Havana Sunrise Read online

  “What’s so funny?” Nicole demanded, with a frazzled look.

  “You and Trey…this routine you go through every morning.”

  “If you come up with a better way, let me in on it,” Nicole said. She noted that Trey had his books and was about ready.

  “Trey, come give me a hug good-bye,” Allyson said.

  He came to her and tolerated the obligatory hug. It was Nicole’s turn to be amused now. Trey was arriving at the point where he thought he was getting too big to be hugged.

  The trip took almost thirty minutes in typical Miami traffic. All the way she kept watching Trey out of the corner of her eye as he fidgeted and stared out the window. She would have to do something about the routine they’d fallen into. Working nights, because her supervisor had informed her that she still didn’t have the seniority to get the preferred earlier shift, meant that after school she had to take Trey to Allyson’s shop, where he spent the hours looking at television or doing homework in the little room in back, until Allyson took him home around nine. With the exception of her days off, she saw him only in the morning and when he was asleep. It was not an ideal arrangement.

  The car radio was blabbering away in Spanish. She wasn’t quite sure why she didn’t just change the channel, but by the time she dropped Trey off, she realized she had left it on because it was making her think of Julian Marquez. She shuddered at the realization. I must be getting really desperate, she told herself. I am intrigued and captivated by a man whose lifestyle bears no resemblance to anything I’ve ever known, or would even want to. I’ve never even heard him sing. Her eyes drifted toward the local record store as she passed by. It was a good thing the place wasn’t open yet or she would have stopped in to pick up one of his tapes.

  Enough. It really didn’t matter what she conjured up. When she came on duty tonight he would most likely be gone, out of sight and out of mind.

  CHAPTER TWO

  The doctor had informed Julian that he needed to remain in the hospital for at least two more days. Julian thought the request was totally unrealistic because it was Tuesday and he had to be in New York City over the weekend for a sold out, two-night gig at Radio City Music Hall. If this trivial illness forced him to cancel, it would be the first time in nine years of live performances. He was not thrilled at the prospect of disappointing his fans.

  He had been touring all spring and summer in the United States, Europe, and numerous Latin American countries. It was mid-August now, and the tour was winding down, with only New York and his hometown show in Miami remaining. He needed to finish up unscathed.

  Just yesterday, Luis, his brother-in-law and acting manager, had been quick to remind him about all the money riding on those engagements and how expensive a cancellation would be. As an afterthought, Luis had added that if he really was too sick to perform, it was his decision and it would just have to happen. Sometimes the mercenary attitude of his own family, the promoters and publicists got to him, but Julian knew that no one pushed him harder than he pushed himself.

  The doctors called it pneumonia with complications, but he did not feel all that sick—nothing that a couple of shots of vodka couldn’t cure. The roar of the crowd would supply the rest of the adrenaline needed to coast through those two nights. After that, he would have two weeks’ rest before his final three shows at home.

  The sunlight streaming through the window added to his headache, but he felt too tired to get up and pull down the shade. Too tired to pull down a shade and you expect to be out of here today? he questioned himself. He could try to make it this afternoon, but for some totally illogical reason he wanted to stay in the hospital long enough to see a certain nurse named Nicole again. He could not explain just what the attraction was. Her beautiful green eyes captivated him, but his fascination with her went beyond her beauty. There was something deep in those eyes, something sincere and haunting, unlike anything he’d ever seen in the vacant stares of the gorgeous creatures who constantly flitted in and out of his life.

  Beautiful women were everywhere. They could fulfill his physical desires and look good hanging on his arm at social affairs, but lately Julian had become totally disillusioned with them. He was thirty-two years old and for the past five years his personal life had been hollow. He’d found himself envying ordinary men with regular jobs, who came home to wives and children and woke up in the same bed every morning. It was ironic that though he was considered a fantasy figure to many women, he had never really been emotionally involved with anyone.

