She laughed and leaned forward as much as she could, but then he was there, kneeling in front of the couch, holding her close, his lips a bare inch from hers.
“I don’t want to be bad at this again, Bristol. So, yes, I want to marry you. I want us to be the Montgomery-Stearns and have babies and watch our families grow larger with us. I want all of that. But first, I want you to be my girlfriend, I want that label. And I want you to be my fiancée. I want that label, too. And then I want you to be my wife. Because, throughout it all, you’re my best friend, Bristol Montgomery. And I will love you until the end of time. Until the end of everything.”
And then his lips were on hers, and Bristol was crying, leaning into the man she loved, the man she had always loved.
She had almost lost him because she had been too afraid to lose him. The irony of that was startling.
But as he held her, and as she told him more about how she was feeling, what she was thinking, she knew they would get through this. They would come out stronger than ever.
Because Bristol Montgomery had fallen for her best friend.
And in the best way possible, he had fallen for her back.
And that was exactly the promise they had made before, and the one they would keep forever.
Epilogue
Tile floor under his knees probably wasn’t good for Marcus, but he didn’t fucking care. He had Bristol’s leg over his shoulder, and his mouth on her pussy, the shower feeling a little too small. But he was fine. He’d make this work. Watching the love of his life come on his face? Totally worth any aches and pains.
He lapped at her pussy, licking, sucking on her clit, and when her legs shook around him, and he knew she was coming, he moved to his feet and plunged inside of her, filling her with one stroke, leaving both of them breathless.
“Dear, God. Can’t. Breathe.”
Marcus was careful around her scar, knowing that while she might be healed, he would never do anything to hurt her. Never again. Never fucking again.
She had one leg firmly on the shower floor, the other around his hip. “Ready for me to move, babe?”
“If you don’t move, I’m going to have to start moving against you, and we know I don’t have the best rhythm.”
He laughed, wondering how the fuck he was laughing during the best sex of his life, but then he figured it was just Bristol. His Bristol.
He slid in and out of her, his thumb on her clit, the other on her hip as they both rocked into one another, the shower growing cool.
They were wasting water. He cursed, reaching out to turn off the taps before plunging into her again. They kept moving, breathing as one, panting, and then she was coming, and he was following her. Both of them shook, their mouths on each other, their hands running over slick skin as they felt every inch of one another.
And when he could breathe again, he opened his eyes and looked down at her.
“Well, that’s one way to wake up.”
“Yeah, and we’re totally going to be late, considering I woke up with your mouth on my pussy in bed.”
Marcus grinned and stroked in and out of her even though he was softening. “I can’t help it. I needed my breakfast.”
“If you tell me the only thing I need for breakfast is a protein shake, I’m going to hurt you.”
“That was yesterday. Waking up with your mouth on my dick is pretty much the best way to rise.” He winked.
“I thought last week when you woke up with me riding your dick was even better.”
Marcus grinned, still stroking into her as he reached out to turn the water on again so they could finish their shower.
“That is smart. Now, no more wasting water. We need to get better at that.”
“Yes, that means no more showers together.”
“You’re no fun,” Marcus said, kissing her softly. But she laughed, pushing him away, and then they quickly washed off, mostly because they actually were late for the Montgomery lunch.
Aaron had just sold a huge piece, and they were celebrating it, and there was another excuse for the Montgomerys to get together.
He knew the family had been through a lot recently, like his family had been, so they were going to do a huge family meal. And that included all of Arden’s brothers, Lincoln’s cousin, and Marcus’s family, as well.
He had no idea how Bristol’s mom did it all, but he knew that she was going to have it catered. There would be tons of food and loads of happiness.
Exactly what he needed.
They dressed quickly, both of them laughing as they went through the schedule for their upcoming week. He knew that she would be going on tour soon now that she was healed, and since his big project was over, he was working on the setup for the next big grant.
They were making it work, somehow.
His career path kept him home mostly, while hers would keep her far away from him in some cases. But there were ways around that, and both of them had dreams and lives that they wanted to fulfill and live, so they were working it out.
And she wore his ring, something he would never forget.
They were taking it slow, to the point where the wedding wouldn’t be until after the others got married.
But she wanted his ring, and he wanted to see it on her.
And that meant they would assume all the labels at once, but they were at least aware of it this time.
He would ask her how she felt, and he would tell her what he was feeling.
It wasn’t something he was really good at usually, but he was getting better.
