Page 4 of Seduced in Ink

“Madison,” Holland said, her smile wide as she came up and kissed Madison’s cheek, hugging her tightly.

She sank into Lincoln’s girlfriend and closed her eyes, inhaling the woman’s sweet scent.

Madison loved Holland.

She was sweet, strong, and took no bullshit from anyone—even if she had a smile on her face when she cut back.

She had dealt with family issues of her own—something Madison was still learning to do—but had come out on top, with not one man, but two.

Considering that one was her cousin, Madison didn’t want to say that they were both sexy as fuck. But Ethan was sexy as fuck.

However, he wasn’t the sexiest Montgomery in Madison’s mind. Then again… She pushed those thoughts from her head since it didn’t really matter or need to be in her mind at all.

“Everything looks wonderful,” Madison told Holland as Lincoln and Ethan moved forward. Lincoln had his arm around Ethan’s waist. When he moved to put his other arm around Holland, Madison noticed a few narrow-eyed glances from people who didn’t understand. However, this was an art show, and most artists didn’t really care.

The triad in front of her wasn’t the only one in their family, so most of the people attending the event in support understood Lincoln’s relationship.

Her parents were not among them. But they didn’t matter in the end.

Something she had to repeatedly tell herself.

“Looks to be going pretty well,” Lincoln said, looking around.

Ethan snorted. “You’re doing fantastic, baby. Stop feeling like you aren’t.” He kissed Lincoln’s cheek, and Madison warmed at the affection. The three of them looked at each other like they were the only people in the world, warmth and perfection surrounding them.

She was only a little bit jealous. Madison wanted a serious relationship, wanted marriage and babies and everything that came with that. She was a baker, a homemaker, and a businesswoman all in one. She wanted a traditional life, even if some of her life wasn’t at all conventional.

However, that wouldn’t be happening anytime soon, considering that she didn’t have time to date, and the men that shedidgo out with were not up to par.

The last one she had dated had droned on and on about his butterfly collection to the point that it had worried her that he might have dead carcasses all over his house. She had been right. They had been everywhere. Staring at her, pinned to the walls, just waiting to gouge out her eyes in her nightmares or something.

While she appreciated hobbies, he had just gotten creepier and creepier over time. After three dates, she called it off.

Much to her parents’ disappointment. They had liked the man.

“I’m so proud of you,” Madison repeated.

“Thanks for coming, cousin. I know it’s not easy for you to take time off since you’re the owner ofSin in a Cup.”

“We only stay open until eight. And my staff is taking care of things. I just feel like I sometimes need to be there from open to close, no matter what.”

“Delegating is the hardest part of owning a business,” Holland said, and Madison knew that she understood. Holland owned a small boutique shop in downtown Boulder and did pretty well for herself.

“Anyway, I’m taking up far too much of your time already,” Madison said, taking a step back. Lincoln frowned. “Why would you say that?”

Madison shook her head. “You can see me anytime. Go sell some art. Become even more famous.” Madison and Holland rolled their eyes, knowing that Lincoln would stay near and not mingle despite his fame.

Lincoln snorted. “Whatever you say.”

“I am proud of you. Later, we will celebrate this amazing show.”

“With cupcakes?” Ethan asked, his voice sounding as giddy as Aaron’s had earlier.

“With cupcakes. I baked you a special batch for your afterparty.”

“Yay, something to look forward to,” Ethan said.

“I assumed we already had something to look forward to,” Lincoln said, his voice low.

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