Heat Wave of Desire

“I don’t give up,” she added. “So I’ll finish. Even if I’m last, I’ll finish.”

In the end, he finished several minutes ahead of her, but he had to give the woman props on her fortitude. She kept pressing on until she completed the three miles.

When she stopped and jumped off the treadmill, she was no longer misty as before, but had a fine sheen of perspiration on her face and running down the valley between her breasts, which he couldn’t help but notice. “You won.” She held out her hand. “Fair and square.”

He grasped her hand in his. “And what do I win?” He held it for a long time and their eyes connected. A quick burst of desire made him want to pull her into his arms, kiss her senseless, remove the sweat-drenched clothing from her body and make her sweat underneath him.

“I...” Words seemed to escape her and he liked that he had her off balance.

He just had to have a taste of her. He was about to act on his impulse, without a thought that they weren’t alone, when a feminine voice yelled, “Kim!”

Hearing her name broke the trance and she blinked several times and released his hand. “Thanks for the run.” She inclined her head toward him and started in the direction of the voice.

He watched her saunter over to her friends. They talked in hushed tones and one of them—the one with the auburn curls—glanced in his direction, before her arm was quickly wrenched away.

Damn! He’d been so close to paradise. If only he hadn’t been interrupted. What was wrong with him? He felt like a hormone-raging teenage boy without any self-control. He had to get ahold of himself. He’d told himself no romantic entanglements. But at the first sight of a hot body, he was ready to forget about his promise. But if anyone could make him want to forget his edict, it would be Kimberly Parker.

* * *

Oh, Lord! Kimberly fanned her face as she approached Gabrielle and Robyn. Why had she agreed to Jack’s challenge when she’d sworn she’d stay away from him? Her policy was no interaction with the guests, but Jack Scott had her breaking all the rules.

“Hey, Kim.” Gabrielle eyed her up and down. “Looks like you got a head start on us this morning.” Her head inclined in Jack’s direction.

“Oh that.” Kimberly laughed, but even to her ears it sounded shaky. “That was nothing. Just a little challenge among friends.”

“Are you sure about that?” Robyn inquired. “Because when we walked in, you two were holding hands.”

“We—we weren’t holding hands,” Kimberly responded. “We were shaking hands after he won our bet and beat me jogging.”

“Is that right?” Gabrielle sounded skeptical as she headed for the mats. Kimberly and Robyn followed her. Gabrielle wasted no time, dropping to the mat to begin her morning stretch routine and Robyn did the same.

“It is,” Kimberly said with her hands on her hips as she looked down at them. “There’s nothing going on between us.”

“Tell that to the choir,” Robyn said. “Because we know you, Kim, and sexual heat was coming off you in waves—still is.”

Kimberly turned back around to glance at Jack, who’d moved from free weights to the bench press. He’d found a partner to assist him as he lifted the dumbbell up and down. Even from her vantage point, she could see the definition of his muscles.

“Earth to Kim.” Gabrielle snapped her fingers.

Kimberly spun around. “What?”

Gabrielle shook her head and shrugged as she stretched her torso to the right. “Nothing.”

“I have to get a move on it this morning, so I’ll see you both later at the staff meeting.” She made her way toward the gym’s exit.

“No breakfast?” Robyn inquired.

“Can’t. I have a conference call.” Seconds later, Kimberly was out of the room. She didn’t want her friends to catch on to just how attracted she was to Jack because she didn’t understand it herself. Could she keep him at arm’s length? Or was it just a matter of time before she gave in?

Chapter 4

Kimberly took a quick shower at her condo at the resort before making her way to the office to go over some paperwork. Gabby and Robyn each had their own condo in the same building. A decade ago, her father had erected the luxurious condominiums in the rear of the resort behind the villas and hotel buildings so that staff and time-share members could enjoy the Belleza lifestyle. It was an added bonus for Kimberly because she was close by if needed.

With work so close to home, Kimberly knew she was considered a workaholic, but she enjoyed the day-to-day running of a resort this size and didn’t consider it mundane. With a bachelor of science in Hospitality Management from California State University in Long Beach and her ten years’ experience working full-time summers and part-time during the school year, she was more than capable of handling the Belleza’s complex operations.

Speaking of, she had a laundry list of items on her agenda for today. She took care of the immediate fires, did her daily walkabout and completed one of her quality assurance checks for the month before stepping into the staff meeting later that afternoon.

Among the others already present were Robyn and Gabrielle, as well as Allison Haines, the Rooms division manager, Megan Johnson, the director of Food and Beverage, and Kimberly’s assistant manager, Antoine Colbert.

“Good afternoon, everyone.” Kimberly took a seat at the head of the table.

There were several rumbles before Kimberly got down to business. After taking care of the usual business, she made it to her favorite topic: special events and the tasting menu.

“The Belleza is in the running for the annual Dunham Foundation gala in a couple of months,” Kimberly began. “Due to a flood at the Beverly Wilshire, they have to make a change and try someplace new.”

“That’s fantastic,” Megan replied.

