AT THE sound of someone clearing their throat, Jordanne and Alex sprang apart like two guilty teenagers caught kissing behind the school shed.
Jordanne’s wild eyes focused on Colleen, the sister in charge of ESS.
‘I think I’ll get changed,’ Alex said, and pushed open the door to the male changing rooms. He was gone in a flash. Jordanne followed his example and went into the female changing rooms. She was at her assigned locker, hoping that Colleen wouldn’t follow her but knowing the theatre sister would.
‘So you two are like brother and sister?’ Colleen said with a wide smile on her face.
Jordanne concentrated hard on taking her clothes out of the locker. ‘Brothers and sisters kiss,’ she pointed out.
‘Not like that,’ Colleen said with a chuckle. ‘Look, Jordanne, I promise I won’t say anything. What you and Alex do is your business. If it’s easier for the two of you to be seen together around the hospital pretending to be brother and sister, that’s fine by me.’
Jordanne started changing, glad that Colleen wasn’t going to spill the beans.
‘Although,’ she added thoughtfully, and Jordanne quickly looked up at her, ‘I might charge you a fee for my silence.’
‘You’re going to blackmail me?’ Jordanne asked incredulously.
Colleen’s smile increased and she nodded. ‘I want to know exactly how long this has been going on.’
Jordanne frowned. ‘That’s it? That’s your fee? I have to answer a question?’
‘That’s it, but be careful where you kiss next time. So? Answer the question.’
‘I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed. There is something between Alex and myself and we’ve acknowledged that, but as for being a couple—no. That was the very first time he’s ever kissed me.’
‘And I interrupted it. Sorry.’
Jordanne could tell that Colleen was truly sorry. She put her shoes on. ‘Never mind. We’re having dinner on Sunday night—’
‘Great.’
‘With three other people,’ Jordanne finished.
‘Not so great.’ Colleen grimaced.
‘No, it’s fine, but thanks to the suggestion from my brilliant sister-in-law-to-be, Alex will be driving me and picking me up.’
‘More time alone and in a more private place than a hospital corridor.’
Jordanne took the pins out of her hair and shook it free. Reaching for her brush, she worked the knots out.
‘Wow! Your hair is gorgeous. Has Alex seen you like this?’
Jordanne smiled. ‘A few times. It’s starting to become one of my greatest assets.’
‘Use it,’ Colleen agreed. ‘Leave your hair down and perhaps he’ll take you out to dinner tonight.’
‘He has a meeting,’ Jordanne explained as she closed the locker door and picked up her bag. She put her theatre clothes in the basket beside the door. ‘Thanks for being so nice about this, Colleen.’
‘My lips are sealed,’ she promised. The two women walked out of the changing rooms together and down to the ESS doors. There was Alex, leaning against the wall, waiting patiently for her.
Jordanne had half expected Colleen to make some sort of comment or a wisecrack, but instead she waved to Alex and called, ‘See you later.’ Then she turned and headed back to her office.
‘Everything OK?’ he asked as he straightened up. His gaze rested on her loose hair before returning to meet her eyes.
‘Fine.’ She nodded for emphasis, glad she’d left her hair down. ‘I thought you might have left already.’
Alex shook his head. ‘I’ll walk you to your car. It’s dark now,’ he added by way of explaining his presence.
They walked out of the hospital in silence, the wind teasing the ends of her hair.
‘Busy day,’ Alex said after a while.
‘Hectic,’ she agreed. She wasn’t sure what to say to him and although she was happy that he’d finally kissed her, Jordanne now felt a little uneasy.
That was all they said until they reached the doctors’ car park. He walked her to her car and waited while she unlocked it. The wind once more breezed through her hair and Alex reached out to smooth it back from her face.
‘Beautiful,’ he murmured as he ran his fingers through its length. He looked down into her eyes. ‘Jordanne, we need to talk.’
All Jordanne could do was nod.
