These Things Take Time/CH 12
Daniel gulped as he saw Betty, walking towards him, and taking off her coat slowly, her eyes on him.
Once she reached him, she took off her glasses and threw them on the night table, and kissed him, just like she had at the restaurant, long and slow, as she shoved him onto the bed.
He drew in a breath, "Betty...I thought you wanted to...you know, wait? What made you change your mind all of a sudden?"
She smiled, as she started unbuttoning her blouse, and he swallowed hard, seeing her impressive breasts, spilling over her lacy black bra, "You did, Daniel. You put your lips together. I told you that's all it would take if you needed me to...come. So, I'm here. Where do you want me?"
"Want you? Huh? I...what do you mean, where do I want you? Is this a trick question?"
She rolled her eyes, smiling as she continued to remove her blouse, seductively, then threw it on the bed, next to him, as she pointed to the sofa, "Do you want me over there?"
"Why would you go way over there? You can come here, Betty. I won't bite. Not too hard, at least." he smiled, and patted the bed next to him, getting really excited at the thought that this was really going to happen, as he quickly stripped off his tee shirt and sweats.
She laughed, "I thought you said you wanted to take a picture of me. Like the Titanic thing, you know? With me wearing just the necklace you got me? Only you said you can't draw, so you were going to take my picture."
"I said that?" He scratched his head. "Really? I don't remember. But...uh, holy shit, Betty! Wow!" She slid down her skirt and his eyes widened, seeing her in just her panties and bra. He was getting more and more turned on by the second, watching her strip for him.
She turned around, with her back to him, and undid her bra, then held it up teasingly, as she looked over her shoulder back at him, smiling and blushing slightly as she crossed her hands over her breasts and turned back around.
He licked his lips, "Uh...okay...sure, Betty. Just let me get my camera. I have it here, somewhere. Just a second. Don't move! Or...you know, you can move, just don't go anywhere!"
"Where do you think I'm going to go, dressed like this, Daniel? Or...undressed I should say."
He laughed nervously, Holy hell! Betty was actually getting naked for him, he couldn't believe it! "Ha! Yeah, I guess you're right. I've got it here...I know I packed it. Hold on!"
He started rummaging through the drawer, frantically looking for his camera, but continuously peeking back to make sure she was still there.
His eyes lit up, "Got it! Okay…uh… um...you…are you going to… take...off…your...okay. Sure, Betty."
His eyes widened as she slipped off her panties and lounged onto the sofa, posing with only the necklace he had given her. "You want me like this, Daniel?"
"Uh, do I want you? Uh huh." He stood, frozen for a second, nodding, completely mute, his throat dry, with a huge lump, his eyes bulging out at seeing his Betty, in all her curvy glory.
"Are you going to take the picture? Or are you going to try to draw me like this? You know you can't draw. Hurry up, Daniel. I'm getting cold."
He made a pitiful attempt at a laugh, and shakily put the camera up to his eyes, snapping as many pictures as he possibly could, and moving quickly back and forth.
"You look...fantastic, Betty. Beautiful. Gorgeous!"
He put the camera down, finally and walked over to her, kneeling beside her, "Can I please kiss you now, Betty?"
"What? Kiss me? NO! DANIEL! What in the world is the matter with you? Are you gay now? Why are you taking my picture while I'm trying to sleep, you crazy person?
And why were you sleeping in the bed in the first place? I thought you said you would take the sofa? You know, I heard you talking in your sleep just now! How did your date with Betty go? Good, I take it? Did she let you kiss her?"
"Yeah."
DJ sat up slightly, propping himself up on his elbow, as Daniel blinked and looked down at the camera in his hands, and rubbing the sweat from them after he put it back in the drawer.
He sighed, of course it was just a crazy dream, he thought. Betty would never do something like that in a million years, probably. Well, maybe a million. If he was really, really lucky.
He started to sit down next to DJ, but his nephew pointed to a chair, "Keep your distance, you perverted weirdo!" He teased, laughing, "You were dreaming about her, weren't you?"
Daniel nodded, then smiled, taking a deep breath, "Yeah. Kinda. Sorry. I was. I...definitely do NOT want to kiss YOU, you goofball! I was dreaming about Betty, you're right. Oh, I actually finally gave her that necklace I got in Paris, remember?"
"Ah, oui. The one you got for her birthday, right after you came, when you were so sad, saying you had lost her forever. She liked the necklace, no?"
"She liked the necklace, yes. She said it was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever given her. She kissed me tonight.
I mean...she REALLY kissed me. I swear to God, DJ, I've never had a woman kiss me like that in my life. I thought I was going to lose my mind." He shook his head, touching his lips, as he thought about it.
DJ looked shocked, "Seriously? You? But you've kissed thousands of women! how can that be?"
Daniel rolled his eyes,"Come on. There haven't been THOUSANDS, silly. Maybe well...hundreds. But...we've talked about this, DJ. Please don't think I'm proud of that. I'm not. I'm ashamed at what a…"
"Manwhore?"
"Yeah. Thanks, okay, manwhore I was before."
