Hollywood Princess (48 page)

CHAPTER 105 - DANIEL

Before I spotted her, I sensed Elizabeth approach. I looked up. Her new bathing suit emphasized every luscious curve and turquoise was a great color on her. The pareo tied around her swaying hips emphasized the narrow waist I couldn’t wait to get my hands around.

Eli’s attempt at modesty
failed. It amazed me how much sexier she was in this one-piece confection than the two girls flirting shamelessly with Teddy and me were in their show-all bikinis.

Through sungla
sses, our eyes made contact. I instantly filled with warmth that lit my face and made my eyes sparkle. I loved Eli’s newfound confidence. There I stood, chatting with two attractive and practically naked girls, yet she didn’t so much as flinch. Eli knew as well as I did that she was my lady, forever.

Sometime during the last two weeks at Donn
elly I had made that decision. After the embarrassment of Rachel learning of my pointless fling with Amelia, I knew I had to stop denying the inevitable. Elizabeth was my great love. I couldn’t live without her. It was time to grow-up and stop sabotaging our relationship.

Moving in, taking her to meet Grand
ma, opening a bank account, those were my ways of telling Eli I would take care of her now.  I hadn’t said the words or given her a ring, but in my mind she had crossed the threshold and had become a Newman.

The words would come later.
That was the other decision I had made. Elizabeth and I came from homes where one parent or another had spent time away on location. Intellectually we knew what it meant to be separated. This summer we were the ones forced apart. Eli and I would be together most weekends, but could our love sustain us through a separation that was nearly half as long as our entire relationship?

Eliza
beth shouldn’t feel pressured. She needed the freedom to decide if she wanted this life. Eli might decide it wasn’t for her. She should make that determination with a clear mind and an honest assessment. If this were for Eli, once settled back at Donnelly, I would tell her the words she so desperately wanted to hear.

“There ‘s my lady,” I said cheerfully as Elizabeth neared.

Eli’s smile was as bright as the sun. The boogie board I was holding under my arm fell to the sand, leaving my hands free to circle her waist. Eli went up on toe to kiss my cheek. I surprised her by clasping her against my damp chest.

“I missed you, babe,” I whispered.

“I missed you too.”

Eli lost her balance. I caught her around her waist. She shrugged, giggling at her clumsiness.
The high-pitched delight in her laughter was music.

Eli felt so good.
I kept her in my hold as I eyed her ensemble. “Nice,” I said. “You’ve been shopping.” Elizabeth blushed.

I let one hand leave Eli’s waist to hold her
face, and I quickly kissed her. Eli melted in my arms. Then I moved my hand to her shoulder, holding Eli close, and I clasped her hand. Elizabeth’s fingers were so soft. Freshly manicured too.

“I bought you some things
too.” Elizabeth smiled, pleased with herself.

“Thanks, babe.”

Elizabeth need not have bought me anything, but the pleasure she derived from making me happy showed in her sparkling emerald eyes.

I ignored Teddy and the girls as I
kissed Elizabeth to show how much I loved her.

“Do you mind?” Teddy interrupted.

“Sorry, Teddy. I missed your sister.”

“She’s your sister?” the dark haired girl asked.

“Yes,” Teddy answered.

“You didn’t say you had a girlfriend,” the sun-bleac
hed white blonde sneered. Her coloring reminded me of Juliette. I didn’t want that memory.

“You didn
’t ask,” I answered flippantly. It was really none of her business.

The blonde was dumbfounded, but Eli smiled. 

“Teddy might be auditioning for a girlfriend,” I added as an afterthought.

Teddy’s gr
in told me he liked that idea. Eli’s glare told me she didn’t.

“Time to start the grill,” Eli announced, purposely changing the subject.
“Teddy, you need to shower before dinner,” Eli said crossly. 

Point made. No girls for Teddy.
Big sis defending his virtue, though that contradicted the summer goal he had earlier confided.

Teddy sighed, disappointed.

Eli reached for my hand. “Let’s go, Daniel,” she ordered.

I reached for my boogie b
oard and let her lead the way.

“Eli, I thou
ght Teddy could have some fun. He’s fifteen already.”

“He’s just a kid!” she growled.

