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 filled with your decadent desserts, because they’re to die for, especially your chocolate truffle cheesecake.”
“I’ll be overseeing the day-to-day operation of the restaurant, not slaving away in the kitchen twenty-four seven.”
Robyn frowned and poked out her bottom lip. “Why not?”
“The emphasis at the SP Grill is on luxury foods like caviar, lobster and foie gras, but I’m willing to tweak the menu, just for you.”
“You’d better,” she said, her tone full of sass. “Or I’ll take my business elsewhere.”
The sound of her laughter brought a smile to his mouth, made him feel better than he had in weeks. “The SP Grill opens on Labor Day, and to celebrate, I’m throwing the biggest bash LA has ever seen.”
That’s if you’re not in jail! joked his inner voice.
Sean refused to entertain the thought and refocused his attention on Robyn. “I’d like you to be my date for the grand-opening celebration,” he said, gently stroking her hand with his own. “It’s going to be the biggest night of my life, and I want to share it with you.”
Her eyes dimmed, lost their warmth, and Sean knew instinctively that Robyn was going to turn him down. They’d had great conversations about life, shared the same values and enjoyed each other’s company, so why was she playing hard to get? Or maybe she wasn’t playing, Sean thought, swallowing hard. Maybe Robyn was dating someone else. Was that why she was brushing him off? Why she refused to look him in the eye? Because there was another man in her life?
“Are you inviting your family to your grand opening?”
Hell no, he thought, but didn’t say. He missed his family—especially Kim—but he couldn’t bring himself to call them. “I don’t know,” he said with a shrug. “Why does it matter?”
“Because they’re my employers and you’re their estranged son.”
Sean raised an eyebrow, gave her a skeptical look. “I don’t work at the resort anymore, and furthermore, you’re a grown woman who’s free to date whoever she wants.”
And, by date whoever you want, I mean me!
“I can’t attend your grand opening.”
His shoulders fell. Sean was disappointed that Robyn wouldn’t be at his side on the most important night of his life and wondered if there was anything he could do to change her mind. “Are you seeing someone?” he asked, driven by curiosity.
“No, but under the current circumstances, it wouldn’t be right. I don’t want to upset your parents, or cause a rift between me and Kim. She’s my boss and, more importantly, my best friend, and I’d like to keep it that way.”
Sean nodded, as if he understood, but inside he was doing a slow burn. He loved his sister dearly—even though she’d stolen the resort right from under his nose—but there was no way in hell he was letting her control his love life. He’d have to find a way to see Robyn again, away from the resort, and prove to her his feelings were real. In the meantime, he’d earn her trust and romance her, Parker-style.
“I should use the ladies’ room before I head back to the resort.” Robyn put down her fork, wiped her mouth with a napkin and picked up her handbag. “I’ll be right back.”
“You can’t leave. We just got here.”