“I’d be happy to split it with you,” she said in a voice that sounded way too throaty for his piece of mind.
“No, I’ve got it,” he said. “I just appreciate you taking the time to join me for lunch.”
She smiled and the muscles in his stomach clenched. “Thanks for asking me, Parker.” She glanced at her watch. “I’m glad I’m off work tonight. I intend to put up the Christmas tree. Usually, it was something the four of us did. We’d drink wine, listen to holiday music and share old Christmas stories. But this year, it’s just me.”
“May I help?”
He could tell his request surprised her. “That would be great. But are you sure you don’t need to rest up after driving all the way here from Boston?”
She was right. But for some reason, he was hesitant to leave her. Once he went into his bedroom and closed the door, there would be no telling when he would see Sebrina again because of her work schedule. Though it sounded insane, he wanted to spend as much time with her as he could now. He would think about the craziness of it later.
“I have all day tomorrow to rest up,” he heard himself saying. “And I would love to help you decorate the Christmas tree. I haven’t done something like that in years.”
She tilted her head and looked at him questioningly. “Did you not put up a tree every year?”
“My roommate Evan and I had a tree, but it was one of those small ones that was already decorated with lights. All you had to do was take it out of the box and plug it in.”
She covered her face in mock horror, then peeked out at him through her fingers and smiled. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
He shook his head, grinning. “Sorry, I’m not joking. I guess now is not a good time to tell you that if we hung ornaments at all, they were empty beer cans.”
She lowered her hand and laughed. “I hate to say this, but you and your roommate were pathetic. Well, Mr. Stanhope, we don’t take trees out the boxes here. I’ve already been to the tree farm earlier in the week and our tree will be delivered in an hour. I spent the morning in the attic pulling out the decorations. So I’m ready to start. Are you?”
He definitely was.
“So, what do you think?” Sebrina asked a few hours later. She’d flipped on a switch and the Christmas tree they had decorated together glowed, its soft light filling the room. The look on his face was priceless.
Parker glanced away from the tree and over at her. “It’s beautiful.”
She had to admit that yes, it was. “And we did it together.”
He grinned and nodded. “Yes, we did.”
They stood there, staring at each other until she drew in a deep breath and began moving around the tree, making adjustments here and there. Or at least, she was pretending to do so. The tree was beautiful. And she had enjoyed decorating it with him…even with all the sexual energy bouncing between them.
She had honestly thought the attraction between them had been a fluke at first. After all, he was a man, and she was a woman. There could often be some chemistry between the opposite sexes.
Only that chemistry was even stronger now. More than once, their hands would accidently touch while hanging ornaments on the tree, or they would casually bump into each other. And each time, a sizzle of desire went through her. She couldn’t recall ever being this into a guy. Unfortunately, he was the last guy she should want. He was her housemate, for heaven’s sake. And a family friend.
“So, what’s with all this other stuff?”
She glanced up and saw Parker pointing to another box of decorations. “Oh, that’s part of the North Pole.”
He lifted a brow and she thought he looked rather cute…especially when a few strands of his hair fell over his eyes. “The North Pole?”
She smiled over at him. “Yes, a North Pole street sign and a miniature gingerbread house to sit over in the corner, but it won’t go up tonight. I’m beat.”
In reality, she wasn’t, but there was no way she could remain in Parker Stanhope’s presence any longer without launching herself at him. Even with the Christmas music she’d had playing while they decorated the tree, or their conversations, where she shared wild and crazy Bennett Christmas stories, neither of them could ignore the hot sparks of energy that passed between them.
The man was oozing with sexiness and whenever he would bend his body, lift his hands or reach over to put an ornament in just the right place, it would cause a gush of feminine awareness to spread through her.
“I enjoyed tonight, Sebrina. Thanks for letting me help with the tree.”
She nodded. “I had a good time too. And I appreciate not having to do it alone.” He’d told her that the Stanhopes would put up a tree every year but paid a company to come in and decorate. It sounded too impersonal to her. And she was glad he had helped her. She’d known he’d genuinely enjoyed it.
Now if only they could get rid of all this pesky sexual attraction sizzling between them.
“Well, I guess that’s it for now.”
His words caused her to look over at him. Nodding, she said, “Yes, that’s it.”
He looked at his watch. “Wow, it’s already dinner time. Do you plan to eat?”
Why was he asking? Was he hungry and thinking about inviting her out to share a meal with him, the way he had for lunch? She hoped not since she could only take so much Parker Stanhope—and what she was starting to feel for him—in a day.
“I have plenty of microwave dinners in the freezer. When I get hungry, I just pop one in.”
The face he made let her know he wasn’t a fan of microwave dinners. His next words verified that fact. “As a doctor, I’m sure you know those things are loaded with sodium.”
She couldn’t help but grin. “Guilty.”
“I’ll take care of that once I get to the grocery store. I love cooking and always make plenty.”
She lifted a brow. “You like to cook?”
“I love it. It relaxes me.”
“Umm, maybe a better question is, can you cook?”
“I’ve had no complaints.”
