Teacher: Act Two (A Hollywood Rock n' Romance Trilogy Book 2) (25 page)

“I don’t know, Dan. The drive would be too much for Lydia.”

Danny turned to him and spoke quietly but not too low for me to hear. “Jack, I’ve got shares in a jet. All you’d need to do is get to Oakland or Hayward and on the other end, I’ll have a car come get you. Jesse misses you two. We’d love to have you. The next time you have off, ok? It’s done.” My dad gazed appreciatively at Danny and pulled him in for a hug, complete with loud back pounding.

“Ladies, you about ready to get some shut eye? It’s getting late and we have a long drive tomorrow.” He looked to me to see if I was ready to go. I nodded at him, giving him a grateful smile.

“Oh, thank you so much for coming to visit! I miss you, Jess.” My mother hugged me as tight as she could. I fought the tears at the thought of not seeing her for another long time. Jane hugged her, too.

“No, Lydia. Don’t get up.” Danny came over to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She flushed again and I shook my head.

“You kids have a safe trip tomorrow.” Dad hugged Jane and looked down at her lovingly. Then he turned to me and I could see he was fighting tears as well. He pulled me in and this time he forgot his strength. He hugged me so tight I saw stars.

“Dad,” I choked out, reminding him I was breakable.

Danny’s hand on my lower back as we walked out kept me together until we got to the car. I wept silently until we got to the hotel. Danny held my hand the whole way. Jane chattered on and on about the videos and how she couldn’t wait to go to dance class and how huge my dad was and how nice my mom was. When we got to the hotel and the valet opened my door, I got out and opened Jane’s, pulling her into a tight hug.

“You are the most amazing girl I have ever known, Jane. Thank you. Thanks for being you.” She looked really confused, but hugged me back with enthusiasm. We got up to the room and she went to take a shower.

We didn’t have a suite this time, so there was just one room. Danny held me as I got the rest of my tears out of my system.

“I just miss them so much. It’s easier when I don’t see them, because when I do, I’m a wreck.”

Danny rubbed my back gently and smoothed down my hair. “Honey, I hate to see you so sad. Let’s move them down by us! I can get your dad a job at the studio or somewhere close by. We’ll get them a house near us. Whatever you want, whatever they’ll let us do. I’d do anything to make you happy, Jesse. Anything.”

I turned to look into his warm, dark brown eyes and saw his love and commitment there. “You really are the best man I’ve ever known, Danny. I am so grateful for you.” He kissed me lightly and took my hands in his, kissing them and massaging them gently. I was exhausted and they were pretty swollen tonight.

“Why don’t you just get some sleep, honey. I’ll tuck Jane in and be curled up next to you in just a few minutes. I’m gonna hold you all night.”

That sounded like perfection. I took off my dress and threw on his t-shirt and a pair of my sleep shorts. I’m pretty sure I was asleep before my head hit the pillow and I missed out on the all-night cuddle session.

I drove home the next day, which allowed Danny to sit in the back and hang out with Jane. I had a lot on my mind and Danny didn’t argue.. We missed the traffic and got home in just about six hours. Nora and Legs were very happy to see us. I swear that little puppy doubled in size while we were gone! We were in so much trouble.

We ate dinner and I listened intently while Jane and Danny told Nora all about our adventures. I was overwhelmed and tired, so I excused myself to go to bed. Danny came in a little later and asked if I was ok.

“I am. It was just a heavy week. I’m really glad we went. Thank you for taking the time to take me.” He smiled hesitantly, still looking concerned. “Really, I’m fine, babe. I just need some sleep, ok? I want to be in good shape for the wedding tomorrow.”

“The wedding,” he exclaimed. A devilish grin appeared on his face. “The wedding. I get to see another new dress, don’t I?”

I loved his enthusiasm. “You will if I get some sleep! Go play, Danny. I’ll see you in the morning. I love you.”

He kissed me thoroughly and told me all the ways he loved me. He almost convinced my body it wasn’t exhausted, but the exhaustion won out. He finally gave up and went to go bug Nora and play with Legs.

I slept so soundly I apparently missed a visit from “the guys,” a jam session, and Danny’s late night domestic activities. He’d unpacked for both of us and even started our laundry. I woke with him pressed against me and I reveled in it. I stayed still as long as I could and just enjoyed his body wrapped around mine. It was truly the most comforting feeling I’d ever had. Except when it was exciting, and passionate.

He slept until almost 9:00, late for him. I was able to get up and use the facilities, crawl back in bed, and watch him sleep for a long time. When he did wake, it was his hands and body that woke first, followed by his consciousness. By the time his eyes opened, we were already kissing and he already had me naked and under him.

“Good morning,” I giggled when he realized what he’d done. His sleepy eyes gazed hungrily at me as he pressed against me. “Apparently the alarm clock was set.”

He looked down at us and growled. “I’m so-”

I kissed him before he could apologize and led him to where we both wanted him to be. We made love slow and tender and it felt so good to be in this moment with him. After the visit with our parents, we needed to be grounded in each other. That’s what this time was about. Reassurance.

