Page 18 of Claiming Her Cougar
“Liam Morgan.Officially I’m William James Morgan III, but I’ve always gone by Liam.”
“Nice to meet you, Liam.You have a nice name.”I pull my hand from his reluctantly.
“Thanks.Sometimes it would be a lot easier if it was something different.”He rolls his eyes and sighs.“I know I’m not a Kennedy or whatever, but people in certain circles hear the Morgan name and expect things.Makes it hard to meet people.It was nice realizing you liked me without knowing who I am.”
It’s my turn to sigh.“I’m sorry.You seem like a nice man.”
“Do you still want to go to the game tomorrow night?”
“I don’t know…”
“Hey, Daphne!”Liam calls out.
She pokes her head in and takes out her earbud.“What?”
“Were you and Logan going to the Flyers game tomorrow night?”he asks.
“Yeah,” she replies.“Are you?Ooh, did you want to go, Mallory?We’re sitting in the Morgan Development box.Free food and drinks.You could ride with us and stay over if you wanted so you don’t have to schlep home after.”
“We could all ride together,” Liam suggests.
I shoot him a glance.I know he’s making it difficult for me to bow out and explain to Daphne why I don’t want to go.
“Let’s talk about it tonight, okay?”I try to change the subject, hoping Daphne will go back to her shelves and not notice the tension between me and Liam.The less she sees us together, the better.I don’t want her trying to play matchmaker or asking questions about why I’m always so tense around him.
“What’s happening tonight?”Liam asks with faux innocence.If it wouldn’t be an HR issue, I swear I’d punch him.I satisfy myself by shooting him a ’Why are you being so nosy?’look.
“Mallory is coming over after work for dinner and to hang out.We have stuff to talk about.I think Logan was going to see about hanging out with you,” Daphne says.
Oh, crap.Liam and Logan are cousins.That didn’t occur to me.Well, this just got more awkward.
Liam pulls out his phone to check for a text from his cousin.“Haven’t heard from him yet.What were you having for dinner?”
Oh no.He better not be inviting himself over.
“Chinese,” Daphne answers.“I can order extra if you guys want to join us.”
Sweet, naive Daphne.She walked right into that.I huff out a deep breath as I turn back to the file cabinet and start pulling more files to hand to Liam.
I enjoyed lunch, but I’m betting dinner won’t be as comfortable.
7
LIAM
Mallory turnsback to the file cabinet with a huff, and Daphne winks at me.I try to hold back my grin—I think she’s trying to fix us up.
“I’ll text Logan and let him know we’re doing Chinese for dinner, and then you guys can do whatever you want while Mal and I hang out and catch up.”Daphne flashes a self-satisfied smile and returns to the main office.
“I don’t appreciate being manipulated, Liam.Don’t use my friendship with Daphne against me.”Mallory snarls as she shoves a pile of files at my chest with enough force to knock me back on my heels.I wasn’t expecting her strength.I should have.
“You were looking forward to going to the game.This way, it still works out without being awkward.”
“Oh no.It’s still awkward.Now it will be awkward with an audience.Thanks.”
I chuckle, thankful she doesn’t punch me.I feel safe in assuming she wants to.She sits on the floor to go through the bottom drawer without having to bend over.She gives a sudden yelp and rears back.
“What?Are you okay?”I squat next to her.I barely resist the urge to pull her into my arms.To comfort her.To protect her.I just want to hold her.I’ll probably never get the chance to feel her soft curves against mine.Feel her breath against my neck.Her lips against mine again.Add it to the list of missed opportunities in my life.
