Restless Ink

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  She raised a brow. “Got a problem with my boobs?”

  He licked his lips. “I have plans for your boobs.”

  She rolled her eyes but did as he asked, and before she could comment, he had his mouth on hers as he tugged on the bottom of her shirt. She lifted her arms, and he had it over her head but didn’t completely strip it from her arms.

  “What are you doing?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Then he walked her back to the bed and slowly laid her down, her arms above her head, tied up in her shirt. He lay between her spread legs, willing himself not to touch her below the waist and make them both lose their minds, not when he wanted to pay special attention to her breasts.

  “Oh, I see.” She laughed, then let out a groan when he sucked on her nipple through her bra. He reached around her back, undid the clasp, then pushed the whole thing up so he could see all of her.

  “You look so fucking beautiful.”

  “You’re not too bad yourself. If you angle just right, your cock can slide right in.” She didn’t move her hips, though. He wasn’t wearing a condom yet and was being very careful where he touched her. They weren’t at the part of their relationship where he could go bare. They were still in the beginning stages, no matter how it felt when he was near her.

  He licked and sucked on her nipples until they were dark red, and she squirmed beneath him. And when he wanted to touch her, when he wanted to slide deep inside her, he bit down gently, using his fingers to delve between her legs. Heat radiated from her as he slid one, then a second finger into her, stretching her as he worked his way inside. And when she came, he had his mouth on hers and had to think about anything but what she felt like beneath him so he wouldn’t come.

  She blinked up at him, her eyes dark, her pupils wide as she struggled to catch her breath. As he was the same way and he hadn’t come yet, he didn’t blame her.

  “Condoms are in the drawer.”

  He kissed her, then left her where she was, her hands above her head, her bra askew…looking glorious. He quickly went to her nightstand and opened the drawer, only to find himself grinning.

  Dimitri slid the condom over his length, but when he went back to her on the bed, he wasn’t empty-handed.

  Her eyes widened. “Um…Dimitri?”

  “I’ve never seen a vibrator like this.” He grinned. It was small, fit perfectly in his hand, and had a nozzle-like opening at the top. “What does it do?”

  She swallowed hard, and his gaze went to the long lines of her throat. The fact that she hadn’t moved her arms made his balls tighten.

  “It blows little puffs of air on my clit. Like when someone goes down on me.”

  “Like I would when I go down on you.”

  She nodded. “Yeah. But Dimitri, I need you inside of me. I…I’ll come really hard with that and I’ll be a mess.”

  He leaned beside her, his hand and the vibrator going between her legs. “Let’s see, shall we? You tell me to stop, and I will.”

  “Don’t stop.” Her mouth parted, and he pressed the on switch. It wasn’t as loud as other vibrators or even his cock ring, and it took him a moment to figure out exactly the best place to place it over her clit, but he knew from the way her breath quickened and her nipples hardened, that he’d found the sweet spot.

  Again.

  This time, when she came, she shouted his name, her legs clamping around his hand. He quickly turned off the vibrator after moving, then positioned himself between her legs, sliding into her with one thrust.

  Her inner walls were still shuddering, and when he was inside her to the hilt, they both groaned.

  “Dimitri.”

  He leaned forward, took her lips, and quickly undid her shirt and bra so she was free to touch him all over. And when she did, he pistoned in and out of her, his mouth on hers, his hands on her body. Her hands roamed as well, and when his balls tightened again, he took her mouth and came. Her body shook beneath his, and she clamped down around him.

  He shook with her, and soon they were holding one another, their bodies still connected, and he knew from this moment on, nothing would be the same.

  She was his.

  And now he had to figure out what to do about it.

  What they could do about it.

  Chapter 15

  Thea knew she shouldn’t be nervous, but she couldn’t help the butterflies flitting around inside her stomach. This wasn’t the first time she’d given this presentation—not that it was an actual presentation—but it was the first time she was going to tell her parents exactly what her next plans were.

  Plans that didn’t center around finding a husband or having children. Her parents had never been the type to push her in that direction, but there was always a kernel of worry that they’d be disappointed she was once again focusing on her business.

  She knew it was the right decision, knew this was the path she needed to take. And as she remembered Dimitri’s hands and mouth on her the two nights before, she knew that she wasn’t only focusing on Colorado Icing anymore.

  And though she and Dimitri were new and not thinking about what could happen next, at least she wasn’t locking herself up at her bakery anymore, ignoring everything else around her. She’d done that for years while trying to keep herself in the black, and that was how she’d ended up far lonelier than she’d ever thought to be at her age.

  But she had her business, had her way of life that she loved—long hours and all—and damn it, she wasn’t so far along in years that marriage and babies were out of her grasp. She needed to get a grip and stop overthinking everything. This was just what she did when she was nervous, however.

  And telling her parents about the expansion sure as heck made her anxious.

  “Oh, boy,” she whispered under her breath, rolling her shoulders back as she did so. Her parents were pulling up, and it was time to seal the deal and actually let herself be a little excited about her future. Excitement and nerves usually went hand in hand when it came to Colorado Icing.

