Written in Ink
A Montgomery Ink Novel
By
Carrie Ann Ryan
Written in Ink
A Montgomery Ink Novel
By: Carrie Ann Ryan
© 2015 Carrie Ann Ryan
ISBN: 978-1-62322-186-7
Cover Art by Scott Carpenter
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All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination.
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Author Highlights
Praise for Carrie Ann Ryan….
“Carrie Ann Ryan knows how to pull your heartstrings and make your pulse pound! Her wonderful Redwood Pack series will draw you in and keep you reading long into the night. I can’t wait to see what comes next with the new generation, the Talons. Keep them coming, Carrie Ann!” –Lara Adrian, New York Times bestselling author of CRAVE THE NIGHT
“Carrie Ann Ryan never fails to draw readers in with passion, raw sensuality, and characters that pop off the page. Any book by Carrie Ann is an absolute treat.” – New York Times Bestselling Author J. Kenner
"With snarky humor, sizzling love scenes, and brilliant, imaginative worldbuilding, The Dante's Circle series reads as if Carrie Ann Ryan peeked at my personal wish list!" – NYT Bestselling Author, Larissa Ione
"Carrie Ann Ryan writes sexy shifters in a world full of passionate happily-ever-afters." – New York Times Bestselling Author Vivian Arend
“Carrie Ann’s books are sexy with characters you can’t help but love from page one. They are heat and heart blended to perfection.” New York Times Bestselling Author Jayne Rylon
Carrie Ann Ryan's books are wickedly funny and deliciously hot, with plenty of twists to keep you guessing. They'll keep you up all night!” USA Today Bestselling Author Cari Quinn
"Once again, Carrie Ann Ryan knocks the Dante's Circle series out of the park. The queen of hot, sexy, enthralling paranormal romance, Carrie Ann is an author not to miss!" New York Times bestselling Author Marie Harte
Praise for the Redwood Pack Series…
“You will not be disappointed in the Redwood Pack.” Books-n-Kisses
“I was so completely immersed in this story that I felt what the characters felt. BLOWN AWAY.” Delphina’s Book Reviews.
“I love all the wolves in the Redwood Pack and eagerly anticipate all the brothers’ stories.” The Book Vixen
“Shifter romances are a dime a dozen, but good ones aren’t as plentiful as one would think. This is one of the goods one.” Book Binge
“With the hints of things to come for the Redwoods, I can’t wait to read the next book!” Scorching Book Reviews
“Ryan outdid herself on this book.” The Romance Reviews
Praise for the Dante’s Circle Series…
“This author better write the next books quickly or I will Occupy Her Lawn until she releases more! Pure romance enjoyment here. Now go put this on your TBR pile—shoo!” The Book Vixen
“I, for one, will definitely be following the series to see what happens to the seven.” Cocktails & Books
“The world of Dante’s Circle series is enthralling and with each book gets deeper and deeper as does Carrie Ann’s writing.” Literal Addiction
Praise for the Montgomery Ink Series…
“Shea and Shep are so cute together and really offset each other in a brilliant way. “ Literal Addiction
“This was a very quick and spicy read. I really enjoyed reading about Sassy, Rafe & Ian. I really hope there will be more of these three in the future.” Books n Kisses
Praise for the Holiday, Montana Series…
“Charmed Spirits was a solid first book in this new series and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes.” RR@H Novel Thoughts & Book Thoughts
“If you’re looking for a light book full of magic, love and hot little scenes on various objects, then this book is for you! You’ll soon find that tables are no longer for eating meals of the food variety … Bon appétit!” Under the Covers
“The book was well written and had the perfect setting the steamy bits where really really hot and the story one of sweet romance. Well done Carrie” Bitten by Love Reviews
Dedication
To those who are still looking for who they are; who they were.
You’ll find that person…or maybe you already have.
Just breathe. We’re here. We promise.
Acknowledgements
I think with each book, I find myself with a stronger team that I had before. I know that writing is sometimes a solitary adventure, and my hero Griffin can attest to that. However, with each word, each step, I know I’m not truly alone. My team of Chelle, Scott, Charity, Dr. Hubby, and Nazarea rocks! Thank you my precious, precious people!
My darling Kennedy, thank you for drinking coffee with me each morning and staying with me throughout the day. We sprint, talk business, speak of our lives, and more. I know our commute to our offices is only a few feet and the two of us are actually separate by a few hundred miles, but I couldn’t do this without you. You make it easy for me to remember why I do this, even when it’s not all that easy. I’ll never forget standing next to you in your kitchen almost a year ago and knowing who Autumn was, even if it wasn’t her turn yet for her book. Your addiction to a certain cancelled TV show spurned this story, and I love you for it.
And as always, thank you readers for being here. Whether this is your first book with me or your thirtieth, thank you for reading. You are the reason I get up every morning to do this. So thank you.
Happy Reading!
