Page 15 of Duty and Desire

Chapter Thirteen

Nick

G io opened the door and I held out the bottle of wine. “You didn’t say what was on the menu, so I took the easy way out and went with rosé.”

Gio regarded it with a smile. “I didn’t expect you to bring anything.” He didn’t move, and neither did I, although inside I was vibrating, only one thought in my head.

Kiss me again .

When he took the bottle, his hand went to my neck, and I melted at the soft touch of his lips against mine.

“You look good,” he murmured.

“This old thing?” I’d spent all day going through every bit of clothing I possessed, trying to decide what to wear.

Claudia had offered advice before giving up and leaving me to it while she went on a shopping spree to buy a gift for her mother’s impending birthday.

In the end I’d gone with a white shirt and jeans.

I still hadn’t crossed the threshold.

I chuckled. “Are we going to eat out here, or do I get to come in?”

He grinned. “That would be a good idea, wouldn’t it?”

I followed him into the bungalow, my mind not on the decor or the furniture, but on him.

Something has changed between us . We’d shared a kiss—two, now—but it was more than that. Gio appeared more relaxed than usual, more confident, but that could have been because of the familiar surroundings.

Whatever the change was, I liked it.

Gio went into the kitchen. “Dinner won’t be long.”

The smells made my mouth water. “What are we having?”

“A simple salad followed by a chicken stir fry. I hope you weren’t expecting any fancy cooking.”

I laughed. “I like simple.”

“Then have this while you’re waiting.” Gio handed me a glass of wine.

“Go out onto the veranda if you want. It’s a lovely evening.

You can take a look around too.” He grinned.

“Aulani came this morning, and when she learned you were coming, she spent twice as long cleaning the place.” He went back into the kitchen.

I gazed at my surroundings. “This is a great bungalow. I imagine Roger could charge a high rent for it.”

“That’s the plan, I guess. He said the renovations are finished, so once I leave…”

I peered through the open door to the bedroom. “Four-poster. Very romantic.” It was a bungalow meant for two.

Gio snorted. “My mom used to say curtains around a bed were just places for spiders to live. But now that I come to think of it, I haven’t seen many. Does Bora-Bora have spiders?”

“Doesn’t everywhere?” I quipped. “But at least there are no poisonous snakes or insects on the island. No need for bug repellent.” I went back into the living room, then through the patio doors and out onto the veranda. A closed laptop, a pile of books, and a notebook sat on the table.

“Is this where you write? ”

From the kitchen came Gio’s chuckle. “It’s mostly where I think about writing.”

I brushed my fingertips over the notebook, filled with the need to explore, fascinated to see the workings of Gio’s mind.

I shouldn’t look. This is wrong. My pulse quickened, and the base of my neck tingled. Just a glimpse.

I glanced over my shoulder. Gio had his back to me, humming as he chopped something. I flipped the cover back and?—

Saw my name.

My heart skipped a beat as I scanned what amounted to notes. It seemed Gio had been playing with several plot ideas, but they all had one thing in common.

I appeared to be the main character.

My stomach roiled when I got to the last page of notes.

Nick flees his homeland because of his hateful, repressive family. Although he is far from them, they are still a part of his life. They send a former student friend to watch him and report back, except Nick has no idea she is on their side.

Nick chose Bora-Bora because of its inclusivity, a place where he can be free to be true to himself. But will his family discover the truth and demand he returns home?

I swallowed, but there was a lump in my throat.

Does he know who I am? Is that why he’s writing about me?

I was numb to the core, my skin icy.

Kissing me… is this part of his plan to get closer to me? To use me for his next book?

A sharp pain speared into my chest, and my vision blurred. Heat raced through me, and I became aware of pain in my left palm. My fingernails had dug into the skin, deep enough to draw blood.

I had to get out of there before I exploded.

I closed the notebook, tiptoed around the veranda, and crept along the boarded surface until I reached the side gate. I held my breath as I pushed it open, praying it wouldn’t creak. Then I crept across the bridge to where I’d left my motorbike .

I switched the engine on, turned the bike around, and sped out along the main road. I hurt all over, my hand throbbing. By the time I reached home, I was shaking.

I stumbled through the door, slamming it shut behind me.

To my surprise, Franz was sitting on the couch, with Claudia in the armchair. Her eyes widened. “What are you doing here? I didn’t expect you back until late.” Franz rose, his face flushed. Claudia stared at me. “Did you forget something?” She froze. “Oh my God, what’s wrong? You look awful.”

I pointed at Franz. “And to think only two days ago, I was telling you I trusted Gio,” I croaked. “Yeah, and maybe you didn’t do such a good job of vetting him as you thought.”

Franz’s face hardened. “What did he do? And why is there blood on your hand?”

Claudia grabbed it and winced. “I’d better clean that up.”

“It’s nothing, all right?”

She led me to the couch. “Sit down before you fall down.” She went over to where I kept a bottle of brandy, poured some into a small glass, then handed it to me. “Drink this first. Then tell us what’s happened.”

I knocked it back, spluttering. I gazed at her, the pain in my chest still present.

“He’s been lying to me.”

She sat beside me. “Specifics. Give me specifics.”

My phone buzzed, and I pulled it from my pocket.

Where are you? I turned around and you’d gone.

Then I saw how many messages I’d missed. I’d been in such a state, I hadn’t even felt them.

“Is that him?” Franz demanded.

I nodded. The phone buzzed again.

Nick, why did you leave without a word?

I shivered.

Claudia glanced at the text. “You just left without telling him you were going? ”

I couldn’t sit, not when I was shaking, caught up in a muddle of anger, disillusionment, bitterness—and hurt. Dear Lord , I hurt. I paced up and down the small space between the couch and the coffee table, my mind racing.

“You know, now that I think about it, everything makes sense. The other day he said his mind was on a book, but he looked uncomfortable when he said it. I guess I know why now.” I couldn’t keep the bitterness from my voice.

“Pretend I can’t read your mind and tell me from the beginning, please?” Claudia was trying to speak in a soothing tone, but that wasn’t going to work, not yet.

I didn’t want to be soothed. I wanted to rage against this whole mess of a situation.

I held out the empty glass. “I need another one.” She got up to replenish it, and I told them about Gio’s notes. “He was just trying to get information out of me.” I took the glass and drank half its contents.

My phone rang, but I ignored it. It fell silent for a few seconds, then started again. I put it on mute. Another text.

Please, come back. I think I know what’s happened. Let me explain.

I snorted. “And have you lie to me again? What kind of idiot do you take me for?”

Claudia took a deep breath. “Are you certain you haven’t… I don’t know… jumped to the wrong conclusion?”

I gaped at her. “What?”

“You didn’t even ask him about it.”

My cheeks were on fire. “I didn’t need to. I can read.”

She bit her lip. “And there’s absolutely no way this could be a big misunderstanding? You know, the kind that actually talking about it could have cleared it up in less than a minute?”

“Why are you on his side?” I demanded.

“I’m not. I’m just trying to point out that this situation might not be as black and white as you’re painting it. ”

Franz frowned. “Was there any indication in his notes that he knew who you were? Apart from Nick, the odd-job guy.”

I tried to recall what I’d read. “No, I don’t think so.” I scowled. “And I’m not going to give him the opportunity to find out.” I shuddered out a breath. “Because from now on, I’m going to avoid him like the plague.”

Franz’s eyes held a dangerous glint. “Don’t worry. I won’t let him get within two feet of you.”

Gio’s kiss made his betrayal all the more acute.

I’d let him in.

I would have trusted him with…

With my heart.