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what man in his right mind grows up around all those women and wants to be with more?' He shot her his most charming grin.

Micki nearly melted on the spot. She wished she could dislike everything about him, but the more she learned, the more impressed she became.

His home appealed to her as well. The decor exuded as much warmth as the man. Based on the combination of neutral colors and obviously personal touches, Micki guessed that his sisters and not a professional stranger had decorated. That he allowed the women in his life to dominate in such an intimate way told her much about the kind of man he was inside.

He was obviously indulgent with his sisters even now. To continue to have patience for a bunch of women after growing up around them was a miracle in Micki's opinion. No wonder he connected with Uncle Yank in a way that transcended the agent-client relationship. Otherwise he wouldn't have stepped in and brought Micki down here at Yank's request

With her new understanding, Micki couldn't stay angry at Damian any longer. Though he'd violated her wishes and sense of independence, he'd more than made up for it in other ways. He'd put her needs before his date's last night and ahead of his professional obligations to the Renegades today. She knew he'd be meeting with a specialist while on this trip, but in Micki's mind that didn't negate all he'd done on her behalf.

In two short days, she'd learned he was more than the successful athlete that New York adored and he possessed so much more substance than he let on to the press. What else would she learn if she stayed for a while at this island getaway?

She bit the inside of her cheek. Why not experience the fantasies she'd been suppressing since New Year's Eve? The idea popped into her head unbidden and, once there, took hold. She could not allow herself to fall harder for the man. And she wouldn't, not as long as she escaped the island before her feelings got any more complicated. A short stay couldn't hurt. A brief indulgence wouldn't jeopardize her heart.

Hadn't Roper suggested she step up to the plate if she wanted Damian? And hadn't she undergone a lesson in being more feminine in order to attract his attention? She'd be a coward if she ran away now.

She could stay and take advantage or she could take a flight out tomorrow and probably spend the rest of her life wondering what if.

Micki decided immediately. She wasn't into regrets.

DAMIAN SHOWED MICKI to the room his sisters usually used, figuring she would be most comfortable there. It helped his peace of mind knowing she had her own bathroom, which lessened the chance of him running into her in the middle of the night, half-dressed and utterly desirable.

'Help yourself to any clothes you find in the closet.' He wasn't ready to tell her that their suitcases had been accidentally redirected to New York and wouldn't be arriving anytime soon.

She raised an eyebrow. 'Left behind by all your women?' she asked, with a challenge in her voice he'd never heard before and he immediately went on alert.

Knowing he'd regret the admission, he replied truthfully anyway. 'Except for my sisters, I don't bring women down here.'

'What does that make me?' she asked, stepping closer. And closer still.

He inhaled, breathing in her fragrant shampoo, an arousing, tantalizing scent that gave him a damn hard-on every time she was nearby. 'I think you already understand what I meant.'

He wasn't about to enlighten her further or force himself to think about what bringing her here signified. 'I need to go into town to fill the fridge. If you want to come along, be downstairs in half an hour.'

She nodded. 'I can't go out looking like this.' She gestured to the sweats she'd chosen to fly down in because they were comfortable. 'I guess that'll give me enough time to checkout your sisters' tastes in clothes'

Damian nodded, unable to suppress a grin. He knew his sisters' tastes all right Nice and conservative. Mom- type clothing. Non threatening outfits that wouldn't have him drooling over Micki however long they remained on his island.

Half an hour later, she walked down the stairs wearing slacks and a camisole. A sexy curve-hugging getup. Damian clenched his jaw shut tight.

The black pants had to be part spandex, what with the way they began at her waist, then molded to her butt and thighs, falling in a long silhouette over her legs. And her top, if he could call it that, was a turquoise tank in a silky, stretchy material with a subtle flower pattern hidden in the fabric. It ended at her midriff, leaving an open expanse of skin for him to see. And want to touch. Then there was the belt tied in a perfect bow over her flat stomach. All he could do was imagine her as a gift he couldn't wait to unwrap.

'You really have to thank your sisters for me,' she said as she jumped down the last two steps.

He grumbled in reply. If these sexy pieces were his sisters' clothes, Damian sure as hell had never seen them wearing anything like them. He'd been blindsided and it pissed him off.

If Micki noticed his foul mood, she didn't mention it. Instead she happily bounced out to the Jeep. On the ride mere, she chatted about the blue skies, the gorgeous trees and how fortunate he was to have a retreat on the island. She was no longer upset to be here and damned if he knew why.

This time he was silent as they drove in the Wrangler. He was preoccupied, his thoughts on how he'd deal with her seductive look and her sex appeal, which she seemed suddenly determined to turn his way.

Micki glanced out of the corner of her eye at Damian's tense expression. She'd thrown him off guard but that was her plan. He didn't need to know that she had seduction on her mind or that she'd called her sister Sophie for advice.

His contained feelings told Micki he'd yet to figure out how he wanted to handle her. The attraction between them was real, but so was his fear of the kind of woman Micki was. A woman who knew her mind, understood what she wanted, and one he feared wouldn't accept a one-night stand.

Tonight he'd discover she'd accept whatever he was willing to offer. She'd also accept the possibility that they'd leave the island and never acknowledge what had transpired between them again. But she was even more willing to accept the possibility that, just maybe, she'd touch Damian in a way no woman had before.

For Micki, it was a win-win situation. A hot affair that was long overdue or a longer relationship if Damian was interested. She could handle either, she promised herself. She had no choice if she was going to follow through with her plan of no regrets.

In town, the streets were small, the facades bright. Quaint storefronts popped in bright pastel colors with basic names, like Pops Grocery and Your Neighborhood Drug Store. An ice-cream cart was propped between the two stores and outside the front of each she noticed empty benches where she imagined friendly townsfolk sat and passed time.

Damian pulled the Jeep to the curb outside the grocery store. Micki hopped out and went in ahead of him. She wanted to help out by buying some of the food and wanted to give him some space. She shopped quickly, picking some of her favorite staple items, assuming she'd be here for a couple of days before heading home to New York.

She rounded the aisle near the register when she heard Damian's voice.

'How are you doing, Pops?' he asked.

'Good, good. Summer's generally rough, what with the snowbirds sticking close to home, but we're getting by.'

'Glad to hear it. How's the missus?'

The man named Pops made a snorting noise. 'How do you think? Giving me a hard time over nothing which means she's the same and just fine.'

Damian laughed, a sexy sound that rippled along Micki's nerve endings. 'I'll take that to mean you're misbehaving. Smoking, drinking, giving her reason to worry.'

'She's not happy unless she's nagging.'

'And you love her.' Damian's voice held a warmth she'd only heard when he'd spoken of his family.

'Tell her and I strangle you. How's the wrist?' Pops asked. 'I saw the game. That was a fantastic catch. Made me damn proud to know you.'

Damian slapped the older man on the back. 'Thanks. The wrist will be just fine and I'll be playing in October' he promised.

Micki whispered a silent prayer he was right. Not because of the bonus clause negotiated by her uncle that promised Damian big money if the Renegades made each successive play-off, but because he so obviously loved the