An hour later we were still moving together and I whispered, “Jane’s going to be up soon, babe. While I love this, you might want to-”

He flipped me over on my stomach and drove into me that deep way we both loved. It didn’t take long before both of us were shuddering and trembling, clawing at each other and the bed, finding that release we both desperately needed. When it finally hit us and we were spent, we kissed and caressed each other until we knew we had to get moving or chance getting found in this most intimate position.

Danny threw on his swim shorts and took a swim while I cleaned up in the bathroom. When I came out, Jane was with him in the pool and Legs was running around. I took my time stretching. My hands were pretty swollen and my feet were sore. I was hoping some medication would help, otherwise my strappy wedge sandals were not going to be comfortable tonight.

I was nervous about the wedding, mostly because I was going to see Mrs. Manning, but also because this was my first time really mingling with Danny’s world. I prayed long and hard that I didn’t embarrass him and that his extended family accepted me. I didn’t want to have to face any more obstacles with him.

We had a late breakfast, brunch really, and Danny took Jane to ride Misty. I couldn’t eat more than a couple of bites as my stomach was off. Probably a combination of nerves and the medicine. I’d been feeling a little nauseous off and on and thought maybe I should check in with the doctor about it. Nora left to go to the store and run some errands so I had time to myself. I went into the library and looked through the stuff we’d hastily thrown in there before we left. Most of it could really just go into storage, but I didn’t know where I could put it. When Nora came back, I asked her and she pointed me to some cabinets in the garage that were mostly empty.

I carried the boxes out there one at a time and was just putting the last one in when a box slid off the top shelf, nailing me in the shoulder on the way down.

“Ow, shit! That smarts!” I looked down to see what had hit me and found a thin box about the depth of a shoebox. I opened it to find a large, professionally done photo album. I  remembered that Danny hadn’t gotten around to show me the promised pictures of him and Alex, so I thought I’d take a peek. I really shouldn’t have. What they say about curiosity and the cat? Well, this cat had already been smacked in the shoulder and still didn’t learn her lesson.

It was a wedding album. Danny's and Brooke’s. They made an incredibly handsome couple. He was in all black, she in a fairly traditional white dress. He looked happy. She looked posed. His hair was shaved close to his head. Her long blonde hair was up in large pin curls. I figured since I’d already invaded his private history, I’d keep flipping through the pages. I found ‘the guys,’ they were the groomsmen. Brooke had three glamorous bridesmaids. There were pictures of Danny with the Manning family as well as his own. There was even a picture of him with Seamus, their arms around each other like brothers. All of Brooke’s solo pictures managed to look like stills from a movie. Danny’s were breathtaking. He was thinner then, had fewer lines on his face, but was still the same Danny. Absently I ran my finger over his face, wishing I could see the future. Would we really get married someday? Would I make him happier than Brooke, or would we end up bitter and nasty with each other like the two of them were? I couldn’t see myself not in love with him. Even if he walked away from me today, my heart knew it would always love him. He’d imprinted himself on my whole being. And I’d given him my soul.

I needed to snap out of this melancholy mood and put this mess away before I was discovered. I lifted the thick album to put it back in the box and a stack of pictures slipped out. I flipped through them and found images of Danny and Brooke with Jane as an infant. She was adorable, of course. He looked blissfully happy. Brooke looked like her face would crack if she actually smiled. I began to wonder if perhaps her problems actually started back then, perhaps an undiagnosed case of post-partum depression? I’d heard horror stories. If not that, then something else was definitely going on with her. You didn’t have to know her to see the difference in her between the wedding and these pictures.

Shaking myself, I put them away and slid the heavy box back onto the top shelf. My shoulder was throbbing. I figured an ice pack might not be a bad idea. I really hoped I didn’t have a nasty mark showing with my dress!

Nora must have gone over to her place. I grabbed some ice in a baggie and went into the library to sit with it and read a book until Danny and Jane returned. I must have dozed because I heard Danny calling for me what seemed like moments later. In actuality, it had been close to an hour and a half. I was lying on my side with my legs pulled up almost to my chest.

“I’m in here,” I called out. My ice pack was now a baggie filled with water. I set it on the floor next to where I’d left my glasses, which I must have removed when I closed my eyes.

“Hey honey,” he said, coming over to kiss me. He sat down on the couch at my feet with a frown. “Were you sleeping?”

I blushed and tried to sit up. “I must have dozed off. I moved my extra boxes into the cabinets in the garage. Nora said there was room.”

He frowned deeper. “I wish you would have let me do that.”

“They weren’t that heavy. I promise.” I tried giving him my most winning smile, but he spotted the baggie.

“Was that ice? Did you hurt yourself?” His hands ran over my shoulders, hitting the spot on top where the box had hit and I winced.

“Yeah, a box sort of fell on me off the top shelf. I just didn’t want it to leave a mark that would show with my dress today.”

He leaned in closer to look and unfortunately a bruise was already starting. He kissed my shoulder and I shivered. He must have felt it, because he gave me a lopsided grin.

“Mmmmm, I think I did make it better. Want me to keep going?”

I shoved at him with my toes. “That’s not a fair question. Besides, it’s almost 3:00. Don’t we have to get ready for this wedding?”

