"He'd like that."
"And the merger?" he whispered the private words so no one else could overhear.
She shook her head. "Slow as you'd expect with Spence and Uncle Yank pulling from opposite ends. They'll run up hefty lawyer bills but it'll get done."
He chuckled, the low rumble of laughter in his chest reverberating against her. "And his eyesight?"
"He doesn't complain. He never did. I think he's too busy hiding how he really feels."
Damian raised his hand, still in a brace. "I can definitely relate to his situation," he muttered.
"Any improvement?" she asked, gently touching his hand.
"Not considering how long it's been immobilized. I've had some physical therapy, too. It's August and the play-offs are in sight for September. I just don't know if I'll be playing in them."
He sounded resigned but more accepting than she'd heard him before. She wondered what, if anything, had changed in his mind but decided not to ask. She couldn't keep her distance if she let herself get wrapped up in his emotions.
They continued to move together in rhythm. He intertwined his fingers with hers and pulled her hand tighter against his chest. The gesture felt intimate somehow and, despite herself, Micki trembled.
"We took the paternity tests," Damian said, breaking the silence.
She nodded. "Carter told me."
"I'd have told you myself if you'd returned my calls. Carole is not happy. For some reason I can't fathom, she wants this kid to be mine."
"Good genes?" She strove for a lighthearted laugh.
"All I care about is whether you like what's in my jeans." He treated her to the sexy wink she adored.
"Maybe that's the problem," she murmured. "I like it too much."
His heartbeat slow and steady, both soothing and arousing, reminded her of all she couldn't have. Suddenly she jerked away from his warm body and solid hold, not caring if she drew attention, just needing to escape from all that she could never really have.
"We had our one last time," she said. Then Micki ran for the door before she changed her mind and indulged in another.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
THE MINUTES OF THE CLOCK on the doctor's office wall ticked slowly by. Damian had met Carter and Carole at the office for the paternity results and they all sat in the cramped Manhattan space, none saying a word.
Damian hadn't seen Carole since their last discussion in Florida. Since Carter had taken it on himself to make her travel plans and pick her up at the airport, Damian had stepped aside. The other man deserved a shot at proving himself to the woman he obviously loved. Carole shot him daggers with her not-so-subtle glares and Damian figured she was royally pissed because he'd allowed Carter to take over.
Well, hell. The two of them had a strange relationship but damned if he'd stand in the way. Once Carole got over her obsession with Damian, she'd see Carter had potential. Damian glanced at the clock and wondered if the results would let him walk away and leave these two to figure out their relationship or if he'd forever be the obstacle between them.
He rubbed his hands together-the brace was now for bedtime only-and realized his palms were sweating. A sure sign of nerves. How could he not be stressed when his mind was juggling thoughts of his career and possible fatherhood. And then there was Micki…
All of which added up to Damian's mental and physical exhaustion. He hadn't been sleeping well at night. Nighttime was the worst because then not only was he concerned about his injured hand and the daily workout routines-which hadn't been as productive as he'd have liked-but thoughts of Micki surfaced and wouldn't leave him alone.
She haunted his nights in ways no woman ever had. With two major problems in his life, he found himself wanting to discuss his options with Micki. He wanted to hear her tell him that he would make a good father because when she said it, he believed. When he gave himself a pep talk, it was Micki's voice he heard, reassuring him and convincing him he could be a better man.
No woman had ever made him want to be a better man before.
"Are you all ready?" Dr. Kernan joined them, walking into his private office and interrupting Damian's thoughts.
Carole rose to her feet. In her high heels and skirt, she was the woman he remembered, dressed to impress. But he noticed that her suit jacket was buttoned over her skirt, leading him to believe she no longer had the flat abdomen he remembered.
At the thought, his stomach cramped badly.
"Frankly, Doctor, I think we wasted your time. I already know that Damian is the father and I'm so sorry time was taken away from your other patients to inform us of something we already knew." She shot the other man a pleading glance.