“I understand. Passengers are also first on my priority list. Food will have to wait,” she said soberly. She and Cameron had suddenly gotten serious, and it felt kind of awkward.
Cameron laughed. “We’re coming off a bit somber all of a sudden.”
Gabrielle decided to change the subject so she could learn more about the man. “I had the same thought. So…you mentioned being an only son. Are you an only child?”
Cameron grinned. “I have two beautiful older sisters. Corinne and Coral are twins.”
“Nice names. I bet you’re protective of them.”
“They’re seven years older than me. I wish I could be protective. They’d only tell me to mind my own business if I tried.”
“It seems like in life women have no choice but to toughen up in mind, body and spirit. After all, there’s nothing more devastating than being manhandled emotionally and physically.”
Cameron tapped the side of his head. “There are all sorts of abuses in the world.”
Gabrielle understood what he’d meant. “I second that.”
He looked at his watch and practically jumped to his feet. “It looks like my hour is up, but I really enjoyed myself. I’m glad we talked over our personal issues. I normally wouldn’t think of telling a stranger some things I shared with you.” He grinned. “But I don’t see you as a stranger. You’re someone I’d love to have as a friend.”
Gabrielle extended her hand to Cameron. “I hope you do consider us friends.”
Cameron took hold of Gabrielle’s hand, but instead of letting it go, he guided her inside and held her hand all the way to the front door.
His tender care of her hand made her want to throw herself into his arms and kiss him like no friend would ever dare to do. His touch was so soft and warm. Having his hands rove her body would be magical. She had a feeling he was capable of taking her places she’d never been.
She winced as Jordan’s image flashed in her mind. Gabrielle hadn’t been blind to his deceptions; she’d just been too immature to deal with a conniving man who had caused her excruciating pain and hadn’t thought anything of it.
But there weren’t any comparisons between Cameron and Jordan. Cameron was clearly the better man.
Gabrielle was jolted back to the present when
Cameron’s lips gently pressed against her forehead. Her eyes grew wide with wonder and surprise—and there was nothing she could do to hide it.
A hint of a smile on his lips, Cameron stared deeply into her eyes. “Thanks for a great evening. Tomorrow looks rather promising. Good night.”
He stepped out into the hallway and shut the door behind him, leaving Gabrielle nearly swooning against the closed door.
Cameron’s kindness, selflessness and affection had Gabrielle’s emotions reeling. How much of himself would he be willing to give to her? She couldn’t help but wonder.
Was it conceivable that they could get past their hurt and give in to each other? With love, wasn’t everything possible?
Chapter 4
As the Parisian Paradise sailed into Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas, Gabrielle marveled at the picturesque scenery from her balcony. Buildings with flashy colors and endless rows of shops appeared close enough for her to reach out and touch. Aiming her camera at the docking pier and then the shops, she snapped digital photos to store in her new travel album.
Gabrielle kept thinking back to Cameron saying he’d escort her ashore if it was possible. She was waiting on his call and hoped he had good news. Touring with him would be fun.
The infirmary staff on the Parisian Paradise was on call, but they took turns with coverage while others toured the ports of call, sightseeing and seeking out great shopping venues.
On the first three days at sea, plenty of passengers had sought out some form of medical care, but nothing had been serious. There hadn’t been a dull moment inside the clinic throughout its hours of operation. Gabrielle and the other new crewmembers were looking forward to the ship docking so they could get away and explore.
Gabrielle thought she looked pretty decent for someone who’d had very little sleep. By the time she had pulled a blanket up over her body last night, fatigue had already set in.
A shower and going straight to bed had been the perfect remedies. Although it was highly unusual for her to stay in bed late, she had slept until 6:30 a.m. It was now seven-fifteen, and she’d showered only minutes ago.
As Gabrielle donned a navy blue floral bikini, thoughts of going ashore had her as excited as a kid taking a first pony ride. She slipped a colorful cover-up over her swimsuit. Her beach towel was packed away in a straw satchel, along with sunscreen and various other necessities.
