Alluring (28 page)

Alexis looked around in amazement.  Boats of every size and color lined the docks.  "Are we going out on a boat?" 

Jack laughed.  "We are." 

Alexis turned back in her seat and gave wide eyes to Emily, who looked equally enthralled. 

Jack stopped the cart at the end of the dock.  A large party boat floated in the water.  Alexis counted three levels.  She turned to Jack.  "Is this yours?"

Her gave her a smile and shook his head.  "No.  It's Mase's.  I've never had a need for one, but if you're interested in a boat, I'll buy you one."

Was he crazy?  "You can't buy me a boat."

"Uh yeah, sweetheart, I think I can."  He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close.  "I can buy you anything I want.  Anything
you
want."

"Well, I don't want you to buy me a boat!"

  "We'll see.  It might be fun, floating around, the two us," he leaned in and whispered in her ear, "alone."

Alexis tried to speak, but it came out as a croak.  She cleared her throat and tried again.  "That doesn't sound too bad."

Jack chuckled.  "Come on, let's get on board."

Mase was there to greet them.  "Welcome aboard, me mateys.  Let me show you around.   As you can see, this is the lower deck.  There are plenty of loungers if you want to sunbathe.  Here, to my right are the stairs that lead to the upper deck.  I'll show you that in a minute."

They followed Mase through a door that took them inside the lower level.  Alexis looked around, amazed.  A living room, of sorts, took up part of the room.  Four large couches surrounded a coffee table in the middle of the room.  A large flat screen TV and entertainment center occupied the corner. 

"Here, to the right, are two guest bedrooms and the guest bath.  On the left is the master bed and bath.  And through here,"  Mase said, waving his hand in an open doorway at the back of the room, "is the galley." 

They made their way back out to the lower deck and climbed the stairs.

"Up here's where the party happens," Mase said, throwing his arms wide.  "We have a dance floor with a DJ and a full bar.  The food will be set up on those long banquet tables."  Mase pointed to some empty tables set up along the rail.  "Up there," Mase pointed to the smaller level above, "is where the captain sits."

A dining section with ten round tables for people to sit and eat filled part of the deck.  The rest of the space was open for people to roam around and mingle.  A handful of people leaned against the rail, waving and yelling at people on the dock below.

"More people must've arrived," Mase said.  "I'd better get back downstairs.  Make yourselves at home.  They'll be setting up the food soon."  He waved toward the bar.  "Bartender's on duty.  Have fun kids."  He gave them a jaunty smile before disappearing down the stairs.

"How many people do you think he invited?"  Alexis asked Jack.

"Knowing Mase, probably a lot."

There ended up being only about fifty people at the party, which according to Jack, was a relatively small amount for Mase.  The sun started to set, casting an amber glow over the water.  Mase had told them there would be a firework show and the captain got the boat into position so everyone could watch the event.

"Come with me."  Jack took a hold of Alexis's hand and led her to the bar.  He ordered two champagnes.  After handing her a glass, he took her hand again and escorted her to the stairs that lead to the third level. 

"Are we allowed to come up here?"  She asked as they climbed the stairs.

"You don't see anyone stopping us, do you?"

Alexis laughed.  "No, but I think that's more due to the fact that everyone's drunk and not paying attention."

They reached the top of the stairs.  Jack gave the captain a nod as he walked her to the rail of the boat.  The wind blew briskly, and Alexis snuggled into her sweater. 

It was peaceful up here, away from the crowd.  She could hear the music and the din from the party-goers below, but still somehow felt they were in their own little world. 

Alexis gazed out, over the water.  "It's so beautiful."

"You're beautiful."

She looked over at Jack.  His body was still and he stared at her with an intensity she'd never felt from him before.  "Are you okay?" 

His lips parted, but no sound came out.  He took in a deep breath, closing his eyes.  He released the breath slowly.  His eyes came open, immobilizing her with his intense regard.

* * * * *

Jack gave a bark of laughter, shaking his head.  He ran his fingers through his hair before clamping his hand to the back of his neck.  He stared down at the floor for a count of ten before looking back up.

"I didn't think this would be so hard.  I'm so worried about what your answer will be, I can't seem to get out the words."  She gave him a look, like she thought he was crazy.  Maybe he was?  He sure felt deranged at the moment.

When he'd brought her up here, he'd had all the confidence in the world.  But, one look from her amber eyes, and all of his confidence shattered.  He'd had everything he wanted to say to her memorized, but that one look was all it took, for the words to go flying from his head, scattering over the water like tiny scraps of paper, forever lost. 

He knew he had to say something soon.  She looked worried and worried was the last thing he wanted her to be.  He took her hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss.  Her fingertips were cold.  He set both their glasses on the ground and enfolded her hands in his to bring them warmth.

"Alexis."  Her name came out as a sigh.  He brought his lips to hers and kissed her.  Earnestly.  He never wanted to be parted from her.  He had to make her his.  He separated their lips and rested his forehead against hers.  "I want to live each day with you by my side and end every night with you in my arms.  I want to have children with you.  I want to grow old with you.  I want you to be mine.  Please tell me you want those same things.  Please say you'll marry me."  He reached into the pocket of his jeans and withdrew the ring he had made for her. 

* * * * *

Alexis stared in stunned silence at the ring before her.  A large princess cut diamond, with clusters of pink stones on either side, sparkled in the moonlight.  Jack's hand shook slightly as he held up the ring.  The fact that this strong, powerful, domineering man, was nervous about her answer, proved how much she meant to him, how important this was for him.  It also made her decision an easy one.

She held out her left hand (hers was trembling a bit, too).  "I love you and do want all those things, so yes, I'll marry you."

