Love is the ultimate port of call…

They meet on a luxury cruise liner. He’s the hunky ship’s doctor. She’s the stunning junior medical officer under his supervision. Their attraction is instant, red-hot and impossible to resist. Both Dr. Cameron Quinn and Dr. Gabrielle Grinage know from unpleasant past experiences that it’s dangerous to mix business and pleasure.

Once their ship sets sail headed for the shimmering white beaches of the Bahamas, the desire cresting between them goes off the charts. Giving in to her feelings for her sexy boss is sweeping Gabrielle into uncharted waters. But Cameron is ready to prove to the petite beauty that they’re bound for the same destination: a forever-after island called love!

“Are you going back to the party?”

Cameron looked right into her eyes. “Do you want me to go back?”

Gabrielle didn’t know what to say. His question had thrown her off. “Whether you go back or not isn’t up to me.”

“Well, no, I’m not interested in going back. Now, if you were to ask me in, I’d accept the invite before you released your next breath.”

Unsure of herself and Cameron, Gabrielle wished she could give him an answer. Telling him to go home was rude—and she wasn’t sure that was what she really wanted.

Cameron didn’t give her much time to think. His urge to taste her mouth had won out over his attempt to cool himself down. Lifting her chin with two fingers, Cameron lowered his head until their lips met. To gauge her reaction, he dusted her lips with several soft kisses. Then his forefinger slowly outlined her mouth.

Looking into her mesmerizing eyes, Cameron tried to see if he’d moved too fast or had been inappropriate. She appeared a bit startled but didn’t seem to object to his show of affection. The blush on her cheeks was a telltale sign.

Giving it no more thought, he let his top lip skirt her bottom one, causing her breath to come in short spurts. She hadn’t pushed him away. He took it as a good sign and hoped he wasn’t making a mistake. He didn’t want to lose her, and he already cared enough for her to risk his heart again.

LINDA HUDSON-SMITH

was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and raised in Washington, Pennsylvania. After illness forced her to leave a successful marketing and public relations career, she turned to writing as a healing and creative outlet.

Linda has won several awards, including a Career Achieve-ment Award from RT Book Reviews. She was voted Best New Writer by the Black Writers Alliance, named Best New Christian Fiction Author by Shades of Romance magazine and Rising Star by Romance in Color. She is also a recipient of a Gold Pen award and has won two awards from The African American Literary Awards Show.

For the past decade Linda has served as a national spokesperson for the Lupus Foundation of America.

The mother of two sons, Linda lives with her husband, Rudy, in League City, Texas. To find out more, go to her website, www.lindahudsonsmith.com. You can also email her at lindahudsonsmith@yahoo.com.

Waves of Passion

Linda Hudson-Smith

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dear Reader,

I sincerely hope you enjoy reading Waves of Passion from cover to cover. It features doctors Gabrielle Grinage and Cameron Quinn, who are on duty aboard a cruise ship as they sail from one exotic port to another in the Caribbean.

I’m very interested in hearing your comments on the romance between Dr. Quinn and Dr. Grinage.

Please send a stamped self-addressed envelope to

Linda Hudson-Smith, 16516 El Camino Real,

Box 174, Houston, TX 77062.

www.lindahudsonsmith.com

lindahudsonsmith@yahoo.com

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 1

It was early April, the day before Dr. Gabrielle Grinage’s official duties were to begin on a new job. She was unable to control her quivering stomach, yet her hazel eyes drank in the unfamiliar surroundings as slender fingers smoothed her thick, chestnut-brown French braid.

Here I am. Only the passage of time will let me know if my choice was a wise one.

Comfortably seated in the front row of a new employee orientation seminar/luncheon, Gabrielle felt at peace aboard the extravagantly beautiful cruise ship, the Parisian Paradise. This magnificent cruise liner was one of many fabulous ships that sailed under the popular Fantasy Islands Fleet. As she listened intently to the speaker, her eyes encompassed him.

“Ah, here he is,” Grey Sadler enthusiastically announced, “Dr. Cameron Quinn. This is the enormously talented medical commander you’ll take orders from. I have to warn you, Dr. Quinn is a tyrant and he expects nothing less than excellence and dedication from his medical staff.” Grey chuckled. “He’s also a phenomenal doctor and one of the fairest people I know.”

As Dr. Quinn strolled to the podium, he held his head high and his shoulders back. After shaking the hand of the cruise director, he positioned himself at the podium. Cameron’s smoky black eyes roved the vast group of new and veteran employees. His porcelain white teeth and gleaming smile captured the audience’s attention and his deep voice raptly held it.

“Welcome to each of you! It’s a privilege and an honor to have you on my staff.” Cameron’s eyes shone brightly. “All I expect from you is your absolute very best. I require my staff to attend every training session and to be present at all personnel meetings. We have to be a tightly knit group on this ship, and I demand that we work as a close unit.”

Dr. Quinn spoke about the rigid policies and specific rules that governed the ship’s infirmary and its personnel. He gave a brief summary of his educational background and his amazing career history. His extensive travels to numerous exotic locations around the world were touched upon fleetingly. He casually mentioned that he was thirty-three. His single status produced broad smiles from different groups of females seated close by.

“I want each new staff member to feel like they’re a part of our medical family. If not, we’ll figure out why they don’t. Our team relies on and believes in each other. We’re together for hours on end, so we must learn how to cohabitate harmoniously. Welcome aboard the magnificent Parisian Paradise!” He raised his water glass in a toast.

Gabrielle couldn’t take her eyes off Cameron. She guessed his height to be around six-two or six-three. His physique boasted a tapered waistline and remarkably broad chest and shoulders. She imagined him sporting a six-pack wall of impenetrable steel abs beneath his stark-white shirt. Sewn onto each shoulder of the shirt were gold symbols indicating his official ranking and gold braided medical insignias. Around his neck he wore an anchor on a thick gold chain.

Cameron Quinn, M.D., was gorgeous and, from all indications, highly intelligent. Curly and satiny, his dark brown hair had premature graying at the temples. His clean-shaven, olive-brown complexion only added to his good looks. His fit physique was perfectly proportioned with his stature. From Gabrielle’s standpoint, he had it going on in looks, but she was more curious as to what his intellect would bring to the table.

Cameron took a gulp of water. “Our crew always has each other’s backs, and we never indulge in petty arguing and backbiting. As staff members, we may not agree on every issue, but we’ll eventually work things out. Again, welcome aboard the magnificent Parisian Paradise!”

A standing ovation took place as Dr. Quinn left the podium.

Cameron Quinn had impressed Gabrielle greatly. His personality was refreshing.

If he’s as easy to work with as he is to look at and listen to, we should get along just fine.

Practicing medicine on a cruise ship hadn’t been one of Gabrielle’s goals during medical school, and she’d only recently opted to give it a try. The chance to travel to exotic ports had also figured into her decision. Several of her friends in the medical field worked aboard cruise ships…and they positively loved it. The salary was decent and the living arrangements would save her from financially draining monthly expenses. Five months onboard with five weeks off was a normal work schedule for doctors, nurses and various other medical staffers.

Gabrielle didn’t think that two or three years away from a private career in an internal practice would hurt her chances of getting back into mainstream medicine. She was only thirty and had lots of good years ahead of her. Deep thoughts, along with playing the devil’s advocate, had helped to guide her to this decision. Treating those in need of excellent health care was in her DNA.

Born and raised in Galveston, Texas, the ship’s homeport, she felt privileged to sail each seven-day itinerary from her birthplace. The Parisian Paradise docked for several hours. And Gabrielle planned to meet her family when time permitted.

Gabrielle knew what she’d like to do with her leisure time—get to know Cameron.

* * *

Gabrielle watched Cameron’s every move. He walked with confidence, holding his head up as if he knew he was a man to be reckoned with. As he took time to shake hands and speak with other attendees, she studied him closely, pleasantly surprised that he hadn’t headed straight for the table occupied by all the powers that be. Growing more and more curious about the man she was to work directly under, she could hardly wait for their first encounter.

