I sighed in defeat. I had been thoroughly ambushed by her.
“Okay.”
I followed her out the door and down the street to the local chain coffee shop, where I ordered a plain coffee and she purchased a caramel latte. After we collected our drinks, we sat down in a two seat-table near the back.
“I had a speech prepared, but now that I see you, I can’t bring myself to say any of it,” Dani said. She took a sip from her cup. “I will say that I’m upset you went back on your agreement with me.”
I glanced at her through my lashes. “I had…I dropped the charges. Declan hasn’t come back to my office. The locks have been changed at my apartment. I haven’t needed to do any deliveries at work, so I didn’t think it was right wasting David’s time….”
“Making sure you’re safe is not a waste of time,” Dani interjected. “It’s important to me. You’re important to me and Jonas.”
Jonas. The mere mention of his name had my pulse racing.
“I don’t understand how or why. You barely know me. And Jonas and I are not together anymore.”
“I don’t need a timeframe to care about you,” she said softly.
I looked down at my cup in shame. “Even though I dropped the charges?” I asked, just above a whisper.
“Even though you dropped the charges.” She covered my hands with hers. “I’m more upset that you disappeared, and I wasn’t sure how you were doing.”
She moved her hands back to her cup. I watched her take a sip, not knowing what to say next.
I finally said, “You may not need a time frame, but Jonas does…did. We’re not together anymore…We’re friends.”
Dani’s actions hadn’t been that of someone who didn’t care. She had gone above and beyond for me. I had avoided her to keep her away from all that was going on between Declan and me.
“I would hardly call it friendship when you refuse to take his calls for weeks, and asking you to spend time with him doesn’t mean he’s asking for a timeframe,” Dani said in his defense. She blew out. “Jonas has been miserable, to put it lightly. The time he had you around was pulling him out of all that. He was positively shining when you were together.”
I swallowed hard. “I was happy with him, too, but that’s not possible now.”
“Well, I won’t lie,” she paused.
My face fell. Like me.
Her eyes clouded. “Jonas has pride, and yes, he has tried to move forward with Melissa….”
My heart shattered inside me and I found it hard to focus on what Dani was saying. Jonas had moved on from me, just as I had expected him to do. Just as I had pushed him to do.
“She can try to manipulate him,” Dani was saying. “But it won’t work, especially after that trip to Connecticut. I was sorry I wasn’t able to go, but I understand you did. His mother was always cold to him. And, well, his father was demanding and controlling. He’d tried to shape Jonas into a miniature version of himself. Jonas thinks he’s become him, but he hasn’t. Maybe even because of you, he’s hasn’t. Melissa can’t give him what he needs.”
I lifted my face to meet her eyes, which were staring intently at me. “What is that?”
“Love and compassion. Someone to care for,” Dani said. “He has my love. And Paul’s. But…do you love him?”
Yes. That was the answer she seemed to want to hear above all else today.
“I do. He knows how I feel. I told him I loved him. I thought I did, anyway. But he was right. We haven’t been together long enough for that.”
We both sipped our drinks.
Dani finally said, “Why are you avoiding him?”
I stared at my cup. “I’d rather not say.”
“Fair enough. You’ll say it to him,” Dani said. “Once he sees you, he will damned well insist.”
My heart skipped a beat. “He’s still in town?”
“Yes. He didn’t go back to Texas,” Dani said with a hint of amusement at my shocked expression. “I’ll call him now, and let him know you’re at the office.”
I reached out and touched her arm, then pulled back. “Don’t interfere.” Then very quietly, I added, “Please.”
Dani moved her chair next to me and put her arm around me. “Why are you afraid? You’re about to get everything you want.”
I gave her a confused look. “What do you mean by that?”
She only smiled. “I’ll leave that for you to find out. You have also run out of time on telling Jonas about Declan. I’m telling him everything.”
I shook my head frantically. “No, please. You can’t.”
