“I’m not very good at that,” I said honestly. “The last time I told someone I loved them, it wasn’t actually what I felt.”
He nodded, his eyes dimming a little. I was messing this up. I really needed to be better.
“I thought I knew what love was. I thought I knew what I needed to be with someone else. But then when I got to know you better, as I started to feel something for you, I knew that what I felt for that other person paled in comparison to what I feel for you. You are my person. You are the one who makes me smile and want more. You’re the one who makes me laugh and fans this heat inside of me that’s not just attraction. It’s more. It makes me want to figure out who I am, and I know I won’t be alone if I do that.”
“I’m never going to leave like that again. I’ll never push you away. I will do better. That much I can promise you.”
“I love you, Tucker. I know we shouldn’t have fallen this fast. I know it doesn’t make any sense. But I love you. And I can’t wait to figure out exactly what happens next. And see how we’ll fight whatever comes. I’ll always be by your side. No matter what.”
That was a promise I could make. A promise that I knew I would keep no matter what.
He smiled and leaned over me, and my family started screaming and hooting and hollering from behind me in the house.
I rolled my eyes, used my finger to flip them off over my shoulder, and then laughed as Tucker’s lips pressed against mine.
He kissed me with abandon, even though the others were watching. I ignored them.
Because this was my future, this was my decision.
I had made mistakes before, and I knew I would likely make some again, but I wouldn’t have to deal with them alone.
I would walk my path, and I would figure out our path.
There would always be more to come—this was just the beginning.
I had been reckless more than once in my life, but never in my wildest dreams did I think it would lead me here.
To the one person I knew I could lean on, the one I knew could be my forever.
Even if I hadn’t expected it.
Epilogue
Tucker
“Take it, take it all,” I growled, slowly working in and out of her.
She moaned, wiggling as I paused, making sure she was ready for me.
“Now, Tucker. Stop teasing.” She looked up at me with wide eyes, her mouth parted. So, I moved.
This was our first time in this particular position, and though we’d played with toys and fingers before, my cock in her ass was on a whole different level. I watched her face as I moved, looking for any indication that this wasn’t what she wanted or needed.
But she just begged for more. And because I loved her, because I needed her, because she was everything to me, I gave it to her.
I leaned down, working my hips as I sucked on her breasts before going up to her mouth, needing her taste.
She clung to me, her body arching as I moved, and when I slid my fingers between us and over her clit, her fingernails dug into my back.
“Tucker,” she breathed, and I pushed again, my mouth on hers.
We both came, our bodies shaking, and I hovered on top of her, watching as she came down from her orgasm, my thumb sliding along her cheek. I needed to touch her, no matter where we were, what we were doing, I needed to have my hands on her.
Needed to.
“You okay?” I whispered, my voice hoarse.
“I’m wonderful. You give good sex,” she said, her eyes dancing.
I leaned down and kissed her lips. “You give good sex too, love.” Another kiss. “Let me clean us up, then I’ll feed you like I promised.”
“Cake?” She grinned and then wiggled.
I rolled my eyes, even as I sucked in a breath. We’d had sex three times over the past few hours and, somehow, she was getting me hard again. This woman. This damned amazing woman. “Maybe.”
I slid out of her and then went to clean us up. We were quiet, taking our time. We’d been together for six months now, and still I learned more and more about her as each moment passed. I couldn’t wait to find out more. To discover who I was when I was with her.
By the time we were both dressed, at least somewhat, I picked her up by the hips and sat her on the kitchen counter. She crossed her bare legs since she wore only my shirt, and I fed her cake bite by bite, sharing a fork with her.
“You know, I was going to cook for you. Pasta or something.”
She grinned around a mouthful of chocolate cake before swallowing the big bite. “We can do that tomorrow.”
I shook my head and set down the fork before putting both hands on the counter on either side of her. “Nope. I’m taking you out on a date. It’s our anniversary.”
She frowned. “Our anniversary is Christmas Eve…”
“Nope. I’m counting this as six months since our first date where I took you to your family’s for dinner.”
“So is this a beard date, then?” She smiled as she said it, and I couldn’t help but taste her lips. Seriously, this woman was addicting.
“It can be if you want. I’ll always be your beard.” A nip on the lips. “But then again, I’m all real, too.”
