Jagged Ink

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  “You’re here,” her mom said as she rushed to them. She held Roxie close in a deep hug, kissing her on the forehead before moving to Carter. “And you brought pies. Ms. Nancy’s pies. They’re not my Thea’s, but I still think they’re pretty good.”

  “There’s nothing better than my pies, but I don’t mind you bringing the competition into the house that we grew up in. I mean, we have to let the others have some chance at true competition, right?” Thea asked, laughing. Her sister might be competitive, but not in the way she was saying. Just the fact that they could joke, and everyone was acting like everything was normal and that nothing was wrong, meant they were all on the right track.

  At least, Roxie hoped.

  “I’m so glad you’re here, Carter. You’re looking well.”

  “I’m doing just fine. The doctor gave me a clean bill of health. I’m still doing my PT exercises because the skin sometimes pinches, but it’s just going to be for a while, I think.”

  Roxie ran her hand down her husband’s back as her mom’s eyes filled before Mrs. Montgomery blinked them away. And then her mom reached for the pies and kissed Carter smack on the lips.

  “I love you, my son. Just in case you didn’t know that.”

  Then her mom walked away, and the others came to hug Carter, and Roxie knew that she wasn’t the only one shocked to her core, wasn’t the only one feeling as if she had lost her balance. Because her mom had never called Carter, son. She hadn’t called Dimitri or Mace that either. It wasn’t really something their family did, like how Shea didn’t call their mother Mom or anything like that.

  So, it wasn’t just a title, it was something that meant connection. And, yes, it was because Carter was back in Roxie’s life, but she also knew it was because he had saved Thea’s. And that was something you couldn’t just walk away from. It was something you didn’t just forget.

  Roxie’s family was connected in more ways than one, and the idea that she was actually trying to be a part of it again, that she wasn’t hiding anymore, and that she was facing what she had head-on—at least in some respects—meant she felt like she was growing up.

  And growing into her new self with her husband by her side.

  Dinner was rambunctious as usual, but she knew it wasn’t as boisterous as it was at some of the other family gatherings. In fact, her cousin Liam even commented on that as they were eating.

  “Aunt Katherine, I think you may be an even better cook than my mom, but if you ever say I said that, I’ll deny it. I swear I will.”

  Roxie laughed into her napkin while Carter gave her a raised brow. Yes, Carter was still a little miffed by the fact that he had thought Liam was someone she was with rather than just her cousin, but she knew that it was all in jest, so that was just fine. She had an idea that Liam had figured it out too, so he did his best to put his arm around her chair and wink over at Carter.

  Roxie was going to pay her cousin back for that later. Maybe when he actually settled down. She hoped it was soon because Liam deserved to be happy, but she also knew better than most that relationships were hard work and sometimes it was okay to breathe before you jumped in.

  “So, Carter, how’s the shop going?” her dad asked as they finished up their desserts. The pies had been amazing, the chocolate caramel was still settling in her stomach, and she knew if she breathed just right, she could maybe make space for one more piece.

  “The shop’s doing good. I have to hire on someone else I think and promote one of my guys as another assistant manager—maybe assistant to the assistant or something like that.”

  Roxie looked over at Carter and smiled. They had talked about that, and she had looked over his books with him since she was still his accountant. It all made sense to them, and she loved that while they weren’t expanding the business, he was making sure they could keep up with the high demand.

  “That’s wonderful. And that reminds me, I need an oil change on the truck.” Her dad frowned, and Roxie just smiled as Carter nodded.

  “We can handle that. Just bring it into the shop sometime, and I’ll work it into the schedule. I’ll handle it myself.”

  “I would assume nothing less. I mean, I am a Montgomery, I deserve the best.” Her dad said it with such an air of superiority that was so unlike him that all of them broke out into laughter.

  “Yes, the Montgomerys do deserve the best,” Thea said, grinning.

  “Yes. The best.” Shep glared just a little at Carter, and Roxie knew that out of all the Montgomerys, Shep would probably be the last one to forgive Carter. Then again, there was nothing for her family to forgive or forget. Her relationship with Carter was between her and Carter, and she had tried to make that clear before. If need be, she would do so again.

  Because they had both made mistakes, and that meant they had to figure out what they needed to do with each other rather than what the family might think they should do.

  They were all sitting in the living room drinking wine or coffee as the dinner wound down. Roxie loved her family, adored the way the little kids had passed out on the floor in front of the fire with the big, old dog cuddling with them. She loved the fact that everybody had paired off, at least everyone but Liam, and were all curled into each other, a huge family that actually liked one another.

  Roxie knew it was rare, though she hadn’t really known anything but this her whole life. But Shep was back in town, and he was going to stay, and she was going to do better about being part of her family. She wasn’t going to run away anymore, wasn’t going to hide.

  She just had to remember that, when things got tough, she could lean on others.

  And the first person she needed to lean on was Carter. Because not speaking to him, not telling him her fears, that was what had hurt him. And him doing the same to her had hurt even more.

