Tiger Lily: Part Three (36 page)
“I was scared and at my lowest. I didn’t think I was worthy of you. I wasn’t strong like the women you had in your life,” I confessed.
“I’d say the contrary,” Jonas said.
“I know now there are many different layers of strength. You picked me up at my lowest. You loved and cared for me. I found my way and got my life. For all that, I will never be able to thank you enough. It’s not just what you do, it’s who you are. You work tirelessly and still find time to be an amazing father and friend. I admire you and I’m so proud of you,” I said.
He kissed the back of my hand. I smiled at him and went back to eating until we finished and the wait staff removed our plates. I looked out at the sea. “This was the perfect evening.”
“It’s not over. It’s just beginning,” Jonas said. He placed a small box before me and my heart leapt into my throat.
“I got this ring just before I picked you up from Arch. I told myself if you came back, I would never let you go again. And I won’t. I want to wake up to you every morning and go to bed with you every night. I want to have our special conversations and listen to you ramble and watch you blush. I want to watch you reach for your dreams and be a part of them. This is where I want our relationship to go and grow, with you by my side as my wife. I love you. Will you marry me?”
Tears sprang to my eyes. I was trembling. “Yes,” I answered without hesitation. I got up and threw my arms around his neck. “Yes! I love you.”
He pulled me onto his lap, then reached over and collected the box. “You didn’t look at the ring.”
“You chose it for me. It’s perfect,” I said. He kissed me hard on the lips, then he took my hands in his and lifted the lid. It was a beautiful precision cut diamond and silver engagement ring. “I thought less flash, more feeling,” he said. “Look at the inscription.”
I peered down and read.
You’re mine. Always.
“I am,” I said.
He reached out and wiped the tears that were pouring down my face. I shook as he placed it on my hand.
The sound of a violinist playing “Unforgettable”
filled the evening. Jonas stood us up, took me in his arms, and we swayed. We kissed through the night and forever.
A Month Later
“LILY, JONAS AND
Paul will be here soon.”
I looked up from the computer to find Dani. She was wearing a white, embroidered churidaari, and I was still dressed in my T-shirt and jeans from the morning. I was running late for the Sunday dinner we were holding for our last weekend at the loft in Tribeca. Paul went with Jonas for the beginning of the promotional tours for his book, which was already a best seller. I had been working on the Love Legacy Art week that was starting in a few weeks and I hadn’t left the office all day.
“I’m just making sure Betty has the additions to the instructors,” I explained.
Dani smiled and shook her head as she walked over. “You have an assistant to do that for you now.”
“I feel like she must be overwhelmed with the changes,” I reasoned. “I can’t believe all the volunteers we have pouring in. Penelope’s networking has us creating a tri-state program for next year,” I said and hugged her.
“That just means you need to hire another assistant.” She waved around at the boxes in the office. “And movers. You’re moving to your new home in a couple of days. If Jonas finds you working on the art week instead of the wedding, you’ll be in trouble.”
“I’m working on the wedding. Jonas is in charge of the move,” I said happily.
Truthfully, I would have married Jonas during our beach vacation even if it was, by conventional standards, fast. We were in love and loved each other and had no intentions of delaying it for too long. However, we wanted our friends and love ones there. “I can help with both,” Dani volunteered.
“I’d love that,” I said.
We walked together out of the office. The chatter in the living room had us turning to find Ian talking with Alan, Dani’s husband. He was dressed in an embroidered Indian
sherwani
and jeans. Quite the contrast from Ian’s designer pressed suit. He was a hugger, too, and gave me one.
“I’ll take one too,” Mary said and walked over and hugged me. When we parted, my brows rose at Mary, noting the change in appearance since her last visit. She was make-up free and wearing a high-collar, ankle-length dress. She shrugged.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were here?” I asked.
“I just walked in and went to help Lin,” she explained.
“I’ll go help, too. You can go up and change,” Dani offered.
I hitched my thumb toward Alan and Ian. “What about them?”
Mary adjusted her glasses and walked away without a word as they all headed toward the dining room area.
Ian gave her back a pointed look and Alan laughed. I would have to ask later.
I went upstairs and took a quick shower and changed into a silver and black wrapped v-neck dress that hugged my curves. Thigh highs and heels finished off the look. I brushed my curls and put on a light bit of makeup, all the time anticipating a reunion with Jonas. I hated when he traveled, but I found he made up for it when he returned.
I heard the sound of laughter when I finally left the bedroom, as well as the beginning of Beethoven’s “Pathetique”
on the piano, and memories flooded my mind of my time with Jonas in the Waldorf.
Jonas must be back!
I took off my heels and rushed down the stairs and didn’t stop until I reached the living room. My shoes slipped out of my hand and everything else faded away.
My Jonas.
