Chapter 11

11

By the time evening set in, Cath’s mood was a mixed bag of frustration and excitement. Despite needling Kris for more details, she still knew very little about where they were going that evening. She tried everything short of torture to find out information, but he remained uncharacteristically tight lipped about their plans. All day she had been guessing, and he had been deflecting. Now the hour was approaching when they would have to leave so they could make it to LA on time and she was still largely in the dark about what she was walking into.

She leaned into the bathroom mirror, checking the minimal make up she put on and finished putting on her lipstick. She’d gone simple since he insisted the evening was casual, with tight black jeans, a wine-colored sweater with wide sleeves and high black boots. After fighting with her hair, she finally pulled it into a high ponytail and left strategic curls around her face. She stepped back and smoothed her clothing out, fingers stopping briefly at her hip as she longed for the familiar holster she normally kept there. Given that she was going in with minimal details, she’d have felt much more comfortable armed, but she had a funny feeling that was frowned upon at most charity events. Civilian life was odd like that.

She straightened as Kris appeared in the bathroom doorway, watching her get ready with the ease of someone who had done it for years and not only a few months. He looked amazing as usual, hair impeccable, dressed in dark jeans and a maroon-colored button-down shirt paired with black dress shoes. He refitted his arm into the sling and tossed on a well-worn leather jacket to finish the look.

“Do I pass?” she asked, turning to face him. Cath said it in a half joking tone, but the truth was, she had yet to step out anywhere with him in Hollywood and she was still learning the rules and regulations of his world.

“You look amazing.” Kris came up behind her and pressed a kiss to the base of her neck. “You just need one thing.”

“And that would be?” She turned, looking over her shoulder as he disappeared back into the bedroom.

“An early Christmas gift,” he called back. Cath cocked her head; she could hear him opening the bedside stand on his side and moving things around. “Close your eyes, it’s a surprise.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” she protested as she shut her eyes. “We said we were going to do gifts on Christmas Day.”

“Yeah well, I’m impulsive, sue me.” The humor was evident in his voice, but it was hard to argue with him. He was by far the most impulsive person she knew; at times it was incredibly frustrating, like when they needed to coordinate an attack silently or with even a modicum of stealth. Now, much to her dismay, she actually found it endearing. “Make sure those gorgeous green eyes are shut, no peeking.”

She did as he requested and a moment later, he returned, stepping up behind her and slipping something around her neck from behind. She felt the weight as something settled on her chest next to her dog tags and waited patiently while he did up the clasp. He adjusted her ponytail, letting the hair slip back into place and then stepped back. “Okay, now open them.”

Cath opened her eyes and couldn’t stop the pleased noise of delight that escaped her lips. Hanging on a wispy golden chain around her neck was a delicate teardrop shaped orb. She lifted it carefully on her fingertips, examining it with fascination. Inside the teardrop was an intricate stormy gray colored object, roughly the size of a jellybean. She turned the charm, examining the lace-like surface from every angle. “Is this what I think it is?”

“It’s a sliver of stony coral, captured in resin.” Kris settled his free arm around her waist. “Do you like it?”

“Kris, I love it! Thank you.” Cath was, for once, in awe. In the light from the bathroom, she could see all the minute details of the coral. It was a grade A specimen, almost flawless in its shape and structure. She had never been a huge jewelry person, dog tags and earrings aside, but this was something she would gladly wear every chance she could. “It’s gorgeous. Where did the coral come from?”

“Indonesia,” Kris bowed his head to her shoulder, avoiding her eyes, and Cath got the feeling he wasn’t revealing all the details. “Off the coast of Ampat.”

“Raj Ampat?” Cath’s head wheeled around in surprise so hard she nearly knocked into his bad shoulder, catching herself just in time. “How the hell did you pull that off?”

“A high stakes heist,” Kris pulled a serious face, and she could see laughter in his eyes. “Very dangerous, lots of risky deep-sea dives, illegal smuggling. I had to use all my Hollywood contacts to get it in the country and even then, I may just get arrested by Fish and Wildlife. There’s bail money in the safe at the condo next to the diamonds.”

“Smart ass,” Cath wrinkled her nose at his joke and reciprocated his serious expression as she played along. “Am I going to have to use my contacts to get your ass out of smuggling charges? Because even I don’t think I have that clout.”

“As if I couldn’t charm my way out of it.” Kris waved a hand in dismissal and laughed at the annoyed expression of agreement on her face. “Don’t worry, I promise it was legal to get. I knew how in love you are with that particular reef–”

“I am not in love with it–” Cath interrupted indignantly, only to be silenced by Kris cupping her face with his hands and pressing his lips to hers. After a moment he stepped back and gave her a knowing look.

“Cath, I’ve been home on my ass for weeks having a torrid affair with your PVR, I know all your dirty secrets and there are no less than seven documentaries on marine biology saved. Four of them are on Raj Ampat. You, sweetheart, are royally busted.”

“I knew I should have put a code on that PVR,” she grumbled, feeling her cheeks heat up.

“You should be more embarrassed about the fact none of my movies are on there, a fact I have remedied for you with a selection of my favorites.” He adjusted the chain on her new necklace, settling it at a better angle so it fit well alongside her dog tags, and then continued his explanation.

