Sloan thought that might be true for him, but she had a feeling that kiss they’d shared had affected her in a way she wasn’t sure she’d ever get over.

  * * *

  Mercury was trying to show interest in the basketball game on the huge flat-screen. After all, sports was his business and one of the players was someone he represented. However, at that moment, none of that mattered. His thoughts were not on the game, but on Sloan.

  What if his mother failed and couldn’t talk any sense into her? What if her ex-fiancé found her and tried forcing her back home? Or even worse, what if her father sent a bunch of goons to snatch her back and force her into marriage? And why was Mercury even caring when none of it was his problem?

  He blamed his thoughts on that damn kiss. The one that still had his insides tingling from head to toe.

  “You okay, Mercury?”

  He glanced over at his father, who was looking at him curiously. “Yes. What makes you think I’m not okay?”

  “You’re twitching,” Drew said evenly.

  Yes, he was, but there wasn’t a law against it, was there? Of course, he wouldn’t be a smart aleck and dare ask his father that. So instead of giving a response, he tried to bring his movements under control. When that didn’t work, he was about to stand and start pacing when his mother came down the stairs. He was out of his seat in a flash. “Well, did you talk some sense into her?”

  Eden crossed her arms over her chest. “Yes, and I didn’t have to resort to kissing her like you.”

  Drew glanced over at his son and frowned. “You kissed Sloan?”

  Mercury drew his hand over his face. “Like I told Mom, I was trying to talk some sense into her. I got frustrated.”

  “And resorted to taking your frustrations out on her mouth,” Drew said, nodding. “I see how that’s possible.”

  “Don’t you dare encourage him, Drew,” his mother said.

  Mercury fought back a chuckle. His father was keeping it honest. Of course Drew Steele would know of such things because he probably helped write the Womanizing 101 playbook.

  “So, what did she say, Mom?”

  Eden tilted her head to stare at Mercury. “She’s staying for now, but if she gets another phone call threatening us, then she just might take flight.”

  “Her father threatened us?” Drew asked, frowning.

  “Yes.” Eden then told Drew what had happened. While she did so, Mercury began pacing. He hadn’t liked what his mother said about Sloan possibly changing her mind about leaving. He didn’t like that one damn bit.

  “So, what’s your plan, Mercury?”

  He stopped pacing to look at his father. “What makes you think I plan to do anything?”

  Drew gave him a level stare. “Chances are Sloan will try to hide from her parents unless you come up with a plan. What have I always taught my sons?”

  Mercury didn’t have to think twice on that one. When there was a problem, first up was to find a solution. However, this situation was different. Couldn’t his father see that? From the way Drew was looking at him, he obviously didn’t.

  “Fine. I’ll come up with a plan.”

  Eight

  Sloan looked at Eden across the breakfast table. “Mercury is helping me take care of some business things?”

  “Yes. I expect him in an hour, and he will explain everything.” Eden looked at her watch and then smiled at her. “Today I’m spending time with my grandbabies.”

  Sloan heard the excitement in Eden’s voice. In addition to Galen’s twins, Eden had a one-year-old grandson from her son Eli and his wife, Stacey. The proud grandmother had shown Sloan a photo of the little boy, and just like her other two grands and her sons, he had green eyes.

  “Good morning.”

  She glanced up to see Mercury walk into the dining room. He moved to where his mother sat and placed a kiss on her cheek before glancing over at Sloan.

  She’d wondered how she would react upon seeing him after that kiss they’d shared last night. The thought had worried her, kept her from sleeping most of the night, until she’d accepted that Mercury Steele had undoubtedly kissed a number of women in his day—for him to do it so well—and kissing her had meant nothing.

  She could have sworn she saw something flash in his eyes, but what, she wasn’t sure, because just as quickly, it was gone. “Good morning, Sloan.”

  “Good morning, Mercury.”

  He then glanced at his watch. “Are you ready?”

  She wondered just where he intended to take her. “Where are we going?”

  “To the bank to open an account. This bank is owned by my best friend’s family. So you don’t have to worry about your father getting to the manager. Then I figure you can pick out a car and an apartment.”

  She was about to remind him she would only have the money Lisa would be loaning her when he said, “There is such a thing as building up your own credit.”

  Building up my own credit.

  She nodded, deciding that made sense. She had to start somewhere, and it would be nice being independent the way she wanted. “Okay.”

  “My goodness, Mercury. Give Sloan a chance to at least finish breakfast.”

  “That’s okay—I’m fine,” she said, pushing her plate aside. The thought of building up her own credit had her excited. “I’ll take my plate into the kitchen and be back in a flash.”

  “No rush.”

  Well, there was a rush, as far as Sloan was concerned. There was something in the way he was looking at her that had a heated feeling flowing through her. Grabbing her plate, she then headed toward the kitchen. When she got there, she leaned against the counter, needing to take a deep breath. Why did Mercury have to look so darn hot in yet another business suit? And the scent of his aftershave was so masculine it sent spikes of desire through her. And when she looked at him, she remembered how thoroughly he had kissed her and how eagerly she had kissed him back.

