Hunks, Hammers, and Happily Ever Afters (73 page)

“Mica you’ve been avoiding us.”

Mica was all but vibrating next to him. She had inherited her golden freckled skin from her father and her hair color and height from her mother. Mica’s mother was impeccably dressed as was her father. Understanding dawned as Cam listened to the exchange between Mica and her parents.

Mica wasn’t just some dog walking, condo sitter who had to work for a living. She was the daughter of a well to do Winter Park couple. 

She and her parents seemed to have forgotten he existed because her mother launched into a polite interrogation that made Mica move closer to him. It was just a step but it was enough to have them zero in on him. Her mother gave him the quick once over and demanded of Mica.

“And who is this?” 

Her father didn’t wait for an introduction he held out his hand. “Charles Lawson.”

It was a solid handshake. Cam got the feeling that Charles Lawson was a straight shooter. The stiffness in his manner told him things weren’t quite right between father and daughter. “Cam Munroe.”

Mica sent him a wide eyed look just before she introduced her mother. “Cam. This is my mother.”

“Hello. Mrs. Lawson”

“Hello Mr. Munroe.”

Her greeting was cold and precise. He hand shake was little more than a touch of fingers. Mica tugged at his jacket sleeve. He didn’t know from the look on her face if she was asking for help or pleading with him to leave.

Mica’s mother dismissed him immediately.

“Mica have you been in touch with...”

“Mother this isn’t the time or the place?”

“Cherise.” Mica’s father cleared his throat and gave his wife a meaningful look.

“When then? When would be appropriate?” She looked first at her husband and then at Mica. “You tell me.”

Alexa materialized by his side. A large toothy smile on her face. “Mr. and Mrs. Lawson, what an unexpected pleasure. I see you’ve met Cam.” 

Cam didn’t know Alexa very well but she could have won an award. Anyone close by would think she was happy to see Mica’s parents as she stepped forward and enveloped them in hugs they returned but just barely.

“Cam I have someone I want you to meet. You don’t mind if I borrow him, do you Mica?”

Cam dutifully followed Alexa after a quick squeeze of Mica’s hand. The obvious relief on her face assured him it was ok for him to walk away, but it still didn’t sit right. 

“This is something you don’t need to see. This is the first time Mica’s parents have seen her since she’s gotten back.”

Alexa lead him away from what Cam was beginning to think of as a blood bath. “I know she wanted me gone but should you leave her alone with them?”

“I’m going back in, but you’re just getting to know Mica the last thing you need to see is her being eviscerated by her parents in the most loving way possible.”

“What?” There was

“Don’t worry about it. Mica likes you. She won’t say it, but she does. And Mica being Mica would be and is horribly embarrassed that you witnessed that.”

Cam looked back at what would seem to anyone else to be a polite social conversation, but he saw the way Mica looked for a way to escape. He turned back to Alexa.

“Should I go in there and get her?”

Alexa scrunched up her nose. “No.” She looked back over at Mica. “Just how interested in her are you?”

He didn’t have an answer for that just yet. He only knew that he was drawn to the woman Mica was and that right now she might need someone besides Alexa by her side.

Cam put his drink down on a table he passed as he headed back. Alexa hadn’t made it back yet. Mica’s face was so pale her freckles stood out. He walked behind her father and caught her eye and the subtle shift of her head indicating no.

It looked like she didn’t need his protection after all.

CHAPTER FOUR

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M
ica was still reeling after the meeting with her parents. Her phone hadn’t stopped buzzing with messages until she’d called her father and asked him to stop her mother. It’d worked so far but she knew that she only bought herself some time before they found another way of attack.

She hefted the bag of groceries in one hand and adjusted her back pack on her shoulder. She had an art history degree and was working as a house sitter. When she moved back, she’d cornered the market on towers pets and snow bird condos. But it wasn’t what she wanted to do with her life.

“Hey Mica.” Mike the valet waved her down. “You’ve got a visitor.”

Mica braced herself for the confrontation she knew was to come. It was the middle of the day and all of her friends were at work. All of her clients contacted her via phone and email to set up meeting times. The only person who would show up announced was her mother.

