The Summer of No Attachments by Lori Foster

Chapter Fourteen

Ivey quickly took in the situation.

Justin appeared ready to make a run for it. The instinct to shield him got her feet moving. She quickly stepped into Vesta’s path, stationing herself in front of Justin and trying to placate Vesta with a smile. “He’s still a little shy.”

“No, I’m not,” Justin said. “Babies are shy.”

Figured he’d take that moment to disagree. Plastering on her smile, Ivey said, “He’s also opposed to being compared to a baby in any way.”

“I completely understand.” Vesta slowed her approach and made a visible reach for patience.

Ivey knew it was difficult for her. This was a grandmother meeting a grandson for the very first time. An emotional occurrence for both parties. If only she’d called first, Corbin could have prepared Justin...or at least been present. Then again, she supposed Vesta wanted to surprise everyone, much as Lang had.

Turning, Ivey tried to nudge Justin forward. “Would you like to say hello to your dad’s mother?”

“Maybe.” Resisting her efforts, Justin peeked around Ivey. “I don’t think I want to be squished, though.”

“Being squished is nice,” Lang said. “My mother is a world-class hugger. Give it a try.”

Vesta was far too quiet, and Ivey realized she had tears in her eyes. Gently, she asked Justin, “How about a nice adult handshake?”

“I guess that would be okay.” Reaching out past Ivey, Justin offered his small hand.

Taking it in both of her own, Vesta smiled. “You have the look of him, you know.” Slowly, she tugged him closer. “Different colored eyes, but the shape is the same.”

“As my dad?”

“Yes.” Her smile wobbled. “Seems like only yesterday your dad and uncle were young like you. Time goes by much too quickly.”

Coming up beside her, Lang said, “He has our height, too, Mom. Did you notice?”

“Yes, a very big, strong, handsome boy.” Vesta breathed a little faster. “Sorry, but the hug is busting out of me. You’ll just have to suffer through it.” She tugged Justin forward, but embraced him more carefully than she had Ivey or Lang, giving him plenty of room to push away if he chose. He didn’t.

Rocking him side to side, she whispered, “I am so very pleased to be your grandma, Justin. Very, very pleased.”

With a grimace on his face, Justin held his arms stiff at his sides, but he didn’t look afraid. He merely looked uncomfortable, as any ten-year-old boy might under the circumstances.

Vesta didn’t take it too far. Releasing him, she asked, “Now who are all these delightful critters watching us? Goodness, there are a lot of them.”

Oh, score one for grandma, Ivey thought, feeling impressed with Vesta’s tactic. Few topics would get Justin going like a discussion on animals.

Wiggling free, Justin said with pride, “They’re my pets.”

“All of them?” Vesta asked, giving Lang a curious blink.

“Long story,” Lang said. “Or maybe a short story, once you learn that Ivey is a veterinarian.”

“Ah, I see.”

Justin lifted Daisy into his arms. “She’s mine, and the puppies are hers. Maurice—the cat—is Ivey’s, but he likes me, too.”

“Well, of course he does. Why wouldn’t he?” Kicking off her sandals, Vesta lowered herself to the floor, then patted a spot beside her. “Come sit with me, young man, and introduce me to all these wonderful animals.”

More at ease now, Justin plopped down beside her and was immediately mobbed by the puppies.

Hagan sighed. “Told her I was hungry, and what does she do? Pets and kids are guaranteed to sidetrack her for a good long while.”

“Oh.” Ivey quickly shut the door. “I can get something together for you.”

“Lang can do it,” Vesta said. “Isn’t that right, son?”

Looking suspicious as to her motives, Lang cautiously agreed. “I have dinner almost done anyway. Should be enough to go around as long as no one is a glutton.”

Insistent, Vesta patted the floor at her other side. “I want Ivey to sit right with us so she and I can get acquainted.”

“Oh, um...” Why did Ivey have such a bad feeling about this?

With precision leverage, Vesta suggested, “Justin will probably be more comfortable with you near.”

Well, that cinched it.

Ivey shrugged her purse off her shoulder and set it on the entry table. She put her shoes by the front door and joined Corbin’s mother.

Lang and Hagan looked at each other with male-inspired smiles. “Come on, Hagan. You can snack on something while I mash the potatoes.” Together, they headed into the kitchen.

