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  WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

  This book is for sale to ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It contains substantial sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which may be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

  All sexually active characters in this work are 18 years of age or older.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cover Design: Emma Hillman

  Someone Like You © September 2010 Emma Hillman

  eXcessica publishing

  All rights reserved

  Someone Like You

  By Emma Hillman

  Author’s Note

  Someone Like You is the third novel in the Ex-Footballers Series,

  after Location, Location, Location (eXcessica © 2009)

  and Yes, No, Maybe (eXcessica © 2009).

  It can be read as a stand-alone book, however

  I would recommend you read Yes, No, Maybe first.

  Enjoy!

  Prologue

  “Mia?”

  She blinked down at him, her pen poised over her notepad. “No, actually it’s Leah.” She tapped a finger over the nametag carelessly pinned over her chest, and asked for the second time, “What can I get you?”

  Nick ‘Apollo’ Hamilton groaned when he realized his mistake. “Sorry, I thought you were somebody else. Uh, coffee, black, no sugar.”

  “Sure. Anything else?”

  He shook his head and watched her leave, noting the way her ass curved underneath her uniform. For one second there, he’d really thought it was Mia come to visit him. No, even better, to tell him she’d left Kevin, that she loved him and no one else. That she wanted to... “Shit.” He nearly slapped himself in an effort to clear his head. He had to stop thinking about her, damn it! She was happy with her husband and they were just friends. And even if they’d had sex together, even if he’d made her come, had felt her contract around his pounding length, nothing else would ever happen.

  His cock rose in his shorts at the memories assailing his mind. He contemplated returning home and jerking off while once more reliving that amazing night spent with his best friend and his wife. But fuck, he was tired of his own hand! Except he’d tried screwing some nameless girls, and he hadn’t managed to get it up. It was unbelievable that him, Apollo Hamilton, former playboy, was stuck in this situation.

  His gaze focused once again on the waitress: she was leaning over the counter, obviously riffling around trying to find something. Her breasts were pushed together, all the men’s eyes focused on the way they jiggled with each of her movements. And yet, he looked at her face, she appeared oblivious. She finally found what she was looking for –a napkin– and walked back towards him.

  He couldn’t help it, he looked her up and down. Her features were eerily similar to Mia’s, too similar. Oh, he could see her hair wasn’t the same color, her eyes were gray instead of green but her body shape was the same. She was curvy everywhere, her hips begging to be palmed. Hell. His eyes widened when he felt his dick twitch. She was turning him on?

  “Here you go,” Leah said as she deposited a cup full of steamy coffee in front of him. “Let me know if you’d like a refill.”

  He nodded, unable to speak. He watched her ass jiggle away and took a deep breath. Something was wrong with him. There was just no other explanation.

  Chapter One

  He was here again.

  Leah looked around but there were too many people in the café. She had no time for a quick check in the bathroom mirror, just to make sure her hair wasn’t flying in all directions or that she didn’t look too sweaty. Come on; Pearson, she shook her head. It was obvious he didn’t come here to look at her. She wasn’t sure why someone like him came in here to have coffee rather than at the trendier restaurant across the street, but maybe he liked the anonymity. She’d yet to see someone stop him for an autograph, as unbelievable at that was. Couldn’t they see who he was? It was Apollo!

  He’d been her high school crush. She remembered watching football with her dad every week, ignoring his comments that she’d never liked sports before. But she hadn’t cared, too caught up in the way the newest player in her dad’s favorite team had looked in his tight uniform. How when he’d taken his helmet off, sweaty blonde hair had stuck to his scalp, his blue eyes twinkling in the sunlight. He’d looked like a god and she’d clearly approved when the media had nicknamed him ‘Apollo’. It just fit him perfectly. The golden skin and all. Her heartbeat accelerated when she spotted him watching her across the coffee shop, probably wondering why it was taking her so long to serve him. She mouthed, “Coffee?” He nodded and sat down in his usual booth. Leah hurried over with a full mug, her hands shaking even though she’d served him every day for the past two weeks.

  “Have you seen her? Didn’t she get the memo that only hotties can live in Miami?” Someone snickered behind her.

  Leah started, coffee nearly splashing everywhere until she righted her hand. Were they talking about her? She nearly looked at the corner booth and the gaggle of teenagers sitting there. They’d come in earlier, clearly not in their element. They all wore that bored air that came with having rich parents. She’d served them the fancy coffees they’d ordered, knowing they weren’t on the menu but willing to do anything so they’d leave. Sooner rather than later if at all possible. She hadn’t liked the way they’d been looking at her. She knew those looks. She got them every day after all, had had to deal with them ever since she’d hit puberty. It probably hadn’t helped that she’d moved to Florida, the state of tanned and perky bodies. But the college was exactly like she’d wanted: she could work during the day and take night classes. She could even walk back to her tiny apartment and feel quite safe, alone in the empty streets. It was a nice place to live and she would even love it if the people weren’t so damn critical.

