Secret Designs (21 page)

"Oh, you mean boring dancing, then?"

"Dylan. Your parents are here …"

He chuckled and pulled her to him. "Okay. Normal dancing, it is. I just want to hold you close."

"Thank you."

"I want dirty dancing in bed later, though," Dylan whispered in her ear.

"Okay. You might even get a strip tease if you behave yourself tonight," she whispered back.

"Oh, really? In that case, I'll be on my best behaviour." Dylan leaned down and planted a soft kiss on her lips before putting a hand on her back to lead her to the dance floor.

As they turned, they were greeted by a shocked Linda.

"Oh, hi, Mum," Dylan said casually, while Ari blushed a deep red.

"Hi," Linda said, trying to recover from her surprise.

"Did you want to talk to me?" Dylan asked.

"Uh, no. Actually, I was going to ask Ari to meet a couple of people who wanted to compliment her on Jasmine's gown and the bridesmaids' dresses."

"Oh, right," Dylan said, glancing at Ari. He squeezed her tight against him as he smiled at his mother. "Well, if you must, I suppose, Mum. But don't hog her attention for too long. I want to dance with my girlfriend."

Ari's heart thudded in her chest. She crossed her fingers, hoping Linda would approve of her.

Linda stared at the two of them for what seemed like an eternity—although it was probably only about three seconds—before her lips tugged into what seemed to be a delighted smile.

"Dylan, why didn't you tell me you and Ari were going out? I wouldn't have aided Rosalie's attempts at getting closer to you, if I had known."

"Sorry, Mum. It just so happened Ari and I were in one kind of a rough patch or another whenever she was over at your place. We didn't mean to hide us from you."

"Rough patch?" Linda said worriedly. "Is everything okay, now?"

Dylan chuckled. "Yes, Mum."

"Oh, that's good," Linda replied. "I'm so glad you finally met someone, darling." Turning to Ari, she said. "And I'm doubly glad it's you, Ari."

Ari breathed a sigh of relief, her face splitting into a shy smile. "Thank you, Linda."

"Now, could you release her so I can introduce her to some people?" Linda asked her son.

"Okay. Just give her back to me quickly. I miss her already."

Linda patted Dylan's cheek, her face shining with happiness. "Wait till I tell your dad. He'll be very pleased. In fact, why don't you go find him and tell him right now?"

Dylan rolled his eyes upwards. "Sorry, babe," he said to Ari. "You're gonna have to suffer them for a while."

Ari chuckled and turned to Linda. "I hope you don't mind learning about us here tonight, Linda. I don't want things to get awkward with you and, err, Rosalie and her parents."

"Oh, don't worry about that, darling," Linda answered, linking her arm with hers as she led her away from Dylan. "I admit, I was hoping Dylan would ask Rosalie out because she likes him and I wanted him to find someone special, but Dylan's clearly interested in you and not Rosalie. Rosalie will be disappointed, but that can't be helped. Anyway, is everything really okay between you and Dylan?"

"Yes, it is," she answered with a smile.

"Good, good. My son is not used to being in a relationship, Ari, so be patient with him, okay? I would really like for things to work out between the two of you."

"Yes, thank you."

Linda shook her head and looked at her apologetically. "Oh, what am I saying. Forgive me, Ari. I'm not going to intrude in your relationship. I'm not that bad," she said with a self-deprecating laugh. "I'm just really happy that Dylan found someone special. I was starting to believe he really didn't have any plans for finding himself a proper girlfriend. And I'm truly happier that it's you."

"Thank you, Linda," Ari replied, her eyes moistening a bit. "We love each other."

"Ooh!" Linda said delightedly. "That's great! I'm going to shut up now. If I go overboard, just tell me, okay? I'll try not to mind."

"I will," she agreed with a laugh.

*******

"Finally," Dylan said, as he wrapped Ari in his arms and swayed with her on the dance floor. He'd waited patiently until his mother had finished parading Ari to her friends, introducing her as the designer of her daughter-in-law's exquisite wedding gown
and
as Dylan's girlfriend.

"I don't think I remember a single one of the names of your mum's friends," Ari replied, laying her head on his shoulder.

He kissed her forehead. "I'm not surprised. She practically introduced you to everyone in the room."

