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“Very well… until… you know.”

“So long as I didn’t hurt you,” he says. “I thought you enjoyed yourself.”

“I did. It was good. Really, really good.”

My skin heats up like earlier, except for a different reason altogether. Thoughts of last night fill my head ’til I start feeling him between my thighs. Suddenly, I’m not so distracted by the ache in my lower abdomen from the period cramps. I’m more focused on how amazing Rafael’s dick felt stroking into me.

“I’m glad to hear,dolcezza. I would like to see you again tonight.”

“Oh.” The uncertain sound leaves me before I can censor myself. I was under the impression this was a one-time thing. A quick vacation fling.

He slants his head to the side. “Oh? Just oh? Do you not want to see me anymore? Have I done something to turn you off?”

“No… no. Not at all. I guess I just assumed…” I laugh at myself, shaking my head. “I thought once would be enough for you.”

It’s difficult to describe the gleam that shines in his dark eyes at my words. It’s as if he finds what I’ve said funny. I’ve told him some kind of joke.

“This is for dinner. Just the two of us this time. What happens after dinner depends on what we want. Will you join me?”

“I would love to.”

“This is my number in case you need to reach me.” He slides a card across the table. “I will send a car for you at seven o’ clock, okay?”

We enjoy the rest of our breakfast over light conversation. Rafael asks me to tell him more about my travels. He asks many questions, nodding along as I speak. He’s attentive and engrossed the entire time, once again showing what an excellent listener he is.

When breakfast is over, he says, “Thank you for spending time with me,dolcezza. I look forward to seeing you tonight. Please let me know if I can do anything to make you feel better.”

My insides quake with butterflies as I smile and tell him I’ll be waiting for the car this evening.

I get dressed and then head downstairs to find Jayla wandering the entrance hall. Her eyes light up at the sight of me and she flocks over still wearing her dress from last night.

“Sissy, there you are! I was about to start blowing up your phone.”

I scan her up and down. “You look like you’re in high spirits.”

“I could say the same about you. Adagio had me… let’s just saytwisted.”

I hook my arm with hers as we head toward the massive wooden front doors. The staff member standing by gives a bow and gestures toward the circle driveway, where a town car waits for us.

“So I take it you got your back blown out too?” Jayla giggles.

I bite back my own giddy laugh. “Let’s just say it was a night I’ll never forget.”

* * *

Faro is at our disposal for a third day in a row. He takes us to one of the beaches Francesca had recommended yesterday. We don’t get more than knee deep in the water. Jayla can’t swim and I didn’t bother putting on a bikini since Aunt Flow is visiting. Instead we lounge on the sand and drink cocktails from the nearby vendor on the boardwalk.

“This is the life,” Jayla sighs. She’s wearing huge sunglasses and a floppy hat as she turns her face up toward the warm sunshine. “I could live every day like this.”

“If only we were millionaires.”

“Did you notice those stares we’re getting? It’s almost like we are.”

“I did… except today I also noticed some of the shops were boarding up.”

“I saw that too,” Jayla says. “Maybe they close once tourist season ends.”

We go back for seconds on the cocktails and then even thirds. We’re both feeling nice by the time we wander from the beach and venture down a cobblestone street lined with cafés and boutiques.