Page 75 of Alluring

"Nothing is as beautiful as you." He ran a finger down her cheek, stopping at her lips, staring as if mesmerized.

"Now, that sir, was your corniest line yet," she whispered, not wanting to be overheard.

"Sweetheart," he said, just as softly, "that wasn't a line." They gazed fixedly at each other.

Grace broke the spell. "Did you see the inscription? He was very specific about that, too."

"You had it engraved? Why didn't you show me?"

He gave her a sheepish grin, almost as if embarrassed. But that was impossible. Jack didn't get embarrassed about anything. "I figured you'd find it eventually."

Alexis didn't want to take the ring off and risk dropping it (she was on a boat in the middle of a lake!). Besides, the darkness made it impossible to read the inscription, even with the overhead lights. "I'll read it when we get home. I don't want to take it off my finger."

Mase came up, draping an arm over Alexis's and Jack's shoulders, wedging his body between them. "I've been told a rock has been sighted, and the news is spreading like wildfire." He leered at Alexis, then eyed Jack. "Is it true? Am I gonna have a new best friend-in-law?"

Alexis giggled. Mase was so odd.

Jack shook his head and smiled. "Yes. You gonna be my best man?"

Mase slapped Jack between his shoulder blades. "You know it." He turned to Alexis and kissed her cheek. "Congrats, darling," he drawled. "Hope you know what you're getting into with this insufferable, arrogant ass." He spoke in a voice barely loud enough for Jack to hear.

Alexis lightly patted Mase on the cheek. "Don't worry, it's better than getting mixed up with a philandering smart-ass."

Jack gave a bark of laughter.

Mase made an exaggerated pout, turning to Jack. "Was she talking about me?" Without waiting for a reply, he stepped back from the group. "Well, if I'm gonna be labeled with a stereotype, I might as well take advantage. Good night all. I'm off to do some philandering."

He walked away with a strut to his step as he disappeared onto the dance floor.

"I promised Emily I'd dance with her."

Jack leaned down and gave her a light kiss on the lips. "Go. Have fun. Don't dance with Mase."

Alexis smiled at Jack. Turning to Grace, she said, "It was very nice meeting you. Thank you again for creating my ring."

Grace gave her a nod, then Alexis turned, following Mase into the crowd.

Alexis sat on the couch absently twisting the engagement ring on her finger. Emily had left that morning. Five days was not enough time with her, but she knew she had a life to get back to in San Diego. Emily had divided her time between Alexis, some old friends, and her boyfriend Reese. She knew she should be happy with the time she did get to spend with her, especially since she'd gone more than two years without seeing her, but she would still miss her.

Alexis looked over at the ring she was spinning. She slid it off her finger to read the inscription, once more.

Everything I do, I do it for you

She'd cried the first time she read it. Happily, she was alone in the bathroom at the time. She didn't want Jack seeing what a romantic fool she was. Sure, he had given her many things since she'd known him, but the inscription had come from his heart. She now knew that night when they had danced their first dance that he had picked that song just for her.

She hadn't been given a lot growing up, and while the things Jack had given her, she would never take for granted, this ring was special. It was more than just a ring. It was a promise. A bond.

She slipped the ring back on her finger. She made her hand into a fist and brought it to rest against her heart, then took a deep breath. The thought of living without Jack scared her deeply. The thought of him having to live without her scared her more.

She felt her life was too insecure at the moment, with that crazy person out there somewhere, trying to kill her. She knew her days were numbered as long as her stalker roamed free. She tried to keep her fear hidden when she was with Jack. She knew he didn't want her to worry and for the most part, she thought she did a pretty good job. But she was scared. Scared of what this stranger would do to her.

She hated that this person had taken away her freedom, her job, and her safety. She hated the stress Jack was under trying to protect her, the pain he endured at her injury, and the heartache he might suffer from her loss.

She sat up straighter on the couch. Letting this stalker have so much control was unacceptable. She couldn't live her life this way anymore. She would have to draw this person out. She was done hiding, spending her days trapped in a hotel. But she needed a plan. She couldn't just go off half-cocked. This wasn't an action movie where shit blows up, but the good guys never die. No, this was real life. Good people died every day in real life.

She stood from the couch and paced the living room. The more she thought about getting her life back, the better she felt. Working on a plan to catch this person made her feel energized. She was ready to take charge of her life again and nobody, not even Jack, could stop her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

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