Case of Desire

by Jacquelin Thomas

  “I enjoy basketball as well,” he responded. “Dancing is a favorite pastime and so is reading.”

  “We have a lot in common,” Camille said.

  “You seemed a little surprised by that.”

  “I guess I am,” she confessed. “When I look at you…well, I just assumed that we wouldn’t share the same interests. I suppose what they say about assumptions is correct.”

  He chuckled. “If it makes you feel any better, I didn’t think we’d have anything in common, either.”

  After the waitress dropped off the check, Maxwell reached inside his wallet and pulled out two twenty-dollar bills. He dropped them on the table and rose to his feet.

  “I guess we should head back to the hospital.”

  “I’m afraid tongues are probably wagging.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t care. We are working together and there’s nothing wrong with two coworkers having lunch together.”

  Camille agreed, but she knew how some people liked to gossip. She also didn’t want any drama with Isabelle. But then again it wasn’t like Isabelle and Maxwell were dating.

  They left the restaurant and headed to the car.

  “This was nice,” Camille said. “I enjoyed having lunch with you.”

  “Same here,” Maxwell responded. “We’ll have to do it again sometime.”

  She smiled. “Sure.”

  As soon as they arrived back at the hospital and went their separate ways, Camille encountered Jerome. Actually he stood directly in her path.

  “Hey, I heard that you and Maxwell had lunch together.”

  “That sure didn’t take long,” she muttered.

  “It’s true?” he asked.

  “Jerome, keep your voice down, please.” Camille glanced over her shoulder to where a couple of nurses were gathered. They were trying not to look as if they were listening, but she knew better.

  “Let’s take a walk,” she told him.

  “Okay, spill.”

  “Maxwell and I had lunch together and that’s all there is to it. We had lunch.”

  “I knew it,” Jerome stated. “I knew that man had the hots for you.”

  “He does not,” Camille responded. “We are working together. You of all people know that.”

  “I’m telling you…Maxwell Wade is interested in you.”

  “Jerome, he lives in New York. He’s only here to help with the lawsuit. When it’s done, he is going back home. I’m not about to get involved in a short-term relationship or a long-distance one. It doesn’t work for me.”

  Jerome’s pager went off. “I need to get to the O.R.”

  Camille watched him rush off as she waited for the elevator to arrive. She was joined by Jaclyn. “How’s your day going?” she asked the intern.

  “It was going well until my last patient. He is on a ventilator and his family is fighting over whether or not to take him off. His wife wants to keep him on it, but his children insist that their father would not want to live this way.”

  “Did he sign a DNR?” Camille inquired.

  Jaclyn shook her head. “There’s not one in his records.” Lowering her voice, she added, “He was one of Terrence’s patients. His kids are claiming that their father signed a DNR.”

  Camille released a short sigh. “This isn’t good.”

  “His wife keeps insisting that her husband never signed the DNR form,” Jaclyn stated. “I’m afraid this may end up in court.”

  “The patient and his family don’t need to go through something like that. The hospital doesn’t need it, either. However, it could be used as a strike against Terrence.” Camille shook her head sadly. “This is just so messed up.”

  Jaclyn agreed.

  “Keep me posted on his condition,” Camille told her. “I want to be forewarned in the event I have to prepare a statement.”

  She was heavy in thought when she stepped off the elevator on the second floor. Camille paused outside of Maxwell’s office when she heard Isabelle’s laughter.

  That woman just didn’t give up.

  She could hear Isabelle bragging about her cooking and offering to cook dinner for Maxwell. Camille couldn’t hear his response. She felt guilty for eavesdropping.

  No man was worth all this, she decided.

  Camille was just about to leave the office for the day when Maxwell again appeared in her doorway.

  “Maxwell, I wasn’t expecting you,” she said. “Do you need something?”

  “I was thinking about what you said earlier and I don’t like eating alone, either. Would you be interested in having dinner with me tonight?”

  She thought about the way Isabelle practically threw herself at him earlier and said, “Maybe you should ask Isabelle.”

  Maxwell gaze was intense. “But you’re the one I want to have dinner with, Camille.”

  She blushed, realizing how catty she sounded. “I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t have said that.”

  He shrugged. “Isabelle is a sweet girl, but I’m just not interested in her. I would actually like to get to know you better.”

  Camille swallowed her surprise.

  “If I’m out of line, please tell me,” Maxwell said. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

  “No, you’re fine,” she said quickly. “I’m just a little surprised. Maxwell, is this a date?”

  He laughed. “Yes, it is.”

  “I guess you can tell that it’s been a while since I’ve been on one, huh?”

  “I’ll pick you up at seven,” Maxwell told her. “Provided you give me your address and phone number.”

  Camille wrote down her information.

  When he left her office, she sank down in her chair. I’m actually going on a date with Maxwell Wade. This is the last thing I ever expected. Camille experienced a rush of excitement at the thought.

  Chapter 7

  Camille agreed to go out with him, which pleased Maxwell more than he ever expected. He supposed it was because she was different from any other woman he had dated in the past.

  Humming softly to the music, he went over a stack of motions. Maxwell preferred staying busy. It helped to pass the time. He was looking forward to getting his day over with so that he could concentrate on Camille.

