There was excitement in the air when all the guests arrived and they moved into the venue. Sienna came over with Lucas and her children, Adrian and Alexia. A heavily pregnant Eva and Alexander enjoyed the walks on the beach, mornings and evenings. A pregnant Alyssa came over with Nicholas, who never left a chance to irk Alexander with his pranks. Those two would never change! Amidst all their friends, Skylar was the most reserved, and they had no idea about her relationship with Christian. When asked, she just winked and walked away. “When are they marrying?” asked Sienna in a whisper. Although she was the first one to know about such things, she was clueless about where Skylar was concerned.“Don’t know!” said Alyssa, watching Skylar interact with Christian on the beach. It didn’t look like a lovey-dovey situation between them!“Let’s make this our mission, girls! We have to find out!” said Sienna, and they agreed immediately. They tried on their bridesmaid dresses and admired Hayl
Thank you for selecting my story. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of my imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Copyright © Rituparna Darolia. All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author. This is the fifth book of the Temptation Series. All the books under this series can be read as standalone books. This series deals with a series of passionate love stories of the Donnelly brothers and their friends, with spin-offs, all having captivating plotlines to keep you interested till the end.Summary Stubborn, secretive and an impossible flirt, Ashton Pierce has all the qualities that should prompt Hayley Barclay
Ashton Pierce entered the heavily guarded mansion gates in East New York, Brooklyn, for the first time in his twenty years of life. The huge fort-like property had armed guards who stared at him as if he was a criminal. “Are you Big Steve, I mean Pierce’s boy?” asked a muscular tattooed man with a deep gash across his face. Ashton knew his father, Steven Pierce, was known as Big Steve in the mafia circuit when he used to work for Salvatore Gambino, the most wanted mafia don in the world. After borrowing huge amounts of money from them, his dad gambled it all away. He left Gambino’s work and tried his best to escape Don until he sent his men to abduct him one night. Ashton was thirteen, and he became an orphan overnight. He had searched for his dad desperately for the last seven years with no success. It was impossible for a young boy to locate Salvatore Gambino’s hideout.“Yes. Don has summoned me today to his office,” said Ashton, looking at the man and his comrades warily, a little
“Hi, Ashton! It’s good I met you here. Can you get a tuxedo for yourself by tomorrow?” asked Hayley, enjoying the jaw-dropped look on his face. Served him right! For years he had been an arrogant as*hole, proud of his panty-dropping good looks. Being six years older, he hardly acknowledged her presence since the day she saw him first, eight years ago! What had changed now? Maybe she did! “Why?” Came his lazy drawl while his eyes glinted with amusement. Alexander rolled his eyes and ordered another drink to stay out of their way. “For our first dance. Why else?” retorted Hayley, and Ashton did a double take, choking on his spit. “What?” he somehow sputtered, trying to get a grip on himself. “To accompany me to my prom night at seven tomorrow. We will dance with each other for the first time. What did you think?” Alexander chuckled while Ashton gave her a blank stare. She tossed her shoulder-length, silky hair away from her face and walked away, leaving him gaping after her. The mome
Hayley helplessly looked at their eager faces and felt close to tears. She had so many unfulfilled dreams to chase! How could she get married now, at eighteen, to a complete stranger? He might be loaded and successful, but these weren’t benchmarks to make her wish to marry him. She wanted to marry someone she loved! All her life, she dreamed of marrying Ashton! It was true he didn’t reciprocate her feelings, but then she never confessed to him. How could she give up loving him without even trying to find her happiness with him? “No, please. I don’t want to marry at eighteen! I have so many unfulfilled dreams, dad. What’s the hurry?” she demanded bitterly. “Your life won’t end after you marry, Hayley. You can fulfill all your dreams afterwards. Jason is a very nice man and you’ll be happy with him,” said her dad. “Why would I need him to be happy? I am already happy. Please don’t rush this, dad. I can’t marry a stranger out of the blue. I need to fall in love first to marry,” she r
Hayley pushed at his chest, fuming at his words. “I chose you. So feel honored and let’s get this over and done with. Next time, you might not be this lucky!” Ashton did a double take and gaped at her insolence with disbelief. The little Hayley he knew who used to have a secret little crush on him would never have the courage to look up at him, let alone answer back. Who was this sassy girl? It turned him on more than he would like to admit, and his lips turned up into a heart-stopping smile. “I see! So what exactly do you expect of me? Play the doting boyfriend?” he drawled with a lazy grin and a wink. Hayley refused to let her heartbeats give her away, and she forcefully placed some distance between them. She counted his bad habits to keep sane and not blush at his desperately flirtatious ways. “No, that would be boring! Just hang out with me, dance a little, and be around, that’s all!” His shoulders sagged melodramatically, and he looked around at the group of giggling girls who
