Raphael eyeballed her, and then hoisted her up.

She quickly locked her arms around his neck.

They kept quiet as he carried her downstairs.

The staff caught sight of them, grinning from ear to ear, and commenting, “Isn't that romantic?"

Hearing that, Raphael smiled at them.

Elissa blushed a tad. She gently asked to be let down but he lightly grazed her dainty leg...

She was tall, with killer legs.

His touch sent shivers down her spine.

His eyes smoldered with desire.

He chauffeured her back to his villa. Truth was, he hadn't planned for round two. They'd only just been intimate for the first time and she'd bawled her eyes out. But what else was there to do? They ended up back in bed together, alone in the same room.

Being engaged, they threw caution to the wind.

On the same king-size bed, Raphael had his way with her.

As dusk settled in, Elissa roused from slumber, reaching out, finding the bed empty beside her.

She sat up, spotting Raphael by the window.

He had put on his clothes.

In black pants and a grey turtleneck, his frame was sleek yet sturdy.

But he gazed into the distance, appearing lonely.

It suddenly dawned on Elissa that he was clearly pining for someone.

No matter what she did, she couldn't erase that woman from the equation.

At the sound behind him, Raphael spun around, eyeing her silently.

"You're awake?"

Elissa nodded. She stood barefoot on the floor.

She sported his black shirt.

She sidled up to him, resting against his shoulder, embracing him silently.