“Then I can’t wait to try out one of your meals. In the meantime, you’re welcome to one of my microwave dinners.”
“I’ll pass. I’m about ready to crash, and when that happens, I can sleep through anything…including hunger. I’ll see you later, Sebrina,” he said, walking toward his bedroom.
“Goodnight and thanks again for your help, Parker.” She couldn’t help watching him, mesmerized with the way he walked.
He stopped and glanced back at her and gave her a smile. “You’re welcome to my help at any time.”
His words made her pulse trip and all she could do was nod. Then he turned back around and went to his room. And she kept watching him.
Sebrina hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath until he entered his bedroom and closed the door behind him.
CHAPTER TEN
MONICA
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE are now docked in Brisbane where we will remain for the next two days. Everyone is asked to be back onboard ship by midnight tomorrow night. Enjoy your time in Brisbane and please stay safe.
Monica stepped out on the balcony and glanced around. She had awakened early that morning and ordered breakfast. Now she was dressed and ready to start her day touring Brisbane with Landon. Already her mind was running through the things she’d planned for the day ahead. First stop was Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and she couldn’t wait to get there. Rae’jean and Ryan had gone to Australia for their honeymoon and had brought them all home souvenirs. Hers had been a stuffed Koala bear that she had named Frisko. For years, he had been her constant bedtime companion. When she had left home for college, she figured it was time to give Frisko a rest, so now he was packed up somewhere in her parents’ attic. Today she would get to see a real live Frisko.
She had walked back into her cabin when she heard the knock on her door. She quickly looked into the full-length mirror—she was wearing a pair of shorts and one of h
er blouses that bared her shoulders. Although she had been tempted to wear a pair of her cute sandals, she knew by the end of the day her feet would hate her for it, so she’d put on a pair of Nikes.
Satisfied with her appearance, she grabbed her shoulder bag and headed for the door. When she opened it to Landon, she had to grab the door jamb for support. Why did he always have to look so good?
“Ready to go, Monica?”
His sexy voice made her blink. “I’m ready,” she said stepping in the hall and closing the door behind her.
“You look nice,” he complimented her.
“So do you.” She had wondered how he would look in a pair of jeans and now she knew.
“Thanks. I understand there is a crowd of people getting off the ship, so we might be in a long line.”
She nodded. “I don’t mind.” They had made it to the elevator and when he reached out to press the button to call one up to their floor, she couldn’t help admiring his hands, something she always seemed to do. They looked so strong.
“Did you rest well last night?” he asked.
“I did. What about you?”
“Like a baby.”
Monica would have loved to have seen that. Just the thought of him in a bed, stretched out or curled up, had her heart racing. She glanced down at his shoes. “You’re wearing Nikes, too.”
“Hey, you gave me fair warning that you intended to walk me to death today.”
She threw her head back and laughed. “I did not.”
“Sure, you did. Sort of. Where to first?”
“The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.”
He tilted his head and looked at her. “You sound excited about going there.”
“I am.” Then she told him why. “I guess you think I’m crazy, right?”
“Of course not. You have every right to be excited. And I appreciate you sharing your story about Frisko with me.”
At that moment, Monica couldn’t help but smile. She had taken a chance in telling him about Frisko, but she was glad she did. The last guy she had told, that asshat Dusty, had made fun of her. He’d said he couldn’t imagine a teenager getting hung up on a stuffed animal when she could have had a real live guy in her bed. Seriously? At her parents’ house? Then he’d bragged about all the girls who’d snuck him into their rooms after their parents went to sleep. The guy thought about sex 24/7. But she’d refused to be rushed. And when she had finally given in, she had been horribly disappointed. Talk about false advertising.
“I have a feeling the elevator will probably be crowded,” he said. “Everyone is anxious to disembark.”
Landon was right. It was.
“I had so much fun, today, Landon. Brisbane is a beautiful place.”
Landon glanced over at Monica as they headed toward the ship’s elevator that would take them back to their cabins. Even after all the walking they’d done, she still looked great. Not a strand of hair was out of place and her clothes looked as fresh as they had that morning. “It definitely is. And I think we covered a lot of it.”
“I loved that we were on our own time and weren’t rushed. I’m so glad we didn’t join a group.”
“Me too.” More than once, they had passed groups from the ship who had signed up for the sightseeing tours. The organizers had them on a schedule to visit as many places as they could within a short time frame. When he and Monica returned to the ship, he’d heard a lot of complaints about being hustled from site to site, with no time to really see anything. Landon was really glad Monica had suggested doing their own thing.
“What was your favorite part of today?” she asked.
He was tempted to say ‘spending it with her’. But neither of them was ready for that yet. Instead, he said, “Watching your reaction when you got to hold a live koala bear. I thought you were going to cry.”
She laughed and playfully jabbed him in the shoulder. “I couldn’t help it. I told you he looked like Frisko.”
“Yes, you did.”
Not surprisingly, the elevator was full. It was quite obvious that a lot of people had returned to the ship about the same time. The line to board the ship had been almost as long as it had been to disembark that morning. And once again, they found themselves squeezed together on the elevator. But Landon didn’t mind—both times, he’d had Monica plastered to his side. More than once he’d had to wrap his arms around her to keep her from being crushed.