  “Julian,” the voice of his current fling rang out as she entered the room. “How are you?” Jami Austin stood before him, lean and leggy with long blond hair and a Barbie doll face. She planted a kiss on his cheek and he flinched involuntarily, hoping there wasn’t a shiny red lip mark remaining.

  “I’m hanging in there,” he said dryly. “Probably be out sometime today.”

  “Great!” She didn’t seem to notice his apathy. “I came by early because I have a seven o’clock shoot on the beach.” She opened a can of Diet Coke and took a sip.

  Julian gazed at her wanly. “Is that breakfast?”

  “I’m terrible,” she said with an irritating giggle. “I didn’t have time to eat, but I will later.” She shook back her hair. “You’re starting to look like your old self again.”

  My old self, Julian thought, taking it literally. Jami was a decade younger than he was, and at the moment he couldn’t even recall at what event they had met.

  Barbie doll sat on the chair near his bed and crossed her legs. The illusion of a skirt she wore was so short he was amazed that he couldn’t see beyond her endless legs. Knowing her, she probably wasn’t even wearing underwear. She glanced at her watch.

  “Yeah, you better get moving,” Julian said. “You haven’t got much time.”

  She pouted. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’re trying to get rid of me.” She reached up and traced his eyebrow lightly with her finger. “You’re not doing that, are you?”

  “Now what would ever make you think that?”

  She’d barely opened her mouth to reply when the door burst open and in charged his half-sister Elena, prepared to take over and do battle with whatever stood in her path.

  “Elena, why can’t you knock? We could have been horizontal or something,” Julian said.

  “Wouldn’t be the first time I walked in on some of your nonsense,” Elena countered sarcastically.

  Jami looked annoyed, but tried to cover it by giggling. Elena ignored her completely and continued talking to Julian, switching over to rapid-fire Spanish.

  “Have you seen the doctor yet?”

  “Yes, I saw him.”

  “Good. You will be leaving today. I have everything taken care of. You will go right home and stay there for the rest of this week. No running around, no interviews, nothing. You will stay on your medication and then it’s on to New York.”

  “Julian, I’ll catch you later,” Jami mumbled, easing out of the room. She was no match for Elena and she was aware that Julian did not even notice her departure.

  “Elena, you don’t always have to tell me what to do. I know what’s up. I know about New York,” Julian said.

  “Okay, but you’ve been even more absent-minded than usual lately. You know what? I think right now would be a good time for you to leave this hospital. It’s early and we can get you out of here without the fans or the press knowing. We’ve been told by security that we can leave by the back exit. Luis will…”

  “Elena!”

  “What? Why are you yelling?”

  “Because I can’t get a word in. You’re going on and on about this and that crap, and the truth is the doctor said I should stay here two more days.”

  “Julian, I’m only…” She stopped. “What? What did you say?”

  “You heard me.”

  She folded her arms and fixed him with a scathing glare. “Okay, so that’s what he said, but what are you going to do?”

  �
�Leave, of course, but this evening and not right now.”

  “I’m going to speak to that doctor. What exactly did he tell you anyway?” Elena badgered.

  “If you’re going to speak with him, why are you asking me?”

  She shook her head furiously. “You’re such a pain. When are you ever going to start being responsible? We’re all working hard to make things right for you and you act like you don’t even appreciate it.”

  Julian smiled sarcastically. They were working hard all right, but it definitely was not for him.

  Elena was seventeen years older than he was and for as long as he could remember, even back in Cuba, she had been more like a dominating mother than a sister. Through the years he had just accepted it, but lately it was getting on his nerves. He was tired of being treated like an expensive piece of merchandise by members of his own family. Elena did not realize it yet, but he planned on making some changes.

  * * *

  Nicole discovered she could not dismiss Julian Marquez as easily as she’d planned. The minute she stepped onto the fourth floor, she realized he was still a patient. A burly security guard was posted conspicuously outside his door, which should have been a revolving one, because a steady flow of bodies kept moving in and out. She was only slightly relieved that he wasn’t assigned to her tonight.