Vesta allowed Justin to guide the conversation, but in between kid-appropriate questions, she asked Ivey about her relationship with Corbin. Ivey answered where she could, being judicious with little ears nearby.

“I take it you live here?”

“Sort of? I mean, I stay here often since it’s more convenient—”

“She lives here,” Justin confirmed. “That’s why all the animals are here. Isn’t that great?”

Pleased with Justin’s attitude, Ivey met Vesta’s curious gaze and shrugged. “I still have my own house, but yes, I stay here most nights.”

“Wonderful,” she murmured, and Ivey could see the wheels turning.

Lang chose that auspicious moment to poke his head around the corner. He eyed both women, then said to Justin, “Time to wash up for dinner, bud. Make sure you do a good job, okay?”

“Okay.” Like a shot, Justin was off, the animals chasing after him.

“He’s a bottomless pit,” Ivey explained. “I think he could eat sunup to sundown and still be ready for more. Of course, he’s always active, too. Probably burns it off quickly.”

Vesta smiled at her. It was a cunning smile that made Ivey uneasy.

She tried to excuse herself on the pretense of supervising Justin.

Vesta didn’t give her a chance. “You’re good with him.”

Funny how such a simple compliment could immediately put Ivey at ease. “Thank you. I don’t have any children of my own, but he’s so sweet, how could I not love him?”

“Exactly.” Vesta leaned closer. “You love my son, too, don’t you?” When Ivey hesitated, Vesta gave her a nudge that almost toppled her. “You can tell me, honey. He’s wonderful, isn’t he? I know because I raised him to be that way.”

That made Ivey laugh. “Not that you’re biased or anything.”

“Of course I am, but it doesn’t change the facts. Both of my boys are incredible men. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

“They really are,” Ivey agreed. “Corbin bowled me over as soon as I met him. He’s so warm and caring about Justin, but also hot in the extreme.” She fanned her face. “Scorching hot.”

“Takes after his father that way,” Vesta whispered. “Lord, how I miss that man. But I don’t want Hagan to hear me say that. It would hurt his feelings, you know.”

By the second, Ivey liked Vesta more. “Hagan seems nice.”

“He dotes on me,” she confided. “When I was at my loneliest, Hagan brightened my spirits. I adore his company—but I can’t see me ever marrying him.”

Fascinated, Ivey turned to fully face her. “No?”

“Shhh... He can’t hear that, either.” She peeked toward the kitchen, must have decided they had privacy and admitted, “My finances would all have to be redone if I married again. Besides, I rather like the no-pressure aspect of just being together.” Turning up her nose, she added, “I’m the independent sort.”

“I can understand that.”

“Can you?” Vesta’s piercing gaze dissected Ivey until she blushed. “If my Corbin asked, would you marry him?”

“In a nanosecond. I’m not a fool.” Until the words left her mouth, it hadn’t occurred to Ivey that she should censor her reply. After all, this was Corbin’s mother. What she said to the woman might very well go directly into Corbin’s ear.

Well, shoot.

Unfortunately, Ivey had never been very good at censoring. “The thing is, Corbin has plenty going on right now. He definitely doesn’t need any other complications.”

With mock sympathy, Vesta asked, “Are you a complication, honey?”

The woman was damn tricky with her questions. “No, at least I hope not.” Was she a complication? What a repugnant thought. She’d have to ask Corbin. “What I’m trying to say is that I’m happy just to be with him.” For now.

Vesta snorted. “You’re not me, so don’t let him get too comfortable with that arrangement. Tell him how you feel and what your ultimate expectations are. You have to be firm with men, you know.”

“Mom,” Lang warned, interrupting.

Ivey looked up and found him leaning in the doorway, arms folded over his chest, his expression chiding.

Hagan sidled past. “I left my heartburn medicine in the RV. Be right back.”

Vesta watched him go, then turned back to Lang with a frown. “You’re interrupting some serious woman talk.”

Not in the least intimidated, Lang moved farther into the room. “Are you meddling already?”

“Get over here and help me up,” Vesta said by way of a reply. She held out her arms and Lang obligingly hauled her upright.

Next he caught Ivey’s elbow and brought her to her feet, too. “Word of advice, Ivey. Don’t listen to my mother.”

