“Jane?” I asked.
“I’m fine, I just, wow…I was ready, and yet still wow.”
I chuckled, my cock twitching deep inside her. “I’ll take that as a compliment,” I said.
“If you begin to move, we can call it a compliment,” she said, squeezing her inner walls. My eyes crossed, and I swallowed hard, before I lowered my head, kissed her again, and began to move. She wrapped her legs around my hips, and I slowly worked my way in and out of her, nearly shaking and already sweat-slick at just the beginning of our evening.
She moaned, meeting me thrust for thrust, both of us moving like we had done this a thousand times before. But this is Jack and Jane’s first, something that just helped the moment.
I rolled over to my back, needing to see her, and she hovered over me, a smile on the face.
“Jack,” she whispered.
“Jane,” I reached out, cupped her breasts, flicked my thumbs over her nipples. “Dear God, you’re beautiful.”
She trailed her fingers over the ink on my chest and arms, and then through my beard.
“Jack,” she whispered, and that was all she needed to say. She put both hands on either side of my head and rode me, rocking her hips like a seductress, a siren that called my name.
I thrust up into her again, and her eyes went dark, her mouth parted, and she let out a little oh, and then she came. Her body flushed. Her nipples going even darker, harder. I followed her, my balls growing tight, and I came, my body shaking. Both of us were sweat-slick, holding one another, and she collapsed on top of me. I held her close, sliding my hands down her back.
“Wow,” she whispered.
“Just the beginning,” I muttered.
“I think we’re getting a little too old to call that just the beginning.”
I laughed and slapped her ass. She looked up at me, shocked. “Jack!”
“I think you liked that,” I muttered. “Shut up,” she said, not denying.
“It may take me a little longer than when I was younger, but I still want to try that shower. And maybe that chair.”
“It’s a hotel, who knows who’s had sex in that chair.”
I was still deep inside her, and both of us shuddered, laughing. This is what I had wanted, sex, fantasy, and comfort. Perfection.
“In the shower. After a minute. Let me hold you.”
She smiled softly, her body going liquid, and she lowered herself on to me. And I held her.
My Jane.
At least for the night.
Chapter 4
“Jane”
* * *
My phone buzzed and I groaned, rolling from the man’s arm that was wound tightly around me.
He grumbled something under his breath, and I smiled softly before reaching for my phone.
Aaron: I figured you should get a text for checkout time. You have two hours. Enjoy your morning.
I looked at the clock, and my eyes widened. Not only had I slept in my contacts and my makeup, even though it was probably running down my face after the shower sex that we had had, I still could not quite believe it was already nearly eleven.
My fingers quickly went to my phone.
Me: Thank you! We’re still in bed.
I flushed and could not believe I was texting my brother-in-law about being in bed.
I can practically hear Aaron’s laugh from here.
Aaron: Have fun. Glad you guys had a good night. But I don’t need any details. Madison says she does. I don’t want to know.
I laughed, said my goodbyes and thank yous, after checking on his charges, and set my phone down.
“Was that my annoying brother?” the man in my bed asked, his voice low and a little grumpy.
I smile. “Yes, just making sure we didn’t overstay our welcome.”
“Well, what time is it?”
“Nearly eleven.”
Liam Montgomery sat up, his eyes wide. “What?”
I laughed at my husband and leaned forward and kissed him hard on the mouth. “I think midnight has struck, or maybe it was three in the morning when we finally went to sleep. Jack and Jane are gone, but I’m here.”
Liam tucked my hair behind my ear and kissed me again. “I love you, Arden. Arden Montgomery.”
I sighed at the name, loving the fact that my husband was so sweet, and all mine. All hardness and inked flesh that I could get my hands on. Mine, mine, mine, mine.
“You sound like a seagull from that movie with the fish,” Liam said, laughing.
My eyes widened. “Did I say that out loud?” I asked, laughing.
“Pretty much. But, I kind of like it.”
I leaned forward and kissed him again, and he groaned. He reached out and cupped my breasts, and I pulled away. “Hey, I wasn’t done,” he grumbled.
I shook my head. “We should get ready for the day. I can’t show up to your brother’s house looking like this.” I pointed to my bedhead and whatever makeup I still had on my face, and Liam just shrugged. “They know what we were doing last night.”
I blushed and shook my head vigorously. “They better not know everything, Liam Montgomery.”
“You know, as much as I enjoyed being Jack last night, there’s nothing better than hearing you call me by my given name, first and last.”
I licked my lips. “I was thinking that I love being called Arden Montgomery. Look at us, no longer in fantasy.”
“It was fun while it lasted, but I still got to say, this penthouse? You and that fucking hot dress and those fuck-me heels? Amazing night. But I also love cuddling with you on the couch while we watch movies and read books.”
“Sometimes you just make my heartache,” I whispered, tears falling down my cheeks.
Liam frowned and wiped the wetness from my skin. “No crying. Tonight’s a good night. Last night was a good night. And this morning is even better.”
“I know. I love you so much.”
“And I love you, too. And, I want to go home,” I whispered.
