by Dani Lovell
"We could have a stroll, I'd like to get something for Clare and my parents. Maybe we can go back to Luke's after and...um... chill out for a couple of hours?" I say, trying to hide the salacious grin growing on my face. I may as well have said 'let's go back to Luke's for a shag.'
"Oh yeah...? I know your game," Tilly says with a wink, "good plan though."
I giggle and watch her as she eyes Luke with a grin. He gazes at her and leans in before gently kissing her. Their eyes close and I can feel the emotion between them. This is no fuck buddy relationship. I realise I'm staring so I look away and busy myself looking through my bag for my new aviators.
"I'll go and pay inside," Daniel says as Luke pulls away from Tilly and strokes her face, affectionately.
"No, Dan, I've got this," Luke says, standing and entering the restaurant. These boys don't let us pay for anything. I offer Tilly a supportive smile and she grins, shaking her head and rolling her eyes.
When we leave, Daniel and I walk hand in hand towards the shops, waving good bye to Tilly and Luke who are heading back to his apartment for a swim. Or so they say.
I get some bits for Clare and my parents and then we sit on a bench, in the sun, with our arms wrapped around each other, people watching. "Everyone seems happy, here."
"Do they? Is everyone miserable in Rickmansworth?"
I giggle. "Not exactly, but we don't walk around looking joyful all the time. It's nice to see happy people. I'm going to be the most miserable of the lot, when I get back."
Daniel pulls me closer and kisses my forehead. "Me, too. Hey! Do you want to go and look at underwear in Nordstrom again?" he asks excitedly.
I laugh and look up at his delightful face. "Do you?"
"Yes, I do. And I'd like to buy you a bunch of night gowns that you can't wear for anyone else."
"Come on then, let's go. But no buying me anything. You've spent enough on me over the last ten days."
"I haven't even come close, baby."
As we await the lift, Daniel looks down at me and puckers his lips, silently requesting a kiss. He's irresistible. I stretch up on tip toes and do just that, savouring the feel of his soft, gentle lips against mine. He smiles and winks at me as the doors to the lift open and we step in.
Stepping out again, a moment later, Daniel grasps my hand and walks, purposefully, towards the night gown section, collecting a basket on the way.
"You look like you're on a mission, Daniel."
"I am, baby. I'm going to buy you everything you want... and everything I want you to want, starting with the robe that matches your lace night gown. I'd like to know that when I come to see you, you'll have all of it, ready and waiting for me. No one else though, baby."
"You don't need to get me anything, Daniel."
"I want to. Just let me. Please?"
I smile, knowing this isn't just for me. It's for him too. Buying me these things helps him, somehow.
"Thank you, darling."
"You're welcome, baby. Now, let's shop."
Returning to the lift a while after, holding the bags of goodies that Daniel has just bought for me, I decide that I would really like to buy him something special. But what the hell do you get for Daniel? He can have anything he wants. Suddenly, an idea comes to me, and then another! Yes!
"Daniel," I say, as we stroll out of the lift, "I want to get some gift boxes in here for the my parents and Clare's goodies, but I'm so thirsty, would you mind getting me one of those freshly squeezed juices from that place we walked past, while I get some bits?"
"Of course, baby. I'll meet you outside on the bench. Apple?" he asks.
"Oh, yes please. I'll see you in a minute."
He kisses me and lingers a little. "Mmm, I love you," he mumbles against my mouth, making me smile.
As he walks towards the door, I wait for a moment, making sure he's gone, and then dart over to the menswear department where I pick up a lovely soft, plaid winter scarf and then head straight to the gift wrap department where I get a few bits and bobs. I pay quickly before dashing back outside to meet Daniel. He's sitting back, waiting for me, looking edible.
"Hi, I'm back," I say as I approach him. He hands me the juice and I take a sip. "While you're sitting, there's just one more thing I want to get for my brother in Barney's. Can you stay with the bags and I'll just run down and get it quickly, that ok?"
"Sure, baby. Take your time. Do you want me to come with you?"