“Nonsense,” Vesta said. “Have I ever steered you wrong?”

“No,” Lang said. “But I’m your son. Besides, Corbin knows what he’s doing. There’s no one more levelheaded than him. Let him do his own thing in his own time.”

Appearing far too wily, Vesta asked, “Why, Lang, are you saying you don’t approve of Ivey as a sister-in-law?”

He didn’t take the bait. “Ivey knows better.”

“Then you think Corbin doesn’t really want her?”

“Of course he does,” Lang growled.

Ivey tried to run interference. “This isn’t necessary. Corbin and I are happy as we are.”

“You’d prefer to marry him,” Vesta said. “You already told me so.”

Face hot, Ivey muttered, “I thought that was a private conversation between us.”

Vesta turned on Lang. “There, you see? Now you’ve made her uncomfortable.”

“Yeah, right.” Deadpan, he said, “That was me who did that.”

Again, Ivey tried to intervene. “Really, this isn’t—”

Vesta spoke over her. “Don’t you want your brother to be happy?”

With an eye roll, Lang said, “Of course I do.”

Ivey saw the open front door move, but it wasn’t Hagan’s shadow looming. Uh-oh. She had a bad feeling. “Um...”

“So you don’t think Ivey can make him happy?”

“Corbin can make himself happy,” Lang stressed. He glanced at Ivey. “No offense.”

“None taken.” She watched as Corbin appeared around the door that Hagan had left open. “So, guys—”

“If he marries Ivey, and I’m not saying he shouldn’t,” Lang tacked on, “it won’t be to make her responsible for his happiness. That’s not how Corbin operates and you should know it.”

“The right woman makes everything better.” Vesta folded her arms in the same stubborn way as her son. “Shame you don’t know that yet.”

“Who says I don’t?”

“Oh? So who’s making you happy?” Vesta paused. “Dear God, you and Corbin don’t want the same woman, do you?” She turned to Ivey. “Are they both after you, honey?”

“Ha!” Ivey couldn’t help but grin. “There’s a fantasy, right?”

They both stared at her, Vesta amused, Lang a little appalled.

“Kidding,” she quickly assured them. Giving Lang back some of his own, she added, “Sorry, but there’s no competition. I’m on Team Corbin.” And speaking of that...she glanced at Corbin, rooted to the spot, appearing both horrified and amused. She winked at him.

Lang and Vesta started in again.

Deciding it was time to end the comedy before Corbin got offended, Ivey called out, “Justin, your dad is home,” which effectively quieted mother and son. Darting between them, Ivey made a beeline for Corbin.

He watched her approach with an incredibly intent expression that made her stomach tumble.

When she got close, she whispered, “Sorry,” and went on tiptoes to brush her mouth over his.

Evidently with other ideas in mind, Corbin drew her closer for a longer, more thorough kiss.

Yeah, well, she could just imagine how his mother would interpret that!

Just then, Justin bolted around the corner. “Dad!” Full of excitement, he came to a skidding halt in front of Corbin and Ivey. The dogs and even Maurice bounded around him. “Guess what?” Justin said. “Your mom is here.”

The silence lasted a good three seconds.

Ivey cracked first with a sort of snorting chuckle. When Justin eyed her curiously, she hugged him close and lost it, laughing out loud.

Laughter being contagious, Justin started to giggle.

Soon Lang and his mother joined in.

Corbin watched them all with a funny, crooked smile on his face. He didn’t look offended. Nope, he just looked like Corbin. Gorgeous, calm, rock-steady. Yes, she wanted to marry him. Who wouldn’t?

Even his family was wonderful.

And best of all, with Vesta around, Ivey knew she didn’t have to worry about talking too much or saying the wrong thing.

She’d be lucky to get a word in edgewise.

Corbin glanced at the clock. For over an hour, Ivey had been soaking in the jet tub in the master suite. At his house, she tended to take quick showers. He assumed so they could spend more time together.

Tonight, as soon as dinner had ended, she’d excused herself to let him catch up with his mother—or so she said—and then she’d disappeared into the master bedroom.

A few minutes later when she didn’t return, he knew she was indulging in a bath.

