Page 61 of Claiming Her Cougar
LIAM
The inspectionson the pier have been going smoothly, but between them and the holidays, I haven’t been in the office and haven’t seen Mallory since the party last week.We’ve been texting, but it’s not enough.I want to see her, hold her, kiss her.Just be near her.
I’m in the office today, the Friday after Christmas, but Mallory isn’t here.Daphne’s here, and she’s roped Logan into helping her pack up the files that Mallory’s closed so we can take them to storage.We have file clerks that can help with that, but this way, Daphne and Logan can be together.They’ll probably be able to make out in the file room like I long to do with Mallory.
I have my choice of desks to work from since we aren’t fully staffed over the holidays, so I choose Mallory’s desk.If I can’t be with her, at least I can be in her space.Wow, creepy much, Liam?I scoop up my phone when it vibrates on the desk, hoping it’s Mallory.It’s a Carter, but not the one I was hoping for.I open the text thread with Logan and Trevor.
Trevor: Hey, hope Christmas was good.Did you want to come skate?Lory mentioned a friend of yours had kids who could skate with my nephews.I’m good either Saturday or Sunday, whatever works for everyone.
Me: Yeah, Christmas was good.I’d love to skate, no plans.Want me to check with Ben?
Trevor: Yeah.
Logan: Hey Trev, I’m up to skate.Let me know when.
I pop out of Mallory’s office and walk over to Ben’s desk.Smiling, I take in the pictures of his family and children’s drawings that decorate his space.I want that.A crayon drawing with “I love you, Daddy” in childish printing is more precious than the Monet my parents have in their home.
We arrange to skate tomorrow afternoon, and I return to Mallory’s desk.Hopefully, she’ll be there too.Maybe skate with us.I spend the rest of the day trying to concentrate but eventually give up.All I smell is Mallory, and it causes my mind to wander and my dick to harden.Neither is conducive to a productive afternoon at the office, so I pack up and go home.
* * *
Back at my place the next day, after skating with Mallory’s family and Ben’s kids, I plop on my couch with a groan.Yeah, it was nice meeting her older brother and skating, but I really went there hoping for some time with Mallory.I was kind of hoping she’d skate with us.I’d love to see her stick handling.Not gonna lie, I was hoping she’d handlemystick.
Sighing, I start a FaceTime call with Jake and Teagan.From the looks of it, Teagan is in her penthouse apartment at Devil’s Den.From the background noise and activity behind him, Jake is at his parents’ house.
“Hi.Is this a bad time?”I ask.
“I’m good,” Teagan says.“I’ll be going down to the security booth to watch things for a while, but I have time now.”
“Let me find someplace to hide from the mob,” Jake says.“We’re doing Feast of the Seven Fishes tonight since we couldn’t get everyone together on Christmas Eve.It’s a madhouse here.”
In the background, I hear his sisters and mother shouting at each other.They aren’t fighting; they’re just loud.Very loud.I’ve always felt bad for his dad.He’s human.At least Jake could shift and fly away.I never understood how quiet Mr.Whitman could handle the loud and wacky Mrs.Whitman, but their six kids show they’re compatible in at least some ways.
“Okay, what’s up?”Jake says, clicking on a light and pulling a door shut.
“Jake, are you in a closet?”Teagan asks.
“Only place I can be alone, but they’ll find me eventually, so make it quick.”
“Right,” I say.“I want to keep the rink open year-round.Have it open for pee-wee and junior hockey leagues, host tournaments, sponsor kids’ teams, available for rec leagues.Maybe get ice hockey in the high schools.We can have figure skaters too.We can do open skates and have private parties, as well.I think we can support a rink full-time.”
“I’m good with that,” Jake says.
“Me too,” Teagan adds.“And we can bring in touring ice shows or maybe have an ice show in residence like they do in Vegas.They’re good family entertainment, or we can cater to an adult crowd, maybe have two shows.That’s what you called about?Could’ve been an email.”
Ouch.
“You’re both invited to spend New Year’s Eve at Full Moon Farm.Mallory’s uncle owns it, and they end the season with a New Year’s Eve party.They have fire pits and igloos to hang out in if you want to be outside, and they have the barn at the Carters’.”
“Um…I have a whole casino to party in.Why would I want to be out in the woods in the cold and dark?”Tegan asks.
“What she said.Is this just to get you laid?I didn’t realize you still needed me to be your wingman,” Jake says.
“Fuck you both.You’re invited.Attend or not.I don’t care.You can party at the casino any time.But whatever.”
“Chill out, Liam.I’m just teasing you,” Tegan says.“Is it a party or a hangout?Who do I RSVP to?”
“It’s a hangout.It’s Mallory’s siblings, Logan, Daphne, maybe some of the Carter cousins.Low-key.If you’re going, tell me, and I’ll tell them.”