  She knew they still needed to talk about what they had lost, but they would. Soon.

  Liam leaned forward as he continued his conversation, and she pulled herself out of her thoughts so she could focus. “Yes, so I have this cabin up in the woods by my place that I haven’t been able to use in the past couple of weeks because of work. It’s getting a little ridiculous how much I don’t actually use the property I own.”

  Roxie looked over at her cousin. “A cabin in the woods? Isn’t that just asking for a serial killer to come at you?”

  He snorted. “I’m a big, tough man who can wield an ax for firewood. I think I’ll be okay.”

  “You know, that’s what the guy who gets killed in the prologue always says.”

  Liam just grinned at her, and Carter kissed the top of her head. “Are you saying you need someone to go up there and actually use it?” Carter asked, surprising her.

  “Yeah, that’s what I was going to bring up. I figured you and Roxie could use some time away. And, yes, I’m being pushy. But Roxie knows that I’m pushy when I feel like it.”

  “What are you talking about?” Roxie asked, leaning forward. “You’re saying you want us to go use your cabin for a weekend or something?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying. I figured the two of you could use the time together. And yes, I’m talking about the huge elephant in the room that we’re not talking about. However, if you’d like a weekend or a long weekend away from the big, mountainous Colorado Springs and take a walk into the big, mountainous Boulder, you’re welcome to use my cabin. And I’m not actually kidding that I could use some help making sure the place is doing okay. I have a caretaker, but they’ve had a cold for the past couple of days, and I worry that they’re not going to be able to check on it soon enough. So, just let me know.”

  “Is this an open invitation for any of us?” Adrienne asked, grinning. “Because I think that Mace and I could use a vacation, too.”

  “The place is always open for any Montgomery. Or one of their friends, if you actually trust them. But, really though, Roxie, there’s a great place to ski right by there so I know you’d like it. And, Carter, I have a huge garage out th
ere with an old car that I’ve been working on if you want to look at it. Not that I’d actually let you touch my baby, but you can look at her.”

  “I don’t know if we can make the time,” Carter said softly, looking at Roxie.

  “It’s tax season, it’s probably the worst time for me to take a weekend off.”

  “You should do it,” Shea said. “You can take a three-day weekend. I’m going to try and do the same with Shep because we need to go back down to New Orleans for an old client.”

  That was the first Roxie had heard of it, but she knew that her brother and his wife went down to New Orleans a few times a year to visit their old friends.

  “Maybe. Maybe.”

  Roxie looked at her husband then, and he leaned down and kissed her softly. “Let’s make time. Just you and me.”

  And though everybody was looking at them, she couldn’t help but look into Carter’s eyes and nod.

  “Okay.”

  Because they needed time for themselves, even though they had been taking more time than usual. It was time they should’ve taken forever ago. So, they would take Liam up on his offer and camping. Or at least camping in a cabin, which, knowing her cousin, was probably far more luxurious than her house.

  They would take time for each other. And that was all that mattered.

  * * *

  By the time they got home, Roxie was hot for her husband and full of food and promises.

  “I want you,” she whispered against his lips. They were standing in the foyer, her back to the door, and his hands on her ass.

  “Oh, yeah? How much?” He ground his cock against her, and she moaned.

  “You know how much.” He had her against him, so she wrapped her legs around his waist. The fact that he could hold her up while sucking on her neck and then her breasts, just made her wetter—if that was even possible.

  “Let’s see how much,” he growled. Then he had his fingers under her dress and inside her.

  “Jesus Christ,” she gasped, her nails digging into his shoulders. “Holy fuck. How did you get around my panties so fast?”

  “I’ve got moves you’ve never seen.” He curled his fingers, hitting her G-spot in one move.

  Hell.

  She snorted. “Are you really quoting My Best Friend’s Wedding while you have me on the verge of coming?”

  “Maybe. But if you’re only on the verge, I’m not doing it right.” Then he curled his fingers again, and she saw stars, her inner walls clamping around him as she came, her body shaking against the door.

  “So fucking beautiful. I love the way you come.”

  “I want to see you come, too.”

  “That can be arranged.” He slid his fingers out of her and licked one, his eyes on hers. Her pussy clenched. Then he used the other finger to trace her lips.

  So. Sexy.

  He kissed her again, and she rocked into him, wanting him even more. She’d missed this, the heat, the need, the everything that came with Carter. When he kissed her neck and let her legs fall to the floor, she wiggled away from him and winked.

  “Let me see you come, then.”

  He raised his brows. “You want me to jack off in front of you?”

  She squeezed her legs together because…dear God. That image.

  Yes, that would last a long time in her brain.

  Like, forever.

  “Okay, we can start with that. Take off your shoes and pants, Mr. Marshall. Get to it.”

  “As long as you take off that dress of yours.” His eyes darkened, and she nodded.

  “Deal.”

  They stripped in front of each other, almost tripping as they laughed and kissed in between removing pieces of clothing. Sex with Carter was fun. It was hot. It was sweet. It was everything.

