Steam and Ink

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  Just because she happened to love her big brother’s best friend didn’t mean he had to love her back.

  Oh no. Decker Kendrick didn’t do anything he didn’t want to do, and loving her wasn’t in the cards. Seeing her as an adult woman with needs seemed so far out of his scope that Miranda was just about to call it a lost cause.

  “Miranda, darling, are you listening?” Edward, her date, asked, that pleasant smile on his face getting on her nerves.

  It wasn’t that he tried to be annoying; he couldn’t help himself. Everything about him was pleasant. His not-too-tight and not-too-bright smile, his suit that wasn’t designer—but neither was it bargain priced—his job as an accountant that was middle of the road, his voice that wasn’t too deep, wasn’t too high, or anything else she could name. He was just…pleasant.

  What had she been thinking when she’d agreed to this date?

  Oh, yeah...that Decker hardly looked at her as anything more than a little sister and she hadn’t been on a date in months.

  Miranda shook her head then calmly put her napkin down on the table. They’d gone out to a nice dinner that wasn’t too fancy, nor was it all that casual, either. The man had a theme for sure, and he wasn’t about the get off course.

  “I’m sorry, Edward. I’m not feeling well. I think I’m going to go home so I can make sure I’m ready for work in the morning.”

  A Thursday evening date. Seriously? What had she been thinking? She had class in the morning and would have even more papers to grade after that. But she was trying not to be a homebody, and Thursday night dates with pleasant, boring Edward had been her answer.

  Or not.

  Edward frowned but not too deeply. “I’m sorry to hear that. You drove in. Are you able to drive yourself home?”

  She’d driven in because she’d had a feeling she’d have to cut the date short. Also, her brothers would have killed her for going on a first date without an escape route.

  “I’m good. Thank you for the evening.” She stood up, and he stood as well, gently kissing her hand.

  And nada.

  No spark.

  “Rain check?” he asked, his eyes hopeful.

  Instead of answering, Miranda gave him a small smile then said goodbye. She wasn’t about to crush his hopes in the middle of a restaurant, but she couldn’t go out with him again. Not when she was beyond bored.

  She made her way home, then kicked off her heels and flopped on the couch. She’d get out of her dress and makeup in a bit. It was only seven thirty, so she had plenty of time.

  Seven thirty.

  Dear Lord, what a dull evening.

  Miranda shouldn’t have said yes when Edward asked her out, but she’d wanted to get out of the house and get her mind off of the torment that wouldn’t go away.

  Her dad had cancer, and she didn’t know how to deal with that. Others had made lists, done research, made food and brought it over, even though Mom could cook just fine at the moment. Miranda had hugged her dad and said she’d be there no matter what. Just tell her what to do.

  It still scared the hell out of her.

  She looked down at her phone and bit her lip. Austin might be done with dinner at the folks’ house with Shep and Shea. She’d just see how it went. Her big brother always knew what to do. She sent him a quick text asking how it went and smiled as he answered right away.

  Good. As good as it can get. We just got to the house now, and I’m settling Shep and Shea in for the long haul. They’ll be here for a bit.

  Miranda had to roll her eyes. For a man with fingers as big as his, her brother sure did type a lot in a text. Even as she smiled, she warmed. Shep was Austin’s age, so she hadn’t grown up with him as a sibling, but he’d been in her life for the whole of it. He still joked that he’d helped change her diapers.

  Not something she liked to hear about, considering he’d once said it in front of her prom date.

  I can’t wait to meet Shea.

  You’ll like her. She’s tiny but powerful. We’ll be around, hon. Get some sleep. You have school in the morning.

  Once a big brother, always a big brother. It didn’t matter that she was the teacher, in this case, and not the student. School came early in the morning anyway.

  However, it wasn’t even eight yet, and she wanted to talk to her family. She dialed Meghan’s number, knowing the kids would be in bed by now and she’d have a better chance of reaching her sister.

