caught a strand of her hair, letting the silken length of it slide through his fingers. "How're you feeling?" Austin asked. His voice sounded oddly loud in the still, silent room. "I um... I wasn't intending to be that rough..." Kailash chuckled. "I'm fine," she assured him. "I actually... well, I didn't mind..." He could tell that her cheeks were turning red. Grinning to himself, Austin wrapped an arm around her and pulled her up closer to him. He'd been a little worried that he'd gone too far in his desire for her, but she really did seem to be fine. In fact, she wasn't nearly as tired as he was and was actually even a bit perky. Kailash toyed with his hair, curling it around her finger, and could feel the tension of energy in her. Austin was going to need a little bit more than a few hours of rest to get his feet back under him. "The room service menu is in the drawer there," he said, pointing to the night table on her side of the bed. "Why don't you grab it?" "We can get room service at this hour?" Kailash asked, even as she stretched across the bed to reach for the night table. "With the price of this hotel? You'd better believe it!" Austin watched her. The blankets slid down away from her hips and he found his energy coming back sooner than he'd thought it would. Kailash pulled the menu from the drawer and sat up. She tugged the blanket back up over her lap and let her hair cover the rest of her. Austin rested his head against her shoulder and peered unseeing at the menu. He didn't really care much what kind of snack they got. He could smell raspberries and vanilla, combined with the lingering, salty scent of sweat. Maybe a shower... he thought, turning his head to nuzzle her arm and nip gently at her skin. That would be refreshing and give Austin a chance to... "Okay, weird," Kailash said. "I saw the word pancakes and totally got this craving..." Austin chuckled. "Strange after sex cravings," he said. "I get those sometimes." He forced himself to focus on the menu. It was surprisingly extensive. Sometimes the hotels he went to, no matter how expensive they were, had extremely limited room service menus. Others were more like this one. "I wanted to say thank you, you know," Kailash said quietly. Her eyes were focused on the menu. "For?" Austin asked, surprised. "Everything. Everything you've done for me and for Sunrise. And... for being so kind to Wren." Her voice sounded choked. Austin removed the menu from her hands and then cupped her face between his palms, tilting her head up. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Caught off guard, he tried to gather Kailash up into his arms to hold her. She didn't cry, just relaxed against him and took deep breaths. Austin kissed her temple, then her forehead, and then her cheek. She settled with her head against his chest, tucked under his chin. Kailash reached for the menu again and held it, fiddling with it while she spoke. "I know she's difficult," Kailash murmured. "They all are. But Wren... We're all worried for her. The other kids have had it rough, but she's a true example of the horrors that parents can afflict on their children..." Austin noticed that Kailash had gone very pale and he didn't dare ask her what she meant. She didn't offer up the information either. I don't think I want to know, anyway, he thought, holding her tight. At least, I'm not sure I can handle it right now. It was in every way the perfect evening for him and it made the thought of leaving, especially for two months, a horrible one. He wanted to stay with Kailash, to see what she would do with the money the show had brought in, what Sunrise in general would do. And Austin knew that Marta had taken an interest in Kailash; he wanted to be there to see what would come of that. "Anyway..." Kailash handed the menu to him. "I've been torn, recently. I want to stay here and help at Sunrise but... I also want to try to break into the fashion world. Maybe travel someday..." "I know that feeling," Austin told her. "Lately I keep thinking that I'd like to live my life for myself, for a change. My mom has been telling me for the past few years that it's time." He shrugged. "Maybe there's a way to find a happy medium between the two." "Maybe," Kailash agreed. She tilted her head back to grin at him. "I mean, the fashion world would really mourn if they lost you for good and I wouldn't blame them. But I like seeing you having fun." "Mmm." Austin nibbled at her ear. "You know what? I think pancakes sound like a good idea." "You're changing the subject," Kailash chided. It was a rather half-hearted scolding. Kailash was too busy leaning into him, nearly purring as his hands cupped her breasts and he kissed her neck. Yes, pancakes sounded tasty—even if it was the middle of the night—but right