Cougars

by Earl Sewell

  ZANE PRESENTS

  Cougars

  Dear Reader:

  It is my pleasure to present Cougars by Bestselling Author Earl Sewell. For the past few years, there has been a fascination with the new aspects of what used to be referred to as “May-December Romances.” In the past, a shroud of negativity and gossip surrounded relationships involving an older woman and a younger man. It has always been practically expected that, as men age, they will trade-in their aging women for younger models; so-called upgrades. Some men are on their third or fourth marriage by the time they turn fifty, as their wives decrease in age. However, people used to look down on women who acted similarly and they were accused of “robbing the cradle.”

  Well, times have changed. In Succulent: Chocolate Flava 2 (February 2008), I wrote a short story entitled “Cougar” about a woman in her 40’s who was obsessed with bedding younger men. Since then, there have been at least two television series (that I know of) and it has now become trendy. Many people still do not realize that Cougars are women over 40 who like younger men and Bobcats are women in their 30’s who enjoy the company of much younger men. Forty is definitely the new twenty in today’s society. I am in my forties and I am certainly not over anyone’s perception of a hill!

  Earl Sewell has done a fabulous job of exploring this topic in the following pages. I hope that you will enjoy the book and I appreciate your support of Earl and all of the Strebor authors I publish. If you are looking for a great place to hang out online, please join the Zaniacs on www.planetzane.org. Also, visit me on the web at eroticanoir.com. If you would like to purchase other titles, please visit www.zanestore.com.

  Blessings,

  Zane

  Publisher

  Strebor Books International

  www.simonandschuster.com/streborbooks

  Also by Earl Sewell

  Have Mercy

  ZANE PRESENTS

  Cougars

  EARL SEWELL

  Strebor Books

  P.O. Box 6505

  Largo, MD 20792

  www.SimonandSchuster.com

  http://www.streborbooks.com

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are

  products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance

  to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  © 2010 by Earl Sewell

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by

  any means whatsoever. For information address Strebor Books, P.O. Box 6505,

  Largo, MD 20792.

  ISBN 978-1-59309-268-9

  LCCN 2009942985

  eISBN 978-1-43914-129-8

  First Strebor Books trade paperback edition March 2010

  Cover design: www.mariondesigns.com

  Cover photograph: © Keith Saunders/Marion Designs

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  Manufactured in the United States of America

  For information regarding special discounts for bulk purchases,

  please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949

  or business@simonandschuster.com

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  Dedication

  To all of the Cougars and the men who adore them.

  “Sometimes we just fall in love with lies.”

  —Dr. Cornel West

  Acknowledgments

  Cougars is my twelfth novel and I’m amazed that I still have my sanity. Like with most of my novels, when I began writing this one, all I had was a title. I first heard the term “cougar” while having dinner with some friends. The subject of mature women dating younger men arose and the phrase was tossed around. I thought to myself, wow, that would be a catchy book title and subject matter. I began this novel by chatting it up with a number of forty-something women about dating men in their twenties. As soon as I mentioned the idiom “Cougar,” a funny little smile would form on their faces and their eyes would twinkle. The first thing that came to their minds was the exhilaration and pleasure of having sex with a younger man. I found this interesting because many of the women were only interested in the sexual aspects of the relationship and not the commitment piece. This is the mindset of men in their twenties and I found it intriguing that a woman in her forties could be just as informal about sex as guys. They didn’t mind having intimacy without intricacies. In fact, many of the women preferred it that way. Once I was armed with enough information, I sat down and plotted out this novel, which I hope you’ll enjoy.

  There are many people I need to thank but first and foremost, I have to give praise and glory to God for giving me such a wonderful gift.

  To dear friend Kris Brown whom I’ve known for twenty-four years, thank you for taking the time to answer all of my questions about the pharmaceutical industry. Your insight into the profession was invaluable and made the process of writing this book easier for me.

  To the Honorable Sheila Janine Harrell, thank you so much for taking time to speak openly with me about your profession as well as your thoughts about career women dating younger men.

  To the Sweet Soul Sisters Book Club, Diva Divine Book Club and Circle of Sisters Book Club, thank you all for your continued support and encouragement.

  To Linda Wilson, for being my right arm while writing this book. Thank you for giving me a great pep talk just when I needed it as well as your editorial guidance.

  To Gloria Studway, Regina McNeal, Patti Lichtenhagen, Mia Grant, Joyce Grant, Susan Boler, Sonya Zeno, Monique Holsey and Shawn Stuckey for inspiring me to keep on pushing and for listening to me constantly talk about my characters and this book. I also want to thank all of you for providing me with excellent feedback and comments. Without your help, this book may have never gotten finished.

  To Mary Griffin for keeping me on track during the production of this book. Friends like you are very precious and rare.

  To Lisa Renee Johnson who is the president of the coolest book club on the West Coast (Sistahs on the Reading Edge) for all of your invaluable help, support and insight.

