Inked Expressions

by Carrie Ann Ryan

  Griffin and Autumn were sitting next to Tabby and Alex around one of the tables his parents had set up, and he gave them a wave. Everly waved, too and the group smiled at them, waving hello. Wes joined them, and they laughed and talked about random things that had happened that week. Since they all saw each other often, it was surprising how much they still had to talk about. He and Everly spoke to them for a bit before hunger got the better of him and he dragged Everly back to the boys.

  “It will take another four hours to talk to everyone about their days, so let’s get the boys fed and then food in our bellies.”

  She rolled her eyes at him and poked at his stomach. “You don’t have any fat on you, how is that possible?”

  He winked. “Good genes and the fact that Alex makes me work out more now.”

  “I should thank him,” she said huskily, and he swallowed hard. He could not have a hard dick right then in front of his all-knowing family. He’d never live it down.

  He kissed her on the top of the head since they were in the middle of his parents’ living room and went to go make sure the boys had their lunch. Of course, he shouldn’t have worried since his mom had the kids already set up with their own food. They didn’t always split up the kids and adults like they were today, but since the grills were out in full force, it made sense safety-wise.

  He and Everly made sure the twins were okay then piled food on their own plates—complete with Everly’s potato salad—before taking one of the empty tables near the side of the backyard. They weren’t alone for long, however, because three of his cousins decided to join him. As they were of the few Everly hadn’t met yet, he didn’t mind.

  “Everly, this is Adrienne, Thea, and Roxie. They’re the Colorado Springs cousins. Shep is their big brother. He’s the one who lives in New Orleans now but still helps out at Montgomery Ink when he’s in town visiting. Ladies, this is Everly, my girlfriend.” He hadn’t said that word aloud before, and the two of them stiffened but rolled with it.

  Everly smiled at them all and said hello. “Do you go by that band name or do you just like the location?”

  Adrienne rolled her eyes. She was the eldest of the three girls, but Shep was also far older than the rest of them, so the girls had been raised a little differently than wild Shep—not that Adrienne had let that stop her from being wild herself. Though in all reality, Storm wasn’t sure Adrienne was as out there as she claimed to be.

  “The Denver Montgomerys like to call the rest of us by our city since they outnumber us,” she said with a wink.

  “But we tend to think of us as the Montgomerys,” Thea, the next in line said with a smile.

  “And we call them the Denver ones rather than the Main Eight like Wes wanted them to be called,” Roxie added.

  “And there are even more of you?” Everly asked, sounding a little overwhelmed. He didn’t blame her since there were a lot of them and the Montgomerys tended to be big and loud with even just a few of them at a time. The men were all big, bearded, and inked, while the women were just as big in personality and body art. They tended to stand out.

  “A few more,” Adrienne answered. “There’s like twenty-one of us or so in our generation, I think. I lost count after ten or so, though.”

  “Wow.”

  Storm snorted at Everly’s breathy word but ran his hand down her back to comfort her. She wasn’t used to so many people, and he got that. She’d been an only child just like Jackson had been. And hell, neither of their parents had been overly warm and loving, so being around the Montgomerys had to be a real change for her.

  He was just happy that his family hadn’t started quizzing her. It would come, maybe not today, but the next time she came with him. He thought it odd that it didn’t feel strange to have her by his side. It was as if she’d always been there. She just fit. This was his Ev, and it felt right.

  He just hoped it felt right to her, too.

  They finished their lunches but sat where they were with his cousins as Nathan and James ran to them. They were giggling and chasing Randy, who barked and skidded to a stop at Storm’s feet. Storm bent down to rub a hand over the pup’s head before holding back a grunt as James landed on his lap. Nathan climbed into Everly’s, and the two of them spoke at once about their afternoon. Randy went back to playing with the other family dogs, and Storm just put his arm around the back of Everly’s chair and listened to her sons ramble in that kid way they did.

