Page 51 of Cougar Chronicles

She sniffed. “Yeah, I heard. But you didn’t call me, either.”

“No, I didn’t. I’m sorry.”

She shook her head against his cotton shirt. “You don’t have to be sorry, Jack. All the ‘sorrys’ belong to me, I’m afraid. And I am sorry. About everything.”

“I know.” He pushed her away, just a bit, wiped a tear from her cheek, and then tipped her chin upward with his finger. “I missed you.”

“Oh, Jack, I’ve missed you, too.”

“I had some thinkin’ to do, Holly.”

She nodded. “I understand.”

He brushed his lips against hers. “I’ve never come so close to losin’ someone I love so much.”

“I was so worried about Sam, Jack. That’s why I came out here. I… I wanted to see you, of course. I figured you might not want to see me. Still, I needed to know Sam was all right.”

“He’s going to be just fine.”

“I’m so relieved. He’s a wonderful little boy.”

“Got to agree with you there.”

She smiled, and he kissed her again. Just a light brush of lips, but energy sizzled through her veins.

“So”—she cleared her throat—“about that thinking you did?”

“I can’t lose Sam, Holly.”

“I know that.”

“And I can’t lose you.”

Her heart fluttered. “I don’t want to lose you, either.”

“Your age never made a difference to me. But I have to tell you, I did always think I’d have more kids.”

Another tear meandered down her hot cheek.

“I did a lot of thinkin’ about that, while Sam was laid up in the hospital. He slept a lot, and I had all this time to play over all the scenarios of how my life might be. All kinds of things went through my mind, but Sam was always there.”

“Of course he was.”

“I mean, in the scenarios in my mind.”

“I know that’s what you meant.”

He nodded, and his beautiful face shone with emotion. “My boy was always there, and so were you, Holly.”

Warmth coursed through her, and she smiled into his dark eyes.

“Like I said,” he continued. “I always thought I’d have more kids. But Sam’s enough for me, and I’m hopin’…” He inhaled, looked upward for a split second, and then settled his gaze back on hers. “That is, I’m hopin’ maybe Sam might be enough for you, too. I’d like you to be a permanent part of our lives.”

“Oh, Jack!” She cupped his cheeks—how wonderful the stubble felt against her fingers—and pulled his lips to hers. The kiss was deep, raw, possessive, and she reveled in the pure joy of it.

When Jack pulled away, she whimpered.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

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