Alluring (30 page)

His fingers dipped into her hair, brushing through the tangled strands.  Alexis almost purred, it felt so good.  Instead, she snuggled closer to him.

"I love you," he said, kissing the top of her head.

"I love you, too," she murmured into his chest.

"Please tell me, whatever crazy idea you've got in that head of yours, isn't dangerous."

"It isn't dangerous."  Unless you count aggravating a violent stalker dangerous.
             

"So you
do
have something going through your head?"

Alexis sighed, sneaky bastard, catching her while she was half asleep.  "That's not what I meant."

"Maybe, it's something we can do together.  I hate the thought of you doing, whatever it is you have planned, on your own.  It scares me, and I've been scared enough lately."

Alexis gave up trying to hide it.  He was just going to hound her until she gave in, anyway.  He still couldn't stop her from doing what she wanted to do.  "Jack, the reason that I'm not telling you is because you won't want to do it.  You'll say it's too dangerous."

He gave her a tight squeeze and growled, "So, it is dangerous."

"No, I said, you'll think it's dangerous."  Alexis sat up, pulling the sheet around her shoulders.  "Honestly Jack, I am so tired of living in fear, hiding away.  I need this to be over.  No one knows who this person is.  No one is even close to catching her.  We need to do something."

"I get that, baby," he sat up, too and stroked her cheek, "But I don't want to put your life in danger."

"It's already in danger.  I just want to speed up the process.  Get it over with so we can go back to our normal lives."

Jack sighed, hanging his head, pinching the bridge of his nose, while deep in thought.  "Okay Alexis, you win, what did you have in mind." 

God, he sounded defeated.  She hated that, but at the same time, she knew she was right.  "First, we need the press to announce our engagement.  I figured, the best way is to invite the press to our engagement party."

"Ah, now I understand the enthusiasm over the party."

"Yes.  Now listen, Once the stalker learns we're in a
very
committed relationship, she'll want to put a stop to it.  It will cause her to make a move faster."

"She already did make a move a few weeks ago.  She tried to kill you, or have you forgotten that."

"Of course, I haven't forgotten.  But that was weeks ago.  I'm tired of waiting in limbo for the other shoe to drop.  Like I said, I'm trying to speed things up, so she doesn't catch us unawares." 

"Okay, we'll invite the press to the party, but don't go doing anything reckless or stupid without telling me.  Agreed?"

"Agreed."

"Now seal it with a kiss."

She gave him a sexy smile and stretched out on top of him again.  "How about we seal it with more than a kiss."

Jack flipped her over, then proceeded to show her his answer.

* * * * *

Jack stayed awake, long after Alexis had fallen into an exhausted sleep.  She was cradled in his arms, making little humming noises that he thought were more than adorable. 

He agreed to Alexis's plan for a few reasons.  First, the stalker was out there, watching.  Alexis was right, they needed to speed things up.  How did they know if in six months, after they've gotten comfortable, let their guard down, that the stalker wouldn't strike then, taking them unawares. 

Also, he couldn't stop Alexis from doing what she wanted to do, other than, locking her in this bedroom and throwing away the key.  And, unfortunately, that wasn't an option.  It was better to be with Alexis than against her.  At least that way, she wouldn't go off doing something foolish by herself.  Or so he hoped. 

Jack sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.  The thought of Alexis being in even more danger gave him a headache.  He also agreed with Alexis about the waiting.  He hated being in limbo, as well.  He wanted to get married, start a family, but they couldn't do that until this whole mess was settled.  They did need to draw the stalker out.  She needed to make a move, so she could get caught. 

How was the stalker going to make a move though, when Alexis was surrounded by bodyguards and cloaked in surveillance?  No way in hell was he lessening her security.  Hell, he figured the only reason the stalker had been quiet over the last few weeks was because she couldn't get near Alexis, and that wasn't going to change.  He would look over his shoulder the rest of his life if he had to, to keep Alexis safe.  So they would announce their engagement and see how that played.  Take it a day at a time and stay alert.

