Somebody Like You: A Small Town Single Mom Romance (The Heartbreak Brothers Book 4)

by Carrie Elks

  “What if I want to explore the island?” she asked him as he passed her a coffee mug.

  “Same rules. You’ll have to do it naked. Or wait until Boring Clothes Sunday.”

  She burst out laughing. She liked the goofy side of him as much as she liked the part of him that always played to win. “Boring Clothes Sunday. You’re really selling it to me.”

  He shrugged. “I tried to make it Naked Sunday, but the airline put in a complaint.”

  Passing her a plate of pastries and fruit, he sat down on the bed next to her. “Actually, we’ll probably need to get dressed tonight, too. I’ve booked us reservations at the restaurant here.”

  “No naked restaurant?” She sighed loudly. “You wound me.”

  “I knew you’d like Naked Saturday.”

  She pulled her lip between her teeth, her eyes softening. “I like being with you.”

  He swallowed, his neck undulating. “Yeah, well I like being with you, too.” He took a deep breath, his sculpted chest rising. “I kind of wanted to talk to you about that.”

  “You did?” She put her half eaten pastry back on her plate, giving him an interested look. “Okay then.

  “Remember my meeting in Boston last week?”

  She nodded.

  “They want me to go for a coaching position with a new expansion team in L.A. I’m supposed to fly out there next week, but I don’t want to take it.”

  Her breath caught in her throat. L.A.? That was on the other side of the country. “Why not?”

  “Because I want to stay in Hartson’s Creek with you.” He ran his tongue along his bottom lip, his eyes meeting hers. She could see the vulnerability there. It touched her.

  “Oh.” She breathed out raggedly. “You do?”

  He took her hand, tracing the lines of her palm with his finger. “How would you feel about that?”

  “I’d feel…” She took a deep breath. The thought of him staying around for her made her skin flush. She could feel the warmth of his gaze as he watched her, the teasing touch of his finger as he drew patterns on her palm. “I’d feel pretty good about that,” she admitted, her lips curling. “But I’d need to know more. What do you mean by staying around? Do you want to keep on the way we are? Because Sam’s already noticed and it’s only a matter of time before everybody else does. And I can’t have the boys dealing with that.”

  He shook his head. “No, that’s not what I want.” His eyes were hooded. “I want more. I don’t want to hide how I feel about you anymore.”

  Her hand was shaking in his. “How do you feel?” she whispered.

  Cam took the plate from her lap, putting it on the bedside table, then put her mug of coffee beside it. He slid his arms around her waist, turning them both until she was straddling his thighs, her chest pressed to his. “I think better when we’re touching,” he told her. “In fact, everything’s better when we’re touching.”

  She pressed her lips against his. “It really is.”

  “And as for how I feel?” He shook his head. “I’m not good at this stuff. I can talk for hours about a game or a play, but this stuff?” He pointed at her chest, then his. “You and me? I end up talking like a kindergartener.”

  “I can speak kindergarten, too,” she told him. “I’m well practiced.”

  He slid his hand down her back, pressing his lips against her shoulder. “I’m falling for you. This isn’t just about sex for me. I don’t think it has been for a while now. Life makes sense when you’re around. And when you’re not it’s just shit.”

  She ran her palm over his cropped hair, her fingers curling around his neck. “But you understand this isn’t just about me, right? I come as a package deal with the boys. You know that.”

  “Yeah.” He nodded. “And I’m good with that. I like them. I think they like me.”

  “They might not like you so much when they find out there’s something going on between us.”

  “When?” He looked at her through thick lashes. “Not if?”

  She swallowed hard. “Maybe you’re not the only one who’s fallen.”

  His lips curled up. “Of course I’m not. It’s classic Nightingale Syndrome.”

  “What?”

  “Falling in love with your doctor. It’s a classic thing.” He grinned.

  “You’re not my doctor,” she pointed out.

  “I am your doctor. I put you through rehab.” He slid his hands down her hips, his fingers leaving a trail of fire on her skin. “It’s only natural you’d fall for me.”

