Tiger Lily: Part One

by Amélie S. Duncan

  As I moved back to the door, I saw an open closet with terry cloth robes and slippers. Let them eat cake, indeed. I was delaying, but I couldn’t hide out for the whole evening. He didn’t see anything, just an awkward bend and my hands grappling under my skirt. I can face him again, I prepped myself.

  Leaving the bathroom, I put away my nylons and then turned around and gazed over the large living area.

  I stood next to the couch and tried to curb my dreamy expression as Jonas leafed through a leather bound menu. He had removed his suit jacket and was now in his dark slacks, his white shirt unbuttoned at the collar. He glanced at me and patted the seat next to him.

  “Have a seat. We’ll order together,” he said.

  Right on cue, my stomach growled. Sitting down a little further over than his instruction, I attempted to view the menu by leaning over. Jonas turned and studied me for a moment, then moved his arm up along the back of the couch.

  “I won’t bite, at least not right now.” He winked at me.

  I laughed, and eased closer until my pencil skirt brushed his trouser leg. Inhaling deeply, I caught the incredible fragrance of his cologne, but that wasn’t the only distracting thing. His dark hair and almost turquoise eyes were striking. Combined with his chiseled features he was, as Dee would say, exceptional.

  He brought the menu closer. “What would you like to eat?” he asked.

  My face fell as Declan’s words filtered through my mind. You lost some. You’re still a fat spoiled princess.

  “I usually don’t eat too much at night,” I said ignoring the lowering of his brows as he stared at me. “Maybe the infamous Waldorf salad, and a Mezze Platter?”

  Jonas shook his head. “That’s not enough food for dinner. You’ll eat a proper meal,” he said dryly as he flipped to the entrée section again. Apparently he wasn’t letting this go, and he had invited me to dinner, so I tilted my head and bent to the task of searching the menu again.

  Jonas tucked a curl back in my bun and smoothed my hair in place. “Do you like chicken? Turkey? Beef? Fish?” he asked.

  My breath hitched. Should I be letting him do that? He just did what he wanted. It unsettled, yet intrigued me. I could feel the heat of his body so close and tried to suppress the shiver that went through me.

  My pulse sped up as I timidly pointed to a seafood selection. “I like them all. I love Sea Bass.”

  “Good. Grilled Sea Bass and Waldorf salad,” Jonas muttered. Before I could respond, he rose and walked to the phone and ordered a Sea Bass and salad for me and a steak for himself. He also added two deserts, a truffle cheesecake and chocolate cake. When he turned back around he caught my scrunched face and grinned.

  “Just in case you’re still hungry.” He winked.

  I smirked back at him. Charming and intimidating.

  Jonas returned to the couch and sat down facing me. “Let’s get back to where we left off, you grew up in Quincy, completed your Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology at Boston University, work as a publishing assistant at Arch. But you wish you were working as a cultural researcher or doing some philanthropy project for the disadvantaged.”

  My face lit up. “You remember all that?”

  “My memory is holding up well,” he said evenly. “How old are you?”

  I smirked. “You’re not that much older than me. I’ll be twenty-five in a couple of months.”

  “That’s twelve years younger than me.” He titled his head up.

  “It’s just a number,” I said. “Doesn’t mean anything.”

  Jonas’s mouth curved up. “We are not only different in age, but in circumstance.”

  My shoulders dropped. I was still reaching for my dreams, and he had already achieved his. “My parents were different in age and circumstance. My father was twenty years older than my mother.”

  “Is that so?” His brow raised. “What did your parents do?”

  I licked my lips. “My father was a principal viola player for the Boston Symphony and my mother was a first grade teacher at Marymount.”

  “What happened?” he asked. “If you don’t mind my asking.”

  I stared at my hands. “They were killed in a drunk driving accident. Well, I don’t necessarily consider drunk driving an accident: the killer chose to drink and drive….” I said bitterly.

  His face held warmth and empathy. So much so, I felt tears threaten my eyes. I averted my gaze and attempted to gather my senses. Not now. “It was years ago. I’m fine.”