Jack sighed once more and closed his eyes.  He needed to get some sleep, but his brain wouldn't shut down.  He concentrated on Alexis and the warm breaths she was blowing along his chest.  Soon, he was soothed and lulled into sleep.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Alexis stood in awe at the beauty surrounding her as they stepped over the threshold and into the marbled foyer of Jack's parents home.  Closed, large, oaken double doors flanked either side of her, and a grand, double staircase arose in front.  An opulent crystal chandelier hung elegantly over their heads.  The bright lights catching the many tiny prisms, glittering like the finest diamonds. 

Alexis looked down at her long, black, velvet evening dress.  The gown was strapless, the bodice a sharp straight line across her chest with a revealing 'V' at her cleavage.  The dress was skintight to about mid-thigh, before flaring slightly to allow movement.

Jack, of course, looked exceedingly handsome in his tux.  He wore no tie, and the first few buttons of his dress shirt were unbuttoned.

When Alexis had commented on his not wearing a tie, earlier that evening, his reply was, "It's our party, and I can, damn well, choose to be comfortable if I want."

She had no argument for that.

His hair was slicked back with some styling product keeping it in place, darkening his light-brown locks.  His jaw was smooth.  He had recently shaved.

His lips quirked at her inspection.  "Like what you see?"

"Always."

He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss.  "Me, too."

As they made their way up the stairs, voices and music floated to them from their right.  Alexis looked up and over.  Large double doors were opened wide, spilling bright light onto the landing. 

They stepped into a grandiose ballroom.  Black and white checkered marble lined the floor.  The walls were covered with a light blue, satiny fabric that shined from the many overhead crystal chandeliers. 

Elegantly dressed people roamed the room as a full orchestra played a happy melody, of which, was unknown to Alexis's untrained ears.  A waiter passed, bearing a tray holding champagne in long, slender, glass flutes.  Alexis snagged one from the passing tray, downing it in two long swallows.

Jack raised his eyebrows in question.

Alexis gave him a sheepish smile.  "I'm nervous."

Jack swept her up into his arms and twirled her around.  A giggle escaped, and her head fell back as he continued to spin.  They came to a rest in the center of the room.  Alexis raised her head and Jack's lips came crashing down on hers.  His tongue demanded entrance and she quickly complied, parting her lips, moaning into his mouth.

Laughter, clapping, and cheering erupted around them.  Jack slowly lifted his lips from hers.  She gripped his arms tighter.  She was dizzy from the champagne, the twirling, and the kiss.

"Still nervous?"

She gazed up at him in a haze and slowly shook her head.

He gave her a brilliant smile.  "Good."

"Jack.  Alexis."  Alexis turned her head.  Barbara was approaching them a broad smile on her face.  "That was quite an entrance." 

Alexis felt a blush heat her cheeks. 

Barbara scooped her up into a hug, whispering in her ear, "No need to be embarrassed.  It was beautiful."  Next she hugged Jack, kissing him on the cheek.  "You are a handsome devil," she said, wiping her lipstick off his face with her thumb.

Frank appeared at Barbara's side.  "There's my girl," he said, engulfing Alexis into a bear hug.  They broke apart, and Frank shook Jack's hand.  "How you doing, son?"

"Good, dad."  He looked over at Alexis.  "Great actually."

"Wonderful!"  Frank boomed.  "Now that the guests of honor have arrived, we can get this party started." 

He walked to the front of the room where the orchestra played, signaled for them to cut the music, then snatched up one of the microphones.  "Ladies and gentlemen, we are here to celebrate the engagement of our son, Jackson, and his beautiful bride-to-be, Alexis Taft." 