  He didn’t miss the knowing looks on not only his cousin’s faces but also every other person who happened to stop by. He didn’t mind the attention as much as he thought he would. After all, he’d ribbed the rest of his family as each of them had found the person they wanted to be with.

  He frowned.

  Was that was this was? Was she the one he wanted in his life now and always? Did that mean kids and marriage and everything that came with that? He’d always thought he’d end up one of those uncles that were around but didn’t have a family of their own. It had taken him a long time to realize he might deserve a life beyond the guilt. By the time that had happened, though, he’d reached his mid-thirties and hadn’t found a woman he wanted to be with.

  Until Everly.

  He let out a breath. Maybe, just maybe, she could be his future.

  He just didn’t know what to think about that.

  The boys had been hyper when they got into the truck later that evening since the barbeque had rolled into dinner and everyone had gone back for more food, but as soon as they hit the highway, everyone in the backseat was out like a light. Even Randy was on his back, feet in the air and mouth open as he snored.

  “That damn dog looks like a dork when he sleeps like that,” Storm muttered under his breath.

  “But adorable,” Everly said as she turned in her seat to snap a photo of the trio.

  Storm snorted. “That is true.” He rubbed the back of his neck, thankful he’d had a cup of coffee before he hit the road. He wasn’t tired, necessarily, as nothing on earth would make him think it was okay to drive while tired after what had happened on that rainy night years ago, but he’d needed the pick-me-up.

  “I had a lot of fun today,” Everly said on a yawn. “More than I thought I would.”

  Storm glanced at her. “What, you thought we’d be boring?”

  She gave him a dramatic eye roll. “As if the Montgomerys could ever be boring. I just meant that I thought I’d be too stressed out to enjoy myself. I’m glad I was wrong.”

  He reached over and tugged on her hand, bringing it to his mouth so he could lay a gentle kiss on her palm. “I’m glad, too.”

  She gave him a happy sigh, and they made their way back to her place in peaceful silence.

  The boys woke up somewhat as they got them out of their car seats. Randy was ready for a bathroom break, and the boys seemed to be on the same page, so Storm went out back with the dog as Everly got the boys ready for bed. Before heading back to the other side of the house to help out with bedtime, he made sure that Randy had water since the puppy had eaten far too much at his parents’. He and Everly hadn’t talked about if he’d sleep over that night, but both of them had clearly assumed it. Even Randy had a set of things over at the house for when Storm stayed the night.

  It was feeling more and more like a family, and though Storm was still wary, he was starting to come to rely on it.

  “Are you going to kiss Uncle Storm again?” James asked as Everly tugged a shirt over his head. Nathan was already in his PJs and half-asleep in his bed. Since her back was to him, and James had a shirt over his eyes, only Storm saw the way Ev’s face went pale at the question.

  “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice seemingly calm. Storm didn’t say anything, but he knew she realized he was in the doorway. They hadn’t discussed how they would handle the boys knowing, and he knew it was her place to decide what to say. He would go with it because while he was falling for the family, she was still the boys’ mother.

  “You and Uncle Storm kiss.
A lot.” Nathan gave a big yawn as he said it, and Storm thought the boy had fallen asleep before he continued. “It’s okay. We like him.”

  “You should keep kissing Uncle Storm,” James said with a sleepy smile before kissing his mom on the cheek. “That way, Uncle Storm can be our daddy, and we can be a family. We get to have a puppy then, and no one can hurt us because Uncle Storm would beat them up.”

  “He’s strong and awesome and knows about X-men. We love him, and you should, too.”

  Storm’s heart grew ten sizes even as his belly clutched at what the boys thought. Hell, those kids were damn observant. He hadn’t broached the subject of marriage with Everly and he damn sure hadn’t thought about it much himself, but the boys were apparently on board.

  And he needed a damn drink.

  “I’m glad you like Storm,” Everly said carefully as if she were thinking over every word. He didn’t blame her, and that’s why he kept silent. This wasn’t his place, but he’d support her if she needed it. “I like him, too.”

