Teacher: The Final Act (A Hollywood Rock n' Romance Trilogy #3)

by R. L. Merrill

I giggled. ”Yes, Paul Stanley. I think Danny, you know, my boyfriend, would be very upset.” I turned in his arms. ”Besides, I wouldn’t want you to mess up that killer makeup.” I brushed his wig back from his shoulders and nibbled his collarbone, which was at the perfect height since he had on ginormous platform boots!

  “Damn, girl. Danny is one lucky fellow. You sure know how to make a man feel goooo-wooo-woooooo-wooooooo-wooooo-hooo-hoood!” Danny belted out a very Paul Stanley note and I heard laughing in the other room.

  “Hey Gene,” he called out to Bronson. ”Let’s get the stage set up! I’m ready to rock and roll all night!”

  And we proceeded to do exactly that! By ten o’clock the house was packed. This time, however, I knew everyone, and it was very different knowing this was my house now, too. It still felt pretty surreal. Especially the office/library. Danny had bought me a matching desk and we moved the two desks together in the center of the room so we could both work and still make googly eyes at each other.

  I made the rounds, talking easily with all of our guests. Cosmo’s now-girlfriend Maria, whom I’d met the night we went bowling, was there and the two of them looked very happy. They had been getting pretty serious, apparently. It turns out he passed her tests and she loved the rest of the boys as much as I did. She kind of filled my spot as Wendy to their Lost Boys, which made me feel much better about being away. She was dressed as Elvira tonight and Cosmo and the boys were dressed as Dead Elvises. They had their equipment set up out by the pool and pretty soon, everyone was out there dancing to their covers of Elvis songs as well as classics from the Stray Cats, Jerry Lee Lewis and others. I danced with Maria, Rebecca, and Patricia until I was about to drop. Then it was time for KISS to take the stage.

  I couldn’t help but snicker at their ensembles. For all I knew these were genuine KISS hand-me-downs. They looked totally realistic. Danny looked so scrumptious in all that spandex. I could barely contain myself when he turned his back to the crowd and pranced around on his platforms! He stared right at me the whole time they played “I Was Made for Loving You” and “Love Gun.” I did my best disco moves right in front of the stage, which had him really showing off his goods. When the song was over, he hurriedly called for a break before he picked me up, tossed me over his shoulder, and carried me into the house at a jog. All the blood had rushed to my head by the time we got back to the bedroom. He set me down hard once inside and slammed the door.

  “Paul! I told you, I’m with-” He kissed me so erotically that there was no way I could keep up the charade any longer. He pulled my dress up and ripped the lace panties right off of me. It didn’t take much effort for him to free himself from the spandex pants. He pressed me against the wall and wrapped my legs around his waist. He never stopped kissing me as he thrust into me, hard. Out-of-control Danny hadn’t made a showing like this in a long time, what with the house remodel and everything, and I was just beginning to realize how much I’d missed him.

  Danny kissed and bit down hard on my neck. His stubble chaffed my face and added to my excitement. He wobbled a little and then cursed. ”I’m going to break an ankle in these fucking boots,” he laughed.

  “We can’t have that,” I gasped, encouraging him to set me down so he could get out of them. It was strange to be looking so far up into his eyes! ”Take them off,” I giggled.

  “No fucking way,” he said, and carried me into the bathroom. He turned me to face the mirror and I laughed at the smeared makeup all over us. ”There’s no way I could have stayed out there in these fucking pants as hard as you make me.” He grabbed my shoulders and angled me so he could thrust into me from behind. ”I can’t see you,” he complained, and reached around to free my breasts from the stretchy, low-cut, wrap dress I had on. ”This fucking dress has been driving me crazy all goddamned day.” He thrust harder now, grabbing my hips for leverage. He had me breathless. He was hitting me so deep inside, my legs were quivering.

  “I love it when something drives you crazy,” I whispered. ”Then I get to feel you like this.” I pushed my hips further back to him and he stilled himself for a minute.

