Hot Number (Hot Zone 2)

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. She glanced at her watch. It was almost midnight. She was beyond exhausted from a very emotional day and night, and her body ached from the uncomfortable position she'd been in.

She rubbed her eyes and focused on the handsome, sexy man sitting before her. "I fell asleep again," she said, embarrassed.

"Don't worry about it. So did I." He stretched and her gaze fell to the muscles in his forearms and his tanned skin.

Her mouth grew dry and she wished she had a bottle of water to quench her thirst. Better that than wishing she could kiss him and find the moisture she was lacking.

"In the end it was a good idea to bring me tonight."

Damian smiled. "Left alone, who knows how my sisters would have handled the reporters." He grimaced at the thought of subjecting his family to scrutiny they hadn't signed up for. "You helped my family out a lot. I appreciate it."

"Well your family is special and I'm glad I got to meet them."

"They said the same thing about you." He paused before saying what was on his mind, then decided what the hell. "Actually the last thing my father said was that I should grab onto you and not let you go."

His genuine, warm smile stole what was left of Micki's breath.”That's sweet."

She stepped out of the car, Damian right behind her. When she turned, she found herself staring into his compelling eyes. The hot and humid summer air wafted around them, increasing the heat that rose between them.

She tried to hang onto her focus and keep her desire at bay. "I've been wondering about something."

"Shoot."

"Your parents are happily married, and so are your sisters. They all have kids and they obviously get through any problems together."

He tipped his head to one side. "What's your point?" he asked.

She struggled to find the words and decided just to state her thoughts no matter how personal they seemed. "I guess I'm wondering why, faced with all that, you fight so hard against settling down yourself?"

He shook his head and let out a soft, sexy, rumbling laugh. "I've asked myself the same question many times." He braced his hand on the top of the car and leaned his head against his shoulder. "Do you put a lot of stock in birth order?"

Interesting question, she thought. "A fair amount, I guess. I mean because I was the youngest, Annabelle felt she had to protect me most after our parents died. She took the brunt of the burden and shielded me from the possibility of foster care if Uncle Yank didn't want-to raise us. She was an adult way before her time."

"And I was the baby who never had to grow up," he said. "My sisters catered to me and mothered me. And I've been lucky in that everything I've wanted has come pretty easily."

She immediately waved away his point. "You're known for your work ethic so I wouldn't say things came easily," she chided.