  “Hey you. What are you doing on the phone? I thought you’d be on your date.”

  Miranda sighed at her sister’s words. “Edward was dull and boring. I’m home now.”

  Meghan gave a soft laugh. “Honey, his name was Edward. You told me yourself you only thought of the sad sparkly vampire when you said his name.”

  Miranda chuckled. “He wasn’t emo, Meghan. He was just…boring.”

  “Well, you’re home now. I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”

  I’m not. Edward wasn’t Decker, but Miranda wasn’t about to tell Meghan that.

  “What are you up to tonight?”

  “Oh, the usual...cleaning up vomit off the floor of the bathroom because Boomer decided to try to eat one of my shoes, and it didn’t agree with him.”

  “Oh, poor Boomer,” Miranda said through held-back laughter.

  “Don’t you laugh at me, Miranda Montgomery. That puppy might be the cutest thing ever, but he’s a devil. And Richard has had it up to—”

  Her sister cut herself off, and Miranda wanted to scream. She hated Meghan’s husband, but she couldn’t voice it. She’d done it once, and her sister had told her not to judge what she didn’t understand.

  So, she’d be the good sister, hold back, and be there for her no matter what. She’d just say bad things about Richard in her head…or to her other siblings.

  Someone yelled on the other end of the line, and Miranda winced.

  “Crap. Richard just found another puddle. I need to go. Love you, honey.”

  She hung up before Miranda could say it back. Damn it. She was worried about Meghan just as she was about her dad. It sucked being the little sister where she couldn’t help, only stand back and pray that things would work out, being there if needed.

  If only she was what Decker needed.

  No, she wouldn’t think about that. Not now.

  She knew love was hard. She’d seen it her whole life…but she’d been in love just as long. What was one more day?

  Chapter 12

  Sierra fell onto her back, her body sweaty, shaky, and sated. Her eyes threatened to close, but she forced them open. Morning sex—even great morning sex—meant she needed to get out of bed and rush to get ready if she wanted to make it to work.

  Morning sex with Austin… Well, thankfully, he woke her up early pumping into her from behind; there was nothing quick and easy about the man.

  “Don’t fall asleep, Austin,” she mumbled, her own body ready to rest again. She wouldn’t allow herself to curl into him for petting and care because she needed to get up and get ready for work. If she hurried through her shower—solo—she’d have time to eat before she went.

  He sat up, running his hand over his beard. She blushed as she remembered the feel of his beard on her breasts and her pussy just a few moments before.

  Dear Lord, she loved that beard.

  His gaze caught hers, and he raised a brow. “I thought you said you needed to be at work. If you keep looking at me like that, we aren’t getting out of bed any time soon.”

  She tried to jump out of bed but staggered since her legs were still a little jelly-like from that thorough wake-up call.

  “Yes. Keep your hands off of me. I can’t think when you touch me.”

  “Aw, Legs, that’s one of the best compliments you’ve given me.”

  Sierra rolled her eyes then strolled naked to the bathroom, picking up her overnight bag on the way. She wasn’t ready to leave clothes or anything else at his house, as they’d only been dating for a couple weeks, and she
wasn’t ready for that step. Packing an overnight bag, however, was good enough for her. There was no use lying to herself and saying she wouldn’t be sleeping over and then dealing with the fact she wouldn’t have any of her things the next morning.

  “I’m going to jump in the shower and then blow out my hair.” She narrowed her eyes. “And, no, you can’t join me because I want to eat before work so the girls don’t yell at me, and if we shower together, we’d take twice as long since you can’t keep your hands off me.”

  Austin grinned then stood up, naked and so freaking sexy Sierra had to keep her mouth closed lest she start drooling. His cock was only semi-hard considering they’d just finished coming less than five minutes ago, but, damn, he was big. Lucky her.

  “You know, we’d save water if we share. Think of the planet, Legs.”

