The Reluctant Cougar (Rise of the Alpha King's Heir)

C is for...

When Ben and Eileen made it back outside, they were surprised to find Clair and Widow O'Hara in the Cougars' car. The women both looked upset, alternating between glaring at each other and refusing to look at anyone.

"What's going on?" Ben wondered.

"We decided that you and Eileen would ride there together," Kurt said brightly.

Ben saw Eileen's eyes stray to the women in the car and back, "You did?"

Kurt shrugged, "Two out of three?"

He clasped his son on the shoulder, "Good thing you're going to be gone. Pretty sure I'm not going to be allowed in the bedroom for a while."

Ben's throat tightened. His dad rarely disagreed with his mother, and Ben could count on one hand how many times they'd not at least compromised.

"Thanks, dad."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Cougar," Eileen said quietly. "I didn't mean to be troub--"

"You're not trouble," Ben and his dad said at the same time. The two men glanced at each other, nodded, and Kurt said to Eileen, "Follow close--but not too close. Do you need me to back out for you?"

Eileen quickly shook her head, "I can manage, Mr. Cougar."

The look Ben's dad gave her was indulgent, "Please, call me Kurt. Or Dad."

Eileen's face shuttered, and she unconsciously took a step back.

Kurt snorted, "I'm not hitting on you, kiddo. Clair's the one that wanted a son. I always wanted a daughter. No offense, son."

Ben grinned, "None taken, old man."

Eileen relaxed and nodded, "Thank you...Kurt."

Kurt smiled and turned back to his son, motioning to the car with a tilt of his head, "Well, let's get going."

Ben and Eileen climbed into the car in silence. The silence continued while Eileen backed the car out and waited for Kurt to do the same.

"Stay close," he reminded them from his rolled-down window.

Eileen nodded, "Okay, Kurt."

He flashed a smile, then turned to say something to Clair. She gave him a dead stare. Kurt shrugged, put the car into drive, and led the way.

When they hit the main road, Ben finally decided to voice the question that had plagued him since the night before.

"Hey, Eileen?"

"Hmm?" she wondered, tapping on the steering wheel with her thumb.

"Last night..."

She glanced at him then away, her face becoming carefully neutral. "What about it?"

"What...changed?"

"Changed?"

"Why did you decide to talk to me like that last night?"

He saw her shoulders relax, her face take on a considering look.

"It was the combination of a few things, honestly," she admitted. "First, everybody knows now. It's not just me in charge of your, uh, chastity. Second...well, the moment we pulled out of the parking lot yesterday I was no longer your teacher. And..."

Her voice trailed off, a little tense on the last word as if rethinking the thought she was about to share.

"And?" he prompted.

She glanced at him and away, "I always thought Wildcat was a very mature guy. When I realized you were him, some of my arguments no longer made sense. I realized I was fixated on an idealized age. Granted, I'm still adamant about waiting to get really physical, because that's a huge step and one not to be taken lightly, but... I realized it's ridiculous to continue keeping you at arm's length and pretending you're an ignorant child. You're a young man, but you are a man... And you're my man."