  Jonas frowned. “You have more family?” he asked, clasping my hand.

  I swallowed against the lump in my throat as I stared down at his hand holding mine. “No. Can…‌can we please talk about something else?”

  He started rubbing soft circles on the back of it and I would have given everything I had for him not to stop. “We can, if you’d like,” he said.

  I shrugged. My mind went completely blank.

  “Paul, my son, is a prodigy pianist. He’s at Julliard,” Jonas offered.

  “That’s great. My father was a child prodigy in violin and viola. You must be really proud,” I said politely.

  “I am,” Jonas’ eyes clouded over. “I only wish I could say I had been around to help him cultivate it. With work, I’m in New York, if I’m lucky, twelve days a month. Less when he was growing up.”

  I squeezed his hand.

  “He’s fifteen now, and, well…‌a handful. No longer easy. I regret that.” He turned his ring.

  I glanced down at his hand then met his eyes. “Why do you wear your ring?”

  He offered a weak smile. “Now you moved into a subject I don’t want to talk about.”

  My head tilted down. “I’m sorry. It was none of my business.”

  “I didn’t want the press to know my private life,” He gripped his knees. “And to be honest, it feels like I failed. I guess removing the ring makes that failure real.”

  I placed my hand over his and added a light pressure. His earnest, raw confession touched me. I met his eyes and saw a sadness that I wanted to somehow chase away. But I had no idea if I could, so instead, I offered whatever assurance I could. I moved further still until I was against his chest. He wrapped his arms around me.

  “I never said that to anyone, not even to Dani.” I could hear the surprise in his voice.

  Gazing into his eyes I said, “It’s part of our conversation. I won’t tell anyone.”

  Jonas leaned down and kissed me. His mouth moved over mine with smooth and firm expertise. As quick as it started, he broke the kiss, and searched my face as I panted in his arms.

  Whatever he found had him seeking my lips again, this time with urgency. He swept his tongue inside my mouth and slid it against mine in a teasing caress that I felt down to my core. My breasts swelled as I pressed against him, my own desire and need seeking more from him. A moan rose from my throat, and he answered with his own as he held my face and continued our kiss.

  The door chimed, and a voice called out, “Room Service.” Breaking away, he gently smoothed my hair and back. The air shifted between us and I could sense his reservation.

  “We’ll talk more after dinner.” He stood and walked over to the door, and I traced my fingers over my lips, a tingle coursing through my body. His kiss had the taste of more.

  Standing up, I made my way over to the table as the waiter walked out and closed the door behind him. Jonas held out my seat for me, and I thanked him and sat down.

  Once we were both seated, he held up his glass. “I always start a meal with a toast, so please indulge me,” he said. “’What is a man, if his chief good and market of his time be but to sleep and feed? A beast, no more.’ Having you here is a pleasant hiatus from the monotony of my work. Thank you.”

  I lightly tapped his glass and beamed at him. “Hamlet.”

  “Yes.” He took a sip of his drink. “You, Lily, give me hope for the youth of today.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I’m hardly a sample of the youth of today. My fath
er used to say ‘all Salomé’s must have a fine grounding in arts and literature.’ He used to assign me homework growing up.”

  “I like that, and wish I had done so with Paul. But he’s too much like me. He’s a rock lover. Beatles and Led Zeppelin are the only ones in his collection I can listen to.”

  I laughed. We ate in silence for a few moments. I found the grilled Sea Bass to be heaven on a plate. The salad was equally delicious.

  “I love the Beatles too,” I finally said.

  “My all-time favorite songs are Maybe I’m Amazed, Something, and Women. All so beautifully crafted. The words are so honest and raw. They say I’m afraid. I’m imperfect. I love you with all my heart.” I was babbling.

  I met his eyes and flushed, “Sorry, I tend to ramble.”

  “You’re fine. I’ll also take a road away from time to time,” Jonas replied, his tone light.

  “I have a great fondness for that song and that love. You’re a romantic,” he said.

  I dipped my head and smiled. “I suppose I am.” I glanced up and found his eyes on me.

