I tried again to convince August to let me come along. "I'll wait in the truck while you talk to the guy."

"We're not having this discussion again," he said while pulling on his shirt. "You're staying here."

"Well, where are you meeting him?"

"That ain't none of your concern."

It was infuriating, the way he could change from being easygoing to being a complete hard-ass. And in the blink of an eye, too.

August moved so fast, grabbing his phone and keys, that I had no time to ask any more questions. Just before leaving, he turned back to me. 

"You don't leave this room, Dove. And don't open the door for anyone."

I shook my head in confusion. "No one knows I'm here."

"Exactly," was all he said. 

In the quiet of the motel room, I stood at the window, with the curtain pulled aside. Peering into the darkness, I saw the truck's headlights come on. August must have spotted me, for he flashed the lights twice. 

Then he was gone.

Before we'd left the restaurant earlier, I'd sent a message to August's phone with a photo of Tanya. I'd taken the picture back in the spring, when she and I were walking along the creek that snaked behind her house. Her smile was brilliant, and her hair tumbled past her shoulders in dark, silken strands. 

Though I understood August would be showing that photo around when he asked if folks had seen Tanya, I hated the thought of strangers gazing upon her lovely face.

I thought of Tanya's mom and dad then. They had no idea I was looking for their daughter. Tanya and her parents had been at each other's throats since she graduated; they thought she should enroll in a class or two at the community college and work toward a degree of some kind. She insisted she was content with waiting tables. Last month, her dad told her she needed to start contributing financially if she wanted to keep living at home.

Not long after that, she took off with Rick.

Her parents believed she'd return eventually. They were furious she was dating someone so much older, and like me, they were suspicious of Rick's motives.

But when I called Tanya's house a few days ago and asked her mom if my friend had been in touch at all, because I hadn't heard from her, the woman just sighed. 

"Tanya's grown and can do what she wants," her mom said. "She'll come home when she's ready."

Now that I was alone at the motel, with nothing to do but wait on August, I decided to take a shower. It was a relief to wash the dried sweat from my skin, and to change into clean clothes. I wore jeans, along with a blouse that didn't show my cleavage. Studying my reflection in the mirror, I could admit I'd chosen that clingy, revealing sundress yesterday in the hopes of persuading August to help me.

Would he have agreed if I'd shown up at his door in a more modest outfit like the one I now wore? Probably, I decided, since I had money. Then again, five hundred wasn't much at all. Not for an overnight stay out of town. He could have demanded that I give him the five hundred free and clear of any other expenses, like the motel room and meals. 

But he didn't. Maybe my tits were the reason why.

I spent a ridiculous amount of time on my hair, fussing over each curl. The silence of the room was starting to unnerve me; now that it was the middle of the night, the air conditioner didn't make its noisy rattle nearly as often.

I turned on the TV and flipped through the channels, settling on a sitcom rerun. When my stare drifted to August's overnight bag, I was briefly tempted to peek inside. But the temptation disappeared once I remembered that he always seemed to know what I was up to. And he wouldn't be happy about me snooping through his things.

He didn't get back till after four. As soon as he unlocked the door and stepped inside the room, I was on my feet, searching his face for a clue as to how the meeting went.

He held out a plastic bag. "I got you a pop and some chips when I stopped at a gas station to fill up the truck."

I took his offering, forgetting to thank him. "Did you learn anything?"

I noticed August was avoiding my eyes. His expression was solemn, as if he was carrying the weight of bad news. 

"Tell me!" I shrieked. My growing dread made me tremble. 

August wouldn't be rushed. No, he went about turning off the television and then sitting on his bed. I remained standing. 

Finally, he lifted his head to regard me. "This guy I met," he began in a low, even voice, "he wouldn't talk till I paid him two hundred dollars."

"That doesn't leave much for you," I said, already worrying about the money running out.

"Never mind that right now. The guy said he saw Tanya and Rick about a week ago, when they met up with a buddy of his."

I stopped chewing on my thumbnail long enough to ask, "What buddy?"