Gabrielle took notice of everything that happened close to where she sat. She got a good feeling about the crew. She was optimistic and hoped she’d fit in well.

When the meeting adjourned, the dark-haired woman who was seated next to Gabrielle turned to her. She held out a friendly hand in greeting. “I’m Marjorie Carson, a crewmember and an R.N. Welcome aboard! It’s probably a safe bet that we’ll work together. Do you want to get something to eat and drink?”

Gabrielle briefly took Marjorie’s hand. “Thank you. I’m Gabrielle Grinage, M.D. I’m sure we’ll share many shifts, and I’d love for us to break bread together. I noticed that they were laying out covered dishes and bread baskets as orientation wound down. It smells divine.”

Marjorie nodded in agreement. “They lay it out big during employee events. Like Dr. Quinn said, we’re one big happy family

“I take it that you’re not a new employee. How long have you worked on the Parisian Paradise?”

“I’ve been assigned to this ship for two years,” Marjorie responded. “And I love it. I joined the luxury cruise line profession at twenty-six. I’m now twenty-eight.”

Gabrielle nodded, smiling. “Are you contracted for five months on and five weeks off?”

“One and the same, Dr. Grinage. I like the schedule. Looks like we’d better claim a table then get in line before it gets too crowded,” Marjorie said.

“Good suggestion.” Gabrielle smiled as she got to her feet.

The two women quickly claimed a premier window booth. Once the waiter poured ice water and iced tea into crystal goblets, the ladies headed toward the buffet lines. Marjorie chatted up Gabrielle about some of the infirmary duties.

Back at the table within minutes, carrying plates loaded with salads and seafood, the two women wasted no time in dipping into their food.

“Tell me a little about yourself, that is, if you don’t mind,” Marjorie suggested.

Gabrielle gave a brief rundown on her educational background before getting into personal areas. “I’m happily single.” She held up her bare ring finger. “My parents and three of my four brothers practice medicine. Mom and Dad are retired internal medicine specialists.”

As the only female sibling, Gabrielle told Marjorie, her family had nearly spoiled her rotten. No one in the Grinage clan had vocally approved or disapproved of where and how she’d chosen to practice medicine. Her decision to treat patients on a cruise ship had come as a total shock to them. However, everyone in the family was encouraged to choose their own destiny.

Marjorie appeared very interested in what Gabrielle shared. “What do your brothers do in the wide-open field of medicine?”

Gabrielle laid a napkin across her lap. “Ryan, the oldest, is an anesthesiologist, and Maxwell is an OB/GYN. Jonathan, the next to the youngest, is a pediatrician. Christopher is a hospital administrator…and a Ph.D.”

Gabrielle’s brothers, Ryan and Maxwell, were partners in a very successful private practice. None of the siblings were married and they all lived locally. Both parents had contributed thirty-five years of work in the medical field to Galveston Island residents.

“Wow! An entire family working in the medical field is awesome,” Marjorie said.

“It is amazing.” Gabrielle glanced around the room, hoping to get another glimpse of Cameron. Much to her surprise, many of the attendees had formed a line to meet him. He was seated alone at a large table. “Is meeting Dr. Quinn part of the orientation?”

Marjorie shook her head. “Not formally, but most people want to meet him. Like me, everyone here isn’t a new employee. Many of us return to this orientation just to mingle and greet the ship’s newcomers. Dr. Quinn has attended every orientation since I’ve been here. Do you want to meet him?”

Gabrielle chuckled. “Not if I have to stand in a long line.” She grew silent, looking toward the end of the line. “It’ll take an hour or more to get to him. Maybe I’ll go over when the crowd thins.”

“You won’t be sorry. He’s approachable and very easy to talk to. He’s popular with the entire crew.”

Gabrielle’s eyes strayed back to Dr. Quinn—and she really liked what she saw.

Marjorie laughed. “You’re taking a real good look at the single and available Dr. Quinn. The man is so down-to-earth. I don’t know a single soul who doesn’t like working with him.”

Gabrielle turned her attention back to Marjorie. “That’s good to know. Arrogant pretty boys don’t interest me, but I’d love to have a great working relationship with Dr. Quinn. Maybe you can stop by his table with me once we finish eating.”

Marjorie smiled. “I’d be happy to introduce you two.”

A good-looking male suddenly called out to Marjorie from a short distance away.

A huge smile brightened Marjorie’s mocha complexion. “That’s Tristan Meadows heading this way. He’s also a nurse…and he has a crush on me,” Marjorie whispered lowly, looking around for her napkin.

Watching the rapidly approaching Tristan, Gabrielle lifted an eyebrow. He was nearly as handsome as the commander. His body wasn’t as chiseled as Cameron’s, yet he had a solid physique. His broad smile revealed shining white teeth.

“Hey, ladies,” Tristan said cheerfully. He extended his tawny-brown hand to Gabrielle and added, “Welcome aboard the Parisian Paradise. I’m Tristan Meadows. It’s a pleasure meeting you.”

Gabrielle shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, too, Tristan. I’m Gabrielle Grinage.”

Tristan sat down next to Marjorie. “So you’re the new doctor? I look forward to working with you, Dr. Grinage,” he said with sincerity.

Gabrielle smiled. “I’d be happy if you both called me by my first name. No titles are necessary.” Hoping to put him at ease, Gabrielle gave him a warm smile.

Tristan smiled back at Gabrielle. “You can count on it.” His dark brown eyes softened as he gazed into

Marjorie’s ebony eyes. “Perhaps you can put in a good word for me with Marjorie. She’s not taking me seriously.”

“Tristan, stop it,” Marjorie weakly demanded, her mocha cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Gabrielle is not interested in our personal lives. Put a lid on it.”

Gabrielle’s laughter trilled. “I’m interested in the lives of anyone I’m privileged to work with. But, Tristan, I can’t possibly put in a good word for you. That is, not until I get to know if you’d be good for Marjorie.”

Everyone laughed.

Gabrielle looked across the room and saw that the lines leading to Dr. Quinn had thinned considerably. Feeling courageous, she stood. “I’ll be back. It’s time to meet my boss.”

“Decided to go it alone, huh? Good for you,” Marjorie said.

After telling the couple to save her seat, Gabrielle excused herself.

The butterflies suddenly occupying her stomach had Gabrielle’s insides quivering again. With only a few people ahead of her, she felt sweat forming on her palms. She had no clue why she was so nervous, but she couldn’t rule out the fabulous looks and the suave demeanor of the commander, the man she would soon work closely with.

Cameron got to his feet just as Gabrielle reached him. He instantly extended his hand to her. “Hello, Dr. Grinage. I’m glad we’re finally meeting. Please allow me to personally welcome you aboard your new home.”

“Thank you, Dr. Quinn.” Overwhelmed by his warm attention, Gabrielle had a hard time finding her voice. “It’s nice to meet the commander I’ve heard so much about.”

“Please sit down,” Cameron offered. “I’d like to hear what you’ve heard.”

Before taking a seat, she looked behind her, surprised to see she was last in line. She took in a few calming breaths as she sat. “What I’ve heard has been good. I also read your medical bio inside the orientation packet. It was amazing.” The absence of a picture had made her wonder what he might look like.

Cameron grinned. “I’ve also read your bio. I was impressed. You come from quite a medical family. My parents own and manage a couple of apartment buildings in Houston. They’re very happy with their lives, but they wanted their only son to be a doctor.”

Gabrielle frowned. “You became a doctor for your family?”

Cameron laughed. “If it hadn’t also been my own dream, I couldn’t have accomplished it. My mom always talks about how I loved to play doctor when I was little. I love being a physician. More than that, I love helping those in need.”

“I know what you mean. Helping others is one of the main reasons I wanted to be a physician. I also played doctor. My little male chauvinist friends thought I should be the nurse, but I had bigger and brighter ideas.”

Cameron laughed. “Sounds like you took charge. What made you want to try practicing medicine on the high seas?”

