Page 23 of Neighbor DADDY

Cam snorts. "Good luck with that."

I lean into his embrace, breathing in the scent of him. There was a time in my life when I was certain I would never find love, but now, here I am with my husband and daughter, and I couldn't be happier.

"Can you believe that will be her up there in five years?" I say wistfully, and Cam's frown returns in full force.

"Don't remind me."

Sighing happily, I bump my shoulder against his as we walk back to the car together. This school and this town have become home, but most importantly, the man beside me has become MY home. As grumpy and possessive as Cam can be, there's no one else I'd rather be living this new chapter of my life with.

And to think, it's only just beginning.

EXTENDED EPILOGUE

CAM

Ten Years Later

Everything possible managed to go wrong trying to get Kelly out the door for our ten-year anniversary trip. First, her mother was late getting to the house, her flight having been delayed by two hours. Second, Kelly was anxious as hell about packing and leaving, especially when the twins clung to her legs and cried.

Third, Mrs. Blevins managed to get into an argument with Kelly's mother the second the cab dropped her off, and by that time, I was ready to explode.

Thank God I've learned a lot of patience after being married to Kelly for ten years. One of the core parts of our marriage is 'plan everything an hour ahead to make sure we arrive on time'. The anniversary cruise was important enough that I had given us a two-hour buffer, and it was our saving grace.

The kids were so excited enough to see their Nana that they finally backed off their mother and let her load her suitcase into the car.Shelby, almost eleven now, was talking a mile a minute, and the twin five-year-old boys, Colt and Branson, were already asking what sorts of things Nana had brought them from Boston.

A million kisses and fifteen minutes later, I finally managed to get Kelly in the car, and we made the drive to the port of departure with just thirty extra minutes to spare.

"Well, that was stressful,"Kelly says hours later as we settle down at the restaurant on the boat.

"You don't have to tell me twice." I hold up the bottle of champagne. "Drink?"

"Yes, please. Don't you want to order something harder?"

"Nah. Someone has to make sure you don't fall off the ship."

Kelly laughs. "That would be a great way to end the evening."

I grin, leaning over to kiss her. "Happy anniversary."

"Happy anniversary. And happy first day of our cruise."

I'd been planning this trip for a while, wanting to take her someplace special. The cruise gave us the chance to visit some of the most beautiful spots in the Gulf, and since we had both saved up quite a bit, I was able to book us the honeymoon suite.

"How's the champagne?"

Kelly holds up her glass, smiling at me. "Delicious. Thank you, baby."

"Of course. Anything for you."

Our waiter arrives, and we order, enjoying the calm moment together. After so many years together, I still love spending time with my wife, even if it’s just sitting in a restaurant together. I also love the low-cut, ruby-red dress she’s chosen to wear, and how it fits her like a glove.

What I don't love, though, was the way all the other men were looking at her. The only thing that settles my possessive streak is the fact that I'm the one taking her back to the suite tonight … and I'm the one peeling that dress off her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asks, eyes sparkling.

"Because you're fucking gorgeous," I growl, leaning over the table to capture her mouth in a kiss. She sighs against me, her hands coming up to tangle in my hair, and I know if we don't stop soon, we won't be eating dinner at all.

We break apart when someone clears their throat, and I grin wolfishly. "Sorry. That dress is making me act like an animal. Where the hell have you been hiding it?"

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