Page 36 of Controlled
If Jonas noticed, he didn’t say a word, instead playing his part a little too well, planting a big, juicy kiss on my lips then parting them with his tongue. For a man who preferred men, he was a damn good kisser of women, even going so far as to lift me off my feet. I had to admit, if anyone was looking, they’d believe the two of us were together.
He allowed it to carry on much longer than I thought he would and when he finally pulled away, the grin on his face returned.
“How was that?”
“Perfect. You need a boyfriend,” I told him.
“Tell me something I don’t know. Although…”
“What are you hiding?” I shoved my hand into my purse to find my keys.
“Well,” he started, giving me another saucy look he was so famous for. “I decided you might be right about the dating service so I signed up a couple weeks ago.”
“You didn’t!” I’d been bugging him for a few weeks about it. As happy-go-lucky as he was while around the other dancers, he was as shy as a turtle when it came to dating. Maybe that was because his asshole father had made fun of him so often.
“Yep. And I have a blind date tonight. The guy seems perfect. He contacted me last night. We chatted online for like two hours.”
“Oh, wow. You are going all out.” I shoved the key into the lock, taking a few seconds to glance over my shoulder once again.
“You only live once, right? Isn’t that what you told me, oh bad girl who kissed a stranger, a dangerous one at that.”
“Are you going to keep bugging me about that for the rest of my life?”
“Why, yes, I am. You deserve it.”
I opened the outer door to the lobby as we both laughed. “You don’t need to walk me up, darling.” I used my sultry voice, the one he loved teasing me about relentlessly.
“Oh, no, girlfriend. This is a full-service date. Maybe we should fool around a little. You know, get naked.”
“Very funny and you know Grace and Tonya are probably home and would freak.”
“Oh, what a pity. You’re missing out on something very special.”
“Of that I have no doubt.” He trailed up the stairs after me to the third floor. The door was unlocked and as soon as I walked inside, the scent hit me. Someone had brought the flowers from the theater.
Only as I walked into the kitchen, thinking I was right, I immediately noticed the bouquet in another stunning crystal vase was entirely different. The flowers weren’t sterling silver, they were red. As in the color of blood.
The thought was ridiculous but one I couldn’t get off my mind. Maybe they weren’t for me. Tonya had a kind of boyfriend.
“Nice flowers,” Jonas said. “From him?”
I stared at them for longer than he thought I should. I could tell by the push he gave me toward them.
“It would seem you’re two-timing me,” he teased.
“Very funny.” I was still hesitant but walked closer, noticing a small card in the little plastic holder. I was nervous and there was no reason why. They were just flowers, not a ticking timebomb.
“Oh, for the love of God. I don’t like the guy and think you need to stay away from him, but anyone who sends my partner flowers gets a little nod of respect in my book. Let’s see what the card says. Maybe a promise of deliriously naughty things to come.” Before I had a chance to stop him, he jerked the card from the holder, backing away as I lunged for it.
“Give that back or I’ll two-time you some more.”
“Ha. You wouldn’t dare. I am a jealous beast.” He pulled out the card, winking as he did. “Let’s see here. What does it say?”
When he didn’t say anything for at least twenty seconds, I nudged him with my foot. “Alright, drama boy. What does it say?’
“It says ‘I’m proud. I knew you deserved the roles.’” He was obviously as confused as I was, lifting his head with a questioning look on his face.
“What? Was it signed by anyone? That sounds a bit off, as in maybe you were right about Gregor.”