Cougar

by M. A. Foster

  “Chaz is an asshole.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

  “I took care of it,” he mumbled. “I promise you won’t hear shit from him again.”

  My gaze fell to his busted knuckles and I rolled my eyes. And he thought I was childish.

  “I mean it, Emerson. If you trust me, then you have to trust me to handle situations that make you uncomfortable.”

  I raised my brows. “Like that skank who was pawing all over you? That was pretty fucked-up, Marcus.”

  “You’re right. It was fucked-up and childish on my part.” He sighed. “I pushed you too far. I guess I just wanted to see if you’d fight for me. I didn’t expect you to literally fight for me by beating the shit out of that poor girl.”

  I huffed out a humorless laugh and shook my head. “Then I guess you really don’t know me at all. You were punishing me. How is that fair knowing what Chris and Elizabeth did to me?”

  “I’m not Chris,” he stated matter-of-factly.

  “No, you’re not.” I circled my arms around his neck. “You’re my husband who I love with every piece of my heart. I love you, Marcus.”

  He pressed a chaste kiss to my lips. “For eternity.”

  Emerson

  Just as I stretch out my legs on the lounger, Cam steps into my view and startles me. I slap my hand over my heart. “Shit.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” He drops down on the edge of the lounger and swipes his thumb across my cheek.

  “I thought you went home.”

  “I did, but after everything that’s happened today, I thought you might need me.”

  I stretch out my arms. “You were right.” My voice wavers. “I do need you.” I burst into tears.

  Standing up from the lounger, Cam scoops me into his arms and carries me to my bedroom.

  Kicking the door shut with his foot, he carries me to my bed, then climbs in behind me, pulling me to his chest.

  “I’m right here, Em.” He tightens his hold. “Just breathe, babe.”

  I wake in my bed disoriented. The room is dark except for the moonlight shining through the partially open curtains. It’s enough light to see Cam lying beside me on his stomach with his arms tucked under the pillow. I let my eyes trail over his naked, muscular back.

  Leaning down, I press a kiss to the cross tattoo on the top of his shoulder before rolling over and grabbing my cell on the nightstand to check the time. It’s after 10:00 p.m.

  Tossing the covers back, I scoot to the edge of the bed, hanging my legs over the side.

  “Where are you going?” Cam asks in a deep, sleepy voice.

  “I’m gonna go wash my face and change out of these clothes.”

  “Okay,” he murmurs. “Hurry back.”

  Exiting the bathroom, I’m met by the sound of Cam’s soft snore and I smile. I knew that between the Grammys after-party, the three-hour time difference, a five-hour flight, and all the drama in between, it would eventually catch up with him.

  Grabbing my robe, I head to the kitchen, just rounding the corner when Harper says, “Cole and I had a fight earlier. I think he cheated on me with Ashton, the same girl who did this to my chin.”

  “What is wrong with these boys?” Grace asks, but it’s rhetorical.

  “They’re idiots,” I say as I wrap my arms around Harper from the side and stare down at the picture on her phone of a girl sitting on Cole’s lap. “Sweetie, if you learn anything from me, it’s that pictures aren’t always what they seem. Have you seen the ones of Jay online? It didn’t take those assholes long to try and dig up dirt on my kid, but all they found was a picture of Ace kissing her. I’m pretty sure I know who leaked that picture, and as soon as I confirm it, I’m going to destroy that little bitch.” I release her and move to the other side of the kitchen. “Cole’s a cocky little asshole, and right now, he and Zach are on my shit list for the way they treated Jay tonight. But neither of them is dumb enough to cheat.”

  “What did they do to Jay?”

  “I’m not really sure.” I set three mugs on the island and drop a tea bag in each one. “She won’t talk to me.”

  Grace begins pouring hot water into each cup. “Mr. Z was upset with her over the pictures.”

  “Of Ace?” I ask.

  “The ones from this afternoon with Tyge Reynolds,” Grace explains.

  Harper frowns. “I didn’t see those.”

