CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Trey sat in Kane and Jasmine's living room, waiting for Kris to finish getting ready. He was glad she was going with him to his mother's wedding and reception. He'd be so bored and listless otherwise.
"Here you go, Trey. Tell me what you think," Jasmine said, handing him a small plate with three mini-sized pies Jasmine had learnt to make while on her honeymoon.
He dutifully placed one in his mouth and a burst of savoury flavour filled it. "Hmm," he hummed, nodding his head in approval as he chewed. "Do you have more?"
Jasmine laughed, pleased by his reaction. "I thought you didn't want to get full. You're going to a wedding reception."
"Yes, but these are really good, Jaz."
"Thanks. Kane's addicted to them now, too."
"Addicted to what?" Kane asked as he stepped into the room. "Hey, those are my mini-pies!"
"Tough, bro. Your wife just gave them to me."
"Isn't she great?" Kane asked as he placed an arm around Jasmine and kissed her soundly on the lips.
"She sure is," Trey agreed with a smile. In the past, public displays of affection by his friends made him want to roll his eyes. Now, he understood. He'd been finding it hard to hide his feelings for Kris when there were people around. Not that he didn't want others to know he was in love with her, but he was just someone who wasn't used to PDA's.
He'd been surprising himself lately, though. These days he wouldn't think twice about stopping in the middle of the street just to give her a kiss.
"How's it working for you guys with Kris staying here?" he asked the newlyweds.
When Kris came back to Sydney, they'd agreed that Kris should stick with her original plan to stay with Kane and Jasmine. Their relationship was new, and it felt too soon to be living under the same roof. But now that Kris had been around for two weeks, he had started to question the reasons why she couldn't live with him instead. She'd already been staying most nights at his place anyway.
"We love having her here," Jasmine said.
"Yeah, it's not a problem," Kane agreed.
"I've been thinking it might be better if she stayed with me, instead," he said casually.
Kane's lips twisted. "Why?"
"Why not? I'm her boyfriend."
"I couldn't believe it when Dylan told me you've fallen for a woman. When he said it was with Kris, Jasmine fell off her chair," Kane said teasingly.
"It's true," Jasmine confirmed. "I was totally shocked. Admittedly, my first thoughts were if you hurt one hair on her head, I'll have your head. She's my best friend, you know," she added in warning.
Trey chuckled. "I know, I know. I get this from Ari and Dylan, too. And Sam, of course."
"So you really want her to stay with you, instead?" Kane asked. "That's like living together. She's here for another two and a half months, at least."
"Yeah. It's not too soon for that, is it?" he asked, unsure if there was an acceptable time frame for those things.
Kane chortled. "You're asking me that?"
Trey laughed. Being aware of Kane and Jasmine's story, that question was ridiculous. It made his decision clear for him, though. He wanted Kris with him every day and every night.
*******
Trey stood in a corner of the fancy restaurant that was completely closed off from the public for his mother's wedding reception. Guests with drinks in their hands were mingling, waiting for the word that they could head off to their tables.
"You okay?" Kris whispered.
"Yeah," he said with a small smile, curving an arm around her waist to hold her close. He still didn't feel like being there, but Kris by his side made it more bearable than the previous weddings.
Kris rubbed his back soothingly, relaxing him further. He kissed her hair, content to simply stand there for the rest of the night. He mentally kept his fingers crossed that no one would pay attention to him. He couldn't be bothered chatting with his nosy relatives and his mother's superficial friends.
"Hey, guys," Trey's sister said as she joined them.
"Hey, Bec. Finished hobnobbing with the rich and boring?"
Rebecca rolled her eyes and turned to Kris. "How does he get away with just standing here looking pretty—even prettier with you by his side, mind you—and not get bugged by the relatives?"
Kris shrugged. "I think it's because he gives the evil eye to whoever dares to come close."
They laughed.
"I'm surprised at how many more people are here than earlier today at the actual ceremony," Kris observed.
"Well," Trey drawled. "The actual wedding isn't all that important to Mum, so most guests are only invited for the 'real party'."
"I'm glad you're here tonight, Kris," Rebecca commented. "He's not as impossible as he usually is."
Before Trey could defend himself, the bride and groom approached them.
"Darlings! There you are. I've been looking for you," their mother said.
Trey tensed. "We're fine here, Mum. You should just look after your other guests."
"Oh," his mother replied with a flick of her hand. "I haven't had a chance to chat with your friend. It's Kristina, right?"
"It's Kristen, actually," Kris replied politely.
"Kristen. It's really nice to meet you. How do you know Trey?"
"Do you have to interview her now, Mum?" Trey asked a little exasperatedly.
"When else would I get the chance to talk to her? I'm going on a six-month honeymoon in two days."
Kris laid a hand on his arm as she smiled at his mother. "I'm good friends with Dylan's fiancée and Kane's wife."
"Who are Dylan and Kane?"
"Oh, they're Trey's friends," Kris answered in surprise.
Trey hid his smirk. Of course, his mother wouldn't remember his friends' names. She had never been interested in knowing about them. He bet it would have been different if she knew how wealthy they were.
