"Well, I need my rest anyway," Micki said.
Rosa nodded, pleased. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes, so why don't you go sit and have a drink?' She gestured in the direction of the dining room.
Micki had expected a casual dinner, but as she headed to the other room, she found the rectangular table set with a delicate tablecloth, good china and two glasses of sparkling water poured and waiting for them. Surprised, she turned to question Damian.
He stopped short, nearly walking into her. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, except…why the formality?"
He shrugged. "Rosa thinks company's a reason to use the good dishes."
"I would have thought this room was for show," she said, laughing.
"If it were up to me, that's what it would be for. My sisters decided if I was going to have a big house and help, I shouldn't be serving on paper plates in the den."
"They have a point."
He strode around her, pulled out a chair and waited for her to be seated.
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 glass. "To the division championship, then the NLCS and finally the World Series."
She lifted her water and clicked her glass 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. Nobody 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 glass 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 embarrassed 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."