THE BENNETTS' CHRISTMAS (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family #6) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,96

adventure, and then at night, had taught her things in the bedroom that still made her blush just thinking about them.

Kennedy had been right about older men. There was a confidence in them that younger men lacked. Thanks to Landon, she felt surer of herself—more aware of herself—than she had when she boarded the ship weeks ago. He had been a gentleman and had treated her with the utmost respect, even in the bedroom. Especially in the bedroom.

She lowered her glass. “And I won’t forget you either, Landon. You are the best.” And she really meant it. She knew all good things had to come to an end and their affair would too. But they still had tonight, and she intended to make it the best night ever.

“I’m reminding you again that if you ever return to St. Paul, you’ll remember to use that rain check for us to get together for that drink.”

He held her gaze for a long moment and the heat from his eyes stirred her insides. “If I come to St. Paul, I hope to get something else even more important.”

Monica knew he was suggesting that he would want a booty call when he came to town. Considering how good the sex had been between them, she could definitely see that happening. “Anytime, Landon. You have definitely earned a place in my bed.”

Unlike the smile she had expected, she saw frown lines appear around his eyes. “What about your life, Monica? Have I earned a place in your life?”

Now she was the one frowning, because she wasn’t exactly sure just what he was asking. “My life? Why would you want a place in my life?”

“I would think that would be obvious.”

Well, it wasn’t. Evidently seeing the look of confusion in her features, he added, “I’ve fallen in love with you, Monica.”

She stared at him, not believing what he was saying. Her head started to spin, and she placed her wine glass on the table before she dropped it. He stared back at her, frowning as he watched her reaction to his words. Why? Why would he say something like that to her? She shook her head. “No. You can’t love me. It wasn’t that kind of party, Landon. It was only about sex.”

Now he was the one shaking his head. “It was never only about sex, Monica. At least not for me. I knew I had fallen in love with you just days after I ran into you on this ship.”

“Days? That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. Maybe love works like that for some people, but not for me. It was just sex. Why are you trying to make it something more?”

She watched as he placed his wine glass beside hers, then crossed his arms over his chest in a stance that would have been sexy as sin if the subject matter hadn’t been so darn serious. Had he hit his head somewhere? Had someone spiked his drink? They’d eaten dinner together but had chosen different entrees. Had someone messed with his food? Added some crazy sauce to it or something?

They stared each other down for a moment and then putting his hands by his side, he closed the distance between them. “Because for me it was more. Every time we shared a bed, we made love Monica, not just had sex. I was trying to give you a chance to get used to the idea.”

Get used to the idea? Now she really thought he was in La-La Land. “I never led you to believe it was more than what it was, Landon. Why are you trying to ruin our last night together? I told you my goals. There’s no room for a man in my life for another seven to eight years. And I won’t be rushed into anything I’m not ready for. The last thing I want is to be seriously involved with a man. I told you that.”

“I was hoping I could get you to change your mind.”

“You can’t. Sorry.”

“I don’t want you to be sorry, Monica. I want you to give us a chance.”

Now he was making her mad. Why couldn’t he accept things the way they were? “You know what I think, Landon? I think this was the first time you really enjoyed yourself since your fiancée died, and you’ve mentally made me her replacement. Well, I’m not. Go find another substitute because I refuse to be her.”

Anger appeared on his face. “That’s not only unfair but it’s cruel, Monica.