THE BENNETTS' CHRISTMAS (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family Book 6) Page 18

  “Did Kennedy like living in St. Paul while growing up?” he asked, trying to keep the conversation going. Maybe then, he’d be able to concentrate on what she was saying instead of how good she looked.

  “Yes. She was born here and has always considered St. Paul home. I remember hearing about the temper tantrum she’d had—it was something—when Michael told her he’d decided to move them to Atlanta.” Sebrina chuckled. “But he did it for her own good. Kennedy was getting into way too much trouble.”

  “How old was she?”

  “Thirteen. Michael is an airline pilot, and he paid an older woman to take care of Kennedy whenever he was away. I think the last straw was when he got a call notifying him that Kennedy had sneaked out one night to go joyriding with a group of girls from school. There was an accident, but nobody was hurt, thank goodness.”

  She took a sip of her tea. “The incident shook Michael up pretty bad because he’d lost his first wife, Kennedy’s mother, in a car accident a few years earlier. That’s when Michael decided to do something drastic. So he moved him and Kennedy to Atlanta to be close to the Bennett family. When he had to work, Kennedy would stay at our house. It was so much fun, and we showed her what it was like to be a real family.”

  He could believe that. In a way Rae’jean and Ryan, Sean and Liz, along with Evan’s big family, had shown him what a real family was about, too. His parents had fallen short in that department. In fact, he never recalled them doing much together. Most of the time, his father demanded his mother act the perfect hostess for his numerous business parties and she loved the role. There hadn’t been too much room for him.

  Deep down, Parker knew his parents loved him, but for the longest time, he’d thought the only reason they’d had him was to carry on the Stanhope name. For years, his mother had been adamant that he should settle down with the “right” girl and produce pedigree grandkids. But that was then, thank goodness. Now she just wanted him to settle down and was no longer fixated on who he married. It would not have done her any good anyway. But he was glad she now saw things a lot differently these days.

  Of course, she still wanted grandkids. He’d had to remind her more than once that marriage and a family were the last things on his mind right now. His medical goals topped the list.

  He couldn’t help chuckling when she’d tell him that, in that aspect, he was just like his father. His old man hadn’t been anxious to start a family, either. He’d been too busy building his family’s technology empire.

  “You’re lucky, you know.”

  She arched a brow. “Lucky?”

  “Yes. I got to know the Bennett family through Rae’jean. Even before meeting you, I knew how close all of you are. I think that’s great.”

  She nodded. “What about you? Any cousins?”

  He shook his head. “Only my Uncle Grady’s kids. He’s Mom’s only brother and there is a ten-year difference in their ages. When I was growing up, I considered him as an older brother instead of an uncle.”

  This was getting a little too intimate for his liking. Changing the subject, he said, “I understand the hospital is accepting volunteers to pass out gifts to the kids in Pediatrics for Christmas, and that you’re in charge of it on our floor.”

  She nodded. “I’m collecting funds for that, yes.”

  “Then I’d like to donate.”

  “Thanks. Ravene and I, and a couple of the other nurses, will go shopping next weekend. This is my second year doing it and it’s something I wish I’d started earlier. Seeing the kids’ happy faces, especially at this time of the year, makes it all worthwhile.”

  He couldn’t help but smile. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a lot like Rae’jean? She volunteers at her hospital during the holidays, making sure all the kids in Pediatrics have a special Christmas.”

  The smile that spread across Sebrina’s lips was joyful as well as seductive, and he felt his body warming to it…like it needed any further heat. Desire had definitely taken hold of his senses most of the evening. And before he went to bed that night, he would have to think seriously about if being ‘just friends’ with Sebrina was a good idea. Because his need for her hadn’t lessened any. If anything, the chemistry between them was stronger than ever.

  “I’m told that all the time,” she said, grinning. “Although we look nothing alike, we think alike. Mom says it’s her fault. Rae’jean was away at college and my grandmother was supposed to call and let her know when Mom delivered, but she didn’t. I think Nana was still ashamed that Mom got pregnant her first year in college and had to come back home. But Rae’jean managed to get home the day after I was born. Mom said that the first time Rae’jean held me, she cried all over me and that’s why we think alike.”

  “I could picture Rae’jean doing that, she’s a softy. It bothers her deeply whenever she loses a patient.”

  Sebrina nodded. “Now when Monica was born, it was a different story. Rae’jean knew better than to count on my grandmother’s call. She arrived days before Mom went into labor, and she was there in the delivery room when Monica arrived.” She let out a small laugh. “I heard Rae’jean fainted.”

  Parker laughed. “Seriously? She fainted?”

  “Yes, and she was a medical student at the time.” Sebrina was laughing in earnest now.

  Parker needed this. It felt good to laugh with her—almost as much as it would to hold her in his arms. But for now, it would have to do.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  “I’M GOING TO HAVE a great time teasing Rae’jean about fainting when your sister was born,” Parker said, still chuckling.