  An hour into the job, she found herself alone at the front desk for what would probably be about a second, and took the time to peek at his chart. It was obvious why he was still there. The antibiotics he had been prescribed were not having the desired effect and he had been switched to a newer, more potent one. The last posted temperature check on him read 102.

  “Nicole, Mrs. Hansen in 404 is calling for you again,” Maria said, approaching the desk.

  “I told her in fifteen minutes. It hasn’t even been five.” Nicole sighed and brushed back a stray lock of hair.

  “I did tell her that, but you know how she is.” Maria’s eyes twinkled. “Julian’s still with us. Poor baby.”

  “Idiots!” Nicole declared.

  “Who?”

  “The people who can’t stay out of his room. They won’t let him rest.”

  “Most of them are family,” Maria said. “His brother-in-law is his manager, then there’s his sister, nieces and nephews…that sort of thing.”

  Nicole inspected the syringe for Mrs. Hansen. “I saw at least four blue-eyed blond model types going in there. Don’t tell me they were family.”

  Maria laughed. “Oh them… Well, You know how stars are. They gotta have their women.”

  “I think it’s kind of pathetic.”

  “No problem for you tonight since he’s not your patient.”

  “I know.” Nicole breathed a sign of relief. “Thank God.”

  Maria responded by laughing heartily. Nicole looked up at her. “Did I say something that funny?”

  “Oh no, not at all. I just find it a little odd that you know you’re not assigned to Julian, but you were reading his chart.”

  Gotcha! Nicole felt the accusing finger of guilt stabbing at her. “I was just curious,” she began. Oh stop it! The more defensive you get, the more you incriminate yourself. “Okay, enough already. You’re right. He is very attractive, but he’s also conceited and…”

  “Hallelujah! You’re human after all,” Maria interrupted, then lowered her voice as two co-workers approached. Nicole discreetly put Julian’s chart away and glanced at her watch. It was now time for Mrs. Hansen’s injection.

  * * *

  Visiting hours were finally over and a relative peace had settled on the floor. Nicole had just exited room 402 and was walking down the hall when the security guard posted outside Julian’s door beckoned to her.

  “Excuse me, nurse. Mr. Marquez needs you.”

  She hesitated. “I’ll tell Evelyn. She…”

  “No. He specifically asked for you,” the guard insisted.

  Specifically asked for me? Her traitorous heart skipped a beat, but the initial emotion was replaced by annoyance. The nerve of that man—she was supposed to drop everything and run to do his bidding. What could he possibly want anyway?

  She pushed the door open and entered the room to find Julian sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing the infamous tie-in-the-back hospital gown. But under it was a pair of jeans. He appeared to be in the process of getting dressed.

  “Are you going somewhere, Mr. Marquez?”

  Julian flashed his killer smile. “And good evening to you, Miss Nicole. What a pleasure to see you again.”

  She stood with her back against the door. “I guess I should repeat the question. Are you going somewhere?”

  “Yes. As a matter of fact, I’m getting ready to leave.”

  She stared at him incredulously. “You can’t be serious. The doctor advised you to stay for two more days. You’re not well enough to leave.”

  “I’ll survive,” he said. “You know, it’s really okay to come a little bit closer. I promise not to bite.”

  She resisted the urge to laugh at herself. Why was she standing so far away? Was she afraid of him or something?

  “I would like you to get rid of this IV thing for me,” he continued.

  Nicole stood directly in front of him with her arms folded. “Mr. Marquez, you can’t leave.”

  “Why not? Would you miss me?” His question sounded beseeching, almost childlike, but she knew he was just playing games.

  “Miss you?” She felt confused, flustered. “I’m telling you this as a nurse to a patient.”