“And you, what was your favorite part of the day?” he asked.
“The botanical gardens. I’ve been to others, but the flowers I saw today were so different from anything I’ve ever seen in the States. The place was so beautiful.”
Landon had to agree with her. It had been something to see.
Finally, the elevator emptied, leaving just the two of them. He released her and she moved away from his side, but they were too late. In the time it had taken for them to reach their floor, as they’d stood there, hip to hip, breathing the same air, sexual tension had overwhelmed them both. At that moment, he wanted her so badly, he could barely think straight. “Do you still plan to do room service for dinner?” he asked.
“Yes, after I take a long soak in the tub. My feet are aching.”
“I can imagine,” he said. “It’s a good thing you’ll get a chance to rest up tomorrow. Dinner reservations aren’t until six.”
“Good. That will also give me a chance to get some work done.”
“I had a good time today, Monica,” he said, when they stepped off the elevator.
“I enjoyed your company, Landon. And I think our ruse has worked. People are keeping their distance. That’s a good thing, right?”
“Definitely,” he agreed.
“When we don’t show up at dinner, can you just imagine what they’ll be thinking.”
He nodded, knowing exactly what they’d think. “Will that bother you, that they’ll think we’re somewhere making love?”
There, he’d voiced the thought that had crossed his mind more than once today—the two of them naked, wrapped up in each other’s arms…making love.
“Heck no. What others think doesn’t matter to me.”
They had almost made it to her cabin door. Would she invite him in? Damn, he hoped so.
“Well, we’re here,” he said, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
Landon had made up in his mind—he was going to kiss her. He wasn’t going to go through another sleepless night wishing he’d gone for it. Sighing deeply, he continued to look at her. The temptation was killing him to reach out and place his arms around her waist, then lean forward and zoom in for her lips. If only she knew how hard he was fighting for control.
He moved closer to her, but when a couple passed by, he stepped back, deciding he wouldn’t kiss her out here in the hall. He respected her more than that. “Monica?”
“Yes?”
“May I come into your cabin for a minute?”
“Yes.”
She hadn’t asked why. Landon figured with all the sexual energy flowing between them, she had to know he wanted to kiss her. In all honesty, he wanted to do more. A lot more.
She opened her door, and he followed her inside. He reached out for her and she came to him without hesitation, surprising him when she placed her arms around his neck. And when she pressed closer to him, that was all the invitation he needed. Lowering his head, he captured her mouth.
This is what he wanted, what he needed…what he had desired from the moment he had first laid eyes on her that night in St. Paul. She had been angry with that guy, and she’d been frowning. But Landon had wanted to kiss that frown right off her mouth. Like he was doing now. When he felt her response, tentative at first and then with more vigor and enthusiasm, he felt weak in the knees. This young wisp of a woman was actually doing that to him, making him want to devour her, claim her, in a way he hadn’t wanted to claim a woman in a long time.
Landon knew her room had the same layout as his, which meant he could find his way to her
bedroom blindfolded. But that’s not what he wanted. At least, not yet. When he felt himself losing control, he broke off the kiss and pulled back, dropping his hands to his side. The raw need in her gaze almost made him pull her back into his arms, but he didn’t yield to temptation.
“I look forward to our evening tomorrow, Monica.”
“Me too, Landon.”
He drew in a deep breath. Monica Bennett brought out a passionate side of him that he’d thought long dead, a side that he needed to control better. It had been years since he’d had to worry about losing his head when he was with a woman, but that was definitely a problem now.
Landon took a step back and smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then he turned and left.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE NEXT MORNING, MONICA stood on her balcony while enjoying a cup of coffee and watching a ton of people leave the ship, obviously not wanting to miss their last day in Brisbane. Now she was glad Landon had suggested they not leave the ship until later, when they went to dinner, followed by a night of dancing.
A smile touched her lips when she thought about how enjoyable yesterday had been, and all the sights they had seen. She had told Landon her favorite place had been the botanical gardens; however, her favorite part of the day had been holding that little koala bear. But nothing could top the kiss Landon had given her when they’d returned to the ship. It was hard to be in her cabin and not remember it.
She drew in a deep breath as she tried to control the rush of pleasure she felt whenever she thought about that kiss. It had been unlike anything she’d ever experienced, and she was glad Landon had been holding her so close, because she’d definitely felt. His kiss had been thorough, and when he’d released her and walked out the door, she’d had to sit down on the nearest sofa to try and pull herself together.
Then she had done what she’d said she would do, taken a leisurely soak in the tub. And while there, she had thought about Landon—the man, the kiss. She had gotten so carried away reliving that moment in her mind, that she had stayed in the tub longer than she’d intended, and likely wouldn’t have noticed it if the water hadn’t become cold. While drying off, she had noticed how sensitive her skin was. Landon’s kiss seemed to have sensitized her body all over, making it tender to the touch.
THE BENNETTS' CHRISTMAS (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family Book 6) Page 9
