Page 13 of Alluring

Alexis shrugged. "I like guacamole."

The waitress came back with their drinks, took their order (still not looking Alexis in the eye, whatever), and left. Alexis played with the rim of her glass as she said, "I know who you are."

Jack leaned back in the booth. He splayed his arm along the back of it and waited for her to continue.

"My friend told me who you were last night. She said you called her."

"Ah, the excitable Steph."

Alexis giggled. "Yes, I can well imagine how that conversation went." She grew serious again. "I didn't know who you were before that. I didn't know you were, Jackson Cole. After our conversation yesterday, I figured you were in upper management and that was bad enough but now, this is impossible."

Jack sat up straight. "Impossible? Explain."

"Jack, you own the hotel I work for. We can't date."

"I hate to tell you this, but we already are."

She shook her head. "This will be the one and only time."

Jack leaned forward, placed his elbows on the table, and rested his chin on his entwined hands, studying her. His stare made her nervous. She had the urge to fidget but commanded her body to remain still. She would not back down no matter how captivating he was. He was no good for her, and she knew it. This had disaster written all over it. She had to make him understand. She wasn't the kind of girl he was used to. She wasn't a girl who put-out on the first date nor the second or even the third. He would get tired of waiting. Then, when her heart was involved (and she knew it would be), he would leave. Or, if she did give in to him, let him sleep with her, he would eventually grow tired of her (why wouldn't he? He could have anyone he wanted), and then he would leave. Anyway she looked at it, he was leaving. To protect herself, she needed to stop this now.

* * * * *

Jack stared, fascinated by the play of emotions crossing Alexis's face. She was breathtakingly beautiful, inside and out, and he was completely enchanted by her. His fingers itched to trace the exquisite contour of her face, the delicate shell of her ear, the slim line of her neck. He stared into her eyes fully entrapped by their dark whiskey color and her long thick lashes under finely sculpted brows. Everything about her screamed in his head,mine ... mine ... mine .... And he would do anything to make it so.

"Tell me what I can do to change your mind."

"There's nothing you can do to change my mind."

The waitress arrived with their food, pausing their conversation. She set the plates of burgers in front of them before asking, "Anything else I can get for you?"

Jack's attention was solely focused on Alexis. "We're good. Thank you," she said, then watch the waitress walk away. She picked up her knife and stared to cut her burger into fourths.

"Alexis look at me." She sighed and put down her knife before giving him her eyes. "This is going to happen."

"You can't force me to date you, Jack." Her eyes squinted in annoyance. She was getting angry. Good.

He took a large bite of his burger, chewed, swallowed, then wiped his mouth with his napkin before responding, "I won't be forcing you." He moved his plate aside and leaned forward across the table lowering his voice as he said, "I won't need to force you. By the time I'm done with you, you'll be begging me."

Alexis sat back in her seat. She looked calm and composed, but he saw her pulse beating frantically at her neck and knew his words had gotten to her. "Why are you doing this?" she asked beseechingly. "Why go though this much trouble? Surely there are hundreds of women out there more than happy, probably thrilled, to spend time with you. You wouldn't even have to try. Why don't you go after them?"

"Because, I wantyou."

CHAPTER SIX

I want you.

Those three little words echoed in her head the whole way home. He walked her to her door, kissed her lightly on the forehead, and made sure she got in safely before walking back to his car. All without uttering a word.

She slowly walked to her bedroom, stripped off her clothes, threw on a large T-shirt, and went into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth before climbing into bed. She was tired, but her brain wouldn't shut off. She laid in the dark, her thoughts focused on Jack, wondering what he would do next.

Even though he was silent through the rest of dinner and on the way home, she knew he hadn't given up. His need for her was in his eyes, when he said he wanted her. But what Alexis couldn't figure out, was why he wantedherso badly? She wasn't anything special. She was sincere when she told him he could have anyone he wanted. He was beautiful, brilliant, and rich. Women would and did flock to him. They threw themselves at him.

Was that it? Was it because she had told him no? Was she a challenge? Were those other women too easy to get? She replayed their first meeting through her mind, knowing even if she could redo it, she wouldn't change a thing. Even if it meant, she'd be free of Jack now.

The next day at work, Alexis had to fight sleep. She'd had a restless night and being tired didn't bode well for her night shift at Allure. Her lunch hour was fast approaching, and she was seriously considering taking a catnap in the break room instead of eating the sandwich she had made, when a deliveryman, holding a vase of at least two dozen lavender roses, stepped up to her counter.

He held out a clipboard. "Need a signature for a delivery."

---