  He had to find out why she fascinated him so much. He was physically attracted to Camille, as he’d been to many women. But this felt different. He was not interested in adding another notch to his bedpost. What he felt for Camille went beyond that and defied definition.

  “What’s got you so deep in thought?” Ray asked from the doorway.

  Maxwell looked up. “I need your help with something.”

  Ray walked all the way into the office. “What is it?”

  “I’m taking Camille out to dinner tonight. Any recommendations?”

  “Bastille,” Ray suggested. “The restaurant is one of the top eateries in this area. It has a variety of dishes, including seafood.”

  “It’s French, right?”

  Ray nodded.

  Maxwell smiled. “Great.” He had discovered during lunch that he and Camille both shared a love for French cuisine.

  “I’m telling you that everything on the menu is delicious,” Ray told him. “But two of my personal favorites are the red wine–braised Virginia beef and the monkfish filet. I’ll have Angie make the reservations for you. What time are you picking her up?”

  “Seven o’clock.”

  Maxwell checked his watch when Ray left the office. He was looking forward to the evening. It had been a long time since he had felt such anticipation.

  Camille moved around her bedroom in a panic. Why did I agree to go out with Maxwell? I have no idea what to wear.

  There was only one thing she could do. She picked up the phone.

  “Jerome, I really need your help,” she said once her friend answered. “Maxwell asked me to have dinner with him tonight and I don’t know what to wear.”

  “What about that leather outfit I bought you for your birthday
last year? I’m sure it’s hanging in the closet with the tags still on it.”

  “I can’t wear something like that, Jerome. If I was a dominatrix or something, then it wouldn’t be a problem.”

  He laughed. “Whip me, mommy. I’ve been a bad boy.”

  She didn’t find the humor in it. “Focus, Jerome. I really need your help.”

  “Okay, so what time is your date?”

  Camille glanced over at the clock. “In a couple of hours.”

  “I’ll be there in about ten minutes.”

  “Jerome, thanks so much.” The relief in her voice was audible. “I appreciate your help.”

  She hung up the phone and sat down to wait for Jerome to arrive. Thoughts of Maxwell besieged her. Why was she so nervous about this date? Why did he affect her the way she did?

  Before she came up with any answers, Jerome showed up.

  “Help has arrived,” Jerome announced, walking briskly through the door. “Camille, you know I love you, but we need to find you a girlfriend to help you with fashion emergencies.”

  “Jerome, the reason I asked you is because you are a man. I want to look nice for my dinner with Maxwell. He’s used to spending time with models and actresses. You know that I’ve always been more of a tomboy.”

  “So what’s going on between you and Mr. Wade?” he inquired. “You had lunch with him earlier and now you two are having dinner together?”

  “I don’t know,” she admitted. “He asked me on a date, so I guess we’re just seeing where this takes us.”

  “You know the hospital grapevine was busy today,” he told her. “Isabelle almost fell out of her chair when she heard that you were having lunch with Maxwell.”

  “I’m surprised you all ever get any work done with all of the gossiping going on.”

  “Hey, I don’t gossip—I just listen.”

  “I guess Isabelle’s not going to be too happy with me,” Camille murmured. “She was really on a mission where Maxwell is concerned.”

  “Well, he decided he wanted you, so Isabelle will just have to get over herself.” Jerome gestured toward the closet. “Pick out your most daring outfits. Let me see what we can come up with.”

  Camille pulled out a bright red dress with ruffles.

  Jerome threw back his head laughing.

  “What?” she asked. “You said daring. Well, I’d have to be daring if I wore this thing anywhere.”

  “Where did you get that from?”

  “My mother sent this to me.” Camille laughed. “She still thinks I’m her little girl.”

  “Throw that thing in the trash.”

  Camille tossed it on the bed, and then walked back into her closet. This time she came out with a purple long-sleeved dress with a black leather belt. She didn’t really own anything daring.

  Jerome shook his head. “Try again.”

  She tossed that one on the bed. “Maybe I should just cancel.”

  “I didn’t hear that,” Jerome told her. “I know you have something in that huge closet of yours.”

  “What about this?”

  Camille held up a black jersey knit dress with a silver-and-black belt. If this outfit didn’t make the cut, then she was going to call Maxwell and ask for a rain check. She made a mental note to plan a day of shopping just to refresh her wardrobe.

  “That’s the one. It hugs your body just right,” Jerome stated. “Wear your black leather boots. The ones with the silver studs. No man can resist them.”

  She smiled. “Thanks, Jerome.”

  “Are you planning on wearing any makeup?”

  Camille frowned. “Do I need to?”

  “Just a little,” he suggested. “Just to enhance your natural beauty.”

  Jerome sat in the living room watching television while Camille showered and prepared for her date.

  When she descended the stairs, he whistled. “You look gorgeous.”

  Camille dismissed his words with a wave of her hand. “Be serious.”

  “I am,” Jerome responded.

  She sank down beside him. “What am I doing? Even with this outfit and makeup on, I am no match for a man like Maxwell.”

  “I believe he would disagree with you, Camille.”

