feet. “It’s not necessary.”
“I want to.”
He was naked, but he put on a pair of boxers. I stared with interest at the angry red mark on his shoulder that I’d put there when I came from riding him hard.
He rubbed at the mark, and I glanced away. Without a word, we walked from the bedroom. Lucky met us at the bottom of the stairs, and I stopped to scratch him.
“You’re such a little whore,” I said when he turned on his back for me to rub his belly.
“Did you drive?” August’s question pulled my attention from the dog.
“Yeah.” I straightened up from my crouch. “I had dinner with Poppy and our lawyers.”
He raised an eyebrow, but he didn't say anything, which was disappointing. He knew Poppy was pregnant and that I wanted the baby, but he never once mentioned the baby. Could I blame him? He was too young to be thinking of kids.
And what the fuck did it matter anyway?
“Are you okay to drive?” When we were by my car, he took my car keys from me and opened the door.
“Yes, I’m a bit blissed-out on sex, not drunk.”
He chuckled and caught my chin in his hand. “So feisty. I’d love to take a switch to your ass one day.”
His eyes widened, and I sensed a moment of panic when he realized the words that had come out. I didn’t have the time to dwell on them and how my cock, which shouldn’t be functional right now, twitched at the announcement.
“You should’ve done that when you had the chance.”
“You would have let me?”
I couldn’t resist touching his jawline lightly. “I know what to say to get you to do what I want, and you know how to look at me to get me to obey you.”
“Then stay.” I frowned at him, and he sighed. “Forget I said that. I’m not going to pressure you into doing anything you don’t want to. So this is goodbye.”
“I’ll always see you around. We’re family.”
He winced. “That sounds weird.”
I chuckled. “It is what it is. We can’t change it. Declan and Owen will never get a divorce.”
“No, they won’t. And we don’t want them to either.”
“We could’ve been perfect for each other.”
“Aug—” His lips came down on mine and covered my protest. This was my opportunity to show him I was serious about my stand on us. The stand where there was no us.
But...this was the last time I’d be kissing him.
The door slammed shut as my back collided with it. August placed his hands on the roof on either side of me, and I kissed him back hard, running my hands over his shoulders. I needed this memory of how good his body felt against mine and the feelings he evoked inside me when he kissed me.
This would be the last time I’d be in his arms. For real this time.
When he released me, he pressed his forehead to mine. We were both breathing hard, struggling to take the next breath. And if I dared to admit it, struggling with the panic settling inside my stomach.
This was the last time.
“When you want more, Charles, you know where to find me.”
He stepped back, and without a word, I slipped into the car. I started the engine and drove away, fighting the urge to look in the rearview mirror.
The drive was way too short for me to think properly, but the sight of Poppy’s car in the garage instantly brought me in the here and now. She was home. She had the answer.
After I parked, I sat there in the garage for a long time, afraid to go in and face her. I closed my eyes and leaned back against the headrest. I’d been so at peace with August. Everything outside of him seemed so hellish.
I startled at the knock on the window at the passenger side. Poppy peered inside.
“Let me in.”
I unlocked the door, and she climbed in slowly.
“I was just about to come in.”
“You’ve been sitting out here for twenty minutes, Charles.”
That long?
“What did you decide?” I asked her bluntly.
“I was born dirt-poor.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Everything.” She spat the word at me. “I know you and your lawyer look at me and judge me. Hell, my own lawyer thinks I’m a bitch, and I have a husband who can’t stand me. Do you blame me for trying to take care of myself in this situation?”
“You didn’t have to go this far.”
“Be honest, Charles. You would’ve divorced me.”
“Your alimony