Page 78 of Alluring

"Maybe, it's something we can do together. I hate the thought of you doing, whatever it is you have planned, on your own. It scares me, and I've been scared enough lately."

Alexis gave up trying to hide it. He was just going to hound her until she gave in, anyway. He still couldn't stop her from doing what she wanted to do. "Jack, the reason that I'm not telling you is because you won't want to do it. You'll say it's too dangerous."

He gave her a tight squeeze and growled, "So, it is dangerous."

"No, I said, you'll think it's dangerous." Alexis sat up, pulling the sheet around her shoulders. "Honestly Jack, I am so tired of living in fear, hiding away. I need this to be over. No one knows who this person is. No one is even close to catching her. We need to do something."

"I get that, baby," he sat up, too and stroked her cheek, "But I don't want to put your life in danger."

"It's already in danger. I just want to speed up the process. Get it over with so we can go back to our normal lives."

Jack sighed, hanging his head, pinching the bridge of his nose, while deep in thought. "Okay Alexis, you win, what did you have in mind."

God, he sounded defeated. She hated that, but at the same time, she knew she was right. "First, we need the press to announce our engagement. I figured, the best way is to invite the press to our engagement party."

"Ah, now I understand the enthusiasm over the party."

"Yes. Now listen, Once the stalker learns we're in averycommitted relationship, she'll want to put a stop to it. It will cause her to make a move faster."

"She already did make a move a few weeks ago. She tried to kill you, or have you forgotten that."

"Of course, I haven't forgotten. But that was weeks ago. I'm tired of waiting in limbo for the other shoe to drop. Like I said, I'm trying to speed things up, so she doesn't catch us unawares."

"Okay, we'll invite the press to the party, but don't go doing anything reckless or stupid without telling me. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

"Now seal it with a kiss."

She gave him a sexy smile and stretched out on top of him again. "How about we seal it with more than a kiss."

Jack flipped her over, then proceeded to show her his answer.

* * * * *

Jack stayed awake, long after Alexis had fallen into an exhausted sleep. She was cradled in his arms, making little humming noises that he thought were more than adorable.

He agreed to Alexis's plan for a few reasons. First, the stalker was out there, watching. Alexis was right, they needed to speed things up. How did they know if in six months, after they've gotten comfortable, let their guard down, that the stalker wouldn't strike then, taking them unawares.

Also, he couldn't stop Alexis from doing what she wanted to do, other than, locking her in this bedroom and throwing away the key. And, unfortunately, that wasn't an option. It was better to be with Alexis than against her. At least that way, she wouldn't go off doing something foolish by herself. Or so he hoped.

Jack sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. The thought of Alexis being in even more danger gave him a headache. He also agreed with Alexis about the waiting. He hated being in limbo, as well. He wanted to get married, start a family, but they couldn't do that until this whole mess was settled. They did need to draw the stalker out. She needed to make a move, so she could get caught.

How was the stalker going to make a move though, when Alexis was surrounded by bodyguards and cloaked in surveillance? No way in hell was he lessening her security. Hell, he figured the only reason the stalker had been quiet over the last few weeks was because she couldn't get near Alexis, and that wasn't going to change. He would look over his shoulder the rest of his life if he had to, to keep Alexis safe. So they would announce their engagement and see how that played. Take it a day at a time and stay alert.

Jack sighed once more and closed his eyes. He needed to get some sleep, but his brain wouldn't shut down. He concentrated on Alexis and the warm breaths she was blowing along his chest. Soon, he was soothed and lulled into sleep.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Alexis stood in awe at the beauty surrounding her as they stepped over the threshold and into the marbled foyer of Jack's parents home. Closed, large, oaken double doors flanked either side of her, and a grand, double staircase arose in front. An opulent crystal chandelier hung elegantly over their heads. The bright lights catching the many tiny prisms, glittering like the finest diamonds.

Alexis looked down at her long, black, velvet evening dress. The gown was strapless, the bodice a sharp straight line across her chest with a revealing 'V' at her cleavage. The dress was skintight to about mid-thigh, before flaring slightly to allow movement.

Jack, of course, looked exceedingly handsome in his tux. He wore no tie, and the first few buttons of his dress shirt were unbuttoned.

When Alexis had commented on his not wearing a tie, earlier that evening, his reply was, "It's our party, and I can, damn well, choose to be comfortable if I want."

She had no argument for that.

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