Page 164 of Cougar

“Boy,” a familiar male voice says from behind me, snaking his arms around my waist before resting his hands on my belly and kissing my cheek.

Andrew barks out a laugh. “Sit down, son.” He points to Chaz. “I won that round.”

“We’ll talk later,” I say with a laugh as Cam pulls me away and leads me to the dance floor.

It’s packed as “Say You Won’t Let Go” plays over the speakers.I love this song.

“Can I ask you something?” Cam asks.

“You can ask me anything.”

Cam pauses. “Anything?”

“Cam,” I warn.

He lets out a soft chuckle. “You said anything.”

“How about we shelve the marriage conversation until after the baby is born?”

“Fine.” He rolls his eyes playfully. “When wedoget married one day, do you want this?” He gestures around us. “Since your first wedding was in Vegas.”

“Yours, too,” I remind him.

“Shit, you’re right.” He chuckles. “Is this the kind of wedding you want?”

I shake my head. “I want to get married on the beach at sunset. When I’m ready to get married again. I want to get married on your beach at sunset with just our families.”

“After our son is born, I’m going to ask you to marry me, and I’m gonna ask every day until you say yes.”

“I love you, Cam, for so many reasons, but I really love you for never giving up on me.”

“How many times do I have to tell you? I’m a patient man.”

Emerson

Something brushes over my cheek, pulling me from sleep. Peeking my eyes open into the dark room, I notice a figure perched on the edge of the bed.

My breath hitches in my throat. “Marcus?”

“Hi, beautiful,” he whispers.

“What are you—” I blink away the sleep haze from my eyes. “Am I dreaming?”

“Yes.”

I just stare at him in disbelief. He looks nothing like the shell of a man I lost a year and a half ago. He looks healthy. He looks like the Marcus King I met on the plane twenty-three years ago.

“You look good.”

“So do you.” He brushes the hair away from my face. “You’re glowing.”

I cover his hand with mine. “I’m having a baby. A boy.”

“I know. Congratulations.”

“Thanks,” I say softly. “Jayla and Zach got married today.” I lift my phone from the nightstand and see it’s 2:00 a.m. “Actually yesterday.”

“I know.” He smirks. “I was there. Both times.”

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