  I blow on my tea before taking a sip. “Tyge’s father, Jack, is our lawyer. Tyge and Jay both just happened to be in the same place at the same time.”

  Harper wrinkles her nose. “That’s so messed up.”

  “It is. And it’s why I do what I do. This is the shit her father and I tried to protect her from for the last eighteen years. Her skin isn’t thick enough to handle the bullshit stories or the criticism. That bitch reporter, Kelly Cuntinger”—Harper laughs out loud and Grace giggles. I smile and wave dismissively—“Cunninger, whatever, went too far this time harassing my daughter. If it had been five minutes later, I would’ve been arrested for knocking that orange bitch on her ass.”

  “Is Jay okay?”

  “She will be.” I sigh, staring down at the counter. “I hope.”

  My gaze moves to Grace, who gives a slight shake of her head.

  “So what are you and Cole fighting about?” I ask Harper. “Did you tell him the truth?”

  “No. Believe me, I’ve wanted to tell him the truth many times, but things between us are—were—just so… intense. I’m afraid.”

  I frown. “Afraid of what?”

  “That I’ll lose him. But I don’t think it matters now.” She nods toward her phone, the screen now dark. “My ex showed up at Mac’s this afternoon before my shift. He said he divorced his wife.” She rolls her eyes. “Then he kissed me. I didn’t kiss him back, but Cole saw the whole thing. Josh threw out some shady insults and made things worse before he took off. Cole wouldn’t even let me talk. He just left.” She nods to the phone again. “And ran straight into the arms of the enemy.”

  “Harper, I know it looks bad, but just like I’ve told Jay, don’t assume. I think it’s time for you both to have the talk. Lay it all out for him.”

  “Yeah.” She wipes at a couple tears. “I think so, too.”

  The next morning, Jay is at the counter pushing her half-eaten breakfast around on her plate. Leaning with my elbows on the counter, I ask, “Are you gonna talk to me today, or do you still hate me?”

  “Jesus, Mom.” She throws her hands out, clearly exasperated. “I don’t hate you. I could never hate you. You’re my ride or die. Just give me some time to process, okay? The past twenty-four hours have been pretty freakin’ shitty.”

  “I don’t know what ‘ride or die’ means, but I’ll take it.” I reach into the pocket of my robe and set the box on the counter. “Happy Valentine’s Day. This is from your dad and me.”

  Her eyes welling up with tears, she reaches for the box and removes the lid to reveal a white gold necklace with a heart-shaped diamond pendant.

  “Oh my God. It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

  I move around the counter and pull her into my arms.

  “Jayla, I know you don’t want to talk about what happened last night, and I’ll respect that. On one hand, I want to send Bass over to kick Zach’s ass for hurting my little girl, but on the other, I get it. I’ve been in his shoes. I’ve felt what he’s feeling. It’s overwhelming. You don’t have to take my advice, but before either of you does something you’ll later regret, you should give each other some space. Just for a few days.”

  She nods, wiping the tears from her face. “Thanks, Mom.”

  “Will I see you tonight?” Cam asks.

  “I doubt it. I think I need to spend Valentine’s with the girls, but I promise to make it up to you on Friday. I’ll even spend the night.”

  Cam sighs. “Fine. Happy Valentine’s Day. I love you.”

  “I love you, too. I’ll call you later.”

  My phone rings and
the number for the front gate pops up on the screen. “Hello?”

  “Hey, Emerson, it’s Zach. Can I come in?”

  I roll my lips between my teeth to keep from laughing. Poor kid. Jay must’ve deactivated his code to get in the gate. “She’s not here,” I tell him.

  “It’s okay. I just want to drop something off.”

  “Sure. Come on in.” I press the button on the keypad and disconnect the call.

  A few moments later, the doorbell rings. I yank open the front door to find Zach standing there holding a large vase filled with Jay’s favorite flowers in one hand as he extends a smaller arrangement toward me. “These are for you.”

  “Thank you.” I take the offered bouquet, a mixture of peonies, ranunculus, and lilies in various shades of pinks and purples.

  Cole comes up behind him carrying his own apology flowers.

