THE BENNETTS' CHRISTMAS (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family #6) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,101

ship had docked in Sydney. However, she had been told by Hagia that he had been in the first group to disembark. She couldn’t believe that he hadn’t even bothered to say goodbye after all the time they had spent together. She had gotten so angry that she had deleted his contact information from her phone and blocked his number. She didn’t care if she ever saw him again.

“It’s nice meeting you, too, Monica.”

Parker’s deep, husky voice reclaimed her attention. Why wasn’t it claiming anything else? There was nothing. No attraction. No magnetism. At least not for her. However, it was alive and strong for Sebrina. Even with the two of them standing there looking at her with all smiles, she was fully aware of the sexual energy flowing between them. My goodness! It was practically rocking the floor they were standing on. She couldn’t wait to get Sebrina alone because she needed some answers from her sister, whether Sebrina wanted to fess up or not.

“Thanks. I hope Sebrina has been treating you well.”

Bingo. She saw Parker’s sensuous smile and Sebrina’s uneasy one. Evidently Bree had treated Parker very well. But that was so unlike Bree. She wasn’t someone who let a guy get under her skin.

“I’ve been well looked after,” Parker then said. “Sebrina has been more than kind.”

I bet. “Good. Now after a twenty-something hour flight, I am beat. I’m going up to my room, shower and hit the sack. I’ll probably sleep for at least two days.”

“You’ve got to eat some time,” Sebrina said. “Parker is a great cook.”

Monica had heard that already, from Kennedy and Victoria. But she didn’t say anything. She didn’t want Parker to know she’d asked around about him. “I’m sure I’ll wake up whenever I’m hungry. See you guys later.” Then she then walked off, rolling her luggage behind her as she headed toward the stairs.

“Need help with that?” Parker asked her.

She turned and smiled at him. “No, I’ve got this. Thanks anyway.” She needed to get out of their presence—all that chemistry was too much to deal with. Being around them reminded her of what she’d shared on the cruise with Landon. Something she’d likely never share with anyone again.

Duan Jeffries glanced up when Landon walked into his office. “What are you doing here? You aren’t due back in the office until after New Year’s.”

Landon dropped down in the chair in front of Duan’s desk. “I’m bored at home.”

“Bored? You just got back a couple of days ago. And how was the cruise?”

Landon didn’t say anything for a minute, then admitted, “I wish it hadn’t ended. I met someone.”

Duan chuckled. “I would hope so. It was a singles’ cruise, after all. I think Zoe had hoped that you would hook-up with somebody.”

Landon didn’t say anything for a minute. He and Landon had not only been partners on the force but had also been close friends. Duan had been there through Landon’s rough days in getting over losing Simone. Unlike his family, Duan never pushed Landon to move on with his life. Duan knew how deep his pain had gone and had let Landon decide when he was ready to move on.

“It wasn’t that way with her, Duan.”

Duan must have heard the seriousness in his voice. “Then what way was it?”

“I fell in love with her.”

The silence that followed his words was expected. And though the way Duan studied him was unnerving, it was totally expected as well. His best friend knew him. Duan knew that he would not say he’d fallen in love unless he was truly certain that he had.

“You want to tell me about her?”

Landon drew in a deep breath and nodded. He had to talk to someone about it. He had tried not to let Monica take over his mind like she had his heart, but it wasn’t working. He hadn’t been able to sleep a single night since returning. All he did was replay in his mind memories of all those days and nights they had spent together. Seeing the Great Barrier Reef with her in that helicopter had been something he would never forget.

“Remember around nine months ago, I told you about that young woman I met in St. Paul?”

Duan nodded. “A woman named Monica Bennett, right?”

“Yes.” He wasn’t surprised Duan recalled the incident as well as the name. In their line of work, remembering details was important and Duan had a knack of latching on to even the most minute ones. “Well, it was her,