He had arrived and was standing next to the piano. He was looking incredibly handsome in a light grey shirt and dark slacks, the dark waves of his black hair slightly tousled. His sea blue eyes were all for me. The look he gave me was salacious, and my body responded. Without wasting another moment, he pulled me into a tight embrace and gave me a searing kiss that took my breath away. I answered with my own urgency and intensity. I would never get enough of him.
The piano keys banging got our attention.
“Dad, Lily, come on,” Paul groaned.
“It’s warm in here,” Dani said, fanning herself.
“Maybe we should leave?” Alan said, grinning.
“Salomés always put on a great show,” Mary said in her best impression of my father, and I giggled.
“No. I’m glad you’re all here,” Jonas said. He moved us a few steps away and cupped my face. “How’s my beautiful Tiger Lily?”
“Happy you’re back,” I said softly.
He stroked the sides of my face. “Any time away from you is too long.”
My heart swelled with love and I smiled up at him. “I feel the same way about you.”
We kissed. “Let’s have dinner so we can make up for the few days I missed,” Jonas said before pecking my lips one last time. He released me and walked over to greet Dani and Alan.
Paul stared at Mary until she looked at him, but this time he boldly kept the eye contact until Mary turned her head. He even stood against the icy glare of Ian.
I laughed and he turned his head toward me and gave a wink.
He’s going to be just like his father,
I thought proudly.
“Dinner is ready,” Lin announced. Mary left for the kitchen while Ian joined in on the conversation Dani, Alan, and Jonas were having.
I walked over to Paul and beamed at him. “Thank you for agreeing to instruct during the art week.”
He put his arm around my shoulders. “I couldn’t turn down the chance to walk around introducing you as my mom number two,” he said.
“As you like. I’m not bothered,” I said, giving him a hug. I knew better. He had already sent his classmates and instructors over to help with the New York Art Week for next year.
“So, do you think Mary would go out with me?” Paul asked.
I shook my head. “Not if she enjoys her freedom. You’re only sixteen and that’s illegal here.”
“I was talking about in two years,” Paul said.
I glanced over at Ian, who was clearly already missing Mary and walking toward the kitchen to join her. “I’m not so sure, but what about your girlfriend?”
He gave me a mischievous grin. “You’re awfully nosy, Mom 2. Can’t we keep a few secrets from you? You’ve changed Dad, now you’re working on me. I’ve got to stop hanging around you.” He pretended to run away from me, but I grasped his arms and we laughed.
“Come on you two,” Jonas called out. We walked into the room and I took the seat next to Jonas, then stared up at him. I was going to be his wife and maybe the mother of his child?
Just get through the wedding planning
, I chided myself.
He leaned over and kissed my cheek, then whispered in my ear. “Baby day dreaming again?”
I bit into on my lip and nodded.
“Slow down, Salomé,” he said in a low tone. He turned his head, but I caught the twinkle in his eye.
“I’d like to say the quote tonight,” Alan said once we filled all the glasses. “By John Lennon. Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears. May we continue to be friends for many dinners and years to come.”
Dani leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Absolutely perfect, Alan,” she said. We all held up our glasses and I couldn’t wipe my smile off as I stared around at the faces gathered at the table.
Mom and Dad, you can fly home and rest now. I have a family.
The End.
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Acknowledgements
This series means a great deal to me and I’m thankful to have the opportunity to share this story with you. There are a number of people I want to thank for making this trilogy possible.
First, I would like to thank my husband, Alan, for reading everything I have ever written. I want to thank you for your love, patience, and support. I love you so much. I would like to thank my wonderful and supportive family across the pond. We miss you. I would like to thank Silvia, from Silvia’s Reading Corner, for her beta reading services. Silvia’s detailed feedback on every incarnation of the Tiger Lily Series was invaluable. Your friendship is priceless. I’d also like to thank Hermione and Deanna for their beta reading. I would like to thank Tanya, of TaSTy WordGasms, for the author takeovers, promotions, and for being a wonderful friend. I would like to give special thanks to Wendy and Claire, of Bare Naked Words, for hosting and promoting the series. The both of you are a pleasure to work with and I appreciate all you do in organizing the cover reveal and the release blitz. I would like to thank Leah Campbell for taking on the drafts in this series. I would like to thank Julie Collins for line editing this story. It was great working with the both of you. I would like to give special thanks to Jeannie, Danielle, Babel Td, and Kawehi. I truly appreciate all your support. I would like to thank all the bloggers for participating in the promotions. Most of all, I would like to thank the readers for taking the time to read my story. I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for you.
About the Author
Amélie S. Duncan writes contemporary, erotic romances with a dark edge. Her inspiration comes from many sources including her life experiences and travels. She lives on the West Coast of the United States with her husband.
