You had me at first glance. “I need more time to think about what’s happened. And you have to decide if you want to wait or not.”
“My mind has never been in doubt about you. I’ll wait. Take as long as you need, but just know that I’ll be missing you every second.” He stood. Walking over to her, he tilted her chin and gave her a mind-numbing kiss, one she wouldn’t soon forget “I’ll wait in my cabin for you tonight, after the clinic closes. If you’re a no-show, I’ll get the message.”
Gabrielle softened at seeing him look so dejected. She jumped up from her chair and threw her arms around Cameron’s neck and kissed him passionately. “If I’m a no-show, you come to my cabin.” With that said, she walked out, feeling a tad less anxious about facing the staff.
Outside in the hallway, Gabrielle blew out several streams of breath.
How close had she come to losing what she and Cameron had only just begun to build? She didn’t know. Yet she did know she didn’t want to lose him. He was right about the gossip and speculation. By telling the staff he’d taken the wind out of the sails of gossipers.
* * *
Gabrielle’s worry about facing the staff was for nothing. When she stepped into the reception area, they were already whipped into action, and every chair and cubicle was filled with patients. Busy morning, she mused. Guests were perhaps getting checked out before docking in Montego Bay, where they’d want to explore and shop until they dropped. This was the busiest she’d ever seen the clinic…and it was so early in the cruise.
She got straight to work.
The hustle and bustle kept up. Cameron eventually had to call in backup nurses to get a handle on the onslaught, but was grateful nothing serious had come up. Minor aches and pains, cold symptoms and nausea, and seasickness were chief complaints.
It would be impossible to take a lunch break. As soon as one patient left, two or three more came. Outside of the crewmember scare last week, nothing like this had occurred in the clinic since she’d been working there. It was normally after forty-eight hours at sea that lots of guests showed up at the clinic.
* * *
Trying to get her headache under control, Gabrielle had just taken two painkillers and had lain down in bed with all the lights off.
From opening to closing time, the patient flow at the clinic had been nonstop. Gabrielle had to admit she was bone tired, but it had also been an excellent day of getting her feet wet in an array of medical procedures. She’d learned a lot this shift, more than on any other…and this was only the second week and second cruise out of the scheduled five months.
Gabrielle looked at the clock. She’d been off for over an hour now. Cameron hadn’t given her a specific time to come to his cabin after the clinic closed, and she couldn’t see herself making it anytime soon. Maybe she should ask for a rain check, but she knew that wouldn’t go over well. Slowly, she sat up.
Seated on the side of the mattress, Gabrielle picked up the receiver and dialed the extension to Cameron’s cabin. She listened to the first, second and third ring, hanging up on the fourth, before the voice mail clicked on. She wondered if he was on an emergency so she picked up the phone and called the operator. “This is Dr. Gabrielle Grinage. I was checking to see if there were any medical emergencies on board?”
“Not a one, Dr. Grinage. Is there something else I can do for you?”
“Nothing at all. Thank you. I was just trying to find out if Dr. Quinn needed assistance.”
“Dr. Quinn was called to a special meeting with the administration board. I paged him to advise him of the closed-door session, but they’re expected to adjourn soon.”
Worried and upset, Gabrielle said goodbye and cradled the phone. The first thing she wondered was if the meeting had anything to do with the announcement Cameron had made about them. As she was second in command, she was also peeved that she hadn’t been called to sit in. Maybe her absence meant it was about their romantic relationship—perhaps all the powers that be weren’t okay with it.
The phone rang and Gabrielle snatched it up before it could ring a second time. “This is Dr. Grinage.”
“Hey, naughty-but-nice girl, it’s your naughty-by-night boyfriend. I had a meeting that came up at the last minute. Have you thought any more about coming to my cabin?”
“That’s all I’ve been able to think about,” she replied, thinking his boyfriend reference was so cute. “But I’ve got a headache. I just took a couple of pain pills, so give me some time.