at that moment nothing sounded more appealing or delicious than Kailash. She laughed and wriggled out of his grip but Austin caught her quickly, pulling her back down onto the bed. He really loved the way she laughed. She just let go, not caring if she sounded stupid or horsy or anything like that. He realized that he could probably learn an awful lot from her. ------- The room looked a bit like a stack of fashion magazines and sketchpads had exploded all over its walls. Between sketches of her own ideas that she had yet to complete, and pictures done by her favorite photographers, Kailash had created a sort of wallpaper. She'd never intended for it to go that far when she'd first begun putting things up on the walls. Yet over the years it had just kept growing until the plain white paint beneath it couldn't be seen. Since she hated that white paint and it wasn't her place to change it, Kailash had just kept the ever-growing morass instead. It was a small room, the smallest in the house. There was just enough room for a narrow bed, a drawing table that had been shoved into the corner, and a dresser to hold her clothing. Some of it was in the closet but that was just as tiny. The hardwood floor was partially covered by a purple throw rug with a unicorn on it; the thing was dirty and raggedy-looking, because Kailash had had it since she was five. One she had regarded her room at her aunt's house as cozy, but with each passing day it became more and more of a reminder of the rut her life was stuck in. Kailash was stretched out on the bed, trying to focus on the sketchpad in front of her. Maybe I should be there, she thought, chewing anxiously on the tip of her pencil. I said good-bye yesterday but maybe... No, there was just no way she could trust herself to go to the airport. The thought of being there, of standing there and doing nothing when she knew that Austin would be leaving... It might have been stupid but she didn't think she had the willpower to just let him walk away. Somehow Kailash found that she cared for him so much more than should even be possible. Stop that, stupid, she scolded herself, as she felt the ache of tears gathering in her eyes. Just knock it off... Fortunately for her, her cell phone rang at just that moment. Relieved, Kailash swallowed her tears and reached for the stool that she used as a nightstand. Her cell phone was ancient but it worked just fine. "Merry Christmas!" Linda chirped in her ear when she answered the phone. "Well, it's a day early, but so what?" Kailash managed a half-hearted smile. "You sound like you're in a good mood," she commented. "Well, yeah! I finally got all the figures in for the show," Linda said. "After all is said in done, we made more than a hundred thousand dollars." "What!?" Kailash suddenly felt dizzy. Not to mention guilty. What on earth was she doing sitting here? She should be saying good-bye to Austin and thanking him again for all of his help. No, she told herself. You don't know what you'll do if you see him again... If she blurted out how she felt and it upset him, what would she do then? They hadn't made any sort of decisions on what their relationship was, after all. Right now Kailash knew she could at least count on seeing him when he returned in a couple of months. That could be enough; it would have to be enough. "What about my coat?" Kailash asked, hoping to get her mind off of Austin. And of all her pieces, she was most curious about how well that one had done. "Five," Linda answered. She was in such a good mood that she practically sang the reply. Kailash felt a bit disappointed. "Five dollars? Really?" Not that she'd been expecting a lot or anything, but she'd been really proud of that piece... "No, no, five thousand," Linda corrected, as if it wasn't at all a big deal. "Didn't you know? It was Austin." Confusion and joy warred within Kailash. Part of her was thrilled to have been able to make so much for Sunrise. But why had Austin done that? He'd done plenty enough as it was without adding money to the mix. The show would never have been so successful if it hadn't been for his presence. "If he wanted to donate," Kailash said, "why didn't he just do it directly?" "Sweetie," Linda said dryly, "he liked the coat. A lot. In fact, he asked me to tell him if anyone should offer more for it." "Yeah, but... it's just a coat..." "A one-of-a-kind," Linda pointed out. "And since Austin was wearing it, goodness only know where it'll end up being featured. Did you think of that?" Actually Kailash hadn't thought of that. She'd given permission to magazines and the like right at the show, to use pictures of any of the designs if they wanted to. So Austin would be the only person in the world with that exact coat. And people all over the world might