It was incredibly distracting. He kept picturing Ivey in the tub, her flyaway hair pinned up haphazardly, her smooth skin wet and warm, her body relaxed.

At the same time he enjoyed that visual, he tried to rein in his mother’s gusto, while also fending off her matchmaking efforts. Now that Lang wasn’t in the hot seat, he appeared to enjoy seeing Corbin put there.

Hope hadn’t joined them for dinner tonight, and Corbin wondered if his brother had warned her away. It had become the norm for them all to eat together. Given that Hope was still so reserved, sometimes more so than Justin, Lang probably thought it would be better to introduce them once their mom had wound down a little. Corbin would ask his brother about it in the morning.

The unexpected visit had really thrown off his plans. He’d wanted to go through the box of stuff he’d amassed from Darcie’s car: photos of Justin, a few things he’d drawn, an old toy. The idea of sitting with Ivey and looking at everything together had appealed to him.

Instead he’d walked into a circus. Nothing new with his overly exuberant mom. She brought a whirlwind with her wherever she went.

To his relief, she and Hagan had declined the offer to stay in the house, and instead planned to sleep in the RV parked in the driveway. Hagan claimed they already had everything set up. Corbin had the feeling they wanted their privacy—but yeah, he didn’t want to dwell on that too much. He liked Hagan, the two of them got along well together, but he didn’t want details of his mother’s romantic adventures.

Tomorrow they’d need to recharge the RV, so their plan, according to his mother, was to find the nearest RV park for a nice long stay, then they’d rent a car so they could drive back and forth in frequent visits.

It hadn’t taken long for Justin to warm to his mother, a fact that surprised Corbin since she could be overwhelming. Or maybe Justin hadn’t been able to catch a breath to object.

He grinned at that idea.

Either way, his mother doted on Justin and he seemed to like it.

As far as Corbin was concerned, his son couldn’t get too much love from family. His mother came with a lot of chaos, but she also brought a lot of love.

Finally, the house was quiet again. His mother and Hagan were settled in the RV, and after seeing Justin ready for bed and giving him a good-night hug, he’d left Lang reading to him.

Corbin went into the master bedroom and tapped at the bathroom door. At Ivey’s lazily murmured “yes?” he stepped in.

With damp curls all around her face, she smiled. “Oh good, you survived.”

No matter how much time they spent together, it never failed to strike him just how perfect she was for him. “By the skin of my teeth.” Coming to stand by the bath, Corbin looked down at her utterly relaxed posture. “You’ve been in there over an hour.”

“So? It was a hectic day.” She heaved a long sigh. “You should try it next. You still look tense.”

Walking in to hear his mother trying to marry him off could make anyone tense. “I already took a quick shower.”

“Too bad.” Ivey closed her eyes as if she planned to be in there longer still.

Bubbles circulated around her, constantly stirring the water but not doing a damn thing to obscure her body. “Enjoying yourself?”

“It’s very relaxing.”

Letting his gaze roam over her, Corbin felt her never-ending effect sink in. That, more than a jet tub, worked to unkink the stress knots in his shoulders and neck. “Ivey?”

“Mmm?”

“Did my mother embarrass you?”

“Of course.” Her mouth curved in a small, secret smile. “I like her, though. She’s funny, boisterous and well-intentioned.”

Yup, that summed up his mother. “She likes you as well.” To resist reaching down to touch her bare body, Corbin flattened a hand to the wall. Ivey wasn’t yet ready to leave her bath, and he didn’t want to cut her time short. “About what she said—”

Green eyes that looked amazingly bright opened to stare up at him. Very softly, she said, “I do love you, you know.”

His breath stalled. She loved him.

As if that weren’t enough to level him, she added, “Someday, when you’re ready...if you’re ever ready, I would love nothing more than to marry you. With you, Corbin, I feel more like me, if that makes any sense.”

“It does.” He pulled off his T-shirt and, wearing only sleep pants, knelt down at the side of the tub. “Because with you, I feel like myself, like I have a grasp on things.” It was a wonderful illusion, one he wanted to hold on to.

Ivey drifted her fingers along the surface of the water. “You have a better understanding of life and the people you love than anyone I know.” Her gaze trapped his, and her voice lowered. “When I think about Justin and all the things he might have gone through, I’m so grateful that you’re his dad.”

