Misty Blue (17 page)

“No, I haven’t.”

“You’re not thinking about it?”

She shook her head. “No, I just don’t want…I love Damien, Keefe. I don’t want him to stop loving me.”

“Talk with him, Mia.”

“I can’t, I can’t tell him this stuff.”

“You’re getting married in two days. Tell him and let him put your mind at ease.”

“I can’t.”

Keefe looked into her eyes. “If you don’t, Mia, I’ll talk to him.” The look that came into his sister’s eyes chilled him to his very soul. She was really afraid. She’d never voiced concern over her inexperience before. Damn their mother. God, how he hated the woman. He shook his head, knowing he couldn’t blame Mia. He’d hoped their mother had changed also.

“Mia, listen to me.” He tucked his finger under her chin and lifted her head. “This is important, Mia,” he said softly. “Love doesn’t stop that easily. You have to believe that. There is nothing in this world that you could ever do that would make me stop loving you. Nothing, Mia. And if Damien loves you the way that he says that he does, he won’t stop loving you because you’re inexperienced. You can learn.” He rubbed at the tears on her cheeks.

“You have to let yourself believe this because we both know what’s at the root of this. You did nothing to make Mom go away. It’s not us, you’re not to blame. I know she told us it was us. She lied. It wasn’t us. It was never us.”

“I know that, Kee.”

“You say it, but you don’t believe it. Don’t you think I know why you always forgave her, why you always wanted to give her money when she drifted back and forth into our lives? You thought if you were perfect, if you made her happy she would love you, that she wouldn’t leave you again.”

For an answer tears streamed down Mia’s cheeks and she shook her head.

“It is true, sweetie. I know it is. Don’t blame yourself. I felt that way for a long time myself. I mean, why wouldn’t we? Whose mother doesn’t want them, for God’s sake? You’d have to think you’d done something wrong. But you didn’t. And she’s not Damien. Damien is not going to leave you and he’s definitely not going to stop loving you. He’s proven that already. He hung in there and waited when you sent him away. He loves you, Mia. Now tell him so you can stop worrying.”

“Do you think he likes Mom?”

“Not in the way that you’re talking about. Of course I know Mom’s been making a play for him, she can’t help herself. But he’s not buying into that. He’s being nice to her but that’s it.”

“Are you sure?”

Keefe wanted to throttle their mother but right now he needed to comfort his baby sister. “Mia, don’t let Mom take away your trust in Damien. She isn’t worth it. Don’t let her ruin your wedding or your life. Talk to Damien, tell him.” Keefe saw Damien over Mia’s shoulder.

“He’s coming, Mia.”

Mia turned around and spotted Damien walking toward them. In a panic she turned back to her brother. “Don’t tell him, okay?”

“Then you promise me that you will.”

“I promise.”

“Mia, I mean it.”

“So do I,” Mia answered. “I promise.”

“Good. Now I’m going to have a talk with good old mom.”

“No, Keefe.” Mia put her hand on his arm. “Please don’t ruin things. She’ll be gone in a few days.”

“As long as she doesn’t make you cry again.” Keefe wiped at the last tear, then smiled at her as Damien came to stand alongside them.

“Everything all right?” Damien asked, looking first at Keefe then at Mia.

“Yeah, it’s all straightened out now. Keefe is going to give me away.”

Damien smiled. “I knew that. I never thought your brother would let it get his far.”

Keefe cocked his head. “You don’t mind?”

“Why should I mind? You’re Mia’s brother. She loves you. Period.” Damien smiled wide, “And you did help get us back together.”

Mia glanced at Keefe. “I guess I’d better go and tell Jerry.”

“Don’t worry about it, I told him already.”

Both Mia and Keefe looked at Damien.

“How did you know?”

“Because Keefe loves you. If I had been in his position I would have done the same thing. I told you all along that he wanted to.”

“You did,” Mia grinned. “I guess I should have listened to you.” She kissed Damien, feeling consumed by her love for him as she always did. “I love you,” she murmured, “more than you know.”

As Keefe walked ahead of them, Mia said, “I think we need to talk.” She spoke in a voice loud enough for her brother to hear.

* * *

It took only a few minutes for Mia to tell Damien of her worries. When she was done she tried to look away but he prevented her.

“Baby girl, you’re worrying about nothing. I know all that you need to know. Don’t worry, I have enough experience for the both of us.”

He kissed her and as usual she melted in his arms. Deep inside though, a little voice whispered, T
hat’s just the problem, Damien. You have more than enough experience
.

It was her wedding day. Mia had been awake for hours, trying to quiet the butterflies in her stomach. Keefe had been partially right. Talking with Damien had made her feel somewhat better. At least for the rest of the night Damien had behaved as a proper bridegroom. And for that one night her mother had not bothered trying to get his full attention. She had Jerry and Charles fawning over her.

Mia felt sorry for Kathy. She knew exactly how she felt. She’d glimpsed the sadness in her eyes and prayed that she would not wear the same look. All at once Mia shivered, feeling cold, though she knew the outside temperature was over eighty degrees. How could her mother’s mere presence in her home drop the temperature? She hoped it wasn’t an omen.

“Mia, get up,” her mother called out to her. “I want you to take your shower and do whatever it is you have to do so that I don’t have to be bothered while I’m trying to get dressed.”

Mia winced.
Whose day is this
? Instead of voicing her thought, however, she called to her mother, “I have two bathrooms. We won’t get in each other’s way.”

“I’m using the big one and I don’t want your stuff all over, so get up now and get ready.”

Just today
, Mia said to herself.
Tomorrow I’ll be on my honeymoon and I can forget her, forget that she was even here
.

