Page 21 of Alluring

Jack grabbed her under the arms and hauled her up so she was laying flush against his body, and they were eye to eye. "First of all, I will not tolerate anyone, and that includes yourself, to belittle or criticize you. I don't know why you see yourself the way you do, that's something we'll work on, but from where I'm looking, what I see is a beautiful woman, with a sexy body I can't wait to possess, who has a gorgeous laugh that makes me happy when I hear it, and is so incredibly sweet that I am fucking thankful I'm close enough to be sharing the same air as her.

"Second, yes, I've had my fair share of women, I won't deny that, but not one of them caught my eye the way you have. And, because I've had so many women, I should know when the right one comes along, and sweetheart, you are the right one. Only a fool would let the right one get away, so I am holding on tight because, sweetheart, I am no fool.

"You say you don't trust me, that's okay, I'll get you there. But in the meantime, know this, I will be holding tight, I will be pushing hard and I will not be letting go. I know you will dig your ground, push me back and fight for escape, but in the end you willnotwin.And I know this 'cause Ineverlose."

Alexis processed all that for a few minutes, knowing there was no way to absorb everything he just said before coffee. She knew that pieces of it would slowly filter into her brain until it was all digested but in the meantime, she said the only thing she felt was safe to say, "I'm hungry."

Jack chuckled then gave her a kiss on her lips. "Well, sweetheart, I guess I'd better feed you than." He gave her a swat on the ass. "Get up, get dressed, and I'll take you to breakfast."

Jack kept hold of her hand as they exited the elevator and made their way to the coffee shop. He was once again in a pair of worn jeans, but this time, had on a navy-blue T-shirt. Alexis was in the same jeans and baby-pink T-shirt she had changed into, after work the night before. She halted and gave his hand a tug. "We can't go there." She nodded toward the coffee shop.

Jack stopped and turned to her. "Why the hell not?"

"People will know you."

He grinned. "I know. We'll get better service."

"I meant, I don't want people to know we're together."

"Sweetheart, I'm gonna be so stuck to you, there is no way people cannot know we're together."

Alexis sighed, giving up, in the face of needing coffee, STAT.

She felt all eyes on them as they entered the coffee shop. She knew not everyone knew who Jack was (as the diners were probably patrons of the hotel), but Jack, just being Jack, in all his masculine glory could make people stare.

Jack walked up the hostess, wrapped his arm around Alexis's waist and pulled her close. "We want a booth."

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Cole, but none are available at the moment." And she did sound sorry.

"We don't mind waiting, but we need coffee, one black and one with cream and sugar." Jack led Alexis to two empty seats in the waiting area.

The hostess returned with two steaming mugs of coffee, and Jack handed Alexis the one with cream and sugar.

Alexis took a grateful sip. "How did you know how I take my coffee?"

"Lucky guess," he said, taking a sip of his own coffee.

"No really, I want to know."

"Honestly, it was a guess. I figured you're so sweet, you drink sweet coffee."

Alexis laughed, "That's your corniest line yet."

"Sweetheart, that wasn't a line."

"Whatever," Alexis said, giggling into her coffee.

They were shown to a booth, Alexis slid in with Jack sliding in right after her. She kept scooting and he kept following.

Finally, she stopped, giving him a glare. "Did you ask for a booth so you could plaster yourself to my side?" she asked.

"Yes." He opened a menu and handed it to her.

After a few minutes debate, she put the menu down and reached for her coffee.

"Decide what you want?" he asked.

"Eggs Benedict with extra hollandaise sauce." He was smiling at her again. "What?"

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