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  A pensive expression crawled across her face. “No offense, but I don’t think your mom likes sharing the same planet with me, let alone the same hotel. I’m going to stay here at the hospital. I can curl up on a chair in the waiting room and sleep.”

  Noble frowned. He aimed to rectify the animosity poisoning his mother, and soon. Until then, he’d act as a buffer and protect Gina from Nola’s venomous wrath. It was the least he could do for his brother.

  “I’m staying here, too.” He nodded resolutely.

  It was nearly three in the morning before Nate was moved from the recovery room to the critical care unit. After helping Gina get situated in yet another waiting room, Noble strolled outside with his family. He waved to his physically and emotionally exhausted parents as they left for their hotel. Then waved again to his brothers and both wives as they started the hour-long drive back to the ranch.

  Noble paused and tilted his head back. Staring out at the infinite expanse of sparkling stars, he sent up a silent prayer. He thanked the universe for Nate’s successful surgery, for his suddenly dysfunctional family, and for the chance to spend one spectacular night in Ivy’s arms.

  With a heavy sigh and a strange melancholy pumping through his veins, Noble turned and walked back inside the hospital.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  After pulling the T-shirt on over her head, Ivy plucked up her makeup bag and tossed it to the growing pile on her bed, the same bed she’d shared with Noble.

  “Stop thinking about him,” she tersely scolded herself.

  Not that her self-admonishment would do any good. All Ivy could think about was the man and her burgeoning hormones that refused to go into hibernation again.

  Thanks to Celina insisting they get ready for her big day together, Ivy didn’t have time to keep daydreaming about the hunky, sex-beast. She had to gather up her bridesmaid dress, shoes, makeup, and curling iron, then haul ass up to her sister’s suite.

  After the temper tantrum Harvey had thrown at yesterday’s rehearsal, she was stunned that Celina was actually going to marry the asshole. He’d certainly shown the world his true, ugly colors.

  After announcing that his best man’s brother had been seriously injured, Harvey then proved he was an insensitive jerk who didn’t give two shits about the fate of his friend’s brother. He’d cursed, screamed, and pitched a fit like a spoiled brat. The heartless prick railed about how his best man had totally ruined his wedding. If Celina was looking for a compassionate husband, she’d never find it with that immature hot mess.

  Unfortunately for everyone, Harvey’s initial conniption fit was only the warm-up. When his dad had offered to stand in as best man, hotheaded-Harvey looked as if he was going to beat the shit out of his own father. While it hadn’t come to blows, it was downright ugly. Ugly enough that Ivy had wanted to gouge out her own eyes rather than continue watching Harvey’s epic, sophomoric meltdown.

  Ivy had barely slept a wink last night. She’d tossed and turned, fluctuating between praying Noble would tap on her door and worrying about her sister actually marrying douchebag Harvey.

  Ivy was at a loss as to what to do about her hopeless sister.

  Even after getting an eyeful of Harvey’s hair-trigger temper, Celina was still hell-bent on marrying the prick. Ivy so wanted to smack her sister upside the head and knock some sense into her or kidnap her naïve ass and haul her to some foreign country where Harvey would never find her again.

  But there was nothing she could do. Ivy was powerless to save her sister from pending heartbreak. Grasping at straws, Ivy pondered what she could say that would make Celina change her mind.

  I love you, but you’re making a terrible mistake.

  Open your eyes, for fuck’s sake…the man’s got abusive prick written all over him!

  Wake up and smell the real coffee, not that soy shit Harvey sells! You deserve so much more than settling for a fuck-wit like him.

  Even if she could come up with the right words to say, Celina would rip Ivy to shreds while defending Harvey with her last breath. And in the end, inciting World War III wouldn’t accomplish a damn thing.

  Exhaling a heavy sigh, she started gathering her things from the bed when the phone on the nightstand rang. Dropping back onto the bed, Ivy lunged for the receiver.

  Please, be Noble! Please…be Noble.

  Just the thought of his whiskey-soft sexy voice made butterflies dip and swoop in her stomach and her heart sputter and race.

