Teacher: Act Two (A Hollywood Rock n' Romance Trilogy Book 2) (16 page)

Nora was right, I felt like I hadn’t gone a day without tears in the entire time I’d been in Danny’s life!

Speaking of Danny, it was after ten, so I imagined he’d be home at some point and I wanted to give him at least a sneak peek of what he purchased. My intentions were good. I got into one of my new nighties and displayed myself on his bed. I was doomed to failure. I probably didn’t even last five minutes.

“What do we have here,” I heard Danny say breathlessly when he came in three hours later. “Someone left me this beautiful gift, wrapped for my pleasure.”

I opened an eye to see Danny standing at the foot of the bed pulling at his lip. His shirt was stained with something dark, his face was swollen and had a scrape up one side. His hair was wet and he had a bandage on one hand. I shot up out of my sleep.

“What happened to you?! Oh my God, Danny! Are you ok?”

He laughed. “I’m great now.” He started to crawl towards me, but I put my hand out to stop him.

“Into the bathroom, you.” He exhaled on a groan. I smelled beer. “What were you doing?”

He plopped down on the counter and pulled his shirt off. I stepped up to him and looked at his face. He was going to have a nice shiner in the morning. “Let me get some ice,” I said, but he grabbed my hand and ran it down his cheek.

“No, I’m fine. I already iced it, honey.”

I stepped back with my hands on my hips. “Then tell me what happened!”

He reached out and fingered the lacey strap of my baby blue baby doll pajamas. They had ruffled panties to match and lots of layers of chiffon. An underwire put the girls on display nicely, something I couldn't usually achieve. All I needed were furry slippers and rollers in my hair and I’d be at home on the set of Grease at the slumber party.

His lip quirked up in a smile. “I love this. You are a fucking knockout!” He tried to pull me in for a kiss, but I cleared my throat and gestured for him to talk. He laughed and rubbed his hands over his face. “We went to a bar near the studio after we quit for the night because Alex was hungry and we ran into Stacey. He was drunk off his ass, again, and started talking about how my ‘little teacher had gotten all wet for him.’ I’d had a couple beers and was not in the mood, so I shut him up.” I couldn’t tell if he was more proud or embarrassed about his fight.

I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms over my chest, succeeding in drawing his eyes to my barely-more-than-barely-there cleavage. “So if you shut him up, why do you have a black eye starting?”

He touched his cheek and laughed. “Well, he wasn’t alone, honey, and his buddy got in a hit before I shut him up, too.”

I stared him down for a minute, but I was tickled by his story. “So you assured him your little teacher only gets wet for you, did you?”

His eyes flared like he couldn’t believe I'd just said that. “Damn right,” he growled. He hopped off the counter and I put a hand on his chest.

“Uh uh. You are not getting blood and sweat on my new nightie. My boyfriend bought this for me and I intend for him to get to enjoy it. So you go get yourself in the shower and clean up your mess. Then, maybe, if you come out resembling the man I love, you can touch the merchandise.”

He whimpered and quickly stripped his clothes off. He took the quickest shower on record, never taking his eyes off me. I sat on the counter and waited patiently for him to finish, suddenly feeling very awake.

He turned off the water and stalked toward me. I held out a towel for him and he did a cursory job of drying off before chucking it on the floor. Then he slowed, his fingers twitching in anticipation. It made me squirm.

“I don’t know where to start,” he said with wonder. “Do I just slide those little panties to the side and make love to you right now? Do I make you model for me first and then strip you slow? Do I just tear it all off you and devour you? Hmmm, so many choices.”

He traced the underside of my breast with one finger, his erection poking up between us. I took him in my hand and wrapped his warm flesh in the soft chiffon, slowly stroking him with the fabric. He closed his eyes and braced his hands on either side of me.

“Nothing wrong with doing all three options,” I teased.

That was all it took. He did exactly that. Option number one took place right there on the counter. Option number two occurred in his room, on the floor, in front of the fireplace (which I hadn’t seen in use to this point, but I was so happy to have experienced). We voted against option three. I liked this nightie and told him I wanted to be able to wear it again for him sometime. So the third time was in his bed and was even sweeter than the first two.

