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My heart skipped a beat over just the thought, though I didn’t see the beauty he referred to. Sure, my spa treatment had invigorated my skin. And Dee did wonders with my hair. I was pampered smooth all over. Some surface cosmetics to mask the darkness. But that wasn’t enough. And the more I thought along those lines, the more worries arose. “But you haven’t seen…”
“What haven’t I seen?” Jonas asked. He stroked the side of my face, letting me know he wanted me to continue. But I didn’t want to. “You need to tell me,” he implored.
“He showed people at his job. He sent photos to my cell, with messages…” I stammered.
Jonas’s facial expression turned lethal. “Show me.”
I absently reached into my pocket and fumbled with my cellphone. Then I realized I didn’t want him to see them either, and started to put my phone back. His hand closed on my wrist.
“No secrets. This, I will break you of. We won’t work if you continue to hide things from me. Now, give me your phone,” he said, releasing my wrist and holding out his hand.
My own hand shook as I placed the phone in his open palm. “That goes for both of us,” I mumbled.
“I know this is hard for you, but you will learn to trust me,” he said, kissing me on the cheek. A tear escaped the corner of my eye as I watched Jonas look through my cellphone history and the images Declan had sent of me. One, apparently new, had me naked in the shower. I could pinpoint the timeframe of most of the photos he had. They were taken right after I sank into a depression following my parents’ death. I had gained weight, which he made fun of, and shortly after, he broke off our engagement. I covered my mouth to try to still the wave of nausea that went through me. The bile rose in my throat and I motioned to Jonas frantically.
“David. Pull over,” Jonas called out. The car cut across traffic and double-parked. Jonas quickly opened the door and I climbed out just in time to expel what I hadn’t digested from breakfast. Jonas took his handkerchief out and wiped my chin.
I took in a few quick breaths as I waited for the queasiness to pass. Once I was certain, I glanced at Jonas.
He handed me a bottle of water and I rinsed my mouth out, trying my best to pour the remainder over the piece of curb I had spoiled.
“I’m sorry,” I said hoarsely.
“Shhh,” Jonas said, as he helped me back inside the car. Another vehicle pulled up behind us and started blaring its horn, but David sat there for a few extra minutes before pulling out. That distraction broke the well of my thoughts. That, and Jonas placing me back on his lap, cuddling me close. After a few minutes passed without us speaking, I tilted my head up to look at him. His mouth was thin, but his eyes were kind as they connected with mine.
“I need my phone to call Mary. I have to tell her what’s going on, but I don’t want to over the phone…I don’t want her to see me like this.”
“I’ll get you a phone to use and you can invite her down to visit when you’re ready,” he said.
I opened my mouth, poised in protest of him keeping my phone, but he held up his hand to stop me.
“You don’t have to do everything at once. Your doctor said no stress. Let me handle it. I’ll take care of things for you,” he said.
“Like I’m a child,” I stammered.
“No, like you’re a woman I care for,” he replied in a gentle tone. He kissed my parted lips and a flutter went through my stomach. Letting him take care of me was something I had tried my best to resist before, out of fear I’d come to rely on him too much and wouldn’t know what to do with myself when it all inevitably ended. I worried he would only be caring for me out of pity, but we both agreed to put aside our fears and try to work on our relationship.
I had him and I was not leaving.
I gave him a small nod in agreement. The smile he returned didn’t reach his eyes, but he kissed me lightly on the lips and tucked me back into the warmth of his arms before making another phone call.
