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Photograph by Sara Eirew
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All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination.
Inked Obsession
The Montgomery Ink saga from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan continues with a second chance romance sure to tug at your heartstrings.
When men in uniform showed up on Eliza Wilder-Strong’s doorstep, she knew her life would be irrevocably altered. She not only lost her husband, but the future she’d carefully planned. A year later, she’s looking to start over—beginning with a solo healing vacation. Only she never expects to see a familiar, tempting face along the way.
Beckett Montgomery refuses to want his little sister’s best friend—especially because she’s a widow. Yet there’s no stopping the connection between them. As the temptation to give in intensifies between them, so do the reasons they shouldn’t stay together.
Painful ghosts from both of their pasts stand in their way and sometimes it’s the living that can haunt you when you’re not looking.
Praise for Carrie Ann Ryan
“Count on Carrie Ann Ryan for emotional, sexy, character driven stories that capture your heart!” – Carly Phillips, NY Times bestselling author
“Carrie Ann Ryan’s romances are my newest addiction! The emotion in her books captures me from the very beginning. The hope and healing hold me close until the end. These love stories will simply sweep you away.” ~ NYT Bestselling Author Deveny Perry
"Carrie Ann Ryan writes the perfect balance of sweet and heat ensuring every story feeds the soul." - Audrey Carlan, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
“Carrie Ann Ryan never fails to draw readers in with passion, raw sensuality, and characters that pop off the page. Any book by Carrie Ann is an absolute treat.” – New York Times Bestselling Author J. Kenner
“Carrie Ann Ryan knows how to pull your heartstrings and make your pulse pound! Her wonderful Redwood Pack series will draw you in and keep you reading long into the night. I can’t wait to see what comes next with the new generation, the Talons. Keep them coming, Carrie Ann!” –Lara Adrian, New York Times bestselling author of CRAVE THE NIGHT
"With snarky humor, sizzling love scenes, and brilliant, imaginative worldbuilding, The Dante's Circle series reads as if Carrie Ann Ryan peeked at my personal wish list!" – NYT Bestselling Author, Larissa Ione
"Carrie Ann Ryan writes sexy shifters in a world full of passionate happily-ever-afters." – New York Times Bestselling Author Vivian Arend
“Carrie Ann’s books are sexy with characters you can’t help but love from page one. They are heat and heart blended to perfection.” New York Times Bestselling Author Jayne Rylon
Carrie Ann Ryan's books are wickedly funny and deliciously hot, with plenty of twists to keep you guessing. They'll keep you up all night!” USA Today Bestselling Author Cari Quinn
"Once again, Carrie Ann Ryan knocks the Dante's Circle series out of the park. The queen of hot, sexy, enthralling paranormal romance, Carrie Ann is an author not to miss!" New York Times bestselling Author Marie Harte
Chapter 1
Beckett
My mother once told me the sooner I learned to dance, the sooner I’d be able to whisk a woman around the dance floor. She’d said it with a wink and put her hands down on my shoulders to teach me how to two-step, waltz, and even to swing dance. She’d taught all of my brothers and sisters, and for some reason, that thought made me smile as I looked out onto the small dance floor at Riggs’.
It had been twenty years since Mom had first taught me to dance, and now all of her children were either out on that dance floor or staring at it like I was.
“Beckett Montgomery, what do you think you’re doing over here in the corner all by yourself? You don’t even have a drink in your hand.”
I looked down at the woman in front of me—I had to look down at most who weren’t family—and smiled. “Hey there, Sally.”
She smiled brightly, her long, strawberry-blond hair hanging over one shoulder. She wore a tight dress and leggings that made her look casual—and her usual gorgeous self.
“Hey there, yourself. Now, come out onto the dance floor with me. They’re about to play a new song.”
My brows rose. “It’s a song that’s worth dancing to, then?” I teased, though my heart wasn’t really in it. My heart wasn’t in much these days, but I did my best to mask that—no need to get everybody else down when I was usually a grumpy asshole. I didn’t need to add more grumpiness to that.
“You’re going to be on the floor with me, Beckett. It’ll totally be worth it. After all, you’re going to want to dance with me, aren’t you?” She winked as she said it then fluttered her eyelashes, and I smiled. Sally and I had gone out a few times over the past few years, but mostly just to scratch an itch. She had been married for a while, and then when the divorce hit, she came to me for a fling. I hadn’t minded. I’d needed to relieve some tension, and I hadn’t been in a serious relationship at the time. We liked each other. No strings, just fun, smiles, and scorching sex. Sally was a good person, and her ex had hurt her. My goal in life was not to hurt anyone like she had been hurt.
I held out my hand, and she slid hers into mine. I took her out to the dance floor. Anything to make Sally smile. While we may not love each other or be each other’s forever, I liked her. And that meant I would dance with her. Given the looks she was giving me, I might end up finishing what we’d started about a year prior before I was forced to leave.
I held back a growl at the thought, reminding myself why I’d had to leave. My father had pissed me off so much that night, and though things were better now—so much better than they had been before—it was still stressful. It had been the first time after our blowup at work that he had interfered with anything at the job. He had quickly apologized for it and truly looked remorseful, but it still stung.
I had spent years in my dad’s shadow, watching him try to pick and prod and take over everything we did at Montgomery Builders. It was hard not to be resentful of the choices he had made, and what I’d been forced to do because of him.
He was doing better again, but I’d had to leave Sally’s willing arms and her very soft bed to deal with the situation that my dad had raised. I could have sent my assistant Clay or even one of my brothers, but it was my job. I was the one in charge. After all, I was the lead contractor. It was my name on the line, just like any of the Montgomerys. So, I dealt with it.