Oceans Apart (Ocean Dreams Book 1) (7 page)

They sat there in silence for a little while, but Annie thought she should be finding out more about this Surfing God.

“How long have you been surfing?” Annie asked him.

Cam seemed to relax with this question, leaned in, and folded his arms on the table. “I was raised in a beachside town about a two hours north of Sydney. Surfing was one of my dad’s hobbies. I used to go with him every chance I got.”

Annie nodded. She was thinking how wonderful it would have been to spend time with a parent like that. Sharing an interest and spending quality time together.

“So,” he continued, “to answer your question, since I was about five years old. However, I’ve been a pro surfer since I was eighteen. My parents made sure I finished high school first, just in case the surfing career didn’t work out.” He chuckled.

“That’s great. I bet your family is really proud of you.”

Cam shrugged his shoulders. “I hope they are.”

“I’m sure they are,” Annie said confidently.

Cam smiled at her. He was about to say something, when the waitress walked over with their order and placed it in front of them. The girl hesitated for a moment and then blurted out, “I’m such a huge fan of yours. Can I have your autograph?” She shoved a notepad and pen at Cam.

Annie looked at her. She couldn’t believe the gumption this girl had or the fact that she had somehow inflated her boob size since she was last at their table. They were nearly popping out of the tight T-shirt she was wearing. Cam accepted the paper and pen and was about to write when she said, “Just make it out to Natalie, and sign it ‘LOVE’ CJ Hart,” she said in her huskiest voice.

Cam looked over at Annie, who was rolling her eyes at the girl. Realizing Cam had caught her, she had to stifle her laugh behind a fake cough.

“No worries, Natalie.” He signed the paper and handed it back to the waitress.

“Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me.” She batted her eyelids, placed the bill on the table, and slid it to where his hand lay. She turned away from the table and went back to work, putting a little more wiggle into her hips as she walked.

Annie noticed that Cam didn’t even look at the over -confident waitress. He was looking at the bill, shaking his head.

“What’s the matter? Did she overcharge us?” asked Annie.

“Nah. It does has a few extra numbers though.”

“Pardon?”

Cam handed her the piece of paper. Annie looked it over, saw the phone number, and then looked up at him. She bit her lip but couldn’t control the giggling.

“Well, she certainly isn’t shy about letting you know what she wants.”

“Yeah…well, too bad. I’m not interested,” Cam said. Annie felt her cheeks heating up and knew they would be turning pink, but she couldn’t help but feel flattered. Never had a man shown her complete attention, especially when another woman has been so openly flirty with him. She was lost for words. Picking up her fork, Annie speared a small piece of chicken from her salad and started eating.

They ate the entire meal in silence. Annie didn’t feel any pressure to make conversation with Cam. She soaked in the surrounding atmosphere. Everyone was relaxed, not in a hurry to get in and out as quickly as possible. She looked up at Cam just as he took a swig of his water and cleared his throat.

“So what plans do you have while you’re here?”

“Well, nothing concrete. All the usual tourist spots, I suppose.” Annie had thought about where, while she was on the plane, on her way to Australia. She hadn’t thought about it at all since meeting Cam yesterday.

“Well, how would you like to have your own personal tour guide?” Cam suggested to her.

“What? Do you mean you? You’ll show me around Sydney?” Annie quizzed him, a little shocked at this suggestion.

“Only if you want me to. No pressure, it was only a suggestion.”

Cam sat back in his seat. ‘
Was that a look of hurt that flashed across his face?’
Annie thought to herself. She didn’t want to disappoint him. He’d been sweet and kind to her since he rescued her. He had also given her the best kiss of her life. Surely, there would be no harm in spending some more time with him?

Annie placed her fork down on her plate. She picked up a napkin and wiped the corners of her mouth, just in case there was a little dressing there. After a sip of her water, she straightened up and looked directly at Cam. “Let’s do it,” she said firmly.

Cam looked shocked for a moment but then a wide grin spread across his face and his blue eyes seemed to find the lost sparkle they held earlier. “Really? You’ll let me show you around?”

“Absolutely,” Annie said enthusiastically.

“I can plan the itinerary?”

“Yep, go right ahead.” Annie was getting excited and could tell Cam was feeling it, too.

“Brilliant. Bloody brilliant.”

“So what’s first then?”

“First, we get outta here.” Cam stood up, picked up the bill, and went to the counter to pay. Annie followed him. Their ever-helpful waitress, Natalie, came over and settled Cam’s bill. She handed back the ticket that had her phone number to Cam but he shook his head.

“Thanks, but no thanks,” Cam said to her nicely.

“You sure you don’t want to keep it for another time?” the cheeky girl said, completely ignoring Annie who was standing right next to him.

“I’m sure. I’m too old for you anyway. Best go find someone your own age.” He chuckled.

Natalie dropped her bottom lip and pouted. She finally looked at Annie and scowled at her. “Whatever.” She spat the word out and stomped off.

“Lucky we don’t have to tip here in Australia. Think she might have missed out,” Cam said. Annie laughed aloud. He waved his hand forward indicating Annie to move ahead of him and leave first.

They walked out of the coffee shop and strolled along the sidewalk slowly.

Annie thought about what Cam had said to the waitress and asked, “So how old are you anyway? You can’t be that old?”

“Ha! Old to her. I’m only thirty,” said the smiling and amused surfer.

