Shep held back a brighter smile. He’d known that’s what the big man would say, but he liked to egg him on anyway.
Lisette let out a little gasp, and Shep knew his work was done. They went over the aftercare instructions that he knew she was aware of since she had a half sleeve of flowers already, but he never let anyone leave Midnight Ink without hearing it and agreeing to it on Shep’s terms. As he watched Mathieu carefully walk his woman out of the shop, Shep bounced on his feet, antsy to get back to his own woman. Lisette was his last full client of the day, and after he finished the next consultation with Chavon, one of his favorite people in the world, he’d be able to go home to his wife.
His wife.
He’d never get used to that, but God, he loved the sound of it. They’d courted quickly, got engaged even faster, and then married at the justice of the peace because they couldn’t wait any longer. He’d thought Shea would have wanted the big wedding with the even bigger dress, flowers and all the trappings, but he was wrong. It’d been Shea who wanted the small wedding in the little office so she could call him her own. She’d been the one to pull him from the coffee house on the warm day with a smile on her face. He couldn’t ask for anything better.
He’d do anything for her, and saying ‘I do’ in that cramped office was only the small part of it.
By the time he finished the consult for Chavon’s latest ink—this one not on her ass contrary to what her man thought Shep did only when it came to her—he was beyond ready to head home to Shea.
“Say hi to Shea for me,” Sassy, the Midnight Ink receptionist and one of his closest friends said as he packed up.
“Will do,” he said back. “And don’t tire your men out too much.” Sassy was engaged to not one man, but two—Rafe and Ian—who thought she was the center of their universe. “Let me know when you have a date for the wedding. Shea’s been asking.”
Sassy nodded, an odd light coming into her eyes, and turned away. He sighed, knowing he’d have to deal with that if she’d let him. That was a big if.
He said goodbye to his ‘family’ at Midnight, then headed home, that odd gnawing in his gut coming back. There was something up with Shea, and he couldn’t figure it out. They hadn’t been married long enough for him to learn every tic and look, but he was enjoying figuring them out. However, he knew something was wrong. She didn’t act any differently. She’d still smile brightly at him, but sometimes, it would be a little too bright. Her normal, quiet personality hadn’t changed, and she truly let herself go only when it was just the two of them. She was ice to his fire, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. But he needed her to be happy.
He’d figure it out. He always did.
As soon as he stepped into the house, he opened his arms, and Shea rocketed herself against him like she did every evening. Seriously. Best. Thing. Ever. He hoped this would remain something they did every day no matter how old or busy they eventually became. Okay, so maybe when he was older, he might break a hip doing it, but it’d be worth it. He worked later hours than Shea because he started later in the day, so she was always home first. If it had been the other way around, he knew they’d end up in the same embrace. He inhaled that sweet scent of hers, crushing her to his body then slanting his mouth over hers. She tasted of tea and grapes.
“God, I love you, Shea Montgomery.”
He’d never get over hearing her new last name. The name, however antiquated the practice of her taking his name, reminded them both that she was his…and he was hers.
Shea pulled back, breathless. “I love you too, Shep.”
She smiled, but it took a second longer to reach her eyes than it should have.
There. There was something in her eyes. Something wrong. He’d asked her about it before, and she’d waved it off, saying he was just seeing things. He wouldn’t ask again. No, he’d find it out on his own. He’d just do his best to make her happy no matter what. He’d hate to think he was failing at this marriage thing right out the gate. That was not something he would allow.
“I was just getting everything out for dinner. Want to help?”
He kissed her nose then nodded. They cooked dinner together most nights, the dance around the counters as their bodies brushed against one another a type of foreplay that made the rest of their nights even better.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he took it out, one arm still around Shea. “It’s Austin,” he said after looking at the screen.
“Answer it,” Shea said. He’d introduced Austin to her when they were dating, and the two of them hit it off easily.
“Hey, bro’, what’s up?” Shep kissed the top of Shea’s head as they made their way to the kitchen.