  The only way she could handle spending any time with him today would be to be on her guard, because whether she wanted to be or not, she was attracted to Mercury.

  * * *

  Mercury watched Sloan leave the dining room and couldn’t help but appreciate the gracefulness of her walk. She seemed to glide on air, perfect posture and one hell of a sexy body in a pair of slacks and a blouse.

  He was getting frustrated with the way his thoughts were going. He recognized the signs whether he wanted to or not; he desired her.

  “Mercury?”

  He turned and discovered his mother looking at him with an odd expression on her face. “Yes?”

  “I’ve been trying to get your attention.”

  He knew that was her way of letting him know she’d noticed the interest he was showing toward Sloan this morning. He didn’t like the thought of that. “Was there something you wanted?” Of course there was something she wanted; otherwise, she would not have been trying to get his attention.

  Eden smiled. “Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to care for Sloan today.”

  Like he had a choice after what his father had made clear last night. Sloan was his responsibility and he’d needed to come up with a plan to make sure she was taken care of. “No need to thank me. From here on out I will handle her.”

  The smile was suddenly wiped from his mother’s face. “I don’t want you to handle her, Mercury. I want you to take care of her. I want you to see to her needs and make sure she understands the Steeles are here for her regardless of her father’s threats.”

  Before he could give his mother a response, he heard the sound of Sloan coming back. She had changed out of the outfit she’d had on earlier and into a pretty yellow sundress, one that showed off those appealing shoulders, those gorgeous legs. And her hair was pinned back, highlighting a face that appeared as sexy as the rest of her.

  “I’m ready, Mercury.”

  Her words snapped him out of his intense perusal. Drawing in a deep, troubled breath, he turned to his mother. “Sloan and I will see you later.”

  * * *

  Sloan glanced at Mercury as he backed out of his parents’ driveway. This was the first time they’d been alone since the kiss they’d shared last night. Should she address it, if for no other reason than to make sure it didn’t happen again?

  She decided to wait and see if he would mention anything about it, and if he didn’t, she wouldn’t either. Like she’d told Eden, they’d both acted foolishly and sharing that kiss was something they both regretted. She was sure of it.

  Last night before going to bed, she’d looked him up on the internet. He was a former NFL player turned sports agent who was doing very well for himself. And he was considered one of Phoenix’s most eligible bachelors.

  “Your best friend’s family owns a bank?” she asked when she thought the interior was all too quiet.

  He didn’t answer until he came to a stop sign on the corner. “Yes. Jaye’s family has been in banking for years and they own the Colfax National Bank. Most of the branches are located in Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma. Rest assured—you can open an account without fear of your father interfering.”

  She nodded. “Thanks, Mercury.”

  “You’re welcome.” He paused and then said, “May I ask you something?”

  “Yes,” she said, glancing over at him, hoping he wasn’t about to ask her anything about last night. “What would you like to ask me?”

  “While growing up, was there not anyone in your corner? Someone you could depend on? To protect you from your parents’ craziness?”

  Sloan thought about his questions before answering. “Yes—my paternal grandfather. The one I was named after. He was wonderful. My grandmother died before I was born and he would tell me often that they loved each other very much.”

  She paused and then added, “Pop always said that he sent my father off to college only for him to become an educated fool by getting mixed up with a woman who’d filled his head with crazy notions.”

  “What kind of crazy notions?”

  “That their marriage was to be a business proposition to grow their wealth. My mother’s family had once been wealthy, until they lost most of everything when she was fifteen. She swore she would one day regain that wealth and would never be without money again.”

  Sloan paused, remembering how her mother would tell her often that money was everything and that you could even buy love. “My father bought into her theory of wealth building, and together, for the past thirty years, they have been doing just that. Building wealth. They had to start somewhere and got a loan from my grandfather. That’s when he made them sign a legal document that their first child would be named after him. Otherwise, whatever charity he selected would be entitled to a third of whatever wealth they accumulated.”

  “Sounds like he didn’t take any stuff off them.”

  “He didn’t. He also made them sign an agreement to send me to him at his ranch in Texas every summer. Although they did it, they hated doing so and said he was poisoning my mind with foolishness. As I got older, I saw that Pop was showing me just how wrong they were in trying to control my life.”

  When he brought the car to a stop at a traffic light, he glanced over at her. “Sounds like he tried preparing you for what your parents were capable of.”

  She’d thought of that same thing over the years and believed that he was. Not wanting to talk about her family anymore, she asked him something she’d been wondering about. “Yesterday, because of me, you missed an important appointment. Were you able to reschedule it?”

  He smiled. “Yes. In fact, I cinched the deal. I signed on this kid who is great on the basketball court. Now I have to make sure he ends up on the best NBA team.”

  “Congratulations.”

  “Thanks. And we’ve arrived.”