  We ate the remainder of the meal in a comfortable silence. The food was one of the best meals I had in a long time and my belly appreciated every morsel by me clearing my plate.

  “I see you were hungry.” Jonas smirked at my clean plate. “Would you care for dessert?” He ran his hand through his hair, giving me one of his winning smiles.

  My face fell as Declan’s comments on my eating habits came to mind again. Never full. Always packing it away eh, Lily? “I’m stuffed, truly, thank you.”

  “You alright?” Jonas touching my arm. “Did I say something?”

  I shook my head. He didn’t. “Sorry. It was just a thought. I’m fine.”

  Jonas sighed. “You’re not. Come here.” He tugged my hand until I stood and pulled me into a hug, which I took, molding my body against him. His body was solid muscles under his shirt and as I inhaled, my nostrils filled with his incredible scent. He was truly intoxicating. What was probably a minute seemed longer, and when we parted I would have given anything to be in his arms again.

  Nevertheless, we cleaned up and stacked the items on the cart. Afterwards, he escorted me back to the couch to sit down.

  “Now, for the next part of our evening,” Jonas began, suddenly formal. “Did Gregor send over a copy of the proposal with you?”

  Work…‌of course. I stood and walked over to my bag and removed the proposal. Handing it to him, I sat back down.

  His gaze stayed on my face as he flipped to the back page and signed. “I’m agreeing to place Arch Limited on the short list for presentations to me in six weeks. A space left for the top three I’m considering to publish my book.”

  My jaw dropped. “Wow. Seriously?! Wow. Gregor, my boss is going to be over the moon!” I exclaimed. “Thank you, Mr. Crane. I will go and call him now and‌—‌”

  “Wait.” Jonas placed a hand on my arm and I sat back down. “There’s more. But Arch’s agreement has nothing to do with what I wish to discuss with you next.” He rose and refilled our drinks and handed me a glass of wine and sat down facing me.

  “As you know, I travel for work. And as I said earlier, I’m in town for about ten days a month. I’m divorced. And you are single?” Jonas asked.

  I nodded and took a sip of wine. “Yes. I am.”

  “Do you have friends in the city?” he asked.

  I shrugged. “Not really. Well, I do have my roommate, and my boss. But my best friend Mary lives in Boston. We try to see each other often, but with graduate school….”

  “So no one you spend time with here?” Jonas putting his glass down and waiting for me to answer.

  I licked my lips. “Well, I guess Gregor. He comes over for my silly old movie marathons, with a few acquaintances, but no one I’m dating or seeing much of.”

  “I know you went to the symphony. Did you enjoy it?” Jonas asked.

  I nodded a little. “Yes, I did.”

  Jonas paused. His gaze intent as he placed his arm along the back of the couch. “Are you lonely?”

  My eyes darted over him, but I kept my mouth closed, not sure if I wanted to answer.

  “I know I am,” Jonas admitted, his hand running through his hair. “Dani has moved on. She has Alan now, and my son Paul is busy with friends. I’m finding myself alone when I come back here. I have friends, but it’s different.”

  I ran my hands down my arms. “I can imagine. With Declan, his friends were friendly to me when I came down to spend time with him; but when we broke up, my friendships with them ended.”

  Jonas reached out and lightly clasped my hand and let go.

  “Lily,” his gaze bore into mine. “I would like to see you.”

  My pulse sped up and I clasped my hands together. “See?”

  “Yes. I hate going out alone. We’d go to the symphony, the opera, and various engagements. Basically going out in New York with me.”

  My mouth went dry. “I. I don’t know what to say? Why me?”

  “You’re beautiful, and easy to talk to. You’re smart and unassuming.” His lips curved. “The rest I go with my instinct.”

  I moved my hair in front of my face to hide my smile. He thinks I’m beautiful? “So like…‌dating?”

  Jonas blew out. “Not exactly. I’m not ready for a relationship. It would be more like companionship.” He took a sip of his scotch.

  My brows knitted. “Companionship like friendship?”

  “Well, we are acquaintances now, and with our conversations, I hope we develop a friendship. But companionship is not solely friendship.”

