Heat of Passion

by Pamela Yaye

  “No, Mom, of course not.” Sean raked a hand over his head, and expelled a deep breath. “I just needed some time away to clear my head.”

  “I miss you, Sean. Things just aren’t the same without you. Please come back to Belleza. You belong with your family.”

  Mrs. Parker’s voice cracked with emotion, and hearing her bitter anguish broke Robyn’s heart. Tears blurred her vision, and it took everything she had not to cry. “Go to the restaurant and speak to your mom,” she whispered, turning to him. “It’s the right thing to do.”

  Sean shook his head. “I can’t.”

  “Please? For me?” she begged, desperate to get through to him. “Your mom needs you.”

  Picking up his cell phone, he put it to his ear and spoke in a soft, soothing voice. It was obvious Sean loved his mom, and Robyn knew the feeling was mutual. Every time she ran into the Parkers at the resort, Ilene made a point of mentioning everything Sean had done to make The Pearl the success it was. People came from far and wide to dine at the award-winning restaurant, and Robyn didn’t blame them. The ambiance was perfect, the food delicious. Gabby had definitely picked up where Sean had left off.

  “Mom, don’t cry. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?” He paused, scratched at the stubble on his jaw. “I love you, too. Drive home safe.”

  Seconds later, Sean ended the call and dropped his cell phone into the cup holder. He stared aimlessly out the windshield, and Robyn could tell by the expression on his face that the conversation with his mom had shaken him up. His eyes were sad, frown lines wrinkled his forehead, and he seemed to be lost in another world.

  Silence followed, and the air inside the car grew thick. Robyn rolled down the passenger-side window and breathed deeply through her nose. It didn’t help. She felt horrible, as if she was to blame for Sean not going to the restaurant to see his mom, and wanted to rectify the situation. But how? They drove in silence, and although it felt like an eternity, Robyn knew she had to give Sean his space. Asking questions would only make him feel worse, and she didn’t want to say anything to hurt his feelings. Sean talked big, especially about not needing his family, but deep down, he was a softie who craved his father’s acceptance, and that would never change.

  “You must think I’m a jerk for the way I treated my mom.”

  “No, I don’t,” she said. “It’s obvious you love her, and that’s all that matters.”

  Sean exited the freeway, and after driving another ten miles, turned into the Manhattan Beach parking lot. He shut off the car, and Robyn knew it was her chance to do the right thing. What she should have done earlier. “I can take a cab home so you can go to the restaurant and see your mom.”

  “Robyn, don’t tell me what to do.”

  “Someone has to. You’re not thinking clearly, and you’re hurting the people you love.”

  “Why do you care what happens in my family? What’s it to you?”

  “This isn’t about me. This is about you doing the right thing, and that’s reconciling with your family.” Robyn didn’t want to argue with Sean—not after the magical night they’d shared—but he needed to hear the truth, and she wasn’t letting him off the hook this time. “Running from your problems isn’t helping. If anything, it’s making the situation worse. Go home, sit down with your parents and work things out.”

  Sean released a deep sigh. He looked drained, as if he’d just finished a grueling workout, nothing like his confident, self-assured self. “Not today,” he said, shaking his head. “I don’t want to talk about Kim or the resort or what a disappointment I am to my family, either.”

  His words shocked her. “What are you talking about?” Reaching out, she touched a hand to his cheek, forcing him to look at her. When he did, she smiled at him, tried to communicate what was in her heart through her eyes. “Sean, don’t talk like that. You’re a brilliant, acclaimed chef who’s about to take the restaurant world by storm. It’s just a matter of time before you knock Wolfgang Puck off his throne!”

  “You’re just saying that because I made you breakfast.”

  “No, it’s the truth.” To make him smile, Robyn pressed her lips to his ear and spoke in a sultry voice. “And you’re a world-class lover, too. Every time I think about last night, I get wet.”

