All I knew about private planes was what I’d learned from the movies, but I’d like to think that between my natural street smarts and the pint of vodka rolling around in my stomach, I played it pretty cool. When the stewardess came round and asked me if I’d like a glass of champagne, I politely declined, asking only where the extra life vests were kept so that I might fashion myself a raft. She disappeared soon after and I never saw her again. A few minutes after Marcus came on board, we strapped ourselves to the chairs and the flying deathmobile shot off into the heavens.
“Rebecca?” A deliberate pause. “Rebecca, are you still with me?”
I opened my eyes to see the striking face of an ethereal billionaire staring back at me.
“Did anybody ever tell you how beautiful you are?” I asked.
“You’re being so nice and giving me so many compliments. I’m enjoying this.”
“Maybe you should keep me all liquored up. I’m a much better time.”
He laughed.
“Hey, Marcus. What did you think of our kiss? Was it all part of the fake girlfriend act? To really fool those doubters? Or was it for real? And I can only ask you this now because I’m shit-faced.”
“It just happened. I didn’t plan it. You took my breath away, and it was spontaneous.”
“But how was the kiss itself?”
“It was sweet, hot, and very passionate.”
I smiled. “I thought so too. It was an Oscar-worthy kiss that took lust to a completely new level. I wish I could’ve dragged you up to my bed, because, damn it, yes, it was that was smokin’ hot! And just for the record, when I start drinking, never ask me qu
estions. Because I never hold anything back.”
His eyes twinkled. “Were you attracted to me the second you met me? Or was it the cash I threw in your face?”
“I was extremely attracted to you. Part of me wished that everything I told those women was true. When I saw you, I wished it was all real. And when I waited for you to shoot me down…you didn’t. You just went along with it. My gosh, you were a complete stranger. I was in your house, at your party, telling those women I was your girlfriend. And you went along with it.”
“Did you see the look on their faces?”
I laughed. “Priceless.”
“I wasn’t going to let those cougars tear you apart like that.”
“I appreciate that so much. I had no right to do that.”
“I’m so glad you did. Or else we would’ve never met.”
“That’s sweet. You’ve forgiven my deception.”
“I would’ve done anything for you. And at that party, I wished you really were my girlfriend and that I was really showing you off.”
“But you don’t believe in girlfriends.”
“I didn’t. But at that moment, I wished you were all mine, and only mine.”
“You played the part so well,” I said. “I loved how you came up and kissed me.”
“That was a nice added touch.”
“Well played. I guess I’m just lucky Mr. Takahari liked me or you would’ve gotten another girl to play the part.”
“It was really too late to get another girl. He took an instant liking to you. If I would’ve come with a different girl and claimed it was my girlfriend, he would’ve deemed me a player. So when you announced to everyone that you were my girlfriend…”
“You were stuck with me. I totally screwed you. I’m sure those women pointed me out, and I was the talk of the party. I’m sure Mr. Takahari knew who I was before you even introduced me.”
“I like being stuck with you. You’re different from any other girl I’ve ever met.”