* * *
Jaxon Dunham wasn’t the only one on her mind right now as she sat at her desk reviewing her calendar. It had been a week since she’d last heard from his sister, Hayley, and she was eager to know if the Dunham Foundation had made a decision on whether they would be holding their event at the Belleza. Could she ask Jaxon? She could, but she didn’t want business to interfere in their relationship no matter how important this event was to the resort. She would just have to wait and see.
Tired of the office, Kimberly decided to complete one of her weekly thorough property inspections. She slipped on a white blazer over her sleeveless navy shirt dress with a skinny belt, grabbed her clipboard and headed toward the door.
“I’ll be back in a couple of hours,” she advised her assistant and grabbed the keys to the golf cart off the hook by the door.
She started at the entrance to the property, where a guest’s first experience with the Belleza began. She found the sod in good shape, but several of the Loropetalum and Indian Hawthorn along the driveway needed pruning. The Asiatic Jasmine needed some additional plants to fill it in as ground cover. She made a note to contact her landscaper. The pavement was in good shape after they’d resealed the grounds last year, so she found no issues. She parked the golf cart near the side of the lobby valet area so as to not interfere with guests on their arrival.
The valet immediately greeted her as he should, as did the bellboy and front-desk clerk. “Good morning,” she said as she nodded to her staff. She noted that the marble was looking well polished, all the light fixtures were working overhead and the flowers on the front table were appropriately arranged and blooming. She was grateful for her staff that paid attention to the details.
She continued her inspection of the lobby and made her way toward the Plaza. There guests meandered down the pebbled path, while small boutiques offered everything from clothes to jewelry.
Eventually she made her way to the Ruby Retreat, the Belleza’s bar and lounge, where she found Jonah wiping glasses as the janitorial staff steam-cleaned the red upholstered furniture and the carpet.
She smiled when she saw him. “Jonah.” He had on his usual tuxedo shirt with bow tie and plaid vest. She wondered how many such outfits Jonah had in his closet.
“Hey there, pretty lady,” he said when he saw her. “Where have you been hiding yourself these days?”
“Hi, Jonah,” she said, taking a seat on a stool at the bar. She’d missed seeing the elderly gentleman who wasn’t just an employee but an old family friend, but her focus had been elsewhere thanks to a certain handsome guest.
“You’ve been MIA of late,” Jonah said. “Haven’t seen you come in with the girls this week.”
“Yeah, I’ve been pretty busy,” Kimberly responded with a sly grin.
“Is that right? I bet I know why you’ve been walking around with a smile on your face.”
Kimberly stared back at him. “You do?”
He nodded as he put away the glasses he’d cleaned. “I’ve got ears and eyes, and I can tell when a man has caught your eye. You haven’t been this happy in...well, a long time.”
She couldn’t help but smile. Jonah was as sly as a fox and very observant. “You think you know me so well?”
“Girl.” He slapped the bar with the towel that he’d been using. “I’ve known you since you were in a diapers. Hell, before then, when you were just in your mama’s belly.”
Kimberly couldn’t help but chuckle at Jonah’s forthrightness. Trust him to keep it real at his age. There was no time to beat around the bush.
“I’m just glad to see it,” Jonah said.
“See what?’
“You in such good spirits. It’s high time you found yourself a fella and stopped moping because that knuckleheaded brother of yours refuses to see the truth.”
“Which is?”
“That you were clearly more suited and more capable of running the Belleza than he could ever be.” When Kimberly began to protest, Jonah held up his hand. “That’s not to say that Sean isn’t a gifted chef, but that doesn’t mean he’s fit to run a place like this.” Jonah motioned around the bar. “You just have to continue on this path you’re going down.”
“Who says I was going to stop?”
Jonah cocked his head and stared boldly at her. “You have to keep your heart open, Kimmy, and it seems like you’re finally doing that. Keep on. Don’t lose sight of what’s important.”