We woke up later than usual in a tangle of sweaty limbs and Danny picked up where we’d left off. Making love in the morning was fun and, as sensitive as we both were after the previous night’s activities, quick. Danny did indeed have a black eye and Nora gave him shit for it while we were eating breakfast.

“Oh, don’t tell me you wouldn’t have done the same if he said that in front of you,” he cried in his defense.

Nora just smirked and said, “Yeah, but I would have seen the other one coming and never got hit myself!”

“Point taken,” Danny mumbled.

She ruffled his hair. “When you going to cut your hair again, boy? Are you growing it out? Because if you are, why don’t you let me tame it a little for you,” she said.

He smacked her hands away. “Let me eat my food, woman!” That set Nora and I to giggling. He growled at us playfully.

“I’m going back to the studio at noon. I’m going to try to be home before Janey falls asleep. I miss her.”

“She wants to stay home today from the ranch and be lazy. I told her that would be fine. It’s been a little crazy this week, and with you guys leaving day after tomorrow, she could use her rest.”

He nodded. “Sounds good. You going to be ok with Legs while we’re gone?”

Nora waved him off. “We’ll be fine. Connie’s going to come and stay with me a couple of nights. She wants a break from her roommate.”

He grunted in approval. “She’s welcome here anytime. She knows that.”

Nora smiled at him. “You want her to come work on you before you leave, slugger?”

He snorted, flexing his hand. “That son of a bitch had a hard head. I’m glad we’re not fucking tracking guitars today.”

I shook my head. “Hey, did Alex get involved last night?”

He shook his head. “No, that fucker was on the phone with Connie and only moved to protect his food. I shoulda bled in his fucking Tesla on the way home. Speaking of which, Nora, can you drop me at the studio? I left the Range Rover there.”

She told him sure, since she had to run to the store anyway. He grumbled some more about Stacey and his big mouth until Nora and I were cracking up. I could not get enough of this man.

After breakfast he went in to cuddle with Jane, who was definitely wiped out. I went in Danny’s room to do some stretching. I took my morning medications. So far so good on my second day. No side effects other than being really thirsty. I planned to swim later, too.

When it was time for him to go, he kissed me lingeringly in the doorway. “Thank you again for the shopping trip. Patricia and I had a blast. She is really fun and made it completely enjoyable.”

He smiled, running his thumb over my lips. “I’m glad, honey. I wanted you to have a nice day. Did you really have a nice day?”

I bit my lip, determined not to tell him about Mrs. Manning and her nasty attitude. “I did. You have such wonderful people around you who all care about you a great deal.”

He smiled. “I can’t wait to see what else you got,” he whispered against my neck.

I thought about the leather cuff and decided perhaps that would be his welcome home tonight.

“Maybe you’ll see more when you get home.”

He closed his eyes and sucked in a breath, his hand rubbing his chest. “I love the sound of that. I love you.”

We kissed some more until Jane walked by, making retching sounds.

“Bye, sweetie! Daddy loves you!"

Her noises got louder as she entered her room and slammed the door shut..

“You better go, trouble maker.”

He promised again,he’d be home earlier. I told him I’d try to be awake.

After he finally left, I knocked on Jane’s door. She was cuddled up in her bed with Legs, listening to some music.

“Whatcha doin’,” I asked her.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Kind of feel like being lazy today.”

“I think that sounds like a great idea. Want to be lazy together?”

She nodded and her face lit up. I crawled into bed with her and Legs and we just talked about everything and nothing. We read for a while, then talked, then drew pictures, then talked, then dozed. Nora came in at one point to check on us and offer us food, so we came out long enough to eat, take Legs out, and then crawled back in bed, Nora joining us.

“Want me to do your nails, ladies?”.

We thanked her profusely for the kind offer and she left to grab her box of polish. We oooed and aaaahed over the colors, and both of us got professional quality paint jobs. Jane offered to do Nora’s next and she was game.

After letting her nails dry for a lengthy period of time, Nora left us to go get dinner ready.

“I can’t believe we stayed in bed all day,” Jane giggled.

I sighed dreamily. “It was awesome! Thanks for suggesting it.”

She cuddled up to me and sighed. “I miss Daddy.”

