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“What is it, Louisa?” he said softly His gray eyes seared her, searching her soul “What are you thinking about?”

With an intake of breath, she looked away She hadn’t told him about her past She hadn’t spoken of it to anyone

Five years ago, she’d been stabbed to the heart by the two people she loved most in the world She’d fled the United States for a fresh start She’d changed her bright, forray ones, boxy, shapeless suits She’d lost her appetite She’d lost weight She’d started wearing glasses instead of contacts and pulled her brown hair back in a tight bun She’d done everything she could do to ain

She found a new job in Paris She hadn’t feared to work for Rafael She knew she would be safe from any playboy’s charms She’d worked constantly, literally lived at her workplace, and hadn’t taken a vacation—not so le Saturday off

She’d tried not to love Rafael She’d tried But somehow, he’d snuck past all her defenses…

Rafael’s hand stroked her cheek “You won’t answer You never answer,” he said softly “Someday you will” He looked down at her “So”

But as he pulled her once ht Greek sun, Louisa knew she would never tell him about the last man she’d fallen in love with Her last boss At least, she’d thought it was love at the ti and naive…

Thinking of the pain in her past, she looked at her future and was very, very afraid

“Do you like this place?” he said softly, twisting a tendril of her hair around his finger

She looked at him

“So et a job here,” she said, only half-joking “Does your friend ns this island need a housekeeper? What is his name?”

Rafael glowered at her Irritation emanated off him in waves

“He is not a kind man Especially where women are concerned”

She’d been trying to lighten the mood, but it see her co herself on one elbow, Louisa reached up to rub his shoulder “The same could be said about you,” she teased

His jaw clenched “Yes,” he said shortly “It could”