Written in Ink
There’s nothing worse for a writer than missing a deadline. For Griffin Montgomery, his failure to do what he loves comes at a blow. He didn’t understand how it was affecting his life until his well-meaning family intercedes. His sisters have hired him a new personal assistant and he’s outraged—that is, until he sees who it is.
Autumn Minor is light on her feet and a bare memory for most people she meets. She does her best to blend in everywhere she lives, even if it’s only for a short period of time. Making sure no one truly notices her is the only way she’s survived this long. Only when she meets Griffin and the rest of the Montgomerys, she’s afraid she won’t be able to let go when it’s time to run.
Though the two begin a tentative but explosive relationship, they know it can’t last forever. Neither of them are made for the long haul when it comes to love and romance. When the demons from Autumn’s past find her and put both their lives at risk, Griffin will stop at nothing to protect her. In the end, though, he’ll be the one who needs a second chance.
Chapter One
Sometimes there was nothing better than a well-worn pair of jeans. Okay, perhaps it would be more accurate to say there was nothing better than a well-worn pair of jeans encasing a very tight butt. Especially as the owner of said butt worked around a construction site.
Autumn Minor leaned against the side of the truck and crossed her arms over her chest, appreciating the view before she had to start work. At least five different men worked around her, bending over and lifting heavy things, using their large thighs and flex
ing nice butts. It was as if she’d entered the mecca of sexy men in jeans.
She really needed to stop by the Montgomery Inc. construction sites more often. Maybe standing back and drooling over men was a bit sexist, but she’d also seen the appreciative glances from who she assumed were the single and willing men on the site. She didn’t whistle or holler at them, so really, as far as she was concerned, she was one step ahead of the game when it came to checking out construction workers.
“Are you checking out my fiancé’s very fine butt?” Meghan Montgomery-Warren, soon to be Montgomery-Dodd, asked as she leaned against the truck next to Autumn, her long legs crossed one in front of the other, muddy boots looking well worn but cared for.
Autumn stretched from the truck, her back a little tight, and pulled her long auburn hair back into a ponytail. “Pretty much. Got a problem with that?” She winked over her shoulder at her friend, and Meghan rolled her eyes.
“No problem at all. As long as all you’re doing is looking and not touching.” Meghan’s teeth bit into her lip as she tilted her head, presumably checking out Luc’s…assets. “Damn, I love that man’s butt. Well, I just love him in general.”
Autumn grinned; ignoring that little ache inside that she hoped wasn’t jealousy. Not over Luc, of course, but of the idea that someone could love another with that much emotion and not be scared by it. The depth of heart and soul displayed on her friend’s face surprised her, though it shouldn’t have. Meghan looked so freaking in love that Autumn’s teeth hurt with the sweetness of it. The look in Meghan’s eyes when she thought Luc wasn’t looking made any amount of discomfort worth it, though. Her friend was well and truly loved. And after Meghan’s first abusive and disastrous marriage, she deserved all of that and more.
“You two are perfect together,” Autumn said. She put her hands in her pockets, trying to warm up in Denver’s winter weather. It hadn’t snowed in a couple of days, so of course the foot of white powder and ice they’d gotten during the last storm had already melted thanks to Colorado’s lovely weather patterns. But it still wasn’t warm enough for her. She preferred more temperate weather. Maybe the next place she lived wouldn’t have such cold winters.
She held in a sigh. Thinking about the next stop in her never-ending nomadic life didn’t tend to put a smile on her face.
Enough of those thoughts.
She liked Denver, even if the weather never made sense or stayed the same throughout the day. She’d learned to dress in layers—and lots of them. She also liked the Montgomerys. She didn’t know how it had happened, but somehow, she’d been invited into the fold and became, if not one of them, at least part of their periphery crew.
Meghan brushed her shoulder against Autumn’s and smiled. The two of them were around the same height, so thankfully, Autumn didn’t have to look up like she did with so many others at the site. It wasn’t that she was short—she was average—but the men on the site were all gigantic specimens of sexy men. Hence the firm butts in tight jeans and their need for appreciation.
“It’s about lunchtime. I know some of the guys wanted to head to the café near here,” Meghan said. “You want to join us, or did you bring your lunch?”
Autumn shook her head then winced. Shaking her head where there was more than one question involved usually led to misunderstandings. Considering she spent her life studying situations and people, she was usually better at that. There was just something about Denver—or maybe it was the Montgomerys—that made her feel…off-kilter.
“I didn’t bring my lunch, and I’d love to join you if you have room.” She shivered a bit, bouncing from one foot to the other. “Don’t the guys usually bring their meals so they don’t have to take so much time off the site?”
Meghan folded her arms over her chest, presumably to stay warm. “Yeah, but there’s a cold front coming in with the possibility of a storm, so we’re bringing things in early.”
“I knew there was a reason I’m cold down to my bones.” She swore her teeth chattered, but it wasn’t that cold.
