by J. A. Rawls
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Except for select brand names, locations and businesses, this book is a work of fiction. Names, places, events and characters are fictitious. Any similarities to actual events or persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental.
Cougar Awakening
© 2009 J.A. Rawls
ISBN 978-1-934446-45-4
Cover Design by Viper
All rights reserved. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.
Published by
Romance Divine LLC
www.romancedivine.com
To the ultimate slave of my desire,
my husband and partner,
whose support has allowed me
to go further than even I could have imagined.
Women with “pasts” interest men because
men hope that history will repeat itself.
Mae West
Cougar: “A large, powerful, tawny brown
cat, formerly widespread in the Americas,
but now extinct in many areas.”
(Webster’s Seventh Collegiate
Dictionary, 1971)
Cougar: “A new breed of single, older
women. A cougar is a beautiful animal:
sleek, powerful and in control. Being a
cougar is an attitude, not a number.”
(Valerie Gibson, author of Cougar: A Guide
for Older Women Dating Younger Men)
Cougar
Awakening
J.A. Rawls
One
Jana didn’t know if she was happy or not, never gave it much thought anymore. She’d moved on after Craig, and now there was work, the company, HER company. She was successful, at work, in business; but her personal life? As a woman...?
*****
Jana sorted through the folders on her desk, trying to bring order out of chaos, when Charlie walked into her office. He smiled, that shy, awkward smile which meant he had something on his mind and was debating whether to tell her or not. Jana returned his smile reluctantly, “Yes, can I help you?”
“Boss, did you realize that people were intimidated by your comments in today’s meeting?”
“You mean the meeting with the idiot accountants?”
“Yes, that one.”
“Of course I knew; that was my intent! They come to meetings and bring me nothing but problems; but they never offer any solutions. They want me to tell them what to do. I pay them a lot of money to take care of this, but they can’t seem to handle even a simple task. It gets old, believe me, very old.”
“But boss, did you see their faces?”
“Of course, Charlie, I saw their faces,” Jana huffed. “Unfortunately all I ever see is that ‘deer-in-the-headlight’ look!”
“Well, yea, some of that was going on,” Charlie shrugged. “But most of those guys were lusting after you, drooling over every syllable you uttered. They’re in awe of you.” He paused; now was the time to get to the point. “You’re their cougar!”
“We do not lust and drool in meetings Charlie - I’m their what?” Jana leaned back in her chair, her eyes locked on her faithful, and surprising, assistant.
“A cougar, they’re drawn to you.”
“Very funny Charlie, cougar indeed, go home and let me get some work done. Right now I don’t want to be anyone’s kitten, or even their cat for that matter.” Jana snarled, brandishing her manicured ruby red nails as mock claws.
Charlie laughed as he backed out of the room. She doesn’t get it, he thought. He knew men in the office, especially the younger ones, were attracted to her. Hell it wasn’t just the young ones, but they were the most obvious about it. He visualized the ‘cougar in her den’ on the way to his office. Boss you’re a cougar, you just don’t realize it.
As he walked out of the building, he noticed Jana’s car, that silver BMW. Yes, she’s a cougar, a cougar in denial. I need to tell her more about what she does to the men around her. I know she doesn’t realize what real power she has. Charlie squeezed into his Mini Cooper and laughed to himself. She’s great to work for, but she’s naïve. She has so much untapped power. One of my jobs, one I’ll assign to myself, will be to unleash that power.
Jana looked out her window and watched Charlie drive out of the parking garage. She smiled to herself thinking about what he’d said, and trying to figure out what he’d meant. No time now, I’ll have to talk to him more about this tomorrow.
She returned to sorting through the papers on her desk, trying to get herself organized. Jana hated leaving the office at the end of the day without knowing exactly what to expect when she returned the next morning. It was this attention to detail that allowed her to rise to owner and CEO. On her ‘To Do’ list she made a note to have Charlie set up a meeting with Mike in Accounting. Thinking about it made her cringe. I’ll fix this accounting problem. The additional costs I’ve paid due to their negligence will stop. Tomorrow, I’ll put an end to this foolishness once and for all or know the reason why, yes, tomorrow!
Jana leaned back in her chair, surveying her surroundings. Her office space, featured in a recent Architectural Digest article on women making their mark in big business, fully expressed the beauty and functionality of the space. The building design, and in particular her office, allowed her to sit at her desk and watch the sun rise and set simply by turning her chair left or right. It was the primary reason she’d hired the young, good looking architect. He was the only one who understood the importance of her office tranquility. After all when you spend sixty plus hours a week in your office, other than a private bathroom, ambiance was everything.
What did Charlie mean by cougar? I’ve been called a lot of things on my way up the corporate ladder, but a cougar? Never. Jana reached over and pulled her old standby Webster’s II, soft cover, dictionary from the shelf by her computer.
