Delicate Ink Read online

  Though the last thing she remembered doing on a bike was wrapping her arms around a man, she did just that now and wrapped her arms around Austin’s waist.

  The world didn’t end.

  She didn’t pass out.

  Thank God.

  Austin patted her hand but didn’t look back.

  She was falling in love with him and didn’t want to stop.

  He took off slowly up the driveway and into the neighborhood. Her grip tightened as they moved. It had been a long time since she’d ridden; it was like riding a bike.

  She grinned at her little joke then let her body remember the motions. She leaned into the turns, didn’t throw her weight around, and let Austin have the control, just like she needed.

  The disappointment when they had to stop at Maya’s to pick up the jacket surprised her, but she didn’t have to wait long. Austin ran in to get it, and then they were on their way up to Estes Park.

  The road underneath them and the mountains to their west soothed Sierra in ways she hadn’t thought possible. She leaned against Austin for some of their ride, his body warm, large, and comforting. He never turned toward her, never turned to look at the mountains or land around them. Usually people could take a quick look at their surroundings and immerse themselves, but Austin didn’t.

  He kept his eyes solely on the road for them.

  For her.

  She smiled, holding back tears, this time the truly touched and happy kind. When she leaned back—her hands were still on Austin because, frankly, she couldn’t stop touching him—she let her head fall back, and the sunlight and shadows danced across her face.

  She’d missed this so freaking much, yet she hadn’t realized how much until they started out. Yes, there was still the little ball of nerves in her stomach, and she didn’t think it would be going away any time soon. When they first started out and were on the highway to get through Boulder, she’d tensed. Not only because Boulder was where her past wouldn’t go away, but semis would pass them and she’d have minor flashbacks. Thankfully, Austin didn’t pull his hand from the handlebars to soothe, nor did he look behind him, even when they stopped at a stoplight in the middle of the city. He did lean back, pressing his body against hers, showing her he was there.

  He really knew how to care for her, and the fact that she felt like she was fumbling to take care of him in the same fashion made her want to try harder. He was her Dom. There was really no other way to put that. She trusted him in and out of bed, and he took care of her. She needed to be fully into being his sub. It wasn’t that she wanted to do exactly what he said outside of the bedroom and kneel at his feet when they were causally sitting in the living room—that wasn’t their kind of kink—but she wanted to ensure she was his the best way she knew how.

  She’d just have to work on that.

  When they moved into the mountains, Sierra was grateful they’d stolen—or borrowed she supposed—Maya’s jacket. The sun still beat down on them, but the wind was cooler, the air thinner. There was still some snow on the highest peaks. When they pulled into Estes Park, Sierra sighed.

  The place really was a dream.

  There was a large body of water and streams everywhere. The town played to tourists and history alike, so all of the buildings had a quaint feel to them that made her want to come back again and again. Austin quickly parked in one of the lots, and she got off the back of the bike, her legs a bit achy.

  Austin took off her helmet then leaned down to kiss her softly. “You did good, Legs.”

  She smiled up at him. “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  He shook his head as he put their helmets away and got out two bottles of water. “I don’t know about that. You’re strong on your own, but I like being here if you need me.”

  Smiling, she put her hand on his chest and leaned in. He had to lower his head but brushed his lips over hers. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “You’re welcome. Now how about a walk and then lunch?”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  He took her hand then led her toward the taffy place first. He knew exactly what she wanted.

  Of course he did. He was Austin.

  Now she just needed to figure out what to do with that.

  Chapter Sixteen

  If one more crazy-assed motherfucker walked into his shop, Austin was going to throw the damn chair at them. It had been one stupid idiot after another wanting shit ink that morning. These assholes were determined to ruin his good mood from the ride with Sierra the day before.

  Fucking pricks.