  A sly grin warmed his expression. Robyn leaned into him, pressed her mouth to his. She couldn’t help it. She had to do it. She wanted to erase the sadness from his eyes, wanted to show Sean that he wasn’t a disappointment, that she cared deeply about him. To do that, she kissed him with all of the passion coursing through her veins. And when he groaned into her mouth, as if he was consumed with pleasure, Robyn knew she’d made the right decision.

  * * *

  Manhattan Beach was overrun with families, couples who couldn’t keep their paws off each other and loud, irreverent teenagers, but Robyn was enjoying herself so much she didn’t mind the noise. She was with Sean at her favorite beach, and they were having a blast. They played in the water for hours, splashing and joking around, then packed up and headed north.

  The Venice Boardwalk was a human zoo, filled with performers, eccentric street vendors and tourists. The scent of nachos and cotton candy filled the salty air, and when Sean suggested they eat at one of the nearby restaurants, Robyn agreed. “Good idea,” she said. “I’m starving.”

  “What are you in the mood for?”

  You mean, besides you between my legs, making me come over and over again?

  An image of Sean plunging his erection inside her made Robyn’s body flush with heat. She wanted him again, could almost taste his kiss, feel him on top of her. The memories of their night together would be with her forever, for as long as she lived. Robyn wiped her mind clean, willed herself not to go there, but her thoughts took a sensual detour for the second time in minutes when Sean leaned in and rested a hand on the small of her back. Being close to him, having him by her side warmed her all over. From the moment he’d arrived at her condo last night, he’d been affectionate and sweet, and Robyn loved every minute of it. No one had ever spoiled her silly, and it was a heady feeling, one she felt she could never get enough of.

  “Hello?” he joked, waving a hand in front of her face. “Is anyone home?”

  Robyn laughed, then answered his question. “I’m not picky. I’ll eat anything.”

  “I know just the place. Thai Spice is a thirty-minute walk from here, but it’s definitely worth the trip and arguably one of the best Asian restaurants in LA.”

  “Then lead the way.”

  Restaurants, yoga studios and art galleries frequented by the rich and famous lined the busy streets, and animated conversation filled the air. Holding hands, they laughed and kissed as they walked down the road, oblivious to the world around them.

  Conversation flowed from one subject to the next, and Robyn loved hearing about Sean’s overseas travel. He was a great storyteller, who seemed to get a kick out of making her laugh, but when he opened up about his fears, she felt closer to him than ever before.

  “I can’t believe it’s already four o’clock,” she said, glancing at her Gucci bangle watch. It had been a Christmas gift from Kim, and every time Robyn looked at it, she thought about her beautiful bestie. She wished she could tell Kim about her dream date with Sean, but—

  “Do you mind if we stop by my restaurant later?” he asked. “I promised Jolene I’d return her car tonight, and I want to keep my word.”

  “Of course. No problem.”

  Pride filled his eyes. “I can give you a tour of the SP Grill if you’d like.”

  “I’d love that.” Robyn was having a great time with Sean, and she’d like nothing more than to continue their day. But thoughts of work kept intruding on her fun, especially her upcoming meeting with Enrique Salazar. It loomed in her mind like a dark storm cloud. In the three years she’d been the lead event pla
nner at the Belleza, she’d done it all—corporate events, weddings, bar mitzvahs and baby showers. Lavish, over-the-top parties were her specialty, so a five-hundred-guest birthday bash was right up her alley. Nailing the Salazar presentation was key, and once Robyn returned to the Belleza, she was rolling up her sleeves and getting down to work. “What time are we going to Posh Lounge?”

  “Around seven o’clock. Why?”

  “Because I have a presentation to finish up,” she said. “I’ll be burning the midnight oil for the next couple nights, but if I get the contract, it will totally be worth it.”

  “I’m not taking you back to the resort tonight.”

  Robyn raised an eyebrow. “Really? Why not?”

  “Because you’re spending the night with me.”

  “My, my, my,” she quipped. “Aren’t we bossy?”

  “Not bossy, just determined.” Sean stopped walking and turned to face her. “I want to spend time with you. Is that a crime?”

