Oceans Apart (Ocean Dreams Book 1) (4 page)

He leaned in and over her. “I can manage to put my seatbelt on, thank you very much,” she said with a raised voice.

“Chill. The passenger side belt can get stuck sometimes. I was just trying to help.”

“Sorry,” Annie mumbled under her breath as he closed her door. She heard him say something to himself as he made his way around the car. He opened the door, got in, and turned to her. There was a sly grin plastered on his face and Annie noticed that dimples framed each side of that smile.

“Which hotel?” Cam asked as he started the Jeep.

“The Park Hyatt. It’s at The Rocks. Near Circular Quay.”

Cam smiled, looking ahead for any traffic. “Nashville, everyone knows where The Park Hyatt is.”

Another blush surfaced to Annie’s cheeks. Of course, he would know where it is. He lives here after all! She chastised herself.

Neither spoke for what seemed like an age but was only 10 minutes. Annie enjoyed the peace and chance to collect herself, but she was curious about her tall, blue-eyed rescuer.

“So you like to surf?” she enquired casually.

With a smile, Cam answered her, “You could say that.”

“It’s popular here isn’t it?” Annie quizzed him.

“Yeah. Chances are that if you live near the beaches around Sydney, you do or have tried surfing at some stage in your life.”

“I see.” Annie pondered this for a minute. “Is it hard to learn?”

Cam turned to her briefly looking a little surprised. “Depends on who is teaching you,” he replied, adding one of his sexy smiles. Annie blushed again and looked away.

After a few minutes of silence, Cam asked, “How long are you here in Sydney?”

“No fixed amount of time. A month. Maybe two. Why?” she questioned him.

“I could teach you. That is if you wanted to learn?” he offered.

“Really? You would do that? For me?” She was a little stunned. This surfing Adonis wanted to teach her to surf? He must be out of his mind.

“Yeah, sure. I have some time off. I can take you sightseeing too if you like. What do you say, Nashville?” Cam said enthusiastically to Annie. She wasn’t too sure but when he smiled, all her worries melted away.

“I guess. I didn’t have any fixed plans. I did promise myself to not be a wallflower, and get out and do things.”

Cam raised his eyebrows at her, waiting for her answer.

“Sure. What the hell!” Annie was getting excited. Yes, I need to do this. I have to do what I want for a change. I can learn to surf, and spending more time with Cam won’t be such a hardship either. She smiled inwardly.

“That’s the spirit, Nashville,” Cam said with a smile in his voice. Annie realized they were pulling up next to the hotel entrance.

“Here we go,” he said as he put the car into park and pulled on the hand brake. Cam unbuckled his seatbelt and got out, heading toward Annie’s side.

“I got it. I can walk in from here. No need to come in with me,” Annie said hastily.

“Now what sort of gentleman would I be if I didn’t walk the woman I just rescued to her door?” he asked her. “Maybe I should even carry you up to your room,” he said with a sly look.

Annie shook her head and smiled. “You have done so much already. Saying thank you doesn’t seem like enough.” Annie sighed as she got out the car. They walked toward the hotel’s entrance.

“Listen. It was my pleasure, so quit thanking me. Now, how about I pick you up tomorrow morning? Say around eight?” Cam asked her with a hopeful look.

“Geez, that early?” Annie stopped and turned to face him.

“It’s not early for great surf but I thought we could have breakfast first. Get to know each other a little.” Cam waited for an answer from her.

“So is it a date?” He could sense Annie mulling it over and over in her head.

“Okay, I guess, but I can meet you there. I will just catch the bus down again. I managed it the first time.”

“It’s no worries, Nashville. I’ll be waiting right here for you.” Cam smiled down at her. She was surprised when he raised his hand pushed a few wayward strands away from her face and behind her ear. She could feel her heart starting to speed up and couldn’t help smiling back at those baby blues boring a hole into her soul.

Cam moved his hand back down to his side and started heading back to his Jeep. “Make sure you get some rest. You might not feel too bad now but you will be wiped out soon. Have a shower, get some food into you, and hit the sack. I’ll see you at eight.” He got in his car, started it up, and looked over at her one last time. Annie and Cam couldn’t help but smile at each other. He waved at her and took off with a squeal of his tires.

