“Great! Thanks, Mr. Lowery.” Like Sloan had told them, she really liked this car. It was a gorgeous sky blue Chevy Camaro. Same make and model as the red car that had been stolen from Mercury, but this one was the current year and brand spanking new. The exterior was so shiny she could practically see herself, and the interior was a dark blue leather with that new-car smell.

  “Now I have my very own Camaro,” she said, trying to hold back her emotions. Sloan knew she would love this car forever because it was hers. It was a car she would work hard to pay for and that no one had given to her. It was hers and no one could take it away from her.

  “Yes, you have your very own Camaro,” Mercury said, smiling down at her.

  “How much down?” she then asked the salesman.

  He looked at her strangely. “How much down?”

  “Yes. How much money do I need to put down on this car?” Sloan figured the more she could put down the lower her payments would be. She only had twenty thousand dollars to work with and there were other things she needed to do with that money, which included putting a deposit on an apartment. She also needed to make sure she had enough to make the first couple of car payments in case she didn’t find a job right away.

  The man hadn’t answered yet, but another question popped in her head. “Are there papers I need to sign? What about documents showing this car is truly mine? Or do I get them in the end when I pay off the car?” Sloan wasn’t sure how that worked since she’d never purchased a car before.

  “You will get everything later,” Mercury said. “I will make sure all the paperwork is mailed to you.”

  “But I don’t have a permanent address yet,” she said, nibbling nervously on her bottom lip. She hoped that wouldn’t be a problem getting everything in order in time to make her first payment. Now more than ever it was important that she got a job.

  Over breakfast Eden had mentioned her friend Margaret Fowler, the one with connections to the Miss Universe pageant, wanted to speak with Sloan on Monday. Although the pageant was held every December, the job of interpreter was year-round and required a lot of traveling the last four months of the year. The other eight months entailed working from home, communicating with pageant officials who spoke other languages.

  “I’ll pick it up and deliver it to you.”

  “Thanks, Mercury.” She thought he was being nice about everything. So far, she had only two debts to worry about. The car payment and the money she had to pay back to Mercury for the bank deposit. “When do I get to take my car with me?”

  “When you have a place to park it, one you can call your own, since my parents’ home has enough cars in their garage already,” he said.

  She nodded. He was right about waiting to get her own place. “That’s fine.” She then looked at the salesman. “You will take care of my car until I get it, right?”

  The man grinned, probably happy for a sale, Sloan thought. “Yes, Ms. Donahue. I’ll take care of it until you return.”

  She smiled, feeling good about that. She then turned to Mercury. “How soon can we look for an apartment?” She figured the sooner she had a place of her own, the sooner she could get her car.

  “Today is fine, but I suggest we go somewhere for lunch first.”

  She nodded, thinking that was a good idea. She hadn’t eaten since breakfast and it had to be around noon now. “Do you know a place?” she asked him.

  “Yes, I know the perfect spot, and it’s close by.”

  Eleven

  “This is a nice place,” Sloan said, taking a sip of her iced tea and looking around.

  “Glad you like it. I come here often for lunch,” Mercury replied, trying hard not to stare at Sloan.

  Why did she have to look so beautiful?

  The waitress came to take their orders and he and Sloan discovered they liked the same kinds of foods. Since she’d never eaten there before, he introduced her to several of his favorite dishes. After they’d placed their orders and gotten refills on their iced teas, he asked her, “What are you looking for in an apartment?”

  He liked the way the smile curved her lips when she said, “Definitely something I can afford. Already I’ll have two bills to pay. Your loan and a car payment,” she said, enthused.

  He grinned. “You sound excited.”

  “I am.” Leaning over the table, she said, “Do you know this is the first time I will have bills? Real bills? Bills that I will pay without anyone’s help. And I am ready to take ownership of them. It’s going to be fun learning to budget my money and knowing how much I can spend. So, to answer your question, all I need is a one-bedroom apartment. Of course, it has to have a bathroom, living room and a kitchen.”

  “Can you cook?”

  She grinned. “No, but I can learn. In fact, I think I’ll have fun learning.” She took a sip of her tea, then asked him, “Can you cook?”

  He took a sip of his own tea and then said, “Yes, I can.”

  “Who taught you?”

  Watching her mouth move dredged up memories of the kiss they’d shared in Jaye’s office. Mercury wished he could look at her lips and not remember taking them in a way that even now aroused him. Why did she have to taste so damn good? And why was he recalling her taste?

  “I taught myself like you intend to do. I did use cookbooks and, on occasion, some of my mother’s recipes. I even took a cooking class once.”

  “A cooking class? Was it expensive?”

  There was no need to tell her that cost hadn’t mattered because taking the cooking class had been his and his brother Jonas’s way to meet women. Not only had they met single women, but they’d garnered invitations for free home-cooked meals with no-strings-attached sex on the menu. “I didn’t think it was and thought it was worth every cent I paid. Maybe you should think about signing up for one.”

  Shrugging her shoulders, she said, “I will have to see if I can fit the cost into my budget.”

