Heat Wave of Desire

“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.

“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 (#ulink_b5e6594f-1b9b-5354-9bb2-e787330e7c73)

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.”