Hollywood Princess

by Dana Aynn Levin

  Everyone was dancing as a celebrity DJ spun the best tunes. The bar was open and flowing. Delectable munchies from a premiere caterer were being served. I regretted having eaten dinner. I wanted to be hungry!

  As the evening progressed, I was enjoying myself. Being among old friends was such fun. Every time I turned I found myself exchanging squeals and hugs. These were the people who knew me the best.

  The girls hadn’t changed much since last summer’s parties. We reminisced and brought each other up-to-date with stories of our new lives. There were few secrets in this room. Soon I knew the minutiae of everyone’s love lives. Mine intrigued the most, and the girls fawned over me, wanting to know every detail.

  I was having a blast! Then Dean caught up to me.

  “Elizabeth, let’s dance,” he said innocuously enough.

  Before I could answer, Dean grabbed me around the waist and practically carried me out to the dance floor. He held me so close I couldn’t push away. His tobacco-scented breath mixed with beer, was stale in my face and nearly made me ill.

  I did not want to dance with Dean!

  Dean had always been pleasant and well mannered. He was never a close friend, but when we crossed paths we had gotten along well enough. Not tonight. It was as though demons had possessed him.

  “Dean, I don’t want to dance anymore,” I protested.

  The song was over and I tried disengaging. Instead, as the next song began, Dean tightened his hold on me. He moved his hand to my bottom. I resisted, trying to pull away, but he pressed me against him. Was Dean drunk? Drugs? It didn’t matter. Either way I felt violated and tried my best to wriggle free.

  “Remove your hand!” I ordered.

  “I’m sure you let Newman do this.”

  “Is that what this is about? Danny?” I said angrily, while trying to tear his hands off my waist.

  “Newman’s not here. We could have fun, Elizabeth.”

  “No, Dean we cannot!” More insistent, I tried pushing away again.

  There were at least fifty people in the room. Why didn’t anyone see my struggle and come to my assistance?

  “Let’s find a room,” he said in a low, lascivious voice that nobody else could hear. His eyes were glowing, possessed.

  “Dean, stop it! Danny will not be happy,” I threatened.

  Nobody here would want to incur Daniel’s wrath. He was the alpha. Piss him off, you might as well start hanging out with the transplants, or worse, move to the Valley.

  “Then don’t tell him. C’mon, Elizabeth.”

  “Let go! I’m Danny’s girl.” Dean grabbed my wrist, holding my hand toward my chin. He laughed derisively and then squeezed my bottom.

  “Dean!” I exclaimed. That was it! I felt the adrenaline rush and pulled my free hand back. With all my strength I unleashed my power and smacked Dean’s face.

  “Ouch!” he cried, startled. “Bitch!”

  Glaring, Dean released me and I raced past him.

  I ran to my car without saying good-bye to anyone, not even Steff or Emma. Shaking from the confrontation, I longed for Danny’s protective arms. Dean would never have gone near me if I were with Danny.

  At that moment I missed him more than I had all week. In Danny’s arms I was safe. Frustration left me fighting for air. “Danny! I need you so badly.” But I couldn’t even call him. It was too late in Miami. The phone ringing would wake Cam and Shane.

  Inside the Porsche, I inserted Danny’s favorite CD and raised the volume. I felt surrounded by him. Then the floodgates opened. I sat parked, gripping the steering wheel, my head hidden against my hands while I cried my heart out.

  CHAPTER 66 – DANIEL

  “Look what the cat dragged in!” Shane exclaimed.

  Disheveled from a night spent with Reggie, I straggled into the condo early the next morning. Shane was in the kitchen buttering a freshly toasted bagel as Cam was pouring coffee.

  “I’ll take a cup,” I told Cam as I passed through.

  The guys were a blur until I dragged myself into the bedroom and returned wearing my eyeglasses. It was a marvel that I’d found my way back to the right apartment. I hadn’t planned on sleeping out. When I woke, my dried out lenses had to be thrown away.

  “Thanks,” I said on my return as I took a hot, steaming mug from Cam.

  In sharp juxtaposition, my roommates were decidedly chilly. I took a seat at the counter where Shane was biting into his bagel, and I yawned. A hot shower would be very welcome after the coffee. A nap would be nice, too.

