Page 46 of Duty and Desire

“Does Franz know what he’s letting himself in for?”

Claudia snorted. “After all the time he’s spent around me? I hope so.” She enveloped me in a tight hug. “I also hope this works out for you. Because you need this.”

I couldn’t argue with that. She’d nailed it.

“Have I told you how much I appreciate your visits? Especially when it takes you three flights to get back home.” My throat tightened. “Because itisyour home now, isn’t it?”

She huffed. “I’m happier there, that’s for sure. My family have gotten used to me visiting them three or four times a year, and I don’t see the need to increase on that, not in the circumstances.” She hugged me. “You’re happy here. Maybe not at the moment, but this too shall pass, and you’ll remember why you came here.” Claudia pushed my hair back from my face, and smiled. “And despite what I said, I do like this look on you.”

“Good, because I’m not about to change it.”

It was as far removed from my previous life as it was possible to get.

As soon as I’d waved Claudia out of sight, I went back inside, grabbed the keys to my motorbike, checked my reflection, then headed out the door, my heart pounding.

Claudia’s right. I have to know.

I ignored the logical voice that said it was too late to be calling on Gio.

I sped along the quiet road, going over and over in my head what I’d say to him. The landscape rushed by, and with each passing minute, my intended speech grew more convoluted. Then it hit me. I’d got this all wrong.

Gio was the one who’d be doing most of the talking.

I pulled up beside the pink buggy, switched off the engine, and let the bike’s weight rest on its kick stand. I walked slowly across the planked bridge, aware of the empty feeling in the pit of my stomach, my dry mouth, my faster than usual heartbeat. When I reached the gate, I paused, my hand on the catch. No noise greeted me. I glanced at the jetty, and blinked when I saw what was tied to it.

He has a boat? How long has he had that?I hadn’t even noticed it on Friday night. Then again, my mind had been occupied by thoughts of where the night could lead, and once I’d left, I wouldn’t have paid any attention to a boat, not unless it managed to rear up onto the bridge and mow me down.

My stomach roiled. The day we’d met. The trip around the island. Had it been nothing more than a ruse? A way to get to know me?

Oh God. This wasn’t good.Maybe I should forget about this. I should go homeand?—

“Nick?”

Gio stood at the rear of the bungalow, his mouth open, his eyes huge.

Too late to back out now.

I cleared my throat. “We need to talk.”

“I… I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.” He walked toward me with faltering steps. I waited for him to open the gate. “Please, come in.”

I stepped through it, and followed him to the rear veranda. I expected to see his laptop and notebook on the table, but there was only a tea pot and a cup.

“I made lemon and ginger tea. It settles my stomach. Would you like a cup?”

I nodded, and he went inside. I pulled out a chair and sat, taking deep breaths in the hope of calming my racing heart. When he returned, I froze at the sight of the notebook in his other hand.

Gio placed the cup in front of me, but didn’t sit. Instead, he leaned against the wooden raining, his back to the lagoon. He held the notebook, rolling and unrolling it.

“You read what was in here, didn’t you?”

I didn’t trust myself to speak, hoping he took my silence as an acknowledgment.

Gio shuddered out a breath. “I can see why it might have been a shock.” I raised my eyebrows, and he let out a sigh. “Understatement of the year, right? So let me explain.” He put down the notebook and poured me some tea. “I came here because it’s been six months since I wrote a damn word. Roger hoped I’d find some inspiration. And I did, when a guy came to the bar where I’d gone for a drink. He was delivering a package that had gone someplace else by mistake.”

Wait a minute…

I stared at him. “Te Moana Nui? You were there that day?”

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