THE BENNETTS' CHRISTMAS (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family Book 6) Page 14
AFTER LANDON HAD PLACED Monica on the bed and joined her there, he shifted their naked bodies to face each other. She was experiencing wondrous aftershocks from her first orgasm and her heart was pounding deep in her chest as his penetrating eyes continued to hold hers. She’d never had oral sex performed on her before and it had been totally mind-blowing, just like her sisters and cousins had claimed.
Landon was lying there facing her, gently rubbing his hand along her side. He wasn’t saying anything as he stared into her eyes in that way that made heat flow through her. It was as if he was giving her time to recover and she appreciated that. “Thank you, Landon. That was simply amazing.”
“You do know the best is yet to come, right?”
She moaned softly. “I’ll take your word for it.”
“Don’t just take my word for it, listen to your body.”
She lifted a brow. “How am I supposed to do that?”
“Do you feel me touching you?” he asked as he continued to gently rub his hand along her side.
“Yes,” she said.
“And how does it make you feel?”
That answer was easy. “Hot.”
“I know.”
She studied his confident features and asked, “And how do you know?”
“Your scent. A man can tell when a woman is hot for him. And it’s his responsibility to make sure he takes care of her heat before his own. If he handles his business right, he’ll take care of them both at the same time.”
He ran his finger down her cheek. “What you experienced earlier was just foreplay.” Shifting his body closer to hers, he said, “Now we’re about to experience the real deal. Are you ready?”
She could tell that he was. His massive erection was pressed against her thigh. “This is another first for me.”
“What is?” he asked, looking at her.
“Engaging in conversation. We didn’t talk. We just did it.”
Monica saw the frown that settled on his face. “There will always be conversation between us, Monica.”
He had stated that fact like he assumed they would be doing this again. Evidently, he saw the look that flashed across her face. “I would never push you into doing anything you don’t want to do. Always remember, the decision is yours. I will always put your pleasure before my own. For us, there will always be shared pleasure.”
Shared pleasure...
Sensations she wasn’t used to feeling began to stir as Landon softly caressed her hip. Just the look in his eyes was making every hormone in her body convulse with need. And when his hand shifted to make circular indentions on her stomach, her sex really started to ache.
But he was intent on taking his time. His hand began inching up toward her breasts, intentionally stoking the sexual flames between them.
“You have beautiful breasts, Monica,” he said, caressing a nipple. She sucked in a deep breath when his finger skimmed around the tip. And then he leaned in and took the nipple into his mouth.
She thrashed at the pleasure of having him suckling hard on her breasts, and when his hand moved between her legs and began fingering her there, she almost came off the bed.
She pleaded with him to stop, then begged him not to, as waves of pleasure hit her. She could feel him driving her over the edge again, and she closed her eyes against the onslaught of his torment. Suddenly, her entire body tensed, and she screamed his name as a second climax hit her, the intensity of it rocking her to the core.
Monica was too weak to open her eyes but when she felt the bed move, she forced herself to watch as a naked Landon walked across the room to retrieve a condom packet from his slacks, then sheathed himself. This was the first time she had ever seen a man do that. It suddenly hit her how many firsts she was sharing with Landon. For a woman who’d never experienced an orgasm before, he’d given her two of them within thirty minutes.
“Ready for more?” he asked, returning to the bed.
She was about to suggest they take a nap first when he leaned in and began licking around her mouth, moving his body over hers. He was ready, and she wondered how he could have so much energy. It then dawned on her that the two times she had climaxed, he had not.
“Monica?”
“Umm?”
“Look at me, baby. I need you to look at me.”
She forced her eyes all the way open. He was such a handsome man and the sight of him above her sent all kinds of sensations rushing through her. Then he leaned in and kissed her, and this kiss made her entire body throb.
Reaching up, she curved her arms around his shoulders—those sexy shoulders she liked so much—and could feel the hair on his chest rub against breasts he’d sucked on moments ago.
When he released her mouth, she felt his knees parting her legs, and then his hands lifted her hips. Holding her gaze with his, he slowly entered her.
Monica felt him penetrate her completely. Then he began moving, setting the pace, withdrawing slowly and then reentering her again, establishing a sensuous rhythm that took her breath away.
His thrusts started slow, and then built from there—over and over, deeper and faster, entering and withdrawing. Never had she experienced such excruciating pleasure. Each stroke into her body was precise and perfect, and her hips automatically rose to receive him.
Suddenly, another climax hit her, starting in her core and spreading throughout her body, then ending with uncontrollable shudders. “Landon!”
Within seconds of screaming his name, he threw his head back and hollered hers as he began pumping harder and faster into her, relentlessly, over and over, until another erotic contraction ripped through her. Monica wrapped her legs around him, needing to feel their bodies locked together.
As the spasms slowly began wearing off, Landon shifted his weight off her and gently pulled her into his arms. Even this, having him hold her tenderly while placing small kisses on her face, was a new experience for her. She snuggled closer to him, and as they lay in each other’s arms, she was in awe at what they’d just shared. What he had given her.
