I shake my head, swallowing. “Nothing.”
“You look uncomfortable.”
His eyes skate over where I’m smoothing the skirt of my dress over my hips. The fabric is so soft, I keep catching myself touching it.
“You’re too tall,” I blurt out.
His eyebrows lift, eyes amused once again. “Too tall.”
“Yes.” I chew my bottom lip and his gaze dips to follow the motion before it snaps back to mine. “Not everyone is into super tall guys.”
All the guys I’ve been with have been about my height. It’s easier to intimidate them when you’re a similar size.
“My neck hurts,” I add.
He gives me a sympathetic look, but it looks like he wants to laugh. “Jordan, if you want a neck rub, all you have to do is ask.”
My face burns. Is he flirting with me? Or does he think I’m flirting with him? “That wasnotwhat I was?—”
A loud gasp, followed by the sharp, quick sound of heels approaching, has both of us whipping our heads around.
“You gotbangs?” Georgia descends on me, all big curly auburn hair, gorgeous lashes, and a floor-length gold gown. She grabs me by the shoulders, inspecting me, a crestfallen expression on her face. “You got bangs and you didn’t call me.”
“Listen—”
“Bangs.” Georgia looks over her shoulder at Alexei. “She got bangs.”
He raises one eyebrow at me, giving me his signature glower, like I’m on his shit list for not telling his beloved wife I was about to cut my hair.
Georgia gawks at me, taking in my dress. “You lookincredible.Holy shit. My god. This dress.”
We hear a long, low whistle.
“Holy,” Luca calls, making his way over, eyes all over my dress.
“Walker,” Tate snaps, a sudden sharpness replacing the playful light in his eyes. “Be respectful.”
Luca puts his hands up in surrender and I give Tate a strange look. I’ve never heard that tone from him.
“It’s fine,” I tell him. “Luca’s twelve.”
“Hey.” Luca looks mock-offended, and I smirk at him.
“Wow.” Darcy appears at my side, looking pointedly at my dress. “Va-va-voom.”
Pippa and Hazel are right behind her, Pippa giving me a shy smile. “You look beautiful, Jordan.”
Hazel’s eyes bug out as my skin goes hot again. “Look at you.”
I give her a tight smile. “Wish you wouldn’t,” I mutter under my breath. My face feels warm, and I try not to squirm, not to tug at the dress. “Thanks.”
Tate leans into my ear. “Remember the safeword?”
I snort. “Yes. Unfortunately.”
The ghost of a teasing smile crosses his face. “Just checking.”
CHAPTER 29