“Do you have regrets, Jonah?” Kimberly asked. She’d never thought the lifelong bachelor had any, but his advice certainly made her wonder if he did.
“You don’t know everything about me, Kim. I’ve lived much longer than you have. And what I’m saying is that life is too short and one day you don’t want to look back and regret letting a good man like Jack Scott get away.”
Kimberly frowned. “Who says I’m seeing Jack Scott?”
He snatched off his eyeglasses and handed them to her. “I’m blind without them, but when I’ve got them on, I’ve got twenty-twenty.” He motioned from his eyes to hers as if he could see her.
“I thought I was doing a good job of hiding it.” She handed Jonah back his glasses, which he promptly put back on. “I wouldn’t want any of the staff to find out.”
“And they won’t,” Jonah responded. “I sort of eavesdropped the other day and caught Robyn and Gabrielle debating the issue.”
Kimberly rolled her eyes. Had anyone else heard them? She didn’t want to be called out by her staff for inappropriate behavior
“Don’t go getting all mad at them, ya hear?” Jonah said as he came around the bar toward her. “They’re your family and they only want what’s best for you. Like I do.”
“I know, Jonah. And I promise to keep an open mind—” she glanced around her to make sure no one was listening “—when it comes to you know who.”
“That’s all I can ask for.” He wrapped her in his arms for one of his special Jonah bear hugs.
* * *
Kimberly had the evening to herself so she and the girls were going to a wine bar for a little girls’ time and catch-up. She really hadn’t seen them much in the past two weeks since most of her evenings and even her mornings were now tied up with Jaxon.
“I can’t believe we actually get to hang out with you tonight,” Gabrielle replied when they arrived at the wine room. “I thought we were going to have to uncuff you from the bed that Jack has you tied to.”
“I haven’t been that bad,” Kimberly said as she handed the cashier her card and a fifty-dollar bill to load to it so she could sample the fifty or more wine selections.
“You wanna bet?” Robyn asked. “You haven’t made it to our morning workout in weeks.”
“She’s been getting a workout of the penile variety,” Gabrielle replied.
And they all began laughing uncontrollably. “You’re shameless!” Kimberly blushed.
After they’d settled on some selections, a Merlot for Kimberly, a Cabernet Sauvignon for Gabrielle and a sweet Moscato for Robyn, they sat down on the plush leather sofas strategically placed around the wine pourers and cabinets lined with bottles.
“So catch us up,” Robyn asked. “What don’t we know?”
Kimberly laughed and prepared for a serious dish session. She told them about their talks, but the highlight was their hike to the canyon.
“You went hiking?” Robyn replied, “You hate exercising in the elements.”
“Yes, I do,” Kimberly said, placing her wineglass on the cocktail table. “But I didn’t want to disappoint him. He really wanted to ride the tram to the top.”
“But you’re deathly afraid of heights,” Gabrielle added.
“Which is why his hand was just about broken when we made it to the top.”
“You really need to get over y
our fear of heights,” Robyn replied. “How do you think we’re going to make it to Paris and cross it off your bucket list?”
“Swim.” Gabrielle laughed. Kimberly rolled her eyes at her, but she merely shrugged and reached for her wineglass that she’d sat on the table and took a generous sip.
“Well, I conquered my fear and made it to the top and we went hiking and—” She paused when she saw Trina Erickson.
“Oh, Lord, here comes trouble,” Gabrielle said as she followed the direction of Kimberly’s gaze.
Three pairs of eyes landed on Trina. They all knew Trina from boarding school, and they equally despised her. She was a beautiful woman with a medium brown complexion, long dark straight hair and a tall, stunning figure, especially in the Dior pantsuit she was wearing. But she was a spoiled brat. Ever since boarding school, Trina had lorded her wealth over all of them. She’d been born into privilege much like Gabrielle and looked down on anyone who wasn’t.
