Howls and Home Runs (Mascot Matchups #1)

7. Lainey

Chapter seven

Lainey

I help Wilder up, placing his head back on his shoulders.

“I don’t like him.” Wilder growls, his furry lip curls revealing sharp white teeth.

“Jett? Eh, he’s ok. A little handsy and doesn’t understand personal space, but he’s harmless.” Am I trying to convince Wilder he’s harmless, or myself? My brain snaps me back to reality and I put space between us, reminding myself I’m talking to a sentient wolf mascot.

“Are you ? Harmless, I mean.“ Wilder almost looks shocked by my statement. Well, as shocked as a foam head could be.

“Lainey, I would never hurt you.“ His voice is sincere and those amber eyes soften while they search mine for reassurance.

Wilder shifts awkwardly at the silence and I watch his movements. They are almost fluid, but a bit robotic if you look close enough. Kind of like an animatronic without all the mechanical bits and sounds.

He’s huge. I’m not short by any means at five feet and seven inches, the perfect mascot height according to Coach Reynar. His head is massive, almost comically so, adding to his already impressive height, making him over six feet tall. His fur is a deep red, just a few shades darker than my own. Tan fur speckles his nose before running down his front. I glance between his paws, my eyes going wide as I realize how enormous they are. Each toe ends with a pointed black claw. Are they plastic? Foam? Some other material that can actually slice through someone?

He’s much more realistic and much less cheesy than other mascots I’ve seen. Like that dumb corn mascot. Who slaps giant eyes and gangly limbs on corn and makes it a mascot?

I giggle to myself and hear Wilder let out a soft laugh that almost sounds like a bark. Looking back up to his face, I observe his long nose and gaping maw. Whoever remodeled him gave him big sharp teeth that do make him look a bit scary, if I’m being honest. Do those teeth work? Could he bite my arm in half if he really wanted to?

Wilder’s tan brows angle inward like he’s furrowing them, still standing before me. He looks kind of like a werewolf in one of the monster books I read recently. It’s kind of hot.

A faint breeze makes me look around his body, only to see that big fluffy tail wagging. I almost reach out to take it in my hands, but Wilder speaks up.

“You’re not scared anymore.” It’s not a question but a statement. He gives a toothy grin as his tail sways more enthusiastically.

“No, I guess I’m not.” Grinning up at him, adding, “You’re not that scary.” Shooting him a wink. God, am I flirting with a fur suit? I really am Loony Lainey.

Fuck it. He’s hot.

Deciding to embrace my loony-ness, I reach up on my tippy toes to scratch behind one of his furry ears. “Good boy.” I tease. Wilder’s eyes darken and he grabs my hand firmly, but carefully in his paw.

“Careful, Lainey.” A playful growl vibrates against my body, making my thighs clench. A warmth floods my body and my cheeks flush as my dream comes back to me. Being chased, massive paws… I should be scared, but instead my traitorous body steps into his. “Or else what?”

Wilder releases my hand, his paws clenching at his sides as drool drips from his muzzle. A long tongue swipes across those sharp teeth as he leans down by my head, inhaling deeply before his tongue runs up my exposed neck.

“You smell so good .“ Wilder’s voice reverberates in my ear and my hands move to his furry chest. Panty status: soaked. Our eyes meet, each of us challenging the other to do something, anything , to break this tension. I’m tempted to grab him by the scruff and drag his lips to mine, but he suddenly steps back, the space between us chilling my skin.

“I’m sorry, I’m not sure what came over me.” One of his paws reaches behind his head scratching it awkwardly.

“Oh, that’s, umm fine.” The rejection stings but I don’t let it show. At least I try not to. “ We should probably–probably get to know each other… like”

“Like Coach Reynar said.” He finishes my sentence. “Yes. Like Coach Reynar said.” We both smile, the tension dissipating.

Crossing over to the bench, I sit, gesturing for him to do the same. Wilder’s fur tickles my arm as he sits close, amber eyes already laser focused on mine. “Where should we start?” He asks, with his head cocked and a wolfish grin. He’s so handsome when he grins like that. A wolf suit can be hot right? Because Wilder is definitely hot.