Walking through the lobby of the hotel, Annie was still in a state of shock and awe. She didn’t hear Will, the concierge, call out to her.

“Ms. Scott? Are you all right, ma’am?” he asked with concern.

Annie hadn’t even thought of how she might look. Her blonde locks were a mess and she was sure she looked more than a little tired and disheveled. Feeling a little uneasy, she folded her arms across her chest.

“Uh, yeah. I’m okay. Thank you.”

“You’re sure, ma’am?” the young man didn’t look too convinced.

“As well as can be expected.” She let out a nervous giggle. “I got caught in a rip down at the beach but was rescued just in time. I’m such an idiot for not reading the signs at the beach,” Annie told him.

“You should probably be checked out by a doctor, you know?”.” a concerned Will said.

“I’m fine, really I am. I’m going to go up to my room for a hot shower and some rest,” she assured him.

“Well, if you say you’re fine…” his voice trailed off.

“I am. Thank you, Will.” Annie smiled and started to head to the elevators. Will followed her; still not sure, she was okay.

“Listen, Ms. Scott. I will send up some food for you; but please, ring reception if you want a doctor to be called. It’s no trouble at all.”

The elevator bell chimed alerting them to its presence and the doors slid open. Annie walked in and turned to Will. “Thanks for your concern. I’m really okay, but the food does sound like a great idea.” She smiled at him.

“No worries. I’ll have something ready for you in an hour.” He nodded at her, turned on his heels, and walked back toward the reception.

Annie smiled and pushed the button for her floor as the doors closed. One thing she couldn’t fault so far was the genuine helpfulness of Australians. They had been so sweet. It was such a wonderful feeling to have people concerned about her. It hadn’t happened much in her life. Her sister was only ever concerned about her staying in the background so Tracey was in the spotlight. That suited Annie just fine; but for once, these people were making sure she was okay. That her needs and wants were met. She wasn’t going to run away from it; she was going to embrace it
. ‘You can still be a strong person and have people take care of you, right?’
she asked herself. Before she could answer herself, the elevator glided to a halt and the doors opened. She hurried to her suite, unlocked the door, and went straight to the bathroom.

A hot shower to rinse the sand from her skin and to wash her hair was followed by an even more relaxing float in the enormous marble tub. Annie closed her eyes and reflected on the day’s events. How lucky she had been that Cam had been there to save her from certain death. How utterly amazing it was that he was the same guy she saw on the plane to Australia. She closed her eyes and sighed loudly. Was it coincidence or was it fate? She had never been a big believer in fate or destiny, but it was still unbelievable he was the man to rescue her. Annie pictured the gorgeous blue eyes framed by the licorice colored lashes. That cheeky but darn sexy smile he threw at her every time was enough to make a girl melt into a puddle. His hair just needed her hands to be running through it while his muscled arms encircled her with their strength.

Annie smiled slyly and sunk down lower into the bathtub. She felt comfortable but she needed to feel more relaxed. Annie found the bath gel and poured some into her hand. Foaming the gel up, she started rubbing her hands over her arms and shoulders and worked them over her breasts. She ran her hands down over the warm, wet skin of her tummy and moved them toward… Ding Dong!

“UGH!” Annie exclaimed frustrated, as she was brought back to reality with the chime of the suite’s doorbell. She stood up, grabbed a towel, and wound her hair up into a turban. She quickly dried herself with another towel and then put on the fluffy white robe that was waiting for her on the bed.

She opened the door to the suite and standing there with a waiter’s trolley was Will. She smiled and waved him inside. He pushed the trolley past her and toward the small dining table, where he set out the dishes, cutlery, and the like.

“I hope I didn’t disturb you?” he asked politely.

“Not at all. I had just finished my bath.”

“Great timing then.” He looked her way and smiled.

“Absolutely.”
NOT
!