She pressed her lips to my forehead. “You’re warm. Are you feeling okay?”
I swiped the beads of sweat from around my hairline. “I’m a little tired.”
Dani’s eyes bore into mine. “From all that running.”
I nodded, unable to speak. I knew she wasn’t just talking about my physical exercise, or the fact that I was ill. I had been running for a long time. Running away, avoiding…lying. I was physically and mentally exhausted.
She gave me an empathetic look. “I don’t like secrets. We have always been open and honest with each other. I can’t do this to you or to him. So accept this and understand. I hope in time you will come to know I’m not doing this to hurt you, but to help you.”
I opened my mouth and closed it. I could tell she had reached the end of her patience and was going to do this no matter what I said to her. And, though it angered me, I surrendered. Her posture was all-authoritative, but it softened as she studied me.
“Don’t worry. Everything will work out.”
She gave me a side hug then stood up, leaving me staring after her as she walked out of the café, her phone already at her ear.
I slowly walked back to the office. I busied myself at my station, but all the time my mind raced as I pondered what Dani was telling Jonas. What would he do? Would he care?
As the afternoon went on, I became weary, but then my phone chirped. My hand trembled as I read the message from Jonas.
He texted
No more avoiding me. It ends today.
CHAPTER 15
I felt my pulse in my ears as I sat pinned to my office chair. Dani had told Jonas what happened and he was coming to get me. What his “getting me” meant, I didn’t know. My cowardice had me wanting to flee before he came, but my exhaustion, along with my curiosity, had me remaining still. The truth was, I missed him. My love for him made me wait.
My phone beeped and my heart leapt. I fumbled as I took it to view the message. My heart stopped. It was a photo. This one was of me naked from the back, sleeping on Declan’s bed. As I gazed in horror, a text message came in.
I showed this one to the guys at work today. Some of them would still do you. This is for all your text messages bothering me about your stupid stuff. You bother me. I’ll bother you.
My body absorbed the weight of my thoughts as I placed my head in my hands. Dani was wrong. Jonas and I wouldn’t get our time. Declan held my memories hostage and photos that could not only destroy me, but Jonas, too. Sure, he’d be prosecuted, but after the damage was already done, damage to my reputation, and Jonas’s. God, I cursed the day I ever met him.
The air shifted in the room and I didn’t have to look up to know who was there. I felt him all over me. I lifted my head up and faltered.
“Jonas.”
He stood there, a vision in a dark designer suit that tailored his frame impeccably. His crisp white shirt stood out from his tanned skin. His black hair was a little longer than I remembered a month ago, and fell back in waves, showing off an uninterrupted view of his prominent cheekbones and sensual, full mouth. As I met his eyes, our connection sparked, sending a shiver through me. His eyes turned stormy as he scanned me from head to toe. A frown deepened on his face with every step. I casted my eyes down. My heart beating hard against my ribcage as I waited for him to close the distance between us. My eyes followed his polished leather shoes out of th
e corner as he stopped behind me, trailing his hands down the side of my face and to my neck before settling them on my shoulders.
“What have you done to yourself, my Tiger Lily?”
I shuddered and closed my eyes. His. I could have wept. All I wished I could be.
“I don’t know what I want to do to you more,” he continued, his voice strained. “Scold or hold you. I’ll decide later.”
“Jonas Crane.”
We both turned, and Gregor was standing in his doorway.
“Gregor,” Jonas said.
He started to move his hands away, but paused as my body lifted up, not ready to part from his touch. He walked in front of me, and I trembled as his hand grazed my chin. I could avoid and deny all I wanted, but in front of Jonas, I was lost to him.
“I’m here to pick up Lily,” Jonas said authoritatively, his body stiffening.
Their polite discomfort added to the whispers buzzing around the floor.
My face warmed as I looked at Gregor, willing him to privacy.
“How about the three of us step inside my office?” Gregor asked diplomatically.
Jonas’s jaw ticked, but he said, “Yes. That’s a good idea.”
