Ink Enduring (Montgomery Ink #5)(42)

“Then don’t do that,” Murphy said, and Jake glared at him. “Wait, hear me out. Go in knowing you need to think of each other and know that you’re going to do that anyway. You’re not a callous guy. You aren’t cruel. If the three of you embark on this relationship without a clear ending, that’s fine. That’s natural, Jake. Nobody goes into a relationship knowing there will be marriage and babies in the end.” Murphy and Jake winced as Graham’s eyes clouded over. “Go in knowing you don’t want to hurt the other people in your life, and try to do your best to not only live, but live in the moment. That’s all you can do. Just be honest about it.”

Jake sighed, his brother’s words washing over him. Murphy was right, even if Jake knew it wasn’t going to be as easy as that. With Maya especially. He knew he couldn’t screw up what he had with her because she was the reason he was who he was now. She’d been with him through thick and thin since the morning he’d walked into Montgomery Ink. They would find a way to make this work.

Somehow.

His brothers sat in silence for a moment more before Graham reached for the remote to turn the sound on.

“The game’s about to start,” he mumbled.

Jake nodded, relieved they were there for him even if he didn’t know what to say. He started on his now only warm wings and sipped at his beer. He’d be okay, they all would. Because no matter what happened, he couldn’t lose Border again, and he damn sure couldn’t lose Maya.

They’d figure this out.

They had to.





Chapter Eleven


Maya’s hands were shaking. Thankfully, she wasn’t working on her client’s tattoo anymore, but hell, her hands never shook. Of course, she’d never been in quite this position before. The word position just made her think of sex because her brain was evidently on a constant dirty loop and she couldn’t get the thought of Border and Jake f*cking out of her mind.

Not that she wanted that out of her mind.

And as soon as she thought that, she imagined herself between them and below them, and maybe over them if there was a position that did that.

Apparently, she didn’t know much about threesome positions, but she had a feeling she’d find out.

And soon.

While some part of her wanted to run away and hide with a bottle of tequila, she rolled her shoulders and put her hand on Jake’s front door. She could do this. Maybe.

Jake opened the door before she could knock or use her key, and she sighed. Guess she would be doing this tonight. It was partly her idea, after all.

“You look like you could either use a drink or a pair of running shoes,” Jake said dryly, and she snorted.

She met his gaze, and at once knew she was in the right place, in the right time, and doing the right thing. “I don’t need the shoes. I’m not running anywhere.” She paused at the bright look in his eyes. Though I could probably use the drink.”

Jake held out a hand, and she took it, their palms coming together with a spark of energy she couldn’t quite name. This was her Jake, the man she’d known for so long he was another part of her, and yet this was a new Jake, as well. This Jake was a man she would know more tonight and would learn as time ceased standing still for the two of them.

For the three of them.

“I have tequila,” Jake said dryly. “But no cotton candy.”

“Why the hell would you ruin perfectly nice tequila with cotton candy,” Border asked from behind Jake.

Maya pushed her way through to the living room and put her hands on her hips, letting go of Jake’s hand in the process. He closed the door behind them, and the heat of him on her back did something pleasant to her insides. But first, she had this stranger to deal with. This stranger who wasn’t quite a stranger and someone she knew would be part of her life in some fashion for the time being and maybe, hopefully, for a long time to come.

“Don’t knock it ‘til you try it,” Maya said smoothly. She raised her brow, knowing her piercing there looked sexy when she did it. Jake had told her once when they’d been drinking, though she’d brushed it off as nothing at the time. Not anymore. “In fact, don’t knock a lot of things before you try them.”

Border shook his head, a grin tugging on his lips. “You sure are something, Maya Montgomery.”

“You say that as if you know me,” she said with a smile. People usually thought they knew who she was once they caught sight of the ink and piercings. Add in the fact that she cursed like a sailor and stood up for those she loved with a bluntness that had gotten her into trouble a time or two, and people saw what they needed to see.

She was more than the Montgomery with the foul mouth.

Jake saw that, and hopefully, Border would, too.

“I want to get to know you,” Border responded, his gaze never leaving her.

The heat between them ignited, and she had to keep herself from panting. She didn’t know this man beyond what Jake had told her, and yet she wanted to know more. Needed to know more.

Jake moved from behind her and went to the kitchen. With the way the house was set up, without having to leave the living room and Border’s presence, she could see Jake as he pulled out the tequila and shot glasses.

“While I said I wanted a drink,” she put in, “I think we all need clear heads if we’re going to talk.”