“Not a problem. Give me an hour to shower and order food for us then I’ll come to your cabin. I don’t want to change your surroundings if you’re not feeling well. Got anything in mind for dinner and dessert?”
“Sushi would be great. But avocado, California and cucumber rolls are about as brave as I’m willing to get. And a cup of steamed rice, please. I also have loads of green tea bags for us. No dessert for me.”
“I’ve got your order memorized. Need anything stronger for your headache?”
“The pills are already working so I’m getting up to take a quick shower. See you soon.”
Gabrielle was unsettled about whether she should or shouldn’t ask Cameron about his meeting. It was probably just administrative stuff. But if so, why hadn’t she been included?
She hoped this wasn’t a man thing. If machismo had kept her out of this gathering, they’d hear an earful. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, especially when it came to business.
“Men are men,” she huffed, moving toward the bathroom, deciding not to address it.
Cameron would arrive soon, so she quickened her pace but was mindful of her slightly lingering headache. She combed her hair and left it to sweep across her shoulders. The perfect dress to wear came to mind and she smiled.
Rushing out of the bathroom, Gabrielle headed for the closet and pushed back clothing on the rack. “There you are.”
She draped her body in a clinging eggshell-white crepe dress, breathing in the lingering, maddening scent of White Midnight perfume.
Gabrielle had only worn the dress once and was pleased by how well it fit her body. Giggling, she thought of pulling off a passable Caribbean accent to try out on Cameron, her new, self-appointed boyfriend.
Calypso songs were always playing in her home during her childhood and teen years, and the rhythmic sounds had consoled her on many nights. As an adult, the same music had grown close to her heart, saturating her imagination with an array of settings filled with love and eroticism and inspiring in her a desire to dance the night away.
She layered the same scented lotion and perfume by using it on her throat, behind her ears and on her wrist, all the while dreaming of the night ahead of her.
* * *
Gabrielle opened the cabin door to Cameron. Standing on tiptoes, she kissed him lightly. “Glad you’re here. I was hoping you’d make it before the food delivery.”
“I made it a point to get here before then.” Bringing his hand from behind his back, he presented her with six yellow rosebuds nestled in a crystal vase. “I hope you like roses.”
“Love them.” She inhaled the scent of the blooms, which brought a huge smile to her face. “Thank you, Cameron. Come on in and have a seat.”
Cameron took notice of the dress she wore. His heart had leapt at the sight of her curves outlined and hugged to perfection. “I love how good you look. Your dress is stunning, but not nearly as stunning as you.”
“Thank you.” Gabrielle wished she could prevent the schoolgirl blush that took over her face every time he said something sweet. She chalked it up as a good thing—no man had constantly said nice things to her like Cameron did.
He consulted his watch as he followed her into the living area. “The food is only minutes away. Are you hungry?”
Gabrielle shook her head. “I can’t do a full entrée any justice.”
He sat down on the sofa. “I sure can. I ordered a few other dishes.”
She wrinkled her nose, dropping down next to him. “
The sushi and rice will be enough for me.”
Cameron hunched his shoulders. “That’s fine. I don’t expect you to eat a lot if you’re not hungry. How’s the headache?”
“It’s completely gone, but before I go to bed, I’ll take two more painkillers. I’m glad I don’t have the early-morning shift.”
“That makes two of us.”
She looked puzzled. “I saw your name on the early schedule.”
He grinned. “I took care of it. I’m working the same shift as you tomorrow.”
Gabrielle didn’t know whether to smile or frown.
The employees were going to have a field day with their relationship. Hearing jokes about her and Cameron wouldn’t sit well with her. The last thing she wanted was to be the butt of jokes. If it did happen, she’d already made up her mind to nip it in the bud. A knock on the door gratefully interrupted her train of thought.
“Excuse me.” She rushed to the door and opened it to the delivery person.
The waiter came into the suite and went straight to the kitchen counter where he set down the trays. Knowing he was in an employee cabin, he didn’t expect a tip, and he left as soon as the food was set down.