  “The Love Doctor?” She bit down a giggle. “Is that what you think you are?”

  “I like that.” He nodded. “Yeah, just call me Doctor Love from now on.” He nuzzled her neck. “Have you really fallen for me?”

  “I have. But now I’m seriously reconsidering it.”

  “Damn. That’s harsh.” He curled his hands around her waist, lifting her back onto the mattress. “I think you need another rehab session to remind you who you’re talking to.” He hooked his thigh around hers, kissing her hard and fast.

  “What about breakfast?” she asked, curling her hands around his neck.

  He cupped her breast with his rough palm, his thumb brushing against her nipple. “Breakfast can wait.”

  “I’d really like to tour the island tomorrow,” Mia told him, as they drank their cocktails on the restaurant deck, overlooking the ocean. “Not that I didn’t enjoy Naked Saturday.”

  “I noticed you taking to it like a duck to water.” Cam lifted an eyebrow. “Maybe it could catch on.”

  They’d spent the morning in bed, followed by a long hot shower together in the oversized luxury bathroom. After finally eating, they’d laid out by the pool – naked of course – then gone for a long, delicious swim.

  One thing had led to another – as it always did when he was around – and they’d ended up spending the second half of the afternoon in bed. Only climbing out to get ready for dinner. She’d almost been sad to put on clothes. Being naked with Cam Hartson wasn’t exactly a hardship.

  “I’m not sure it’d be the same in Hartson’s Creek,” she said, giving a mock shiver. “It’s too cold there.”

  “Good thing I have good heating in my house.” He lifted his glass to hers. “Here’s to us. And making Naked Saturday Morning a regular thing.”

  She clinked her glass against his, smiling. “To us.”

  The sun had gone down behind them, leaving behind a palette of purple and pink slashed across the sky, with dark palm trees silhouetting the line between the grassy lawn of the hotel and the sandy dunes of the beach.

  There were a few people out there, flying kites and walking along the ocean’s edge. It was the first time she’d seen other tourists. Even tonight, the golf cart driver had brought them straight to their table, bypassing reception and the Maître D’.

  “We could head to Main Street Village for lunch tomorrow,” Cam suggested. “And maybe go for a walk along the beach before that. Our flight is at three, but we have plenty of time as long as you don’t oversleep again.”

  “I didn’t oversleep.” She grinned at him. “You wore me out, that’s all.”

  “Nobody told you rehab was easy.”

  “I thought it wasn’t rehab anymore.” She looked at him from the corner of her eye. “Doctor Love.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Of course it isn’t rehab. And for the record, I’m getting used to your snoring. It’s kind of like listening to white noise, only louder.”

  “I don’t snore,” she protested.

  “Yeah, you do. It’s like being in bed with an old dog.”

  “Less of the old.”

  “Sorry. It’s like being in bed with a really sexy, lithe, gorgeous dog who I want to…” He shook his head. “No, that doesn’t work. Can we forget this whole conversation?”

  She nodded, her eyes sparkling. “I think it’s for the best.”

  “I told you I have the vocab of a kindergartener.”

  “You’ll fit
right in at my place.” She took a sip of her cocktail. This was so heavenly, sitting by the beach at sunset with this gorgeous man. “Speaking of which, I think we need to take it slow with the boys. Let them get used to you. No public displays of affection. Michael’s at a weird age and I really want him to feel comfortable about this. Are you willing to take your time?”

  “I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be with you.” He took her hand, folding it in his own. “I’m all in here, Mia.”

  She took a deep breath. “And you need to take it easy with me, too. I’m still technically married.”

  “When will the divorce be final?” he asked, his expression serious.

  She shook her head. “Within the next few weeks.” She traced the rim of her cocktail glass with her free hand. “And whatever we do, I want to pay my way. I can’t have you paying and me taking all the time. It doesn’t feel right.”

  He tipped his head to the side, his eyes taking her in. “This weekend is on me. No discussions.”