“I was younger,” I said in a gentle voice hoping to quiet her.

Eli stood before me defensively; her hands on her hips, her chin tilted defiantly, fire in her green eyes. 

“Teddy is not you,” she said and frowned.

I tried pulling Eli into my arms but she wouldn’t budge.

“Eli, honey c’mon,” I said, and I held out my arms for her. 

Elizabeth folded her arms across her chest and glared.

“I’m angry, Daniel.” Eli scowled.

Despite her crossed-arms stance, I wrapped my arms around her. Elizabeth pressed her hea
d against my chest and sobbed. She was shaking and clung to me. 

Eli was not usually
this emotional or irrational. I could only come to one conclusion; Eli must be hormonal. I would say whatever needed saying to placate her.

“Honey, I’m sorry. I
didn’t consider your feelings. All I thought was how Teddy’s fifteen. It’s time already. I wasn’t thinking how you feel responsible for him.”

Thankfully Eli’s crying s
topped. I lifted her chin and looked into sad, red eyes.

“I love you, honey.
Now let’s kiss and make up.”

CHAPTER 106 - DANIEL

“Where’s Teddy?” Eli asked as soon as we entered the empty great room from the garage.

Hormonal or not, Eli and I needed time alone, so after dinner we drove into town for gelato. All was quiet when we returned home. The place seemed deserted.

“Teddy’s probably in his room. I’ll check.”
I knew what I’d find.

Teddy’s
downstairs bedroom was a mess. The bed linens were disheveled of course, and Teddy’s swim trunks and clothes were dumped on the floor along with two used condoms and their wrappers. I grinned at his success.

Teddy
was singing in the shower. I loudly rapped on the bathroom door.

“Yeah?” Teddy called out.
His voice was muffled by the sound of the water. 

“We’re upstairs. And c
lean up this mess,” I ordered. Then I left for the great room.

Eli was waiting; her arms crossed across her chest.

“Teddy’s in the shower. He’ll be up soon.”

Eli dropped her defensive position. I took her hands and drew her to my chest.

“Baby, I missed you today,” I said softly.

“Danny, I missed you too.
It’s almost Thursday,” Eli said sadly.

“Is that what this is about? Babe, y
ou’ve really been emotional today.”

“Maybe,” Eli sniffled.

“Hey,” I said and Elizabeth raised her eyes to mine. “You’ll be in Vancouver on Friday.  We’ll be apart for only five days.”

I brought Elizabeth’s hands up to my lip
s and kissed the tops of them. How could I convey to Eli the extent of my love? I told her, ‘I love you’ so often I needed another way to make Elizabeth understand the depth of my feelings.

“
Baby, I can’t stand the thought of not waking up next to you every morning. If I were working in L.A., you’d send me off after breakfast. I would have to have a great day.

And Eli, how
will I get through the night? Coming home to you is what I look forward to everyday. Hanging out with you is the best. Making love to you, well nothing compares to that.”

There were tears in Elizabeth’s eyes.
A couple trickled out, and I wiped them away with my thumb.

“That was so eloquent. Danny, y
ou’ve never...  That was so beautiful, it hurts.”

“Hurts?
I don’t want you to hurt.”

“In a good way. I m
ean… I don’t know what I mean. All I know is I love you so much and your words really touched me.”

Elizabeth’s
sweetness shone through. I reached for her face and held it to mine. Our lips joined. Eli’s eagerly parted, welcoming me, allowing my exploration. Her tongue found mine and caressed my mouth. Eli’s love was transporting me. Never had I experienced a kiss as emotional as this one.

When it ended,
I held Elizabeth’s delicate frame against mine and stroked her silky hair. I leaned my chin into Elizabeth’s shoulder and with my eyes closed I inhaled her intoxicating floral scent. There could never be anything better than this moment.

Teddy bounced into the room.
“Where’s my gelato?” he asked. His exuberant entrance startled us.

Eli didn’t move, but I opened my eyes and stopped stroking her hair.

“Teddy, your timing sucks, man.”

“Sorry,” he laughed. How typical!
“So where’s my gelato?”

Teddy was
like an overgrown child. In his Bromley logo pajama pants and t-shirt, he certainly looked like one. 

