But she remembered what he had said. He'd once been a father. Losing a child would destroy the soul, she thought. But would it leave anything for anyone else?
"Can I help you, Mr. Steele?" Leaning back, she let her gaze rove over that gorgeous hard body just one more time.
His lips quirked as though he was well aware of his effect on her and Deirdre as well. It would be hard to miss it; Deirdre was staring at him as though he were a sweet and she was dying for a sugar rush.
"Yes, ma'am, you can." A flicker of warmth glimmered in his icy eyes. "I was wondering if you'd like to join me for steaks tonight? I thought I'd throw a few on the grill. Break out a couple of bottles of beer."
"If she's not interested, then I am." Deirdre suddenly found her voice. "She's not real smart sometimes, ya know." There was a wealth of amusement in Deirdre's expression as Mikayla frowned at her.
"She appears extremely intelligent to me," he drawled, that sexy grin still tugging at his lips as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the door frame.
The flesh between her thighs heated, grew damp. That rat-a-tat-tat of her heart made her breathless. He had an effect on her that no other man ever had.
"Yes, she's extremely intelligent," Mikayla informed him as though participating in the conversation.
"I don't know." Deirdre leaned her hand against the desk and glanced back at Mikayla. "Look at her face. See, she knows better than to be in dark places by herself. I bet that was where you found her, huh?"
"It was indeed." Nik's gaze sliced back to her. "Parked in the darkest area as she played punching bag for some ass**le. She hasn't told me why yet."
Deirdre's gaze swung back to Mikayla in amazement. "He doesn't know?" She switched back to Nik. "You don't know?"
"I didn't say I haven't been checking into it."
He knew.
Mikayla swallowed tightly before drawing in a deep breath. At least, as deep as sore ribs allowed.
"Figure anything out yet?" she asked.
"A few things," he answered. "Enough to know why you were attacked last night."
"You work fast." A sense of disappointment filled her. She couldn't tell if he believed her or not.
"So who do you believe?" Deirdre voiced the question Mikayla was only thinking.
Nik stared back at Deirdre as though in surprise. "I tend to believe the punching bag. They rarely get used without reason."
Mikayla's heart melted. It was totally illogical, but he wasn't laughing at her, and he wasn't questioning her honesty.
"There you are, a smart man." Deirdre waved her hand toward Nik as she stared back at Mikayla, satisfaction filling her gaze. "Now, if you don't show up for that steak, then I'm gonna."
Deirdre bounced from the desk at the sound of the bell tinkling once again. Nik straightened and stepped into the office. Deirdre got as far as the doorway and froze and Mikayla could have sworn she whimpered.
Mikayla knew who it was. Deirdre turned to Mikayla, her expression filled with pity. "Can I have the day off?" she asked as Mikayla's father and brothers stepped into the store.
Dread filled Mikayla. "Can I?"
Nik was standing on the back deck of the rented house, the grill heating, steaks lying on the small grill ledge, as he heard the gate between the two properties squeak as it opened.
He restrained a grin.
He'd left that shop that morning just after giving her father the details of the night before. First, Nik had been required to show ID and subject himself to an in-depth interrogation on why he was there and how long he was staying and even provide references. They were references Nik had no doubt Mr. Martin would call.
The man was extremely protective of his only daughter, and the three young men with him had been almost as intense. There was no doubt Mikayla was well cherished by her family.
She had humored them, though there had been desperation in her gaze as she looked at Nik. A plea to rescue her as her family descended upon her.
He'd been amused, he had to admit. A part of that amusement had been overshadowed by grief, though. He would have been just as protective of his own daughter. Seeing Ramsey Martin's fear and love for his child had sent a shaft of guilt tearing through Nik.
What would he do had he ever learned a man was intending to use his child as Nik was intending to use Ramsey Martin's child?
He'd kill him.
That was an easy question to ask.
But Mikayla wasn't a child any longer. She was a grown woman, one with an innocent appeal that drove him insane.
He couldn't equate Mikayla with a child, his or any others. He was man enough to see the woman in her, and to be aroused by her.
"I was wondering how long it would take you to break free." He didn't turn as he sensed her moving toward the deck.
"I completely blame you for the entire debacle that my day has been." The accusation in her voice had a grin tugging at his lips. There was no true heat, more exasperation and irritation than anything.
"That's why I have your beer extra cold." He turned to her, and he swore his c**k surged harder, faster, than it had the night before.
Son of a bitch. Look at her. That fall of soft wheat blond hair over one side of her face as those amethyst eyes watched him with narrowed intent.
That look sliced right through him. Like fire snaking through his body. He felt sweat begin to dot his shoulders, felt his balls tighten painfully.
Hell, he wanted to taste her so damned bad he could barely stand it. The need for it was a hunger raging through him with a force that almost left him shaking.
He'd never wanted anything like he wanted this woman right now.
"How do you like your steak?" He had to turn from her. If he didn't turn away from her, then he was going to lift her up on the long wooden table, stroke that flimsy dress up her thighs, and peel it from her plump br**sts.
"Medium whatever," she answered as she stepped up to the deck. "I hope you have salad and a potato to go with that. You owe me after the hell I went through today. Do you know they made me go to the hospital? Do you know what hospitals are like? I hate those damned places."
He turned back, just for a second, he told himself. He was just going to look at her for another second.
She stood at the top of the steps, her hip cocked, one hand resting against it as her hair fell around her shoulders like a sunlit cape.