The Truth Be Told (The Truth in Lies Saga #3)

by Jeanne McDonald

“A limo?” McKenzie’s voice rose several octaves at the sight of the stretch limo parked in front of my condominium.

  Wyatt, wearing his best chauffeur's uniform, stood in front of the passenger side door, holding it open for us. I rested my hand at the small of her back, happy to simply be touching her, and extended my free hand in a gallant expression. “Your chariot awaits, my love.”

  A little nag of guilt squeezed my conscience. Wyatt and Ruby were here on vacation, to spend time with their family while I was away. They worked very hard for me and deserved the time off. It was bad enough I asked them to help me orchestrate this day away, but taking Wyatt from his family for the night bothered me. He refused to accept things any other way, though. Maybe it was because I rarely let him drive me around at home. I loved the feel of being behind the wheel and the rush of speed at my control. However, on a night like this, I wanted only to feel McKenzie in my arms.

  She gave Wyatt a hug and whispered a quick word of thanks before slipping into the car. Wyatt beamed with pride. He straightened up at the sight of me, and I patted him on the shoulder. “She’s an angel,” I said.

  “That she is,” he agreed.

  I took my spot next to McKenzie, and Wyatt closed the door behind me.

  “I can’t believe we’re taking a limo.”

  I scooted in closer, wrapping my arm around her waist. “I wanted to be able to hold you. I can’t do that if I’m driving.”

  She turned, moving her body to contour to my side. “You mean you wanted to do this.” Her lips met mine in a kiss that could ignite the sky. When she released me from her wicked intentions, I was left breathless and hungry. Not for food, but for what only she could give me.

  “That’s exactly what I mean.”

  She giggled and relaxed against my chest. “Where ya takin’ me?”

  Ah, to be lost in the sound of that accent. I loved when she let her guard down. Her true southern beauty shined through, making me fall deeper in love with her. “A little place called Vantage Point. They have the most amazing view of the city.”

  “And here I thought I was the most amazing view of the evening.”

  I chuckled. “And you call me cocky.”

  She winked with a little flirtatious flutter of her eye lashes. “I learned from the best.” I almost rebutted, but her warm breath and sweet kisses moved along my jaw and down my neck. I closed my eyes, savoring each touch of her lips on my skin. “Andy?” she purred.

  “Hmm?”

  She motioned toward the partition. “Can he hear us?”

  “Nu-uh.”

  “Good.” She slipped into my lap, straddling my hips. Her dress hiked up around her thighs. I rested my hands on her bare skin, but that wasn’t good enough for her. With a gentleness that was only McKenzie, she pushed my hand further up her dress. My eyes widened at the surprise she directed me to.

  “No panties?”

  A coy little smirk curled her beautiful lips. “Of course not. I couldn’t wear a bra or panties with a dress like this. It would show too many lines.”

  I buried my nose in her hair, breathing in her scent. “Are you trying to kill me, woman?” Moving my hand slowly against her warm, wet skin, I brought my mouth to her earlobe and began to suck. She whimpered, thrusting her hips forward to meet my touch. I rubbed her, fast and hard, enthralled by the way she lost control at my fingertips.

  “Never kill you,” she moaned. “Love you too much.”

  My heart pounded in my chest at the sound of those little words. I moved my free hand to the back of her head, tugging her hair enough to force her to reveal her long, sleek neck and the swell of her breasts. McKenzie was pure temptation in that dress. Blue was definitely her color.

  Her pulse pounded against my lips as I began to kiss my way down. I kissed the tops of her breasts, breathing in her scent. In her arms, I felt alive. I was free. She trusted me to love her, to care for her, and I wanted nothing more than to make her feel all those things and more.

  Just as I was about to remind her of how much I loved the way she felt, the car came to a stop. “Oh, fucking hell,” I groaned.

  She opened her eyes, and I could see the immense disappointment there, matching my own. McKenzie’s mouth twitched and let out a deep sigh before pressing her lips to mine. Her tongue traced my lips, but she pulled away when I opened my mouth to accept her. “You wanted dinner, remember?”