“Thanks Mike. In the lobby?”

“In the lobby.”

Mica took a breath and braced herself for the confrontation.

Relief flooded her system when Cam pushed to his feet at her approach. It felt wrong to be happy it wasn’t her mother, Mica pushed that aside. 

“I didn’t have your number.” He walked towards her, his eyes intent on her face. Mica met him halfway. “It turns out when you want to check up on someone having their number is important.” His smile was lopsided and Mica returned it even though her heart sank.

“You didn’t have to check up on me. My parents are overprotective.”

Cam reached out and took the bag from her arms.

“I wanted to check on you.”

“So you’re curious?” she asked as they walked toward the elevators. His curiosity was the reason he was here and she wished she could take back the bag of groceries without drawing attention to herself. Instead she found herself in the elevator with Cam again, watching the numbers of the floors fly by.

For the first time since she’d moved in, Mica found herself completely unconcerned with the walls of the elevator closing in on her. Instead she bounced between curiosity of what he wanted from her and denying her attraction for him.

The doors of the elevator opened and Cam led the way to her condo. His body brushed hers as he stood aside and waited for her to open the door. Heat flooded her body. She wanted to do it again, in fact she wanted to push him up against the doorframe and take his mouth. The intensity of her want made Mica mentally take a step back.

She’d never wanted anyone like this. It was enough to bring her back to the present. Why was Cam really here? Mica waited until she shut the door to give in to her curiosity.

“I know you said that you wanted to see how I’m doing. Well you’re here you see I’m fine. That’s not the only reason you’re here, is it?”

Cam put the bag of groceries on the table and turned to face her. “I’m here to check on you and to ask you out.”

Mica blinked up at him. “A date

“Yes.”

Cam moved closer. His fingertips brushed the backs of her hands as he closed the gap between them. Mica licked her lips as her heartbeat sped up. This man was definitely interested in her. And she was interested in him. So interested that when he raised his hands and cupped her face she stepped forward to meet his kiss.

He tasted of coffee. A dark, rich, intoxicating brew. His body was hard and strong under her hands. Mica whimpered when he raised his head. Her eyes opened when his lips left hers and Mica found herself looking into Cam’s eyes.

Cam lips met hers for a second time and it was all Mica could do not to wrap herself around him like a vine. He smelled like man and sin. Tasted like addiction. Very stroke of his tongue drew her in and made her ache. It was the need that drew her back. Slow, she had to take it slow. The last time she’d gone fast she’d ended up engaged to Jonathan. It was easier said than done. Cam had her backed up to her door and his big body hot against hers. She’d wrapped one leg around his in an effort to pull him closer.

Mica eased back from the kiss even as her body screamed no. “You haven’t asked me yet.” Her lips brushed against his as she asked.

“Haven’t asked?”

“The date, remember?”

He smiled, and dipped his head, forward for another quick kiss. This close and she could see the green flecks in his irises. Mica held her ground this time she wouldn’t get swept away. This time it would be a conscious choice for her and not as a means of escape.

“Yeah I remember. Would you like to go out for dinner?”

“Yes.”

He left her after he’d kissed her again, the slow slide of his tongue against hers sweet torture battering her resolve to take this one slow.

“Be ready at six thirty.”

He stepped back and Mica let her sense of humor fly. “Are you worried our meal will be interrupted?”

Cam’s eyes crinkled as his lips stretched into a grin and Mica’s heart beat like a drum against her ribcage.

“No. You’ll be with me this time.”

“Wait a minute.” She pushed away from the door. “Don’t’ you need my number?”

“No. I’ll get that later.”

“Why later?”

“Because this way you can’t change your mind and cancel.”

~*~

M
ica fussed with the black pants and top she’d chosen. Her heels were sky high and the blouse she wore looked conservative until you looked closer and saw the silky material might have been opaque but it hugged every curve and yet bared a sliver of flesh that lunged into a deep V at its opening.

Alexa crowed her delight. “You look fabulous.”