  Shaking my head, I step back and wave them in. “Set them on the island in the kitchen so the girls will see them when they get home.” I follow them into the kitchen. “Both of you take a seat. I have something to say.”

  They do so without hesitation.

  Pulling a wineglass from the cabinet, I pour myself some wine and push the flowers to the side so I can glare at them.

  I point my glass at Cole. “I’m seriously disappointed in you.”

  He drops his head in his hands and groans in frustration. “I know,” he drawls. “I’m sorry. I don’t even remember half the shit I said. I was pissed at Harper, and I took it out on Jay.”

  “Oh, I know what you did. I know what you said.” I take a small sip of wine and wince. It tastes like shit. “How would you feel if someone treated Willow that way?”

  “It’s not gonna happen. Willow is never allowed to date.”

  I snort. “You need to grow up, Cole. Harper’s been through enough with those girls. If you can’t handle a grown-up relationship, then don’t be in one. Harper’s tough. She’ll get over it, and someone who appreciates her will happily take your place.”

  “I know what you’re doing, Em.”

  “Good. Then you know I’m right.” I round the island and wrap my arms around his shoulders. “I love you, Cole Mackenzie, but if you ever disrespect either of my girls again, I will personally see to it that Bass kicks your ass. Or Levi,” I add.

  Levi has grown quite fond of looking out for Jay and I could tell last night that he was upset by what Zach and Cole had done to her.

  “Fuck,” Cole mumbles under his breath.

  “Now get out of my house and let me talk to Zach.”

  Cole slaps Zach on the shoulder. “Good luck, dude.”

  He drops a kiss to the top of my head and walks out the front door.

  Hopping onto the stool that Cole just vacated, I reach for my wineglass and bring it to my lips. Nope. Still tastes like shit.

  “Zach, as much as I’d like to knock some sense into you, I think you know you messed up. I’m not going to disregard your feelings about what happened yesterday. However, the way you reacted is unacceptable and just wrong. You deliberately broke my daughter’s heart over your bruised ego.” He opens his mouth to speak, but I hold up my hand. “You punished her for choices Marcus and I made for her. You punished her for being the person Marcus always wanted her to be. Believe me, I’ve been there. I get it. Trusting someone isn’t easy, especially if you’ve been hurt in the past. We all have our insecurities, which makes it harder for us to trust someone not to use them against us. Even those we love. Jay was raised by two parents who loved and respected each other completely. She knows how a man is supposed to treat a woman because Marcus led by example. If she loves you, then she loves you with her whole heart. If you love her, then you have to love all of her. Give her some space. Let her figure it out.”

  “I don’t want to lose her,” he chokes out and presses the heels of his hands against his eyes. My heart breaks for him because I know exactly what he’s feeling. “I love her.”

  “I know you do.” I press a hand to his back. “I’ll tell you what Marcus used to tell me: trust her enough to do the right thing for both of you. Can you do that?”

  Cam

  The garage door leading into the house slams, and a moment later Zach appears in the kitchen. “Hey, I—” The look on his face has me clamping my mouth shut. Zach is a big boy at 6’2, two hundred pounds, but all I see right now is a little boy with a broken heart.

  He straddles the stool at the island and drops his head in his hands, shoulders shaking.

  I haven’t seen Zach cry since he was a kid. This whole situation far exceeds typical teen drama, so I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to do here.

  Opening the fridge, I grab a Gatorade for Zach and a beer for me. I set down the Gatorade and pull out the stool beside him. Twisting the top off my beer, I toss it on the counter before bringing the bottle to my lips. “You wanna talk about it?”

  “What’s there to talk about? I fucked up.”

  “Don’t you think you’re being a little dramatic?”

  He lifts his head and glares at me through teary eyes. “Are you serious right now?”

  I raise my free hand in defense. “You’re the one who acted like a dick and set this whole thing in motion.”

  “I didn’t expect to see pictures of my girlfriend kissing some drummer and hanging all over Tyge Reynolds floating around social media.”

