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James pulled over a block away from her dorm entrance and Rowan moved to get out.
Bennett put his hand on her forearm. “Miss Foxe…Rowan. Allow me to assist you. You aren’t going to be able to work for a week or two with that ankle. I distracted James as he was leaving the parking lot and feel horrible about it. You must allow me to replace your wages.”
With that, he pulled his wallet out of a suit jacket that probably cost more than everything she owned combined. Withdrawing a wad of hundred dollar bills, she thought there must be several thousand dollars there.
He tried to hand them to her and she laughed as she leaned away. “Uh, no. You don’t know what someone makes at a bookstore these days, do you? I clear less than a hundred dollars a week. If it will make you feel better, I’ll take a hundred for this week. I’ll recuperate and be back on my feet in no time.”
Bennett quirked a dark brow. “I’m going to have to insist or I’ll have James carry you to your dorm room and tuck you in. He will announce loudly that you’re my new…protégé.”
Rowan’s mouth opened and closed twice before she snapped it shut with a glare. She took the cash, removed a single hundred-dollar bill, and tucked the rest into a compartment beside the seat.
“I insist you be reasonable. You may be used to dealing with Wall Street but you’ve never dealt with me. You’re much nicer than most people would think in person. Thank you for the ride. There are a thousand things I would have rather talked to you about - current interest rates and the depreciation of the American dollar, for instance.”
James opened the door and helped her out, making sure she didn’t trip as she hopped up on the curb.
Bennett opened the window and said quietly, “It was a great pleasure to meet you, Rowan. Let me give you a signed copy of my book for all your trouble.”
He removed a Montblanc pen and spent a moment signing the inside cover. “Here you are. You’re an enigma. I hope we meet again.”
She took the book excitedly. “Sprain was worth it for your autographed book. Thanks, Bennett.”
“You’re welcome, Rowan.”
They didn’t pull away until she reached her dorm entrance. The distance took forever to traverse and hiding the pain she was in took acting skills she hadn’t known she had. Her skin covered in sweat, she gave them a wave and ducked inside.
The stairs were going to be a bitch.
Chapter Three
2000-2001 - Age 22-23
Rowan made it to her dorm room and collapsed in pure agony on the twin bed. Her ankle was so swollen she had trouble getting her sneaker off.
The stairs had almost been the end of her. She was sweating harder than when she ran.
“Stop being such a wuss,” she admonished herself sharply.
Picking up her signed copy of Bennett Jefferson’s book – the one she hadn’t been able to buy but had checked out of the library twice – she opened it to read the inscription and was showered with dozens of hundred dollar bills.
Laughing, she murmured, “Sneakybastard.”
For Rowan Foxe…a beautiful woman with a refreshing take on the world I haven’t heard in thirty years. You caught my eye and have my interest. Expect to hear from me again.
Bennett
His phone number was written under his name with instructions to call should she need anything.
Her stomach tripped. Disbelieving, she gathered the money as she had a conversation with herself.
“Bennett Jefferson gave you his cell phone number. Bennett fucking Jefferson called you beautiful and refreshing and gave you his phone number.”
Replacing the cash inside the book, she placed it on her nightstand. There wasno wayshe could make it to her closet.
An hour later, there was a knock on her door. Unable to stand, she called for whoever it was to come in.
“Uh, hello.”
“Miss Foxe. I’m a medic. Mr. Jefferson sent me to evaluate your ankle. May I?” He gestured at her and she nodded. After a few careful presses that made her wince, he gave her a half-smile. “I think it’s fractured. You’re going to need x-rays.”