August shook his head. "We ain't naming names here. But they were meeting because Rick wanted to catch up with his old pal. You'll be relieved to know Tanya seemed perfectly happy when this guy saw her. She was all smiles and chatting away. Rick had his arm around her; it was obvious he wanted to show her off to everyone."

I considered August's words. He was right; I was relieved. All I wanted was for Tanya to be okay. But if things were so perfect for her now, why hadn't she let me know?

"When this guy met her a week ago, was it in Franklin?" I asked. 

"No, this went down in the city, at some club."

August didn't need to tell me which city. Only one close to Franklin could boast of any sort of night life. 

"Which club?" I persisted.

"Yeah, I'm not telling you that, either." Before I could protest, he continued. "I learned more about Rick. He's originally from around these parts. He went to college on a scholarship and apparently did well for himself. He met Tanya while he was back in town visiting family. And he's forty-one, by the way." August rubbed the back of his neck, seeming conflicted as to whether he should say more. "Did Tanya ever tell you that he's married?"

I pressed a hand to my forehead. "Oh, for God's sake."

"I'll take that as a no," August said. "At the club, Rick mentioned he and his wife are in the middle of a nasty divorce, so he's not keeping that a secret from Tanya. He also said he's between jobs, but he was vague about why." With a shrug, August added, "Honestly, it sounds like the guy is having a mid-life crisis. He's out of work, burning through money before his wife can get it in the divorce, and he's running around with a woman half his age."

I turned all this new information over in my mind, trying to examine it from different angles. "It doesn't sound like a mid-life crisis to me," I finally said. "It sounds like he's desperate, with his back to the wall." Holding August's stare, I asked, "I assume you know Rick's last name now?"

"I do," he said.

"And I'm guessing you won't tell me what it is."

"Not at this time, no. Now, the guy I met tonight also told me Tanya and Rick left Franklin a few days ago."

I held out my hand, as if August could drop the key to finding my friend into my palm. "Does he know where they were headed?"

August sighed, looking weary. "Rick mentioned he wanted to look at a place in Fairview. He didn't get any more specific than that."

Fairview was at least a two-hour drive from here. I suddenly felt as tired as August appeared. But he and I could make it there today, with plenty of time for him to ask around. And once this was all over and I found another job, I'd be able to pay him what I owed.

He nodded toward my bed. "Have a seat, because we need to talk."

My previous dread returned. I guessed August was about to tell me this was the end of the road, that he couldn't keep looking for Tanya unless I gave him more money.

Instead, he leaned forward, his hands clasped before him. "I'm just asking you to consider," he said quietly, "that I might be right about Tanya. She's all caught up in this relationship, and she's neglecting everyone else in her life as a result."

I shook my head. "She wouldn't do that. She promised she'd keep in touch."

August's gaze softened. At that moment, he looked sorry for me. "You're a good friend to her, Dove. No doubt about that. But maybe the relationship means more to you than it does to Tanya. Maybe now that she's involved with someone—"

"No!" I recoiled, trying to put more space between us. "You think you're so fucking smart, but you don't know a goddamn thing. I paid you to help me find Tanya, not waste my time with your bullshit opinions!" Rage and grief made my eyes flood with tears. My hands shook with the urge to slap August's face, so I slid them beneath my thighs. 

August raised an eyebrow. "For a good girl, you've got a filthy mouth." His tone lacked all the warmth it held before. "Now look here. I'm only trying to save you a world of hurt."

"Well, spare me!" I snapped. "If you're done, then just say so. But don't act like you care about me."

He took a breath and let it out slowly. The silence stretched between us for five seconds, then ten. Part of me wanted to hear his answer. Did he care at all? For anything more than the money? 

But I was tired of waiting. So I jumped to my feet and went to grab my bag. 

August stood as well. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"That ain't none of your concern." I relished throwing his earlier words back at him. At the door, I put on my sandals. Though August moved closer, he didn't reach for me. 