He slipped the ring on her finger, scooped her into his arms and kissed her.  His kiss consumed her.  She felt his love in that kiss and hoped he felt her love in return.  In the background, Alexis heard the pop of fireworks.  She smiled against Jack's lips.  "Perfect timing."

He leaned in and nuzzled her neck.  "You will never regret saying yes."

Alexis watched the glow of lights shimmering in the sky.  No, she didn't think she would.

Emily shrieked and threw her arms around her, jumping up and down, when Alexis showed her the engagement ring.  "I'm so happy for you."  Emily grasped her sister's hands.  "I know things have been tough for you.  I know taking care of mom and raising me wasn't easy, and not once did you give up on either of us.  You took care of me, put me through school ... and I just want to say, thank you.  If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have had such a good life.  I'm happy you found some happiness.  You deserve it more than anyone."

Alexis felt a few tears fall from her eyes.  "I love you and would do anything for you.  You know I'm always here for you."

"And I'll always be here for you.  It goes both ways, we're sisters."

Alexis laughed.  "So, what do you say we hit the dance floor, sister."

"I say that sounds like fun."

Jack put his hands on Alexis's shoulders.  "There's someone I want you to meet first."

Alexis smiled at Emily.  "I'll meet you out there."  She nodded to the dance floor.

Jack steered her to a very attractive, middle-aged woman, with light- brown, bobbed hair who stood next to an equally attractive older gentleman.

"Grace, I want to introduce you to my enchanting fianc
é
e."  At the mention of the name Grace, Alexis grew still, and her smile faded a little.  She looked over at Jack.  He had a devilish grin on his face.

"She said yes!"  Grace smiled big and clapped her hands under her chin.

Jack's face broke out into a devastatingly brilliant smile.  He looked down at Alexis, love shining in his eyes, and said softly, "She said yes."  She was so enthralled in his smile, she almost missed his next words.  "Alexis, this is Grace.  The jeweler who made your ring."

Alexis turned to Grace.  She looked delighted, and the gentleman standing beside her, looked pleased as well.  Grace.  Alexis didn't feel the relief she thought she should feel at learning who Grace was.  She had put her trust and faith in Jack, and when he'd told her Grace was nothing to worry about, she had believed him. 

She gave Grace a huge smile.  "I said yes!"  Everyone laughed. 

Jack wrapped his arm around her and nuzzled her ear.  "I really like the idea of calling you fianc
é
e."

Alexis whispered back in a sultry voice.  "I like the idea of calling you
husband
better."

He growled, attacking her neck, causing her to giggle.  Alexis squirmed away, uncomfortable with too much PDA in front of an audience.  She held out her left hand, admiring her ring.  "Grace, this ring is breathtaking.  You do lovely work."

"Oh, I didn't design it, Jack did.  I just put it together according to his specifications.  And boy was he specific.  He called every day while I was making it."

Alexis peeked over at Jack.  "You designed this?"  she asked, gazing back down at her ring.  "It's beautiful.  I love it."  She beamed up at him.

"Nothing is as beautiful as you."  He ran a finger down her cheek, stopping at her lips, staring as if mesmerized.

"Now, that sir, was your corniest line yet," she whispered, not wanting to be overheard.

"Sweetheart," he said, just as softly, "that wasn't a line."  They gazed fixedly at each other.

 
Grace broke the spell. "Did you see the inscription?  He was very specific about that, too."

"You had it engraved?  Why didn't you show me?"

He gave her a sheepish grin, almost as if embarrassed.  But that was impossible.  Jack didn't get embarrassed about anything.  "I figured you'd find it eventually." 

Alexis didn't want to take the ring off and risk dropping it (she was on a boat in the middle of a lake!).   Besides, the darkness made it impossible to read the inscription, even with the overhead lights.  "I'll read it when we get home.  I don't want to take it off my finger."

Mase came up, draping an arm over Alexis's and Jack's shoulders, wedging his body between them.  "I've been told a rock has been sighted, and the news is spreading like wildfire."  He leered at Alexis, then eyed Jack.  "Is it true?  Am I gonna have a new best friend-in-law?"

Alexis giggled.  Mase was so odd.

Jack shook his head and smiled.  "Yes.  You gonna be my best man?"

Mase slapped Jack between his shoulder blades.  "You know it."  He turned to Alexis and kissed her cheek.  "Congrats, darling," he drawled.  "Hope you know what you're getting into with this insufferable, arrogant ass." He spoke in a voice barely loud enough for Jack to hear.

Alexis lightly patted Mase on the cheek.  "Don't worry, it's better than getting mixed up with a philandering smart-ass."

Jack gave a bark of laughter. 

Mase made an exaggerated pout, turning to Jack.  "Was she talking about me?"  Without waiting for a reply, he stepped back from the group.  "Well, if I'm gonna be labeled with a stereotype, I might as well take advantage.  Good night all.  I'm off to do some philandering."

He walked away with a strut to his step as he disappeared onto the dance floor.

"I promised Emily I'd dance with her."

Jack leaned down and gave her a light kiss on the lips.  "Go.  Have fun.  Don't dance with Mase."

Alexis smiled at Jack.  Turning to Grace, she said, "It was very nice meeting you.  Thank you again for creating my ring."

Grace gave her a nod, then Alexis turned, following Mase into the crowd.

Alexis sat on the couch absently twisting the engagement ring on her finger.  Emily had left that morning.  Five days was not enough time with her, but she knew she had a life to get back to in San Diego.  Emily had divided her time between Alexis, some old friends, and her boyfriend Reese.  She knew she should be happy with the time she did get to spend with her, especially since she'd gone more than two years without seeing her, but she would still miss her.

Alexis looked over at the ring she was spinning.  She slid it off her finger to read the inscription, once more. 

Everything I do, I do it for you