that matter.”
Robyn flinched as if she’d been slapped and shot him an incredulous look. “How can you be so cold? Your sister’s going through a difficult time. Don’t you care?”
He didn’t, but he held his tongue. There was no use arguing with Robyn. He was mad at his family, disappointed that his kid sister had stolen the resort out from under him, and there was nothing Robyn could say to change the way he felt.
“You and Kim have always been so close and fiercely protective of each other.”
That was then, and this was now. Kim had betrayed him, and he wanted nothing to do with her.
“Do you agree with my parents?” Sean told himself it didn’t matter what Robyn believed, that she was just another smokin’-hot woman he was attracted to, but deep down he cared what she thought. They had a powerful attraction, a mind-blowing chemistry he’d never experienced before, and he wanted Robyn in his corner. “Do you think I’m out to destroy the Belleza?”
“If I did, I wouldn’t have called you. You’re a good guy, Sean, and I know you’d never do anything to hurt the people you love.”
Her words heartened him, lifted his spirits, and for the first time since quitting his job at the Belleza, he didn’t feel so alone. He felt understood, as if Robyn cared about him, and made a mental note to send her flowers after he returned to the SP Grill. Sean wanted to cook for Robyn, but before he could invite her over to his house for dinner, she dropped another bombshell. One so shocking he almost fell off his chair.
“A security guard said he saw you lurking around the premises just hours before the fire at the Ruby Retreat, and after your father questioned the guard, he contacted the police.”
What the hell? This can’t be happening. Sean felt as if he’d been kicked in the teeth by a horse, and needed a moment to catch his breath. He gripped his glass so hard he was surprised it didn’t shatter into a million pieces. His restaurant was due to open in a few weeks, and if the media found out about the security guard’s erroneous story, it could ruin him. “The guard is lying. I haven’t been back to the resort since I quit.”
“I believe you, and I want to help. Sean, put the past behind you, reconcile with your family and help the authorities catch the bastard who’s trying to ruin the Belleza.”
“They should be the ones reaching out to me,” he argued, struggling to keep a lid on his anger. “My parents screwed me over big-time, and I don’t know if I can ever forgive them.”
“You’re upset. You don’t mean that.”
“Yes, I do. And, to be honest, I like being on my own and not having to answer to my father about every decision I make.” He gave full voice to his anger, didn’t censure his thoughts. “I’m tired of living life according to the Parker rules. Look where that got me.”
“That got you training at the best culinary school in Europe and your own restaurant,” Robyn shot back. “The next time you feel like bashing your parents, don’t, because you sound like a spoiled, ungrateful rich kid.”
Sean winced and hung his head. Taking a moment to recover from the bitter tongue lashing, he considered what Robyn had said. She never minced words, always spoke her mind, no matter what. He admired that about her, thought it was one of her greatest character traits.
“Your parents aren’t perfect, but they love you and have always been there for you.”
Her words gave him pause. Sean thought about his parents, remembered all the great times they’d shared and felt a rush of emotion. To the outside world, the Parkers seemed to have it all—money, success and status—but they had their fair share of problems, too. Still, he had to admit Robyn had a point. His parents had worked hard to build a good life for him and his siblings, and he never forgot all the times his mom had given him advice about girls or helped him with his homework. His relationship with his father had always been rocky, but his mother was his biggest supporter.
“You’re right,” he conceded, wearing an apologetic smile. “I have a lot to be grateful for, especially you.”
“Me?” she repeated, resting a hand on her chest. “But I haven’t done anything.”
“Thanks for having my back, Robyn. It means more to me than you’ll ever know.”
“That’s what friends are for, right?”
Friendship? That was the last thing on his mind. At least when it came to Robyn. He wanted her in his bed, and he would pursue her until she belonged to him.
At the thought of making love to Robyn, his temperature soared. An erection stabbed the zipper of his pants. It took every ounce of his self-control not to dive across the table and take her in his arms. Their connection was undeniable, so damn strong he couldn’t think of anything but kissing her passionately on the lips. At the thought, his pulse raced out of control. For years, he’d tried to ignore their attraction, but after their make-out session, he started seeing his kid sister’s best friend in a different light.
Yeah, and now you want Robyn so bad you’re drooling all over your Tom Ford suit.
Sitting back in his chair, sipping his drink, Sean admired her creamy skin, the extra long lashes that framed her hazel eyes and her lush lips. Her diamond-stud earrings and silver-cross necklace gave her dress a touch of glamour. Robyn looked like a woman who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but nothing could be further from the truth. She’d been raised in the projects in New York City, and was awarded a scholarship to Merriweather Academy boarding school where she’d met his sister. In spite of her humble beginnings, she carried herself with remarkable poise. Though she was five years his junior, she was wise and discerning and he enjoyed spending time with her.
Sean felt an ache in his belly, a thirst only Robyn could quench, and struggled to control his desires. Sean wanted to kiss her again, imagined himself crushing his mouth to hers, but cautioned himself to relax. This wasn’t the time or the place, and he didn’t want to ruin their lunch by putting the moves on her. Instead, they finished their meal, and over coffee, they just talked. Sean was shocked to discover how much they had in common. They both loved action movies, the great outdoors and spending their days off at the beach. As Robyn spoke, he learned some interesting facts about her. She was an avid surfer, the only person in her family to ever graduate from college and a die-hard Bruce Lee fan. Upbeat and bubbly, she made him forget his problems and laugh out loud at her outrageous stories about the resort.
“How are things coming along at the SP Grill?” Robyn asked, tasting the carrot cake they’d ordered to share.
“Great,” he said, bursting with pride. The restaurant was his brainchild, something he’d been contemplating for years, and thanks to the help of several generous investors, his dreams were about to become a reality. “I’ve put my heart and soul into this project, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make the SP Grill a success.”
Sean watched Robyn lick the icing off her fork and groaned inwardly, as if he was being tortured. Sweat drenched his shirt. A spark ignited inside his body when their eyes met, causing lust to course through his veins. The blood drained from his head and shot straight to his groin. Did she have any idea how much he wanted her? How much he needed her right now?
“This cake’s pretty good, but yours is much better,” Robyn said, gesturing with her fork to the plate. “I hope the menu at the SP Grill is