Gabrielle looked thoughtful. “I’m adventurous by nature. I like to try new things. I heard most of the pros and cons from friends who work on cruise ships. I took everything I learned into consideration, then I decided to just try it.”

Cameron smiled. “I think you’ll find the job rewarding and enjoyable, just as I do. Working on a cruise ship is altogether different from the world of medicine we started out in. We’re more limited here, and if it comes to drastic measures, we often have to make arrangements for emergency transportation to take patients to a hospital on land.”

Gabrielle nodded. “I researched it a lot before I actually signed on. I’m eager to learn the ways of practicing medicine at sea.”

Cameron smiled. “I bet you’re a fast learner.” He looked up and saw that other greeters had arrived. He instantly got to his feet. “Excuse me for a few minutes. A line has formed again.”

Gabrielle stood, her heart beating faster than normal. “You go right ahead. I’ll see you again.” For sure, she’d see him in the infirmary tomorrow morning.

Before Cameron could protest her departure, Gabrielle had already stepped away.

* * *

The line had dissipated after twenty minutes or so, and Cameron reclaimed his seat at the table. As his eyes searched the room for Gabrielle, he couldn’t help thinking of how enjoyable her company had been. Working with her would be a great experience, as long as he was careful not to compromise his heart. She was alluring, a natural beauty, but he knew she had a lot more going for her than that. The excellent academic and work ethics written up in her bio had revealed that.

His mind turned to thoughts of the scores of single women who came aboard the ship and sailed away into the sunset. Once the cruise was over, they left the ship without looking back. He knew that getting involved with female passengers wasn’t an ideal situation for him.

Gabrielle was the first female doctor he’d worked with aboard a ship, but he still had to remain in tight control of himself. Mixing business with pleasure could be a devastating combination. Cameron also had firsthand knowledge of that.

Finding true love was hard to do, especially on a cruise.

* * *

Gabrielle noticed that her heart was still beating fast even after a quick break in the ladies’ room. She made her way back to the table, where Marjorie and Tristan didn’t look as if they’d missed her presence. She stood quietly and watched the hot chemistry at work. They made a great couple.

As Gabrielle sat down, she cleared her throat. “I’m back.”

Marjorie appeared slightly embarrassed. “What did you think of Dr. Quinn?”

Gabrielle smiled. “I can’t tell you that until after I spend more time in his company. But he seems kind and smart. I’m willing to bet he’s also sweet. But since we’ll be working together, there is no chance for a shipboard romance. Love and labor don’t mix.”

Tristan raised an eyebrow. “I beg to differ. Love and labor go hand in hand. If you can find something special with someone you work with, go for it. Being employed in the same profession is a pretty good start, anyway. At least you’ll have something in common.”

“I agree,” Marjorie chimed in. “It’s nice to have someone to talk to about your work.”

Tristan covered Marjorie’s hand with his. “If you feel that way, then why can’t I get you to take me seriously?”

Marjorie now looked totally embarrassed. “I do.”

“You do what?” Tristan asked, putting her on the spot.

Marjorie blushed. “I take you seriously. I really do.”

Tristan’s broad smile showed he was pleased as punch. “I’m glad to hear it. But why’d you suddenly change your mind? I’ve been chasing you for months.”

Marjorie’s eyes narrowed. “I wasn’t ready to be caught. Can we just leave it at that?”

Gabrielle wanted to laugh at these two dopey lovebirds, but she remained quiet, eager to hear what else they had to say.

“I’m happy to leave it at that if it means I can take you out on a real date,” Tristan said.

Marjorie smiled. “You can take me out, Tristan. I’d love to see tonight’s show.”

Tristan leaned over and kissed Marjorie’s cheek. “It’s a date.”

Gabrielle laughed. “Congratulations on your first real date!”

* * *

The living quarters assigned to Gabrielle were located a few decks above midship. The spacious suite wasn’t particularly lavish, but it was nice and homey and it had a balcony. She’d never lived in a place with such a wide-open concept, where she could see the living room, kitchen and bedroom all at once. Only the bathroom was in a separate room.

As Gabrielle closely studied the space, she felt its warmth. Her personal things had already been delivered, but she hadn’t had time to put them away. She hadn’t even paid a lot of attention to the suite’s floor plan until now. Luckily the balcony would offer her a nearby outdoor alternative. Being able to step outside and breathe in fresh air without having to go up on deck was a huge plus. The balcony was decked out with a small round table, two chairs and a chaise lounge to lie on to catch the sun. This suite was her home for the next five months, so she would have to get used to it.

The Parisian Paradise was a huge vessel, which gave Gabrielle plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces to explore and many choices in shopping, dining and entertainment venues. She also loved that room service was available to staff and passengers 24/7.

Gabrielle caught sight of her unpacked luggage and frowned. For her to be truly comfortable, she had to put everything in order right away. There was plenty of time for her to unpack and get it over with before reporting to duty in the morning. After taking off her uniform and hanging it up, she slipped into blue jeans and a white T-shirt.

Starting with a leather garment bag, she took out her dressier and formal attire and hung them at one end of the large sectional closet. She then moved on to the suitcases.

A couple of hours later, she had the cabin suite looking more like a home.

* * *

Deciding to do a little bit of exploring, Gabrielle pulled from the closet a pair of white pants and a gold silk top. As she pulled on the attire, her eyes searched the room for her makeup case. The moment she spotted it next to the leather sofa, she felt totally relieved that she hadn’t left it behind. Standing before the bathroom mirror, Gabrielle was pleased with her appearance. She loved how her long hair fell around her shoulders and how flawlessly she had applied her makeup. Gabrielle picked up her gold purse and dropped her cabin key inside. Just as she stepped out the door, Cameron came out of the cabin right next to hers. He looked sexy dressed in dark dress slacks and a powder-blue silk shirt. She couldn’t help wondering if his assigned quarters were really that close to hers or if he’d been visiting someone.

As Cameron’s eyes fell upon her, she felt butterflies in her stomach. His devastating smile made her weak in the knees. “Seeing you so soon is a nice surprise.”

Cameron walked the few steps to where she stood. “I was hoping to see you before we began working together. Have you made any special plans?”

Gabrielle shrugged with nonchalance. “I just decided to do a little exploring.”

He grinned. “Perhaps I could be your tour guide for the evening. Would you mind?”

“Not at all.” Gabrielle was pleased by his offer. “It’d be easy to get lost on this vessel.”

“It happens often, Dr. Grinage. One wrong turn can get you all out of sorts. How about starting on the fifth level where most of the live action is?”

Gabrielle smiled brightly. “It’s fine with me. Lead the way, Dr. Quinn.”

He stopped short of offering her his arm. It was inappropriate. “I’d like it if you’d simply call me Cameron. Is it okay to call you Gabrielle? It’s a lovely name.”

“Thank you, Cameron. I like being on a first-name basis with my coworkers.”

* * *

The neon lights and glamorous decor found on Parisian Boulevard astounded Gabrielle. She’d never taken a cruise before, and she was amazed. A bevy of specialty shops shone inside and out with dazzling lights. The colorful and brightly lit Champs-Elysées Casino was located on the same level. Cameron gave her a brief tour of the gambling facility. It wasn’t his favorite place to hang out because he didn’t like throwing away hard-earned money.

“All these bells and lights from the slot machines and screams from winners are exciting,” Gabrielle said.

He shrugged. “True enough, but there’s a downside to the excitement. The cruise liners make it easy for people to gamble away their money by borrowing funds against their credit card. Most people think they can make up the losses.”

Gabrielle hunched her shoulders. “I’ve never gambled. I’m not sure I can feed money into an inanimate object and expect it to pay me back handsomely. But from the excited sounds in here, there seems to be lots of winners.”

“Most definitely, but far more are losers,” Cameron remarked. “It’s one thing to have fun gambling and something totally different to be addicted.”

“I hadn’t thought of that. But I don’t have to worry about it. I’m a cheapskate, a budgeter. I don’t just give away money.”

“I wish I knew how to keep a tighter budget. I tend to splurge every now and then, but I usually have something to show for it. Maybe you can give me some pointers.”

