The truth is, Will gets me. I mean, he really understands who I am and who I could be. I am Terri Irwin when I'm around him—confident and happy and fearless. I’ve even started swinging into the lagoon on a vine. A slippery, wet vine. I run at it, grab hold and swing as hard as I can, then drop into the water, all the while screaming and laughing like a fool. Or an utterly blissful person.
I’ve done things I never would've even thought about doing before, because unlike everyone else I know, Will doesn't have the preformed opinion that I am incapable of anything that presents even the slightest challenge. Not that this type of existence is easy, because it's not, but it is infinitely better than my real life.
Urgh, the thought of my real life gives me chest pains. It was bad before, but that’s nothing compared to what it’ll be like when I get home. Arabella before she went adventuring with a hot, hot man didn’t have a clue what she was missing. She wanted to know what it would be like to be wild and free and utterly uninhibited. But imagining something will be wonderful and actually experiencing it (and finding out it’s ssoooo much better than you even thought it would be) are two entirely different things. The shit part is that as soon as I step on that plane to go home, I’ll be whisked back into a world I don’t want be part of anymore. Only it’ll be much, much worse because: a) I’ve caused a horrible scandal that I’m sure will follow me for the rest of my life, and more importantly, b) I’ll be alone and confined to my stupid luxury box forever without a certain sexlete.
For the first time, I’m completely free and completely happy all day and all night. I'm absolutely, stupidly, crazy in love.
Oh, bugger.
I'm in love.
With a completely unsuitable man who already told me that my life is his version of hell. Those were his actual words. Well, when I asked him what his version of hell was, anyway. It’s not like he said it out of the blue, but still, he did say it. He is never going to want to get married and have adorable little adventure babies, so if that’s what I’m thinking, I better just forget it.
I turn over and watch him sleep, reaching out and tracing his beard with my fingertip. I whisper, “Please don't break my heart.”
But he will. And it’ll be my own damn fault for getting so wrapped up in someone I can’t have. So far, we’ve been playing it casual, like we both know this is just a quick fling that doesn’t mean anything, but the truth is, I want him to be my forever. And that is not going to happen. As soon as we walk out of this jungle, I’m going to get my heart stomped on like a grape in a winery barrel.
He opens his eyes and grins at me, pulling me to his deliciously warm, naked body.
Oh, that is very nice. You know what? For once, I won’t overthink what I’m doing. I'm just going to enjoy it, and if it ends the second we get to Mbambole, well then, I am going to have an entire lifetime of remembering this moment right now while he, oh, my, that’s why he woke up. Mmm …
What happens in a few days is Future Arabella's problem, and I refuse to worry about her. Not when he’s doing that.
“I thought of the perfect nickname for you,” he says, nuzzling my neck.
“You did?” I ask in a breathy voice.
He kisses my collar bone. “Belle.”
“So, after all that thinking, you just shortened my name?” I give him a teasing smile.
He shakes his head. “Belle, as in the bravest of all the Disney princesses.”
“I thought that was Mulan. Or Miranda, you know, the one from Brave?”
“They’re fine, too, but you remind me of Belle. When the movie starts, everyone underestimates her, but deep down she’s fierce—like you.” He nibbles on my ear lobe, making it impossible to concentrate on what he’s saying. Will props himself up on one arm and traces my lips with his finger. “The way she sacrificed herself for her father and stood up to the Beast? Come on.”
I lift my head and give him a kiss. “Are you secretly a big fan of Disney cartoon princesses?”
“Emma made me watch those movies over and over when we were kids,” he says.
“They are great movies.”
“Yes, they are, but don’t ever tell anyone I said that.”
“What you would do if I told someone?”
He looks up for a second as though considering the question, then grins. “It’s more like what would I stop doing…”
“Which would be?”
Oh, he’s going to show me his answer instead of telling me. Mmm. “I’ll never say a word.”
ABN Nooner Newscast – Tuesday Edition
“Good afternoon, I'm Veronica Platt with the ABN Nooner News. Our top story this lunch hour remains the mystery of the missing princess. It's been seven harrowing days for the people of Avonia without any sign of Princess Arabella. Although palace officials put out a brief statement yesterday morning, hoping to put a stop to the myriad of rumors throughout the kingdom, it seems for many, it's a case of too little, too late.” Veronica stares into the camera with a stern expression. “Giles Bigly, our man on the scene, joins us live from the Langdon library, where a meeting of the Avonian Introverts Society was just held without their patron.”
The screen splits into two and Giles is seen standing next to a middle-aged man wearing a button-up shirt, a brown bowtie, and a tweed jacket.
“Giles, can you tell us what the impact is on the Avonian Introverts with regard to this shocking story?”
“Yes, Veronica, I'm here with Mr. Fred Bundy, president of the—”
“I’m sorry. Did you say Fred Bundy?” Veronica asks, cutting Giles off mid-sentence.
Mr. Bundy rolls his eyes and lets out a sigh while Giles says, “That’s right, Fred, as in Frederick.”
“Bundy,” Veronica says.
“Let’s move on from that, Veronica. I gather it’s a bit of a sore spot. Anyway, Mr. Bundy is the president of the Avonian Introverts Society, a small group who have enjoyed Princess Arabella's patronage for the past three years. He's one of many Avonians growing increasingly concerned and frustrated with the palace’s vague statement regarding her whereabouts.”
“Yes, Giles, I'm going to read that statement out for those of our viewers who haven't heard it yet. It was sent to the various news outlets yesterday, and it reads, quote, ‘Princess Arabella is fine and accounted for. There is no reason for alarm, and we assure you she will be returning to public life shortly.’ Mr. Bundy, can you hear me?” Veronica asks.
The man nods once and mumbles, “Yes.”
“Excellent,” Veronica says. “Were you given any prior notice of Princess Arabella's disappearance or did you find out at the same time as the rest of us?”
Giles holds the microphone to him while he speaks quietly. “We got a call on Monday to say she couldn't make it.”
Veronica nods gravely. “And if I may, who exactly placed that call?”
“Her assistant, Mrs. Chapman.”
“And how are the good people of the Avonian Introverts Society handling this alarming news?”
“Veronica,” Giles cuts in. “Perhaps I could interview my guest since I am the man on the scene.”