Tiger Lily: Part Three (3 page)

We ate in silence for a few minutes. The rich food was incredibly delicious and I nodded over to Lin when I noticed her smiling at us.

“I’d like to look over your spa treatment from this morning. You’ll show me before your nap.” His tone suggested he could have been discussing the weather, but his words made my breath hitch. His face remained straight as he continued to eat his food. I must have been staring off for a few minutes, because his next words were, “Your food is getting cold.” Though he wasn’t looking into my eyes, his mischievous grin told me he knew exactly what he had just done to me.

I shifted in my seat. “I’m enjoying it,” I managed. “Thank you.” I took a sip of my wine and went for my own change of subject. “So, how long before you have to go out of town?”

“I have a possible day trip to Miami Friday for work. Maybe in a few weeks we can go on a mini vacation,” Jonas said.

I moved my food around my plate. My heart ached at the thought of him flying away on business so soon, but I understood. He enjoyed his work. I only wished we’d have more time together.

“If I decide to go, you’ll come with me,” he added.

I looked up and caught his eyes, a slight smile breaking across my face.

I ate more of my food and thought about the possibility. I loved that he wanted me to join him on his business trip, but I knew I wasn’t financially in a position to pay to do so, let alone to go on a vacation. Finally, I spoke up, “I can’t afford…I do appreciate your offer, but…”

“But nothing,” Jonas interrupted. “I meant it when I said I want us to spend more time together. I think a compromise on both of our parts is in order. I’m making time, and you will too. You’re on leave anyway.”

“Yes. For a week, I suppose,” I said and sipped my wine.

“I’ll speak to Gregor and get him to agree to let me decide when you return,” Jonas said, as if the thought had just formed in his mind.

My eyes widened. “He’d never do that.

Jonas sipped his wine and said, “Oh, he will. If I agree to publish my book with Arch, he’ll do anything I ask.”

I opened my mouth to tell him he was wrong, but thought better and closed it. Gregor would wrap a bow around me and hand me to him on a platter if Jonas agreed to give his business. Wasn’t that how I had come to meet Jonas in the first place? Hell, he would be able to expand his office from the press release alone. “You can’t…he needs me,” I muttered.

But if that happened, would Gregor still need me?

My eyes darted as my mind raced onto what I would do with my life.

“Oh, please eat,” Lin said, breaking my thoughts. She walked up to the table and added more pieces of steak. “I’ll like to know your favorite meals, too. So I can cook them for you.”

“Great idea, Lin,” Jonas said and grinned. She beamed at him.

“Thank you, Lin,” I said and plastered on a smile for her. When she walked away, I chewed my bottom lip and stared down at my plate.

“Calm down. I haven’t done it,” Jonas said. The word ‘yet’ hung in the air.

I exhaled. “So, you will be making the decisions for me? I know you found me the way I am right now, but I can fix these things on my own…”

“Not without me.” He reached over and took my hand. “Not on your own.”

I looked up at him through my long lashes. “Because you’re my friend…”

A small smirk appeared at the edge of his lips. “You fishing, Lily?” he asked coyly.

I turned my head to hide my grin, thoroughly resolved to eat every last morsel of my lunch.

I WAS SURE I WOULD
burst after eating a small dish of the rosewater custard. I tried to help Lin clear the dishes, but she shooed Jonas and me out of the kitchen. He took my hand and led me to the stairs, where he started removing his shoes. The carpet was pale and soft underfoot as we climbed up to the second floor and down a short hallway, passing a few doors and a bathroom. At the end, we walked into a large and modern master suite with a small, floating fireplace and a sitting area that had modular couches and tables.

Four floor-to-ceiling factory windows dominated the space, draped by built-in blinds. A large, custom leather and steel bed with dark grey and white bedding and colorful pillow accents was against one wall.

Jonas let go of my hand and moved over to a walk-in closet that was divided by a short wall, while I admired the built-in shelves and groups of framed, abstract photos that decorated the space. I walked in the opposite direction toward the bathroom, which was also impressive—built-in cabinets, an extra-large garden tub with a large glass-enclosed shower with a stone bench, and a custom vanity area.

