Seduced in Ink: A Montgomery Ink: Boulder Novel

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. They were just friends, and this was simply him taking care of her. She was here to stand up for herself, but she couldn’t do it when it came to him. She was so afraid.

  So, so afraid.

  When he took care of her after, cleaning them both, she whimpered and snuggled into his arms, the feelings too much.

  “I’m here, Madison. I’m never going away. I’m here.”

  She wanted the words to be real, but she couldn’t believe them. Because they had started this off as a lie. How could this be reality?

  How was this not a dream?

  And as she fell asleep in his arms, she thought she heard words that meant something more. But they didn’t.

  It was just a dream. He was just a dream.

  When they walked away from each other, it would likely kill her.

  Take every ounce of the soul she had left.

  So, she would forget for a moment. She would breathe.

  And then she would figure out what she needed to do.

  After.

  Chapter 13

  Aaron let his head fall back as he slid his fingers into Madison’s hair, groaning when she sucked his cock in deep. He opened his eyes, looked down to see her blond and pink hair bobbing over his dick, her mouth a warm, wet heat that made him want to come right then and there. But he held back, not wanting this to end.

  He had woken up with a hard-on from hell, needing to come, but had held back and slowly placed himself between her thighs. He woke her with an orgasm, eating her out until both of them were sweaty and needy. Instead of plunging inside her like he wanted to and fucking them both into the best morning ever, he rolled onto his back at her urging. He was now living his best life with her on his dick, sucking him as if she’d waited forever to do so.

  He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t focus. All he wanted to do was stay in bed with Madison for the rest of the day, even though he knew he couldn’t.

  This was bliss.

  Pure fucking bliss.

  They had things to do today, an agenda thanks to the retreat and everything that had to do with why they had come to the lodge in the first place. But all of that was pushed from his mind because all he wanted was to be in the woman on top of him. To see how long they could go making each other come, perhaps until the sun went down.

  Madison hummed on his dick, hollowing her cheeks to squeeze him even tighter.

  He groaned, lifted his hips without conscious thought, and then tried to lower them, attempted to give her control. She dug her hand into his thigh, groaned, clearly needing more.

  She licked and sucked, and when she cupped his balls, he was a goner. He tugged on her hair to pull her away.

  She lifted her head and licked her lips. At that look, the look of a pleased and sated woman, he came, putting his hand over the tip of his dick so he came there instead of on her tits like he sort of wanted to. He hadn’t asked permission, and he wasn’t about to come down her throat or anywhere else without asking.

  Madison licked her lips again and grinned at him. He reached around with his clean hand to slide his fingers along her hip, up her rib cage, and to the gentle slope of her breast.

  “Good morning,” he said, his voice a little rough.

  “Good morning. I guess that’s one way to wake up.”

  He laughed, shook his head, and pulled her down to kiss her.

  “I guess so. I think we’re late.”

  She pulled away and looked at the clock on the bedside table.

  She cursed. “My mother is going to kill us.”

  “Maybe. Or she won’t notice because she’ll be too busy with everybody else, and we can just slink in the back.”

  “We have twenty minutes to get downstairs for breakfast, and I have sex hair.”

  He grinned and tugged on her hair a bit.

  “Hell yeah, you do. Nice and beautiful, well-fucked hair.”

  “That sounds like you fucked my hair rather than me all night.”

  Aaron cringed.

  “Fine. I’m not good with the whole words thing in the morning without my coffee. Although, you waking me up like that is pretty much the best way.”

  “I do believe that you were the one who woke me up with your head between my thighs.”

  “That is true. I’ll have to do it again.”

  He ignored the annoying clutch in his heart at the thought. Would this charade of theirs be over once they left the lodge? She was already standing up for herself to the point where he knew she saw what he did: a strong, confident woman who didn’t need to deal with her family.

  He didn’t know what they were doing now. Were they just playing a game with each other or ignoring the fact that they had no idea what was up?

  He pushed the thoughts from his mind because he’d had an amazing morning so far, and he didn’t want to ruin it with reality.

  They rolled out of bed and took a shower together, being quick about it. Not because he didn’t want to fuck her right there or touch her or taste her or do other things to linger, but because they really were running late.

  He went about pulling out her clothes for her, mostly because she had mentioned what she was going to wear as she blew her hair dry. He walked around the suite in nothing but a towel, getting everything ready for their day. He hoped he was doing it right. If not, she could fix it, but he didn’t want her mother to be any more annoyed than she already was just by Madison breathing.

  He snorted at that idea and made his way back to the mirror next to Madison to start his routine.

  Her hair was dry, put up in some kind of knot at the back of her head with tendrils flowing all around her face.

  “Hey, I like the hair.”

  She snorted.

  “It’s not completely dry and has a bit of a wave to it, but this way I can hide some of the pink.”

  “I hate that you have to hide it at all.”

  “Me, too. I normally wouldn’t care, but this makes things easier. Not necessarily for my mother but for the others. I’m not a huge fan of being the center of attention.”

  “You still look great, so what do I know?” He reached around and smacked her ass over her panties, and she narrowed her eyes at him.

