JAZZ HANDS
Brett
This may be the first time I’ve laid eyes on Ariel’s best friend, Jazz. Did she arrive yesterday or today?
Doesn’t matter. Between Jake’s reappearance, my anger at River, and my rift with Sienna, I haven’t noticed much else.
But she’s fucking hot. Blond, blue-eyed, and built like a fucking brick house, she’s exactly the type I’d normally go for when I’m drowning in bourbon.
Instead, I’m pining for a brown-eyed beauty and a blue-eyed stud.
What the hell has happened to me?
Jazz is dressed in some kind of red lingerie. Is it a nightie or a teddy? I’m sure we’ll soon find out. It’s all silk and lace and hot woman.
She gyrates over to Alex and jiggles her big tits in his face.
Alex, ever the gentleman, blushes bright enough to rival her lingerie. Sebastian is hooting and hollering, and Riv and Jake join in, but the jovial atmosphere does nothing to lighten my mood.
Jazz doesn’t waste a second. She throws one leg over Alex’s lap and straddles him, dancing to the soft rock playing from the outdoor speakers. The sight is seductive enough to awaken desire in a saint.
I take another swig of my bourbon, trying to drown the unexpected surge of envy that hits me. It’s not for Jazz. It’s for Ariel and Alex and what they have. It’s like a cruel jab to my gut.
Jazz swings around on Alex’s lap, now facing me. Her icy blue eyes meet mine with a predatory glint.
“Your turn, Brett.” She pushes herself off Alex and saunters toward me with the grace of a tigress.
She stands only inches away from me, her blue eyes sparkling with anticipation. Her perfume drifts over me—something light and floral—and it challenges my self-control. She’s expecting a reaction.
So I oblige.
In a pretty twisted way.
“I’m afraid I prefer brunettes,” I say, raising an eyebrow at her while taking another sip of my drink.
The room erupts into laughter, Sebastian’s the loudest of all. He knows my type, and Jazz is it with a capital I.
Jazz doesn’t falter. Instead, she throws her head back and laughs along. “Well, I’m what you’ve got tonight. And I’m here to entertain all of you.” She winks and slips her arms around my neck. “Besides, you never know until you try.”
Try?
I’ve had more blondes than I can count.
I glance at Sebastian, who simply shrugs, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Everyone is watching, waiting for my move. Even Jake.
Fuck.
Jake.
Jazz’s confidence is infectious.
Still, I can’t shake the images of Sienna’s enchanting smile and Jake’s captivating blue eyes from my mind.
I smirk at Jazz and gently remove her arms from around my neck. “You’re right,” I reply. “But not today.”
Jazz only grins wider. She steps back gracefully, twirling once before taking a bow. “Well played, Brett.”
As Jazz snakes her way to Jake—who’s ignored me since he got to the party—I rise and pour myself another drink.
