"NOT SO FUCKING FAST."

I was only half-awake, but that didn't mean my reflexes weren't ready to go. They worked on autopilot where Quinn was involved, and I quickly wrapped a hand around her middle, tucking her back into my body before she could escape the bed.

"August," she groaned. "I have an interview I have to get ready for."

I planted a kiss on her shoulder as my hands roamed up her naked body, pausing to give an appreciative squeeze or two. Fuck, she always felt so goddamn good.

"It's online, right?" I asked gruffly, trying to keep my desire in check. It didn't matter that I'd been inside her only a handful of hours ago; it would never be enough. "It can't take you that long to get ready."

"I don't need Phoenix Jones seeing my sex hair," she laughed, lifting a hand to smooth down her messy morning hair.

"I'm okay with Jones knowing you're getting it good," I grunted. "And not by him."

"Oh, stop." Quinn reached behind her and smacked my arm. "First of all, I think the whole world knows you're giving it to me good at this point."

I smiled to myself, burying my face in her sweet-smelling, sex-tangled hair. Because yeah, that was probably the truth. After Quinn had released her article, confirming the gossip for what it was, our relationship hadn't been a secret. And I was damn okay with that.

Hundreds of photos of the two of us had been released since that day, most of them taken on our trip back to New York, where we spent a couple weeks properly packing Quinn's things, Eloise included, and making arrangements, and I hadn't bothered keeping my hands off her in public when I took her out on dates.

Even though most of her belongings were now scattered around the beach house, Quinn wanted to keep her apartment, which was fine with me. As long as she let me pay for it, which she eventually caved on—at least until she got her new business fully underway.

Which, by now, she had. In the six months since she released that article about me, Quinn had built her career in a different direction, a fully flourishing direction. But she hadn't brought up her apartment since then, and I wasn't going to remind her.

"Second of all," Quinn continued, "I don't think Phoenix gives a damn about my sex life."

I snorted and rolled my eyes even though she couldn't see me.

"He was totally flirting with you during your last interview."

"You were listening?" Quinn made a little noise of indignation that quickly turned into a moan when I started sucking a sensitive spot on her neck.

"The door to the office was open, and I caught a few bits as I was walking by," I admitted with a laugh.

As soon as Quinn had come up with the idea to launch her own media team, one that worked for the athletes instead of the corporations, I transformed one of our guest suites into an office suite. With the rate she was growing, I knew that she might have to relocate at some point, but for now, it meant that she could run her own business and chase her dreams right from our fucking beach house. It was perfect.

"Walking by, huh?" she laughed before she rolled away from me again. This time, I let her with a resigned sigh, knowing that I had to stop being a greedy bastard and share her with Phoenix fucking Jones for the morning, who was a kicker for the New England Knights.

To be honest, I actually liked the guy, but that didn't mean I had to like it when he flirted with my girlfriend.

Or soon-to-be fiancé, considering the ring I had hidden in the guest bedroom.

"I like watching you work," I admitted with an unashamed shrug. "It's hot how good you are at what you do, Castle."

A pretty flush rose on her cheeks, and it took all the self-restraint in me not to chase her down and drag her back into bed so I could kiss her all over. So I could touch her and watch that blush spread down her entire body.

"He wasn't flirting with me," Quinn insisted, pausing on the edge of the bed as she looked back over her shoulder. "He was just doing what all my clients do: telling me the truth about whatever fucked up lies their media teams have spread about them so I can properly report the story they want out in the world."

"Quinn baby," I said with a smile. "How many times did you interview me without realizing that I was a fucking goner for you? I don't think you even realize when someone is flirting with you."

"Yeah, but you never even cracked a smile at me until I got here, Fletcher. And then, believe me, I realized when you started flirting."

"I tried really hard to hold it in." My grin grew, thinking about how fucking miserable and also elated I'd been to have her so close to me. "But resisting you was impossible, baby."

Quinn raised a brow as she slid out of bed, standing and making her way to the bathroom, her hips swaying as she walked, putting on a fucking show for me. Jesus Christ, what the hell did she think she was doing, walking across our bedroom naked like that?

