Page 76 of Claiming Her Cougar
“That’s what my mom teaches!”
“Really?I knew she was a teacher, but I didn’t realize the subject.I think I assumed she taught younger grades.”
“Nope.High school.She was my Grammy Morgan’s student teacher for one year.That’s how my parents met.Dad came by Grammy’s classroom after school, and my dad fell for her like a ton of bricks.”I smile, thinking about the stories I’ve been told.
“He asked her out, and Mom said no.She refused to have anything to do with him while she was working with Grammy.She didn’t want anyone to say she got special treatment or a better grade than she earned.”
“I get that,” Mallory says.
I know she does.And I do too.Now.
“Once the term was over and Mom’s grade finalized, he asked her out again.That time she said yes, and the rest is history.”I bump her shoulder as I say the last part, and she laughs at my lame joke.
I’m probably a teenage girl for admitting this, but my heart flutters at her laughter.This is what I want.Sitting with the woman I love—and I do love Mallory—laughing over stupid things and being together.I’ve known she’s my mate almost from the start.My cougar wouldn’t shut up about it.But I love her as a man loves a woman.I love all of her—her humor, her heart, her courage, her fears.Today I found out about her past, and I’m part of her present.I hope to be part of her future.
“This is nice,” Mallory says softly.
“It is,” I agree.Is she thinking that we could have something like this someday?I’m afraid to ruin the moment and ask.
The door opens behind us, and we turn to find Beth standing there.Valerie is behind her, glaring at us.
“Will you be joining us for dinner?”Beth asks.
Not the warmest invitation I’ve ever received.I glance over at Logan, and he motions that he’s ready to go.
I stand and face them.Mallory rises to stand beside me.
“Thank you, but no,” I answer.“We’re going to head out now.”
Beth closes the door, and Valerie continues to watch us.Creepy.
I surreptitiously brush my index finger along Mallory’s hand.I wish I could be overt in my actions, but under Valerie’s glare, I don’t dare.For Mallory’s sake.I don’t care who knows about us.I want the whole world to know she’s mine.
“I need to catch up on some stuff for the pier project.”
Mallory nods.
“I want to kiss you,” I admit.
A pretty flush dusts her cheeks, but it fades when she glances at her sister.
What the hell is going on?
“Let’s walk around the house,” she suggests and takes the lead.Logan and Daphne have already gone that way.
“Wait.I need my phone and wallet,” I remind her.
“Oh, right.I’ll meet you out front.”She turns and dashes back into the house, and I continue the trek around to the front.
I hear the front door close as I round the corner, and Mallory meets me in the driveway to hand me my things.
“Um, Valerie knows about us,” she says.
I shrug.“Okay.”I want the entire world to know.
“She’s not happy about it.”
I cross my arms over my chest.“I don’t care.”