Meghan rolled her eyes. “I think that has more to do with you being a Denver newbie. Anyway, it’s hard for the guys in the winter. Of course, it’s hard in the heat of the summer, too. But since they don’t want to get caught up in a foot of snow, we’re packing up.”
Autumn lowered her brows. “I still don’t know why you need my help, or even why you’re working outside in the winter. You work with landscapes.”
The Montgomery family had their hands in many pots when it came to professions, but a large part of them worked at either Montgomery Inc.—the construction company—or Montgomery Ink—the tattoo shop. The latter, ironically, was where she’d met the Montgomerys in the first place. Now, Autumn worked with the other arm of the family business. Meghan hadn’t always been part of the construction branch of the family, but once she’d divorced and found her way, she joined and dug elbows deep in dirt and plants.
“I don’t do as much in the winter when it comes to actual planting since the ground is usually too wet or too frozen. But there is always planning, upkeep, and other things I can do. And I need help because I’m learning to not do everything on my own.” She winked. “Luc doesn’t want me to wear myself out.”
He probably wanted to wear his fiancée out on his own, but Autumn wasn’t about to say that. From the heated look in Meghan’s eyes when she looked in Luc’s direction, her friend’s mind had already gone there anyway.
As if she’d conjured him from her look alone, Luc glanced over his shoulder and smiled. He nodded at two of the other guys he had been working with and strolled over to Meghan and Autumn.
“I felt your eyes on me. That mean you’re ready for lunch?” He lifted a dark brow, and Meghan laughed. She held out a hand, and Luc took it before tugging and bringing her to his chest.
Autumn held in a little sigh at the sight.
“I was just admiring your form,” Meghan said softly before kissing his chin.
Luc lowered his mouth to hers and gently brushed a kiss across her lips. “I can bend over again if you’d like a better look.”
“Maybe later,” Meghan murmured, sinking into her man’s hold.
This time, Autumn didn’t bother holding in her sigh.
“Those two are so sickeningly sweet, my teeth ache,” Wes Montgomery said as he came to Autumn’s side.
“You just don’t like seeing your sister making out with your electrician,” Tabby Collins said as she made her way to the group with Decker and Storm on her heels.
“True enough,” Storm Montgomery said as he tilted his chin toward Autumn. The man was built, bearded, and did that sexy chin tilt thing just right. She might have wanted to explore that sexy edge about him, but since she worked with him and she didn’t feel an overwhelming urge to let him see her naked, she didn’t act on it.
Of course, all the Montgomerys were damn sexy. She’d been Meghan’s neighbor before working with them, so she’d met most of them at one point or another. And she hadn’t found an ugly one in the bunch. There were eight siblings, though, so it wasn’t easy to keep them all straight. Maybe she should number them or something. Wes and Storm were twins, and two of the eldest Montgomerys. They owned and operated Montgomery Inc.—with Wes being the lead foreman for all projects and Storm being the lead architect.
Apparently, they even hired sexy. Tabby was their head receptionist, and in Autumn’s opinion, the glue that held them all together. Though she wasn’t sure the other woman knew that. When Autumn had first started hanging out with them, she thought Tabby and Wes might have had a thing going on, but now that she knew them better, she rethought that.
Decker, their lead contractor, tilted his head at the loving couple in front of them. “I thought you weren’t going to let them make out at the job site anymore.”
Luc and Meghan each held a hand out, flipping the group off even as they kept their eyes on each other.
“Considering you make out with our sister whenever she visits
, you don’t have much room to speak,” Wes said dryly. Decker had recently married the youngest Montgomery, Miranda. He’d been a part of the family long before that, however; though Autumn wasn’t sure of the exact specifics.
“And I will keep on making out with her as long as I damn well please,” Decker said before running his hand over his beard. His ink flexed over his muscles as he did, and Autumn couldn’t help but admire the work. Each of the Montgomerys and their loved ones had ink—some more than others—and Autumn was pretty sure the two tattoo artists in the family, Austin and Maya, were the ones who had done it. As if either of those two would let anyone else touch their family’s skin. In fact, Autumn was going to find it hard to have anyone else do her ink once she moved away. But it wasn’t as if she could afford to come back just for Maya’s or Austin’s talent. As much as she loved their work, it wasn’t worth their safety.
She forced that thought out of her mind. This wasn’t the time or the place to worry about things like that. Though, in all honesty, she was always worried about that.
“Anyway, once the couple is done, we’re going to lunch,” Tabby said with a smile. “Are you planning on joining us? I know you don’t work with Meghan full-time, so you probably have other plans.”
Autumn shrugged. “I get work where I can,” she said vaguely. Always vaguely. “I’m hungry. Food sounds good.” She shivered again. “And if we could eat indoors with a nice heater and maybe a roaring fire, I’d be even happier.”
“It’s not that cold, cupcake,” Storm said dryly.
“Don’t call me cupcake.” She raised a brow at him, but he didn’t even bother to look repentant. Damn Montgomery men.
Written in Ink (Montgomery Ink #4) Page 1
