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?
Lang’s arm went around her in what felt like a protective gesture. “Do you want me to see who it is?”
She considered it, but... “No.” She was different now, she reminded herself. She could handle something as simple as an unexpected caller. “Will you stay with me, though?”
His hand held hers. “It’s where I want to be.”
Oh good. That sounded promising, especially after the difference in their routine all week. She’d gotten so used to spending dinner with Ivey, Corbin, Lang and Justin that she’d been feeling a little left out.
But that wasn’t why she wanted to take things to the next step. Nope. She just flat out wanted Lang.
And with that decision, she got her feet moving through the lush grass. The sooner she got rid of her visitor, the sooner she could get things rolling with Lang.
They got closer...and she stalled.
A woman stood staring up at the deck over her garage, as if trying