  “Maybe I’d rather have my dessert first.” I brought her lips to mine, slipping my tongue against hers, savoring the flavor of her on my lips. When I released her, McKenzie let out the most seductive little whimper, but the game was on, and I’d won.

  “Now who’s killing who?” she complained, moving off my lap and readjusting her dress.

  The car door opened. I offered her my hand and gave her my best grin. “All’s fair in love and war.”

  “Duly noted, Mr. Wise,” she challenged, that spark of seductive vengeance in her eyes.

  It was the perfect night for a date with my beautiful girl. The summer sky was cloudless, and now that the sun had submitted to the moon, the air wasn’t nearly as intense with heat. The smell of the harbor and the aroma of the blossoms reminded me that I was home. Time hadn’t changed this place one bit, but it felt different to me. Maybe it was because my heart was free and I had the most beautiful woman in the world on my arm. Her grace and love made Boston once again feel like home.

  We entered the restaurant, and the host sat us at the back corner table I’d requested. Normally, I liked to sit across from someone—it allowed me to see their face while we talked—but tonight I wanted to sit next to my girl. Her lack of undergarments and her feisty nature had me riled up and ready to play. We arranged my chair so I could sit beside her, snuggling as close together as possible. Our table had the most amazing view of the city. The lights of Boston twinkled in harmony with the bright, full moon. Down below, the city bustled with life, reminding us that the world continued on even if we were lost in our own little fantasy.

  Dinner arrived, and we ate and talked with ease, but there was an intensity that hummed with constant desire between us. Every chance I had, I’d touch her, such as pushing her hair away from her neck so I could place a tender kiss on her shoulder, or kissing the corner of her mouth after she’d taken a bite just so I could taste her. And her hand never left my thigh other than to move up closer and closer to my crotch. The woman was killing me and she knew it. This game between us was seductive and fun. We were teenagers in love who didn’t care who noticed us. I rested my arm on the back of her seat, trailing my fingers over her exposed shoulders. She reached over and rubbed her thumb along my lips, pretending to wipe them for me.

  Soft music played in the background, adding to the atmosphere. In the center of the room, couples danced, holding each other intimately. My last dance with McKenzie had turned into hell on earth when she left me alone with nothing but a broken heart. It was time to expunge that memory.

  I pushed away from the table and stood up, offering her my hand. “Ms. Evans, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?”

  Her eyes lit up like Christmas. “The honor is all mine, Mr. Wise.”

  I led her to the dance floor and took her in my arms. It felt good to hold her like this, so close to me. I swayed with her, trying to remember the dance lessons my mother forced on me as a child. I hated dancing, but my disdain for the art disappeared with McKenzie in my arms. She was so easy to lead, as if she could read my moves before I even made them.

  “You know,” I started, thinking back to when I was kid, “I remember sitting on the staircase with my brother and sister, as kids, watching my parents dance like this.” I twirled her around before pulling her back to my chest. My arms wrapped tighter around her waist, rocking her to the gentle beat of the music.

  She rested her hands on my shoulders and cocked her head, expecting me to continue. “Really?” The confusion in her voice was understandable. It was hard enough for me to remember a time when my parents
were happy, but she’d never seen them together as I once had.

  “Yeah. Saturday nights, Niles would come over for dinner. After they put us kids to bed, the three of them would hang out, drinking cocktails, laughing, and dancing.” I smiled at the memory. “Gavin, Andie, and I would sneak out of our rooms, wearing our footy pajamas, to watch. Mom was so beautiful, all rosy and breathless from exchanging hands between Niles and Father.”

  “I wish I’d met them back then.” She pushed up on the tips of her toes to kiss my jaw, her fingers locking behind my neck as her thumb traced down to my collar. Slow, sweet kisses moved along my jaw up to the corner of my mouth. I could feel her smile against my lips, moving in for the one thing we both wanted.

  “McKenzie?” came a deep, unfamiliar voice above the music.

  McKenzie stilled in my arms, our mouths so close, but not close enough. Fear flittered across her face. We’d been discovered. Not that I cared. I wanted the world to know she was mine, but I knew it mattered to her. She wanted to tell Olivia about us on our terms and without the chance of destroying my brother’s wedding.

