Flame and Ink: An Anthology

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  A change that would be the best for her men and herself.

  She just had to make sure Rafe and Ian would be up for it.

  TWO

  Rafe had never been so in love with Sassy as he was right then. She stood tall, her hands fisted at her sides and her eyes bright. She was swimming in a mountain of tulle, silk, and lace and looked hot as hell—even if it wasn’t something she’d normally wear.

  But it didn’t matter what she wore, it was all about the fire in her eyes and the look on her face.

  She was his.

  Ian’s, as well.

  She was just…Sassy.

  He kissed her, her lips soft and yielding against his firmer ones. She moaned into him before pulling back.

  “Hold up there, tiger. No making out with the douchebag still within kicking distance.”

  He snorted at her words then shook his head. “No problem, darling. You want me to get security to pick up him? Call the cops? Or just throw him in the dumpster?”

  He cupped her face, knowing he was probably fucking up her makeup, but it was hard enough not to run his fingers through her hair. He loved her hair, all chestnut-hued and soft on his skin. He loved the way it looked with her head thrown back, or as it splayed over his or Ian’s chest while they made love.

  “Let’s just leave him here. I’m done with him.” She gave him a shaky smile. He hated seeing it shake. She was just so fucking strong most days that it worried him when she didn’t look herself. He also had a feeling that her father being here was only part of what was going on in her mind.

  He’d seen the way she’d pulled away in the past few weeks. The more Ian’s mother had pushed, the more closed off Sassy had become. Ian and Rafe had both wanted to do something about it, but Sassy had waved them off.

  She had dealt with the Steeles for them, and yet, he should have made sure she knew he didn’t need it. Didn’t need the elegance and show the wedding had become. He knew Ian felt the same way, and yet, they hadn’t made sure Sassy knew that.

  This was on them as much as it was on the Steeles.

  Okay, so maybe it was more on the Steeles.

  He moved back then tugged on her hand. “I’m beyond done with him, too. Come with me.”

  She grinned. “I’ll come with you anywhere.”

  “I wasn’t talking sex, but damn, now I’m just picturing you bent over and this skirt at your hips as I fuck you.”

  “I think there might be too much skirt for that,” she said dryly.

  He kissed her again then led her to an empty room that had nothing to do with the wedding; where he was pretty sure Ian’s mother and the crazy intense wedding planner wouldn’t find them.

  When he closed the door behind them, he brought her close, wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her. Hard.

  She moaned into him and ran her hands down his back.

  “I love you, Sassy. I hope you know that. I know I’m not the one marrying you today legally, and most people here don’t understand what having me up there with you and Ian means, but I wanted you to know that. I love you. If we had it our way, I’d be married to both you and Ian legally, and we wouldn’t have to worry about powers of attorney and shit like that, but since we can’t do that, I’m fine being on the side.”

  She let out a small sexy growl. “You’re never on the side, Rafe. You’re part of this. I’m only marrying Ian because his parents…well, they’re assholes. If I had it my way…”

  “If you had it your way, I think you’d have me and Ian up there at the altar so you wouldn’t have to wear all this tulle.”

  She smiled at him and he had to kiss her again. “It’s a little much, isn’t it?”

  He pressed his lips together, not sure what to say.

  “You can be honest,” she whispered, and he caught that same sadness in her eyes.

  “If you don’t like it, then why did you say you’d wear it?”

  “To make Ian’s mother happy?” she said, but it sounded more like a question.

  “Now why would you want to make her happy if it makes you unhappy?” Ian asked from the now open doorway.

  Rafe turned toward his other love and had to hold back a sigh. He loved the way Ian filled out a tux—all broad shoulders and sexy as hell. Rafe was one lucky son of a bitch.

  “Ian,” Sassy whispered.

  “Fuck,” Ian muttered then closed the door behind him. “I hate that we got this far and none of us are happy.”

  Rafe took a step back as if he’d taken a fist to the chest. “What the fuck?”