The crowd broke out into applause.  The flash of cameras filled the room.  Frank held up his hands in a silencing gesture.  "She is a lovely, wonderful, intelligent girl, and Barbara and I are honored and extremely lucky to include her into our family.  She is the daughter we never had, and we love her already.  Not only because of how lovely she is, but also because of how happy she makes our Jack."  He lifted a glass.  "To Jack and Alexis!"

"Here.  Here."  The crowd chanted loudly.

Alexis wiped the tears from her face and turned, smiling at Barbara.  "Thank you."

"It's you, we should be thanking.  I've never seen Jack happier."

"I'm standing right here, mother."

"Oh posh."  She slapped at his arm.  "You know it's true."

Jack smiled down at Alexis.  "She means everything to me."  More camera lights flashed, closer this time, and Alexis knew the reporters captured on film, the way they gazed lovingly into each other's eyes.

Alexis thought the night was magical.  They danced, drank champagne, and ate the most delicious food.  Photographers snapped photos, people she didn't know chatted with her, and through it all, Jack never left her side.

Mase and Gage arrived, and they both had dates on their arms.  Alexis was surprised to see Cassie with Gage.  She knew he had done that charity concert for her, but she didn't realize they were dating. 

She didn't look very happy until her eyes landed on Alexis.  Then she broke out into a smile.  She felt Jack stiffen at her side, and she looked at Mase's date.  He was with the woman Alexis saw Jack talking with at the charity concert, the one from that night at the bar.  She wore a long, red, jersey knit dress that left absolutely nothing to the imagination.  Her blond hair was fashioned into a sophisticated knot at the top of her head, and her make-up was flawless.  She was stunning, and Alexis hated that she had an impact on Jack.

She smiled up at Jack, ignoring everyone else.  "Hello Jack," she purred.  She left Mase's side, took a hold of Jack's arm, leaned in, and kissed him on the lips.  "It's been awhile.  Good to see you." 

It was now Alexis's turn to stand stiffly at Jack's side.  "Sabrina."  He took a step away, dislodging her arm.  "I'd like to introduce you to my fianc
é
e, Alexis."  He put his arm around Alexis's waist and took one more step back, creating more distance from Sabrina.

For the first time, Sabrina looked over at Alexis.  She gave her a long appraisal up and down, reminiscent of the first time they met.  Sabrina gave her a slight sneer, apparently she'd come up lacking, once again. 

"How nice to met you."  Sabrina held out her hand.

Alexis was loathed to take it, but good manners and upbringing forced her hand up to hers, taking it in a firm grip.  "Nice to met you as well.  Please don't touch Jack again."  She gave Sabrina her own version of a sneer and squeezed her hand just a bit tighter.  "Do we understand each other?"

Sabrina extracted her hand and took a step closer to Mase.  "Nice bully you have there, Jack."

Mase tossed his head back and laughed.  He stepped forward capturing Alexis in a big hug.  "You're priceless, little firecracker."

"Mind unhanding my fianc
é
e?"

Mase slapped Jack on the back and gave him a hearty smile.  "Oh, I do mind.  Your fianc
é
e is one of my favorite people to hug."

Jack let out a sigh but smiled, shaking his head.  Alexis looked over at Sabrina.  She was fuming.  Alexis ignored her and turned to Cassie and Gage.  "It's so good to see you again," she said, giving Cassie a hug.  "I didn't know you were dating Gage."

Cassie gave her a big hug in return.  She looked beautiful in a long, light yellow, satin dress.  The color went perfectly with her tanned complexion and long blond hair.  "We're not really dating," Cassie said slowly, refusing to look over a Gage. 

Alexis slyly glimpsed at Gage.  He was scowling.  Interesting.  She turned fully to Gage and gave him a hug.  "It's good to see you again."

He gave her a smile.  "Congratulations on your engagement.  Jack is a lucky man."

Jack dragged Alexis back, settling her at his front, his arms going around her waist.  She twisted her head to look up at him.  "Possessive much?"

Jack grinned down at her.  "Just as much as you, it seems."

"She kissed you on the lips."  Alexis whisper-growled.