Corbin swallowed heavily. “Me, too.”

“Justin needed someone strong, someone who would accept him, appreciate him and love him unconditionally.”

What did Ivey need? Was he enough for her? Could she overlook all the challenges that lay ahead? Despite her assurances, he didn’t want to put it to the test. Not yet.

Dipping a hand beneath the water, he stroked her thigh. “So you love me.”

Her smile twitched. “Yes.”

“I like hearing it.”

Her gaze warmed. “I love you, Corbin.”

There were a million things he needed to say to her. A lot of things they had to work out. But in that moment, he wanted her. No, actually, he needed her.

So damned much.

Without explaining, he turned off the jets and pulled the drain on the tub.

Ivey laughed. “I take it my bath is over?”

“Sorry.” Very seriously, he said, “If I don’t have you soon, I’m going to explode.”

Satisfaction replaced her humor. “All right.”

Coming to his feet, Corbin shook out the towel and held it open for her, then wrapped her up when she stepped into it. He didn’t bother drying her, not yet. Not now.

He couldn’t.

Instead he backed her to the wall, heard her quick inhalation as her warmed skin met the cool tiles, and he kissed her.

God, he loved kissing her.

Her lips were open, her tongue inviting. Ivey always gave so much. All that she had. Everything he needed.

After indulging her mouth for several minutes, he shifted to trail his teeth along her throat, then her collarbone.

Reaching out, Ivey pushed the lock on the door.

Yeah, good idea. He didn’t want any interruptions—and he didn’t want to take the time to find a bed. Having her right here, against the wall, seemed like a fantastic idea.

To ensure she was onboard with that idea, he kissed a path to her breasts. The towel dropped.

Neither of them cared.

Ivey tunneled her fingers into his hair and guided him to right where she wanted him to kiss her. Honestly, it was where he wanted to kiss her, too, so he closed his teeth gently around one ripe nipple, tugged, licked and finally sucked her in.

Going to her tiptoes, and arching forward, her body tightened. That reaction only spurred him on. Switching to the other nipple, he let his hands roam all over her. Every inch of her satiny skin fascinated him.

Driven to make her as heated as he was, he slowly moved down her body, lower and lower until he dropped to his knees. With his hands on her backside, he pressed hot, open-mouth kisses to her stomach and each hip bone.

He glanced up and found her with her head tipped back, lips parted and eyes closed.

She was the most compelling, interesting, sexy woman he’d ever known.

Nuzzling against her in the most intimate of kisses, he listened to her escalated breathing. She was warm and silky wet, ready for him. Maybe anxious for him.

He murmured, “Widen your legs.”

Without hesitation, she stepped one foot out from the other. Corbin used his fingers to part her, then kissed her again, licked...and sucked.

He couldn’t get enough of her, fast enough.

One hand released his hair so she could put it over her own mouth, muffling her small cries and groans. After a few minutes he felt her trembling, and knew she was close.

He stayed with her, attuned to her every response, until she came undone. Ivey never held back.

He loved that about her.

Once she started to ease, he came back to his feet, kissed her mouth and said, “I don’t have a condom here.”

“In the bedroom down here?”

“No. I meant to store more in the closet, but...the day went off the rails.”

She gave in to a heartfelt groan, rallied a second later and with a sated smile she stepped around him to snatch up her clothes. He helped her get on her nightshirt and panties and then, ignoring the shorts he held out to her, she grabbed his hand. “Come on.”

Together, they rushed from the bathroom, through the quiet house and up the stairs. Ivey’s shirt barely skimmed beneath her bottom cheeks. Her breasts bounced beneath the soft fabric of her shirt.

Carrying her shorts for her, Corbin couldn’t help but grin. He felt like a kid again, sneaking around for a quickie.

It was a wonderful way to end a tumultuous day.

They’d almost reached his bedroom door when Lang stepped out of Justin’s room. Surprised to see each other, especially since it was obvious what Corbin and Ivey were about, they stared at one another.

Lang gave a quick glance at Ivey, then to her shorts in Corbin’s hand. Fighting a grin, he said in a barely there whisper, “He’s asleep, and the lights went out in the RV a few minutes ago.”

“Good to know.”

