“Mom and Dad finally went home. Mace and Adrienne are here again with Roxie. They brought her clean clothes and food, and they’re going to stay the night with her. There’s a guest room area that family can use for that section of the hospital. Carter’s awake, but they’re doing their best to keep him sleeping a bit more so he can heal up. He’s going to be okay, but he’s not going to be how he was before the explosion.”
“None of us will be how we were before today,” he said softly. “But we’ll figure it out.” He paused. “So, I was dealing with the doctors when the police came to talk to you. Molly really hired that delivery man to mess with your oven?”
She nodded against him, letting out a breath. “Apparently. I don’t know all of it, but the inspectors found evidence and were already looking into the man when the guy spilled everything about his connection to Molly and how he thought he was just making the oven not work, not making it dangerous. I don’t know what’s going to happen to him or Molly. No one thinks Molly or even the delivery guy were really trying to hurt anyone, but that doesn’t change the outcome.”
It was all too surreal, and they both knew it. But buildings and kitchens could be rebuilt. He, Carter, Thea, and even Captain would be okay. Molly would get help, and the world would continue to move on as they tried to come to terms with everything that had happened that day.
“I love you.” There really wasn’t much more he could say just then.
She looked up at him. “I love you, too.”
Then she kissed him, and he knew everything would be okay. Eventually.
They just needed time to process, to think, to heal, to feel. But he knew that, no matter what, he’d only be able to do it with the woman he loved by his side, the woman of his heart, the woman who stood by him throughout it all.
The only woman that made him feel.
His woman.
His Thea.
Sometime later…
“You know, I’m liking this new uniform of yours,” Thea said as she straddled him after work.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I mean, I’ve always loved your ink and, apparently, forearms are another of my kinks, but the fact that the new administration lets you pull up your sleeves and show off your ink makes me happy.” She paused. “And a little horny.”
“Thankfully, you’re wearing a dress then,” Dimitri said softly and worked himself out of his pants. She wiggled a bit and somehow got her panties off. He loved how talented she was.
Captain let out a sigh on the other end of the couch, and both Dimitri and Thea laughed. Their golden retriever heaved himself off the furniture—somewhere he wasn’t supposed to be anyway, but it was so hard to tell him no these days—and went back to the office where his other bed was.
“I love that dog. Hence why I’ve always been Team Captain. He knows what needs doing.”
Then she was on him, sliding over his dick, her wet heat enveloping him. They’d only just started forgoing condoms, using other birth control before they started a family, and he’d never known sex like this. He was hers, forever, and so fucking sexy.
He kissed her, loved her, and rocked with her as they made love slowly on their couch—he’d moved in right after everything had gone haywire. And when they both came, he held her close, staying inside her so they could hold one another and let their breathing slow.
“I love doing that,” she said softly.
“Sex?” Dimitri asked gruffly. “Yeah, I love that, too.”
She rolled her eyes, then kissed his cheek. “No, I love kissing you, being with you, and knowing it’s not the last time. It’s not the first either. It’s just us. Part of us, part of who we are.” She wiggled on top of him, and his eyes crossed. “And I love that we can have sex on a lazy afternoon with only the normal worries of work, family, and little things like world peace.”
He grinned at her, then took her mouth again. “Love you, Thea Montgomery. Just saying.”
“And I love you, Dimitri Carr. Now, let’s get cleaned up so I can practice my next cupcake for you for the reopening.”
She winked at him, but he knew she was still upset that it had been over a month now and the bakery was just now ready to reopen, the expansion put on hold for the time being.
He didn’t say anything, just cleaned each other up then slowly walked back to the bedroom, their bedroom.
This was their life now, one choice after another, but they’d made the ones they needed for them, for what they wanted, needed, and cherished. Together.
He’d been restless before, trying to find his way without knowing who and what he needed to be. Now, he had his woman, his work, and his dog.
His life wasn’t perfect, nothing was, but it was pretty damn perfect for him.
