Page 38 of Alluring

"I'm j ... just so happy. I ha ... haven't seen my sister in two years. No one has ever done anything this nice for me before. Th ... thank you."

Jack gave her a light kiss on the lips and pulled her into a tight hug. "I'd do anything for you, Alexis," he whispered into her ear. "All you have to do is ask."

They ate dinner at the hotel and talked for hours before making plans to meet at UCSD the next morning so Emily could give them a tour.

Alexis yawned as she climbed in bed and snuggled against Jack's chest. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed the top of her head.

Alexis sighed, feeling content. "Thank you for making all this happen."

"Are you happy?" Jack asked.

"I'm ridiculously happy."

"That's all that matters. I've already told you, you don't have to thank me. Seeing you happy is reward enough."

Alexis picked up her head and looked at Jack. "I will always be thankful, and no mater how many times you do something for me, I will always say thank you. It's important. You should never be taken for granted."

"For as long as I have breath in my body, I will always be grateful for you."

"Jack—"

"Not now, Alexis." He squeezed her tight. "Go to sleep."

Alexis closed her eyes and dreamed of a future with Jack and how wonderful it would be.

Emily took them on a brief tour of her school's campus before Jack packed them up and took them to the zoo. Alexis looked around, fascinated by all the various animals. She had never been to a zoo before, and when she told Jack as much, he gave her a look like she was an alien beamed down from another planet. She laughed at his disbelieving face, shaking her head.

They toured the zoo for hours. Alexis and Emily chatting the whole time. Jack bought them cotton candy and Alexis an extra large T-shirt that had a picture of an elephant on it. She promptly put it on over her clothes. It fell to her knees, and she looked ridiculous, but she didn't care. She was having too much fun.

Emily insisted they eat dinner at a local pizza joint, that she declared, was the best in Southern California. Not having had any California pizza before, Alexis couldn't judge whether her statement was accurate or not, but she thought it was good. Jack seemed to enjoy it, as he ate almost a whole pizza himself.

The weekend flew by and too soon they were back on the jet headed home. In just a few short weeks, Emily would be coming to visit them for a week during her summer break. Jack had already gotten the tickets and had Emily schedule time off work, thinking ahead so Alexis wouldn't be sad saying good-bye to her sister. Alexis sighed, thinking about how wonderful Jack was. Was there anything this man didn't think of?

* * * * *

Jack was sitting at his desk Monday morning, going over a business proposal that he was interested in, when his cell phone rang.Mason callingflashed on the screen. Shit, he'd forgotten he was supposed to call him.

"Hey Mase," he said into the phone.

"Hey Jack. You never called. I feel like a jilted one-night stand."

Jack chuckled, "Sorry. I got busy and forgot. What's up?"

"My sister is throwing me a birthday party. I wanted to invite you but didn't want to do it in front of your flavor of the week. Didn't want her to get her hopes up, thinking you would take her. Although I must say, she was a beauty. Wouldn't mind having her number if you've got it."

Jack clutched his phone, breathing in and out slowly, reminding himself that Mase was his friend, and he had no idea what Alexis meant to him. He was about to set him straight. "Her name is Alexis. She's very important to me. We're living together. And if I hear one more fucking negative thing come out of your mouth about her ...." He was losing it. He had to take a deep breath. "I won't be responsible for what I do."

"Holy shit, man. I didn't know. You know I would never fuck around with someone you were serious about. And, of course, I'll treat her with respect. Jack, I've known you awhile, you've never been serious about anyone."

"She's different, Mase," Jack said quietly.

"I hear what you're saying, man. Bring her to my party. Sam's throwing it at my place this Saturday. It's a BBQ and pool party, casual."

"We'll be there."

"Great. See you then."

* * * * *

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