"I see," his mother responded to Kris. "Well it's good of you to accompany my son tonight, Kristen. I know he gets easily bored at big parties like this so he likes to bring a female friend to talk to."
"She's my girlfriend, Mum," Trey said coldly.
"Of course," his mother replied dismissively as if she didn't believe him. "You guys have fun, okay?"
"Sorry, babe," he said in a low voice as they watched his mother and her enamoured new husband float to the next huddle of guests.
"For what?"
"For my mother," he said with a mirthless laugh.
"Don't worry about it," she replied, squeezing his arm to reassure him.
*******
Trey couldn't remember the last time he'd enjoyed one of his mother's parties but, surprisingly enough, he didn't mind this one too much. The fact that Kris and Rebecca were on either side of him at the table made a huge difference. He wasn't next to some inquisitive auntie who wanted to know the latest about him.
But it was the fact that Kris seemed to be genuinely enjoying herself that made him relax. Seeing her have fun made him want to stay—for her.
He spotted her walking back to their table after visiting the restroom. He frowned as she gave him a forced smile.
"What's wrong?" he asked as she sat back down.
"Nothing, just getting tired," she replied.
"Do you want to leave now?"
"They'll be cutting the cake soon. After that?"
"Sure," he agreed.
*
The taxi was almost at Trey's place when Kris pulled out a couple of bills from her purse.
"What's that for?" he asked.
"For the taxi," she replied. "I have some cash."
"I'm putting it on my credit card."
"No need. I already have the exact amount here."
"Okay," he agreed reluctantly. He didn't like women paying for anything when they were with him. He especially wanted to take care of everything when it concerned Kris. But she was insistent, and he didn't want to argue. He could live with a one-off thing.
*******
"Hi, honey!" Kris greeted as she walked in Trey's apartment carrying a reusable shopping bag full of groceries.
"Hey, sweetheart," he said, giving her a kiss before eyeing the bag curiously. "I thought you went shopping with Ari and Jaz."
"I did."
"But those are groceries," he said in confusion.
"Yes, they are."
"So you went grocery shopping instead of clothes shopping?"
"Uh-huh."
"Okay. Are we having a party?" he asked.
"No," Kris answered with a little laugh. "I thought I'd stock up your pantry. We've been using your supplies and they're dwindling."
"But you know I order online and have them delivered. I was going to do it tomorrow."
"Yeah, but it's not really fair that you keep buying stuff when I eat here too."
He stared at her, realisation dawning. "I don't want you replacing things because you've been eating here with me."
"I don't mind. It's done now."
Kris started to unpack the bag and he smiled when he saw a bottle of shampoo and body wash for women. He snaked his arms around her waist. Perhaps it was the best time to bring the topic of her moving in with him. "I take it those toiletries mean you're going to be staying here more often."
"Not necessarily. It's just that I've been using yours, and I do prefer my own brands. Here are your ones."
"You didn't have to buy my toiletries," he said, frowning. He turned her around to face him. "You're not trying to replace everything you've used here, are you?" he asked ominously.
She shrugged. "I want to."
He scowled at her. "Why?"
"Why not?"
"It…it…doesn't feel right," he said, trying to grasp the right words but failing.
"Oh, doesn't it?" Kris asked, her eyes searching his face.
"No! I wasn't happy when you paid for the cab last night, either," he admitted.
"Oh. And if I offer to pay part of that electricity bill I saw on the dining table the other day?"
"Kris!"
"I'm here almost every other night you know," she said. "I use up a lot of power, too, while I'm here."
"If you were actually living with me what would you do? Pay half the electricity bill?" he asked, bemused.
"Yeah," she said readily. "And pay you rent."
He stepped back, shocked. "But you're not my flatmate," he whispered. What in the hell is going on?
Fear started to grip his heart. Why was she doing this all of a sudden? This wasn't how it was supposed to be, was it? She wasn't his friend. She was his girlfriend. Why was she creating these divisions?
"Are you going to break up with me?" he asked in a low voice, trying to stifle his fear.
"What? No! What are you talking about?" Kris asked in disbelief.
He breathed a sigh of relief. "Why are you doing this then? You're acting as if you're not entitled to anything of mine."
"I'm just your girlfriend, Trey," she mumbled. "I'm not entitled to anything of yours."
Something in Kris expression alerted him that there was more to it than she was letting on. He cupped her face. "What's going on, Kris?" he asked in soft demand.
Her beautiful expressive eyes flickered with doubt as she stared back at him.
He gave her a tender kiss on the lips. "Tell me, please."
"I don't want you to think I'm a gold-digger," she answered.
His brows creased. "Have I ever made you feel that I think that?"
"No."
"So where did that thought come from?"
Kris inhaled deeply. "Last night, when I was in the ladies' room, your aunt who was sitting next to Rebecca, err, chatted with me."
Trey rolled his eyes. "She told you the story of how I was jilted at the altar six years ago? And how everyone got so shocked when the altar boy handed me a note from my ex saying she couldn't marry me because she didn't really love me and didn't want to have my children? But that she was thankful for this and thankful for that, blah, blah, blah?"