“Jonathan...”

“Jonathan is a jackass. Who, I might add I never liked and had the bad taste to let you go.”

“So I’m worrying over nothing.”

“Yes, and I’m happy to see you getting out and about.” Alexa took a bite of ice cream. “Though I’m selfish enough to wish you could stay home in my time of need.” She pointed the spoon at Mica. “You did not hear that. You are not backing out of the first date you’ve had since you got back. I can wait.”

Mica checked her watch, “I’ve got some time. You want to give me a brief overview of what has you eating ice cream for the second time in a week?”

“The historical society wants to raise funds so we can do things like save some of the older buildings instead of hoping someone else will swoop in and buy them.”

“What’s the problem?”

“I need to put together a fundraiser that not only highlights the issue but raises money for the cause while highlighting the community so that all parties are involved and we have a higher turnout out and a higher likelihood of success.” Alexa stuffed another spoon full into her mouth. “So I have to come up with a proposal soon.”

“You want to brainstorm?”

“I might take you up on that offer soon but in the meantime you need to put on some lipstick, lip balm or something, darling, because you want those lips to be kissable.”

Mica felt a hot flush of embarrassment cover her face. “I should never have told you.”

“Nonsense.” Alexa waved the spoon at her. “I am your best friend, I require details. Someone needs to tease you instead of laying into you at every turn.”

“It’s hard for them. They love me.”

“Mica, we’re not getting to this argument again. Yes your parents love you. That’s not the problem. They don’t want you to grow up. That’s the problem.”

Mica wanted to say that wasn’t true, but in the last few months she’d come to understand something about herself that her parents had proven incapable of understanding. She was a woman grown.

“Most people have a career. I have a house sitting business.”

“Whoa, whoa. I hear dejection in your voice. This is not the time for that. You came home and you found a way to support yourself.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.”

“Everyone needs help Mica and after that first job you practically sold yourself. To know you is to love you. And people who have sense love you and understand that you are a person.”

“As opposed to a possession.”

“Yes, and that’s why I was glad Jonathan gave you up. Now we just have to get your parents to do the same.”

Mica paused in the act of applying lip gloss to look at Alexa, when a knock at the door sounded. Alexa rose from her stool, grabbed Mica’s purse, and held it out to her. Mica looked at her friend’s outstretched hand and was surprised when Alexa pulled her close.

“Even if Jonathan hadn’t thrown money at you out of guilt. I would have let you live here for free and you would have had a job within a week and you would been fine.” Alexa released her hand and smiled. “Now go get him tiger, at the very least get a good meal out of him.”

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CHAPTER FIVE

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C
am waited in the hallway, his back against the wall opposite Mica’s door.  He could hear her talking to someone else. He had half decided she’d changed her mind when the door opened and Cam thanked whatever god decided to favor him that night. She was stunning in black silk hugging her every curve. What drove him mad to touch her was the deep V in the valley of her breasts.

If they made it past this first date, he would buy her a necklace to wear with that outfit. Maybe a single gem to hang in that opening.

Mica was staring at him in amusement and Alexa was squeezing past her.

Cam shook his head. “Wow, you look amazing.”

Alexa’s laugh echoed down the hallway and still Cam couldn’t take his eyes off the woman in front of him.

“Thank you.” She ducked her head and Cam reached out to take her hand.

“So I’ve got an idea about dinner.”

The truth was he hadn’t planned it out. He’d been so busy kissing her that he’d forgotten to ask and then he’d thought he was so smart that he hadn’t gotten her number. From the nerves he sensed from Mica, it was probably the right call but it meant that he had no idea what kind of food she liked.

“An idea?”

“Yeah.” Cam decided to own up to it. “Kissing you wasn’t in the plan the other day so it messed with my head I forgot an important question.”

“What’s my phone number?”

“That too.” He laughed. “What do you like to eat?”

“Everything. Except sushi. I can do rolls but that’s about it.”

“Italian?”

“Italian is good.”

Cam peered down at her shoes. There was no way she could walk far in those, which eliminate a couple places he had in mind.