‘I wish I didn’t have this meeting tonight, but if I cancel I’ll just have to reschedule.’
She nodded again. ‘Better to get it over and done with.’
They looked into each other’s eyes for a few more seconds before Alex took a small step away. Jordanne belatedly realised she’d been holding her breath, willing him to kiss her once more, but it wasn’t to be.
‘Drive carefully,’ he said, and turned to walk towards his own car.
Jordanne climbed behind the wheel of her car and went through the motions of driving. When she arrived home, she sat down and thought over everything that had happened. Usually, when some minor breakthrough had happened with Alex, she’d be on the phone to Kirsten like a shot. Tonight, however, Jordanne didn’t really want to discuss it with anyone. She wasn’t sure how Alex would react now, after their kiss—extremely brief though it had been. He’d said he wanted to talk and Jordanne dreaded it. She was positive he’d say it had been a mistake.
The only thread she had to hold onto was that he had been the one to instigate the kiss. She sighed and clung to that knowledge for dear life.
The rest of the week proved to be more hectic than Jordanne had anticipated as they both had extra work from Tuesday that they had to catch up on.
By late Friday morning, as they completed the clinic at Alex’s private practice, Jordanne was ready for a holiday. She massaged her temples, hoping her headache would go away but there was only one way for that to happen—by finding some time to talk to Alex. She’d hardly slept a wink since that kiss three days ago and as his attitude towards her had been overly polite, coupled with monosyllables, Jordanne was almost positive that when they did find the time to talk, he’d tell her it could never happen again.
The only bright spark in her week so far had been Louise Kellerman’s recovery. Thankfully, she’d not had any further complications after her pelvic fracture surgery. The reports from the physiotherapist and occupational therapist, as well as the social worker, on her condition had all been quite satisfactory. Her drains had been removed and the bruising from the accident had reduced dramatically. When Jordanne had seen her this morning, Louise had been in quite optimistic spirits.
When the last patient had gone, Jordanne typed up the notes, saved her documents and switched the computer off.
She took her empty coffee-cup back to the kitchen and was in the process of rinsing it when she felt rather than heard Alex come in. She kept her back to him and made sure the cup was really clean. Jordanne knew that if she turned around, she’d either throw herself into his arms or rush out of there in tears. Her emotions were strung taut like a drum, her shoulders knotted with tension.
‘All done?’ he asked.
The smooth silkiness of his voice washed over her and Jordanne momentarily closed her eyes. The cup was squeaky clean now and she could tell he was waiting for her to face him.
Jordanne reached for the teatowel and slowly turned to look at Alex. She leaned against the bench for extra support.
‘Yes.’ Her tone was slightly clipped.
He held out a piece of paper. ‘This is a letter from Roberto Portatello’s rheumatologist. He said he’s fine for surgery so everything can proceed as planned.’
‘Good.’ Jordanne forced a smile. She looked down at the cup she was drying.
‘You know, Jordanne,’ he said in that, oh, so sexy voice of his that made her want to melt into his arms, ‘if you rub that cup any harder, the pattern will come off.’
Jordanne didn’t smile. He was trying to lighten the mood but just the sound of his voice and the way it made her feel was starting to exhaust her.
‘Have you got some time now?’ he asked, putting the letter on the table. Their gazes met and locked. Jordanne’s heartbeat increased rapidly and she leaned further against the bench as her knees began to buckle. The deep blue of his gaze was something she should be used to by now but Jordanne was certain that even if she could look into those eyes every day for the rest of her life they’d still affect her in the same way.
She knew in that split second that she was definitely in love with the man. He was everything she’d ever dreamed of, he complemented her in every way and he’d captured her heart for ever. Alex Page was her Mr. Right.
The thought that she’d actually found him astounded her. In this wide world of people, her soul mate was standing right in front of her. He’d been her brother’s best friend for over a decade and here he was, asking her if she had some time to talk.
