Page 9 of Duty and Desire

Nick smiled. “Claudia and I first did this hike when we were students. We were nineteen, and we’d just finished our first year at university.

I can’t remember which one of us had come up with the idea of visiting Bora-Bora, but we were hooked from the moment we stepped off the ferry.

” He chuckled. “Mind you, she hasn’t done the hike since.

She says she doesn’t need to. That box is well and truly checked. ”

“And then you came to live here.” I looked out at the amazing view. “I can understand why. ”

Nick gazed at the island below us. “What you said about forgetting the real world exists? You’re right. This is where I feel free. To breathe, to live… to be myself.”

Was I imagining the hint of wistfulness in his voice? Was it the writer in me, attributing emotions to him that didn’t exist?

Then he smiled. “Come on. Let’s make a move.”

“Can we finish the nuts first?”

Nick grinned. “Are you getting low on energy? Do you think you can make it to the top?”

I loved that he felt relaxed enough to tease me.

“I’m thirty-seven, not seventy-seven,” I fired back at him.

His eyes gleamed. “You don’t look your age. I would have said thirty.” He gestured to the summit. “You’re going to need a snack. We’ve still got the hardest part of the trail ahead of us.”

He wasn’t kidding.

I clung to the ropes as we climbed through a gully, water trickling down the rocks on either side. “Do you trust this rope?” I quipped.

“It’s been here a while, so yes.”

I was glad one of us had faith.

The steep climb ended at a bench of all things, hewn out of the rock, and we sat for a while, mainly to let my heartbeat return to its normal rhythm. I glanced at my dirt-covered calves and chuckled.

“Well, you did say there’d be mud.” I grimaced. “And what the hell were those little spiky flower heads that kept scratching my legs and making them itch? What do you call them?”

Nick grinned. “Little spiky flower heads.”

I tore my gaze away from the wonderful views to look up. “Are we nearly there?”

“Yes, not far now.” He peered at me. “I was right about you.”

I arched my eyebrows. “Oh?”

“To do this hike with someone else, you need to have a high degree of certainty that they’re up to it. Because let’s be honest. This would be beyond a lot of people.” His eyes were warm. “But I felt sure you could manage it. Glad I was proved correct. ”

The words were out before I could rein them in.

“You speak excellent English, but I don’t think it’s your first language.”

Nick didn’t look at me as he spoke. “I was taught English from the moment I began talking. I studied it at university. And you’re right, it wasn’t my native language but I don’t ever remember speaking anything but English. Oh, and French, of course, which I hated learning.”

I chuckled. “When I was little, I spoke two languages—English outside the house, Italian in it.”

“I did wonder with a name like Gio. Is it short for Giovanni?”

I nodded. “Less of a mouthful. Giovanni Francesco Colonna. An old Italian name according to my nonna.”

“Do you still speak it?”

Another chuckle. “Enough that I get great service in Italian restaurants. The weird thing is, I’ve never been to Italy.

It’s on my bucket list, though. I want to see Rome, Florence, Venice, Sicily, Pompeii…

Nonna is very keen for me to see Rome. I think that’s where our family came from.

” I smiled. “Maybe I will one day when I write a book that stays at the top of the bestsellers list for about, oh, I don’t know, five years?

” I ducked a second later, shielding myself with my hands.

“What did you do that for?” Nick regarded me in bewilderment.

“I was taking cover. I didn’t want my head to get bashed in by the feet of those pigs flying over us.”

He stared at me for a second before bursting into laughter. “Wow. You have self-deprecation down to a fine art.”

“I’m a realist.” I straightened. “Me having that kinda success is about as likely as the next pope being called Bertha.”

Nick bit back a smile. “I was going to ask you about your books, but now I’m not so sure.”

We lapsed into silence, both of us gazing at the view.

What came to mind was Aulani, but for the life of me, I couldn’t think how to broach the subject. Why is there someone stalking you? seemed a little too out there.

“Ready for the final leg?”

Apparently, our conversation was at an end.

“Sure.”

I knew the moment we reached the summit: the wind picked up, and the peak of Mount Otemanu was shrouded in cloud.

It took my breath away.

Nick pointed to the highest peak of the mountain. “We could climb up there, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The view wouldn’t be that much different from what we’re seeing now, and getting over there is tricky. There’s a sizable drop on both sides of the trail.”