He’d definitely kept his promise.
Landon lay awake while Monica slept in his arms. He loved her.
Momentarily closing his eyes, he thought about that. Such an admission should be a lot for him to digest and accept, but honestly, it wasn’t.
He thought back to his family’s history. Most of the men in his family had been lucky in love, having the ability to immediately recognize the woman meant for him. His father had known it the first time he’d met his mom, and Landon had felt the same way when he’d met Simone.
What he hadn’t known was that Simone was only meant to share his life for a short while. They’d had several happy years and he would always appreciate the time he’d had her in his life. But it hadn’t been forever.
Landon now believed that he had fallen in love with Monica the first time he’d seen her in St. Paul. There had been something about her that he’d never been able to forget. Now he realized that it was because she was meant to be his.
That was why their paths had crossed again, why they were together on this ship now. It was fate. Fate was the reason he was holding her in his arms after making unforgettable love to her, being her first in so many ways tonight.
Landon reopened his eyes and silently thanked God for giving him a second chance at love. He knew, at that moment, that he loved Monica more than he could ever love anyone else. She brought out so many emotions within him. Emotions that had been dead for six years.
His biggest challenge, he knew, would be in convincing her that this was how things were meant to be. But he had time—they’d be on the cruise a while yet. By the time they returned to Sydney, he was determined that she would know what she meant to him…and that he intended to make her a part of his life…forever.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Sebrina
“SO, TELL ME ABOUT your new housemate, Bree,” Kennedy said. She had dropped by to visit her cousin for lunch.
“
There’s nothing to tell, really,” Sebrina said, moving around the kitchen. “He’s working days, so I rarely see him.”
“Okay, then. Tell me about the parts you have seen. Is he cute? Fine? A toad or what?”
Sebrina grinned, shaking her head as she placed sandwiches and iced tea on the table. “Hey, aren’t you a married woman now? I wonder what Haddison would think about his wife asking about another man.”
Kennedy laughed. “Haddison knows he has nothing to worry about. I am crazy about him.”
“And he’s crazy about you. I am so happy for you and Victoria. Every time I see you guys, you’re smiling.”
“Umm, our men give us a lot to smile about.”
“Evidently.”
“So, stop trying to change the subject. Tell me about Parker Stanhope, Bree. I hope I didn’t make a mistake by letting Rae’jean talk me into letting him stay here.”
Sebrina released a deep sigh as she sat down across from Kennedy. “I hope you didn’t make a mistake, too.”
Concern flashed in Kennedy’s eyes. “Why? Is there something about him that I should know?”
Sebrina took a sip of iced tea and said, “Nothing other than the fact that he’s the sexiest man I’ve ever seen.”
Kennedy stared at her. “Wow, he’s that hot?”
“Probably hotter.”
Kennedy leaned closer to Sebrina. “Honestly?”
Sebrina didn’t say anything. She was close to all her cousins but there had always been a special bond between her and Kennedy. She had been the only one Kennedy had told when she’d fallen hard for Haddison.
“I actually drooled the day I opened the door to him. And everyone at work is raving about him. All I hear, all night, every night, is what a fine specimen Dr. Parker Stanhope is. You wouldn’t believe how the female staff is acting, married or single, nurses and doctors.”
Kennedy smiled. “But of course, you are keeping a level head.”
“Of course.”
“Why? If you want to get to know him better, you have an advantage. You both live under the same roof.”
“Thank God nobody knows about that, at the moment. I’d never live it down.”
“So what? You have an advantage. You should use it.”
Sebrina frowned over at her cousin. “Kennedy Bennett Wolf, don’t you dare put ideas in my head.”
“Why not? Don’t you think it’s time that you forgot about Wade Simon, once and for all?”
Sebrina rolled her eyes. “Wade hasn’t been in the picture in years,” she said of her teen crush who she’d thought she would love forever.
She thought back to the times she couldn’t wait to visit her father every summer in New Jersey, just so she could spend time with Wade, her first love. His parents had been neighbors of her father and grandparents.
At seventeen, Wade had been her first. She’d given him her virginity because she had loved him and had been certain he’d loved her too. He was a year older than her and they had talked about the possibility of them both attending the same college and medical school, since they had shared the dream of becoming a doctor. Then, the summer before she started her senior year of high school, Wade had gone away to college, leaving her a “Dear John” letter and breaking her heart.
“I often wondered. I know you’ve dated, and as far as I can tell, nothing has ever become serious.”
“I have my reasons. I refuse to tolerate the games some men play,” Sebrina said.
“And you think Parker Stanhope is the type of guy who’s into games?”
“I don’t really know. But right now, he’s in high demand, and I’d rather not become involved with someone who needs to be the center of attention. He already has enough women falling all over him. He doesn’t need me to add to it.”
“And how do you know he’s like that?” When Sebrina didn’t answer, Kennedy added, “You know what I think, Bree?”
Sebrina looked over at her. “I don’t think I want to know.”
“I think you’re deliberately trying to find fault with Parker Stanhope because you don’t want to like him, but you’re afraid that you might. In fact, I think you already do.”
