When Peyton heard his name, her heart jolted. No, say it wasn’t so. She couldn’t believe it. How could he be the director of the center she wanted to volunteer at? Why was this happening to her? Was this some kind of cruel cosmic joke? She’d left without speaking to him the other night and was unforgivably rude. Peyton wished she could snap her fingers and disappear, but she couldn’t. Instead, she sat with her back ram-rod straight. She saw him glance her way out of the corner of her eye as he walked towards the front of the room, but she kept her eyes straight ahead.

“Thank you all,” Malik emphasized the word as he stood beside the coordinator, “For coming. It really means a lot.” He touched his chest. “Just to give you a little history, the Harlem Center was founded in nineteen fifty-eight and more than five hundred families and children use the center each and every day . . .”

Peyton couldn’t hear a word Malik said because she was fixated on the man himself. She studied him underneath hooded lashes and watched as he tossed back his dreads when he became exuberant. Even in faded blue jeans and a t-shirt, Malik had a sexy swagger about him that caused Peyton to feel flushed. Why was she having such a strong physical attraction to this man? She couldn’t understand it. She’d never thought of herself as someone unable to control herself, but Malik Williams was causing all sorts of heated sensations to flow through her body.

“The center is here to inspire the young people in this community to use education and leadership to transcend difficult circumstances,” Malik continued. “I am one of those people, ladies and gentleman. I along with several of my close friends grew up using this center and today, I’m privileged to work here and give back to the community that contributed to my success. That being said, I welcome you to the Harlem Center and hope you enjoy your volunteer experience. If there is anything that you need, please feel free to come and see me. My door is always open.” Malik bowed and then headed for the door, but not before saying. “Professor Sawyer, a word if you please, outside.”

Peyton thought about ignoring his request as if she hadn’t heard him, but several curious sets of eyes were looking at her, so she had no choice, but to follow him outside the double doors.

“What are you doing here? And what kind of game are you playing?” Malik asked, once the doors had closed.

Peyton’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“First you’re cold and now you’re hot.” Malik didn’t appreciate having his chain yanked. “I wasn’t good enough for you to talk to, let alone spend time with, but now you come into my center acting like you’re here to help people?” Malik’s voice rose slightly. “Please. I don’t buy your act for one minute.”

“It’s not an act,” Peyton replied. “I had no idea you were director when I picked this establishment. I wanted to volunteer as I’d done in Ohio and give my students some practical experience. That’s it nothing more. You’re just upset because I turned down your offer to show me around New York.”

“And the only reason you turned me down was because you were attracted to me,” Malik returned.

How could he know that? Peyton wondered. Was it that obvious? Despite the fact that he was not her type at all; she found him sexy as hell. "I am not." She lied..

“I think you’re scared,” Malik came towards her until he was inches away from her face. He watched her take a step back. He was so close he could smell the exotic scent of her perfume. “Scared of going after what you want, scared of dating someone different than your norm, scared of dating outside the box.”

She didn’t like that he’d hit the nail on the head and yelled. “How dare you!” She realized just how loud she was when several of her students turned and stared at her through the glass, so she lowered her voice. “You don’t even know me.”

“What I know is that I will not play a game of cat-and-mouse with you, so consider your services no longer needed.” He turned on his heel and began walking away even though he desperately wanted to pull the scared little professor in his arms and kiss her senseless until she stopped resisting him.