“I shouldn’t talk about it here.” She looked around the pool area, but only a handful of people were milling around. A few were at the breakfast buffet and several others were swimming in the pool. Meanwhile Robyn and Gabby were blatantly staring at them from across the way.

“Seems like you have a lot on your mind,” Jack replied. “Sometimes it helps to talk about it.”

He was very intuitive, Kimberly realized, if he could pick up on her duress mere minutes after meeting her. Was it written all over her face? “I guess I do.”

“Care to tell me?”

“It’s nothing really,” she replied, avoiding his piercing gaze.

“Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”

Kimberly laughed at his bossiness. “All right, if you must know, not everyone in my family is as happy as I am that I’ve been named general manager of the Belleza. You would think they’d approve, given all the time and effort I’ve put into the renovations. After all I’ve given—” She stopped herself before she revealed too much.

“Are they jealous?”

Kimberly frowned. “Perhaps, but I don’t believe that’s the only reason.”

“What else could there be?”

“My older brother felt like it was his birthright and that I stole the job from him. Sean and other staff members assumed because he was the oldest, he was an automatic shoo-in for the position. But if I was just in it for myself, why did I suggest to my parents that Sean and I run the Belleza together?”

“Hmm...” Jack nodded in understanding.

“What?”

He shrugged. “Well, from Sean’s position he didn’t want a consolation prize, and if I were him, I’d have to agree. If my parents didn’t deem me worthy of the responsibility I wouldn’t want any of it.”

“So you’re taking his side?”

He shook his head. “Not at all. I’m just trying to get you to see things from his side and that the situation isn’t black-and-white.”

“I get what you’re saying and I know it was a tough pill for Sean to swallow, but if the shoe were on the other foot, I would have supported him no matter what. I’d be proud of him.”

“Then you’re a better woman than most,” Jack responded, “considering it would have squashed your own dreams.”

“But that’s what you do for family.”

“I agree with you, but he’s too hurt to see that now. Give him time. I’m sure he’ll come around.”

“I hope so. We’ve always been so close and I hate having this division between me and my big brother.” Kimberly couldn’t help the tears that stung her eyes. But she didn’t want to blubber in front of this handsome man.

Jack reached across the table and laid his large hand on hers. “It’s okay. Disagreements happen in families, but if the love is there, in time you’ll get over the hurt and disappointment. And who knows, your relationship might be better for it in the end.”

Kimberly stared at Jack. If anyone had told her that this sexy stranger would be so insightful, she would have told them they were a liar, but he was. And he’d made her feel as if there was hope for her and Sean’s relationship. “Thank you. What do I owe you for the session?”

He laughed. “You owe me nothing. Well, perhaps—”

He didn’t finish his sentence because Kimberly’s cell phone rang on her hip. “Sorry. I have to take this.” She rose from the table, stepped several paces away and took the call.

When she returned several minutes later, she apologized. “I’m sorry, but I have some important business to attend to.”

“Not a problem,” Jack replied. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”

Kimberly nodded and began walking away. She sure hoped she’d be seeing a lot of Jack Scott around.

* * *

After she’d gone, Jaxon exhaled deeply. Kimberly Parker was even more beautiful up close. She’d been more approachable than he’d ever seen her, and a bit vulnerable. He hadn’t expected her to confide in him of her family and business troubles, but he was glad she had because he could relate. He knew what it was like to be angry with your family and to want to write off the lot of them. Not that he would. He just needed time to cool off.

Staying at the Belleza was supposed to be a retreat, a time to reassess his life and come up with a game plan, not fall for the first beautiful lady that came into his view. But Kimberly Parker wasn’t just another set of legs. She had brains and wit. How else could she have achieved the success she had at the Belleza? But what surprised him the most was that she was more than just a suit hiding behind her work. She had heart.

The way she’d talked about taking a backseat if her brother had been chosen to run the resort told Jaxon just how special she truly was. And that was trouble. He wasn’t just attracted to her physically, even though the sparks had been flying back and forth between them during their exchange. No, he was also attracted to her spirit. And that was much worse.

