Tiger Lily: Part One

by Amélie S. Duncan

  He blew out and I knew he was smoking again. “Hmm. Okay. Good. I’ll pick you up next Thursday. But I thought they were important to you.”

  My face fell. I didn’t know how to answer that. So I said, “I thought you quit smoking?”

  He chuckled. “See? You still care about me.” Before I could respond, he hung up. I groaned in frustration. Why wouldn’t he leave me alone? I thought bitterly. I heard more from him since I saw him at the hotel than when he broke up with me. Not to mention, he’s engaged. Taking a deep breath, I sent a text message to Jonas.

  Thank you for the CDs and the surprise addition of luggage. I don’t know how this all works, but I would prefer no gifts. I hope you’re over your jet lag. See you.

  Before I could put it away, another call came in. “Declan?” I growled.

  “No. Jonas,” Jonas voice was curt. “You speaking with him?”

  I bit my lip. “He called.”

  Jonas sighed. “I don’t want you speaking with him.”

  I narrowed my brow. “He called to tell me he found photos and videos of my family.”

  “Okay. So he’s sending them to you?” he asked.

  His words hung in the air. I didn’t want to upset him by telling him I agreed to go to lunch with Declan, but I also didn’t want to lie. Why did I need to explain myself? Unbelievable.

  “I’m sure he’ll send them to me,” I said quietly.

  “Hmmm. Fair enough,” he said. “Now, I got your message. What do you mean by ‘how this works’?”

  I closed my eyes. “It’s late here and I have to run with Natasha tomorrow. Early.”

  “To hell with your run with Natasha. I want your answer.”

  I pursed my mouth. “I bet you wouldn’t say that if it was something you had planned.”

  “You know what I meant. Stop playing games, or you’ll face punishment the next time I’m in town.”

  “Punishment? For not answering? That’s pretty heavy handed,” I said.

  “Lily, stop playing coy and tell me what’s bothering you. Now,” he ordered.

  I exhaled. “Fine. My roommate Natasha explained how companionships work. I don’t want gifts. I want this to be fifty-fifty.”

  “I don’t have a nefarious plan in place for you. We’ll discuss the latter when we see each other in ten days, maybe a week.”

  My lips parted. “A week?” my tone higher.

  He chuckled. “That’s better. Yes. I’m coming back. Hopefully for a few days or more.”

  “Yay!” I cheered and giggled. Shit. Should I have done that?

  “I want to see that beautiful smile and laugh. Get your laptop so we can Skype.”

  Dutifully, I went to my desk in the corner and pulled out my laptop and put it on the bed. I wanted so much to see him again. I connected to Skype and Jonas’s gorgeous face filled the screen. He was still dressed in the black shirt from his morning. His hair slightly parted and hanging on the sides of his devastatingly handsome face. He was in what appeared to be an office with a large window displaying the bright skyline behind him.

  “Please tell me you’re not working,” I said, annoyed.

  His grin went lopsided. “No. I’m finished now. This is my office in my condo here,” Jonas said. “You look sleepy and something else is going on. Tell me.”

  I sighed. “Well, Gregor mentioned I was a lot like Maggie.”

  Jonas mouth formed a line. “And from your expression, what he told you wasn’t good.”

  I looked away. “Well. No, but I won’t judge.”

  “Look at me,” Jonas said and I turned to face the monitor again.

  “I think I deserve to speak my side as you have heard Greg’s. I mean Gregor’s, as he now insists on being called,” Jonas rolled his eyes. “Dani and I met him in college. We tried to get along with him, but he was…‌well, we found him pretentious. Though in hindsight I’d call him ambitious. He name dropped, was pushy for introductions, connections…‌that kind of thing,” he paused.

  I gave a slight nod. I loved Gregor like a good friend, but I knew Jonas’s assessment about his ambition rang true. He continued. “One night we invited him to an event and he brought Maggie.” He smiled wistfully. “Maggie was‌—‌”

  “Like me?” I interrupted.