“You got it. I have a great book on financial planning in my cabin. You can read it if you’d like. It helped me out a lot.”

“If you don’t mind bringing it to the clinic tomorrow, I’ll take good care of it.”

Gabrielle nodded. “You’ll have it in the morning.”

As the tour proceeded, Cameron showed Gabrielle both formal dining rooms, the Paris and the Marseille.

“Let’s go back to Parisian Boulevard,” Cameron suggested. “There’s plenty of duty-free shops.”

As Cameron and Gabrielle made their way back to Parisian Boulevard, they passed by several music venues. It seemed to her that music was offered all over the ship, like the live calypso and reggae she’d heard inside and outside on the main deck for hours on end. There was even a jumbo LED screen that showed special movies, concerts, sports and other entertainment.

“Would you like to get something to drink?” Cameron asked.

“All this walking has me a bit thirsty. I’d like a cold soda or iced tea.” Gabrielle was glad she’d chosen to wear flat sandals. In heels, her feet would have taken a good pounding.

“We’ll go into one of the lounges where we can listen to music. I don’t hang out on the ship very often. Even though the clinic closes at 6:00 p.m., one doctor is always on call. As the medical commander, I’m the backup and go-to person if two doctors are needed.”

“I know that there’s minimal free time. Still, I’m pleased with my decision.”

Cameron chuckled. “Let’s see how you feel after the first month.”

Gabrielle eyed him with curiosity. “Is that a warning?”

“Hardly. I just want to know your thoughts after working aboard for a while.”

“I’ll be sure to tell you. Have any of your crew members been unhappy?”

“That’s an understatement. There are some folks who can’t hack it. They think the job is glamour and glitz until they’re aboard for a week or so. Most of those who quit leave very early. It doesn’t take long for the boys and girls to separate themselves from the men and women.”

Gabrielle smiled. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to scare me.”

Cameron stopped and looked into Gabrielle’s eyes. “I’m just answering. I’d never frighten you on purpose.”

Feeling herself getting lost in his intense gaze, Gabrielle looked away. “I won’t ask any more questions. I’ll wait and see what happens with me.”

The urge to take her hand to reassure her pulled at Cameron, but he didn’t dare. Holding her hand was too intimate for what could only be a working relationship between them. Although he found her extremely attractive and very sexy, he had to abide by his own rules, no matter how hard it might become.

* * *

At the Cannes Lounge Gabrielle and Cameron were escorted to a table near the piano bar by a hostess with a bubbly personality. Once they were seated, she took their drink orders and left.

Cameron settled back in the plush chair. “This is a nice place to relax. The guy who plays the piano and sings is excellent. He normally does the top forty and on some nights he plays oldies but goodies. Do you like the karaoke scene?”

Gabrielle chuckled. “I love to listen to people who can’t sing, yet are brave enough to get up there and give it a shot. I don’t have that kind of courage. What about you?”

“I don’t sound too bad, but I’d have to be feeling pretty good to put myself on display. I do sing in the shower though.”

“I—” Gabrielle cut her response short as the hostess set the drinks on the table.

“What were you going to say?” Cameron asked.

“I also sing in the shower. The sound of my own voice isn’t that bad to me, though it might be terrifying to others.” She chuckled then lifted her glass of iced tea. “Here’s to us building a great working relationship, Cameron. I believe we’ll work well together.”

Cameron raised his glass. “Hear, hear. We’ve already managed to break the ice quite nicely. If there is anything you need help with on the job, don’t be afraid to let me know. I’m a great supervisor, Gabrielle, a really fair and patient one.”

Gabrielle smiled softly. “I can believe that about you. You seem down-to-earth.”

The couple smiled warmly at each other as they clinked together their glasses.

* * *

Freshly showered and ready for bed, Gabrielle climbed in between the sheets. She had a feeling that she wouldn’t be sleeping alone tonight. Cameron’s strong presence wasn’t going away anytime soon. The great impression he’d made on her would stay with her for a long time. She wouldn’t mind him sleeping next to her, even if it was only in her dreams. Sighing, Gabrielle positioned the extra pillow against her abdomen and wrapped her arms around it.

Chapter 2

Seated on the chaise lounge, Gabrielle waited for the sun to make its appearance. In the city she’d never seen this many bright stars in the sky at night, unless she was near a beach in her hometown. It was a breathtaking experience. Awed by the vision, she sighed. The sea was calm and she finally felt the same. The slight movement of the ship was hypnotic. Although the humongous vessel cut through the waters with great speed, she could barely feel it.

It was still very early in the morning, but Gabrielle had slept fitfully throughout the night. She had tossed and turned repeatedly, as had her mind. The last time she’d awakened, she hadn’t been able to get back to sleep. With dawn so close, she’d gotten out of bed to experience a sunrise at sea. She’d put on a white velour bathrobe, then stepped out onto the balcony and been instantly welcomed with a warm breeze.

From the moment Gabrielle’s head had hit the pillow, just before midnight, her thoughts had been filled with the fantastic time she’d spent with Cameron. He was a true gentleman, and she already liked him a lot. His shaking her hand before they’d departed had spoken volumes. It saddened her that they couldn’t have a romantic liaison, but she’d find contentment in working alongside him in the clinic. He wasn’t the first desirable man to be off-limits to her.

Gabrielle reminded herself that she was here to do a job, which she felt was an amazing experience, one that she’d never have on land. She was eager to learn as much as she could from Cameron. By the time her first five months were up, she’d be able to execute the most important procedures and policies of the clinic.

There had been so many personal questions she had wanted to ask Cameron but she hadn’t dared to. Whether he had a current girlfriend or fiancée was constantly on her mind. She couldn’t imagine a man as good-looking as him without a woman, but she also figured it might be hard for him to get involved with anyone aboard the ship, especially anyone from his staff.

There wasn’t a shortage of females on the cruise, but he hadn’t seemed to notice anyone in particular last night. He’d given her his undivided attention. She had delighted in every moment of it despite the fact that they would never be anything other than coworkers.

Getting up from the chaise lounge, she leaned over the railing and stared down onto the dark waters. To help clear her head, she inhaled deeply. The air didn’t smell polluted. In fact, there wasn’t any kind of unpleasant scent wafting upward from the sea.

The perfectly formed sun appeared to rise majestically right out of the ocean. Slowly, unambiguously, the round, orangey-yellow ball of dazzling light wended its way into the heavens. With a smile on her face, she watched the incredible ascent.

* * *

Freshly showered, with only a bath towel wrapped around his waist, Cameron stood in front of the bathroom mirror in his cabin suite. As he carefully shaved overnight stubble, he couldn’t keep his mind off Gabrielle. He could still smell the beguiling perfume that had tantalized and teased his nostrils unmercifully all evening. Nuzzling her neck with his nose had been a constant temptation for him, making him wish things could be different.

An image of her long chestnut hair flowing like a silk curtain had stayed with him. He’d wondered if she wore the thick single French braid only when working. The hairstyle was flattering, but it hardly rivaled the sex appeal of its full-bodied silkiness sweeping her shoulders. As they’d strolled around the open deck, taking in the sights and sounds, the stirring winds had played in her hair, making his fingers itch for the same privilege.

Once Cameron finished shaving and brushing his teeth, he splashed on his favorite aftershave and cologne. Finished with his toiletries, he hastily left the bathroom and went into the bedroom, where he slipped on his white uniform.

Cameron sat on the side of the bed as he put a call in to room service, his regular morning ritual. He cheerfully greeted the person on the other line then made his usual order: one egg over medium, sausages, hot oatmeal, a carton of milk and hot coffee.

* * *

Surprised by the knock on her door so early, Gabrielle asked who was there as she peered out the security window.

“Room service,” replied a male voice.

After removing the safety locks, Gabrielle opened the door. Frowning slightly, she looked at the tray the young man held. “There must be a mistake. I didn’t order room service.”

The man peered at the order slip. “This is the cabin number on the order. Can I please come in and set down the tray?”