  Through the crowd, a tall, slender man with broad shoulders and messy brown hair marched toward us. His bright green eyes honed in on my girl, and his perfect smile beamed at the sight of her. The monster inside of me wanted to rip off his arms and beat him with his own hands. I swallowed back the jealous rage. I’d promised myself a new beginning, and part of that was trusting that McKenzie was mine.

  McKenzie turned around to face our intruder. Her eyes widened and a smile exploded across her face. “Oh my God! Nate?”

  Nate? The ex-boyfriend, Nate? The rage inside me boiled hotter, but again, I pushed it down. Nathaniel Fuller had caused my girl immense pain. The way he treated her after her miscarriage was borderline abuse, but she appeared happy to see him. That was so like her. She forgave the unforgivable.

  McKenzie reached for my hand and gave me a reassuring squeeze. Nate rushed up to her and she wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a hug. “What on earth are you doing here?” she exclaimed.

  “I’m here on business,” he announced, rocking her back and forth. This wasn’t a hug of ex-lovers but of two old friends reunited. The jealous Neanderthal inside me purred with contentment at the realization that any kind of feelings that might’ve been between them at one time were no longer there. “What are you doing here?”

  McKenzie released him and Nate’s eyes cut to me. She stepped back, pressing herself into my side, resting one hand around my back and the other to my chest. “We’re here for a wedding.”

  “Yours?” he questioned, his brow furrowed.

  “No,” she replied. “Drew’s brother is getting married on Saturday.”

  My chest constricted. That was the second time in less than twenty-four hours someone suggested our union, but McKenzie seemed unfazed by his question, which lighted my mood.

  “Drew? Wait? You’re the guy?”

  “From the beach,” McKenzie noted. I felt a little lost by their interaction, but was sure McKenzie would explain it to me later.

  I extended my hand out to him. “Andrew Wise.”

  He stared at my hand for a moment then accepted my handshake. “Nate Fuller.”

  “Pleasure to finally meet you. Mickie’s told me a lot about you.”

  McKenzie looked at up at me with adoration in her eyes. No matter how much I wanted to whip this man for what he’d done to her, seeing her so happy now made up for Nate’s past mistakes.

  “Likewise,” he replied. He released my hand and turned back to her with a smile. “You really do look amazing. Happiness suits you,” he stated. A cadence of sincerity mixed with sadness colored his tone.

  “Thanks. You look good, too.”

  He shrugged, stuffing his hands back in his pockets. “Work has been good to me. I’m now living in Chicago.”

  “You took the job.”

  Nate smiled, and I could see why McKenzie had been attracted to him. No matter how much I wanted to hate him, he did seem like a nice enough guy, and charm oozed out of his pours. “I did.”

  “That’s amazing.”

  “So, how is everyone back home? Jared? Olivia?”

  “Actually, they’re both here in Boston for the same wedding.” She shrugged, shuffling her feet. “Jared’s doing good.”

  “And Liv?”

  McKenzie’s smile dropped as she tensed up against me. She looked up at the ceiling, almost as if she were searching for something, then exhaled and forced her smile to return. “Olivia’s doing good, too. She’s pregnant.”

  Nate’s hands dropped to his sides, his expression darkened by surprise. “Pregnant? Seriously? When? How far along is she?” The questions rolled out in a jumble of frantic phrases.

  McKenzie returned her gaze to mine, her brow furrowed, and her lips rolling up toward her nose as she contemplated his questions.

  “Nearly five months,” I answered for her. “And trust me, it came as a surprise to us all.”

  Nate scratched his jaw, his eyes narrowed and his nose flared. “Who’s the father?”

  Ah, the question of the hour. One, I could’ve lived without being asked. I sucked in a deep breath, hating that this one question made reality rush back in on mine and McKenzie’s fantasy. “It’s mine.”

  “Yours? Are you sure?” he demanded.

  I shrugged, holding McKenzie closer to me. She rubbed her hand over my chest as if to protect me from the terrible truth. I placed my hand over hers and nodded. “As far as we know, it is. I was her last boyfriend, after all.”

