All Jacked Up (Rough Riders #8)(34)

More catcalls.


Jack led her to the front of the room behind the cake table. Keely kept her gaze focused on Jack’s striking profile.


“Thanks to everyone for coming today. And Kyler, buddy, you’ve got incredibly bad timing.”


Laughter.


“The truth is, I’ve been gone all week, and I was extremely late getting here today, which didn’t please my intended at all. And she shared that displeasure with me. Several times. Loudly.”


More laughter.


Her stomach roiled. Damn him. He’d sworn he wouldn’t embarrass her.


Give him a chance. Trust him like he asked you to.


Keely inhaled and let it out slowly.


“Which comes as no surprise to most of you. Keely and I haven’t exactly been… What’s the word I’m looking for, buttercup?”


“Civil?” she supplied.


Another round of guffaws.


“Yes, we haven’t exactly been civil to each other over the years. So we were more shocked than anyone when our feelings for each other changed in such a short amount of time. But the fact of the matter is, I’m absolutely crazy about her, and she feels the same about me.” Jack’s questioning gaze hooked hers.


She blew him a kiss. “Keep going, Jack darlin’, you’re startin’ to get back in my good graces.”


Muted laughter.


“I speak for both of us when I say we’re happy to be here amidst our families and friends, celebrating what we both wanted but never thought we’d find. Thank you.” He brought Keely’s left hand to his mouth and kissed her engagement ring.


She laid her palm on his cheek; her fingers traced the hollow beneath his cheekbone. She would’ve been content with that little PDA. But Jack wasn’t.


He curled his hand around her neck and yanked her forward for a prolonged kiss that damn near melted her fillings.


While she basked in the moment, pressed against Jack’s body, his mouth controlling hers with possessive kisses, and clapping surrounding them, Keely almost wished this engagement was the real deal.


The photographer snapped a billion pictures. Keely’s face hurt from smiling. Her feet hurt from wearing heels. And somehow through it all, Jack found a way to keep her laughing, as well as lacing every sentence with sexual innuendo.


It was enthralling. It was scary as hell because there was no going back now. They’d be lovers before the end of the night, guaranteed.


After the party ended, Keely shooed Jack away to spend time with his family while she helped clean up the party remnants.


“I have to say, Jack’s little speech completely changed my mind, K.”


Keely folded a pale lavender satin tablecloth. “Changed it about what, AJ?”


“About how you and Jack feel about each other. It was very romantic. Funny. Sweet without being silly.” AJ snatched the tablecloth, stacked it with the others. “But I’ll confess—the biggest convincer? You two making out when you weren’t aware anyone was watching.”


She froze. “Omigod. How many people saw that?”


AJ shrugged. “Enough.”


“Great.”


“We all thought it was.” She sighed. “Reminds me of when me and Cord first hooked up. Man. We could not keep our hands off each other.”


Keely snorted and pointed to AJ’s distended belly. “You still can’t keep your hands off each other.”


“True. It’s great to be me.” She grinned.


Carolyn bustled in with a cardboard box. “Okay. The kitchen is cleaned and this is the last of my stuff to take home.”


Since her mom’s hands were full, Keely hugged her from behind. “Thanks for everything. You rocked it, Ma. It was a fantastic party.”


“I thought so, yet I’m glad we’re only doin’ this once.” Carolyn yawned. “Lord, I’d better get home before I fall asleep standing up. AJ, darlin’, you need a ride?”



“Nah. I have my truck since Cord took the boys home.”


“Good enough. See you.” Carolyn hefted the box and disappeared out the side door.


At AJ’s 350 Cummins turbo diesel Chevy, Keely said, “Need a boost getting into your monster truck, el preggo?”


“No. But you can bet your butt I’ll let my handsome hubby give me a hand to help me down.”


Knowing Cord, that hand would go straight up his wife’s skirt. Those two still acted like randy teens.


Keely admitted a tinge of jealousy her best friend had found the type of love all women dream of.


She meandered to her own rig, anxious about going home, which was a total crock because chances were slim Jack would even be there yet.


Still…how would this play out? Scenarios flitted through her brain but nothing solidified. Maybe having a blank slate wasn’t such a bad thing.


Trudging up the stairs, she knew she’d ditch her high heels first thing. People thought pointy-toed cowboy boots were painful? Please. Boots were bedroom slippers compared to these torturous devices.