"No thank you, Daniel. I'll only be two ticks." I dash down to Barney's, managing to take the bag with the gift boxes and scarf in, without Daniel noticing. When Tilly and I were looking for bikinis last week, I saw something that caught my eye in Barney's. I now know, it's the perfect gift from me, to Daniel.
On my way back, I stop at another bench, out of view of Daniel, and make up one of the gift boxes. I fold the scarf and place it inside, followed by a layer of tissue paper and the gift I just purchased. I fish my pen from my handbag and write in the card I bought before I package it all up.
As I stroll back to Daniel, I see yet another gift in a shop window that I have to buy, so I run in and get it quickly. I prepare it before shoving it in the gift box with his other gifts and get back to him. I feel thoroughly pleased with myself. I have spent a small fortune, but right now, I don't care.
I plonk myself down on the bench next to him, panting. He hands me the juice again and I take a long, welcome, refreshing gulp through the straw. "Mmm, delicious. Thank you, Daniel."
He looks amused. "Why were you rushing, baby? I told you to take your time."
"I didn't want to waste a minute of my time with you..."
He grins and leans in to kiss me again, clutching my face with his hand. "You're beautiful and I love you. Shall we head back to Luke's? It's two, so we've got just over six hours until we've got to get you to LAX."
I frown and pout, looking down and then back up through my lashes, into his gorgeous eyes. "I don't want to go home."
"Don't go, baby. Stay with me."
My heart is breaking, so painfully slowly. I tilt my head and kiss him, my eyes prickling.
"I know, baby. I'll find a way," he whispers.
I nod and take a deep breath to steady my emotions. "Let's go to Luke's. I can't concentrate on you and me with all of these people around us." He stands and takes my hand and we walk together, hand in hand, back to Luke's apartment.
When we arrive, Luke and Tilly are nowhere to be seen. They may be swimming, or they may be in the bedroom. Either way, we decide to go up to the guest/Daniel's room to have some alone time.
I place my bags down on the floor at the end of the bed and pull out Daniel's gift and card. He sits on the edge of the bed and I join him, handing him the box.
"Here, Daniel. I got you a little goody box."
He looks at me with an excited smile on his face, clearly surprised. "Baby, You didn't have to do that!"
"I know, darling, but I wanted to. Open it, I hope you like it."
"I know I will. Thank you, baby. What a wonderful surprise!"
"You're welcome. Open."
He opens the envelope first, pulling out the card with beautiful, hand painted butterflies all over the front, and the words 'Thank you'. As he opens it, jumbo butterfly confetti pieces fall out. He looks at me with a small smile and a questioning frown.
"Read it." I tell him.
'Darling Daniel,
Thank you for everything
You have given me butterflies from the very first moment I met you. I thought it only
fair that I give you butterflies in return.
I have never met anyone as special as you, I will miss you so, so much.
I LOVE YOU,
Bea. Xxxxxxxxx'
"Baby..." he says as he wraps his arms around me, tightly, "I love you so much." He kisses me on the lips, tenderly and gazes into my eyes.
"Open the present." I point to the gift on his lap.
He looks down at the box and lifts the lid off. He pul
ls out the last gift I bought. A small, knitted, stuffed cupcake with a cherry on top. He grins.
"Smell it," I prompt and he lifts the cake to his nose.
"Mmm, it smells of you."
"Something to smell me by, just in case the maid washes the bed linen."
He sniffs the cake again and sighs. "Mmm. You smell so good."
"Open the next one."
"Ok, bossy," Daniel says with a smile.
He pulls out the small black box with 'Deakin & Francis, England' written in silver on the top.
"England?" he asks.
"Well, it is an English company, so that's an extra thing to remember me by, but I bought it here, in Barney's."
"Ok," he says as he opens it. Inside are bumble bee cufflinks, painted beautifully in yellow and black with detailed, veined silver wings and sapphire eyes.
"Oh, wow! They're... bees!"
"Yes, I thought that when you wear them, you'll always have a 'Bee' near you, even if it's not this one."
Daniel laughs and shakes his head. "Baby, that's brilliant. I love them, thank you so much. Wow, they're really something aren't they?" he says, inspecting the fine detail, closely.