  “Oh,” Nate exhaled. “I guess congratulations are in order. How’s Olivia taking the news of you two being together, then? If I know her…” he trailed off. McKenzie and I said nothing. Nate cocked his head, analyzing us. “She doesn’t know, does she?”

  McKenzie shook her head. “We’re going to tell her, but she’s handling the wedding.”

  “Fuck.” Nate let out a solemn chuckle. “All I can say is good luck to you both.”

  “Thanks,” I replied.

  “And you’re sure the baby’s yours?”

  I rubbed my hand over my head, a little confused by his question. No one could wish the baby wasn’t mine more than I did. Maybe he was concerned for McKenzie. There was a long history between them, and he did seem sincere in wanting her happiness. “I don’t see how it couldn’t be.”

  “He’s asked for a paternity test,” McKenzie added.

  Nate’s face twitched, deep lines formed in his forehead. “Good, good. You deserve to be happy.”

  “Are you happy?” McKenzie asked.

  Nate nodded. “I am. Travel’s always good on me. You know that.”

  McKenzie stepped out of my grasp and hugged him. “That I do.”

  Nate held her tight against his chest. “I’m so sorry for last time,” he whispered, barely loud enough for me to hear.

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  I could see the war waging inside him and more than understood what that felt like. McKenzie’s unwavering forgiveness wasn’t easy to accept when you knew you didn’t deserve it, but it was a cherished gift, and I could tell it meant a great deal to him. He squeezed her a little tighter. “You look good in love.”

  “He makes me happy.”

  “I can tell.” Nate released her, taking a step back, granting us with an obligatory smile. “It was good to see you. I’ll let you get back to your date.”

  McKenzie placed a sweet kiss on his cheek. “Don’t be a stranger,” she told him.

  “I won’t.” Nate reached out and shook my hand once again. “Take care of her.”

  “Of course. It was nice to meet you.”

  “And you.” Nate stepped away, joining a group of men and women waiting for him at the bar.

  “So, that’s Nate?” I teased, pulling her back into my arms, twirling around with her across the dance floor. “He’s not much to look at.”

  She smacked my chest, laughing. “Nate’s ve
ry handsome.”

  “Hmm. I don’t see it.”

  “Jealous?”

  “I’m jealous of any man who’s held your attention.”

  McKenzie stopped us in the middle of the dance floor, her eyes meeting mine in an intense stare. “You hold my love.”

  I leaned in and kissed her, my tongue sweeping over her soft lips, tasting the red wine from dinner. “That makes me the luckiest man alive.”

  Later that night, we arrived back at my parents’ house, hating that our day was over but thankful to have had the chance to be together. I kissed her goodnight and left her in front of her bedroom door. When I slipped into my room, I was met by two purring cats, both happy to see me. I dropped down on my childhood bed, my pillow propped under my head, and closed my eyes. Visions of McKenzie played over and over in my head, lulling me to sleep. This had been a perfect day, but tomorrow brought us back to reality. Back to Olivia and my father, back to wedding business, and back to secrets that we had to keep for just a little longer.

  Chapter Eleven

  McKenzie

  My night with Drew had been pure magic. So much so that I didn’t want it to end. And when it did, I felt a pang of longing in my heart that only he could fill. After Drew left me for the night, I crashed into bed, exhausted from our adventures together.

  The next day was a bustle of excitement. I barely had time to think, let alone breathe or reminisce about my day with Drew. Olivia scolded me for being an absentee assistant the day before, and made sure to remind me, several times, how she was handling everything while pregnant and that I could’ve sucked up a bellyache to help her.

  By nightfall, the house was bustling with life, ready to accept every guest invited to attend the rehearsal dinner. In my experience, these things were meant for the bridal party and family members only, but in high society, the rehearsal dinner was nearly as important as the wedding itself. Olivia had a team of caterers, hostesses, chauffeurs, and managers, working every facet of the house. While the family was outside running through the events for Saturday, I was putting some last minute touches on the decor before guests began to arrive.