“You’re dripping on me,” I complained.
A mischievous grin played across his lips. Danny whipped off his towel and rubbed his hair with it.
“Better?”
I stared at his magnificence. I was mesmerized. There, Danny was, his perfect body naked. Danny grinned as a dare to take him. He expected me to reach out and pull him into my embrace. Painful to resist, but I had to.
Instead, I smiled and kissed his shoulder. Danny smirked and pulled me into his arms, pressing his lips against mine for the kisses Danny knew I’d be powerless to resist.
“Danny!” I squealed, and he grinned.
Danny kissed me again, urgently this time. His power pushed us into the pillows. Our hearts beat rapidly together as one. My head spun as we kept our lips locked together. His kisses, and his touch, drove me to an unparalleled frenzy. Danny wanted me so badly and I wanted him as much. I lost all control when he entered me, and I didn’t care.
“Shower time,” Danny murmured to me a while later. We had been lying peacefully in each other’s arms. He was gently playing with my hair and I was absent-mindedly tracing abstract patterns on his chest with my finger.
“You sure know how to ruin a girl’s good time,” I pouted. I clasped my hands around his neck and delicately kissed his lips.
Danny smiled, his eyes twinkling. “I love you, Miss Eli.”
His gentle hands held my cheeks as he kissed my impatient lips.
CHAPTER 44 - ELIZABETH
Following a long noisy dinner, Danny and I hung out downstairs watching the 84-inch 3D television Dad had installed earlier in the fall. Peace, quiet and the hot tub awaited as the perfect antidote.
Danny and I waited impatiently to see if anyone else planned to use the hot tub tonight. Fingers crossed – nobody would want to. Meanwhile, we watched an old romcom while listening to the rhythm of the house.
“I keep expecting Teddy,” I whispered to Danny.
“Don’t sweat it. Teddy’s not going to bother us,” Danny said with certainty.
“How do you know?”
“Because I threatened him. If Teddy dares to come down here without my permission he’ll be skiing alone tomorrow.”
Tomorrow. I was dreading it already. I had serious reservations about my ability to get out of bed in the morning. Usually it was the day after when being charley-horsed set in. If I was this bad tonight, I didn’t want to think about tomorrow.
Worse, Danny wouldn’t allow me to sulk in bed. Danny would twinkle those sapphire eyes I couldn’t resist. Then Danny would smile that special smile he reserved for me, the one that lit his face and sent my head swirling. The pain would be unbearable, but those eyes and that smile. The promise of a day with them would motivate me past the agony.
I didn’t want to listen to the comings and goings of our household members any longer. I wanted my evening to begin.
“Help me up?” I asked Danny. “I want to change.”
Danny, graceful as a gazelle, stood, reached out his hand and pulled me up.
“Ow, ow, ow,” I grimaced.
“Eli, you’re not playing. You really do hurt.”
“Yes,” I hissed. “Finally he believes me!”
Danny was waiting by the time I changed into my new bikini. Silver-colored rings held the navy swirl confection together. More revealing than my usual, it was intended for the most private of parties.
I sauntered over to Danny and confidently tilted my chin toward him. His mouth was agape, his eyes popping. To get this reaction, the bikini was worth every penny it had cost and then some.
I ran my fingernail across his lower lip and smiled. “Glad you approve.”
Danny swept me into his arms and kissed me. His warm touch against my exposed skin threatened to cloud my mind. I didn’t want that, so I pulled away and took Danny’s hand. “Hot tub,” I commanded.
“That can wait,” he answered with a sly smile.
“I thought you understood. I am in serious pain. I need bubble therapy.”
“Elizabeth, you’re killing me, love.” I gave him a flirty shrug. “Did you ask your stylist to only choose clothes to torture me with?” Danny laughed.
“Of course not. I pick my own clothes to torture you with. Let’s go.”
Danny picked up two thick white terry robes from the bed and tossed one to me. “Eli, you’ll want this. We’re not in Malibu,” he said while putting on the other.
“Thanks.” And I dramatically blew Danny a kiss.
