THE BENNETTS' CHRISTMAS (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family Book 6)

by Brenda Jackson

  In her opinion, a lot could be said about casual sex, where all your concentration was on pleasure, instead of worrying a lasting relationship. Landon had shown her something she had never known she had—passion. And he’d explained to her what had gone wrong before—the two guys she’d been with hadn’t taken the time to tap into her passionate side. He’d told her that she had more passion in her little finger than most women had in their entire bodies. Of course, she hadn’t believed him, but every day and night he was proving to her just how right he was.

  “Umm,” she moaned in her throat. All thoughts were obliterated from her mind when she felt his hand touch her womanly core. He loved touching her there while kissing her and she loved it whenever he did. It was as if his fingers knew her body, knew just where to touch her inside to find that perfect spot to send her over the edge, to satisfy her raging libido and to fill the need he had awakened within her.

  She pulled her mouth away at the first sign of an orgasm. “Oh, Landon…”

  And then he reclaimed her mouth, deepening the kiss at the same time he pushed his fingers further inside of her. She gripped his shoulders as he continued to stroke her and arched her back when her body splintered into a million pieces, moaning deep into his mouth.

  Finally, when her body had gone limp in his arms, he pulled back slightly, but his mouth still hovered over hers. Darting his tongue out he began licking her lips from corner to corner, and when he aimed for her center, her lips greedily parted, as if he hadn’t been kissing her for the last ten minutes. Or was it ten? She wasn’t counting. All she knew was that he was at it again, kissing her harder than before, stretching it out and rekindling passion inside of her again. Passion he stirred. Passion he satisfied. Passion he was sharing.

  Shared pleasure.

  And when he broke off the kiss and then stood with her in his arms, intending to carry her inside her suite, she knew the best was yet to come. His birthday would end the same way it had started—with him inside of her, while they shared climax after magnificent climax.

  Landon placed Monica on the bed, needing to make love to her again. He couldn’t believe the way his heart pounded in his chest as he began undressing her. Making love was the only way he knew to show her how much she was coming to mean to him. He knew she assumed this was a casual affair and had even referred to it that way a time or two. But this was far from casual for him. Whenever he made love to her, he put everything he had into it.

  After he’d removed the last stitch of her clothing, he pulled back and glanced down at her. She was beautiful. Every part of her was perfect and looking at the center of her, that area between her gorgeous thighs, made him hungry for the taste of her. He quickly removed his own clothes, enjoying the fact that she watched him. He knew she was seeing his large erection grow even larger just from being near her.

  After donning a condom, he walked over to the bed. “I want to do something different today.”

  Since making love, he had introduced her to a number of sexual positions—thank you, Kama Sutra!—and she’d always been excited to try something new. He’d always believed that sex should be fun as well as sensual, and he had encouraged her to be honest about what she liked and what she didn’t. So far, she liked it all and he was glad for that.

  “What are you thinking of, Landon?” she asked, sitting up.

  “This!” Grabbing her feet, her dragged her to the edge of the bed. Then, he quickly leaned in and placed several kisses at the apex of her thighs before he straddled her. Lifting her hips closer to him, he thrust hard inside of her and began pumping in a rhythm she immediately began duplicating. Leaning in closer, he captured a nipple in his mouth and began sucking, ignoring the way her fingernails were digging into his shoulders.

  Nothing mattered but the feel of him inside of her, claiming what he intended to be his for always. His hips continued to drive hard inside of her, and she cried out his name. He loved hearing the sound of it and then, when he felt her body tightening around him, he knew what was about to happen and intended to be right there with her.

  This time, he called out her name as he exploded inside of her.

  Never had anything felt so right. He knew, after being on this cruise, spending time with her, both in and out of bed, there was no way he could return to Atlanta without knowing she would be a permanent part of his life.

  He could no longer live his empty existence. Monica Bennett had given new meaning to his life, had made him believe it was possible to love again.

  When the spasms had finally stopped, he moved off her, then lay down beside her, and pulled her into his arms. He loved holding her this way after they’d made love. It just felt so right, like a sacred connection of sorts. He glanced down at her and saw her eyes were closed and wondered if she was about to drift off to sleep. His birthday had been wonderful because of her. And he had worked up an appetite.

  “You want me to order room service for a late-night snack?” he asked her.

  “I thought it would be nice if we could get dressed and go dancing later.”

  A smile curved his lips. “Think you have energy for that?”

  “I will if you behave.”

  “Me? I’m not the one who curled into my lap earlier,” he teased. “Will we spend the night in my cabin tonight?”

  Because they were so close, they could swap cabins when the mood struck. And she’d hinted, this morning over breakfast, that she’d like to take his mattress for a spin. He’d been all for it.

  “Yes. I want to see if I sleep better in your bed.”

  He chuckled. “You intend on getting sleep?”

  She looked up at him. “I honestly shouldn’t. I need to get as much of you as I can before the cruise ends.”

  “And why is that?”

  “Because at the end of this trip, you will go your way and I will go mine.”

  Landon had news for her. She wouldn’t be getting rid of him that easily. “Umm, you know I have your phone number, right?”

  “And I expect you to look me up if you ever return to St. Paul.”

