Page 80 of Alluring

She didn't look very happy until her eyes landed on Alexis. Then she broke out into a smile. She felt Jack stiffen at her side, and she looked at Mase's date. He was with the woman Alexis saw Jack talking with at the charity concert, the one from that night at the bar. She wore a long, red, jersey knit dress that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. Her blond hair was fashioned into a sophisticated knot at the top of her head, and her make-up was flawless. She was stunning, and Alexis hated that she had an impact on Jack.

She smiled up at Jack, ignoring everyone else. "Hello Jack," she purred. She left Mase's side, took a hold of Jack's arm, leaned in, and kissed him on the lips. "It's been awhile. Good to see you."

It was now Alexis's turn to stand stiffly at Jack's side. "Sabrina." He took a step away, dislodging her arm. "I'd like to introduce you to my fiancée, Alexis." He put his arm around Alexis's waist and took one more step back, creating more distance from Sabrina.

For the first time, Sabrina looked over at Alexis. She gave her a long appraisal up and down, reminiscent of the first time they met. Sabrina gave her a slight sneer, apparently she'd come up lacking, once again.

"How nice to met you." Sabrina held out her hand.

Alexis was loathed to take it, but good manners and upbringing forced her hand up to hers, taking it in a firm grip. "Nice to met you as well. Please don't touch Jack again." She gave Sabrina her own version of a sneer and squeezed her hand just a bit tighter. "Do we understand each other?"

Sabrina extracted her hand and took a step closer to Mase. "Nice bully you have there, Jack."

Mase tossed his head back and laughed. He stepped forward capturing Alexis in a big hug. "You're priceless, little firecracker."

"Mind unhanding my fiancée?"

Mase slapped Jack on the back and gave him a hearty smile. "Oh, I do mind. Your fiancée is one of my favorite people to hug."

Jack let out a sigh but smiled, shaking his head. Alexis looked over at Sabrina. She was fuming. Alexis ignored her and turned to Cassie and Gage. "It's so good to see you again," she said, giving Cassie a hug. "I didn't know you were dating Gage."

Cassie gave her a big hug in return. She looked beautiful in a long, light yellow, satin dress. The color went perfectly with her tanned complexion and long blond hair. "We're not really dating," Cassie said slowly, refusing to look over a Gage.

Alexis slyly glimpsed at Gage. He was scowling. Interesting. She turned fully to Gage and gave him a hug. "It's good to see you again."

He gave her a smile. "Congratulations on your engagement. Jack is a lucky man."

Jack dragged Alexis back, settling her at his front, his arms going around her waist. She twisted her head to look up at him. "Possessive much?"

Jack grinned down at her. "Just as much as you, it seems."

"She kissed you on the lips." Alexis whisper-growled.

Jack made a face. "Yeah, she's a little clingy. I'll have to warn Mase about that."

"I hate the fact that you've slept with her." She shook as jealousy pumped through her body.

Jack must have felt her shaking, for he pulled her away from the crowd to a secluded corner of the ballroom. He cupped her face in his hands. "Hey, what's wrong? Why are you so mad?"

"I'm not mad. Well, I guess I am a little, but I'm more upset."

"At what? Sabrina? She's not worth getting worked-up over."

"I hate the fact, that you've slept with so many women, that I actually run into them."

"Iloveonly you, Alexis. Not any of them."

Alexis sighed, her shoulders sagging in defeat. "But I see the way you look at her. Like you want her still, and I wonder how you could love someone like me and not someone as stunningly beautiful as her?"

Jack tipped her chin and looked earnestly into her eyes. "That's not longing you see in my eyes when I look at Sabrina but dread."

"What?" She whispered.

"Like I said before, she was a one-night stand that wouldn't let go. Everywhere I went, she was there. For months, I had to give her the brush-off. I stopped going to my usual hangouts just to avoid her. Finally, she got the hint, but I cringe now every time I see her."

Jack gave her a long kiss on the lips before saying, "Now, as to how I can love someone like you. I look at you and everyone else pales to your beauty. If you could only see what I see, when I look at you. You're like the brightest star in a sea of darkness. You shine so bright, everything around you dims, and like a beacon, I am drawn to you. You have my heart and my soul. Don't ever forget that. There is no need for you to feel jealous of anybody."

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