Page 4 of Between the Stacks

Which made my career choice ten-times harder.

Still, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I enjoyed performing. My tenure in the industry had led to several awards and publication write-ups praising my work. If I sounded like a preening peacock, so be it. I don’t mind the moniker. I thought it fit me perfectly. I pulled off my coat once I was out of my car then rolled the sleeves up on my shirt.

No need to be as formal here as I was at the college.

I found Nova at her reception desk as I entered the warehouse. She greeted me with a warm smile. “Hey, August. I’ll let Lorna know you’re here. If you want to wait just a moment.”

I nodded. “Sure.”

A few seconds later Nova glanced at me and waved me on. “She’s ready for you. Knock before you enter.”

“Thank you, Nova.” I strode down the hall to Lorna’s office then knocked on the doorframe, waiting for her permission to enter. There was always something going on at the warehouse. From camming to making movies, someone was always busy. The electric charge in the atmosphere kept me coming back for more, that’s for sure. As if the second I stepped over the threshold the energy changed. This sensual vibe took over, and a languidness consumed me. I could fuck like a champ, act my ass off, and feel more rewarded, some days, than I did finding some long-hidden piece of literature in the bowels of the college.

“Come in,” Lorna stated, allowing me entry into her office. “Close the door will you, August.”

I nodded, doing as she requested. “Have to admit, you caught me off-guard with your request for a meeting.”

She glanced at the paperwork in her hand; pen poised to strike when needed. “Sorry, it was short notice. Day got away from me.” She cleared her throat before marking something onthe page she read over, then signed it. Lorna affixed a brilliant smile on her face, illuminating her features. She was a gorgeous woman, and she knew it too. Lorna also knew what she wanted and grabbed on with both hands. I didn’t think the studio would’ve been half as successful if she wasn’t in control of the day-to-day activities. “If you’d like a drink, grab one.”

“Scotch sounds amazing right now,” I replied then stood. “What would you like?”

“I’ll have what you’re having,” she answered, sitting back in her chair. “You always have this air of a refined gentleman about you. Question is, do you practice your charms or are they natural?”

“Finishing school,” I said over my shoulder as I poured our drinks. “Figured if I was going to be a stuffy doctor, I better have the manners to match.”

“We both know you don’t fuck like a stuffy doctor.”

I smirked. “No. I don’t.”

Bringing the drinks back to Lorna’s desk, I passed her a crystal tumbler first, then took a seat across from her. “I have a proposition for you.” She ran the pad of her index finger along the rim of the glass while sizing me up. “You can say no.”

“Why do I feel there’s a but in there somewhere?”

She chuckled. The deep, throaty vixen sound went straight to my gut and spread outward. “There are no buts, Auggie, promise.”

I slouched into the chair, tugging at the upper thigh of my pants to relieve the bunching toward my groin. “Alright. What’s this proposal, then?”

She took a sip of the whiskey, drawing my attention to her ruby lips and sinful blue eyes. Everything she did was a master class in sensuality. Sexiness sold in spades within our business, and she was the embodiment ofitin a tight, little package. “I’vechosen you for the first annual calendar shoot. Your month is February.”

I tilted my head. “You gave me February? Interesting choice.” I leaned forward, bracing my elbows on my knees while holding the glass in front of me. “Is there more to this little calendar shoot?”

“A movie. You pick the national holiday you’d like to use, and we’ll make the movie happen,” she said.

“And the photo shoot.”

She nodded.

I sat back. “Fascinating. First, I’m honored you’ve chosen me.”

“Are you saying no?” She quirked a perfectly manicured brow, challenging me. “If you don’t want the opportunity, Auggie, I can ask someone else.”

“Who said I was saying no?” I stared at her, intrigued by the idea. The only thing about February was Valentine’s Day.

“You haven’t said yes, either,” she reminded me.

“I love our tête-à-têtes.” I smirked, taking a sip of the scotch. “What’s the catch?”

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