Yahrah John - Heat Wave of Desire

Jack’s hands roamed upward from around her waist where he’d lightly planted them to stabilize her. They threaded through her long black hair, which she’d decided on a whim to wear down rather than in her usual sensible, professional bun. He brought her forward into closer contact with his body even though Kimberly couldn’t see how it was possible since they’d collided with each other in a mass of arms and bodies.

She could feel the heat emanating from his chest as she went closer, and then her nipples brushed against him, causing them to pucker underneath her silk shirt. Jack leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers and breathed her in. Kimberly tried to wiggle away, embarrassed by her traitorous body’s response to him. It wasn’t right that he could make her feel this way when she barely knew him.

“Don’t fight it,” he whispered softly.

He was lowering his mouth to hers when a loud crash sounded behind her. Jack instantly spun around, pushing Kimberly behind him.

It was a protective move that Kimberly admired, but it was hardly necessary. The noise was courtesy of Charlene Vincent, the newest hire at The Pearl, who’d just dropped a handful of menus. The girl seemed prone to mishaps.

“Sorry,” the buxom blonde said, picking up the menus before rushing off in her stilettos.

“Can she even walk in those?” Jack murmured aloud.

“Clearly not.” Kimberly pushed away from him and took several steps backward to give herself some distance to breathe, to think.

A smile ruffled his mouth. “What’s wrong? I don’t bite.”

Kimberly sensed the sexual magnetism that made him so self-confident. “Are you sure about that? Because this—” she pointed between the two of them “—is not going to happen. I don’t date guests.”

“We aren’t dating,” Jack responded. “We were, however, about to kiss, which if we hadn’t been interrupted would have been overdue. I know you felt it.”

“Felt what?”

He raised a quirky brow. “The pull. Between you and me.”

“Th-there’s no pull. We just...” Kimberly couldn’t think of a single, plausible reason why she’d ended up in his arms just now. He was right. If they hadn’t been interrupted, they would have no doubt ended their collision with a hot, searing kiss. Her panties were nearly moist just from touching him. The prolonged anticipation was unbearable.

“Kimberly.” Hearing her name on his lips was like a sensual caress washing over her. “You can’t deny what’s happening between us.”

“I can. And I will.”

“Why should you have to?” He quirked a brow. “We are two adults who are interested in each other. What’s the harm in that?”

“I don’t want to complicate our relationship. I’m in charge of running this hotel and—”

“And you don’t want to let your parents down by taking your eye off the ball?”

How could he know what she was thinking? Feeling? He seemed to know without her verbalizing it. She’d met many attractive men before, but none like him. He wasn’t vain; he was observant, kind and it made him dangerous to her well-being.

“Don’t try to change the subject. I don’t fraternize with guests, especially those I know nothing about.”

She noticed he paused, so she had definitely given him something to chew on.

“True, you don’t know much about me, but that would change if you agreed to spend some time with me.”

Kimberly glanced down at her watch. “I have to go.”

“All right, Kimberly Parker, but this isn’t over between us.”

Kimberly sure hoped it was as she stalked away back to her office. She hoped that Jack would be checking out soon and then things would go back to normal. But when she checked Jack’s reservation, it was open-ended. She had no idea how long he would stay on at the Belleza. And the longer he stayed, the harder it would be to stay away from him. She was afraid her resolve might weaken and she might give in to temptation. And that was exactly what Jack was, all six feet of him.

* * *

A couple of days later, after a three-mile jog and a quick smoothie, Kimberly returned to her condo and dressed carefully for the day’s big event, the Dunham presentation. She’d managed to successfully avoid any further run-ins with Jack Scott because she’d been swamped with hotel business, but it was a matter of time before their paths crossed again.

She took one of the golf carts parked near her condo and rushed toward the Plaza. Located next to the main hotel building, the Plaza housed ballrooms of various sizes, several restaurants and boutique shops for their guests. When she arrived at the Grand Ballroom, Robyn was running around arranging the decor from the floral arrangements to the linens to the crystal chandeliers they’d ordered for the event.

Kimberly grabbed Robyn’s arm as she rushed past. “I thought I would come lend a hand. What can I do?”

“I have it under control.”

Kimberly glanced around at the upheaval surrounding her and raised an eyebrow.

“Kim, the event isn’t until 1:00 p.m. and it’s only...” she said, glancing down at her watch. “Nine. We have plenty of time to arrange the tables and the decor according to the vision I created in the presentation.”

“You can never have too much help,” Kimberly replied. “And remember how important this presentation is for us.”

“I’m well aware.”

Kimberly sensed Robyn’s annoyance with her constant questioning. At times it was hard to separate their friendship from work, but she wouldn’t be doing her job if she didn’t stay on top of her staff. “Where’s Gabby?”

“In the kitchen with the pastry chef,” Robyn answered as she rifled through a box. “They’re putting the finishing touches on the miniature dessert display.”

“Excellent, so what can I do?” Even though she was general manager, Kimberly wasn’t above getting her hands dirty if things needed to get done. To her, that was the sign of a good manager.

“Well, if you must do something,” Robyn said with an exasperated sigh, “why don’t you get started with the display of gift boxes I’ve created for the registration desk outside.”

“No problem.” Kim walked into the hall to the large table they had set up outside. There was an array of gift boxes and various giveaways. She took off her jacket, draped it over the back of one of the chairs and dug in.

She was knee-deep in stuffing the gift boxes with chocolates and one-of-a-kind charm bracelets from their on-site jeweler that she didn’t see Jack approach until he was standing right in front of her. Her pulse suddenly leaped with excitement. There was no denying the spark of attraction toward him. She was trying her best to ignore it, but it was hard not to be excited when the man was obviously interested in her. She hadn’t had the time or inclination for male company in a long time. So if she was honest with herself, it was nice to be wanted.

Jack was dressed casually in white linen trousers and a matching shirt, which highlighted his coffee-colored skin.

“What are you doing here?” she blurted out. Shouldn’t he be relaxing by the pool at this early hour? Why was he at the Plaza?

“Good morning to you, too.”

“I’m sorry.” She’d completely forgotten her manners. “Good morning. But the question is still on the table.”

“Is the ballroom off-limits?” Jack inquired. “Because I thought guests were welcome throughout the hotel grounds.”

Well, he’d just put her in her place. “I’m sorry.” How was she apologizing again in the span of a few seconds? “You’re right, of course. It’s just that we— I mean I don’t see guests in the ballroom foyer unless they’re part of the event.”