Gabrielle was glad Cameron had disappeared into the bathroom, so that the waiter wouldn’t see them together. She quickly uncovered the food and laid out Cameron’s order first. Then she took care of her own.
Cameron came out of the bathroom, wiping his hands on a towel then sat down at the table. “It looks good.”
Gabrielle picked up a California roll with chopsticks. “I’ve never had the sushi, but I’ve heard from others that it’s really delicious.” She nibbled on it first. “It’s good and fresh.”
“Mind if I taste it?”
“Help yourself.”
He gave her a bad-boy grin. “I want to taste the one you’ve already nibbled.”
Blushing, Gabrielle put the sushi up to his mouth.
As he ate the California roll from the chopsticks, his eyes intently roved her beautiful face. “I agree. It is…” He started to say something about tasting her but managed not to, reminding himself to keep taking it slow with her.
The couple chatted away between bites. She had asked Cameron to tell her about Montego Bay, and he was only too happy to oblige her. He liked that she was such a good listener and that she seemed so eager to learn about the islands on the ship’s itinerary.
He told her about Doctor’s Cave Beach Club, nestled between the Marine Park and the Hip Strip. The translucent water on that beach in Montego Bay was known for its mineral content and its clean, inviting white sand beaches.
“Does the name have anything to do with medicine?”
“Nothing whatsoever. We can go there if you’d like, depending on how much time I get. But we’ll only get to take in a couple of tourist attractions. I can’t stray far.”
She grabbed hold of his hand. “I know that, Cameron, and I’m glad that you’re willing to do this for me. You’re so knowledgeable about the islands. I couldn’t ask for a better guide.”
“We can always take a cruise during our five weeks off. How does that sound?”
“Nice. You love the sea, don’t you? Do you plan to go back into private practice when you retire from the cruise lines?”
“I’m a sailor at heart. As doctors, we’re so limited in what we can do at sea, but there are just as many stranglehold issues in private practice. I have a few ideas, but I’m always pondering my future. What about you?”
“I try to take it one day at a time. It was a big deal for me to sign on for five months, but there is an escape clause in my contract. I made sure to have it because I didn’t know if I could stay on the water for five months. But I love it so far.”
“It can get old, Gabby. Believe me, it can. There is a dark side to sailing. When a crewmember or a passenger leaps overboard that’s hard to deal with mentally. No amount of medicine or doctoring can save them.”
Her eyes grew wide. “Has that happened on your watch?”
“Twice. Both times it was crewmembers. But the news of what happens on other ships in the fleet gets around. It happens too often in my opinion.”
He looked so disturbed that she leaned over and kissed him, hoping to console him. “I’m really sorry about those losses, Cameron.”
“It’s just the reality. The profession we’re in deals with death and sorrow on a regular basis, even though it may not be one of our patients. I didn’t know either of the crewmembers.”
She kissed him again. “This conversation is getting a bit morbid. Can we lighten it up? I’d rather see your beautiful smile.”
He gave her a soft smile, but it didn’t quite light in his eyes. “Sorry I went there. What about watching some TV? I can go get DVDs from my cabin if you don’t have any.”
“I have plenty of movies. Go on in the living room while I clean off the table and tidy up. Do you want anything else to drink?”
“I’ll grab a bottle of water from the fridge. Let me help you stack the trays so I can set them outside for pickup.”
“Thanks, Cameron.”
After three hours of watching television, Gabrielle had fallen asleep. Cameron lifted her and carried her to bed, where he laid her on the side she’d slept on last night. She had lifted her head momentarily during transport then fallen off to sleep again. Recalling where she’d gotten her nightclothes from, he went over to the dresser and pulled open a drawer.
Looking at some of the sexy unmentionables she wore, he whistled softly, wondering if he’d ever get to see her in the alluring lingerie. He turned and glanced at her, hoping she had on something sexy under the beautiful white dress. As he thought about undressing her and redressing her for bed, he remembered she hadn’t slept in anything sexy last night. After the bonfire they’d had to put out prematurely, Cameron figured she’d worn something conservative on purpose. Gabrielle had very interesting ways about her, which set her far apart from others.
