LITMIR.BIZ

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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

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