I sagged a little. “I do, too. I think it might be like this for a while, though. We’ll just have to come up with ways to keep ourselves occupied while he’s gone.”

“That could be fun! What should we do?”

I turned to face her. “I don’t know, what do you want to do? What kinds of things do you usually do in the summer?”

Her eyes sparkled. “Well, I haven’t been to Universal Studios in a long time. I love to go to the beach. I love to go to the movies! Could we go see a movie sometime?”

I laughed and kissed her forehead before sitting up to stretch. “We can do whatever you want! Want to see what’s playing and go tomorrow? Maybe we could invite Sasha and her mom?”

That had her bouncing up and down on her bed. “Oh, thank you Jesse! Thank you!” She hugged me, squeezing me tight.

“No need to thank me. We can’t go play every day, but we’ll fit in some stuff while your dad is at the studio. We’ve only got a few weeks ‘til school starts, though, so we better get busy!”

She squealed and said, “I’m going to call Sasha right now!”

“Ladies, I’m home,” Danny called and I looked at the clock.

Five o’clock! I hopped out of Jane’s bed while she finished her call to Sasha and met him in the hallway. He swung me up in a big hug.

“We were just saying we missed you! Jane’s calling Sasha to invite her and her mom on a movie date with us tomorrow. She’ll be out in a minute.”

His eyes crinkled with appreciation. “Thanks, honey.” He kissed me and dropped his bag in the office.

“Hey there, furry beast!” He stopped to scratch Legs on the head while she pawed at his legs. We were trying to break her of jumping, but she’d taken to pawing us instead. Nora came around and grabbed Danny’s face, checking out his eye.

“Looks worse than this morning. Damn. You better hope it’s gone before you go meet Jesse’s parents, you punk. You think of that?”

He shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, and my parents are going to have a field day. ‘Can’t take the thug out of you I see, Daniel. Perhaps those nuns should have beaten you more. I should have taken the belt to you harder.’ Blah blah blah. Oh well, at least my Grandda will be entertained.”

Nora’s smile fell a little, mine was gone, and I was glad Jane hadn’t heard him.

I squeezed his hand and smiled conspiratorially. “My dad will just think it gives you character. He was quite a ruffian when he was young and still loves to watch boxing. He’s in pretty good shape for his age. He has to be to clean up after ‘snot-nosed brats’ all day.”

Danny smiled appreciatively. “Yeah, it’s one thing for him and I to have a beer together, another thing for me to be asking him for his daughter’s hand in marriage with a shiner.”

My jaw dropped and he laughed at my reaction. “Relax, honey. Just because I plan to make my intentions known doesn’t mean you need to pick out your dress yet. Soon, but not yet.”

Nora giggled and went back to her dinner preparations.

All I could do was stare at him. He ran his thumb over my lips and then leaned in to kiss me.

“You’re serious, aren’t you,” I whispered.

He nodded. “I want them to know I’m committed to you. How much I love you. I want them to feel comfortable about who their daughter is with.”

I wrapped my arms around his waist and said, “You are truly an honorable man. They will love you.” I’m not sure he believed me, but he kissed me once more.

“Daddy! You’re home!”

Danny released me and picked up Jane. “Hey, baby. I heard you stayed in bed all day, lazy bum! You feeling ok?”

She nodded. “Jesse and I talked and drew pictures and read and then Nora did our nails. It was soo nice!”

He grinned and kissed her nose. “Well, what do you want to do after dinner?” She thought for a minute and whispered in his ear. “I think we can manage that. Let me go wash up.”

He walked to the back of the house and I helped Nora set the table. Jane took Legs outside to do her business and I watched the two of them bounce around. I turned to see Nora doing the same.

“I was a little worried with her wanting to stay in bed today. She hasn’t really said much about her mom to me. Has she said anything to you?”

Nora shook her head. “No. We just need to keep an eye on her.”

I nodded and she squeezed my arm.

Dinner was another fun discussion of Danny’s hijinks last night.

“I can’t believe you got in a fight, Daddy! What if you would have been really hurt?” She was laughing, but I could sense the worry coming from her.

“I know. It was not the smartest thing I’ve ever done. I promise I’ll be more careful, ok?”

She frowned at him and said, “You better! I don’t want anything happening to you.”

