Read Hollywood Princess Online
Authors: Dana Aynn Levin
Hollywood Princess (47 page)
“You think so?”
“Men do not discuss babies casually. It’s the biggest commitment there is.”
I hugged her tightly.
“Thanks, Mom. I better wash. I don’t want Danny seeing my face tear-stained.”
Mom left my room as I entered the bathroom. Through the running water I heard her and Danny.
“How’s Eli?” he asked.
“She’s good. Tell Elizabeth I’m leaving. I’ll see you at lunch.”
I splashed cold water on my cheeks and dabbed my eyes. Then I patted my face dry with a hand towel. Appraising my reflection, I was pleased to note my early season tan deflected attention from my puffy eyes.
I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Confiding in Mom made me feel better. She had not been judgmental nor had she told me to dump Danny.
Beyond the bathroom door, Danny was waiting. Poor boy! Today I was an emotional rollercoaster, and he had tolerated it. At least I was happy again.
I stepped into my bedroom and found Danny in Dad’s white polo shirt. My sapphire-eyed sweetheart was staring at me.
My earlier sadness gone, I was able to appreciate how handsome Danny looked today. In contrast to his sandy hair, his tanned skin was striking. His eyes stood out more than usual. They were twinkling for me. Full, pink lips smiled my way.
“Feeling better?” he asked. Danny sounded hopeful.
“Yes,” I answered, giving him my megawatt smile.
I took Danny’s hands and pulled myself into his comforting embrace.
“Does this mean you’re over whatever was going to cause us to fight later?”
“What fight” I asked innocently.
My hands reached up, and I brought Danny’s lips to mine for a kiss.
“I have plans for tonight,” I said breathlessly, “And a fight would be completely counterproductive.”
“I know your plans, and you’re right.”
Danny’s breath was on my face. He gripped my head through my thick waves and as my hands reached around his neck our lips met. Mine parted eagerly, sharing our love. All doubts vanished in the security of Danny’s strong, loving arms.
Then Danny lifted my skirt and squeezed me. I gasped.
“Baby, I want you now,” Danny whispered in my ear. “Do you know how tortuous it was sleeping next to you at Grandma’s and not being able to love you?”
“Do you know how tortuous it was to feel you poking against me?”
Our lips joined again, our tongues exploring. Consumed by lust, Danny pushed my skirt and my thong down past my thighs where they fell to the floor.
Drunk from Danny’s passionate sensuality, I couldn’t react sanely. I was half undressed and his hardness rubbed against me. We had never made love in my parents’ house. Yet here we were, powerless to stop.
“I love you, Eli.”
“Flora will hear us,” I protested while I unfastened his shorts and pushed them down far enough to fall to the floor.
“Too bad.” Danny lifted me off the floor, our lips once more glued together.
On the way to the bed, Danny kicked the door closed. The highly charged moment left me feeling wasted, my mind turned to jelly. I was senseless. I wanted Danny as much as he wanted me, and I wanted him now.
Giddy from our furtive love making, we arrived at the Riviera Country Club. Freshly showered and wearing tennis whites, I hoped my mother wouldn’t notice my damp, braided hair or more obvious, Danny’s shaggy wet mane. Self-conscious, with grins that wouldn’t quit, there was no getting around what we had been up to since Mom left the house.
In a lust-induced haze, I followed Danny to the dining room where we found our mothers already seated. Ellen rose and greeted us with hugs and kisses. Mom raised an eyebrow and shook her head. I blushed crimson. Danny sat by my side, confident and not caring.
Normally lunch at the club was relaxing. Today I couldn’t get past Mom’s glances and Danny’s leg rubbing mine beneath the table.
I was relieved when Danny glanced at his Rolex and announced, “Time for tennis, Eli.”
But my concentration was shot. Thoughts of our romantic interlude dominated. I spent the next hour going through the motions. My brain couldn’t function. Neither could my body. I floated through the match.
Later that evening, we snuggled on the chaise beside the outdoor fireplace. “Will you ever tell me what we were going to fight over now that you say we won’t?” Danny asked.
I thought before answering. “I’ll tell you when we go to bed on September First.” By then my insecurities would have been rendered moot, and we’d share a good laugh.
“Eli, I’ll hold you to that,” Danny chuckled
“E, go back to sleep. I’m picking up Teddy. It’s going to be great hanging out with him.”
I never heard Danny leave, so I knew I fell back to sleep. A check of the clock confirmed over an hour had passed. If I didn’t want my brother catching me in my birthday suit, I needed to hit the shower and get dressed.
