Page 44 of Alluring

Alexis wrinkled her nose, adorable had the same feel as being called cute. And, unfortunately, she was sandwiched between two gorgeous women.

"I saw you in the pool with Jackson Cole earlier," Janet said. When Alexis looked over at her, she continued. "I just thought I'd warn you, give you the heads-up, you know, woman-to-woman." At Alexis's blank stare, she said, "Anyway, whatever you thought was going on earlier, between you and Jack, not gonna happen."

"Oh yeah, and why's that?" Alexis asked, trying her best to sound nonchalant.

"Because, I'm going home with him tonight. We've already made the arrangements."

Alexis had one moment of doubt before she shook her head at herself for being silly. Not even an hour ago, Jack had said he loved her. There was no way in hell he was going home with Janet. "Have you now? Well Janet, I really hate to disappoint, but I'll be the one going home with Jack."

Janet gave her a sinister sneer. "Oh honey, you do not want to go head-to-head with me."

"I don't need to go head-to-head with you because you've already lost."

Janet laughed, "You think some kisses and light petting in a pool means you've won? I hate todisappoint,but you're not his type. Sure you've got that sweet girl-next-door thing going on, but Jack likes his women more ... well, like me."

Alexis was done with this ridiculous conversation. She didn't need to fight to be at Jack's side. She was already there. "Okay Janet. You do whatever you feel you have to do, and at the end of the night we'll see who he goes home with." Alexis polished off the last of her margarita. She turned to Peggy, who had been silent during the whole exchange, and said, "I'm going to get us more drinks."

On the way to the bar, she thought about Janet. Is that how it was always going to be with Jack? Having to stake her claim. He was a ridiculously handsome man and women were always going to want him. She would just to have to cocoon herself in the love he had for her to shield herself from the jealousy. If not, it would consume her, and it wouldn't be Jack that destroyed their relationship, but her. She had to believe, no mater how bizarre she found it, that she was the only one Jack wanted. And she wanted him. She wasn't going to let anything jeopardize her happiness with Jack, not even her own insecurities.

Alexis walked up to the bar, her shoulders straighter in new-found confidence, confidence that Jack gave her. She placed her order, and while she waited, she thought about Janet again and realized she had absolutely nothing to be jealous about. Jack was hers. He wanted their relationship. Pushed for it. And shewouldbe going home with him because she lived with him, and he wanted her there. Fought for her to be there. Jack never once faltered in his pursuit of her, so now, she wasn't going to falter in her faith in Jack.

Janet was gone by the time Alexis came back with the drinks. She handed one to Peggy. "Where did our friend go?"

Peggy shrugged and took a sip of her drink. "She left when you did. Probably off to search for Jack. You need to be careful. Seems she wants to stir up some trouble."

"Yeah, well I figure, being with Jack I'm going to need to grow a tough skin."

Peggy looked at her with an assessing eye. "I don't know, seems you're pretty strong already." She took another sip of her drink and looked at Alexis, unease written on her face as she asked her next question. "Any chance she's right, and she'll be going home with him tonight?"

Alexis couldn't hold in her bark of laughter. "No," she said, shaking her head. "I live with him. I'll be going home with him tonight."

Peggy's eyes widened at that announcement. "Well, I guess youwillbe going home with him then." Then she laughed, too. "I don't think Janet knows about that development."

Alexis smiled. "No, I don't think she does. But, I have a feeling she'll know it by the end of the night."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Jack and Alexis were in the hot tub with Mase and Peggy when Janet made her reappearance. Alexis had filled Jack in on the events that had transpired while he was gone. His face had transformed from confusion to disbelief then finally to anger.

When she asked him why he was so angry, he replied, "I'm angry with myself for leaving you alone for so long. I know how people at these parties can be. They're backstabbing and petty. I should have protected you better." He stared off over her head, his jaw tense and his eyes blazing.

"Hey, look at me," Alexis said, cupping his jaw and pulling his face down to meet hers. "I've told you once already, I can take care of myself. You can't be with me all the time and, unfortunately, things like this are going to happen. I'd take on a hundred Janets in one day and be happy doing it, as long as I know your waiting for me at the end of that day."

Jacks eyes softened as he gazed at her. "I don't know what I did to deserve you, but if destiny or fate or whatever you want to call it, made a mistake, I'm not giving you back. Hell, no. That's their fuck up not mine."

All eyes were on Janet as she stepped into the water, made her way across the spa, and sat on the seat between Mase and Jack. "Hello all," she said, smiling at Mase and Peggy. She turned her gaze to Jack. "Hello again, Jack," she purred.

Alexis picked up her third margarita for the evening and downed the last of its contents in two gulps. She watched as Janet placed a hand on Jack's shoulder, her breasts pressing into his upper arm, as she leaned in close to speak quietly (but loud enough for Alexis to hear) in his ear. "Are we still on for tonight?"

Alexis stood up. "I think I need another drink." She wobbled a little as the last margarita hit her system.

Jack grabbed her hand and tugged her back to her seat. "As soon as I deal with this, I'll get you another drink. No way in hell I'm letting you parade around in that bikini. Especially when you're tipsy.

Peggy giggled. Alexis looked over at her and rolled her eyes. "He can be a bit possessive."

"I can see that," Peggy smirked.

Jack grabbed Alexis's ankle and pulled her foot out of the water. He gave her a diabolical look. "Did you just roll your eyes at me?" He pulled until her foot was a few inches from his mouth.

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