"She's really thrilled you have a new girlfriend."

"You mean she's really thrilled I have
a
girlfriend," he said dryly.

She giggled. "You must have worried her a lot when she thought you had no plans to find a special someone."

"The most important thing in my mother's life is her family. She wants all of her kids to end up like her and dad, with five loving children."

"That's so sweet," Ari murmured, before she gasped and leaned back in his arms.

"What?" he asked and followed her line of vision. What he saw was Trey dancing intimately with Kris—a little too intimately for two people who'd only just met. He sighed. "Oh boy."

"I warned Kris about him," Ari said.

"And?"

"I guess it didn't work. But she said she was only looking to get laid."

He stared at Ari and shrugged. "Well I suppose if that's all she wants, there shouldn't be a problem. Trey wouldn't say no to a pretty girl like Kris."

"I'm worried," Ari said. "That's exactly what I said to Jasmine when I told her it was only a one-night stand between us. And look what I did. I fell in love with you."

He smiled and brought her head back to his shoulder. "Well, I think we just need to trust that they both know what they're doing."

He held her tighter and buried his face in her hair. He loved her so. If only he had a ring with him right now…

But there would be a perfect time for that. For now, he'd ask her another question.

"Baby, what do you say about moving in together?"

Ari lifted her head to look at him, her eyes shining with love and excitement. "I'd say it's a great idea. I love waking up next to you."

He grinned. "Good. We'll arrange for a removalist straight away."

He tightened his arms around her as they swayed to the music, happy to show everyone in the room he was in love. Truly and deeply in love.

###

SECRET MOVES (SECRET DREAMS BOOK 3)

EXTRACT

The love story of Kris McCann and Trey Andrews

Chapter One

Oh, weddings, you bring out the best and worst of emotions.
Kristen McCann smiled wryly as she spotted a pensive-looking young woman stare surreptitiously at a couple kissing passionately in a quiet corner of one of Sydney's luxurious five-star hotels. Judging by their clothing, the sad-faced girl and the canoodling pair were guests of the bride and groom. She didn't recognise them, so she guessed they were on Kane Summers' guest list, and not on her best friend Jasmine Allen-Summers'.

She sighed as she made her way back to the grand ballroom after a quick trip to the ladies'. This wedding—and the lead-up to it—elicited something in her, too. Lately, to her discomfort, her libido had been very much awake.

Ever since she and her cousin Samantha Lane arrived from Melbourne a few days ago to fulfil their bridesmaid duties, she'd been constantly in the presence of two loved-up couples. Since she and Sam were staying at Kane and Jasmine's place while in Sydney, she'd been witness to the newlyweds' desire for each other, even though the pair tried their best to keep their passion private. Then there were Ari Mitchell, their other best friend, and her boyfriend Dylan Summers, Kane's brother. Those two seemed to be in competition with Kane and Jasmine for the title
Sizzling Couple of the Year
. Add to that mix the fact that she'd had a long sex drought of eleven and a half months. It was no wonder she'd been craving a warm, masculine body to alleviate some tension.

She glanced at the amorous couple again, and her eyes widened in disbelief. The PG-rated kiss of a few seconds ago had now become an R. She let out an incredulous laugh, surprised at the audacity of the guy to visibly fondle his girlfriend's breast in full view of anyone who passed by. Fortunately, most of the wedding guests were inside enjoying some dancing. Honestly, they should get a room!

She placed her palm on the heavy door of the ballroom and pushed, only to misstep and stumble when she saw who was on the other side of it.

"Oops. I'm sorry," a deep masculine voice said as he grabbed her arms to stop her from falling flat on her face.

She grinned. "It's not your fault. I was just surprised it's you."
 

The hunk with incredible grey eyes and dark brown hair lifted his eyebrows at her questioningly.

"Don't mind me," she said with a shake of her head. "I just happened to be talking about you with Ari a few minutes ago. Your name's Trey, right? I'm Kris McCann."

"Hi, Kris. Yes, I'm Trey—Trey Andrews." The gorgeous one gave her a curious look as he shook the hand she offered him. "But of course, I already know your name. Hard to miss when you're one of the stunning bridesmaids."

She smiled at the compliment.

"So, why were you and Ari talking about me?" Trey asked.