  Jonas shook his head. “Not exactly. She had long dark hair and a curvy body, but no, she wasn’t like you. She was, well….” Jonas grinned. “Uninhibited. We had a sexual friendship with her, but then Mag’s was a free spirit, and we did enjoy our time together.”

  I looked away. I didn’t really want the details of him with anyone, but I couldn’t just end the conversation. So I asked what I really wanted to know, “Did you break it off with her?”

  “Yes. She wanted to have more sexual partners, and that wasn’t what we wanted. So it ended,” Jonas said.

  “How did she feel about it?” I asked.

  “She was fine,” Jonas said.

  I licked my lips. “Did you see her after you broke up?”

  “We didn’t hang in the same social circles,” he said with a slight lift of his shoulders.

  I lowered my gaze. “You didn’t talk to her anymore?”

  Jonas gave me an odd look. “Yes. Not often, but we did. She was still our friend.”

  I stared at him through the screen. “Gregor cared for her a lot, it seems.”

  He nodded. “I know and she told us, but Maggie was only interested in sexual friendships. She liked Gregor and offered him an open relationship, but he refused, just as we did.”

  I lifted my brows. “So you didn’t abandon her?”

  He chuckled. “Hardly. But who knows what she told Gregor. She moved on. I saw her outside of college after that. Places Gregor wasn’t privy or able to court invitations. We all mourned the end, but we parted mutually.”

  I exhaled and smiled. “Thanks. I wish you would tell Gregor that. He still has some feelings around what happened back then.”

  “Oh trust me, Gregor will be hearing from me,” Jonas said curtly.

  I chewed my lip. “Don’t. Jonas. He just didn’t understand.”

  “Poisoning your opinion of me will need to be answered for,” he said, “but I don’t want you to worry.”

  I frowned. “It was all a misunderstanding and I’m not poisoned, so please let it go.”

  “I don’t want to talk about Gregor anymore,” Jonas said. “Let me see you.”

  I pushed my hair in my face and we both laughed.

  His sea blue eyes glimmered. “I want to see more than your hair. Take off your clothes.”

  My mouth dropped open at the swift change in our conversation. “Right now?”

  He nodded. “Yes. Now.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t think I can do that. It’s too embarrassing.”

  His silence was just as powerful as his command. The headiness of his attention pushed me past my insecurities. I found myself pulling off my top, and shorts. I then turned back to the screen in my black panties.

  “All of it,” he said in a low tone that sizzled through me.

  Everything in my body swelled and tightened as I hooked my thumbs in the sides and pulled them off. He groaned in approval for me as he saw my naked body on the webcam. His eyes dark, as if devouring me.

  “Are you wet? Show me.” We both knew the answer, but I played along for him. I rested on my back and coated my fingers with my essence and held it up to the camera.

  “I wish I was there to suck them. Do it for me.” The carnal look he gave me made me hotter than I already was.

  I placed my fingers in my mouth and sucked, tasting my own arousal.

  He let out a grunt. “I’m envious. I wish I could bury my face there. Move the camera so I can see your sweet, hot pussy.”

  My skin was inflamed all over and his words made me ache for him. I moved the web camera exactly how he directed and the wicked smile that I saw on the screen let me know he was turned on by me.

  “You’re glistening fo
r me. So beautiful. Know I want to be there. Know I can’t wait to be inside you again.”

  I moaned. My need growing and longing for his touch. “Jonas. I want you.”

  “Touch yourself and show me,” he demanded.

  I stroked my fingers around my clit and dipped inside. Jonas’s groans and moans pushed me along and the sight of his hunger edged me to continue to stroke myself, my ears filling with the slick sound of my sex as I pushed my fingers inside until I quivered in climax.

  “Mmm. So. Beautiful. Lily,” Jonas said. “Thank you.”

  I shivered and mumbled, “Sure.”

  He exhaled long. “You didn’t want to share that with me?” he asked in an amused tone.

  I sighed. “Yes, but now. It’s awkward. Weird.”

  He chuckled. “Nothing weird, just a little erotic web play.”

  “I just want you to touch me,” I whined.

  “I know. I’ll make it up to you when I see you. I promise,” he said, his voice smooth as silk.

