He took in her flushed cheeks and pouty glossed lips and curled his hands into fists to keep from kissing her. Really kissing her this time.
He knew he had to focus on less pleasant tasks right now. Like facing the firing squad he called his family.
MICKI WOULD FEEL A LOT BETTER about herself if the kiss hadn't happened because she hadn't let it, not because of the fortuitous timing of their arrival. Thank God they'd reached their destination or else she'd probably be kicking herself for letting him kiss her. For kissing him back. And for allowing him to do whatever else to her in the back seat of the limo despite her promise to herself to keep her distance.
Now, introductions behind them, Damian sat next to Micki in the family room of his sister Brenda's house and took his punishment like a man. Apparently in his family, punishment meant a grilling by all interested parties.
Beside her, Damian clenched his fists, and sucking up the embarrassment, he let the questions fly.
His father paced the floor in front of Damian's seat on the couch. 'Sum it up in a nutshell,' Mike Fuller said in the same tone Micki could imagine him using with his kids when they'd screwed up during their youth.
'A woman I used to see claims she's pregnant and I'm the father.'
'Claims?' His mother jumped on the uncertainty.
Damian nodded. 'I'll be checking out both parts of her statement'
'So the baby might not be yours?' Ronnie asked.
'Or she might not even be pregnant,' Brenda said confidently.
'All possibilities, I suppose. As much as I don't want this baby to be mine, I'd hate to think she'd outright lie about something like this'
'With your finances, that's the first thing you need to consider' His father stopped and shoved his hands in his front pants pockets. 'Didn't I teach you to use protection
Micki felt her cheeks heat up and flush at the older man's frank talk.
'I used protection,' he said, looking his father in the eye. 'Each and every time.'
As he had with her, Micki recalled. Each and every time.
His father nodded, relieved. 'Well that's something '
Her uncle had said the same thing.
'Maybe the condom broke,' Rhonda offered.
'Three kids, only thirteen months apart. You ought to know,' Marissa said.
'Leave your sister alone,' Marissa's husband Dan said, jumping in only to call his wife off. 'Ours are eighteen months apart so I don't know why you're giving Rhonda a hard time,' he said with a wry smile.
Ronnie snickered.
Marissa nudged her husband in the side. 'Spoilsport.' But she spoke in a teasing tone.
Micki couldn't suppress a smile at the byplay among the family members. She, Annabelle and Sophie could always go at one another given the slightest provocation but at the heart of all the needling in her family was a basic love and respect. Micki sensed the same thing here.
'Girls,' Adrienne said, clapping her hands. 'Dan's right. Now's not the time to tease each other. We've got important issues to deal with.'
'Your mother's right. Now's the time to rally around your brother.' Mike walked over and placed an arm around Damian's shoulder in a sign of unwavering support.
Obviously it didn't matter how bad his children's sins, Damian's father would always forgive them. Just like Uncle Yank who'd flown to Florida in a heartbeat to be with Micki. Who'd have thought her untraditional family and Damian's had so much in common?
'When will you have answers?' Brenda asked.
'I have an appointment with Gary Kernan tomorrow to get the rundown on testing. I promise to fill you in as soon as I know something.'
Ronnie reached for her brother's hand. 'Gary and his partners delivered all our kids. He's the best.'
'And you can trust him to be honest and discreet.'
Brenda's husband Steve chose his moment to add to the conversation.
Micki also picked up on the love and respect between Damian's parents as well as between his sisters and their husbands. He truly did have the best role models for happy relationships, she thought. Yet he'd backed away from forming any of his own in favor of focusing solely on his career.
It was something she'd analyze further later, but for now, since Damian had chosen to bring her here, she was going to do her best to help the family deal with the crisis.
'Excuse me,' Micki said.
'Yes?' Damian's mother asked. 'You've been so quiet until now. What's on your mind?'
Micki smiled. 'I was hoping I could give you all a quick PR course before we leave tonight,' Micki offered. 'Because Damian won't be the only one who's going to get cornered or pestered for answers.'
All of the Fuller family's eyes turned her way.
'We're happy to hear anything Damian's publicist and friend has to say.' Adrienne seemed to welcome her with her warm gaze and soft voice.
'Okay then. Just a few helpful hints in case the press gets ahold of you,'
'We’ve all been screening our calls with caller ID,' Brenda said.
Micki stood and took center stage among Damian's family. She was used to public speaking but in this case she felt scrutinized in a more personal way. No doubt his sisters wondered about the true nature of her relationship with their brother, but there was nothing Micki could do about it. Damian's recent exploits would cause many people to wonder. It was something he'd have to live with. Something she'd have to ignore now.
'Screening calls won't stop a determined reporter from accosting you in the supermarket or while you're taking the kids into dance class. But you have a few strategies at your disposal.”
'Such as?' Damian's mother asked.
Micki held up one finger. 'There's the old 'no comment' and keep walking.' She raised a second finger in the air. 'There's the redirect in which you just tell them to call your brother's publicist and hand out my card that I'll leave with you all.' She paused and lifted a third finger to join the other two. Or you can just tell them to go away or you'll call the police and report them for harassment, especially if they're bothering you when the kids are around.'
Damian watched Micki take charge of his boisterous family. Obviously in her element, her suggestions were to the point, succinct, and also well thought out. She impressed him on so many levels he couldn't begin to count them all.
He hadn't thought to ask her to coach his family but he was grateful she'd done so on her own. As for his sisters, to Damian's amazement, his talkative nosy siblings had shut up and were listening to Micki intently. His mother was scribbling notes on a small pad she always kept in her purse and his father was watching Micki with a huge grin on his face, no small feat considering his worry over Damian's messed-up life.
'Any questions?' Micki asked,
'I have one.' Ronnie, his youngest and most outspoken sibling raised a hand in the air.
'She's not a teacher and you aren't in school,' Marissa said, laughing.
'Well whatever. I just want to know if you're here because Damian's paying you to help him.'
'Or if you're here because you care about Damian,' Brenda chimed in, helping Ronnie out in embarrassing him.
Damian didn't meet Micki's gaze. Instead he jumped up from his seat. 'Hey, that's uncalled for. I'm the only one who can put Micki on the spot and that's not going to happen right now. We have to get back to the city, so the inquisition is over.'
The trio didn't argue, which meant they knew they were out of line. Damian used the next few minutes to hug, kiss, say goodbye and thank them all for being in his corner even through such an awkward mess. Even Micki was treated to warm hugs and kisses goodbye, making Damian happy he'd brought her along.
Ronnie promised to fill her husband in on the conversation since he'd gone home to relieve the babysitter. But it was Marissa's and Brenda's older teenage girls who concerned Damian most. He knew the teens looked up to their famous uncle and so he promised to have a talk with his older nieces when this all blew over, including discussing the uncomfortable topic of safe sex.
It was the least he could do in exchange for the public scandal he'd caused.
MICKI SLEPT ON THE RIDE BACK to the city, waking up just as the car came to a stop in front of her building.
