"You want to get laid with anyone?" Ari wanted to clarify.
"Not with anyone. Since I'm going to indulge myself, I want someone who's got a pretty face and a hot body. Trey seems to fit the bill."
"If all you want is sex, yes. But …"
"That's all I want," Kris said.
"You sounded like you hoped to get lucky like Jaz. Jaz and Kane fell in love. Doesn't that mean you're hoping to find someone special?"
"No. If I fall in love, great. If I don't, great. I just want some bedroom action, Ari," Kris said with a hint of frustration, grasping her arms and giving her a little bit of a shake.
"O-kay," she said with a reluctant chuckle. "Just don't hope for much. Trey is the number one playboy I know."
Kris grinned. "Don't worry. I've done casual sex a few times before. Unlike you, who didn't know what you were getting into when you agreed to a one-nighter with Dylan."
She grinned. "He was irresistible."
Kris sighed theatrically. "Well, look at where you are now."
"You're not hoping for the same with Trey, are you?" Ari asked her friend suspiciously. She really didn't want her to jump into certain heartbreak if she was carrying even a small seed of romantic visions with Trey.
"Oh, Ari. I don't even know the man. But you know what? I see where you're coming from. Maybe I should just go clubbing and pick up someone totally unknown to any of us. It would avoid unexpected consequences."
Ari nodded her head in relief. She couldn't explain why, but she didn't feel at all comfortable introducing Kris to Trey. As Dylan had disclosed to her a few days ago, Trey was so set on bachelor living he wouldn't even invite a woman to his home. Not one date had ever set foot in Trey's bachelor pad. Trey had even openly proclaimed he was done with relationships.
So just in case Kris fell in love unintentionally with someone she met while she was here, her chances at happiness would be much higher if it wasn't Trey. Might as well put some heartbreak-avoidance tactics in place, rather than regret it later.
"Hi, baby. Hi, Kris," a deep voice said.
A smile erupted on Ari's face even before she turned around to face Dylan.
"Hi."
"Are you going to dance with Ari now, Dyl?" Kris asked. "She'd been waiting all night for you. She plans to do some dirty dancing, complete with hot lip locking and tongue play."
Ari spluttered in laughter. "Kris!"
Kris sighed as she shook her head. "Gosh. All I'm doing these days is live vicariously through you and Jaz. It's pathetic." With that, Kris waved to them and headed for the bathroom.
"Dirty dancing, huh?" Dylan said, his eyes hot and teasing.
"I was just joking around with Kris," she said with a nervous chuckle. She knew Dylan had an imp in him that couldn't resist shocking other people.
Dylan took her hand and headed to the dance floor. She tugged him back, unwilling to follow.
He raised an eyebrow at her, a smile playing on his lips.
"Just normal dancing, okay?" she said.
"What's normal dancing?" he asked.
"Not dirty. No hand on my ass, or my boobs for that matter. No gyrating hips, no suggestive movements, not even kissing," she answered.
"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.