Two Weeks of Sin

My heart skipped a beat or two when we lifted off, but once we were in the air, I found myself amazed at the view from the airplane window. Fluffy white clouds and the deep blue sea below – a view I never imagined I'd actually see.

Yet there I was, on a private jet with an attractive, rich man who swore he wanted nothing more than to enjoy my company and spoil me silly.

I had to admit, I was warming up to the idea of spending time with Nico. Maybe it was the champagne, or maybe it was his stunning, sexy eyes and the way they watched me as I stared out the window. He smiled, causing a dimple to form in his cheek.

He was enjoying this, and I couldn't deny that I was beginning enjoying it too.

CHAPTER THREE

“We're preparing to land, Sophia,” Nico said softly.

I was curled up in my seat, reclining back comfortably with a super soft blanket draped over me and fluffy pillow behind my head. I looked around and realized I had no idea how long I'd been asleep. I'd originally planned on a short nap, but according to Nico, we were almost at our destination, which meant I had to have been asleep for hours.

I stared back at him, blinking, confused and disoriented for a second. Then it hit me. I needed to put on my seatbelt and get seated properly.

“Oh, thank you,” I said, yawning as I moved back into a seated position. “That went by fast.”

“It tends to do that when we sleep,” he said.

Given his case of bedhead, it looked like he'd also taken a nap. His normally impeccably styled hair was a little more ruffled than usual, which I had to admit, was pretty cute.

“We should be on the ground in fifteen minutes.”

I stared out the window and still didn't see any sign of land whatsoever. All I saw was the bluest water I'd ever seen in my life and gauzy white clouds, which were

slowly disappearing as we descended beneath them.

“For your first time flying, you're a pro,” Nico said as we landed. “Didn't seem nervous at all.”

“It wasn't as bad as I thought,” I said.

Partially because being with Nico made it less scary, and partially because of that delicious champagne.

“Good, I'm glad to hear that,” he said. “And I hope you find the rest of the trip isn't as scary either.”

I lived in California, so I was no stranger to palm trees and the beach. Though I hadn't been to the beach in years – thanks to not having the time or the money to get out to the coast. As the plane descended, I found myself excited at the prospect of landing and seeing what the South Pacific had to offer.

I looked over at him and he flashed me a warm smile. I found that it was hard to remain uneasy when you were with someone like Nico. He just made you feel relaxed and comfortable, even though everything about this trip was unorthodox to say the least. I was surprised to find though, that I suddenly started feeling less like a commodity my father had sold, and more like a friend who'd been invited on an amazing trip.

Once we were on the ground, we were escorted to a limo with air conditioning and even more champagne, and were whisked away. It still felt like a dream to me. Nico handed me a glass and smiled.

“You seem more relaxed already, Sophia. I'm very glad.”

“I am,” I said, taking a sip of the bubbly. “Thank you for being -- well, not a murderer, I guess?”

He laughed. “I'm not a monster, I swear,” he said. “Just lonely. It's been a long time since anyone has joined me on a trip and I always enjoyed sharing these times with friends.”

“Oh?”

I found it hard to believe that Nico had any trouble getting a date. He was rich, incredibly attractive, and very kind. I would bet that most women would drop everything for a trip like this and not think twice about it. It made a small voice in the back of my mind suddenly question if maybe something was wrong with him after all. I wondered why he'd had to pay for my company when there should have been a line of women at the tarmac begging to be brought along.

“Yeah, after my wife died –”

“Oh God, I'm sorry,” I said, my eyes wide, suddenly feeling very sorry for those unkind thoughts.

“Yeah, she died about a year ago. Cancer,” he said, his eyes softening as he looked away from me.

“I'm so, so sorry,” I said, now feeling terrible for thinking that something was wrong with him. “How long were you married?”