  “Okay. But you can’t do this all the time. I earn my own money. My independence is really important to me. And you still need to give me the invoice for the damage to your car. I’ll be paying it.”

  “No. It’s not important.”

  Her jaw tightened. “It’s important to me. When Niall left, I had nothing. I won’t put me or the boys through that again. I’ve worked too hard to be brought that low again.”

  “I get that. But I’m not that kind of guy.”

  Her smile was sad. “I hope not. But I can’t live without knowing I’ll be fine without you. Financially, at least. So please give me the damn invoice and I’ll work out a way to pay you. If we’re going to do this, I want us to be equals.”

  He pulled his gaze from hers, staring down at the ground as though there was something really interesting laying there in the dirt. “Okay.” He nodded. “I’ll get it to you next week. And I understand why you need security. But I’m not Niall, I don’t treat people badly. And I can’t promise that I won’t want to spoil you and the kids sometimes.”

  “Spoiling is fine,” she told him, squeezing his hand tightly. “Just not all the time.”

  He nodded. “Understood. So we take it slow, I make you pay me money I don’t need and you don’t have, and then we’ll be good?”

  She bit down a smile. “Pretty much.”

  He shrugged. “If it means that much to you, then we’ll do it your way.”

  “Thank you.” She pressed her lips against his cheek. “I appreciate it.”

  “I still have to go to L.A. next week,” he told her. “I promised my agent I’d meet the owners, even though I know I don’t want the job. When I get back, maybe I can come over for dinner. Let Michael and Josh get used to having me around?”

  Let them get used to having him around.

  She played the words over in her mind. Maybe she’d need some time to get used to it, too. In a good way, because being with him felt so easy. When he was around, she felt as though she could breathe. Could be herself, the person she used to be before life pulled her along and made her breathless.

  She liked who she was when Cam was around. And she adored being with him.

  “Yeah, I’d like that.” She smiled at him. “Just be yourself and they’ll get used to it.”

  He slid his hand around her neck, pulling her in for a kiss. “You make me happy,” he whispered as he pulled away. “So damn happy.”

  She smiled softly at him. “Ditto.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “Hey, sweetie,” Mia said, lifting her phone to her ear. Cam crossed his legs and picked up his coffee mug, watching her as she talked to her boys.

  They were sitting at a coffee shop in Main Street Village. Mia had insisted they get up at eight – though he’d managed to persuade her to come in the shower with him. By nine they’d walked along the beach, then taken a taxi into the village, which was full of quaint old low country buildings and pretty boutiques.

  Now they were sitting at the café, while she chatted with the boys who were still with her ex-husband. Well, her almost-ex. Cam swallowed another mouthful of coffee. Yeah, that divorce couldn’t come fast enough.

  “You did?” Mia said, her lips curling. “Wow, you’re brave. I can’t believe how grown up you sound. I’m glad you’re having fun.” Her eyes met Cam’s. He winked at her and she blew a kiss back.

  “Well, have fun, honey. And I’ll see you later tonight. Is Michael still there?”

  There was a pause as she waited for her eldest son to take his phone back. Cam took the opportunity to admire her. She looked amazing, sitting in the dappled sunlight, her pale yellow sundress clinging to her skin. She’d put a change of clothes in her bag – ready to put her jeans and sweater on at the airport, and return to the cool temperatures in Hartson’s Creek.

  They’d head straight to the airport after this. Their bags were being handled by the hotel, and would be conveyed directly to the airline check in desk for them. The pleasures of flying first class. His money definitely made his life easier. He wanted to make Mia’s life easier, too.

  “Hey honey, are you having fun, too?” Mia asked, when Michael came onto the line. “You did? Great. Thank you for looking after him. He sounds like he’s enjoying himself.”

  She picked up her coffee cup. Lifting it to her lips. “Sorry?” Her brow dipped as she listened again. “You called the landline? Why?” Pursing her lips, she blew out a mouthful of air. “I must have been in the yard and didn’t hear it.”