Shrugging her shoulders, Gabrielle moved aside. She knew this was a mistake, no matter what the delivery person said. He didn’t seem in the mood to argue the point and neither was she. The delicious aroma of hot coffee had already tempted her palate. Once he’d laid the food items out on the table, he nodded and left the suite.

Gabrielle walked over to the door and reengaged the safety locks. Eager for a sip of coffee, she made a quick jaunt to the table and fixed it to her liking. Savoring the hot brew, she closed her eyes. As she reopened them, she looked over the array of food.

It appeared somebody else liked many of the same things she did. An egg over medium was her favorite, and she loved hot oatmeal with milk and sugar. She could take or leave the sausage links, but she wouldn’t waste them. Toast with strawberry preserves was the breakfast she ate most mornings, but there wasn’t any in the order.

A slip of paper with handwriting on it suddenly caught her eye. She picked it up and read it. “Good morning, Gabrielle. I hope you enjoy your first breakfast aboard the Parisian Paradise. I hope I ordered some of your favorites. Since these happen to be a few of mine, I thought I’d order you the same. See you later on in the clinic. My very best, Cameron.”

A pleasantly surprised look glowed on her face. “Oh, my goodness, what made Cameron do this? How sweet.” They hadn’t discussed their food likes and dislikes, but he’d gotten so many of hers right. She racked her brain, wondering if any of the employment questionnaires she’d filled out had asked about her food choices.

It’s silly of me to keep questioning this. Cameron’s note spelled it all out.

Careful not to take his kind gesture out of context, Gabrielle decided to wait until she got to the clinic to thank him instead of calling him. She still didn’t know if that was his cabin he’d come out of last evening. She’d been self-conscious about what he’d think of the question, so she hadn’t brought it up.

A glance at the clock let Gabrielle know she still had a little over two hours before she had to report for duty. Picking up the fork, she took her first bite of egg, wishing she had toast to dip into the yolk. She was hungrier than she’d thought, and she polished off her meal in a matter of minutes.

Ready for a second cup of coffee, Gabrielle went over to the coffeemaker and brewed a single serving. While waiting for it, she walked over to the bookshelf and pulled down one of the numerous photo albums she’d brought from home. Missing her family had suddenly prompted the idea of looking at family photos.

The very first photo inside the album was of the entire family taken during the Christmas holidays. Her mother and father’s unconditional love for her seemed to leap from the pages and wrap around her like a warm blanket. She wouldn’t trade Emma and Ross Grinage for all the money in the world. They had never been too busy for their children. With her being the only girl, they’d made sure she had her fair share of special attention. She was the apple of her father’s eye and always doted on by her mother.

Looking at the picture of her handsome brothers made Gabrielle smile. These guys had taken care of her as though she was their very own child. She had wanted for nothing as she’d grown up. Her brothers had even taken turns combing and brushing her hair. When she’d begun dating, her boyfriends had gotten trouble from her brothers. She had always felt cherished and protected by them—and up to this day they still looked out for her.

The next few pages of photographs caused Gabrielle to scowl hard. Jordan Jacobs was the first man she’d ever taken seriously. They’d met during their residencies at M. D. Anderson Hospital in the Texas Medical Center. She’d been very leery of him in the beginning, but he’d worked on her until he’d finally convinced her to go out with him. He’d made it a point to tell her she could trust him. Their relationship was off and on for nearly a year. It had been as rocky as any rugged mountain terrain. Tristan trying to get Marjorie to trust him in the same way Jordan had gotten her to trust him had reminded her of the worst times of her life.

Tears rolled unchecked down Gabrielle’s cheeks. Jordan had hurt her deeply, nearly making her lose faith in herself and every other man she came into contact with. He’d gotten her to trust him, then he’d done everything possible to make her completely lose faith in him. There’d been a time when she had believed she’d never again trust her heart to a man.

As Gabrielle had matured, she’d claimed a good portion of the blame for what had happened. Her first mistake had been in not following her strong instincts about Jordan in the first place. Natural instincts were everything.

Gabrielle now always listened for that little voice whispering in her ear. It made her think clearly and also helped direct her toward the right path. Because of what had happened with her and Jordan she did her best to steer clear of all hazardous, baggage-ridden men. Love and labor never worked. It wasn’t a good match.

Perhaps I’ll feel differently someday. I’d certainly like to.

The coffeemaker had beeped several minutes ago, but lost in her once painful thoughts of the past, Gabrielle had ignored it. Another glance at the clock reminded her that she had to get a move on. She still had to put on her makeup, comb her hair and dress for her first day on the job.

* * *

Cameron looked up as Gabrielle skidded into the room and tripped on the mat in front of the door. Standing behind the clinic’s nursing station, located on zero level of the ship, he tried to assess what had caused her to nearly fall to the floor. Once he saw she’d kept her footing, he laughed. “Good morning, Dr. Grinage. What’s your rush? You’re hardly late.”

Gabrielle grinned. “I wanted to make it here early, but I got caught up in something. Thank you for breakfast. It was a really thoughtful gesture.”

Cameron breathed a sigh of relief, thrilled that she was okay with his surprise. “It was another way for me to welcome you. I promise not to make a habit of deciding what you eat. You’re all grown up. However, I took pleasure in ordering breakfast for you this morning.”

“It was a nice surprise, Dr. Cameron. I’m assuming official titles are used in the clinic.”

“Just around the patients. All staff members are on a first-name basis. Many of them refer to me as Dr. Q or plain old Q. I won’t be surprised if they start calling you Dr. G. Hmm, it even has a nice ring to it.”

Gabrielle chuckled then looked around. “Are we the only two here?”

“It’s just a matter of minutes before the others file in. There’s only one staffer who has a problem with punctuality.” He laughed. “I’ll let you pinpoint who it is on your own.”

Gabrielle smiled. “I’ll try.” She looked around. “I was given a brief tour of the clinic when I came aboard. I probably should walk around again and check out everything. Is that okay?”

“Fine by me,” he said. “I’ve got the coffeemaker going. If you want a cup, it’ll be ready in a couple of minutes or so.”

“I’ve already had my two-cup limit. The coffee that room service delivered was delicious. It prompted me to brew another cup. I may’ve gotten spoiled.”

“Room service coffee is excellent. Once you finish your tour, I’d like to go over the medical supplies we keep in stock. The nurses reorder all supplies, but there are occasions when doctors have to do it. We’ll also go over the proper handling of various controlled medications.”

“I don’t think it’ll take me long to get the hang of things.” She turned to walk away, only to turn around. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out the book she’d promised him. “Here’s the book. No hurry in returning it.”

“Thanks,” he said, watching after her retreating form.

Seemingly of their own volition, his smoky eyes widened, locking onto the swaying of her luscious hips. He could only define it as poetry in motion. The uniform pants were a perfect fit and beautifully outlined her seductive attributes. He found her fine body to be irresistible. Cameron mentally scolded himself on his wayward thinking and quickly returned his attention to his work.

As predicted, all but one of the other employees filed into the clinic at the same time. The habitually late crewmember was not among them. He gave his staff a big smile and a cheerful good morning.

“As some of you know, we’ve been expecting a new physician. Dr. Gabrielle Grinage arrived yesterday and is on duty now. For those who didn’t meet her during orientation, you’ll get the opportunity to do so today. She’s currently touring the facility. Would anyone like to join her?”

Three new female staffers raised their hands. The two veteran employees, Morris Carey and Dean Anderson, didn’t show much enthusiasm one way or the other. Meeting the newly arrived doctor didn’t seem uppermost on their agenda.

Cameron knew exactly where the guys’ heads were when they headed straight back to the break/lunch room, where the aroma of fresh coffee had summoned them. “Ladies, I plan to speak with each of you in an informal meeting.” It was his normal procedure to speak to new crewmembers individually. “I’ll take a half an hour or so with each of you. But for now, I’ll take you back to meet Dr. Grinage. Did you get a chance to do any exploring on the ship last evening?”