“There’s ice cream in the freezer,” Elizabeth responded. 

“Get me a bowl?” 

Eli rolled her eyes and re
signed herself to playing mom. She left my arms for the kitchen, leaving me empty in more ways than one.

W
ith Eli’s back turned, a sly grin crossed Teddy’s face.

“Thanks, Danny,” he smirked and high-fived me.

I embraced Teddy and clapped him on the back.

“Who did the honors?” I whispered, hoping Eli wouldn’t hear.

No such luck. The ice cream scoop loudly clanged against the stainless steel sink; a deliberate attention-getter that Teddy and I ignored, though he snickered. Teddy could afford to irritate Eli. He wasn’t sharing her bed.

“Ashley,” he answered. The blonde.

Teddy was completely sober, but he was flying. His smile was infectious. I had experienced this same joy my first time too.

“Was she good to you?” I hoped so.

“Real good,” Teddy laughed.

Eli
slammed the freezer door shut. Teddy and I exchanged nervous glances and laughed. We were two naughty boys pissing off mom.

“Then Tiffany joined us,” Teddy added.

Eli exited the kitchen carrying a bowl of ice cream and a spoon. The steam spouting from her ears threatened to melt the snack.

“No, shit!” I exclaimed
, and I stared wide-eyed at Teddy. “You’re legend bro! That’s never even happened to me.”

With angry, narrow eyes Eli shoved
the bowl at Teddy and growled. “Daniel Martin Newman! Have you forgotten that I’m in the room?”

“Uh-oh!” Teddy laughed.
“Your wife is really pissed, bro.”

Eli’s face turned scarlet.
I was in big trouble.

“Theodore
Sean Jacobs! I don’t want to hear this!” she barked. “This is not a fraternity. This is my home!” Eli screamed.

“Elizabeth, calm down,” I urged her.

Eli glared straight at me. “Daniel!” she snarled, “You were behind this. That’s why you insisted on gelato.”

Furious, Eli tu
rned toward me, hands on hips. I took advantage and wrapped my arms around her body to still her.

“Shush, Eli.
Calm down,” I murmured.

Elizabeth relented and began crying. “This is our home,”
she whimpered. 

I stroked her back. Elizabeth clung to me.
She sobbed against my chest. I let her hysteria subside and gradually her grip softened.

“Is Elizabeth having a nervous breakdown?” Teddy chuckled. I glared, fed up with him.

“She’ll be fine,” I snapped. “Teddy, excuse us. Elizabeth and I need our privacy.”

Without waiting for either to respond, I scooped Eli up in my arms and threw her over my shoulder.

“Daniel!” she protested, arms and legs flailing against me. But I didn’t care, and I grabbed the chenille throw to wrap around her. 

Once outside, I slid the door
closed against Teddy’s prying. I gently placed Eli on a chaise and tucked the throw around her.

Eli reached for my hand, her ire gone
. A tear rolled down her check, and I leaned forward to brush it away.

“You were acting like the old Danny,” she complained. 

“Can’t I be immature? Sometimes?” I tried to make Eli smile. 

Instead Elizabeth dropped my hand, drew up her knees a
nd tucked in to hide her face. Eli was crying again, but softly.

“
Babe?”

“Danny, if I say I’m scared, would you be angry?”

“Angry? Never. What are you scared about, honey?”

“Vancouver. This summer.
Us.”

I pu
rsed my lips in contemplation. This was not unexpected.

Eli sat up straighter. “Maybe I should move out,” she said sadly.

“Of course not! That’s the last thing I want.”

I slid down.
Eli moved over, allowing me to lie on my side facing her. I took back the hand she’d dropped and laced my fingers through hers. Eli’s face, Eli’s body, her entire being froze, fearful.

“E…”

“I can’t live like this, Daniel. This limbo is killing me.”

“I can’t live like this either.”

Panoply of emotions crossed Elizabeth’s lovely face. One moment there was disappointment, the next there was hope, and lastly, there was plain confusion. I put my finger up to her lips to signal quiet.

I continued holding Eli’s hand, letting our twined fingers rest upon her thigh. I closed the gap between us a
nd quickly kissed her. Eli didn’t react. I felt her inner debate. Would remaining true to herself equate to leaving me?