  His demeanor changed and she could see impatience on his face. “I have to be in New York by Friday because I have two sold out concerts and…”

  “That’s impossible!” she cried, with more anguish in her voice than intended. “You’ll have to cancel it.”

  “I don’t cancel concerts.”

  “Listen to me,” she urged. “The infection in your lungs has not cleared and your temperature is still elevated. Why don’t you just get back into bed.”

  His dark eyes were set in a stubborn gaze. “I guess that means you’re not going to take out the IV.”

  “That’s exactly what it means.”

  “Fine, I’ll do it myself.” He yanked out the needle without even a flinch. She flinched for him.

  “Mr. Marquez, you’re being childish and unreasonable.”

  “I seem to be famous for that.”

  Nicole turned to face the door. There was nothing she could do. It was a hospital and not a prison. She looked back at him once more. “I’ll tell you exactly what will happen. If you attempt to do that concert, you will probably pass out on stage.”

  Julian smirked. “That’s highly unlikely.”

  “What about your family? Do they agree with this decision?”

  “It’s their decision too.”

  His eyes looked enormous, and his expression tore at her heart. She wanted to say something kind and compassionate, she wanted to cajole him into staying, but the words that came out of her mouth were angry. “What kind of family do you have anyway?” She abruptly headed out the door, muttering.

  “Nicole, wait.” Julian stood up and started after her. He knew he had moved too quickly because the sudden motion caused the room to lurch and careen wildly about. He groped desperately for the wall to steady himself, but it was too far away and the next second the hard linoleum of the floor slammed up against him.

  Nicole heard the thud just as she stepped out. Her heart leaped into her throat as she rushed back into the room. “Julian!”

  She found him on the floor, looking dazed. Standard procedure would have her calling for help from one of her co-workers, but she was not feeling very standard this night.

  “Julian, are you okay?” She dropped to her knees.

  “I…I guess I must have gotten dizzy.” His mouth curved slowly into a sheepish smile.

  She helped him sit up. “Are you all right?” she repeated.

  “Yeah, I’m fine…as fine as any jerk can be.�
� He felt intensely aware of their close proximity. Her arm had looped around him and he caught the faint whiff of some enticing vanilla scent. He breathed in, closing his eyes. Her facial complexion was smooth with yellowish-brown skin, almost the color of butterscotch. Her auburn-tinged light brown hair was worn back in a chignon, but he suspected it was long and thick. Her arms were slender, but strong.

  “Can you stand up by yourself?” she asked. “If not, I’m going to call for help.”

  “No. Don’t do that. I can get up.” The initial shock of being betrayed by the weakness of his own body was passing. Julian found himself reluctant to stand, because it would mean breaking their embrace. He silently reveled in the knowledge that she really was worried. But he could not remain on the floor. He rose slowly, with her arm around his waist, guiding him back toward the bed. He maneuvered his own arm carefully so that it went around her neck with his hand resting lightly on her shoulder.

  Standing, he was about six feet tall. She was 5’7”, so he didn’t exactly tower over her, but Nicole could feel that he was extremely well built, with taut, sinewy muscles barely camouflaged beneath the thin material of the hospital gown. She did not want to reckon with the fact that her heartbeat had increased dramatically and she secretly enjoyed the closeness. It had been such a long time since she’d last felt the touch of a man, and Julian Marquez was quite a specimen. Even in his weakened state, he was potent and lethal.

  “I’ll be back in a second,” Nicole said as Julian collapsed on the bed.

  She was relieved to step into the momentary solitude of the bathroom, even if it was just to keep from hyperventilating. Pulling herself together, she washed her hands and returned to the scene for another round.

  He lay motionless on the bed, apparently with all the fight knocked out of him. She began reinserting the IV, while he watched her with sparkling, midnight eyes. He’s actually about as helpless as a rattlesnake, she thought. Even with their heads cut off, they still bite.

  Nicole could almost see the converging blood of many nationalities in his face—