Nurse to Heal the High Seas Doc - Chapter 3

The ship rolled again, and Nicole tried to control her laugh as Dr. Sam Miller held on to the ship’s counter. At least this time they were prepared. But at the same time, was it a good idea to leave him to handle the clinic?

Sam was more than qualified. He was headed to take up a role as winter physician in charge at the McMurdo Polar Research Centre. One did not get that job without a lot of experience in different emergency areas. He was headed to one of the most remote locations in the world…but McMurdo’s clinic had far more equipment than Nicole's tiny shipboard one. A research vessel was one of the remotest environments in the world.

Still, it should be quiet; she’d already given anti-nausea meds to nearly everyone on the ship. And her eyes were having trouble staying open.

“If you need me—” She looked at his less-than-steady sea legs.

“I will be fine, Dr. Sapson. Get rest, now. I won’t be on the boat headed back.”

“But the doctor you are replacing at McMurdo will be.” Nicole winked as she headed out the door.

She needed her pillow. She’d seen nearly everyone this shift, but she wanted to check on Shane. The goose egg on the side of his head was smaller when she’d checked last night. But he’d failed to hide his headache.

He was going to insist on returning to the clinic tomorrow when his protocol ended. And she wanted to make sure he was alright to do so.

I miss him.

Not even two days without him in the clinic and she was making up excuses to see him.

Not excuses. She should check on him.

I just shouldn’t be this excited to do it.

That was the problem. She needed to find some way to get this crush in check.

She knocked on Shane’s quarters and wasn’t surprised when he answered quickly. Their quarters were larger than those for passengers transiting to the poles, but two extra feet did not make their rooms spacious.

Shane leaned against the door as soon as he opened it. “I’m all better.”

“There is a giant purple bruise on your forehead.” Nicole started to reach for his head but he pulled back.

“Headache's gone too. But come in.” Shane stepped back.

Nicole bit her lip and tried to ignore the want crawling through her.

“You can check me on my couch so we don’t risk another tumble," Shane explained. "The seas haven’t calmed that much.”

Nicole stepped into the quarters and slid onto the couch before her brain could utter a polite refusal. The knot was gone and so was Shane's headache. She didn’t need to check him out. Not medically anyway.

The quarters were clean. That was not the case for several of the researchers’ quarters she’d visited.

Shane tilted his head toward her and grabbed her hand, placing it on his forehead. His touch was warm and there was no way for her to ignore the prickles of desire scraping up her body.

“See. No bump. Just a bruise. I am fine.” He pulled her hand away but before he could release it, she gripped his palm.

It was instinct.

“Sorry.” She pulled back but didn’t leave the couch. “I am glad you’re okay.”

“Nicole?” Shane leaned closer and his scent washed over her. A spring soap shouldn’t make her toes curl.

It doesn’t. He does.

“Yes?” She looked at him. Waiting for the end of the question.

His lips were so close. How did he kiss? Slow? Demanding? Soft? Her brain was very intent on providing options to that question.

Shane hesitated for a moment, his jeweled gaze holding her own. Then his lips were on hers.