Nurse Candi Simmons smiled broadly. “I can’t believe the size of this ship. I know I haven’t seen the half of it, but I’m eager to explore the entire thing.”

“Good for you,” Cameron remarked. “How about you, Carolyn?”

Carolyn Jackson clapped her hands enthusiastically. “Candi, Joanie and I hung out together last night. We plan to see everything during our free time.”

Joanie Caldwell shook her head in disbelief. “I was so overwhelmed by the experience. I know we’re here to work, but I’m also looking forward to playtime.”

“Ah, playtime,” Cameron remarked. “You’ll get enough hours off for that.”

* * *

Gabrielle took a thorough inventory of two of three good-size treatment rooms. She mentally charted the lay of each one and wrote lots of notes on a pad she’d picked up off her desk. Locked metal cabinets appeared to be chock-full of supplies. Large pieces of sterilized medical equipment had been stored away for easy access. Everything appeared pristine. There was a sterile scent in the treatment cubicles and lab areas, but it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.

She turned around when she heard a noise behind her. Seeing Cameron and three relatively young women, she smiled. “Are these lovely ladies a part of your staff?”

“Our staff,” Cameron corrected. “They arrived the same day as you.” He then introduced her to the three nurses scheduled for duty five days out of the seven.

“Once all employees are in house, I plan to have a short staff meeting with each new nurse. You’re welcome to sit in if you’d like.”

Gabrielle glanced at the large wall clock. “Shouldn’t everyone be here by now?”

Cameron shrugged, raising an eyebrow. “Recall my earlier comment?”

Just as the words left Cameron’s mouth, a man appeared in the doorway. “Morning. Sorry I’m late. That darn alarm clock in my cabin gives me fits.”

“Maybe you should consider getting a new one,” Gabrielle said in a no-nonsense tone. She stepped forward and extended her hand. “I’m Dr. Gabrielle Grinage. Nice to meet you. Since I feel at a disadvantage here, what’s your name?”

He shook Gabrielle’s hand. “I’m Joseph Clark, a nurse and senior member of the crew.”

Coffee mugs in hand, nurses Morris and Dean walked into the treatment cubicle.

Cameron moved to the center of the room. “Now that we’re all here, we can welcome our new staff members. I present Dr. Gabrielle Grinage, second in command, and our three newly assigned registered nurses, Joanie Caldwell, Candi Simmons and Carolyn Jackson.”

The group acknowledged each other politely. Gabrielle made a mental note to get to know the individual work ethics of the nurses.

Cameron gestured toward the three men. “Nurses Morris and Dean have been with us well over a year. Joseph is a two-and-a-half-year veteran staff member. Everyone will get to meet during our regular staff meeting at the end of the week.”

Gabrielle walked around and shook everyone’s hand. “I’m happy to be assigned to this ship and its clinic, and I’m looking forward to working with each of you. I’ll probably ask questions of the veterans every now and then, so I’d appreciate your help.”

“No problem,” Joseph said. The other two male nurses nodded.

The front-desk buzzer interrupted the informal gathering.

“I’ll take care of it,” said Joseph, hurrying from the room.

To see how the front desk was run, Gabrielle excused herself. She made her way out to the front, where she quietly observed a middle-aged woman writing her name on the patient intake sheet. She listened closely to Joseph as he asked her reason for coming into the clinic.

The woman’s hand went to her stomach. “I have nausea like you wouldn’t believe. I can’t keep anything down.”

“How long have you been nauseated?” Joseph queried.

“It started right after lunch yesterday, even before we sailed. It may’ve been caused by a slice of cheesecake I ate for dessert. As soon as I finished it, I got sick.”

Joseph had the patient sit down in one of several chairs lined against the wall opposite the front desk. He walked over and took her temperature and blood pressure. Nausea was a normal occurrence among passengers and the number one problem the clinic dealt with.

Gabrielle continued to watch Joseph work in an expedient manner. She liked his warm, professional demeanor. She’d noticed the concerned look on his face when the cheesecake had been mentioned. Nausea was a relatively simple problem unless it was related to food poisoning, then it could impact a large number of guests.

Joseph went over to Dr. Grinage to consult with her in private.

“Give her antinausea medicine and recommend she consume only clear liquids for the next twenty-four hours. She should also take it easy and report back to the clinic if the symptoms continue.”

No sooner had the first patient of the morning left the clinic than several more passengers came in with a variety of ailments. Traffic continued to flow into the treatment center, and the staff found themselves running from one cubicle to another. For the next few hours, there wasn’t an opportunity for anyone to take even a short break, let alone take time for Cameron to speak with the new personnel.

At 2:15 p.m. the clinic finally closed for lunch, which was a good bit of time after the normal closing at one o’clock. The clinic doors would reopen at 3:00 p.m. regardless, and Cameron and Joseph would be the on-call staff.

* * *

Seated at the dining table in her suite later that night, Gabrielle dined on a delicious bowl of vegetable soup and a chicken salad sandwich. Instead of calling room service before leaving the clinic for the day, she had prepared her own meal from the groceries and deli items she had stocked. It had become a very busy shift at the clinic, and passengers had come in up until the last few minutes before closing time.

Glad that the workday was over, she planned to lie down for a while after finishing her meal. If she hadn’t gotten up so early and had slept properly last night, she probably wouldn’t have been so drowsy. Clinic visits had gotten hectic, with one person after another trooping in for medical care. The fast-paced day had her feeling slightly fatigued. No matter how busy the clinic had gotten, Gabrielle was thankful that no life-threatening situations had occurred.

Despite how busy the staff had become, Gabrielle had gotten an opportunity to learn quite a bit about the job throughout the shift. Cameron had been very clear in explaining to her proper patient-care procedures and had been very specific about the proper way to store and secure narcotics and other controlled substances.

After washing the few dishes she’d used, Gabrielle went into the bedroom and slipped out of her uniform. She removed from her belt the new cell phone Cameron had handed to her, informing her that she was required to have it turned on whenever the clinic was closed, even if she wasn’t on call. If extra manpower was needed, she’d be alerted.

Gabrielle hastily slipped on an attractive one-piece navy blue bathing suit she’d pulled from a drawer and went out onto the balcony. She positioned her body comfortably on the chaise and tilted her face toward the sun for a few moments. Once she had gotten into a comfortable resting position place, she set the alarm on her watch.

The moment she closed her eyes, a vision of Cameron appeared. Dressed only in dark swim trunks, he looked as good as any professional athlete she’d ever seen. To have those hard, muscled arms wrapped around her would be a fantasy fulfilled. Unknowingly, Cameron was pulling Gabrielle into his white-hot web of desire, making her want him despite all the consequences.

* * *

Seated in the leather chair behind his desk, Cameron was alone in the clinic. He hadn’t eaten a full breakfast, yet it had completely satisfied him. He actually fasted one day a week, drinking only liquids. The ritual had nothing to do with religion but had just started in college, when he’d pledged a fraternity, and he carried it on during his U.S. Navy duty.

Hearing a noise out front, Cameron stood. He quietly listened for more movement. It was a little early for the staff to report for duty, but it wasn’t overly unusual.

With a bright smile on her face, Gabrielle popped into Cameron’s office and presented him with a colorful Thank you balloon.

“Hi, Cameron. How’s it going?”

“Great. Everything has been quiet. I wasn’t called a single time last night. I came in early to work on a special report. How was your evening?”

“It was good. I ate first then stretched out on the balcony chaise and caught a few rays.” Her hand went up to her face. “Did I get any darker?”

Cameron laughed heartily. “No visual changes, sorry. Come on in and have a seat.”

Gabrielle grinned. “I think I will. Thank you.” She sat in a chair facing him.

“I think you did great on your first day, Gabrielle. How do you think it went?”

“Fantastic. I learned quite a lot. I know the sign-in process and where we get the paperwork for the patients to fill out. Learning the entire system may take me a while, but it’ll come with time.”

“The hardest thing for me to get the hang of is the billing system, though it’s not a part of my job description,” said Cameron. “But as the man in charge, I like to know everything there is to know about running the clinic. I do feel bad, though, when passengers have to incur extra expenses for medical reasons, so I’m glad we don’t charge to treat nausea and seasickness.”

