Page 34 of Claiming Her Cougar (Shifting Pines #2)

MALLORY

Since the football game on Sunday, I haven’t seen Liam all week.

He hasn’t been in the office, and in the few texts we’ve shared, he’s only said he’s been busy with something for work, but he’d see me at the party.

Not that I care. He can do what he wants.

It doesn’t matter to me. I only wondered because we need to figure out a time to hook up.

My parents are here through the new year, so my house is out.

Liam lives in his parents’ pool house, so I’m not crazy about that either.

I guess we could wait until after my parents leave, but that’s almost two weeks, and since I didn’t have any satisfaction after our shower, I’m brimming with unfulfilled lust. That’s what it is—lust. Not feelings or longing or loneliness. It’s pure horniness.

The office Christmas party is brunch held at a local country club.

It’s the Friday before Christmas, and after giving the valet my keys, I approach the door of the club.

Nervously, I tug on the hem of my sweater.

I’ve seen other folks wearing their ugly sweaters, but I worry my sweater is exceptionally ugly. Oh well, I love it.

“I’ll take your coat, miss,” the coat check clerk offers. Smiling at her, I remove my green wool peacoat and hand it to her.

“Wow! I love your sweater!” Her eyes have gone as wide as her smile.

“Thanks,” I say, taking the claim ticket. “I hope I don’t ruin anyone’s appetite.”

I’m wearing a black knee-length pencil skirt and a white blouse under my sweater, so if I’ve really missed the mark, I can take off the sweater and still look presentable.

Taking a deep breath, I approach the dining room.

Will, Mike, and their spouses are near the threshold, along with other members of the senior staff.

I don’t see Liam—not that I was looking for him.

Faith spots me first and gives a squeal of excitement.

“Oh my goodness, Mallory, look at you! Where did you get your sweater?”

Her exclamation has caused others to turn my way. I rock uncomfortably on my black heels.

“My Nana knit it for me. She made sweaters for all the grandkids to wear for Christmas, and this is mine.”

“Holly, check this out! Holly knits, but I don’t think she’s ever done anything like this,” Faith says.

Holly runs over, mimosa in hand. “Wow, that’s incredible! Turn around, Mallory.”

I do a slow turn, feeling self-conscious.

“The detail is incredible! May I?” Molly reaches out a hand as if to pet my sweater.

I nod.

She gently strokes my arm. “I love how there’s Fun Fur and actual googly eyes sewn on. She’s captured Gritty perfectly!”

Yes, I’m wearing a handmade Gritty ugly Christmas sweater for my company’s holiday brunch.

Nana found just the right shade of Flyers’ orange yarn at her favorite shop and knit me a Gritty-themed sweater, complete with orange Fun Fur for his face and the bottom of the sleeves.

She even added plastic googly eyes that shake and wobble with every move I make.

The saving grace is that the eyes aren’t where my nipples are.

That would be a bridge too far, even for me.

It’s hideous, but I love it, and my Nana is the best Nana in the whole wide world.

More people have wandered over to check out my sweater. It has its admirers, and, for some, the ridiculousness is the attraction. I feel awkward being the center of attention like this. I knew Gritty would get a reaction, but nothing like this.

“You and Liam will have to pose together, and we’ll tag Gritty and the Flyers when we post it on the company’s social media,” Daphne says, handing me a much-needed mimosa of my own and giving me a hug.

“What? Why?” I ask. This is a work function, not the senior prom. Liam and I do not need to pose for pictures together.

“Logan, check out Mallory’s sweater!” Daphne calls, looking over my shoulder and waving someone over.

“Hey, Mallory.” Logan leans in to kiss my cheek.

“Wow! That’s incredible. Puts my light-up cactus sweater to shame,” he says with a laugh.

Liam joins us. Oh no. He’s wearing a Flyers sweater too.

His sweater straddles the line between gaudy and classic, unlike mine that never saw the classic line as it zoomed straight to gaudyville.

It’s orange and black, the Flyers team colors, just like mine, but where I’m Fun Fur and googly eyes, he’s intricate stitching marrying a classic Nordic snowflake design with the stylized “P” of the Flyers’ logo.

It spans his broad shoulders, and the hem falls at his narrow waist, accentuating his athletic build.

He’s rolled the cuffs of his black button-down dress shirt over the pulled-up sleeves of his sweater, like he’s a freaking male model.

I wonder how absorbent the yarn Nana used is because I’m fairly certain I’m drooling.

“Great sweater! I can’t believe we coordinate.

That’s crazy.” Liam gives me a one-armed hug in greeting.

His hand lingers at my waist and gives a slight squeeze.

The heat in his eyes as he gazes down at me makes my breath catch.

That is not a “nice sweater, coworker” look; it’s a “I want to strip you naked and do sexy, naughty things with you” look.

I glance around to see if anyone noticed, but everyone’s hugging each other, so it’s unremarkable.

“Too crazy,” I agree. I think his sweater was knit from magical unicorn fur full of pheromones because all I want to do is drag this man to the coat closet, rip his sweater off him, and have my way with him.

“Our table is over here,” Daphne says, grabbing my arm and leading me to a table close to the bank of windows overlooking the golf course. I’m seated between Daphne and Liam. Logan’s on Daphne’s other side. Miller joins us, as does our coworker Ben, introducing me to his lovely wife, Heather.