“Anyhow, as I was saying, when we shut down because of the accident, I had a crew member who went home to Misool to visit family for a few weeks. He’s dating a biologist who studies the coral reefs there. They run a program where beached coral is turned into jewelry by local artists. It helps fund the research into protecting the ecosystem. My crewmate did me a solid by bringing this piece back for you.”

Cath held two fingers up to his lips to get him to stop talking. It was one of the most thoughtful gifts anyone had ever given her, and that included the time Danny took the rap for the pot brownies they had smuggled into the Military Ball.

“You don’t have to get me anything else for Christmas. This is perfect, Kris.”

“Nice try,” he scoffed. “You are going to have to get used to me spoiling you every once and awhile.”

“ Never, ” she said emphatically. “I’m a soldier, we don’t do spoiled.”

“Yeah well, I’m a movie star, we practically invented the word,” he pointed out then deepened his voice, doing an exceptional imitation of an announcer. “She’s strict, he’s wild, she’s Army, he’s Armani, will they have what it takes to survive? It’s the feel-good rom com of the summer!”

“Jerk,” she said laughing, giving him a playful swat as he dodged expertly away.

“Tell you what, let’s make a deal.” He softened his eyes and gave her an innocent looking face. “50/50 split, you let me spoil you 50% of the time, I’ll let you be frugal, and Army sharp the other 50%.”

It was hard to say no to him when he looked so genuine, so instead she mean mugged him and raised a finger in warning. “30% spoiling, 70% frugal and you have a deal. Also, I reserve the right to secretly like things but act annoyed. Let me have that, okay? I think I might need it to keep my sanity.”

“Done.” Kris took the finger and shook it. “By the way, what's your ring size again? And do you prefer sapphires or diamonds? Just for future purposes.”

“Ha-ha, very funny.” Cath frowned at the doorbell. “Are you expecting someone?”

Kris checked his phone as the bell sounded again. “That’s probably the driver I scheduled. We have to head out soon.”

“Why did you get a car?” Cath protested. “I’m perfectly capable of driving us. We can take the Lamborghini.”

“Not tonight, you’re taking the evening off.” Kris’s tone was firm. “No more work, no driving us places, no stress. Just two of us out for the night.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to point out that for her walking blind into a possible A-list event was the epitome of stress, but she bit the sarcastic comment back. He grudgingly accepted it earlier in the day when she insisted on finishing her paperwork, on the condition that she took frequent breaks, showing up at her office door and glowering at her until she did so. She retaliated by making him go through the gambit of physical therapy activities the physical therapist had given him. He insisted she eat lunch in the kitchen away from her computer. She only agreed to that if he took a decent rest in the afternoon. He agreed…as long as she did. The afternoon ended with them falling asleep wound together on the sofa until dinner.

This is what happens when two stubborn fools try to take care of each other. It was like the War of the Roses with self-care, tactical reports and extension bands included.

They headed downstairs with Cath grabbing her purse and jacket as they sailed out the door. Parked in front of the house was a sleek black and red Bentley and standing close by was a sandy-haired gentleman Cath had never seen before. As they approached, he opened the passenger-side door and waited for them to slide into the backseat before returning to start the car.

“Evening Darren,” Kris leaned over and patted the driver’s shoulder in amicable familiarity.

“Evening Kris,” He gave a nod of welcome and respect to Cath as she settled in her seat. “Lieutenant Colonel Black, nice to finally meet you ma’am.”

“Nice to meet you as well.” Cath chuckled, threw her seatbelt on, and leaned in close to Kris. “I like him already.”

“One of us, one of us, one of us.” Kris chanted softly as he settled his free arm around her and hugged her close.

“Don’t push it.” Cath leaned her head on his shoulder, breathing in the scent of his aftershave, and feelingly slightly euphoric.

“Don’t worry, the indoctrination is painless.” He gave her a mischievous grin and kissed her head. “You’ll get your membership certificate to the Rodeo Drive Club and a matching credit card in the mail in the next few weeks.”

“Okay, I will drive myself.” Cath made like she was going to undo her seat belt. “Give me the directions and I’ll meet you there.”

“Darren, quick, start the car before she escapes.” Kris dodged as she took a playful swipe at him. “And make it speedy, if she leaves bruises, I don’t have time to do make up.”

“On it, sir,” Darren gave Cath a wink, turned the key in the ignition then began to navigate out of the driveway. “Get comfortable folks. I’ll have you there in plenty of time for the fun to start.”

As the car began to move, Kris leaned over and traced a path with his lips along Cath’s neck, starting at the base where her skin met her sweater and moving along until he was ghosting her jaw and the sensitive skin of her ear.

“What are you doing?” she said with a giggle, playfully pushing him away.

“Showing you what the best part of having a driver is.” Kris returned to his machinations contentedly, brushing his lips over hers lightly.

“And that would be?” Cath undid her seat-belt and turned, sliding one of her legs over his and inviting him closer.

“You don’t have to wait until you get where you’re going for the fun to start.” With a devilish grin he pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her and nipping her lower lip.

“Well, who am I to argue with infallible logic like that?” Cath smiled against his lips and let him show her exactly how much fun they could have as the car whisked them away to the city.