  She was serious about staying on a budget and he thought that was a smart move. Money wasn’t endless. Drew had taught his sons the fundamentals of managing money. It was a lesson none of them had forgotten. Their father hadn’t built his trucking business into a multimillion-dollar enterprise by accident. He’d always said, you can’t spend money you don’t have. Those same words still stuck with the six of them today.

  “Your mom might have landed me a job where I’ll be doing some traveling at least four months out of the year. I will be talking to the lady on Monday.”

  His eyebrows lifted in surprise. His mother hadn’t mentioned that to him. “Oh, what lady is it?”

  “Margaret Fowler.”

  Mercury nodded. He’d known Ms. Fowler for years. The older woman was a world traveler and he’d always admired her spunk. He’d heard his mother mention that after Ms. Fowler turned seventy-five, she’d liked traveling with a companion since her husband had passed away a couple of years ago. A job as a companion would suit Sloan.

  “I assume you’d want a furnished apartment to avoid having a furniture bill,” he then said.

  “Yes, I do. What about appliances? I don’t want to buy any of those either.”

  He nodded. “Appliances are standard items in most apartments. Even a washer and dryer.” He was about to say something else when the waitress appeared at the table with their food.

  “Looks good.”

  It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her that he thought she looked better. Instead he glanced over at her and said, “You’re right—it looks good.”

  * * *

  “Are you sure I can afford this place, Mercury?” Sloan asked, glancing around the apartment and loving everything she saw. It was just the right size for her with one bedroom, a nice-size bathroom that included both a tub and walk-in shower, a neat-and-tidy kitchen with a breakfast nook and a living room that extended from a wide foyer. The place was completely furnished.

  Then there was the little work-space nook with a desk between the kitchen nook and living room. It would be perfect when she wasn’t traveling and worked from home. She wasn’t sure she could handle all her good luck in one day when yesterday had been such a disaster.

  “Is there anything in here you want to change?” he asked her, glancing around, as well.

  “No. I love it. The view of the lake from that window is beautiful. I love being on the fourth floor and the elevator makes it convenient. Paying my first two months of rent in advance was a great idea. Thanks for suggesting it.”

  Now she didn’t have to worry about something unexpected coming up or miscalculating her budget and getting evicted. That was an experience she never wanted to repeat. Glancing at her watch, she saw it was close to three in the afternoon. The apartment manager said she could move in as soon as she wanted.

  “I got a lot accomplished today thanks to you, Mercury. Please don’t forget to get me that installment schedule so I can start paying you back.”

  “I won’t forget.”

  “Although I’m sure she probably doesn’t need my help with anything, I told your mother I would be back in time to help her with dinner tonight.”

  “So, you will be there?”

  Where else would she be? Was that disappointment she heard in his voice at the prospect that she would be? Eden had explained that every Thursday night was their family gathering for her sons, their wives and the grandkids. Sloan couldn’t help wondering if Mercury felt her being there was infringing on the time the Steeles spent together when she wasn’t one of them.

  “I offered to leave for a while and go to a movie, but your mother wouldn’t hear of it.” Eden had told her she could use her car whenever she needed to go somewhere since she had a spare. “However, I can certainly change those plans if you prefer I not be there.”

  He lifted a brow. “What makes you think it matters to me if you are there or not?”

  She looked him directly in the eyes. “Your tone just now gave me the impression you’d rather I not be there.”

  He shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants, making her fully aware of his height and masculinity. “It doesn’t matter to me. It’s my parents’ house and they can invite whomever they want.”

  Sloan tried not to get frustrated with him and ruin what had been a great day. “I’m very much aware it’s your parents’ home and they can invite whoever they want, Mercury.”

  “Then why are you worrying about it?”

  She honestly wasn’t liking his attitude right now. “I’m not worrying about it. I just didn’t want to do anything to make you feel uncomfortable. It’s your family and I prefer not intruding if you don’t want me there. I’m glad to know you don’t care one way or the other.”

  She moved to walk away and he caught hold of her arm. He didn’t say anything when she turned back to him. He simply stood there and held her arm while staring at her. Honestly, there was nothing simple about it. He had a way of looking at her that made something stir inside her.

  Her chest had been heaving with frustration; now it was surging with something else. Something she didn’t want to feel but couldn’t stop herself from feeling. Passion and desire were new to her, but around Mercury she could recognize them for what they were. Only problem was that they had no place in her life now. There were more important things she needed to concentrate on. Learning how to survive without her parents’ wealth topped the list. But with Mercury, temptation was hard to resist.

  “Is something wrong, Mercury?”

  “What makes you think something is wrong?” he asked in a voice that was so husky it seemed to make a crackle of energy flow in the room.

  Duh. He was standing there holding her arm while staring her down in a way that made a deep yearning stir to life within her. However, if for whatever reason he refused to acknowledge the obvious, she wouldn’t follow his lead. Not this time, even if doing so would be wise.

  At that moment she was too mesmerized by the look in his green eyes. The one thing she couldn’t ignore was how close he stood to her. The scent of him and the touch of his hand were making her even more aware of him.