“
E, you’ve been waiting a long time for me to settle down.” I smiled warmly and Eli rewarded me with an upturn of her lips. “I’m almost there, baby.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means if I weren’t leaving, I would give you what you want. Without hesitation.”

“I don’t understand.
Are you setting me up so if you cheat this summer you’ll say ‘don’t be mad, I never made you promises?’”

“God no, Eli. I love you.” I twinkled my eyes at her.
”Three months is a long time to be apart. You might get tired of the flying. You’ll find other things to do on the weekend. I don’t want you feeling obligated.”

“Do you really think that?”

I shrugged and smiled impishly. “It could happen.”

Eli reached
for my cheek. Her hand was cold from the night air.

“I could never tire of visiting you.”

“Eli, you’re being naïve,” I whispered, my forehead touching hers.

“I don’t think so.”

“Lots of guys work at the studio. One of them might ask you out.”

Elizabeth burst into a fit of giggles.

“It could happen, Eli. You are gorgeous.”

Elizabeth smiled as she rubbed her nose against mine.

“I would turn them down. I have a boyfriend, remember?”

“That’s exactly what I mean. Elizabeth, y
ou might want to say yes.”

“Daniel, anyone who would
ask a girl out who lives with her boyfriend is a cad. Besides, they’ll know who my dad is and be intimidated. What about you? Lots of girls work on a set.”

“Any girl who would want a guy who
lives with his girlfriend is a slut.” I mischievously raised an eyebrow. “Hmm. Now that I put it that way…”

“Daniel!” Elizabeth feigned a
nnoyance. She knew I was teasing.

“I will be too busy working
to notice any girls. Besides, when they see how amazing my lady is, they’ll know they have no chance.”

And I flashe
d Elizabeth my flirtiest grin. She blushed.

“Daniel?”

“Elizabeth?”

Eli reached her hands around my neck and kissed me.

“Some ambitious young suit might try taking advantage because of your parents. Dating Elizabeth Jacobs could be very attractive for their careers.”

“I’m taken, Daniel.”

Elizabeth’s breath tickled my cheek as she spoke. 

“It could happen, Eli.”

Elizabeth pressed her lips to mine while her hands held my face to hers as though we were glued together. I delicately ran my hand down Elizabeth’s pareo-covered thigh. A shiver ran through her.

“I’m taken, Daniel,” Eli repeated in a whisper.

“I hope so,” I whispered back.

My breath on Eli’s face made her shudder.

“Why are you being insecure?” Eli asked. “I’ve never seen you like this.”

I gave Eli a quick lip nibble.

“I don’t want to lose you. Any of these scenarios could happen.”

“Daniel?” Eli knew I was hiding something.

I inhaled deeply. “I’m acutely aware that I’m the only boyfriend you’ve ever had. Being apart, you’ll have time to think about it. Maybe you’ll decide you’re too young for this.” I gestured toward the house. “ Maybe you’ll decide you want to experiment with other men.”

Eli laughed.
“That would be disappointing.”

“I’m serious, Eli.”

“So am I.” Then Elizabeth smiled. “Daniel, you’re right. I am too young to settle down, but I couldn’t be happier.”

Eli pressed her lips to min
e for another heart-felt kiss. “I love you Daniel. That’s not going to change.”

I touched her lower lip
with my finger. “I love you too. That’s why I want you to have options.”

Eli took my han
d and pressed it to her cheek. Then she kissed my palm. Eli’s laughing emerald eyes never left me.

“You didn’t move
me in here to give me options. So cut the crap, Newman. This is the most bogus conversation I’ve ever had.”

My m
outh opened wide, then closed. Elizabeth’s directness took me completely by surprise. I loved it! She was so hot!. 

“You’re right. This is bogus.
I don’t want to give you options. I felt obligated because I’m leaving.” I kissed the top of Eli’s head.

Elizabeth pulled back a
few inches to make eye contact. “Daniel, you are a very complicated man. That’s part of why I love you. In this case, there’s something in your head, something intangible that even I can’t comprehend. I don’t know if you even understand it. But if that infinitesimal fraction of one percent is telling you to hold off until you return in August, I can live with that.”