With the revelation of her true feelings towards Alex, Jordanne wasn’t at all sure what to do. She was positive Alex would say the brief but incredible feel of his lips brushing against hers had been a mistake. That they shouldn’t pursue the attraction that almost erupted like a volcano whenever they were near each other. If he’d thought otherwise, why hadn’t he just grabbed her and kissed her every day since it had happened? After all, it was all she’d wanted.
Her lips parted but she found that she couldn’t speak any words. She knew he was watching her carefully, trying to decipher her expressions.
‘Jordanne.’ The word was said softly, almost a caress, and for one fleeting millisecond Jordanne thought she might have a chance.
The ringing of her mobile phone startled her so much that Jordanne dropped her coffee-cup. Crash! She looked down at the pieces of porcelain that had shattered all over the kitchen floor before snatching the phone from her waistband.
Turning to face the sink, she spoke harshly into the receiver. ‘Yes?’ She listened intently to the person at the other end. ‘Right. I’ll be there soon. Thank you.’ She disconnected the call and hung her head. Taking a deep breath, she tried to relax her body. It didn’t work.
‘That was the IAS. Apparently Dylan Foster has turned up early for his appointment with me this afternoon.’ Jordanne spun around only to find Alex crouching on the floor, cleaning up the mess with a dustpan and brush.
‘I’ll take care of this,’ he told her. ‘You’d better go start your afternoon research session.’
Jordanne felt worse than she had before. One single action from him would wipe away all the stress within her. With one little reassuring kiss, no words would be necessary. He inclined his head towards the door when she didn’t move.
‘Right. Thanks,’ she said, remembering her manners as she walked past him and out of the room. Why did it feel as though she were walking out of his life?
Jordanne forced herself to concentrate on the traffic during the short drive to the IAS. When she arrived, she was glad to see that Dylan Foster’s wife had accompanied him. Jordanne was in no mood to be evasive and polite if Dylan Foster tried any of his pick-up lines on her.
‘These X-rays look good,’ she told him after she’d reviewed the new set of films he’d had taken a few hours ago. It was part of the study to take check X-rays of the fractures to see precisely how they were healing.
‘Now I need to take a small sample of blood for testing and then I’ll explain again about the medication you’ll be taking.’
Jordanne tried not to smile as Dylan paled at the sight of the needle. ‘Perhaps you should lie down,’ she suggested. When he was lying on the examination couch, Jordanne motioned for his wife to come over, too. ‘Would you mind talking to your husband, Mrs Foster?’ she asked softly. ‘Distract him a little?’
‘Sure.’
Everything was going fine. Jordanne swabbed his arm and rechecked that the tourniquet was tight. She’d inserted the needle and was almost finished when Dylan turned his head to see what she was doing and promptly passed out.
Jordanne withdrew the needle and quickly dealt with the blood before washing her hands. ‘Dylan?’ Jordanne called, and he slowly roused. ‘Just as well he was lying down,’ she said softly to his wife, who smiled.
‘He hates the sight of blood,’ Mrs Foster stated. ‘He’s hopeless when the kids cut themselves. I don’t know why he looked.’
‘Never mind. Just lie there for a while, Dylan, and you’ll soon be feeling as right as rain.’ She gave him a drink of water which he sipped with his wife’s help.
When he was feeling better, Jordanne checked his blood pressure and pulse before allowing him to get off the couch. He hobbled over to the chair and sat holding onto his wife’s hand as though his life depended on it.
‘Right, now I’ll just go through the medication with you again.’ She handed his wife a small plastic bottle that had one hundred tablets in it. ‘You need to take one tablet per day, preferably around the same time of day and after food.’
‘So it doesn’t matter when, just the same time,’ Mrs Foster clarified.
‘Yes. As I explained before, the tablets are a new non-steroidal, non-performance-enhancing medication. The study has two sections, people who have recent fractures, that is, less than six months old, and people who fractured their legs more than six months ago.
