I took the elevator back up and settled down at my cubicle before opening the card sticking out of the top.
Tiger Lilies for Tiger Lily.
Not nearly as beautiful as you.
Dinner reservations at 6:30 p.m. and La Traviata
Sucking in air as I read over the note, I waited for the pain to grip around my heart at the mention of my parents’ nickname for me. A twinge was still there, but not the consuming dread that had at times paralyzed me. Was I finally letting go, or was it Jonas? Inhaling the aroma of the flowers and staring at the note, another tingle went through me. It had to be Jonas. Not only had he sent me flowers, he included an invitation to the opera and dinner tonight. He considered me a romantic? I beamed as I took my phone to text him after I placed the flowers on my desk.
I love the Tiger Lilies. You didn’t tell me you were taking me to the opera tonight!
Right away, he texted me back. It was a surprise. I’m glad you like your flowers. I’m looking forward to tonight too.
I texted again. How’s work?
He replied. It’s going well. I should have it all finished in time for my flight tomorrow.
I sank back into my chair. After everything that had happened, I had almost forgotten he was flying away tomorrow. I didn’t even know when I would see him again. We hadn’t discussed the companionship since the first night. What would I do if he decided he didn’t want to continue?
I found myself worrying over Jonas throughout the afternoon, and the distraction was making the simplest of tasks take twice as long. I wasn’t getting any work done, so I decided to take the rest of the time off. I sent a message to Gregor, who was due back in town tomorrow evening.
Sounds good. Let’s go to Sophie’s tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.? I’ve got so much to share with you.
I texted him back. Sounds good. See you tomorrow. Thanks.
I sent a quick message to Jonas. Leaving work early. Are you at the hotel?
Jonas sent a texted back. I’ll send David to pick you up in 30 minutes.
I texted in turn. No need. I’m out the door. I’ll be there soon.
I closed my cell and quickly packed the rest of my things. I waited a few minutes, but didn’t get a response to my message. I walked down the street and around the corner, flagging down the first taxi I saw. I was rounding 51st and Lexington in under twenty minutes. I paid the taxi and walked into the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. It wasn’t until I approached the door and heard the elevated voices that I started to feel alarmed. I knocked on the door and everything went silent. Is everything alright?
I pressed the door button.
“I’ll answer it,” a young male voice sung out. Before I had a chance think about it, the door swung open and a tall muscular young male with an angular shaped face, thick black hair, and sea blue eyes stared at me with a mischievous grin on his full lips. He was a younger version of Jonas. His son Paul?
I lifted my brows. “Excuse me, I’m, Ms. Lily Salomé.”
“Now I understand what Mom’s talking about,” he said and motioned widely for me to come in as I reluctantly crossed inside the suite. My eyes met Jonas, who was standing by the couch with a grim expression on his face.
“This is my rude son, Paul.” Jonas folded his arms.
“You cut in on our father and son time,” Paul said curtly to me.
My cheeks warmed. “I’m sorry. I’ll go.”
Paul laughed hardily. “You’re hot when you blush.”
“Paul,” Jonas hissed, “apologize. Now.”
“No sense of humor,” Paul said. He sidestepped Jonas. “Sorry, Lily. You’re prettier than his past girlfriends and his latest in Texas.”
I felt the blood drain from my face. “Girlfriends?”
“That’s it. Consider that snowboarding weekend cancelled,” Jonas barked.
Paul rolled his eyes. “Not like you to overreact, Dad.” He walked over and picked up his coat from the back of the couch. He winked at me. “I need a date to the dance in a couple of weeks. Just putting it out there.” He chuckled and strolled out the door.
“I’ll be back,” Jonas called out on his heels. After about ten minutes, he returned to the room.
I touched my warm face. “Well, that didn’t exactly go well.”
Jonas groaned and then combed his fingers through his hair. “Paul decided to skip his afternoon classes and surprise me. He loves to get a rise, which I’m afraid will probably get worse than better. I apologize for his behavior.”
