Part 8 (1/2)
Suddenly nerves took over as she found herself next to Damian at the end of the table. In the silence that followed, the atmosphere around them grew more intense. She became aware of the ticking of the clock on the wall behind her, a synchronized accompaniment to her heart as it beat heavily inside her chest.
She searched for an easy topic of conversation. He had his prearranged doctor's appointment the next day and Micki knew he put a lot of stock in the doctor helping him get back to work soon.
”So how 'bout them Renegades?” she asked to break the tension.
It worked. He grinned and raised his gla.s.s. ”To the division champions.h.i.+p, then the NLCS and finally the World Series.”
She lifted her water and clicked her gla.s.s with his. He seemed pleased at the topic of conversation and she didn't want to mess up by getting too serious. ”I spoke to Sophie and she said the camp ran smoothly.”
He nodded. ”It always does. You Jordan girls have a knack for PR.”
”Thank you. It's something we all enjoy, which I'm sure helps a lot. n.o.body wants to get up and go to work every day and be miserable.”
”Amen.”
She smiled. ”You love what you do, too.”
”There's nothing more fulfilling than baseball.”
She raised an eyebrow. ”Nothing more fulfilling, huh? Are you absolutely sure? Because I can think of a few things that at least come close.” And in case her insinuation wasn't clear, she reached out and ran her foot up and down his leg. He blinked, obviously startled. Well, so was she. She hadn't thought she'd have the nerve to pull off Sophie's first suggestion.
”Micki Jordan, are you flirting with me?” he asked, stunned.
She tried for a relaxed smile. ”I believe I am.” Because she might never get another chance like this again. A rush of excitement flooded her veins.
Damian, meanwhile, still looked stunned.
”What's the matter? I can't imagine I'm the first woman who's propositioned you.”
He placed the gla.s.s back onto the table and leaned closer. ”Is that what you're doing? Propositioning me?”
She nodded slowly. ”The question is are you up for the challenge?” Because Micki wanted him at peak levels.
Damian stared at the woman next to him. How had she gone from embarra.s.sed ingenue to seductive vixen? And how did he get the shyer Micki back? No way did he want to be alone with the bold Micki, who seriously threatened his tenuous restraint.
”Oh, Rosa,” he called. ”Is dinner almost ready? I'm starving.”
Micki met his gaze and chuckled. ”I'll be sure to keep that in mind.”
”Is everything a s.e.xual innuendo where you're concerned?”
She propped her chin on one hand. ”Only since I met you.” She paused in thought. ”Actually only since Carter got me drunk, then you kidnapped me to a remote island off the coast of Florida.”
”I tried to talk you out of the strip joint,” he reminded her.
”That brings me to another point I thought you were a fun guy.”
”I am a fun guy.”
”You're going to have to prove it,” she teased and his groin tightened with immediate need.
”Dinner,” Rosa said, arriving with two plates, heaping with delicious food.
He'd hoped Rosa and dinner would break the tension, but as they began to eat, Damian realized they were just inching closer to the end of the meal and time alone--when he'd have to decide whether or not he wanted to meet Micki's challenge.
”Rosa, this is delicious,” Micki said.
The older woman blushed. ”Thank you. Steak, potatoes and green beans. All Mr. Fuller's favorites.”
”So he ate his vegetables as a boy, did he?” Micki asked. Rosa shook her head and laughed. ”No but we've been piling them on his plate anyway. If we call them his favorites, we figure one day he'll forget and believe it”
”His mother's idea,” Tino said, striding into the room with a wine bottle in his hand. ”Wine anyone?”
Damian placed his hand over his gla.s.s. ”No, thank you.”
”Me neither.”
Without warning, Micki ran her foot up and down his leg once more, blatantly teasing him. His gut twisted and he broke into a sweat. No way could he withstand a serious post- dinner a.s.sault.
”While you were having your wine, our daughter Sara called,” Rosa said.
”The one who's getting married in a few months.” Though he'd never been close with their children, Damian knew all their life stories and the depth of Rosa and Tino's love and pride in their brood.
”Well, not according to her. She had an argument with her fiance and just like that, she called off the engagement.” Rosa snapped her fingers.
”As if a promise means nothing,” Tino said, his disappointment and concern clear in his tone.
”I'm sure she didn't break the engagement lightly,” Damian said.
”That's what we need to find out.” Rosa glared at her husband. She obviously wanted him to withhold judgment. ”So we need to leave early, but I promise to come back and clean in the morning.”
”That's not necessary.” Micki waved a hand, calling attention her way. ”You help your daughter. I'm happy to clean up.”
”Are you sure?” Rosa asked.
Damian had every intention of letting them go to their daughter. ”We can handle it,” he a.s.sured her.
”Thank you ” Tino said.
”Both of you,” Rosa added. She untied her ap.r.o.n as she quickly walked back to the kitchen. A few minutes later, the door slammed shut behind the couple, leaving Micki and Damian alone.
Using caution, Damian turned to Micki. ”I thought you wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.” He hoped his reminder would get her to think about leaving again before he did something stupid. Like sleep with her. ”I changed my mind. I'm not so sure leaving is best for me after all. I like it here. It's relaxing, it's away from the press...and you're here.”
Damian glanced toward the ceiling. How much could a normal guy take? She was sending out blatant signals and he couldn't deny his interest. h.e.l.l, he'd been interested for too long and now she was all but offering herself to him.
He'd never denied that he'd been spoiled, the baby brother of sisters who catered to his every whim and the athlete whose money a.s.sured him that any woman would do the same. Until now, he'd always known when to draw the line and respected the need to do so.
Micki deserved that same respect, but she so obviously didn't want it, and d.a.m.ned if he could stop himself from acting on what they both desired.
”You're serious?” he asked because he had to be sure.