“Big enough for two,” Jonas said. I turned to look at him and my pulse sped up. He had changed and was now wearing a shirt that showed off his sexy, muscular upper body. His pants hung low on his waist and looked oh-so right.

I forced my gaze back to the tub. “Or four. It’s huge.”

He kissed my lips, and I got a taste of mint. “I’d like to brush my teeth. Do you have spare toothbrushes?”

He walked me over to the cabinet, where I brushed my teeth and rinsed my mouth. When I finished, I asked, “Off for a workout? I could use one too.” I rubbed my stomach.

His arms circled my waist. “Yes. My trainer will be coming soon. This place has a small gym, but,” Jonas said, curbing my enthusiasm, “not for you right now.” He kissed the side of my neck.

I sighed and he took my hand, leading me back into the bedroom and walking us over to the bed.

“Sleeping and eating,” I smirked. “Just so you know, I gain weight pretty quickly.”

“Good. I want you better,” Jonas said. He sat down on the bed and put his hands on my hips, pulling me between his legs. “Now, I want you to take off your clothes and climb into bed. We’ll talk until you fall asleep.”

My body responded to his command. I enjoyed him taking over when we were intimate. However, there was something besides my desire for him overtaking me now. Something different. I stared up into his eyes that were fixed on me, and my heart swelled. His need was reflecting back to me, but so was something else. I took in a shallow breath as my fingers trembled to work at unbuttoning my shirt.

Jonas’s hands closed over my own as he leaned forward and planted a light kiss on my knuckles. “Want me to undress you?” he asked.

I nodded. I couldn’t speak, but felt a tingle down to my core. He went at a slow pace and finished undoing my button-down shirt, then I helped him pull it off my arms and into his hands, where he paused to fold and place it on the side table. My breathing and pulse teemed with anticipation.

“Why do you always fold my clothes after undressing me?” I whispered.

He turned me away from him and unclasped my bra.

“How does it make you feel?” Jonas said, answering a question with a question. He eased the straps down my arms and kissed my shoulders. My breasts responded, swelling and hardening my nipples. He turned me around to face him. His eyes roved over my naked upper body.

My feelings were full of romanticism. I didn’t trust he was ready to hear them, especially after his reaction to Melissa’s love. So I answered, “I don’t know.”

“I think you do know,” he said in a low tone.

I exhaled as he cupped and kneaded my breasts. He closed his lips around my nipple and traced it with his tongue as he continued to massage the other one. I moaned. I couldn’t help but put my hands in his hair and hold his head there, arching my back to him. He gently bit down, then licked lightly, soothing the pain with his tongue. He suckled my other breast and my breathing became staggered. Heat coursed through my body. I thought he would take off my pants next, but he surprised me by capturing my lips and kissing me.

Deeply massaging his tongue against mine, he sucked my bottom lip, just to cover my lips again in a sensuous tangle that had me pressing in closer and squirming to get more from him.

“Don’t be afraid to share your feelings,” he said in a gentle tone as our lips parted. He placed his hands on my hips to still me. I looked over, taking in his half-lidded gaze and swollen, full mouth. I felt wetness gush between my thighs. He was so incredibly hot. I squirmed.

“I’ve got you,” he said in a soft tone. He unbuttoned my jeans and hooked his thumbs in the sides of my panties, pulling them down together until I stood before him, naked and struggling not to cover myself. He wrapped his strong arms around me and pulled me into a hug. “I’m worried about you, Tiger Lily. I want you to gain weight and get healthy.”

His term of endearment warmed me and the thickness in his voice constricted my heart. “I’m fine. I’m going to be fine.”

“Yes,” he rubbed over my hips. “You will be. I’ll make sure of it.”

His caress elicited a familiar spark, coursing across my skin. I shifted my legs. “Do you just want to talk right now?” I asked, my voice raspy.

