His Curvy Cougar (The Halloween Honeys) Read online

  I cough. “Smart girl.”

  “No, she’s not a girl.” He’s too damn close. “She’s all woman.”

  I’m pretty sure my insides have melted in a liquid pool of lust.

  “So, um...” I need to change the subject fast. “You want my help with the haunted house. What theme did you have in mind?”

  He glances over at the cougar costume and grins. “One that gets you wearing that.”

  “Not happening.”

  “We’ll see.” He winks, then shoves his hands in his pockets, and I see something change in his eyes. “Actually, I wanted to do something a little different than the other rooms. Most of the themes are scary, which is fine, but not for younger kids.”

  “You want to do a room for kids?” I can’t help but sound a little shocked.

  “Sort of.” He rubs the back of his neck and looks slightly embarrassed. “There’s this kid I know, he’s really into cats—”

  “Cats?”

  “Big cats. Tigers, lions...” He smirks. “Cougars.”

  “Well that...” I grunt and glance over at the pieces of fabric that Tillie claimed was a costume. “...is definitely not rated PG.”

  “No. I guess not. But I thought we could have an hour where we open the room for just kids.”

  “That’s actually a good idea.” Plus, it gets me out of wearing the cougar outfit.

  Austen must read my mind, because he adds, “After the kids leave though, I think we can make the room R rated. Or better yet, we could make a little movie of our own.”

  He is smiling as he says it, and I know he’s just being funny, but my insides whimper with desire at the thought of us together. I moan at the thought, but that only has him chuckling and moving closer to me. “I’d pay a million bucks to see you in that outfit.”

  “Trust me, you’d be asking for your money back. That would not be a good look on someone my size.”

  He frowns. “Are you kidding me? You’re the sexiest woman in this sorority. I’m already jealous of anyone else seeing you in it.”

  I cross my arms over my chest. “First, no one is ever going to see me in it. And second, while I appreciate your compliments we need to get one thing clear. Nothing is happening between us.”

  “Why?” Like a damn magnet he’s pulled towards me. “Are you dating someone?”

  “No. I....just...” Can’t think when he’s this close.

  He tucks a finger under my chin and forces me to look at him.

  I melt under his gaze.

  Shit.

  “You’re too young for me,” I blurt out.

  “Five years.” He gives a small shrug. “So? Age is just a number.”

  “Except it’s not. We want different things.”

  “How do you know what I want?”

  I swear to god, I’m trembling now, my body sizzling with a desire I’ve never felt before. But I’ve never been someone who just had sex for the purpose of having sex. I want it to mean something.

  “Are you trying to tell me you don’t want to fuck me?”

  He chokes on a laugh, but his hand never leaves my face. He strokes my jaw with his calloused thumb, and his eyes flame with a hunger that matches my own.

  “Yeah, Sam, I want to fuck you,” he admits, his voice a growl when he leans closer and says, “I want to feel those curves wrapped around me as I bury my cock deep inside your pussy. I want to make you cum so hard you scream my name for everyone to hear. I want to—”

  “Okay,” I say breathlessly, my hand pressed against his ladder of abs. “I get it.”

  “But that’s only a portion of what I want, Sam.”

  “Right,” I say sarcastically, knowing I’d just be another notch on his bedpost.

  He inhales deeply, like he’s breathing me in, and says roughly. “You want me. I’ve seen you watching me—”

  “I haven’t.”

  “Liar.” His thumb roughs across my bottom lip. “You want me.”

  “Cocky much?”

  He grins down at me. “Yeah, sweetheart, I am. And I also know in a second, I could have those tights off you in a heartbeat, my face buried in your pussy, giving you the best orgasm of your life. But I won’t.”

  Oh. My. God.

  I want him to do just that.

  My body aches for it.

  “Why not?” I whimper, not knowing what part of my non-functioning brain pushed those words out of my vocal chords.

  His mouth is so close to mine, his palms still resting on my face, but he doesn’t kiss me. Instead, he murmurs. “Because I want to prove to you I want more than just a quick fuck. I want you, Sam. And I always get what I want.”

