Hollywood Princess

by Dana Aynn Levin

  When Danny released me, he returned to his backpack and grinned like the Cheshire Cat.

  “I have something for you,” he said playfully.

  I moved closer, anxious to see. Danny opened the backpack and reached in without looking. His hand moved around, searching. For what?

  “No, that’s not it.” Danny’s hand searched around again. “Neither is that,” he teased.

  “Danny!” I squealed.

  “Patience, young lady,” Danny laughed. It was like waiting for Santa Claus to find the gift buried at the bottom of his sack.

  Danny reached in once more and found what he was looking for. He eagerly handed me a small light blue box tied with white satin; it’s origin unmistakable.

  I gasped. “Tiffany’s,” I said excitedly.

  “A little something to apologize for being a jerk and not taking you to the formal. You would have been the prettiest girl there.”

  “This is not a little something. You drove almost seven hours!”

  This was love.

  “Aren’t you going to open the box?” Danny laughed. I blushed.

  At this point, I didn’t care what was inside. With my hands shaking, I pulled on the white satin and the ribbon came undone. Inside the light blue box was a small, darker blue fabric-covered box that I removed. Nervous with excitement, I could barely open it, but I did.

  Inside was a medium-sized gold Peretti heart on a slender gold chain. My breath was taken away.

  “It’s beautiful,” I gasped.

  “Let me.” Danny reached for the box and his hands lingered on mine. “You’re shaking. Hasn’t anyone bought you jewelry before?”

  “Only my parents. Maybe, Grandma,” I answered awkwardly.

  “Then I’ll have to shop for you more often.”

  “Have you ever bought jewelry for a girl before?”

  “No. There hasn’t been anyone I wanted to buy jewelry for.”

  I was his first! I couldn’t help grinning.

  Danny removed the necklace from the box. From behind, he clasped it around my neck while I lifted my ponytail. His delicate touch almost made me faint.

  Next Danny removed the ribbon from my hair and my waves tumbled down past my shoulders. As hoped, he untied the neckline of my shirt revealing my cleavage.

  “You look perfect,” he declared.

  “No, I don’t. I’m too short.”

  I pressed myself tightly against Danny. Like a parent measuring their child for a growth spurt, I flattened my hand and ran it from the top of my head to his chest. The top of my head measured just below his shoulder.

  “I like having a petite girlfriend.”

  “Danny…”

  “And she has to have magical green eyes and wavy auburn hair,” he grinned.

  “Danny!” I squealed.

  Danny reached his hands to my face and lifted my chin. Our lips met, then they parted for our tongues to explore. It was intoxicating. My head spun, like being drunk.

  “Look in the mirror and see how beautiful you are,” Danny murmured.

  I stumbled into the bedroom and stared at my reflection. Was that really me? The girl starring back was flushed and glowing with newfound confidence.

  Danny was opening Petrossian packages, and I wrapped my arms around his waist.

  “I love it,” I told him, “and I love you.”

  Danny grinned. “Tonight is all about you babe,” and he kissed me. Swoon!

  Danny was well prepared. He had even purchased a mother-of-pearl spoon to properly serve the caviar for the blinis we assembled by layering caviar, crème fraiche and chopped egg.

  Finally, Danny reached into his backpack, pulled out a bottle of champagne and a larger Tiffany box, this one not gift-wrapped. He opened the box and removed two elegant crystal champagne flutes. Danny had left no detail unaccounted for.

  “Moet,” I noted as Danny picked up the champagne bottle. He smiled, pleased with himself. Then Danny released the cork. Pop!

  My eyes opened wide, startled by the explosive sound, before Danny carefully poured. We held up our flutes, and he said, “To you, baby.”

  Then we tapped the flutes together, Danny’s sapphire eyes connecting with my emeralds, melting me.

  I took a big gulp of the champagne. Nerves threatened to derail me.

  “Elizabeth! It’s champagne. Little sips.” Danny cautioned.

  I shrugged playfully. “Oh well!” I giggled.

  Danny cued his iPhone. “My Elizabeth playlist,” he announced.

  Specially compiled for this evening, the music floated out of the docking station’s speakers. Then Danny blew out the candles, leaving the weak desk lamp to light the room. He turned the fixture to face the far wall, creating a soft, dim effect.

