Cougar

by M. A. Foster

  Cam leans into my ear and whispers, “I got you something. It’s wrapped and in the top drawer of your nightstand. Wear it for me tonight.”

  “Are you crazy?” I bug my eyes out at him. “Liam’s here.”

  Cam shrugs. “He’s gotta sleep sometime.”

  I’m half asleep when I feel the bed dip beside me. “It’s me,” Cam whispers.

  “What time is it?”

  “After one.”

  “Everyone’s asleep?”

  “Yeah. They’ve been asleep for about an hour. I waited for a little bit. Did you get my present?”

  “Yes.” I breathe out a soft laugh.

  “Are you wearing it? Let me see.”

  “Did you lock the door?”

  “Of course I did. Now show me.” He clicks on the bedside lamp and I throw the covers back, revealing the red lace bra and panties. Cam sucks in a breath. “Fuck, Emerson,” he whispers.

  With his index finger, he slowly traces the scalloped edges of the triangular-shaped bra. Goose bumps pebble on my skin, and my breathing accelerates as he trails from the middle of my breasts, down my stomach, to the edge of my panties. He flicks one of the little satin bows tied at the side before tugging on the end and unraveling it. Peeling back the small scrap of lace, he runs his finger over the seam of my pussy before pushing it inside. I gasp as he moves his finger in and out.

  “Cam,” I moan.

  “Do you want me to make you come, Emerson?” he taunts.

  “Yes,” I pant.

  He dips his head and licks my lips, his tongue teasing mine. He pushes a second finger inside and I gasp into his mouth. “Do you want me to fuck you?”

  “Yes,” I say against his lips.

  He moves his mouth to my ear. “It’s gonna be hard and fast.” Just the way I like it. “You have to be quiet. You don’t want to wake everyone up.”

  Nervous excitement bubbles in my lower belly. His teeth gently sink into my earlobe and I moan.

  “Shhh.”

  Pulling his fingers out of me, Cam stands from the bed, hooks his thumbs into the waistband of his sweatpants, and shoves them to his ankles before stepping out and kicking them to the side.

  He wraps his large hand around his cock, stroking it as he moves down to the end of the bed. Pinching the end of the silky bow, I untie the other side of my panties, raising my hips slightly to remove the scrap of lace and toss it to the floor.

  His eyes are zeroed in on the apex of my thighs. “The bra, too,” he instructs huskily.

  Sitting up, I reach behind me, pinching the clasp. The straps slide down my arms and it joins my panties on the floor

  He props a knee on the mattress and pushes my thighs apart. “I love your pussy,” he whispers before dipping his head and running his tongue over my sensitive flesh.

  I bite down on my bottom lip to stifle a moan. Closing my eyes, I feel him crawling up the bed, trailing openmouthed kisses up my stomach, between my breasts, and along my neck before plunging his tongue into my mouth at the same time he slams his cock inside me.

  “Oh—”

  “Shhh,” he says against my lips. Keeping his lips fused to mine, he pumps into me hard and fast, just like he promised.

  Tearing my lips away, I bite down on his shoulder to muffle my cries, my nails digging into his back. Hooking an arm under my knee, he lifts my leg over his shoulder, sinking deeper. His groan is muffled against my neck.

  “Babe,” he pants, and that one word lights the fuse.

  A second later, I explode.

  Emerson

  “Em!” Marcus shouted as he rushed through the front door.

  “I’m in the office,” I called back. I was in the middle of a homework assignment.

  The sound of his boots hitting the stairs echoed from the hallway. Then he was standing in the doorway, breathless, and grinning from ear to ear.

  “We did it!” He threw his arms in the air.

  I didn’t know what he was talking about, but his excitement had me standing from my seat and rounding the desk.

  “What?”

  He took two strides forward, wrapped his arms around my waist, and spun me in a circle. “The Grammys! Not one but three nominations. Best New Artist, Best Rock Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. Can you believe it?”

  “Of course I can believe it, Marcus. You’ve worked hard and you deserve it. You all do. This is your time to shine, my love.”

  “Emerson, it’s Chandler.”