“Hey, do you think you can come up to Denver for a bit? You and Shea.”
Shep froze, squeezing Shea’s arm at Austin’s tone. The other man’s voice didn’t sound like the warm, yet broody man he’d grown up with. Something was off. Shea looked up at him at his touch, worry in her gaze.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his throat choking up.
Austin sighed. “I…shit. I don’t know how to say this. Damn it. I shouldn’t have to say this at all. It’s not fair.” He took a deep breath while Shep held his. “Dad has cancer, man.”
Shep staggered back, using Shea as support. “What? You’re serious?”
“As serious as it gets,” Austin said softly. “He’s starting treatment soon, and I think he’d like you there. You and Shea. He’s never met her, you know,” he said, stating the obvious.
He swallowed hard, blinking away the tears in his eyes. Shep’s parents had moved to Oregon when he moved to New Orleans over a decade ago, but he’d grown up in the big mess of Montgomerys in Denver. The idea that bigger-than-life Harry was sick just didn’t compute.
There really was only one answer to give.
“I’ll be up there as soon as I can, for as long as I can, Austin. You can count on me.”
Austin let out a breath, and Shep wanted to reach through the phone and grip his cousin hard. “Thanks, man. You can stay at Griffin’s place since he has the guesthouse. You and Shea. That way you both have some privacy for as long as you need it. I have the guest room, but I know y’all are newlyweds and all that shit. I don’t know why I’m even rambling on like this, but fuck. I’m lost, man. I…I know all the siblings are here, but I could use you too. You know?”
Shep sucked in a breath then kissed Shea’s temple. “Anything, Austin. You know it. We’ll make the arrangements, and I’ll get back to you on the when.”
“Thanks, Shep.”
“See you soon, cousin, and breathe, okay? Harry…Harry’s stronger than all of us.”
“That’s what I thought too. See you soon.”
His cousin hung up, and Shep stared at the phone in his hand. Shit. Harry had cancer. Fucking cancer. That didn’t make any sense. Cancer wasn’t supposed to touch his family. It was something that happened to others and he donated money for treatments and cures. Crass and cruel, but that’s how his mind dealt with the things that made no sense while tearing a hole in his gut. He didn’t know how to work with this.
“I heard most of that, baby.” Shea cupped his face, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m so sorry. Let me call work and take time off. What I can’t take off, I can do from my computer anywhere I go. Then I’ll look up plane fare and all of that. We’ll stay in Denver as long as we can. Okay?”
He kissed her then, his lips a soft caress before sinking into her fully. She moaned into him even as their tears mixed together.
“I love you, Shea. Never leave me. Please. Just be by side forever.”
His wife licked her lips even as that odd light shot over her eyes again before she blinked, clearing her gaze. “Of course, Shep. I love you. I’m not going anywhere.”
He held her close, knowing that he needed to be strong for Austin, for Shea, for Harry, for the lot of them. He might be only a cousin in this, but he was family. He and Shea would head up to Denver and do
what they could. And while he was there, he’d find out what was up with his wife. There was only so much a man could take, and he didn’t want there to be anything between them that could harm their relationship.
Life was too short for the kind of pain that could be healed.
Chapter Six
Austin gripped Sierra’s hips, keeping her steady as she blinked up at him, her gaze drunk with pleasure, but still on him. Only him. He licked his lips and could practically taste her sweetness on his tongue. God, he couldn’t wait to have the sweet cream on his taste buds.
“I’m going to fuck you hard, Legs,” he growled, his body shaking as he fought for control.
“Take me.” She lifted her chest, her breasts standing out like a succulent feast. Her nipples looked like fucking ripe berries in the clamps he’d put her in, begging for his tongue.
Austin let his cock drag along her swollen pussy, taking in that quick catch of her breath. His gaze traced her breasts then up to where he’d tied each of her arms to the bedposts using the brand-new rope he’d bought her.