Sebrina shrugged. “I like Parker alright. I just don’t intend to be taken with his looks and body like all those other women at the hospital. So far, we get along fine. He even helped me decorate the Christmas tree.”
“And I think the two of you did a great job. It looks really good.”
“Thanks. But as far as anything developing between me and Parker, it would be unethical.”
“Why?”
“We live together.”
“So. If you recall, Haddison and I worked together. There’s nothing unethical about it. So don’t use that as an excuse. It won’t work with me. There’s nothing wrong with you liking him, and there would be nothing wrong if the two of you decided to take things to another level. In fact, with Monica gone, now would probably be the best time to go for it, if you’re going to.”
Sebrina frowned over at Kennedy. “Again, stop trying to put ideas in my head.”
“I think somebody should. I don’t want you to let life pass you by because of Wade. The man is happily married with three kids and you’re still all alone. Don’t you think it’s time you finally moved on?”
They talked for a few hours more, before Kennedy had to leave. Sebrina decided to lay down for a few hours, hoping she’d be able to catch a few zzz’s before reporting to work at eleven tonight. But sleep didn’t come easily. Kennedy’s words kept running through her mind.
Her cousin knew better than most just how much Wade had hurt her. Kennedy had been with Sebrina when his letter had arrived. And it had been Kennedy who’d held her while she’d cried. And oh, how she’d cried....
So, Sebrina could understand why Kennedy would think she was still carrying a torch for Wade. But Kennedy didn’t realize that Wade Simon had taught her a valuable lesson—to never give her heart up easily, ever again. Yes, it had been close to eleven years since she’d received that letter, but pain was pain and the heartache she’d felt was the kind of hurt she wouldn’t wish on her worst enemy.
She was certain that one day, she would eventually meet someone and fall in love, but she was in no rush. These days, she dated whenever she wanted and wasn’t looking for anything more. Right now, she just wanted to concentrate on being the best heart specialist that she could be.
But still...that hadn’t stopped her from thinking about Parker, especially after catching a glimpse of him on her way home. He was coming in the hospital just as she was leaving. He hadn’t seen her, thank goodness, so she’d had a chance to look him over. No man should look that good in scrubs and a lab coat. His sandy brown hair had fallen loose around his shoulders, making him look rakish and she saw him offer that heart-stopping smile to a few people he met on his way in.
Yes, like she’d told Kennedy, Parker Stanhope was the sexiest man she’d ever seen. What she hadn’t told her cousin was that the man could make her toes curl with just a glance in her direction. And the attraction seemed to be mutual. Sebrina could recognize sexual chemistry between a man and a woman. It had been there the moment she’d opened the door to him that first day. Sharing lunch with him hadn’t helped matters, nor had accepting his help with the Christmas tree. That had put them in a little too close contact with each other, before either of them knew how to deal with that intense initial attraction.
She was mature enough to know that sexual chemistry was normal. Wanting to find a mate was a big part of being human. But for her and her future plans, she had to keep the attraction under control.
Luckily, she’d been able to avoid him…and avoid making a fool of herself. Since he left for work before she got home in the morning, and he usually came home while she was sleeping, their paths rarely crossed and she liked it that way.
But that wouldn’t help her this weekend. Starting tomorrow, she had a four-day weekend, and she needed to do some of the things she’d put
off doing around the house. And that meant she would probably run into Parker.
It shouldn’t be a big deal. He lived here, just as she did. The last thing she wanted was to make him feel uncomfortable. Besides, she figured it wouldn’t be long before he succumbed to the attentions of someone in the female hospital staff. And once he started dating, she’d see even less of him. That is, if he wasn’t dating someone already.
She shifted in bed, trying to find a more comfortable position. For some reason, she didn’t want to think about Parker dating. But then he knew the house rules—Kennedy had made sure he’d signed the paperwork before he moved in. And those rules stated that special friends of the opposite sex could not spend the night, nor could they hang out in the house for prolonged periods of time.
Those rules had worked well when she and Monica had shared the house with Kennedy and Victoria, and they should be okay for Parker, too. Rae’jean had given them her word that Parker was a dedicated doctor, and more importantly, a decent human being. After spending time with him that first day, she had to agree.
Now if she could only keep her rampant sexual thoughts of him under control, everything would be good. But then, she appreciated a gorgeous man just as much as the next person.
Over time, things inevitably wore off—even physical attractions. There was no reason for her to think it wouldn’t be that way with Parker.
But how much time would it take?
“Wait up, Dr. Stanhope.”
Parker turned around and saw the woman hurrying toward him, her blond hair bouncing with every step she took. “Yes, Dr. Nestor?”
“I was wondering how things are going for you?”
He was tempted to tell her that he would be doing a lot better if she’d stop cornering him every chance she got. If she thought that being seen in his company would send some kind of message—either to management, or the other staff—she was dreaming.
“Things are great. Finding my way around. Meeting patients, reviewing charts, getting to know everyone.”
She leaned in close and whispered, “I hope the nurses aren’t throwing themselves at you.”