  “Hey, what’s up?” I tuck the phone between my shoulder and my ear as I finish packing to return to Heritage Bay.

  “Two things. As you know, LAW was nominated for a Grammy as ‘Best New Artist.’”

  “I know.” I smile. “I’m so proud of my boy. He deserves it.”

  “He does.” Chandler clears his throat. “I got a call from Simon Neil, one of the producers of the Grammys, and it turns out the Dirty Boys backed out as presenters and they’d like Royal Mayhem to fill in. The only catch is they want Jayla.”

  “Crap.” I heave in a deep breath and drop down onto the edge of the bed. “You know what? If she thinks she’s ready, then let’s do it.”

  “Great. I’ll give her a call. Talk soon.”

  “Okay. Bye.”

  The limo rolls to a stop at the curb. Levi steps out first, then Bass.

  “Listen up,” I say as the limo idles at the curb. “Evangeline, I know this isn’t your first rodeo, and Jayla, we’ve been over this a million times, but I’m gonna say it anyway. Smile pretty for the cameras and move on. Don’t answer any personal questions. Stick to who you’re wearing and the award you’re presenting tonight. That’s it.”

  She gives a single nod. “Got it.”

  I smile fondly when Marcus’s bandmates, Andrew, Tommy, and Chaz line up next to our limo. Beside them are Lucas, Ace, and Wes. “Stay with Lucas. We’ll be right behind you.”

  “I see my parents,” Evangeline says, looking out the window. “Come on, Va-jay-jay, let’s make this red carpet our bitch.”

  I shake my head before tapping on the window to let Bass and Levi know we’re ready.

  Lucas grabs Jay’s hand and he, Ace and Wes head for the bleachers where fans are screaming.

  “Jaybird, Jaybird, Jaybird,” the crowd chants over and over. My feelings are torn between excitement that they love her and fear that they’ll love her too much.

  Don’t cry, Emerson. Don’t fucking do it.

  After taking a few pics with fans and signing autographs, the four of them make their way back to the red carpet. Alex moves beside Jay and hooks his arm around her shoulders before kissing the top of her head.

  Andrew leans over. “The kid is a spitting image of his father. It’s only a matter of time before they figure it out.”

  “I was thinking Alex and I could tell her tomorrow.”

  “Good plan.”

  Someone taps on my shoulder, and I turn to see Nikki Fox, a pop artist Marcus signed with King Records. Her first album is loaded with songs written by Jay, and she was also the opening act for Lucas’s band, LAW. “I just wanted to come say hi.”

  “Hi, Nikki. I heard you killed it on tour.”

  “Thank you. It was such an honor to be part of it. If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to my date. Please say hello to Jayla for me.”

  “Will do. Take care.” Nikki disappears into the crowd, and I turn to Andrew. “Well that was odd. Do you think there’s any chance she heard us?”

  Andrew shrugs. “Nah. It’s too loud out here.”

  Cam

  “Good morning, babe,” I hum softly into the phone so as not to wake Liam or Tyge. I hitched a ride out to California with Emerson and her brood to spend some guy time with Liam before we head off to spring training.

  “You mean good afternoon,” she purrs. “Did you guys have a good time last night?”

  After the Grammys, Emerson took Jayla back to the beach house while the rest of us hit the after-parties.

 
“It was okay. I would rather have gone home with you.” I smile. “Where is everyone?”

  “They’re out” she replies. “Bass and Levi took Jay to meet up with Alex and Evangeline at King Records for Alex’s interview, and then Jay has a meeting with the lawyer.” She pauses. “Where’s Liam?”

  “Asleep. I’m coming over.”

  “I’ll start the shower.”

  The smell of Emerson’s soap permeates the air as I step through the doorway of her master bedroom and make my way to the bathroom.

  Pausing at the threshold, I take in her petite silhouette behind the foggy glass that serves as a shower wall. Her hands move through her hair, her back arched, giving me the perfect side view of her full breast.

  “Stop staring and get that hot ass in here, Cameron.”

  Stepping into the shower, I’m greeted with the most amazing view. Emerson’s dark hair cascades down her naked back, the suds from her shampoo sliding over the globes of her gorgeous ass.