He nodded, running his hand over his face. He stood up and took my hand.

“Jane’s already over at Nora’s. They’re going out for dinner and a movie before their sleepover. Let’s go get ready.”

I stood up and stretched, feeling stiff from sleeping in such a funky position. “I need to run to her place and get my dress. Oh! You need to pick a color. Blue or peach?”

He cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. “Blue, I think. Either one... No, blue. Definitely blue.”

I laughed and trotted off to Nora’s. “I’ll be right back. Don’t get dressed yet.”

He grabbed himself and growled. “Don’t tease me like that, honey.”

I laughed and waved as I went through the door. I walked out of the kitchen, onto the patio. I knocked on Nora’s door and Jane answered.

“Jesse! I rode bareback today! My legs are so sore! Hey, aren’t you going to be late for the wedding?”

I laughed. “I just came to get my dress and your dad’s shirt. Nora? He’s decided on blue.”

Nora grinned wickedly and rubbed her hands together. “Pictures! I want pictures,” she called over her shoulder. My stomach dropped a little.

I hurried back over to the big house and to the bedroom. I found Danny in front of the sink in a towel, shaving.. “Awwww, I miss your goatee already,” I whined.

He smirked. “It’ll grow back in no time. I can almost grow one on command, I’m so fucking hairy.”

I cracked up and wrapped my arms around his waist, running my fingers through his barely-there chest hair. “I love your hair. Everywhere! Now hurry up so I can get ready. Your shirt is hanging in the closet.”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Where’s your dress?”

“I’m not telling! And no peeking!” I went back out to the closet to gather my undergarments. I’d need a strapless bra with this dress as the straps were way too thin for a regular bra, and a tiny scrap of lace would have to do for panties since I didn’t want anything showing. The dress was going to show off a hell of a lot of leg. I almost chickened out, but then I thought of how good the blue was going to look on Danny and that bolstered my courage.

He came out of the bathroom and all I could think of was tearing his towel off and having my way with him but we were on a time crunch. I winked at him and hurried into the bathroom to do my makeup and hair. I opted to leave it down as it would contrast nicely with the blue dress. Maybe I could even hide behind it a little if I got too scared! A few brushes with the makeup, a little blow dryer and round brush action and I was ready to get dressed. I put my undergarments on and strolled out into the bedroom to find Danny putting his cufflinks on with his back to me. I stepped into the closet and the noise from the plastic garment bag caught his attention.

“That’s a perfect outfit, honey. Let’s go.”

I rolled my eyes at him, but enjoyed the embrace and neck nibbles I got. He was about to have me all over him if he didn’t stop and I told him so. His answering groan had me giggling.

“Go wait for me out there.”

He pouted and sullenly stalked into the bedroom. I couldn’t help laughing at his reaction. He could be so boyish sometimes, and such a man others. Such a man.

I slid into my dress and it clung nicely. Lord, was I going to have to be cautious about bending over! I grabbed the wrap I’d picked up and slid on my wedge sandals. I might actually be taller than Danny in these shoes. I hoped that didn’t bother him.

I got my answer when I walked out. He grabbed his chest and staggered back a step. “God damn, woman. You are going to give me a fucking heart attack! Turn around.”

I giggled and gave him a quick turn. When I faced him again, he was pulling on his bottom lip. That usually meant he was nervous.

“Is this ok, Danny? I know it’s a little like Prom matching like this. If you don’t want to wear that shirt or if this dress is too much, or not enough...” He didn’t say anything, just stared at me. I grew uncomfortable under his gaze. “Danny? Is this dress not ok? I can’t tell what you are thinking. Maybe I should go change?”

He shook his head vigorously. Slowly he approached me in his bare feet. I was right. I was about an inch taller than him. He placed a hand on my waist and rubbed his thumb across the material. His expression was unreadable. I started to fidget. “Danny, say something! Should I change?” The hand on my waist gripped me harder and his other one came around behind my neck.

He pulled me close, his lips brushed against my ear. “You’re not taking this dress off. You’re fucking beautiful. Only I get to take this dress off you, understand?" I shivered and swayed a little on my shoes. He pulled back and looked into my eyes. He looked like a very satisfied male, and when he smiled, it was a masculine smile of appreciation and desire.

I felt myself blushing. “You’re sure it’s ok,” I asked quietly.

He took my hand and held it against him. I got my answer. “You’re in so much trouble when we get home,” he said in a gravelly voice, causing an instant physiological response in me. “I’m going to have to send you off shopping with Patricia more often. I get the best surprises.”

I laughed. “Do you like your shirt? I know it’s not black...”

He nodded. “I love it. And I don’t care if we look like prom dates. I never fucking went to prom. Since I just finished school, I think it’s quite appropriate.” I kissed him gently and he pulled me in for a much deeper kiss filled with yearning. “Fuck me, this is going to be a long evening. C’mon, gorgeous. Let’s get a move on. I can’t wait to dance with you.”

I smiled at him, excited at that prospect. “I’d forgotten all about dancing! I haven’t been to a wedding since I was a teenager!” He put on his shoes, which put us at equal height, and took my wrap from me and put it around my shoulders, admiring the design. “I thought you’d approve.”