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  Seduced in Ink

  A Montgomery Ink: Boulder Novel

  Carrie Ann Ryan

  Contents

  Seduced in Ink

  Acknowledgments

  Seduced in Ink

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Epilogue

  A Note from Carrie Ann Ryan

  About the Author

  Also from Carrie Ann Ryan

  Seduced in Ink

  A Montgomery Ink: Colorado Boulder Novel

  * * *

  By

  Carrie Ann Ryan

  Seduced in Ink

  A Montgomery Ink: Boulder Novel

  By: Carrie Ann Ryan

  © 2020 Carrie Ann Ryan

  ISBN: 978-1-947007-91-8

  * * *

  Cover Art by Charity Hendry

  Photograph by Jenn LeBlanc

  * * *

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person or use proper retail channels to lend a copy. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination.

  Praise for Carrie Ann Ryan

  “Count on Carrie Ann Ryan for emotional, sexy, character driven stories that capture your heart!” – Carly Phillips, NY Times bestselling author

  “Carrie Ann Ryan’s romances are my newest addiction! The emotion in her books captures me from the very beginning. The hope and healing hold me close until the end. These love stories will simply sweep you away.” ~ NYT Bestselling Author Deveny Perry

  "Carrie Ann Ryan writes the perfect balance of sweet and heat ensuring every story feeds the soul." - Audrey Carlan, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

  “Carrie Ann Ryan never fails to draw readers in with passion, raw sensuality, and characters that pop off the page. Any book by Carrie Ann is an absolute treat.” – New York Times Bestselling Author J. Kenner

  “Carrie Ann Ryan knows how to pull your heartstrings and make your pulse pound! Her wonderful Redwood Pack series will draw you in and keep you reading long into the night. I can’t wait to see what comes next with the new generation, the Talons. Keep them coming, Carrie Ann!” –Lara Adrian, New York Times bestselling author of CRAVE THE NIGHT

  "With snarky humor, sizzling love scenes, and brilliant, imaginative worldbuilding, The Dante's Circle series reads as if Carrie Ann Ryan peeked at my personal wish list!" – NYT Bestselling Author, Larissa Ione

  "Carrie Ann Ryan writes sexy shifters in a world full of passionate happily-ever-afters." – New York Times Bestselling Author Vivian Arend

  “Carrie Ann’s books are sexy with characters you can’t help but love from page one. They are heat and heart blended to perfection.” New York Times Bestselling Author Jayne Rylon

  Carrie Ann Ryan's books are wickedly funny and deliciously hot, with plenty of twists to keep you guessing. They'll keep you up all night!” USA Today Bestselling Author Cari Quinn

  "Once again, Carrie Ann Ryan knocks the Dante's Circle series out of the park. The queen of hot, sexy, enthralling paranormal romance, Carrie Ann is an author not to miss!" New York Times bestselling Author Marie Harte

  To my readers.

  Thank you for being you.

  Acknowledgments

  This book was so much fun. I don’t always get to say that with books, but this was one a blast. I write romance because I love the idea of hope in the darkness. Where you know there will be an HEA by the end, but it’s how the characters change and find their way that makes the true story.

  Madison and Aaron went through SO much to get where they are and I truly hope you love this romance.

  Thank you to my team for helping me make this book shine. Thank you to my girls for helping me remember it’ okay to want love and hope when the darkness of the world threaten to break through.

  And thank you dear readers for being part of the Montgomerys.

  Happy reading, everyone!

  ~Carrie Ann

  Seduced in Ink

  The Montgomery Ink: Boulder series concludes with a fake relationship where the heat and emotional connection are anything but false.

  The moment Madison McClard’s parents tell her that her ex is getting married, there’s no getting out of their latest scheme. One moment she’s trying to get out of their clutches. The next, they’re telling her exactly who she’ll marry to save the family name. The one thing her parents don’t count on, however: Aaron Montgomery.

  Aaron Montgomery didn’t mean to lie. Still, as soon as he overheard Madison’s dilemma, the words fell out of his mouth. Now, he’s fake engaged to a woman he barely knows, who also happens to be his new brother-in-law’s cousin.

  As the deception mounts, so does the attraction. They told themselves it was only a ruse, but as feelings ramp and dangers surge, this Montgomery may have just met his match.

  He simply has to fight to keep her.

  Chapter 1

  Madison McClard desperately wanted cheese.

  She wasn’t exactly sure why she craved cheese at the moment. It had never been her favorite thing before she started hanging out with her cousins-in-law.

  However, because of their cheese obsession—and it was indeed an obsession—just the idea of not being able to eat cheese meant she wanted it even more.

