Page 44 of Duty and Desire

Aulani went into the kitchen. “Have you eaten anything today?”

“No. I couldn’t face it.”

She tut-tutted. “Then sit down while I make you some breakfast. And don’t even think of arguing.”

I let out another sigh. “Thank you.” I stared at the notebook on the seat cushion beside me. The hope that had kindled in me during the previous weeks, the rush of excitement, the burst of creativity…

All gone. The way I was feeling at that moment, I might never write another word as long as I lived. I’d lost my inspiration.

More importantly, it looked as if I’d lost Nick.

I couldn’t mope in the bungalow all day, not when the sun shone, the birds sang, and the call of the supermarket grew too loud to ignore. Not that I needed much, but it was a distraction. I made a list, then drove the buggy into Vaitape.

Except I knew what I was really doing.

I was hoping for a glimpse of Nick.

And what would you do if you did see him? Rush over and beg him to hear you out?

Probably. Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea.

I parked the buggy outside Chin Lee, and headed for thedoor?—

Just as Nick’s ‘shadow’ walked out of it, carrying a bag of groceries.

My God, this guy is big.Even his muscles had muscles. His blue eyes locked on mine, and he froze.

I came to a dead stop, my heart hammering. “Excuse me, but I think?—”

He held his hand toward me, palm first. “Don’t say another word, because I don’t want to hear it. I know who you are, and I know what you did.”

I gaped. “I just want to explain to him that?—”

He snorted. “I’m not letting you anywhere near him, you got that?”

I arched my eyebrows. “What are you, his bodyguard or something?”

His eyes gleamed. “I’m the guy who’s going to rip your arms out of their sockets if you try to get close to him again.” His lips twitched. “Let’s see how you write then.” And with that, he got onto a motorbike—Nick’s bike—and drove off.

I stood there trembling.

All I want to do is talk to him.

I was on an island with about ten thousand inhabitants, and there was only one of them I wanted to see.

And what if he doesn’t want to be seen? Specifically, by you?

I went into the supermarket and made a beeline for the shelves filled with alcohol. I didn’t plan drinking myself into a stupor, just enough to dull the ache in my chest.

And my heart.

Chapter Fifteen

April 14

Nick

Istood in the doorway to the bedroom, watching as Claudia packed. “I’m sorry your stay ended like this.” That acknowledgment of the situation was as close as I intended to venture. Talking about Gio only served to churn up my insides.

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