"You're trying to prove my point, right? Because you can't honestly expect me to resist you right now." I called after her, and she paused in the doorway to the bathroom, looking back over her shoulder with bright fuck-me eyes.

"I have twenty-five minutes before I have to be on a call with Phoenix," she said, her voice dropping to a degree I recognized immediately.

I whipped the covers off me and jumped from my bed.

"I'll have you coming and screaming my name in five."

"You're on the clock, Fletcher," she said with a smirk before disappearing into the bathroom.

"Trust me, I'm not concerned," I said, following her and catching her before she could turn on the shower. Instead, I grabbed her by the waist and sat her on the countertop, immediately spreading her legs and stepping between them. "I love watching you work, but watching you work knowing that my cum is dripping from your pretty pussy while you smile that polite smile at Jones? Fuck, yes baby."

Quinn groaned as I captured her mouth in a deep kiss, her head tipping back as I cupped both cheeks, making sure she couldn't slip away from me.

"You're insatiable," she murmured when she had a moment to breathe. "You talk like I'm not already dripping from last night."

"Never enough," I muttered against her lips as mine curved with a wicked smirk. "You think I'm insatiable now? Just you wait until you tell me you're ready for kids. I can't wait to fill you up and fuck you until you're pregnant."

"August," she gasped, but I felt the way her lips pulled into a smile. "You want that?"

"With you? So fucking badly."

"I want that, too," she breathed, and warmth filled me at hearing her agree. "Some day."

"Whenever you're ready, I'll be ready too," I assured her. I knew I'd have to be patient. She was young and still figuring out what she wanted in life, but as long as she kept wanting me to be a part of it, I'd be here. "So ready, Castle."

This life we'd been living for the past six months had been a dream come true.

And it was only going to get better.

"I love you, August," Quinn whispered. "And I love building a future with you."

My stomach flipped. Hearing those words never got old. And they never fucking would.

"I love you, too, Quinn."

I STOOD OFF to the side, watching August shake hands with a row of people–some I recognized and others I didn't. There were numerous media outlets here, locals I'd come to know and adore, and of course, August's friends and family. Sunny, Finny, and Cohen all stood near the entrance to the new sports complex, just beside the big red ribbon that stretched in front of it.

I'd expected August to hate all this pomp and circumstance, but I wasn't sure if the smile on his face had ever been brighter. He was so damn proud of what he'd created on this island, and that alone made me so happy. For him and this community.

While I'd been focused on redesigning my career these past months, August had been busy both supporting me in every way he knew how and supporting this community. He'd worked unbelievably hard to get this community center up and running, and today was the day he revealed it to the public.

And he was all smiles.

He didn't even make a fuss when one of the city officials handed him a larger-than-life pair of scissors to use on the ribbon. And instead of quickly getting the show over with and snipping the ribbon without further delay, August swiveled around with that giant pair of scissors as his eyes flicked over the crowd.

I heard him mutter, "Where's my girl?" before his gaze landed on me, and my insides turned to mush.

He grinned, and the smile was even bigger and brighter than the one he'd been showing off a minute ago. August jerked his head, indicating he wanted me to come over there, but I hesitated.

This was his moment, and he deserved to have all the attention. I didn't want it to get overshadowed by the continual buzz and gossip that was always inevitable when the two of us were pictured together.

Before I could be too stubborn about it, though, August shook his head and strode over to me, grabbing my hand with an utterly attractive confidence, especially considering the suit he wore in honor of the occasion. I couldn't fucking wait to get home and tear it off of him; he looked so good.

"I want you by my side for this." His voice was soft and smooth, covering me with comfort. "I want you by my side for everything."

"I didn't want to distract from your moment," I mumbled beneath my breath, not wanting to be overheard. I trained my eyes downward, which was a mistake.

August's ass in those pants was drool-worthy.

"The only thing that is distracting is how fucking stunning you look." He glanced back at me, catching me just before I flicked my gaze up to meet his. August's voice dropped before he added. "And how you keep looking at me. You have to stop that, Castle."

"It's hard," I whined softly.

"No." He shook his head, his lips twisting in amusement. "But I'm going to be if you keep this up."

I laughed and squeezed his hand, swallowing any other comments I might have because everyone was watching us.