Kimberly’s parents had earned their wealth and Trina had always made a point to remind her of her working-class parents, while she’d bullied poor Robyn, who’d come from the projects in New York City. But Robyn had been no punk. She and Trina had gone toe-to-toe several times, until eventually Gabrielle and Kimberly had stepped in. They’d taken Robyn under their wing and after a few months at Merriweather, no one could tell Robyn apart from their rich classmates.
They’d all come to hold Trina in the same regard as a pebble on the bottom of their shoe, one they had to deal with. It hadn’t helped that Trina had dated Sean briefly when her parents had taken an extended stay at the Belleza. Kimberly had always believed that Trina had done it on purpose, convincing her parents to choose the Belleza so Kimberly’s family could wait on them hand and foot. Dating Sean had added insult to injury, but thankfully, it hadn’t lasted long. Sean had realized there wasn’t much underneath the beauty and had given Trina her walking papers.
“If it isn’t the three musketeers,” Trina scoffed when she made it to their table. “How’s working life treating you?”
Kimberly rolled her eyes at the reminder that Trina didn’t have to work like they did. “Just fine, Trina. How are you?”
“I’m fabulous as always.” Trina tossed her silky black hair over her shoulder as she surveyed the three of them sitting on the sofa. “I’m actually glad I ran into you.”
“Wish I could say the same,” Robyn said underneath her breath.
“What was that?” Trina leaned over and gave Kimberly an unwanted view of her cleavage in the deep V of the pantsuit jacket she wore.
“Oh, nothing,” Robyn said. “What can we do for you, Trina? We’re in the middle of something here.”
Trina narrowed her eyes. “Well, I wouldn’t want to intrude, so I’ll get right to the point. My birthday is coming up soon and I’m considering having my big blowout party at the Belleza. That’s if you could handle a party of this scale and with my class of people.”
Kimberly held back Robyn’s arm. She knew her friend would love to strangle the woman.
“I mean you have heard a new hotel is opening? The Pinnacle, I believe it’s called? I hear it’s going to be modern and top-of-the-line. Apparently, no expense has been spared.”
“We’ve heard,” Kimberly replied. “But they don’t have our long-standing reputation in the community.”
“Or me as executive chef,” Gabrielle added confidently.
“They might be happy about that considering some of the bad reviews the Belleza has had recently,” Trina responded tartly. “I just thought I might help you by giving you some business, considering we’re old friends.”
“That’s really kind of you, Trina,” Robyn said. “Why don’t you arrange an appointment with my assistant and we’ll chat about your upcoming birthday?”
“Sounds great! I’ll let you get back to whatever important topic you were discussing.” Trina gave them a fake wave before sauntering off with her posse of friends waiting for her at the cheese bar.
“Can you believe that cow?” Robyn asked. “Acting as if she would be doing us a favor if she brought her event to the Belleza.”
“Why do you let her get under your skin?” Kimberly asked. “She’s not worth it.”
“You’re telling me her throwing shade on us doesn’t bother you?” Gabrielle asked. “’Cause I would beg to differ. I seem to remember that when she was dating Sean you wouldn’t have minded ringing that hussy’s neck.”
Kimberly couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’re right. She does rub me the wrong way, but I’m in much too good of a headspace to have Trina of all people ruin it.”
“Ah, yes, that brings us back to you and Jack,” Gabrielle said. “You had just left off at the part where you went hiking and...”
“And...” Kimberly glanced around, then motioned the girls closer to form a tight circle. “Then we made love in a cave.”
“You did what?” Robyn asked, pushing away from the circle.
“I know.” Kimberly giggled like a schoolgirl. “It was completely out of character, but I just got carried away in the moment.”
“In public?” Gabrielle’s eyes were as large as saucers. “You little freak! This man certainly has you wrapped around his little finger. You must have strong feelings for him.”
“I like him.”
Gabrielle and Robyn gave her dubious looks.