“Oh, gosh! You’re ancient,” Annie giggled “But I’m not that far off thirty.”

“Let me guess?” Annie nodded and smiled. “Twenty-seven?”

Her mouth dropped open. “How the hell did you know that?”

“I’m just that good.” Cam winked and both he and Annie laughed.

Annie was enjoying one of the best times she had had in so very long. Cam made her feel like she was the only one in the whole world. She had never felt that way with other men before. She felt treasured. Such an unusual sensation and one she hoped wouldn’t fade away quickly.

Cam didn’t let Annie know what he had planned for her sightseeing tour. He loved surprises and hoped Annie enjoyed them too. Their first day consisted of a trip from Circular Quay on the ferry across the harbor to Taronga Zoo. Annie squealed as the ferry pulled away from the dock. Cam looked over at her. He couldn’t remember ever seeing such genuine elation from an adult before. It warmed his heart that such a simple excursion was met with such enthusiasm. The pure joy that radiated from her smile made his own enthusiasm for their outing heighten. Cam had made the trip to the zoo dozens of times in the past, but seeing the emotions coming from Annie had Cam feeling pumped for the day ahead.

The glorious Sydney day was a little humid, making them take their time wandering around the enormous grounds of the zoo. Annie told Cam of her love of animals and how she was never allowed to have a pet as a child. At each enclosure, she would marvel at the particular animal’s attributes and at what made them so unique. Cam would smile and acknowledge everything she said but could hardly get a word in. Annie was talking so fast and was so animated that he enjoyed letting her take control of what they did and saw. He only had one thing planned.

Cam took her to a queue and told her to line up but refused to tell her what she was waiting for. Annie was rendered speechless when she rounded the corner of the enclosure and found herself face to face with a koala. The keeper placed the cuddly mammal in her arms and the look of awe on Annie’s face was priceless. Darwin, the koala, snuggled into Annie’s arms, placed his nose under her armpit, and rested his head on her comfy chest. Cam could tell Annie didn’t know whether to giggle or be concerned at this, which made him chuckle. She held the koala like it was a small child and stroked the fur on its back while whispering quietly into his ear. Handing the Snugglepot back to his keeper, Annie skipped over to Cam and hugged him.

“That was the most fabulous thing I have ever done!” she exclaimed with delight.

“Well, I’m happy to oblige, especially if I can keep that smile on your face.”

He noticed the blush spread high across her cheekbones after the compliment. Annie looked down and then her eyes shot straight to his. “Thank you, Cam.”

“No need to thank me. Happy to oblige. Now, let’s get moving. More to see and do.”

Over the next few days, Cam had crammed their time together with an assortment of activities. On one day, he had taken her to the Botanical Gardens for a breakfast picnic followed by a tour of the Opera House. They meandered around the outdoor markets at The Rocks on the weekend and went to many of the other beaches around Sydney, too. Annie wasn’t oblivious to the stares of other women. They weren’t looking at her though. The Surfing God she was with was who caught their attention. On more than one occasion was their little bubble popped with an eager ‘fan’ asking for an autograph. These fans weren’t kids wanting their idol’s signature, but grown women. Cam was more than happy to do this for them but it surprised Annie how often he was given a phone number. Annie was starting to see that maybe the popularity of this sexy man wasn’t just for being a world-class surfer. Annie was puzzled over his inattention to her. Maybe she had misread things and he wasn’t as interested as he had seemed when he kissed her on his balcony. Clearly, from the women giving him their phone numbers continually, he had a history that others were aware of. Annie considered the fact that he had hardly touched her since that morning. She had loved being with him, but felt he saw her as a sister.

A morning cruise on the harbor aboard a luxury yacht was another highlight, but nothing topped the sunset surprise Cam had organized one evening. They climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, much to the trepidation of Annie. The view was like no other either of them had experienced before. There was little wonder as to why so many people were proposed to at the summit as it was truly a spectacular place to be. They were above the world, so close to the heavens. Annie’s breath was truly taken away, not only with the view all around her, but with all the actions of this sexy surfer. He had rescued her, taken care of her, and shown her a good time. What she ever did to deserve this, she would never know. Cam had his own Angel of Nashville beside him and still felt like he should pinch himself to confirm he was really there with her.

Cam pulled up at the hotel entrance and killed the ignition. He got out and before she knew it, he had opened her door.

“Thank you so much for a fun day,” a smiling Annie said as she slid out of the passenger side. Cam had taken her to the beach again and Annie was enjoying the pastime more than she ever thought she would.

“No worries at all. I had a great time. I know who to come to if I need a laugh,” Cam said with a chuckle.

“Fine. Fine! So surfing isn’t going to be one of my strong points. I have other talents,” Annie told him.

“Such as?” he questioned as his scarred right eyebrow raised.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” giggled Annie. She paused for a moment then said, “Do you want to come in and have a drink at the bar?” She looked at him with hopeful eyes.

Cam really wanted to say, ‘
No, but I will take you upstairs and lick the alcohol off your body.’
But he thought better of that. “Sure. I have time for drink, but I don’t think we are properly attired for the hotel bar.” He grinned at her as he threw his Jeep’s keys to the valet. He waved his hand out in front, motioning for Annie to lead on.

“We can go up to my room and sit out on the balcony instead,” Annie stated as they walked into the lobby. She had summoned the courage from within to ask him up to her room. She would never ever have done that in the past.