Page 68 of Duty and Desire

Nick

It wasn’t until Gio locked the door that I remembered.

“Damn.”

“What’s wrong?”

I let out a sigh. “I have an early start tomorrow. Three boat trips booked.”

“Do you want to go home?”

I closed the gap between us, my arms looped around his neck. “I’ll set my alarm. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” During the stroll back to the bungalow, I’d been hyper-aware of my heart pounding, the shivers traveling from head to foot when I thought about what awaited me. But when Gio took my hand as we walked, that had only strengthened the knowledge this was more than desire.

He loves me.

Better still, he wasn’t going to let the distance between us become a barrier.

Then he needs to know.

My heart raced, and the thoughts I’d pushed someplace deep in my head uncoiled from their hiding place, growing louder, more insistent.

You need to tell him the truth.

If he loves you, it won’t change a thing.

There was always the possibility that it might.

Then Gio’s lips locked on mine, and I forgot about everything but the man who held me, who wanted me as much as I wanted him.

“Take me to bed,” I whispered.

Gio gazed into my eyes, then nodded. He took me by the hand and led me into the bedroom. He held me to him, and I molded myself to his firm body, sharing my heat.

Sharing something else too.

I performed a slow grind, and I knew the second he got the memo. His breath escaped him in a whisper-soft sigh. “You sure?”

My only response was to do it again, my tongue seeking his.

Undressing was a drawn-out affair, punctuated by kisses and gentle caresses, until at last skin met skin, and I was aroused to the point of aching.

We lay on top of the sheets, the air filled with the soothing lap of waves, a warm breeze wafting in through the open doors. I didn’t turnmy head to look at the box Gio had placed beside his pillow, or the bottle of lube keeping it company.

My heart was already hammering enough that I felt certain Gio could hear every beat.

Gio curled his fingers around my wrists, his touch no longer lazy but insistent, tethering me there. I let out a noise that was more than a sigh, my pulse quickening.

“Yes.” It was a single word that meant both surrender and invitation.

Gio released me, then traced the ridge of my collarbone with the back of his knuckle, a motion that spoke of more than exploration, as though he was burning every inch of me into his brain. His breath was warm on my throat, and I swallowed hard, digging my fingers into his waist, grounding myself as he unraveled me, claimed me, until I burned with need.

When his fingers slid lower, I groaned, and he paused.

“This is what you want?”

I cupped his nape and captured his mouth in a blistering kiss, feeding him low moans. When our lips parted company, I met his heated gaze. “I said yes. I’m not about to change my mind. I want this.” I cupped his cheek, unable to tear my eyes away from his. “I want you. All of you.” I smiled. “Every inch of you.”

His lips met mine in a brutal kiss, and I slid my arms around him, clinging to him.

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