If he intended to keep his vow of not getting involved with another woman, he’d have to keep his distance.

Yes, Kimberly Parker was a big problem.

* * *

After she finished handling a small inventory crisis with cleaning and bedroom supplies, Kimberly returned to the administration offices to study labor and revenue reports to get a sense of yesterday’s results. Then she began forecasting the day ahead, studying any issues that might arise. Some VIPs were due to arrive at the hotel that afternoon, and a significant catering event was coming up this weekend.

Still, her mind wandered to the short time she’d spent with Jack Scott earlier. He’d been an excellent conversationalist and she’d felt comfortable opening up to him, which had surprised the heck out of her. She hadn’t intended to be so honest about her family with Jack, yet—and that was when it hit her. During the entire conversation, Jack hadn’t revealed a single thing about himself.

Robyn poked her head into Kimberly’s office.

“C’mon in.” She motioned her forward.

“So,” Robyn asked, her eyes wide and full of questions, “how did it go with Jack Scott?”

“Couldn’t you tell?” Kimberly asked. “You guys were gawking.”

“We were not.” Robyn lowered her head. “Anyway, someone had to give you a little push.”

“He was a perfect gentleman,” Kimberly replied. “And kind.”

“Kind?” Robyn said. “That wouldn’t have been the word I would have used to describe him from where we were sitting. Hot. Sexy. Gorgeous. Fine. Those are all words I would use.”

Kimberly chuckled. “And normally I would agree if Jack hadn’t shown me that he’s more than a pretty face.”

“How so?”

“Somehow I ended up pouring out my heart to him about Sean.”

“Sean?” Kimberly noticed that Robyn’s ears perked up at the mention of Sean’s name. At times, she’d wondered if Robyn fancied her brother, because she was always popping up in his kitchen, but nothing had ever come of it, so Kimberly had dismissed the notion. “What about him?”

“I told him that Sean was angry that he wasn’t chosen to run the Belleza.” Kimberly rose and walked to the windows. She stared out. The administration offices overlooked the Plaza’s lush foliage with palm trees and man-made bridges and ponds. “I still can’t believe he just quit and cut all ties with the family, Robyn.” She turned to look back at her friend. “And Jack... Well, he could see that I’m still struggling with the loss and offered—”

“Comfort and a warm bed?” Robyn interjected, trying to lighten the mood and make her laugh.

And Kimberly did laugh. Something she hadn’t done enough of lately. “He offered me some words of wisdom.”

“Sounds promising.”

“Doesn’t matter.” She walked back over to her desk and slid into her executive chair. “Because it won’t happen again.”

“Why not?”

“You know my policy on dating guests.”

“Policies are made to be broken,” Robyn said, sitting on Kimberly’s desk. “Jack Scott got you to open up about a subject you’ve been pretty closemouthed about the last few months, even to me and Gabby. There’s something there. Don’t you owe it to yourself to find out? What harm would be there to share a meal with the man?”

“Perhaps.” That was all Kimberly was willing to concede.

As if sensing she couldn’t keep pushing Kim or she’d bolt in the opposite direction, Robyn changed the subject. “So, have you heard from Sean?”

Kimberly shook her head. “Nope. And it sucks. I miss him.”

“I heard he’s opening up his own restaurant in LA. The SP Grill.”

“I—I heard those rumors, too,” Kimberly replied, “And I wish him much success. Really I do. But we could have run this place together, like Batman and Robin. No pun intended.”

Robyn laughed. “Maybe you will one day. In the meantime, I’d like to go over the Brooks wedding for Saturday night.”

“Let’s get to it.”

Kimberly was busy for the remainder of the afternoon, walking around the hotel, visiting with staff, answering emails or having lunch with a congressman’s aide to prepare for his arrival. She finished the day by holding her daily staff meeting before the shift change. At 6:00 p.m., she was finally able to leave the resort to go to the Parker family home because she had some paperwork her parents needed to sign. After the promotion, she’d been so busy she hadn’t had a chance to visit them much. Or so she told herself. Deep down, she knew that wasn’t the only reason she hadn’t gone home.

