Page 30 of Deal with Mr. Cruel

Jonas took it from her hands and read the amount. He raised his eyebrows.

“Wow. Maybe he doesn’t hate me after all. This really is working.”

Mae nodded slowly.

“Keep it.” He handed her back the check.

“What?” she asked, shocked.

“It’s not like I need it.” He turned toward his bedroom and started to walk away.

Mae stood still, holding the check and looking after him.

“Good job tonight, by the way. That kiss really sold them,” he called over his shoulder.

Mae swore she felt her heart crack.

Chapter 13

Jonas

Jonas put the key in the lock of his front door and walked inside. Immediately, he was hit with a delicious aroma coming from the kitchen. Roasted garlic and simmering tomatoes wafted in the air. He set his briefcase on the entryway table and loosened his tie. It had been a long day at the office and coming home to a home-cooked meal was everything he didn’t know he needed.

“Mae?” he called out.

“In here!” she called from the kitchen, peeping around the corner with a little wave.

“It smells amazing in here.”

“Oh good. I’m trying a new recipe.” She held up a spoon and smiled.

Jonas looked her up and down quickly before she turned back to the stove. Her face was beautifully bare and her hair was up in a messy bun. She wore an old team shirt and shorts that barely grazed her upper thighs. In the two weeks she had been at his place, she had slowly become more and more comfortable in her new home. Not just in how she dressed, but in how she was with Jonas.

Despite their history and this plan he had forced her into, Mae had somehow softened. He would catch glimpses of how she used to be. Of the girl he fell for. She had started spending less time holed up in her room and more time in the common areas of the condo.

He would find her curled up on the couch typing on her laptop, or by the fireplace reading a book. Lately, she started having dinner ready for him, whether she cooked it herself or ordered some of their old favorites. It felt nostalgic sitting at the kitchen counter eating Chinese food straight from the carton, or sipping chilled white wine while watching bad reality TV, or simply sitting in a comfortable silence. These were things he had missed.

This was the life they had before Jonas had screwed it up. This was the life they could have had if he had realigned his priorities. But he hadn’t. He had chosen his work, and right now, he had to remind himself of that as he watched Mae cooking in his kitchen. Still, he enjoyed her company. He enjoyed coming home to a not empty condo for once. It almost felt like they were a real married couple.

“I’m going to hop in the shower,” Jonas said after watching her for a moment from the living room.

“Okay. Dinner should be ready in twenty.” She stirred a sauce simmering in the pan.

Jonas nodded and headed toward his bedroom, shutting the door behind him. He took a hot shower, watching the glass blur with fog. He stayed in a minute longer with the unrealistic thought Mae would step in and join him. He laughed to himself. She wasn’tthatcomfortable, but he let his thoughts go there for a minute anyway.

It was beginning to get more and more difficult not to touch her. He found himself loving when Braydon was around. Something he thought he would never say. But it meant he could put his arm around Mae or place his hand on her lower back. Any chance he could touch her, he took. They hadn’t kissed since the restaurant, but Jonas thought about it all the time. The way she had looked at him before she pressed her lips against his. He wanted to kiss her again, and not just because Braydon was watching.

Jonas sighed and turned off the water before stepping out and wrapping himself in a plush white towel. Another reminder of her. She had slowly integrated herself into his place. First it started with pots and pans filling his cabinets. Jonas never cooked for himself. He had delivery for dinner almost every night. She recorded shows on his TV that were hilariously bad, but he somehow got sucked in to. She lit candles that smelled of vanilla and warm spices. She bought new luxury towels and sheets, which she offered to him as a gift for her staying there. She was everywhere, and Jonas didn’t mind it.

He dried off, slipped on some black joggers and a faded Henley tee, and walked to the kitchen.

“You’re just in time,” said Mae as she set silverware on the table. “Would you mind pouring some wine? I picked up a nice red after work.”

“Sure.” Jonas walked to the bar and pulled down a pair of wine glasses. He unscrewed the cork of the wine bottle and poured two generous servings.

“It’s a Bolognese.” She set a steaming bowl of pasta in front of Jonas as he took a seat at the table.

“It looks fantastic. I could get used to these home-cooked meals.” He handed her the wine.

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