Liam’s gaze met mine, and he nodded. “I’ll go use the guest bathroom to get ready, because I know if I go in with you, we’re going to take a little time.”
I blushed. “Probably. There were three benches in there, and we only got to use two.”
He growled, kissed me hard on the mouth, and hopped out of bed. I couldn’t help but watch his ass as he moved away. After all, my husband had a great ass.
And I couldn’t help it. He was naked. What could I say?
I rolled out of bed, stretching. I knew I’d be sore, but that was fine.
It was a great night off, but we had responsibilities at home, and I just needed to be there.
I showered, ignored the fact that I looked like Beetlejuice. I quickly blew dry my hair. Mostly because if I didn’t, it would be a complete rat’s nest, and I didn’t have all of my curly hair products with me. I had wanted to travel light, although I wasn’t completely Jane. Jane would have a single toothbrush and call it an evening. Arden had an entire suitcase.
I couldn’t help it. I needed to be prepared.
I met Liam in the living room of the penthouse and looked around. “This is ridiculous,” I said.
He shrugged, his cheeks going red slightly.
“I made a shit-ton of money as a model, and I make decent money in my current job. I’m allowed to every once in a while spoil you.”
“Maybe,” I said with a laugh. “But this is a little ridiculous.”
He shrugged. “Very much so.”
I looked around again. “Though we could maybe fit the entirety of the Montgomerys in here,” I said, teasing.
“There’s far too many of us for that, and I’m not footing the bill for that,” he said and laughed. He kissed me hard again and then took my suitcase. “Come on, my wife, let’s head home.” He put both suitcases in one hand, squeezed my hand, and led me out of the penthouse.
Once in the sunlight that peeked through the car window, we were no longer any remnants of Jane and Jack
. Just Liam and Arden.
A married couple—the first of Liam’s siblings, and mine—and happy.
I had met Liam when I had been at one of my lowest points. Where I had thought that death would be welcome because the pain of living had been almost too much. I was still sick. I still had flare-ups. I still was in the hospital more than I’d like to admit. But I wasn’t alone. Not that I had ever really been alone, because my brothers had always been there. But now they could focus on their wives and their children because Liam would always be there. Along with his family.
We had all grown leaps and bounds over the past few years, and I still couldn’t quite believe that I had landed Liam Montgomery. The love of my life.
He looked over at me then, his aviators showing my reflection, and I knew he could see my heart in my eyes.
I couldn’t help it. I didn’t hide it from him.
He brought our clasped hands to his lips and kissed the back of my hand.
We pulled into Aaron Montgomery’s driveway as the front door opened.
Jasper, my white Siberian Husky, practically leaped out of the doorway, barked happily, and sat patiently, even though he was shaking, on the grass waiting for us. Liam parked, and I jumped out of the car, all thoughts of pain from my lupus gone from my memory.
I knelt, hugged Jasper tight, and kissed the top of his head. “There’s my baby boy.”
I looked up as Lake came toward us, her hair piled on the top of her head, and her chin lowered just a bit.
“Mom?” Lake asked, and my heartbeat sped and felt like it grew five sizes.
“Hey there, baby. Did you have a good night with your Uncle Aaron and Aunt Madison?” I asked and opened up my arms.
My daughter, of only a few months, ran into my arms. I hugged her tight, inhaled that sweet scent that was all Lake, and held back tears.
“Hey, Dad,” she said as she pulled away and held Liam close.
I heard Liam’s breath catch, and I knew he was ready to sob right along with me. She had only started calling us Mom and Dad two weeks ago. We had been Liam and Arden during the foster process. And as the adoption had become final, we were still getting our bearings.
But our ten-year-old daughter, Lake, was the light of our lives.
I knew that while the rest of the Montgomerys were slowly breeding an entire generation that would rival the originals, Lake might be our only child. And that would mean the world to me.
I had fallen in love with this little girl from the moment I had seen her, and I had nearly cried myself to sleep in tension and stress every night until the adoption papers had finally been signed. But now we were a family, the four of us with Jasper, and I couldn’t believe that this was my life.
Aaron and Madison stood in the doorway, giving us a piece of privacy, even if we were in the middle of their yard. Madison was crying, leaning against Aaron. My brother-in-law was also crying.
We were a bunch of softies, and I loved it.
I looked up at Liam, my Jack for the evening, but my husband forever, and I smiled.
Last night had been a night to be wrapped up in fantasy and bliss. But fiction could tangle with real life.
And as I held my daughter close, my best boy puppy leaning hard into my side, and Liam holding us all, I knew that my reality was far richer than any fiction I could ever imagine.
* * *
Thank you for reading! 100% of the profits from this anthology will be given to the Live A Thousand Lives charity.
This charity donates audio players - equipped with hundreds of hours of classic stories - to low-to-no mobility patients in nursing facilities and hospitals.
The Live A Thousand Lives Project has been fueled by prolific Romance writers and unabashed book lovers who appreciate that audiobooks boost mental health, improve memory and stimulate the brain in ways that mirror reading printed text.
