Page 36 of Arrogant Arrival

“Tsk. Tsk. Where is your head? I was going to saycunningmind.”

I roll my eyes as he stands there looking devilishly handsome with a wicked grin. We go back to walking, and easily find the little restaurant I’d spotted. There’s outside seating with twinkling lights strung from the surrounding trees even though it’s not dark out yet. It’s a very romantic and intimate little spot. I point and say, “Here.” Jimmy smiles and leads us to a small little table for two in a corner. I look out to the ocean and listen to the gentle waves.

“You chose a very romantic place. But I’ll go ahead and break the news to you…I’m a sure thing.”

I roll my eyes at him again, and then sigh. “I think everywhere here is romantic. Look at this place. In fact, you’re the one who suggested we go to an island, just the two of us. But I’ll go ahead and tell you, I’mnota sure thing. So you might want to up your game, buddy.”

Before he can give one of his cocky remarks, our waiter arrives. Jim speaks to him in Greek and the waiter hands us our menus with a single nod and leaves. Thankfully, the menu is written in Greek and English. I’m starving, so everything sounds appetizing. I decide to go with the tou tou makia, a chicken with noodles and a red tomato sauce. The waiter returns with wine. As he pours our glasses, I raise an eyebrow at Jimmy who is looking smug. His facial expression clearly readschallenge accepted.I was only teasing him. I am definitely a for-sure thing for him while we are here, even if my heart won’t survive it. I thought we’d already established this. Obviously an afternoon spent in bed was a sure sign that he didn’t have to try too hard with me. Either way, I’m excited to see what he has up his sleeve. I take a sip of my wine while Jimmy tells the waiter our order in Greek.

As the waiter walks away, Jim makes a dramatic display of picking up his napkin and placing it in his lap as he keeps his eyes focused on me. “Do you have a bucket list while here in Greece? Especially while we’re away from all the others.”

I take another sip of wine and then smile at him over the cup. “I think–” All kinds of touristy things are on the tip of my tongue, but I stop and look out into the ocean again. The waves are calming. Fewer and smaller waves hit the shore now. Even the ocean that’s always moving slows down from time to time. “Relax.”

“Okay, I am.” He tilts his head toward me, “Believe me, anything you say I’ll probably be game for. Don’t worry. Tell me.”

I giggle. “Not you relax. That’s what I want to do. I just want to relax. No plans and absolutely no schedule. I want to take everything slow and easy.”

“Done. The rest of the night will be spent in leisure, and tomorrow we’ll take the day as it comes.” He holds up his wine glass and waits for me. I take mine and hold it up. We clink our glasses together and drink on it.

“That sounds absolutely perfect.”

Our tomato and cucumber salads arrive, along with some olives and bread. As we eat, music plays over the speakers and my body involuntarily sways. I don’t even realize I’m doing it until I catch Jimmy watching me. He tosses his napkin on the table and stands, holding his hand out to me with a smirk.

“Um, nobody is dancing?” I mumble, refusing to take his hand.

“That’s their misfortune.” He gestures with his fingers for me to stand.

“Jimmy, sit down. Don’t you have any pride?”

He tosses his head back and laughs. When he begins shaking his head, I know I’m in trouble. The music changes to an upbeat melody. Jim’s hips sway as he brings his arms up, snapping his fingers.

The waiter comes walking quickly over to us. I want to cover my head. We’re about to get kicked out, and that’s pretty damn hard to do seeing as we’re already outside. Jimmy continues to dance, completely oblivious to the waiter. I try to warn him by discreetly pointing to look behind him. But then the waiter arrives and shouts, “OPA!” He claps, and then to my surprise, literally kicks his foot back and slaps the heel of his shoe. He falls into dancing with Jimmy. I look around, trying to figure out when I fell into some Greek musical.

Jimmy turns to me, and judging by the look in his eyes, I know I’m in for it. He begins swaying his hips more slowly, and suggestive. He makes his way closer to my chair. This is payback for when I danced for him. His blue-green eyes have gone dark, and a few black strands of his hair fall forward into his eyes. A few people stop and watch, and it’s easy to spot the tourists from the Greeks. Mostly because one set gawks and has their phones up, while the other set are clapping and snapping their fingers to the beat of the music. Jimmy begins to slowly ease back from me. The song is coming to an end, so he turns to the onlookers. He sings part of the words of the song very loudly and then does a spin and kick. He holds his arms out and dramatically bows. Everyone laughs and claps. What a showman he is.

I shake my head at him as he sits back down. “Unbelievable.”

“Believe it, sweetheart.” He takes a big drink of his wine. “And believe that before this trip is over, I’m going to have you out there dancing and turning tricks in the street.”

“That makes me sound like a hooker.”

“Fine, I’ll have you dancing on top of the tables.”

“Not better.”

“Oh, I know a club where you can get on stage with the singer and we throw rose petals on you while you dance.”

“You want me to dance on stage now? At least that sounds more legit.” My voice drips with sarcasm. “Instead of flowers, can you throw money at me, instead?”

Jimmy chuckles. “We only do that at parties.”

“What?”

“At parties. You know engagement parties, weddings, baptisms… While everyone dances, we throw money and it helps pay for the band.”

“Really? I was only joking, but now that sounds kind of fun. I’ll dance and you can make it rain singles on me. I’m really loving this Greek living.”

“Don’t be silly. I’d at least throw a few fives in.”

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