Danny was right. We needed the robes. While the hot tub was only a few steps from the door, the air temperature had to be down to the teens.
Bubbly steam rose from the ground in front of us. I let my robe slip off my shoulders to the heated floor tiles.
Danny watched my every move. For his benefit, I vamped it up. I smiled at him and then winked while shimmying my shoulders. I hadn’t been thinking. This was not the weather for flirting while wearing a bikini. I dashed for the hot tub. It was sooooo cold out!
I lowered myself into the welcoming bubbles and settled on the tiled seat by a jet. Danny joined me. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and kissed the side of my neck. I smiled and removed his hands. Danny frowned, disappointed by this rebuff.
“Daniel, you don’t get it. I am in pain.” I emphasized the word ‘pain.’
“Where do you hurt the most?” he asked tenderly.
“Everywhere but here.” I indicated my heart.
Danny eyed me skeptically.
“Okay. Mostly my shoulders, back, butt and thighs.”
“I don’t understand,” he laughed “For a girl who’s always exercising, how can you be so out of shape?”
“I am not out of shape!” I protested.
“Wrong word. E, your shape looks great. It’s your muscles that suck.”
“Thanks a lot, Daniel. Must I remind you, I was in a cast for a month.”
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
I didn’t want to bring up my ankle. An argument would be counterproductive.
Danny sighed and softened his voice. “Let me take a look.”
I turned my back toward Danny and he began to knead my shoulders and back.
“Baby, you are really tight. Your knots have knots.”
Danny kissed my neck, sending shivers through me despite the heat of the water. Then he swept my hair around to one shoulder and again began expertly massaging my neck and shoulders. Danny’s strong hands knew exactly what they were doing. Soon the tension left my body. This was great!
“Where did you learn this?” I purred. I was practically in a trance.
“I have to keep some secrets from you, babe.”
“This should not be one of them.”
Danny kissed my neck again which unleashed a new round of shivers.
“They don’t do that at the spa,” I observed.
“They better not.”
Danny untied the bow at my neck. The small fabric triangles fell forward. My massage continued for another few minutes. Total, heavenly bliss.
“I’ll do better when we go in,” Danny said as he stopped. I couldn’t imagine it being any better, but if he said so.
Then Danny effortlessly lifted me onto his lap. In the hot tub, I was weightless. He cupped my face in his hands and kissed me. My breath was taken away.
My arms laced around Danny’s neck and his wrapped around my shoulders and back as I sat sideways, my feet playing in the wake of the nearby jet. Our eyes locked on each other’s with unmatched intensity.
“I love you, Elizabeth. More than anything,” Danny whispered.
“I love you too, Daniel. Always.”
Danny and I pressed closer and closer like two magnets that couldn’t defy the laws of physics. Our lips never separated. We were oblivious to everything but each other as the jets created a hot, pulsating swirl that enveloped us.
Soon I felt Danny’s hardness probing, wanting to enter me. We exchanged knowing smile
s, and I nodded. Danny peeled back the fabric of his swim trunks, freeing himself from its confines. My insides clenched in anticipation.
Then he lifted me, my back against his chest. As he did so, he moved the fabric of my bikini bottom aside and settled me on top of him. I gasped at his entrance and moaned. With his hands on my breasts and his lips feathery on my neck, the fullness was exquisite. My hands pressed on his thighs and I began to move rhythmically, losing myself in his love.
“Ahem,” a throat cleared from behind us. Shit! Steve!
“Dad!” Danny exclaimed.
Danny and I abruptly stopped, looking at each other in panicked fear. His hardness wilted and slipped out. Danny pulled me into his chest, shielding me from view while he re-tied my bikini top.
Had Steve seen us? Had he recognized our movements and heard our moans? Thankfully our backs were toward him. Neither Danny nor Steve could see the shade of crimson I had turned. I wanted to drown myself out of embarrassment.
I kept my face buried against Danny. This was so much worse than Teddy’s interruption.
“Sorry. I didn’t see… The landscaping…” Steve stammered.
“Dad. It’s okay,” Danny cut him off.