  She glanced out the window and saw they’d pulled into the parking lot of a huge bank. “Thanks for bringing me here. If you’ll give me your cell number, I can text it to Lisa.”

  He turned off the ignition and glanced over at her. “Why?”

  “So she can send the money to your phone.”

  “That’s not necessary.” He unbuckled his seat belt and got out of the car to walk around the back and open the door for her. What did he mean it wasn’t necessary? She still hadn’t unsnapped her seat belt by the time he reached her.

  When he leaned over to undo it, she said, “I can do it myself.”

  He straightened and looked down at her. “I figured you could, but when you hadn’t, I began to wonder.”

  The reason she hadn’t was because what he’d said had given her pause. “What do you mean it’s not necessary for Lisa to send funds to your phone?”

  He leaned against the open door with an annoyed look on his face. “Like I said, that’s not necessary.”

  She frowned. “Then how am I supposed to open a bank account without any money?”

  “I’m taking care of it.”

  She tilted her head to look up at him against the glare of the sun, wishing she’d thought to bring her sunglasses. “You’re taking care of what?”

  He drew in a deep breath as if he was agitated by her questions. Sloan didn’t care. She wanted an answer. “I asked what you are taking care of, Mercury.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest and stared down at her. “I’m taking care of everything, Sloan. More specifically, I am taking care of you.”

  Nine

  Mercury wondered if anyone had ever told Sloan how cute she looked when she became angry. How her brows slashed together over her forehead and how the pupils of her eyes became a turbulent dark gray. Then there was the way her chin lifted and her lips formed into a decadent pout. Observing her lips made him remember their taste and how the memory had kept him up most of the night.

  “I don’t need you to take care of me.”

  Her words were snapped out in a vicious tone. He drew in a deep breath. He didn’t need this. Especially from her and definitely not this morning. He’d forgotten to cancel his date last night with Raquel and she had called first thing this morning letting him know she hadn’t appreciated it. It had put him in a bad mood, but, unfortunately, Raquel was the least of his worries.

  “You don’t?” he asked, trying to maintain a calm voice when more than anything he wanted to snap back. “Was it not my stolen car you were driving?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Were you not with me when you discovered you were being evicted?” he quickly asked, determined not to let her get a word in, other than the one he wanted to hear.

  “Yes, but—”

  “Did I not take you to my parents’ home? Did you not spend the night there?”

  Her frown deepened. “Has anyone ever told you how rude you are? You’re cutting me off deliberately, Mercury.”

  “Just answer, please.”

  She didn’t say anything and then she lifted her chin a little higher, letting him know just how upset she was when she said, “Yes, but that doesn’t give you the right to think you can control me.”

  Control her? Was that what she thought? Was that what her rotten attitude was about? Well, she could certainly wipe that notion from her mind. He bedded women, not controlled them.

  “Let me assure you, Sloan Donahue, controlling you is the last thing I want to do to you.” There was no need to tell her that what he wouldn’t mind doing was kissing some sense into her again. “I’m merely here to help you.”

  “If you feel obligated to help, then don’t.”

  He didn’t feel obligated; he felt responsible for her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here. Hell, when was the last time he’d been made to feel responsible for anyone? Thanks to his dad, he did now. “Look, Sloan. You need help and I’m willing to help you. What does it matter if it’s my money or your friend Lisa’s?”

  She glared at him. “It matters because I know Lisa, but I don’t know you.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Hell, I don’t know you either, but I’m willing to help you out. I have been helping you out. Again, I will ask you—where would you have stayed last night had I not made sure you had a decent roof over your head?”

  “Why do you keep throwing your help in my face?”

  He stared at her, getting more frustrated by the second. “That’s not what I’m doing. I’m trying to get you to see, to recognize, that I have been there for you, regardless of how well I know you or you know me.”

  She began nibbling on her bottom lip, and seeing her do so sent a flare of response throughout his body. It made the muscles beneath his business suit tighten with desire. And if that wasn’t bad enough, remembering the taste of those lips and her tongue kicked in his body’s most primal reaction with a vengeance.

  Glad she was too deep in thought to notice, he moved from where he’d been standing, directly in front of her by the car door, to where his erection wasn’t so obvious. “We don’t have all day, Sloan.”

  What he wished he could say was that he could only take so much of his body’s intense throbbing.

  She glanced over at him. “How much?”

  He lifted a brow. “How much what?”

  “How much are you willing to loan me?”

  He shrugged. “How much do you need?”

  “Just enough to tide me over until I get a job.” Then she quickly added, “And earn my first paycheck. Then I will pay you back every penny.”

  Because he knew she wouldn’t accept things any other way, he said, “And I intend for you to do so, but I’m willing to break down the payments into installments so it won’t be so hard for you.”

  She nodded. “Thanks. That will work better.”

  “Now can we go into the bank?”

  He watched her unbuckle her seat belt before easing from the car, not knowing she’d flashed a portion of her thigh in the process. Heat curled inside him, threatening the control he’d thought he’d reclaimed.