All Jacked Up (Rough Riders #8)(12)

His mother was beside herself he’d snatched up that “fine young woman” Keely McKay for his wife.


She spent more time chatting with Keely than with him. Maybe because Keely snapped a picture of her engagement ring with her cell phone and sent it to her. Maybe because Keely begged her to help Carolyn plan the engagement party. But Jack couldn’t accuse Keely of pandering, because she genuinely liked his mother. He felt his first twinge of guilt about this charade; it’d hurt his mother when he and Keely called off the engagement.


A sexy trill of laughter caught Jack’s attention and he watched Keely’s lips curve into a smile.


“Honestly, we didn’t tell anyone, so your boy isn’t keeping you out of the loop, Doro. I promise. Yes. I’ll tell him.”


“Tell me what?”


Keely clicked the off button. “Your mom says your dad would be proud of you.”


More guilt.


“Who’s next on your list?”


“Can’t we just send everyone else a text message with that picture of your engagement ring?” Hell.


That actually sounded whiny. What the f*ck was happening to him?


“That’s a great idea but let’s take a picture of us. The light is all golden and glowy right now.” She yanked on the door handle. Four times in rapid succession. “Let me out.”


“Patience isn’t your strong suit, is it?”


“Better learn that early on.” After Jack skirted the front end of the car, Keely positioned him against the passenger side and took over. He allowed it. For now. But the cowgirl was sorely mistaken if she thought he was malleable like the men she usually dated.


“Put your hand here. No, here. Now pull me close. Angle your head into mine. Hang on. I wanna get the ring in the pic too.” She settled her left hand prominently in the center of his chest. “Okay. Hold that beautiful smile on the count of three. One. Two…”


At the last second, Jack turned and kissed her cheek.


“Dammit, Jack.” She jumped away from him. “That was uncalled for.”


“Told you payback was a bitch. So let’s see it.”


“No.” Keely lifted the camera out of his reach. “You don’t get to—”


“Yes I do.” Jack snatched the phone, clicking to the last picture. He grinned. The light reflected off Keely’s glossy black hair, creating a halo effect. She smiled prettily as he lovingly smooched her cheek. He flipped it around so she could see the screen.


“It’s okay, but I think—”


“Anyone looking at this will think we’re happy, and that’s the point, right?” He pushed a few buttons and sent the picture to everyone in her phone book with the message, Jack Donohue and I are engaged!


Love, Keely. “There. It’s a done deal. Now everyone knows.”


“What?” Keely swiped the phone and scrolled down. “No, no, no, no! You sent this to everyone?


Including… Omigod, Casey and Renner and Kent?”


“Who are Casey and Renner and Kent?”


“Some guys I’ve been—”


Jack boxed her against her the car with his body, forcing her undivided attention. “You will not f*ck around on me, ever, understand? No calling other guys. No flirting with other guys. No kissing other guys.


No touching other guys. As far as the world is concerned, we are engaged for real, and you will not embarrass me, or yourself, by acting any way other than wildly in love with me, got it?”


Her gaze slid to his mouth and she licked her lips.


Fuck. He’d spent way too many hours thinking about what he’d do if that tempting mouth of hers was ever close to his again. If he lowered his head he could taste the juicy sweetness of those full red lips as he swallowed her surprised moan…


The phone in his hand buzzed with a text message.


Dammit all to hell. “I said got it?”


“Uh-huh.” She kept peering at him with those enormous midnight blue eyes.


“Nothing to say?” he prompted.


“Just one thing.”



“What?”


“Possessive much?”


You don’t know the half of it. Jack permitted a feral smile. “Better learn that early on.” He pushed back and tucked the phone in her front shirt pocket. “Go upstairs and make your calls. I’ll be right up.”


Keely sauntered away.


Jack dug his cell phone out and brought up the engagement picture he’d forwarded to himself. It exemplified a couple who looked wildly in love. He reworded the text message and hit send all.


No going back now.


Three hours later, Jack punched his lace pillow for the millionth time. He could not get comfortable in this stupid, lumpy, midget-sized bed.


You can’t get comfortable because you’ve got a hard-on the size of a Louisville Slugger.


He stared at the rows of stuffed animals lining the bookshelves. Creepy damn things. Then he gazed at the ceiling, wide-awake.