Case of Desire. Jacquelin Thomas

play a game of basketball. Usually on Saturdays, there was a co-ed game going on in her neighborhood.

      Camille really needed to release some of the tension she felt. If Maxwell hadn’t come along when he did, she had no idea how far Dr. Dudley would have gone.

      Even now, she wasn’t sure how she would handle facing her chief of staff on Monday. He had once been a man she respected. Now, whenever she thought of him, Camille felt repulsed.

      Maxwell decided to get some of his Christmas shopping out of the way. He wanted to pick up a few gifts for his nieces and nephew especially. He spent the greater part of Saturday afternoon in Landmark Mall, and then met Ray for an early dinner.

      “So what do you think of Camille Hunter?” Ray asked while they were waiting for their food to arrive.

      “She’s a nice girl,” Maxwell responded with a slight shrug. “Why do you ask?”

      “I saw you two on the dance floor last night.” He grinned. “The two of you looked pretty good together. Camille is a real sweetheart.”

      He gave his friend a sidelong look. “You wouldn’t be trying to set me up with her, would you, Ray?”

      Feigning innocence, Ray responded, “Naw …just thought you might be interested in her. That’s all.”

      “She is beautiful,” Maxwell admitted. “But I didn’t come to Virginia to find a girlfriend or a wife. Once we get this case settled, I’m heading back to New York.”

      Ray took a sip of his iced tea before inquiring, “Are you still in contact with Kendra?”

      Maxwell nodded. “She refuses to accept that our relationship is over. I’ve told her over and over again, but it doesn’t seem to sink in.”

      “Maybe it isn’t really over,” Ray suggested. “You two have broken up and gotten back together so many times, I’ve lost count.”

      The waiter arrived with their meals.

      Maxwell waited until he left before saying, “I used to believe that Kendra was the only woman for me.”

      “What changed your mind?”

      He met Ray’s gaze. “It took me a while, but I eventually realized that no relationship should be that hard or that dramatic. When Kendra doesn’t get her way, she goes out and does something crazy. Take this reality show for example. She wants to air our problems to the entire world and she expects me to be okay with it.”

      Ray chuckled. “She does talk about you a lot on the show.”

      “You actually watch it?” Maxwell asked. He sliced off a piece of his steak and stuck it in his mouth, chewing slowly.

      “You’ve never watched it?” Ray asked. He wiped his mouth on the edge of his napkin.

      Maxwell shook his head. “I don’t intend to watch the show ever, but then I am not a fan of reality shows. I actually find it strange that all of the celebrities I’ve come into contact with complain of not having any privacy—yet half of them are now starring in reality shows.”

      Ray agreed.

      The two men finished off their meals while discussing the Matthews lawsuit.

      After Ray paid the check, he asked, “So what are you getting into this evening?”

      Maxwell checked his watch. “I’m tired so I’m going to head back to the hotel. I’ll see you on Monday morning.”

      “Bright and early,” Ray added. “We’re finishing up the depositions next week.”

      “Good,” Maxwell said. “I’d like to review all of them as soon as possible.”

      They parted ways with Maxwell heading back to the hotel to review the Matthews case file, and Ray on his way to meet his girlfriend.

      Camille entered his thoughts once more. Maxwell could understand why Dr. Dudley found her attractive. He thought she was beautiful as well.

       I really love her green eyes and her gorgeous smile.

      Maxwell gave himself a mental shake. He and Camille were coworkers. He had vowed a long time ago to keep romance and work separated.

      Monday morning arrived much too early for Camille.

      For the first time in her career, she dreaded going to Hopewell General. Seeing Dr. Dudley and Maxwell Wade would only force her to relive one of the more embarrassing moments of her life.

      Camille was thankful to Maxwell for rescuing her, but she was unhappy to be even a little in his debt.

      She was glad that no one was around when she entered the hospital. She just needed some time alone before she started work. However, as soon as she stepped off the elevator on the second floor, she found Maxwell waiting for her inside the public relations off ice.

      “Good morning,” she greeted him and pasted on a smile, trying to depict an ease she did not feel.

      “Do you have a moment?” he asked.

      She was acutely aware of her assistant watching her interaction with Maxwell. She nodded and responded, “Sure, come into my office.”

      Maxwell followed her inside and closed the door behind them.

      “How are you doing?” he asked.

      Camille sank down in her chair. “I’m okay.”

      He didn’t look like he believed her. She wasn’t acting her usual self, although what could she expect? “Are you sure?” he asked.

      Camille nodded. “Dr. Dudley was drunk the other night. Otherwise he wouldn’t have behaved that way.”

      “Has he ever approached you in that manner before?” Maxwell wanted to know.

      “Not really,” Camille answered. “He has made some comments that I deemed inappropriate, but I’m sure he’s harmless.”

      “Do you know if he’s done this with other employees?”

      “Maxwell, I’ve heard a few comments here and there that he has an eye for the ladies, but that’s about it.”

      “I am going to have a talk with Dudley because the hospital doesn’t need another scandal.”

      Camille couldn’t read his expression, but his tone clearly indicated that Maxwell wasn’t pleased by the actions of Hopewell’s chief of staff.

      “I don’t think he really means any harm,” she stated.

      “Regardless, he needs to take precautions to protect the integrity of the hospital. No employee should have to deal with harassment of any kind, Camille. I just want to make sure that Dudley understands this.”

      “Maxwell, I don’t want what happened at the party to get out.”

      “Neither do I,” he confessed. “But I do intend to make sure it never happens again, especially on my watch.”

      His words gave Camille comfort. She knew that he was sincere and it touched her. Maxwell was so good-looking and charming that it unnerved her. “Thank you.”

      “You’re welcome, Camille. If you need to talk, feel free to come to me.”

      “I’ll be fine.”

      The gesture was a sweet one, but Camille would never unburden herself on a man like Maxwell. It was not like they were friends or anything. However, she didn’t want to confide in Jerome where Dudley was concerned. Mostly because Jerome would go ballistic and she didn’t want him losing his job over her.

      Maxwell eyed her for a moment, and then smiled. “I don’t doubt that for a moment.”

      His smile warmed her all over. Camille forced her attention from his perfectly shaped lips that could only be described as kissable. She had a lot to do and with Maxwell