The music was peppy and a recent favorite of Hayley’s that energized her to show off her best moves to the world. Or maybe to Ashton in particular! She grabbed Shaun’s arm and pulled him closer, making his eyes widen with surprise. “Let’s enjoy tonight, Shaun! We might never meet again!” she yelled in his ears with a laugh. “I’ll seek you out, Hayley!” he yelled back, but Hayley didn’t pay any heed to his reply. She was busy gyrating to the music, concentrating on her seductive moves to tempt the guy who was watching her like a hawk. Ashton couldn’t take his eyes off her, even for a second. The way she grated sensuously, all he could think of was pulling her against his hard body. She bent over and for a moment; it made him think of mind-blowing se*. All his earlier determination to stay at least two feet away from her hot body the entire night crumbled to dust. At that moment, she looked up and their eyes met. “F*ck you, Hayley!” he swore, his blood rushing to his head at the sigh
Amazed at himself, Ashton drove off towards his studio apartment. How did he end up agreeing to go on a date with Hayley when he swore to stay away from her? No, he should get a grip on his mind. He couldn’t cave in to a momentary attraction. Annoyed, he parked his car and ran up the stairs to get the steam off his mind. “Ashton, hey! What’s up with you? Where are you coming from?” asked Madison, leaning against her door as if waiting for him.“Hey! When did you return?” asked Ashton, unlocking his door. Upset at his own behavior, he wasn’t in the best frame of mind to tolerate anyone at the moment. “Just! So you didn’t answer my question! You weren’t at work a few minutes ago.” Ashton hated this interrogation! What was up with Madison? Why couldn’t she mind her own business? “How did you know that?” Ashton frowned, noticing her discomfort. Sometimes he doubted her claim of just being friends with him. Friends don’t bl*ody stalk one another! “I dropped in to see you on my way home
There was excitement in the air when all the guests arrived and they moved into the venue. Sienna came over with Lucas and her children, Adrian and Alexia. A heavily pregnant Eva and Alexander enjoyed the walks on the beach, mornings and evenings. A pregnant Alyssa came over with Nicholas, who never left a chance to irk Alexander with his pranks. Those two would never change! Amidst all their friends, Skylar was the most reserved, and they had no idea about her relationship with Christian. When asked, she just winked and walked away. “When are they marrying?” asked Sienna in a whisper. Although she was the first one to know about such things, she was clueless about where Skylar was concerned.“Don’t know!” said Alyssa, watching Skylar interact with Christian on the beach. It didn’t look like a lovey-dovey situation between them!“Let’s make this our mission, girls! We have to find out!” said Sienna, and they agreed immediately. They tried on their bridesmaid dresses and admired Hayl
“I’m so happy to be back!” exclaimed Hayley the moment she stepped into Ashton’s penthouse in Hotel Bayview. Ashton smiled but didn’t share the same enthusiasm as hers. “What? Aren’t you happy?” she asked, seeing the lack of excitement in him. “I’m happy, but I’ll feel happier when we move into our home. This is fine while traveling around, but we need a permanent place to call our own. I want us to settle down in the apartment Dad bought for us. Six more months to go and the New York hotel will be ready to inaugurate. We can then fulfill our dreams,” said Ashton while Hayley snaked her arms around his torso with contentment. She was happy with the way things were shaping up. “Still, I’m happy. Maybe because we’re together! Don’t think I’ll leave you alone in the next six months.”“We will be together, but you have an obligation towards your dad, towards Barclay International, Hayley. For years, you had dreamed of handling this empire. Don’t leave that at the peak of your career. Y
Hayley helped Ashton change into comfortable clothes before heading for a shower. Ashton looked around her huge bedroom suite fit for a princess. The king-size bed invited him and he lay down to wait for her. All the tension eased out of his mind forever. With Francesca’s death, the last threat that was looming over their heads also eased away. Now they were free! Free to enjoy life together like the others. He had always wanted such a free life and now his wish had been granted at last. “What are you thinking?” asked Hayley, looking fresh and dewy in a pair of lavender pajamas as she emerged from the en-suite. Ashton smiled and held out his right arm for her. She climbed into the bed, closer to him and he wrapped his arm around her soft body. It felt so good to be alive and cuddled up against her. After his accident, he had never thought he would live to see this day. “I’m grateful to God for granting my wish and reuniting us forever!” “Yes. Are you upset that we can’t marry this