  Sebrina and Parker were walking out to his car after leaving Radeon’s Sweet Spot. Surprisingly, she had enjoyed herself tonight. Even with the sexual energy surrounding them, he had been great company. “She won’t fess up to it. She claims one of her contacts popped out of her eye and she was down on the floor looking for it. But my godmother, Sharon, who was there for the birth too, claims Rae’jean was flat on her back. My cousin Alexia was there, as well, and backs up Sharon’s story.”

  Parker shook his head when he opened the door for Sebrina. “With eyewitnesses, Rae’jean is going to have a hard time talking her way out of it.”

  “But she will try.”

  “I bet she will,” he said, laughing again.

  Sebrina liked the sound. Laughter was good for the soul. In their line of work, with so much sickness and death, it paid to be able to laugh sometimes. Parker closed the car door and as she snapped her seatbelt in place, she watched him walk around the front of the car to get in.

  When he started the car, he glanced over at her. “I can clearly recall the first day I met Rae’jean. I was a junior in high school when Uncle Grady brought her to Maine to meet my parents. I’m sure you’ve heard how that went.”

  “Yes, I overheard Rae’jean tell Mom about it at the family reunion,” Sebrina said.

  “Whatever she told them is probably the truth. Mom was upset that Grady would even think of marrying someone outside of his race. Her attitude caused a rift between them. I think Uncle Grady was close to disowning his sister over it. It was only when she got cancer and went through all those treatments that she learned to bond with other women—women of all colors who, like her, were fighting for their lives. After that, she began seeing a lot of things differently, including people. I can truly say it changed her way of thinking.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “So am I.” He didn’t say anything for a moment. “I really outing tonight, Sebrina.”

  “I had a good time, too, Parker.” She grinned over at him. “Especially since you didn’t make fun of me when I covered my eyes during the bloody scenes.”

  “There weren’t any bloody scenes. I told you that our guy would save the day.”

  “Yes, you did.” She nodded. “Do you go to work in the morning?”

  “Yes. The only reason I was off today was because I covered for Dr. Jenkins last night. I don’t have another day
off until the weekend.”

  “I’m off next weekend as well.”

  He paused a moment. “I have a date Friday night.”

  His words, which she should have been glad to hear, felt like a punch to her chest. “That’s great. And I have one on Saturday night,” she said, trying to sound cheerful about it. “Are you going out with someone who works at the hospital?” She really had no business asking but she couldn’t help herself. She just really hoped he wasn’t going out with Rosemary Nestor.

  “No, it’s someone I met today while out doing errands. She’s nice.” And then he asked her, “What about you? Are you going out with a new guy or someone you know already?”

  “He’s someone I know. Bob and I dated a few times last year after meeting at a party. But our occupations got in the way. His job became too demanding and so did mine.”

  “And now the two of you are dating again?” he asked.

  “He called and asked me out, so I guess you can say we are.” Sebrina wondered why she was saying anything to Parker about it at all. They didn’t owe each other anything.

  Still, she was glad when she realized they had pulled into their driveway. “We’re back.”

  “Yes, we are. Stay put for a second while I get the door for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  Sebrina liked the fact Parker had manners. They were always on-point. Because the house had a four-car garage, he had parked inside the garage with no trouble. Monica had left her car parked here and had taken an Uber to the airport.

  “Your sister has a nice car,” Parker said when he opened the car door for her.

  Sebrina glanced over at Monica’s sporty red Lexus. “That was her gift to herself when she paid off her student loans.”

  “Do you have big plans for your off day tomorrow?” he asked when he opened the door in the garage that led to the kitchen.

  “Not really. I want to go by the gym and start working out again. I haven’t been there in a long time.”

  “Which gym do you go to? I joined one today.”

  “You did? I’m a member of Casey’s.”

  “That’s the one I joined. It’s a nice place.”

  “Yes, it is. You’re going to love it.” She wondered if he was aware that Rosemary Nestor was also a member of that gym. For all Sebrina knew, that might have been his main reason for joining, but she doubted it. He had seemed rather annoyed that morning when Rosemary had demanded his attention.

  “Well, this is where we part ways, Parker. Again, I want to thank you for inviting me to go with you tonight.”

  “We’ll have to have other outings,” he said. “This one was fun.”

  It had been, but Sebrina wasn’t sure that the two of them spending more time together was a good idea, so she didn’t answer him. Instead, she said, “Good night, Parker.”

  She desperately needed some space, if she was going to avoid making a fool of herself. The sexual tension between them had only grown through the evening, almost overwhelming her. There was no way he could have missed it…or her reaction to it. Even now, a distinct warmth was flooding her core.

  “Goodnight, Sebrina. And enjoy your day off tomorrow.”

  “Thanks. I will.” Then she turned and hurried up the stairs to her room.

  Parker watched her go, even though a part of him was tempted to call her back, then pull her in his arms and kiss her, the way he’d longed to do all night. Still, he knew that if he did such a thing, it would ruin the friendship they’d started tonight. Even with all the stirrings of sexual chemistry that just wouldn’t let them be, they had managed to enjoy each other’s company, not as sexual beings but as two people who’d gone out to have a good time.