“Good.” She bit my jaw. “I’m needy.”
“Just how I like it.” I grinned and then went back to feeding her cake.
My phone buzzed, and Amelia picked it up since it was beside her. “It’s Melinda,” she said, handing it over. “Everything okay?”
I nodded, looking down at the text. In the past six months, things had changed dramatically, but we were all closer because of it. The two women were friends now, both fighters and advocates for Evan.
During the worst of the treatments, Melinda had come down with pneumonia, and Robbie had asked me and Amelia to help out while he took care of his wife. Since Evan’s immune system had almost been nonexistent at that point, Melinda could only see her son through video chats, not in person.
But Amelia had stepped in, along with the rest of the Carrs, and Evan was never alone.
There was never any animosity or weirdness between us. We were all just people who wanted to make sure that Evan was loved, healthy, and whole.
Melinda was a friend now, someone I had a past with, only in that it had brought Evan into our lives.
Robbie was also part of our group now, someone who hung out with me and Devin and the others when he could.
And Evan…Evan was my son.
He still called me “Tucker,” and I’d be fine with that for the rest of my life if that’s what he wanted. Robbie was his dad. Would always be so. But I was part of his life now, and we were following our own path.
Melinda: Evan says he wants a Mario Kart party for his birthday. We’re working that out since I thought kids were into different things these days. Want to help?
I snorted. “Evan picked Mario Kart as his party theme.”
Amelia threw her fist in the air. “Yes! I knew he’d like that.”
“So it was your idea?” I shook my head. “I should have known it was you.”
“That kid is a savant when it comes to Rainbow Road. He kicks your ass at Mario Kart. That’s why you’re all grumpy now.”
“He does not,” I grumbled.
Me: We’re in. Blame Amelia for the idea.
Melinda: I should have known! Tell her thanks, though. Robbie’s excited. See you on Saturday?
Me: See you then. Tell the kid I’ll call him tomorrow.
Melinda: Will do.
I set the phone back down next to Amelia’s hip then went back to feeding her cake. “So, Saturday, we’re party planning, and then I work a night shift. Sound good?”
“Yep. And then I’m heading out for a girls’ night since Zoey has details about a certain thing that no one is talking about.”
I raised my brows. “Oh, really?”
“Yup. A certain thing a certain brother isn’t talking about either. So, of course, Erin and I are going to grill Zoey for
details.”
“And you’ll tell me when I get home?” I’d moved into her place the month prior, both of us deciding that moving a greenhouse was out of the question. The house was big enough for both of us, plus Evan had a room here as well in case he ever wanted to spend the night. He hadn’t yet, but now that his treatments were doing their thing and he was allowed to be at home, he came over once a week and sometimes napped in his room.
As a kid, I’d never had a true room of my own. I wanted my son to have his own space, even if he wasn’t here often.
“Of course,” she said, dancing a bit from her seat. “Should be interesting.”
Thinking about the fact that the family always wanted to know what Amelia and I were up to, I wasn’t so sure. I was giving Caleb and Zoey a wide berth when it came to whatever the hell those two were doing.
After all, I had my own life to work through. But at least I wasn’t alone.
I’d never be alone again, not with the family I’d made from bonds, not blood. And the woman in front of me.
“I love you,” I whispered, lowering my head to hers.
She smiled sweetly, her eyes warm. “I love you, too. You’re the best fake date I’ve ever had.”
“And you’re the best real date I’ll ever need.”
And when we kissed again, we forgot all about the cake, about other people’s problems, and only had eyes for each other.
I’d fallen in love with my best friend’s little sister. The most reckless thing I’d ever done.
But I knew I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
* * *
THE END
Next in the Less Than series?
It’s Zoe and Caleb’s turn in SHAMELESS WITH HIM.
* * *
Want to read a special BONUS EPILOGUE featuring Amelia and Tucker? CLICK HERE!
A Note from Carrie Ann Ryan
Thank you so much for reading RECKLESS WITH YOU. I do hope if you liked this story, that you would please leave a review!
I adored writing this book. I knew all along Amelia would end up with Tucker. Falling for your brother’s best friend is my favorite trope after all. But when Tobey showed up, I knew something was odd about him. So yes, this isn’t the book where you fall for your best friend and it works. I’ve written those before. This is the book where you make a mistake, then realize what’s right for you in the end.