The phone rang and Gabrielle ran over to the bedside table. “Good morning. It’s Gabrielle.”
“Hey, it’s Cameron. I’ve got coverage for a few hours. How soon can you get to the disembarkation point?”
“I can be at level zero in ten or fifteen minutes. I’m packed and about ready to go.”
“Use your private employee elevator key. The corridors are packed with passengers waiting to go down to level zero. And you should make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring along bottled water. We’ll do a good bit of walking. See you soon.”
After hanging up, Gabrielle ran into the kitchen and took out several bottles of water to pack in her satchel. She’d planned to take a romance novel, but now that Cameron was escorting her, she wouldn’t have time to read. Instead, she rushed into the bathroom, where she gathered her long tresses into a ponytail and secured it tightly with a white banded scarf. She locked the suite and strode down the corridor, not knowing which she was more eager for—her day in Nassau or her day with Cameron.
* * *
Gabrielle was amazed at the pristine condition of the white, sugary sand beach. After laying her towel on a chaise, she stripped off her shorts and shirt and plopped down onto it. Leaning to the left, she reached down and scooped up a handful of sand and sifted it through her fingers. “So this is Cable Beach, huh? I’ve read so much about it.”
Cameron rubbed sunblock onto his shoulders and abdomen. “This is the famous one. It’s a good thing we caught an early tender. Cable Beach gets way too crowded for my comfort. I prefer private shorelines. Luckily there’s an agreement between the resorts and cruise lines for employees to have access to their entire facility. We just have to show our employee IDs.”
Gabrielle smiled. “That’s another nice perk. Thanks again for clueing me in.”
“You’d eventually find out everything, but it’s much better to get a heads-up.”
“Eventually can use up a lot of time. I learned that the hard way.” Thinking of all the wasted time it had taken her to arrive at eventually with Jordan made her wince.
The painful look in her eyes made him want to cheer her up. The last thing she needed was to plunge back into the past. This was a new chapter in her life, and she was on board to work and have a good time.
Suddenly, Cameron lifted Gabrielle into his arms and headed for the water. Holding her securely, he ran into the surf, laughing deeply. Warm as a summer day, the clear turquoise waters engulfed them. With her arms still around his neck, Gabrielle grinned. “If this water had been cold, you’d be in trouble.”
“Glad that didn’t happen. And there’s no chilly water this time of year. Can you swim?” He knew he’d asked a stupid question the moment it had left his mouth.
She was both amused and annoyed at his comment. “Passing a swim test is a requirement for being hired…and you know it. All crewmembers have to know how to swim.”
“You’re right. I do know.” He set her on her feet and made sure she had her balance. Holding her against him had caused his lower body to set up shop. Desire for her flared hotly and deeply inside of him. He didn’t want to feel this way, and he fought the urge to kiss her.
To regain his composure, Cameron swam away from Gabrielle, kicking up a lot of white spray. Farther and farther out h
e swam, diving under at intervals and coming up moments later.
When Cameron didn’t resurface again, a sudden bout of panic struck her. She kept her eyes trained on the distant waters, hoping he’d reappear as quickly as he’d disappeared. A minute or so later, there was still no sign of him, and she hurriedly decided to call a lifeguard.
As Gabrielle cut through the waters, rushing back to the sandy shore, she felt something go around her waist and propel her backward. Then Cameron surfaced.
When they were face-to-face he looked at her mischievously. “Scared you, didn’t I?”
“No way,” she protested emphatically. He was dead on, but she’d never concede.
“I’ll race you back to shore.”
“Not a chance. I’ll leave you so far behind, you’ll feel abandoned.”
Gabrielle gave a loud harrumph. “You think so, huh? I’m a very strong swimmer. I won three championships in a row when I was on the relay swim team in college.”
Cameron threw his head back and laughed. “Girl, you don’t stand a chance in Hades of winning against me. Have you noticed how long my legs are?”