  “What would make this companionship different?” I asked.

  “Sex,” Jonas said bluntly. “I want to have sex with you as well as spend time with you.”

  A clenching low on my body had me shifting in my seat and a silly grin spread across my face. Jonas wants to have sex with me? Should I be flattered or offended?

  “You alright?” Jonas lightly touching my shoulder.

  I jumped in my seat. “Sorry.” Lost in my thoughts, I hadn’t realized I’d been quiet for a few minutes.

  “I won’t bite you. At least, not yet,” he said in a low rumble. The exact same words he said earlier in the evening. The heat of his gaze left no doubt the words and his intent were deliberate.

  My breath hitched. I touched my warm cheeks as my mind imagined seeing the body of the beautiful man next to me. My face fell as I thought of my own body and Declan’s words to me. You’ve a pretty face, but your body….’ “I don’t see how you could or would want that. You haven’t really seen….”

  “I do. I’ve thought of little else since Friday,” Jonas said candidly.

  My face turned to hide my delight, and polished off the rest of my wine.

  Jonas reached out and steadied my hand as I returned it to the coffee table. My mind struggling to comprehend Jonas’s confession, and offer to me while my body heated wanting to take what he was offering.

  Sex. His choice of words sunk in further. Not love making. This wouldn’t be dating, he said companionship. He wanted something like a business arrangement. Would I want to do that or would I feel used?

  “What would it involve?” I asked. “Besides the…‌sex,” I said just above a whisper and blushed.

  Jonas tilted his head, a ghost of a smile on his lips. “It could be like tonight, dinner and conversation.”

  I frowned. “Just…‌like that. Meet for sex like a contract escort?”

  Jonas shook his head. “No. Just a verbal understanding between us. This is not transactional, but if there’s something you want, I’d be open to getting it for you. As far as sex, only when you’re comfortable with me. I’ve been tested recently and I’m clean. I can give you the information, but this arrangement, this companionship, would involve you being available for me.”

  My face scrunched. “You don’t even know me. How could you be so sure? I mean, I’m on the pill.” I took a glimpse of him. Smoking h
ot. “I’ve only had Declan as a sexual partner, and was tested after we broke up because I suspected he was cheating, but yeah, I’m clean.” I babbled. I clasped my hands over my mouth, but my sex life and lack thereof, spilled out. “God. What am I saying? I can’t do this.”

  He looked away and brushed his hands down his face. “You’re innocent. I can’t do this with you.”

  I crossed my arms. His words bothered me. Perhaps it was my Salomé’ ideals overtaking my insecurities. “Ha! Now you think I’m not worldly enough to be your friendly companion?”

  “You just said you didn’t want to do it anyway.” His hands tunneling through his hair. “And yes. Your lack of experience is a concern of mine.”

  I pursed my lips. “You were married for sixteen years,” I quipped. “That hardly makes you a Don Juan.”

  Jonas eyed me as a mischievous smile appeared on his lips. “Well, since you brought that up. We had a polyamorous time in the earlier part of our marriage. I wasn’t innocent before that either.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m even discussing that with you.”

  I pursed my lips. “You want to share me? No way.”

  “Sharing was something Dani wanted, and I was open to it as well.” His gaze swept over me. “No. I won’t share you.” Jonas reached his hand out and stroked under my chin. “You’d be mine. My companion.”

  My heart pounded in my chest. He said the words with conviction, and I couldn’t suppress the thrill that went through me at the thought that he would want me all to himself.

  Jonas eased his hand away and sighed. “Please leave this in our conversation. I’ll have David return you to your home, and as I said, Arch is still on my short list so you can share that with Gregor Worton.” He lifted the paper for me to take. “I’m sorry if I offended you.”

  Averting my eyes, I made no movement to reach for the document. “Is this because of my lack of experience in bed?” My shoulders hunched.

  “No. In a way, your inexperience sexually turns me on,” he said frankly. “What I’m not sure about is that you’d be able to handle just companionship. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  I sucked my bottom lip. He still wanted me in and out of the bed to spend time with him. But there would be nothing beyond friendship. Could I do this?