Not-So-Secret

Chapter forty-eight

JONES SAID NOTHING about Lee, about James. He told her she looked beautiful in her new dress. He'd kissed her, which made her more nervous than anything else.

She'd been perfect at the party, hardly leaving his side for a moment, smiling at all the right times, laughing at his stupid jokes, touching him just so, letting everyone there see she was his pet, his toy poodle. She'd also fed him what she believed were just the right number of drinks.

Now they were back at the hotel and he was in the bathroom, getting ready for bed. He wasn't all that steady, but she knew there was something that had to be taken care of before he would sleep and she would see to that, too.

She brushed her hair until it shone, then she sat on the edge of the bed. With no effort, her eyes watered for the full effect. Her hands went to her lap, she cast her eyes down and bowed her head in subjugated repentance.

When he finally came out of the bathroom, he stood in front of her, his broad, flat feet sunk into the plush carpet, toes curling with anticipation.

"What's this?"

"I was bad today."

"Bad?"

"Yes, sir."

He walked around the bed, but she didn't move an inch. She heard him breathing behind her. "How were you bad?"

"I ate lunch with James at a dinner at the mall. I got all emotional about something foolish. He came over to make sure I was all right and I acted like a silly female, weeping all over his shoulder."

"And why is that bad, Kelly?"

"Because I touched him. It was wrong and I'm sorry."

"You touched him?"

"Yes, sir. His shoulder."

"Is that all you touched?" He asked, moving to stand in front of her once again.

"Yes, sir."

"You didn't perhaps steal a kiss? Take comfort in his bed?"

She looked up then, shock widening her still damp eyes. "Oh, no. I would never do anything like that."

"No?"

"I belong to you, only you."

"That's right. You belong to me."

His voice had gotten louder. A little more slurred.

He took the edge of his finger and put it under her chin, lifting it until she looked into his red-rimmed, boozy eyes. "You touched him even though you know you belong to me."

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry."

"It won't happen again," she whispered.

"I know it won't. Because we both know the consequences."

"Yes, sir. I understand."

"Do you? Do you know what will happen if you touch him again?"

"You'll kill him."

"That's right and then..."

"You'll kill me."

"Good girl." He smiled. "You know what to do, don't you, Kelly?"

"Yes, sir."

His brow rose imperiously.

She let her tears fall again. Giving him just what he wanted. Only this time, they were real.