happy enough with whatever my son provided him, but I didn’t want to picture him and my son doing whatever they were doing. But…August?
A shiver ran up my spine, and my dick perked up.
“I know a Dom drop is not so uncommon, but it was especially bad this time.”
Another pause. “Heath administered aftercare, but it lasted for a few days. He wants me to see him for a consultation, but I’ll play it by ear.”
My stomach hardened at the mention of Heath. We’d met at the cancer benefit, where he and Ridge came along for support. August and I had sat with them, but I hadn’t liked the way they seemed all chummy. And now the thought of that man taking care of August didn’t sit well with me.
The possessiveness I felt startled me, but I couldn’t help it.
Making a whole lot of noise so he’d hear me, I entered the kitchen. August had cleared the island and sat with his phone to his ear. The look of relief in his eyes confused me.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I’m going to head on home.”
“Give me a second, Dec,” he said into the phone, then lowered it. “Don’t go yet. I’m almost done with this call.”
“I have nothing left to do, and you’re okay now.” I didn’t want to go, though, and hoped he’d force me to stay. Even in his low mood, he made me feel more welcome than Poppy, but I had no reason to linger. None whatsoever.
If I stuck around, he might find an excuse why I should.
“Don’t go.” He held up a hand and returned to the phone call. “Dec, something came up, and I have to go.”
Why didn’t he just tell Declan I was still here? Was he also bothered by our closeness and was trying to keep it a secret? But that didn’t make sense. Declan had asked me to check on August.
“All right, have fun.”
He hung up the phone and got off his stool. “Were you seriously about to leave without me thanking you properly?”
I shrugged, suddenly frustrated again that he never acted on what I’d imagined. Here I thought he wanted me around, but he only wanted to give me his gratitude. Well, I could come up with a method or two in which he could show me how grateful he was, but it wasn’t my place to make the first move. Or was it?
“Thanks aren’t necessary. We do for family, right? You taught me that.”
My response came out snarkier than I’d intended, and a look of almost shock crossed his face. I was glad to be the one shaking up things for a change. For so long, he had me off-kilter, and I needed to see him floundering too.
“Did I do something to piss you off?” he asked. “You look angry.”
“I’m not angry. Maybe if I leave now, I can salvage the rest of my evening.”
He had a full-blown scowl on his face now as he approached me, leaving very little room for me to breathe. “What’s wrong with you? You came here of your own free will, Charles.”
“Actually, Declan asked me, and I couldn’t turn him down, now could I? That would’ve been the end of our relationship.”
He cocked his head to one side, his expression thoughtful. “You’re not being genuine with me all of a sudden. I want to know why.”
Because I’m frustrated as hell to feel the way I do about you and not knowing for certain if it’s reciprocated or not. I’m tired of being good and not chasing after you because your Dad’s married to my son.
“It’s best for me to just go. I’ll take Declan’s car since—”
I walked off, but August’s hand came down on my arm and pulled me toward him. I wasn’t a small man, almost his height and width, but the ease with which he moved me surprised me.
If I took a deep breath, our chests would press together. He didn’t release my arm, and I tried halfheartedly to pull away from his grip, but his hand tightened.
“I’ll let you go when you tell me the truth.” His head dipped the half an inch or so he had over me, and the warmth of his breath fanned my cheeks. “You arrived, took care of me, even walked their dog, which you claim you hate. Now you want to act like you were forced to come here? Try again, Charles.”
“You know, you have a real problem with trying to manhandle me.”