Page 57 of Duty and Desire

I grabbed a piece, and repeated the balancing act, except it proved to be an impossible task.

“Lie back,” I told him. “This won’t work unless you’re lying down.”

Nick gave a breathless laugh. “I blame that on you. Want me to hold it down for you?”

I grinned. “Look at you, so helpful.” I waited until he was ready, then positioned the piece of papaya, feeling him twitch beneath my fingertips. I caught it in my lips, taking my time, and when I was done, I knelt on the rug beside the couch, and found something else to put in my mouth. The skin on his inner thighs was warm and soft, and I stroked them while my head bobbed, my thoughts focused on one thing.

I wanted to watch Nick fall apart.

Nick

I dug my fingers into the seat cushion, riding the waves of pleasure that buffeted my body, cresting each one, convinced I’d reached the point of no return, only to have Gio back off, his eyes glittering as he held me steady with sticky, juice-covered fingers.

“Don’t stop,” I begged. “Please.”

His grin sent a shiver through me, and I pushed up with my hips, a wordless demand. A moment to take a breath, and then he went back to his sensual torture, until I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, couldn’t do anything except wait for what I knew was coming.

“Gio… Oh God, Gio.”

Noises filled the air, and I realized they came from me, nonsensical ramblings as he pushed me closer and closer to the edge. I arched my back, clinging to the cushions, my heart pounding.

“Yes… That’s it. Gio…So close.”

He picked up the pace, and I was there, a raw cry bursting from me, carried along on the final wave of exquisite bliss. Hearing Gio’s hoarse acclamation made the ending all the sweeter.

A moment later, I was melted, boneless, and covered in a sheen of sweat, with a smile I felt sure wouldn’t budge for the rest of the day.

I was also in need of a shower.

Gio moved until he held my face in his hands, his mouth crushed against mine, and I wrapped my arms around him, anchoring myself to him. When I found my voice, I chuckled.

“I never realized fruit could be so much fun.” I glanced at the coffee table. “And now I can’t wait toeat a banana.”

I’d always known I was happier when I was naked. Not something that was encouraged when I was growing up. But discovering Gio was of a similar mindset only convinced me further that this was meant to be.

We’remeant to be.

We sat on the couch, both of us smelling of Gio’s soap, and fed each other bits of cold cooked chicken by hand, an intimate act I’d never shared with anyone.

It was also an act that turned me on, especially when he sucked on my fingers, and one thing inevitably led to another. No fruit this time, but the end result was the same.

I foresaw a lot of showers in my future.

Back on the couch again—and a lot cleaner—I glanced at the notebook on the table, and bit back a smile as I pointed to it.

“You might need a new one. This is a little sticky.”

Gio laughed. “You noticed, huh?”

I studied him for a moment. “Let’s talk about your book.”

He frowned. “Which book?”

“The one you’re going to write while you’re on the island.” His air of puzzlement was adorable. I tapped the notebook with a finger. “What you wrote in here… This could be a great book. And you have a great resource.” I smiled. “Me.”

“But—”

I closed the gap between us in a heartbeat and kissed him. I traced the line of his cheek with my thumb. “You’re not writing about me. You’re writing about a tortured man who fled his home to live his lifehisway.”

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