Tiger Lily: Part Two

by Amélie S. Duncan

  “Come,” he demanded as he flexed and teased me.

  Then he let go of my leg and slid his fingers on my clit. He played it like an instrument as he slammed against me until I came feverishly, clenching around his cock.

  “Fuck,” Jonas said.

  His head fell back as he released hard inside me. He picked me up, and he was still hard as he carried us to the bed together.

  “Jonas, stay with me,” I said huskily.

  He lowered me back on the bed.

  “I’ll never leave you.”

  “Miss? Your massage is done.”

  I jolted awake, suddenly unsure of my own surroundings. Another dream? Damn him.

  I dried off and wrapped the robe around me. Exiting the room, I was immediately handed another glass of champagne, which I drank a bit too quickly. The alcohol went straight to my head, and I floated on to a wax, facial, manicure, and pedicure.

  Changing back into my clothing, I peacefully went back to the suite with Carrie, and she opened the door for me. Before it closed, she had someone drop off a couple of bags “complimentary” of the spa. I knew Jonas had done this again, but I was too blissful to care. I quickly sent a message to him.

  That was wonderful, and now I’m exhausted. Do I have time for a nap?

  He wrote back.

  A short one. I should be back in an hour.

  I went straight into the bedroom and flopped down on the freshly made bed. Before I reached REM, the sound of the door opening and a movement assailed my ears. Jonas had mentioned he wasn’t going to stay in the hotel. Was he running late?

  A voice spoke loudly in the room. “Put the clothes in here.”

  I sat up and watched Melissa Finch cross the doorway and stand in the bedroom. She looked stunning in a designer black dress and stilettos. Her long, blonde hair was perfectly styled in smooth waves. Her blue eyes narrowed, breaching her flawless profile as her attention settled on me.

  “We need the bed changed, too.”

  “Yes, Ms. Finch,” a bell person said as he rolled a cart in with a full set of high-end luggage.

  I was wide awake now and tried to straighten up. I tightened my ponytail and smoothed my shirt in place.

  “Hello, Melissa,” I muttered.

  She eyed me coolly. “Would you mind getting up? I need someone to come in here and get our room together.”

  My heart constricted and I stood up, following her command of me. Their room. Jonas wasn’t mine.

  “Sorry,” I mumbled and stood as guilt crashed over me.

  Whether Jonas was willing to acknowledge it or not, and whatever type of label he had for the two of them, he had cheated on Melissa with me.

  “Dad didn’t tell you to make her get up. He said he would do it.”

  Jonas’s teenage son, Paul, said as he entered the room. He was a miniature version of Jonas with his dark wavy hair and chiseled face. His sea blues, like Jonas’s, shone with mischievousness. His wide smile was all Dani. He did an overtly obvious assessment of me, and the corners of his mouth turned down.

  “You’re still hot, but you don’t look so good.”

  Melissa laughed while my head tilted down and I fidgeted with my feet. Out of the mouths of babes.

  “I’m alright. Good…‌Good to see you again, Paul,” I stuttered.

  “I’d still date you in a heartbeat,” he said and winked at me.

  I let out a huff and folded my arms as he chuckled.

  “I’d like both of you to go into the living room,” Melissa said, bringing our attention to her.

  I wasn’t too happy with being ordered around like a child, and neither was Paul. He planted his feet and crossed his arms like he wouldn’t be moved without force.

  “One,” he said. “I don’t take orders from you. And this is my dad’s suite, not yours.” His snark was palpable. “Two, you’re lucky I don’t want to be in here with you either.”

  Melissa faced towards him. “Three,” she chided. “You don’t speak to me with disrespect. I’ll have to mention your attitude to Jonas.”

  She scowled at Paul, but he smirked, apparently unfazed by her threat.

  “We don’t want to be in here with you anyway,” Paul spoke for the two of us and motioned for me to follow.

  I found myself chasing after him. My heart pounded in my chest as I passed by Melissa. I didn’t know why, but I was afraid of her. I suppose because I had never had the experience of being the other woman.

