Page 35 of Alluring

Steph gave him a sly smile. "It's definitely a pleasure to meet you. Any friend that can get into Alexis's pants is a friend of mine."

"Steph!" Alexis yelled, mortified.

Jack chuckled. "I'll be the only friend you'll ever meet that's getting into Alexis's pants. Although, I don't thinkfriendis quite the right word."

"What would be the right word then?" Steph asked.

Jack looked over and gave Alexis a tender smile. "I don't think Alexis is ready to know the answer to that yet."

Alexis looked around her apartment one last time while Jack took her things down to his SUV. She was bent over, looking through the refrigerator, making sure she didn't miss anything that would spoil, when she felt a set of strong arms wrap around her waist. "Don't think I can see you bent over and be able to resist you," Jack mumbled against her neck. "Especially in these short shorts."

Alexis had changed into a pair of black, cuff shorts and a pink tank, knowing they were about to leave. The day was unusually warm for late April, and although it would be cool in the hotel, it had to be at least 90 degrees outside.

She pulled her head out of the fridge and shut the door. With her back still to Jack, one of his hands traveled north while the other went south, cupping her through her shorts. Her head fell back against his chest as his lips attacked his favorite spot on her neck.

"I will never get enough of you."

Alexis stiffened in his arms. She knew he felt it when his hold on her tightened. "Don't, Jack. You know how important your honesty is to me, so don't say things about a future you can't possibly know about. Let's just enjoy the now."

She heard Jack sigh against her neck before he stepped back, turning her to face him. He gripped her shoulders, staring at her very seriously. His eyes penetrated hers, searching for something in their depths. "One of these days, I will make you understand what's going on between us. I'm trying to give you time to figure it out on your own, but you have to know by now, I'm not the most patient of men. My patience will run out and when that happens I will spell things out for you, word for word if need be, until you understand."

"I ... I ... d ... don't—"

"I know you don't. But understand this, I will never tell you something I don't mean, now or in the future or even about the future. Know that whatever comes out of my mouth is the truth. Some of it you'll like. Some of it you won't. But all of it will be true."

Alexis stood there. Her mouth opening and closing, but no sound was coming out. She honestly did not know what to say. What did he mean, she didn't know what was going on between the two of them? She knew exactly what was happening. They were having a fling. She couldn't allow herself to believe it was anything more than that. She couldn't allow her heart to soar at words likeI will never get enough of youbecause that implied a future. A future, she knew they didn't have. She couldn't allow herself to believe she had a happily ever after with Jack because the moment she started thinking that, that would start the countdown to heartbreak. So, she would stick to her plan. She would enjoy the time they had together so when it ended, she would have some wonderful memories to take away with her.

It took her about an hour to unpack. Jack showed her, her side of the closet, the drawers he had emptied in his dresser, and the space he had made for her in his bathroom. Yes, she still thought of everything as his, no matter how many times he tried to correct her.

They decided to celebrate their first night living together, in bed. Jack was highly creative with the festivities and exceedingly generous with the party favors. At some point near dawn, they fell into an exhausted sleep.

The sun was shining when Alexis awoke, and the bed next to her was empty. She rolled over at looked at the bedside clock. Eleven o'clock. She never slept so late. Granted, Jack had kept her awake long into the night, but still, she felt like a loafer. She picked Jack's T-shirt off the floor and threw it over her head as she made her way to the bathroom. She did her business, brushed her teeth, and put her hair up in a scrunchie.

She quickly made her way down the stairs in search of Jack. She heard a clank coming from the kitchen and stopped short when she rounded the bend. An older couple sat at the breakfast bar, their backs to her.

Jack noticed her and smiled. "Sweetheart, come meet my parents."

His parents! She couldn't meet his parents in nothing but his T-shirt. Why didn't he wake her up? Why didn't he warn her they were here? She noticed he was bare chested, wearing only a black pair of athletic shorts. His hair was mussed and looked like he recently woke up, as well.

His parents turned in their seats at Jacks announcement. Both wore delighted smiles. She stood frozen in horrified shock.

Jack walked out of the kitchen and made his way over to her. He whispered in her ear, "Come on, sweetheart. They won't bite." He tugged at her arm, but she refused to budge.

She whispered back frantically, "I need to go change."

"They don't care what you're wearing."

She hissed at him through gritted teeth. "I'm not wearing underwear, Jack. I refuse to meet your parents wearing nothing, and I meannothing, but your T-shirt."

Jack threw his head back and laughed. Hysterically. She did not find anything the least bit amusing. She hissed at him, again. "This is not funny, Jack."

He took a sobering breath but couldn't keep the smile off his face when he said to his parents, "Alexis and I will be right back."

They quickly ran upstairs and as soon as the bedroom door closed, she was yelling, "Why didn't you warn me they were here?"

Jack quickly grabbed her about the waist and pulled her against him. "I didn't have a chance. I had just finished greeting them myself when you came down. Now for more important matters ... are you really pantyless under this shirt?" He reached under, grabbing her ass with his hands. "Ah, ... so you are."

"Jack, would you get serious." She pushed against his chest with both hands. "Your parents are right downstairs waiting for us."

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