It was tortuous lying next to Danny. Powerful longings overwhelmed me. Yet I had to wait, acknowledging that when we became lovers, it was for the long-haul. That’s what scared Danny. It scared me too, but my mind was made up. I wanted it.
I enjoyed sharing Danny’s bed. His hand against my tank top covered stomach felt so right. What if his hand was against my skin instead? I smiled. It would be great.
Danny was deep in sleep, breathing rhythmically. Slowly, I slid the fabric up. I passed the soft cotton underneath his hand. Perfect! Danny’s hand now rested on my skin. The warmth of his palm, and the softness of his fingers were intoxicating.
I quickly pulled my top down into place. If Danny woke now, he would believe that his hand had found its way by itself. But Danny’s hand had a mind of its own. It inched upward. My pulse quickened as I determined its destination. Ah! This felt so good!
Cautiously I turned my head toward Danny. His eyes, as dangerous as Medusa’s but in a good way, were closed in sleep. A content smile formed on Danny’s perfect lips. I turned away; my staring might wake him. Danny’s hand slid up my torso. I gasped as it reached my breast and Danny began to caress me, squeezing me. I moaned. My senses heightened, the most insane pleasure I had ever experienced. Tortuous!
I could not remain quiet any longer. My gasps and moans would not be contained. As Danny continued caressing my breasts, I pressed my hands against his, my body wanting more.
No longer in control, my back arched against Danny’s chest and my hand reached for his face to kiss him. My head twisted, my lips strained to share this moment of sweetness with his.
Danny began to stir, but he wasn’t yet conscious. He moved his other hand down to my waistband and his fingertips reached my white lace thong. I gasped as his fingers thrust into me. I vibrated. My pulse raced out of control. This is what I wanted.
Abruptly, Danny’s fingers withdrew. His other hand stopped caressing my breasts. My body on the verge, the verge of what I couldn’t comprehend, felt extreme frustration. My thighs squeezed together trying to relieve it.
“Elizabeth, what’s going on?” Danny asked. He was wide-awake.
“I don’t know,” I answered while fighting to regulate my breathing and pulse. “You were sleeping.”
“And you were lying here innocent?” Danny raised an eyebrow.
“Yes?” I said shyly.
“No,” he answered knowingly.
“Danny!” I protested.
“Elizabeth,” Danny said, gazing into my eyes.
“Well, maybe I gave you a little encouragement.” I was so busted.
Danny laughed. “You wanted me to seduce you.” I turned my head away, humiliated.
“I’m not angry, Eli. I’m amused.” Danny peered over my shoulder, smiling. “This has been the most enjoyable wake-up ever.” Danny kissed my forehead. “But don’t do it again. I almost did something we both would have regretted.”
“I wouldn’t have.”
“You would have if I’m not ready to reciprocate your feelings.”
Pouting, I turned away again. A long clap of thunder boomed directly overheard followed by a lightening flash. I tensed. Danny leaned over my side gently rubbing my bare arm.
“Hey,” he murmured, “You’re not scared, are you baby?”
“A little,” I whimpered. Danny gathered me into his protective arms just as the thunder boomed again, followed by more lightening.
“It’ll pass soon. You’re safe,” he murmured. “Elizabeth, what am I going to do with you?” he mused.
“I don’t know,” I answered.
“That was rhetorical. Until yesterday sex was never an issue with us. Now, it’s the only issue. Can we please stop this? Please, Eli?”
“Okay,” I relented. “I don’t want to ruin our friendship.”
“Thank you,” Danny replied. “Eli, I know how you feel about us. Give it a rest, baby. I told you I need time to think and I’ve been sleeping ever since. No epiphanies struck while dreaming.”
Another booming thunderclap sent me clinging to Danny all over again.
“It’s okay,” he said gently and rubbed my back. “Eli, let this be my idea.”
CHAPTER 16 - ELIZABETH
Fortunately the rain stopped, and the sun was trying to break through when Danny came to get me for brunch.
Rachel and Chloe had returned from dining. Now Chloe was off to join friends and Rachel was editing the short screenplay she had written for Danny to direct.