  He a hell of a lot more than liked her.

  “Okay,” James said simply before Everly tucked him into bed. Nathan was already snoring, passed out with one hand over his face. How the kid could fall asleep so easily was beyond him.

  Everly kissed her son’s head before walking back out of the room and turning off the lights so their Thor night light shined brightly.

  “Oh my God,” she whispered as she hurried to her room. Storm came with her but turned around as Randy trotted into the boys’ room. The dog was potty trained and well behaved, but he didn’t know if he should be sleeping with the boys.

  “Ev, before we freak out over that, can Randy sleep with the boys? He’s already making himself at home next to James from the sound of those giggles.”

  Everly put her hands over her face and let out a small scream that wasn’t all that loud. “That’s fine. Everything’s fine. Oh my God.”

  He closed the door behind him and tugged her hands down so he could hug her. “You handled that great, babe.” He ran his hands down her back, and she clung to him.

  “I didn’t think they knew.” She buried her face against his chest and let out a groan. “And they were…happy about it.”

  “Apparently, we suck at hiding.” He kissed the top of her head.

  “We aren’t all that subtle.”

  He smiled and pulled her back slightly so he could look into her eyes. “No, we aren’t.”

  “I…while I’m relieved they’re so okay with everything right now, I just want to forget about the rest of the world for a while. Can we do that?”

  He cupped the back of her head and kissed her softly, his dick pressing against his zipper. “We can do that.” He wanted her more than he could put into words—this woman, his friend that wasn’t just his friend anymore.

  “Good,” she breathed. She slid her hands down his chest, and he kissed her again, needing her taste.

  Slowly, they moved their hands over each other, learning each other, the way they moved as one. He slowly stripped off her top, then her pants. That left her in just her lingerie, perfect in every single way. He loved the way her breasts filled the cups of her bra, and how her hips flared out so they were perfect for his hands to grip.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered.

  Ev rolled her eyes. “I have stretch marks, and I’m still not the weight I was before I had the babies. I look better with clothes on. Believe me.”

  He leaned down and bit her lip. When she gasped, he gave her a grin. “As I’ve seen you both ways, I’m going to tell you how much you’re wrong.” He kissed her. “Actually, I’m going to show you.”

  He took off her bra, taking each nipple into his mouth one after the other, then went to his knees and slid her panties down her legs. He gave her a kiss on each thigh, his dick so hard he thought he might burst right there in his jeans like a damned teenager.

  “I want you, Ev,” he said softly, pressing another kiss on her thigh. She ran a hand through his hair, and he licked where he’d kissed. “I know we still need to use condoms because of birth control, but I want to taste you, Ev.”

  She tugged on his shoulders when he would have kissed her heat, and he stood up so he could kiss her mouth instead. When he pulled back, she gave him a wicked smile. “I’d rather taste you at the same time.”

  He grinned back, his cock officially so hard he’d probably last one touch. “I think that can be arranged.” She helped him strip out of his shirt and undo his pants. They were both panting as he pulled down his pants and boxer briefs. His cock sprang free, slapping his belly and making them both groan.

  “That looks like it hurts.”

  He winked. “Well, there are a few ways you can help me.”

  “Let me guess, with my mouth? And if I were to say I had a headache, you’d tell me you have the perfect medicine for me.”

  He reached out and hugged her, bringing her to his chest so he could nuzzle his face into the crook of her neck. “Let’s find out, shall we?”

  They kissed and touched until they were lying opposite each other on the bed. He had his face between her legs in the next instant, her thigh resting over his shoulder as he licked and sucked her. She tasted sweet and exotic, and he knew he’d crave her until the end of his days. And when she took him into her mouth, he groaned. She cupped his balls and squeezed the base of his dick as she sucked him down.