"Yes, yes, I know, Daniel. I've told you, I don't want to be like you. Jumping from woman to woman, with no love. That is just...sex. I wanted to do this a few years ago, perhaps. That is all I thought of, in fact. But now, I want to learn to be a good man. A great lover, too."
Daniel smiled, nodding. "I see. A great lover, huh? At sixteen? DJ...you need to slow WAY down, buddy. You've got LOTS of time, you know. So, tell me about YOUR evening.
How was it having Valerie's dad there the whole night? Did he cramp your style, mister 'lover boy'?" Daniel leaned over and punched his nephew lightly on the arm.
"It was...okay. He didn't bring up the...other night."
"The bra thing? Good! I was kind of worried he would line you up and shoot you or something and then I'd have to explain to your mom how it was supposedly all my fault that the girl's dad murdered you for something you CLAIM I taught you!"
"You did! How do you not remember this? You and your friend Becks were showing me how to roll the fingers over the clasp ust so all at once and voila! It comes right off."
Daniel shook his head, seeing DJ make a motion with his fingers. "Sure, okay, I remember the technique now, but I sure as hell don't remember you being there. Or me, for that matter. Where was your mom all this time?"
He made a motion with his hand, coming out of his mouth and sticking his tongue out.
"Ah, yeah. Well, that happens when she mixes Scotch with her white wine sometimes. Is that what she did?"
DJ nodded, "Yes. She did not feel so well later, so she asked you and Becks to bring me home after dinner, but she fell asleep and I convinced you both to take me out with you. I know I took advantage of you both being already drunk, but…"
Daniel shook his head, "Hey, you don't need to apologize, DJ. It wasn't your fault all the adults in your life that night were apparently being stupid at the same time. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gotten so wasted when I was supposed to be watching you."
"You did not need to babysit me. And you were already drunk when mama got sick, so it is not your fault, either. I had fun. You got taxis, nobody was driving.
We went to Mode Paris, to 'practice' on the mannequins, before Becks left us to go to another uh...gentlemen's club and you told me of many times when grandmere Claire took you and mama to the clothing museum. But mama said it was only shopping."
Daniel smiled, remembering, "Yeah, that's right! That's actually Alex's little trick with the bra. He taught me one time when we were bored, waiting for Mom. I guess he...uh she must have learned how to do it because he secretly wanted to be wearing one himself!"
DJ made a face, "It is so strange to hear of mama as a man, when you were growing up together. I cannot picture her this way. I have seen pictures, of course.
But...to me she has always been and will always be a woman. I think, from what you say, she is much happier, now. It is what she was always meant to be.
I do miss having a father, but...since I lost mama Lucy when I was so young, I do like having a mother. And you…well, when you're not being ridiculous and taking pictures in your sleep anyway, you are a very good father, Daniel."
Daniel smiled, "Thanks, DJ. I guess, as a 'father figure', I should tell you, stash your porn magazines in an old gym bag, under smelly sneakers, or better yet, a jock strap. She'll never go there to look."
DJ laughed, "Thank you. Words of wisdom? From a man who can't even get his long time love of four years to…"
"Watch it, DJ! You need to take your time with Valerie, too, you know. I know you said you weren't... That it wasn't your first time, and that's...well, it is what it is. Does your mom know?"
"Yes. I didn't...give a detailed description, but she knows. She gave me the speech, use protection, all that. No means no. Treat a lady with respect. I know all this. I took a health class."
Daniel sighed, "Health class. Right. So...uh...do you have any...questions?"
"For you?" He laughed.
Daniel made a face, "Hey! Uh, excuse me, but yes, me! I'm not exactly a hermit, you know, DJ. Just because I said don't sleep around anymore and act like an idiot like I did when I was your age…"
"Up until you were old, practically?"
"Not true. Maybe...two years ago."
"Well, this is very old. Yes, of course, after you met Betty. You finally started to act your age a bit. Me, I want to learn to satisfy the one woman at a time that I love. Make her happy. Prove to her my love. This is a real man, right?"
Daniel shrugged, clearing his throat, slightly, "Uh, yeah. Right. Sure, DJ. So, you think you're in love with Valerie?"
He shook his head, "Not really. I thought perhaps I was. But...she is too immature, I think. I am going to look for someone older.
Someone more intelligent. More worldly and experienced. A real woman. Valerie is lovely, and sweet, but she is a child."
"I see. How old are we talking here? You know, DJ, you have to be careful. Just because you're sixteen, that doesn't mean you want to get involved with too much of an older woman."
DJ grinned, "Are you worried I will compete with you for Betty's heart, Daniel? Afraid of a little competition from a younger man like me? I bet I could win her affections if I wanted to, old man.
I would have a shot against you. You are very lucky I respect how much you love each other or I would give you a challenge."
Daniel shook his head, "Oh, yeah? You think so, huh? First of all, I told you, lay off Betty! Nobody messes with her. She's MY girl, got it? Besides, Betty has better taste than to seriously look at a little pip squeak like you, kid!
You honestly think you can take on the 'old guy' here, do you? We'll see about THAT, KID!" Daniel pulled DJ into a wrestling hold, and they rolled around, first on the sofa, then Daniel took him on the floor, knocking over furniture, and a lamp in the process.