  And he’d had a good time. The movie was great, and the company had been awesome. He’d loved her reactions to certain parts of the film, especially when she’d hidden her face during the scenes she really hadn’t wanted to see. Yet she would peek through her fingers, watching them anyway. He also loved how she discussed the film with him once they’d left the theater, telling him the parts she had liked, as well as mentioning the moments she’d wanted to jump into the movie and help the superhero fight his battles. He had found it amusing because several times, he had felt the same way.

  He also enjoyed how they had wound up the evening with cheesecake. They had pretty much managed to ignore all that sexual energy surrounding them and simply engaged in good conversation. He couldn’t recall the last time he had felt so relaxed with a woman. He had felt comfortable with her—something that didn’t happen to him very often, at least, not in a woman’s company. And he had laughed. When was the last time he’d done that, other than when he’d been hanging out with a few of his male friends?

  Parker had always thought he dated to fill the time, not fill a void. He was human after all. But every once in a while, he would sit back and wonder what it would be like to have a special woman in his life—a woman who could be a life partner. One who shared his dreams, the way he would share hers. Hanging around Rae’jean and Ryan, as well as Sean and Liz, had shown him that some marriages really could work. They weren’t all as dysfunctional as his parents’.

  He would never forget the day he’d discovered that his parents had had an arranged marriage, thanks to their parents. When Parker had questioned his father about it, his old man had admitted it was true. In fact, his dad had even gone farther to say although he and Parker’s mother loved each other, they never actually fell in love. After learning that, he was glad his uncle Grady and Rae’jean had recognized the difference between those two things when they had and broken their engagement.

  Once he was in his bedroom, with the door closed behind him, he tossed his car keys on the nightstand and began removing his clothes. One thing he didn’t want to think about was the fact that Sebrina would be going out on a date Saturday night, and the guy was someone from her past. He should be happy for her, since he had a date as well. After all, they’d agreed that dating others would help combat the desire they felt for each other. However, it bothered him to know that some guy would probably get to do the things with her that he had wanted to do tonight but couldn’t—like hold her hand in the movies, feed her some of his cheesecake from his fork…or kiss her goodnight before she’d raced up the stairs.

  Parker frowned. He had to accept there could never be anything between him and Sebrina, although he sure wished otherwise.

  Spending time with Sebrina tonight had shown him how much he enjoyed her company. In a way, he found that fact disheartening. Because instead of using the things they had in common to advance a serious relationship between them, they had to keep each other at bay.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Monica

  “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LANDON,” MONICA said, easing out of the chair on the balcony to cross the floor and curl up in his lap. His arms went around her and held her close. She liked their closeness, and she definitely liked him. More than anything, she had wanted to make sure his birthday was one he would always remember.

  After the ship left Brisbane, they were at sea for two days before finally reaching New Caledonia, France. From there, they spent three days traveling to other islands located a few miles from each other.

  She and Landon had enjoyed all the sightseeing they’d done, the exotic foods they’d eaten and the activities they’d participated in. Now they were back at sea and headed for Arlie Beach. They were scheduled to make landfall tomorrow morning and would be on the island for three days.

  Today was Landon’s special day, number thirty-seven. They had been celebrating since midnight last night. Tonight, at dinner, she had arranged for a birthday cake to be brought to their table, and the cruise dining staff had sang happy birthday to him. He appeared to have enjoyed everything for him today and she was glad she’d been able to make his birthday special.

  “Now I’m eleven years older than you,” he said throatily, close to her ear.

  She chuckled. “Just for a few weeks. Remember? My
birthday is January fifteenth. Then you’ll only be ten years older than me again. So don’t try to get carried away with this age thing.”

  She heard him chuckle and cuddled even tighter into his lap. She’d never known she could find such peaceful bliss in a man’s arms, just like she hadn’t known she’d ever experience such mind-blowing pleasure in this man’s bed. Landon was opening her eyes to a lot of things.

  “Monica?”

  “Humm?” She lifted her head to look up at him.

  “Thanks for making my birthday unforgettable.”

  Then he leaned in and kissed her. It must have taken Landon years to perfect his kissing technique, and though she didn’t want to think about how he’d gained such expertise, she was very glad he had. Every time his lips met hers, she melted in his arms, the way she was doing now.

  And he didn’t just claim her lips when he kissed her—he used his hands to possess other parts of her as well. Even now, he was moving his hands to the part of her thighs not covered by her shorts, caressing her with soft strokes while slanting his mouth more greedily over hers.

  She knew what was coming next and was ready when he deepened the kiss and began sucking on her tongue in earnest. Landon’s mouth was so addictive. Whenever he kissed her, it felt as if he wasn’t just kissing her mouth, he was branding it. But that couldn’t be true. They both knew that whatever they shared was not meant to last beyond the cruise. There was no reason for him to mark her in any way.

  His hand was on the move again and when it slid beneath the waistband of her shorts, she knew his intent. She placed her arms around his neck to let him know she was ready for whatever experience he wanted to give her. Since their last night in Brisbane, he had made it a point to introduce her to passion, to show her just what the right man was capable of. And since that night, he’d introduced her to ways of making love that she’d never dreamt of. And still, she wanted more, was already anticipating more, whenever he pulled her into his arms.