  After surviving the high-octane drama at last night’s rehearsal, she’d knocked on his door when she’d returned to her room. Either he was already asleep or out with his friend again, because Noble hadn’t answered. So she’d returned to her room and mentally relived every orgasm-inducing touch, lick, and nibble he’d drowned her in.

  Holding her breath, she lifted the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

  The breathless tone of her voice made her sound like a horny nymphomaniac.

  Well…if the shoe fits!

  “Good. I caught you before you leave to join Celina.” Her mother exhaled in relief. “Are you sick? You sound funny.”

  “No. I’m fine…well, as fine as I can be, considering…”

  Considering you’re not Noble, who I’d much rather be with, lost in those bone-melting orgasms he so effortlessly steals from me. But no, I’m fine, struggling to deal with my sister’s doomed wedding.

  “That’s exactly why I’m calling. Ivy, you have to talk some sense into your sister.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Celina will listen to you. She has to. If she doesn’t, then…then you’ll just have to find a way to make her! No daughter of mine is going to marry that…that…beast!” Janice huffed.

  “This daughter certainly isn’t,” Ivy drawled. “And what, may I ask, do you suggest I do or say to stop her, Mother? What words of wisdom will dissuade Celina from walking down the aisle and legally binding herself to that…beast as you called him?”

  “I don’t know! Bribe her…lie to her if you have to. I honestly don’t care. But you’ve got to stop her from ruining her life. Listen, your father and I have already packed our bags. You need to do the same, because once Celina breaks things off with Harvey, we are getting out of town. After the tantrum he threw last night, I want to be all the way out of this state before he blows up again. That man has a vile, dangerous temper. I’m terrified he’ll end up hurting my baby girl.”

  “I’m worried, too, Mom. But why do I have to be the one to convince her to nix her wedding? Why don’t we just send Dad up there? He can toss her over his shoulder and we can all head to the airport.”

  “Prudence Ivy Addison! I can’t believe you’d suggest such a thing. Do you have any idea what kind of scene that would cause?” Her mother’s tone was rife with equal parts indignation and exasperation.

  “Do not call me Prudence, Mother. You know how much I loathe that name,” Ivy bit out between clenched teeth. “And it wouldn’t be any less embarrassing than the scene Harvey displayed last night.”

  “I could give a damn about how he acted. I only care about our actions.” Janice exhaled heavily. “Honestly, what on earth does Celina see in that…that…”

  “Steaming pile of dickless, pompous pig shit? I have no idea.”

  “That’s enough vulgarity, young lady.”

  Ivy chuckled. “Right. Like you weren’t thinking the same thing?”

  “Maybe I was. But a proper southern woman would never allow those words to pass from her lips.”

  Right, because her vajajay would shrivel up and fall right off. Ivy rolled her eyes.

  “Please, just do your best to talk Celina out of marrying that barbarian.”

  “I will. But don’t hold your breath, Mom. We both know how stubborn she is.”

  “Yes, and thankfully, you’re equally stubborn. That’s why I have faith in you, darling.”

  Ivy didn’t bother reminding her mother that her stubbornness, confidence, and all the other qualities she’
d once possessed, along with her Zen, had packed their bags and flown away. All the good traits of her former self were probably now partying their asses off on some tropical island chock full of cabana boys with trays of ice-cold margaritas.

  No, Janice was stressed out enough without that tidbit of information.

  “Keep me posted, love. Your father and I are ready to make a break for the airport in a moment’s notice.”

  “You got it, Mom.” Ivy hung up the phone and rolled onto her back. Staring at the ceiling, she struggled to find a way to accomplish this feat. Long minutes later, her mind was still a blank slate. With a heavy sigh she eased off the bed.

  “Guess I’m going to have to wing it.”

  Filled with dread, Ivy gathered her things, and left her room. In the hallway, the maid’s cart was parked next to Noble’s room. His door was wide open.

  Curious, Ivy poked her head inside to see if he might be there while his room was being cleaned. A middle-aged woman with dark skin, round belly, amd silver streaks in her black hair smiled.

  “Help you, miss?” she asked in broken English.

  “Oh, no. I was just checking to see if Noble was in the room.”