She flipped through the pages to look up the word ‘cougar’. She wanted to see if there was a definition listed that she wasn’t familiar with. The dictionary defined a cougar as a mountain lion, okay not a great dictionary. Jana slid over to her computer and did a search on cougar. What she found startled her. It said a cougar is a large, solitary cat…Was Charlie referring to my size? No, he wouldn’t do that. A cougar is the second heaviest cat…There’s that weight thing again, but I can’t believe that’s his intent. The definition further said that a cougar was secretive and avoided people. That fits me to a “T”. Cougar…what did Charlie mean? Oh hell, it’s time to go home.
*****
Jana entered her condo, flipped on the lights and dead-bolted the door. She was tired, but a good tired, if that was possible. Entering the kitchen she smiled at the clicking sound her heels made on the marble tiles. Craig used to love that sound…Jana, stop it!
Dining on a simple chicken Caesar salad and iced tea in her favorite crystal wine glass, she lit a candle and enjoyed a quiet supper. As she ate, her thoughts returned to Charlie’s comments about the Cougar. What was he trying to tell me? What did he mean? I’ll have to get to the bottom of all this, but not tonight. I need relaxation and a good night’s sleep.
She turned down the bed, ruminating on the significance of this simple ritual act. Craig would have done that, in fact he always did it, but that’s in the past and this is now. She still missed his companionship. At one time he had been her husband, lover best friend and then, for some reason, everything fell apart. As she gazed around the room she thought more about her failed marriage. She and Craig
had shared everything, their hopes, their dreams, and now sadly a divorce. They were both to blame for the split. They grew apart and when things finally came to a head, they had agreed it was best to go their separate ways. The nights were always their special time, or at least they had been. Enough, enough! This is not the time to feel sorry for yourself! She put the day’s events out of her mind and fell into a deep sleep.
The alarm was incessant. Jana reached over and turned it off. Her mind started working the minute her eyes were open. Another day, another dollar or two, she smiled. A hot shower was definitely in order.
*****
Dressed in a black Armani suit with a lime green shell, Jana slid behind the wheel of her BMW, coffee in hand. She engaged her hands-free cell to call the office and get things in motion before she arrived. “Charlie, is that you?”
“Who did you expect?”
“Don’t get funny. Are you in the office?”
“Isn’t that the number you called?”
“Cute.” He’s not making this easy, guess he hasn’t had his coffee yet. “Charlie, set up a meeting with Mike from Accounting for seven-thirty. And, Charlie, don’t be so grouchy when I get there. Whatever the problem is, fix it now.” She cut off the call and smiled. That would keep him talking to himself for a few minutes.
*****
Jana entered the office and stopped at Charlie’s door. “Did you get my meeting set up with Mike?”
“Of course, isn’t that what you wanted me to do?”
“Charlie, did your mother ever tell you not to answer a question with a question?”
“No, why?”
“Charlie, give me a break, please. I need to talk to you if you have a couple of minutes. Now would be good.”
“Sure, not a problem, do I need to bring anything?”
“No, I just have a couple of questions from our discussion yesterday.”
Charlie smiled. He knew exactly what she wanted to talk about and he was not going to make it easy for her.
Jana dropped her purse in her desk drawer, “So, Charlie, how was your evening?”
“It was fine, how about yours?”
“I have to admit some of your comments yesterday would not let me rest, that ‘cougar’ thing for example. What exactly does cougar mean, based on your definition?”
“Boss, you’re out of touch. You really don’t know, do you?”
“Charlie, you’re beginning to frustrate me, and I know you realize that. Believe me if I knew what you meant by the comment I wouldn’t be asking you now. So give, what exactly does it mean in Charlie speak?”
“Boss, it isn’t Charlie speak, it everyone’s definition - except yours. You don’t have anything in your hands do you?”
Jana raised her hands so he could see they were empty. “Charlie, what gives?”
“Okay! A cougar is a female who is older, sophisticated, beautiful, and who attracts younger men. That’s the definition of a ‘cougar’.”
Jana closed her eyes, shook her head and then looked up. “You really don’t believe I fit that definition, do you?”
“Yes, boss, that’s you! Remember the meeting yesterday?”
“Of course I remember the meeting yesterday. It was one of the worst meetings I’ve had with our accountants.”
“Well,” Charlie shrugged, “there is that. But think about the way they looked at you when you spoke to them.”
“Yes, I remember. There was not one of them without that ‘deer in the headlight’ look. I couldn’t believe how stupid they appeared. Hell, they couldn’t even put a full sentence together without stumbling over the words. I actually had a problem following their thought processes, assuming they had any.”
“No boss, beyond the stammering. Those guys are all MBA graduates with CPA credentials. They’re all extremely intelligent, they know their jobs, but they have trouble communicating with you.”
“You could have fooled me. If the meeting yesterday was the best they have, I need new accountants.”
Charlie sighed, she’s gonna be a tough sell. “Boss those guys are enamored by you. They are flat, tongues out, drooling over you as a woman, a woman of power.”
