Page 40 of Alluring

"I'm okay for now, thank you." Alexis took a step back as a billow of smoke drifted in her direction.

Mase waved the spatula through the smoke. "You guys about ready for a burger? These are almost done."

Jack looked over at the grilling meat. "I'd say those were done about ten minutes ago. Why are you grilling, anyway?"

Mase let out an exasperated sigh. "Derek should be manning the grill, but Sam had some last minute errand she needed to run, and she took him with her. He just handed me the spatula. Fuckin' pussy whipped, motherfucker." He grumbled under his breath, just loud enough for everyone to hear.

Alexis quickly dropped her head to hide her smile.

Jack whispered in her ear. "Sam is his sister. She threw him this party, and Derek is her husband." Alexis nodded her head to let him know she understood, still hesitant to open her mouth, fearing a laugh spilling out.

They all ate a burger (Jack was right they were overcooked) by the time Derek showed up to rescue Mase from further cooking. "I could use a dip after all that heat," Mase said, stripping off his apron. "Let's go."

They followed Mase to the farthest, least crowded pool. Jack stripped off his black T-shirt and threw it on an empty lounger. Alexis watched mesmerized at the play of his muscles, flexing in the sunlight.

"If you don't stop looking at me like that, I can't be responsible for the consequences," Jack growled, taking a step toward Alexis.

"Like what?" she asked, still in a trance unable to tear her eyes from the enthralling 'V' that disappeared into his low-slung, black, boardshorts.

"Like you want to lick me all over." He took another step closer. "The thought of your pink, little tongue darting out of your ruby-red lips and lapping at my skin," he took the final step to her, "has my cock begging for the same attention."

He stood close enough now that shecouldstick her tongue out and lick his chest. The thought made the muscles in her sex clench. She put her hands on his hips and moved her body the last inch that separated them. His words had a strange effect on her. She should be used to his dirty mouth by now, but the longer they were together, the more power his words had over her mind and body. She feared the day they touched her soul.

"Would you guys stop dickin' around and get in the pool," Mase yelled, splashing water in their direction.

"You go. I'm going to find a restroom first," Alexis said, needing a few moments to collect herself.

"Don't be gone long," Jack said, kissing her forehead.

Alexis leaned around Jack's body to look at Mase. "Where's your restroom?"

"Use the one upstairs in the master bedroom. It's more private."

Alexis followed Mase's directions to the master bedroom and enclosed herself in a bathroom that was tastefully decorated in blues and beige with a large walk-in shower dominating half the space.

She quickly did her business and washed her hands. She looked at herself in the mirror. She choose not to wear any make-up, knowing she would be swimming, but her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were a becoming shade of red. Her hair was its usual curly mess atop her head, and she wondered with all the beautiful women here today, what Jack found so appealing about her. What was it about her that gave him that look in his eyes? That look that said he wanted to devour her.

As she reached for the doorknob, she heard women's voices.

"Did you see that Jackson Cole is here?"

Alexis's hand was on the doorknob ready to exit when she heard the reply.

"Jack's here? No, I didn't see him. I'll have to find him and say hello, seeing as we're such close friends. If you know what I mean."

The first woman giggled. "I do know what you mean. And I wouldn't mind getting myself a piece of that action. That man sure is nice to look at."

"Honey, you would not believe the things he can do with his hands and body. I get shivers just thinking about it. It was the best night of my life."

"Just one night?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, he never goes back for seconds. But maybe we can change that today. Let's go see if we can find him."

"Okay, let me finish tying my suit."

Alexis leaned her head against the bathroom door as she listened to their voices fading away. She knew Jack slept with a lot of women. It was the main reason she didn't want to get involved with him in the first place. But, it was one thing knowing about it and quite another, having to hear about it. Her stomach felt sick and her hands were shaky.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. God, why was this affecting her so strongly. She sat on the closed lid of the toilet seat and put her head between her legs. She rested her elbows on her knees and entwined her fingers behind her neck while breathing deeply, trying to stop the pain in her chest.

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