‘What the medication does is to repair small fractures, stress fractures, hairline fractures—that sort of thing—without requiring surgical intervention. When a bone is fractured, bone-building cells called osteoblasts help to remodel the bone. This medication assists the formation of not only the osteoblasts but other cells involved in bone regeneration, thereby helping the smaller fractures to repair themselves more quickly.’
‘Why?’ Mrs Foster asked.
‘Once the smaller fractures are healed, the bone becomes stronger, thereby allowing better health to the patient and faster regeneration of larger fractures.’
‘So the aim of this research study is to test whether this medication really works in the way you’ve just told me?’ she asked. Dylan was still fairly white and wasn’t up to asking questions.
‘Yes.’
‘You said previously that your research was mainly on athletes.’
‘That’s right. Athletes have a higher rate of injury and re-fractures are more common, but to round the study out we wanted to test not only professional athletes but amateur athletes and non-athletic people. Most of the athletes I’m seeing have old fractures so we’re hoping to prove that the medication helps strengthen the bone and guard against refracturing. With Dylan’s history of being an amateur athlete, as well as refracturing the same bone as he’s done, it makes him a unique candidate for this study.’
‘There you are, dear.’ His wife patted his hand. ‘Someone thinks you’re unique.’
Jordanne tried not to smile at her words. She handed Mrs Foster a card. ‘Here are my details. This is my answering service and if I’m not available, leave a message with them and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Remember, no question is too silly. As I said when we first discussed Dylan participating in this study, if there are any side-effects such as nausea, irritation to the skin, loss of appetite—anything like that—stop taking the medication instantly and call me.’
‘OK.’
‘You have the charts for the daily report of general health?’ Jordanne confirmed.
‘Yes.’
‘Good. I’ll need to see Dylan in one month’s time with a new set of X-rays—do you have the request form?’
‘Yes.’
‘Have the X-rays like you did today, bring the daily reports, come here and see me. I’ll need to do another blood test so perhaps next time we’ll put a blindfold on him.’
Mrs Foster chuckled and nodded.
‘And we’ll take it from there.’
‘Thanks, Doctor,’ Dylan said, and his wife reiterated it.
‘No. Thank you. Your participation in this study is greatly appreciated.’ Jordanne checked his vital signs again, pleased that everything was back to normal. She helped Dylan to his feet while his wife handed him his crutches, and together they left.
Jordanne saw three more athletes who had agreed to take part in the study. The pharmaceutical company who was funding the research had also sent her X-rays and patient information on some of the athletes training at the IAS, whom the company sponsored.
Two of the athletes had been sent by the company. Jordanne had thoroughly read the information sent to her but when the candidates arrived, she gathered her own information.
Just as she was packing up for the day, there was another knock on her door. She looked up with a smile pasted on her face. The smile turned into a real one as Sally walked into her room and slumped down into the chair.
‘It’s Friday afternoon and I’m finally finished,’ Sally said, and Jordanne laughed.
‘I know exactly what you mean. Did Alex give you the details for Sunday night’s dinner?’
‘Yes.’ Sally smiled. ‘But I can’t wait until Sunday, so spill the beans. What’s going on between you and Alex?’
Jordanne hesitated for a moment. She didn’t want to put Sally in a compromising position of keeping a secret from Jed because at the moment Jordanne definitely did not want her brother to know what was going on—if anything—between his little sister and his best friend. On the other hand, she could really use Sally’s advice.
‘I’m not really sure,’ Jordanne said slowly.
Sally nodded. ‘I remember that phase.’ She grimaced. ‘It’ll pass. You’ve got to believe that.’
‘Sally…’ Jordanne reached for her friend’s hand and held it. She took a deep breath. ‘I feel a bit uncomfortable talking to you about this, just like you felt uncomfortable telling me what was going on between you and Jed.’
‘I understand,’ Sally said, and squeezed Jordanne’s hand. ‘Thank you for caring about my relationship with Jed.’