“One hundred and fifty dollars to see a physician can really put a damper on vacation money,” Gabrielle said.

Cameron nodded. “I hear you. Running the infirmary is expensive. It just can’t be done for free. There are items we don’t charge for, though.” He began to feel that his remarks may be inappropriate. “I probably shouldn’t be talking about this, but it does get under my skin.”

Cameron thought about the number of patients he’d seen break down and cry when they were handed a large bill to sign, after being told the medical fees would be charged to their credit card.

The conversation was halted between Gabrielle and Cameron when they heard the rest of the staff reporting for duty. The two doctors walked out into the reception area to let the others know they were there. As the crew stood around making small talk and working on their assigned tasks at the same time, patients began to walk through the doors.

The clinic once again became a flurry of activity. Within minutes every staff member available was attending a patient.

After taking the blood pressure of one passenger, Gabrielle frowned. “Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure or hypertension? If so, how long ago was it?”

“High blood pressure,” the older man responded. “I was diagnosed several years ago.”

Gabrielle perused the name of his medicines from the medical history. “Have you been taking your blood pressure medication?”

“I went off and left it at home,” he confessed with regret.

Gabrielle held up one finger. “Give me a minute. I’ll be right back.”

* * *

She found Cameron in one of the treatment rooms and politely asked him to step out. Once he had followed her into the hall, she handed him the medical record and explained the medication issue.

Cameron glanced over the chart. “It’s a regular stock item. Give him enough doses to last him the duration of the cruise. One of the nurses will issue him an invoice and receipt.” Cameron paused. “If you don’t have plans for dinner, I’d love to have you join me in my cabin.”

Gabrielle managed not to blush. Should she or shouldn’t she?

“I’d really like that.” She smiled softly. “Thanks, Cameron.” She popped her head into the treatment room and made eye contact with his patient. “Sorry for the interruption, ma’am.”

After reaching the front desk, Gabrielle informed Morris and Candi of Cameron’s order. “He’ll need enough meds to last him through disembarkation. I’ll write up the medical chart, sign it and return it for billing.” Without further comment, she went back to her patient.

* * *

Back in her suite, seated on the sofa, Gabrielle couldn’t get her shoes off quickly enough. As comfortable as her sneakers were, her feet still ached. She was used to standing for hours on end, but all the rapid moving about she’d done inside the clinic had aggravated the soles of her feet. It was nothing that a good soak wouldn’t take care of.

She felt extremely good about her first and second workday. Everything had run rather smoothly for her. She hadn’t encountered a single problem that she hadn’t handled easily.

Cameron had paid her a high compliment after closing hours. He had sincerely praised her on a job well done and it had made her smile. The other new crewmembers had also received votes of confidence—he was clearly pleased with their admirable job performances.

Dr. Quinn was a boss who made sure his staff’s morale was up. However, Gabrielle was kind of surprised that he hadn’t already tackled the issue of Joseph’s lateness. Wondering why he’d put it off for so long, she planned to ask him about it.

Gabrielle was delighted that Cameron had invited her to have dinner with him in his cabin. Perhaps he wanted them to become better acquainted as coworkers. To think he had any romantic notions about her was probably a bit premature and even arrogant. She now knew that he was indeed her next-door neighbor. With their balconies side by side, Gabrielle had an idea it could get pretty interesting under certain circumstances. Romantic notions or not, she couldn’t have been more excited about dining with Cameron in his cabin. The evening would be very stimulating any way she looked at it.

Chapter 3

Gabrielle had dressed very carefully for the evening. She wore a curve-hugging navy dress and strappy sandals. Her hair hung loose again, but this time she pinned one side back with a decorative pin. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror inside Cameron’s suite, but she was more focused on how he looked.

It was always hard for her to keep her eyes off him. He looked amazing in a pair of Calvin Klein jeans. The short-sleeved black polo shirt he wore was trimmed in white on the sleeves and collar and fitted to a tee his broad chest and ironclad muscles. On his feet he wore a pair of casual leather sandals in black.

The furnishings in his suite were very different from hers. Not only was the room much larger, Gabrielle considered his quarters to be more plush. As he was the commander, she understood why his accommodations were well above standard.

Cameron opened a bottle of red wine and set it on the beautifully decorated table. Besides the Wedgwood place settings and crystal stemware, colorful silk flowers nested in a wicker basket. Several unscented votive candles burned in frosted, square-shaped holders. Soft music drifted from overhead speakers. She couldn’t help but be affected by the cozy, romantic atmosphere he had created.

Right after he’d entered his cabin from a hard day’s work, Cameron had called guest services, which handled all special requests from employees who held key positions. Crewmembers in high profile positions received special treatment.

Cameron had placed an order for a couple of different pasta entrées, along with fresh garden salads and a variety of hot dinner rolls. It was just a matter of minutes before delivery time.

Gabrielle looked impressed with his skills. “The table looks lovely. I love the silk flower centerpiece and the votive candles.”

“Thank you. My mother made the centerpiece. She’s very creative with her hands and loves dabbling in arts and crafts. She and my father indulge in lots of fun classes and outings, and they also sign up for group trips for seniors.”

“Mrs. Quinn knows her stuff when it comes to arranging flowers. It’s good for couples to take creative classes together and socialize with folks they have something in common with. It tends to spice up the marriage. I remember when my mom and dad enrolled in Pilates at a local spa.”

There was a knock on the door, and Cameron excused himself.

As he scurried across the room, Gabrielle trained her eyes on his fine physique, wondering what it’d be like to be wrapped up in his strong arms. Just imagining herself in his arms had her gulping hard.

Cameron opened the door and warmly greeted the waiter. He then stepped aside to allow him to push through the doorway a table with two trays on it and an array of other items.

The waiter busied himself setting out the food, including desserts, which consisted of thick wedges of chocolate cake with double fudge icing and two slices of baked apple pie. Once the waiter transferred everything to Cameron’s table, he wished the couple a good evening and rapidly departed.

Cameron pulled out a chair for Gabrielle, which was to the left of the head of the table. “Let’s eat while everything is piping hot.” He smiled knowingly, hoping she’d approve of another surprise he’d arranged for her.

Gabrielle sniffed the air, appreciating the delicious smell. “I’m all for that.”

For the first few minutes the couple ate in silence, each savoring the delicious taste of spaghetti simmered in marinara sauce, mixed with thin slices of zucchini and asparagus cuts. Each entrée had been cooked to perfection.

Gabrielle lifted her head and looked at Cameron. “This is the best pasta I’ve ever eaten. The marinara sauce is divine. I can’t believe it comes from room service.”

Cameron grinned. “I made a special request to guest services, which is a different department. Have you read up on all the amenities available to you?”

Gabrielle shook her head. “Not really. There’s so much stuff to read and very little time to get it done. Can you share some of what you know?”

“I’d love to,” he said. “There are some wonderful amenities, such as free spa treatments and membership in the athletic club. As doctors, we get many special entitlements, but they vary depending on the status of your position. Since I’m a medical commander, my civilian ranking is higher than that of a staff physician. And your position as a senior physician is also higher than a staff physician, but not quite the same as mine. But the ranking is mostly based on work experience.”

Gabrielle laughed. “I’d better get back to reading my manuals. The way these standings are handled can create a bit of controversy. Holding one position in higher esteem than another doesn’t seem fair.”

Cameron shrugged. “I don’t make the policies, Gabrielle. I merely use the ones most beneficial to me. After you’re on staff for a while, you’ll understand the method to the madness. Let’s face it, our jobs require more out of us than most.”

“I can agree with that,” she conceded.

“We sure as hell worked hard enough to get where we are. Just try to enjoy the perks you’ve earned. Practicing medicine can also be a thankless job. Some patients have no compunction about giving us hell.”

She shrugged. “Maybe I’m a little too defensive.”

Gabrielle continued eating, but she couldn’t stop thinking about what he’d said. It seemed hypocritical to pit employees against each other based on professions.

