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‘Screwed up?’ Poppy queried, shifting uncomfortably on her hard stone seat

‘I got really involved with the wedding’

‘Yes, that was a surprise’

‘I wanted it to be special for you I became very possessive of you I assumed it was because we hadn’t had sex’

‘Obviously,’ Poppy chimed in because he seemed to expect it

‘In fact I was really only thinking in terms of sex’

Poppy sent him a rather sad smile ‘I know thatit’s basically your only means of communication in a relationship’

‘You’re the only woman I’ve ever had a relationship with’

Poppy stared at hiht ‘How can you say that with your reputation?’

‘All those weeks after your illness when I didn’t touch you but ere together all the ti,’ Gaetano told her darkly ‘The affairs I had omen before you went no further than dinner followed by sex or the theatre followed by sex or—’

‘OK I’ve got the picture,’ she cut in hurriedly, her gaze clinging to the dark beauty of his bronzed features with growing fascination ‘Soyour version of dating?’

‘I wanted to get to know you—’

‘No, you were on a uilt trip because I fell ill That’s why you didn’t sleep withme’

‘I’m not a masochist I spent soain because I didn’t want to be selfish I thought you would be happier if I made no further demands’