  “No. Guest all gone now.”

  “Gone? You mean he checked out?”

  “Checked out. Yes.” She smiled, bobbing her head.

  Like a physical blow, the air punched from her lungs. Ivy’s knees threatened to fold, and her heart felt as if it had just been stabbed. Unsure if she could speak, she swallowed tightly.

  “Thank you,” she managed to whisper.

  As she hurried down the hall to the elevator, tears stung her eyes, magnifying how stupid and foolish she felt. One-night stands didn’t come with strings or obligations. But Noble’s exodus without even saying goodbye was annihilating her in ways she hadn’t expected. Ivy angrily brushed away the tear that slipped down her cheek as she stepped inside the empty elevator.

  I have to stop being so ridiculous right now! There’s no time for this melancholy bullshit. He doesn’t owe me a damn thing, and I don’t owe him a thing, either. I knew what I was getting myself into before I spread my legs for that man. It was a casual fuck. Get over it. Noble has had millions of women, and he’ll probably have a million more a month from now. I’m not even on his radar anymore. Why would I be? He got what he wanted. He came. He seduced. He conquered. It’s over. Case closed. Now let it go.

  While her internal pep talk dried up her tears, it still chafed that Noble had left without a word. Shaking her sorrow away, she reminded herself that he’d given her exactly what she’d wanted—a mind-bending end to her desolate sexual drought.

  Nothing more.

  Nothing less.

  It shouldn’t matter that he’d done it with such skilled precision she’d be basking in erotic, sensual memories of him for the rest of her life…but deep down, though it wasn’t supposed to, it did matter.

  The only solace Ivy could find at that moment was the fact that she was a member at one of the big box stores and could easily buy batteries in bulk.

  Whoop-de-fucking-do!

  Pausing in front of Celina’s suite, Ivy shoved thoughts of Noble from her mind and started steeling herself for battle.

  As she lifted her hand to knock, the door swung open with enough force to tear it off its hinges. In the portal stood Harvey, red-faced and eyes blazing with rage.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” he viciously barked at Ivy.

  “Harvey, stop,” Celina pled, racing up behind him. Her eyes were rimmed red and tears streaked her pale cheeks. Oh, asshole, you’ve just fucked up big-time. Not only did you yell at me, you made my sister cry. “I-I invited her here,” Celina stammered as she sobbed. “Ivy and I are going to get ready for the wedding together. Please don’t be mean to her or send her away.”

  Send me away? Fat fucking chance of that!

  The sight and sound of her sister begging the evil bastard filled Ivy’s veins with white-hot rage. Harvey’s eyes narrowed to ugly slits as he turned his wrath back on Celina. He shot her a mentally unbalanced glare and his lips peeled back in a cold, calculated smile.

  McMillian had looked at Ivy that very same way. A shiver raced up Ivy’s spine.

  “Didn’t you hear a fucking word I just said? Are you deaf and dumb? Pay attention this time, idiot,” Harvey bellowed in Celina’s face. “I let you bust my balls the other night about the strip clubs…let you embarrass the fuck out of me in front of my best man—that pussy momma’s boy who had to run home and change his brother’s tampon—but never again! Don’t ever tell me how to act or what to say. Understood?”

  As she watched her sister cower to the demeaning tyrant, Ivy’s ghostly fears morphed into a bloodthirsty rage.

  “Stop your annoying sniveling and keep your mouth shut unless it’s working up and down my cock from now on,” Harvey barked. “Put on that goddamn wedding dress that cost me a fortune and wiggle your fat ass down the aisle. I’m the boss now. You won’t be leading me around by my balls anymore. Do I make myself clear, you bitch?”

  You bitch!

  You bitch!

  The hateful words echoed in her ears, not in Harvey’s voice but in Eugene McMillian’s. He’d used the same insult after she’d kneed him in the balls and run from his office.

  Rage, red and blistering, blurred Ivy’s vision.

  All the items in her arms tumbled to the floor with a soft thud.

  Bile burned the back of her throat.

  Every raw, festering wound that had taken nine long months to heal ripped wide open.