  “Yeah, like I need to see something like that when I’m trying to eat. Fatties should not be allowed to work in restaurants. Way to ruin one’s appetite!” Another voice rang, loudly.

  They were doing it on purpose, Leah reminded herself. They wanted her to react, probably aiming at getting a few tears just for kicks. But she wouldn’t let them win. Schooling her face into an impassive mask, she leaned down and deposited the mug in front of Apollo. “There you are, sir.”

  “Thanks.”

  Another voice called out behind them, “You could park your car on that ass, dude!”

  “How can she even find stuff to wear? There’s no way she can go to the shops around here. They only stop at a size 6!”

  “If even. Oh, did you see the new coral dress in Butterfly’s window, Carrie? I asked if they had it in double-zero but they’re all sold out! Can you believe it?”

  “No way! But I was just telling my mom about it and she promised she’d get one for me!”

  Leah stopped listening to the teenage conversation, when her customer asked, “Are you okay?”

  “Sure.” She smiled at Apollo. “Would you like anything else?”

  “No, I’m fine,” he replied as he always did.

  She nodded and turned around. And tripped on the foot that was suddenly there. Her arms flailing, she tried to regain her balance but found herself inexorably falling. With a groan, she slammed
into the boy whose foot had tripped her up.

  He immediately started yowling, “Get off! Fuck, you’re crushing me. I said, get off!” Red as a tomato, Leah pushed on the booth’s seat and propped herself up. She swayed on her two feet but the boy was still screaming. “God, did you see that? She totally did that on purpose!”

  “Poor Warren, are you okay, baby? Did she hurt you? I’m sure you can get your dad to file a lawsuit.”

  “Yeah, she obviously didn’t look where she was going.”

  “Probably because she hasn’t seen her feet in ten years!”

  They all guffawed at that one, giving each other high fives as if insulting someone was the epitome of their day.

  “That’s enough.” Silence met Nick’s words. He’d stood up from his booth and had made his way to the waitress’ side. He’d heard everything the teenagers had said, had seen the way her hands were shaking when she’d served him. But she’d appeared to be in control so he hadn’t intervened. They’d gone too far however.

  He’d recalled Mia’s face when she’d told him how she’d been bullied in the past. How insecure she now felt because of that. Even if her husband loved her as she was, even if she was sex-personified with her ample curves and willingness to try anything in bed, she still didn’t believe in herself. Witnessing the waitress’ reaction had brought everything back. He couldn’t stand sitting there and doing nothing. By the time he’d spotted the way her eyes glistened, he was already standing up. And now here he was, his hand grabbing hers and pulling her further away from the hyenas. “Are you all right?” She nodded. “Did you hurt yourself?”

  “No,” she whispered, blinking as if she was trying to will the tears away.

  “Okay, that’s good.” He patted her shoulder awkwardly and turned towards the teenagers. “Now you, apologize to the lady.”

  “I don’t think so.” The leader of the gang replied, slouching against the window.

  “This is not a request.” Nick leaned over their table, all 6’2 and 200+ pounds of him. “Apologize.” His voice was sharp enough to slice bread.

  “Who are you to tell me what to do, man?”

  “Oh shit.” The one who’d tripped her suddenly said. “You’re Apollo Hamilton, aren’t you? I recognize you! Wow, I can’t believe it’s you. Can I get your autograph?”

  “No.”

  “But-”

  “Apologize to the lady.”

  “It’s okay,” Leah called out. “No harm done.”

  Nick’s eyes flashed as he looked back at her. “They made you fall, I saw it. They insulted you! So no, I won’t let them get away with it.”

  “Oh, man, do you know her? Is that why you’re here? She couldn’t possible be your girlfriend, she’s far too-”

  Nick’s hands slapped on the table in front of the babbling idiot. “Did you even listen to me? I said, apologize!”

  “Will I get an autograph if I do?”

  “Do you have a death wish?” Nick stared at the boy as if he’d lost his mind.

  “Sorry, sorry, Mr Apollo. Uhm, I’m sorry your girlfriend fell.”

  Nick didn’t correct him but he did ask, “Apologize for the comments too.”

  “We’re sorry for our comments. Aren’t we?” The boy turned around and got every one of his friends to nod and play nice. They were all smiling at him, probably having realized he was a celebrity and therefore needed to be buttered up. Great way their parents had brought them up.

  “Now shoo. I don’t want to see you in here ever again.”

  “But…” The boy slid out of the booth, watching his friends hurry away. “What about my autograph?”

  Nick stared at him, willing the boy to man up. It didn’t happen. “You’ve just made a fool of yourself, you and your friends, and you really think I’ll give you an autograph? Grow up, kid.” He turned around and went back to his booth, plopping down in his seat heavily.

  Leah watched the boy stand there, clearly undecided. He looked like he really wanted that autograph. Squaring her shoulders and ignoring everyone’s interested gaze, she strode towards her famous customer. “He’s apologized.”