  Ian’s eyes widened and he quickly moved forward, taking both Sassy’s and Rafe’s hands in his. “That’s not what I meant. I was talking about this monstrosity of a wedding. I don’t see a single thing that’s us. I mean, hell, we’re all tattooed, pierced, and like it when the three of us can be naked and together, not shit like this.” Ian met Sassy’s eyes. “Your ink is still on your arms, but I can see the makeup on your back, Sassy. Did my mother ask to have that covered? And I know the dress has a shawl or cowl thing that comes with it. Was she going to cover that, too?”

  Sassy pressed her lips together then let out a stream of curses that made Rafe’s eyes widen. He had a mouth on him, but sometimes he forgot that Sassy cursed more than he and Ian combined. Sexy as hell.

  “I…I don’t know how it came to this,” Sassy said, this time anger and a hint of sadness lacing her tone. “I started saying yes to things to make your mother happy, and frankly, it was easier than fighting, you know? I mean, hell, we’d already said yes to the wedding in New York, and I didn’t feel like making all the decisions when we were going to have a party later in New Orleans anyway.”

  Ian ran his knuckles along Sassy’s cheek, even as he squeezed Rafe’s hand. “This isn’t us,” he said calmly.

  Rafe wrapped his arm around Sassy’s shoulders so the three of them were touching, connected as they were meant to be, as they would always be.

  “Take me home,” Sassy said, her voice strong, not a hint of tears. “Take me home, to the penthouse, then back to New Orleans when we can.”

  Rafe met Ian’s gaze. “I can sneak us out of here if you want to follow.”

  Ian let out a breath. “My mother is going to freak.” He smiled then. “Too bad I’ll miss the look on her face when she sees us go. Your bike in the garage?”

  Rafe grinned. “Hell, yeah.” He turned to Sassy. “What do you say about getting on the back of my bike in that dress? It’ll make a pretty picture.”

  “Runaway bride?” Sassy asked, even as she put both hands on her skirt and lifted ever so slightly so she wouldn’t trip as they ran.

  “Runaway grooms, as well,” Rafe said smoothly. “Let’s do this our way.”

  “Our way,” Sassy said.

  “Our way,” Ian whispered.

  Rafe pressed his lips to both of his lovers’ mouths, one at a time, just a hint of what would come later that night.

  “Then let’s do it, biker babe,” Rafe said. “Our man will be in his car behind us, probably making plans as we go.”

  Sassy laughed, and Rafe’s shoulders relaxed. They’d be walking out of a wedding that had taken months and way too much money to plan, and yet he didn’t care. They’d figure out the next step soon, but whatever that next step was, they’d be doing it on their own terms.

  They wore each other’s ink, had made vows with the art that covered their skin, and soon, they would make their own vows.

  Their way.

  THREE

  Ian’s mother wouldn’t dare scream or shout. That wasn’t the way the calculating, cold woman worked. But he could sense the fire behind him as he drove off behind the two loves of his life.

  For as long as he lived, he’d never forget the look of Rafe on his bike, his black tux elegant on his dangerous body. Sassy sat on the bike behind him, the tulle of her dress not so elegant in the way it billowed behind them as they drove off on the Harley. They both wore helmets, but Sassy’s veil danced along with
the wind as Rafe drove along the busy roads.

  Ian followed in his car, using his Bluetooth to make plans and contingencies. He should have done this in the first place, but he’d stepped back to make Sassy happy. Only he hadn’t made her happy, and had hurt her and Rafe in the process.

  For all their promises of communication, they’d hurt themselves because they hadn’t wanted to essentially hurt the others. Well, he’d do his best not to have that happen again. He couldn’t promise it, not when three hearts were involved, but he’d do his damned best.

  By the time he pulled up to his penthouse and parked in his private garage, Rafe was helping Sassy off the back of the bike. Normally, she’d be able to hop off on her own, but the dress got in the way of that.

  His phone buzzed, and he hit ignore as soon as he saw the readout.

  “Your mom?” Rafe asked as he cupped Sassy’s ass. Ian nodded.

  She grinned and cupped Rafe’s dick. Damn he loved that woman. Rafe let out a groan before stepping away.