  The first person who walked in that day hadn’t had an appointment, and usually that was fine. Each of them tried to put an hour or two in their day for walk-ins and cover-up emergencies. If those hours weren’t filled, they could sketch or work on the other million things they had to do. What they needed was a damn receptionist, but they couldn’t seem to keep one for longer than a month.

  No clue why, but the lack of one was killing his schedule.

  That first person had wanted a dragon on his back. Sure, Austin could have done it, but the kid had wanted to start right then. A full dragon piece would take at least three or four sessions of three hours each. Probably more considering the kid kept shifting from foot to foot as if he couldn’t sit still. Moving during a tattoo meant Austin had to stop and start numerous times or bash the kid’s head in.

  Not that he’d ever do that, but he’d thought about it.

  So the kid had yelled and bitched about time and demanding it right then for a hundred bucks. Yeah, totally not happening. The next one that came in was some really skinny chick who wanted the undersides of her obviously man-made breasts inked up with Playboy bunnies.

  Austin wasn’t even going to touch that one.

  Well, to be sure he wouldn’t have to deal with her, he showed her what he’d be working with. The woman freaked out when she saw the needles and left. Considering all the needles that must have touched her skin when she’d had the surgeries to make her body the way it was, her phobia made no sense.

  Besides, what did she think they used, Paint By Numbers?

  It had continued on like that with idiot after idiot until Austin said enough and locked himself in the back. He would just sketch until lunch and then deal with his scheduled clients. Sierra couldn’t make it for lunch since she had to cover Jasinda, who found out it wasn’t the flu but a baby making her ill.

  Seriously, Austin wanted to just go back home, throw Sierra on the back of his bike, and forget his troubles.

  That wasn’t going to happen though.

  His dad had treatment that day, and he wasn’t allowed at the house until the next morning. His parents didn’t want a crowd, and since there were so many Montgomerys, they would be nothing but crowd.

  Jesus.

  He didn’t think he could take another bomb, not after Sierra telling him her story and his dad dealing with the big C. His siblings were all dealing with their own shit, and their stress was bleeding into him.

  Austin closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He needed to stop freaking out about things out of his control. He couldn’t fix everything, though he wanted to damn well try. He sucked in a breath then let it out slowly.

  He would do what he came in here to do.

  Work on Sierra’s ink.

  He had an idea for the daisies on her scars, and since he knew her body under his hands now, he had a better place to start. They would put her ink on hold with her job and their new relationship, but he wanted to start on it soon. It might take a couple sessions, considering he didn’t know how her skin would react to the ink. They would have to play it by ear and work on it slowly.

  He just hoped he didn’t hurt her too badly. She’d been through enough as it was.

  Just as he bent over to start focusing, Maya slammed the door open. “What the fuck are you doing back here? We have people coming in, and I need you to get off your ass and actually work.”

&nb
sp; “Fuck off, Maya.”

  “No. I’m not going to fuck off. You’re in here pouting over some shit, and I can’t do everything out there alone.”

  “Imagine that, you saying you can’t do something. And you’re not alone. You have Sloane out there.”

  Maya stomped to his side, but he didn’t get up. “What is with you?”

  “What’s with me? I had to deal with fucking idiots all morning, I can’t see Sierra until tomorrow most likely, and Dad is in the fucking hospital right now getting treatment that might kill him before the cancer does. So sorry if I’m not in the mood for fucking company.”

  Maya hiccupped a sob, and Austin stood quickly. His sister never cried.

  “Oh, honey, I’m sorry. I’m an ass. Come here.” He opened his arms, and she threw herself into him.

  “Dad can’t die, Austin. He’s not allowed to. He’s the strong one. Well, other than Mom, but they’re a pair. You know?”

  He kissed the top of her head, rubbing his hand up and down her back. “I know, Maya. I know. He’ll be okay. I’m just freaking out and taking it out on you.”

  “What do you think I was doing?”

  He snorted then squeezed her hard before letting go. “We make pretty good punching bags for each other.”

