Page 131 of Cougar

“Who’s them?”

“The women. Your bandmates. Chandler.”

“What did poor Chandler do?” he asked through a chuckle.

I shrugged and dropped my gaze to my lap. “He doesn’t approve of me. I can tell by the way he talks to me.”

“Chandler is used to dealing with groupies. He doesn’t know how to talk to you.” He snorted against my shoulder. “He’s afraid of you, now more than ever.” I bumped my shoulder against his chest and he laughed. “Chandler likes you because you make me happy. And a happy Marcus is a happy Chandler.”

“Your bandmates hate me.”

“Then give them a reason not to,” he shot back.

“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.

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