Page 35 of Claiming Her Cougar (Shifting Pines #2)

LIAM

The inspections on 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 handle my stick.

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.”

“Give me Mallory’s cell, and I’ll let her know, see if I can bring anything.”

“You don’t need to bring anything, Teagan, and you don’t need her number,” I say.

“What are you afraid of, Liam?” Jake asks. Asshole.

“I’m not afraid of anything. I don’t want to be rude and give out her number without her permission.”

“Oh, never mind. I have it from the Flyers’ game,” Teagan says.

Shit.

“Teag, please don’t make it awkward.”

Jake snorts. “Pretty sure that ship has sailed, dude.”

“Well, I’m going for sure. Liam has a crush. No way am I missing this,” Teagan teases.

Groaning, I close my eyes. Why do I bother? Why can’t I have normal best friends?

“I’m going too,” Jake says. “Text us the address.”

Pounding and muffled yelling carries across the call.

“Tell Ma I’ll be right there!” Jake yells back. “I gotta go. Send the address.”

It’s only me and Teagan left on the line.

“Are you okay, Liam?” she asks.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“You know you can talk to me, right? I may tease you, but I’ll always listen.”

I know that. It’s why we’ve been best friends all these years.

I sigh, then say, “I know. Thank you. Nothing really to talk about now.”

“Okay. But when there is, I’m here for you.”

“Yeah. Same.”

“Thanks, but I’m good the way I am. No attachments. My casino and our team are all that I need,” she says.

I know she thinks that’s the case, but I hope one day she finds a man to make her consider being in a relationship again.

“I’m going down to see what’s happening on the casino floor. Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?” she asks.

“Nah, I’m good. I’ll send you guys the address and details for New Year’s Eve. Thanks for coming.”

“You got it. Bye.”

“Bye.” I disconnect the call.

Drumming my fingers on the arm of my couch, I wonder if I should give in and make another call.

I don’t want to be clingy, but it’s been over a week since I saw Mallory.

It would be one thing if one of us was traveling, but we’re in the same freaking place.

Kinda hard to be friends with benefits if we never see each other.

Not that I only want the benefits. Of course, I’m dying to sleep with Mallory again, but it’s more than that.

I like her. I want to talk to her. I want to hang out with her.

And then sleep with her. I guess she doesn’t feel the same way about me.

The phone rings in my hand, and I jolt. A Cheshire Cat grin spreads across my face when I see it’s a FaceTime call from Mallory. I take a deep breath and accept.

“Howdy, stranger.” I can’t believe I just answered my phone like that. Can I be any more of a dork?

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.