His mother's oldest sister loved telling that story to everyone she met. He suspected that was the most exciting thing that had ever happened in his aunt's life.
"Yeah, something like that. I'm sorry that happened to you," Kris said softly, then she shook her head vigorously. "Actually, I'm not sorry," she said in a strong voice. "You're better off without that woman. And if you were married to her now, then we wouldn't be together."
He grinned a face-splitting, sunshiny-bright grin. With just those words, Kris had swiftly and efficiently erased whatever residual pain he still carried from that day. He lifted her from the floor and hugged her tight.
She giggled. "Baby, you're crushing me."
He set her back down and looked into her eyes. "If we ever bump into my ex in the future, remind me to thank her for dumping me."
"Best thing that's ever happened to you, huh?" Kris teased.
"No," he whispered. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me." He kissed her, hoping his mouth conveyed all the love and tenderness he felt for her at that moment.
Kris moaned and tried to deepen the kiss. He was more than glad to comply but there was something else he wanted to discuss. He leaned back.
"Move in with me," he blurted out.
Kris gaped at him for a long second before giving him a radiant smile. "Okay."
"And no, you're not paying me rent," he said sourly.
She sighed. "Okay. But I'm buying the groceries whenever I feel like it and you won't complain if I want to buy you dinner or take you shopping every now and then," she said sternly.
"Okay." He could live with that. But he'd make sure he topped whatever gifts and experiences she gave him. He was a highly competitive man, and he loved looking after this particular woman. He adored her.
Kris frowned, as if remembering something, and her face clouded.
"What is it?"
Her cute lips formed into a worried pout. "I just hope Blake is impressed enough with me at work that he'll want to keep me here after the three months are up."
"Do you want to stay? To move here permanently?" he asked softly.
"Of course. You're here. And I do love my job at the studio. We have great clients there."
He smiled. "Then I'm sure Blake will give you your role permanently."
"I hope so."
"I know so," he said in a low voice.
"How do you know?" she asked.
He led Kris to the couch, hoping she wouldn't be upset that he'd butted into her professional life. He sat down and pulled her onto his lap.
"Remember how Blake mentioned some complications that he had to get around before he offered you the job?" he started.
"Yes."
"I asked a connection of mine to do some digging, and it appeared Blake was in some financial difficulty. When I went to see Blake, I told him I was willing to help him out. In the process, I discovered that Blake's actually a decent guy. He told me about his issues. It turned out that the main investor for his Melbourne studio has some gambling problems. Because he was keen to get started straight away, Blake borrowed big, using the Sydney studio as security for the loan before he got the money from that investor. Well, the investor failed to honour the contract, and Blake was caught not having enough liquid capital to open Melbourne, and having to pay all the debts with Sydney earnings. He was able to get a small, short-term loan from his family; that was why he was able to give you that three-month contract.
"Anyway, I offered him a deal. I said I was willing to step in as an investor for his studios—with specific terms, of course. First, that you are on the payroll. Second, that he treats you as a valued employee and nothing more. He readily agreed. He said you're a shoo-in for any role you want anyway, even without my terms. After your contract here is up, you have a choice of going back to Melbourne to work in the studio there, or stay here in Sydney."
Kris stared at him in disbelief. "You now own shares in Blake's studios?"
Her face remained a picture of shock.
"Kris?"
"Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"Because I didn't want you to feel pressured into continuing to work with Blake after the three months are up. I wanted your decision to be independent of my actions."
"If I decided not to work for him anymore, what would happen to your investment?"
"I pull out. Remember one of my terms is that you're on the payroll. I won't leave him in the lurch though. I'll help him find a new investor if that's the case."
Kris blinked as if she couldn't believe what he just told her.
"Baby?" he said when she was silent for too long.
"You said I have a choice of working in Melbourne or Sydney," she said, finding her voice again. "What if I choose Melbourne?"
"Then I'd move there so we could be together," he said simply.
"Really?"
"Yes. After all, I part-own a dance studio there now," he said with a grin.
"But what about your own company? Dylan and Adam are here in Sydney."
"Electronic communication. Plus it's only an hour and thirty-five minutes flight one-way between the two cities. Easy enough to do a return trip on the same day when necessary."
"You'd really move there for me?" she whispered.
He stared straight into her eyes. "I'll do anything for you. I don't want to lose you again."
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
"Sammy! I missed you!" Kris cried as Sam walked into Trey's apartment followed by Jasmine and Kane who had picked her up from the airport.
"I missed you too, darl. Our apartment is so quiet without you," Sam said as they hugged.
"Is that good or bad?" she asked suspiciously.
Sam laughed. "Sometimes good, but mostly bad. Speaking to you on the phone isn't the same."
"I'm glad you're here," Kris said, giving Sam another squeeze. "Rest for a while, and when you're ready, the kitchen is all set for you."
"I've done nothing but sit on my ass on the plane. I'm good. I'm ready to start," Sam replied, making a beeline for the kitchen.
Secret Moves (Secret Dreams Contemporary Romance 3) Page 15