Page 34 of Protect Home
A sly smirk spreads across his face, and sadly for me, makes his mustache look extra cute and quirky. “A special visit from my venom girl? That must mean I’ve been the goodest boy?”
Hardly. More like the opposite. The baddest boy with a life-altering consequence to go with it.
“Are you waiting for a treat or something? A pat on the head?” I scold him.
“Depends. I’m picky with my indulgences.” He’s so fucking slick and he knows it too. All handsome face and playful energy. It’s no wonder women flock to him.
Choosing to ignore him any further, I nod my head down the hall. “Can I talk to you, please?”
If August is thrown off, he doesn’t show it. But I notice the slight pause in his boyish facade before turning on my heel and waiting for him to follow. He makes quick work of coming up behind me, and it’s not until I’m confident we’re out of earshot that I spin to face him.
Expecting him to be snarky again, I’m met with agenuine look of concern. Concern that feels foreign coming from August.
“Everything okay?” he asks earnestly.
I shrug and know right away that was the wrong move because I’m immediately pulled into the strongest, yet softest chest, as muscular arms hold me with a vise grip. “What can I do?” he whispers into my hair.
He’s holding me…
I can’t stay in his arms like this. We don’t hold each other and whisper sweet nothings. I came here to talk, and that’s what I need to do.
I pull back slowly, creating a bit of distance between us. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
August stands straight with his hands stuffed into his pockets. I can’t help but appreciate how large he is. Tall and compelling. The type of man that any person, no matter their sexual orientation, feels drawn toward. He reminds me of Chris Hemsworth in his prime.
Shit. I need to focus.
“Of course. What’s up?” He sounds calm, and that’s oddly comforting.
I run my hands up the length of my arms, almost like I’m cold, but I’m not. Pretty sure I’m actually sweating. I just need something to occupy myself with so I don’t fumble my words and look stupid.
“I guess it’s better to just rip the Band-Aid off, right?” I ask, laughing awkwardly.
“Tenley, please just spit it out. You have me panicking over here.”
My eyes lift to meet his amber orbs. “Right. Yeah. Of course,” I mutter. “Long story made really short…I’m pregnant and the baby is yours.”
Pause. I stare, making deadly eye contact, and nothing.Not a word. Not a jolt of movement. Nothing. It’s obvious he’s processing my words, but I’m not sure how to proceed. Do I keep talking?
I start to talk, but August holds up a hand to stop me, and I rein it in. “You’re…pregnant?” he asks slowly. “With my baby?”
I nod because that’s all I have the energy for.
“But we used a condom.”
“We did,” I agree. “But they aren’t always guaranteed safe. It must have broken.”
August stares mindlessly into space, soaking in my confession. “That’s never happened before. God, I’m sorry, Tenley. I shouldn’t have been so careless.”
I don’t want him to blame himself. It was equally my fault. “It wasn’t just you in that closet, August. I was there too. But you never realized it broke?”
He shakes his head. “I remember being on cloud fucking nine by how wet you were, but it never occurred to me that the condom broke. Shit. We fucked up.”
I laugh softly. “Yeah, we did.”
“I’ll make this right. I promise,” he reassures me, but I don’t need it. “How are you feeling?” he asks, his hand reaching out to stroke steadily against my bicep.
How am I feeling? Wait, what?