  He pulled out and turned me around, lifting me up onto the counter. He dropped to his knees and proceeded to show me just how crazy he was feeling. I tried not to scream as he brought me to the highest peak, but it was hopeless. I just prayed the music was loud enough that no one would hear me. When I floated back down, he stood up and pulled me against him, his boots still making him a little too tall to get the right angle. He growled and turned me back around to face the mirror. We watched each other’s reactions as he pounded into me from behind. He groaned louder and louder, and when he came, he bellowed, “FUUUUUUUCK JESSE!” I tightened around him and reveled in the feeling of him loving me like this.

  We stood there panting and shaking, unable to speak. ”Goddammit, Jesse. I love you so fucking much.”

  I turned around and plastered myself against him, needing to feel his skin against mine. ”I fucking love you, too! Now get cleaned up! I have a surprise for you and it’s going to be here soon!”

  He had a little kid grin on his face for just a moment. It relaxed into worry. ”Honey, you didn’t have to do anything. I’m so fucking happy right now, having you here, having our house done—”

  I smiled and kissed him quickly. ”That’s great, but I’m serious! Get cleaned up, Paul! Otherwise Danny is going to find us!”

  He shook his head and stepped back to adjust his pants. ”Jesse—”

  “I know. I love you, too, and you can’t know how happy I am, but I’m going to be happier in just a moment so hurry up!”

  He grumbled as he fixed his makeup and his wig. I had to wash off the black and white paint he’d smeared all over me, which looked grey on my skin. I reapplied makeup and fixed my dress so it covered the girls.

  “I’ll meet you out there,” I said, smacking his ass as I ran for the kitchen. It felt so good to be able to move like that and not worry about pain. The medication the doctor prescribed for my RA had me virtually pain free. I was even able to dance more without the pain and swelling I’d grown accustomed to. I was still seeing the acupuncturist and getting massages as well. I felt like a whole new person! It was such a gift Danny had given me. I wanted to give him something back.

  When I entered the kitchen, Gene/Bronson hurried to me. ”Is he coming? Everything’s set up, he’s in Nora’s house waiting for me to come get him.”

  I squealed and did a little hop in my heels. ”Fantastic! Make sure Patricia has her camera ready to roll. I do not want to miss a moment of this.”

  He left to go get things started and I waited for Danny, pretending to be busy with a tray of food. When he rounded the corner looking put together, I asked, “Hey babe? Can you please carry this tray out to the table? Rebecca said they needed more cheese.”

  He kissed me loudly on the lips and groaned before taking the cheese tray. ”Anything for you,” he whispered.

  He could still floor me with that look and his words. I waited a couple of beats before following him with some waters for the cooler. The stage lights were turned down. Just the Tiki lights had the patio illuminated. Suddenly, a spotlight shone on the stage and a voice thundered from the PA.

  “Daniel Adam Black! Please come forward!”

  Danny stopped mid-stride and dropped the tray at his feet. Standing on stage in the spot he had occupied before our little tryst was his hero, Alice Cooper. I crept up next to him and whispered, “Surprise, baby!”

  His eyes shot to me, wider than I’d ever seen them. ”You did this?”

  I nodded. ”With Bronson’s help.” I gave him a push toward the stage and our guests cheered loudly.

  “Daniel,” Alice called. ”Come here, son.”

  Danny grinned like a loon and trotted up to the stage, wobbling on his platforms. He pulled off his wig as he stood next to Alice and shook hands with him.

  “I’ve been told you have created a new house of horror, and as the godfather of a
ll that is creepy in this world, your lady friend and bandmates thought it fitting that I come and offer a blessing, if you will.”

  Danny looked at all of us and shook his head, blushing. ”Thank you. That would make this whole thing perfect.”

  Alice nodded and raised his scepter. ”Lead the way, Daniel.”

  He totally played it up as Danny walked down the steps next to him and led the way into the living room. We all followed behind as Danny showed off his collection of life-sized classic monsters, vampire killing kits from the turn of the century, human skulls alongside the skeletons of other creepy mammals, relics from horror movie sets, and the pièce de résistance, a full-sized guillotine Alice Cooper had actually used on stage during one of his early tours. Alice even let Danny “chop his head off,” which led to Danny squealing like a little kid. He was so animated, so excited, and every so often he’d smile at me from across the room.