  She rolled her eyes then wiped away any remnants that she’d been crying. “That’s why we work so well together. We can yell and beat on each other without hurting feelings. Sorry I cried. I know you hate crying females.”

  “Yeah, but if you need to cry, do it. I’m good at holding them when they need to let it all out.”

  Maya tilted her head. “Sierra?”

  “I can’t talk about it, Maya. If you want to know more about her, maybe you should actually get to know her. You know, instead of giving her the side eye whenever she walks in.”

  “I didn’t think she was good enough for you.”

  “Seriously? What the fuck, Maya? If anything, I’m not good enough for her. You’ve got a lot of nerve.”

  “Hey, I didn’t say I still thought it, did I? She makes you happy, Austin. Anyone with eyes can see that. If she hurts you, I’ll kick her ass, but now? Now she’s cool.”

  “She’d be cooler if you actually spent a few minutes with her not scowling.”

  She rolled her eyes again then punched him in the shoulder. “I’ll try. If she’s going to be around, I guess I’ll have to get to know her.”

  He met Maya’s gaze and nodded. “I think she’s going to be around for a long while, Maya.”

  His sister’s eyes widened. “No shit?”

  “No shit.”

  “So…uh…she doesn’t think your kink is weird or anything? Not like that Maggie chick?”

  Austin closed his eyes and groaned. How his little sister knew this, he didn’t know. Nor did he want to talk about it with her. “We’re good, Maya. And that’s the last we’re talking about that.”

  “What? We all have kinks.” She winked.

  He put his hands over his ears. “I’m not listening. La la la.”

  “You’re a riot. I’ll leave you in here to work then get back in. We’ll just be closed to walk-ins for a bit since the crazies seem to be out in full force.”

  “Thanks, Maya.”

  “Welcome, big brother.”

  She left him to sketch, and he felt better just for having said all he had out loud. His sister got him better than most people, and he knew he should have just told her what was on his mind to begin with.

  He wanted the daisies to flow down Sierra’s side, delicate like her skin. It was going to hurt like a bitch, but he’d make it up to her. Maybe he’d let her help him sketch his next tattoo. That way she was a part of him always.

  Always?

  He liked the sound of that. Scary as hell, but good. He could see her at his side as they grew older, raising children—whether through adoption or through the usual method. Even a month ago, he wouldn’t have thought it possible he’d find someone he could potentially spend the rest of his life with. Sure, he’d had an itch to settle down because he knew forty was quickly approaching, but it had been only a dream, not something as concrete as thinking of Sierra as a Montgomery.

  Maybe she’d even get the Montgomery Iris tattoo like the rest of his family. Richard and Jessica had never gotten the ink. Richard because he didn’t think of himself as a Montgomery—and he was an asshole. Jessica because she hadn’t wanted to mar her figure—and she was a first class bitch.

  Come to think of it, bringing Sierra into the mix was only a good thing. He’d be increasing their clan in a good way, rather than bringing in the idiocy Alex and Meghan did.

  Well, that was just cruel of him to think. His siblings had each found someone they loved; just because their partners didn’t fit in with his family didn’t make them bad people. In Austin’s opinion, it was the way they treated their significant others that made them sketchy and not good enough for his family.

  Sierra treated him right and trusted him with her past and her body. He had an inkling she trusted him with her heart and soul as well, though neither of them had said the words. Those would come though; he was sure. They were on the good path, and he just prayed nothing pushed them off.

  “Yo, Austin, you have a visitor.”

  Austin blinked at Sloane’s words and shook his head, clearing his thoughts. Damn it, he had to stop woolgathering. He’d never get this sketch done for Sierra at this rate.

  Wait. Visitor? If it was Sierra, she’d just walk back, so who could it be?

  A knot formed in his belly. Fuck, he hoped it wasn’t…

  “Hello, Austin,” Shannon purred.

  “I’m out of here,” Sloane said as he fled.

  Fucker.

