“Pfft. That’s a huge myth. There is no point where a man can’t stop. They’re not animals.” Ivey paused, her expression going grave. “At least most of them aren’t.”
Hope knew they were both thinking of the animal who had mistreated her. Lang had nothing in common with him, though, and she knew it.
Taking her hands, Ivey lowered her voice in understanding, but the smile remained on her face. “Lang is a really good guy, hon. If you’re not into it, he won’t be, either. I promise.”
Biting her lip, Hope considered that and finally agreed. “Pretty sure I’ll see him tonight.”
“You’ve seen him every night, haven’t you?”
“Yes.” He still visited her, he just didn’t bring her home. “You really don’t think it’s over?”
“If it was, Lang would say so. He’s not a jerk.”
“Definitely not.” Since it was Saturday, she hoped they’d get to visit more over the rest of the weekend, but given how he’d switched up their routine, she just wasn’t sure. “This might be my best chance.”
That made Ivey laugh. “Pretty sure you could call him in the middle of night and he’d rush over, but by all means, let’s make tonight the night.” She sat back in her chair. “I’ve got it. Why not invite him up to your place? That ought to be a big indicator for him, and that way, it’ll be easy to keep things going.” She wrinkled her nose. “If you were at the main house with the rest of us, privacy would be hard to come by.”
“Speaking as someone who knows?”
“I shouldn’t complain. I get that Vesta is excited now that she’s a grandmother.” Ivey took another drink of her cola. “She and Hagan finally found an RV park they like, and it’s forty-five minutes away. That means I won’t run into them when I leave for work, and they won’t still be there when I’m falling asleep. I had actually considered moving back to my own house, just to cut back on the commotion, but Justin is so used to me being there now, I’d hate to do that.”
“Besides,” Hope said, finally finding some interest in her sandwich, “it’s not like you to give up.”
“Who said anything about giving up?”
“You didn’t have to.” Hope imagined it was extremely difficult for Ivey. She’d admitted to loving Corbin, and yet she knew he hadn’t returned the sentiment. If he had, Ivey would have already told her about it.
“Well, I might be a bit discouraged, but I’m not throwing in the towel. Honestly, Hope, I love him enough that I can’t see ever giving up on him. If two years from now we’re in the same place, I wouldn’t end things like I did with Geoff.”
Hope smiled. “At least with Corbin, you’re having a really good time.” She couldn’t recall ever seeing Ivey so content. Even when she had concerns, optimism ruled her day.
“Life is very full, you know?” Ivey gathered up the trash from her lunch and deposited it in the can. “Justin is a constant source of amusement—and a few tears here and there. Lang keeps me in stitches. And now Vesta, too. I have to be on my toes around her.”
Karen ducked into the room. “Your noon appointment just arrived early. She’ll be the last of the day.”
“Thank you, Karen. Go ahead and take your lunch break now. And, Hope, don’t rush. I can handle Mrs. Roberts. She and her sweet dog are always a pleasure to see.”
“Thanks,” Hope said. Now that she and Ivey had talked it out, she wasn’t as worried about her relationship with Lang. In fact, it made sense that he was only trying to shield her from his mother’s assumptions. With that possibility, she was actually hungry, so she finished her lunch with Karen for company—and all the while, she anticipated the coming night.
Chapter Fifteen
Instead of going to the house and hanging out with Corbin and Ivey, Lang kept Hope out on the boat. Not that she minded, since she enjoyed being on the water. She now had a tan and badly tangled hair.
She was curious about his mother, about why he wouldn’t introduce her, but she never asked. He had his reasons, and they might be that he didn’t want her involved with more of his family. That didn’t really make a lot of sense, because she already knew Corbin and Justin.
But meeting a guy’s mom... That was a whole different deal. Maybe a little too familiar, especially if Lang wanted to keep things casual between them.
After all, they had kissed, but they’d never done anything more. Now, walking with him along the path from the dock to her home, Hope considered everything she and Ivey had discussed. She contemplated how to get things started. Something subtle, like a stroke over his hip. Or maybe she could put her hand under his shirt...
“You’re awfully quiet,” Lang said. “Tired?”
“No.” She kept pace beside him, aware of the heated scent of his sun-warmed skin and the sizzling awareness of being near him. “I was just thinking.”
“About?”
Getting you into bed. Of course she didn’t say that.
It was nice that Lang always seemed so interested in her, in what she thought and felt. Seeing it as a slight opportunity, she lifted a shoulder. “Us?”
Pausing, he looked down at her. “Us?”
What she wouldn’t give to be able to read his inscrutable expression. She saw interest, yes. Maybe a little caution, too. It almost appeared that he held his breath.
“I’ve been thinking about...things. With you, I mean.”
He stepped closer. “What about me?”
God, this was harder than she’d imagined. How dumb. They were both adults, and she was sick and tired of being so hamstrung by her past. She loved kissing him, and not once had he pushed for more. He didn’t even seem frustrated by her limitations, though they frustrated her.
It sometimes boggled her mind how or why she’d ever gained his attention. He was...everything. Strong, attractive, cocky and confident, even financially set. And yet he’d dedicated so much of his free time to her.
Lang was incredibly casual about her difficulties, which helped her to deal with them as well. With him, she didn’t feel damaged.
With him, she wouldn’t be.
She licked her lips, trying to find the right words—and they both heard a sound from the vicinity of her driveway. Almost like a car door.
Lang’s gaze went past her and he frowned.
Hope turned and saw a sleek red car in the driveway.
Company? She never had company. Why in the world would she now, when she was just about to make a proposition?