  And, right then, it meant even more.

  When she went to her knees in front of him, his eyes got wide, and he gripped the base of his cock.

  “I thought you wanted me to jack off.”

  “Get squeezing, buddy, I’ll just work on your balls here.” She licked one and then the other, and he groaned, moving his hand up and down his shaft, using the moisture at the tip to help.

  Then she sucked one ball into her mouth, then moved to the other. And when he arched into her, she let him go with a pop, then licked up his cock, kissing his fingers before swallowing the plump head.

  “Roxie,” he growled as if that were all he could get out. And she didn’t mind.

  She worked him until he pulled away, and then he was tugging her up, his mouth on hers.

  “I wasn’t done,” she said, nipping at his lip.

  “I’m going to come in that pussy of yours. Bend over that table, Rox. Let’s fuck.” He winked, and she laughed.

  “Oh, you’re so romantic.”

  He smacked her ass as she made her way to the dining room table, and she yelped.

  “Hey!”

  “I’m romantic. So romantic that you’re going to come hard on my cock. Nipples to the table, Montgomery-Marshall. Ass in the air.”

  She had no idea why that turned her on so much, but she eagerly did as he instructed. She bent over and wiggled her ass for him.

  “Hop on, Marshall.”

  He gripped her hip and then smacked her ass again with his other hand. Her pussy pulsated at the hit, and she groaned. “That’s my girl.”

  Then he rubbed away the sting before going to his knees. His mouth was on her in the next instant, and she was pressing her ass to his face, arching for him and coming in less than a minute. The man knew exactly what to do with his tongue.

  And before she could complain that she’d gotten off twice and he hadn’t yet, he was back on his feet and slamming into her with one perfect thrust.

  “Yes!” they both called out.

  And then he was moving, and she was shouting, and they were both panting, sweating, and aching. He leaned over her, biting her shoulder, kissing her, and running his hand down her back.

  She could barely think, could hardly do anything but feel him. And when he came, she called his name again, needing more, just needing him.

  He pulled out, cleaned them both up in the kitchen, and carried her to the couch where she curled up in his lap as he covered them both with a blanket.

  “It’s safe to say,” she began after a moment in the warm silence, “that we’re never going to be able to eat there again.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “I don’t know, I say I just ate a pretty damn good meal over there just now.”

  She lazily slapped at his shoulder and smiled, nodding off slightly as he held her, running his hands down her body. This was their new normal, their new them.

  She knew there was more to come, but for now, this was what they needed.

  She loved him.

  Loved them.

  Loved what they could be and have.

  And she promised herself she’d try to keep it.

  No matter what.

  Chapter 17

  Roxie knew the Rocky Mountains were beautiful. Hell, she lived in Colorado Springs and practically lived in them. But the view from the cabin up in Boulder was like nothing she’d ever seen before.

  Beauty in every sense of the word.

  Utter breathtaking exquisiteness.

  She was so grateful that they’d come up here. That they were going to take time to themselves and just be.

  “I can’t believe Liam has this place,” Carter said as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “It’s gorgeous. And I did not realize how much money your cousin had.”

  Roxie leaned back into him, inhaling his scent, the one that she loved as it mixed with that of the trees and the mountains around her. It was as if they belonged here, even though this was only a temporary stay, and their home was back down south. Back in those mountains.

  Yes, all of the mountains around here were the Rockies, and they shared the same foothills, but Roxie knew exactly what her skyline looked like, each peak, the ways she thought one set of pe
aks looked like a different object versus another. She knew that no matter where she was, she could just look towards the west and see Pike’s Peak and know she was home.

  She didn’t know the names of the peaks up in Boulder. Didn’t know the different sight lines. Yes, she had been to Boulder, and to Estes Park and all those other places a few times. You couldn’t escape it if you lived in Colorado and actually liked being out in nature.

  But this wasn’t her home. However, it was a great place to visit.

  “I think he’s done pretty well with his job amongst other things.”

  “Are you saying he’s some kind of mafia mobster? Maybe even a pirate?”

  Roxie snorted and turned in Carter’s arms, reaching up onto her tiptoes so she could kiss his jaw. He hadn’t shaved, and the stubble had gotten soft. She loved when he had a beard. She could just eat him up.

  “Yes, my cousin Liam is a pirate in the mountains. He has a pirate ship that he just rides over the peaks and goes over rolled logs instead of water. It’s quite a sight to behold.”

  They both laughed, and Carter shook his head. “Now I’m actually picturing that and want to see if it could actually happen. Who do we know that could build something like that, even if in miniature?”

  “Probably one of the Denver cousins or someone they’re married to. That’s the construction arm of the family, we’re a different set down in Colorado Springs.”

  Carter looked around, nodding. “It seems Liam and his siblings are a different set completely up in Boulder.”

  “Just wait until you meet the Ft. Collins Montgomerys.”

  Carter shuddered. “There are so many of you guys. Sometimes, it’s actually a little overwhelming.”

  “That’s why you take us in small doses.”