Read Satin and Steel for Free Online

unwillingly to that first, and only relationship, and Rhee shuddered.
    Marco was the reason she had started taking self-defense classes. Marco was the reason she didn’t date, or spend her time primping and preening, trying to attract attention like so many of her college friends. Actually, through her therapy sessions, she had learned to forgive, and to be grateful to Marco, for showing her that she didn’t need a man to be happy. No, Rhee was meant for something better than just being a convenient lay for some guy. But first, she had to find Mickey. God, Mickey. How many precious days had she lost languishing here?!
    Rhee jumped up and groaned at the stiffness in her back and shoulder. Still, she had to find a way to redirect her nervous energy. Television just wasn’t going to cut it. She had to do something, or she would drive herself crazy all day thinking about Mickey or reliving her own nightmares. Looking around Dax’s house, she could see that it could use some attention. A thin layer of dust coated the furniture and there were dishes in the sink.
    Tidying up always relaxed Rhee. Putting things in order perhaps in some way made her feel more in control of her chaotic life. Hoping Dax wouldn’t mind, she opened some of his cabinets and located some cleaning supplies. Rhee turned on the small iPod stereo and was pleased to find that it was loaded with many of her favorite songs. Before long, she was lost in the scent of lemon pledge and bleach.
    It had been a long day. Hawk was pissed at Dax’s prolonged absence from the table. The other guys were wondering why Dax had taken such a special interest in the stowaway. The guns were secure, and their buyer would be arriving in a few days to inspect his merchandise. Dax figured he had about 24 hours to figure out what to do with the girl. Most likely, Rhee hadn’t seen any guns. She had been too out of it to hear anything she wasn’t supposed to hear. Still, Hawk wasn’t going to back down. He wanted to question the girl himself.
    Dax opened his front door and for a moment, he thought he had stepped into the wrong house. Upon inspecting it further, he realized that the place looked so different because it was spotless. Santana was playing on his stereo. A clean, citrusy odor lingered but that was overwhelmed by a tantalizing smell coming from the kitchen. Dax dropped his keys on the table. To his amazement, what appeared to be lasagna simmered in his rarely used oven. Didn’t realize I had anything to cook here! He could hear the shower running in the guest bathroom. Pleasantly surprised, he cracked open a beer. It had been years since he’d come home to a clean house and a home cooked meal. Almost like being back home with mom , he thought fondly.
    Rhee pulled on the same sweats and hoodie she had been wearing before. I really have to get home. This is getting ridiculous! I at least need some underwear ! The lasagna smelled like it was done. Humming to herself, Rhee toweled off her wet hair and made her way back into the kitchen. She grabbed a dishtowel and used it to remove the bubbling pasta from the oven, placing it on the spotless counter, the domestic tasks making her feel recovered and normal.
    “Feels like I walked into someone else’s life,” Dax commented.
    Rhee jerked in surprise, unaware that he had been standing in the hallway.
    “I-I’m sorry,” she started guiltily.
    “Sorry? You made my day, little girl. It isn’t often I come home to a hot meal. Is it ready?”
    “Yes,” Rhee said softly. Why does he keep calling me that? Am I really so little to him? Or does he see me as a child because I’m younger than him? Rhee glanced at the tall, muscled biker. He had to be in his late twenties. I’m not a child!
    “You sit. It looks like you did more than cook and I don’t want you wearing yourself out,” he said.
    Dutifully, Rhee obeyed. Well, really, she obeyed because she was ready to sink into the floor. Guess I overdid it. But, I think