Betty smiled, looking down at the necklace Daniel had given her. She looked at herself in the mirror. He had said she was the "London Betty', now.
That she had become a woman, a butterfly. She tried taking off her glasses, to see what she looked like. The only problem, of course, being that she then couldn't see herself clearly.
She flashed back to how she had looked when she hit her head at the Guggenheim, and remembered thinking how nice it would be to not have to worry about her glasses, like in that dream or nightmare, whatever it was.
Now, she put her glasses back on, but started taking off her clothing, really looking at herself. She was no model, that was for sure.
She had curves. She couldn't help but think back to something Daniel had said to her, years ago, about telling her she was 'better than any model'. That had made her smile, even back then, to hear him tell her.
Now...she didn't know. She had been so convinced that he had simply moved on, and found some French slut. Sorry, but you just know any woman who might have hit on Daniel while he was there would have to be a slut, right?
She bit her lower lip, wondering if Daniel was really serious about wanting...well, her. It seemed so crazy for her to even think about being with a man like Daniel. Something she had never even dreamt of.
Well, okay, maybe that wasn't true. She was a woman, after all and he was definitely a man, and well, Daniel. So, of course, she had dreamt about him. About...them. But, she never got very far.
Maybe, a kiss, or him looking at her with those freaking illegally blue eyes of his, telling her he loved her and wanted to marry her and...well, okay, maybe she had had a FEW fantasies about the man, here and there.
He was her boss for four years, after all. And they had worked together all night, lots of nights. But still, they were always just friends.
Now, he wanted...more? It was almost inconceivable to her to think of them together. She started to panic. What if he was really serious about this? He sure seemed serious! Holy crap! Daniel? Daniel Meade?
This was...intense! She started to try and act 'sexy' in the mirror, trying various poses and talking to herself, "Hey, there...big boy, what's up? You? Ha!...Oh, my GOD, Betty, you're ridiculous! You have NO idea how to act sexy!"
She flashed back to the time she had tried to 'seduce' Matt and he had gone running away. Yeah, that was a real ego booster! The man could have let her know it was HIS hang up because he was some kind of a pervert!
She put her hand up over her face, then practiced walking into the room and walking a bit more sexy. "Hello, there, Daniel. Are you happy to see me? Or is that a pen in your pocket? Pen? What the hell am I doing? Oh Crap! I can't do this!"
She heard stifled laughter, and jumped, as she turned around and saw her friend, standing in the next room, watching her little charade.
"Christina! You came!" She ran to her friend to hug her.
"Well, of course I came, Betty. I couldn't miss your big day now, could I? What's this about some bloke named Daniel?" she teased, as Betty hurriedly got a robe on.
"I guess from your little burlesque routine I don't have to ask how things are going with you too! Are we...ready to make that leap, finally? Give him a little bump and grind?"
Betty blushed, and Christina followed her into the kitchen as she put the kettle on for some tea. "I think so. I don't know, Christina. I'm so confused right now.
I mean, on one hand, it's Daniel. Of course, I...well, I love him and I've been crazy about him forever. And I'm like...sign me up, hell yeah!"
Christina laughed, "And on the other hand? Oh, who cares, Betty? It's Daniel! You know you're crazy for the man. You always came running when he…"
"Whistled? Yeah, tell me about it. But that's just it, Christina. I'm scared to...well, jump into bed with a guy like Daniel. I mean, I probably should be jumping up and down right now that he's so obviously up for it, but what if we do...that and he isn't satisfied?"
"What if you're not?" Betty gave her a look and she nodded, stirring her tea, "Yeah, okay. You're right, he's probably pretty good. Lord knows the man's had plenty of practice all these years. But Betty, if the man really does love you…"
She sighed, flopping down in an easy chair, then grabbing her tea to sip from the table. "Still. Daniel doesn't have a very good track record for staying in relationships long term."
"Neither do you, luv."
"Thanks."
"I only speak the truth, Betty. Sorry. But neither of you has been the picture of commitment up till now."
"No, you're right. And what if once we cross that line, he gets bored? I really don't know how I'll recover if things don't work out with Daniel. He's the one man I've been thinking and dreaming about for years now, and part of me has always prayed I'd end up with him.
Now, if we try it and it fizzles...I don't think I could handle that. I've been so lonely since I got here. Mainly, thinking he had briefly thought he liked me then changed his mind and met some French floozy!"
Christina laughed, "Floozy, eh? I don't believe too many people call them that anymore. But if they're French, then...I guess it works. Well, maybe you could work on your sexy moves a bit.
Try to heat him up to a boil. Sex is all about the anticipation, after all. The longer you keep him on the hook, lusting after you, and the more you turn up the temperature, the better things will be when you finally pop his cork."
Betty blushed, "Christina! You're so crazy!"
"Betty, don't knock it till you've tried it, luv. I know just the place where they do it properly. We can go there tonight and pick up a few pointers, perhaps.
It'll be a fun girls night out. Didn't you tell me before that Daniel still has his nephew one more night anyway?"