  The silence in the kitchen was deafening. Had Cam and Shane had an argument?

  “Danny, what the hell are you doing?” Cam’s accusation startled me.

  I nearly spit coffee back in the mug. Nobody ever talked to me that way. How dare he. And Shane looked as sour as Cam sounded.

  “What are you talking about?” I shot back. “I’m drinking coffee.”

  “Did you and Elizabeth break up?” Shane asked more calmly.

  “Of course not. I love Eli.” Cam and Shane knew that.

  “Then why are you with Reggie?” Shane asked.

  “What’s your problem Shane? I’m just having some fun. It’s called vacation!” Jeez. What was his problem?

  “What about Elizabeth?” Cam pressed.

  “What about her? What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her,” I answered crossly. “What happens in Miami stays in Miami,” I warned them with a steely stare.

  “When it was a one or two night fling maybe, but you’ve been hanging around Reggie like she’s your girlfriend.”

  “Cam, it’s not your business.” They were pissing me off. Nobody ever questioned me.

  “Danny, it is our business,” Shane started in his calm, Zen-like demeanor, which I usually enjoyed but right now I hated. “You’re our roommate and our friend. We care about you, and Elizabeth, too. Cam and I like her very much. She’s a great girl. We don’t want her to get hurt.”

  “I would never hurt Elizabeth.”

  “If Elizabeth finds out about Reggie, she’ll be devastated,” Shane said.

  Damn, Shane! I pictured Eli, her head buried in a pillow crying her heart out. I shook my head to clear that vision. Eli trusted me and I had spent the break abusing that trust.

  “I don’t want to hurt Elizabeth. I love her. I miss Eli terribly.”

  Cam’s laugh stung. “If this is how you treat people you love, don’t ever love me.”

  “Cam!”

  “I’m serious. Danny, you’re treating Elizabeth like crap. You’re a fool.”

  Cam was entirely out of line and he was entirely correct. No one but Elizabeth had ever challenged me like Cam and Shane were now doing. Usually my peers feared me. I was Steven Newman’s son. No one dared risk losing my friendship.

  A sobering thought crossed my mind. If Cam and Shane felt they could criticize me, did this mean they were my only true friends? I was not ready to accept that.

  “If you miss Elizabeth, what are you doing with Reggie?” Cam asked.

  “Trying to forget how much I miss Elizabeth.”

  “That’s bullshit, Danny,” Shane declared. “There’s nothing wrong with missing your girlfriend. Sure you’re used to getting laid every night, but is it that difficult for you to go without for two weeks? I’m sure Elizabeth isn’t cheating on you.”

  “Of course she isn’t. Eli would never do that. She loves me.”

  “You are such a hypocrite, Danny.”

  “Shane, ease up. I get your point. I’m an idiot who made a fool of himself.”

  “Glad you realize it.”

  “I’m learning. Anyway, Reggie left for Germany.”

  “Good,” Cam said. “Reggie’s poison.”

  “Don’t say that. This was my doing. Reggie’s a nice girl.”

  “Reggie’s poison, Danny,” Shane concurred with Cam. “Reggie knew you were taken. She heard you on the phone talking sweet to Elizabeth and it didn’t stop her.”

  “Reggie’s poison.” Ca
m repeated.

  I paused for a moment, glad to have the guys back. I smiled above the rim of my mug. “Reggie’s poison,” I agreed. “But Reggie’s the sweetest poison I ever tasted,” I smirked.

  CHAPTER 67 - ELIZABETH

  Danny was singing? In my sleep? It was the middle of the night. Oh, the phone! Without turning my head or opening my eyes, I reached for the nightstand and grabbed the phone.

  “Hello,” I mumbled in a sleepy stupor.

  “Sorry I woke you, baby,” came the beautiful voice that always put a smile on my face.

  “Danny? What time is it?” I mumbled again.

  “A little past six-thirty for you.”

  “Six-thirty!” I moaned. “I didn’t get to bed ‘til one.”

  “I really am sorry. The guys are getting an early start, and I wanted to Skype.”

  Danny’s words made me feel his love. It was the perfect antidote to the memories of Dean and his abhorrent behavior.

  “I look awful. The phone won’t do?”