  He figured now was not the time to tell her how he felt about her. She wasn’t ready to hear it. He needed more time with her and the days left on this cruise would give that to him. He needed to make sure she understood there was more between them than sex, even if the sex was off the charts. He had no problem taking care of her needs. Then after taking care of the physical, he would begin working on the emotional. In time, Monica would realize that this wasn’t just a fling they were having, but something much, much more.

  “I hope you know that when I do look you up, it won’t be just as a rain check for a drink.”

  Her eyes sparkled. “I should hope not. I think you’ve ruined me for any other...”

  He lifted a brow when she didn’t continue. “For what?” If she was about to say that he had ruined her for any other man, she might as well say it. Because that was his aim. After him, there would not be any other man for her.

  “Nothing. Let’s order that snack and then take a short nap before we go dancing,” she suggested. “The club stays open late.”

  “Alright.” He reached for the phone to order some food, which, according to the dining room, should arrive in an hour. That left them some time to themselves.

  But when he glanced over at Monica, he saw she’d already drifted off to sleep. He tightened his arms around her. The scent of sex surrounded them, and it was a luscious aroma. Tomorrow they would get off the ship to tour a beach.

  His parents and sister had called earlier to wish him a happy birthday. He’d also heard from his partners and had thanked everyone for sending him on this cruise. He hadn’t elaborated but told them he was enjoying himself. They had no idea that because of their pushy, but well-meaning gift, he’d found the woman destined to share his life.

  Now if he could only convince her of that.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Sebrina

  PARKER WAS CHECKING THE chart of
one of his patients. Marilyn Sheffield had just woken up that morning after being in a coma following an auto accident a week ago. Although she had a long way to go toward total recovery, he was pleased with the good news he’d just given her family. Her husband had practically made the hospital his second home since his wife’s accident.

  Parker had felt the love the man had for his wife. He’d sat tirelessly by her bedside, holding her hand while telling her over and over how much he loved her, pleading with her not to leave him and their two young sons. It wasn’t often he got to see a love like that.

  Before he left her room just now, she had indicated she was hungry. He smiled. That was always a good sign.

  And speaking of hungry...

  He checked his watch. It was close to lunch time and he’d brought leftovers. Last night he had made spaghetti and had made sure there had been enough to share with Sebrina. He hadn’t seen her since their outing a couple of days ago.

  “How are you, Dr. Stanhope?”

  He glanced up when Dr. Rosemary Nestor walked up. He hadn’t seen her for a few days and had overheard one of the nurses saying, in a gleeful tone, that Dr. Nestor’s parents had come to town and she’d taken a few days off, so they could all have a break. Parker thought it was pretty damn sad when a doctor couldn’t get along with the nurses. They should be working together as a team.

  “I’m fine, Dr. Nestor. How are you?”

  “I’m okay. I’d like to talk to you about something, if you have the time.”

  He lifted a brow. “About one of your patients?”

  “No.” Then in a low voice, she said, “It’s personal.”

  Personal? He wondered if he really wanted to get into this. But he might as well get it over with. Glancing at his watch again, he said, “Sure. We can use my office.”

  “Thanks.”

  They walked side by side down the long corridor, and he noticed she was more quiet today than usual. Opening the door to his office, he stepped aside for her to go in ahead of him and closed the door behind them. He then offered her a seat before going to sit behind his desk. “So, what is this about?”

  She smiled over at him. “I’m not sure if you heard but Dr. Mark Winthrop might be looking for a roommate soon. He and his wife are getting a divorce.”

  Parker had met the man when they’d been introduced in last week’s staff meeting. “Why should news of Dr. Winthrop’s divorce interest me? Or the fact he might need a roommate?”

  “I honestly thought you were kidding the other day when you said you and Dr. Bennett were housemates.”

  He leaned back in his chair. “Why would I do that?”

  “I wasn’t aware the two of you even knew each other before you moved to St. Paul.”

  He picked up a paper clip and tossed it on his desk. It took everything he possessed to keep this conversation civil, especially now that he had an idea just where it was headed. “I’m sure there are a lot of people I know that you don’t. But I can’t help wondering why it’s a concern of yours?”

  “You’re new here and I like you.”

  No need to tell her the verdict was still out on whether he liked her. “What does that have to do with where I live?”

  “This hospital is notorious for gossip and I’m concerned for you. People talk. And I’m afraid they will assume that you and Dr. Bennett are more than just housemates.”

  Parker straightened up in his chair, deciding it was time to set Dr. Rosemary Nestor straight about a few things. “First of all, Dr. Nestor, talk doesn’t bother me because it’s nobody business where I live or who I live with. Dr. Bennett and are I friends. But even if we were more than that, it’s nobody’s business but ours.”

  “I’m only thinking of your reputation.”

  He didn’t say anything for a minute, and then asked, “So, if I was your housemate, would that still cause talk?”

  “Maybe some, but not much. Why should it?”

  “Then it sounds to me that this conversation is racially motivated. Is it?”

  “Of course not!”