  It was a Monday afternoon, and her staff was working at the counter and in back, so Thea could have a needed break. It wasn’t that busy, only a couple of customers staying in to eat as the bakery was between major rushes for the day, so this was the perfect time to sit with her parents in the back corner where they could easily have a conversation without worrying about being overheard. She could have done this at either of their homes or in the back office, but she wanted to tell them her news while they were surrounded by what she’d built as they stood by and supported her with every ounce of love and hope they had.

  William and Katherine Montgomery were two of the best people Thea knew, and she loved them so damn much. She knew she was lucky in terms of parents, and though her mom sometimes wanted to try and fix everything in her kids’ lives, she also stood back and let them make their own mistakes and revel in their triumphs. It was something Thea had always appreciated, and now that she was old enough to understand it, she was glad that she could recognize the traits in them.

  Outside, the clouds loomed overhead, and the forecast called for snow later in the day, but only a dusting, something every person from Colorado could easily handle. She winced at those thoughts since that wasn’t exactly true after seeing so many people end up in fender-benders because they weren’t paying attention, but with the predicted dusting, her bakery should pick up business for hot drinks, and her staff would still be able to make it home at a reasonable hour. Since she’d opened, she wasn’t going to close, but she’d stay late in case one of her people needed to head home early for their kids. That was Thea’s job as their boss, and so far, none of them had taken advantage of her.

  She stood up as her parents walked into the bakery, unwrapping their scarves and pulling off their hats.

  “Mom, Dad, thanks so much for coming.” She opened her arms and brought each in for a hug, squeezing them tightly because, sometimes, she just needed her mom and dad.

  “Of course, we came.
You wanted to talk, and I heard there would be cookies and perhaps cupcakes.” Her dad winked, and Thea moved to the side, gesturing for them to sit at the table she’d set up for them.

  “Let’s see, I have carrot cupcakes, peanut butter cookies, pecan and almond bars, fruit salad, and some of my new onion and white cheddar rye rolls.” She grinned as her dad licked his lips, and her mom let out a little laugh.

  “I think I just gained forty pounds looking at all of that,” her mom said before leaning over to kiss Thea on the cheek. “Thanks for the fruit so I don’t feel guilty when I try everything.”

  “That’s why the fruit’s there.”

  Her dad just shook his head and took the spot nearest the window after pulling out the chair with the back to the front door for Mom. Thea took the last seat so she could face the bakery if there were issues, and she loved the fact that her dad knew that she needed that place without her having to say anything.

  Before she took her seat, however, she wrung her hands together, trying to keep the nerves at bay.

  “What can I get you guys to drink with all your goodies today?”

  “You’re spoiling us,” Dad said before taking a bite of one of the rye rolls. “And if this roll isn’t on your menu from now on, I’ll never forgive you.”

  Thea couldn’t help but grin. “Yeah? Oh, yay, I loved it, but they’re all powerful flavors, and I wasn’t sure if it would be too much.”

  Dad shook his head before sipping at the water she’d put on the table ahead of time. “It’s perfect, not overpowering in the slightest. And once I’m through with this one, I’m heading into sweet territory, so how about just plain black coffee? I know I’m adventurous with food, but you know me and coffee.”

  Thea couldn’t help but laugh. “I know. I should have just brought you a cup without asking, but I didn’t want to tempt fate. Mom? What about you?”

  Her mom looked at her for a moment, and Thea had a feeling she wasn’t hiding her nerves all that wall.

  “Do you have some of that lovely tea Abby has over in her shop? The peppermint and white chocolate one?”

  Thea grinned. “I do, and I think I’m going to want some of that today, as well. Be right back.” She quickly made her way around the counter and began steeping the loose-leaf tea, as well as pouring her dad his cup of coffee. They had five kinds of beans today, but her dad would want the most average one she had. Things hadn’t changed in twenty years, and they wouldn’t start today. That was okay, though, because her dad was her best taste-tester for her baked goods.

  By the time she carried all three drinks to the table—thankfully, something years in food service had trained her to do without spilling—her nerves weren’t dancing as much as they had been before, but as soon as she sat down, they started again in full force.

  She tried to think of how to start as her parents dug into the sweets, something they rarely did at home since Thea usually brought the baked goods seeing as it was her passion.

  “Why don’t you tell us what’s in those files you have hidden in your bag next to your chair? The ones that you’ve been glancing at ever since we got here as if you’re afraid someone will walk out of here with them.” Her mom reached out and patted her hand, and Thea’s shoulders relaxed. She hadn’t even realized she’d stiffened as much as she had until her mother’s touch.

  “I can do that,” she said, then reached down to pull out her paperwork. She set everything down on the space she’d cleared away from the drinks and food. Of course, these were only copies so if they were spilled on, it wouldn’t be a big deal. She didn’t leave the important paperwork near her kitchen or anywhere they could pick up mass amounts of coffee stains. She’d learned that lesson the hard way when she first started.

  “What is it, hon?” her dad asked, setting down his coffee. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded, swallowing hard. “I’m okay. Healthy and everything.”

  “Is it about Dimitri?” her mother asked, and Thea froze.