  “Get to your laptop, Eli. Now,” he ordered, but in a voice filled with longing.

  Bleary-eyed, I obeyed, dragging myself to my desk and logging on.

  Danny was on the screen. He must have just taken a shower. Danny was bare-chested, his hair was wet, and he was wearing his eyeglasses. I felt very unattractive wearing Danny’s oxford shirt with my hair not even brushed. I hoped the mascara I had been too tired to remove last night hadn’t smeared all over my face.

  I smiled my approval at his bare-chested visage.

  “Aren’t you wearing anything?” I gasped in delight.

  “I have a towel on,” Danny laughed. “I just came from the shower, darlin’”

  “My hair isn’t even brushed.”

  “Elizabeth, you’re as beautiful as you are every morning.”

  I blushed. “I am?”

  “Eli, your hair is never brushed when you wake up. It’s always a sexy mess.”

  I was drowsy, and I yawned. Danny laughed. “I’m sorry, hon.” I shrugged. “Hey, are you wearing my shirt?” I could hear and see his pleasure.

  “I wear it every night when you’re not with me. It feels like you’re here.”

  “I wish I had a piece of you with me.” Danny said sadly though he smiled. “How about opening a couple more buttons.”

  “Daniel!” I exclaimed while obediently following his suggestion. The shirt was now open to my waist and falling off my narrow shoulders. I was completely exposed.

  “That’s better,” Danny said, and I turned bright red. “I love when you blush, Eli.”

  “Daniel!” I protested.

  “Now this is the girl I wake up to every morning.”

  “If your roommates walk in, I’m going to kill you.”

  Danny laughed. “Don’t sweat it. Shane and Cam know I’m on with you.”

  “What are you doing today that you’re up so early?”

  “The clouds are moving in so we’re going shopping. I have a hot babe to spoil.”

  “Me?” I squealed. That was just like Danny to buy me a gift.

  Danny chuckled. “Hey, how was Zac’s party?”

  I recounted the evening, including my encounter with Dean. That last part left me shaking. I dabbed my moist eyes with a tissue from the nearby box.

  Danny knitted his brows, seething with anger.

  “Honey, if Dean ever touches you again, he will regret it. Nobody touches my lady. Except for me, of course.”

  “I wish you had been with me.”

  “This never would have happened. At least he didn’t ruin your entire evening.”

  “Yeah. It was still a fun party. And I had the best car.”

  “I’ll bet you did.” Danny grinned. “I wish I could reach through cyberspace and touch you. I want so badly to take your hand.”

  I nodded in agreement. Smiling, I pulled my shirt back over my shoulders and reached my hand toward the monitor. Danny did the same. It appeared our hands were touching.

  “Dean doesn’t know what it means to be in love.”

  “No, he doesn’t,” I agreed.

  “Honey, I’m glad I put your smile back on, but I have to go now. I want you to crawl into bed for at least two more hours.”

  “Can I call you later?”

  “You can call me whenever you want. Bed, Eli,” Danny ordered.

  “I’m going.” I threw a flirty kiss to the screen. “I love you, Danny.”

  “I love you too, baby.”

  I crawled back into bed, pulling the comforter over my shoulders, up to my chin. With a smile on my lips and warmth in my heart, I fell soundly back to sleep.

  CHAPTER 68 - ELIZABETH

  Friday morning I cursed the alarm clock. It was only 3:30, but the flight to Albany, by way of Chicago, was leaving Los Angeles at 6:15. At O’Hare I would have a two-hour layover before continuing. If all went as planned, I could collapse in bed by 7:30 tonight. Ugh!!

  Had I been nuts when I booked this flight? It had been an incredibly tiresome day when I came home. Now I was doing it in reverse. An insane desire to prove my maturity by living with my decisions drove me.

  This morning I was paying the price. What an idiot. As late as yesterday, I could have changed to a less grueling non-stop to Kennedy. Or I could have flown the Gulfstream. That’s what Danny would have done.

  I crept down the stairs and out the door to the car waiting to deliver me to LAX.

  Arriving in Albany, I was exhausted. I had not slept on either flight. If my reflection in the restroom mirror was accurate, I looked like hell. At least journey was nearly over.

