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Me too, girlfriend. Me too.
“Tenley,” Kodi warns me again. “Did you need to take five?”
“No, I’m goo?—”
“Take. Five. Tenley.” There’s grit in her tone, and I know I need to listen before I lose a friend while I’m at it.
“Sure. Okay. Be back in five,” I tell her, turning to give Briggs a tight nod before heading to the back of the studio.
Looks like I owe myself a pep talk because what in the hell has gotten into me? I made myself look like a jealous girlfriend, and I have no excuse.
I have no right to be envious and no right to blurt out a comment that not only interferes with workIplanned forAugust, but also a photoshoot that is a major deal for my friend.
I need to get it together.
But I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Not when I just showed my ass in public. What do I have to lose now?
I can’t take it back. Not sure I would if I could.
I’ve silenced my feelings for long enough.
August is mine and it’s about damn time he knew it.
29
AUGUST
I can’t get away fast enough.
The moment Tenley beautifully blurted out her unfiltered disapproval of Layla being seated on top of me, I knew I was in for the best side of my little venom.
The side I find myself chasing at any given second.
From the outside looking in, Tenley is crudely bad-mannered. She exudes the true meaning of steadfast feminism and wears it with pride. She’s also headstrong and endearingly unrefined.
Perfect. She’s perfect for me, and that’s what has me chasing her down the long corridor of the studio that leads to a hollow end. It doesn’t take me long to find her. She’s turned away from me with her head against the wall.
Tenley’s full bump is illuminated by the shadow of the light through the front window. Even when she’s frustrated and objecting to attention, she consumes me.
There’s no doubt in my mind I’ll get myself an earful from Kodi when I return. But right now, she’s the least of my concerns. Not when Tenley is clearly flustered. Or bothered. Or something. Hell if I know.
All I know is I’m using this as my opportunity to be there.
I hear her shuddering breaths as I close in. I’m not sure she hears me, given that she looks so distraught.
“Tenley.”
Her body jolts in surprise, but she makes no effort to move.
Her deep breath echoes. “I’m fine, August. I’ll be out there in a minute. I just need…a minute.” Her voice is raw with an exposure I’d guess to be uncomfortable for someone as resilient as she is.
I can’t help it, though. I’m a horrible listener.
I approach her carefully, settling my tall frame just behind her. I’m a breath away physically, but mentally, I feel the miles of distance between us.
Tenley’s struggling with something, and I need to know what it is.
I run my index finger down the length of her arm and my chest swells with pride at the sight of goosebumps across her soft skin. “Quite a performance you put on back there.” My voice is sultry, making no effort to hide my intent.
