A Montgomery Ink Novella
By Carrie Ann Ryan
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Holly Rose fell in love with a Montgomery, but left him when he couldn’t love her back. She might have been the one to break the ties and ensure her ex’s happy ending, but now Holly’s afraid she’s missed out on more than a chance at forever. Though she’s always been the dependable good girl, she’s ready to take a leap of faith and embark on the journey of a lifetime.
Brody Deacon loves ink, women, fast cars, and living life like there’s no tomorrow. The thing is, he doesn’t know if he has a tomorrow at all. When he sees Holly, he’s not only intrigued, he also hears the warnings of danger in his head. She’s too sweet, too innocent, and way too special for him. But when Holly asks him to help her grab the bull by the horns, he can’t help but go all in.
As they explore Holly’s bucket list and their own desires, Brody will have to make sure he doesn’t fall too hard and too fast. Sometimes, people think happily ever afters don’t happen for everyone, and Brody will have to face his demons and tell Holly the truth of what it means to truly live life to the fullest…even when they’re both running out of time.
* * * *
“You look good.”
It had come out as a growl, and her eyes widened.
“Uh, thanks. You look good, too.” She smiled softly, and he relaxed marginally even as his cock hardened. Yep, this might be a mistake, but it could be a mistake worth making.
“So, I thought we could go on a ride around the quarry so you can see the lights and experience how it feels to be on the back of the bike. Then we can grab something to eat if you want.”
She licked her lips, and his gaze went straight to them. Shit. “That sounds good.” She let out a breath. “I know this is crazy, but I just really wanted to do something different, you know? And I never just go out with random guys, especially ones I just met, but the others know you, so I felt, I don’t know, safer.”
He smiled then and held out his hand. “I’m not going to hurt you, Holly. I want to make sure you get to do the things you want but might be too scared to do.” He knew all about being too scared, and he didn’t want that kind of life for her.
She slid her smaller hand into his. “This is so weird, but I honestly can’t wait.”
He laughed and pulled her toward him on the porch. “I’ve been called weird before so that’s okay.”
She winced. “I meant the situation. Not you. I mean, you could be weird, and I just don’t know it. That’s not okay. And that’s why I’m about to get on the back of a motorcycle with you even though I have no idea what I’m doing. Because today has been one crazy day.”
“Tell me about it. Lock the door, and let’s get to it. I have a feeling once you have the wind on your face and the feel of a bike beneath you, all those worries are going to go away.” At least, that’s how it worked for him.
“I hope so.”
As soon as she’d locked the door, he headed them both toward the Harley. “Let me help you with your helmet.” She nodded as he made sure it fit correctly and the straps were tightened under her chin. “Feel good?” Another nod, and he handed her a pair of special night glasses that would help with the glare and protect her eyes from the wind. “Now I’m going to get on, and you’re going to put a hand on my shoulder and swing your leg over so you straddle the bike behind me.”
She did as he asked, and he had to hold back a groan at the feeling of her warm body pressed against his. This ride just might kill him.
“Now, wrap your arms around my waist.”
She did so and laughed. “Well, if this isn’t a way to get girls to hold you close, I don’t know what is.”
He winked over his shoulder and patted her hands. “You know it, babe. I really just wanted you pressed against me.”
She rolled her eyes, and he laughed. “Whatever, Brody.”
He explained where they were going again as well as a few other things she needed to know.
“Hold tight,” he said with a grin, but he was serious. She squeezed him, and he held back another groan. Yep, this woman was going to kill him, and he just might like it. He started the bike, and she let out a little gasp but didn’t sound alarmed.
“Ready?” he called out.
She patted his back before locking her hands again. “Ready!”
Then they were off.
Until the end of his days, he would never forget the sounds of pure glee and wonder she made as he drove her through the residential roads. She squeezed him tightly when he went faster before becoming more comfortable. The night was absolutely perfect for this kind of ride as well because she would be able to see the stars when she looked up as soon as they got away from the main city lights.
They’d driven for almost an hour before he pulled off at the top of a large hill next to the foothills of the Rockies. This would be a perfect view for her, and it would give her some time to stretch since she wasn’t used to riding like that.
“So, what do you think?” he asked as he helped her off.
She rubbed her butt and laughed. “I’m going to be sore, but it’s the best kind of sore.”
His mind once again went to dirty places, and from the blush on her cheeks, so did hers.
“Did you have fun?”
She nodded and looked out into the wilderness, her gaze enraptured. “Yes. I mean, just wow. I’ve known people with bikes, even dated a guy with one, but we never went out on it because of snow and work and every other excuse I could come up with.”
She was probably talking about Jake, and for some reason, that annoyed him. He wasn’t prone to jealousy, but right now, he didn’t want her to be thinking of her ex.
“Would you want to do this again?” he asked, his voice a growl.
She looked over at him and nodded. “Riding a motorcycle? Yes. Riding with you?” A pause. “Yes. I mean, if you want to.”
Knowing he might be doing something stupid, he turned to her and cupped her face. She licked her lips once again, and it took everything within him not to kiss her right then. “Any time you want to ride, just ask.” Something else came to him, and he blurted the next part without thinking. “And, Holly? I want to show you more. Not just riding with me. But all the adventures you said you wanted to do. You’ll have to explain them to me a bit, but I want to show you things. Have fun, and just do stuff you haven’t ever done. Will you let me be part of this with you? Will you let me show you that adventure?”
“Why are you doing this?” she breathed.
“I don’t know exactly,” he answered honestly. “But I want to. Is that enough? At least, for now?”
“I think…I think this might be exactly what I need.”