  “There’s only one fire I want to start this evening,” Danny said, and I gasped.

  I was floating. All my senses were heightened. An electrically charged atmosphere surrounded us as we ate the tantalizingly delicious blinis, drank more champagne and made and ate more blinis.

  The champagne had the desired effect. I relaxed enough to enjoy what the evening ahead was certain to hold.

  Slow, romantic melodies filled the air. I drank more champagne while Danny held me against his muscular chest and we swayed in each other’s arms. It was not really dancing; more an excuse to hold each other; our own private formal.

  Danny reached for my flute and placed it on the table. I was buzzed and his strong arms steadied me. I gazed at Danny’s perfect features. My heart thumped wildly.

  Our eyes did not leave each other as Danny cupped my face for a long, blissful kiss. My hands gripped his hair pulling him even closer. I trembled as Danny’s hands moved down my side and pulled me into his body. Pressed against the wall, I gasped as his hardness probing against my skirt.

  “What are we doing out here?” Danny whispered. His breath on my ear made me shiver. “We both know what we want.”

  My insides quaked in tremulous excitement as Danny verbalized the obvious I had been waiting all my life for but was now petrified to experience.

  Danny’s strong arms lifted me by my waist, our lips glued together. My legs wrapped around his hips as he carried me to the bedroom, and closed and locked the door in one fluid motion. With everyone at the formal, Danny’s plan became apparent. Privacy!

  With desperate urgency we ripped our clothes off; Danny pulling my blouse over my head and tossing it aside while I struggled with his small shirt buttons. Danny lowered the zipper on my skirt and pushed it down. As I stepped out of it, I gave up on his buttons and pulled the shirt over his head.

  “Babe, do you have any idea how gorgeous you are?” Danny whispered as he stared appreciatively. I wore only my white lace bra and matching thong.

  I smiled shyly, uncomfortable with being stared at by a man while unclothed, but pleased by Danny’s undeniable enjoyment. I began to shake. I didn’t know if I was cold, or if it was from excitement laced with fear.

  Danny gathered me in his warm embrace. His broad chest with its sculpted muscles felt secure, and infused me with renewed confidence. I reached around his neck and brought his lips down to mine. He unhooked my bra and slipped it off.

  Danny gently squeezed my breast, now cupped in his large hand. “Hey, these are real,” he teased, and I blushed. “Eli, you’re amazing,” he whispered, filled with delight.

  I quickly undid the button and zipper on his jeans. Danny pulled a foil packet out of his pocket. He had planned everything. He had even brought condoms.

  “We don’t need that,” I whispered.

  “We don’t?” He asked, puzzled.

  “I took care of it; birth control pills.”

  “You did that for us?” Danny lit up, touched by my preparation.

  I nodded, smiling, pleased that this small gesture had such impact.

  “I love you, Danny,” I whispered.

  “I love you, Elizabeth.”

  Then I pushed Danny’s jeans off his narrow hips
. My eyes popped open wide in surprise. Danny wore no underwear! His eyes twinkled at my innocence.

  Danny held me to his chest for another embrace. He pressed my rear with his hands, rubbing his front against mine. Then Danny’s squeeze dissolved, and his hands took my face and brought our lips together. The force of our kiss carried Danny and me to the bed. I held out my arms reaching for him and Danny joined me, leaning over me, poised.

  “You’re sure about this? We can wait, if you’re not.” Danny asked in a gentle whisper.

  “I want you so badly.”

  “I want you too. I love you, baby.”

  Danny deftly removed my thong, and I gasped, overwhelmed by emotion, suddenly uncertain. Danny was hard, pulsing against me. His hand ran up my thigh with quick, feathery strokes. My pulse quickened. Danny’s fingers stroked me where no man had ever touched me before and then they entered me. My breath hitched. Yes, this was what I wanted.

  Our lips met again and our bodies entwined. Danny carefully parted my thighs, and I wrapped my legs around his hips. I clutched Danny’s back and inhaled deeply as I prepared for him to enter me. Danny glanced at me once more, wanting confirmation.

  “Just do it,” I whispered. We exchanged smiles. “I’m scared,” I admitted.