As for who is next? Caleb and Zoe finally figure things out. Well, at least I hope so!
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 Less Than Series:
Book 1: Breathless With Her
Book 2: Reckless With You
Book 3: Shameless With Him
* * *
Want to read a special BONUS EPILOGUE featuring Amelia and Tucker? CLICK HERE!
Want to keep up to date with the next Carrie Ann Ryan Release? Receive Text Alerts easily!
Text CARRIE to 210-741-8720
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
More from Carrie Ann Ryan
The Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series:
Book 1: Wrapped in Ink
Book 2: Sated in Ink
Book 3: Embraced in Ink
Book 4: Seduced in Ink
* * *
The Less Than Series:
Book 1: Breathless With Her
Book 2: Reckless With You
Book 3: Shameless With Him
* * *
The Elements of Five Series:
Book 1: From Breath and Ruin
Book 2: From Flame and Ash
Book 3: From Spirit and Binding
* * *
The Promise Me Series:
Book 1: Forever Only Once
Book 2: From That Moment
Book 3: Far From Destined
Book 4: From Our First
* * *
The Fractured Connections Series:
Book 1: Breaking Without You
Book 2: Shouldn’t Have You
Book 3: Falling With You
Book 4: Taken With You
* * *
Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs
Book 1: Fallen Ink
Book 2: Restless Ink
Book 2.5: Ashes to Ink
Book 3: Jagged Ink
Book 3.5: Ink by Numbers
* * *
Montgomery Ink:
Book 0.5: Ink Inspired
Book 0.6: Ink Reunited
Book 1: Delicate Ink
Book 1.5: Forever Ink
Book 2: Tempting Boundaries
Book 3: Harder than Words
Book 4: Written in Ink
Book 4.5: Hidden Ink
Book 5: Ink Enduring
Book 6: Ink Exposed
Book 6.5: Adoring Ink
Book 6.6: Love, Honor, & Ink
Book 7: Inked Expressions
Book 7.3: Dropout
Book 7.5: Executive Ink
Book 8: Inked Memories
Book 8.5: Inked Nights
Book 8.7: Second Chance Ink
* * *
The Gallagher Brothers Series:
Book 1: Love Restored
Book 2: Passion Restored
Book 3: Hope Restored
* * *
The Whiskey and Lies Series:
Book 1: Whiskey Secrets
Book 2: Whiskey Reveals
Book 3: Whiskey Undone
* * *
The Talon Pack:
Book 1: Tattered Loyalties
Book 2: An Alpha’s Choice
Book 3: Mated in Mist
Book 4: Wolf Betrayed
Book 5: Fractured Silence
Book 6: Destiny Disgraced
Book 7: Eternal Mourning
Book 8: Strength Enduring
Book 9: Forever Broken
* * *
Redwood Pack Series:
Book 1: An Alpha’s Path
Book 2: A Taste for a Mate
Book 3: Trinity Bound
Book 3.5: A Night Away
Book 4: Enforcer’s Redemption
Book 4.5: Blurred Expectations
Book 4.7: Forgiveness
Book 5: Shattered Emotions
&nbs
p; Book 6: Hidden Destiny
Book 6.5: A Beta’s Haven
Book 7: Fighting Fate
Book 7.5: Loving the Omega
Book 7.7: The Hunted Heart
Book 8: Wicked Wolf
* * *
The Branded Pack Series:
(Written with Alexandra Ivy)
Book 1: Stolen and Forgiven
Book 2: Abandoned and Unseen
Book 3: Buried and Shadowed
* * *
Dante’s Circle Series:
Book 1: Dust of My Wings
Book 2: Her Warriors’ Three Wishes
Book 3: An Unlucky Moon
Book 3.5: His Choice
Book 4: Tangled Innocence
Book 5: Fierce Enchantment
Book 6: An Immortal’s Song
Book 7: Prowled Darkness
Book 8: Dante’s Circle Reborn
* * *
Holiday, Montana Series:
Book 1: Charmed Spirits
Book 2: Santa’s Executive
Book 3: Finding Abigail
Book 4: Her Lucky Love
Book 5: Dreams of Ivory
* * *
The Happy Ever After Series:
Flame and Ink
Ink Ever After
* * *
Single Title:
Finally Found You
Reckless With You Page 19