Page 5 of Arrogant Arrival

“Ah,” I hold up a finger. “Hear me out on this. What if fate has brought you here for a reason? Think about it? What are the odds that you’d be sitting right here with me with time to kill? Time to help you get over whatever it is that’s bothering you. And,” I place my elbows on the table and lean forward, “I guarantee you’ll get over whatever it is. In fact, I bet you’ll have a damn good connecting flight because you’ll still be sore in the best way from getting over it – or under it.”

A surprised chuckle escapes her. “I don’t even know what to say to that!”

“Say yes, I mean, it’s really the only answer.” I cross my arms, hoping my bulging biceps and the way my button-up shirt stretches will seal the deal.

“Wow. Let me see if I get what you’re offering?” The way she squints her eyes at me tells me I may not have, in fact, won her over…and now I’m a bit scared. “You’re offering to solve my problems with sex?”Basically.“Pretty sure everyone knows—correction, everyfemaleknows—that that doesn’t solve any problems. Sex complicates more than it helps.”

“Well, aren’t you in a sour mood. What I’m proposing is that a few minutes with me and you’ll be higher than any flight you’ve ever been on.” I stretch out my hands, and give a one-shoulder shrug. “Your solution has arrived.” I spread my arms out farther for her to feast her eyes on all that is the miracle named Jimmy.

“All I can say is wouldn’t that be a very arrogant arrival.”

“I prefer confident.” She shakes her head, so I continue as I let my arms fall and challenge her. “Only one way to prove me wrong?” I tilt my head with a smile.

“That’s not going to work. I’m not worried about proving you wrong because that would insinuate that I care…when I don’t.” And with that, she stands up and sashays away.

I pick up my milkshake and sulk as I take a long slurp. I watch her hips sway in her fitted uniform. I call out, “Now who’s being arrogant?”

Jolene

Despite myself, I silently giggle as I walk away from the gorgeous yet ridiculous man at my table. I’m definitely adding an extra sway to my stride for good measure. If I was on a layover, I might actually take the cocky stranger up on his offer. I wouldn’t have to worry about getting hurt because I’d never see him again. No fears of getting attached. Best of all, he’s not a pilot, so I don’t run the risk of getting hurt again or having to look him in the face anytime in the near future.

I’m halfway to my gate when my phone dings with a text message. That’s never a good sign when you get messaged while you are in an airport. Standing at the gate, I swipe the screen and curse. A bad storm is approaching so my flight has been canceled. I’m stuck in Miami until tomorrow morning for my next shift. Damn. I turn around to make my way toward arrivals and baggage claim. My next order of business is to find a cab and check in at one of the hotels the airline provides for us.

I’ve just stepped on the escalator when I feel someone step on behind me. A low voice leans down and speaks in my ear as the escalator descends. “Now you can’t deny that this is fate.”

A gasp escapes me as I turn my neck to look up. “I’m sure that’s every stalker’s favorite line.”

His deep chuckle causes me to have butterflies in my stomach. I watch as he stands up straighter. “Stalker? Me? I bet you heard that my flight was canceled so you were rushing to transportation in hopes of finding me. You knew I’d need to have a room for the night and that rooms were going to be few and far between with all flights being grounded and were most likely planning to offer to keep me company.” The mischievous gleam in his blue eyes is so playful yet heated. His perfectly straight white smile screams of naughty promises. I allow my eyes to take in my sexy stranger as we ride down the escalator—medium build, black hair, blue eyes that have a hint of green, straight nose, dark facial hair that’s trimmed close, providing the makings for a very nice five o’clock shadow, and olive skin. No wedding ring or indentation where one used to be…that’s a good sign, at least. And to complete the package, he’s wearing a white button up and navy slacks.

“Do I pass your inspection?”

I fight back a smile at being caught sizing him up. “Just barely.”

“As long as I pass.” We step off the escalator and he falls in step with me.

I side-eye him and ask, “Do you have any baggage?”

“Whoa, you don’t mess around, little lady. Oddly enough, I like it. Come clean from the get go. I mean, usually I wait to see if there’s going to be a second date because I like to discuss these matters in private.”

“And byin privateyou mean not inbaggageclaim?” I can’t help smiling at him.

“Huh? Oh!” He gives me a sheepish smile and that’s it, I’m done for. “No, I don’t have any baggage. You?”

“I have everything with me.” I take a step closer to him and lower my voice. “I think I have everything I’ll need for the night.”

He takes a step closer toward me, erasing any space there was between us. “Then let’s go? I booked a room as soon as they announced my flight was canceled. Will you at least join me for dinner?”

I lick my bottom lip and don’t miss how his eyes darken watching me. “I don’t even know your name.”

“Hello, Jo, my name is Jim.”

My eyes widen and I take a step back. “You really are a stalker. How’d you know my name?”

“I was eavesdropping, remember?” He takes another step forward, leaving no space between us again. “Your friend said Jo.”

“It’s actually Jolene.”

“Well, I want us to be friendly, so I’ll call you Jo.” He takes my hand in his. “I want to get to know you a lot better…Jo.” His eyes search mine. I bite my bottom lip trying to fight the smile. When I see his goofy, mega-watt smile, I lose the battle. “There it is. No matter what else happens, for the rest of the night I’ll be a satisfied man. I’ve been wanting to see you actually smile and mean it since I first saw you.”

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