Page 40 of Cougar

“What do you call this?” She gestures toward my bed.

“Sex between two friends who care deeply for each other,” I answer without hesitation.

She nods as she slides her panties up her muscular legs, covering her tight, toned ass.

“Jules, look at me.”

She shakes her head. “Don’t, Cameron.”

“Don’t what? I don’t understand what just happened. Why are you upset with me?”

“I’m not upset with you. I’m just….”

“Do you really think I treat you like a side piece?”

She scoffs. “No.”

“Then tell me what’s going on. Have your feelings changed? Because the last thing I want to do is hurt you.”

We’ve been down this road before, and we were lucky to come out of it as friends. I’m an asshole for thinking we could have a physical relationship with no strings.

She plops down on the edge of the bed and looks at me over her shoulder. “My feelings haven’t changed, but I want more.”

“Meaning…?” I hedge.

“I want more than sex with an ex. I want love.” Standing from the bed, she turns to face me and extends her arms out to the side. “I want the butterflies.”

I can’t help but chuckle. She’s cute when she’s flustered. “Come here, crazy girl.” I hold out my arms, and she crawls across the mattress and settles in my lap. “You’re not just sex with an ex. You’re my best friend and I care about you. You deserve to have everything you want.” I press a kiss to her temple. “Even the butterflies.”

“Thank you.”

“Just not with a married man,” I add.

“Or one who’s in love with another woman,” she finishes.

Yeah. That, too.

* * *

“Hey, old man,” I call out as I make my way toward the man partly responsible for my successful career.

“I got your old man hanging.” He pretends to grab his junk and I bark out a laugh.

Coach Abbott is the head coach of the baseball team at University of Heritage where Liam and I attended college. He and I meet up every so often for either lunch, dinner or drinks, depending on our schedules.

Grabbing the door, I gesture for him to go first. Mac’s is owned by the oldest Mackenzie sibling, Max, and a popular hangout for the high school and college kids, but it’s family friendly, the food is good, and the beer is cold.

Dylan Mackenzie, the oldest of Max’s three sons, looks up from behind the hostess stand and tips his chin.

“’Sup, Coach.” He smiles as he comes from behind the counter and gives Coach a handshake with a slap on the back. “Congrats on the championship.”

“Thanks, man.” Coach smiles. “I’ve been keeping my eye on your little brother Aiden.”

“Yeah, you and every other college scout. That kid is a savage on the mound.”

Aiden, the youngest of the three, is already making a name for himself on the Heritage Bay Academy junior varsity baseball team.

Dylan turns his attention to me. “’Sup, Cam.” He holds out his fist and bumps it against mine. “Wanna sit in the bar?” he asks and I nod. He reaches over the counter, grabbing two menus before leading us to an empty booth in the bar.

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