Tempting Boundaries

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  Miranda took a sip of her water, liking the fact he hadn’t freaked out. She might not have meant what it sounded like at the time, but she did want to get married and have children. Eventually.

  “So I know you’re a teacher and some of your siblings work in construction. What about the others? What does Austin do?” Jack asked as the waitress set down the appetizer between them. They started munching on calamari while the man on the piano played a little Billy Joel—of course.

  “Austin and Maya own a tattoo shop. Montgomery Ink? It’s right off 16th Street Mall. Austin’s fiancée, Sierra, owns Eden, which is across the street. That’s how they met actually.”

  Jack tilted his head, a frown marring his face. “A tattoo shop? That’s…interesting.”

  Miranda did her best to keep the smile on her face. God, she hated when people judged without knowing what ink meant. Most of those people just thought that if someone had tattoos or worked in a shop, they were unintelligent, degenerate criminals. Sure, the landscape of art and the new generation—her generation—had more ink, and it was becoming more accepted, but those who did the art themselves still had that stigma.

  Maybe Jack would be different.

  Maybe.

  “Yes. It is interesting. Austin and Maya are two of the most sought-after artists in the west outside of LA. Even people in LA come out to get inked by the two of them. They started their little shop with nothing, and now they have six full-time artists and people who come in to work in shifts when they’re in town.”

  Jack nodded, that frown leaving his face. He didn’t smile, but he didn’t look like he was judging either. That was something, she supposed.

  She also knew what the next question would be.

  “So, do you have any tattoos?”

  See? A predictable, but not an unwelcome, question. Her ink might be hidden due to her job and the way those people might react, but she wouldn’t have let anyone ink her skin if she wasn’t proud of it.

  She had to remember, though, that this was a date, not an inquisition. Jack was just curious, and she had a tight string when it came to people judging her family. She was a Montgomery. Sue her.

  Instead of being annoyed about the questions, she let them roll right off her. At least she tried to. She tilted her head and smiled, brushing her hair off her shoulder. Jack’s eyes darkened as his gaze traveled down the long line of her neck to the bare skin of her shoulder.

  Look at that, she still had it.

  “I might. But that’s not something I usually reveal on the first date,” she said, flirting a little.

  Jack grinned and reached over the table to take her hand. She flipped her hand over casually so he could play with her palm.

  “I like that. I never thought of tattoos as sexy…but…well, this is a first date after all.” He motioned toward the waitress, and by some hidden cue, the woman nodded back. “Dance with me,” he said to Miranda when he faced her again.

  “But what about dinner?” she asked, surprised at the turn of events.

  “When we came in, I told her to wait to put in our order in case we wanted to dance. She’ll put it in now so we can dance a song or two and have our meals ready when we get back.”

  Wow. He’d planned all of this really well. Yet it seemed a bit…contrived. No, that wasn’t the word, but it felt like he’d surely done this before.

  Get a grip, Miranda. It wasn’t like she’d never dated anyone before. For cripes sake, she didn’t know why she was acting this way. Well, she did, but she wasn’t about to think about that name.

  Jack stood up, his hand still on hers, so she got up with him. He led the way to the dance floor and put his other hand on the small of her back once they reached the center.

  “You look gorgeous tonight.”

  He danced well, not like he’d taken lessons, but like it came naturally to him. Jack seemed like the type of man that many things came naturally to. And there she went again, judging because she was in a funk.

  “Thanks,” she replied. “You don’t look too bad yourself.” He pulled her closer so they were pressed together the length of their bodies. She could feel his erection against her belly, but again, it didn’t turn her on. Instead, she moved back slightly so she wouldn’t feel so boxed in. The thing was, she’d had years to feel that spark with the man-who-would-not-be-named, so the fact that she didn’t feel the exact same thing with the man in her arms wasn’t Jack’s fault. It was just poor timing.

  She wouldn’t give up though. It wasn’t a chore to dance with Jack, to eat with him, enjoy his presence. Just because she didn’t feel a huge spark to end all sparks with him didn’t mean it wasn’t there at all. Maybe it would be just a slow burn.