  Everything in her wanted to argue, to tell him all the reasons they couldn’t be together, but when he brushed his mouth against hers, the protest died on her lips. Weakened by his touch and his passionate kiss, she needed a moment before she could form a coherent sentence. “Sean,” she finally said, “we’ve discussed this before. I can’t. It’s too risky.”

  “We don’t work together anymore,” he pointed out, tightening his hold around her waist.

  “But you’re estranged from your family, and that complicates matters.”

  “Not to me. You are, and always will be, the only woman I want.”

  “Let’s just take things one day at a time.”

  “Why? I know what I want, and baby, it’s you.”

  “Things are moving too fast...” Her throat closed up, and she trailed off. In her peripheral vision, she spotted a slim, attractive blonde in a fuchsia bikini top and itty-bitty jean shorts. It was Charlene, and she wasn’t alone. In bed sick my ass, Robyn thought, watching the hostess kiss the man she recognized as the French film star. He was a married father of three who brought his young family to the resort every year for Christmas. Wait till Kim and Gabby hear about this.

  Are you going to tell them you were with Sean when you spotted Charlene? asked her inner voice. If not, then keep your big mouth shut.

  Shame colored Robyn’s cheeks, and remorse flooded her body. It was time to get down off her high horse and not a moment too soon. She had no right to judge Charlene. Not after sleeping with Sean and smuggling him out of her condo. Sure, she wasn’t guilty for having an affair with a married man, but she was guilty of deceiving her best friends, and that wasn’t cool. In all the years she’d been friends with Kim and Gabby, she’d never lied to them, and now she felt horrible about sneaking around with Sean behind their backs, especially Kim.

  Robyn watched the couple cross the street, and panic swelled inside her chest. If Charlene saw her with Sean there’d be hell to pay, and since Robyn didn’t want to lose the best job she’d ever had, she ducked into a souvenir shop and hid behind a rack of designer sunglasses.

  “Robyn, what are you doing?”

  “Isn’t it obvious?” Grabbing a shopping basket, she hurled key chains, magnets and postcards inside. “I’m getting some souvenirs for my mom.”

  “Why? She lives in Palm Springs now.”

  Robyn peered over his shoulder, noticed Charlene and the Frenchman were nowhere in sight and sighed in relief. Putting down the basket, she told Sean she’d changed her mind about buying souvenirs and followed him out of the store.

  Minutes later, they arrived at Thai Spice, and were promptly seated at a corner booth beside the window. Sipping Iced Watermelon, Robyn took in her surroundings. The temple-like interior, dragon-design wallpaper and hand-painted silk chandeliers made her feel as if she’d been transported to another world. The spicy aromas wafting out of the open kitchen made her mouth water and her stomach growl in hungry anticipation. “This place is a nice,” Robyn said after they’d placed their orders with the waiter. “Have you been here before?”

  “Only a million times.” Wearing a wry smile, he leaned back comfortably in the booth. “When I was a kid, my mom would bring us to Venice Beach often, and we’d spend the day swimming, playing games and chasing each other around the boardwalk.”

  “Your dad never came?”

  “He came once, and it was a disaster.”

  “The boardwalk isn’t for everybody,” Robyn said, feeling the need to defend her former boss. She’d never been close to Kurt Parker, but he’d always treated her with respect, and she admired his tireless work ethic. “It’s noisy, crowded and filled with some very odd characters.”

  “That wasn’t it. It was me.”

  Curious, she leaned forward in her seat.

  “I ate too much junk food that day and got sick on the roller coaster,” he explained. “My dad said I was an embarrassment to our family, and reamed me out in front of a crowd of people. He used to say ‘Without discipline you’ll never amount to anything,’ and according to him, it was his job to keep me in line.”

  Robyn felt a flood of emotions—anger, pity, sadness—and struggled to find her voice. “That’s terrible,” she said, reaching out and touching his hand. She hurt for him, was heartsick over his confession and wanted him to know that she cared. “What did your mom do?”

  “What could she do? That was the Kurt Parker way. I was the oldest. I had to be taught a lesson so Kim and Ryan wouldn’t make the same stupid mistakes.”

  “Is that what your father told you? That he had to make an example out of you?”