“Another hockey fan!” Ben says, checking out my sweater. “I knew I liked you.”

Laughing, I reply, “What’s not to love?”

“Do you play or just watch?” Ben asks. I’m surprised. No one ever asks if I play.

“I played some when I was younger, but just with my siblings, not on a team. My younger brother did travel hockey when he was a kid. How about you?”

Ben inclines his head toward Liam. “I played with this guy when we were younger. Now I help coach our twins’ pee-wee team.

Here. Check ’em out.” Ben takes out his phone and shows me his lock screen.

Pictured are two little blond-haired cherubs decked out in hockey gear.

The little boy is smiling hugely, cheesing it up for the camera.

The little girl is looking fiercely at the camera with her braids falling over her shoulders.

“That’s Asher and Emma. They’re in kindergarten. Emma plays defense, and Asher is the leading scorer.” Ben’s voice swells with pride.

I feel the sappy smile spread across my face, looking at them. “Aww…they’re adorable! Emma looks fierce!”

Heather laughs. “She is! She’s a bruiser. She’d be checking everyone into the boards if contact was allowed. She’s fearless.”

“I didn’t know there was a rink around here,” Daphne says.

“There isn’t,” Heather replies. “We drive to Voorhees for practice and games. It’s a shame. If they could get more ice time, it would help with their skills a lot. The kids that live closer have an advantage.”

“I have a synthetic rink at my house that almost no one uses. Maybe over Christmas break, you could bring them over and let them skate and shoot. It’s in a converted barn. My parents set it up when we were younger so Trevor could practice.”

“It’s a great surface,” Liam says. “Not as fast as ice, but great for drills or rec skating.”

“You’re skating again? Man, that’s great!” Ben says with a huge smile. “Maybe you and I can pass the puck sometime.”

“That would be great,” I say. “My younger brother is home from law school. I bet he’d love to skate some drills with you guys. And my nephews will be here for Christmas. They’re six and eight. They could skate with Asher and Emma.”

I exchange numbers with Heather so we can figure out a plan to get everyone together.

“Thanks so much, Mallory. I tried to convince them to play basketball like I did so they only needed a ball and some sneakers, but no, they want to play hockey like their daddy.”

I laugh. “My eldest brother played baseball, my sister swam and played lacrosse, and Trevor played hockey. It absolutely thrilled my parents that I ran cross-country, so they only needed to keep me in sneakers and send me outside. I love to run through the woods near my house.”

Miller looks at me. “I didn’t realize you were a runner. I did cross-country too. Do you do any races?”

“I haven’t raced since college. I just run for stress relief now. I usually set my watch for an hour and just run. Normally four or five miles a few times a week.” I take a sip of water. “I run outside when I can. Otherwise, I’m on the treadmill.”

Servers approach the tables to take our brunch orders.

I get cinnamon swirl pancakes with a side of ham.

Liam gets steak and eggs. They leave carafes of mimosas, orange juice, and water on the table.

As the servers retreat, Will stands at the front of the room with Mike and Holly.

I forget Will and Holly are siblings and that she’s most likely a partner in Morgan Development, even though she’s not involved in the day-to-day operations.

“Thank you, everyone, for joining us today. It’s been an exciting year with some things ending, but there are other, more exciting things coming in the new year.” Will looks out over the room fondly. “Liam, please come up here and join us.”

“Excuse me,” Liam murmurs, pushing back his chair and rising. He joins his father, aunt, and uncle.

Servers swarm the dining room with trays of champagne flutes. The four at the front each take a flute, as does everyone at the tables.

“One of the exciting things coming in the new year is the development of a new property. Morgan Development has gone under contract to purchase the Sand Dollar Pier in Atlantic City, and we will redevelop it as a combination retail and entertainment property. Liam will spearhead the project. We’re excited to continue to change and improve the landscape of Atlantic City. ”

Will raises his flute, and we all follow suit. “To Morgan Development, and to all of you. May this coming year be the best yet.”

The sound of glasses clinking tinkles across the room.

I take a sip of the champagne and try to collect my thoughts.

Wow. A new project, and Liam is in charge.

Does that mean he won’t be traveling as much?

Is his role in the company changing? We haven’t spoken much this week because he’s been busy. I guess he was busy with this deal.

Daphne leans in. “Did you know about this?”

“I had no idea. Did you?”

“Nope. Neither did Logan.”

Liam rejoins us.

Ben holds out his flute in a toasting gesture, and they clink glasses. “Congratulations, man. Sounds like a cool project.”

“Thanks. It’s exciting. I’m glad I don’t have to keep it a secret anymore.” He glances at me quickly. “We need to finish our inspections, but if everything goes as we expect it to, it’ll be a game changer for the region.”

I wonder if it’s going to be a game-changer for us too.

I want to invite Liam over and find out more, cash in on some of those benefits, but the rest of my family is arriving this weekend, and the house will be packed—I barely hold back my snort-laugh at my pun—until after New Year’s.

I won’t get any alone time with Liam that way, and definitely won’t get to find out more about his new project.

If the game’s changing, it’s becoming a marathon instead of a sprint.