  “Then why would it not cause a stir if I was your roommate, but it would if I was Dr. Bennett’s? Think about that for a while.” Coming from around his desk, he went to the door and opened it for her to leave. “I don’t have the time or the inclination to deal with racists. Now if you don’t mind, I want to enjoy my lunch.”

  She left in a huff and he closed the door behind her. Going back and sitting down in his chair, he leaned back and closed his eyes to calm his raging anger. He’d bet the only person who had a problem with his living arrangements was Dr. Nestor. If there were others, the hell with them.

  Opening his eyes, he stood and walked over to look out the window. He had a feeling Dr. Nestor was going to cause trouble. And that meant he needed to let Sebrina know, so she could be ready for it.

  “I’m so glad you’re enjoying the cruise, Monica,” Sebrina said as she talked to her sister while getting ready for work. She had placed the call on speaker while she moved around her bedroom. “What time is it there, anyway?”

  “A little past one in the afternoon. We got off the ship for a while when it docked at Arlie Beach. We’ll be in port for three days. It’s beautiful and we had a picnic and we—”

  “We? Who are we?”

  “Me and Landon.”

  “The stalker?”

  Monica laughed. “He isn’t a stalker, Bree, so stop saying that.”

  “I just find it’s strange that you ran into him again, especially on a cruise ship. The odds are astronomical. What do you know about him?”

  “More than I care to share at the moment. All you need to know is that he’s a real nice guy. Yesterday was his birthday and I made it special for him. I had a cake delivered to our dinner table and the dining staff sang to him.”

  “Sounds like it was nice.”

  “It was. Now, what about our housemate with the Chris Hemsworth body? The one you were getting all hot and bothered about the last time we talked.”

  Sebrina rolled her eyes. “I was not hot and bothered. I merely mentioned how good looking he was.”

  “Whatever. So how are things working out?”

  “Most of the time, we’re like two ships passing in the night. I rarely see him. He’s asleep when I leave for work and I’m gone when he comes home. However, a few days ago we did grab breakfast together, and that night, we went to see that new Marvel movie.”

  “The two of you went out on a date?”

  “It wasn’t a date, Monica. It was an outing.”

  “An outing?”

  “Yes. We’ve decided friends go on outings and not dates.” There was no way she was going to let her sister know that she had the hots for Parker and that he seemed just as attracted to her, but they were trying to deal with it, refusing to let it go any further.

  “So, how was it, going to the movies with the hunk?”

  Sebrina shook her head. “It was nice, and the movie was great. I can’t wait for the sequel.”

  “We will be docked at Arlie Beach for a little while. I’m going to suggest to Landon that we find a movie theater here and see if it’s playing. Earlier today Landon and I went snorkeling and he was surprised I knew how. And tomorrow we’re checking out another part of the beach.”

  Sebrina continued dressing for work, glad Monica was talking about Landon Chestnut again. She could hear the excitement in her sister’s voice. She also heard something else.

  “Should I be concerned about you and this guy, Monica? You sound quite taken with him. Have you fallen for him?”

  “Of course not! Landon and I are just having a good time. He’s a nice guy but at the end of the cruise, he will go his way and I’ll go mine. You know I don’t want a man in my life, at least not for a while yet.”

  “But what if the right one comes along?”

  “He won’t be the right man if he comes before I’m ready for him. A husband and babies are not on my agenda.”

  “You sound
so sure of that.”

  “I am. There is no man alive who could make me mess up my plans of going back to school. I want it too badly.”

  Sebrina glanced at the clock on the wall. “Well, time for me to leave. Parker cooked dinner today. I’m not sure what it was but it smelled so good. The aroma woke me up and luckily, he always makes enough that I can take some to work with me. If I gain weight, it’ll be his fault.”

  “A guy who is as handsome as Chris Hemsworth, and who can cook as well? You better hold on to him.”

  “Trust me, he’s popular around the hospital. Some of the nurses even keep his picture on their phones.”

  “Is he walking around with the big head?”

  “No. I doubt there is a conceited bone in his body. He’s so down to earth and is really a great guy. You’re going to like him.”

  “Hmm…sounds like you already do. Should I be concerned about you and Mr. Hottie, Bree? You sound quite taken with him. Are you falling for him?”

  Sebrina frowned, not liking that Monica was asking her pretty much the same questions she’d just asked her. “No. I am not falling for anybody. Look, Monica, I got to go. I hope your days at the beach are fantastic. Chat with you later. Bye.”

  “Wait, Bree!”

  “Yes?”

  “I wanted to let you know…you, Victoria and Kennedy were right. Landon has proven the problem in bed was never me, like you three said. It was with the two guys I wasted my time with. Talk to you later. Ciao.”

  Sebrina frowned when she heard a resounding click in her ear. Had Monica just admitted that she’d found out how good sex was with the right person? That meant…

  Sebrina was happy that at least this Landon Chestnut had finally proven to Monica that sex could be mind-blowing, but still... Sebrina was tempted to call her back and give her a few warnings about flings. Monica was the youngest and least experienced of their group. And Bree, as Monica’s oldest sister, had always had a protective streak where Monica was concerned. She just couldn’t stop worrying about her—some habits were hard to break. But this one, she would. She’d just have to believe that at twenty-six, Monica could handle her own business.