"Come on, don't be stupid." He was cajoling now, which took the sting from his words. "It's five in the morning, Dove. If you're ready to go home, let me take you."

"I'm not ready! I'm staying here in Franklin." Wrenching the door open, I called over my shoulder, "And you can fuck off, August."

As I strode into the darkness, I knew I was indeed being stupid. More than that, I was acting like a brat. My mom always said pride would get the best of me. And here I was, too proud to think upon what August had said about Tanya. Too proud to acknowledge my fear that he understood her better than I did.

The air was cool, summoning forth goosebumps on my bare arms. In the truck last night, I'd spotted a diner within easy walking distance of the motel. At that time, I thought it would be a cheap, convenient place for me and August to eat. Now, I'd take shelter there while I figured out my next move.

It wasn't as if I had many options. I had just twenty dollars to my name, and I was hours from home. August would soon be on his way out of town, after the way I'd talked to him. He was probably relieved to be rid of me.

The diner had just opened when I showed up at the door. Inside, country music played at low volume, and a woman greeted me with a friendly smile from behind the counter. 

"Sit anywhere you like," she said.

Once I sank into a chair at a nearby table, she approached with a pot of coffee. I gratefully accepted a cup, only then realizing just how exhausted I was. 

I was in the process of ordering eggs and a side of toast when a young man stepped into the diner. He looked around, taking in his surroundings, which made me guess he was traveling. His eyes met mine, and he flashed a smile.

Though we were the only customers, he sat at the table next to mine. I noticed he was unfailingly polite as he ordered breakfast, and while we waited for our food, he turned in his chair so he was facing me.

"I was glad to find this place open," he said. "I'm Geoff, by the way."

I managed a smile. "I'm Dove."

"That's a pretty name. Real unusual, too." He stretched his long legs out in front of him. "So are you from around here?"

"No, I'm..." I couldn't think of a good excuse for being in Franklin, and I wasn't about to tell a stranger the real reason. "I'm hoping to meet up with a friend."

Geoff brushed a dark strand of hair out of his eyes. "I'm on my way to Hamilton. My grandmother's in the hospital."

"I'm sorry to hear that." As I spoke, my mind started exploring desperate avenues. Maybe I could get a ride with Geoff. He seemed harmless, and Hamilton was a lot closer to home than here.

As if sensing I was growing more receptive to our conversation, Geoff stood and then slipped into the other chair at my table. 

"Okay if I join you?" he asked, though he was already sitting down. 

"Sure." 

We chatted for a few minutes, tossing questions back and forth while we got better acquainted. Studying Geoff, I tried to determine exactly what he wanted from me. Maybe he was simply happy to talk. I chalked his approach up to friendliness rather than flirtation. 

I'd just taken a bite of fluffy scrambled eggs when August walked in. He didn't look around like Geoff had. Instead, his stare settled on me. Even as he exchanged greetings with the server, he kept me in his sights.

Then he started in my direction, and I struggled to swallow my mouthful of breakfast. Seeing my uneasiness, Geoff turned his head. His smile faded once August reached our table.

"Hey, pal," August said to Geoff. "Do you mind? I was planning to have breakfast with my girl."

His demeanor was cordial, not at all combative, but something in his eyes made Geoff scurry to his feet.

"Sure, man," he replied while grabbing his plate. "I didn't know..."

Geoff shot me an accusatory glance. Eager to defend myself, I pointed at August and said, "I'm not his girl."

"Whatever. I'm out." Geoff moved to a table on the opposite side of the room, returning only to fetch his coffee cup. 

Satisfied, August sank into the chair Geoff had vacated, and when the server came to our table, he ordered a massive breakfast. "I'm starving," he told her by way of explanation.

"I always like a man with a hearty appetite," she replied with a wink. The remark made August grin, while I tried not to roll my eyes.

"How did you know I was here?" I asked once the server had strolled away.

August took a sip of coffee before answering. "I followed you. Wanted to make sure you didn't do something dumb like try to hitchhike." 

