Page 24 of Duty and Desire

Chapter Twenty-Two

Gio

K ai had done everything I’d asked, and more.

The table was close to the water, covered with a snow-white cloth. Glasses sparkled, and an ice bucket sat next to a champagne flute, in which stood a single red rose.

Nick’s soft gasp made it perfect.

“You said on the phone you wanted it to be romantic,” Kai murmured. “How did I do?”

I patted him on the back. “You excelled yourself.”

He beamed. “Then go sit, and I’ll be over in a minute with the tempura shrimp.”

I led Nick to the table, then pulled his chair out for him before sitting in the one facing him. “You like your surprise?”

His face glowed in the last rays of the sun. “Like doesn’t even come close. No one has ever taken me on such a date.” He glanced at the bottle in the ice bucket, and smiled. “That’s my favorite wine. ”

I filled our glasses. “I know. I’ve learned a few things about you during the past weeks.”

“Such as?”

I smiled. “You twirl your fingers in your hair when you’re deep in thought.

Most of the time, I don’t even think you know you’re doing it.

And you get this little crease between your eyebrows when you concentrate.

” I stroked his hand. “It makes you look so focused, but at the same time so adorably intense.”

“You’ve been studying me.” His voice was soft.

“There’s a lot to study.”

His eyes gleamed. “Oh?”

“I love the way your nose scrunches when you laugh. Your whole face lights up too. I love seeing your eyes when you talk about something that really interests you. It’s as if I’m watching your passion come to life right before my eyes, and I can’t help but fall for it.

” I grinned. “And then there’s your giggle-snort. ”

He stared at me. “I do not giggle-snort.”

“I hate to break this to you, but you so do. Hearing it makes me feel light and happy. And when you hum along to songs, your soft melody fills the room with warmth.” I smiled. “I love how you get excited about the smallest things, such as walking past a cute puppy, or spotting a quirky coffee mug.”

He flushed. “That last one happened once.”

“Yes, but your enthusiasm was infectious.” I hadn’t been able to resist the urge to buy it for him, and it was now a permanent feature in the kitchen.

“You always try to help people, even when they don’t ask for it.

Take the lady who dropped her shopping at the supermarket the other day.

You didn’t hesitate. You were down on the floor in a heartbeat, gathering up all her cans and bags. ”

“But that’s something anyone would do,” he protested, blushing.

“I disagree. Not everyone is as thoughtful as you.” I traced the line of his hand with my fingertip. “And I love the way you always seem to remember little details.”

Nick swallowed. “You seem to love a lot about me. ”

I knew why I’d wanted this to be a romantic evening. I had something to tell him, and I’d wanted to make it special.

I held Nick’s hand in mine. “Because of this trip, my life is going to become more complicated.” I gazed into his warm brown eyes. “I might have to leave in ten weeks, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I’ll be back here often.”

His eyes twinkled. “The island gets under your skin, doesn’t it? You fell in love with the place too.”

My heartbeat quickened. “Yes, but more importantly, I fell in love with you.”

For a moment he said nothing, but the rise and fall of his chest beneath a layer of white linen said plenty. He widened his eyes, his cheeks flushed, and I was on tenterhooks waiting for him to respond.

Nick’s breathing hitched. “Now there’s a coincidence. I fell in love with you too.”

I whooshed out a breath. “Nick, I?—”

A cough made me jump. Kai stood next to our table, carrying two plates. “I hate to interrupt, but…”

I chuckled and pulled my hand back. “Thank you. This looks delicious.”

“Hey, you don’t have to stop holding hands on my account.

” He placed the dishes in front of us, then reached into his pocket, producing a lighter.

Kai lit the squat candle in its colored glass container.

“I figured a little candlelight was called for.” He cleared his throat.

“And now I’ll leave you to enjoy your food—and each other’s company.

” He beat a hasty retreat back to the bar.

I gazed after him. “Wow. I didn’t know he could be so considerate, not to mention discreet.” Nick gave me a puzzled glance, and I pointed toward the bar. “Kai? Who was just here?”

Nick blinked. “He was?”

That was adorable as hell.

“Can we go back to the part where we were talking about falling in love?” Nick huffed. “I want to kiss you, but this is too public a place for the kind of kiss I had in mind.” He looked at the shrimp. “ And now eating is the last thing I’m thinking of. All I want is to be alone with you.”

I claimed his hand once more. “I want to enjoy this, a romantic meal by candlelight, the sun setting over the lagoon, a glass of chilled wine…”

Nick flushed. “I do too.”

“So we’ll eat, we’ll drink a glass or two, and after that, we’ll walk home.” I kissed his fingertips. “We’ll have all night, and you can kiss me until your lips are swollen.”

He smiled. “I might.” His eyes sparkled in the candlelight.

My pulse raced and something fluttered in my belly, but more noticeable than those sensations was the feeling of being safe, being whole.

Not to mention euphoric.

I looked him in the eye. “I love you. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep that love alive. I’ve never experienced anything this… momentous, and now that I have? I don’t want to lose it.” I smiled. “And you’re right. This is definitely not the place for me to kiss you. I’d get arrested.”

He laughed. “Good to know we’re on the same page.”

I knew once we were in the bungalow, I wouldn’t be able to hold back. The flush on Nick’s skin, his shining eyes, his parted lips, the way he trembled at my touch…

I yearned to explore all of him.

Possess all of him.

Nick

It wasn’t until Gio locked the door that I remembered.

“Damn. ”

“What’s wrong?”

I let out a sigh. “I have an early start tomorrow. Three boat trips booked.”

“Do you want to go home?”

I closed the gap between us, my arms looped around his neck.

“I’ll set my alarm. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.

