Page 16 of Arrogant Arrival

I look down at the adorable baby boy, “Hello,” I coo. My heart tightens, and I force myself to smile. I quickly go to work so we can take off on time. As the passengers board, my back is turned toward the back of the plane when I swear I hear his voice.No. That can’t be him.Sure enough, I turn around and there’s Jim—with a child!I stare in horror at the beautiful, dark-haired little girl in his arms. He’s speaking to Trip while a stunning dark-haired woman stands next to him, smiling lovingly at the little girl. No doubt she’s the mother. My blood is boiling, and I can hear my heart pounding in my ears. I’m going to be trapped on a ten-hour flight with Jim and hisfamily.This is some horrible twist of fate or punishment. I’m not sure which one yet. I wasn’t even supposed to be on this flight. This is punishment for submitting poor George to Lana, I just know it.

“Jolene!” One of my co-workers calls out.Shoot!Immediately, Jim’s eyes widen as they scan the plane. To my surprise, he smiles widely when our eyes meet. He shakes Trip’s hand and then walks toward me.What is he doing? Is he seriously planning to rub it in my face that he has a family? He has a family—oh my gosh. That’s a new low for me. I slept with a married man. A man who’s married with a child!

Too many travelers are in his way, so it takes a moment for him to get through. He is persistent, I’ll give him that. He waves and gives me a small smile. “Jolene.”

For a moment, I debate over pretending I don’t know him. How would his inflated ego like that? Freaking jerk. Instead, I force a smile since there are passengers and a sweet child now between us. “Hello…Jim.”

“How have you been?” His eyes are asking so much more. Those blue green eyes shine bright as they search mine. He has a little more dark facial stubble. His black hair is a little longer on top and messy. He’s also wearing a black leather jacket, white button up and dark denim jeans. And damn does he wear that outfit well. The little girl in his arm is a nice accessory. She’s absolutely adorable. “Jo?”

Him saying my nickname brings me out of my thoughts.Why, that arrogant... What right does he have using my nickname?I put a smile on my face since we have an audience. He must mistake my smile for happiness, or he just wants to further irritate me, because he continues talking like everything is hunky dory. “The stars have aligned, and fate has brought us together yet once again.”

“Yes. Only this time with your family.” I swallow the lump in my throat and maintain my smile, even though my heart is shattering. The mention of family has him smiling with…pride.I just don’t understand how he can be grinning right now.

“Right? I’d like for you to meet my princess, Georgina.” He hoists the beautiful little girl up higher and beams at her. She smiles at me and offers a shy little wave.

“Hello, precious.” I give her a genuine smile, because despite her father being a cad, she is absolutely a doll. I decide to tell her as much, just in case any of my bitchy vibes are radiating. “You’re absolutely precious.” I lean toward Jim and grumble, “Despite who her father is.”

Jim laughs and nods his head in agreement. “Ha. I didn’t realize you knew Dex. I guess most people do know him. It is hard to believe such a little sweetheart–”

“Dex? She’s not yours?”

His eyebrows pull together. “She’s mine…” He holds her tighter, that bastard…the smirk that spreads across his face. He better be glad he’s holding that little girl to his face. “Myniece.” The little girl begins to fidget. “You ready for mama?”

The stunning brunette who had boarded the plane with him comes toward us. “Come here, sweetheart. Is Theo trying to use you to flirt with the pretty lady? He’s such a tool.” I smile, immediately liking this woman. She smiles back at me as she takes her daughter and carries her away toward the front of the plane to first class.

“Theo?” I ask.

“That’s the word for uncle in Greek.” He looks around and then takes a step closer to me. Placing his face close to mine, he whispers, “You know, if I didn’t know any better I’d think you were jealous when you thought–”

“Jealous, more like livid since I thought you were a lying cheater, and not just a liar. You know nothing.” I step back and force my voice to sound professional, “Now, if you’ll please take your seat, sir.”

“Oh, is that how you want to play it?”

I try to school my facial expressions and stand tall. I’m a professional, and I’d deal with him as I would any other passenger. “Sir, we need to get the plane loaded. Please take your seat.”

Instead, he takes a step toward me and whispers, “Not until I get one thing cleared up. I’m not involved with anyone, and I haven’t slept with anyone since you. You kind of ruined me for anyone else, if you must know. I can still smell you, taste you, still want you. And just to clarify, I have family, a lot of nosey, obnoxious family, but no wife and kids.”

I swallow hard and feel my knees about to buckle under his intense blue gaze. Attempting to take back some of my dignity, I respond, “I didn’t think about you at all.”

He grins and takes a step back. “It’s okay. You don’t have to admit it.” He turns his back on me and calls out, “You were always on my mind.” With that, he walks toward first class.

He actually quoted another Elvis song. That asshole.

Jimmy

I hum the hit song, “You Were Always on My Mind,” while I sit in my seat in first class.Fate is smiling down on me. What are the odds that we’d be on the same flight to Greece together?

“I thought I should let you know, since you are committed to this flight now, Thea has already informed the family in Greece that you’re coming to find a bride.”

I almost jump out of my seat. I couldn’t have heard Bianca correctly. “What? No, no, no. Ma promised me she would not play matchmaker. I told her it was the only way I’d go with you guys.”

“She’s not. She didn’t lie to you. Therestof the country is going to do it for her.”

I groan. I guess we know where I get my twisting of words and omitting the truth from. I try to figure out a way to enjoy my summer without having to deal with all the women in my life trying to marry me off.

Bianca shrugs and whispers. “A woman named Pamela is apparently the front runner so far, but I hear there’s other contenders.”

“Hell no to Pamela.”

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