Seduced By A Steele (Forged of Steele #12) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,7

that looked so delicious, it would tempt you to take a lick to test their sweetness. And she couldn’t forget those gorgeous green eyes.

When she had used the restroom earlier, two women were talking between stalls after having seen Mercury and Galen. They were familiar with those green-eyed Steele brothers. Just from eavesdropping on the women’s conversation, she found out that at one time Mercury and his five brothers had been pegged the hottest bachelors in Phoenix. Some even called them the “Bad News” Steeles. Their reputations as die-hard players were legendary. Then real shockers happened when they started getting married, one at a time, leaving only Mercury and his younger brother, Gannon, to fire up women’s beds.

She figured there was truth in everything the women had said, especially about the Steele brothers being hot. Although she didn’t like Mercury very much and thought his attitude could handle some improvement, his looks were downright gorgeous.

Sloan wished there was a wall somewhere to knock her head against. At this point in her life, being attracted to a man, especially to this one, was ludicrous. She had enough problems on her plate without adding Mercury Steele to the menu.

Walking beside him wasn’t easy. His walk was brisk, and she could barely keep up with him, but she refused to let him leave her. He had to be wondering why she hadn’t called a taxi or used Uber to get home. He would probably be shocked to know she’d never used either in her entire life. While growing up, her parents had always provided private transportation for her. Then for her sixteenth birthday, they’d purchased her first car and she’d gotten a new one every year since.

It was only after arriving in Phoenix and taking stock of her predicament that it dawned on her that over the past twenty-five years, her parents had played her right into their hands. They had taken care of her every need, given in to her every whim. She hadn’t wanted for anything.

There had been more cash in her bank account than she’d known what to do with and credit cards in her name with unlimited balances. All that had made her completely dependent on them, and shamefully she would admit that for years she hadn’t questioned it.

Just because she’d never used other modes of transportation didn’t mean she thought she was too good to do so. Today just wasn’t a good day to try something new. Especially after what had happened this morning in that dress store.

Her credit card had been declined. A credit card that had been issued through her parents’ bank, so she knew who was behind that denial. Her parents were determined to put a squeeze on her so she’d be forced to run back home and be their puppet again. Luckily, after telling the nice saleslady about her job interview, the older woman had helped her get the stain out of her blouse.

With her credit cards canceled and unable to get funds from the ATM, that meant she was low on funds. She’d lost three hundred dollars buying that car and had only less than a hundred in cash on her. When she’d tried calling to reschedule her interview, she was told she would have to reapply. She tried not to feel too sad about that.

Glancing over at the man walking beside her, she noted he was staring straight ahead with a brooding expression on his face. He probably hated being bothered about taking her anywhere again, but she would ignore his mood. After all, if he’d taken better care of his car it would not have gotten stolen and she wouldn’t be in this predicament. She knew for her to think that way was absurd, but she didn’t care. It was just as illogical for him to think she would have intentionally stolen his car or be in cahoots with the people who had.

“I hope I’m not inconveniencing you again, Mercury.”

He glanced over at her and her heart began thumping hard in her chest. The look he gave her wasn’t one of annoyance but something else. Something she couldn’t quite put a name to. It left her momentarily dazed. Before she could sufficiently recover, the look was gone and replaced by one of indifference.