I started playing with a sugar packet so I could avoid his gaze. "So were you outside, watching me the whole time?"

"Pretty much. Figured I'd step in before Romeo over there got too hot and heavy."

Glancing up, I noticed the dark look August cast in Geoff's direction. My lips quivered, intent on forming a smile. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't flattered. It was almost as if August was jealous. 

But that was crazy. I didn't know August all that well, yet I was almost certain he didn't pursue women like me. Once we were back in town, I'd probably see him only when he stopped in at the market. I imagined he'd soon forget about what we'd done last night at the motel.

Pushing all those nagging doubts from my mind, I leaned forward, my breakfast momentarily forgotten. "I need to go to Fairview, August. Can't we do, like, an IOU? I promise I'll pay you once I get another job."

He wiped a hand over his face. "And here I was, hoping you'd come to your senses."

"Please." 

Whatever he heard in that single word made him soften a bit. I could see it in the way his shoulders relaxed, and his expression became more open. I waited until he had his meal in front of him, and the server was out of earshot.

Then I spoke again, my voice quiet. "Before Tanya left, she and I were driving around one evening, wasting time. I told her I felt like we were both strays, never really fitting in anywhere. Not in town or at school. Not at home. She agreed, and she said we'd both be hungry, starving, even, until we ended up where we belonged."

August listened intently while his eggs and bacon got cold. When I paused for a few seconds, he nodded, encouraging me to continue.

"I just..." The words got all caught up in the tears coating my throat, and I looked away. I didn't want August to think I was using those tears to manipulate him. "I just need to know if Tanya's still hungry. Or if she's ended up where she feels she belongs."

It was August's hand, warm and solid on mine, that made me turn back to him.

"I'll take you to Fairview," he said. "I'm not as familiar with that area, but I'll see what I can find."

I had the wild urge to grab his hand and bring it to my lips. Instead, I choked out my thanks. "And whatever I need to pay, I swear I will," I added.

He gently withdrew. "We'll worry about that later. Now finish your breakfast."

After that, the tension between us faded away. By the time we were ready to leave, August was flirting shamelessly with our server and even went so far as to give Geoff a friendly wave.

His elevated mood was contagious. Walking back to the motel with him, I had renewed energy. When I strode several feet ahead of him, he said, "Where you running off to? Give an old man a chance to catch up."

Grinning, I stopped and waited for him to close the short distance separating us. He slipped an arm around my waist, keeping me at his side. I focused on the warmth of his palm, which seeped past my blouse to reach my skin. I felt bold then, ready to take on the world, or at least the part of it that now held Tanya. As long as August was with me, I was sure I could face any obstacle.

Back in the room, I didn't even give him a chance to toss his keys on the table. As soon as the door closed behind us, I moved to circle my arms around his neck. Surprise swept over his face just before I cupped a hand against the back of his head and guided his mouth toward mine.

August didn't resist or try to stop me. Our first kiss was a mere meeting of warm, dry lips. He made a muffled sound, kind of like an mmmfph. Not exactly the reaction I was going for, but I'd done this just a couple of times in the past and knew my technique needed improvement.

It was only when August broke the kiss that I saw the obvious desire in his eyes. I heard him breathing a little faster. Still, he said, "This ain't how I expect you to pay me, Dove."

"I know," I replied with a solemn nod. Then my face broke into a grin. "I understand that even if we fuck, you're still gonna want the cold, hard cash."

August took one of those deep breaths that ended up as an exasperated sigh. "Is everything about money with you?" he asked.

Then he kissed my mouth, long enough for our tongues to dance between our lips. I found a fierce pleasure in exploring the contours of his teeth. He tasted like sweet coffee.

His mouth traveled to my neck, his stubble faintly scratching my skin. In his embrace, I felt his hands slide along my back. I gasped when he held my ass in a firm grip while pressing me against him. He paused, as if to make sure he wasn't moving too fast, but I didn't want him to stop. So I placed my palm between his thighs and started rubbing the hardness I found there.

