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“Did you really post that picture?” she asks, looking at me with sincerity. Newsflash, little venom. I’m not buying your sultry pout.
“I really did,” I mock her voice, and the switch flips.
“August Graves, you son of a bitch.” She pushes at my chest playfully, causing me to lie back on the soft mattress. “Why did you do that?” Tenley is a breath away, and I know she’s no longer afraid to take what she wants without asking, but I have an inkling this isn’t about physical intimacy. She wants to knowwhyI’d post a picture of her pregnant with my child, something the world doesn’t know yet, and a suitcase beside her.
Call it what she wants—but I marked my territory, and that’s my possessive way of showing it.
“Because I’m tired of hiding you.”
“August,” her velvety voice draws out, placing a palm to rest on my chest.
“Besides,” I cut her off from continuing. “I’m working on my posting skills, and you’re my favorite muse.” Sending her a devilish smirk, I rush to stand and kiss her forehead quickly. “Let’s go, Mama. You’ve got a babymoon to enjoy.”
“Fine,” Tenley groans, reaching for the handle of her luggage before I swat it away. “Isn’t a babymoon supposed to be with both parents? Who planned this shit anyway?”
I love it when she turns into a bitter old hag on me.
I know it’s Tenley’s way of wishing I was coming—that we were taking this trip together.We’ll have our time.
“Pretty sureyoudid, beautiful. Come on. Navy and Kodi are waiting in the truck outside.” I lead Tenley to the entrance of the elevator before pushing a button for a car.
“Whatever you say. But I don’t plan on having any fun. All I want to do is sleep, eat, and sleep some more—all my favorite extracurricular activities. Why didn’t anyone tell me this would be a horrible idea twenty weeks ago?”
“Don’t forget fucking,” I lean to whisper in her ear. “That’s your preferred activity.” I smack her butt. “Also, don’t go sending yourself into early labor while you’re away. Tybee Island may only be a couple of hours from Atlanta, but I intend to be there for every moment of the little slugger’s birth. You got me, woman?”
“Would you quit calling him that and get over here and kiss me, bat boy?” The moment the elevator door closes, I secure my lips to hers. The elevator echoes as Tenley’s purse falls to the floor and her dainty fingers find their way into my hair.
“I’ll miss you,” I whisper against her lips. “Better miss me too.”
“Not likely.” She smiles against me and I feel like a teenager again, excited about a school crush.
“You have your phone?” I ask and she nods. “Tylenol and Tums in case you get a headache or heartburn?” Another nod. “Portable heating pad? Insulated water cup?”
“Yes, mother. I’ve got everything.” She smiles at me. “I’ll do my best to be…positive.” Her pretty blues cast on me in submission.
“That’s my girl.” I tap her nose and pivot us out of the elevator.
Just as we spot Kodi’s Chevy, Tenley stops in a panic. “I forgot my pregnancy pillow. Here,” she says, handing me her purse urgently. “Be right back.”
But I halt her steps before she can get away, pulling her to face me. “Don’t worry about it. I had one delivered for you. It should make it to the rental house just before you girls get there.”
“You had a pregnancy pillow shipped for me? For my weekend trip? When I have a perfectly good one at home?”
Fuck. I love it when she says home in reference to both of us.
I nod. “Yes. They’re not exactly easy to pack, and I know how—” My words are cut short by Tenley’s impulsive kiss. “Thank you…” she exhales against me, her forehead meeting mine as our eyes close.
We savor each other. Savor the closeness, and it’s not lost on me that Navy and Kodi are less than ten feet away, watching us questionably, I’m sure.
“Always.”
Tenley scurries away with the pinkest of blushes across her cheeks and settles into the backseat of Kodi’s truck. I load up her suitcase and catch their stare in the rearview mirror. “You girls drive safe,” I shout, patting the tailgate and leaving them to it.
“Screwdriver.”
“Screwdriver,” King repeats, handing me the metal tool.
“Didn’t know I asked for a parrot, but okay.” I cast him a look and get nothing but his megawatt grin.