  I’m about to protest, but his mouth finally meets mine, and any objections I should have are burned away by the fire that races through my body.

  His tongue swipes across my lip, then dives into my mouth, taking, tasting, giving me a brief sample of what it would be like to be consumed by this man.

  And I want it.

  So bad.

  He groans against my mouth, and I can feel the hard length of his cock pressed erotically against my belly. And in that second, I know I’m helpless to him. That he’ll get his wish. One kiss and I’m his.

  But the next second, he’s pulled away, and walking toward the door.

  He grins over his shoulder. “Tomorrow, Sam.”

  “Wha-what?”

  “I’ll pick you up at noon.”

  “For what?”

  “A date.”

  “I’m not going on a date with you.”

  He chuckles, then winks. “Sweet dreams, pussy cat.”

  Then he’s gone, and I’m left wondering what the hell just happened.

  4

  Austen

  I spend the morning washing my car and clearing out all my football gear. Sam thinks I’m a one-dimensional jock — but she’s wrong. And I’m going to prove it today. I have big plans for this date.

  I may be a player, but it’s because I know what women want. Yes, they want toe-curling orgasms, but they also want Instagram-worthy photo ops. So, I will give Samantha exactly that. We’ll get pumpkin spice lattes, head to the pumpkin patch, and finish the afternoon carving out pumpkins. Cheesy AF but also the perfect fall date, and I know Samantha won’t expect it from me.

  I’m pulling on clean jeans and a sweater when my phone buzzes. I take the call when I see that it’s the Children's Hospital.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi Austen, this is Nancy, down at Children's.”

  “What’s going on?” I ask, not expecting to hear from the head nurse on a Sunday.

  “I wouldn’t usually call a volunteer like this, but you’re not just any volunteer.” Nancy probably thinks too highly of me. I’m just a guy doing my part, for my own reasons.

  “It’s no problem, what’s this about?”

  “It’s Henry Davis. He came in yesterday and hasn’t stopped asking for you.”

  My heart falls. “Is it bad?” Visions of my little sister on her deathbed play in my mind.

  “The leukemia is back.” Nancy’s voice is choked, and I know why. Henry is one of those kids that tugs on your heartstrings.

  “I’ll be there this afternoon,” I tell her.

  Hanging up, I text Tillie the news. She knows how much Henry means to me, and why.

  Me: Henry Davis is back at Children's. Fucking sucks, Til.

  Tillie: Oh gosh. I’m so sorry. Anything I can do?

  Me: Your sorority is already doing more than enough. I’m going to the hospital this afternoon.

  I pause my typing ... wishing Henry wasn’t back in a hospital bed. Eight-year-old boys without families shouldn’t get sick like this. Hell, no child should go through this, family or not.

  Me: Makes me think of Lucy.

  Tillie: I know. I miss her like crazy this time of year.

  Me: She loved Halloween, that’s for sure.

  Tillie: You have a date with Sam today, right?

  Me: Yeah. Th
ink she’d mind coming to the hospital? I don’t want to cancel on her.

  Tillie: I think she’d love that. And Austen?

  Me: Yeah?

  Tillie: Don’t try so hard to get in her pants, okay?

  Me: I’m going to pretend you didn’t just type that.

  When I get to the sorority, Samantha is waiting for me out on the front porch. I open her car door and she practically jumps inside. “What, you don’t want anyone to know we’re going out?” I ask as I get into the driver’s seat.

  “Not particularly.”

  “Why? You think they’ll judge you for dating me?”

  She rolls her eyes. “No Austen, I think they’ll judge you for dating me.”

  “Girl, we gotta work on that confidence.”

  “I bet since you’re one of the players on campus you can help me with that,” she says tightly.

  I scoff but refuse to try to justify some of my past behaviors. Yes, I’ve slept around, but I’m a twenty-two-year-old college football player. And mostly, I have never met a woman worth settling down for.