  “He dates supermodels, Jerome. I can barely put on eyeliner.”

  Jerome embraced her. “Just be yourself.”

  Camille nodded in agreement. “You’re right. I only know how to be me, so I might as well make the most of the evening.”

  Jerome continued his pep talk until he left, fifteen minutes before Maxwell was due to arrive.

  Camille surveyed her reflection in the mirror once more. She was pleased with what she saw, but would Maxwell be disappointed?

  Shaking off her insecurities, Camille resolved to have a nice evening with him with no expectations of anything more. This way she didn’t have to worry about being disappointed.

  “Have you eaten here before?” Maxwell asked.

  Camille nodded. “I’ve only been here a couple of times. The food is really great.”

  “If the food is so great, why have you only come here a couple of times to eat?” Maxwell inquired.

  She smiled. “Look around you. It’s more of a couples-type restaurant. Usually if I decide to eat out, I’ll call ahead and pick up my dinner.”

  “See, we actually have something else in common.”

  Grinning, Camille responded, “Imagine that.”

  “Tell me something,” Maxwell began. “Why did you suggest that I have dinner with Isabelle when I asked you out? Is it because she was waiting for me in my office when we returned from lunch?”

  “She’s made it pretty obvious that she’s into you.”

  Maxwell nodded in agreement. “She has, but relationships only work when two people are involved. Isabelle is quite beautiful, but I am attracted to you.”

  His bluntness caught her off guard.

  Their eyes locked as their breathing seemed to come in unison.

  After a moment, Camille decided it was time for her to be honest with Maxwell. “I’m attracted to you as well.”

  He visibly relaxed.

  The waiter’s appearance put a temporary block on their conversation. He served Maxwell and Camille the first course of New England rock shrimp beignets.

  Camille took a bite and closed her eyes, savoring the flavor. “This is so good.”

  Maxwell agreed.

  Just before they finished the beignets, the second course arrived.

  He reached over and took Camille’s hand. “I’ve wanted to do this all evening.”

  A delicious shudder heated her body at his touch. Camille felt the heat of desire wash over her like waves. Her eyes traveled to his lips. She wanted so much to feel the touch of his mouth against hers. She cleared her throat, pretending not to be affected by him or his touch. Instead, she sampled the goat cheese terrine and frisée-apple.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked her, pointing at her plate. “You don’t like it?”

  “I’m trying to make sure I have room for the rest of my meal.”

  He smiled in response, his eyes never leaving her face.

  “You’re staring,” Camille murmured.

  “I find you incredibly beautiful.”

  “Thank you for the compliment,” she said. “You’re very sweet.” Her senses reeled as if short-circuited and made her knees tremble. Good thing she was sitting, or she feared they wouldn’t hold her up.

  From the moment she’d opened her door to Maxwell at her town house, he had openly admired the way she looked for their date. He had complimented her at least twice on her dress and her hair. Camille noted how handsome Maxwell looked in the gray suit he was wearing. She was totally entranced by his compelling personage.

  For their third course, she dined on monkfish while Matthew had chosen the Moulard duck breast with Calvados-cider sauce.

  Camille used the corner of her napkin to wipe her mouth. “Have you ever been here before?”

  Sh
aking his head, Maxwell responded, “This is my first time.”

  “Oh, so how did you know about Bastille?”

  “I asked Ray for a recommendation.”

  She gave him a sidelong glance. “Maxwell, can I ask you a question?”

  He met her gaze. “Sure.”

  “Do you ever just relax?” she asked.

  Stroking his chin, Maxwell regarded her carefully. “Believe it or not, I actually know how to have a good time.”

  “What constitutes a good time to you?” Camille questioned with a grin. “What is it that you do for fun?”

  Maxwell leaned forward, gazing into her eyes. “Do you really want to know what I enjoy doing for pleasure?”

  Camille flushed hotly.

  Maxwell broke into laughter. “Besides cooking, I also enjoy reading mysteries. I also like going to art museums, exhibits…stuff like that. What do you do for fun?”

  “I love the water so I like spending a lot of time on a beach during the summer,” Camille responded. “I’m also a huge history buff—I’m always taking tours. And of course, I love music.”

  “Interesting…” The warmth of his smile echoed in his voice. “I love history myself.”

  “There are several contemporary art exhibits there right now, but they’re only going to be here for a couple of weeks. Would you like to see them?”

  Maxwell held her gaze. “I’d love to,” he responded.

  His eyes shimmered with the light from the window, and the smile he gave her sent her pulse racing.

  After their dinner, neither one of them wanted to end the evening, so they went back to her place.

  Camille made a pot of coffee, and then sat down with Maxwell in the living room.

  “You’re nothing like the man I thought you were,” she confessed.

  He chuckled. “Do I even want to know?”

  She shook her head.

  Maxwell reached over, pulling her closer to him. He seemed to read her thoughts because he took her in his arms and kissed her passionately.

  When Maxwell pulled away, he said, “I’ve really wanted to do that since the moment we got here.”

  In response, Camille pulled his head down to hers. Their lips met again and she felt buffeted by the winds of a savage harmony. Her senses reeled as if short-circuited and made her knees tremble.