Page 66 of Cougar

I huff out a laugh, feeling the blush of embarrassment spread across my chest and up my neck to my cheeks.

“I’m sorry, Em.” Melissa slaps a hand over her chest. “I didn’t mean—”

“It’s okay.” I wave her off. “Excuse me.” I push back from the table and stand. “I’m gonna run to the restroom.”

The truth is Marcus had a very healthy sexual appetite. The second he put a ring on my finger and made me his wife, he couldn’t keep his hands off me. Depending on our schedules, we had sex often and at least once a day. Marcus always made time for it. But when the cancer took over, our sex life became nonexistent. Marcus apologized daily and it broke my heart. I didn’t need him to validate his love for me with sex. Our marriage wasn’t based on it. What we had was a beautiful, yet busy life together and a deep, passionate love for each other.

Do I miss sex? Yes.

I’m standing at the counter washing my hands when the bathroom door swings open and Lisa walks in. “You okay?” she asks as she leans against the counter with her arms crossed.

I smile as I reach for a paper towel. “I’m fine.”

“Ignore Melissa.” She flicks her wrist. “You know that girl has never had a filter.”

I shake my head. “It wasn’t what she said. I mean it was, but not about Marcus. Just sex in general.”

“What do you mean?”

I clear my throat as I turn away from the mirror to face her. “Lisa, I haven’t had sex in over two years.”

She raises her brows, then opens her arms to pull me into a hug. “I’m sorry, Emerson. If anyone understands, it’s me.”

“I know.” I sigh as I step out of her embrace. “I miss sex. But you know what I miss the most? Intimacy. I miss feeling the weight of a man lying on top of me. I miss the heat of his naked skin pressed against mine.”

“Damn, girl.” Lisa fans herself.

I snort as I edge toward the door, and Lisa follows me. Bass is leaning against the wall, wearing a concerned expression. “I’m fine, B. I just needed a minute.”

The three of us make our way back to the table and I notice a familiar head of wavy brown hair. “Hey,” I say as I plop down in the chair beside Cam. “What are you doing here?”

“You invited me.” I did. “You’re finally out of the house, and I wanted to make sure you were having a good time.” He smiles.Gah.

Lisa leans into my ear and says, “You should let him get on top of you.”

I snicker. She’s crazy. Cam is like a brother to me.

I turn my head to see him leaning with his forearms crossed and resting on the table, his blue eyes locked on me.God, he’s beautiful.

Desire stirs in my lower belly at the thought of Cam’s athletic body naked and sweaty on top of mine. Clearing my throat, I stifle a moan as I squeeze my thighs together, soothing away the throbbing between my legs and pushing the ridiculous thoughts from my brain. I’m blaming the alcohol and sex talk for the fact that I’m suddenly attracted to Cam.

A wave of guilt washes over me.

“I’m glad you came.” I raise my hand to get our server’s attention. “What are you drinking?” I ask him.

“Just water.” He smiles and my gaze drops to his mouth. His bottom lip is slightly fuller than the top, and I wonder what it would feel like to have those lips all over my body.

Damn you, Lisa.

The drinks continue to flow as my friends and I play catch-up.

“Oh my God! Remember Stacey Crawford?” Melissa shrieks.

I cover my face in embarrassment because I know exactly what’s coming next.

“What was it you called her?”

I drop my hands from my face and laugh. “Black-&-Decker-pecker-wrecker.”

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