Monica glanced out the window when the car came to a stop outside a huge building with lights blinking the name Crystals.
“Looks like we’re here,” Landon said.
Yes, they were. Moments later Monica took Landon’s hand as he helped her out of the car, thinking how much she had enjoyed their conversation. Landon gave the driver instructions to be back in two hours, then they headed into the restaurant where a hostess greeted them and showed them to their table.
Monica glanced around and was glad Landon had thought to make reservations. The place was crowded, which meant it was a popular eating establishment. Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings and in the middle of the room sat a floor-to-ceiling Christmas tree made of crystals. It had to be one of the most beautiful trees she had ever seen. And lit candles in crystal vases shaped like Christmas ornaments had been placed on every table.
“This place is incredible, Landon. It really puts you in the Christmas spirit, although I’ve heard that most Australians like celebrating Christmas in July.”
“I’m glad you like it. But I can’t take all the credit. It happened to be number one on Zoe’s list.”
She nodded. From what he’d told her about his sister, Zoe Chestnut sounded like she was a lot of fun to be around, just the kind of person Monica would love getting to know and hanging out with. However, she couldn’t ever see that happening since she and Landon would be parting ways after the cruise.
At that moment, the waitress came over with menus and took their drink orders. After she left, they looked over the menu. “Everything looks delicious. Did Zoe provide any recommendations about what we should try?” Monica asked.
He chuckled. “No, I guess we’re on our own there.”
After discussing all the entrees listed, they both decided on roast duck with potatoes and beans. They’d just closed their menus when their waitress returned with their drinks and to take their order.
When she walked off, Landon looked back at Monica. “Earlier, during the car ride, you said that usually your dates didn’t begin or end well. I didn’t ask about the reasons at the time, but I was wondering if you’d like to share them with me now. My curiosity is killing me.”
She stared into his dark brown eyes, already inclined to share just about anything with him. “There are a lot of losers out there. You wouldn’t believe how hard it is for a girl to find a relatively decent guy these days. Some are players, only hoping to build up their reputations. Others are already some mama’s baby daddy—or several mamas’ baby daddy. Then there are those who conveniently forget to mention they’re married or already in a pretty serious relationship, even while they’re trying to charm someone else.”
She decided not to add that since she wasn’t looking for a serious relationship, helping a guy build up his reputation really wouldn’t bother her, as long as he wasn’t a waste of time in the bedroom. From what she’d seen, a lot of men talked a good game but weren’t so good at delivering.
“Well then, I guess I should set the record straight. I am not a player, and my reputation is just fine, I’m not anyone’s baby daddy, and I’m not married or in a serious relationship.”
“I know you’re a nice guy, Landon. They don’t make them like you anymore. You’re mature, and it’s obvious you don’t have time for bullshit.”
He nodded. “Glad you realize that.”
“I also realize that above all else, you are a gentleman. The way you’ve come to my aid, as well as the way you’ve stepped in when other women disrespected me when I was with you, says a lot. It means a lot.”
Although Monica doubted that he knew just how much. But one thing she intended to show him before the cruise ended was how much she appreciated him.
At that moment, Landon didn’t feel like such a gentleman. Not with the salacious thoughts that were floating through his mind. He had known he was in trouble the moment she had opened her cabin door. When he’d seen her in that curvy red dress that showed a dangerous amount of thigh, he’d forgotten to breathe.
He still hadn’t recovered from first seeing her in that dress and now here she was, sitting across from him, looking so beautiful and smelling so damn good. There was only so much a man could take.
He doubted Monica realized just what a potent package she was. Every time they’d been together, he’d had to go back to his room for a cold shower. He had to constantly fight for control when he was around her. He was doing it now.
Being a gentleman when he was around her was one of the hardest things he’d ever had to do.
“Why don’t you tell me about your work, Landon? What made you decide to leave the police force and become a private investigator?”
He took a sip of his drink, thinking about her question. “I was working on a case when I was a detective that really got to me. I hadn’t been able to solve it, and I felt guilty.”
“What kind of case was it?” she asked.
“Murder. A man had been charged with killing his first wife, and his second. Unfortunately, there was no proof. All I had was a gut feeling. I did a thorough investigation, left no stone unturned, but in the end, all I found were dead ends but no dead bodies. Without bodies, I didn’t have a case.”
She could hear the frustration in his voice. “I’m sure that must have been frustrating.”
“God, yes.” He paused a moment. “Edward Villarosas had covered his tracks well. I’ll never forget the day I had to let him go, knowing he’d gotten away with murdering two people.”
Landon paused again as he took a sip of his drink. “I felt like I’d failed the families of those women. My lieutenant said I was too driven, too absorbed in the case. He thought I needed to accept that those women were alive somewhere and let it go.”
“Did you let it go?” she asked.
“I tried to, even when I’d heard Villarosas had moved away from Atlanta. I worked other cases, but I kept going back to that one—the killer I let get away. My good friend, Duan Jeffries, who’d been my partner on the force, had quit a year or so earlier to open up his own private investigative firm. It was supposed to be just a one-man operation, but Duan had taken on more work than he could handle and needed a partner. After the unsatisfying conclusion with Villarosas, I didn’t think twice about leaving the force to join him.”
Monica nodded. “Was that Villarosas guy ever brought to justice?”
A slow smile eased into Landon’s features. “Yes. I’d been working with Duan for a couple of years at that point. Kim, who Duan was dating at the time, had invited him to attend her mother’s wedding with her in Louisiana. Guess who the groom was?”
Monica’s eyes widened. “Villarosas?”
“Yes. Although Duan had already left the police force when I was working that case, he recalled me mentioning the name. To make a long story short, we went to the Louisiana Police Department, and working together, we set up a sting operation. Villarosas was arrested before he could kill his third wife.”
“Wow. My heart goes out to the woman he was going to marry. I bet it was hard on her to discover she’d come so close to marrying a murderer. And I bet her daughter was glad she had invited Duan to that wedding.”