When we reached the entrance to the community center, which was sparkling, bright, and beautiful, August turned and faced the small crowd, and I did the same. He pulled me into his side, wrapping an arm around my shoulders, and smiled.

God, I loved seeing him smile.

And him–I just loved him.

"Thank you so much for being here today."

August's voice commanded the space, and I looked over at the news reporters who were there, giving them a look that I hoped they understood. If they dared to write so much as a single word that negatively portrayed August today, I'd have so many things to say. And considering how large of an audience I'd amassed in the last year, they didn't want to test me.

"I grew up in this community desperate to learn the sport my family loved," August said. "But instead of being able to pursue it here with the people who have always made this place a home for me, I had to spend hours on ferries and buses to find youth programming to help me chase my dreams." August's easy grin faded just slightly, and I wondered if he was remembering his parents, wondered if he was thinking about the sacrifices they made to get him here.

They'd be so proud of him for what he'd created, and I squeezed his hand again, hoping he understood.

"I am so happy to present the Evergreen Community Complex to you," he went on. "A place that will not only house youth sports opportunities that have never before been available on this island, but also a place for families to be together, to get active together, and learn new things together." August paused, swallowing hard before adding, "I hope it is a place that everyone can enjoy, no matter their dreams. And if you don't know what your passions are, maybe this can be a place where you find out."

With those resounding words, August twisted and snipped the ribbon, letting it fall as the people around us clapped and hollered. August led the way, keeping my hand in his as he pushed through the doors to the complex. And for one quick moment, we were alone.

And August never missed an opportunity when we were alone.

He tugged on my hand, causing me to spin into him, and he caught me. A second later, his lips were on mine, and his hand was sneaking up the underside of my dress. I gasped before melting into him, unable to resist.

"I'm so proud of you," I managed to mumble despite the relentless way he captured my mouth.

"That first day I brought you here," he breathed when he eventually broke the kiss, "you wore that Warriors shirt, and I wanted so fucking badly to kiss you. I almost did. You just looked so damn good with my last name on your back."

"I like your last name," I giggled, straightening myself out as other people started to follow us inside, and August reluctantly released me.

"That's good." He still had my hand in his and brought it to his lips. "Because it'll be yours if you want it real soon."

My jaw dropped at his casual comment, but before I could reply, some of the city council members had caught up with August, clapping him on the back in congratulations. His hand tightened on mine so I wouldn't slip away, and whenever he got a chance, he'd glance over at me, a sparkle in his eyes.

The rest of the grand opening was spent like that—August making the rounds as people appreciated the new space and me sticking to his side like glue because that was what he wanted. In a way, it was tortuous. Because even though we were together, we weren't alone.

And I really wanted to be alone after what he'd said earlier.

It wasn't until everyone had cleared out and August and I made it back to the car that I finally had an uninterrupted moment with him.

"Did you really mean that?" I asked, glancing over at him. It was late; the moon cast a light over August that only emphasized how he'd been glowing all evening. In the distance, the waves could be heard crashing against the shore, like a steady applause for the man in front of me and all he had accomplished.

"I mean every word I say," August said, meeting my gaze. "And especially every word that has to do with you."

"But—"

"Quinn." August stopped walking, facing me. He slipped a single finger beneath my chin, tipping it up. Then his fingers traced my jaw, making me shiver, and August immediately drew me into his chest. A second later, warmth filled me from the inside out.

I hadn't felt truly cold since the moment I stepped into August's gaze.

Even though month after month had passed since I'd arrived here, I'd been basking in the August heat for almost a year.

And I had a feeling I would be for a long, long time.

"I want you endlessly, Quinn Castle," he breathed into my ear. "So yes, I really meant that. I've just been waiting to make sure that's what you want, too."

I peeked up at him, finding his shining eyes.

"I really liked standing by your side tonight," I whispered, feeling like my heart was in my throat. Emotion coated my words. "I wouldn't mind doing that forever."

August grinned, and it was unlike anything I'd ever seen.

"Forever sounds damn good, Castle."

THE END

☀️

a/n:

please continue to the next chapter for a longer author's note, but thank you so much for
reading August & Quinn's story and following along as I wrote In the August Heat! I appreciate your support endlessly. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!!

xoxo amelie