Page 79 of Outside the Lines
Lydia sat back against the cushions. “Well, fuck. This night can’t get any weirder, so yeah.” She waved at the couch. “Have a seat.”
Ian rose. “Want some ice cream? It’s vanilla, but we’ve got chocolate chips and liquor.”
In the end, both Hunter and Kevin said yes to ice cream with chocolate chips, but hold the booze. I followed Ian into the kitchen to give Lydia, Hunter, and Kevin time to talk in private.
Ian leaned against the counter. “So that’s something.” He waved at the door to the living room.
“Right?” I closed in on Ian and stole a kiss that tasted of raspberry and chocolate. He turned it into something much longer and sexier. By the time he relented, I was breathless and the room was spinning. Maybe not the most apropos time to sex it up with my boyfriend, but hewasone of the reasons Hunter and Kevin were sitting on my couch.
“I’d apologize for bringing all this Wolf’s Landing chaos into your life, but I think—” Ian glanced over my shoulder at the door to the living room. “I think it’s gonna work out.”
I did too. Everything was going to be fine. I cupped Ian’s face and kissed him again, and again untilhewas the one breathless and groaning. “We’re supposed to be getting your guests ice cream.” He spoke against my lips.
I smiled and nipped his neck. “We’re givingourguests time to talk to Lydia.”
Ian didn’t argue. We necked until I was about ready to drag him upstairs, but then pulled away from each other and put together three bowls of ice cream, which gave us time to look less like two guys ready to fuck. When we returned to the living room, Lydia had a sober gleam in her eyes, but importantly, now radiated happiness. She seemed a little shell-shocked, but in a good way.
“So that’s settled,” Hunter said. “I’ll talk to my lawyer and get the whole thing straightened out.”
“But what if they don’t agree?” Lydia breathed the words out.
Kevin snorted and took a bowl from me. “Oh, they will.”
Hunter took the other from Ian. “My reputation for being a bit of a diva author is somewhat earned.”
“Somewhat?” I knew the glint in Kevin’s eyes. All love and snark.
Hunter’s lips twitched upward. “And those on the opposite side of my lawyer think he’s a psychopathic demon.”
Kevin picked a chip off his ice cream and popped it into his mouth. “He’s actually a really nice dude.”
I was glad we bought a huge couch for the living room. Plenty of room for all. I planted myself next to Lydia, and Ian took a seat next to me.
My two loves. When I glanced up, I found Kevin smiling at me. I gave him a sheepish shrug before digging into my ice cream.
Lydia fiddled with the edge of the throw pillow she was still clutching. “About that print you bought . . . you said the people you gave it to were big fans ofWolf’s Landing?”
Hunter licked his spoon. “It was one of my wedding presents to Carter and Levi.”
“Ohfuck.” She buried her face into the pillow and muffled words came out. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“He’s not. He did. But they loved it, so it’s all good.” Kevin elbowed Hunter. “Even if you were trying to embarrass them.”
Hunter snorted, and cocked his head, suddenly very serious. “Lydia, your artwork is fantastic. StarVixen is legend in fandom circles and I get askedall the damn timeif I know who you are. Things will change when this comes out, but I think you’ll find life just as interesting and fulfilling after it does.”
She lowered the pillow. “We have a rule about not shitting where you live.”
“Honey, your work is so far from shit, it isn’t funny.” Hunter sank his spoon into his ice cream.
“But—”
“Lyds,” Ian said. “Something I’ve learned on set is that even Anna doesn’t argue with Hunter Easton when he’s on a tear.”
“Oh, she does. But I usually win.”
“Usually.” Kevin’s eyes glittered with amusement. “It’s fun to watch when he doesn’t.”
Hunter grunted. “Don’t push your luck, kid.”
