Written in Ink (Montgomery Ink #4)(27)

“Thanks,” she said as she took the lemonade from him. “What about your drink?”

He grinned as Storm walked over with a drink for his brother. Storm snorted then did that chin lift thing guys did. “Now I have my drink.”

“But…but why didn’t you just keep that one and let Storm give me the extra one in his hand?”

Storm snorted again. “Need some allergy meds, bro?” Griffin asked. “And I wanted to get you your drink, and rather than risk my mother’s carpets, I asked Storm to help.”

She did not understand men. She really didn’t understand Montgomery men.

“You’re weird, but whatever.”

“You like me that way.”

Storm snorted. Again.

“Seriously, do you need something for your nose?” Griffin asked, and Autumn held back a laugh.

“I’m fine,” Storm said casually. “Just enjoying the show.”

Autumn narrowed her eyes. “There’s no show.”

“Sure there isn’t, hon.” The man winked.

“Don’t call her hon,” Griffin said. “She prefers Fall.”

She closed her eyes and prayed for patience. Most days, Griffin was tolerable, but put him in a room with his brothers when he’s in a mood, and suddenly he’s a little kid again, bent on torturing all those in his vicinity. If only she could make her drink stronger.

There were so many sides to Griffin. There was the fun one that teased her and his siblings. The overprotective one that had apparently punched Decker for daring to touch Miranda. The dark and broody one, who emptied himself into the pages of his book. Then there was the possessive one, who took her by the hair and plunged into her mouth, making her ache and beg him for more.

It was enough to make her head spin.

“I think you’ve made her head hurt,” Storm said, interrupting her thoughts. He smiled at her, his eyes filled with laughter. “I don’t know how you work with him every day. You’re a stronger person than I am.”

“I’m not that bad,” Griffin added in.

She bit her lip and winked at the man who kept invading her thoughts. “Oh? Uh…as my employer is standing right next to me, I should probably only say nice things.”

Griffin huffed but leaned closer to her, his breath warm against her neck. “You like coming to my home now, don’t you? It’s not like it was before.”

She couldn’t help shivering from his nearness, and she knew Storm hadn’t missed the encounter either. One eyebrow rose high, but the other man didn’t comment. Thankfully.

“What are we talking about over here?” Wes asked as he came up to them. Storm’s twin grinned and ran a hand down his tie. She loved that the twins were so different, though it seemed as if they held a special bond that none of the other Montgomerys had. Or rather, an additional bond since she’d never seen a family as close as them.

“About Autumn’s fortitude,” Storm said easily.

“For working with Griffin? Yeah, I would say she has nerves of steel, but that would be rude to our dear baby brother.”

Griffin flipped them both off, and this time, it was Autumn who snorted.

“Watch your language!” Meghan snapped from her corner with Luc. They weren’t making out—yet—but they were leaning on one another like they couldn’t wait to get alone.

“I didn’t curse!” Griffin called.

“Finger gestures count, man,” Luc said, not taking his eyes off Meghan.

Those two needed to get married already.

Meghan’s two kids from her previous marriage—Sasha and Cliff—giggled from their spot on the floor as they played a game with Austin’s son, Leif. Austin and Sierra’s baby, Colin, was sleeping happily in his grandmother’s arms near them. Harry sat in his large chair, watching his grandchildren with an odd smile on his face.

Autumn narrowed her eyes at the man. There was something different about him, but she couldn’t quite place it. It wasn’t as if she truly knew him, but there was something…changed at least. It also wasn’t her place to say anything, so she pulled her gaze from him and the children and turned back to Griffin as he spoke to the twins about some Montgomery Inc. project.

“You’re not allowed to help,” Wes said quickly. “Your hand.”

“I still have another hand,” Griffin explained.

“It’s not about that, bro,” Storm said. “Come on. You remember the incident with the saw, don’t you?”

Autumn’s eyes widened. “Saw? Oh my God. What did you do?”

Griffin winced. “We don’t talk about the Incident.” He turned to his brothers. “And I’ll thank you for not bringing it up every time I want to help.”

“You have your own deadline, Griffin, we’ll manage ours,” Wes said, not unkindly.

She felt Griffin’s wince this time, though he didn’t actually show it on his face. She knew he’d been working more before the accident, but since, he hadn’t written a word. He’d been healing under her care, but tomorrow they would have to find a new routine. There was no way they could put it off any longer.

“Are you annoying Griffin again with the Incident?” Miranda asked as she leaned into Decker. The two looked as if they didn’t match—her with her dainty features and school teacher smile, him with his bearded, broody look and tattoos covering his body—but the way they looked at one another, there was no doubt they were perfect for each other.