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She was more aware of her body now than she had ever been before—aware that anytie bed, her sex becaht even a hint of that aqua-based cologne her skin prickled; aware that when she touched herself when she was showering or when she was finding sleep hard to co touch Ached for him

He hadn’t forgotten her, that was for sure

Because for every day she hadn’t seen him, he had sent her flowers, a dianer whose pieces had year-long waiting lists, so Gio had informed her She was determined to return it, but then came a brand-new coffeemaker with endless capsule refills because she’d been co for her And then one day, the present that had her heart thu tools and a particular type of wood that she’d told him she couldn’t source anywhere in the world

Her heart war the contrast from when it had only been a pretense

She didn’t want things with Raphael to be over She wanted more of his kisses and his hot caresses, his warht out, and just more time with him

She wanted a relationship with him

But after the second week of still no Raphael,anxiety settled on her Especially when his mother took it upon herself to visit Pia and slyly let it drop that Raphael was dealing with ra, who had briefly visited Alyssa two days ago

More than once, Pia caught a hint of suggestion from Portia as to how hard Raphael had worked to build Vito Automobiles to what it was today And how much Gio himself owed Raphael

All she cared about was that he’d been so close and hadn’t dropped by to even say hello

At least her application to a prestigious online university to get her ree in education had been accepted—a drea No sooner had she received the email than he had sent her a brand-new laptop, a box of chocolates, a pair of her prescription glasses because she’d told hi the spare

When Pia had laughed for two ht, Gio had been utterly puzzled

So most afternoons, Pia settled down in the veranda with her laptop and lesson plans while her grandfather napped Afraid of creating even the sh Gio’s precarious health, she had abandoned her plans for leaving Italy for now