‘No secrets,’ Jordanne whispered. ‘It’s the philosophy my parents live by and I know Jed does, too.’
‘Look, we don’t have to go into details,’ Sally reasoned. ‘But, if I may, I’d like to offer some advice.’
‘Go right ahead.’
‘Take control. If you believe you and Alex should be together then go for it. As I said, take control, take a chance. I did.’ Sally smiled at her friend and stood up. ‘Now, how about…coffee and cake? I’d like to get your opinion on some of the wedding organising I’m doing.’
‘I thought you were going to hire a professional wedding organiser?’ Jordanne asked as she reached for her bag and keys.
‘My mother’s helping but this is something I want to do myself. I’m only going to get married once and I want it to be perfect.’
Jordanne nodded as she locked up her office and headed out with Sally, glad to have a distraction from her constant thoughts about Alex.
Saturday night’s call was hectic. An eight-car pile-up on the highway leading into Canberra had brought several casualties with it. Accident and Emergency was chaotic and the ESS Theatres were constantly filled with one patient after the other.
Jordanne walked quickly down to Radiology to retrieve some X-rays Alex was eager to have.
‘Hi, Jordanne,’ Bethany Young, one of the senior radiographers greeted her. ‘Talk about busy. I’m just putting the films you need through right now.’ Bethany fed an X-ray into the machine and the two women waited for it to do its job. ‘At least this machine hasn’t broken down again. Tonight would not be a good night to be processing by hand!’
‘Agreed,’ Jordanne said, and leaned against the bench. She tried to stifle a yawn but wasn’t successful.
‘How many cups of coffee have you had tonight?’ Bethany asked with a laugh.
‘Far too many,’ Jordanne replied.
Bethany gave her a close look. ‘Things aren’t going too well between you and Alex, huh?’
Jordanne was instantly alert. ‘Our working relationship is just fine,’ she said with what she hoped was firm clarity.
‘Come off it. I don’t buy the grapevine’s rumour that you’re just like brother and sister. I know your brother, remember? And I know Alex. We’ve all been friends for many years. Alex doesn’t look upon you as sister material.’
Jordanne lowered her head and sighed a deep, heavy sigh. ‘Please, don’t—’
‘My lips are sealed. I just like to see people happy in love rather than the alternative.’
‘As you’ve known him for so long, do you have any advice?’
‘Don’t rush him,’ Bethany said, and it was the last thing that Jordanne wanted to hear.
‘Oh, I’m so confused,’ she wailed.
‘Here, then.’ Bethany handed her a film. ‘Focus on work for the next few hours, fall into bed through utter exhaustion and I’m sure the world will look a little more rosy tomorrow.’
Jordanne accepted the film. ‘I hope you’re right,’ she said, before rushing out of Radiology and heading back towards theatres.
Jordanne couldn’t but help follow Bethany’s advice as they were in Theatre well into Sunday morning. Wearily, she crawled into bed and slept soundly for well over ten hours. By the time she woke, she had less than two hours to figure out her game plan, shower, dress and make it over to Alex’s house for what she hoped would be the night to change his mind about her.
Beneath the hot spray, Jordanne tried to focus her thoughts. Most of the advice she’d received had been not to rush Alex. Indeed, from what she knew of him, he wasn’t a man who appreciated being pushed into any situation, let alone a romantic one.
But it had been his decision, his breath, his lips that had brushed across hers last Tuesday. He’d admitted the attraction but that any relationship between them would be a mistake. She admired his concern about his friendship with Jed and it only made her love him all the more.
Jordanne also knew her brother. She was positive that once Jed found out how happy she and Alex were together, he would drop the over-protective big brother routine she’d dealt with for years and accept them as a couple.
‘You’re not the type of person to beat about the bush,’ Jordanne told herself as she turned off the taps. ‘Sally suggested going for it and…’ she reached for a towel and looked at her reflection in the mirror ‘…that’s exactly what you’re going to do. The original plan was to bring Alex to his senses tonight, and after that kiss the other day you’re going to take the chance.’ She nodded firmly to herself as she wrapped up and walked to her bedroom.