"Oh, it was nothing important," she said with a laugh. "Besides, I really shouldn't tell you."

"Now, Kris. You can't just leave it like that. You can't incite my interest then leave me hanging," Trey said lightly.
 

She pursed her lips. "Considering I agreed with Ari's suggestion, there's really not much point discussing it with you."

"Now I'm even more intrigued," Trey said with a wide, engaging smile.

She sighed—well, it was really more like a swoon. Trey really was gorgeous. Should she tell him that she had asked Ari to introduce them to each other for the possibility of some casual sex? Ari was clearly against the idea, warning her of Trey's reputation as a playboy. Since it had been Dylan who'd told Ari that, and Dylan was Trey's best friend, she had no reason to doubt the accuracy of that statement.

Not that she cared about Trey being a playboy. Crude as it might sound, all she wanted was to get laid and Trey happened to catch her eye. But Ari had been concerned about possible complications. To put her friend at ease, Kris had agreed that it would be better if she considered someone else who was a complete stranger to all of them.

"I can see the wheels turning in that beautiful head of yours," Trey teased flirtatiously. "Come on, tell me."

She bit her lip to hide her smile as she stared at him, contemplating her next words. "My cousin Samantha and I are here in Sydney for three weeks to house-sit for Jasmine and Kane while they're on their honeymoon. I said to Ari that I wanted to make the most of it. One thing I wanted to do was to meet someone for some casual sex while I'm here. Not that it's something I do a lot of, but it's been a while, and I'm…you know," she said with a shrug.

Trey's eyes opened wide in surprise. She must have shocked him with her candidness. The truth was, sometimes her brain-to-mouth filter failed to work. The fact that she already had a bit of alcohol in her made it worse.

"Sooo," Trey said with a suppressed smile. "How did I end up being in the conversation?"

She lifted her shoulders. "Since it's a moot point, let's not talk about it."

"Why is it a moot point?"

"Because it won't be with you!" she laughed.

Trey's eyes sparkled with interest. "So you considered me?"

"Considered you and scratched you out," she confirmed flippantly.

"Why? What's wrong with me?" he asked with mock indignation.

"Nothing much that I can see," she admitted, casting an admiring glance at his form. She bet there was a great body hiding underneath that expensive suit.

Trey's smile widened, making her want to swoon again.
Damn it, Ari. Why did I listen to you?

"So why did you scratch me out?" he asked.

"Ari didn't think it was a good idea. Too complicated."

Trey laughed out loud. "That, coming from someone who propositioned her friend's brother-in-law for a one-night stand."

She joined him in laughter. "I know. But I think that's why she's worried. She thinks I might fall for you like she did with Dylan."

"Oh. Are you looking for a boyfriend? If so, she's right to warn you off me. I'm allergic to relationships," Trey said with a teasing smile, but his eyes betrayed his seriousness.

"No, I'm not looking for a boyfriend. I'm looking to get laid. But to avoid any unexpected consequences, I've agreed to look elsewhere."

"Are you always this frank?" Trey asked, astounded.

She sighed. "Unfortunately. Mind you, I am a little bit worse tonight because of the alcohol."

"But you're not completely drunk?"

"Do I look completely drunk?"

"Not completely. Just a tiny little bit. Which means the alcohol wasn't affecting your judgment when you thought of me as a potential playmate," Trey said, giving her a suggestive wink.

She chuckled. "I'm sure you already know you're one hot guy, Trey. But you know what? I agree with Ari. Better not go where we might not like the consequences. What if I fell for you without meaning to? We wouldn't want that now, would we?" she asked jokingly.

Trey let out a nervous laugh. "No, we certainly wouldn't want that! I'm sure Ari and Jasmine would line up to have my head if I hurt you."

She smiled, concealing a sigh. What a shame. If Trey was a total stranger, she was almost sure they could end up in bed that very night. But, hey, it wasn't to be.

She glanced at the throng of people dancing the night away and couldn't help the smile that formed on her face. She loved dancing.

"Would you like to dance, Trey?" she asked. "Dancing together wouldn't hurt, would it?"

Trey looked embarrassed. "Uh, sorry. I don't dance."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I
can't
dance."

"Oh, come now. Anyone can dance. You're not turning me down because I said I won't be sleeping with you, are you?"