That prompted him to lead me to his bed, which he'd hastily thrown the covers over. As he now pulled those covers back, I saw a few dried splotches of semen from last night.

"My sheets are already dirty," August said, his smile sheepish. "Might as well get them dirtier."

I laughed at the thought of us using his bed for fucking and mine for sleeping. Once we'd taken off our shoes, he drew me down onto the squeaky mattress, worn out from countless other couples over the years.

I expected things to move fast then, but as we lay on our sides, facing each other, August continued giving me slow, deep kisses. Even while I relaxed further into each one, my eagerness grew. I was more than ready when he started lifting my blouse.

I didn't hesitate to show him my breasts. Sitting up, I yanked my top over my head and tossed it aside. My fingers were clumsy reaching behind me to unhook my bra. Adrenaline and need made me shake. 

Finally, the undergarment loosened around me. It was August who slid the straps from my shoulders, revealing more of my tits with each passing second. The moment my pink nipples appeared, he let out an appreciative moan. 

"More gorgeous than I imagined," he said.

"You've imagined what my boobs look like?" I teased.

"Soon as I laid eyes on them." Quickly, he moved to gather my right breast in his hand, while he took my left nipple in his mouth. 

Those twin sensations of suckling and fondling left my pussy flooded with juice. I seriously thought I might soak through both my jeans and panties. 

August pulled me back down next to him. His hand slid over the curve of my belly, a spot which had always made me self-conscious. He gave my flesh a tender squeeze. He had no trouble unbuttoning and unzipping my jeans. As he worked his fingers inside my panties, his mouth remained at my tit.

I released breathy cries, sounds I'd never made before. If a sound could be a plea, then I was begging August to keep touching me. He merely grazed my clit, which was still sensitive from my attention last night. His touch grew a little firmer as he lifted his head and looked up at me.

"You ever done this before, Dove?" he whispered.

I was quick to nod. "I'm not a virgin."

That was the truth, though I wasn't about to admit I'd had sex only once, at a party following high school graduation. The entire class had been invited, and while Tanya was inside one of the nicest houses in our town, trying to get a football player's attention, I ended up in another classmate's car. While I'd never considered the guy a friend, he was always kind to me, asking how I was and actually taking an interest in my answer.

The sex itself happened in the car's dark backseat. Foreplay consisted of a few kisses, along with him fumbling at my pussy. I stroked his dick, which was already hard. Intercourse was quick and painful, and while I didn't regret it afterward, I wasn't eager for a repeat of the experience. I never told Tanya about it, and to his credit, the guy who took my virginity kept his mouth shut as well. Maybe he didn't want his friends teasing him about fucking a big girl.

Now, August searched my face. I thought he believed me, but he still said, "We can take it slow. No rush, okay?"

The incredibly horny part of me wanted to rush. But I smiled and nodded, and when August began expertly rubbing my clit, I gave him a hungry kiss.

That clearly convinced him I was ready for more. He sat up to pull off his shirt, and I moved along with him. Finally granted permission, I slid my hands over his hot skin. My fingertips journeyed along that trail of hair I'd admired the night before. I was nervous, a little unsure, but my craving for August shoved all my self-doubt aside.

His touch was determined as he stripped me of my remaining clothes. The man had an easier time removing my tight jeans than I normally did! Once he'd taken off my panties, I hesitated for just a second.

Then I opened my legs wide.

Kneeling before me, August fixed his stare on my exposed pussy. "You're dripping for me, just like I hoped you'd be."

I rested my head on his pillow as he set about exploring my most intimate place. His touch was never rough, never hurried. My ass lifted from the bed, and I released a loud moan when he slipped a finger inside me. With his other hand, he massaged my clit. I could feel my nub pulsing beneath his skin.

It shocked me, how quickly August brought me to orgasm. I figured my anxiety and self-consciousness would dampen my excitement a little, at least at first, but I was wrong. In only a few minutes, my thighs were quivering, and I had a hand mashed against my lips to muffle my cries. August groaned at the sight of my body tensing and relaxing, then tensing again while the contractions coursed through me. 