  I nodded and he gave me one of his gorgeous smiles at the camera. “Smile for me.” I beamed.

  “Lovely. Good night, Lily.”

  “Good night, Jonas.” I turned off the program and my laptop. What was I doing? How could I do that? It wasn’t me, was it? Something about Jonas Crane’s attention and demand had taken a hold of me. I was already seeking to please him. I was already looking forward to the next time I would see him.

  Seducing me during our initial dinner had been easy. He was captivating and engaging. His beauty and charm, as well as the easiness of our conversation, had hooked me. But then he asked me to be his companion, and I had agreed to try. A chance to go out and have sex with a gorgeous man seemed easy enough. But what I didn’t know was that his companionship came with his apt attention to everything that I was and wanted to be. Indeed, the more I played over in my mind the precursor “his” to his companionship, the more pang I felt in my heart. And in there lurked the danger. I was and wanted to be his, but Jonas wasn’t mine.

  Jonas couldn’t be accused of being passive when it came to me and our companionship. He had proven himself to be attentive in and out of bed, to the degree of overwhelming. Somehow, in only a short amount of time, he had established himself in all aspects of my life. His time, attention, sexual intimacy, and care, just not his commitment. I wasn’t allowed to claim or keep him. Eventually, there was going to be an end. So I just need to be careful. Too early to worry anyway.

  I walked out of my bedroom and into the bathroom, where I turned the shower on cold and cleaned myself. I brushed my teeth and moisturized my face. Drying off, I returned to my room and put my phone and laptop away, collapsing on the bed. After a while, I finally fell asleep.

  Chapter 16

  The weekend flew by and so did the week. After Gregor’s conference, Arch was inundated by submissions and press attention. Gregor was almost back to himself, though he still kept a professional distance. Before I knew it, Thursday rolled around and I was checking my email every few minutes to find out when Jonas would be returning to New York. On my fifth pass through my inbox, I found a letter from Ms. Hilda Parker. She was managing the Salomé’s Love Legacy Art Week this year.

  Dear Lily,

  Everyone is very excited about the Salomé’ Love Legacy.

  Thank you for organizing the letters and sending them to the previous year’s sponsors.

  On a sad note, some have come back and said that due to financial cuts, they won’t be able to contribute. We still have another six months, so perhaps it will pick up. Any ideas, please let me know.

  Thank you so much,

  Ms. Parker,

  Marymount Elementary

  I sulked. What was I going to do now? I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford to sponsor the program on my own. I bit my lip and quickly forwarded her letter to the Dean of Students at Boston University to see if she would be willing to get the students involved in a phone campaign this year. I also forwarded it to Mary to ask if she knew someone at Boston Conservatory that may be able to connect with Ms. Parker to help out. I wasn’t ready to let it go, and the only way I knew to cover the cost was to get the promotion from Arch. That involved Jonas.

  Jonas Crane. He was becoming an obsession. My mind constantly replaying my time with him. Longing to see and feel him again. Constantly checking my phone and email, for anything to assure me that he was thinking about me and wanted to be with me. I knew my thoughts were dangerous, as he was quite clear in his expectation of me. He wanted me on his terms as his companion available to do and go wherever he wanted when he came back to New York City.

  My phone beeped. I looked down and groaned as I realized it was a text from Declan.

  How about Bryant Park Grill for lunch?

  My stomach churned. I had agreed to meet him for lunch on Thursday, but everything inside me said to not go. However, I reminded myself that he had photos and video of my parents. The photos I was convinced were ruined in the accident, but he said he had them. I needed to be his “good girl” in order for him to give them to me.

  How about Sergio’s? I need to be back at 1:00 on the dot.

  He replied. Yeah. Okay. See you at 12:00. Can’t wait.

  I narrowed my eyes, but turned on my computer. I didn’t like Declan treating this like a date, but I didn’t mention it because I wasn’t sure of his response. My mind chimed in, if you’re not sure, you shouldn’t go. But there was no way I would cancel. He had remembered the years I looked for them and was thoughtful enough to bring them to me. Maybe we can be friends. Like Jonas and Dani.

