Page 36 of Duty and Desire

Nick gazed at me, not breaking eye contact, his eyes bright. “Roger has you—I have Claudia. We all need a friend like that sometimes.”

I peered at him. “That sounds as thoughyou’vehad your own trials and tribulations.”

He finished his drink. “Maybe I have. But that’s in the past.”

I heard the unspoken words.And I don’t want to talk about it.

Nick stood. “I should go.”

“Wait,” I blurted. He stilled, and I thought fast. “What are your plans for tomorrow?”

He chuckled. “So you’re not tired of my company yet?”

I could spend hours listening to him, observing him, laughing and talking with him… And I couldn’t think of how to answer his question without betraying how I felt.

“Did you have something in mind?”

I nodded. “I haven’t spent any time on a beach yet. There’s a great one at the southern part of the island… Matira Beach?”

The same beach where I’d spied Nick sitting beneath a palm tree, sketching.

“Yes. It’s the only public beach on Bora-Bora.”

“Well, how would you like to spend some time there? We could have a picnic, swim, soak up some sun…”

Nick’s smile reached his eyes. “That sounds wonderful. Let’s do it.” He glanced at his phone. “But now I really do have to leave.”

I rose. “Enjoy your dinner with Claudia. How much longer will she be here?”

“She leaves Sunday. And before you ask, she won’t mind losing me tomorrow. You already know what she’ll be doing.” His eyes twinkled. “I’ll meet you at the beach at ten. Don’t worry about the picnic. I’ll bring that, seeing as you brought lunch today.” He grinned. “Don’t forget your sunscreen.”

“You’re very good at taking command of a situation.” I chuckled. “You’d make a good CEO.”

His face tightened. “I wouldn’t, you know. I don’t think I’m cut out for that kind of thing.” And with that, he headed for the exit.

I stared after him.

What did I say?

Chapter Twelve

April 11

Gio

Soft golden sand underfoot, shallow calm waters lapping the shore, a huge beach towel to stretch out on, palm trees all along the beach providing shade…

Matira was everything a tropical beach should be.

“I come here often,” Nick admitted.

“I can see why.” I looked at the waves. “I bet it’s warm out there.”

“Why don’t we find out?” Nick unfastened his shorts and dropped them to his ankles, stepping out of them. He wore dark blue swim briefs that left little to the imagination, and it took a tremendous effort on my part not to stare. Nick folded his shorts and placed them on the towel—giving me a perfect view of his ass.

I turned my back on him as I undressed, not to avoid looking at him but to hide my present state. I glanced down, willing it to go back to sleep.

Fat chance.

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