Page 40 of Duty and Desire

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 thethreshold.

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 Ithinkabout 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.

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