  Indignation.

  Disgrace.

  Misery.

  Humiliation.

  And a million other wickedly destructive emotions hemorrhaged from her scars. But she refused to let the caustic flow sweep her back into a chasm of helplessness. No, Ivy had clawed her way out of that vile, emotionally crippling cesspool. No one would ever force her down into that pit again. Clenching her hand into fist, Ivy squared her hips and thrust her shoulders back.

  “Hey, Harvey?”

  When he snapped his head in her direction, she saw raw and menacing hatred shooting from his dark, beady eyes. “What. Do. You. Want. Cunt?”

  Ivy pulled her fist back. Drawing strength from every woman who’d ever been crushed beneath the heel of some insecure, misogynistic, abusive asshole, she plowed her knuckles straight toward Harvey’s jaw.

  Ivy’s day of redemption had arrived.

  The paralyzing emotions that had once held her prisoner busted through the sturdy bars. The ghost of her former self—the happy, whole, and secure woman she’d once been—stepped through the rubble, tossed her head back, and shrieked in glorious freedom.

  Harvey’s eyes widened in shock before they rolled to the back of his head. Then, like a drunken garden gnome, he toppled over backward, landing on the floor with a heavy thud. Pain screamed up her arm and sang through her body as absolution burst from every cell in her soul.

  “I want you to shut the fuck up!” Ivy yelled in triumph. “So, who’s the bitch now, you fat prick? Can’t answer, can you? No, you can’t… ’cause you just got knocked the fuck out…you vile piece of shit!”

  “Oh, my god! Ivy? What…what… Oh, god!” Celina screeched, blinking in disbelief at Harvey’s inert body. Abject terror swam in her eyes. “Do you know what you’ve done?”

  “Yeah…the biggest favor of your life,” Ivy said, shaking out the pain throbbing in her hand with a hiss.

  “But…but…” Celina stammered.

  “Go pack your suitcase. We’re going home.”

  “I-I can’t… I’m getting married,” she wailed.

  “Not to that piece of shit, you’re not. Go!”

  Celina turned and rushed back into the suite.

  Ivy pulled out her cell phone. Sucking in a hiss, she punched her mother’s number.

  “Mom, take your suitcases to my room. I’ll meet you there in a few minutes. Tell Dad to grab a security guard and
haul ass up to Celina’s suite. I don’t know what Harvey’s going to do once he regains consciousness, but it isn’t going to be pretty.”

  “Regains… What happened?” Janice squeaked.

  “You wanted me to stop the wedding? I did. We’re leaving…all of us,” she assured and ended the call.

  Cautiously keeping her eyes on Harvey, Ivy bent and plucked up one of the shoes she’d dropped. Gripping the soft designer leather in her hand, she held it like a miniature baseball bat. If doughboy came to before her reinforcements arrived, she’d nail all five inches of that wicked heel into his chauvinistic balls.

  “I can’t believe you knocked him out,” Celina yelled from inside the suite.

  “I can’t believe you let any man talk to you like that,” Ivy countered. “We’ll discuss that later. Right now…you need to hurry.”

  “Just for the record, he’s never talked to me like that before. And I am hurrying, dammit. If you think I want to be here when he wakes up, you’re crazy.”

  “I’m crazy?” Ivy scoffed. “You were the one who wanted to marry the fuck-nut. I’m just glad you finally saw what he was like before you said I do baby sister.”

  Celina didn’t reply, simply raced into the bathroom. “Oh, god, I’m not going to get all this shit packed in time. Get in here and help me.”

  “No way. I’m not taking my eyes off Cujo. Toss your stuff together. You can fold it and sort it out in my room while I pack.”

  “Okay.” She sniffed as she appeared at the door.

  As she struggled to lift the heavy suitcase over the beached whale blocking the door, Ivy caught the sparkle from the diamond on her sister’s finger.

  “Give me your engagement ring.”

  “What for?” Celina blinked.

  “Just give it to me.”

  Ivy squatted down next to Harvey. While her sister tugged the ring from her finger, Ivy unzipped his pants.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Celina screeched.

  “Shhh.”