  “Don’t you get all frisky with me. We are running really late.”

  He leaned down and kissed her hard on the mouth. “We’re still getting used to this whole getting ready next to each other thing. It’s kind of hard when you distract me.”

  “You know I’ve never actually gotten ready next to a man before. I don’t like that you’re nearly done, and I still have to put on my makeup and pick out my clothes.”

  “I took out what you said you were going to wear last night. Is that okay?” he asked, leaning forward to check his face for toothpaste marks or anything.

  “Oh, great. That’s great.” She blushed, and he frowned.

  “Did I do something wrong? You had the blow dryer going, or I would have told you what I was doing.”

  “No, you did everything right. I’m just not used to this whole coupling thing. Even though I don’t think we’re a couple. Right? No, don’t answer that. Please don’t.”

  She rushed off to the bedroom, and Aaron stood there, blinking as he stared into the mirror.

  “Fuck,” he whispered under his breath.

  They were not ready for that conversation, especially because he knew what the answer would be. He would walk away from her, and then he wouldn’t know what to do.

  Because everything was fake. This was all a façade. An idea where they could pretend in order for her to find herself. And she was doing it. She was beautiful and brilliant, but she wasn’t for him.

  Even though he thought he might already be in love with her.

  “Fuck,” he whispered again and then shook his head, washed his face, and got ready for the day.

  As soon as they were ready to go, her in a light dress, and him in khaki pants and a white button-down shirt with his sleeves roll
ed up, she slid on her heels, went to her tiptoes, and kissed him softly on the mouth. “I’m sorry.”

  He frowned. “Why?” he asked.

  “I’m grateful that you’re doing all of this for me. But I’m not treating you right. I’m doing this wrong. So, after this weekend, we’ll talk. But for now? Let’s just do what we’ve been doing and have fun.”

  He swallowed hard and nodded. “I can do that. And, Madison? You’re not taking advantage of me. This place has great food, great views, and I’m getting some inspiration for my work. Plus, I like hanging out with you. We’re friends. Always.”

  She smiled up at him then, and he hoped like hell he wasn’t lying to himself about that. Because he loved her.

  And he was so screwed.

  They went downstairs to the dining area, their hands linked as they made their way in, nodding at others as they did.

  Though they were around twenty minutes late, people were just now sitting down for breakfast, and Aaron was grateful.

  “It seems like everybody had a bit of a lay-in,” she whispered.

  “Thank God.”

  “You’re right. I wouldn’t want to deal with the fact that we’re late and my hair being only somewhat done.”

  “You still look hot.”

  “Thanks. Honestly, I don’t care. I would have just let the pink show, but that would require straightening my hair, and I just don’t have the energy today. Somebody wore me out.”

  Aaron practically preened on his way to an empty table. As soon as they stood near, Mark gestured him over to his table.

  “Madison, come sit with your mother and me.”

  “Yay,” Madison whispered under her breath, and Aaron did his best not to laugh out loud at that.

  “Hi, Daddy,” Madison whispered before kissing her father on the cheek. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning, you two. Glad you decided to show up.”

  Her dad gave Aaron a look with a raised brow, and Aaron did his best not to play with this collar, knowing the man likely knew exactly what had happened the night before.

  Jesus Christ, he hoped he didn’t know exactly. That was not something Aaron ever needed to discuss with anyone but Madison.

  Because the kinky shit they’d gotten up to last night? The best night of his life. Ever.

  And now he had a feeling her father knew everything and would judge him. And probably kill and bury him in the woods out behind the lodge.

  It could happen.

  He’d read books about it.

  But given everything he had done to Madison the night before?

  Oh, yeah, Aaron probably deserved it. And more.

  “Everybody seems to be taking their time this morning,” Mark said, looking down at his phone. “Which is fine with me. I hate early mornings.”

  Aaron pulled Madison’s chair back, letting her sit down before sitting on the other side of her.

  She snorted at her father’s words.

  “You have worked early every morning for as long as I’ve known you. I don’t actually believe you when you say that you hate early mornings.”

  Mark gave her a look that would have sent most people into hysterics, but she just stood her ground.

  That was his Madison. Stronger than she knew.

  No, not his, he reminded himself. Never his.

  “I went to work early so I could come home to you and your mother in the evenings. Just because I did it, didn’t mean I liked it.”

  He seemed uncomfortable at his pronouncement before he went back to looking at his phone. Madison pointed at him a couple of times, confusion on her face.

  He didn’t blame her. That was almost a declaration of love from the man who Aaron wasn’t sure had ever said those words.

  Or maybe he looked too deeply into it.

  That’s what he was good at.

  “Where’s Mother?” Madison asked as the waiter came around with coffee.

  Aaron added cream to his, then took a big gulp, needing the caffeine after the night they’d had. They hadn’t gotten much sleep, and when Madison took a big gulp of hers as well, he knew she was feeling it, too. Hopefully, her father wouldn’t notice.

  “She’ll be over soon. She needed to talk with Joyce about one of the committees that she’s running.” He sounded dismissive of what Maeve McClard did, but maybe Aaron was wrong. After all, he didn’t like the man. Tolerated his wife even less. But that didn’t mean he understood them. And he didn’t like the way they treated Madison. Or even him, for that matter.