Jonas took my hand, helping me to my feet, and I stumbled.
“This will have to be quick.”
The concern in his voice had me looking up at him. His face was stricken and my heart stuttered. He placed his hand on the small of my back, and I looked around us. The whole floor was now crowded around. Jonas followed my gaze and came to the realization this wasn’t the place to cause a scene. He straightened, putting his mask back in place along with his body language that exuded confidence.
“Yes, of course,” Gregor said.
We walked into his office and Gregor closed the door.
Jonas guided me to take one of the seats. He removed a pile of books from the second seat before he sat down, resting his hand possessively on my knee. My head turned to Gregor, eyes wide with questions, the first of which being whether he would let his hatred of Jonas turn into a fight here.
He shook his head and winked at me. “It’s fine, Lily. I just want to speak with him,” Gregor said assuredly.
I let go of the breath I had been holding.
Gregor turned his attention to Jonas. “Dani informed you about—”
“Declan. Yes, she did. I just learned about it today,”
The hurt and disappointment in his voice had me hunching in my seat. His hand touched my back and pressed in, feeling along my ribs. He cursed under his breath.
“I want you to know that Lily is very important to me as an assistant and as a friend. I don’t want her to be hurt in any way. So tell me what your intention is,” Gregor said.
“Gregor….” My voice cracked. Risking Jonas as a client was not something Gregor could, or should, do. For the sake of Arch, he needed this win. I ruin everything I touch. “I’m sorry, Jonas. Gregor didn’t mean that. He….”
“Meant every word of it…and that’s okay.” Jonas tilted his head. “Gregor has his feelings about the past, and I have mine. But it’s important for him to know that my intention for you is between us.”
Gregor jutted his chin, his eyes shifted to me. “Is this what you want to do, Lily?”
I licked my lips. “Yes,” I whispered.
“Okay, but if you need me to come get you….”
“You most certainly will not,” Jonas said.
I frowned. “Stop, please.” I turned to Jonas. “I have work. I can meet you after….”
“No. You’re leaving with me now,” Jonas said.
Gregor held up his hand. “You can go. I’ll send you some of the files. Marketing said you could do some edits for them as extra work.”
“She won’t be doing extra work,” Jonas said and folded his arms. “You obviously know Lily’s situation is serious. So, are we done?”
I glared at him. I didn’t expect Jonas’s rudeness, nor did I want him to mess up my job.
“I most certainly will….” I swiped my forehead.
Gregor gazed at me and the corners of his mouth turned down. “No, Lily. I agree with,” he paused and sighed. “I agree with Jonas. I think you leaving right now is…for the best.”
He turned his sad eyes to me. I didn’t understand and gave him a questioning look.
“I can stay. I don’t want to leave you without help.”
“It’s okay, Lily. Mark can fill in for a while.” Gregor lips curved. “You should go now. We’ll talk about it later. I’ll call and check-up on you.”
Jonas immediately stood up. He shook Gregor’s hand then took mine, walking us to the door. I looked over my shoulder. My eyes connected to Gregor’s and he winked.
“It’s okay, Lily. Go with Jonas.”
I gave him a weak smile. “Thank you.”
I closed the door behind us, leaving me at Jonas’s side. Jonas being a renowned businessman, as well as a potential celebrity client—not to mention the fact that he was gorgeous—had created a stir around our corner of the building. The crowd had doubled since we’d gone into Gregor’s office. People were milling around, acting as if they were busy, and all the while sneaking as many peeks as they could.
Jonas surprised me by wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug. “I’ll save the scolding for later.”
Just then, my phone sounded, alerting me to a new message. Was it Declan? My heartbeat picked up. What was I doing? I couldn’t go. I needed him to understand.
“I wish I could go with you, but I can’t. You don’t know what’s going on….”
He swept me up off my feet. “I’ll carry you out of here.”