Danny and Teddy were in the kitchen when I came downstairs. The raucous scene reminded me of an exclusive fraternity. I was not used to this level of testosterone in my house.
Teddy was removing bagels from a brown paper bag and playfully tossing them to Danny. On the other side of the kitchen he caught the bagels and placed them in a large bowl. They were laughing, having a good time. My boys!
Danny spied me first. He smiled playfully and opened his arms to me.
“Here’s your lazy sister!” Danny announced as he pulled me into his embrace. He was grinning. Teddy laughed.
“Danny, you told me to go back to sleep,” I protested.
“So I did. Good morning, Sweetheart.”
“Good morning,” I answered. Then I pirouetted out of his embrace and over to Teddy.
“Hey, bro,” I said, and I kissed his forehead after brushing a lock of wavy brown hair off his face. “Welcome to Casa de Jacobs-Newman.”
“Elizabeth, this is so weird you living here with Danny.”
“Whatever,” I answered. I picked up a tomato from the counter and began to play one-handed catch.
“Come here, Eli,” Danny said.
I caught the tomato one last time and in two strides I was at Danny’s side. He embraced me again but this time he kissed me. It was awkward with Teddy watching.
“Teddy’s here,” I whispered through gritted teeth.
“I don’t care.” Danny kissed me again, not caring.
“Can you stop that?” Teddy asked. He flushed as red as the tomato. “That’s my sister.”
Danny stopped but kept his arms wrapped around my shoulders.
“Sorry,” Danny apologized. “I love your sister. Eli’s my lady.” Then Danny noticed the tomato. “Can you please slice that, babe? I’m hungry.” I groaned. Typical!
After clearing the breakfast dishes, Danny grabbed my hand and barked, “Teddy, fill the dishwasher. I want to show Eli the surprise.”
What it could be? “It’s in the garage,” he added.
Teddy, already rinsing the dishes, smirked. He knew.
“My car!” I exclaimed as Danny pulled me into the garage. My Range Rover.
“It arrived last night,” Danny explained.
“Thank you.”
“I knew you’d want it, but today I need it.”
The back seat was down and bicycles filled the space.
“Teddy and I are picking up the bike path in Santa Monica. Eli, you don’t mind, do you?” Danny gave me sad puppy dog eyes. “I never spend time with Teddy.”
“I know,” I sighed. I was not happy with losing Danny for the day, but I was pleased to encourage their relationship.
Danny pulled me to his chest. “Eli, you’re the best,” he said and kissed me. “We’ll be back by six.” Danny kissed me again. “You can drive my car today. Have fun. Go shopping.”
Danny pressed his keys into my palm. Then he pulled out his wallet and handed me a black American Express card and five one hundred dollar bills.
After my initial disappointment at not spending the day with Danny wore off, I realized he was right. It was time to get acquainted with my new hometown.
A trip to a nail salon was my first stop. I decided on a Shellac French manicure and a pink polish pedicure too. What the heck? I had all day, and I was wearing flip-flops anyway.
Next stop, the Malibu Country Mart and The Lumberyard.
I had never had much opportunity to shop in Malibu. When I was a kid, I stayed at the house and played on the beach. Later, we came for casual weekends and parties. The extent of my Malibu shopping experiences was trips to Ralph’s for groceries or outings to movies.
Delighted with the variety, I discovered several boutiques that seemed to have been stocked just for me. Casual attire in soft cottons and linen were perfect for life in a town where it was acceptable to go out wearing a bathing suit with a towel wrapped around your waist.
Several shopping bags later, an iced tea break was in order. Walking up the row of shops to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, I passed a home décor shop. Well, Danny wanted me to make the house mine. Maybe later.
With surprising ease I was able to find a small table for enjoying my tea and chocolate chip cookie. Perched near the rim of the centrally located sand-filled playground, my table was an ideal place to kick back and relax. About a dozen children were playing on the slides, the swings and in the sand. Laughter and squeals were a pleasure to behold.
“Lucky children,” I thought.
I smiled in their direction. As a child, I hadn’t been allowed that freedom. My children would not be cloistered like I had been.
A cool breeze was blowing in from the Pacific. My loose auburn waves floated. I breathed deeply, satisfied. The salty air smelled so good. I could sit here all day!
Alone with my tea, I reflected on the past week. Hard to believe only a week had passed. Life with Danny had totally consumed me. I hadn’t given Donnelly a moment’s thought until now. I hadn’t thought about Rachel or Chloe or even my local friends!
Leaning back in the chair, I sipped my iced tea. I inhaled deeply, absorbing the environment. Malibu had to be the most beautiful town in America. Everyone I’d met had been welcoming, too. I loved living in Malibu!