  Brows furrowed, I narrow my eyes. “That’s not what happened and you know it. I’m no rock star, but I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with the paparazzi. They don’t care about you as a person. They only care about the money shot and how to spin the story. Marcus used to say, ‘If you feed the beast, it’ll eat you alive.’ So I’m telling you, don’t feed the beast or you’ll lose her for good.”

  Cam

  “Cam,” Emerson calls out as she walks into the house. The tap of her heels against the wood floor grows louder as she makes her way toward the kitchen.

  I turn from the stove and find her standing there wearing a black trench coat and those stilettos with the red bottoms. Her eyes fall to the black silky pajama pants she dropped off earlier.

  “I guess you like my present,” she says with a smirk.

  “My dick likes your present.” I palm myself through the silky fabric and stifle a moan. “A lot.”

  I made the mistake of putting these pants on without any underwear. The silky fabric brushing against my dick keeps me hard, but I can’t bring myself to change because it feels like the inside of Emerson’s pussy. I’ve already jerked off twice and I’m still hard.

  “What’s for dinner?” she purrs as she reaches for the knotted belt of her trench coat. It’s cliché, but fuck, I hope she’s naked under that thing. She opens the coat, letting it slide down her arms to puddle at her feet. Her big beautiful tits are barely covered by a strappy red lace bra with triangle cutouts and hearts covering her nipples. The red lace barely there panties have two little hearts on each hip.

  “Damn, Emerson,” I growl, charging toward her. I bend, scooping her over my shoulder and carrying her to the couch.

  She giggles, straddling my lap. “What about dinner?”

  “Appetizers first.” I lean forward and suck the exposed skin of her breast peeking through the triangle. She moans softly.

  “Lift up.” She rises on her knees, and I shove my pants down just enough to pull my cock out. Pushing her panties to the side, I slide the head of my cock through her wetness before guiding her down until her ass meets my thighs.

  Emerson moans and my head falls back against the couch cushions. “Fuck, Em.”

  She looks over her shoulder nervously.

  “Why do you keep looking at the door like you’re expecting someone to walk in?”

  She quirks a brow. “Like your nephews?”

  Fair enough. “Logan is out, and Zach is home babysitting Zoe. Trust me. I checked.”

  She rises slowly, then slides down, taking me deep inside.

  My hands dig into her h
ips as she moves over me in slow, steady strokes. She brings her mouth to mine, kissing and panting as she comes down on me harder. I kiss her neck as I bring one hand up to push aside the strap of her bra, then move my mouth down to her breast, taking her nipple between my teeth, biting gently and eliciting another moan.

  Her hands find their way to my hair, tugging me closer to her chest as she swivels her hips, her movements becoming frenzied. That familiar tingling hits me at the base of my spine, and I know I’m not going to last. Snaking my arms around her waist, I thrust upward, pushing her hips down hard.

  “Yes….” Her body stills, her fingers tightening in my hair as she falls, pulling me over the edge with her.

  Emerson

  “Where do you see yourself in five years?” I ask.

  Cam tilts his head with an amused expression. “The last person who asked me that was my guidance counselor senior year at Heritage Bay Academy.”

  I smile. “I’m serious.”

  “I know, but truthfully, I’m afraid to answer that question. What if what I want isn’t what you want? Then what? You decide we’re not compatible and end this? I’m happy just being with you. Right now and five years from now.”

  Swoon.

  My eyes flick over his face. He’s so beautifully honest. “Cam, I love you. I’m not fishing for excuses to end our relationship. I’m in this.”

  He lets out a soft sigh. “I know, but sometimes I feel like I’m holding onto you with my fingertips. Like I don’t have a firm grip.”

  I lift my head and press my lips to his. “You have me.”

  He drops his head to my chest. “I want to marry you someday.”

  I feel myself go stiff and he jerks his head up. “See? That’s what I’m talking about.” He rolls off me onto the bed and blows out a breath.

  “Cam, marriage isn’t something I’m even willing to consider right now. I’m not saying that won’t change, but—”

  “I’m good enough to fuck but not to marry. Got it.”