  He twirled her smoothly on the dance floor then made her laugh when he did a little jig, as if knowing she needed to smile more. After a couple of dances, their food arrived, and they made their way back to the table. They talked of work because it was something they had in common and, frankly, a passion of hers, and more of her family. They didn’t delve too much into his life other than the fact that he was an only child and both his parents had passed on years before. Her heart hurt for him at the loss, and she’d held his hand, even though it looked as though he’d wanted to brush it off. She didn’t know what she’d do if she’d lost her family.

  She swallowed hard at the harsh reminder of what her father was going through. She hadn’t told Jack about it, and wouldn’t. Not on their first date. It was deeply personal, and unless he knew her family and her dad, she wasn’t sure he’d get the deep ache and brutal cut along her heart at what was going on.

  She hated not knowing, not having things in her control. But that’s why she made lists and plans when it came to things she could control. Or at least things she thought she could control.

  Dating was just one of those things she’d put on her list. Hopefully it wouldn’t crash and burn.

  After dinner and dessert, Jack walked her out to her car. Unlike the time at the school, this held a little more anticipation. She loved kissing. Loved sex.

  When they got to her car, she turned to face him. With her in heels, the top of her head came right up to his forehead so it wasn’t that much of a distance in case they wanted to kiss goodnight. Though she hadn’t felt the sparks she’d craved, she’d enjoyed herself so that had to count for something.

  Jack stood in front of her, his hands on her arms. She smiled, and he lowered his head. She tilted up her chin and let his lips brush hers before letting him deepen the kiss slightly.

  He wasn’t a bad kisser, far from it. He just wasn’t…Decker. Or maybe she was thinking too hard and needed to just live in the moment.

  She pulled back and gave him a small smile. He didn’t seem disappointed, but she couldn’t hold back the emotion on her end. It’d been fine. Good. Not great. But good.

  “Well, I guess I’ll see you on Monday then,” she said pleasantly, trying not to get into her car too quickly. He was a nice guy; he just didn’t make her hormones dance. The fact that she wanted to run away and get in her sweats with a tub of ice cream didn’t make him a bad man.

  “I’d like to take you out again, Miranda.”

  She held back a sigh. There really wasn’t a reason to say no other than the fact that she didn’t want to crawl up his body and feast on him like a starving woman.

  It wasn’t his fault.

  After all, she wanted to get over Decker.

  “That sounds good,” she said.

  “I need to grade papers this weekend and do other things, so maybe next weekend?” Jack asked, his smile bright again.

  “We can plan once we know what our workload is. How’s that?” Boring, Miranda. Downright boring.

  Jack traced his finger along her jaw. Nothing. No tingles. No sparks. Maybe with more time...

  “We can do that. See you on Monday, Miranda.” He kissed her again, and she sighed when he pulled back. His eyes warmed at her sigh, but she didn’t have the heart to tell him th
at it wasn’t passion.

  Just because Jack wasn’t Decker didn’t make him wrong for her.

  She just had to remember that.

  And get over a certain bearded, broody, tattooed man.

  Easier said than done.

  Chapter Six

  “His name is Gunner, and he’s three years old.”

  Decker looked down at the cage, his hands in his pockets. “What breed is he?” He honestly couldn’t tell from the big ears, brown and black patches, and feet too big for its body. Since the dog was three years old, Decker figured it was finished growing. Too bad it never grew into its feet.

  “A shepherd mix, we believe. It’s hard to tell with some of the mixes, but he’s housebroken. He does like to chew, however, so you’ll have to make sure you have rawhide bones on hand, and maybe keep your shoes out of the way until he gets used to you.”

  Perfect. A dog that might pee outside but liked to eat anything in its path. Huh, sounded familiar.

  Honestly, the ugly thing had a face only a Montgomery could love.

  Decker wanted him.

  There was nothing like being a stray, begging for scraps. He’d never be that boy again, and he damn well would make sure this dog wouldn’t have to do it either.