  “Okay, do you know what’s on the agenda for today?”

  “Not a clue. I have meetings with a few of my clients for most of the day, but I know your mother has something planned. She’ll let you know what you need to do.”

  “And I’ll let her know if I’m able.”

  “Whatever. Just don’t make your mother angry. I’m not in the mood for that.”

  He went back to his phone, texting as quickly as a teenager did, and Aaron gave Madison a look.

  She didn’t say anything, simply shook her head. When Maeve finally came to the table, she wasn’t alone.

  No, Guy was there.

  A smug smile on his face.

  Aaron really hated the guy.

  “Good morning, darling,” Maeve said, reaching around to air-kiss Madison’s cheek. “I spotted Guy about to sit alone. We just can’t have that. He’ll join us for breakfast.”

  Guy moved her chair back, and Maeve took a seat. Mark narrowed his eyes at the movement before going back to his phone.

  “Good morning, Guy. Mother. I hope you had a pleasant evening.” Aaron wanted to growl at how agreeable Madison sounded, but he knew she was trying. Just like he was.

  “I’m sure you had an eventful one,” Maeve said, practically snapping. While Aaron wanted to think that maybe she was discussing what Madison and he had gotten up to the night before, he had a feeling it had more to do with what had happened between Joyce and Madison.

  He was grateful that he hadn’t been there. If he had, he probably wouldn’t have been as nice as Madison, and she had been anything but nice for once.

  He could not believe the nerve of some people, but he couldn’t change their opinions either.

  Madison had stood up for her family, though, so fuck everyone else. That was a refrain he said often lately, but he couldn’t help it. He was so tired of human beings.

  “Anyway, I fixed what happened with Joyce last night. She just assumed you had too much alcohol. You know how it is.”

  “That’s not what happened, Mother.”

  “It’s fine, you know Joyce. She’s the one who drank too much.”

  Maeve rolled her eyes, and Aaron held back a frown, wondering what Maeve had meant by that. Was she standing up for Madison? Or was she just playing games? He did not understand this woman, and she made him more confused than ever.

  “Oh good, the waiter is here. I could use some coffee.”

  They ordered their drinks, and everyone refilled their mugs, with Maeve getting her first cup.

  Aaron was tired, probably a little too tired for dealing with Maeve and her games. But Madison needed him, and the way she leaned into him and laughed and looked at him like he was her whole world made him feel like this was real. That it wasn’t fake.

  She would never play games with him like that, and he believed it.

  It was hard to want more when he didn’t know what they had to begin with.

  Or maybe he was overthinking.

  They spoke about nothing important, mostly Mark’s job, and Guy’s investments. Aaron nodded along, mainly paying attention to Madison and no one else.

  When she did the same with him, he felt like he was on top of the world.

  However, he was afraid of what would happen when the world came crashing down, gravity pulling them to their deaths.

  “Madison, Guy was just telling us about a little coffee shop that reminded him of yours. You should go with him to look at it.”

&n
bsp; Aaron blinked, pulling himself out of his thoughts as Madison froze next to him.

  “Oh, it’s like mine?”

  “Yes,” Guy said, his voice smooth and cultured.

  “You mentioned wanting to start a franchise. This might be a good way to begin that. At least, get the lay of the land. What do you think, darling?” Maeve prompted.

  Aaron had no idea what this woman was playing at. Why did it sound as if she suddenly cared about Madison’s job? Was she turning over a new leaf? Not likely. No, this was more about wanting to get Guy alone with Madison. It was all a manipulation.

  But Aaron saw the curiosity in Madison’s gaze, and he knew it wasn’t about the man. It couldn’t be. Guy was a nice dude, he made her laugh, just like Aaron did, but she didn’t want him. Right? No, that was just some odd jealousy that had nothing to do with them talking. She wanted to know about the coffee shop. That was it. Right?

  “That sounds wonderful,” Madison said, looking at Aaron. “What do you say? Do you want to go?”

  Aaron cringed.

  “I’d love to. You know I love your cupcakes and coffee.” He grinned, leaning down and almost brushing a kiss along her lips before he remembered where they were. Instead, he tucked her hair behind her ear. “But…”

  She smiled up at him, her eyes bright. “What’s wrong?”

  “I have that meeting with my client. I can’t get out of it.”

  “We’ll wait, then.”

  “No, no,” Maeve said. “You shouldn’t have to wait. It’s the perfect day for visiting and seeing the shop. You can take Aaron down another time. I’m sure he’s seen your store enough. Right, Mr. Montgomery?”

  Mr. Montgomery?

  What was this woman playing at?

  He could not get a read on her, but he wasn’t sure he really wanted to.

  “You should go,” Aaron said, clearing his throat. He reached out and kissed Madison’s hand. “You have been talking about wanting to expand for a while. Seeing a coffee shop in a place like this could be perfect for you.”

  “I’d rather see it with you,” she whispered.

  He was aware that the others were listening, but he didn’t know what to say.

  So what if they heard? This was what this whole game was about, wasn’t it?