The table got quiet and I suddenly felt where her head had been all day. Perhaps part of her desire to do nothing today was out of preoccupation for her dad. With Brooke out of her life, she likely felt she only had her Daddy. Danny leaned close to her and took her hand.

“I’m sorry I worried you, baby. I’ll use my words next time.”

She slugged him, and they started laughing, but his eyes were on her, gauging her reaction.

When we finished, Danny told me he was taking Jane out for a bit, wanted to get her out of the house, so I told him to have a good time. He nodded gravely and kissed my cheek. Nora and I exchanged a look and shook our heads. I decided to go for a swim, needing my workout, and Legs accompanied me. With each lap I swam she ran the length of the pool, panting happily, but thankfully not barking too loud. When I needed a break, I'd stop and she come up and lick my face. I was completely enamored with this dog! I hadn't had a dog since I was a little girl, and thinking about our old English Bulldog, Brutus, brought forth fond memories of my father.

Dad was gruff sometimes, but I always knew he loved me. He kept pictures of me in his wallet, always eager to tell his friends and co-workers about my latest shows. He was a doting husband and a card-carrying union member. He wasn't happy that I settled down here, but he had his hands full taking care of Mom, who he loved desperately, and I needed to be able to help them whenever I could, so finding a job was crucial.

I sighed, thinking about what Gloria would have for me when I spoke to her tomorrow. I mentally did the math... If I could work at least half-time, I would have enough to pay rent and pay the minimum on my student loans, but not help my folks. If I moved in with Danny I could still help my parents. I felt sick to my stomach at the thought of him having to take financial responsibility for me. If only I could meet him on more equal footing, it would eliminate a lot of my insecurities. Nora's words came back to me, her words of warning. Danny had done nothing but make it clear that he was fully prepared to care for me, that he wanted to. Maybe I should take him up on it. Besides, I would help out with Jane, could that be my contribution?

I swam a couple more laps, then climbed from the pool, feeling quite winded. I wrapped in a towel and went into Danny's room to take a shower and clean up. I heard the front door close as I was pulling on one of his shirts and a pair of his boxers. Sure, I had my own clothes here, but his were so much more fun!

"Jesse, we brought you some ice cream," Jane called into the room.

I was putting the final touches on my braid as I walked out. "That was awfully nice of you! So you never said, are we going to the movies tomorrow?"

"Yes! Mrs. Franklin said she would call you in the morning to determine a time."

I gave her a hug and said, "Sounds like a good time. Did you have fun with your dad?"

She beamed up at me. "Yep. Come eat your ice cream."

We sat with Danny in the kitchen watching Legs chase her hind leg and I ate my ice cream. Danny's eyes caressed me, his approval of my choice in attire apparent. Around 9:00 Jane started yawning so Danny took her to bed and tucked her and Legs in. I hurried to his room and dug out his cuff, putting it on my wrist. I placed my hand under the covers of his bed. He came in smiling about twenty minutes later.

"That kid never ceases to amaze me," he said as he collapsed on the bed next to me. "We played two rounds of miniature golf, several rounds of skee ball and she wanted to keep going! I'm getting too old to keep up with her."

I snickered. "Well, you have been putting in some late hours," I said and he smiled a satisfied smile, crawling on top of me. I opened my legs just enough to welcome his bulk between them, and he laid his face on my stomach with a happy moan.

I played with his hair, keeping my one hand underneath me as I thought of how to give him his gift.

"So Patricia came by today," he said. I flinched. I prayed she didn't tell him anything. "She had a long conversation with Bronson and Julian after we met with her as a band." He didn't sound mad, just matter of fact. I still held my breath.

"Did you guys have a good meeting? Recording go well?" Diversionary tactics employed.

He nodded. "Yeah, it went pretty well. And I like how you're trying to change the subject." My hand stopped moving in his hair. He pushed up so he could look at me.

"I understand why you didn't want Patricia to say anything to me." His lips quirked up at the corners. "But see, you didn't tell her not to tell Bronson and Julian, and they were under no obligations to not say anything to me."

I rolled my eyes and my hand flew to my forehead. "Danny, it was no big deal. I didn't want to upset you. Patricia and I handled it," I said weakly.