  I wrap my arms around her from behind, cupping her breasts and kissing the spot where her neck and shoulder meet. “I missed you.”

  She snorts. “It’s been less than twenty-four hours.”

  “I miss you even when you’re in the same room.” I drag my lips across her shoulder and back to her neck.

  “Did you have fun at the after-party last night?”

  I chuckle softly. “Are you jealous?” Leaning in close enough so my lips graze the shell of her ear, I whisper, “You have nothing to be jealous of, Em. It’s you I want. Your lips I want to taste. Your body I want to sink into. I crave you. Every second of every day.” I pinch her nipple while sliding the other hand down her stomach.

  “Oh,” she gasps as I slide my middle finger through the lips of her pussy, teasing her entrance before moving back to circle her clit. Curling her arm around the back of my neck, she rocks her hips, seeking friction. “Cam,” she pleads.

  “Let me love you, Emerson,” I whisper against her neck just below her ear. “Turn around.”

  She turns and snakes her arms around my neck, parting her lips as I bring my mouth to hers. Emerson’s mouth, her taste, is addictive. I could come just from her kisses alone.

  Cupping her ass, I lift her up, her legs wrapping around my waist as I turn to press her back against the tiled wall. “Hold on,” is all the warning she gets before I slam into her.

  “Yes,” she groans as she rolls her hips, grinding down on my cock.

  “Take what you need, sexy.” I dip my head and bring my mouth to hers, keeping my strokes steady and deep.

  Her movements become more frenzied. Her legs tighten around my waist, nails digging into my shoulders as she comes apart. Tearing her mouth from mine, she lets out a long, pleasure-filled moan. I press my forehead to hers as white-hot pleasure shoots from the tips of my toes up my spine and I explode inside her.

  Lowering her to the floor, I cup her face and bring my lips to hers. “I love you, Emerson.”

  A sharp gasp echoes over the sound of the shower. Emerson pulls from my arms and swipes a hand across the glass of the shower in time for us both to catch a flash of dark hair fleeing the bathroom.

  “Oh my God,” Emerson chokes out.

  My heart sinks.

  “She saw us, Cam.” She jumps out of the shower in a panic. Not bothering to dry off, she reaches for a robe and hurries to cover herself. Emerson pauses at the door and looks at me over her shoulder, eyes wide with panic. “Stay here,” she instructs before leaving the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

  No fucking way. We’re in this together.

  I quickly towel off before grabbing my jeans from the floor and slipping them on. I move to stand at the threshold of the open bathroom door. Jay’s eyes are red, her face soaked with tears, and it shreds my heart.

  “The cameras were everywhere. I almost fell,” she cries hysterically into her phone.

  “Jay,” Emerson says. “What happened?”

  “I have to go. I love you, Zach.” She spins around, angry and teary-eyed. “I was calling you,” Jay shouts. “Someone tipped them off. They knew I was there.”

  “Who?”

  “The paparazzi. They were outside Jack’s office building. They were shouting at me and asking about Ace and Tyge.”

  “Where was your security?” Emerson yells.

  “There were too many of them, and the flashes… who needs a flash in the freakin’ daytime? I couldn’t see where I was going and I almost fell.”

  Guilt fills my gut like a lead weight.

  “You have to fix this! Zach is going to see those pictures and freak out.”

  “I’ll take care of it, I promise,” Emerson says in a shaky voice.

  “I saw you with him,” Jay whispers, but there’s an angry edge in her tone. “How could you be with him in my father’s house? Does Uncle Liam know about you two?” She holds up her phone as if she’s threatening to call him.

  Liam isn’t going to be happy about Emerson and me, but for him to find out from a hysterical Jay will not bode well for anyone. Liam is a ‘swing first, ask questions later’ kind of guy.

  Jay’s eyes flick from Emerson to me and turn to slits. Her nostrils flare, and the pained expression on her face quickly morphs into an angry one. Thankfully, years of experience on the pitcher’s mound keeps my reflexes sharp, because there’s no warning when Jay hurls her cell phone at my head.