  “Now I think this blessing will only be complete with a song or two.”

  Everyone screamed and Alice motioned for Danny to lead the way back outside. Once onstage Alice took the microphone again.

  “There is one other reason my presence was needed tonight. Daniel, come here please.”

  Danny jumped up on stage and stood next to Alice kinda looking like a dopey kid. Alice put his hand on Danny’s shoulder.

  “Son, your teacher informs me that you have passed your exit exams and earned your high school diploma. That calls for a tribute!”

  Bronson played the opening riff for “School’s Out” and Danny started cracking up. I got several hugs from our friends and Danny stood at the front of the little stage shaking hands and hugging our guests. We all sang along with Alice while Danny’s face turned redder and redder. Danny picked up his guitar when that song was over and they all played “Welcome to my Nightmare” and “I Love The Dead.” When it was over, Alice hugged Danny and I couldn’t hear, but it looked like he thanked him for having him over and must have asked about me, because then they walked toward me. I tried to breathe normally and not allow my freakout to show.

  “Jesse, I would love for you to meet Mr. Vincent Furnier, best known as Alice Cooper.”

  He took my hand in his and kissed the back. ”Thank you, Ms. Martin for inviting me tonight. I haven’t had this much fun in years. Sadly, I must be going as I have an early flight to catch. Enjoy your new home.”

  I thanked him, I think. I tried to get those words out but it could have been “bless you,” for all I know.

  He smiled, shook hands with the guys in the band, and then was led out by his driver and a couple other people I hadn’t seen.

  Danny turned on me and picked me up off the ground in a hug. ”That, honey, was an awesome fucking surprise.”

  I was just glad it all turned out. “Thank Bronson! He’s the one who got in touch with him and ultimately got him to come.”

  He hugged Bronson and thanked him, too. Just not as intimately as he thanked me later, after everyone went home.

  Chapter - Seven

  A week later we were once again covered in makeup and body paint, this time in Nikki Sixx’s photo studio. Danny and I posed suggestively and innocently for Nikki, but once Danny started kissing me, all bets were off. Nikki, his staff, and his girlfriend left us alone to let us play. It was almost as if Danny had pre-arranged it. Too bad he couldn’t really enjoy it completely as he was itching like crazy from either the makeup or his hair growing back in. Either way, I suggested that we continue having our fun back home. He shook his head and held up a finger.

  “There’s one more thing I want to try.” He trotted away from me for a moment, rummaged through his bag, then trotted back over to the camera. He set the timer once again and then walked over to me with a shy smile. He turned me so my back was to the camera, and told me to turn my head the other way. I did as he asked, giggling, and felt him tug on my hand.

  “Jesse, you can look now.” I turned to find him on one knee… with a ring in his hand. I started to shake and my other hand flew to my chest. I didn’t even hear the camera clicking, nor did I pay attention to our surroundings as Danny uttered the most precious words he’d ever said to me. “Jesse, honey, please give me the most incredible gift you could ever give me and tell me you’ll marry me.”

  I could feel my heart stuttering in my chest and my eyes filled with tears. I tried to speak, but all that came out was a sob. Danny looked worried for a moment but then smiled when I nodded vigorously. He stood and kissed me until I was breathless.

  “Yes! Of course, yes, baby! Yes, I’ll marry you!”

  He pulled me to him and held me tightly to him, letting out a relieved breath. ”Oops, I forgot something,” he laughed and stepped back far enough to pull my hand up between us and slide the ridiculous diamond and platinum ring over my ring finger.

  I gazed into his loving face and just beamed. ”We’re really going to do it?” I asked.

  He frowned. ”Of course we are! Damn, woman! I’ve been telling you I was going to marry you. Just been waiting for the perfect moment to give this to you.”

  And then I remembered the cameras and pulled him back against me. “And you got the whole thing on film, didn’t you, you rat!”

  He laughed and squeezed me so tight the breath left my lungs. ”I did. Nikki was happy to help. He got his crazy pictures, and I got photographic evidence that you agreed to marry me. You can’t get out of it now!”