By the time that they got to Bristol’s family’s house, they were the last ones to arrive, but he’d known that would happen. He couldn’t help it after waking up with Bristol right there, all naked and ready.
“Don’t look at me like that, my mother and father are going to know exactly what you did to me.”
“Then you can’t look at me like that either. My parents and my sisters are in there. Waiting. Watching.”
“What are you guys hiding?” Aaron asked, leaning against the doorjamb.
“Nothing,” Bristol said quickly. She went up to her toes and kissed Aaron on the cheek. “I’m so happy for you. Look at my baby brother. Doing amazing in the art world and selling pieces to royalty.”
“I’m doing an art show, too. Look at me. Being all art-like.”
“You’re a dork. But I love you.”
“I am a dork. But I can’t help it. It’s just who I am.”
“That is true,” she said, and then went to kiss his other cheek.
Marcus held out a hand, and Aaron shook it and grinned.
“Good to see you’re taking care of my baby sister.”
“You’re the baby,” Bristol corrected.
“Whatever,” Aaron said.
They made their way inside and said hello to everybody, the noise getting louder with each passing moment. There were so many people there, so many the Montgomerys had claimed as their family. Marcus had felt that he was a part of the family since he was a kid, and now he was going to be related in truth, something his parents were very excited about.
“I can’t wait for you to make little babies,” his mother said from his side, and Marcus choked on his drink.
“Could you say that any louder, Mom?”
“I could. But then that would embarrass poor Bristol, and I don’t want to embarrass her.”
“Just me, then?”
“Of course, you’re my baby boy.”
“I swear, moms sure do love calling us babies,” Aaron said, coming up to them.
“You know, you are the last single Montgomery,” Marcus’s mother said solemnly.
Aaron shrugged, though there was something in his eye that Marcus couldn’t quite decipher. “Someone does have to hold out.”
Mrs. Montgomery leaned forward. “I’m sure that’s the case. But if you’re not careful, all of us will start matchmaking. We want you to be happy, and that means you may have to deal with it.”
&n
bsp; Aaron’s face turned ashen. “I don’t need matchmaking. I can find my own matches.”
“Can you?” Marcus's mom asked all innocently, and Marcus laughed out loud.
“Well, you’ve done it now. My mother’s going to find you someone if you’re not careful.”
“I’ll help,” Mrs. Montgomery said, her eyes twinkling.
“Dear God. Let’s not do that. No matchmaking.”
“Oh, can I help, too?” Bristol asked, coming up to his side. Marcus leaned down and kissed the top of her head, and she sighed into him. He didn’t miss the look that the two mothers gave each other, each grinning wildly, but he didn’t mind it.
They had always been close, and now they were even closer because of him and Bristol.
Somehow, the fates had been kind to him and had given him his happily ever after far earlier than he would’ve guessed. He had been far too stubborn to realize it until he’d almost lost it all.
But now he had the love of his life in his arms, the loudest family full of so much that he could barely stand it, and a future that seemed pretty damn good.
All it had taken was finally saying the words that he should have long ago.
“Love you, Bristol.”
She looked up at him, her eyes wide. “I love you, too, Marcus.”
She was his best friend, his future, and the one person that he knew he could finally tell everything to.
He was so fucking happy that he had met the Montgomerys.
* * *
THE END
Next in the Montgomery Ink: Boulder series?
It’s Aaron’s turn in SEDUCED IN INK.
* * *
Want to read a special BONUS EPILOGUE featuring Bristol & Marcus? CLICK HERE!
A Note from Carrie Ann Ryan
Thank you so much for reading EMBRACED IN INK. I do hope if you liked this story, that you would please leave a review! Reviews help authors and readers.
Bristol and Marcus were so romantic. I love that they knew what they wanted even if they told themselves they didn’t.
Up next is Aaron and Madison! These two are already a little headstrong and unconventional. I can’t wait to show you what they are up to.
There are also a few side characters in this romance that are begging for a story…hmm…I do believe I might have to listen to them!
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 Montgomery Ink: Boulder Series:
Book 1: Wrapped in Ink
Book 2: Sated in Ink
Book 3: Embraced in Ink
Book 4: Seduced in Ink
Book 4.5: Captured in Ink
* * *
Want to read a special BONUS EPILOGUE featuring Bristol & Marcus? 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
Also 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
Book 4.5: Captured in Ink
* * *
The Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins Series:
Book 1: Inked Persuasion
* * *
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
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
Embraced in Ink Page 20