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Secret Miami Nights
Pamela Yaye
His passion is like no otherEverything has come easily to Ashton Rollins, the handsome, uber-wealthy heir to an aeronautics empire and president of the Millionaire Moguls. The only thing his riches can’t do: help Ashton put a tragic accident behind him. Petite, sexy Haley Adams is the first woman to truly intrigue him since he lost his fiancée. Until a secret about that long-ago night resurfaces and threatens his picture-perfect world…Haley’s charity work is worlds away from Ashton’s palatial home and jet-setting lifestyle. He’s introducing her to fabulous vacations, exquisite cuisine—and a simmering seduction that leaves her craving more. As power struggles within the Moguls collide with family revelations, Ashton realizes that Haley’s the one thing he can’t bear to lose. But is she willing to stake everything on the enigmatic man behind the fantasy?
His passion is like no other
Everything has come easily to Ashton Rollins, the handsome, überwealthy heir to an aeronautics empire and president of the Millionaire Moguls. The only thing his riches can’t do: help Ashton put a tragic accident behind him. Petite, sexy Haley Adams is the first woman to truly intrigue him since he lost his fiancée. Until a secret about that long-ago night resurfaces and threatens his picture-perfect world...
Haley’s charity work is worlds away from Ashton’s palatial home and jet-setting lifestyle. He’s introducing her to fabulous vacations, exquisite cuisine—and a simmering seduction that leaves her craving more. As power struggles within the Moguls collide with family revelations, Ashton realizes that Haley’s the one thing he can’t bear to lose. But is she willing to stake everything on the enigmatic man behind the fantasy?
His husky voice was dreamy, and when their eyes met, her mind went blank. It felt good being with a suave, charming man who smelled divine and showered her with compliments, and Haley wanted to spend the rest of the night hanging out with him.
“Can I ask you something?”
Curious, Haley nodded her head. “Sure, Ashton, what is it?”
“Why are you single?”
“Why are you?” she quipped.
A mischievous expression covered his face. “I asked first.”
“I haven’t met the right person yet. You?”
“Yesterday I would have said the same thing, but I’ve recently had a change of heart. I’m interested in a beautiful charity CEO, but I don’t want to scare her off by revealing my true feelings.” Ashton winked. “I’m pacing myself. It’s only our first date.”
Their eyes met.
“I had fun tonight,” he said, “and I’d love to see you again.”
Haley moistened her lips with her tongue. “To discuss the Aunt Penny Foundation?”
“No,” he said calmly. “To wine you and dine you.”
Dear Reader,
I love writing miniseries, so when my fabulous editor asked if I would be interested in writing the third book in the Millionaire Mogul series, I said, “Heck yeah! Count me in!” Brainstorming sessions with Yahrah St. John (Miami After Hours) and Sherelle Green (A Miami Affair) really got my creative juices going, and I think we did an awesome job on the series. I hope you’ll agree.
Ashton Rollins can’t get Haley Adams out of his mind. So he shows up unannounced at her office early one morning, persuades her to have dinner with him at his Fisher Island estate and turns on the charm the moment she steps foot on his property. And that’s not all. He wines and dines her, whisks her away to Venezuela for a romantic weekend and kisses her with such warmth and tenderness she melts in his arms. Haley only wishes Ashton would open up about his past, and when an explosive secret threatens their happily-ever-after, she must decide if their love is worth fighting for.
Look for Seduced by the Tycoon at Christmas this holiday season. It’s the final book in the Morretti Millionaire series, and I’m confident you’re going to love it. You can visit me at www.pamelayaye.com (http://www.pamelayaye.com), and send me emails at pamelayaye@aol.com.
All the best in life and love,
Pamela Yaye
Secret Miami Nights
Pamela Yaye
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
PAMELA YAYE has a bachelor’s degree in Christian education. Her love for African American fiction prompted her to pursue a career in writing romance. When she’s not working on her latest novel, this busy wife, mother and teacher is watching basketball, cooking or planning her next vacation. Pamela lives in Alberta, Canada, with her gorgeous husband and adorable but mischievous son and daughter.
Leave your past in the past, or it will destroy you.
Live for what today has to offer,
not for what yesterday has taken away.