“I’ve noticed, but stature isn’t an indication of strength.” She clucked at him like a chicken. “Grow some feathers and take the challenge.”
“You’re on.” He took off, swimming fast and hard toward the beach.
Once Gabrielle realized Cameron had actually accepted the challenge and had begun the race, she kicked her strong athletic abilities into high gear. “Girl Wonder is right on your tail,” she yelled, knowing full well he couldn’t hear her.
Cameron looked back and saw that he was way ahead of her. He slowed down to give her a half a chance of getting closer, but he had no intentions of letting her win. Minutes later, much to his chagrin, he realized he’d been eyeing the wrong swimmer.
Gabrielle swam completely under water. Without surfacing, she swam hard. Her lungs were as strong as her legs and arms. In shallow water now, she finally came up for air.
Raising her hand in victory, she ran the short distance to the shore and dropped down on the sand. She watched as Cameron came up out of the water looking like a chiseled marble statue. Smirking at him, she cupped her ear. “What did you say about me earlier?”
A slightly embarrassed Cameron made his way over to where Gabrielle had stretched out. Nearly out of breath, he plopped down next to her then looked at her sheepishly. “Congratulations for the win and for making a liar out of me. I could’ve beaten you if I had kept going, but I looked back and my eyes latched on to the wrong person.”
“Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve,” she mocked. “Save the lame excuses.”
All Cameron wanted to do was take her into his arms and kiss her until she was as breathless as he was. Of all the female doctors in the world, why had one so intelligent, attractive and seductive been put in his path? Her athleticism was an added bonus. He felt more than a physical reaction to her, and it had him worried. He ached to tell her how much he wanted her, but he couldn’t do that. Gabrielle was strictly off limits.
If they weren’t coworkers, Cameron would’ve told Gabrielle about his instant attraction to her within minutes of their first meeting. Her beauty and brains made him feel alive whenever he was in her company. It was now days later—and his attraction to her had grown tenfold. There was no easy way to deal with this complicated dilemma.
* * *
Gabrielle and Cameron got out of a taxicab and hurriedly boarded a jitney to visit more island destinations.
Seated next to Gabrielle, Cameron watched her expressions of astonishment as they entered colorful Bay Street, Nassau’s busiest district. The Straw Market, countless shopping venues, restaurants and the business district were popular tourist attractions. The
island’s history of slavery could be found nearby at the Pompey Museum.
As the carriage slowly moved through the streets, Cameron pointed out other attractions to Gabrielle. “This area is known as Parliament Square. It’s where Bahamian government buildings are located. That beauty there is a statue of Queen Victoria.”
They came up on Rawson Square. Gabrielle’s eyes were instantly drawn to a dominating figure. “What does the bronze statue represent?”
“It commemorates Bahamian women.” He pointed out the Water Tower. “That’s the highest point on Nassau. You can see the most spectacular views of the island from up there. It’s actually breathtaking.”
Gabriele wrapped her arms together. “I feel so relaxed. What about you?”
“I’ve never been uncomfortable when I’m just hanging out or shopping around. Bahamian folks are super friendly, so I always feel relaxed and welcomed here.”
Gabrielle nodded. “The people are nice and friendly, but there are way too many vendors on Cable Beach. I was uncomfortable with how crowded it was.”
“I mentioned the overcrowding to you earlier. It’s a big issue for me. I normally use one of the larger hotel resorts. The Sheraton is my favorite.” Cameron glanced at his watch. “We have time to get in a couple more sights. Interested in sailing the harbor in a glass-bottom boat?”
“I’d love to do that.” She wrinkled her nose. “But I’m getting a bit hungry.”
“Not a problem. I’ll make sure you get some local food. Arawak Cay, aka Fish Fry, is a good place to eat. You should try the conch salad and fried snapper. It’s superb. If you want a drink, the Daq Shack serves up the best daiquiris on the island.”
She laughed. “I like the name of the place. Do they have virgin drinks? I don’t want to order anything alcoholic in case I end up working.”