  To my family, Annette and Candice thanks for putting up with all of my madness as I wrote this book.

  To my agent, Sara Camilli, thank you for all of your work with helping me move this book forward. I truly appreciate all of your time and efforts.

  In case I forgot anyone, which I often do, here’s your opportunity to be recognized.

  I would like to thank ___________ for _____________ because without your help I’d be ____________. You’re the biggest reason for my success because ________________________.

  Please feel free to drop me a line at earlsewell.com. Please put the title of my book in the subject line so that I know your message to me is not spam. Make sure you check out www.earlsewell.com, www.myspace.com/earlsewell, and www.aabookclubs.ning.com.

  Chapter 1

  Jasmine

  Jasmine situated her carry-on luggage in the overhead compartment at the front of the airplane, and then sat down in her first-class seat. Once she was comfortable, she removed a book of erotic short stories from a smaller bag. It also contained a notebook for writing, her iPod and some fruit she’d purchased from a newsstand inside the airport. Jasmine momentarily glanced at the young, handsome airline pilot standing outside the doorway of the cockpit. He was partially dressed in uniform, waiting patiently to greet coach passengers who had yet to come aboard. He looked to be about twenty-eight years of age, stocky build, with full delectable lips, a mighty chest and muscular arms. He had
on a short-sleeved shirt and she could see part of a tattoo, which read Bad Boy on the bicep muscle of his right arm.

  “A cocky young man with a tattoo,” she whispered to herself. The young pilot had an immaculately groomed head full of black curly hair. As she continued scrutinizing him, she was delighted when her eyes landed between his legs, and discovered a print pushing out against the fabric of his slacks.

  “Young men. Always ready for action,” Jasmine whispered before sweeping her tongue between her lips at the thought of what his young body would look like nude. She exhaled and closed her eyes to enjoy the intimate vision more fully in private. She imagined ripping off his shirt and pushing him down in the pilot’s seat. In her mind’s eye, she saw herself riding his dick as she fed him one of her breasts. The thought of the young pilot eagerly sucking her breasts and worshipping her like a mythical sex goddess caused her to feel a delightful tingle between her legs.

  “Are you comfortable?” Jasmine immediately opened her eyes and tilted her head upward. The young pilot held her gaze for a moment, then smiled at her displaying a pretty set of white teeth. She paused for a second to refocus her thoughts.

  “What’s that mannish smile for?” Jasmine certainly didn’t want him to get a sense that she was fantasizing about choking his dick to death with her strong pussy muscles. On the other hand, she couldn’t help being a little flirtatious.

  “Nothing, I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable,” he answered as he squatted down.

  “Out of all the passengers about to board this aircraft you specifically want to know if I’m okay?” Jasmine raised her eyebrow.

  “That’s why I’m standing here. Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?” The young pilot had clearly gone out of his way to accommodate any request that she may have had.

  Jasmine draped her left leg over the right one and smirked. Then being unashamedly bold and straightforward, Jasmine leaned toward him and said, “I could use a foot rub. That would certainly relax me.”

  Glancing down at her feet, which could be easily removed from her open-toed shoes, the young pilot said, “It’s your lucky day. I’m most certainly a guy who loves to take care of a woman’s feet.”

  “Is that a fact?” Jasmine muttered, then laughed slightly.

  “I’m not sure if I can accommodate that particular request right here in such a tight space, but perhaps we could make other arrangements.” His voice was steady and confident.

  Jasmine parted her lips and allowed the tip of her tongue to touch the roof of her mouth. “What a pity. Things could’ve gotten interesting in such a tight space.” Jasmine glanced into his eyes before audaciously focusing them directly on his dick, which was without question, eager to meet her.

  “Do you wear boxers or briefs?” Jasmine inquired although she already knew the answer.

  “Excuse me?” The young pilot released an embarrassed laugh.

  “Oh, don’t start playing the shy and bashful role now. Your big ego walked you over here for some conversation. Now answer me. Do you like it when it’s close to your body or do you like to let it hang?”

  “You don’t play around, do you?” Jasmine could tell he was enjoying her straightforwardness.

  “You’re the one who wanted to come over and play with a grown woman. I’m very frank and to the point. When I have a question, I ask it and in return I expect to receive an answer. Now tell me. Which do you prefer? Boxers or briefs?”

  “I wear boxers,” he answered with a flair of cockiness.

  “I can tell. Perhaps you should walk your dog more often so he can raise his leg.”

  “I’m trying to walk him right now,” the young pilot muttered.

  “You don’t even know my name yet.” Jasmine wanted him to take a moment to think about what he was saying. “I could be a crazy and deranged man eater.” She flashed her green eyes at him.

  “That’s a chance I’m willing to take. I’ve just got to know what your sexy green eyes will say to me when I’m making love to you.”

  Jasmine asked, “How old are you?”

  “Old enough to fly this 737 Boeing jet and certainly old enough to handle other things.”

