And he was a Rollins. Why was he sitting there pouting? He sat up, straightening his shoulders. He didn’t wait for things to happen. He made things happen.
Imbued with confidence, a plan taking shape in his mind, he pressed the intercom button.
“Yes, Mr. Rollins?” the driver asked. “How may I be of assistance?”
“Take me to The Aunt Penny Foundation, and step on it. It’s important.”
“Very well, sir. Not a problem. I’ll have you there quick, fast and in a hurry!”
The driver punched the gas, sending the limousine flying down Brickell Avenue.
Pleased, Ashton adjusted his pin-striped tie. This time when he saw Haley, things would be different. The thought—and the images of the curvy, dark-skinned beauty—excited him.
Twenty minutes later, the limousine stopped in front of a brown brick building, and Ashton stepped out. “Thanks. Hang tight. I’ll be back in ten minutes.”
Modern and clean, the reception area was decorated with children’s artwork, bamboo plants, brown leather furniture and brass lamps. Approaching the front desk, he buttoned his suit jacket and took off his sunglasses.
“Good morning,” greeted the receptionist at the mahogany desk. “Welcome to The Aunt Penny Foundation. How may I help you?”
Licking his lips, Ashton peered down the hallway, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. He was a great judge of character, and something told him Haley Adams was special. Someone he could trust. More than just a pretty face and a sexy body. Ashton wanted to know if their connection was real, or a figment of his imagination, and there was only one way to find out. “I’m Ashton Rollins, president of Prescott George, and I’m here to see Ms. Haley Adams.”
Frowning, worry lines wrinkling her brow, she consulted her appointment book. “One moment, please,” she chirped, raising an index finger in the air.
She snatched the phone off the cradle, pressed 0 and spoke in a low, hushed voice to the person on the line. Ashton couldn’t hear what she was saying, but it didn’t matter. He wasn’t leaving until he saw Haley.
“Ms. Adams will see you now.” The receptionist sprang to her feet. “Right this way, Mr. Rollins.”
Following her down the corridor, Ashton heard telephones ringing, the distant sound of laughter and the familiar chug of a photocopier. Inspirational quotes were painted on the deep blue walls, words of encouragement and hope, and reading them lifted his spirits. Coming to The Aunt Penny Foundation was a bold move, one Ashton was confident would pay off. The air smelled of peppermint and perfume, a fragrant aroma that made him think of Haley, and he suspected she was nearby.
Stopping at the end of the hallway, the receptionist gestured to the open door to her left.
Nodding his thanks, Ashton entered the bright, sun-drenched office. And there, standing behind the executive desk in a fitted cardigan, white V-neck dress and pearls was Haley Adams. His crush. The object of his affection. The woman who’d starred in his dreams last night—and the night before last. The urge to touch her was overwhelming, but since he was a gentleman and not a sex-crazed teenager, he stayed put and buried his hands inside his pockets.
Staring at her, Ashton admired her creamy skin, slender nose, glossy red lips and high cheekbones. Her stylish auburn bob grazed her shoulders, and the short, thick bangs complemented her oval face, drawing attention to her big brown eyes.
“Welcome to The Aunt Penny Foundation, Mr. Rollins. What can I do for you?”
Ashton choked down a laugh. Her mouth said, “Welcome,” but her cold, rigid stance said, “Get out and don’t come back!” Fidgeting with her fingers, she shifted and shuffled her feet, causing Ashton to remember the last time he’d done The Electric Slide. It was at a friend’s wedding reception months earlier, and when his date—an uptight scientist from Coral Gables—had complained the song was corny, he’d hit the dance floor alone.
“It’s great to see you again, Haley. How is Aunt Penny doing?”
Eyes wide, she stared at him as if he’d just asked for her hand in marriage.
“I hope she’s feeling better,” he added, “and is finally out of the hospital.”
“Yes, she is. Thanks for asking.”
Noting the photographs on the mauve walls—pictures of Haley at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, posing with a group of college graduates, shaking hands with the mayor—Ashton walked further into the small, cramped space. Wholly feminine, it had a hot pink corkboard, vases overflowing with sunflowers, a colorful area rug and glass shelves lined with business management books, postcards and potted candles. “Ms. Wright did an outstanding job with her presentation for Prescott George, but I have some questions about The Aunt Penny Foundation that I’m hoping you can answer.”
“Absolutely,” she said, speaking in a breathless tone. “I’m free now.”
Haley gestured to the armchair in front of her desk, but Ashton didn’t move.
“Sorry, but I can’t stay.” For effect, he glanced at his gold wrist watch and slowly shook his head, as if he was profoundly disappointed. “I’m pressed for time, but perhaps you can come to my Fisher Island estate tonight at six o’clock. We can talk then.”
“Your estate?” Her voice rose an octave. “Tonight?”
“Yes, my estate. Is that a problem?”
Panic flickered across her face, but she fervently shook her head. “No, not at all.”
“Great. I’ll leave my address and cell number with your receptionist on my way out.”
“Thank you, Mr. Rollins. I look forward to seeing you later.”
“Call me Ashton. All of my friends do, and I have a feeling we’ll be buddies in no time.”
Her face lit up. “I’d like that.”
That makes two of us, he thought. Getting to know you better is priority number one.
A raw, primal hunger he’d never experienced surged through his body. Ashton wanted to take Haley in his arms for a kiss, but he didn’t. Couldn’t. Not until he knew more about her. Did she have a boyfriend? Several? Was she attracted to him, too, or was he fooling himself? He hoped it wasn’t the latter.
“Enjoy the rest of your day,” he said, putting on his sunglasses. “Don’t work too hard.”
“Likewise, Mr. President.”
Amused at her joke, Ashton chuckled. “Funny, successful and gorgeous? What a winning combination. You should be my first lady.”
Her laughter tickled his ears, and the jovial expression on her face made him feel proud, as if he’d hit a hole in one on a golf course. They stared at each other, and her gaze was so strong and intense Ashton couldn’t move. Couldn’t catch his breath. He didn’t like losing control and hated feeling weak, powerless. He turned away from her to break the spell.
“I better get back to work, or I’ll never make it out of here on time.” Plopping down on her zebra-print chair, she crossed her legs and picked up the pen on her desk calendar. “Thanks for stopping by, Ashton. I’ll see you at six.”
I can’t wait.
He’d done it. Asked out the sexiest, most captivating woman he’d ever met, and Ashton hoped tonight would be the first of many dates. Anxious to return to his estate to begin making preparations for their romantic dinner, he strode out the door with a Cheshire-cat grin, confident it would be a night he’d never forget.
* * *
An