Written in Ink (Montgomery Ink #4)(28)

“We’re not discussing the Incident,” Griffin bit out.

Now she really wanted to know, but she wouldn’t ask in a group like this. She’d wait until they were alone so she didn’t end up embarrassing him. Why would she go and think of them alone? This wasn’t good for her brain…or her heart.

“Did someone mention the Incident?” Austin asked as he came over, his hand firmly tangled with Sierra’s.

“Really, boys, stop making fun of Griffin,” Sierra said with a smile. Her long chestnut hair trailed in waves over her shoulders and looked as if someone with large hands had pulled at the masses ever so slightly. Go, Sierra.

“Yes, stop making fun of me,” Griffin said with a smile. “And now that you’re all gathered, I’m going to go take Autumn on a tour of the house.” He handed his drink off to Storm, who of course snorted, and took Autumn’s free hand in his own. “Come on.”

“No making out in your old room!” Decker called, and Autumn blushed.

“I can’t believe you just did that,” she whispered as he pulled her into the hallway where no one could see them. “Now people think we’re going to make out or something. I work for you, writer boy.”

He smiled at her, and her heart clenched. It wasn’t supposed to do that. Her heart was supposed to remain firmly in her chest and get in line with her mind. Only her mind kept giving her images of Griffin over her, under her, and behind her, using his one good hand to show her just how talented he was.

Damn it.

“I like the blush on your cheeks, Fall. You going to tell me what you’re thinking about?”

“I’m thinking about the Incident.”

He narrowed his eyes. “No, you weren’t. And no, I’m not going to tell you about the Incident. You should really tell me what you were thinking.” He cupped her cheeks, and she licked her lips.

“What are you doing?” she breathed.

“What do you think I’m doing?” he asked, lowering his head. His breath warmed her lips, and all she had to do was tilt her head up ever so slightly and she’d feel his mouth on hers.

She didn’t move.

She couldn’t.

“Making a mistake,” she whispered. “You’re making a mistake.”

He frowned at her but didn’t pull away.

“We’re in your parents’ home, Griffin.” She swallowed hard. “Let me go, please.”

He pulled away then took a step back, clearing his throat. “You’re right. This isn’t the place, isn’t the time.”

“There can’t be a good place or time, Griffin.”

He tilted his head, studying her face. “Are you sure about that?”

No. Not at all. But she couldn’t say that, could hardly even think it.

“What are you doing, Uncle Griffin?” Sasha asked, startling Autumn.

She turned toward the little girl and tried to smile. “Hi, Sasha. I thought you were playing with your brother and cousin.”

“I need to go potty, and you’re standing in the way,” she said with a smile. “Were you going to kiss Uncle Griffin?”

Autumn closed her eyes. “No. No, I wasn’t.”

“Okay.” Autumn opened her eyes again as Sasha skipped by them and closed the bathroom door behind her.

“Well, that went easier than it could have,” Griffin said dryly. He leaned against the wall opposite her and smiled.

He hadn’t shaved since she’d first started working for him, and now his beard was more than scruff and right at the point where he had to comb it every morning. She never knew she had a beard fetish, but damn she wanted to run her hands through that beard and rough it up some so she could feel it against her skin.

He raised his brows at her, and she let out a breath.

“Let’s go see your family,” she said instead of petting him like she wanted to. She was stronger than that. Maybe. “Though I still don’t know why I’m here. This isn’t one of your normal BBQs from what I hear. I only see family.”

He shrugged. “Maya will be here with Jake. You aren’t the only one who isn’t family. And I wanted you here. My parents wanted you here.”

She didn’t know what to think about that. “But aren’t Maya and Jake an item or something like that?”

“They keep denying it, and Mom said Jake is bringing his girlfriend.” He lowered his brows then, and Autumn blinked.

“Jake has a girlfriend. How do we not know that?”

“I didn’t know until Mom mentioned it. It’s apparently getting serious or something. That’s why she wanted the girl here. Or maybe she wants the girl here so Maya can see what she’s missing. I don’t know.”

Autumn shook her head. “Your family confuses me.”

“Welcome to the Montgomerys. Come for the ink and food, stay for the drama.”

She smiled as they made their way back into the living room that had gone quiet. As soon as Autumn’s gaze drifted to the foyer she knew why.

Maya and Jake had arrived.

Along with an adorable blonde in a very cute pink and white dress.

The difference between this blonde and the way she looked, and Maya’s skinny jeans and black tank top showing off her ink and piercings as much as possible couldn’t be more prominent if they’d been standing side by side.