  Before I closed the door, she called out, “Get someone to change the bedding, now. It stinks in here.”

  CHAPTER 21

  “Don’t mind me,” Paul said, walking over to the couch and taking a seat. “I’m just here for the show.” His face took on a cat-ate-the-cream look. “Dad was supposed to be back already, but you know how it is. When he has to work, he always runs late.”

  I listened for menace in his words, but didn’t find it.

  I glanced at him. “That must be hard.”

  “Yeah, but it’s his thing,” he said. “I have my music. My mom has her art and business. I do like him being around more, and he sends for me to come to him if he has to be away longer than he wants. I get a free vacation, and we get our time. Win-win.”

  I beamed at him and moved closer to the couch. “That’s a great way to look at it.

  He smirked. “I don’t even know why I told you that. Mom and Dad said you have a way of getting people to tell you stuff. You should work for a tabloid or something. Sweet and pretty, no one would see you coming.”

  I giggled. “I don’t know about that.”

  The little flirt. He would be a heartbreaker in a few years.

  “I didn’t get you to blush? I’ll have to try harder,” Paul said with a lopsided grin.

  The bedroom door opened behind us, and the sound of Melissa’s heels hitting the uncovered hardwood floor startled me. Paul chuckled.

  “I don’t believe we formally met. I’m Doctor Melissa Finch, Jonas’s girlfriend,” she said, stopping in front of me.

  Her red polished lips curved up into a beauty pageant-esque smile. I suppressed the blow at the mention of her being his “girlfriend” and plastered on my own smile, holding out my hand for her to take.

  “Yes. You’re right. I’m Lily, nice to meet you.”

  Her jeweled encrusted manicured hand limply shook the tips of my fingers.

  Paul shook his head and laughed. “Surprise.”

  “Behave,” Melissa said to Paul. She lifted her chin and walked over, sitting down on the couch next to Paul. “Take a seat, Lily.”

  I fidgeted and reluctantly walked over, taking the chair across from them. Where was Jonas?

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “I wasn’t aware you were…‌Jonas’s girlfriend. I don’t want to cause any trouble or anything….”

  “Too late for that.” She glared at me, then relaxed her face. “But you were aware that we were together before you came and spent the night in his bed. Correct?”

  My cheeks heated to burning as I glanced between Paul and Melissa, not sure if I wanted to answer her enquiry in front of his son.

  “I…‌I…‌Jonas came to my work,” My words stumbled out as I consciously skipped over the last night in his bed part, though my face, which I was sure was scarlet, pretty much told everything.

  She snorted. “So you jumped back into my boyfriend’s bed because he came to pick you up from work?”

  I pursed my lips. “I don’t want to talk about this in front of Paul.”

  “If you knew Jonas, you’d know he’s open and honest with his son. But that’s not your style, right? You show up and then push him away and just when he’s moving on, you come right back in to mess him up again.”

  My face fell. She was hitting every one of my insecurities. “Jonas insisted,” I argued. “I didn’t mean to mess up his life. He came to me as…‌a friend.”

  “Jonas doesn’t fuck friends,” Melissa said bluntly.

  My jaw dropped open at her
crass words, though I was thrilled that she thought Jonas being intimate with me meant something.

  “I’m not discussing this with you,” I said, recovering.

  Paul laughed and Melissa smirked

  “Oh, yes you are. I tried to speak with you before, after your betrayal with Ian, but you refused to listen. Instead, you went about trying to manipulate him by getting sick to keep him.”

  I tilted my head down in an attempt to avoid showing her how much her words affected me. I knew what she said wasn’t true, but the way she said it had me questioning myself.

  “That was low. Shut up, Melissa,” Paul hissed at her.

  “You don’t tell me what to do,” Melissa snapped back to him.

  “Where the hell is Dad?”

  Paul reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, walking a few paces away from the couch.

  Melissa turned her anger back on me. “Jonas has a tender heart, despite all he experienced with an absent mother and an unavailable father. He needed to explore his limits and gain some control over his life after his divorce. He sought a companion, someone willing to meet him where he was ready, but instead he found you. I told you as much before, but you didn’t listen. I mean, why are you even here?”