—Author Unknown
Contents
Cover (#ub90489a6-a24a-5a66-ad8d-2836ae186a34)
Back Cover Text (#uea9037c5-eed8-5418-b474-af91002db0ee)
Introduction (#uff38e074-3b1e-5378-b8f3-a42d4bacaaa3)
Dear Reader (#u0af01bd2-5da9-5d32-9ecb-0c4f99084f09)
Title Page (#u8779fe26-f4fe-5563-95b8-dd9c82906122)
About the Author (#u3663297c-8f29-5ebe-9eca-d0d7515f6a1c)
Quote (#uef9cea96-0d8b-5921-84f4-ee6b88a86816)
Chapter 1 (#u1d2e8e95-08c3-525d-a3b4-7dbc3e7d20ca)
Chapter 2 (#ue773ffb8-4cbc-529d-8ca9-224f85509503)
Chapter 3 (#u3777b37e-7c91-5a94-a702-4ccfa6082a22)
Chapter 4 (#u551d8b77-b068-5582-bf22-240082d63ae5)
Chapter 5 (#u598b3417-cb3e-53f8-85ca-23d738787414)
Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 19 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 20 (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 1 (#u61d55639-542f-564d-afaa-31b74d319c1d)
“Welcome home, Mr. Rollins.” Cap in hand, the suit-clad limousine driver bowed at the waist and nodded his bald, shiny head in greeting. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
Ashton Rollins was beat, exhausted after his ten-hour flight from Frankfurt, but he read the driver’s name tag and shook his outstretched hand. “York, the pleasure is all mine.”
A proud smile exploded onto York’s wide, tanned face. Racing around to the passenger-side door, he yanked it open and gestured at the backseat with a dramatic flourish of his hands.
Embarrassed by the driver’s effusive behavior, Ashton noticed the employees on the tarmac at Miami International Airport’s General Aviation Center were staring at him. He was the Chief Operating Officer of his family’s business, Rollins Aeronautics, not a head of state, and unlike his father, Alexander, he didn’t like people fussing over him.
Lowering his head, he ducked inside the limousine and rested his briefcase at his feet. Ashton unbuttoned his tailored suit jacket and made himself comfortable. A week ago, he’d traveled to Frankfurt to attend the Aerospace Expo, and had worked nonstop while in the bustling metropolis. He’d arrived at the airport twenty minutes earlier by corporate jet, and the landing had been so rough his head was still spinning. Ashton would have preferred piloting his private plane to travel, but these days he had no time for his favorite hobby.
Ashton unzipped his briefcase, took out his tablet and turned it on. But he didn’t review his weekly schedule. His thoughts were on Haley Adams—the bubbly, effervescent CEO he’d been introduced to weeks earlier at the Millionaire Moguls meeting. For five years, Ashton had been president of the exclusive club. It was as discreet as it was powerful, and members couldn’t buy their way in—they had to be invited. The name of the organization was officially Prescott George, but the media called them the Millionaire Moguls. Ashton hated the moniker. The Moguls were more than just wealthy businessmen: they did good work. They provided college scholarships to needy students, funded inner-city organizations and changed lives.
Pride filled him at the thought of how much they’d accomplished. Every year, the Moguls chose a charity to support, and this year they’d selected The Aunt Penny Foundation. The organization would reap the profits from the Moguls’ seventy-fifth anniversary party and charity gala to be held at Ashton’s Fisher Island estate at the end of August, but he wasn’t going to wait six weeks to see Haley Adams. Screw that. He wanted to see her now. Today. Before one of the other moguls swooped in and stole her away. The twenty-eight-year old CEO was a magnet, the type of woman who attracted male attention wherever she went, and he couldn’t risk someone else winning her heart.
Ashton remembered with astounding clarity the day they’d met. Her smile had stayed with him from the moment he’d laid eyes on her, and weeks later he was still thinking about her. Ashton didn’t know why. They’d only talked for a couple minutes. Haley was supposed to give a presentation on behalf of The Aunt Penny Foundation, but she’d received an emergency phone call and promptly left. He’d made inquiries about her after the meeting wrapped up, and learned from her colleague Becca Wright that Haley’s Aunt Penny had been rushed to the hospital. Moved by compassion, he’d called his favorite florist and had flowers delivered to the woman’s hospital room.