  Now, Samantha, she’s another story. If she wanted to get with me, I can see the two of us going someplace real.

  But talk isn’t going to make her believe that my intentions are pure. In this case, actions speak louder than words.

  “So, where are we headed?” she asks. Thankfully she’s dropped the other topic.

  “Here’s the thing. I had a pumpkin patch date all planned, but I just got a call from the Children’s Hospital—”

  She cuts me off, “Oh god, is everything okay?”

  “Actually, no,” I say as I pull onto the highway. “A patient named Henry was just re-admitted yesterday. He’s a foster kid and has been through the wringer, I’ve gotten to know him over the last year, and dammit, really thought he’d be headed into remission, not the other way around. I’d really love to go there first if you don’t mind. He’s been asking for me.”

  Sam places a hand on my arm. “I’m sorry, of course we can go. Or if you’d rather go alone, I honestly don’t mind waiting.”

  “No. I want you there,” I tell her. “I volunteer at the Children’s Hospital every week. The place means a lot to me, and I’d like to show you off.”

  She sighs, not able to accept my compliment. “I didn’t know you volunteered so much. That’s really amazing. Most college guys—”

  Now it’s my turn to cut her off. “Sam, I’ve been trying to tell you I’m not most guys.”

  “I guess not.” She looks out the window, and I give her space. I’ve known her as my sister’s friend for the last few years, but we haven’t spent much time alone. She is always reserved and stand-offish. I’m realizing it might be more about her insecurities than anything else. Which seems crazy considering she isn’t only brilliant, but she’s also beautiful.

  Once inside the hospital, I head to the nurses’ desk and introduce them to Sam as I check us in. I take my lanyard with my ID and put it around my neck, then place a guest pass around Sam’s.

  “I’ve never seen you bring a friend along, Austen,” Nancy says warmly. “It’s great to meet you Samantha.”

  “Likewise,” she says, shaking the older woman’s hand. “I didn’t realize Austen was such a dedicated volunteer.”

  Nancy smiles broadly. “Oh, he is our finest. Was named Volunteer of the Year last year. Look.” She points to a framed photo and plaque of me, among many other framed award winners through the years.

  “Wow,” Sam says, seeming genuinely impressed. “That’s incredible Austen.” As we walk down the hall toward Henry’s room she asks why I never mentioned the award before. “Surely the fraternity would want to tout something like that, it would give them prestige.”

  “This isn’t about being recognized, for me. It’s about giving back. After Lucy died...”

  She places a hand on my arm. “Tillie told me about your sister. I’m so sorry.”

  I give a tight smile. “Thanks. After she was gone I knew I wanted to help give comfort to kids and families who were going through a similar thing. It’s not a big deal to give a few hours a week, but it is something.”

  She nods as if understanding. “It’s a big deal to people you help. I don’t know other guys on campus who are named volunteer of the year.”

  Hating the ache that starts in my chest when I think of Lucy and all the other kids I’ve watched lose their battle with cancer and other fatal diseases, I change the subject. “You know.” I place a hand on her lower back, pulling her closer and wiggling my brows. “It’s not just my volunteer work that sets me apart.”

  “No?” she asks, her voice soft.

  “No.” Then I lean into her ear. “If you want, I can take you to my room after this and show you other ways that I’m set apart.”

  She turns bright red, and I love seeing the way she responds to my words and my voice. And I love teasing her, watching her reaction.

  “But first,” I tell her. “Let me introduce you to someone important to me.”

  5

  Samantha

  Henry lights up when we walk into his room. He’s a small kid but his big eyes shine brightly when Austen comes over and gives him a hug.

  “Hey buddy,” Austen says, sitting down on the bed. “Heard you were hanging in like a champ. Looks like Nurse Nancy wasn’t lying.”

  Henry sighs, his shoulders falling. “Don’t feel like much of a champ right now.”

  “I know, Henry. This isn’t how you wanted to spend third grade, was it?”

  Henry’s lip quivers and I can’t begin to imagine how scared he must be.