  “He insisted I stay with him while he’s in New York, as his friend,” I cleared my throat. “I was planning on going back to my place today. In Jersey City.”

  She rolled her eyes. “For his stay in New York, not beyond that. Right?”

  I gave her a blank look and she stared at me as if I was daft. It then clearly occurred to her that perhaps I didn’t know what she was eluding to, so she decided to enlighten me.

  “Jonas doesn’t just intend to visit for a week. He intends to relocate back to New York.”

  My jaw unhinged. I looked over at Paul, who didn’t confirm or deny what she’d told me.

  Instead, he said, “Dad’s on his way, but he’s missing the good stuff.”

  “I thought he discussed this with you. But then, you never really tell the truth and I don’t know you well enough to know when you are lying,” Melissa said with a wave of her hand.

  I blinked and didn’t answer.

  “I heard about your little trouble, and, well, I have a friend in real estate here in New York. I can help you find a new place. I even have a friend that could let you rent her place today,” she said.

  I hunched my shoulders. “Did you hear me?” My voice raised. “I have my own place in Jersey City.”

  “Leave her alone, Melissa,” Paul said, also raising his voice.

  “Quiet, Paul,” she snapped back, and curled her lips. “We can present the idea together to Jonas when he gets here.”

  I stood. Why Jonas hadn’t shared his long-term plans was beyond me, but I wasn’t going to spend another moment in her presence, let alone take her backhanded offer.

  “No. I’m leaving.”

  Melissa cackled. “Running away again? I guess that’s your pattern. I’ll be sure to tell Jonas as much when he gets here.”

  Paul shook his head. “You can’t leave. Dad will lose it, and you don’t want to be responsible for that, hmmm?” he asked with a grin.

  I glared at him, and he chuckled.

  Where had running away ever gotten me? No. I wasn’t going to run this time. I lifted my chin as I turned my focus back to Melissa.

  “You’re right, Melissa. I have no right to be here, and I didn’t know Jonas was staying in New York. If he is with you, this has nothing to do with me. As I said, I have my own place.”

  Melissa’s face lit up and a wide grin spread across her face.

  I folded my arms. Whatever happened I would stay. “However, I am going to wait and speak with Jonas.”

  Her smile eroded just as the door swung open and Jonas walked in with force.

  “Dun dun dun dun, the plot thickens,” Paul said, and laughed. “Damn it. No popcorn.”

  He leaned against the wall.

  Jonas’s eyes flashed to Melissa, who rose to walk over to him. “You told me you were hung up in arrivals at the airport, but Paul texted to tell me otherwise. Why didn’t you call me?” He was met with silence as all the air left the room. “What’s going on?”

  “Don’t I get a greeting?” Melissa asked and touched his arm.

  Jonas’s gaze shot to me, and I didn’t disguise my hurt or hostility.

  He stepped away from her and asked again, “What’s going on?”

  “Melissa said you’re her boyfriend and for Lily to stop fucking you,” Paul chimed in.

  Jonas’s eyes flashed. “She what?” His anger filled the room, but I couldn’t yet tell where it was directed. “Wait…‌Paul, go down to the car. I’ll have David run you back home.”

  “Oh, come on, Dad. I don’t want to leave. Hey, I can help out. She even offered up a friend of hers for Lily to stay with,” Paul said, a little too much glee in his voice.

  “That’s enough,” Jonas barked.

  Paul shut his mouth, but didn’t remove the grin on his face. Jonas pulled out his phone and made a call. His voice was the only sound in the room. Once he finished he turned back to his son.

  “Sorry, Paul. We’ll have our own day together this weekend. I promise,” Jonas said.

  “Don’t sweat it, Dad. I understand you have your hands full. I can only hope to have the same trouble one of these days.”

  Jonas gave him a pained look. “I hope not, son. I’m sorry.”

  “It really is okay, Dad,” Paul said in a moment of seriousness. He looked over at me. “I’m rooting for you, kid.”

  I blanched.

