Desire: Love and Passion - By Lesia Reid Page 0,1

look, giving him a cool appraisal from head to toe.

"What are you doing out here alone?" she asked. "Where are your bodyguards?"

"They may be a few paces back."

"This is a very expensive All Fool's Day joke," she said.

"Why do you say that?"

"The most famous man in the world just plowed into the side of my car. We are standing on the side of the road hoping to bum a ride with his bodyguards that may or may not be a few paces behind. Nothing in that story seems likely. Damnit," she said. "I knew I shouldn’t have had that extra glass of wine. I’m dreaming right? How hard do you think I have to pinch myself to wake up?"

He chuckled. Her calm demeanor soothed his anxiety.

"That depends," he replied after a few moments. "How heavily do you sleep?"

"You're my dream," she said. "Don't ask logical questions."

"How often have you dreamed about me?" he quipped.

"Never!" she said forcefully.

"Don't make it sound that bad," he said.

He found himself unwittingly on the defensive. For some inexplicable reason, he wanted her to like him.

"It’s pointless to dream about you if there’s never a chance of meeting you. I would have wasted a whole fantasy."

"I wouldn’t say zero now," he replied. "After all, you’re not dreaming and I am here."

"You have a point."

"I’m interested in the fantasy part of your dream. Care to share?"

Just about that time, the hum of approaching vehicles broke the spell.

"I'll take care of everything," he assured her.

"The important thing here is that we’re both okay." She had a deep throaty voice that carried a sensuous and seductive tone. Once again, his mind went to images of laced stockings and garters. He knew he must look flustered. Her soft chuckle only sent another embarrassing wave of heat to his cheeks.

"I'm Willow Barnes, by the way" she said just as the vehicles came into view.

His cavalry had arrived.

"James Monroe," he said as he took her hand.

"I don't think you need an introduction."

The vehicles came to a halt within a few feet of where the pair stood. A short, slender young man with dark hair and horned-rimmed glasses stepped out of the car ahead of the security personnel. He walked purposefully towards them and it was obvious from the look on his face and his pursed lips that he was not at all happy at the moment.

Willow instinctively took a step back and James moved in front of her as if to shield her. She found it comical as it was she whom they intended to keep away from him.

James heard Larry speaking to her as he moved to the side of the road. He knew it was going to be a publicity nightmare if she didn’t cooperate. As he listened, he heard her give her responses in a calm even tone. Yes, she would allow them to take care of the accident. No, she didn’t need medical attention. No, she wouldn’t go to the press. The questions seemed to go on forever. All the while, she answered in that calm, silky smooth voice of hers.

"Here is my card," Larry said, handing her a business card. "If you need transportation to get a rental car, I will arrange it. We will also cover the cost of your rental and any other expenses with regard to this matter."

"I don't need a rental," she replied. "I believe I have an old car on the property."

"Yes, an immaculate 1950 Jaguar XK 120. Not exactly an everyday ride." His tone was condescending.

"Ah, what do you know about me?"

"Nothing," he said, "save that you turned down an offer for more than twice what that piece of property is worth."

"Money isn’t everything," Willow replied.

"Yes, that might be true for some of us." Again he had that condescending note in his voice. He hated that she hadn't sold. "Now that you know who your neighbor is, I will have to insist you stay within your property lines. There are signs posted for would-be-trespassers. This was a rather unfortunate incident and I cannot impress upon you the importance of keeping this private."

"Why would you think I cherish his privacy over mine?" She thumbed her finger in James’s direction as she spoke.

James almost laughed as he listened. Larry had finally met his match. Seeing the look on his assistant's face, James walked over to where they stood.

"Larry," he said "give us a minute, will you."

Larry hesitated but walked away. The woman turned to James. He had met a lot of beautiful women