"I liked them, I hoped you would too. You don't have to wear them, I just wanted you to have something to remind you of me."
"Of course I'll wear them, baby. I'll wear them tomorrow! I love them. These can't have been cheap, baby?"
"Daniel, don't think about that. Now, there's one more gift in there."
"Ok, sweetheart," he says as he places the cufflinks on the bedside table and removes the tissue from the box. He pulls out the scarf and smiles. "This is great, just my style..."
"I know it's a little warm to wear now, Daniel, but it's going to be cold when you come to London on business over winter, and I want you to have something to keep you warm. Now you have to make sure you come. Ok?"
He grins. "Try to keep me away, sweetheart. Thank you."
Putting the box to the side, he cradles my face with both hands, kissing me, lovingly. He pulls back and gazes into my eyes. "Thank you for the gifts, I love them all. I'm going to keep the cupcake on my desk, at work, it'll remind me that you've been there."
"And I enjoyed every minute of it." I climb onto his lap and push him down onto the bed. "And I'd like to enjoy every minute of being with you, now." I lean down and kiss his neck whilst undoing the button on his fly.
I sit up on him and push his polo shirt up his abdomen before lifting my dress over my head. I slowly sink back down to kiss his taut belly, all over. He crosses his arms over his chest, clutching the hem of his raised shirt and pulls it over his head so he is naked from the waist up.
My gorgeous, sexy, delicious man. I move up his chest with my lips, over his neck and up to kiss his mouth fervently. I can't wait, I need him. I moan, loudly as I kiss faster, impatiently.
"Mmm, baby..." he mumbles as he unclasps my bra and pulls it off before flipping us over so that I'm underneath him. He wriggles free of his shorts and boxers before slowly lifting off the bed to take my knickers off. He stands, staring at me, completely naked before him.
"Daniel, come and touch me, make love to me." I stretch my arms out towards him.
He remains standing, gazing at my body. "You're so beautiful, baby."
I grin and giggle a little. "You must have told me that a thousand times, Daniel."
"Because you are. No one else can have you, baby, I couldn't bear it. I'm going to make sure that you're mine, forever." Forever?! Holy cow.
"Daniel, you sound a bit crazy right now."
"I'm crazy for you. But don't worry, I'm not planning on kidnapping you and locking you up in my apartment. As much as I'd like to," he says with a grin as he crawls back over my body, kissing me, gradually making his way up to my face.
"Oh..." I pout and giggle.
"Would you like that, baby?" he asks, between gentle kisses.
"Mmm, sounds heavenly."
"Don't tempt me."
I smile and narrow my eyes. "What would you do to me? Locked up in your apartment?"
"Baby, I'd make love to you twenty-four-seven."
"Ooh, yes, please."
He grins and we resume kissing, passionately, before we make delicious, emotionally charged love, for the last time.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
SUNDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER (CONT.)
Tears stream down my face and my sobs erupt uncontrollably from my chest as Daniel wraps his strong arms around me. I can feel his heart thumping through his chest onto mine after our love making.
"Shh, baby. It's ok," he whispers, "we'll be ok, somehow."
"No... Daniel. We... won't," I splutter, sobs marring my ability to speak coherently.
"It seems that way, baby. Something will change. I promise."
I lay, quietly sobbing against his chest. I won't argue with him, if it helps him to think like this then so be it.
"Cry it out, if it helps," he whispers, gently rocking me. How can I continue with normal life? It seems so small and pointless without him in it. Could I give it all up? Right now, I want to, but something inside is forcing me to go back. I know it's the right thing to do, but I don't want to, god damn it! I want to pack it all in and come and live here in LA, in Daniel's apartment, with him.
We lay, quietly, wrapped in each other and drift off into a deep, afternoon sleep. When I wake, I am clinging onto him for dear life, one of my legs is wedged between his and my arms wrapped around him, my head buried in his chest. It feels wonderful and I forget, for just a second, that I'm going home today.
I gasp loudly, attempting to pull away from Daniel. He holds me tightly so I can't break free.
