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‘Can I ask you something?’ I said.

‘Sure.’

‘Did something happen between you and a guest before?’

‘What?’ He frowned. ‘Where did you hear this?’

‘I… er.’ I didn’t want to drop Jasmine in it. ‘I heard some people saying that you flirted with guests and that maybe something happened with one?’

‘That is not true.’ He shook his head. ‘I will explain.’ We sat on the sand, facing each other. ‘Last month, there was a guest who became a little…enthusiasticabout me. She would always come to my office. I was concerned that she was becoming too familiar, but I thought that I could handle it. But then she tried to kiss me.’

‘No!’ I gasped.

‘Sì.’ He rubbed the back of his neck. ‘I pushed her away and told her I was not interested and she should be with her match. I reported it to Victoria straightaway, but in the meantime, the woman had told her match that we had kissed and she did not want to be with him any more, because she was in love with me.’

‘Bloody hell! Sounds like she was obsessed! What happened then?’

‘Of course her match was furious. He complained to management and when he saw me, he tried to punch me.’

‘Fuck!’ I gasped. ‘Was that the only time something like that happened?’

‘That was the most extreme. Sometimes guests become too tactile. For example, a few weeks ago, a woman was stroking my arm and her match complained. I try to be polite but firm, but it is difficult because they do not like the rejection. So she also complained.’

‘It must be a nightmare being so irresistible that the guests can’t stop throwing themselves at you!’ I laughed, then winced. I didn’t want to sound insensitive.

‘I am not looking for sympathy. I just want to do my job. And it is damaging when these rumours circulate and they are not true.’

‘It must be,’ I nodded, then softened my voice. ‘If it means anything, I believe you.’

‘You do?’ Romeo’s eyes widened.

‘Yeah. I’ve spent a lot of time with you this week and I can see you’re a good guy.’

‘Grazie.’ Romeo held my gaze. ‘That means a lot.’

I meant what I said. He was genuine, kind, caring and God, so beautiful.

‘I should get back.’ He stood up and brushed the sand off his shorts.

I jumped up too and stood in front of him.

Our eyes locked again.

Electricity sparked between us. I knew I should move away, but I couldn’t.

‘I am going.’ Romeo turned to leave.

‘Wait.’ I grabbed his hand and jeez, the sensation of touching his soft, warm palm hit me like a wrecking ball. His eyes shot up to meet mine, but he didn’t pull away. ‘Do you feel it?’ I blurted out then instantly regretted it. If he said no it was gonna be a very awkward week.

Maybe I shouldn’t have asked him so soon after what he’d just told me about the handsy guests, but in many ways, what he just said proved that he wasn’t the flirtatious womaniser people thought he was.

And just maybe it also proved that I wasn’t just another guest to him. That somehow I was more.

Even if we couldn’t act on it, I still needed to know, one way or the other.

‘Feel what?’ His gaze dropped to the sand.

‘Oh, come on!’ I rolled my eyes. ‘You know what. Can you feel the connection between us?’ I stroked his palm gently.