Saluting them, Lang said, “See you both in the morning.” He whistled softly as he headed downstairs.

His brother knew he loved Ivey.

His mother had taken one look at her and known she was a keeper.

Justin adored her.

And Corbin couldn’t get enough of her, not just physically, but in every way he could imagine.

Ivey was the type of woman you never wanted to take for granted. Soon, very soon, he’d ask her to marry him.

He needed her in his life—now and always.

An hour later, Ivey lifted her head from Corbin’s chest. Drowsily, she asked, “Can’t sleep?”

His eyes gleamed as he looked at her. “Did I wake you?”

She shook her head and hugged him. “I wasn’t asleep yet, either.” She could feel his turbulence, but she wasn’t sure how to make it better. “Things were rough with Darcie?”

The bed shifted as he rolled one shoulder. “Like I said on the phone, it went better than I had expected.”

She knew there was more to it. “And?”

After a brief pause, he scooted up to sit with his back against the headboard, then pulled her into his lap. “This will sound nuts, okay? But I felt sorry for her.”

“Not nuts at all. She’s in a terrible predicament, one that will be difficult for a long time.” She cupped a hand to his face. “And you, Corbin, are a very good man.”

“It’s a strange feeling,” he confessed. “In some ways, I despise her for what she did to my son and for what she did to me. I lost so much time with him. Time that I’ll never get back.”

Ivey tucked her face into his throat. “But you’ll have him for the rest of his life. That’s such a gift.”

His hand idly trailed up and down her spine. “Yes, it is. And she’s so...vulnerable. So many times today, she looked like a kid herself, lost and afraid.”

Ivey quickly blinked back tears. Corbin didn’t need that from her. Right now, he needed her to be strong. “There’s only so much you can do.”

“I know.” He kissed her temple. “I hope she gets it together, but mostly I want to protect Justin.” He was quiet for a few moments, then asked, “Are you sleepy?”

Without him saying it, she understood. “No, why? Did you want to talk more?”

“Actually...” He reached over and turned on the bedside lamp. They both flinched at the intrusion of bright light.

Ivey slipped away from him and pulled up the sheet. She admired his body as he left the bed and went to the closet, returning with a cardboard box.

Intrigued, she came up to her knees. “What is it?”

Sitting beside her, he pulled out the top photo of a chubby-cheeked toddler. “Justin.”

“Oh my God,” she whispered, taking the photo and smiling at it. “He’s precious.”

“She didn’t have any photos of him as an infant, but she told me he was over eight pounds and bald until he was two and a half.” He smiled.

Together, with the box between them, they went through everything.

“I want to show Justin this stuff, but he’s smart. He’ll ask me where I got it, and he’ll know I saw Darcie.” Corbin rubbed his neck in frustration. “I don’t want to add to his worries.”

“One thing at a time, okay?” Leaning over the box, Ivey kissed him. “Why don’t you wait and see how Darcie does, and then you can figure it out?”

He nodded at that plan. “Until then, I’m going to keep the box in the top of the closet. I don’t want him to accidentally run into it.”

“Agreed.” With a stretch and a yawn, Ivey slipped from the bed to pull on her shirt, panties and even her shorts. It hadn’t happened yet, but if Justin ever woke and came into the room, she wanted to make sure she was decent. “Will you show your mom?”

“Eventually.” He grinned. “For the next few days, she’s going to be inseparable from Justin. I know her and she’s going to want to spend as much time with him as possible.”

Ivey laughed. “She can be very compelling.”

“Tell me about it.” He put the box back in the very top of the closet. “Once she’s gotten her fill enough to relax, then I can get her alone to show her.”

His mother was a special woman who had raised special sons. Ivey had no doubt she’d be a phenomenal grandmother, too. “She’s something else.”

“Too much?”

“No.” Ivey snuggled back under the covers, close to Corbin. “I’d say she’s exactly right.”

“It’s been a week,” Hope complained, even though she’d tried not to. “Lang comes over for a while once I get home, but I’m not seeing him nearly as much. He said he’s running interference for you and Corbin.”

“And Justin,” Ivey agreed. “Wait until you meet their mom. She comes on strong, but it’s with love, you know? Not judgment or anything like that.”