“Yes, which is why our presentation to Hayley Dunham needs to be the best we’ve ever done. The recognition of having the Dunhams here and the potential referrals would really solidify our position as the venue for special events.”

“When are they coming?” Robyn inquired. “I have some preliminary mock-ups that I’ve begun sketching out this morning that we can go over.”

“That’s great,” Kimberly said, “but we also need Gabrielle’s hand all over this.” She glanced at her best friend. “We have to show them you’re the best executive chef on the West Coast.”

“Even though Sean is gone?” one of the other staff members responded with a snort. “Everyone came to the Belleza because of his reputation.”

“Yeah,” another staffer joined in. “Did you hear he’s opening up his own restaurant?”

There were several whispers among the crowd.

“Settle down.” Kimberly glared at the man who started the conversation; she could see out of the corner of her eye that Gabrielle had been mortally offended by his comment. Kimberly suspected some of the staff had doubts about the kitchen living up to its reputation since her brother had left. But Gabrielle was a skilled chef and Kimberly would not let her be disrespected. “Sean was talented, no doubt, but Gabrielle is our secret weapon. The Belleza will shine with Gabrielle at the helm.”

She smiled at the chef, who offered a fake smile. She knew her friend well enough to know that the comments had struck a nerve. “Gabrielle, why don’t you tell us what’s on tap for this month’s tasting menu?”

The experience was open to only a few select guests who were considered to be the crème de la crème. Gabrielle had designed some creative selections for their sophisticated palates. Now Kimberly was forcing her to face her fears and not let the staff comments get her down.

Gabrielle cleared her throat before speaking. She started off slowly with her initial comments about her starter, but bounced back with a livelier description of her second course, entrée and dessert. By the end, she had everyone at the meeting salivating.

After the meeting ended, her employees began filtering out. Gabrielle tried to make a fast getaway, but Kimberly called out to her. “Can you stay behind for a moment?”

Robyn stayed behind, too, and when it was just the three of them, Kimberly closed the door.

“Kim, do we have to do this now?” Gabrielle asked sharply. Now that the door was closed, all pretense of confidence had gone away.

“Yes, we do.”

“Why can’t you let this rest?”

“When has she ever let anything rest?” Robyn replied. “You know how she gets.”

“I can’t let you go when you’re upset, not without talking about it first.”

“Why talk? It won’t change anything.” Gabrielle’s tone was chilly as she continued, “All those people think I got my job as executive chef out of nepotism. That because you and I are friends, I was chosen to step into the role.”

“But it’s not true,” Robyn said firmly. “You’re a damn good chef, Gabby.”

“I know that!” Gabrielle blurted out. “But they don’t. And I won’t change their opinion anytime soon. I’ll have to earn their respect day by day and I’m fine with that. Do you think this is my first rodeo? It’s not. Do you think it was easy turning my back on medical school and choosing the culinary field? Do you think it was easy when I came back to the States after France and dealt with the old boys’ network in New York? Well, it wasn’t.”

“Of course,” Kimberly said. She knew how hard it had been for Gabrielle to go against her parents’ wishes. Even more so when they’d cut off her trust fund. Thank God for her grandmother’s financial support. It had allowed Gabby to attend culinary school in France, otherwise who knew how long it would have taken for Gabby to realize her dream. “I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.” She patted her chest and inclined her head to Robyn. “We know that it wasn’t an easy road for you, but you have persevered and all I wanted to say is that I have your back.”

“That’s all?”

Kimberly nodded. “That’s it in a nutshell. I wouldn’t have appointed you and my father wouldn’t have backed me if we didn’t think you were and are the chef to keep the Belleza at the top.”

“Thank you, Kim. That means a lot. I guess I just needed to hear it.”

Kimberly patted her hand. “We all do sometimes.” Yesterday, she’d needed the very same thing from her father. “So how about we all look at the mock-ups that Robyn prepared to wow Hayley Dunham and talk menus?”

Over the next hour, she, Robyn and Gabrielle did just that. By the end they’d agreed to present three themes to Hayley Dunham, who was coming in two days. It would give Gabrielle enough time to purchase several items that were critical to the complicated four-course menu that included a dessert using molecular gastronomy.

“Are you sure you haven’t put too much on yourself?” Kimberly asked her. “It’s an elaborate one.”

“It is, but it’ll guarantee us winning the Dunham contract,” Gabrielle replied. “And it’s important to me that we do.”

“You don’t have to prove anything to anyone,” Robyn said. “If anything goes wrong...”

“Nothing will go wrong.” Gabrielle popped up from her chair. “This would be a big coup for us. I can just see my parents’ faces now...” Her voice trailed as she stared out the window.

“What about them?” Kimberly asked.

“They’ve attended the Dunham gala every year,” Gabrielle answered.

“Did you?” Robyn asked.

Kimberly knew Robyn had grown up in the projects. Her friend looked a bit starstruck at the thought of Gabrielle at such a lavish event.