  Paul snapped his fingers. “I was going for a blush. See ya.”

  Jonas hugged him and closed the door behind him.

  “Now what the fuck is going on?” Jonas asked. “Sit down, both of you.”

  Melissa went dutifully over to her seat on the couch, but I wasn’t ready to fall in line.

  “I’d rather stand.” I said.

  His brow rose at me as he settled in the chair I had previously occupied.

  “Just another example of her trying to control you,” Melissa said.

  Manipulating bitch. I conformed and went to take a seat. I sat on the couch and scooted as far away as I possibly could from Melissa.

  “First of all,” Jonas said tersely. “I don’t know what you were thinking or why you would speak that way in front of my son. He is off limits.” His eyes bore into Melissa’s. “Don’t ever, ever speak that way in front of him again.”

  “He would have found out anyway,” she said.

  “His finding out is my choice, not yours. You’re not his mother, Dani is. And the two of us are raising him. Not you, Melissa. Not you.”

  Her hand trembled slightly as she smoothed her dress in place on her lap, the only evidence she was disturbed by his words. “Fine. I don’t think that’s healthy, but fine. You really can’t blame me for being upset that you brought your ex back over and spent the night with her, though. You told me you would give us a try again.”

  “As companions,” Jonas said. “We’re not in a commitment, Melissa. You’re not my girlfriend.”

  “Neither is she,” Melissa said hotly.

  “I’m not,” I said. “I’m Jonas’s friend, and I take responsibility for last night. Yes, I knew you were something. But I…‌I wanted Jonas and I don’t regret it.”

  I could feel his eyes on me.

  “I don’t either, Lily,” Jonas said. “I wanted you, too.”

  “Jonas. I understand you having sex last night and I forgive you,” Melissa said, breaking apart our moment. “But I still don’t understand why she is here. I know you feel sorry for her, and she looks dreadful, so she might be a little sick, but really? She’s so fragile. How could she manage to fit into your life? She’s not from our circles. She can’t possibly have experienced half the things I’ve done sexually with you. She can’t handle or meet your needs. Hell, she was ready to run away before you came in.”
/>   I looked at Jonas, and my heart tumbled over at the pain and distress on his face.

  “I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to mess up your life. I didn’t get sick on purpose to manipulate you. I got sick because…‌because of Declan. And my parents. And everything. She’s right, I’ve been weak. But I never wanted that to affect you. I pushed you away because I didn’t want my problems to fall at your feet. I tried.”

  I wiped my face and gulped in air as my last words became incoherent. “I did what I did to protect you and everyone you and I care about. Because I ruin everything, and I didn’t want to ruin you. I left out love, Jonas. Because I do love you.”

  I put my head in my hands. The seat next to me dipped and I felt Jonas’s hand rubbing my back.

  “There she goes again. Trying to manipulate you,” Melissa chided.

  “I’m surprised by you, Melissa. You of all people. A psychiatrist, a women’s advocate,” Jonas bit out.

  Melissa jutted her chin. “I am, and I’m proud of that, but this is my personal life and our relationship. I love you, Jonas, and I believe in us. I relocated to Texas to be closer to you….”

  “And I told you not to do that,” Jonas said, his voice softening.

  “I did it for us. I’m willing to compromise and meet your needs. I know you, your family, everything. She doesn’t even know the half of it. What can she love? It’s all lust or desperation for a hero to rescue her from her circumstances. That much I know for sure,” Melissa said bitterly.

  “Enough. Get out, Melissa,” Jonas demanded, heat taking over his voice again.

  “You told me you would give us a chance,” Melissa pleaded once more, her voice now pained. “But for her, you’re altering your life. That’s not healthy for you or her. I’m very disheartened by your abrupt change, Jonas. And I believe I deserve more than just a call informing me you’re basing yourself back in New York. It’s not like you to act so impulsively.”

  We were all quiet for a moment then Jonas said, “Actually, I’ve been planning a return to New York for a while. Most of my business is here. I just moved the date forward. I don’t want Lily going back to an apartment where she was violated. That’s not healthy or safe.”