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She shot them a smile. ‘Gracias.’
‘De nada.’
She turned her focus to her patient, not surprised when Nikhil launched into his own conversation with the men. But Mr Camberwell was her priority. She swung her little daysack off her bag, complete with some emergency medical supplies.
‘All right, sir, let’s check you over. I’m just going to take your pulse.’
Methodically, Isla checked her patient’s pulse, breathing and reactions, applying an ice pack as soon as it arrived from the workers.
His blood pressure seemed fine, and the initial shock of the bite seemed to be wearing off now. Carefully she lifted the ice pack up and checked the area. There was perhaps the beginning of a little redness and swelling.
‘It itches,’ Mr Camberwell grumbled, trying to push her hand away to scratch it.
‘Of course, sir—’ Isla flashed her best smile ‘—but try not to scratch it, as that can make it worse. I’m going to clean it out for you now and apply a little antibiotic ointment, and then I think it’s best to get you back to the ship and to the medical bay, just to check you over again.’
‘Yes, yes.’ Mr Camberwell nodded enthusiastically.
‘Okay, so in the meantime I’m also going to give you an antihistamine to help with the itching.’
She began to quickly clean the area to prevent infection, keeping the man talking as she did so, more and more confident that it wasn’t going to develop into something any more serious. Finally, she stood up and drew Nikhil to one side.
‘Shall I return to the ship with Mr Camberwell?’
‘What’s the probability that his situation is going to develop?’
Isla wrinkled her nose. ‘I can’t say with absolute certainty, of course, but I’m confident that it’s just a bite that’s going to hurt and itch for a few days. I’d still like him kept under observation in the medical centre for twenty-four hours.’
‘So you’re better staying with this tour group, in the event of any other emergency,’ Nikhil confirmed.
Isla nodded. ‘Agreed, although Mr Camberwell should have someone to accompany him back to the ship.’
‘Understood.’
Turning back to the party, Nikhil beckoned one of the shore excursion staff, who seemed only too eager to race over to him, her doe eyes growing wider as Nikhil began to instruct her.
One could only hope that she herself didn’t look so besotted when talking to Nikhil, Isla thought irritably as she concentrated on the understandably still concerned Mr Camberwell. Not helped by the unwelcome thrill that she’d felt when she’d realised she would still get to spend another couple of hours of this excursion with Nikhil.
What was wrong with her that she couldn’t push him into her past, the way he seemed to have done so easily with her? Was his appeal so great?
It had to be. Even now, she couldn’t stop herself from admiring the way he was so effortlessly able to take control in any given situation. Calming yet authoritative.
And almost universally adored, of course. Men and women, passengers and crew. That certainly helped his appeal—and none of them had slept with him.
So what chance did she stand?
Especially when she couldn’t shake the thought that, for all his words about never crossing that line between personal and professional, when he talked to her there was still an intensity in those dark, expressive eyes that she’d never, ever seen when he talked to anyone else.
Whatever Nikhil said, he hadn’t quite pushed her into his past the way he would have her—and maybe even himself—believe.
Perhaps for him it was more about the physical, more about the sexual desire. Maybe he hadn’t got quite that same kick of pleasure at the realisation that they would be spending the afternoon in each other’s company. But neither was he entirely indifferent—and didn’t they say that indifference was worse than anything?
Shaking her thoughts free, Isla busied herself tending to her patient and making a few notes, but it was no use. Her mind was filling with a slew of memories from that night. So vivid, and so real. That powerful body pressed against hers, making her feel things she’d never felt before. Her body shivered from the sheer memory of it, despite the heat.
‘Right Mr Camberwell, let’s get you back to the ship, shall we?’ Nikhil’s voice pierced her thoughts. Bright and firm enough to instil confidence into her worried patient, who looked up instantly, his watery eyes clearing as he took Nikhil’s outstretched arm and allowed himself to be helped to his feet. Gathering up the last of her kit, Isla hurried after them as they headed for the vehicle.
A few more instructions, and the Jeep was heading off down the plantation path. But when Isla made herself turn around she realised the main excursion party had disappeared, around to some different area of the tightly packed banana stems. Now, she was alone with Nikhil, save for the processing staff who were all too busy concentrating on their production line to pay the two of them any attention.
‘Well done,’ he said quietly, turning to face her.