  “He didn’t have to. I was punished constantly, no matter how small the infraction. If I woke up late for school, I was punished, if I brought home an A-minus on my report card, I was punished, if I left my basketball in the driveway, I was punished.” His eyes narrowed, and his lips were pressed together in suppressed anger. “If it wasn’t for my mom, I probably would have run away from home and joined the military.”

  “Really? Things were that bad between you and your dad?”

  Sean nodded. “That’s why I took off for Paris after I graduated from high school. The more distance between me and my father the better.”

  “I knew your dad was strict, but I had no idea you guys had such a strained relationship. You always seemed so close, especially during social functions at the resort.”

  “That’s what Kurt wanted people to think. On the outside looking in, it seems like we’re the perfect, all-American family, but we’re not.”

  His words gave her pause, made Robyn think about her own father. They hadn’t spoken in months, not since he was a no-show at her surprise birthday party in January, but for some reason, hearing about the Parker family problems made Robyn think her relationship with her dad could be salvaged. Robyn had made mistakes in college and, eight years later, he was still holding a grudge. Should she try reaching out to him again? One last time?

  “Kurt and I have never been close, not the way he’s close to Kim. In his eyes, she can do no wrong, and that will never change.” Anger clouded his face, seeped into his tone. “Kim’s a daddy’s girl all the way, but it wasn’t until she betrayed me that I realized how selfish she is.”

  “Sean, don’t.”

  Confusion wrinkled his forehead. “Don’t what?”

  “Don’t talk about your sister that way. It’s disrespectful.”

  Robyn felt bad that Sean and Kurt didn’t have a good relationship, but she wasn’t going to sit back and let him bad-mouth her best friend. Kim had taken Robyn under her wing at Merriweather Academy and made sure no one pushed her around, and she’d always be grateful to Kim and Gabby for having her back. The waiter arrived with their entrées, and Robyn picked up her fork.

  “You’re right,” he said. “I’m sorry for what I said earlier. I was
completely out of line.”

  “Apology accepted.”

  He smiled, and Robyn did, too.

  “How’s my favorite chef doing?” he asked, his eyes filled with amusement. “Is she running The Pearl with an iron fist the way I taught her?”

  “Gabby’s great. She’s engaged to a terrific guy and flourishing at the restaurant.”

  “I’m happy for her. I always knew she had what it took to be an executive chef, and her commitment to excellence will take her far in the field.” Sean picked up his glass and took a sip. “Is she getting married at the resort, too?”

  “I’m not sure. Gabby’s super busy with The Pearl, and when she’s not working, she’s plotting with Kim to find me a husband, so there’s no telling when she’ll tie the knot.”

  Alarm flashed in his eyes, caused lines to wrinkle his handsome face. “Is that right?”

  “Yeah, now that they’re both happy in love, they’re hell-bent on setting me up,” Robyn complained. She tasted her cashew nut chicken and decided it was her new favorite dish.

  “Tell them you’re not interested,” he advised.

  “I tried, and it backfired in my face.”

  “What happened?”

  “A couple weeks ago, Kim and Gabby asked me to meet them at the Ruby Retreat for lunch, but when I showed up, they weren’t there. The next thing I know, a middle-aged man with a South African accent is kissing my hand and pulling out my chair. Apparently, he’d asked Gabby about me, and she arranged the whole thing.”

  “I’m going to have to call and talk some sense into that girl.”

  Robyn laughed. “Cool your heels, Sean. I can handle it.”

  “You better, or I will.”

  His take-charge demeanor aroused her, and when their eyes met across the table, Robyn knew they shared the same thought. Check, please!

  Chapter 10

  “After you, Ms. Henderson.” Wearing a devilish grin, Sean unlocked the front door of the SP Grill and stepped aside to let Robyn enter. Mesmerized by her sexy strut, he stood transfixed, thinking about all the delicious things he wanted to do to her in bed. Her turquoise dress was made for her figure, fit every sinuous curve, and he couldn’t help reaching out and caressing her hips. He wanted Robyn to spend the night with him, couldn’t imagine anything he’d like more.