THE BENNETTS' CHRISTMAS (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family #6) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,65
still holding her gaze. “And I picked up on the vibes passing between us, which let me know the feelings were mutual, Sebrina. It is magnetism we have no control over.”
She wished she could deny what he said, but she couldn’t. She had felt all the things he described. However, she refused to accept they had no control over it. She’d always had control when it came to men. She shook her head. “Sorry, but I don’t agree.”
“You have that right.”
She had more than a right, she had a will. And at that moment, she willed that whatever this thing was between them, this thing he was convinced they had no control over, be over here and now. “Why are you being negative, Parker?”
He placed his cup down and leaned over the table. “I’m just being realistic, Sebrina.”
There was something about the look in his eyes, something in the tone of his voice that gave her pause. Then he broke eye contact with her and rubbed his hand down his face, clearly frustrated. “I’m only trying to be as honest as I can with you, Sebrina. I’m having a hard time dealing with all this strong energy between us as well. I wasn’t expecting it, any more than you were,” he said.
“When Rae’jean found out I was transferring to St. Paul for a year, and she suggested I move in with you and Monica, I thought it would be great. However, I knew I was in trouble the moment you opened that door. Still, I figured we’re adults. We’re professionals. We are two levelheaded people. What you see as a problem, I see as fixable. So we’re back to square one. There are two options—ignore it, or act on it.”
She frowned over at him. “We won’t be acting on it, Parker.”
“Then we’re going to have to try to ignore it.”
Sebrina took a sip of her tea. She had never been faced with anything like this before. But she should be able to ignore this connection if she put her mind to it. After all, they rarely saw each other anyway.
“There is another option, which might be the best solution,” he said, breaking into her thoughts.
She lifted a brow. “What option is that?”
“I could move out and find my own place.”
Sebrina shook her head, knowing that was not the answer. She could just imagine having to explain to her family why he decided to leave. Sorry guys. Parker had to move out because I couldn’t keep my hands off of him.
“That won’t be necessary, Parker. Like you said, we’re adults. If we ignore it, it will eventually fade.”
He paused for a moment. “We are sharing the same house and at times, we will be sharing the same space. I hope you don’t think ignoring this attraction means we ignore each other, Sebrina. That would cause even more problems. I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable and I don’t want to feel that way, either. May I make a suggestion?”
She wondered what suggestion he wanted to make. “Sure. What are you thinking?”
“Maybe, if we both start dating other people, whatever this is between us will fade. Then we can start to build a better friendship. A platonic friendship. And pretty soon, we won’t see each other as sexual beings quite as much.”
Sebrina thought about his suggestion. “Umm, it’s worth a try. I definitely don’t want you to feel uncomfortable living with us.”
“And I want you to feel comfortable having me there, Sebrina. Although we can’t quit wanting each other, cold turkey, I believe if we become friends, it will eventually fade.”
She drew in a deep breath, finally feeling they were getting somewhere, although she really didn’t like the idea of finding someone to date, just to keep her desire for him at bay. However, at this point, she would try anything. “Okay, let’s work on the friendship piece.”
Parker smiled. “We already have by sharing breakfast together this morning.”
“That’s true.” She couldn’t help wondering, though, how she’d scare up a guy to date. Because of her hours at the hospital, she rarely went out. But she wouldn’t use her work hours as an excuse. Still, so far none of her dates were guys she’d been eager to see again. Kennedy, Monica and Victoria had accused her of being too picky. They also thought she was still pining over Wade. She wondered if Parker would start dating Dr. Nestor.
She glanced over at him and saw that he was staring at her. “Is anything wrong, Parker?”