Jana’s mouth hit the floor. She couldn’t believe what she was being told. “Charlie what kind of drugs are you on?”
“No drugs, honest, boss you are beautiful. You’re powerful, and those guys recognize it and want to follow you around like puppies.”
“Charlie, I don’t have pets for a reason and I don’t want my accountants following me around like puppies.” Jana slumped into her chair, thoughts of a Hurricane her only salvation. Isn’t it five o’clock somewhere? “Charlie, I’m having trouble grasping all of this. You need to get back to work and I need to see Mike. You really need to re-think your ‘cougar’ theory and its applicability to me. I truly believe you’re way off base.”
“Boss, I’ll think about it, but I’m telling you I’m right on the mark. These guys want to be more than employees. Try it out at the cocktail party this afternoon and see. If you give even one of them the go ahead, he’ll fall all over himself to make anything you want happen.”
“Okay Charlie, I’ll consider it, but I think you’re nuts. I’ve a meeting to prepare for. Get Mike from accounting.” Jana pulled two files from her briefcase, and then gave Charlie a puzzled look. “How old would you say Mike is?”
“Age, I would say early thirties, why?”
“Just thinking about what you said.” Jana smiled as she leaned back in her chair. “Take that stupid smirk off your face and get Mike in here.”
Charlie walked out of her office without saying another word. He was smiling from ear to ear as Mike approached from the elevator. Jana was really thinking about being a ‘cougar’. Excellent! Maybe I should warn Mike, then again maybe not. He’s a big boy…or so time will tell.
Jana’s thoughts were going a mile a minute. Charlie is nuts. This can’t be how people see me, how young men see me, it just can’t. I’m old enough to be their mother for heaven’s sake. Enough, enough, I need to get to work. Charlie’s mention of the social function reminded her she had invited several key clients to the office for cocktails and she was joining them for dinner. Many of her staff were invited, even some of the accountants. The good news is that she always kept a black dress in her office and could get party-ready without having to make a trip home.
Before she turned on her computer there was a soft knock on her door. Crap it’s got to be Mike. “Door’s open.”
Mike formally entered the office as if he was reporting to a military superior. “Good morning ma’am.”
Jana bristled at the ‘ma’am’. “Good morning, Mike. I’ll make this quick as I’ve another meeting to prepare for. I need your staff to work up the numbers for the expense accounts of my ten top executives. I need these identified by type of costs and summarized by individual, purpose, and division for the past six months. Can you have it ready to brief my staff by noon tomorrow?”
“Yes, ma’am, that shouldn’t be a problem.”
If he calls me ma’am one more time I’m going to throw up. “Okay, good. Please provide the info to Charlie. I’ll need individual packets tomorrow for the meeting which is currently scheduled for noon. I’d like you at the meeting to field any questions. Provide me a draft copy by this afternoon before I leave the office so I can review it and make any changes before the meeting. I’m interested in any anomalies you discover; any questions?”
“No questions; I’ll take care of it personally. Will there be anything else?”
“No, that’ll be all.” Jana sat back in her chair and crossed her legs. She caught Mike’s eyes with her own and smiled. “Mike, are you planning to attend the cocktail party this afternoon?”
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll be there, see you then.” Mike blushed and backed out of the office.
Jana didn’t know what to think. She hadn’t even touched him and he left her office blushing. All she’d done was ask him if he was going to t
he cocktail party. She flipped through her schedule and wondered about the ‘cougar’ comment Charlie made. “Damn you Charlie!” Jana left her office and went to the conference room. As she walked in the room, the young man behind the podium looked as if he was about to wet himself. Charlie, it isn’t ardor these young men are feeling, it’s fear - she smiled as she took her seat.
Two
A drink was in order. Jana’s day was busy with one meeting after another. She had a cocktail party to host in less than thirty minutes and she still needed to change clothes. Walking to the bathroom she noticed Charlie had already put out her dress, he thinks of everything. What would I do without him? She studied the image in the mirror and had to admit, the face that looked back at her ‘was’ attractive. She’d aged well. Her shoulder length dishwater blonde hair framed an oval face, but it was her dazzling green eyes that drew the attention. Maybe Charlie is right. She took the dress off the hanger and slipped it over her head. With her hands on her hips she put a sexy pout on her face and then laughed at herself. A ‘cougar’ indeed.
Jana knew she needed to hurry, or she was going to be more than fashionably late. She touched up her makeup. A pair of chandelier earrings accented her long neck and drew attention to the open cowl neckline of her dress. It was a beautiful dress, sleek and clingy but with enough body to give it a life of its own.
Jana hadn’t taken time to reflect on Charlie’s comments, nor had she thought about Mike’s reactions to her this morning. From the bathroom she heard Charlie’s voice over the intercom advising her that her guests were beginning to arrive. Running her fingers through her hair, she stepped back and took one last look. I look fantastic if I have to say so myself, she smiled. She exchanged her business pumps for a sexy pair of stilettos. I’m ready. Let’s do it.