  Apparently I fell asleep because it had turned dark by the time the Town Car from the airport approached the Donnelly gate. I called Danny to let him know I was almost home. I promised to call from my room and Skype. I couldn’t wait for Sunday’s reunion. I would look and feel good again by then.

  CHAPTER 69 - DANIEL

  I anxiously paced inside the back door of Berkeley Hall. Peering out the window, I waited for Eli’s arrival. I couldn’t wait to see her reaction.

  A Town Car pulled into the lot. She was here!

  Elizabeth stepped out of the car. In the dim lighting, I couldn’t make out the details of her face, but her body slouched, exhausted as she had described.

  The driver removed her suitcases, three in all, from the trunk, and proceeded toward the door, Eli leading the way. When she reached the top step, I opened the door and walked out.

  “Danny?” she gasped. Elizabeth’s eyes opened wide in complete surprise. A smile washed over her tired face as she realized it really was me.

  “It’s me,” I answered, the biggest grin crossing my face. “May I help with your luggage ma’am?” I asked.

  “I hope so,” she replied breathlessly and launched herself at me.

  My arms wrapped tightly around Eli’s slender frame while her hands reached around my neck. My lips hungrily devoured hers.

  “I thought you wouldn’t be back until Sunday,” she whispered.

  “I couldn’t let you sleep alone in an empty building. You might be frightened.”

  “I would be. I was dreading it,” she answered, and we kissed again.

  Elizabeth opened the door, and I carried her luggage across the threshold. Once in the elevator, as the doors closed behind us, I pressed Elizabeth against the wall and started kissing her all over again. Elizabeth giggled, delighted, as I kissed her lips, her face, and her neck. Her gentle hands held my face as her lips hungrily met mine.

  Elizabeth unlocked the door to her suite. The empty suite was eerily silent and dark before she switched on the overhead light. I was glad neither of us would sleep alone tonight.

  Releasing the heavy luggage was a relief. How much stuff had she brought? Before I asked, Eli jumped into my arms, wrapping her legs around my hips. Her warm hands brought my face to hers for our lips to meet. Pure sweetness. Total bliss

  “I missed you so much,” I murmured.

  “I
know,” she smiled. “I missed you so much too.”

  As I held her face to mine, she deftly unbuttoned my shirt. I thought she would be too tired. I pushed her sweatshirt off her shoulders letting it drop to the ground. With Eli’s help, my shirt fell to the floor. She ran her delicate fingers over my chest and held me close. My heart thumped loudly.

  Then I pulled her tee over her head, unhooked her lacy bra, and let it fall to the ground. The feel of her bare chest against mine was overwhelming. Our lips locked, our bodies pressed together, we were on fire.

  “Take me to bed,” Eli whispered breathlessly. Her eyes filled with lust.

  I effortlessly carried Elizabeth to the bed where we made love with the pent-up passions of two completely in love people who had endured a lengthy separation. God, she was amazing!

  As Eli lay in my arms, the picture of perfect contentment, we exchanged gentle caresses and equally gentle kisses. I loved nibbling on her lips, her neck, and her soft, smooth shoulder. I knew this was what I wanted. Eli. Always.

  I propped myself up on my elbow and smiled at her. Then I smoothed unruly auburn locks off her face and kissed her again. Eli rewarded me with the brightest smile as my fingers traced her luscious curves. Under my touch, Elizabeth squirmed in innocent delight.

  Miami seemed a lifetime ago. I was lucky to have friends like Shane and Cam who cared enough to smack some sense into me. Eli would never know about Reggie.

  Why had I risked jeopardizing everything I had with Elizabeth? She was perfect and perfect for me in every way. Elizabeth was the right combination of beauty, intelligence and sexiness. She was my best friend. I loved her more than anything. I vowed to never do anything to hurt or disappoint her.

  CHAPTER 70 - ELIZABETH

  “When do I see your dress?” Danny asked.

  He had arrived at my room in time to see me pushing the air out of a Neiman Marcus garment bag as I zippered it.

  “Tomorrow. When it’s on,” I answered and gave a flirty smile.

  Then I turned to finish packing. I decided to add a pashmina. The theatre might be cool and the second week of April was early for strapless in New York City.