I frowned. “What did he mean about your latest girlfriend in Texas?” He walked over to me and took my bag out of my hands and walked to the closet.
“I had a companion in Texas, but we’re back to being friends again,” Jonas said, matter-of-factly.
I walked over to the couch and sat down. “So you date and have sex with them, then push them back to friends? I’m confused.”
Jonas walked over and sat down next to me. “I’m not ready for a commitment, and we made better friends. So yes. She was a companion and now she’s a friend.”
I frowned. “It’s just more than I ever experienced before.”
“I know,” he said slowly. “Which is why I hesitated in offering companionship to you.” He took my hand and faced me, and a tingling sensation went through me. “Are you having second thoughts? I know I want this to continue after I leave tomorrow.”
I stared at his handsome face and saw desire and a hint of uncertainty. This powerful man seemed just as confused about what was happening between us as I was about him. I wanted the pleasure. I needed it. I needed him. “No, I’m not. I just find it all a bit overwhelming. But I do want to continue our companionship.” I opened my arms. He took me in, pressing his body against mine and kissing me.
I moved back from him. “What did Paul mean by Dani?”
His mouth curved. “Dani thinks fondly of you and she has been talking about you.”
My eyes widened. “Really? I barely talked to her.”
He placed his finger under my chin and lifted. “Like me, she goes by her instincts.” He gazed at me warmly, melting my insides. I glanced down at his lips and he leaned in and gave me a chaste kiss. “Let’s take a shower and get dressed. I want you bare under your dress tonight.” He stood up and held out his hand.
“This suite has two bathrooms,” I said, stalling.
“Yes,” he said with a glint of amusement on his face.
I swallowed and took his hand, happy he hadn’t asked me to spell out my meaning.
He reached in and turned on the shower once we reached the bathroom. I turned my back to him, and my fingers jittered as I struggled to unbutton my shirt. My insecurities raced through my mind. I jolted as Jonas pressed his body behind me and eased his hands around my waist.
“I know this is difficult for you, but think about what we shared. I love your body and I want to see you,” he said quietly. My heart stuttered at his understanding of how years of insecurities wouldn’t be solved in a few days. It then dawned on me that he was working with me to create new memories, and that touched me deeply, quickening my resolve as he took over removing my clothing. I stared up into his eyes and focused on what was before me. Desire was evident as his gaze wandered freely over my form, his mouth lowering to kiss and suckle my breasts as he removed my bra. His fingers teased my pussy as he removed my panties. I reached out and explored his body, moving over the solid plains of his chest and down to his thick cock, now engorged and the tip glistening with pre-cum. I bent down and moaned as I licked off the salty sweetness.
“Come here, beautiful,” Jonas pulled me up and into his arms and kissed me deeply, then guided us inside the shower. The steam surrounded us as the warm water beat down on our bodies. He maneuvered me forward until the cold tile hit my back. “Give me your leg,” Jonas instructed, holding his hand out. I balanced my hands on his shoulders as I lifted my leg and he grabbed a hold of it, bending at the knee as he lined up his cock to my slick entrance and dipped the head in.
We both groaned loudly at our joining. The sensations fired off in utter bliss.
“Don’t move,” he gritted as he held my leg and hip tightly, setting a slow pace. With every roll of his hips, he sunk his cock deeper, angling it to massage my clit as he drove this torturous ride to ecstasy. The pressure at my core was so intense that I grunted, and Jonas was right there with me. Our eyes connected and the surge of electricity sparked between us. I realized we were synced, riding the edge to oblivion. As he lifted me higher, he plunged deeper than he had ever been before and I yelled as I came hard, my whole body tremoring against him. Jonas followed after me, crying out my name in his release. A sob crawled up my throat as another orgasm rocked my body.
I wrapped my other leg around him, clinging to him as if he was my last lifeline. His hand stroked down my back and he held on, keeping our connection. After a little while, Jonas eased me down to my feet and I leaned up to kiss his lips. He stroked his hands down my face, but didn’t say anything, just started washing me. I was calmly sated and didn’t oppose as his hands roamed freely over my body. For the moment, I savored the feeling of being more than his companion; of belonging to him completely.
