THE BENNETTS' CHRISTMAS (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family #6) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,13
head to look up at him, already regretting his absence. “Alright.”
“I’ll be at your cabin at seven. See you, Monica.”
“Okay, Landon.”
He smiled and then walked off. Her gaze followed him until he stepped on the elevator and was gone.
It was then the women sitting at the table behind her clapped again. Evidently, they had enjoyed checking out his adorable tush as much as she had.
Landon entered his cabin and hoped asking Monica Bennett to join him for dinner hadn’t been a mistake. But then, hadn’t he been thinking a lot about her lately, and had even contemplated returning to St. Paul just to see her? The memory of the sway of her hips in that pencil skirt she’d worn when she had walked out the night club that night had stayed with him.
But even before she’d made such a sensuous exit, he’d experienced full-blown attraction to her when he’d noticed her confrontation with that guy named Dusty. Even though she’d obviously been angry, she was still strikingly beautiful. That night, he’d had sizzling dreams for the first time in six years.
And he was still very attracted to her. The fact that Monica was on this same cruise, with a cabin across the hall from him, was definitely lucky…and convenient. What were the chances?
There had to be a reason their paths had crossed twice now. He’d never been one to believe in fate, but now, the proof of it was staring him in the face.
But to start, he had to see where this all led. He had nineteen more days to find out if there could be something between him and Monica. Hopefully, before they docked back in Sydney, he’d know. While they were on the cruise together, he wouldn’t deliberately invade her space, but he definitely wanted to spend more time with her, if she allowed it.
It had been years—his early days in college—since he’d been serious about a woman. But he was finally accepting that Simone wasn’t coming back, and she would want him to be happy.
And, as he moved around the cabin, he decided that getting to know Monica Bennett might be just the way to do that.
“Are you sure he’s not a stalker, Monica?”
Monica smiled at Sebrina’s question. It was the complete opposite of her other sister’s reaction. Fun-loving Kelly had wanted to know how soon it would be before Monica and Landon hit the sheets. Her two sisters definitely had different attitudes when it came to men.
“He’s not a stalker, Bree.”
“It just seems odd, that’s all. What are the chances of the two of you running into each other again? Makes one wonder.”
She didn’t mind Bree wondering, as long as it didn’t lead to her sister worrying about her. “It’s okay, Bree. Landon is a nice guy. I told you that about him months ago.” Monica had told Bree, Victoria and Kennedy all about Landon, and her hopes that he would return to St. Paul and invite her out.
“So, how’s our new roomie? Have you talked to him yet?” she asked, deciding to change the subject.
“Yes. We talked on the phone briefly yesterday. He’ll be moving in this weekend.”
“That soon?”
“Yes. I think he wants to get settled before the holidays. Rae’jean called yesterday to assure me that he was a good guy. I guess that means he’s not at all like his parents.”
“His parents?”
“Yes. Grady’s sister and her husband. Don’t you remember Rae’jean telling us about them? They, as well as the rest of the family, were against Grady marrying Rae’jean because they didn’t believe in interracial marriages.”
“Yes, but there were members of our own family who didn’t like it either. So, there were prejudices on both sides,” Monica said, remembering the cool reception Dusty had gotten when he’d come home from college with her one weekend. Taye and Michael had been fine with it, but Monica’s grandmother, Nanna Otha Mae, had almost had a cow. And when Monica and Dusty broke up, she talked about throwing a party.
“I know. People ought to be able to love whoever they want,” Sebrina said.
“I agree. And more people are understanding that. In fact, Rae’jean told us that Grady’s sister had even come around. A few years ago, she’d had a “Come to Jesus Moment” after that bout with breast cancer. And coupled with Grady’s threat to cut all ties with her if she didn’t change, well, I think she realized how close-minded she was being. Now she doesn’t look down her nose on anyone.”