Fated (7 page)

No, not feelings, he thought with a hard shake of his head. That word involved emotion. What he and Cara had shared was hot sex. Hotter than any he'd ever had—

“So how are you feeling?” Mike asked Sam, deliberately changing the subject.

His brother's wince said it all. “Like my head's about to explode, and my abdomen's bloated and hurts like a son of a bitch.”

Mike nodded in understanding. “Rest. I'll tell everyone at the station to hold off visiting for a day or two.”

Sam's eyes began to close. “I'd appreciate that. I'm getting kicked out in two days, so they can come by and visit me then.”

“Do you need me to move in for a couple of days and help you out?” Mike asked.

Knowing his stay in town wasn't permanent, and never needing much space, he'd rented the empty room over Joe's Bar. Sam, like the true Marsden son, had already bought himself a small house in Serendipity, picket fence and all.

“Nah. Cara offered to let me take the spare room at her new condo.”

Mike ignored the hot flush of jealousy creeping through his veins. It was as unwarranted as it was ridiculous. Sam and Cara were best friends and partners, but there was nothing sexual between them. And even if there was, Mike didn't plan to pick up where they'd left off, so what was his problem?

“That was nice of her to offer.” Mike forced out the words.

“Yeah. I might take her up on it,” Sam said, sounding groggier by the minute.

“Hey, did you click on your meds while I wasn't looking?” Mike gestured to the button attached to his brother's IV.

Sam nodded, a goofy grin on his face. “Yeah. Feeling no pain, my man.”

Mike rolled his eyes. Time for him to go. He braced his hand on the bed and rose to his feet. “You get some sleep. I'll come by after work. Mom said to tell you they'll be here around lunchtime.”

“Okay. They came late last night for a quick hello, but I was pretty out of it.”

“Yeah, but they both slept better for seeing you.”

Sam didn't reply. He was already passed out cold. Mike shook his head and walked out. First stop coffee shop, then he'd get lost in work. Later on today, he'd deal with Cara Hartley.

* * *

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New York Times
bestselling author
CARLY
PHILLIPS
tossed away her legal briefs and a career as an attorney to become a stay-at-home mom. Within the year, she turned her love of reading into an obsession with writing. More than thirty published novels later, Carly writes sexy contemporary small-town romances, striking a balance between entertainment and emotion, and giving her readers the compelling stories they have come to expect and enjoy. She lives in Purchase, New York, with her husband, two daughters, and their dogs: Bailey, a soft-coated wheaten terrier, and Brady, a Havanese, who act like additional children. Visit the author at www.carlyphillips.com. Or catch up with her at facebook.com/CarlyPhillipsfanpage or twitter.com/CarlyPhillips.

Berkley titles by Carly Phillips

Serendipity

Destiny

Karma

Perfect Fit

 

Specials

Fated