Once my arched spine straightened back out and I collapsed on the bed, trying to catch my breath, he reached for me. I let him guide me into the position he wanted, where I was on my knees, facing away from him with my cheek pressed against the mattress. My ass was high in the air, and my legs were still spread.

Was he going to fuck me now? I asked myself with a rush of panic and longing. He hadn't even taken out his cock.

Tenderly, he stroked my buttocks. I closed my eyes, my face flushing hotter when he parted my cheeks. Knowing he had a close-up view of my asshole made my self-consciousness surge again.

But August didn't give me much chance to dwell on it.

"I was dying to do this last night," he said.

Then he buried his face between my spread cheeks. I felt his nose nuzzle my hole as his tongue sought out my pussy. 

"Oh, fuck!" I wailed. His warm tongue, and his breath, along with that gentle stimulation against my asshole, made the entrance to my cunt rhythmically tighten, as if it was gripping a cock. I wondered if he could feel that movement while his tongue prodded my opening.

Halfway out of my mind with the need to come again, I reached between my legs and started rubbing my clit. The more August licked my pussy, the more I wanted to be fucked. 

"I'm gonna... I'm about to..." I groaned as my fingers worked even faster.

It was then that August grabbed my hips. I actually whined when he turned me onto my back once more.

"Why did you stop?" I demanded. "I was so close!"

"I'll get you there," he promised.

I watched him lie on his stomach. Though my hips instinctively bucked from the sensation of his tongue sweeping over my clit, he easily kept me in place. I was already swollen and sensitive, primed to come, and his mouth was relentless. It was as if all the nerve endings in my body had concentrated in that nub he eagerly licked and sucked.

Lifting my head, I met August's eyes. He was still latched onto my cunt, doing all he could to please me. The sight brought on my first full-body orgasm ever. I had no idea I could feel that kind of pleasure everywhere!

Closing my eyes, I didn't try to fight the spasms overtaking me. I felt August's hands sliding over my skin. When he realized I couldn't take any more stimulation, he kissed my inner thighs, and then my lower belly. 

Finally, he sat up. I opened my eyes to see him unfasten his jeans. He slowly lowered them, along with his briefs. His cock, already half-hard, grew even more so when he stroked it. 

"Just getting more comfortable," he told me with a smile. His lips and chin were slick with my juice. I noticed his stare settle on my breasts, which spilled toward my armpits. Offering my own smile, I gathered up my tits and pressed them together. That made August's dick twitch. 

Yet he said, "We don't need to go any further right now."

"I want to," I insisted. "Don't you want to be inside me?"

August's hand moved faster at his cock, while he groaned and let his head fall back. "Christ, girl, you shouldn't have to ask!" Our eyes locked again. "I don't have a condom. I can run out and buy some."

It wasn't like me to take risks, but I immediately shook my head at his offer. "Just pull out, okay?"

"Of course I will, Dove." He positioned himself so that his cockhead was just inches from my opening. With my legs spread, my thighs were resting on top of his. Breath held, I waited for him to penetrate me.

August stayed right where he was. I looked from his hard dick to his face, my brow furrowed. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing at all." I recognized the subtle playfulness in his expression. "You want my cock, don't you?"

"You shouldn't have to ask!" While mimicking him, I made no attempt to hide my exasperation.

He nodded toward his erection. "Then take it."

I stared at him in bewilderment. "What do you mean, take it?"

"Just what I said."

A slight tremor went through him, as if he was cold. That, more than anything, made me realize how much effort it took for him to wait. 

Still, his tone remained gentle when he told me, "Take my cock and guide it inside you."

I understood at once: he wanted me to show just how ready, and how eager, I was.

Was it pride that made me hesitate? Or merely more self-doubt? Giving him a wide-eyed look of innocence, I said, "Good girls don't do that." Even as I spoke, I reached for his dick.

August groaned louder at the feel of my fingers circling his thick shaft. "You'll soon learn just how bad you can be."