Chapter 12: Nothing Until the Signing

August lived on the top floor of an old brick warehouse six blocks from the label.

We walked there in the cold.

Neither of us said a word in the elevator.

I stood against one wall in his jacket and he stood against the other with his hands in his pockets.

He unlocked the door and held it open.

The apartment was one long room with tall windows, a bed at the far end and a record player on the floor.

I walked in, took off his jacket, and dropped it over a chair.

"You said nothing until the signing," I said.

"I did."

"You said it twice."

"I did that too."

"So why are you standing by the door?"

He shut it behind him and turned the lock.

"Because you said it first," August said. "And you're married, and tonight is the worst night of your week.

"I'm not going to be the thing you regret on Monday."

"Then I'll regret it on my own."

I walked up to him and took hold of his belt.

His whole body went tight. He kept his hands in his pockets, and I felt how much that was costing him.

"Marlo."

"Take your hands out."

He did.

They came out slowly and settled on my waist, and I pulled his mouth down to mine.

This kiss wasn't the one from the roof.

It was hungry and clumsy, and his teeth caught my lip.

I made a sound I had not made in years.

He backed me against the wall, and the plaster was cool through my shirt.

His hands went up under it and across my ribs, then closed over my breasts, and I arched into them.

"Tell me what you want," he said into my neck.

"Everything."

"That's not an answer."

"Your mouth," I said. "Everywhere. Now."

He pulled my shirt over my head and dropped it.

He unhooked my bra with one hand.

When the air touched my skin, he looked at me for a long moment before he touched me again.

Keep reading free with an account. Start He Gave Away Our Wedding Song, So I Ended His Signing Day from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.