  So Michael was asking questions. That wasn’t a surprise. Cam knew he was protective of his mom. He’d wanted to pay back the car repairs without her knowing, after all.

  That was something Cam needed to talk to him about, man to man. He’d do it this week, before he headed to L.A. Explain that he didn’t feel right lying to Mia, and that Michael didn’t need to come around and do chores anymore.

  If they were going to do this thing, it needed to be a clean slate. No more hiding things. He was done with that.

  His relationship with Mia was too important to mess up. Yeah, it had started with pure attraction, but now it was so much more. He wasn’t lying yesterday when he told her he was falling for her. The fact was, he’d already fallen hard. He was laying on the ground, staring up in wonder at this woman who’d changed his life. Who’d made him feel things he’d never felt before.

  “Okay, I’ll see you tonight. Have fun, my darling.” Mia sighed and ended the call. “He’s angry because he called home and I didn’t answer this morning.”

  “We need to tell him about us.”

  She nodded. “I know. But we need to do it the right way. I know Michael. He doesn’t like surprises. He wants to think he’s in control. Let him get used to having you around, then I’ll talk with him, okay?”

  Cam nodded. “You’re his mom. You know him better than anybody.”

  “Thank you.” She put her phone in her purse and reached for his hand. Their fingers slotted together perfectly. “For always being so understanding.”

  “I like your kids,” he told her. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to have you in my life.” He cleared his throat. “And to make Naked Saturday a permanent thing.”

  She laughed, the worry melting from her face. “Why do I feel like you’re being serious?”

  “Because I am.” He lifted her hand to his mouth, pressing her palm against his lips. “Deadly.”

  “Thank you,” she said, rolling onto the balls of her toes to press her lips against his. “For the weekend. For being you. For everything.”

  Cam slid his hands to the small of her back, pressing her body to his. They’d barely been able to keep their hands off each other during the flight – much to the amusement of the flight attendants. And now they’d reached the VIP car park, and their respective cars were waiting for them – her Honda looking a little sad next to his sparkling – and undented – blue Audi.

  “Thank you for being mine.” He smiled at her softly,
stroking her hair. “I wish I could drive you home and spend the night with you.”

  “Spending the night together might take some time. But we’ll get there.”

  “You’re worth the wait. Even if Doctor Love doesn’t like blue balls.”

  She laughed. “I like the way you’ve given yourself a nickname.”

  “I believe that pleasure was all yours.” His lips lifted up.

  “Well, Doctor Love, this patient needs to get home and recuperate,” she said reluctantly. “And I probably have four loads of laundry to do, two boys who won’t want to go to bed, and a pile of homework that neither of them has touched all weekend.”

  “Are you trying to put me off?”

  “I’m just keeping it real. If you’re all in, this will be part of your life, too.” She shrugged.

  He dipped his face, breathing in her hair. “I can’t think of anything I want more.”

  “I keep waiting for you to run away screaming,” she admitted. “I’m a lot to deal with.”

  “You forget I come from a big family. I’m used to the craziness. I kind of missed it when I left home.” He gave a half shrug. “And I’m not running anywhere.”

  Mia’s eyes widened. “Speaking of your family, I forgot to tell you. Gray’s coming to the Distillery next week to talk about an ad campaign. It might end up affecting you, too. My boss is really keen on having your family be part of the launch of the new whiskey blend. She wants to persuade him to get you all involved.”

  “All of us?” Cam looked genuinely surprised.

  “Yeah. It’s a family whiskey company, and they want a successful family to promote it. Your brothers and Becca. It’s still in the early stages, but I wanted you to hear it from me first.” She gave him a small smile. “But you don’t have to be involved if you don’t want. What’s happening between us has no bearing on that. It’s between you and your brothers.”

  “I guess I’ll see what Gray says.”

  She smiled, relief washing over her. “Thank you. I should have mentioned it before. I wasn’t hiding it on purpose. It’s just a bit hush hush.” Sliding her hand down his chest, she glanced up at him. “I don’t want any secrets between us.”