  Jasmine shifted her position and looked him up and down from head to toe. “I’m probably old enough to be your mother.” Jasmine hoped that she’d said enough to unnerve the young Casanova.

  “I’ve never seen my mother look at me the way you did earlier. As far as I can tell, you had something on your mind and I don’t think your thoughts were very motherly.”

  Jasmine paused and thought about what to say next. “Okay, fair enough. I’ll admit that I was ogling you a little. But as the old saying goes, there’s no harm in looking.”

  “My name is Alex. Alex Moore. When you’re ready to graduate from just looking and cross over into something more exotic, I want you to think of me. Here is my card.” Alex presented her with his contact information.

  Jasmine took his card and glanced at it. “You don’t want to play with me. I will have your ass walking in circles and talking to yourself. I am entirely too much woman for you to handle, sweetie,” Jasmine said.

  “Are you sure about that? I may be younger, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t know what I’m doing. Trust me, I can do things to you that’ll have you addicted. Hell, I just might be too much of a young man for you.”

  Jasmine laughed as she tucked her hair behind her ear. “You certainly talk a lot of game, but I’ve been playing the sport much longer. Trust me, sugar, if you were to ever get some of my sweet nectar, my man eater would most certainly school you.” Jasmine winked, and then smiled at him. She had to be honest with herself. The idea of this young stud being so blatant and self-assured toyed with her hunger for excitement, adventure and the exotic.

  “See, that could become an issue. You’re still in school taking adult education and I’m a professor at the University of Seduction,” Alex continued teasing her with his suggestive conversation. Jasmine decided to be more straightforward.

  “Well, if I were to fuck you, Alex.” She looked him directly in the eyes. “It would be on my terms and you’d need more than just an energetic ego and boastful words. I’ve heard men brag about their sexual prowess before and frankly, men who brag almost always come up short and soft.”

  “I’m sorry to hear about your disappointments, but that was them, not me. Do you have a number where I could reach you?” Alex stopped speaking and waited.

  “No I don’t. However, if I want to play around, you’ll hear from me.” Jasmine winked.

  “Ooooh, it’s like that?” Alex’s tone spoke his disappointment.

  “Mister Moore, you have a wonderful day,” she said as she removed her iPod and put in her ear buds. The move was meant to be a clear signal that their conversation had concluded.

  “It was nice meeting you, but you know I’m going to ask you to turn that off before we take off, Miss …” Alex was still trying to get her name.

  “My name is Jasmine and it’s time for you to move out of the way, Alex. You’re causing a passenger logjam.” Jasmine tilted her head in the direction of several passengers who were waiting for him to stand up so they could squeeze past him.

  “You’re going to call me, right?” Alex rose up. Jasmine shrugged and turned on her music. Alex smirked before stepping away toward the cockpit of the aircraft.

  Jasmine peered out the window at the horizon in the distance. She’d arrived at a particular place in her life where she wasn’t interested in a serious relationship. Previously, she’d had two very serious relationships, but neither one had ever materialized into marriage. One lover, a man named John Fleming who she’d met in her mid twenties and dated for three years, couldn’t and wouldn’t commit to her. There were far too many single women for him to play around with and the notion of settling down to raise a family was like asking him to cut off his balls and hand them to her for safekeeping. That just wasn’t going to happen.

  By
the time Jasmine was thirty-one, she’d met Bailey Brown through the singles dating ministry at her church. Bailey was a prosecutor who became a community activist and started a program to help first-time juvenile offenders turn their lives around. With the help of church ministers and his relationship with other professionals, Bailey was able to do some good. Offenders would come through his mentoring program and learn about more positive ways to deal with their anger, and manage the emotional issues associated with the breakdown of the family structure. Through his program, many of the young men learned how to be critical thinkers and develop leadership skills that would sustain them for a lifetime. Bailey was passionate about his work and equally passionate about Jasmine. He loved her brilliance and for their second-year anniversary, he took her on a vacation to the West Indies.

  “You make my life so complete,” he admitted one romantic evening when they were having dinner at an oceanfront restaurant. “And I want to marry you.”

  “Are you proposing to me?” Jasmine needed clarification.

  “Yes, I am, but I know you’re not going to make me get down on one knee to place this engagement ring on your finger.”

  “Yes I am,” Jasmine said, not wanting to be cheated out of such a very special moment. When they returned home, Jasmine began making plans for their wedding. However, her plans came to an abrupt stop when she received news of Bailey’s death. One of the misguided youth he’d been trying to help had turned against Bailey and had gunned him down in a parking lot. It took a long time for Jasmine to get over it, but with the help and support of friends and family, she found the courage and strength to keep moving forward.

  Jasmine was now a forty-three-year-old, single and successful career woman. She didn’t have any children and at this particular point in her life, she’d accepted that the fantasy of the white house with the picket fence and two children wasn’t going to happen.