He ran the back of his knuckle over the top of my mound in an unhurried manner. “So soft. I want to feel you on my lips, but if I start there we both know I won’t stop.” He was using his low tone. The one that turned me on to no end. He was also teasing me, making me desperate enough to do something I would likely find embarrassing under other circumstances. Like standing naked, parting my thighs in front of him and moving against where his knuckle stopped, making him press against my slit.

His gaze was dark as he watched me. “You’re soaking my finger. Is that what you want?” he purred. He held his knuckle still as I slid it against my swollen clit. I moaned and moved faster, the sensation sending pulses of pleasure through me.

“Answer.” He moved his hand back and rested it on his thigh.

My pulse pounded in my chest and I whined. “Why can’t you just do instead of making me say…?” I hissed, frustration in my tone. He pulled me closer and kissed along my collarbone and neck. “Because I want you to tell me. Straddle my lap.”

A blush crept up my cheeks. “I’ll ruin your clothes,” I whispered.

His eyes danced with amusement. “I know your pussy is wet. I don’t care. But since that bothers you, you can pull down my clothes. Just know, getting in my lap wasn’t a request.” His crass words and command worked as affectively as his hands and I heated up all the more.

Pulling down his pants and bringing his long, thick erection into view, I crawled on his lap. Before I could sit, he pressed the head of his cock against my clit. I whimpered, “Jonas.”

He inhaled sharply. “I’m not fucking you right now, though it’s tempting,” he gritted. “Mmm, but that whimper. So sexy.” He paused, seeming to think for a moment. “You don’t want my hand. You want my cock? Tell me.”

A smile formed on my lips despite his torture. This was a play on the dream he had woken me from last night. Oh, I had the answer alright. “Your cock, please, Jonas,” I rasped.

He laid back and dragged me up and down the outside of his shaft. He grabbed my ass and pressed in hard. “I want you to come on my cock.” Rocking my hips, I arched and slid against the base of his cock. Pleasure and need taking over me with every drag and press of my sex to him.
Oh, Jonas.

His eyes were fixed on me as he groaned and panted below me. Even there he was in control. The last threads of my own broke, and I humped him unabashedly. He had reduced me to primal desire and all I could think about was that sweet release within my grasp. I grunted, “I’m close. I’m, ohhh. Jonas!”

“Yes. Come, for me,” he commanded, rubbing the head of his cock right up against my clit. I came, shuddering, collapsing against him. “God, Lily. So fucking sexy. I can’t wait.”

He let go of me and I eased to his side. He moved his hand down and gripped his cock in his hand, using my essence as a glide to stroke himself with.

“Lick me,” he commanded.

I moved into action, licking him as he jerked on his cock until he exploded with force. Then I closed my mouth over him, sucking down his seed, tasting the heady mix of the both of us.

“Yes,” he hissed. Jonas petted my hair as he came down, releasing himself from my mouth.

“My Tiger Lily. Come here.” He pulled me into his arms.

Yes. Jonas had me. And as I held him close, I realized I had him, too.

“I do the things I do because I want you to feel closer to me,” he replied, giving me an answer to the question I had asked earlier. How close, he didn’t say. And I didn’t push it. I was too bliss-filled.

After a while, he moved me on the bed and held open the covers. “Get in.” I climbed in and he moved to lay on his side, facing me.

“Now, that’s a look I’ll enjoy while we are living together,” he mused.

I glanced down at his mention of ‘while.’ It was best to remember we had a time limit for our togetherness. “I’ll start looking for a permanent place,” I promised. “I’ll pay rent here until then, though I suspect it’s well out of my range.”

He laughed. “I make your yearly salary quicker than you could turn over.” I looked away, and he continued. “I’m not saying that to hurt you, but the idea of you paying rent here is ridiculous,” he said.

My mouth went dry. “I don’t think it’s silly,” I mumbled.

He stroked under my chin. “I do admire your willingness and pride. No one I have ever been with before has challenged me on this, and you have so much less than most of them.”