Danny bounced into the suite full of energy.
“Good morning, ladies,” he greeted them.
“Hi and good-bye,” Chloe said breezily as she dashed out in Burberry rain gear.
“Where’s my sweetheart?” Danny cheerfully asked Rachel.
“Elizabeth is in her room.” Rachel snarled.
“How is she?”
“Fine, I guess. I haven’t heard any screams or thuds.”
“Thanks, Rach,” Danny answered. His footsteps headed my way.
“Wait,” she called. “What’s wrong with this picture? It’s nearly noon and you saunter in just out of bed. I’ve been toiling over our project. Since ten.”
I imagined Danny employing his boyish grin. I smirked. Danny was not going to win this one. Rachel was immune to his charms.
“Rach, I can’t write. I’m giving you space. When the script’s finished, I’ll read it.”
“Some moral support would be nice,” Rachel said bitterly.
“You have my support,” Danny said, “But my lady and I need to eat.”
Danny’s lady? Was I now his lady?
Danny knocked on my ajar door, entering before I said, “Come in.”
With a grin that lit his face, Danny approached the bureau where I stood supported by the crutches brushing my hair. His arms circled my waist.
“Hey, baby,” Danny’s eyes twinkled fiercely.
“Hey, yourself.” I turned my head to his and Danny kissed the corner of my mouth. “You’re happy today,” I smiled.
“That’s because I woke up next to you.”
That was the most romantic thing anyone had ever said to me. “But we didn’t do anything but sleep,” I pointed out.
“That’s what made it special,” Danny answered, and he kissed me again. “Do you have any idea how nice it was to wake up with you in my arms?”
“I’m sure you’ve woken up with a girl in your arms before.”
“Not really. Possibly once or twice, but I’m sure I wasn’t sober.”
What a contrast from last night! Had lightening struck while Danny showered?
“Is that a compliment?”
“Yes. Just like telling you how adorable you are in the morning is.” Danny kissed me again. “You’re not only beautiful, you’re cuddly Eli. You’re soft, feminine and cuddly. You smelled good too. It was like waking in a field of freshly picked wildflowers.”
“Newman! Close the door!” Rachel yelled. “I’m going to barf if I have to keep hearing this dribble.”
I blushed, embarrassed. Danny laughed. He hugged me more tightly. Whatever we now were to each other, he was enjoying it as much as I was.
After trudging to the dining hall, Danny brought me my lunch and settled in across from me. Eating was difficult because Danny wouldn’t take his eyes off me. They sparkled like blue diamonds and the intensity of his smile was high-wattage. My insides tingled. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him either. Is this how it would be when we became a couple?
“Hey, Newmans,” Shane announced. He took the chair beside me and placed his plate and cutlery on the table. “What’s going on?”
“Not much,” Danny answered. “I’m trying to understand why m’lady’s beautiful smile has down-turned.”
“Maybe she realized who she woke up with this morning.”
“Not funny, Shane,” Danny snapped. Then he turned his attention back to me. “What is it, Eli? Does your ankle hurt?”
“Danny, I heard from the Dean,”
I frowned. “I have to drop my dance classes.”
“Can’t you just observe for the two weeks until you’re better?”
I shook my head. “It’s not that simple.” Tears started down my cheeks. I wiped them away with the back of my hand. “The doctor said I could walk in two weeks. He didn’t say anything about dance. My ankle has to be strong before I can go back on pointe.”
“Baby, I’m so sorry.”
“I know.” I tried smiling but couldn’t. “Dance was going to be my major. Now....”
“Danny, are you still coming to rugby?” Shane interrupted.
Danny frowned. “Eli, I have practice at two. I thought you’d come.”
Shane and I exchanged confused glances. Then we glanced at Danny. Was Danny nuts? The field had to be a muddy mess from the rain.
“I’m on crutches,” I blurted out, not believing I had to state the obvious.
“I was going to bring a folding chair,” Danny said defensively.
I was appalled, but his offer was so thoughtful.
“Danny, the only girls who attend practice are girl friends,” I said crossly.