"Shit!" I murmur, finally escaping Daniel's arms and sitting bolt upright, feeling disoriented. "What's the time?" Waking up from that deep sleep with such a jolt makes me feel dizzy and queasy. I put my hand on my head and close my eyes.
Daniel checks his phone and pulls me back down into his arms.
"It's ok, baby, don't panic. We have plenty of time. It's five-thirty."
"I feel sick." I still feel disoriented and am trying to get my head around today's schedule. "So, how long have I got?"
"We need to get you there for eight, baby. Latest. We should aim to be there earlier so I can park up and come in with you. Then we have time to say good bye at LAX."
"You don't have to come in, darling."
"I want to. There's no way I'm dropping you at the door."
"Thank you, Daniel. You're the best."
"Are you still feeling sick? Would you like me to get you some water?"
"No thank you, don't let go. If I lay still for a bit, I'll feel fine."
"Ok, baby. Let me know if I can get you anything, I don't like you sick."
"Don't worry, I'm ok." I close my eyes and snuggle back into his warm body, holding one of his huge biceps. I kiss his chest, over and over as if it'll somehow help alleviate the pain of leaving.
"Daniel..."
"Mmm?" he responds, gently, stroking my back slowly with the tips of his fingers.
"I know you don't know yet, but I feel like I need to know when you'll be coming to England. Like it'll make it easier to leave... knowing how long I have to wait before I can touch you again."
"I know, I'm sorry, I want to know too, sweetheart. I can come on vacation? I'd come straight away."
"No, Daniel. We'll get stuck in a difficult long distance relationship situation if we keep having holidays to see each other. Whenever you come on business, we can meet, but that's it. Don't come just to see me."
"I don't know when that'll be, baby. But I'll let you know as soon as I do. It's going to be real hard, not being able to come and see you for the heck of it. I need you."
"Me too, I love you. So much." I squeeze him tightly and kiss his chest again, repeatedly.
He lets out a long, quiet groan. "I love the feel of your mouth on my skin."
"I love the feel of your skin on my mouth," I say with a gri
n, "in fact..." I add as I slowly move my fingers down to Daniel's growing erection and squeeze him gently, "I'd like to feel more with my mouth."
He gasps and smiles as I look up at his face. "Be my guest, baby."
I slowly run the tips of my fingers up and down the back of his thick shaft before I wrap my hand around him again. I reach up with my other hand and wrap my fingers around his neck, pulling his face towards mine and into a sensual, erotic kiss.
My tongue exploring his mouth slowly, I close my eyes and moan as Daniel's hands run firmly, up and down my bare back, clutching at the nape of my neck.
I push him so he's on his back and move to straddle him. I gently run kisses down his body and crawl backwards until I rest on his legs, taking him in my hand and hold a tight grip as I glide up and down.
I look up at him through my lashes and he's gazing down at me, his eyes hot and glazed, he looks sexy as hell. My eyes locked with his, I lick my lips slowly and lower my tongue to his tip to lick the bead of liquid from the top, all the while, maintaining this incredibly erotic eye contact.
Daniel's mouth opens, ever so slightly and I see him take a long, deep breath in. I move lower and gently kiss his balls, gradually moving up the length of his erection, laying wet kisses all the way up.
"Oh god, baby..." Daniel moans, he hasn't taken his eyes off me, "you are..."
I smile, enjoying the effect I'm having on him. "Uh huh?" I murmur, before licking his tip again. I'm so sad, but I feel a real need to be naughty, to preoccupy my feelings.
"You are..."
"Mmm. I am... good at this?"
Daniel smirks and I lick him again, applying more pressure with my tongue. "Oh yes, baby, you're so good at this."
I look up at him again and raise one eyebrow, smirking slightly as I take his tip in my mouth. "Uh huh," I mumble, my mouth full of him.
He rolls his head back into his pillow again and groans. "Fuck me. Bea, what are you doing to me?"
"Sucking you, Daniel," I purr, my voice as deep and sexy as I can get it. I take his whole tip into my mouth again and suck him, very gently dragging my teeth over him. His skin is so powdery smooth.