“Put me down,” I protested, looking around in a panic. The eyes of all of my co-workers were on us. “Why are you behaving this way? Everyone is staring at us.”
“I don’t give a damn. You lied and deceived me for weeks. I gave you time, and I can’t give you anymore. I won’t give you any more,” Jonas said with irritation in his voice. He eased me back to my feet and tucked me close to his side, as if he feared breaking contact. “You’re coming with me walking or over my shoulder. Your choice, but we leave now together.”
My heart skipped a beat as I stared at him. The feelings that I had for him engulfed me. He moved us to my desk and unplugged my phone with his free hand. A tear slid down my cheek and I let out a whimper. He turned around and cupped my face before kissing my forehead.
“Everything will be fine.”
I stared at him in awe as he picked up my handbag and put it on his shoulder. “Gregor and Arch need your meeting.”
“We’ll discuss Arch and everything else later. Right now, we need to get you better,” he said.
I curled my chin under. I wanted Jonas to see me as strong, but he saw me as weak.
“There is no ‘we.’ I take care of me. I don’t want you to take care of me.”
Jonas flattened his mouth into a line and shrugged. “You’ll adjust.”
He took my hand and started walking, forcing me to follow him. He kept his hand tight as we went down the escalator. Ignoring the looks from the Arch staff that recognized him, he moved us forward and out of the building.
Once in front of his car, David took my things from Jonas. The look he gave me brought tears to my eyes. His gaze was so full of concern I didn’t even understand it. I climbed inside with Jonas seated next to me.
“Your doctor’s address?” Jonas’s tone was clipped.
I wanted to argue with him, but I could see from his expression he was hurting, and I ached for my part in it. So I told him.
“Dr. Steinman on Park and 52nd,” I said. “But why do we need to go there?”
He didn’t answer, just took out his phone. “Jessie. Crane, here. Call Dr. Steinman’s practice, and get an emergency appointment for Lily Salomé. We’re on our way there.” He repeated the address.
I pursed my lips. “I don’t see any reason I need to bother my doctor. He has a busy practic
e. I could be waiting to see him for hours.” Then another thought occurred to me. “What about your work?”
“That’s for me to worry about,” Jonas said. “He will see you today.”
He was a warrior in the business world now. I imagined him charging in and ordering Dr. Steinman to see me, and stifled a laugh. Dr. Steinman was ex-marine and no nonsense. It would be quite a show.
He told David the address and we sat in silence on the drive to Dr. Steinman’s office. Jonas’s demeanor left no room for negotiation, and his grip on my hand left no room for escape.
I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. “Jonas. We need to talk.”
“Oh, that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about, Lily. We will talk and you will tell me everything,” he said, enunciating every word with conviction.
My heart skipped a beat. Jonas going all commando actually turned me on, despite all that was going on around me. The purse of his full lips was also undeniably sexy.
I turned my head to hide my toothy grin while Jonas brooded next to me. Once I collected myself, I said quietly, “I’m happy to see you.”
“Come here,” Jonas said in a low rumble. I moved a little, and he took that as an agreement to take me in his lap and hold me there.
Jonas had taken me. I closed my eyes and relaxed in his arms, allowing myself to enjoy this dream.
CHAPTER 16
“So, what am I supposed to tell them?” I asked as we walked inside the doors of the building housing Dr. Steinman’s office.
Jonas’s eyes dulled as he tightened his grip on my hand. “My assistant told them you’re ill. They’ll check out the rest,” he said assuredly.
I exhaled and walked inside the medium-sized doctor’s office. It had all the staples of most doctors’ offices, peach-colored décor, and framed posters of happy, healthy people doing the right thing hung on the walls. The space was complete with a fish tank gurgling in the corner. The small seating area had a coffee table littered with magazines and a couple of people seated in the cushioned seats. One looked okay, while the other looked like they were a minute from barfing. Note to self, sit as far as possible away from that person.
Tiger Lily: Part Two Page 13
