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Jonas reached out and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me against his side. The feeling was akin to being wrapped in a warm blanket. Small and safe in his arms. Allowing me a taste of what he would give me. I wanted to remain, but he let me go, and sat there awaiting my input.
I was to decide where we would go from here. A gorgeous powerful man wanting to take me out when he was in town was more than I had now. He said he was lonely.
I was lonely too. I had no family and my best friend lived in Boston.
The possibilities of Jonas taking on Arch took the weight off my mind on work and paved the way to a possible promotion that I may have earned on the press alone. Knowing Gregor, he would be over the moon brimming with ideas on ways to expand Arch. The money from the promotion could also help increase my sponsorship for the Salomé’ Love Legacy. Who knows? Spending time with Jonas could give me contacts in the cities to participate in the week.
I wanted to say yes, but as Jonas pointed out, what about me personally? Could I handle being basically his fuck buddy?
Then again, a chance to be touched, to be desired, was more than I had now. And it was something I had only had for a brief periods with Declan.Well, until he found me sexually unappealing.This would also remove any chance of my falling back to Declan when I was lonely… or when I couldn’t stop my thoughts and grief. A chance to explore myself. See if life beyond my first lover was possible. Why not at least try?
I didn’t want to leave. Right or wrong, I wanted this.
So, I met his gaze and said evenly, “Could we try?”
“Yes,” Jonas said without hesitation. He exhaled and leaned back, studying me. Reaching out, he trailed his hand down the side of my face. “I have work to do, but we can start by collecting your things and having you stay here.”
My eyes dilated. “Stay here for how long?”
“I leave Friday,” Jonas said. “It will give us a chance to get better acquainted and to see how this works between us.”
I glanced at him. “Have you done this before?”
“Yes,” he said, but didn’t elaborate.
My mouth turned down. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know that I might be one of many.
“Okay. I think that’ll be fine. But I can go back on my own and return.”
Jonas took my hand and leaned over close to my ear. I held my breath. “Going to your place gives me a chance to get to know you,” he said gingerly. “If you’ll excuse me,” he stood, “I need to make a call, and then we will head over to your place.”
“Okay,” I said. I walked over to the closet, pulling out my own phone. Glancing over my shoulder, I met his gaze still on me. I felt a tightening low in my body at the thought of what I had just agreed to try with him.
Sex with him. My mind raced ahead and I sought a moment to myself. Taking my phone with me, I went into the bathroom. I wanted advice, but I didn’t really know what I would be able to share. I decided to call Gregor and at least inform him about the news for Arch. His phone went straight to voicemail. Still, I left a message.
“Jonas signed the proposal and has placed Arch on the shortlist of publishing companies that will get to give a presentation to him before he announces his choice. I knew you would be excited to use that publicity at the conference. Talk to you soon.” I tried Mary next, but again got voicemail and hung up.
I splashed water on my face and dried it. Pinching myself, even though I knew this was real. Jonas wanted me as his companion. I searched myself and already knew the answer. I wanted him too. Whatever happened, I wanted to try and see if I could handle such an agreement. Drying my face, I rejoined Jonas out in the hall and we left the hotel for Jersey City.
CHAPTER SEVEN
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Jonas took myhand and held it the second we sat down, even though he remained on the phone until we reached the Holland tunnel. His effort was comforting on the outside, but didn’t ease the jitters inside me. This only escalated to sweating when we were less than a block from my apartment. My thoughts raced on my place in comparison to the Waldorf suite. My plastic and metal frames, the Star Wars posters lining my walls. What would Jonas Crane think? Hell, his designer clothing probably rivaled the cost of everything I owned. When the car stopped in front of the renovated warehouse, my heart pounded so hard the sound filled my ears.
I chewed my lip. “I could just run inside,” I said softly.
Jonas didn’t respond verbally, but helped me out of the car and followed me inside the building. He was coming with me whether I wanted him to or not. I blew out a breath as we took the elevator and fumbled with my keys as I unlocked my front door. But Jonas, ever the gentleman, held it open and motioned for me to walk in.
“Nice apartment, Lily.” Jonas gave me a soft smile that melted my insides.
“I’ll hurry,” I called out as I started running towards my bedroom. “Make yourself comfortable.”
“Or you could come back here,” I told him. No. I wanted him back here. Running back into the living room again, I found Jonas still standing where I left him when we walked in. “Do you want to come back here?”
“Yes,” Jonas said and laughed hardily as he strolled down my hallway into my bedroom. He appeared to fill the space, such was his persona. As I danced around him collecting things, he captured me and cupped my face in his hands, causing a rush of heat to join the jitters I already had at having him there.
“We will be going out the next four nights. You need to pack one formal dress, yoga pants, a T-shirt, heels, lingerie. I’d like to see all of them,” he said.