Seriously the best image ever.
He couldn’t wait to plunge deep within her and have that tight pussy of hers clench his cock, milking him down to the last drop. Just as he pulled back, his eyes opened, and he cursed himself.
Great. A dream. Another fucking dream.
And he spent on his stomach before getting to the good part.
Austin rolled out of bed, his body groaning from a restless sleep and vivid dreams. Thankfully, he slept naked so there would be less clean-up, considering he dreamed like a thirteen-year-old boy. He staggered back, his body not quite awake and in desperate need of coffee. He pulled on the sheets, careful not to get any of his mess back on him.
He stumbled naked to the laundry room and stuffed the sheets into the washer, starting it and adding the soap with one eye open. He’d probably regret doing this half-awake later, but he had enough experience cleaning his own clothes he was reasonably sure he wouldn’t end up with water and soap on the floor. Maybe.
Damn it. He couldn’t believe he’d come in his dreams like a young kid first learning the shape of a woman. He was almost forty for God’s sake. Apparently he didn’t need a little pill to put a hop in his step and a mess in his sheets when he had Sierra and those long legs of hers on his mind.
At the moment he’d rather have them around his hips as he drove into her.
His cock filled again, and he cursed himself. Really? It wasn’t even seven in the morning, and he already had another hard-on after coming in his sleep because of a fucking dream. It was just one more reason he needed to get laid and get a rein on that control he was so famous for.
With a sigh, he jumped in the shower, ignored his aching cock, and then made a cup of coffee. Thankfully, today was his day off and he didn’t have anywhere special to be. Normally he’d go for a ride on his bike up into the mountains and maybe even to Estes Park, but he wasn’t in the mood. Decker would be over later that day for food and beer, and on any other week, his brother in everything but blood would ride with him on his own bike. This week, this month, though, was different. Neither of them had gone riding since they heard about Harry’s cancer.
Shit.
Cancer.
Austin still couldn’t wrap his head around that. He’d buried his head in the sand actually. While the rest of his family had either tried to not leave his folk’s sides or done as much research as they could, Austin had stayed away, saying he’d be there if anyone needed him.
Fuck, that made him an ass.
He was just too freaking scared to look up things like treatments, prognoses, and other medical terms that left him in a cold sweat at just the thought. He was the oldest brother, the oldest Montgomery kid, yet he was failing.
Austin rubbed the area over his heart with his fist then went to his porch to watch the sun finish rising. He loved his house and his views. He had a wraparound porch so he could see the sun rise or set depending on where he sat. Here, he could ignore what went on around him and focus on absolutely nothing, a fucking ridiculous way to live.
He needed to get his head out of his ass and think about what was actually going on in his family. He needed to stop dreaming about a woman who looked so scared at having anyone touch her skin she practically bolted like a frightened rabbit at his gaze alone.
Austin sat there for another hour, finishing his coffee and feeling the cool mountain air slowly warm as the sun rose higher.
His phone buzzed on the corner table on his deck, and he picked it up, his heart racing. What if it was his parents telling him something worse? Shit. Thinking about what was coming rather than actually putting together a plan was making him crazy. First thing after Decker left, or maybe even when the man was there, he’d do his research. It wasn’t like him to be so out of it when things mattered. He hated himself for putting himself into this situation in the first place. There was no point in worrying himself sick over nightmares with no evidence. He had a feeling that once he really went into it he might have even more nightmares.
His father deserved every ounce of Austin’s strength and determination, however. And hiding in his house wasn’t what Austin had been raised to do.
Without looking at the screen, he answered the phone and immediately regretted it.
“Austin, baby.”
He was so over this. So fucking over. “Shannon. Stop calling. I tried to be nice, but we broke up months ago. A mutual decision I might add. I’m not normally such an asshole, but if you don’t stop clinging and practically stalking me, I’m going to have to take action.” Calling the cops for a stalker? Not what he wanted to do, but Shannon wouldn’t leave him the hell alone no matter what he’d done to stop her. He’d never fight with a woman physically, so he’d have to give up and have someone else deal with it for him.