  She rolled her eyes even as she walked into the bathroom to turn on the water and get about her morning business. She closed the door behind her, but he walked right in. Well then, apparently they were past privacy in their relationship.

  That was fast.

  She jumped in the shower while he did his own business, and Sierra thought about where her life had been and where it was now. Here she was in a pretty freaking serious relationship even though neither of them said it, and now she was sharing a bathroom with the man.

  “By the way, Legs, the girls aren’t the only ones who’ll be pissed if you don’t take care of yourself and eat.”

  “I’m going to eat as soon as I get out. Promise.” Her body warmed at the thought he cared for her in more ways than just in bed. They were slowly becoming more entwined in certain ways outside the bedroom. They ate lunches together during the day and had meals together at night. He’d fixed her window, and she helped him pick out curtains for, of all things, his living room. He made sure she ate, and she made sure he had a game plan when it came to helping his father deal with what was to come.

  They were a couple, and there was no way she could deny it.

  Not that she was sure she wanted to anymore.

  By the time she got out of the shower and blew her hair out so it was decent for work, Austin was in the kitchen wearing only a pair of jeans and pouring oatmeal into bowls.

  She smiled then walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

  “Hey, Legs, you smell good,” he rumbled as he added fruit to hers and brown sugar to his. “I figured oatmeal would be better than bacon and eggs. I don’t have any yogurt, or I’d have made that for you.”

  Sierra took the pot from his hands, set it down, and then stood on her tiptoes to cup his face. “Thank you.”

  His gaze traced her face, then he lowered his lips to brush along hers. “You’re welcome, Legs. Now eat so we’re not late.”

  “Don’t you need to shower?” she asked as she sat at the bar next to him.

  “Yeah, but I can do that quick while you put on your makeup or whatever you need to finish up.”

  They sounded so much like a married couple that Sierra had to take a step back. They hadn’t been together that long, but they sure were acting like it. One day at a time, she reminded herself. She wasn’t ready for marriage and babies—she wasn’t sure she’d ever be—but sitting there that morning she thought it could be a possibility.

  “Did I fuck up the oatmeal?” he asked, and she blinked.

  “What?”

  “You just went pale for a second. You okay?”

  She shook her head to clear it then smiled. “I’m fine.” Really. She was. For the first time she thought she could be. “What are you plans?”

  “I have a couple consultations, then I have to work on a client’s leg for most of the day. I’ll be free at noon for an hour or so for lunch and then will be busy until I get off work. You?”

  She nibbled on a strawberry. “I need to go over the books while I’m not up front. I’ll have lunch off, but I’ll probably be working late since books take forever.”

  Austin licked his spoon then stood up, taking their empty bowls to the sink. “I should be done by seven or so for a late dinner if you just want to come over here. I’ll pick up Chinese, and we can just relax.”

  “Two nights in a row?” she asked.

  “You got a problem with that?” He stood right in front of her, his body big but his presence bigger.

  She thought about it then shook her head. “No. Actually, I like it. Pull me out of the books when you get done, or I’ll end up there all night. I’ll have to stop by my house and pick up another change of clothes while you get the food.”

  “You know, it would be easier if you just left things here.”

  She let out a breath. “True, but I’m not ready for that. Okay?”

  He nodded then kissed her again. “Okay. I’m going to go jump in the shower. I’ll be quick.”

  She smiled up at him and wondered how the hell she’d ended up here and, at the same time, didn’t want to leave.

  By the time lunch rolled around, Sierra’s nerves were fraying. It had been a non-stop morning with customer after costumer needing one-on-one care. While that normally would have made her feel like she was on top of the world, her books were calling her name. Jasinda had the flu, and that meant Sierra was on her own for the day.

  Not something she could have handled if it wasn’t for sheer perseverance.

  Lunch with Austin had been hurried since they both had to get back to work. She ignored Hailey’s pointed look followed by mouthing the word “oaf” over Austin’s back. So, Sierra had gotten it wrong before. Whatever. She’d judged, and so had he, but they were past it.