  “Hands off, darling. No need to get arrested. We’re technically still in public.”

  She rolled her eyes, looking far happier than Ian had seen her in weeks. Damn it, he shouldn’t have let his mother take control.

  “Stop looking like that,” Sassy said then wrapped her arms around Ian’s waist. He immediately held her close, needing her scent to center him. “We made mistakes along the way, but all couples and triads do. We’re going to do this our way, remember?”

  Ian kissed her softly then stepped away so they could move toward the private elevator. “I remember. I’m just going to apologize for my family once. I’m sorry they took over, and I’m sorry I let them. I’m sorry that somehow it become a Steele show, rather than what we wanted and needed our wedding to be.”

  Sassy leaned into his hold as they rode up to the penthouse suite. Rafe stood on her other side but had his hand on Rafe’s shoulder. He loved it when the three touched at once. It just drove home that they were a true triad in all ways that mattered.

  When they walked into the living area, Sassy turned toward both of them. “Someone unzip me. I need to put on normal clothes.”

  Ian grinned as Rafe beat him to their love, slowly unzipping her. She shivered, and Ian licked his lips.

  “No sex,” she said softly. “We didn’t have sex last night and we won’t until we’re married.” She winced. “I know it’s silly…”

  “We just walked out on our own wedding,” Rafe added. “I get the superstitions.”

  Ian tugged on his tie, and Rafe did the same. “Go put on a dress you prefer. Rafe’s family will be here soon. As well as the minister. Oh, and Shep and Shea and the others from the shop.”

  Rafe and Sassy’s eyes widened and she threw her head back and laughed. “Seriously?” she asked.

  Ian shrugged. “You said to make plans. If you want something else, let me know and we can do it. But I figured we could get married with the people that matter. We have the license for New York, not Louisiana. This way, we get married now with the three of us together. And we’ll still hold our big ass party in New Orleans.”

  Sassy jumped, her dress falling to the wayside as Ian caught her. “I fucking love you, Ian Steele.”

  Rafe wrapped his arms around them both, kissing Ian’s jaw. “I love it when you get all bossy and plan things.”

  Ian growled softly then kissed his lover once, twice, before kissing the very sexy woman in his arms. “You okay with this?” he asked both of them.

  “I think saying our vows in clothes we want to wear in our home away from home is perfect,” Sassy said softly. “We spend a lot of time in New York so this place is our home, as well. And I want to be your wife. Tonight and forever. And I know the minister will be happy to have Rafe by our side. We can say our vows, the three of us, without dealing with the bullshit we would have had to before.”

  Ian let out a breath, relieved he hadn’t stepped over any bounds.

  Rafe squeezed Ian’s hip, and Ian smiled. “Like I said, I like the bossy. At least when I’m not the one telling you to bend over.” His lover, soon-to-be-husband, winked. “I know Sassy’s gonna change, but I like you in a tux. You okay with that?”

  Sassy laughed. “You both look sexy in tuxes, even if you both took off your ties. Now, I need to go put on a dress I love and wipe off this makeup on my back so I can say my vows to the two men I love more than anything.”

  She kissed them both quickly then ran back to their room, leaving a pile of tulle and lace on the floor.

  “How the fuck did we get so lucky?” Ian murmured.

  “I have no clue,” Rafe said. “But I’m never going to forget this moment, forget any moments. This is it for me. You’re both it for me.”

  The doorbell rang, and Ian rolled his shoulders. “That will be our guests. Hopefully.” He placed a soft kiss to Rafe’s lips. “Go help our bride while I set up.”

  Rafe squeezed Ian’s ass then loped off toward their bedroom, a definite spring in his step. He couldn’t blame the man; this was what they needed. Their future in their own hands; not in the clutches of those with expectations that didn’t mesh with theirs.

  By the time everyone had made it to their secret wedding, the sun had just begun to set over the city. With the pink and purple rays covering the sky and shining on the triad, Rafe, Ian, and Sassy said their vows. They promised to love one another, hold one another, and cherish one another in this life and into the next.