She went into her own bathroom, ignoring her mother’s voice telling her not to take forever, hoping that the sound of the water would block her out. It did. Mia took her time underneath the spray, grateful for that little respite. When she began toweling off she heard her mother call and refused to answer until she heard her scream that Damien was on the line.

Wrapping the towel around her, she was out of the door in ten seconds flat and snatched the phone from her mother’s hand. She hated having her mother even talk to him on her wedding day. The frown that appeared on Lillian’s face as Mia put the phone to her ear told Mia that she’d done the wrong thing. Again.

“Hey,” she said into the mouthpiece after going into her room and closing the door.

“Hey, baby girl, are you marrying me today?”

Mia smiled, thanking God for Damien. “Yes. Are you marrying me?”

“Only death could keep me from it. I’ve got a surprise for you, Mia.”

Damien’s deep voice sent shivers of desire coursing through her. Their long wait would be over in a few short hours. She wouldn’t have to beg him to stop or push his hand away when he went a bit too far. “What’s the surprise?” she asked.

“If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

“Then tell me you love me.”

“I love you, baby.”

“I love you too.”

“So, are you getting excited? I know I am. I can hardly wait to undress you, to kiss my way down your body, to lick your thighs, to put my tongue—”

“Mia, are you done?”

Mia blinked. She’d not heard the door open. She looked into her mother’s face, feeling a new surge of anger. It felt as if her mother had walked in on her and Damien making love. “No, I’m not done,” Mia managed to say between clenched teeth. “Please close my door.”

“Mia, you okay?” she heard Damien calling to her.

“That was my mother.”

“I guessed that much. What did she want?”

“She wants me to hurry up and get ready so I won’t bother her.”

“Damn, Mia, it’s your apartment. Tell her to knock it off.”

“You have no idea how close I just came. If I can get through the next few hours it will be alright.”

“You know, baby girl, eventually you will have to have that battle.”

“I know, but not today, not on my wedding day. Don’t forget my surprise,” she laughed. “I’m going to need it by the time this day is over.” With that she hung up the phone, but the good feeling Damien had brought was being rapidly eaten away by the banging around her mother was doing outside her door. Mia knew the noise was deliberate, to drive her bonkers, and she was doing everything in her power not to give in to it. Unfortunately she hadn’t listened to Keefe when he’d suggested putting their mother up in a hotel room, so she’d just have to suffer through the rest of the day. After that, it would be smooth sailing.

She thought of Keefe saying their mother was trying to blackmail him to get her to stay in Arizona. She didn’t have to blackmail Keefe. Mia would gladly help with their mother’s expenses if that meant she wouldn’t live anywhere near the state of Illinois. Keefe was right: The fact that she’d actually helped a few months ago was something that more than likely would never again be repeated.

* * *

Mia grinned at Keefe. He’d hardly blinked when he saw her new gown. “I couldn’t wear it, Keefe, not after everything Mom said. This feels right. It’s my own.”

“You’re still beautiful, Mia, and believe me, Damien is not going to notice anything but you when you walk down the aisle.”

“Thank you, big brother, for putting up with me, for all the things I’ve put you through in the last year.” Mia stopped as tears filled her eyes. “Kee, I’m serious. Let me say this. I appreciate so much what you’ve done for me and what you’ve given up. Thank you for raising me and for giving me such a good life. I love you.”

The last words were said through her tears because try as she might, she couldn’t prevent the tears from streaming down her face. Her brother hugged her hard, his own voice husky with unshed tears.

“Stop crying or you’re going to be walking to marry Damien with tear tracks down your cheeks. That just won’t do.” He brought her head up and wiped at her tears. “Is everything okay now? I mean, you talked things over with Damien. Did he help to put aside your worries?”

“Yes,” Mia answered. “He did. I was just being silly. He loves me and I know that. I think Mom caught me off guard. She’s always had that effect on me.”

“I know. She makes you feel guilty. Me, she just makes mad as hell. What a gift for one woman to possess.”

Just then the music began playing and Mia looked at her brother. “That’s our cue,” she said, looking into the banquet hall that had been transformed into a beautiful flower garden. The doors were held open by two of Stavros’s employees who were playing ushers. “It’s showtime,” Mia said to her brother and began walking, holding on to his arm as much to steady herself as because it was the ritual.

* * *

Damien watched Mia coming toward him on her brother’s arm. He couldn’t believe it. How the hell had he managed to convince someone as wonderful as Mia that he was worthy of her love? He had no idea how he’d gotten that lucky but he sure as hell intended to make her happy. He’d prove his parents wrong. He was definitely not like his father. He wanted one woman and one woman only. And that was Mia.

Though the last few days had been crazy, Mia’s mother had at last stopped cornering him and had focused on his father and Jerry instead. He felt bad for his mom but was hoping that maybe she’d finally let go of the hope that she and his father would become a permanent thing.

When he saw Mia smile, his heart nearly burst with longing. How had her crazy mother managed to convince Mia that he would not be happy with her? He was already happier than he’d ever been in his life and when he made love to Mia, all of his dreams would be complete. He’d remember to take it slow. Damien thought of the surprise he had waiting for her, a gag gift really, just something to show her how silly she was being worrying that they would have problems in the bedroom. That, he could guarantee her, would never be one of their problems.

* * *

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Damien was grinning at her from ear to ear. Mia looked deep into his eyes and lost herself. Then his lips lowered and he whispered. “I love you, baby girl.” His mouth closed over hers and she tasted the sweetness of his tongue. Want and lust tumbled around inside her. But it wasn’t either of those emotions that made Mia feel that she would burst from happiness. It was the love she felt for Damien. She couldn’t believe it. After everything that had happened, they’d found themselves here at this moment.