“I ordered you something I’m positive you will enjoy. Baked barramundi with lemon and fresh herbs, asparagus, and baby potatoes. I even brought up a bottle of fine South Australian white wine to go with it. I’m a little partial to the South Australian wines, since that’s where I’m from,” he said proudly.

“Sounds and smells wonderful. Thank you so much.” Annie moved over to where her purse was.

“I also got the chef to whip up some of his famous chocolate mousse. You strike me as a girl who loves her chocolate, am I right?” he asked her.

Annie giggled. “Yes, I love my chocolate, but most women do, don’t they?” she winked at him.

“Ah, okay. You got me there,” he replied.

Annie went to hand him the note she took from her purse. She knew tipping wasn’t customary in Australia, but Will had been so helpful to her today.

“I can’t accept that, ma’am. Just doing my job,” he said politely.

“Thank you for everything, Will. I can’t wait to try it all.” And she couldn’t. Her stomach had started making noises and they were just going to become louder.

“Not at all. Oh, and by the way, Ms. You do realize who brought you back to the hotel today, don’t you?” Will asked her.

“Yes. His name was Cam…err…Cameron Hart. He was the one who rescued me from the rip.”

“But you don’t know who he is, do you?” he asked again.

“I don’t think I follow you. Who is he?” Annie was beyond puzzled now.

“Cam or CJ Hart is Australia’s best surfer. He’s the world champion, and has been a few times over. Supposed to be a top bloke. He’s been out of the tour for a few weeks after getting a concussion. Probably why he was at his home beach.” Will smiled and Annie could tell he was a fan.

“I had no idea. Honestly. He never said anything about being a world champion.” Annie was a little shocked at this revelation but not entirely surprised.

“Well, maybe, he didn’t want any fuss made. We Aussie men can be quite humble, you know.” Will chuckled.

“I see. Well, thank you for the information on Cameron. He’s picking me up tomorrow morning at eight to take me on a surfing lesson. That should prove interesting to say the least.” Annie rolled her eyes at Will and laughed.

“No worries. Enjoy your meal. Is there anything else I can help you with Ms. Scott? My shift’s about to end but I can squeeze in one more request if you need something?” enquired the nicest concierge Annie was sure she would ever meet.

“No, I am great. I have food, wine, and a chocolate dessert. I can look over the harbor while I eat and then I can take my sweet little ass to bed. Thanks for everything.” Annie walked over to him and held out the note to him again. “I’m not taking no for an answer,” she said to him in a firm but lighthearted tone.

“I’m not supposed to Ms.—” Will started to say as she placed the money into his hand and closed his fingers over it.

“Well, go and buy something for your girlfriend or your mother. My treat. Please,” insisted Annie.

“I guess I could buy Charlie a new Pandora charm for her bracelet? I did miss our date the other night because of work,” he thought aloud.

“Excellent. She will be beside herself with happiness.”

“Thank you, Ms. Scott.” Will turned the waiter’s trolley around and walked toward the door.

“No. Thank you,” Annie said with all sincerity.

“I’ll let reception know you’ll need a wakeup call at seven o’clock. You’ll want time to get ready, right? Charlie always reminds me women don’t just wake up gorgeous. A work of art takes time, she tells me,” Will said as he opened the doors and pushed the trolley into the hallway.

Annie laughed at him. “She’s right. But just a tip - you’ll get in her good graces if you tell her that she does wake up beautiful.”

“Right. Better remember that. Have a good night, Ms. Scott. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” And with that, Will took the trolley toward the elevator and Annie closed the door. Her stomach rumbled again. Annie inhaled the delicious smell coming from the dining area, walked over, and sat down at the table. She lifted the silver cloche from the plate. The most amazing smells of fresh herbs and zesty lemon rose up and into her nostrils. It certainly wasn’t a dish she was used to and looked nothing like the fried foods of the South. Annie didn’t realize how hungry she was and ate the perfectly cooked piece of fish and its accompanying vegetables in next to no time at all. Annie loved the crisp, fresh glass of Golding Sauvignon Blanc. Will had matched it perfectly with the meal. She topped up her glass and took it and the bowl of chocolate mousse out onto the balcony.