It was painful. Steve was as uncomfortable, and nothing shocked Steve.
I shyly turned around. “Hi,” I said tentatively.
“Red looks good on you, Elizabeth,” he said sternly, having regained his composure.
“Dad, we’re sorry,” Danny apologized. “We weren’t really doing anything.”
I felt myself blush worse than before, knowing what a lie that was.
“Really? Then I’m glad I didn’t show up when nothing became something.” Steve said pointedly, seeing through Danny’s lie.
“We thought everyone was sleeping,” Danny explained, further putting his sizeable foot in his mouth.
“That’s why it’s called a common area. Anyone can use it. Any time.” Danny and I fell silent, chastened like naughty children being disciplined. “You have a bedroom. Use it.”
CHAPTER 45 - DANIEL
Aspen was great. After we had acclimated, my days spent on the slopes with Elizabeth were bliss. Of course Teddy usually tagged along, but we devised ways of losing him for at least part of each day.
Evenings were quiet, family times. Randi planned a different activity each night, but with only three days remaining, Eli and I were going out tomorrow. She hadn’t wanted to hurt Randi’s feelings, but I was insistent and had approached Randi privately.
“Of course I don’t mind. I’ve been wondering why you were home every evening. Where are you taking her?”
“I made a reservation at Matsuhisa.” We hadn’t eaten sushi since we arrived.
“Perfect! Tomorrow’s a great day too. We’re doing girls’ day at the spa.”
The men countered with father/son day, but Mike was fighting a cold and begged off skiing. Teddy, feeling guilty, stayed behind. It would be me alone with Dad.
Conditions were perfect when Dad and I arrived at the base. Clouds cut the sun’s glare yet there was no threat of snow. The temperature had moderated to the twenties, with no wind.
Dad clapped me on the shoulder as we entered the gondola.
“Great day, Danny!” he eagerly exclaimed.
“Too bad Mike isn’t feeling well,” I said, though I was glad to be alone with Dad.
“Don’t tell Michael I said this,” Dad laughed, “But I’m glad he and Teddy didn’t come. I never get to spend time alone with you anymore. I miss you, Danny.”
“I miss you too, Dad.”
“I’m looking forward to this summer; you and me working together for an entire shoot. Vancouver will never be the same.”
“Can they handle us?” I laughed. “Two Newmans in one town.”
I was going to be Dad’s assistant on his next film. Scheduled for production this summer, I was thrilled for the opportunity.
Soon the gondola reached the summit. Through the windows I could see the snow blowing. It would be colder than I thought.
“Danny! C’mon!” Dad called. As soon as we disembarked he turned and began his descent down the mountain.
My goggles needed adjusting. “I’ll be right there,” I shouted back.
I quickly caught up. Despite his grandstanding, Dad wasn’t that far ahead.
“Hey, slowpoke,” he said good-naturedly. “You’re not going to let your old man beat you to the bottom, are you?” And off Dad went, carving turns through the powder, leaving me frustrated and alone. So much for togetherness.
Dad turns everything into a competition, and skiing was no different. He insists on skiing only the most difficult terrain, and it’s important for him to beat me down the mountain. It’s like some sort of middle-aged test of virility.
By the end of a morning spent keeping up with Dad, I was weary. Needing time to recover, I decided to eat lunch with all deliberate slowness. A thick, juicy burger covered with mushrooms was exactly what I craved, and the one I ordered arrived cooked to perfection. Plus, it came with my favorite, extra crispy fries. Dad ordered the same.
“It’s a treat spending time with you, Daniel,” Dad said after taking his first bite.
Daniel. In one word Dad telegraphed his intention to have a serious discussion. What was it with parents? They showed their hand so easily. But what now? This better not be about the hot tub incident.
“I agree. This is great, Dad. We should do it more often. Maybe this summer.”
“You’ve changed this year,” Dad began. “Elizabeth has been a good influence.”
Now I knew. This was about Eli and me.
“Yes, she is. I can’t get into trouble when I’m with Elizabeth.”
“Is that what you want? Someone to keep you out of trouble?”