just get the chance to see it, because it would be on him. That Austin had liked the coat that much made Kailash feel inordinately pleased with herself. Oh hell, she thought, glancing at the clock. I have to go and see him. If she left now and by some miracle didn't get stuck in Christmas traffic, she should be able to get to the airport before he left. Hopefully before he went past security, otherwise she was out of luck. Kailash finished her conversation with Linda as quickly as she possibly could. While she worked on getting off the phone, she also began pulling on her boots. She was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and definitely not looking her best, but that wasn't as important as getting to the airport in time. When she finally hung up the cell phone she tossed it on the bed and left it there, so that no one else could disturb her. I must be out of my mind, Kailash thought, as she dashed down the stairs and out the front door. Thinking of Austin, though, made her feel like maybe it was a good sort of insanity. ------- "Well if she isn't coming here, why don't you go find her?" Austin's mother had to shout to be heard. It was really no surprise that the airport was crowded almost to bursting and that the noise was ear-achingly loud. He hated traveling at holidays or during the summer, but he'd made the commitment to his upcoming jobs quite some time ago. It hadn't been a big deal to him then, before he'd met Kailash. His mother was used to him being away during holidays, and it had never really mattered; they valued their time together no matter what time of year it was. Austin hefted his backpack and shouldered it. He was all checked in, now he just needed to wait a while, since they'd made sure to get to the airport with plenty of time to spare. His mother followed him as he weaved carefully through the crowded airport, hoping to find a place that was relatively quiet to sit and wait. Fortunately a lot of people were busy lining up to go through security. He and his mother were able to find a table in a tiny little café-like niche, which was mostly empty, surprisingly. "Well?" his mother asked, as she settled down in a chair. "Are you going to answer me?" Austin sighed. "I'd miss my flight," he pointed out. "Probably, anyway. I have no idea where she is. Besides, if she wanted to see me, she would have come." "What makes you so sure?" His mother reached across the table and patted his hand. "Has it occurred to you that she might be feeling the same way you do?" Had he hoped for it? Certainly. Was he going to let himself get his hopes up too high? Not a chance. Maybe if Austin took some time away from her this feeling would pass. You don't really believe that, he told himself. You know yourself better than that. He'd gotten to see her yesterday for a little while, when he'd said his good-bye to the other girls from the college's fashion department, and to the kids from Sunrise. As far as Austin could tell, there hadn't been anything really different between the two of them, though he hadn't even gotten the chance to kiss her good-bye. He just couldn't get her out of his mind and it was driving him crazy. Two months, he thought. Maybe not even that much. I can deal with that. Austin had wanted to ask her how she felt, but he was worried he'd scare her off. If he waited the two months he might have a chance to return and get to know her better, so that she wouldn't be freaked by the way he felt. "Austin," his mother said, interrupting his train of thought. "Look, mom," Austin said, "I'd rather wait and just see her when I come back. That way I don't risk her thinking I'm some kind of freak." His mother rolled her eyes. "No, Austin... Look!" Austin turned to look in the direction she pointed. At first he wasn't certain what it was she wanted him to see. Then someone tall, carrying a bulky piece of carry-on, stepped out of the way and he saw. Standing in the midst of the bustling crowd, standing on her toes and trying to see around all the people, was Kailash. She looked much the same as she had the first time he'd ever seen her. The jeans she wore were newer, without the holes, and her t-shirt was a plain solid black one, but Austin was still reminded strongly of that day. Kailash's hair was even loose as it had been then. The only thing that was strikingly different was that she wore the locket he'd given her that night at the fashion show. The silver showed up starkly against the black t-shirt. Austin was pretty sure she'd been wearing it yesterday too, but it had been hidden beneath her shirt. He rose from his seat, leaving his backpack behind. Kailash caught sight of him at last and her whole face lit up. Maybe his mother had been right. It would be nice to know I'm not alone in being