  Now, thankfully, there was a lull, the store being empty, and Sierra could catch her breath. Eden was still going great in this first month of opening and she knew she’d have to hire another person soon so she wouldn’t burn out. There was only so much she could do.

  The bell over the door rang, and Sierra turned to see who it was, only to have her smile freeze on her face

  She remembered that woman and her prey.

  Shannon.

  Austin’s ex.

  Oh, goodie.

  “Good afternoon, how can I help you?” she clipped out through a false smile. The ice princess was back, but she didn’t give a damn. From the gleam in Shannon’s eyes, the other woman wasn’t there for a scarf or dress.

  No, she was there for another reason entirely.

  Whatever.

  Shannon lifted a lip in what might have been a smile but was more of a smirk. “I’m just browsing. I’m not sure you’ll have anything that appeals to my…taste and quality here.”

  So it was going to be like that, was it? Good to know. Sierra really didn’t like jealous women who gauged their self-worth by the men they snared in their web. Shannon was one of those few who gave women a bad rep, and she had no use for her.

  “I’ll be around if you need me then. Enjoy.”

  Shannon lifted a red-tipped finger. “Actually, sugar, I have something to say.”

  Sierra folded her hands in front of her. “Yes?”

  The other woman’s eyes narrowed. Sierra wouldn’t back down though. This woman meant nothing to her other than being in Austin’s past. In fact, if it wasn’t for Shannon being who she was and Sierra’s muttered comment when they’d first met, she and Austin might never have met the way they did. Who knows what would have happened otherwise?

  “I don’t know who you think you are walking into my town and acting like you’re the shit, but you’re not good enough for him. You’ll bore Austin in another week or less, and then he’ll be back to me. He always comes back to me.”

  Well, that was a lie in so many ways that Sierra wouldn’t even bother to contradict her. “If that’s how you feel, you can keep thinking that, sugar. However you’re boring me, so you can go now if you’re not going to purchase anything. Claim whoever you’d like, but you won’t be chasing me away.”

  She’d done enough running in her lifetime as it was.

  “You’re an ice-
cold bitch, you know that?”

  Sierra raised a brow. “I’ve heard that a few times in my life.” From Jason’s parents actually, but she wasn’t going to think about that. “If we’re done, I have a business to run.”

  Shannon snarled then stomped out of the store. Well, that was dramatic and not worth her time. She’d have to tell Austin about it so it wouldn’t come as a surprise later, but it wouldn’t be worth the time. The other woman had thrown away something special, and Sierra was just now beginning to realize what she could have if fate worked her way.

  Fate hadn’t worked her way in the past, however, so she knew better than to get her hopes up.

  Becky ran through the door at that moment, her face red. “I’m here. I’m here. Traffic was horrible. Accident on 70, but I’m here now. Go in the back and work on the books, and I can handle it here.”

  Sierra snorted then hugged the woman hard. “Thanks, honey. I don’t want to think about numbers right now, but I don’t have a choice.”

  Becky wrinkled her nose. “I wouldn’t want to either, but that’s why you’re the boss and I’m the lowly peasant.”

  “Peasant my butt.” The bell rang again, and Sierra stepped away. “Have fun; I’m going to go drown in numbers.”

  “Better you than me,” Becky mumbled before sighing and greeting the two women walking in.

  Sierra went to her small office in the back, sat down, and took off her shoes. She stretched her toes and cursed the person who invented stilettos. It must have been a man.

  Her cellphone buzzed, and she picked it up, not looking at the caller ID. “This is Sierra.”

  “There you are. I knew we’d find your number. There’s no use hiding from us. We will always find you, you murderer.”

  Sierra almost dropped the phone at the cruelty and anger in the voice.

  The voice that shouldn’t have been able to find her so quickly, but there was a restraining order in place for this.

  “Marsha, you know you shouldn’t be calling me.” She swallowed hard, her palms clammy, her vision blurring.