  “I’ll take him,” Decker grunted before kneeling in front of the cage. Gunner put his paws on the metal separating the two of them and barked. His tongue rolled out of his mouth, and he panted. It looked like the damn dog was smiling.

  A pang of grief slid over him as a memory of Sparky doing the same thing filled his mind, but he pushed it away. There was nothing he could do for the pet he’d lost, but he’d damn well take care of the one in front of him. He wouldn’t let the old man touch this one. Decker’s fists were larger, his body taller. He’d protect what was his just like he had since he’d been able to.

  With that pleasant thought coming back to him, he stood up and put his hand on the door of the cage. “Let’s get the paperwork done so Gunner here can get out of this cage.”

  The shelter worker smiled up at him and then at Gunner. “I think we have a good match.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him, and he held back a snort. Sorry, honey, you’re even younger than Miranda. No thanks.

  Fuck. He needed to stop thinking of Miranda.

  “Paperwork?” he grunted again.

  Her smile fell, but she bounced around the room anyway. She was like one of the smaller dogs she was trying to find a home for. All perk and no worries. Well, she could keep that up as long as he got to get out of there fast. The sounds of barking and lost causes were starting to grate on him. He could take only one pet home, and he knew if he stayed any longer, he wouldn’t last.

  Damn, if he’d brought Miranda, she’d probably have wanted to adopt every single one. Even going as far as to gift one or two to each of her siblings. She was always like that, saving every little thing when she was growing up. She’d tried to save him just by being herself. He knew that much.

  Damn. Okay, enough of Miranda.

  He filled out the paperwork, paid the fees that helped keep the shelter open, and had Gunner on a leash within thirty minutes. It hadn’t been spur of the moment to come and get him since he’d prepped his house some. But it had been in the back of his mind for far longer than a few days. Ever since he’d kicked Miranda out of his house after spilling his guts and forcing his kiss on her, he’d been in a bitch of a mood. This might help.

  Maybe getting over what his father had done—or at least trying to—would help in the long run. Who the fuck knew, but now he had a dog to throw in the mix.

  He got Gunner settled in the passenger seat of his truck then closed the door before walking around to the driver’s side. Gunner stood stock-still, as if he didn’t know what was going on, or maybe it was that he couldn’t trust that what was happening was a good thing. Decker had been there.

  He really needed to stop seeing himself in this dog. It wasn’t doing good things for his already piss-poor mood.

  Before starting the car, he looked over at Gunner, who stared back at him, those big eyes of his filled with…hope? He couldn’t tell, but at least it didn’t look like fear. He didn’t know if he could deal with some dog being scared of him right then, not when he’d done his best to scare Miranda away.

  “So…you’re coming home with me.” The dog didn’t move. “I haven’t had a dog in a long while. In fact, I haven’t had anything I’ve had to really take care of other than myself so we’re going to learn how to do this together.”

  Gunner tilted his head, studying Decker.

  Weird.

  “I’ll make sure you’re fed, watered, and have a place to run around. I’m not going to coop you up in the house all day. In fact, if you behave, then I bet you can come to job sites with me. Wes and Storm would get a kick out of that.” He grinned at the thought of Wes trying to figure out how to organize a dog’s life while organizing his own. Yeah, that would be worth it. “Now, I’ll do all that, but don’t piss in my house and don’t chew on shit. I know you’re going to want to so we’ll figure it out, but try not to. Okay?”

  Gunner lowered his head then raised it.

  No shit. That couldn’t have been a nod, but he’d take it as one. The damn dog smiled again, and Decker almost smiled back.

  That was until he smelled it.

  “Jesus Christ. You trying to gas me out of my own truck?” He coughed then opened the windows. “Damn it. That smells rank, Gunner. What the fuck were you thinking?” Gunner just put his head out of the window and let out a little sigh.

  Nicely done. A perfect family. Decker started his truck and headed home, his eyes watering. “I have no idea what you ate to give you that stench, but we’re going to find something better at home because fuck, dog…”

  Gunner looked over his shoulder, barked, then went back to trying to catch air or bugs or shit outside the window. Well, the dog looked happy, so that was something. When Decker pulled into his driveway, he saw he wasn’t the first one there.