  I threw my head back, laughing at his conniving. “I don’t want out of it, Danny! But I hope you weren’t planning on showing these to the family.”

  He shook his head. ”No way. Only for you and me. Because that’s all that counts, when you come down to it. Well, let’s take a couple we can show Janey and Nora at least.”

  We moved closer to the camera and took several shots of Danny holding my hand against his chest, him kissing me with my hand showing off the ring against his cheek, and then finally of my hand resting on my shoulder. I cringed as I took a closer look at the ring. “Danny, this must have cost a fortune! You really didn’t need—”

  He shut me up with a kiss and shook his head. ”Uh uh. No way. I found the perfect ring and you are not going to ruin this for me.”

  I knew he was only sort of playing. We’d had several arguments over the expensive things he purchased for me. He insisted. I ranted. He’d used the gimme smile. I caved. It was becoming our routine. He listened to me when he knew it was important to me, like when I told him I felt really uncomfortable having a security guard with me all the time. He acquiesced on that matter, but he’d pull the Mr. Bossypants routine if he thought I wasn’t letting him take care of me how he wanted to.

  After more kissing, more tears, more groping, and finally, more itching, we pulled on our sweats and tried to at least gather up the feathers we’d strewn all over the studio. Now, Danny really needed a shower, and probably some Benadryl. It appeared he was getting hives from the makeup.

  “Let’s just tell Nikki we’re leaving,” he said with a grin as we stepped out of the studio. Nikki’s office was across the hall, and a note was tacked to the door.

  “Assuming all went as planned, congratulations! I’ll get you the prints as soon as possible. Go home and celebrate, and don’t forget to add us to the guest list. Love, Nikki.”

  I rolled my eyes. ”Did everyone know about this but me?”

  Danny nodded, rubbing at his belly. ”Yep. I told Janey and Nora first, then called your folks, then my mom, then Patricia, then the guys… Pretty much everyone knows. Thank God you said yes!”

  I swatted his behind and he groaned. ”Can you do that some more, like really fast? I’m so fucking itchy right now. I need to be scratched!”

  “You poor man. Let’s get you some Benadryl and get you home.”

  We stopped at the drug store and I was glad when Danny opted to stay in the car so I could get this over with quickly. I couldn’t help staring at my ring. I almost walked into a pole! I found Benadryl tablets, some oatmeal ba
th packets, and several bottles of cream in case he needed more relief. I hurried to the car and found him squirming like crazy.

  “I’m so sorry, baby! Let’s get you home.” I drove the Challenger as fast as I could without getting arrested for reckless driving. I got us into the garage and felt terrible as Danny hopped out of the car and jammed for the door. He stopped short in the doorway. I heard a female laughing as I approached.

  “What happened to you, Danny?” As I stepped up behind Danny, I could feel the tension coming off him in waves.

  “Brooke,” he said in a tone that told me several things; he didn’t know she was coming, wasn’t happy she was here, but had a feeling why she might be. As we rounded the corner into the kitchen, her smile fell when she noticed me behind him, but didn’t take on the bitchy look she usually got.

  “Hi Jesse. I’m sorry to barge in. Nora let me in earlier. She left to pick up Jane and take her to ride Misty. I like what you’ve done with the place.” She yammered on for a moment more as we entered the kitchen. She was actually being quite civil, but she looked like hell.

  I took the bag from Danny and started getting him some pills and a glass of water. I handed them to him as he addressed her coolly. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

  She shrugged and smiled sadly. ”I didn’t either. I have nowhere else to go.”

  I blanched at that and felt Danny stiffen. She glanced nervously at me and then at Danny.

  “Danny, I’m going to take this stuff to the room and shower. You okay?”

  He nodded and squeezed my hand before turning back to Brooke with his arms across his chest. I heard their low voices as I headed down the hall. God, what now?

  I showered, dressed, and then waited for Danny to come in the room. I didn’t want to disturb them. It was getting close to six, so I knew Nora and Jane would be home soon. I paced back and forth wondering just what the hell was going on. I felt like it wasn’t my place to intrude. I heard the front door a few minutes later and knew the girls were back. I figured it would be safe to come out then.