  They promised a future they would make for themselves.

  They’d made their vows in ink and in words and with each breath of their souls.

  Rafe, Ian, and Sassy were a unit, a triad, and a part of eternity that had started with a promise and would end with a new hope.

  Not a bad way to start their journey.

  Not a bad way at all.

  Delicate Arrival

  A Montgomery Ink Novella

  Author Note: Delicate Arrival is set in between Tempting Boundaries (Montgomery Ink Book 2) and Harder than Words (Montgomery Ink Book 3). It’s a very short story that goes back and looks in on Austin and Sierra. If you haven’t read the series, you should be fine jumping in, but beware, there might be a couple of spoilers. This is not meant to be a full novel or even a full novella. It’s just a day in the life—a very important day in the life of Austin and Sierra.

  I hope you enjoy it!

  ~Carrie Ann

  ONE

  In and out. Just in and out.

  Breathe in and out. In and out.

  Austin kept chanting that to himself as he tried to calm the racing of his heart. Only he couldn’t quite do that. Not when the nightmare he’d awakened from wouldn’t leave his brain.

  He ran a hand over his face and over his beard. He probably should shave in the next few weeks. He didn’t want to scare his new kid with the mountain man look.

  He sucked in another breath, his legs hanging off the side of the bed. His new kid. Hell. He couldn’t believe he was going to be a father.

  Again.

  He might have an eleven-year-old son, but he hadn’t thought of himself as a father for over ten of those years. That’s what happened when secrets were kept and he’d been denied the chance to raise his son—not knowing he even existed for the start of his child’s life.

  The nightmare, though, it wasn’t about missing out on this new baby’s life, nor was it about keeping secrets and not finding out about a new life until it was almost too late. No, this was about a life never coming to be.

  His hands shook and he tried to catch his breath once again.

  He’d dreamt that Sierra had lost the baby. Just as she’d lost her first child a decade ago in a motorcycle crash. Jesus Christ. Why the hell was he thinking of that? His wife and love of his life was so freaking close to her due date, and yet his brain kept going to worst-case scenarios.

  Of course, it didn’t help that she’d had a tough pregnancy so far, and had been on bed rest for the past month. Real-life circ
umstances had only piled on top of his fears. He couldn’t lose her and the baby. He wasn’t sure what he’d do if he did.

  Sierra touched his back and he relaxed. “Tell me what’s wrong,” she said softly, her voice a little hoarse.

  He stood up quickly and pulled on some sweats. They both slept naked, even though they hadn’t been intimate in over two months. The doctors had advised against it, and Austin had made sure he kept his wife pampered and safe.

  “Let me get you some water.”

  Sierra let out a sigh. “Thank you, but you still need to tell me what’s wrong.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “I know. And I will.” He quickly tiptoed to the kitchen and got her a glass of water. He didn’t want to wake Leif since the sun was just now rising. By the time he got back into the bedroom, Sierra had propped herself up as much as she was allowed to and had her nightgown over her stomach.

  “Can you help me put this on? I need to go to the bathroom.”

  He handed her the glass of water and raised a brow. “Drink this first.”

  She rolled her eyes, a smile on her lips. “I already have to go, Austin.”

  “You’ll have to go more, then. Drink up.”

  She sipped at the water, draining it slowly, her eyes on his. The pregnancy had caused her to gain forty pounds and she’d, in her words, puffed up like a damned blowfish. But he still thought she was the sexiest thing ever. The scars from the accident had stretched, as well as the ink he’d lain on her skin, but he didn’t care. He’d fix any ink he had to if she wanted. As long as she and the baby were healthy, he was fine. Plus, they’d been using coconut oil on her skin nightly to help with stretch marks. He’d sworn once to take care of her skin, and now he’d never stop doing so.

  He got her dressed and then walked her to the bathroom so she could go about her business.

  “Need to shower?” he asked. She was allowed to stand for as long as it took to shower—as long as he stood with her. Bed rest wasn’t the same for every person. She finished up and he helped her stand next to him.