  While cheese surrounded her, little platters held by waiters in stiff white shirts and black pants with creases—almost as if they knew she wanted cheese—she could not indulge.

  And she hated it.

  She wasn’t lactose intolerant. And she wasn’t on a diet or afraid of the food. She loved dairy and had a cheese collection of her own, along with the boards and utensils to make a perfect spread.

  However, she did not want to get into a fight with her family at her cousin Lincoln’s art show. That meant she would refrain from the lovely array of cheeses, crackers, and red wine that beckoned her to the dark side.

  “You know you can just take a bite,” her friend Aaron said from her side. She shook her head.

  “I’m not taking a bite,” she whispered, keeping a pleasant smile as people walked past, expectant looks on their faces. They knew she was family to the famous artist and wanted to know more about her. But she had no idea why. It wasn’t as if she had any talents when it came to art, though she could decorate a mean cupcake.

  “Here, let me just get you some. There’s a little bit of honey on this brie, as well as an apple slice that makes the perfect crisp crunch when you bite into it.”

  She turned her gaze towards Aaron and studied his face. He might be sexy as hell with that tousled brown hair, those blue eyes, and his chiseled jaw, but she wanted to smack him.

  He was far too handsome and charming for his own good.

  “I’m not indulging. And how did you even know I wanted cheese? You’re not a mind reader, are you?”

  He smiled, flashing perfectly white teeth, a little dimple in his cheek pok
ing out.

  A dimple? How the hell had she not noticed that before?

  Damn him and that stupid divot.

  And that bitable jaw.

  And lickable neck.

  Where the heck had those thoughts come from?

  “I saw you practically drooling over a platter, your hand outstretched for a bare instant before you let it drop casually as if no one would notice.”

  She looked down askance at her hands, then back up at Aaron. “I did not.”

  Aaron snorted. “Okay, the hand thing was an exaggeration. But you did gaze longingly.”

  Madison winced. “I hope no one else saw me looking like that.” Namely, her mother.

  “I don’t think so. But, for all I know, everybody knows your love of cheese.”

  She resisted the urge to flip him off and then moved closer to him. The heat of him seared her side when someone brushed past, ironically holding a full plate of cheese.

  “You’re drooling again,” Aaron said, wrapping his arm around her waist. He gave her hip a squeeze before moving back. It was a friendly touch, nothing flirty, just someone trying not to fall as they both moved out of the way.

  It still made her heart race, and she had no idea why.

  She did not have a crush on Aaron Montgomery. He was her cousin’s love’s brother, and things got far too complicated with all of those connections. Considering that her cousin was with Aaron’s brother Ethan, as well as Holland, things were a little complicated already, and she wanted no part of adding to that.

  And it didn’t really matter because Aaron moved away, still smiling at her but in a friendly way, maybe even brotherly.

  Just because he was handsome as hell didn’t mean she needed any part of that. She could look, but no way would she ever touch.

  “What do you think of all this art?” Aaron asked.

  “It’s stunning. And I’m not just saying that because Lincoln is family.”

  Aaron nodded, looking around, his gaze that of an artist and not just an average viewer.

  “Lincoln’s amazing. And while he might be my family now too, I can still go on and on about his talents. I’m a little jealous, honestly.”

  Madison shook her head. “I’ve seen your art, as well.”

  “I play with glass most days. Lincoln breathes life into his work.”

  That made Madison snort, and she winced as one of her parents’ friends gave her an admonishing look before walking past. Great, her parents would find out about her lack of social decorum in about ten seconds.

  “You literally breathe life into your art,” she said, going back to the conversation. “You’re a glassblower.”

  He stared at her then as if looking at her for the first time. Or maybe she was seeing things. “Maybe, but I still have a ways to go until I’m happy with what I do.”

  “You and Lincoln should do a show together someday. And then have Bristol play her cello while in the room. Ethan can organize it all and make it a thing.”

  “I’m pretty sure I cannot afford my sister’s prices,” Aaron said with a wink before taking a sip of his champagne.

  Madison held a glass of water, in a very fancy flute, but it was still only water.

  After all, she didn’t want to add any more ammunition to her parents’ barbs, and she already knew those would be coming.

  She hated that she never stood up to them. She might do her best most days, but nine times out of ten, she tried not to draw attention to herself so she could avoid the inevitable fight.

  Lincoln wasn’t a fan of the way she dealt with her parents, but he was lucky. While his parents might not always be in the picture these days because they had moved away, they weren’t passively-aggressively evil like hers.

  “At least you have some form of talent,” Madison said wryly.