“Like?” Gabrielle was the first one to speak. “Oh, no, it’s more than that, because having sex in public is something I would do, not you.”
Robyn nodded. “So, did you enjoy your tryst in the woods?”
“Immensely.” Kimberly smiled from ear to ear.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Robyn said. “But you have to be careful. I don’t want you to get hurt. I mean what do you really know about Jack, other than the fact that he’s been staying at the Belleza for weeks? I mean he has to leave eventually. What then?”
Kimberly frowned. “Enough with the questions, Robyn. I thought you wanted me to date. Now that I am, you’re raining on my parade?”
“I’m not raining on it,” Robyn said. “I’m just leery and a little suspicious of a man who’s spent so much of his time at the resort without getting back to his everyday life. We want you to have fun, but be cautious with your heart.”
It was too late, Kimberly thought, because they were right to be worried. She had fallen in love with Jaxon, but he only thought of her as a momentary pleasure. Now what was she going to do?
Chapter 15
Jaxon had a war going on inside him. Enough time had passed, nearly six weeks, since the engagement debacle for him to feel guilty about staying away so long from his family, but he was having a hard time even thinking about leaving the Belleza because in the past three weeks he’d gotten to know Kimberly. He didn’t know how it happened, but his strong attraction to her had shocked the hell out of him. They’d spent every night together for weeks and he hadn’t so much as come up for air. Hadn’t wanted to. Which was why he’d had to leave Belleza for the evening. He needed to get some perspective.
He’d driven nearly two hours to a suburb of Los Angeles to meet up with Nate. Nate was a happily married man with a wife and two beautiful children, a boy and a girl, but he’d been only too happy to come out for the evening for a break from domestic bliss.
“It’s good to see you, Jack,” Nate Griffin said when Jaxon walked into the sports bar.
Nate was an affable fellow with a medium build and a short crew cut, which he’d kept the same length since serving seven years in the navy. He was dressed comfortably in jeans and a deep lavender T-shirt that blended well with his dark chocolate skin.
Jaxon returned his brotherly hug before sitting beside him at the bar. “Good to see you, too.”
“So what have you been up to the last couple of months since you
r parents and Stephanie blew up your world?” Nate asked, reaching for the spicy peanuts on the bar and throwing a few into his mouth.
“Had to get out of Dodge,” Jaxon replied. “Until the heat died down, ya know.”
“I hear you,” Nate said. “But you’ve been gone for a while. When are you coming back?”
“That’s the thing,” Jaxon said. “I don’t know.”
The bartender came up to them and asked, “What can I get you?”
“A Bud Light, same as him.” Jaxon inclined his head to the bottle sitting in front of Nate.
“Be right up,” the bartender said.
Nate swiveled around in his bar stool. “Let me guess, a female?”
Jaxon frowned. “How did you know?”
“What always trips up men?” Nate replied. “Women. You remember how I was when I first met Audrey. I was a besotted fool. And now that you mention it...” He glanced at Jaxon up and down. “I think I see some of it on you. Or,” he said, leaning into Jaxon, “should I say, I smell it?”
Jaxon gave Nate a gentle shove. “Shut the heck up.”
“Am I right? Or am I right?”
Jaxon rolled his eyes and was silent before finally responding, “You’re right.”
“What’s her name?” Nate took a swig of his beer.
“Kimberly Parker.”
“How’d you guys meet?”
“She owns the resort where I’m staying.” The bartender slid a bottle of beer across the bar toward Jaxon. “Thanks.” He took a long pull.
“Which is?” Nate queried.
“As much as I love you, man, I’m keeping that one to myself. Walls have ears and I don’t want it to get back to my family.”
“Must be close by if you could meet me tonight,” Nate responded.
Jaxon shrugged and took another swallow of beer.
“So what’s the problem?”
“The problem is I wasn’t looking,” Jaxon replied. “I went there to get away from a woman, not find a new one. And now she’s got me twisted.”
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