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‘How was your breakfast?’ he asked.

‘Delicious as always. Honestly, I don’t know how I’m going to go back to eating toast or muesli after the food I’ve had at this place. I’ve been totally spoilt.’ Thinking about going home made my stomach twist, so I quickly changed the subject. ‘Will it take long to get to the beach?’

‘Not too long,’ Romeo said solemnly and I wondered if he was thinking the same about me going back.

Then again, maybe he didn’t care. I could be just another guest with benefits.

No.

I refused to believe that. Romeo was different. I felt it in my soul.

I’d always rolled my eyes at the quotes on Instagram that said you’d know when you’d met the right man because he’d let you know you were special through his actions. But Romeo had done all of that and more.

This wasn’t just another fling to him. I was sure of it.

Romeo pulled into a car park, we collected our things and headed to the beach.

‘Wow!’ I said, taking in the sight of the pure white sand and turquoise water. ‘I can’t believe that there are so many beautiful beaches here. You’re so lucky to have this all on your doorstep. What’s the water like?’

‘It is amazing.’ Romeo spread out a blanket on the sand, then loaded our bags on top. ‘But do not take my word for it. The best way to know is to try it for yourself.’

‘Last one in the water has to buy lunch!’ I said, whipping off my kaftan, then racing down to the sea.

I thought I was easily going to beat Romeo, but seconds later he shot past me and raced straight into the water.

‘Looks like I am the winner and you are taking me out for a steak dinner at the fanciest restaurant in town.’ He punched his fist in the air triumphantly.

‘Sure! There’s an amazing restaurant at this place called the Love Hotel that does a nice steak. I’ll take you there, shall I?’

Romeo grinned, swam towards me, lifted me out of the water and spun me around before lowering me back into the sea and cupping my face.

‘You can take me anywhere you want.’ He kissed me softly. ‘But not today. Today, I will be taking you for lunch at another one of my favourite restaurants.’

‘Oooh!’ I said, feeling honoured that he’d shared these special places with me.

‘Until then, let us enjoy the water together.’

* * *

I’d had another amazing day with Romeo.

We’d spent hours swimming side by side in the sea, kissing and cuddling in the water, then drying off in the sun on our beach blanket whilst enjoying more kisses and taking selfies together, before going back into the sea for more swimming and snogging.

It was a good thing the beach was pretty deserted so other people didn’t have to keep witnessing our intense public displays of affection. But something told me that even if the beach was packed, I wouldn’t have cared. Whenever Romeo’s lips were on mine it was like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

There were a few times that things got very hot and heavy and in all honesty, if Romeo hadn’t raced back down to the sea to cool off, we could’ve ended up banging on the beach.

As much as I wanted to shag his brains out, part of me also liked that today it hadn’t all been about the sex. It was more about just enjoying each other and our shared love for swimming.

Romeo took me to an amazing restaurant for lunch where I had the most delicious seafood and now we’d returned to the beach for a walk.

‘I am glad that you liked the restaurant,’ he said as he took my hand and led me further down so we could walk in the sea.

‘I bloody loved it! It’s crazy how much better everything tastes in Italy. Coming here has really opened my eyes.’

‘To what?’

‘To everything. I didn’t realise until I came on this trip that I’ve been stuck in a major rut. I’ve been in the same job for years, dated the same types of guys and made the same mistakes, but coming to the Love Hotel, visiting all of these different places, trying new things and meeting you has shown me what’s possible. How enjoyable life can be. How much I’m missing out on.’