Page 35 of Love Unbound
Jodi smiled warmly and shook both of their hands. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“How is Kale feeling?” Free asked his uncle, who chuckled.
“I don’t think he’s going to be doing any drinking like that for a long time,” Adam laughed, raising his glass to his lips. “He’s still a little queasy.”
“Kasey mentioned Sara wasn’t able to make it,” Free said to his aunt, who nodded.
“She actually just had her baby a couple days ago,” Leah said and beamed proudly, pulling out her cell phone to show them both pictures of the newborn. “We figured Shane and Cassie wouldn’t mind her and Mason missing out.”
Free smiled as he looked at the photo of the newborn. “He’s perfect!”
They were joined by Kasey, who was bringing his mother a glass of wine. Leah accepted it with a quiet thank you. Jodi liked Free’s family very much.
Kasey was incredibly tall, perhaps six foot five, and was extraordinarily handsome in his suit. Vivid gray-blue eyes didn’t seem to miss anything going on around him, but Jodi could see the mischievousness in their depths. He was reserved, but in a mysterious way. He was also extremely quick witted with a razor-sharp tongue.
As they stood talking, Jodi saw Kasey’s eyes widen and hismouth fell open the slightest bit, his drink stalled halfway to his lips. Jodi followed his gaze to find what had captured his attention so ardently and nudged Free when she realized it was her sister, Shauntelle.
Shaun, glass of champagne in hand, along with Tristan and Zoey, who was still holding the wiggling infant, were making their way around the outskirts of the tent, looking for their seats.
Free leaned over to Kasey and muttered into his cousin’s ear, “Remember when I said stay away from the Kendall women? That’s one of them.” Then, handing him a napkin, he teased, “Here, you’re drooling.”
“Fuck you, man,” Kasey snapped, though he did finally close his mouth, averting his gaze, but it quickly found its way back to the tall bombshell.
As Jodi watched, Shaun’s eyes came up as if sensing the ardent stare, locking with Kasey’s. Kasey didn’t lower his gaze however, instead, raising his glass to her in a subtle salutation from across the room. Shaun, not one to back down herself, stared back until Kasey looked away. Jodi smiled, confident her sister had just met her match.
Free drained his glass, then motioned to hers. “Would you like another drink?”
“Yes, please,” Jodi said appreciatively. He trailed his fingers along the exposed line of her spine, and she shivered, her breath hitching. He winked down at her as he took her glass from her hand, and then he was gone, disappearing into the crowd.
Jodi made her way over to her sister, sitting down next to her. Shaun motioned with her head over to where she’d just been standing. “Who is that?”
Jodi smiled, then hid it before her sister could see it. “That—” she whispered, “is Free’s cousin, Kasey.”
Shaun made a disgruntled sound in her throat. “He seems like an ass.”
Jodi laughed and turned to look at her, admonishing gently, “Shauntelle Kendall! You haven’t even met him! Just because he’s ruffled your feathers doesn’t make him an ass.”
“He’s cocky and it’s damned irritating, the way he keeps looking at me,” she muttered sourly.
“Then maybe you shouldn’t have worn that outfit,” Jodi whispered conspiratorially, winking. “He actually seems really nice.”
Shaun rolled her eyes and brushed her hair over her shoulder, away from her face, taking another sip of her champagne. “Tommy should be here soon; he wasn’t able to get out of work early enough to make the ceremony.”
Jodi rolled her eyes but smiled.
Free found her, handing her a full glass of champagne, a fresh whisky in his hand. He leaned down and asked, “Are you okay for a few? The bridal party is being summoned for photos.”
Jodi turned and smiled, “Of course.”
He pressed a kiss to her lips, then was gone again. Shaun leaned in close, wiggling her eyebrows at her, then whispered, “Yeah, you’re getting laid tonight. Bow-chicka-wow-wow.”
Chapter 25
“If I may, I now introduce you all to Mr. and Mrs. Shane Thorp!” a loud voice came over the speakers strategically placed around the tent. The sun had begun to set, and hundreds of candles had been lit throughout, casting everything in a soft glow. The bride and groom walked in and a cheer rose among the seated guests. Cassie’s smile was bright, and Shane grinned broadly.
As best man, Free gave a beautiful, heartfelt toast, as did Cassie’s sister as matron of honor. Dinner was delectable. As the servers, dressed in all black, cleared plates, the same man that had introduced Shane and Cassie now said, “Please give your attention to the new Mr. and Mrs. as they take the floor for their first dance.”
Shane led Cassie out to the middle of the dance floor and a familiar, romantic country song started to play. The two seemed to glide around the floor fluidly, perfectly in sync with the other. Jodi dabbed at tears, shushing Shaun when the younger woman made fun of her.