Family dinners felt empty without her two brothers, Sean and Ryan. Sean had left and gone to Los Angeles, while her younger brother, Ryan, had taken his guitar and headed for New York. He’d said it was to strike out on his own and finally make a go of his music career. Even though she knew Ryan’s interest extended beyond the resort, Kimberly knew the real reason he’d gone at just that moment: he’d sided with Sean and had abandoned her, too.

She swiped her access card against the panel, and the large wrought-iron gates opened, allowing her entry into the Parker compound. Her parents lived in a large Spanish Colonial–style house just a few miles from the Belleza Resort and Spa. The two-story main house had white stucco walls and a red-tiled roof. There were also a pool house and a two-bedroom guesthouse on the grounds.

As she got out of her red Audi S7, Kimberly looked up at the wrought-iron balcony facing the large swimming pool. She’d spent many a summer there just reading a good book while Sean and Ryan played in the pool below her. Her head had always been in a book back then. She smiled at the fond memory as she walked up the cobblestoned path of the long driveway up to the house.

She heard music coming from the side of the house and walked up the side path to find her mother in a big straw hat and apron tending to her garden. Ilene Parker was proud she’d been able to maintain a vegetable and herb garden given the desert climate around them. She was knee-deep in dirt without any gloves on. Why did her mother persist in not taking care of herself? Kimberly resolved to get her a pair.

Her mother must have sensed her presence because she turned around. “Kimberly!” The happiness in her mother’s voice made Kimberly feel bad for keeping her distance.

“Mom.” She bent down to give her mother a hug while lending her a hand to rise to her feet. Her mother looked comfortable in her jean capris, T-shirt and tennis shoes.

“Not that I’m not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?” her mother asked, wiping her hands on her apron. “I didn’t prepare anything special for supper, just some homemade chicken soup and salad. I came down here to get some fresh tomatoes.”

“It’s okay, Mom,” Kimberly responded. “I just came by to get you and Dad to sign some final paperwork about the management turnover. I’m not really hungry.”

“Okay. We can take care of that over dinner.”

As usual her mother didn’t listen and insisted that she stay for supper.

“Where’s Daddy?” She looked up at the stucco house.

“In front of the television watching the Golf Channel.”

Kimberly laughed. Her father had always been an avid golf watcher, but now that he’d retired he was enjoying playing the sport, as well.

“I should go inside and have him sign these.”

“They can wait,” her mother said, removing her big straw hat. Her reddish-brown hair had been pulled back in a bun. “Why don’t you tell me how it’s going at the Belleza. How are you coping with all the changes?”

“Well, I’m honored at the faith you and Daddy have in me.”

“But...”

“But nothing. I can do the job. No, correction. I was born to do the job. Sean was always in the kitchen creating masterpieces, while I,” she asserted, as she patted her chest, “worked all over the hotel, absorbing as much information as I could from you, from Daddy, from anyone and everyone. I developed the marketing plan that put the Belleza back on the map and reminded folks of our history, not to mention those pesky rumors of a buried treasure stashed on the property.”

Her mother smiled at the reference. “You certainly capitalized on that with your ‘Discover a world of hidden riches’ theme when you renamed the common areas after precious gems. That campaign was ingenious, baby girl. Emerald Empire, Sapphire Sanctuary, Ruby Retreat and of course The Pearl were featured in luxury travel magazines because of you.”

Kimberly smiled. “Thank you, Mama. That’s why I can say without any doubt that I earned my place.”

“Earned what?” her father said from the top of the deck that overlooked her mother’s garden.

“Earned a right to come over for dinner unannounced,” Kimberly replied, glancing in her mother’s direction. She knew her father didn’t want to rehash this topic. He’d made his decision and didn’t appreciate it being second-guessed.

“Of course,” her father said. “You don’t need to ask. This is your home. Whatcha got in your hands?”

He inclined his head toward the manila envelope she held.

“Some papers for you to sign.”

“Well, come on up,” he said, “and let’s take care of the business before your mama finishes up supper.”