Once we were finished, he set me down on my feet and we walked back into the bedroom, where we went about changing for the performance and dinner. As I returned to the bathroom to get dressed, I decided to forego Jonas’s request for no panties. I just felt too naked without them. In a strapless bra, garters, and silk nylons, the ensemble would surely still appeal to him.
The black velvet cocktail dress was one I had worn to the symphony a few years ago, but still appeared current. I polished off my look with my long black hair up in a twist, cursing myself for not calling Dee for a quick hair appointment.
As I was putting on my red lip balm, I caught a glimpse of Jonas standing in the doorway in his immaculate black suit and felt a tightening low on my body. He looked drop dead gorgeous. He grinned as he walked up to me.
“You look stunning, Lily.” He bent down and kissed my cheek. “You keep looking at me like that, and we’ll have to stay here.” I put all my feelings into my face.
He hesitated, then kissed my forehead. “Let’s go,” he said quietly.
I sighed and nodded. He walked us out and collected our coats, helping me into mine, then we headed out the door.
The Lincoln center wasn’t too far from Waldorf Astoria. Jonas helped me out the car and I felt like a child at an amusement park. I had seen the opera house many times in films, but to be here was simply magical. As Jonas pressed the small of my back, I stood transfixed by the grand fountain out front of the hall.
He had to practically tug me away to steer me towards the walls of windows, before the stone center. As we crossed the threshold, I took in the immense ornamental balustrades and the crystal chandeliers in the auditorium. It was a spectacle of the senses and I was transformed along with the crowd hall of people dressed in their finest for the performance.
“We have reservations,” Jonas said as he steered me through the crowd and towards the entrance of the Grand Tier Restaurant. We barely paused at the entrance before we were escorted to a table overlooking the courtyard of the center. As I took the seat next to Jonas, my lips formed a wide grin. “I can’t believe you arranged this.”
“To tell you the truth, I have season tickets,” he said. “We used to, well, I used to, drag Dani along.”
I giggled. “My dad and I dragged my mother. In fact, she would fall asleep at Tanglewood Festival. Give her a fiddle and a washboard and she was in heaven.” It was at that moment the waitress came by and Jonas ordered salad and filet au sole for me and beef tenderloin for himself and a bottle of wine.
Jonas ordered for me without asking again, but I didn’t mind as I was completely distracted by the ambiance.
I took a sip of my wine. They brought the Arugula and endive salads. “My parents met through a fundraiser for the art camp I mentioned before.”
“Perchance to Dream, the Salomé’ Love Legacy,” Jonas said and winked at me.
I beamed at him. He remembered. “Yes. She sent out letters for performers and one letter had serendipitously reached my father.”
“A serendipitous letter, I like that,” Jonas grinned.
I smiled and ate my salad, then said, “My dad showed up with his viola and my mom said to him, ‘So what can you do with that fiddle.’”
Jonas exhaled. “That must have ruffled him,” he said.
I giggled. “Yep. He told her he was a Principal viola with the Boston Symphony.” I did my best impression of my father’s prideful voice. “He set out to edify her error and played a piece for her. She responded by telling him, ‘You’ll do.’” Jonas laughed. We finished our salad and our main dishes were served.
I moaned as the filet practically melted in my mouth.
“I like that sound, but I think the scream in the car was better,” Jonas said.
I flushed for him. “I can’t look at David anymore.”
“Don’t worry about him.” Jonas smirked. “He’s seen and heard worse.”
I scrunched my face. I didn’t want to hear about Jonas with someone else. “You pig.”
His eyes flashed and he lifted his chin. “I didn’t mean me. David has a life outside of driving me around you know.”
I casted my eyes down and took a sip of my wine. “Oh. Right. Apologies.”
“So what did your father say about your mother’s response to him?” he asked, smiling at me.
I beamed. “Oh, my father said, ‘She was so beautiful, I didn’t care about her silly pouting, I fell in love with her.’ And they married soon after.” My voice broke.
