Naked Truth (Crimson Romance) Read Free Page B

Kennedy bolted from the vehicle almost before it came to a complete stop. As she reached for the front door, she turned her head, glanced over her shoulder—and saw Jack, standing next to the limo, a contemplative expression on his face. Kennedy wondered why he appeared so pensive.
    • • •
    “It’s beautiful,” Sabrina declared as she and Cullen stepped into the ballroom, greeted by a round of applause and catcalls from their guests.
    “You’re beautiful,” Cullen murmured, using the opportunity to nuzzle her ear. Sabrina giggled and did not push him away.
    “Marriage seems to agree with Cullen,” Jack commented as he and Kennedy stood side by side, next to the head table, watching as the new bride and groom were introduced.
    “Cullen agrees with Sabrina,” Kennedy responded.
    “They’re good for each other. She brings out the best in him.”
    “And he balances her.”
    “Match made in heaven,” Jack said, his voice light with sarcasm.
    Kennedy chuckled. “Hardly. They’re practically opposites. But they do prove the old adage that opposites attract.”
    Cullen and Sabrina moved onto the dance floor as the band struck up the cords of “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel. Kennedy glanced at Jack, and they burst out laughing.
    “Our turn,” Jack murmured, and then he led her out onto the dance floor.
    As it turned out, he was a good dancer. He exuded a certain confidence and grace that was both slightly intimidating and overwhelming for someone like her, who hadn’t had a great deal of self-confidence even before she’d allowed her ex to walk all over her.
    “You’re a good dancer,” Jack remarked as they swayed to the music. One hand rested lightly on the small of her back, while the other clasped her hand, gently guiding her around the dance floor.
    “Thanks. It’s because I have a good partner.”
    “We fit together well,” Jack said, and he sent her into a twirl before catching her and resuming the dance again.
    “Oh,” she gasped.
    Jack winked. “Stick with me, babe. I’m full of surprises.”
    The song ended, and the wedding party left the dance floor and made their way to the head table so that dinner could be announced.
    • • •
    Dinner led to the cake-cutting ceremony and an endless stream of toasts. Kennedy gave her own tearful tribute, thanking Sabrina for being there for her own wedding and for giving Kennedy the opportunity to do the same for her.
    Jack whispered to Cullen, “I didn’t realize she’s married.”
    “Was. She’s been divorced a while. Three years, I think.”
    “What? Was she sixteen when she got married?”
    “Twenty-five, actually.”
    “How long did it last?”
    “Couple years. He cheated on her, so she left him.”
    Jack studied Kennedy’s tearful performance. “She doesn’t look like the type a guy would cheat on.”
    Cullen shrugged. “Some guys like variety, I guess, regardless of how good the catch they have. Oh hell, now they’re both crying.” He stood up to comfort his wife, who was hugging Kennedy and openly sobbing. Jack stood up and pulled the microphone from Kennedy’s hand.
    “I guess that’s my cue,” he said as he offered her a cloth napkin to dab her eyes. “Kennedy’s good at the sappy stuff; I’m good at the funny stuff.”
    That elicited a round of appreciative chuckles, and then he launched into the first of several amusing stories about some of his partner’s less-than-stellar moments in life. Cullen’s brother stood up and joined him at the mic, and within a few short minutes, they had the crowd roaring with laughter, all at the groom’s expense.
    He took it good-naturedly, though, lifting his drink in mock toast and saying, “I’m pretty sure I finally got it right now,” just before he dipped his head and kissed his smiling wife.
    “Thanks for taking over,” Kennedy said as Jack dropped into the chair next to her. “I didn’t mean to get so emotional up there. I guess I’ve had a little too much