“Then this is where we stop.” I could see virtually the whole of the atoll, including the motus framing the lagoon. I drew in a deep breath, filling my lungs. “You were right. This is awesome. Thanks for giving up your day to do this for me.”

“You’re welcome. It was a much better prospect than lying next to Claudia on a steamer chair, watching her flirt with every server who crosses her path.” He smirked. “Having said that, the St. Regis has the cutest waiters on the island.”

I couldn’t help smiling. “Oh really? Should I go take a peek?”

He chuckled. “You can trust me on that one. I tend bar there twice a week. Hard to keep my mind on the job sometimes.”

It was good to know my gaydar still functioned.

“I think you’re the person to tell me where’s good to eat out. I don’t suppose there’s a great Italian restaurant on the island.”

He cackled. “You suppose right. We’ve got French, Chinese, Polynesian… And pizza, of course, but I don’t think that counts as Italian anymore. It’s more of a global cuisine.”

“I’ve never eaten Polynesian. Care to recommend a place?”

“That’s easy. Chez Terava, on the main road in Vaitape.

It might not look like the kind of place you’re used to—it’s right on the beach, the food comes out of a pink trailer with the Playboy bunny on it, and sometimes it can take an hour for your order to get to you—but it’s got a great atmosphere and the food is amazing. ”

“You’ve sold me.” Time for a bold move. “So… how about you join me there for dinner tonight?”

Nick said nothing for a moment, and my heart sank. He’d given enough hints that I felt safe in my assumption, but there was always the chance I’d gotten him all wrong.

Maybe my gaydar is more busted than I thought.

He turned his head to look me in the eye. “You’re assuming a lot.”

Lord, my heart was beating so goddamn fast. I couldn’t escape the feeling there was something going on that I wanted to pursue.

“It’s just dinner. You have to eat, right? And I’d love some company.”

Damn it, I wanted him to say yes.

Still he said nothing.

“These assumptions of mine… they’re not wrong, are they?”

He smiled, and the tightness in my chest eased. “No, they’re not wrong.”

Hallelujah .

“And dinner with me might even be fun,” I added. “Especially when I try to pronounce items on the menu.”

He laughed. “It’s in French.”

I threw my hands up in the air. “There. You see? Now you have to say yes, just for the sheer entertainment value.” I cocked my head. “Unless you’ve already made plans with Claudia.”

“I don’t have plans. And I’m not keen to call an end to our day just yet.” He squared his shoulders. “So why not?”

I beamed, certain I looked like a grinning fool, but I didn’t care. “That’s great. There’s just one thing.” I cocked my head. “Is this going to be dinner for two—or three?”

He frowned. “I didn’t think you’d want Claudia to join us.”

“I wasn’t referring to Claudia, but to a certain muscular gentleman who likes to wear a jacket when he goes to a bar.”

Nick stiffened. “How do you know about him?”

“The lady who looks after my bungalow? She thought you had a stalker. She was worried. Then I saw him. I also saw your expression. Whoever this guy is, you know him.”

He pushed out a sigh. “Yes, I know him all right.”

“Hey, if you want him to take a hike, I can have a word.” I flexed. “I can be forceful if the situation demands it.”

He laughed again, and the sound lightened my spirits.

“No, you’re okay. He’s harmless. And there’ll be just the two of us for dinner.

” He stilled. “This lady who’s worrying about me…

would that be Aulani?” I nodded, and he smiled.

“That makes sense. Our paths have crossed a few times. She’s a wonderful person. Good to know she’s looking out for me.”

“What time do you want to meet?”

Nick glanced at the sky. “Well, if we make good time going down the trail, we might reach there in time to watch the sun set while we eat.” His eyes sparkled. “Which I know sounds kind of romantic.”

“I’m a sucker for a sunset dinner.”

Especially if it’s with you.

A little voice in my head warned me not to read too much into this, but I told it to go to Hell.

Nick stood. “In that case, we’d better make tracks. Because we are both going to need a shower before we eat.”

“We can always make it a race to the bottom.” I grinned. “Just to prove to you I can do it, even at my advanced age.”

He snickered. “Maybe that’s not such a good idea. I don’t want to spend my evening at the hospital because you fell and broke your leg.” That sparkle was back. “When I’d much rather spend it eating good food—and in good company.”

“I’m looking forward to both those things.”

Especially the no-stalker part.