  “I love you, Eli,” and Danny crushed his lips to mine to silence me.

  Danny slammed into me and I felt a quick thrusting pain, immediately forgotten as the joy of knowing we were now truly one registered. Then I held on tightly as Danny’s continued thrusts took me to heights of pleasure I hadn’t known were possible.

  Afterward, we lay silent and spent in each other’s arms. I snuggled close against Danny and he gently pushed an unruly lock of hair off my face. Then he moved his hand to my hip and delicately traced patterns with his fingertip. The warmth of Danny’s love radiated through me.

  “I hope I didn’t hurt you,” he whispered.

  “Only a little. You were amazing.” Then I kissed Danny’s cheek.

  “Hey, Eli. Guess what? You’re not a virgin anymore.” We dissolved into laughter. “I’ve never been with a virgin before.”

  “You haven’t?” That was surprising. Danny was only nineteen and the girls he’d been with were all experienced?

  “No,” Danny shook his head. “Knowing that a girl as incredible as you wanted me to be her first, that is just so awesome. And without a condom. I’ve never done that before, either.”

  “Why not?”

  “Besides the obvious?” Danny sat up, troubled. “Dad warned me, ‘Pregnancy is the easiest way for a girl to sink her claws into you. Until you want a girl’s baby, always use a condom.’ Dad must be right. I don’t have any half-siblings.”

  “Danny, I’m sorry,” I empathized. “Hey, how come tonight was different?” I asked, upbeat again. I didn’t want Steve’s foibles ruining our evening.

  “I trust you. Eli. You don’t want a baby. You want a diploma. Besides, there’s nothing for you to gain by having my baby. You’re Eliz…Oh my god!” Danny collapsed back against the pillows, laughing.

  “What? Danny, what?”

  “I just had sex with Elizabeth Jacobs!” Danny exclaimed, suddenly filled with the realization of what the evening had been about.

  “And you survived,” I scowled.

  Danny pulled me into his arms. “I more than survived. This is the best night of my life. Eli, you can’t believe how much I love you.”

  Danny tenderly kissed me. “When can we do this again?” I giggled.

  “Whenever and as often as you want. I’m all yours, baby” Danny laughed.

  I sat up, suddenly energized. The sheet slipped to my waist. “Danny, you are the most incredible boyfriend!” I exclaimed.

  “I’m glad you think so, honey,” he chuckled.

  “I sure do.” I blushed.

  “You taught me something valuable tonight,” Danny pulled me into his embrace.

  “How could I do that?” I didn’t know what I was doing.

  “I’ve never been in love before. It makes a big difference, a very big difference.”

  Danny pressed his lips to mine for a long, passionate kiss. He was as happy as I was, and soon we dozed off, twined in each other’s arms.

  Not more than an hour later I abruptly woke. My head was pounding. Bile was rising in my throat. I struggled to sit, and that woke Danny.

  “Eli, what is it?” he gently asked.

  I could hardly speak. I was shaking. “I’m don’t feel well,” I whimpered.

  I bolted from the bed and barely reached the bathroom in time before throwing up.

  Danny followed me. Kneeling beside me on the floor, he rubbed my back.

  “I’m so cold,” I whimpered. My body was shaking.

  Danny found my robe hanging on the back of the bathroom door and draped it across my back. I sat on the hard tile floor, poked my arms through the sleeves, and cried. Danny sat behind me, holding me close.

  “I’ve ruined our perfect evening,” I wailed.

  “Shh, shh,” Danny said softly, “No you didn’t. This has been the best night I’ve ever had. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have let you drink so much champagne.”

  “I’ve had champagne before,” I whimpered.

  Danny thought a moment. “What did you eat for dinner?”

  “I didn’t. I had a cookie at the library. I thought we were going out.”

  “You never had dinner?” Danny exclaimed. “Oh, Eli! No wonder you’re sick. You can’t drink champagne on an empty stomach.”

  My lower lip quivered, and I bit it. I couldn’t help crying. I’d ruined everything.

  “My head hurts so much,” I wailed. It was furiously pounding.

  Danny kissed my forehead. “I know it does, honey. I’ll find some Tylenol.”