crazy, Austin thought. As he approached her he felt his spirits lifting and he couldn't help grinning. Kailash's smile widened in response. He wasn't sure that anyone had ever looked so happy to see him. "Hey," he said, when he reached her. Okay, so not exactly the smooth opening line he'd been hoping for. "Hey." Kailash's response sounded equally sheepish. "Um... I just... I thought I should come and see you to... to say good-bye. And uh... you know, thank you..." "Oh." Well, that was deflating. "I... I wanted to help, so..." "Still. It meant a lot to me," Kailash said. "To all of us. I'm really glad I met you..." She held her hand out to him, as she had the first day he'd met her. It was quite a downgrade from what had happened between them the other night, but Austin would take what he could get. Beggars couldn't be choosers. I guess I was right, he thought, staring down at her hand, which looked rather small in comparison to his. It'll be better if I wait... Though he was kind of giving himself away, since he couldn't bring himself to let go of her hand. Just when he was wondering if he could get away with holding her close one more time, Kailash answered the question for him. Austin staggered when she suddenly flung herself at him. People around them turned to look, startled by the disturbance. Let them look, he thought happily, holding Kailash tight and burying his nose in her hair. Ah, the scent of raspberries and vanilla. And okay, a bit of pencil and charcoal, but that was really no great shock. "Don't go," Kailash whispered. "Kailash..." "I'm sorry," she went on, still clinging to him. "I don't know what's gotten into me lately but..." "Probably the same thing that's gotten into me," Austin told her. He pulled back carefully, as if she were a doe and any sudden movements would startle her away. Kailash gazed up at him, her blue eyes wide and uncertain. The moment felt so fragile, but Austin didn't dare express everything he was feeling. Heck, he wasn't quite sure of everything he was feeling. It was nice to know he wasn't alone in that, though. Austin reached out and touched her cheek, so she wouldn't get the wrong impression. He could have stood there forever watching the happy glow on her face. Which probably would have seriously pissed off the people swerving to avoid them. He moved closer to Kailash, putting an arm around her, so they'd take up a bit less space. Both of them started when Austin's backpack landed at their feet with a loud thump, dropped there by his mother, who was grinning broadly. As much as he loved her, he didn't think it was right for her to be allowed to look so smug. "You two should get out of here," she said. "Go somewhere and be alone together." Austin hesitated. "What am I suppose to tell Jamison? Not to mention everyone who's hired me..." His mother snorted. "Austin, sweetie, you have a sick mother. They don't need to know more than that, do they? Besides, it's not like you can't charm your way back into most of their good graces." Austin glanced down at Kailash. The looked she gave him was more than a little mischievous. "If your mother says it's okay..." she began. "Good point," he agreed. He picked up his backpack—it had some clothes in it, which was good, because most of them were going to get loaded onto the plane—and grabbed Kailash's hand. There was a time when he might have felt guilty for just running off, but not today. As the two of them dashed through the airport, ignoring the irritated shouts of other people in the crowd, Austin tossed back his head and laughed. It was the first time in years he could remember letting go and laughing like that, and Kailash laughed with him. The whole thing was just so wonderfully absurd and absurdly wonderful that it was hard not to laugh. The two of them raced out the airport doors into a day that was sunny but chilly. There was a ton of traffic just outside the doors and at first Austin wasn't certain how they were going to get much of anywhere; his driver had left and wouldn't be back until much later, to pick up his mother. Then Kailash started tugging him towards a crosswalk and of course the parking lot beyond. Somehow she'd managed to get a good parking spot. And isn't it just poetic, Austin thought, that my route to freedom is a pink VW Bug. ------- Kailash awoke to sunlight in her face. For a moment she was disoriented, uncertain where she was; sunlight didn't hit her bed at her aunt's house. As she slowly became more aware she realized that she wasn't at her aunt's house. Austin, she thought, reaching for him. To her surprise, the bed next to her was empty. Kailash sat up, shoving her tangled hair back out of her face, and blinked in the bright sunlight. Yesterday had been a lot of lounging around in bed. Not even sex—though