Jax stepped back and held Jessie’s hand loosely as she turned under his arm, then took her back into the step.
“You’re almost as smooth as my dad,” she said. Her big brown eyes were made up heavily but tastefully and shone up at him.
“I take that as the highest compliment. ”
“Connor and I are having a barbecue at the new house when we get back from Bali next month. Will you come? He misses you. ”
“He just called me a bunch of names that says different. ”
“You took away his scotch on his wedding night. ”
“Only so you can get lucky later. And no guarantees. He may have already imbibed too heavily. ”
She laughed. “We’re married. I already consider myself lucky. And we’ve got many, many years of luck ahead. One night won’t make a difference. But thank you for trying. So, will you come?”
Jax was thinking about years and years of luck with Lexi. First time that thought had ever crossed his mind. He pushed it away.
“If I’m in town, I will absolutely be there. ” He pulled back and gazed down at her dress. “That’s some gown, Jess. Did your daddy leverage the Maui vacation home for that thing?”
She laughed. “Probably. But Lexi’s designs are amazing, and she made my sisters’ dresses. My parents said it was tradition. ” She pulled back, made another slow twirl, and came back to him. “Mom says they’re heirlooms. I like to think my daughter will wear it one day. Isn’t it the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?”
Jax pulled Jessie into another turn and scanned the crowd
for Lexi. She stood beside a table talking to five different men Jax recognized as financial wizards from Silicon Valley. His entire body warmed to life at the sight of her.
He smiled back at Jessie as she returned to face him. “Absolutely. ”
She laughed. “You’re so full of shit. ”
“That’s why you love me. ”
“Absolutely,” she echoed.
Jax pulled her close to finish the dance while watching Lexi. Two other men had joined the conversation, both riveted to her, even though she wasn’t doing more than responding to whatever someone else said. One of the men Jax knew as an up-and-coming actor. The other was a friend of Connor’s. An investment banker. Jax loathed the insecurity welling in his chest.
He soaked in the sight of Lexi. Her dress was cream, almost entirely heavy lace. Cut low in the front, the design was both tasteful and sexy, showing just the inner curves of her breasts. A band of beaded lace circled her slim rib cage, and the rest of the simple design needed nothing but Lexi’s body filling it out to look perfect. It molded to her flat belly, slim hips, cutting off at a respectable midthigh. The back created an open diamond exposing her delicate shoulder blades and the indention of her spine.
Just looking at her made an ache burn deep at the center of his body.
He was just about to drag his gaze away from her when Lexi looked over. She could have grabbed him by the collar, he felt her pull that intensely. Her eyes seemed so crystal blue in the darkness. Maybe it was the makeup that made them pop, but as soon as they touched his face, Jax’s heart skipped and he couldn’t look away.
“Do you want me to introduce you?” Jessie’s voice pulled his gaze back to her face. “She’s single. ”
His chest burned. “Who?”
“Lexi LaCroix. That’s the woman you’ve been staring at since you got here. ”
He sighed. “You’re worse than my little sister. ”
“I’m more of a little sister than your little sister ever was. ”
“You’re right. ” He grinned and grabbed the tip of her nose between his fingers.
She cried out a soft complaint and slapped his hand away. “I can’t believe you did that to me at my wedding. ”
“You’d have been disappointed if I didn’t. ”
“Do you want to meet her or not?” she asked, rubbing her nose, still laughing. “She’s totally sweet, obviously gorgeous, has her own successful business. ”