Four men got down from the white Camry and pulled out a huge sack from the trunk of the car. Ashton gasped, recognizing Costello as one of them. The sack surely had Hayley inside as it looked big enough to accommodate a human body. With Mr. Barclay’s grip on his hand holding him back, he couldn’t rush to rescue Hayley. Not that he could with his injuries. Suddenly, gunshots rang in the air, taking the men by surprise. Three men fell to the ground, while the other one dumped the sack and pulled out his gun. But he too was overpowered by the SEALS Team who had been waiting for an opportunity to nab them. But where was Francesca? Ashton searched inside the Camry but didn’t see her inside. Under the dim lights, it wasn’t possible to see properly. Just then, a black Maserati pulled up stealthily into the street. Henry’s eyes widened at seeing the driver’s window roll down and a silencer gun peer out, targeting the sack Hayley was in. He realized immediately what the person was up to. He
“Sir, you’re not in a condition to travel,” said Victor refusing to book his ticket.“I have to. My fiancée has been kidnapped a few hours ago.” “I’ll come along, sir. I can’t leave you alone in your condition,” insisted Victor. “Fine, you can book two tickets.” After four hours, Ashton and Victor reached New York. He straight away coordinated with Hayley’s dad and reached the police station where they were still waiting. With his head bandaged and his left arm injured and in a sling, Ashton entered the police station, looking pale, tired, and haggard. Mrs. Barclay gasped at the sight of him while Hayley’s dad came forward to meet him. “Hello, son! Why did you come over when you’re so injured?” he scolded Ashton but he just shook his head. “I’m fine, Uncle Chris. Any news of Hayley? Why was she coming over to Miami when I asked her to rest? She never listens.” “Ask me about it,” grumbled her dad. “They’re still tracking the white Camry that was involved in the kidnapping. We’ve
“Where? In Bayview?” asked Hayley with wide eyes filled with excitement. “Nope! At Simon’s mansion on the beach. I can make all the arrangements before I come over on Monday.” Hayley grabbed him excitedly and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Oh, I’m so excited. Can I come over and plan our wedding?” “No. I think you should rest. I’ll video conference with you on everything.” Hayley felt disappointed, but didn’t argue. Ashton dropped her off and headed to the airport. While he quickly completed his pending work, Hayley went to the office as usual. However, she eagerly waited for Monday for her dad and Ashton to arrive. Her dad arrived on Monday night, but there was no sign of Ashton. He hadn’t even called her, let alone video conference with her. Initially, she had thought he was busy, but now she felt a little worried. Ashton wouldn’t forget something so important. She called him to inquire, but he had switched off his phone. She called his hotel and asked Gina. “Oh, hasn’t anyone
Ashton wrapped up his work, and they reached New York the day before the wedding. “Take care of your health in everything you do. I have to check up on Alexander.” “Dad's in Singapore. Can I stay with you in your apartment?” asked Hayley hopefully. “Not this time, baby. You’ll be all alone there since I will have to be with Alexander. Go home after checking up on Eva.” He kissed her forehead and left to go to Alexander’s penthouse. Hayley went inside her house, pulling her luggage along. With Eva in the hospital, Skylar would pick her up in an hour and head there. Just as Ashton had expected, Alexander broke down on seeing him, and they plotted and planned their next course of action. “Why don’t you clear up the air between you? How did it deteriorate to this?”Alexander explained to his friend all about Beatrix’s evil plans to separate him from Eva. He had resigned from Rotterdams as well.In the evening, Skylar called Alexander to inform him that Eva was stable and had been dis
Ashton’s jaws dropped with shock, and he gaped at Hayley, who looked as surprised as him. “But she doesn’t have any of the symptoms the other pregnant women do.”“All women don’t show the same symptoms. Some are too nauseated, some don’t even realize they’re pregnant until the fourth month. It varies from person to person.” “Is it a cause for concern? I mean, Hayley is just twenty-two, and she hadn’t been resting exactly.” “Her age is perfect for bearing a healthy baby. Don’t worry, I’ll just prescribe some medicines to take care of her fatigue. Otherwise, you both can lead a normal life but you have to go for timely checkups. Keep eating small meals and never stay on an empty stomach. I can make a diet plan for you if it helps,” offered the kind doctor to a dazed Hayley. “Yes, please. That would be helpful indeed,” said Ashton, seeing Hayley’s unresponsive state.After the doctor left, Ashton couldn’t contain the happiness he felt deep within him. He sat on the bed and pulled her
After Simon Baylor’s funeral, Ashton was in a state of confusion. Ever since he arrived in Miami, he had been busy with the hospital formalities in the absence of Simon's family or relatives. At the same time, he had to handle the business all by himself and prepare for Simon’s funeral too. However, he was glad that Victor Hughes helped him with everything. Having worked for Simon for eight years, Victor was extremely knowledgeable and knew everything about Simon Baylor. “Mr. Pierce, I have scheduled a meeting today at 4 o’clock with Henry Willis, sir’s lawyer. Sir wanted you to meet him right after your arrival here, but we had to take care of the other important things first.” There wasn’t much time at hand, and Ashton grabbed a late lunch and rushed to the conference room. Simon Baylor’s death was so sudden that Ashton didn’t get a moment of respite, struggling to sort out the loose ends. Maybe Simon didn’t expect the infection to spread so fast and turn fatal. Maybe he had expec