  “Fuck you, Cam!” she screams. “This is my father’s house!”

  Emerson

  “That’s enough, Jayla.” I straighten my spine. “First of all, this is my house, too.” I take a step forward and point in her face. “Second, my relationship with Cam is my business.” I slap my hand over my heart as tears slide down my face. “Your father was the love of my life. I miss him every day.” My voice breaks. “I grieve for him every day. I’d give anything to have him back. He’s gone, Jay, but I’m still here. Existing while everyone else is moving on with their lives. Why can’t I? Am I supposed to spend the rest of my life alone? Just because I’ve found happiness doesn’t mean I’ve stopped loving your father. I will never stop loving Marcus. But that doesn’t mean I can’t love Cam, too. He makes me happy. When I’m with him, everything hurts less. I love you, Jayla, more than anything in this world, but you will not make me feel guilty for moving on with my life.”

  The tension in the room is so thick, it’s almost suffocating. Jay stands just inches from me with her fists balled at her sides, her eyes flicking between Cam and me.

  Bass appears in the doorway. “Everything okay in here?” he asks gruffly. His eyes dart between Jay and me, then move to a shirtless Cam standing behind me.

  Knowing him, he’d been standing just outside the door listening and waiting for the right moment to step in and diffuse the situation.

  Without looking away from me, Jay replies, “Yeah, B. She wasn’t answering her phone because she was too busy moving on,” she sneers.

  “Princess!” Bass bellows, and for the first time ever in my eighteen years as her mother, I want to slap her.

  I cock my hand back, ready to strike. Jay’s eyes widen briefly, but then she squares her shoulders and lifts her chin in defiance. Daring me.

  “Oh no you don’t.” Cam hooks his arm around me from behind and pulls me back against his chest as Bass quickly moves to stand in front of Jay. “Here.” Cam tosses Jay’s phone to Bass. “You guys head to the airport. We’ll meet you on the plane.”

  Bass shoots me a look that says “I told you so.” I roll my eyes before he turns and guides a mumbling Jay out of the room, but not before I hear her say something about never talking to Cam again.

  And that hurts my feelings for Cam.

  This isn’t his fault. It’s mine.

  Like every other secret I’ve kept from her. And now, because of my selfishness, I have to delay telling her about Alex.

  “You okay?” Cam asks softly before letting me go.

  Turning around, I wrap my arms around
his waist and drop my head to his chest. “No.” I burst into tears.

  “Were you really going to hit her?”

  Was I?

  Tilting my head back, I look up at him. “Yes,” I admit. “And then I would’ve spent the rest of my life regretting it.” With the backs of my hands, I swipe the tears from my face. “I know she’s hurting, but I am, too. I won’t tolerate her disrespecting either of us.”

  A small smile pulls at the corner of his lips.

  “What?”

  “You told her you love me.”

  That wasn’t exactly how I planned to tell him.

  “Yes.” I smile. “I do love you, Cam.” I place my hands on his chest. “I’m in love with you. I don’t know how I got so lucky to find love twice in my life. I won’t try to understand it. I’m just grateful for it.” I slide my hands up his chest and circle my arms around his neck. “Thank you for being patient with me and giving me the space I needed to work out my feelings.”

  “If she hadn’t walked in on us, would you have admitted it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Does this mean you’re mine? We can finally tell Liam and the rest of our families?”

  “Yes.”

  “That includes my sister.”

  I drop my head to his chest. “Fuck my life.”

  “What’s taking so long?” I bark into my Bluetooth. Cam and I have been sitting on the plane for thirty minutes while I scroll through all the bullshit articles and pictures posted online.

  I flip through picture after picture of Jay coming out of our attorney’s office with Tyge Reynold’s arm draped across her shoulders. My heart free-falls into my stomach when I see the terrified expression on her face. I’m suddenly anxious and gearing for a fight. Ever since I started working in public relations, the media never bothered me. But now they’re messing with my baby. Eighteen years we’ve protected her, and this is what they do to her the moment she steps out in public for the first time.

  “There was a situation,” Bass tells me. “We got it handled for now, but you’re gonna have to do some damage control.”