Gabrielle shook her head. “No, it wasn’t really my thing, but my parents always did. Can you imagine how shocked they would be to learn that I am partially behind its success?”

“It would certainly make a statement,” Robyn replied.

“Then it’s no-holds-barred,” Kimberly said. “We go all out.” Gabrielle wasn’t the only one with something to prove. She would show her parents and her brothers that she could make the Belleza an even greater success. There was no doubt in her mind that with her and her friends’ hard work, it would be.

* * *

Instead of going to the pool, which was his usual MO for this time of day, Jaxon stayed in his villa. He wasn’t going to be present in Beverly Hills for the Dunham Foundation Board of Directors’ meeting, but he would call in. Despite how angry he was with his parents, the work he did at the Dunham Foundation was important to him and he wouldn’t shirk it.

How could he when it was founded by his great-grandparents? They’d given a twenty-five-thousand-dollar donation to start the Foundation during a time of great unrest in the country. African-Americans were fighting against injustice and his grandparents had wanted to help those less fortunate during those tough times. The Foundation had come a long way from its humble beginnings.

Today, the Dunham Foundation was a success because they’d harnessed his grandparents’ initial investments into future growth capital, which was part of the work Jaxon oversaw among his other duties as director. In addition to promoting democratic values and reducing injustice, the Foundation gave grants to reduce poverty, foster cultural expression, strengthen children’s futures with higher education and deepen connections to nature and community around them.

He dialed the Foundation’s number and Pam, the receptionist, answered.

“Jaxon,” she whispered into the phone. “Your parents are fit to be tied that you didn’t return for the meeting.”

“I expected as much, but thanks for the heads-up, Pam. Patch me through to the conference room.”

“Sure thing. Good luck.”

Several seconds later, the connection was made and a feminine voice asked, “Jaxon, is that you?” He didn’t need to be present to know who it was. It was his mother.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m here.”

“The question is why you aren’t here?” his father asked through the line.

“Let’s not get into that right now,” Jaxon responded. “I assume everyone is present. Has roll call been taken?”

“No, we were just about to do it,” his sister, Hayley, replied. She was secretary as well as a director at the Foundation along with his parents, his uncle, Robert, and aunt, Eleanor, and their two sons, Andre and Mason.

“Then let’s get started,” his father replied.

After roll call was taken, his cousin, who was in charge of grants, went through several grantee applications, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

“Well, I, for one, think we should finally get involved with autism,” Jaxon heard his aunt Eleanor say. “The disorder is becoming more prevalent. This would be a great cause to champion.”

“So are the other candidates,” his father commented. “We have to look at our mission statement and see how they fit with our core values.”

“I agree with Daddy, Auntie,” Hayley said. “As much as that’s a great cause, the local food bank Second Harvest is in desperate need of our support. I think we should consider them for the grant.”

“Why can’t we do both?” Jaxon asked from the other end of the line. “It doesn’t have to be one over the other.” He knew his sister was active in local charities, and wanted to support her.

The conversation raged on for nearly an hour with no decision before his father as president and presiding officer agreed to table the discussion to the next board meeting.

Jaxon was about to hang up when the meeting concluded but his father stopped him. “Stay on the line, son.”

Jaxon was not looking forward to this discussion, but he would listen out of respect for his father. He heard voices dissipating before he said, “Yes?”

“You have your poor mother up in arms.”

“She should be,” Jaxon said. “She and Stephanie concocted this whole ruse to get me down the aisle and it backfired.”

“You know we just want what’s best for you, son.”

“Let’s be real, Dad. You want the next Dunham heir to carry on the family name. But I’m not there yet and you can’t force my hand. Help Mom realize that, because until you do, I’m not coming home.”

Abruptly, Jaxon ended the call. There wasn’t anything left to be said. The only thing he wanted right now was a massage. His family had gotten him all stressed-out when he’d been in such a good place.

He picked up the receiver and quickly arranged for a relaxation massage in ten minutes. The spa had a cancellation and was able to squeeze him in. A massage would be exactly what he needed to let go of the family drama. Tearing off his T-shirt, he changed into some shorts, slipped on his flip-flops and headed out the door.

The massage was peaceful and serene and as he closed his eyes and the masseur’s hands roamed over his shoulders, he let the worries of the day fade. His parents had no idea where he was, so he was free to do as he pleased. Speaking of doing as he pleased... An image of Kimberly popped into his subconscious. Her smooth caramel-colored skin, those long shapely legs that met a curvaceous bottom had him suppressing a groan.

He didn’t want the masseur to think him a pervert, but the woman had invaded his thoughts when he was supposed to be relaxing. Now, instead of feeling relaxed after the massage, he felt more anxious than before. He needed to get back to his room and take a cold shower. Maybe then he could get those sexy images of Kimberly out of his mind.

He was so deep in thought as he rushed back to the villa that he didn’t watch his step and collided with a warm body. His hands instinctively reached out to stop them both from falling. When he did, he felt soft and very supple curves. He glanced down and right into Kimberly’s rich brown eyes.

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