LITMIR.BIZ

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it was so late; more surprising still, despite all the work he had to do at the SP Grill, he didn’t want to leave. It was true what they said. Time did fly when you’re having fun. He’d like nothing more than to spend the rest of the day with Robyn. Talking, joking, kissing—

      “I’d better hurry. I have a three o’clock appointment.”

      “Don’t go. I’m having a great time with you, and I want to hear more about your plans for the weekend.” Sean cringed when he heard the words leave his mouth and wished he could stuff them back inside. So much for playing it cool. He felt like an ass for sounding desperate and hoped he hadn’t blown his chance with her.

      “I can’t,” Robyn said, shaking her head wildly from side to side, a smirk playing on her lips. “If I’m late to meet Kim, she’ll beat me up, and I happen to like this face.”

      He did, too.

      Sean stood, pulled out Robyn’s chair and watched as she breezed through the dining room, dazzling everyone she passed with her radiant smile. The event planner was sexy from head to toe, and Sean noticed he wasn’t the only one admiring her figure. He felt a rush of pride when he saw the other male patrons checking her out. On several occasions, he’d seen celebrity guests at the Belleza proposition her, and to his surprise and relief, she’d spurned their advances. Unlike his ex-girlfriend, Trina Erickson. For Trina, the richer and the more famous the better. In fact, she’d been more interested in rubbing elbows with luminaries than improving their relationship, and her thirst for the good life ultimately had led to their breakup. Sean had learned at a very early age that people didn’t care about him, only what his last name could do for them, but Robyn, unlike the women he’d hooked up with in the past, didn’t give a damn about his last name or his family connections.

      Sean heard someone whistle behind him and glanced over his shoulder. A full-figured woman with frizzy hair blew him a kiss, but he ignored her. He was with Robyn—a titillating beauty who excited him, and he’d never do anything to disrespect her.

      Returning to his seat, Sean took his cell phone out of his pocket and listened to his messages. His eyes narrowed, and a scowl twisted his lips. A detective from the Belleza Police Department wanted to meet with him. Sean wanted to prove his innocence and show his parents and everyone else at the Belleza they were dead wrong about him being the arsonist, but he didn’t have the time. The SP Grill was opening in a few short weeks and he had his hands full with work. And if he played his cards right, he’d be spending all of his free time with Robyn.

      “Would your wife like another mocha cappuccino?” the waitress asked.

      My wife? To Sean’s surprise, he liked the idea of Robyn being Mrs. Sean Parker, of them living happily ever after in his new five-bedroom dream house. At thirty-three, he’d dated his fair share of women, but Robyn was in a class all her own. And not just because of her killer curves. She was a free thinker, with a can-do attitude and, most important, loyal. Robyn had proved, time and time again, that she could be trusted, and he appreciated having her in his life.

      “No, thanks,” he said, retrieving his wallet from his suit pocket. Sean opened the leather sleeve, slid a couple hundred-dollar bills inside and stood, just in time to see Robyn approach their table. Taking her hand, he led her out of the restaurant and through the glass doors.

      The sun was hot, the air humid and the breeze light. It was the perfect day to go swimming, and if Robyn wasn’t in a rush to meet Kim, he would have invited her back to his place. Though he was swamped at work—hiring staff, finalizing menus and meeting with vendors—he was never too busy for Robyn, and he liked the idea of her hanging out at his house. “When can I see you again?”

      “Next time you’re at the resort, call me, and we’ll have lunch.”

      Sean wore a blank face, didn’t let his frustration show. Why would Robyn suggest meeting up at the Parker resort? A place he wanted nothing to do with? He thought hard for several seconds as he tried to remember her weekly schedule. “Since you’re off on Thursday, I thought we could spend the day together. We’ll hang out at Manhattan Beach, have lunch at the SP Grill, then check out Posh Lounge in the evening—”

      “Sean, I’m not off on Thursdays. I work from home. There’s a big difference.”

      “Then, play hooky.” He put a finger to his lips. “It’ll be our little secret.”

      “I can’t do that. You know summer is the busiest time of year at the resort, and if I don’t keep on top of my paperwork, I’ll make enemies in the HR department.”

      “You’re beginning to sound like a broken record,” he said, leaning against her car door to prevent her from leaving. “Every time I ask you out, you turn me down. That hurts.”

      Robyn raised an eyebrow as if she was surprised by his confession and playfully poked him in the shoulder. “Sure it does,” she said with a sarcastic tone. “You have tons of girlfriends. You don’t need me.”

      But I do. More than you know. You’re the only person I can confide in. “Of course I do,” he said, his gaze glued to her lips. “You’re my number-one girl, and that will never change.”

      “Sean, you’re a great guy, and I value our friendship too much to—”

      Driven by need, he captured Robyn around the waist and pulled her to him, right up to his chest. Sean lowered his mouth to hers and stole a kiss. A slow, sensuous kiss that awakened every nerve in his body. It was magic, the best thing to ever happen to his mouth. She tasted sweet, and he was instantly addicted. He felt her shoulders stiffen, sensed her trepidation and, for a split second, regretted his impulsiveness. But then he heard Robyn moan, and he deepened the kiss. The longer they stood there, teasing and arousing each other, the more he wanted her, desired her, ached to have her in his bed.

      Electricity crackled in the air, exploded around them like fireworks. He felt it, knew she did, too, when she draped her arms possessively around his neck. On the surface, Sean was calm, collected, in complete control of the situation, but his heart was pounding so loud he couldn’t think straight. He loved the way she felt, her body pressed hard against his, her flesh warm and soft in his hands. He stroked her neck, caressed her shoulders and hips. They were in a restaurant parking lot, in broad daylight, not in the privacy of his home, but Sean didn’t give a damn. He wanted Robyn to know that he desired her, that he wanted more than friendship, and what better way to prove his feelings than a little public display of affection? Kissing her wasn’t enough; he wanted more, needed more. He wouldn’t be satisfied until she was in his bed.

      Sean heard Robyn’s cell phone ring and tightened his hold around her waist. She broke off the kiss and turned away from him. “Sean, you shouldn’t have done that,” she said, her eyes darting nervously around the parking lot. “Someone from the resort could have seen us.”

      “I want you, Robyn, and I don’t care who knows.”

      “That was Kim calling. I could tell by the ringtone. I’d better go or I’ll be late for our hair consultation.” Robyn threw open her car door, slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. “Thanks for lunch.”

      Before Sean could answer, Robyn was gone, speeding through the parking lot as if her life depended on it. He stood there, stroking the length of his jaw, reliving every moment of that kiss. He needed Robyn in his life and wouldn’t let anyone—not even his family—keep them apart. She was one in a million, the kind of woman he’d be proud to have on his arm, and Sean decided, right then and there, that he wasn’t going down without a fight.

       Chapter 3

      Robyn’s gaze fell across the flower arrangement perched on the corner of her desk, and a smile tickled her lips. The gift had been delivered fifteen minutes earlier, and she’d been admiring it ever since. The message inside the Hallmark card touched her deeply, made her feel like the prettiest girl in the world, and every time she read the note, happiness bubbled

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