Page 34 of Arrogant Arrival

Now what am I going to do about it?

We’re on our way to the island of Kefalonia—alone.I loaded the car onto the ferry boat, and then go to the upper deck to find Jolene. I don’t see her sitting anywhere, so I check around the lounge and restaurant. She’s not there, either. I go to the top-most deck and find her leaning on the rail at the front of the boat, her jet black hair blowing in the wind, and her strapless blue dress showing off her sun-kissed skin. She’s a vision even from behind. If only she didn’t already say I’m off limits. There’s no way for me to prove I’m not everything she fears, because I am like most of the pilots she’s described. I can’t settle down and commit. That’s why I’m here with a fake fiancée. That’s why I chose this career. My life has evenlesscommitment than the men she’s used to. I’m not tied to a major airline. I make my own schedule and live bymyterms. In fact, this is the most commitment I’ve shown in years toward any woman. It’s somewhat alarming how much I haven’t hated it. Regardless, I have her to myself for two days, in paradise, and I plan to make the most of it. Even if it will hurt like hell when she runs as far away from me as possible as soon as this is over.

Jolene

The ferry boat moves forward and I marvel at how incredibly beautiful the water is. I’ve never seen water so blue in my life. I wonder if the people who live here realize how amazing their country is? Beauty everywhere you look, fun music, amazing food, gorgeous Greek men—why am I leaving in a couple of days again? I’m not Greek, but I’m definitely considering it if this was my life every day. I’m doing it for Jimmy, so why shouldn’t I do this for myself? I laugh to myself and shake my head at how silly I’m being. The sun is making me crazy, so I turn around to go back inside the boat. I come to an abrupt stop when I see Jimmy.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

His hands are in his khaki shorts pockets, and his thin white button up is unbuttoned at the top. “Watching you.”

“Creeper…I knew you were a closet stalker,” I say and try to fight back a smile. “I’m going to go find some water.”

“We’re surrounded by it. Shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“To drink, smart ass.” I take a step, and he jumps in front of me. Raising his hand, he puts a strand of loose hair behind my ear. He’s wearing sunglasses, so I can’t get a read on what he’s thinking.

“Jolene,” he whispers. “I want you to still pretend to be mine. Even though nobody is around. Be mine these next two days, even if it’s only pretend. Be mine.”

I can’t speak because I’d love nothing more than to be his. I hate that he uses the word ‘pretend’ because I’m not sure how much I’m pretending anymore. He’s so sweet, spontaneous, crazy, and childish at times, but it’s all part of his charm. He’s a grown man running from commitment, but I’m a woman who is searching for it. We’re literally running in two different directions, yet still colliding into each other. I’m terrified that he’s going to take my heart and keep running. The sun shines on him as I take in his gorgeous face and sincere eyes that match the Mediterranean Sea behind him. He really believes we can share two days together and come out of it unscathed. I barely survived a passionate night in a hotel room with him on a rainy night. How am I going to survive this real-life fantasy for forty-eight hours? I’m not foolish enough to think he’ll fall in love with me. That he’s going to magically be ready to settle, especially for me when there’s beautiful women throwing themselves at him? That and he has a life of adventure ahead of him. This is the best I’m going to get. But hey, it’s more than most get. I nod, even though I’m both elated and crushed at the same time.

His lips take mine, and I wrap my arms around his neck. My hair whips around us and our bodies sway with the ship. He eases me against the wall and pins me there with his body. The wind and waves are so loud that I doubt I’d hear anyone if they stumbled upon us.

“You’re mine…at least for the next two days,” Jimmy says against my lips. I nod again and he squeezes me tighter against the wall and his body. “Say it to me. Tell me. I have to hear you say it, Jolene.”

“I’m yours.”

Jimmy’s lips crash back down on mine. When we’re both out of breath, he pulls back, “This is going to be the best two days of your life.” He takes my hand and begins to lead me away.

That’s what I’m afraid of.

Jolene

We get settled in a little hotel that’s on a beach that’s not too far from the main section of town. I walk around our small room and open the balcony door. The room is tiny, but the view more than makes up for it. It’s definitely hot, though, so I leave the doors open.

“Is there no air conditioning?”

Jimmy chuckles. “No. You’ll find most hotels in Greece don’t have air conditioning. Why would you need it when you can have fresh air from outside?”

“I don’t know why I asked that, to be fair. Most of the hotels I’ve been to in Europe don’t have air conditioning either.”

Jimmy comes to stand behind me and wraps his arms around my midsection. “A lot of my aunts believe that the cold air from the air conditioning makes them sick anyway.”

“My aunts believe if you don’t wear socks in the winter, you’ll catch your death. And you might as well sign your own death warrant if you go outside with wet hair.” We both chuckle. I look over my shoulder and around him at the small bed. “Is there another room, because I only see one bed?”

Jimmy holds me tighter and speaks into my neck. “I thought we agreed that you’re mine today and tomorrow. I can’t exactly give you the best two days of your life if you’re not with me. I’m good, but even I have my limits. And all I know is that I’ve reached my limits of being good in your presence.” I shiver as I feel his tongue lick my skin before his lips kiss my neck. “If you’re hot, maybe we should remove this.”

His hands gather the bottom of my dress and pulls it up and over my head. Slowly, his fingers feather along my sides. I’m not sure what to do with my hands, because if I turn around to begin to undress him, he’ll stop what he’s doing.And I don’t want that.So, I keep my hands at my side as I simply relish the feel of his own slowly making their way to my underwear. He gives them a tug, allowing them to fall to my feet. I step out and kick them to the side.

“Jo,” he whispers in my ear. “Judging by the way your nipples are poking through your bra and your body is humming, I assume you want me to fuck you as bad as I am dying to fuck you. However, I’d like for it to be crystal clear.” His touches are no longer featherlight, but claiming, as he slides his hands over my bra and squeezes my breasts. He moves his lips to the other side of my neck and trails open-mouthed kisses to my ear. “Tell me. I’m tired of getting myself off when I know how good you feel. How good you taste. How to make you orgasm over and over again. And to have you so close these past couple of days,knowinghow sweet it is to be inside you and not being able to...” A sound close to a growl comes from deep in his throat.

“Shut up and fuck me already.” I turn around and push him. He stumbles back toward the bed with a cocky smirk—and I’m about to wipe that smirk right off his face.

Jimmy

Seeing Jolene take charge and practically demand my dick has me feeling pretty proud of myself. That is, until she speaks.

“You know the main difference between a Greek and an American?” She reaches for my shirt and pulls it off.

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