  Suddenly, he began stroking the tips of his fingers up and down her arm. She nearly closed her eyes on a groan. Fire began running through her veins. And from the heated look in his eyes she had a feeling he knew what he was doing to her and wanted to know—why?

  “Why, Mercury?” She figured she didn’t have to elaborate. He had to know what she was asking.

  “I honestly don’t know, Sloan. All I know is that whenever I get close to you, I have the urge to touch you. And when we’re at odds, all I can think about is kissing you.”

  His words caused sensations to flow through her. That wasn’t good. She was being aroused in a way she’d never been before. “I bet you tell that to all the women.”

  “Actually, I don’t.”

  Yeah, right. There was no way she could believe him. She understood why women were drawn to him. The man was way too handsome for his own good...and for hers. “What do you want from me, Mercury?” she heard herself ask and then wondered why she’d bothered. It was obvious from the look in his eyes what he wanted.

  It wasn’t as if she didn’t understand the attraction thing; she had just figured it would never affect her. He was proving her wrong. At any other time, she probably would welcome such a diversion as a way to claim her independence, but the timing was all wrong. The man was all wrong. She wasn’t certain why she was so sure of the latter, but she was.

  “I shouldn’t want anything from you, Sloan.”

  “But you do?”

  “I wouldn’t be a man if I didn’t.”

  She frankly didn’t know what to say to that. He saved her from saying anything when he pulled her to him and covered her mouth with his, causing bone-melting fire to rush through her. They’d kissed three times now, and each time he did it with toe-curling expertise. When she groaned, he intensified the kiss by slanting his mouth over hers.

  Had they finished their discussion? She didn’t think so, but this was so much better than talking. Why did his kisses have the power to kick up her pulse, have desire flowing through her? She might not be as experienced a kisser as he was, but Sloan was determined to show Mercury she learned fast and could be just as thorough. His tongue might be swirling all around hers, but she was following his lead. If Mercury’s groans were anything to go by, he was obviously enjoying this kiss as much as she was. That made her wonder who was seducing whom...

  He surprised her when he let go of her arm only to plunge his hands into her hair as if to pull her mouth closer while his tongue went deeper. His mouth was firm and strong, and his lips were demanding. In the past, all the kisses she’d ever shared with a guy had been controlled, restrained and disciplined. Mercury’s kisses were always uncontrolled, unrestrained and totally undisciplined.

  And heaven help her, but she liked them that way.

  In fact, she was liking this kiss so much that when her phone rang, she tried to ignore it, but the persistent ringing had them breaking apart. Still he managed to get in a final lick across her lips before taking a step back.

  By the time she pulled the phone from her purse it had stopped ringing. Just as well, she thought, after seeing the missed call had been from Harold.

  Putting her phone back in her purse, she glanced over at Mercury. He was back to staring at her like she was a puzzle he needed to solve. Like he hadn’t been the one who’d made the first move to lock lips in a kiss that still had her toes tingling.

  “Ready to go? I told Mom I would have you back by four,” he said, breaking the silence between them.

  “Did you?”

  “Yes, and I’m a man of my word.”

  A man of your word? Let’s see about that. “Then will you give me your word that you won’t kiss me again?”

  “No. Like I said, I’m a man of my word, Sloan.”

  Twelve

  “Would you like to explain what today was all about?”

  Mercury took a sip of his beer. He’d known that would be the first question Jaye asked him when they met for their usual happy-hour drinks at Notorious, a popular nightclub in town. The one thing he liked about this place was that the owner opened its doors three hours ahead of the nighttime crowd. On occasion, Mercury would arrive for happy hour and stay through the night, especially if there was live entertainment. The food and the drinks were great. And so was ladies’ night every Tuesday.

  “Don’t pretend you don’t know already. I’m sure one of my brothers has enlightened you.”

  Jaye chuckled. “Yes, it just so happens I ran into Jonas yesterday evening, and he told me what he’d heard. I’m glad you got your car back, by the way.”

  “Thanks.”

  “But still, I was surprised when you walked into the bank this morning to help the woman open an account using your own money. Twenty grand is—”

  “Twenty grand. I know,” Mercury said, still wanting to believe he’d done the right thing.

  “I have to admit she’s a looker, so I guess you consider it an investment in future benefits,” Jaye said, smiling.

  Mercury could understand why Jaye thought that. Other than his brothers, Jaye—whom he’d known since grade school and who had been his roommate in college—knew him better than anyone. In fact, it had been Jaye who’d sent out the SOS to his brothers after Cherae had dumped him.

  “I don’t plan to collect any future benefits.”

  Jaye nodded, grinning. “That means you’re collecting them already.”

  “No, it doesn’t mean that,” Mercury said, annoyed that Jaye knew him so well that he would assume that. “In fact, I don’t expect anything from her, sexual favors or otherwise.”

  The grin suddenly left Jaye’s face and he stared at him. “Then I think you need to explain why you deposited twenty grand into a woman’s account. A woman you just met yesterday, who was driving your stolen car. And while you’re at it, you can explain your reasoning for taking her home to Ms. Eden.”