Page 81 of Alluring

He kissed her again, slowly. Pouring all his love, devotion, desire, and need into that one kiss. He wanted her to feel the depths of his emotions. He hated that she felt even the tiniest bit of insecurity. She was so far above any woman he'd ever known, there really was no comparison. He slowly lifted his head and looked into her eyes. "You are the breath I need to breathe. I live for you, Alexis. Without you, I am nothing."

She was shaking her head before he even finished speaking. "You've got it all wrong, Jack. I wasnothinguntil you."

He softly lowered his head to hers, and they stood there, breathing each other's air. His thumbs lightly caressed the apples of her cheeks, and he closed his eyes, savoring the sweetness of the moment. He wanted endless moments like this with her, always.

"Sorry to break up this sweet, domestic shindig you've got going on in the corner here, but ... I only know two people here, and you're it. So alone time is over. You must entertain me."

He was vastly annoyed by the interruption, but all feelings of irritation left when he turned and saw Steph. Shockingly, a very sedate looking Steph. Honestly, he didn't think she had it in her. Her hair was tamed into some fancy hairdo and her make-up was so light, it was almost nonexistent.

He turned to Alexis to catch her reaction. He chuckled. Her mouth was hanging open. Guess she was as surprised as he.

* * * * *

Alexis stared disbelievingly at her friend. She looked so unlikeherSteph that all she could do was stand there, gaping in shock. She looked good.

No, she looked great.

Her hair was pulled up at the top of her head in a complicated twist, but it wasn't pulled tight. It looked soft. She wore barely any make-up and what she did wear was very light in tone. She had a beautiful face with her layer of make-up, without it she was a knock-out.

She had on a modest rose-colored gown that concealed more than it revealed, leaving much to the imagination. But anyone with an active imagination would be able to envision the curves hiding beneath the folds that surrounded her petite 5' 2" body.

"Well, are you just gonna stand there and gawk at me all day, or are you gonna say something?"

Alexis laughed, she might not look like Steph, but she sure sounded like her. "You look absolutely beautiful."

"I concur," Jack said, at her side.

"I didn't mean to be a mood killer," she waved her hand between Jack and Alexis, "but I don't know anyone here, and I didn't want to just wander around looking like an idiot."

"We definitely don't want that." Alexis took her arm a guided her into the crowd. "I'll introduce you to who I know but to be honest, that's only like six people. I'm practically in the same boat as you."

Steph laughed and Alexis felt her relax at her side. "So what's with the disguise? You hiding from someone?" Alexis teased.

Steph snorted, then gave a throaty laugh. "Hardly. I just thought if I were attending the engagement party of my very best friend, who's engaged to an extremely handsome, disgustingly rich guy, I'd better look the part."

"You look beautiful, but then, you always look beautiful. You're beautiful inside and out. You shouldn't have to play a part. You're my best friend. I love you just the way you are."

Steph gave her a big kiss on the cheek. "I love you too. And this isn't me playing a part. It's just another side of me. Just one that doesn't come out too often." She gave Alexis a wink. "Now, introduce me to those six whole people that you know." They both laughed.

She introduced Steph to Jack's parents first. They enfolded her into hugs saying any best friend of Alexis's was a part of the family. Next, she dragged her to where Mase and the gang where hanging.

"Guys, I'd like to introduce you to my best friend Stephanie. Steph, this is Gage, Cassie, Mase, and Sabrina."

After a few minutes of idle chitchat, Alexis felt safe leaving Steph. "I'll be back in a few minutes. I'm going to find Jack."

Steph gave her a nod and a wave but didn't stop talking. She was definitely not shy around new people.

She found Jack, looking bored, talking with an older gentleman. He seemed grateful to see her. "I thought you might like to dance."

Jack turned to his companion. "If you'll excuse me." He swept Alexis away. "Sorry, I didn't introduce you, love, but that would've led to another twenty-minute conversation."

Alexis giggled, she couldn't help it, the panicked look on his face at the thought of a longer conversation with that man was priceless. They made their way back to their friends. After about an hour of talking, Alexis leaned in and whispered, "You look very handsome tonight. Would it be impossibly rude to skip out on our own party early?"

Jack gave her a knowing look. "I'll make our excuses. We'll be out of here in five minutes."

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

The next morning Alexis went around the bedroom, picking up the stray pieces of evening wear scattered haphazardly around the room. Last night, in their mad dash to get naked after they arrived home from the party, they had tossed their clothes not knowing or caring where they landed. Alexis picked up her velvet dress and shook it out, worried she had bruised the fabric.

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