“Eli, you can come. The guys won’t care.”
“I will care. Danny, if I show up, it looks like I’m your girlfriend.”
“You’re not?” Shane asked.
“No, I’m not. I don’t want it to look that way either.”
Danny frowned. “I don’t agree.”
“You know I’m right.”
“Elizabeth is right,” Shane interjected.
Danny ignored him. “You’re not right, Eli. I want you there.”
“It’s not happening, Daniel.” I said in frustration. When would he learn that the spoiled, petulant act did not work with me? If anything, it made me more stubborn.
“Please get me my crutches. I want to go back to my room,” I insisted.
Danny and I left the dining hall in silence. Once away from the building, Danny stopped.
“Eli, what’s going on? You’ve never cared if anyone thought you were my girl.”
For the first time, I cared because becoming his girl seemed within reach. Danny shouldn’t see me in the role until he was ready to cast me. I wouldn’t tell him this, though. Instead…
“You’re being very self-centered. I just told you how upset I am at having to change my major, and like a spoiled child you keep going on about rugby. My major is damned more important than rugby,” I scowled.
Danny frowned. Then he flushed.
“Eli, you’re angry with me?” he asked in disbelief.
“Yes. I am, Daniel.”
Danny looked as though I’d slapped his face. He was at a loss. Danny was not used to anger from girls. Most were afraid to challenge him, grateful that he even spoke to them. I was not one of his worshippers and he knew it.
Danny sighed, resigned. “Eli, you’re right. Your major is more important. And I don’t want you at rugby unless I’m ready to go public.”
I smiled at Danny and kissed his cheek. “Thank you. It’s difficult for someone as pig-headed as you to apologize.”
“I am not pig.” Danny began to protest. “Okay. I am pig-headed,” he relented. I touched Danny’s lips with my finger and smiled.
“Even if you are pig-headed, I’ll still be your best friend.”
“Come here, best friend,” Danny ordered, and he pulled me to his chest.
I smiled at him as he hugged me. “This is why I don’t have a love life,” I complained while Danny’s hand lingered on my cheek.”
“Oh, poor you,” he said in a soft sarcastic voice. “Let me really ruin your love life.” With that, Danny moved his hand from my cheek through my hair to the nape of my neck, while he sensuously kissed my lips.
My eyes sprung open. The color rose in my cheeks. I was livid. I wanted to slap Danny more that I had ever wanted to slap anyone. Anger, not pleasure was my reaction.
But I was paralyzed, unable to move. If I raised my arm to slap him, my crutch would fall and so would I… into Danny’s arms, because he would catch me before I fell. I’d be back at square one – being held by Danny in public.
“This is your plan, isn’t it?” I snapped. “Let people think we’re together so nobody will ever ask me out.”
I was furious with rage. I twisted out of his hold and abruptly turned toward Berkeley Hall. Danny’s stunned expression told me I’d made my point.
I started as fast as my crutches would go, looking straight ahead at the nearby dorm. Tears obscured my vision. I didn’t see the buckled pavement, uneven from the thick root of an ancient oak tree.
An ear-splitting scream bellowed from deep inside of me. I hit the pavement with hard force. Crutches went flying. I couldn’t control the impact.
“Eli!” Danny shouted. Right away he was on the cold ground beside me, supporting me in his strong arms.
“You bastard!” I cried as I pounded my fists against his chest. The pain was unbearable. I feared losing consciousness. Danny cradled me protectively to stop the shaking that accompanied my sobs.
“Eli,” he murmured. Danny’s voice trembled with fear. “Baby, I’m so sorry. It’s my fault.”
“I hurt so much,” I cried.
“I know, baby,” Danny replied while stroking my back for comfort.
A small cluster of students formed around us.
“I called EMS, Danny. They’re on the way,” a male student said. The intensity of the pain was so extreme I gripped Danny’s arms with all my might.
“Is your girlfriend okay?” a girl asked.
Girlfriend! There was that assumption again. Oh, hell! Except for the formalities like dating and sex, I supposed I was, for all intent and purposes, Danny’s girlfriend. So why wasn’t I happy about it?
