Hunks, Hammers, and Happily Ever Afters

by Cari Quinn

  She shook herself. Jonathan was an ass. And Cam’s sex life or lack thereof wasn’t her concern. Especially, since he’d clearly stated that Karen had ended it. She wasn’t going to admit to herself that she was even more curious about the mysterious Cam Munroe since he’d sat in her kitchen and shared a beer with her.

  “Heads up chickie, it’s ice cream and champs tonight.”

  A plastic bag with pints of ice cream swung beneath her nose. This was what she got for wasting her thoughts on Cam. Alexa had snuck up on her.

  “Where did you come from?”

  “I was waiting on you.” Alexa pushed away from the wall. Taller than Mica, she was slender but with curves. Her black curls hung in spirals down her back. Her skin was olive. Her eyes blue and tilted her lips full and natural red.

  “Have I mentioned I hate you?”

  “No, you’ve told me you love me. I remember it like it was yesterday. In fact, it might have been yesterday.” Alexa slung an arm around Mica’s shoulder and squeezed. “Come on, let your landlord in so she can inspect the damage you’ve done to the apartment.”

  Mica gripped her keys and took a good look Alexa. Dressed in heels, a silk blouse and sleek trousers it wasn’t hard to guess that Alexa had come from work.. Judging by the Ice cream and champagne she wasn’t in a very good mood. Mica played along. “What damage would that be?”

  “Well since the security guys told me you had that cute elevator tech here I figured I would take a look see.”

  Mica growled as she shut the door behind Alexa.

  “Oh, now don’t growl at me.”

  “They are the worst those two.”

  “Well, did you finally get the object of your fantasies into your bed?” Alexa wiggled her brows suggestively.

  Mica turned away and grabbed two spoons from the kitchen. She traded Alexa a spoon for a pint of Dulce de Leche. “I gave him a beer because I was responsible for ruining his date. Plus, he got soaked in the rain.” The taste of the rich sweet made her close her eyes in appreciation. “And, I made his date break up with him.”

  Alexa paused in the act of opening the champagne. “You are not responsible for him getting dumped.”

  “I called in the elevator. Again.”

  The cork popped. Alexa waved the bottle and towel housed the cork as if she’d performed some sort of magic trick. “I repeat, you are not the cause of them breaking up.”

  “He said.” Mica took another spoonful of ice cream. Alexa knew her story she would understand. “He told me, she’d be happier in the long run.”

  Silence from Alexa. The only sound in the condo was of champagne filling flutes and the fizz that followed.

  Alexa sat next to Mica on her small couch. She handed Mica a glass and grabbed the remote. “I’m going to say this again, you are not the cause of anyone breaking up. And, maybe both Elevator man and Jonathan are right for different reasons.”

  Mica’s stomach cramped as she looked at her best friend who was already channel surfing. This was the first Mica had heard from Alexa beyond the standard, you’re better off without him speech.

  “Really?” She asked her voice smaller than she would have liked.

  `“Really.” Alexa said shifting on the couch to face Mica. “You would have gone through the motions with Jonathan. You’d have found a way to be happy because you make the best of every situation but now you’re free to be you.”

  Mica found it hard to maintain eye contact. What she saw in her friend’s face was a belief Mica was more than she seemed. Mica wasn’t ready to take that leap just yet

  “As for the other guy, you don’t know who elevator man was dating.”

  “Karen. Cam said.”

  Alexa raised one eyebrow. “Oh, Cam is it?”

  “Cam Munroe.” Mica didn’t admit she’d found out his name long before.

  “So he was here long enough to tell you about her?”

  “He just mentioned that she dumped him.”

  “And?” Alexa kicked off her pumps as she settled into the crook of the sofa. “I know you. People automatically trust you.” Spoon hovering over her pint of ice cream she urged Mica on. “What else did he say?”

  Mica took a spoonful of her ice cream to buy time. The sweet rich cream melted in her mouth while Alexa stared at her with her intense blue gaze.

  “He said that I was a virtual stranger and that he was having a deeper conversation than he’d had with her.”

  She shoved another spoonful of ice cream in her mouth before Alexa could ask her anything else.

  “See, that’s just what I thought. She wanted out. Not. Your. Fault.” Alexa done with the conversation turned back to the TV screen.

  “How can you say that?”

  “Because it’s true.” Alexa chose a channel. “And you know it’s true. How often did I agree with Jonathan of all people?”

  “But...”

  “But nothing. You’re happier now than you were when you were with the smooth talker and you know it. Now settle in because we caught this just in time.” She grabbed a flute off champagne and took a sip before she added. “Oh, and another thing. You’re not getting out of the fundraiser tomorrow night so I hope you have your dress ready.”

