Page 56 of Duty and Desire

He pressed a finger to my lips. “Later. First, tell me… did you write something for me?” His eyes were bright with amusement. “If you found the time to fit it in around your VIP, of course.”

I frowned. “VIP?”

Nick grinned. “Very Important Purchase. Well? Did you? That was partly why I stayed away so long. I wanted to give you time and space to write.”

I went out onto the veranda and picked up my notebook. Nick was almost bouncing when I handed it to him. He dropped onto the couch and opened it.

“Oh,Isee. You expect me to stand here while you read?”

He peered up at me. “Could I have something to eat? Fruit, maybe? And some water?”

I smirked. “Want me to fetch you a pair of slippers? A pillow?”

His eyes gleamed. “I’ll let you know.” Then he went back to his reading.

I headed for the fridge, and removed the plastic carton of mango pieces I’d bought earlier. Then I grabbed the papaya, pineapple, andcantaloupe. My gaze alighted on the bananas hanging from a stand on the countertop, but I dismissed them.

The state I was in? Way too phallic.

But then again….

I broke off two bananas and added them to the platter of fruit, along with two bottles of water. Nick didn’t raise his head as I approached the couch. I placed the platter on the coffee table, then joined him.

It was the strangest feeling, sitting beside him while he read my words. I’d been a published author for many years, and yet I’d never felt so goddamn nervous, so apprehensive to know someone’s opinion. He said nothing, and with each passing minute my insides quivered in anticipation.

At last Nick shivered. “I think you’d better turn the ceiling fan on.” He fanned himself with the notebook. “It’s getting hot in here.” Then he opened it once more. “And even hotter inhere.”

That did wonders for my ego. I grabbed a piece of mango, and held it out to him. “This will help you cool off.”

He didn’t take it from me, but opened his mouth. My heartbeat quickening, I fed him the luscious fruit, and his lips grazed my fingers. Juice trickled down over his chin, and my thermostat climbed. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.

“You’re making a mess.” I took the notebook from him, placing it on the table, and then I leaned in to lick the juice. Nick’s low moan reverberated through me, and I wanted to hear it again. I grabbed another morsel, this time a piece of pineapple, except now I held it between my lips. I closed the gap between us, and Nick bit into the fruit. I finished it, and our mouths met in a sweet, lingering—and sticky—kiss.

“How’s the pineapple?” I asked as I broke the kiss, my voice rough.

“As sticky as the mango. Try it for yourself. But be careful. The juice gets everywhere.”

My body tingled, my heart pounded. “I think there’s a wayaround that.” I sought the buttons on his shirt, popping each one free, taking my time. Nick didn’t stop me, but held himself so still, his breathing ragged. I pulled the flaps apart, revealing his chest, covered with a soft down, then went to work on the waistband of his shorts. I undid the knotted cord, and Nick let out a gasp.

I peered at him. “Do I stop?”

His only response was a fervent shake of his head.

I eased the shorts down, then removed them completely. He leaned back against the seat cushions, his gaze locked on me, his tanned skin begging to be touched, kissed…

Something else was begging for my attention too.

My hands were on his thighs, guiding him into position, and he took the hint, until at last he lay there, spread for me.

Hard for me.

I picked up a piece of mango. “Hold still.”

Nick’s breathing hitched when I balanced the chunk of fruit. “You have got to be kidding.”

I grinned, then bent over to take it in my mouth. Juice trickled over warm flesh, and I licked up every trace of it.

“How about some papaya?” he croaked.

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