With his eyes riveted on Gabrielle, Cameron took a sip of wine, which wouldn’t have much effect on him, since he was already intoxicated by the beauty of the woman seated at his table. “You’ll have a few hours free when we dock in Nassau. Do you plan to get off the ship?”

She lifted an eyebrow. “I sure hope to. I’ve read brochures on the ports we’ll make and I’d like to check them out. Are you going ashore?”

Cameron relaxed back in his seat. “It depends on what’s happening in the clinic at the time. There are a lot of great shops close to the dock, so I normally run around the area and pick up whatever I need during lunch. I’ve already explored the Parisian Paradise’s ports of call.”

Her eyes widened with excitement. “I bet they’re fascinating! I want to see the white beaches and sorbet-colored buildings I read about. And I’d love to sample the local food.”

“Good choices. If I can swap a couple of hours with someone else, I’ll show you around. We’ll hire a cab because we won’t have time for full tours. If I get the opportunity to go ashore, we can’t go too far afield.”

“Understood.” She giggled. “I’m excited. I just might have my own personal tour guide, the amazing Dr. Cameron Quinn. Can it get any better than this?”

Cameron laughed at her teasing remarks. “Go ahead and have your fun at my expense. I have pretty thick skin, Dr. Grinage.” He liked seeing her enjoying herself.

When Gabrielle had giggled like a schoolgirl, he’d found it enchanting. Her sparkling personality made him wish he could spend more time in her company. If spending time with her wasn’t so dangerous… He purposely killed further thoughts. He simply couldn’t afford to indulge in fantasies. Having her invading his dreams was bad enough.

* * *

As soon as dinner was finished, Cameron got to his feet. “Why don’t you have a seat on the sofa? I’ll clear the table then join you. We can eat our dessert whenever you’re ready.”

Gabrielle nodded. “That’s fine with me.” She pushed her chair back and got up. Helping him clear the table crossed her mind, but she thought better of it. He hadn’t asked for assistance.

Instead of taking a seat, Gabrielle walked over to the balcony door and just stood there, peering out into the darkness. The only thing that could be seen was the brilliant show of lights in the sky. As she thought about the length of time she’d be away from home, she realized how much she would miss her family.

Five months was a long time not to see her loved ones, but being away would be longer and lonelier without a significant other. After Jordan, she hadn’t dated seriously. Although she was a survivor and quickly adapted to new circumstances, she hated loneliness.

Gabrielle gave thought to Cameron’s balcony right next to hers. The solid wall between the two spaces kept prying eyes at bay, but she wondered how he’d react if he somehow saw her sunning in the nude. The balconies were private enough to accommodate nude sunbathing, and her body loved to drink in the sun.

Cameron walked up behind her but kept a fair amount of space between them. “What are you thinking?”

Gabrielle decided to shock him with the truth. “How much I love to sunbathe naked.”

“Me, too.” He swallowed hard, fighting off an image of her naked body. “I like feeling the sun on my body, but I’m careful not to overdo it.”

“The sun feels awesome, though.” She felt hot color rise in her cheeks, relieved that she wasn’t facing him. Her expression would’ve shown her embarrassment even though she was the one who’d picked the intimate topic.

“I guess I can take that to mean you indulge in sunbathing in your birthday suit?”

“You guessed right.” She tossed her head back and looked up at him.

Cameron inched his way a little closer to her. He would have liked nothing better than to wrap his arms around her from behind and rest his chin atop her head. Catching a whiff of her scent, he inhaled deeply. She smelled like the sweet, exhilarating perfume from gardenia blossoms.

To keep from backing up into him and guiding his arms around her waist, she moved away and sat down on the sofa. The strong chemistry between them felt almost flammable. As sweat formed between Gabrielle’s breasts, she became hot and bothered. A cold shower would do nothing to calm the singeing heat she felt.

If he touched her, she knew her body would melt from the fiery contact. As he’d pointed out things to her in the clinic, she’d noticed his hands. He had long, lean fingers—and she was positive they knew their way around a woman’s body.

Cameron took a seat on the sofa, but he again didn’t get too close. Fighting his physical desire for Gabrielle was more than a battle. She had more sex appeal than any one woman should lay claim to. Keeping his distance was the only way to counter his strong desire for her. “Are you missing your family?”

Gabrielle pursed her lips. “Of course I do, but not to the point of misery. My family has always lived in the same city, but I’ve been away from home plenty of times.”

“Mom and Dad wish I’d put down roots in one place. They hope I’ll return to Houston for good, but I haven’t been able to promise that. I’m like a nomad. I love to wander to distant places and foreign lands.”

Gabrielle sighed. “Your bio said that you love world travel. I’ll eventually go back to Galveston and practice medicine in the same communities my parents once worked in.”

“What does your boyfriend think of you taking a medical post on a cruise ship?”

“He doesn’t.” Gabrielle hoped he didn’t delve any deeper into the subject of a boyfriend; she was content to just leave it at that. She had no desire to talk about the nonexistence of a man in her life. Discussing her previous relationships would no doubt evoke some degree of pain.

Gabrielle could tell by Cameron’s expression that her reluctance to talk about her love life hadn’t been lost on him. Thinking it was best for her to go, she stood. She didn’t want things to get too personal. Leaving was a good way to avoid it.

Cameron’s on-call cell phone rang and he rapidly removed it from his belt. “Dr. Quinn.”

To give him privacy, Gabrielle got up and wandered back to the balcony door.

“Cabin 1063, right away,” he assured the caller, his brow furrowed with concern.

He put his phone away and walked over to her. “Gabrielle, there’s an emergency. Chest pains. I need you to assist me. Please get the crash cart and portable EKG machine from the clinic and meet me in cabin 1063, tenth deck, starboard side. Bring supplies for blood and urine samples and also bring several nitroglycerine tabs.”

“Right away,” Gabrielle responded.

Glad she had transferred the clinic keys to her evening purse, Gabrielle rushed from Cameron’s cabin and headed for the elevators. This was her first shipboard emergency and she hoped it’d go well.

* * *

Gabrielle arrived at cabin 1063 in mere minutes. As a precautionary measure, the first thing Cameron had the patient do was place a nitroglycerine tablet under his tongue. For the third time, he put his stethoscope to the passenger’s bare chest and listened intently to his heart. He then rechecked his lungs. Both organs sounded distress free.

Gabrielle administered the EKG. Once the test was completed, Cameron read the results.

“Mr. Gates, what did you have for dinner?” Cameron asked. The man’s heart was healthy and Cameron had determined it wasn’t responsible for his chest discomfort.

The older man rattled off what he’d eaten in the dining room. Without any prompting from Cameron, he went on to say what he’d had for breakfast, lunch and snacks.

“I’m not a spring chicken, but I live an extremely active lifestyle. Overeating at every meal is pretty much the norm for me. I’m a big guy with a voracious appetite,” Mr. Gates said.

Mrs. Gates hadn’t said a word since she’d said hello at the door. Cameron noticed how pinched her face looked. She appeared worried, anxious and tired. He wished he could reassure her about her husband’s health, but he couldn’t, not until he had final results.

Cameron frowned. “Your fatty diet tells me a lot, sir. This problem may very well be a bad case of indigestion, but we can’t be certain. Gastritis can produce severe chest pains, mimicking signs of a heart attack. I’d like to take blood and urine samples to complete testing. We must err on the side of caution. Think you can give us a urine sample?”

Mr. Gates shrugged. “I can.”

Gabrielle stepped forth and handed him a plastic bag with a sample urine kit. “We’ll draw your blood when you return.”

Mr. Gates looked closely at Gabrielle. “You look mighty young. In fact, you both do. But I hear that young doctors are up on the latest in medical research, so I don’t mind.”

Cameron and Gabrielle smiled with understanding. They knew that young doctors were often questioned and challenged by older patients. Some elderly people preferred a well-seasoned physician, the older the better. Nevertheless, Cameron and Gabrielle were relieved that this patient felt comfortable.

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