* * *
* * *
WAYS TO HELP:
You can find out more and donate by clicking here!
Or you can purchase an audio device for yourself - a Brilliant Blue Classic or a Red Hot Romance Audio Player (with over $200 worth of audio books from bestselling authors) by clicking here!
For every ONE player purchased, Live A Thousand Lives is able to donate TWO Brilliant Blue Classics.
* * *
Now on to more love stories…
Also by Carrie Ann Ryan
Thank you so much for reading INKED FANTASY
I love the Montgomerys. I truly do. And these Boulder Montgomerys are so amazing and dare I say…bolder. Yes, I’ve been making that joke to myself while even writing hard topics.
As someone with an autoimmune disease, writing Arden’s romance was a bit personal, but finding her HEA was perfect. Liam? Liam is a Montgomery. His personal journey into figuring that out is what made him a Montgomery.
As for who is next? Ethan is next though he’s not going to go about it the usual away. I cannot wait for you to read his story.
Bristol and Aaron will be getting their stories as well!
And how about those Brady Brothers? You guessed it, I fell in love. I didn’t mean to. But now they are getting a series of their own in the Promise Me series!
And if you’re new to my books, you can start anywhere within the my interconnected series and catch up! Each book is a stand alone, so jump around!
Don’t miss out on the Montgomery Ink World!
•Montgomery Ink (The Denver Montgomerys)
•Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs (The Colorado Springs Montgomery Cousins)
•Montgomery Ink: Boulder (The Boulder Montgomery Cousins)
•Gallagher Brothers (Jake’s Brothers from Ink Enduring)
•Whiskey and Lies (Tabby’s Brothers from Ink Exposed)
•Fractured Connections (Mace’s sisters from Fallen Ink)
•Less Than (Dimitri’s siblings from Restless Ink)
•Promise Me (Arden’s siblings from Wrapped in Ink)
If you want to make sure you know what’s coming next from me, you can sign up for my newsletter at www.CarrieAnnRyan.com; follow me on twitter at @CarrieAnnRyan, or like my Facebook page. I also have a Facebook Fan Club where we have trivia, chats, and other goodies. You guys are the reason I get to do what I do and I thank you.
Make sure you’re signed up for my MAILING LIST so you can know when the next releases are available as well as find giveaways and FREE READS.
Happy Reading!
* * *
The Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series:
Book 1: Wrapped in Ink
Book 2: Sated in Ink
Book 3: Embraced in Ink
Book 3.5: Moments in Ink
Book 4: Seduced in Ink
Book 4.5: Captured in Ink
About the Author
Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Fractured Connections, and Elements of Five series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.
www.CarrieAnnRyan.com
The Inevitable
By Nikki Ash
Chapter 1
Sierra
* * *
“Chicken salad, extra egg, extra tomato, and an additional ranch dressing on the side and… a refill of your sweet tea, extra lemons.” I set the salad and drink down in front of my customer. “Can I get you anything else?” I ask out of habit, immediately regretting my choice of words.
He opens his mouth, a sly smirk quirking at the corner of his lips, but before the words can spill out, I raise my hand because I already know what he’s going
to say. For the past week, he’s shown up here and sat in the same spot, ordering the same drink and salad while making the same request. Go out on a date with me.
And every day, despite how badly I want to do just that, I’ve given him the same answer: No.
“Besides me.”
His sexy two-dimpled grin splays across his face. “Well, if you’re still off the table, then I’m good.” He grabs the ranch dressing and pours it over his salad.
“I’m still off the table,” I reiterate yet again. Technically, I’m very much available, just not to him. Because when he walked in here on that first day and our eyes met as he sat at the bar, I immediately felt something course through my veins. Like fireworks waiting to be set off on the Fourth of July, they’ll all shoot off with one spark, beautiful and dazzling, and explode in the sky. But what happens once they burn out? When the colors fade into ash, and we’re left with only the aftermath?
Even though I have no doubt those sparks would be worth chasing, knowing the destruction they’ll leave behind means I can’t risk it.
The first time Kolton spoke to me, and those damn dimples popped out of his cheeks, I knew he would be bad for my heart. I went into self-preservation mode the best I could, locking away my organ in an attempt to protect it. But Kolton isn’t making it easy on me. Every conversation, every joke, and every shared laugh cracks my shield a little more. I know it’s only a matter of time until my heart is exposed, and I’ll have no choice but to either flee the country—okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic—or give in and say yes to him, risking everything I’ve worked hard to protect over the past several years.
“Maybe so,” he says, mixing his dressing in with the salad. “But I can feel you caving.”
I bark out a laugh, refusing to let him know he’s right. “How so? I’m pretty sure we had damn near the same conversation yesterday and the day before… and the day before that.” Usually, I’m not behind the bar. For the past couple of years, I’ve managed The Orange Sunrise, an upscale restaurant-slash-bar in downtown Carterville. But last week, I caught two of my employees stealing and was forced to fire them, leaving the bar unattended.
I Have Lived And I Have Loved: A Charity Romance Collection Page 7