  Nick took a sip of his coffee and asked, “And?”

  “You could give him an autograph surely.”

  His eyebrows snapped together. “Are you kidding me?”

  “No.” She crossed her arms over her chest. Nick licked his lips at the sudden sight of her breasts pressed together. He felt an urge to lean up and run his tongue between them. Hear her soft sigh as she grabbed his head in both hands and pulled him closer. Then he’d tug her top down and play with her nipples, make them harden so he could suckle on them. Feel her thighs spread open, her wetness coating his fingers. “Apollo?”

  He was brought back to the present by her worried voice. “My name is Nick.”

  “Right, of course, sorry. Could you please give him an autograph?” He was already shaking his head no. “Please.”

  For one second, he toyed with the idea of asking her what she’d give him if he said yes. Would she let him fuck her? At the thought, his cock hardened even more and he realized he wouldn’t be able to get up anytime soon. “No, he should have behaved. He didn’t. End of the discussion.”

  “Please, Mr Hamilton, I’m sorry if I hurt your girlfriend. I mean, I would have never done that if I’d known who she was.”

  Leah shook her head at the boy’s comment and watched Nick do the same. “Get out of here, kid, before you dig yourself another hole.”

  “But-”

  “I said, go!”

  They watched him scamper away, his eyes dark as he joined his friends on the sidewalk. He stared at them through the window and Leah winced. He wasn’t happy. This would come back to haunt her, she just knew it. “You should have given it to him,” she couldn’t help but say.

  “I don’t see why.”

  She nodded towards the group crossing the street. “He won’t stop. He’s pissed and angry that you made fun of him in front of his friends. He’ll come back, mark my words.” She grabbed his cup, now empty, and added, “I’ll go get you a refill.”

  He waited until she was back to say, “You can always tell him you’re still my girlfriend.”

  “Very funny.” She looked at him as if he’d really disappointed her before hurrying away.

  He watched her leave and wondered what he’d said.

  He hadn’t been joking.

  Chapter Two

  Nick stepped into the café and stopped short. It was empty and while it couldn’t boast to have the greatest food in the world, there was always one or two people sitting in there having coffee. Not today however. He shrugged and went to sit in his usual booth, wondering where Leah was.

  She appeared as if he’d conjured her up. Her steps were slow as she walked towards him but she was smiling. And just the sight of her smile made him feel better, as stupid as that was. “Hey, it’s empty in here today.”

  “Yup, the air con’s on the fritz,” she said as she stopped beside him.

  That’s when he saw how red her face was, droplets of moisture clinging to her forehead. Her hair had turned frizzy and it gave her an air of innocence that he quite enjoyed. “I hadn’t even realized.”

  She blinked down at him. “Didn’t you notice how hot it is in here? No one’s managed to stay long enough to eat or drink anything. It’s far too hot, but we can’t do anything about it until the repair guys get here.”

  “I see.” He shrugged. “I don’t mind the heat.”

  “No kidding”, she muttered under her breath. The man still managed to look cool even in this sweltering heat. He was wearing a simple white tee and some board shorts, brown leather flip-flops on his feet. Such cute feet too. She felt her body topple forward and grabbed the table to right herself.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Sure.” She fanned herself with her notepad. “So what can I get you?” He was frowning at her, clearly aware she was lying.

  “My usual?”

&nbs
p; “You want coffee? Seriously?”

  “Yeah, why not?”

  “It’s more than a hundred degrees in here and you want some hot coffee?”

  He grinned. “Sure.”

  “Shoot.” Leah shook her head then regretted it almost instantly. She felt lethargic today, almost as if the heat was sucking life out of her. “Okay, if you really want that.”

  “What would you suggest otherwise?”

  “Iced tea. Ice cream,” she replied, having been dreaming of those for the past few hours.

  “You choose then. I’ll eat whatever you put in front of me.”

  She left without another word, having decided it would be too much trouble to understand what went through his head. He watched her rummage through the freezer, listening to her sigh of relief when cold air met her overheated face. She brought him back a bowl with two scoops of vanilla and passion fruit ice cream, and deposited it in front of him. “Eat it quickly before it melts. I’ll get your iced tea now.”

  “Grab another one for you.”

  She started. “What? I can’t drink on the job.”

  “Of course you can. And it’s not like there are a lot of customers in here right now.”

  “I don’t-”

  “I’ll pay for it.”

  “Ap- Nick, I don’t think it’ll be-”

  He cut her off once again, “Come on, Leah, you look ready to drop. You need to keep your energy up if you want to last your shift.” She shut up when she realized he was right. She didn’t want to acknowledge she still had four hours to go. Four hours in this heat, her ankles already swollen. Four hours of waiting for customers and listening to their moaning when they discovered the air con’s issue. Sighing, she grabbed two tall glasses and filled them up with tea and ice cubes. She handed one to Nick and kept hers in her free hand. “Sit down.” He motioned to the bench opposite him but she shook her head.