  “Uh…”

  “My friend Kathleen saw you two at a bar a couple of nights ago and told me. I wasn’t going to say anything since I figured you’d mention it when and if you were ready.”

  Thea ran a hand over her face. “No, the paperwork doesn’t have to do with Dimitri. And I’m not going to talk about him right now. Okay? And what could these papers possibly have to do with him anyway?”

  Her mom blushed, shrugging. “I don’t know. It seemed like a good way to mention that I know, though, since I hated not telling you.”

  “There’s nothing for me to tell.”

  Her mom raised a brow.

  “Fine, there’s nothing to talk about right now when it comes to him. Can I talk about what’s in this folder, or should I just go and bake some more?”

  “Talk about the folder, though I do love your baking,” her dad put in.

  Thea let out a breath. “As you know, the bakery is doing well.”

  All three of them immediately knocked on the wooden tabletop, and Thea let out a laugh. Superstitions were part of her life, even with little things like knocking on wood and spilling salt.

  “Anyway,” she paused, chuckling again. “The business is going well to the point where I’ve been saving up for what to do next. I mean, with Colorado Icing that is. I’ve been saving for other things too that don’t have to do with the bakery, but for now, I’m…well...” She shook her head. “Sorry, I had a whole speech planned out in my head, and now I can’t remember it.”

  “We’re so proud of you and Colorado Icing,” her dad said quietly. “You started with a dream, and you’ve kicked butt. Plus, you let me taste everything, so I’m happy. Well, happy other than the fact I have to work out more to compensate, but it’s worth it.”

  Thea just smiled. “I love you guys.”

  “We love you, too,” her mom said. “Now spill, Thea. You’re killing us here.”

  “The place next door is going up for sale soon, and the owner is willing to sell to me before she puts it on the market. It’s been empty for a little while now while she gets her next place ready, and I really feel like I can make this happen. As it is, there’s not enough seating during rush times, and the kitchen isn’t set up for a full lunch. Right now, I do a few sandwiches, but I want to do more. I want to make sure people come to us for our drinks and baked goods, but also for lunch and other needs. I’m making it work now and even offer a lot of that already, but I want it to be a little more streamlined, I want more room. And I know I can do it. I’d have to hire on a person to help me handle it all at least part-time, but that would be part of the loan and startup costs to merge the two parts of the main building. It would be a lot of work, but I’m ready. Roxie thinks I can get the loan, and if I have the right paperwork with the right references outside of family, I really think this could happen.”

  Thea bit her lip as she stared at her parents, worried that they’d say something like this was too much or that she needed to take a step back and think of her personal life.

  She shouldn’t have worried.

  They were Montgomerys, after all.

  Her father immediately stood up and went to hug her tight, her mom coming around the other side, doing the same.

  “This is going to be amazing, and I’m so damn proud of you. I can’t wait to see what happens,” her father said.

  “You’re going to kick ass,” her mother said, and Thea laughed. “What? I curse all the time.”

  “I know, I just love when you do.”

  “Are you going to get your Denver cousins to do the renovation? Or what about the Gallagher brothers up in Denver? I know they do restorations, but since one of the brothers married into the Montgomerys, they’d work, too.”

  Thea rolled her eyes. “I was already planning on calling the cousins if things work out with the loan. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself or them if it all falls apart. But I should mention that a qualification for being good at your job shouldn’t just be that you
’re a Montgomery or related to one.”

  Her dad scoffed. “Ha. How little you know.”

  “Honey, she knows a whole lot if she’s going to take this on. I know it’s a lot of work, but I also know you’ve already thought it through. Your dad and I might be retired, but we’re also here if you need us. Don’t do everything on your own if you can’t. I’m not talking about money,” she added quickly when Thea opened her mouth to protest just that. “I’m talking time, labor, and anything else you need from us. We love you, Thea. You’re our baby girl even though you’re all grown up.”

  Thea blinked away tears and hugged her parents hard. “I love you guys. I was so worried, and I know I shouldn’t have been.”

  “Damn right,” her dad said with a wink before taking his seat again once Mom did.

  “Now, tell us everything,” her mom said. “We want to hear it all, and you’d better eat a few of these carrot cupcakes with me because I think I just fell in love with this frosting.”

  Thea laughed and took a big bite, relief spreading through her even as the anxiousness of the paperwork and what was to come warred inside.

  By the time her parents headed out, and Thea went back to the table to clean up and put away her paperwork—she’d kept an eye on the table the whole time so no one could come around and snoop—she was a little tired and very full but happier than she had been in ages about the potential developments. Her parents believed in her, they always had, and having them at her back meant the world. Soon, she’d tell the rest of her family her plans, but this hurdle was a big one.

  She was just stuffing her papers back into her bag when Molly walked in, pulling off her big glasses.

  “Thea, darling, oh good, you’re here. I’m dying for something sweet, and since I can’t even look at cake like you do, I need hot fruit tea. Anything sugarless you have.” She kissed Thea’s cheek before Thea could even get a word in. “Oh, what’s all this?” she tugged the last piece of paper out of Thea’s hands and read a few words. “Loan paperwork? Oh, no, are you in trouble?”