Epilogue
Thea looked down at her loan paperwork, cursing but trying not to cry. She’d been denied twice. The fire and Molly’s efforts in taking her down had left their wounds. Apparently, before Molly had been arrested, she’d indeed turned in a letter to the loan office. Only it wasn’t a recommendation. It was a scathing review from a family with money and connections. With Molly dealing with her own issues from behind bars now, however, that letter should have done nothing. However, that paperwork added on to the fire and everything that had gone on meant that the bank didn’t see Thea as a good candidate for expansion at the moment. She’d barely been able to get the insurance money to repair her bakery as it was.
Colorado Icing was going to stay as it was for now, and Thea would just have to deal.
She’d just eat a few cupcakes first.
“I’m sorry, babe,” Dimitri said, kissing her neck from behind. “I know you really wanted this.”
She shrugged as if indifferent, but she knew he saw through the lie. “It’s okay. I’ll deal.” She shook herself, then pulled away. “It’s game night anyway, we might as well get to work and have fun. It’s an anniversary of sorts, right?”
Dimitri smiled, and while it reached his eyes, she knew he was still sad for her. The expansion had been her dream, and now it was going to be put on hold. But only for a couple of years. She’d find a way to make it work. She wouldn’t give up. Not yet.
“It’s the first game night at your house since we started dating. Can we end it the same way with Twister?”
She bit her lip. “Only if we do it naked.”
“I’m still here, you know,” Shep growled. “I mean, look around you when you have a full house on the way. Seriously.”
Shea laughed by Shep’s side and patted her husband’s chest. “Poor baby is so surprised his baby sister and her live-in boyfriend have s-e-x.”
“Shush, you.”
“Or, what? You’ll take away our s-e-x?” Shea fluttered her eyelashes, and Thea laughed. Soon, the house was filled with Montgomerys and Carrs. Abby, Ryan, Landon, and Kaylee were there, too. So many people, and so much love and food in the room, she couldn’t feel sad about having to wait a couple of years before she expanded Colorado Icing.
The only thing that put a damper on the night was the fact that Roxie and Carter weren’t there. They had things to work out for themselves, and Thea was truly afraid they’d never come to game night again.
She pushed those thoughts from her mind, though, knowing they didn’t help anyone. Not right then. So, she held out her cheese plate, grinned at the man she loved, and went back into the living room to officially begin their night of fun.
Dimitri was right behind her, his hand on her hip as she stood in her living room with so many people she loved surrounding her. She’d lost a friend this year, one Thea had thought had her back. But Molly wasn’t the woman Thea thought she was. Despite the loss, Thea had gained so much more in the end.
She’d gained her love, her future, and the man who made her smile. She’d spent so long looking for her happiness in her work, that she’d left the thought of forevers behind. Now, she had both, even if it took work and wasn’t finished yet. But she didn’t want it to be finished
. She wanted to work hard for Colorado Icing, and Dimitri.
Nothing good ever came with luck, and now she had the two—three if she included Captain—things she loved.
She let out a breath, trying to focus. “Okay, how do we want to do this? What teams?”
“Montgomerys, Carrs, vs others?” Landon asked. “Though I don’t know if that evens out.”
Ryan snorted. “Yeah, Montgomerys come out of the woodwork it seems.”
“He’s not wrong,” Adrienne said with a laugh.
“Well, what if there was one more Carr?” Dimitri asked, and Thea turned, confused.
“What do you mean?”
Then she froze, and the room went silent as she looked at Dimitri down on one knee, a ring between his fingers. It was a square-cut diamond surrounded by yellow citrine gems and had more diamonds along the band. It was a perfect mix of old and new and she’d never seen anything like it.