Kimberly touched her mother’s shoulder as a sign that they would talk later. Once Kurt Parker made an edict, they all followed. She climbed the concrete steps from the garden up to the deck at the back of the house and found her father sitting in one of the wicker rockers outside.

“Daddy.” She came forward and bent down to give him a hug. “How’s retirement treating you?”

He pushed up his silver-rimmed glasses. “I’m still adjusting,” he said gruffly. “Miss the resort, but I’ll make do.”

“We miss you, too.”

Her father guffawed. “No, you don’t. You’re like me. I know you’re glad to have the run of the place without my interference.”

Kimberly shrugged. “I guess the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree?” She smiled at him. His face didn’t look a day over fifty, she thought, though his salt-and-pepper hair and mustache gave away his age. For some reason she felt a little sentimental looking at him. Perhaps her conversation with Jack had made her a touch homesick.

“Never has,” her father said. “But all is well?”

She shook off her thoughts. “Yes, everything is fine.”

“You know you don’t fool me,” her father replied. “You’ve always been a bad liar, Kimberly. So why don’t you tell me what’s really going on?”

“Can’t I visit my parents without the Spanish Inquisition?” She rose in a huff from her seat.

“Sit back down, girl.”

Kimberly rolled her eyes at the commanding tone in his voice. Once upon a time, it would have stricken her with fear, but not anymore. But out of respect, she walked back to her seat.

“This is about your brother?”

Kimberly nodded and was irked that he could read her so easily. “Have you heard? Sean’s opening a new restaurant.”

“Not from him.” Her father reached for a cigar out of his cigar box next to the rocker. He cut the edge with a guillotine and lit it up. “One of my pals at the club told me while we were out on the ninth hole. Imagine my surprise to hear this from a stranger and not from your brother.”

“I had no idea, either, until Robyn told me today,” Kimberly responded. “I tried to play it off like I knew, but I didn’t. I mean I know he always wanted a place to call his own.”

“He had that at The Pearl.”

“Apparently he didn’t think so. For him, being executive chef at The Pearl and managing the resort went hand in hand. He didn’t want one without the other.”

“Your brother is stubborn,” he said as he puffed on his cigar. “He couldn’t see what I see.”

“Which is?”

“The big picture. He internalized my decision, when it was strictly business. There’s a lot more to the Belleza than just the kitchen, as you’re fully aware.”

“I am.”

“Then good, let’s not beat the dead horse. I wish your brother much success with his newest endeavor, but I don’t regret my decision for one moment.”

Just then, her mother came up the steps with a wicker basket full of large, plump tomatoes. “How about some dinner?”

Kimberly breathed a long sigh of relief. Coming here had been the right choice. Hearing her father reaffirm his decision that she run the Belleza was exactly what she needed to hear. “Thanks, Daddy.”

Chapter 3

“Have you seen the papers?” Jaxon’s best friend, Nate Griffin, asked him on the phone the following morning as Jaxon walked into the Belleza’s gym for his morning workout.

“No, what are they saying now?” Jaxon stopped short of the doors and stepped aside for some privacy. He didn’t want anyone hearing his conversation or associating him with the Dunham family.

“Stephanie is claiming that you made promises to her, that you went back on your word.”

“You know I never promised that woman a darn thing,” Jaxon responded harshly. “We agreed to a mutually beneficial dating scenario, which once over should have been over.”

“She doesn’t seem to think so. She’s telling every gossip columnist or blogger in the Beverly Hills area that you broke her heart and she’s completely devastated.”

“Well, if she’s looking for sympathy, she’s not going to get any from me,” Jaxon replied. “Did I tell you she’s the one who told my parents we were getting engaged?”

“No, you didn’t. You just rushed off and left Beverly Hills without a word.”

“I’m sorry about that, but I had to bounce. The heat was on.”

“Where are you?”

“Can’t tell you that,” Jaxon said. Walls had ears and he didn’t want anyone in his family to find out where he was until he was good and ready.

“I’m supposed to be your boy.”

“And you still are. I just need some time away from the Dunham clan—hell, from the entire situation. To get some perspective. You understand?”

“Of course I do. I have your back. I could have told you that Stephanie was no good. Those society types are always looking for a husband. When she saw you, she saw fresh meat.”

