Packing for the return trip was easier, Maggie decided, except for one thing: she didn’t really want to leave. But she packed that afternoon anyway, knowing that she had to fly back the next morning, then got ready for her date with Raffaele.

Raffaele had asked her to dinner that night. He wouldn’t tell her where they were going, saying only that he wanted to surprise her.

Maggie opened the door when Raffaele knocked on it. She was wearing her favorite dress—a deep, midnight blue, which had a low scoop neck and fell just above her knees. Her hair was down, falling in curls over her shoulders. She carried a matching wrap and purse, and had on her favorite jewelry. Since it was her last night on the island, she wanted to look perfect.

Raffaele was starting to say hello when she opened the door, but he stopped mid-word. At Maggie’s raised eyebrows, he finally said, “Wow.”

Maggie kissed his cheek before closing the door behind her. “Thank you. You clean up pretty nicely, too.”

Raffaele grinned, ostentatiously straightening the cuffs of his dark grey jacket.

“I do, don’t I.”

Maggie laughed and Raffaele held out his hand. She took it and he led her down the stairs and outside to the car, where he waved off the waiting attendants and opened her door for her. Maggie settled into the seat while Raffaele closed her door and walked to the driver’s side.

“We don’t have far to go,” Raffaele said, “But I thought you might rather drive there than walk.” He nodded at her silver heels. “Having said that, I’m rather glad you wore those shoes.”

Maggie pointed her toe, looking at the shiny footwear. She’d gotten them just for the trip but hadn’t worn them yet.

“You like them?”

Raffaele cocked his head and gave her a look that took her breath away.

“I like the way they look on you.”

Maggie bit her lower lip and tried to get her heart rate back to normal.

“Noted. I might have to wear these more often.”

“You’ll get no argument from me.”

Raffaele drove down the palace driveway, but took a left before they got to the main gate. A minute or so later, he parked the car at the end of the road where it widened enough for a couple of cars to turn around.

As he helped her out of the car, Maggie said, “You really meant it when you said we didn’t have far to go.”

Raffaele placed his hand on the curve of her back, pointing her to a small path in the trees. “I wanted to do something special tonight.”

Maggie emerged through the trees to find a small white pavilion perched on a terrace overlooking the sea. She could hear the waves breaking against the rocks below, and see the sun starting its descent over the water.

Fairy lights and lanterns hung from the trees, and candles lit the inside of the pavilion, even though there was still enough sunlight that they didn’t need them yet. Maggie could tell that the whole place would shine once the sun went down.

The table inside the pavilion had been laid with fine china and silver, and crystal glasses had already been poured with a deep red wine.

“It’s beautiful, Raffaele.” Maggie turned to him as he watched her reaction. She reached up and kissed him lightly. “Thank you.”

Raffaele then picked up a tray from a long table off to the side of the pavilion and placed it between them.

“I thought you might like some of your favorite things from this week.”

On the tray was a selection of finger foods, all things Maggie had tried and liked. She was touched that Raffaele had remembered them all. She looked at him and smiled.

“You know, as much as I like the food here, it hasn’t been my favorite part of this trip.”

Raffaele leaned down to kiss her and Maggie forgot all about the food for a moment.

They ate while watching the sun set. Raffaele had arranged everything so they could have a leisurely dinner that didn’t require anyone else being around. He poured the wine, kept Maggie’s plate full, and made her feel like a princess.

Maggie watched him, trying to memorize every inch of him. The way he smiled at her, the way he kissed her hand, the way he leaned forward to listen to her every word.

By the time they had dessert, it was dark and the pavilion glowed with soft light. After they finished eating, they stood at the edge of the terrace, with Maggie wrapped in Raffaele’s strong arms as they both looked out over the water. Seagulls chirped as they swooped through the air, and the stars began to sparkle in the darkening sky.

Maggie leaned her head back against Raffaele’s shoulder, trying not to think about it being her last night there. They listened to the waves crash, just holding onto each other.

Maggie turned in his arms and looked up at him. She wanted to tell him how happy she was, but couldn’t find the right words. Raffaele smiled at her though, like he knew.

He cupped her chin and kissed her, softly as first. She leaned into him, pressing her body against his and deepened the kiss, sucking in a breath when he nudged her mouth open with his tongue.

Raffaele traced the side of her neck with his fingers, from her ear down to the hollow in her collarbone, then he followed his fingers with his mouth. Every place he touched Maggie, she felt little sparks of fire and she wanted to feel that everywhere.

Maggie stirred and Raffaele pulled himself back to look at her. She reached up to touch his face, and smiled.

“Take me home, Raffaele.”

Raffaele searched her eyes; she knew he wanted her to be sure. She kissed him again, taking his hand and leading him back to the car.

The drive back to the palace took longer than the drive there, probably because Raffaele kept stopping so that he could lean over and kiss her. Maggie laughed every time he did it, and from his grin, she figured that’s exactly why he kept rolling to a stop.

After opening the door to his suite of rooms, he held out his hands for her wrap and purse, laying them carefully on a table. Then, he held out his hands to her. Maggie walked into his arms with a smile and when he kissed her, she thought she could stay like that forever.

Maggie must have made a noise of protest when he pulled back from their kiss, because he gave her a tiny, wicked grin.

He traced the line of her chin with one finger and leaned down to murmur in her ear, “The other room’s better.”

Maggie narrowed her eyes in a mock glare and Raffaele chuckled and tugged her hand. She followed, and when he kissed her again, slowly pressing her down on his bed, she had to agree. This room was better.