Sinking into a chair, Hope stared at the sandwich she’d brought for lunch and knew she didn’t want it. “I don’t think I’ll ever meet her. In a lot of ways, it feels like whatever Lang and I had is over.” The sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach made the thought of food impossible.

“Definitely not true,” Ivey said, biting into a leftover piece of chicken. “I think he’s protecting you.”

Because she was damaged goods. Hope sighed. “He doesn’t need to do that.”

“I don’t know. Vesta is a lot to take in. For one thing, you can’t be hands-off with her. She’s going to crush you in one of her massive hugs, believe me. The woman is like a lumberjack and doesn’t know her own strength. And you should be prepared for personal comments galore. She pries without remorse and has zero filter. Remember, within a few minutes of meeting her, she wanted to know if I was in love with Corbin and if I’d marry him.”

That earned a small smile. “She sounds perceptive. You do love Corbin. She just saw through your no-pressure efforts.” For that reason alone, Hope liked the woman. Not many people could put Ivey on the spot, because usually it was Ivey doing that to others.

Hope wanted to meet Vesta—even her name was incredible. But how did she bring that up with Lang? If, as she suspected, he wanted some distance between her and his family, she had no right to press the issue.

Ivey patted her mouth with a napkin. “The thing is, I’m not shy. I was telling Corbin exactly how much I wanted to share, then Vesta came in and boom! She threw it all out there. I have to say, though, it feels good to admit out loud how I feel. To Corbin, I mean.”

“What does he do when you tell him?”

“Usually we have phenomenal sex.” Ivey gave a satisfied smile. “Now I tell him every opportunity I get.”

Hope laughed, but deep inside...she wanted to try that phenomenal sex for herself. Setting her sandwich aside, she glanced at the door to ensure it remained closed, then leaned toward Ivey. “Suppose I want to advance things—” she flagged a hand “—physically, I mean. How would I go about it?”

Freezing with her can of cola almost to her mouth, Ivey blinked at her. She quickly set the can aside. “You want to have sex with Lang?”

Hope felt her cheeks getting hot, but this was Ivey. Her best friend ever. All the family she had now. Someone she trusted without exception. “Pretty sure I do.”

A huge grin broke over Ivey’s face. “Is that because he’s been enticing you for a while now?”

“For sure.” Lang did a remarkable job of teasing her. A kiss here, a kiss there, the slight grazing of his fingertips over a spot that shouldn’t have been sensitive, but with him, most definitely was. Like the side of her neck, her wrist.

Over her lips.

He did take pleasure in touching her, yet he never crossed the invisible boundaries she’d drawn. That had to mean something, right? Maybe she’d been overanalyzing things, worrying for no reason.

“Wonderful!” Ivey exclaimed. “That makes me like him even more.” She, too, sat forward. “So you think you’re ready for the next step?”

“I think so. I hope so.” In the back of Hope’s mind, the fear remained that she might react badly. “What do I do?”

Ivey gave it a quick thought. “You know I’m not big on faking things, right? I’m all about tossing it out there and seeing how it lands.”

“Right.” Hope snorted. “You weren’t that way with Geoff.”

“No, because Geoff wasn’t the right one. I couldn’t be myself with him. Corbin is different, and I’m positive Lang is, too.”

“Agreed. I’m just not sure how to proceed.”

“Next time he’s kissing you, if he starts to pull away, don’t let him.”

“I hardly think I’m strong enough to manhandle him.”

Laughing, Ivey said, “Definitely not. The brothers are both fine specimens, right? But what I meant is that when he starts to end things, keep them going. I promise, he’ll catch on real quick, and I’d be willing to bet he’ll let you set the pace. If you start to get tense, ease up. If, though, you like what’s happening, let him know.”

Wide-eyed with fascination, Hope whispered, “You mean by moaning or something?”

“Ha! That’s not generally something you can control anyway, not if the guy knows what he’s doing. So feel free to tell him, if not with words, then with enthusiasm. Or just tell him not to stop. As long as you’re enjoying things, keep telling him that.”

Hope considered the advice, which to her sounded pretty daring, but then, she knew she was totally out of her depth when it came to sexual matters. “What if...” Her voice sounded scratchy with misgivings. She cleared her throat and tried again. “What if things get too far along and then I want to stop, and he can’t?”

“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.