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“Idolike your spunk, Rowan. Stay right where you are.”
James appeared in the door of her room. “Ma’am.”
“Hi.”
He looked around the room and frowned. “Are you moving out of your dorm?”
“I-I’m done with classes. Official move out was today but I got an extension for an extra day because of my foot.”
“Where do you plan to go?” The driver looked legitimately worried. “Do you have an apartment?”
“I found a place close to downtown…”
Tilting his head, he asked, “Do you have a car?”
“Bad idea. I don’t even have a license.”
“A blank slate. This is going to be incredible.”
“What is?” she asked.
Without answering her question, the big golden man approached and smiled. “I need to pick you up, Miss Foxe.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want everyone to think you’re being kidnapped but I need you to come with me. I’d rather you stay off your foot as much as possible.”
When she said nothing, didn’t move, or have any clue how to react, he chuckled and gathered her in his arms, lifting her as if she weighed nothing - again.
“Uh...my purse.” He bent so she could grab it and she was glad she’d put Bennett’s book inside.
She blushed brightly as James carried her from her room, down the hall, down the stairs, through the main floor, and outside. Students stared in awe at the unusual sight.
Quietly, she asked through the phone she’d forgotten she was holding, “Why am I being carried out of my dorm?”
Bennett’s voice was calm, reassuring. “No one will hurt you or take advantage of you in any way, Rowan. You have my word. Ah, there you are. James is thankfully very strong.”
“Is that a fat joke?” she asked with a smile in her voice.
“Not in the slightest, darling. You’re curvy. What I personally feel embodies the essence of all things woman. Hmm. Allow me to correct myself…beinga woman embodies the essence of all things woman. Your shape has nothing at all to do with it.”
“How progressive,” she murmured.
“I do try.” James carried her to the limo where Bennett stood waiting in the open door. He tucked his own phone into an inner pocket of his suit. “Hello again, Rowan.”
“I was just calling to say thank you,” she told him nervously. “Nothing else. I promise.”
James deposited her carefully on the backseat and Bennett slid in beside her. As the door closed, Rowan felt strangely cocooned with one of the most powerful men on the planet. She had no doubt that she telegraphed her wariness and confusion.
“Rowan, what do you know about me outside the financial world?” She shrugged her shoulders delicately. “You’ve done no research on my personal life?”
“I know what’s in your public bio. I didn’t godiggingif that’s what you’re asking. I just needed basic facts for the introduction of my paper. I didn’t examine your blood type or sexual kinks, you know.”
He chuckled softly. “You know I’ve been married twice before?” She gave a small nod. “That I have three children from those marriages?” Another nod. “Do you realize my ex-wives, in all their gold-digging wisdom, are partnering with my grown children to have my competence questioned in order to seize control of my holdings?” Rowan gasped. “Does this surprise you?”
“Unfortunately, no,” she answered honestly. “It doesn’t surprise me at all, Mr. Jefferson.”
“Call me Bennett, Rowan. Why does this information not come as a shock?”