CHAPTER 17 - DANIEL
“Eli, we’re home.” I nudged her when the taxi stopped in the Berkeley Hall parking lot.
Elizabeth’s heavy eyelids struggled to open. The long afternoon of doctors, pain, and fitting her now fractured ankle with a boot cast had worn her out.
“We’re home, hon.”
Eli didn’t move. I didn’t comprehend what I had said.
Deja-vu. It was yesterday all over again, with Elizabeth passed out in my bed and me stuck babysitting. Only today I was not happy with my part in the play. It had turned into a nice afternoon and I’d missed rugby practice.
The team would survive, but I had pent-up energy to release. I needed to be physical. Pacing my room did not help.
I was so incredibly frustrated. Why did Elizabeth have to fracture her damned ankle? And why did I feel responsible for her well-being?
I knew the answer all too well. Elizabeth. I cared for her more than anyone else and far more than I cared to admit. Guilt also played a part. It was my fault that it happened. I would never admit it to her though.
The walls were closing in. I had to get out.
Elizabeth stirred. I returned to the bed and sat down beside her. Sleepy eyes opened, and she smiled. The drugs were working. I took her hand and smiled back.
“How are you doing, baby?” I murmured. “Are you in pain?”
“I don’t think so.”
“That’s good,” I said, and I kissed Eli’s smooth cheek.
My heart skipped a beat as she snuggled against me, laying her dainty hand across my chest. There was something so comfortable with Eli’s perfectly shaped body cozy against mine.
Eli jerked up to sitting, alert now, her demeanor radical, possessed. Lucid, Eli scrunched her face, trying to focus.
“You broke my ankle!” she exclaimed.
“I didn’t break your ankle,” I answered defensively. “You didn’t watch where you were going.”
“I was so watching,” she persisted.
“No, Elizabeth or you would have seen that tree root.”
Elizabeth was getting me angry; mostly at myself because she was right.
“I hate you, Danny!” she screamed. “Now I’ll never dance again.”
“You don’t hate me. And yes you will dance again!” I shouted back.
“No, I won’t!”
“Yes, you will. You’ll dance,” I insisted.
“I hate you!” Eli cried again. “I hate you more than anything!”
“Shut up, Elizabeth!” I shot back.
I grabbed her shoulders and crushed my lips against hers for a powerful kiss that shot bolts of electricity through both of us.
Our eyes shot open, wide. Stunned! We were both utterly stunned. Elizabeth stared at me, no longer angry.
“Can we do that again?” she asked shyly.
I smiled at Eli’s innocent request. Then I eagerly complied.
This time I kissed her, caressing my Elizabeth. Our lips moved together, my tongue teased hers. This is what we wanted. Pure sweetness.
My heart beat with urgency, wanting to leap out of my chest. Elizabeth’s heart beat just as rapidly as we remained glued together. When we parted for a breath she smiled. Elizabeth’s warmth spread throughout me. This felt so right.
Eli pulled me to her and this time she kissed me, plunging her tongue into my mouth, challenging me to match her unbridled passion. Never had a kiss felt as wonderful as this one. I experienced every drop of love Eli now gave me. I hoped I reciprocated.
Eli was glowing. She could have lit up a dark room. I began kissing her again. Eli was the sweetest tasting girl I’d ever kissed. I wanted to spend the rest of the day doing nothing but kissing her.
But where did I want this to go? Eli lay quietly in my arms. Her full pink lips upturned in the loveliest smile. Gentle green eyes sparkled in my direction. Thick, auburn waves scattered in all directions across the forest trimmed white pillowcase. Eli was a portrait of utmost contentment that I dared not ruin.
We could not spend another night together. It was too dangerous. Until I made my decision, Eli and I needed time apart. I wasn’t ready to become her lover. Another night together, hell, even another hour, and I would succumb.
CHAPTER 18 - ELIZABETH
“Let’s go to the library,” Danny suggested after class on Wednesday. I didn’t want to go to the library, but I wanted to be with Danny, so I said, “yes.”
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