So why did she still feel uncertain? Perhaps it was because she’d never done anything like this before in her life. There had never been so much at stake. She took some deep steadying breaths. It had to work. She had to show Alex how perfect they were for each other or else she’d…Tears blurred in her eyes at the thought of life without Alex by her side.
Jordanne looked at the dress she’d planned to wear. It wasn’t at all suitable for the cool spring weather outside but she was prepared to freeze a little if it prompted Alex to warm her up.
The short red dress fitted her body like a glove and showed off her long, slender legs. Jordanne brushed her dark hair and arranged it around her shoulders. She took time with her make-up, ensuring she emphasised her eyes and mouth. She wore little jewellery and slipped her feet into a pair of sparkling red stilettos.
Twirling in front of the mirror, she smiled at her reflection. ‘You can do this, Jordanne,’ she told herself, and struck a sexy pose. ‘Look out, Alex Page. I’m going to make you come to your senses tonight!’
Jordanne drove over to his house, only getting lost by one street, and parked on the road so as not to block the driveway. After she’d locked the car door, Jordanne pulled her warm coat firmly around her, tucking her hair in so it didn’t wisp about in the wind. Calming her nerves, she walked to the front door and pressed the doorbell.
No one answered and for a fleeting moment Jordanne thought Alex had forgotten that they were going to their ‘official dinner’ together. The sound of the garage door opening caused her to turn. She heard the sound of a car’s engine and watched as the Jaguar was driven slowly from its hiding place.
When the length of the car was visible to her, the garage door closed automatically. Jordanne stood, glued to the spot, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs. The car stopped and the driver’s door opened.
Her eyes widened and her gaze never left Alex as he sauntered around the car and held open the passenger door. He was dressed in a black tuxedo as the restaurant was definitely five star. Her lips parted and she sucked in a breath.
‘Care for a ride?’ he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jordanne couldn’t speak. Instead, she nodded and carefully made her way down the path towards him. She made sure her calf-length coat was still closed as he handed her into the car. The coat rode up, displaying a certain amount of her leg.
At Alex’s groan Jordanne looked up at him, only to see his gaze hungrily drinking in what she’d revealed. Pretending not to notice, she quickly covered her legs up and he shut the door. Again, she watched him as he came around the front of the car before he slid into the driver’s seat. The way he moved, with such sure and purposeful strides, made her long to touch him. She clamped her hands into fists to stop them from fulfilling the action.
‘Buckle up,’ he said huskily. When Jordanne didn’t move, he reached across her, his warm body pressing against hers momentarily as he pulled her seat belt down and clipped it in.
She breathed in the heady scent of his cologne and her eyelids fluttered closed. She’d known he was irresistible—but tonight he was obviously determined to drive her to distraction. How she fervently wished that the other three weren’t coming along.
But, Jordanne recalled, without them she doubted Alex ever would have taken her out for her official dinner. As he set the car in motion, Jordanne tried to focus on her surroundings, tried to think of something to say that would immediately put them both at ease, but she couldn’t think of anything except how close his thigh was to hers in the low-slung sports car.
He switched on some music as the streetlights overhead illuminated the windscreen.
‘Chopin?’ she asked after a moment.
‘Yes.’ He seemed surprised. ‘Do you like it?’
‘It’s quite relaxing.’
‘But you don’t really like it.’
‘I didn’t say that,’ she countered, enjoying the chance to actually have a conversation with him. Wasn’t that what tonight was all about? Taking a chance?
‘You’ve obviously listened to it before if you can name the composer only a few seconds into a piece.’
‘Chopin is my father’s favourite. Mozart is Jed’s. Jared, my youngest brother, likes heavy metal.’
Alex smiled. ‘What about Jordanne? What music do you like?’
