Episode 13

The next morning, Tomilola headed down the stairs, her bare feet sinking into the thick carpeting. It had been another long, sleepless night. Shaking her head, she wondered, for perhaps the millionth time, what Demola's deal was. Wondered what his cryptic remark about not belonging in the picture with her meant. Wondered why he was running the other way so fast when the chemistry between them was obviously so good.

She smiled ruefully. A few days ago she'd been glad of his reserve. Now, it was just frustrating. Unfortunately, she wouldn't be getting to the bottom of that little problem this morning. She'd seen the cowardly beast's truck disappearing across the field before the sun came up this morning. 

Episode 12

His lips closed over hers.

Hot.

Hard.

Greedy.

Tomilola drank him in, drawing in a long, deep breath of his spicy aftershave. Running her hands over his strong, broad shoulders. Reveling in his kiss.

Breaking her moratorium on men the second she'd made the decision to stay on the Big W was maybe rushing things a bit. But. . .

Episode 11

Early the next morning Tomilola stood next to the table where she'd set Demola's roses, her nose buried in the burgundy blooms. They smelled so good. Bold, sweet...heady.

Much like the man who'd sent them.

Smiling ruefilly, she took another deep whiff and straightened, trying not to let her mind wander, once again, back to the thoughts that had kept her awake most of the nights. Thoughts of Demola Adenuga.

But it was impossible.

A Man Worth Waiting for - Episode 10

Demola gulped a quick cup of coffee. Standing in his kitchen, he stared at the big house. He'd been out all morning, making sure everything was in order. He'd hoped Tomilola might make a foray onto the estate over the last two days, but not only had he not seen her since the night of their drinking, the helps working in the big house hadn't, either. She'd obviously never left the house.

He thought she was making progress toward lightening up about her dad. About the estate. At least she hadn't thrown his suggestion to keep the place and use it to help support her charity back in his face. A good sign. And he'd hoped the note from her father would soften her up even more. At least he'd hoped it would make her feel less like an outsider. Make her feel like a beloved daughter and therefore someone who belonged here on her father's estate.

A Man Worth Waiting for - Episode 9

Tomilola sat outside her bedroom on the balcony that ran the length of the back of the house. She rocked gently in one of the rockers that were strewn around the balcony and drew in a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves as she leaned back, propped her feet up on the railing and watched the sun dip beneath the hill's top. The already waning twilight faded to night. Staring at the twinkling stars, she let the day's emotions take hold of her.

Fresh tears pooled in her eyes. Tears she'd been fighting all day. Tears of frustration and sadness and anger. After Demola's little bombshell on the trail, she'd come back to the estate and spent the day sifting through the bills in her father's office. It had made for a tumultuous afternoon.