  He stopped the truck and opened his door. “You have a key, dumbass. What are you doing just sitting in your car?”

  Griffin looked over his passenger seat out the open window. “Huh? Shit. I didn’t realize I was out here that long. I finally figured out how to fix this one chapter and needed to write it out. My car seemed as good a place as any.”

  Decker rolled his eyes at his friend. Some things never changed. “At least you weren’t driving.”

  “Hey, I’m not an idiot.” Decker didn’t blink. Grif sighed. “Fine. That was one time, and since you were in the passenger seat, you kicked my ass. I haven’t endangered another person with my daydreams in a long time, thank you. And if I had needed to, this time I would have pulled over.” Grif frowned. “Dude. You know you have some kind of ugly dog thing in your truck, right?”

  Decker grinned then looked over his shoulder at Gunner. His new dog hadn’t left the truck, though he’d left the door open. Good thing. He was lucky Gunner hadn’t run off since Decker had given him the opportunity. Next time he wouldn’t be such an idiot.

  “Hey, Gunner. You can get out now. Come to me.” He held out a hand, and Gunner jumped readily. Decker took the end of the leash he’d left attached and looked over at a surprised Grif. “Good boy. Grif, meet Gunner. Just picked him up at the shelter. Gunner, meet Grif. He’s an idiot, but he’s a good guy.”

  Grif flipped him off then got out of his car. “Damn, Decker. I didn’t know you wanted a dog. Nice.” He walked around the front of his car and held out his hand. Gunner looked over at Decker, and Decker nodded. The dog went over to Grif and smelled him before allowing himself to be petted.

  “Hey, he’s pretty well behaved. Nicely done.”

  Decker shrugged. “Got lucky I guess. I just saw him in the cage and figured he’d be good.”

  “Well, he’s ugly enough that no one would have wanted him for their little kid or whatever.” Griffin smiled brightly. “I guess this mug would fit in with your
ugly face nicely.”

  “Suck me,” Decker said, flipping his friend off.

  “Later, baby. You’ll need to shower first.”

  Decker snorted. “Jesus. Don’t put that image in my head. Fuck. Now I’m going to need to shower to get clean since you’re a creep.” It wasn’t the idea of a man with him that creeped him out; it was the whole brother thing.

  “I do my best. You got beer?”

  “Of course I do. I had to restock after you cleaned me out last time you were here.” He ran a hand over Gunner’s head. “Come on, boy. Let’s show you your new home.”

  “But I already have a home.”

  Decker punched Grif in the arm and opened the door. “You can go on in, Gunner. Shit.” He looked over his shoulder. “Will you get that bag of dog things and food I put in the back of the truck?”

  “How big a bag of food are we talking?” Griffin asked, running a hand over his arms. The man wasn’t as built as the rest of his brothers, but he lifted just like the rest of them. Sitting on his ass for hours a day writing didn’t seem to hurt him. “Take two trips. Let me show my dog around. I’ll get you a beer.”

  Grif grumbled then stomped away. He’d have gotten a beer anyway, but this way, Decker would watch to see what Gunner would do. The dog shuffled around the house, smelling and brushing against everything he could. Decker ran behind him, catching a lamp before it fell to the floor since Gunner’s tail wagged like it was a life or death situation.

  He heard Grif huff behind them then walk to the kitchen, a twenty-pound bag of dog food over one shoulder and a bag of bowls, toys, and other things in his free hand. Decker got two beers out of his fridge then leaned against the counter. He had already put a dog bed down in the kitchen since he didn’t usually make impulsive decisions. He’d known he was getting a dog that day. He just hadn’t known which one he’d get.

  Gunner sniffed around the bed then laid down on it.

  Looked like it was a good fit.

  “Give me that.” Griffin took one of the bottles from Decker’s hands and opened it before taking a sip. “God, that’s good.”