  ~*~

  Cam took another swig of his scotch. He scanned the room looking for a friendly face. His boss had long disappeared into the sea of individuals who’d come together for adult literacy. It was a worthy cause and he was all for it, but he doubted his donation would be anything significant compared to what some of the people in this room could contribute.

  He held up his end of the bar while the crowd mingled around him. Men and women were dressed in their finery. For some, this was as close as they would get to high society, while for others this was a regular part of their social calendars. For him it was just another night. He fixed elevators for a living. He showed up to give to a good cause he would have given to anyway so the free plate from the company didn’t hurt.

  A flash of cinnamon curls piled high caught Cam’s attention. He straightened to get a better look. What were the odds the woman who’d been haunting his dreams was at the same event? She appeared in the crowd next to a dark haired beauty dressed in scarlet. In contrast, the object of his interest was in what she must have considered a conservative black dress.

  Cam gave up his position at the bar and melted into the crowd. Here was one person he knew could carry on a conversation that didn’t involve the other person trying to determine where he fit on the social strata.

  It took some doing but he finally caught up with them halfway around the room. He even found his boss, whom acknowledged him with a salute of his drink

  “I know you.” Cam almost dropped his drink as a slender arm snaked through his. A quick look to his left and he discovered the dark haired woman on his arm.

  “You do?” He looked into the blue eyes of the woman who had a grip on his arm and wondered how he was going to get her to let go without seeming rude.

  “Yes. I do.” She smiled and gently guided him in Mica’s direction, straight to his prey. “Cam isn’t it?”

  Okay, he definitely hadn’t met her before. He certainly hadn’t given her his name. And there was only one other person who knew it and she looked uncomfortable sipping a glass of wine and trying not to make any eye contact.

  “I know you’ve forgotten my name, it’s Alexa. I live in the Towers with Mica.”

  “Alexa, I think I remember now. Nice to see you again.” He turned to Mica who was busy watching him as if he were a dangerous animal. “Mica. It’s nice to see you again.”

  “Hello Cam.” Her voice was soft and he had to lean in to hear her properly. He didn’t mind at all. It did his bruised ego good when she met his eyes and promptly forgot that she was about to take a sip of her wine.

  “So, Cam. I’m technically working this event even though it’s not mine. You don’t mind keeping Mica company, do you?”

  Alexa didn’t even wait for his agreement.
She took off and quickly disappeared into the crowd. Cam watched her go in bemusement. Cam shifted his focus back to Mica. While he’ been studying her friend she’d been studying him.

  “It’s a gift.” Mica met his eyes briefly.

  “I’m sorry, what?”

  Mica smiled. “She has a talent for leaving people confused and exactly where she wants them.”

  Cam took a sip of his drink and took in his companion. She stood with her back to the wall, watching the crowd as it ebbed and flowed past them. Mica seemed to be at home in the crowd. People waved at her as they wandered past and she returned their greetings. He wondered just who she was in this world.

  A faint flush covered her cheeks as she sought to avoid his gaze.

  “So tell me, what does Alexa do?”

  “She manages fundraising for a local nonprofit.”

  “So if this were her event, she’d be the one to put this all together.”

  Mica looked down, at her glass swirling the liquid. Cam fingers itched to stroke the line of her neck.

  “She would be the one.”

  “And if she’s the organizer, what are you?”

  Mica looked up at him, searching his face for something. “I’m her plus one tonight but sometimes I would be an invited guest.”

  “An invited guest.” Cam gave in and moved closer. One of her curls had escaped her attempts to control it. Her eyes widened. Her pupil’s dilated as he reached out to test the springy curl between his thumb and index finger. Silky like her skin.

  “Yes.” Mica shivered as the backs of his fingers caressed her collar bone.

  “Are you from around here?” All he had to do was open his hand and he would be cupping her cheek. It wouldn’t take much more to bend his head and cover her lips with his.

  “We both are. Orlando born and bred.” She licked her lips and Cam grabbed hard onto his composure. This was a public place. He was sure if he kissed her here Mica would be embarrassed. Well she would be embarrassed and he wouldn’t want to stop.

  Cam didn’t know what question to ask next but he was stalled when a couple approached.

  “Mica.”

  Cam dropped his hand and stepped to the side. At the sound of her name, Mica became someone completely different before his eyes. Instead of bouncing between being annoyed he was talking about Alexa and being attracted to him, Mica clutched her wine glass so hard Cam was afraid she’d break it.

  “Hi Mom, Dad.”

  “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

  Mica 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.