Page 47 of Please Save Me

“There ain’t nothin’ bad for the baby in there. I only drink my whisky neat.” He leaned down and kissed my stomach before whispering, “Sorry, baby girl.”

His hand soon replaced his lips, and Rosie kicked at him, almost like she accepted his apology for suggesting I drink.

“I know it ain’t time yet, and it’s better if she cooks for just a little longer–But God, I wish she’d just come already.” Cameron stopped speaking just to study me. “Is it alright if I lay on your lap?”

Another nervous squeak bubbled in my throat, but I kept it down. My heart raced like I had just run a mile, and my face went hot. I nodded, doing my best to contain my enthusiasm. The warmth in the way Cameron looked at me melted any lingering tension as I unfolded my legs.

He lowered his head onto my lap with slow, gentle movements. It always slipped my mind just how massive Cameron was. But, as I threaded my fingers into his hair, his colossal figure still dwarfed mine.

He grabbed me by the forearm and kissed my wrist before snuggling up to my belly. His hand spread across the small of my back as he held me in place.

For a moment, all I did was savor the way he felt against me. Cameron was heavy and warm, kind of like a heated blanket. He closed his eyes and a contented sigh escaped his lips.

“My day’s a lot better now,” he admitted.

I smiled at his words as warmth filled my chest. It was nice to know that I could comfort Cameron.

“You ain't gonna freak out if I lift up your shirt, right? I promise it won't be sexual.”

It could be sexual, and I wouldn't complain.

I shook my head.

He exhaled as he slipped my shirt up just enough to expose my stomach. Before I got pregnant, my stomach was so flat that you could see the bottom of my ribs. But, obviously, that wasn’t the case anymore. I knew why I had to look this way for now, but that didn’t help me feel any better in my skin.

Cameron ran a finger down one of the many red stretch marks that just kept appearing out of nowhere.

“I like these,” he mumbled. “Not in the same way Luce does. It’s a sex thing to him… I just think they’re a good reminder that our baby girl is growin’, and you’re doing a good job helpin’ her do that.”

His breath warmed my skin as he continued his exploration. I wasn’t entirely fond of the red lines that marred my skin, but Cameron’s description made me feel a little better.

“For years… this wasallI wanted.” His admission caused my heart to stop beating in the best way.

I’m pretty sure Cameron realized he didn’t give me nearly enough information because, after a beat of silence, he continued.

“From the time I was old enough to understand the concept of having kids, I wanted some. I wanted two boys and two girls and a pretty wife who loved all of us unconditionally. And I’ve seen how you love the twins, and even if you don’tsay it, I feel how you love everyone in this house… not to say that I think of you as my wife.”

I should have probably taken offense to that, but I didn’t think of Cameron as husband material, either. Something like that took time, and honestly, the only one who I thought of like that now was Lucian. But I didn’t think he felt the same way.

“God, that’s the start of just how great you are, Mason. And I’m not good enough for you, and I never will be.” Tears caused Cameron’s voice to crack, and alarm bells rang in my mind.

My lips parted, but no words came. Should I text someone? Or would Lucian and Sophia be home soon enough to fix this?

“And even with me knowin’ that, all I want is to keep you beside me.” He choked on the next part of his sentence. “I’m such a shitty person, and you don’t even know half of it.”

Tears collected in his eyes as they bore into mine. His chest shuttered, and under normal circumstances, what he said next would have been grounds for me to leave and call the cops.

“You don’t even know my real name, and here I am, expecting you to love me.”

His anguish was palpable, causing my heart to ache. Fortunately for him, I knew more than he thought.

I reached up and let my fingers blindly explore the comforter. Eventually, I felt the wrapping paper. I carefully pulled the box closer. It was heavier than I remembered, so instead of gently picking it up, I knocked it directly onto Cameron’s stomach.

The tears in his eyes dried as he sat up just enough to look at the box.

Confusion colored his strong features as he looked back at me. After a moment, he wiped his eyes and sat up.

“Can it wait?” He pleaded. “I ain’t in the right place to enjoy what you got me.”

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