Page 63 of Claiming Her Cougar
Laughing, Mallory replies, “Hey, you.Have you always been so weird?”
I grin.“Yeah, but normally I’m able to hide it better.”
“Don’t hide it.It’s cute.”
She thinks I’m cute.If I was a twelve-year-old girl, I’d blush and giggle.Since I’m a manly man at twenty-seven, I hold back the giggle, but I’m betting there’s a touch of red underneath my beard.
“I met Ethan,” I say.“He seems nice.Your nephews are cute.”
“Yeah, they’re adorable.Ethan liked you.”
“I was hoping to see you this afternoon,” I admit.
Mallory sighs.“Me too, but Valerie needed some sister mani/pedi time.She’s going through some stuff.”
“Is she okay?”Valerie is the only Carter sibling I have yet to meet.From what I can tell, she’s kind of intense.
“She will be.Anyway, I did a thing,” she says flirtatiously.
“Oh, you did, did you?What kind of thing did you do?”
“Well…you know how we haven’t seen each other in over a week and we’re friends with benefits who haven’t had any benefits yet?”
“Yeah?” I say with a mix of curiosity, eagerness, and caution.
“My house is full, yours is too close to your parents, and it’s too cold for your truck, so I got us a room at Devil’s Den.”She bites her lip nervously, like she’s afraid I won’t think that’s a brilliant idea.
“Really?That’s awesome!I’ll pick you up.I can be there within the hour.”I sound like an overeager beagle, but I don’t care.
“I’m already here, just waiting for you.If you want to come.”Her sexy smirk and double entendre have my cock suddenly hard.I think the loss of blood to my brain has made me lightheaded.Thank goodness I’m already sitting down.
“Hell yes, I want to come.What did you want to do for dinner?I can get us a reservation,” I say.
Mallory gives me a devilish grin.“How about room service?”
“Perfect.What’s the room number?I’ll be there within the hour.”I’m already up off the couch and heading to my bedroom to throw a change of clothes and a box of condoms in a bag.
She gives me the information I need and asks, “Should I order now?Or later?”
“Order sandwiches so we can snack.Later.”I’m starving, but not for food.
Mallory giggles.“Okay.Get here soon.Drive safely.”
Like anything is going to keep me from finally being with my girl again.
26
MALLORY
I can’t believeI’m doing this.I’m not a sexually shy woman, but this is the first time I’ve rented a room and invited a man over for a booty call.I didn’t know how else to get alone time with Liam without having a quickie somewhere.Been there, done that, and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I want a bed this time and the opportunity to take our time and enjoy each other without interruption.
I don’t know who’s going to arrive first, room service with the tray of sandwiches and chocolate cake I ordered, or Liam, so I’m staying dressed.
The room is elegant, like the rest of the casino.The bed is a king-size four-poster made from a dark wood.Maybe cherry?The decor is warm and understated, and there’s an air of elegance about it.I feel more like I’m at a grand home in the English countryside than a casino in Atlantic City.
There’s a knock on the door, and the butterflies in my stomach take flight.I check the peephole and am disappointed.Room service.
“Good evening, miss.I’m Frederick, and I’ll be serving you tonight.May I wheel in your meal?”The room service attendant’s deep brown eyes are friendly in his weathered face.