  “My class was going to the zoo next week. I’ve never been there. Thought I might get to do a normal kid thing but...”

  “Hey, this spring we can go together. Maybe Sam can come too.” Austen reaches for my hand and pulls me toward him. “Sam is my friend, she’s way smarter than me, and prettier too.”

  I swallow, not wanting to get emotional in front of this little boy. “Nice to meet you, Henry. I’m just getting to know Austen. I hear you’ve been friends for a while?”

  Henry nods, an impish smile on his face. He has an upturned nose, freckles across his cheeks, eyes as blue as the sky. “Yeah we met last year. Says I’m his favorite. I was strong enough to go to his final football game last season.”

  I smile, sitting in a chair beside the boys. “Wow, I bet that was fun.”

  “Yeah, Austen’s a hero. He made the winning touchdown.”

  Austen shakes his head, waving him off. “Enough about me, I wanted to show you something buddy.” Austen pulls out his phone and pulls up a YouTube video. “It’s footage of a cougar purring.”

  Henry frowns, looking skeptical. “Purring?”

  “I know I’m a jock and act all tough and stuff, but Henry, it’s pretty cool. They’re the biggest species of cat that can meow and purr.”

  Austen plays the video and we all find ourselves mesmerized by the big cats and their adorable purring. When it finishes, Henry is won over. “They are purring killing machines,” he laughs.

  “Pretty cool, right? It actually gives me an idea. Sam and I are putting together a room for a haunted house, but we need a theme. Maybe a haunted jungle would work? Threatening cougars and—”

  Henry cuts him off. “And you can put in an anaconda! And tarantulas! Those are super creepy.”

  “That’s a great idea,” I say, so impressed with Austen’s thoughtfulness.

  “I wish I was healthy enough to come,” Henry says softly. “But Doctor Morris says I might be here for a month. I’m staying during chemo. It’s too much for my foster family.”

  I blink back tears, wanting to say something of comfort. “I bet Austen and I could come back and work on making the tarantulas with you. Would you like that?”

  Henry smiles, saying he’d love that, and his strength in the middle of a horrible circumstance makes me want to be stronger too.

  We stay for a while, watching videos and telling st
ories, before we finally say our goodbyes. After we sign out, I take Austen’s hand in mine, threading our fingers together. My heart surges in my chest, beating hard for something I don’t quite understand.

  Once we get in the car Austen asks if I want to go to the pumpkin patch.

  I twist my lips, feeling all sorts of emotions. Sadness and awe.

  “Honestly, I wouldn’t mind just going back to campus.”

  Austen frowns. “Oh, okay. I thought. Never mind.”

  I rest my hand on Austen’s arm. “No, I meant, maybe we could go back to your room, watch a movie together or something?”

  He lifts an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.”

  He gives me smile that spreads a warmth through my heart. Desire too. We drive in silence. We just had a pretty emotional afternoon and it’s a lot to process.

  “I’ve never lost anyone I was close with,” I tell Austen as we park at his place. “But my mom had breast cancer when I was a teenager. It was scary. Thankfully she survived but today I was reminded how precious all of this is, you know?”

  “I know. It’s like, you can’t take any of it for granted.”

  “Sitting in the hospital room with Henry puts things in perspective. So often I get caught up in my head, focused on school and the future ... so much so that I forget to live.”

  “What are you saying, Sam?”

  I know Austen doesn’t fit into any of my plans for the future ... he’s too young, too carefree. And yes, he’s a solid, stand-up guy, and being with him certainly wouldn’t be settling. But I have things I want to accomplish before I settle down with anyone.

  “Maybe today I don’t need to think about the future. Maybe I can just think about the here and now.”

  “And the here and now. What does that look like for you, Samantha Trelford?” he asks, taking his keys from the ignition.

  I swallow. I want this. I do. I’m not exactly confident when it comes to men. Especially not tattooed, muscular, sexy men ... but Austen doesn’t make me feel like I’m taking up too much space. Today, with him, I felt like I fit.