Page 73 of Alluring

Jack laughed. "We are."

Alexis turned back in her seat and gave wide eyes to Emily, who looked equally enthralled.

Jack stopped the cart at the end of the dock. A large party boat floated in the water. Alexis counted three levels. She turned to Jack. "Is this yours?"

Her gave her a smile and shook his head. "No. It's Mase's. I've never had a need for one, but if you're interested in a boat, I'll buy you one."

Was he crazy? "You can't buy me a boat."

"Uh yeah, sweetheart, I think I can." He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close. "I can buy you anything I want. Anythingyouwant."

"Well, I don't want you to buy me a boat!"

"We'll see. It might be fun, floating around, the two us," he leaned in and whispered in her ear, "alone."

Alexis tried to speak, but it came out as a croak. She cleared her throat and tried again. "That doesn't sound too bad."

Jack chuckled. "Come on, let's get on board."

Mase was there to greet them. "Welcome aboard, me mateys. Let me show you around. As you can see, this is the lower deck. There are plenty of loungers if you want to sunbathe. Here, to my right are the stairs that lead to the upper deck. I'll show you that in a minute."

They followed Mase through a door that took them inside the lower level. Alexis looked around, amazed. A living room, of sorts, took up part of the room. Four large couches surrounded a coffee table in the middle of the room. A large flat screen TV and entertainment center occupied the corner.

"Here, to the right, are two guest bedrooms and the guest bath. On the left is the master bed and bath. And through here," Mase said, waving his hand in an open doorway at the back of the room, "is the galley."

They made their way back out to the lower deck and climbed the stairs.

"Up here's where the party happens," Mase said, throwing his arms wide. "We have a dance floor with a DJ and a full bar. The food will be set up on those long banquet tables." Mase pointed to some empty tables set up along the rail. "Up there," Mase pointed to the smaller level above, "is where the captain sits."

A dining section with ten round tables for people to sit and eat filled part of the deck. The rest of the space was open for people to roam around and mingle. A handful of people leaned against the rail, waving and yelling at people on the dock below.

"More people must've arrived," Mase said. "I'd better get back downstairs. Make yourselves at home. They'll be setting up the food soon." He waved toward the bar. "Bartender's on duty. Have fun kids." He gave them a jaunty smile before disappearing down the stairs.

"How many people do you think he invited?" Alexis asked Jack.

"Knowing Mase, probably a lot."

There ended up being only about fifty people at the party, which according to Jack, was a relatively small amount for Mase. The sun started to set, casting an amber glow over the water. Mase had told them there would be a firework show and the captain got the boat into position so everyone could watch the event.

"Come with me." Jack took a hold of Alexis's hand and led her to the bar. He ordered two champagnes. After handing her a glass, he took her hand again and escorted her to the stairs that lead to the third level.

"Are we allowed to come up here?" She asked as they climbed the stairs.

"You don't see anyone stopping us, do you?"

Alexis laughed. "No, but I think that's more due to the fact that everyone's drunk and not paying attention."

They reached the top of the stairs. Jack gave the captain a nod as he walked her to the rail of the boat. The wind blew briskly, and Alexis snuggled into her sweater.

It was peaceful up here, away from the crowd. She could hear the music and the din from the party-goers below, but still somehow felt they were in their own little world.

Alexis gazed out, over the water. "It's so beautiful."

"You're beautiful."

She looked over at Jack. His body was still and he stared at her with an intensity she'd never felt from him before. "Are you okay?"

His lips parted, but no sound came out. He took in a deep breath, closing his eyes. He released the breath slowly. His eyes came open, immobilizing her with his intense regard.

---