  I stood up and walked over to Gregor’s office and peered in. He was bent over typing at his computer. “Hey.”

  “Hello, Lily. I’m on with Brodsky in a few minutes,” Gregor said without stopping. “Is there something you need help with?”

  I chewed my lip “No. I have…‌Well, Declan found some photos and videos and I was going to go to get them from him at noon, unless you need me?”

  His head shook as he stayed on task. “No. I won’t. Thank you.”

  I folded my arms. “Gregor, come on. Let it go.” I started singing the chorus from the movie Frozen. His shoulders shook a little, which let me know he was amused; however, he still wouldn’t turn around.

  I hunched my shoulders. “Okay. I’ll be at my desk,” I mumbled.

  What did Jonas say to him? Was it because of the kiss? I worked steadily as Gregor continued to avoid me communicating through emails and the phone. My worry about our working relationship had preoccupied my mind so much so that when Declan called and I noticed it was ten after 12:00. I had to run out of the building to meet him.

  “About time you came out. I work in the village, or have you forgotten,” Declan griped as I climbed inside his range rover.

  “I’m sorry, Dec. I told you I had work‌—‌” I stammered.

  “But you couldn’t choose a place in between midtown and the village for lunch. You know I work in the village and this is at least a twenty-minute drive in lunch traffic,” Declan scowled at me. “So spoiled.”

  I dropped my head. I didn’t want to point out that he had chosen Bryant Park, which was even further away, just this morning. “How about we go wherever you want to go?” I offered.

  Declan grunted and started driving. “I don’t have much time, so yeah. We’ll have to eat at Parco’s.” Parco’s was a small chain sandwich shop a few doors down from his work, and would take me an extra half hour just to return to work by subway. I wanted to protest; but he had something I wanted and the best way to get it was to be accommodating. “Okay.”

  “Good girl,” Declan said. His lips curled into a smug grin. He turned on talk radio and laughed along with it all the way through downtown and the village.

  Once we reached Bleecker Street, he parked his car in his regular parking space. He turned and assessed me. “You look okay. You want to go inside and say hello to everyone? They always ask about you.”

  I looked
down at my watch. “We don’t have much time and I really will be late getting back to work.” My pulse sped up as he went still next to me.

  “A princess can’t spare a few minutes,” he said venomously. “You want to just run off after I went through the trouble of picking you up‌—‌”

  “No. I want to have lunch,” I stammered interrupting him.

  Declan snickered, “Yeah, you want to eat. Always ready to stuff your face. Of course.”

  My face fell as a lump formed in my throat. “I’m not all that hungry. I can come in and say hello.”

  “I was just joking.” He chuckled. Suddenly he grabbed my hair bun and yanked my head back, exposing my neck. “Stop acting funny and talking weird to me,” he said.

  As I took in ragged breaths, my hands reached up to my neck to soothe the pain there. He hasn’t hit me. He’s just frustrated, I lulled myself.

  “Let go, Dec,” I gritted, trying to remain calm. He let go with force enough to slam my forehead against the dashboard.

  I cried out and clutched my head. “Ouch. What are you doing? You asshole!”

  “What the fuck did you call me?” Declan gripped my head and banged it against the dashboard again.

  I clawed into him. “Stop.” He took both of his hands and with added force pushed my head against the dash again. Sinking my nails into his hands and arms, my voice rose louder. “Wake-up. Stop it.” Another, this time with more strength. He was gone, and nothing registered. I clawed into him as hard as I could, letting out a high-pitched scream.

  “Fuck that hurt!” he yelped. “Why are you screaming?”

  Good. I hope it hurts. My breath came in and out fast as I tried to still my rapid pulse. My mind raced as it struggled through Declan’s attack.

  I covered my face with my hands. I grabbed the door, but found it locked.

  “Shit. I didn’t mean to do that,” Declan said. “Wait, please don’t leave. You’re too delicate. I forgot I can’t horseplay with you.”

  I frantically looked around outside and saw no one was around. No one had witnessed it. “Don’t touch me. I’m leaving.”