  “Dear God,” he growled before licking up and down her labia. He sucked on her clit, loving the way it swelled under his attention. She was so damn close, and he could feel it. As soon as he speared her with his fingers, she came, and he licked it all, wanting more.

  And because he knew he was far too close to coming, he pulled back.

  “I wasn’t done,” she said, her eyes dark and glassy.

  “If I come down your throat, I won’t recover in time to fuck you hard into the mattress.” He turned and slid between her legs as he reached for the condom he’d placed next to the pillows on the bed and sheathing himself.

  “I guess if we were having sex when we were both in our twenties it would have been different.” She winked as she said it, and he pinched her thigh.

  “I’m not that much of an old man,” he growled before taking her hips in his hands and thrusting into her with one move.

  She gasped, and he let out a groan of his own. “Okay, not an old man.”

  “Good to hear.” Then he leaned down and captured her mouth with his as he thrust in and out of her, their bodies shaking and sweating. Hell, she was additive; he knew he’d never stop wanting her…stop needing her.

  And that drug would have to be something he thought of later. For now, he only needed the woman in his arms and the feeling that overwhelmed him at that moment.

  He rolled his hips, knowing he hit her at just the right spot when her mouth parted and she arched her back, her breasts pressing into his chest. He thrust in and out, going faster and harder until they both yelled and came at the same time, their bodies shaking, spent, and exhausted.

  He collapsed next to her, his dick still semi-hard inside her, and brought her close so he could kiss her.

  “That was…” She breathed. “That was…”

  “I can’t think of a word either,” he said with a laugh. “Let’s just go with ‘that was…’”

  “Yeah.” She snuggled into him, and he held her close. With her so close and in his arms, he could almost believe that everything would work out and nothing could come at them that they couldn’t handle.

  Almost, he thought. But for now, he’d hold her in his arms and know that they’d deal with what they needed to eventually. Because he had her next to him, around him, and as a part of him. That was all he needed.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “I know a Celtic knot is generic for some, but hell, I’ve been collecting them since I was a kid.”

  Storm looked down at Clay and snorted. “It’s only generic for anyone who doesn’t realize how difficu
lt the design is.”

  “Amen,” Austin said absently, his attention solely on Clay’s new ink.

  This was the first time Storm had brought Clay down to Denver to at least meet some of his family. Since Austin knew about Clay and the accident, it made sense to Storm that he be the first person the kid met. Storm knew it was time to tell the others what had happened, even if it broke open something inside him he’d long since closed and buried. But if Everly could face her fears and loss head-on every day, so could he.

  So, Storm was here with Clay, watching the kid get his first tattoo. Maya was off that day, and yes, Storm had known that when he’d made the appointment. His sister saw far too much, and Wes needed to be the first person he told when he found the way to do it. No more hiding, he told himself. It wasn’t fair to anyone.

  The one thing he and Clay hadn’t discussed, however, was the kid’s sister. They’d pointedly left Rachel out of the conversation. Once Everly figured out her plan, he’d be there to help and do what he could, but until then, it wasn’t his place. Standing back wasn’t easy on him, but he’d learned the hard way what happened when he tried to take over.

  “Looking good,” Storm said before turning his attention back to his tablet. He’d been up late the night before with the twins when Nathan had begun coughing. Everly had gotten him back to sleep after using his inhaler, but James had been worried, so Storm had rocked him until he too fell back asleep. That meant Storm had been exhausted for his half-day at work, and now needed to finish up a few things during Clay’s appointment. Clay hadn’t minded, though Wes hadn’t been happy. His twin wasn’t happy with him most of the time these days. Storm hoped things would change once he told Wes everything he’d been hiding, things might be better, but he wasn’t sure. Something had changed between them, and he didn’t know how to fix it.

  “You okay over there?” Clay asked as Austin cleaned up the tattoo.

  Storm nodded. “Yeah, just thinking.”

  “Been doing a lot of that lately,” Austin commented. “Need to talk?”