there had been some of that—but just laying there. She'd never known she could be that content to just be in someone's presence. And now it's Christmas morning, she realized. How the heck did that happen? Oh, the holidays always seemed to come on far too fast, but these last three weeks had been more of a whirlwind than usual. The sound of a cupboard door thumping shut in the kitchen caught her attention. So that was where Austin had gotten off to. Kailash stretched, then rolled out of bed and grabbed a t-shirt off the floor. It was one of Austin's, so it was big on her. She didn't have a hairbrush or toothbrush or anything—they hadn't stopped by her aunt's place to pick anything up before going to the hotel—so he'd just have to deal with her as she was. Though she combed her fingers through her hair as she wandered down the hall and into the kitchen, trying to get some of the snarls out. Austin was perched on the arm of the couch, holding a cup of steaming coffee and watching expectantly. Sitting on the kitchen counter was a long package, almost as long as the counter itself. Kailash approached it curiously. "Dare I ask how you pulled this off?" she questioned, raising her eyebrows at him. Austin grinned, took a sip of his coffee, and then set the mug down. "I'm a man of mystery." "You're going to spoil me," Kailash warned, as she dug her fingers beneath a corner of the paper. "And I didn't get the chance to get you anything..." "Oh, stop being so sweet and just open it." Kailash paused and stuck her tongue out at him. He did the same back, his eyes twinkling. Having graduated to 'adult' gifts—that was, things like socks and sweatshirts—at the age of eighteen, it was fun to be opening something else for a change. She pulled the paper away, revealing a plain white box underneath. At least he didn't tape it half to death the way my mother used to, Kailash thought, as she shimmied the box top off. There, underneath sparkly silver tissue paper, was a snowboard. A snowboard done up in a pink tie-dye pattern, no less. She glanced up at Austin and saw he was holding an envelope with plane tickets sticking out of it. Kailash let out a delighted yelp and dashed into the living room. She pounced on Austin, bearing him down onto the couch. It had been years since she'd felt so sprightly on Christmas morning. Laughing, she sat back, straddling Austin's hips. He grumbled under his breath and rubbed his chest, where most of her impact had centered. Well, it wouldn't be the first time she'd bruised someone with her clumsiness. "Geez," Austin muttered. "It's a good thing I have a team of investors who are brilliant, accurate, and have a pact with the devil. You keep that up and I'm going to start racking up some serious medical bills, you know." "If you've never been snowboarding before," Kailash said, leaning down to kiss his forehead, "then you might be doing that soon anyway." "Well, good thing one of the three of us will know what she's doing." Kailash frowned. Three? she wondered. Austin handed the envelope to her and she pulled the tickets out tentatively. There were three tickets, not two. That was when she remembered that Austin had spent time talking to Wren at the reception after the fashion show. What had he said to the girl to get her to speak that much? Wren had never told anyone else of Kailash's promise to take her snowboarding someday. Heck, she hardly ever told anyone much of anything at all. He really can charm anyone, Kailash thought, as she set the envelope aside. She gazed down at Austin and shook her head. "What?" he asked. "Now you're being too perfect," she replied, only half-joking. "It's almost kind of creepy." "Oh, no worries. I'm far from perfect," Austin assured her. He put his arms around her and pulled her down on top of him. "You'll have plenty of time to find that out." "Oh dear. Perhaps I should run while I still can..." "No way! You're stuck with me now." Austin's arms tightened. Kailash giggled. There was something different about Austin this morning. Something lighter, more playful. Cliché though it might be, he really did seem as though some weight had been lifted off of him. Without the worries and burdens he'd taken on before, he seemed better able to look forward to having some fun. And she was part of the reason. Not the whole reason, but Kailash had still been able to help to bring out this lighter-hearted Austin and seeing him smile was a better Christmas gift than anything she could think of. Hoo boy, she thought, rolling her eyes, I'd better not speak that aloud to anyone. "Merry Christmas, Kailash," Austin murmured, kissing her temple. "Yeah," Kailash responded softly. "Yeah, it definitely is." ------- The End ------- Posted: 2007-12-20 ------- http://storiesonline.net/ -------