I enjoyed having a home that was mine, not my parents. I always thought having my own home would be cool. Sharing it with the man I had spent my entire life loving made it even more so. I was a real adult!
Most amazing was the growth in my relationship with Danny this past week. Danny might not have given me a ring, but I was as secure in his love as though he had. Now I regretted my tear-filled confession to Mom.
Mom was right. Actions do speak louder than words. How many girls with rings had the trust and love that Danny and I shared?
Sunday was coming, but I would make the most of the days we had left. I would be cheerful. Danny deserved to see me happy. He deserved to be showered with attention and treated like a king. Nothing would make me happier than to make the remainder of the week the best Danny had ever experienced.
With a bounce in my step and renewed purpose, I set out on the second half of my day determined to make this portion as Danny-centric as possible.
After stashing my bags in the car, I strode into the décor store. Something had to be right for our home. Even if it were only a vase, it would please Danny if I added my imprimatur.
Just inside the small store, I found it. Only it couldn’t be brought home today or anytime soon. Across the back wall was a magnificent seascape mural. Our living room was bland; it cried out for a mural. The wall behind the sofa was the ideal place. I would not say a word. I only hoped it could be complete by his return in August.
I loved surprising Danny!
For today, I purchased two fringed throw pillows in an ombre-dip mélange of sea foam and sky blue. They would liven up the room and look great with the mural that in my mind was as good as painted.
As expected, my boys were not home when I returned. First, I put away the food I had picked up for dinner. Teddy would be surprised that I could cook!
Next, I snipped the tags off the pillows, plumped them, and placed them on the sofa. There! They looked as inviting to the eye as they were cozy to lean against.
Upstairs I hung my new purchases in the closet, carefully placing Danny’s on his side. I hoped he liked what I bought. I had walked over to Kitson’s after I crammed the pillows in the car. It was an exciting experience, clothing shopping for a man! I bought Danny several graphic t-shirts and colorful casual shirts. Then I crossed to the James Perce store and purchased the softest sold colored t-shirts ever. They would be perfect for Vancouver.
It was three o’clock, and I was wiped. I changed into one of Danny’s old shirts, opened the slider to enjoy the sea breeze, and crawled into bed.
Two hours later I awoke, well rested. I stretched my arms and yawned. Surrounded by the scent of my favorite person, I didn’t want to leave the bed. It was too cozy!
This is what I needed while Danny was in Vancouver. Would Graciela think I was gross if I ordered her not to change our sheets until Danny returned? I could satisfy my desires by hiding his pillow each week before she arrived.
I willed myself to sitting. Danny and Teddy would be home shortly and I wanted to prep dinner. After a day spent bicycling, they would be starving.
Rising slowly, I spied the silk rose on my pillow. I picked it up and held it to my heart, then sighed, satisfied.
With my heart full of love, I ran to the balcony. Danny and Teddy had to be on the beach. The house was too quiet for them to be inside.
There! I spotted them easily enough. Danny and Teddy had just completed a ride in on a wave using bogie boards. Playfully running in the surf, kicking water at each other and high-fiving, my eyes could have been following two very tall ten year olds.
For the first time, I noticed how much Teddy had grown since January. He couldn’t be more than two or three inches shorter than Danny. Teddy must have been hitting the gym, too. His shoulders were broader, and he had the beginning of a muscular physique. With his curly brown hair and warm brown eyes, Teddy must be driving the girls at Bromley crazy. From this distance, I found myself watching two very attractive men.
What an awkward thought! Teddy was barely fifteen. He was my baby brother, not a man. For the first time I understood how Teddy had felt when he found me keeping house like a newlywed this morning. No wonder he seemed uncomfortable.
I thought Danny glanced my way, so I waved the rose. It didn’t catch his blind eyes’ attention.
I ran back in to change into the bathing suit I had purchased earlier. Turquoise with a floral print, the tank with narrow lingerie straps was cut low in front, but not too low, and similarly cut low in back, but not too low. In contrast, the legs were cut high, almost to my hips, but the matching pareo covered that feature.
I was acutely aware of Teddy’s presence and the need to be the proper big sister. That was why I’d bought this suit. The others in the closet were revealing bikinis meant only for Danny. I wouldn’t wear those in front of my brother.
Before heading out, I stopped in the kitchen to prepare a marinade for the grilled shrimp appetizer. I squeezed juice from a few limes, chopped some cilantro, added a little olive oil and mixed in a few dashes of cayenne powder. After adding the shrimp, I covered the bowl with plastic wrap and placed it in the refrigerator. In half an hour it would be ready.
One more finger fluff to my hair and I was good to go.