“I don’t think you’ll be called in, but I know what you mean. I called the infirmary while you were in the ladies’ room at the beach, and all is quiet. Most everyone is probably out here enjoying the sights and sounds of Nassau.”
“Just like us. I’ve had a great time so far. I hope I get to go ashore in Freeport.” She shrugged. “If not on this trip, I’m sure I’ll get there sooner or later.”
“Anything is possible. Our crew is great at accommodating each other, and we’re always happy to provide coverage for new employees. I’m the man in charge so I end up staying aboard more often than not.”
Gabrielle smiled softly. “That’s commendable. It’s what a great commander does.”
Grinning, Cameron nodded. “Not all medical commanders see it as I do. I work hard to keep my crew’s morale up. When they’re happy, I reap the benefits of their satisfaction. I want things to go well for them, so I put their needs before my own.”
“I’ve heard about how much your crew loves and respects you.” Gabrielle rubbed her stomach when it interrupted with a growl. “Let’s get some food so I can calm the protesters.”
They both erupted in laughter.
* * *
Back inside her suite and freshly showered, Gabrielle was sprawled out on her king-size bed, wearing a pair of loose-fitting pink-and-black silk pajamas. Her silky chestnut hair had been brushed back and secured with a soft pink hair wrap.
Despite Gabrielle’s physical and mental fatigue, she couldn’t curb imposing thoughts of Cameron, who’d been a perfect gentleman from beginning to end of their Nassau excursion. They’d watched vividly colorful sea life in their natural habitat from the glass-bottom boat, and he’d been able to name all the species. His range of knowledge had left her utterly astonished.
Gabrielle had pegged Cameron as a researcher. He had to know everything there was to know on anything and everything that sparked his interest. She was pretty much the same way; she always wanted to learn all she could about anything igniting her curiosity.
To relieve the staff on duty, Cameron had reported to the infirmary immediately after they’d returned to the ship. His quick kiss to her cheek still had Gabrielle floating on a cloud. She had begun missing him the moment he’d left her side. It wasn’t a good sign.
Cameron kept Gabrielle’s curiosity aroused. They both had had disastrous relationships with cow
orkers, which made her want to keep their interactions simple. But her strong desire for this gorgeous man was so complex it defied meaning. No matter how big her crush was, Gabrielle had to find a way to keep her wild attraction under control.
Spending time alone with a hunk like Cameron was asking for trouble. But then again, she thought, friends spent time alone together. Developing a sound friendship with him was extremely important to her. Since they couldn’t become lovers, being friends would at least enable her to keep him in her life in some capacity. Having him as her mentor was also a good way to keep him around. Cameron had a lot of work experience and useful knowledge under his belt, which could be helpful to her.
Repositioning the pillow under her head, she squirmed about until she regained the comfort zone she’d achieved earlier. The phone rang, and she moved away from the pillow once again to reach the receiver.
She picked up the phone, and a big smile formed on her lips. “Marjorie, how are you?”
“Good. How are things for you, Gabrielle?”
“Other than feeling a bit tired, I couldn’t be better.”
Other than this inferno burning inside me for Cameron, I’m fine.
“You sound happy. Dr. Quinn told me about your fun tour of Nassau. I’m glad you went ashore for a few hours.”
Gabrielle didn’t know what to make of Cameron telling everyone about their day.
It wasn’t top secret, but was Marjorie the only one he’d told about it?
“It was…enjoyable,” she stammered, knowing she’d made a gross understatement.
Visiting so many fabulous island venues had been fun and educational, but spending time with Cameron had been especially delightful.
“He’s an excellent tour guide, and he’s shown several of his crewmembers around. Dr. Q knows so much about the island’s off-beaten paths, but he’s also up on all the hot spots.”
“That, he is,” Gabrielle agreed. She could go on for hours singing Cameron’s praises, but that wouldn’t help her situation. Instead, she changed the subject. “What time do you get off?”
Waves of Passion (Kimani Romance) Page 6