Free Lie to Me by Nicole L. Pierce

clenched.
    There was a knock on the door. Miles flew off his chair and answered the door before Casey could even get up. “Daddy!” He jumped into his arms.
    Damian picked him up and hugged him as Casey approached them, unable to keep a smile off her face. His hair looked mussed and freshly washed, and he looked sharp with his black leather jacket unzipped, a blue t-shirt underneath it, and a starched pair of light jeans. Her body heated as she thought of the night before. He hadn’t forgotten either, if his bright eyes told the story. As his gaze fell to the boy in his arms, he smiled gently. Casey warmed. It was sweet to watch Damian’s change in demeanor when he held Miles.
    “Why are you here?” Miles gripped him around the neck for dear life. “To see me?”
    He nodded, but his eyes were on Casey. “I’m going to school, talk to the principal, charm a few teachers—you have that Ballantine charm too, Miles,” he grinned, as did Casey, “I’ll let everyone see I’m not the drunken dad I used to be.”
    “Good. Make the kids shut up about that. It makes me fight ’em.” Miles snuggled into him, his head on his shoulder.
    “The kids will like me,” Damian promised. “I’ll make you proud I’m your father.”
    Miles pulled back. “You’re so big. No will dare make fun of me after they see you.”
    “I’m going to start volunteering too. They’ll get to know me.”
    “Cool! I won’t be afra—the kids will be nice to me if you’re around. Think I’ll end up tall, like you?”
    Damian nodded. “Mom is tall, and the Ballantine men are huge. You’ll tower over everyone by the time you’re fourteen.”
    He grinned from ear to ear.
    Casey put a hand over her mouth to hold in sobs. She wanted to help too, but couldn’t think of anything to do—
    “Case,” Damian said, his voice commanding and firm, “Get your sweater—it’s chilly out. Call the store, your assistant manager, anyone and tell the person to open for you; that you’ll be late. We’re going together as a team, Miles’ parents. And then we have that second visit to make.”
    At that moment, she’d never loved him more. No matter what he said about their relationship being all about sex, that wasn’t true. He understood her. He’d included her, knowing she needed that. Grabbing a white sweater off the sofa, she said, “Thanks.”
    They locked in a gaze and he winked at her.
    Holy Hell, she almost fainted dead away. She hated the control he had over her. It unnerved her.
    Damian set Miles down. “Get your coat, sport. School will be different from now on.”

    Casey reeled at how the school personnel reacted to Damian’s amicable, but firm demands. In a meeting with the principal and Miles’ teachers, they agreed to test him again. They’d also help him assume leadership roles in class so that he could make more friends, and allow Damian to volunteer at school for as long as he stayed in Wisconsin. Damian took the strongest stand against barbs about the mill being directed at his son, at least from the staff. Not that anyone admitted taking the layoffs out on Miles, but nobody denied it either.
    As Casey and Damian left the building, she felt a surge of pride and affection for him, something that transcended the mind-blowing sex of the previous night. He could have taught her father, the congressman, a few tricks about wooing people to his side. He could charm a snake out of its skin without playing a flute.
    “I can’t thank you enough,” she said, grabbing his hand as they walked to his rented Honda Civic. “So where are we going now?”
    “I’m going to see my father at the mill.” He leaned his back against the car and crossed his arms letting go of her hand, and she saw a dark shadow pace over his features.
    “Do you want to go alone?” she asked Damian gently, touching his arm. “I know this will be emotional for you—maybe I’ll just be in the way—”
    “No, babe, I need you to come with. Need a