He carefully searched for something she’d find appropriate to sleep in with a man she was wildly attracted to but wasn’t making love to. How many more nights would he be able to do this? Cameron planned to handle it for as many nights as it took him to win her trust.
He wasn’t thinking about guarding his heart anymore, not when it came to a woman like her. She was so different from anyone he’d known and he wanted to know everything about her. His thoughts turned to her brother for a second—Maxwell was a good man, too. Cameron saw that he was terribly proud of his sister and that he held her in high esteem.
Standing over the bed, he removed her shoes first, which caused her to stir. He then lifted her to her back and began removing the dress. It wasn’t as easy as he’d thought it would be, but he’d get it off even if it took him an hour.
Gabrielle opened her eyes and smiled playfully at him. “Let me help you out.”
He checked her with a suspicious eye. “Have you been playing possum all along?”
She grinned. “Only for a couple of seconds, after you sat me up. Your touch was so tender.” She carefully pulled the dress up over her head and handed it to him.
His eyes grew large at the white lace panties she wore. Once again, she was braless. He steeled himself so that he wouldn’t react to her nude upper body, but it was close to impossible. “Don’t do anything else. I want to dress you for bed. Wait until I hang this up in the closet, and cover up so you don’t catch cold.”
Gabrielle laughed at the concerned expression on his face. They were going to get into big trouble yet.
Cameron rushed right back to Gabrielle. Seated on the side of the bed, he put a black silk pajama top on her. His eyes stared into hers as he buttoned it up. He lifted one leg to help her into the pajama bottoms then he lifted the other. “Lift yourself so I can finish pulling them on.”
Gabrielle felt giddy. “Gladly! I like having you as my personal valet.”
Since Cameron had said he didn’t sleep in pajamas, she decided to take the pleas
ure of undressing him down to his briefs. Looking straight into his eyes, she began unbuttoning his shirt. Then she pushed it off his shoulders and ran her fingers through his thick chest hair. She threw her arms around his neck then pushed him back on the bed and kissed him passionately.
Lifting her head, Gabrielle gently teased his bottom lip with her fingernails. “We’re playing with fire, Dr. Quinn. I hope neither of us gets burned.”
“No one is getting burned. Now please finish what you started, Dr. Grinage.”
She gave him one of her naughty looks. “My pleasure.”
Chapter 10
Cameron settled down beside Gabrielle in bed and laid his head on her stomach. Her fingertips tenderly massaged his scalp. As she tenderly gripped the rich texture of his hair, tugging gently, his entire body shivered. Goose bumps and heat clashed together like rivals.
It was becoming very obvious to him that she didn’t know how much power she held over him. It was as if she hadn’t felt his reaction to her. He believed she had a world of confidence in herself, but he felt as though she hadn’t fully regained any conviction in trusting romantic relationships. Vulnerability screamed out from inside her, as loud as a siren.
His thoughts took him to the day she’d come over to the table to meet him during orientation. Her picture and bio had already wowed him weeks before. Cameron had found himself totally fascinated by her as she’d walked over to get into line. He’d never been stunned off his feet while sitting down, not in the presence of any woman. It had amazed him even then that he’d thought he’d do just about anything for her. All she’d have to do was ask.
Gabrielle leaned down and blew into his ear. “Why’re you so quiet?”
Cameron turned over and placed the back of his head on her lap. His eyes slowly captured hers. “I’m not. My thoughts of you are louder than my voice.”
With his eyes riveted on her, she knew he saw how deeply she was moved by his unique comment. She had an idea of what he’d meant, but she wanted to hear it from him. “Do you mind explaining that?”
“It’s just that I can’t stop thinking about you, though I’m right here by your side.”
Waves of Passion (Kimani Romance) Page 15