“Thea Montgomery, will you be with me until the end of our days? Be by my side and let me be by yours? I know it’s fast, and we can spend years on the next step if you want to, but when I saw this ring, I thought of you and I couldn’t wait any longer. You said tonight was an anniversary of sorts, and you were right. Will you marry me?” Captain barked from Mace’s side. “Captain is asking, as well.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks, and she tried to catch her breath. She knew it was too soon, knew they had so much to learn about each other and so many other things that told her to say no. But she couldn’t. Not when she knew deep down in her heart that this was the man for her. The man for her forever.
“Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Dimitri kissed her then, sliding the ring onto her finger as their families and friends cheered, clapped, and in some cases, cried.
“Looks like we get another Carr,” Devin said.
“She’ll always be a Montgomery,” Adrienne added.
And while she listened, she kissed the man she loved, the man who would be her husband, and knew she’d made the right choice. They both had.
They’d taken a chance on fate and love, and now they were taking a chance on more…together.
With cheese plates, cupcakes, and a golden retriever on Team Captain by their sides.
THE END
The Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs series continues with Jagged Ink.
Roxie and Carter truly need their story.
A Note from Carrie Ann
Thank you so much for reading RESTLESS INK. I do hope if you liked this story, that you would please leave a review! Reviews help authors and readers.
I’m so honored that your read this book and love the Montgomerys as much as I do. Thea and Dimitri’s romance was something far different than I’d ever written, and I’m glad I got to write it. I write so many different types of ex wives, husbands, and significant others. Venturing into one where they weren’t evil, but hurt in a way no one understood was something I wanted to write. Thea and Dimitri got their HEA and now it’s time to see what’s next!
And in case you missed it, you can find their brother Shep’s romance in INK INSPIRED. Up next is Jagged Ink and I know this book will be hard but worth it. Roxie and Carter are waiting.
And if you loved Mace’s sisters from Fallen Ink, don’t worry, they’re getting their own series with the Fractured Connections series, starting with BREAKING WITHOUT YOU!
Dimitri’s family, the Carr’s will be getting their own story soon as well. More to come on that!
And if you’re new to my books, you can start anywhere within the world and catch up!
Don’t miss out on the Montgomery Ink World!
Montgomery Ink (The Denver Montgomerys)
Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs (The Colorado Springs 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)
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!
Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs
Book 1: Fallen Ink
Book 2: Restless Ink
Book 3: Jagged Ink
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
Want to keep up to date with the next Carrie Ann Ryan Release? Receive Text Alerts easily!
Text CARRIE to 24587
About Carrie Ann
Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 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 fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.
www.CarrieAnnRyan.com
More from Carrie Ann
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
Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs
Book 1: Fallen Ink
Book 2: Restless Ink
Book 3: Jagged Ink
Montgomery Ink: Boulder
Book 1: Wrapped in Ink
The Gallagher Brothers Series:
A Montgomery Ink Spin Off Series
Book 1: Love Restored
Book 2: Passion Restored
Book 3: Hope Restored
The Whiskey and Lies Series:
A Montgomery Ink Spin Off Series
Book 1: Whiskey Secrets
Book 2: Whiskey Reveals
Book 3: Whiskey Undone
Fractured Connections
A Montgomery Ink Spin Off Series
Book 1: Breaking Without You
Book 2: Shouldn’t Have You
Book 3: Falling With You
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
&
nbsp; 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
Redwood Pack Box Set (Contains Books 1-3)
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 Complete Redwood Pack Box Set (Contains Books 1-7.7)
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
The Dante’s Circle Box Set (Contains Books 1-3)
Book 3.5: His Choice
Book 4: Tangled Innocence
Book 5: Fierce Enchantment
Book 6: An Immortal’s Song
Book 7: Prowled Darkness
The Complete Dante’s Circle Series (Contains Books 1-7)
Holiday, Montana Series:
Book 1: Charmed Spirits
Book 2: Santa’s Executive
Book 3: Finding Abigail
The Holiday, Montana Box Set (Contains Books 1-3)
Book 4: Her Lucky Love
Book 5: Dreams of Ivory
The Complete Holiday, Montana Box Set (Contains Books 1-5)
Restless Ink (Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs Book 2) Page 20