“We had something, baby. Please. Please don’t leave me, sugar.”
Austin closed his eyes and pinched his nose. “No, we didn’t, and we both know it. You loved me even less than I loved you. Which was next to nothing.” Harsh, but the truth. “Find yourself someone you can actually love and care for, and find that future you want, Shannon. It’s not me.” At her silence, Austin sighed. “Goodbye, Shannon.”
He pressed End on his phone, but he had a feeling he wasn’t through with whatever she wanted. He just hoped she didn’t take it any further than she already had.
His morning even more tainted now, he got up off his chair on the deck and made his way inside. His house was situated on the edge of a small ravine; even though he couldn’t really see his neighbors, they were there. He actually lived in a cul-de-sac with a dirt road at the end that led to his two-story house. Well, two stories and a full basement that could be seen on the back end since his house was on a slope. The entire two top floors on the back end that faced the ravine were all glass so he could see a closer foothill, some of the Rockies, and any wildlife that found themselves walking about.
He loved it. He got city and country all in one with just his house. Plus, he could blare his music up as high as he wanted and not have a problem.
After he ate breakfast, he went through his normal day off routine of cleaning and puttering around. He might live alone, but he didn’t want to deal with the mess of it all. He wasn’t as much of a clean freak as some of his family members, but he liked to be somewhat clutter-free.
As he checked his mail, he put the bills aside for later then went through the rest of it, throwing out the junk mail that seemed to accumulate faster than even the bills. On top was a thick envelope from a company he didn’t recognize, and he frowned. A lawyer? Maybe it was for the shop or even Montgomery Inc. Given all the Montgomerys, sometimes people sent things to the wrong addresses. Luckily his immediate family lived close enough that it wasn’t a problem to hand the mail to whomever it belonged.
“Austin, you around?”
Decker walked in without knocking, and Austin set the mail aside. He’d deal with whatever
it was later.
“I’m in the kitchen. You want coffee?”
Decker strolled in, wearing his worn jeans low on his hips and a black cotton T-shirt that looked like it’d seen better days. Austin looked down at his own clothes and snorted.
Apparently they’d be twins that day.
Black T-shirts and worn jeans were their uniforms—days off or no.
“Coffee. Please. I only had enough for one cup at home and wasn’t about to spend five dollars on bitter coffee on the way here.”
Austin rolled his eyes. “You drink Starbucks and Hailey’s coffee all the time. Don’t know why you’re complaining.”
Decker’s brows rose. “I did not just hear you call Hailey’s coffee bitter.”
Austin winced as he poured a cup for Decker. “No, that’s not what I meant. I meant Starbucks. Crap. Don’t tell her I said that.”
Decker grinned, taking the cup then blowing over it. “What’ll you give me for my silence?”
Austin flipped him off. “I won’t kick your ass.”
“You can try, old man.”
“You’re getting closer to the big number, too.”
Decker grinned. “I’m twenty-nine. You’re thirty-eight. Those are two different big numbers, bro. Just saying.”
“Fuck you.”
“No thanks. I prefer my bedmates with a little less chest hair.”
Austin grinned. “Only a little less? Is there something you should tell me? You know we’d all love you no matter your preference.”
Decker groaned. “Shut up.”
Austin rolled his eyes then went to his living room, knowing Decker would follow when he wanted. There would be a game on so they’d relax and do nothing. Maybe research if he got up the nerve, but nothing too taxing.
In reality, Decker was Griffin’s best friend, but Austin got along with the younger man just as well. Decker had been living with his family off and on for most of his teens so he’d become close to every Montgomery. As evidenced from that conversation that had changed their lives, he was included in family meetings as well without a second thought.
[Montgomery Ink 00.5 - 01.0] Box Set Page 22