  “Some form, huh? Well, at least I know where I stand.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I was just telling you that you’re brilliant, and now that I’m trying to downplay it because you got all blushy, you think I’m making fun of you.”

  “I did not get all blushy,” Aaron said, practically gasping.

  “You could be clutching your pearls right now, and I wouldn’t be surprised.”

  “You’re a cruel, cruel woman, Madison McClard.”

  “So I hear,” she mumbled.

  Aaron frowned. “So you hear what? Who do I need to beat up for you?”

  Madison waved him off. “It’s nothing. Just a long day at work.”

  “Fair enough. Now, if you want to talk about art, let’s talk about those gingerbread cappuccino cupcakes you make.” Aaron made an audible groaning sound that a couple of people definitely noticed while walking past.

  “Stop,” she whispered, “I don’t like attention being on me, okay?”

  “You just don’t have the right kind of attention,” Aaron said with a wink. “But back to your cupcakes. Seriously? Can I have them? I would love them.”

  “Whatever,” Madison whispered. “And my cupcakes aren’t the best thing I make.”

  “Now I’m drooling again.”

  She didn’t know what he meant by that, so she moved on. “I could use a cupcake right now. Or cheese. I’m starving,” she whispered.

  “First off, why didn’t you eat a cupcake or something while you were at your café?”

  “Because I was working. And when I’m baking, I don’t tend to eat.”

  “I would probably shove my face into frosting if I worked with cupcakes all the time.”

  “You get used to the fact that you can’t because of health reasons. And when it’s work, it’s not really the same. I could indulge in cupcakes, but I’d rather wait until I’m not standing in my industrial kitchen to do so.”

  “Fair enough. You have to build your own art first.”

  “It’s not art,” Madison said with a shake of her head.

  “We can agree to disagree on that.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Now, back to cheese.”

  “We’re not going back to cheese.”

  “I think we do need to go back to cheese.”

  “Stop saying ‘cheese.’”

  He grinned. “There is a platter right there. I will make you a perfect plate. Just take a bite.”

  “Said the serpent to Eve.”

  “I did offer you an apple on brie, didn’t I?” Aaron said with a wink.

  “Stop tempting me with dairy. I’ll have some when I get home.”

  “Why won’t you have any here?” he asked, his voice soft.

  She shook her head, not wanting to go there. “It’s not a big deal. Now, go mingle with other people. I’m going to go check on Lincoln.”

  “You’re not going to tell me?”

  “There’s nothing to tell,” she lied, then reached out and squeezed his arm, noticing the muscle. She blushed and moved back.

  He noticed her blush and gave her a wicked grin. “Have a good day, Madison McClard.”

  “It’s night,” she corrected.

  “Well then, have a good night.” He practically purred the words before he walked away, and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes again since her mother’s friends were watching. Then, she went over to find Lincoln.

  Her cousin stood amongst the crowd, looking suave and professional, but she knew that this wasn’t his favorite part of the job.

  His new agent had built this show for him after Lincoln took a break from doing them for a bit. While she knew it was going well, amazingly well from the comments she’d overheard and the sold tags on some of the pieces, she knew that Lincoln would rather be at home painting or cuddling with the two loves of his life.

  However, this was part of his job, and he did it well.

  The fact that his new agent seemed to understand that and never made him do what he didn’t want to, made everything better.

  She resisted the urge to curl her fingers into fists at her sides or growl at the thought of his old agent.

  Nobody neede
d to think about him.

  “Madison,” Holland said, her smile wide as she came up and kissed Madison’s cheek, hugging her tightly.

  She sank into Lincoln’s girlfriend and closed her eyes, inhaling the woman’s sweet scent.

  Madison loved Holland.

  She was sweet, strong, and took no bullshit from anyone—even if she had a smile on her face when she cut back.

  She had dealt with family issues of her own—something Madison was still learning to do—but had come out on top, with not one man, but two.

  Considering that one was her cousin, Madison didn’t want to say that they were both sexy as fuck. But Ethan was sexy as fuck.

  However, he wasn’t the sexiest Montgomery in Madison’s mind. Then again… She pushed those thoughts from her head since it didn’t really matter or need to be in her mind at all.

  “Everything looks wonderful,” Madison told Holland as Lincoln and Ethan moved forward. Lincoln had his arm around Ethan’s waist. When he moved to put his other arm around Holland, Madison noticed a few narrow-eyed glances from people who didn’t understand. However, this was an art show, and most artists didn’t really care.

  The triad in front of her wasn’t the only one in their family, so most of the people attending the event in support understood Lincoln’s relationship.

  Her parents were not among them. But they didn’t matter in the end.

  Something she had to repeatedly tell herself.