THE BENNETTS' CHRISTMAS (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family #6) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,4
always been close to their two cousins, Kennedy and Victoria. Although the four of them had gone to different universities, after college they had moved with Kennedy to St. Paul, and had taken up residence in the house Kennedy had received as a graduation gift from her father. It was the same home Kennedy had grown up in for the first thirteen years of her life.
Monica, Sebrina, Victoria and Kennedy had been housemates for years. Then Kennedy and Victoria got married in double weddings, six months ago in June. Kennedy still lived in St. Paul with her husband Haddison Wolf, but Victoria had moved to Los Angeles after marrying Cortez Masters.
Monica took a sip of her iced tea and asked, “Is it someone Kennedy knows?”
“No. It’s someone Rae’jean knows.”
Monica nodded. Rae’jean was one of their older cousins, and they both adored her. When Sebrina had become a heart specialist, she’d been following in Rae’jean’s footsteps.
“Do you remember Grady Fitzgerald, that guy Rae’jean was engaged to marry when we were just kids?” Sebrina asked.
“Of course, I remember. Who could forget? The family was all up-in-arms about it. It would have been the first interracial marriage in the Bennett family. Why?”
“His nephew will be transferring to St. Paul General as a neurosurgeon and needs a place to stay.”
“Nephew? We’re talking about a guy?”
“Yes. Kennedy wanted to know how we felt about that. We’ve never had a guy living here with us.”
“How old is he?” Monica asked.
“Thirty-four.”
“Umm, is he good looking?”
Sebrina laughed. “I didn’t ask her. She just wanted to know if we would be okay with it.”
Monica shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t have a problem with it. In fact, it might be good to have a man around.”
“I thought so, too. Especially during the night, when I’m working and you’re here alone.”
Monica rolled her eyes. “Will you stop being such a worrywart. I’m quite capable of looking after myself. I lock the doors and turn on the alarm and then I’m good.”
“So, you’d be okay with him moving in?”
“Sure. We can give him Kennedy’s old room, the master suite. It’s downstairs with its own private bath. That way he won’t have to come upstairs or even deal with us unless he joins us in the kitchen, living room or dining room.”
The house, which had been Kennedy’s parents’ first home, was huge and sat on two acres of land. There were five bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as a four-car garage. It had been perfect for the four of them, and Monica could see no reason why it wouldn’t be for three, even if the third person was a guy. Especially someone who was a friend of Rae’jean’s. Their cousin wouldn’t suggest that just anyone move in with them. And they trusted her judgement.
“Okay, I’ll let Kennedy know,” Sebrina said.
“Great. It’ll be fun.”
Hours later, once Monica had finished packing, she turned to her sister. “I’m going to miss you, Bree. Don’t let that hospital work you too hard while I’m gone.”
Sebrina grinned as she leaned against Monica’s bedroom door. “And try not to get too wild, even if you are surrounded by hot guys on that singles’ cruise.”
“Please…” Monica said, rolling her eyes. “I told you—I don’t need a man. As far as I’m concerned, sex is overrated.”
Though she was twenty-six, Monica had only been with two guys. Back in college, there had been Dusty. It had been her first time and he’d known it. Still, he hadn’t even tried to be gentle with her. Not only had it been an extremely disappointing experience, but a very painful one.
It had been years before she’d decided to try it again. And then she’d settled on a one-night stand. Halpern Carrolton had been a drummer. Her cousin Brandy had hired Halpern’s band as part of the entertainment for her husband Grey’s birthday party last year. The moment Halpern had winked at her, Monica had been a goner. She couldn’t wait to hook up with him later.
It had been a huge mistake. Although Halpern had been gentle with her, unlike Dusty, and the lovemaking hadn’t been painful, it had been all about him. He’d acted as if the only reason she was there that night was to please him, the selfish bastard. He’d never considered her needs or did anything to make it a satisfying experience for her as well.
Two disappointments had been enough, and she wasn’t anxious to try a third. As far as she was concerned, either something was seriously wrong with her