Jaxon laughed at the analogy. “I’ll talk to you soon, Nate. I gotta get my workout on.”

“All right, Jaxon, take care of yourself, man.”

“You can bank on it.”

Jaxon ended the call and pulled the handle to enter the facility. The Parker family had spared no expense when they’d renovated the Belleza a few years ago. The gym was state-of-the-art. It had the usual equipment and flat screens, but it also contained a glass-fronted fridge with cold water, towels, alcohol wipes and, most important, a killer view of the mountains. He was about to head over to the rows of free weights when a curvy backside caught his attention. He would know that backside anywhere. It was the same one that had him up last night wondering what it would be like to run his hands over it.

It didn’t help that she was wearing one of those skimpy outfits that women loved to wear to the gym under the guise of working out. Most wanted to show off their figures and have men take notice. Kimberly, however, appeared oblivious to the appreciative stares of the men in the gym. The hot-pink halter sports bra and matching capris she wore looked as if she’d been spray-painted into them. They revealed her sculpted arms, legs and firm behind.

He walked over to the treadmill where Kimberly was jogging and added a taut stomach to that description of her amazing figure. It was well earned because even though she was running at a steady pace, only a light sheen was on her forehead. She had on earbuds, so he was forced to move in front of the treadmill to catch her eye. When he did, she stumbled and had to press Stop on the treadmill to prevent herself from falling.

“Are you okay?” he inquired, rushing over to her side.

“I’m fine,” she said with annoyance. “Or I would have been if you hadn’t startled me.”

“I merely walked in front of your machine. I imagine I wasn’t the first this morning.” His gaze swept across the gym, which was half-full with guests. “By the way, good morning, Kimberly.”

She smiled and Jaxon’s heart instantly melted. She needed to smile more often instead of wearing her usual stern expression. “Good morning, Jack.”

He liked hearing his nickname on her lips. It was too bad he couldn’t tell her who he really was.

“Want some company?” He eyed the empty treadmill beside her.

She glanced to her side. “Only if you can keep up.”

A broad grin spread across Jaxon’s face. “Is that a dare? Because I warn you I used to run track in college.”

“And how long ago was that?” she asked, laughing as she restarted her treadmill to a slow walk.

“You’re on.” Jaxon eyes blazed laughter as he stepped up onto the treadmill beside her.

Kimberly bunched her shoulders. “It’s your funeral.”

Jaxon wasn’t above a challenge. In fact, he welcomed it and began increasing the speed on his treadmill to match her fast walking pace. “How often do you come to the gym?”

“Five days a week,” Kimberly replied. “Sometimes seven if I can make it, but five is the minimum.”

“You’re very disciplined. Not many people make working out a daily habit.”

“It gets results,” she said, “plus, it allows me to pretty much eat whatever I want. In moderation, of course.”

“That’s the key, right? Most people miss the moderation part.”

“You don’t look like you’re one of them.” The moment the uncensored comment came out of her mouth, she instantly looked down to adjust her treadmill.

So she had noticed his physique? Jaxon was glad he wasn’t the only one feeling the chemistry between them. It had been just as strong as the day before when they’d talked after breakfast. And now, sexual tension crackled between them.

“Like you, I try to maintain,” Jaxon replied. “My regimen is two days cardio, three days weight training. Works for me.”

Kimberly shot him a furtive glance out the corner of her eye. He could see she was trying her best not to check him out in his tank top and shorts, but she was. And from the looks of it, she liked what she saw.

“So, are we going to do this or what?” she inquired. “I typically go three miles and I’d just got started when you interrupted me.”

“Then you’ll get a little bit extra in today,” Jaxon responded. “Let’s go.” He quickly increased the speed on his treadmill and took off running.

Kimberly caught up to his pace and joined him in the quest for domination of the treadmill. She kept up with him for the first mile and a half, but after that Kimberly slowed.

“Ready to give up?” he asked at the second mile.

“Hell no.”

He laughed at her passionate response. Kimberly had a feisty side to her and he liked it. He liked it a lot.

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