Page 72 of The Wedding Pact

We wake up later than normal the following morning, so Raffa rings for our butler to bring our breakfast to the villa, which we sit and eat in my bed.

It’s like heaven here – except for the bit when Raffa excuses himself straight after eating to go and deal with some emails his office sent over while we were asleep.

I feel weirdly bereft when he’s gone.

I’m enjoying his company so much, when he’s completely present, that I’m desperate for more of it the moment he’s not with me.

Craving it, in fact.

I’m a little obsessed, I fear.

I’m also keenly aware that we’ve only got two more days here before we head home.

The idea of giving this up now is devastating. Not just the dream villa and beautiful island living, but the incredible connection that Raffa and I have established.

The more we talk, and I get to know him better, the more I’m regretting agreeing to keep this casual.

But I can’t let myself fall in love with a workaholic. I just can’t.

I’m fascinated to know what it is that’s keeping him working so obsessively hard though. I know he said it’s because he enjoys the challenge; except I can’t help but feel there’s more to it than that.

I think it must have something to do with his dad and stepfamily situation.

But am I reckless enough to broach the subject? Prying into the darkest recesses of his mind might push him away. But then maybe it’ll bring us closer if he decides he’s willing to trust me. And perhaps it’ll even help him to face whatever it is that keeps him so distant from his family.

Only one way to find out, I guess.

* * *

Raffa

‘Hey. Guess what I’ve booked for us to do today?’ Ida says as I walk into the living area, my open laptop balanced on one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.

‘Don’t tell me, another side-quest?’ I say, flashing her a wry smile.

‘You got it.’

Her eyes look alive with excitement, which gives me pause.

‘And what kind of a quest is it?’ I ask cautiously.

‘Paddleboarding.’

‘Ah.’

She pouts at my lack of eagerness. ‘Come on, dude, you’re going to be old before your time if you don’t live a bit now. Think of all the fun you’re missing. We only have a couple more days here.’

After putting the laptop carefully onto the dining table, I take a contemplative sip of my coffee. She’s right, our time here is nearly up and I won’t get a chance to spend time with her like this again. There’s too much going on at work and I’m planning another trip to Germany, followed by a hop to the States soon after I get back from the Maldives.

The thought of it is actually making me feel tired, I realise. So maybe I should get one more day of R and R in now, to power up for it.

‘Yeah, okay. I guess that could be fun.’

‘You know it will be, dude.’ Her smile is wide and gleeful, like she’s beaten me at something else.

I let her have that little victory.

I love making her smile.