I hadn’t thought about Eli that way. Did I want her keeping me out of trouble? If Dad meant had I sworn off partying, the answer was no. Between needing a clear head for finals and being on break, it had been weeks.
Over the last few days I had begun looking forward to hanging out with the guys when we returned to Donnelly. Trouble. Yeah. I was getting ready for some trouble.
“No. Not really. I love Eli, but I’m not ready to change yet,” I answered. “Some trouble would be fun. I’m in danger of becoming too domesticated.” I laughed trying to keep it as light as possible.
I spied a passerby trying not to be noticed as he starred at Dad. I hated when we were engaged in regular family activities and strangers recognized him. It was so rude. Couldn’t a man eat lunch with his son?
Now that man was going to report to his companions that he had spotted Steven Newman dining with someone who must be his son. How sweet! Depending on his previous opinion of Dad, it would either confirm that he thought Dad was a nice guy or, if he didn’t like Dad, it might leave him thinking differently.
I preferred being on the slopes where Dad’s goggles left his face obscured and unrecognizable. On the mountain, Dad was one more anonymous man with his son.
“Does Elizabeth know?”
“That I’m in the mood for some trouble? We haven’t discussed it. Eli doesn’t like when I party, but she knows it’s who I am.” I said. “I don’t want to reform yet. I’m only twenty, Dad. Eli knows I still want to have fun. It’s not like we’re married.”
“You look it. For two weeks I’ve felt like an intruder on your honeymoon.”
“Dad! Don’t be ridiculous,” I stammered. He was embarrassing me.
“You don’t see it, Daniel. You’re always touching each other. She leaves, you kiss her. She returns, you kiss her. And in between your eyes follow her to the door. When she re-enters, you light up and your eyes follow her until she’s by your side again.”
“Dad! You’re exaggerating! I know Eli and I are always together. We love each other. Maybe we’ll end up together. Maybe we won’t. I don’t know. We’re young.”
“You are young. You shouldn’t be this serious about one girl.”
“You were. You and Mom got your first apartment when you were nineteen.”
“And we were too young. I’m sure I would have married Mom eventually, but I never had the chance to think about it. It was New York. What student could afford his own apartment? We both needed someone to room with. It was practical.”
“Dad, don’t worry. I’m not you. I’ve never told Eli she’s my life partner.”
“As long as Elizabeth knows. I wouldn’t want her to get hurt because you keep the truth from her or avoid the difficult discussions.”
“I would never hurt Eli. We’re always honest with each other.” After a pause I added, “All right. I’ll bring it up tonight. In case she’s forgotten.”
CHAPTER 46 - DANIEL
For Aspen, I felt dressed. I wore a sport coat over my jeans and shirt. Somehow that made the evening seem more special.
I watched CNN while waiting in the playroom for Eli. She had kicked me out of our room saying it was more date-like if she made a grand entrance.
Elizabeth was right. My jaw dropped when she entered the room. Flustered, I rose from the sofa and embraced her.
“Babe, you take my breath away. I love you, lady.”
Eli smiled shyly, and I kissed her luscious pink-stained lips.
For her part, Eli’s outfit was in keeping with her theme for this trip. Skinny jeans that showed off every curve were tucked into Uggs. A tunic length, scoop-necked cashmere sweater with broad cream and peach colored horizontal stripes worn belted, emphasized her tiny waist. All eyes would certainly be on Eli tonight.
All eyes in the dining room were as we stopped by before leaving the house. Every parent starred as we said, “good-night.”
Before even biting into the first piece of sushi, I was happy all over again about my choice of Matsuhisa. I had not realized until I read the menu how sick of cowboy food I was. Once we left Aspen, I did not want beef for a long time.
I could almost hear Juliette snickering. That was a name I hadn’t thought of lately. Once she got over our break-up, Juliette had been cordial whenever Eli or I had run into her.
Tonight Elizabeth looked even prettier than usual. The dim ceiling lights reflected off her shiny, well-groomed hair. Eli’s deep emerald eyes were like multi-faceted gems and her skin glowed from her spa treatment.
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