” During the stroll back to the bungalow, I’d been hyper-aware of my heart pounding, the shivers traveling from head to foot when I thought about what awaited me.

But when Gio took my hand as we walked, that had only strengthened the knowledge this was more than desire.

He loves me.

Better still, he wasn’t going to let the distance between us become a barrier.

Then he needs to know.

My heart raced, and the thoughts I’d pushed someplace deep in my head uncoiled from their hiding place, growing louder, more insistent.

You need to tell him the truth.

If he loves you, it won’t change a thing.

There was always the possibility that it might.

Then Gio’s lips locked on mine, and I forgot about everything but the man who held me, who wanted me as much as I wanted him.

“Take me to bed,” I whispered.

Gio gazed into my eyes, then nodded. He took me by the hand and led me into the bedroom. He held me to him, and I molded myself to his firm body, sharing my heat.

Sharing something else too.

I performed a slow grind, and I knew the second he got the memo. His breath escaped him in a whisper-soft sigh. “You sure?”

My only response was to do it again, my tongue seeking his.

Undressing was a drawn-out affair, punctuated by kisses and gentle caresses, until at last skin met skin, and I was aroused to the point of aching.

We lay on top of the sheets, the air filled with the soothing lap of waves, a warm breeze wafting in through the open doors. I didn’t turn my head to look at the box Gio had placed beside his pillow, or the bottle of lube keeping it company.

My heart was already hammering enough that I felt certain Gio could hear every beat.

Gio curled his fingers around my wrists, his touch no longer lazy but insistent, tethering me there. I let out a noise that was more than a sigh, my pulse quickening.

“Yes.” It was a single word that meant both surrender and invitation.

Gio released me, then traced the ridge of my collarbone with the back of his knuckle, a motion that spoke of more than exploration, as though he was burning every inch of me into his brain.

His breath was warm on my throat, and I swallowed hard, digging my fingers into his waist, grounding myself as he unraveled me, claimed me, until I burned with need.

When his fingers slid lower, I groaned, and he paused.

“This is what you want?”

I cupped his nape and captured his mouth in a blistering kiss, feeding him low moans.

When our lips parted company, I met his heated gaze.

“I said yes. I’m not about to change my mind.

I want this.” I cupped his cheek, unable to tear my eyes away from his.

“I want you. All of you.” I smiled. “Every inch of you.”

His lips met mine in a brutal kiss, and I slid my arms around him, clinging to him.

I couldn’t keep still; I moved beneath him, settling into a rhythm, a sensual rocking, pushing the slow-burning heat between us to ignite into something wild and untamed.

And when it did, my hands found purchase where they could, gripping his shoulders, his back, pulling him closer until no space existed between us.

Gio’s breathing caught when I grazed his neck with my teeth, my fingers seeking more skin, more heat.

A raw cry burst from his lips, and I knew I had the power to set him alight.

“Now,” I urged him, handing him the lube. My heart thumped as he got both of us ready, and when I couldn’t wait anymore, I clutched his back, anchoring myself.

“Gio…”

He nodded. “Now.”

I never knew that one word could make my skin hot and cold at the same time.

His hands were on my thighs, and I spread for him. Gio stilled, his forehead pressed to mine.

“I’ll go slow.”

I managed a smile. “I’ll let you.” I slid my hands down his spine, my breathing ragged as I wrapped my legs around him, my heels digging into him, encouraging him. Gio kissed me, slow and deep, and I had to remember to breathe.

Then he was inside me, and breathing became a chore.

I’d imagined how it would feel. I’d played out the scene in my head many times, picturing this first sensual connection. I still wasn’t prepared for the intensity of my emotions, the way my body responded, every nerve alight.

His gaze locked on mine, his eyes wide. “Fuck, the way you feel…” The awe in his voice shook me, and a rush of pride surged through me.

This was beyond anything I’d imagined.

Gio held himself still, and I drowned in kiss after kiss, wanting more.

Needing more.

“Gio.” My heart fluttered. “Now would be good.”

His breathing caught, and a heartbeat later I moaned as he began to move, an easy, unhurried motion matching the undulation of my body.

I stared into his eyes, transfixed by him, lost in his sighs, in the sensations flooding through me.

I clung to him as we kissed, burning every second into my memory, relishing the pace.

And then we changed gear.

Our movements grew frantic, and what few words I could utter were nothing more than half-formed thoughts, his name punctuated by the press of mouths and the scrape of teeth. My world shrank to our mingled breaths and the feverish tangle of limbs. There was urgency, heat, but it was more than this.

And when Gio shuddered, I held him tight, both of us damp with sweat, my body aching in a way I couldn’t wait to feel again and again. He kissed my cheeks, my lips, murmuring my name.

Telling me over and over that he loved me.

After, he lay curled around me, stroking his fingers down my arm, across my chest and stomach, a constant, soothing action that lulled me into a warm, dozy state.

“Are you okay?”

I smiled. “More than okay.” I chuckled. “It was better than fingers, by the way.”

He laughed, his body shaking. “There’s always room for fingers. Have you set your alarm?”

I widened my eyes. “I’m glad one of us has their head screwed on.” I grabbed my phone, switched it to silent mode, and set the alarm. “I’ll try not to wake you.”

Gio laughed again, but more softly this time. “That’s okay, I need to get up and write anyway. Will you be coming back here once you’ve finished for the day?”

“Yes.” My pulse quickened. “And when I do, there’s something I need to share with you.”

A conversation loomed, one I couldn’t avoid any longer.

“That sounds serious. Can you tell me now?”

I smiled. “It can wait.”

He tightened his arm around me. “Sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Gio kissed my hair. “Then close your eyes, baby.”

I fell asleep, one phrase on repeat in my head.

Everything will be all right.