  “What do you want, Shannon?”

  She stood in the doorway, her dress too tight, her eyes too bright. He didn’t want to deal with her and was thankful they weren’t still together.

  “I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

  Austin almost cleaned out his ear with his finger at her words. He couldn’t have heard right. Sorry? Really?

  “Seriously? You’re sorry?”

  She stuck out her bottom lip and pouted. “Yeah. I shouldn’t have gone to your girl like that. She didn’t do anything wrong but get the toy I wanted, and I acted like a brat.”

  “Did you just call me a toy?”

  She blushed. “I’m just using the words Tony used.”

  “Tony?” She made no sense, and he wanted her out of his office, but if she got whatever she needed to off her chest, then hopefully he wouldn’t have to deal with her again. He’d take the little pain to be free.

  “My new man.”

  Well, that was fast. And exactly what Sierra had said to him about Shannon needing a new man to get off Austin’s back. He’d just have to kiss his woman when he got to see her again. Hard.

  “Good for you,” he mumbled.

  She smiled. “Thanks. Tony is just so…well, you don’t care, and I won’t take up more of your time. So I’m sorry for coming in here, calling you, and bugging your girl. I just don’t like being alone, and I took it out on you. So, sorry for being a bitch.”

  Austin let out a breath. “You weren’t a bitch, Shannon. You were just…clingy.”

  She snorted and shook her head. “I’m a bitch, and I know it. I’m going to try and not be.”

  Austin wasn’t too sure she could stop so quickly considering it had been all of two days since she’d acted like that. She couldn’t have been with Tony for long, but if he was going to change her for the better, then good for him.

  Good luck with that, Tony.

  “Thanks for apologizing,” he said. There really wasn’t more he could say, and he’d rather she left. Call him an ass, but he was over it all.

  “Thanks for listening. I would go apologize to your girl, but I don’t think either of you would appreciate that.”

  He nodded. “I’ll let her know.”

  Tired of sitting at his desk and ge
tting nothing done, he followed her out of the office; he wanted to make sure she was actually gone. Call him a cynic, but he didn’t trust many people these days. Apparently Maya felt the same way, considering she kept her eyes on Shannon until she was out the door. As soon as the door closed behind her, everyone in the room let out a collective breath—including the clients in the chairs.

  “She gone for good then?” Maya asked, her focus on the man’s arm in front of her now.

  “Yeah. So she says, but it might actually work this time. She apologized.”

  “We know,” Callie said with a wink. She sat near Sloane, watching him work on shading for the day. “We had the music down so we could hear what she had to say.”

  Austin opened his mouth to yell then closed it, snorting and shaking his head instead. If he’d been in their shoes, he would’ve done the same thing. The crew of Montgomery Ink was a nosey one.

  “Brat,” he muttered as Callie fluttered her eyelashes.

  “I try.”

  He went back to his station and started getting ready for the next client. By the time he was done, they were in an odd lull where they had no clients waiting or in chairs. The next big rush of appointments would be soon, but for now, it was just him, Callie, Sloane, and Maya.

  The door opened again, and Austin counted to three before turning. If it was Shannon or another idiot, he was going to scream.

  Instead, a man in a nice suit and a briefcase stood in the doorway. God, he hoped they weren’t getting sued for ink. It hadn’t happened to him but it had to others in his profession. Some people were never happy no matter how hard others tried.

  “Mr. Montgomery?” the man asked.

  Austin frowned. Well, shit. “I’m Austin Montgomery. There’s a few Montgomerys around so you’ll have to be specific.”

  The lawyer nodded. “Yes, you’re the one I’m looking for. In fact, it’s been pretty difficult to find you, Mr. Montgomery.”

  Something icy went up his spine. “What do you mean?”

  Maya came to his side, her arms folded in front of her. Sloane stood up with Callie by his side. They were united against whatever came, but Austin had a feeling they wouldn’t be enough.