He reached over and squeezed my hand. “It’s my favorite story.”
“Thank you for sharing it with me,” Jonas said softly.
My smile quivered a little. “Thank you for tonight.”
“Dani enjoyed the opera, but preferred a Ravi Shankar or something with an Eastern flair. She was the inspiration for our trek through Kenya and trips to India.”
I sipped my wine then said, “I read about that in your last interview with Time Magazine. What was it like?”
He tilted his head in thought as he sipped his drink. “Thrilling, challenging, and remarkable. I’m happy I did that, but not on my list for the future.” We went back to our meals and finished. The waiter came by. “They are seating now, Mr. Crane.”
Jonas paid for the dinner ignoring my feeble attempt at offering to split the cost.
I licked my lips. “So, what is on your list for the future?”
He held out his hand to me. “Enjoying the opera with you, Tiger Lily.”
I looked down. “Don’t call me that,” I mumbled.
He trailed his hand down my arm, sending a shiver through me. “I enjoyed hearing the story behind it and I believe it suits you.”
My stomach fluttered as he took my elbow and steered me towards the balcony and our box for the opera.
As the curtain went up, Jonas took my hand and held on to it throughout the three acts of the performance. I sat in awe of the scenes, the swell of the arias, and the beauty of the hall. It was as if we had gone back in time. Part of me wished it would never end, as the finale marked an end of the night and the beauty of his company.
Jonas squeezed my hand during the final scene of Violetta and Giuseppe’s reunion, and in that moment a flutter went through my chest. I swiped under my eye pondering why falling in love was so painful. Picking up on my somber mood, Jonas rubbed gently on my hand.
I swallowed hard as we rose, and walked down the stairs and out of the hall. “Thank you.”
Jonas took out his cell and kept my hand as we walked to the car and once inside, wrapped his arm around me. So oddly familiar and natural his touch and care of me.
“So what did you think?” Jonas asked.
I leaned my head against his shoulder. “I hadn’t allowed myself to enjoy an opera in a long time, it was like meeting an old friend
.”
He tilted my face up and kissed me deeply, caressing his tongue with mine.
“I’ve wanted to do that all evening,” Jonas said softly. “And this.” Jonas moved me to lay back on the seat. He reached under my dress and when he touched my mound, he stilled. Lifting my dress higher, his eyes iced over as he glared down at the black-laced panties underneath.
I giggled. “I wondered how long it would take for you to find out.”
“I told you not to wear panties.” Jonas stared down pressing his lips together. He let go of my thighs and pulled my dress back in place and sat away from me.
What was his problem? I stared at him in disbelief. My mouth dropped open and I frowned. “I thought it was funny.”
“It’s not the panties. It’s more my expectation of you. I used them as, I had hoped, a fun way to help communicate that to you,” he said curtly.
Even though I had Jonas brooding and his reaction was in my view an over-reaction, I was aroused. So much so that my clit throbbed. The more I sat, the further the intensity. I found myself reaching up under my skirt to seek sexual release.
Jonas grabbed my hand. “You will not.” Shockingly, he went as far as lowering the dividing window between us and the front seat of the car. Knowing me well enough to know that I wouldn’t do anything in front of David.
I dropped my hands and grimaced at him.
Jonas just sat there stoically, completely ignoring me.
My anger started to dissipate the more I stared at him. Would he stay angry? Would he want me to leave? “It was a joke. I’ll play along now.”
“I know you will,” Jonas said tersely, still not looking at me. “Now let’s sit here and enjoy the remainder of our ride. We’ll discuss this when we get back to the suite.”
Crossing my arms, I turned my head and glared out the window and said nothing.
The few blocks remaining had been the longest I had experienced in my life. Jonas had not relented, even when we pulled up to the curb of the hotel. Climbing out of the car, I was relieved when he splayed his hand on my lower back and moved us through the hotel and up to his suite, though he still didn’t look at or say one word to me.
Tiger Lily: Part One Page 14
