Acutely aware of his arm around her waist, Hayley accompanied him to the upscale in-house restaurant of the resort, Rotterdams. “Isn’t this the restaurant chain Alexander is training to head?” asked Hayley with surprise. “Yes. Silver Spring is a franchisee owner. Alexander helped me get through.” “He might have recommended your name, but you’ve got through because of your own capabilities,” said Hayley, eager to change his opinion of himself. It irked her to see him always stay in Alexander’s shadow, although he was more brilliant and more capable! Ashton shrugged, not agreeing with her at all. With zero experience in this field, it was solely because of Alexander that he got the job. There was no point in arguing with her. He wanted to enjoy his first date! “Have you ever dined at Rotterdams before?” he asked eagerly. As far as he remembered, she hadn’t, but he wasn’t sure since he had lost touch with her in the last four years. “No, this is the first time for me.” Ashton smiled
Ashton came out of his dazed state and watched the cab disappear. Hayley’s words echoed in his head constantly, robbing him of his peace. “You’re the dumbest guy on earth. I don’t feel a thing for Shaun.”What could that possibly mean? If not Shaun, then who did she love? Could it be him? He knew she used to like him when she was young. No, that was out of the question. She had grown up and matured in the last four years. Maybe it was someone from her college. He couldn’t be that lucky! Yet his heart wanted to hope! He wanted to be the one she loved! ‘Get a grip on yourself, Ashton. Even if she loved you, then what? What can you offer her?’ reminded his inner voice. Yes, it was true. He didn’t have any surety of his own life. What would he offer her? If she knew everything about him, she would forget him and move on. No woman could love a guy like him! Sighing, he drove on towards his apartment. With his duty at 7 o’clock in the morning, he had to move out tonight. With few belongi
“He's taking quite a long time to reach here!” said Eva impatiently. It had been forty minutes since she had called Ashton and yet the guy hadn’t put in an appearance. All her friends had left, except Hayley, of course. With Eva’s roommates away at a nightclub, she could relax with her friends in the tiny apartment. “He has joined work on Long Island. Today was his first day. Maybe the traffic is more,” said Hayley, although her patience was running out too. She couldn’t wait for long. Her parents would return from the club and immediately seek her out. She wanted to enjoy their get-together at Alyssa’s apartment after college. Skylar and Sienna dropped her off at Eva’s apartment and left without her, since she didn’t wish to go home without meeting Ashton. “Oh, no wonder his apartment was locked. I met the bi*ch who lives next door.” Hayley sat upright, all ears about the woman. Was it Madison? Ashton never took her to his house, and she had the inkling that it had something to do
A tremor went down Ashton’s body the moment her soft arms went around his torso. It was a strange feeling, and it left him perplexed. He had se* with random women since the age of eighteen, yet he never felt this way with anyone. What was this feeling? It was like a restless uproar within his body, an overwhelming need to feel more of her. He wanted to feel her pressed against his back. Could he try the time-tested trick he knew of? There wasn’t any other way available for him.He applied the brakes for a jolt and it had the desired effect. With a gasp, Hayley tightened her hold around him while her body eased closer to his, flush against his back. A smile of satisfaction lit up his face while Hayley blushed furiously. Feeling his hard, muscular body against her own made her heartbeats race. It was a new feeling altogether, and she loved it immensely. The way her body fitted against his made her feel as if she was meant to be with him. She could spend a lifetime this way, pressed clo
The next day Ashton was too busy to check up on Hayley. Derek Miller kept him on his feet all day and he hardly found time to take a lunch break. By the time he returned to his cottage, he was totally drained. His eyes popped out to see Hayley sitting on his front porch, waiting for him. All his tiredness evaporated at the sight of her! His eyes roamed all over her and he couldn’t help but check her out before she noticed him. The semi-formal beige trousers paired with a royal blue chiffon top made her look so mature. Even in the light of the setting sun, she glowed like a million neon bulbs as she sat on the steps, checking her mobile phone. “Hey! Sorry to keep you waiting. Why didn’t you call me?” he asked, stopping in front of her. She looked up and slipped her phone into her pocket. “Hi! I didn’t want to disturb you at work.” She stood up with a shy smile on her face. “Where’s your puppy?” Ashton grimaced at her question, pulling out the keys to the cottage. “I thought you came
“As my wife?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Hayley’s jaws dropped with shock and she just gaped at him, unable to think of an answer. He couldn’t be serious! He was surely playing games with her mind!“As if you’re the marrying type! I know you don’t believe in love, in relationships. Please don’t joke about such things.” She concentrated on her food instead of the man in front of her, who just watched her in silence.“Okay, I’m sorry if I hurt your sentiments. You're right, I don’t care about such things!” Ashton noted the slight quiver to her lips as if she was trying hard to choke her tears, her pain. Did he hurt her so badly? Did she still dream of marrying him like she used to when younger? He had overheard her conversation with Alyssa when they were young. For years, it kept on echoing in his head till extra complications started taking shape in his life. They roughened him and made him lose all his dreamy notions of finding true love in this shitty life. No woman
Hayley braced herself to face the stranger when the doorbell rang. She had never seen the guy before, although he was all her family discussed. Their housekeeper, Mrs. Morris, whom she lovingly called Elsa, welcomed him inside while Hayley disappeared into the kitchen to hide from him. He sounded like those arrogant, self-centered billionaires who looked down upon everyone below their status. “Hayley, your mom’s calling you. What are you doing here?” whispered Elsa, coming into the kitchen to find her fidgeting around.“Can you give me something to do, Elsa? I don’t want to interact with him.” “Escaping isn’t a solution, my dear. You have to face him. You’re a smart, educated, young woman. No one can force you to do anything you don’t want to.” Hayley sighed, knowing that she was right. She might as well face the man and show her disinterest in him. “You’re right, Elsa. I won’t hide.”“That’s the spirit. I’ll send Becky with you to serve the drinks.” Becky helped Elsa around the ho
Ashton smiled, relieved to finally get it out of his system. He didn’t get a moment of respite since he found out about her dinner plans with her damn fiancé. He wanted to go over to her place and check things out for himself. What if he stole her first kiss? He wanted to be the only one to kiss her.He paced the entire time, restless and furious at his own helplessness. Memories of the previous evening drove him crazy, and he missed her immensely. Being wrapped up in his thoughts, he forgot to even have his dinner. Finally, he built up the courage to message her.His phone buzzed with an incoming message from her, and Ashton sat up with excitement. What reply did she send to his earlier admission? Did she miss him, too? Missing me or my food?- Hayley Both- Ashton. Why can’t I believe you?-Hayley.You will believe me eventually. I never lie–Ashton. That was deep–HayleyI am quite deep. Come over tomorrow to know me better- Ashton.I might take you up on that- Hayley.I’ll be waiti