lost track of time.”
“Will you be working the entire twenty-one days?” he asked. They stopped walking when they came to the bank of elevators, and he pressed the button to summon one to their floor.
“I hope not. I’m trying to finish by the end of the week. Then I can sit back and enjoy the cruise.”
“Are you going to get off the ship when we dock in Brisbane? Or are you going to work right through?”
She laughed. “I’m not that dedicated. I’m definitely going to check out the city.” They would reach Brisbane in the morning and the ship would be docked in port for two days. She hadn’t signed up for any of the tours or excursions but planned to explore on her own. She’d always preferred to do her own thing instead of hanging out in a group.
Of course, it would have been nice if she’d had one of her sisters or cousins with her. “I’m finding the hardest thing about this cruise so far is adjusting to the time difference. Back in the States, St. Paul is fifteen hours behind us. My sister is already on me about the hour I’m calling.” She laughed, then added, “I’m getting used to it, but the first two days were the hardest.”
“It has been the same with me. The first night, I stayed up reading and then couldn’t get out of bed the next morning. But like you, I’m getting used to it.”
He stepped aside when the elevator opened, and she was glad to see that they had it all to themselves. She tried not to ogle him when Landon leaned against the back wall, his hands shoved in his pockets. In that pose, he went from ‘hot’ to ‘sizzling’.
Trying to distract herself, she glanced at pictures plastered on the elevator wall, showing the various islands they would be visiting. “I didn’t think this cruise would be very exciting, but it’s starting to get that way,” she said, refusing to glance over at him.
“It’s beginning to be exciting for me as well.”
There was something in his tone that compelled her to glance over at him. The moment their gazes connected, she felt something— sensuous chills that acutely reminded her that she was a woman. Funny, she’d never thought she needed a reminder before.
“You didn’t see that guy again, did you?”
Monica knew what guy he was talking about. Jack. “No. I returned to my cabin right after you left. I’m hoping I won’t be running into him again.”
“Don’t be surprise if you do. I have a feeling he hasn’t totally given up on you.”
“Somehow, I don’t think he’ll waste his time.” Especially since Landon had pretty much scared him off.
The elevator stopped to let others get on, and she stepped back, putting her in front of him. Instinctively, he placed his arms around her waist and pulled her closer when even more people got on.
Frissons of heat raced up her spine. She was tempted to glance over her shoulder to see if perhaps he’d felt it too, but decided against it, convinced the attraction was one-sided. Landon just had that kind of effect on her.
And honestly, she wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
CHAPTER SIX
LANDON WONDERED IF MONICA knew the effect she had on him…especially with her standing so close in the crowded elevator. She was probably 5’7”, a perfect complement to his 6’3 frame. Her hair was pinned up on top of her head, and this close, he could smell the strawberry scent of her shampoo.
It hadn’t been easy keeping his jaw from dropping when she’d opened her door. She looked radiant in a sexy blue dress and black stilettos that showed a pair of gorgeous legs. He’d noticed those legs before, that night in St. Paul. And he’d dreamed of having those same legs wrapped around him when they’d made love.
Landon forced the lustful thought from his mind, knowing it had no place there...at least, not right now. Over the last eight months, he’d kept his naughty dreams of her for the wee hours of the night, when he was alone in his bed.
Of course, those weren’t the only times he thought of her. Often, when he was at work, he’d wonder where she was, what she was doing…and if she was thinking of him. He would get so worked up, he’d have to hit the gym to burn off some tension. His fitness level had improved, if nothing else.
The elevator stopped at another floor and a couple more