“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

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

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

“Thanks! Stop please!” She smiled nervously, wiggling her foot out of his hold, unable to take the torture anymore. Although his touch on her bare feet felt heavenly, it invoked a reaction of a different kind altogether. She couldn’t control the urge to grab him and kiss him. With his hungry eyes probing into hers, she was sure that he could read the hunger in them. “Don’t you like my massage?” His raspy voice indicated that his condition did not differ from hers. He stroked her foot in a feather-soft touch, going to her ankle and up her calf a little, causing a tremor to go up her body. His hungry eyes watched her reaction, sending a strange thrill all over him. Her reaction to him invoked a greater urge within him to touch her more. “Umm, I do. I’m feeling better already,” she smiled nervously, unable to look away. His eyes trapped her in a staring contest while her body fought with her sane mind, ready to give in to the need to feel his lips on hers. “That’s impossible! I hardly

“Now, isn’t that sneaky?” She whispered into Buzz’s ears, standing up to her full height. She could hear his chuckle as he opened the door for her. Clad in a pair of jeans and a black singlet, he looked hotter than last evening. Her body tingled at the sight of his exposed muscles and all she could think of was grabbing hold of him for another mind-blowing kiss! What was wrong with her? “So you find me hot, eh?” he drawled in the same husky tone. It made her blush to the roots of her hair as she went up the porch followed by Buzz, hot on her heels. “Just as you find me beautiful!” she winked as she walked inside, feigning confidence that she was far from feeling.“Right! Buzz, go to your dad, now. I’m busy with your aunt.” Hayley’s jaws dropped at seeing Buzz miraculously understand him and walk out of the front door obediently. “What just happened? He’s so obedient.” “Yes, he is. He belongs to my friend, Jagger, who works as the Marketing Manager here. He lives in the cottage nex