  Danny left for my room. When he returned, his jeans now on, he found I had been sick again. Danny sat back on the floor and held me. He stroked my hair. “You’ll be okay, baby.”

  I threw up one more time and then I did feel better, but my head was pounding.

  Danny led me to my room, dressed me in his shirt, and climbed into bed next to me. He held me in his arms and whispered, “I won’t leave you, baby. I’ll always stay the night.”

  CHAPTER 33 - DANIEL

  Once Elizabeth was sleeping I tiptoed into the living room. As I cleaned up, I reflected on our evening. It had been the capstone of the best day of my life.

  While I had been running around New York City, I imagined how excited Eli would be. I had spent the day smiling like a fool and had been rewarded with her love.

  Lately I realized how much I’d grown to love Elizabeth in a romantic, adult way. Eli was no longer the girl who’d grown up with me. The incredible beauty lying in bed sleeping was so much more. I hoped I wouldn’t blow it.

  Rachel entered the suite dressed in her gown and carrying a small clutch. Her usually frizzy hair was blown out straight. I stared. I barely recognized her. I’d never seen Rachel in anything but jeans. Rachel looked good. I realized for the first time she was attractive.

  “Rach, you clean up nicely,” I said.

  “Thanks. What are you doing here? Why don’t you have a shirt?”

  “I’m cleaning up. Eli is wearing my shirt.”

  Eagle-eyed, Rachel spied the packages and the crystal flutes. “Petrossian? Tiffany’s? Danny, you went to New York!” Rachel was stunned.

  “Yeah, so?” I shrugged. “I was making up for not taking Eli to the formal.”

  “Danny, you are amazing.”

  “Thanks,” I answered as I threw the plates away. “Eli thinks so too.”

  “That wasn’t a compliment. I meant amazing, as in what chutzpah you have.”

  “At least I’m not boring.”

  Rachel rolled her eyes. Where she was going with this?

  “Look at this. Danny, you’re uber-boyfriend, like someone out of a romance novel. No wonder Elizabeth is crazy in love with you.”

  “What’s wrong with
spoiling your girlfriend?” I asked innocently.

  “Nothing. Except you’re the biggest cheating cad at Donnelly. Kate approached me tonight,” she whispered.

  Kate? I was so busted.

  “Kate was disappointed not to see you. She told me she’d enjoyed a couple of ‘dates’ with you earlier this week. Kate thinks you’re hot.” Rachel glared at my grin. “Wipe that smug expression off your face Danny Newman and come back to reality.”

  Reality. My reality was the angel sleeping in the next room who would be devastated if she heard this conversation. I was thoroughly embarrassed.

  “Sorry. One last fling before the wedding,” Then I shrugged.

  Rachel scowled. “Kate seems to really like you, though why I can’t fathom.”

  “Unlike you Rachel, most girls find me desirable.”

  “Kate at least has better morals than you. She said she sees you hanging around with as she put it, ‘Miranda Jordan’s daughter’ and wanted to know if anything was going on. I told Kate she should write you off and move on.”

  “Danny?” Elizabeth called and, I ran to her side.

  CHAPTER 34 - ELIZABETH

  Danny knelt beside me. My heart fluttered seeing his bare chest. Kindness, or maybe it was love, filled his eyes. Then he clasped my hand and kissed my cheek.

  “I thought you had gone,” I whispered, my voice cracking from dryness.

  “No, never Eli. I promised. I was cleaning up. Then Rachel came home. How are you?”

  “My head is killing me.” Danny reached for the bottle of Tylenol from my desk. He shook out three caplets and grabbed a glass of water.

  “How’s your stomach?”

  “Better.” I smiled as Danny helped me sit and handed me the glass and the Tylenol. It was nice to beloved.

  “E, you look awful,” Danny smiled and he kissed my forehead, “But beautiful.”

  “Danny, my head is pounding like jackhammers at a construction trade show.”

  “I know. I’ve been there.” Danny kissed me again. “I’ll get a cold compress.”

  Danny was back from the bathroom in what seemed an eternity but was probably only moments with a cold, damp washcloth covering a Petrossian ice pack. He applied it to my forehead, and then took my small hands in his strong ones.