In the few moments of casual conversation that they’d had, Haley had captivated him. It was more than just her womanly curves. Sure, she was beautiful and accomplished, but he met attractive, successful women every day. It was the emotion he’d seen on her face when she’d found out her aunt was ill that had touched him. Ashton was surrounded by people whose emotions were buried deep inside. He, himself, was a master at concealing his feelings.
He didn’t feel comfortable opening up to anyone. Not even the people he loved most. Sadly, the accident had changed everything.
The words froze in his brain. The accident. Bitter memories darkened his mind. No one ever talked about it. Ashton thought about his college days. At Nilson University, he’d dated Mia Landers, a scholarship student who had had a crush on him for several years. His parents didn’t like Mia, but he figured they’d come around. His father suggested that Ashton was dating Mia as a form of delayed adolescent rebellion, and his mother, Joan, labeled Mia “common” and “a nobody.” But Ashton had continued dating her. He hadn’t cared what they thought. It was his life.
The day Ashton told his parents he’d proposed to Mia, all hell had broken loose at the Rollins estate. His father claimed Mia didn’t belong in their world, wasn’t welcome, and had no place in their family. Enraged, Ashton had stood his ground, arguing that if they took the time to get to know her, instead of judging her, they’d love her as much as he did. Tragically, Ashton had never had the opportunity to prove what an incredible woman his fiancée was.
Pain stabbed Ashton’s heart, and his vision blurred. Shortly after graduation, he and Mia were in a car accident that had proved fatal for her. He’d woken up in the hospital with no memory of the accident, but Mia had died at the scene. Alexander said authorities believed Mia must have been drinking and she’d lost control of her car. The police report made no sense to Ashton. Mia was not a drinker. And when they were together, he always drove, even if it was her car. “Mia was driving,” Alexander had said firmly. “Be thankful. If you were driving, you could have been charged with manslaughter.”
Weeks later, Ashton had received devastating news. The autopsy report claimed there were drugs in Mia’s system. His family had managed to keep the information out of the press, but that was the least of Ashton’s problems. He’d lost the love of his life, and hated his father’s cold, callous attitude about the accident. He’d attended Mia’s funeral in a wheelchair, in a haze of grief and confusion, and had nightmares about the accident for several months.
Once his physical injuries healed, he’d been worried about his future. Would people blame him for Mia’s death? Would he lose his acceptance to business school? Would his reputation be destroyed? His parents had instructed him not to speak of the incident to people outside of the family. If there was gossip and speculation about what had caused the mishap, Ashton wasn’t privy to it. To this day, more than ten years after Mia’s death, the incident was never spoken of in the Rollins household. Occasionally, he still dreamt about it but in his waking hours, he sometimes wondered if the accident had really happened. If he’d ever even had a fiancée.
Taking off his aviator sunglasses, Ashton rubbed at his eyes. Since the car accident, he’d toed the line where his family was concerned. He’d gotten his Ivy League MBA and gone to work at Rollins Aeronautics. He only dated women his parents considered “appropriate.” But not once had he fallen in love. He continued to feel guilty about Mia’s death, though everyone told him it wasn’t his fault. Why hadn’t he realized she was under the influence? Why had he let her get behind the wheel? If he had been driving, the accident could have been avoided, and he’d be married now, not heartbroken and alone.
Again, Haley Adams barged into his thoughts. For the first time in years, Ashton was open to having a girlfriend, and the only person on his radar was the charity CEO.
Curious how Haley was doing, Ashton retrieved his cell phone from his jacket pocket and called her. On a whim, he’d phoned Haley a couple times from Frankfurt, but every time he called she was unavailable. Today, though, he was determined to finally connect with her.
“Good morning. The Aunt Penny Foundation,” chirped a female voice. “This is Stacy speaking. How may I help you?”
“Hello. Can I please speak to Ms. Haley Adams?”
“I’m sorry, sir, but she’s in a meeting. Would you like to leave a message?”
No, I want you to put her on the phone so I can ask her out! Frustrated, Ashton hung up and chucked his cell on the seat. Damn, why was it so hard to get Haley on the line? She was the CEO of a charity organization, for goodness’ sake, not the leader of the free world!
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.