‘I like Strauss best. The “Blue Danube” waltz—it’s so uplifting yet relaxing.’
Alex nodded. ‘I can see that.’ He pulled the Jaguar into a parking space just near the entrance to the restaurant. Jordanne placed her hand on the doorhandle. ‘No, wait,’ he urged. ‘Allow me.’
Jordanne did as he suggested, watching hungrily his every move. When he opened the door, he held out his hand for her.
‘Thank you.’
‘My pleasure.’ After he’d locked the car, Alex offered her his arm and Jordanne tentatively slipped her fingers around it. Being so close to him, feeling the warmth of his body radiate around her, mixing with the cool breeze, it sent goose-bumps cascading down her arms and back. As soon as they entered the foyer of the restaurant, Alex dropped his arm and reached around to help take her coat off.
Alex drew his breath in sharply as the coat revealed more and more of what Jordanne was wearing. The three, shoelace straps criss-crossed over her bare back, showing off her shoulder blades. From there, the material draped her body to perfection. Her dark hair cascaded around her shoulders, falling softly into place.
This is promising, she thought, and turned around to show him the front. His gaze travelled up her shapely legs to where the hem of the dress hung at mid-thigh. Jordanne held her breath as she waited for his eyes to meet her own. When they did, she read in his expression desire and hunger.
‘Jordanne. Alex.’ It was Sally who broke the moment and Alex spun around to face the rest of their dinner party. ‘Jordanne—gorgeous dress,’ Sally and Kirsten said as they came over to admire her.
‘You look good, sis. All grown up.’ Jed teased.
‘Thanks, big brother.’ She kissed his cheek. ‘You don’t look so bad yourself.’ She motioned to his tux. ‘Scrubs up nicely, doesn’t he, Sally?’
Sally laughed but nodded emphatically and Jordanne started to relax a little. She risked a glance at Alex as they were all shown to their seats. He appeared cool, calm and collected yet she hoped he was still simmering with desire beneath it.
They chose their seats and Jordanne specifically sat next to Alex. Jed and Sally were opposite and Kirsten was at the head of the table. The camaraderie between the five of them was unrehearsed and enjoyable. The food was delicious and the service impeccable.
Just before dessert, the three women decided to head to the ladies room. Alex watched Jordanne rise gracefully from her chair, hungrily taking another look at that very sexy dress. His gaze quickly moved to look at Jed but thankfully his friend was ogling his fiancée.
They both watched as the women disappeared out of sight.
‘I wish Jordanne wouldn’t wear such a revealing dress,’ Jed growled.
‘Problem?’ Alex asked, trying disguise the fact that he disagreed.
‘Did you see the way the other men in the restaurant watched as she swished her way between the chairs?’
Alex frowned and cast a surreptitious glance around the room. He’d been so caught up in watching her for himself he hadn’t stopped to notice that other men had found her attractive as well.
‘Perhaps they were looking at Kirsten?’ Alex offered. ‘Or Sally? Your fiancée is a very attractive woman.’
‘She certainly is, but everything about Sally’s body language says “keep off” to any man who thinks he stands a chance. Except me, of course.’
‘Of course,’ Alex agreed with a smile.
‘Jordanne, on the other hand, seems determined to flirt and flaunt herself tonight.’
‘What makes you think that?’
‘Her body language, combined with that dress, make a lethal combination as far as the lusting males in this room go. You don’t have sisters, Alex, so take it from me. They’re a handful.’
‘Surely Jordanne doesn’t need you as a watch dog?’
Jed thought about it for a second before glancing around the room once more. ‘I’ve been a second father to her since the day she was born.’
‘Hard habit to break?’
‘Definitely. I’m very protective of my family, and my sisters in particular.’ Jed raised his tone a notch. ‘Second-best isn’t good enough for them. I’ll tell you this, though.’ Jed tapped his index finger firmly on the table, punctuating every word he said. ‘Any man who is remotely interested in dating my sister will have to go through me first.’