These Things Take Time/Ch 14

"DJ!" Daniel smacked his nephew lightly on the back.

"What?" DJ shrugged, shaking his head. "I didn't do anything!"

"Why don't you grab a cab and head back to the hotel, okay? I'm going to take Betty home."

"By yourself?"

"Yes, by myself. I don't need your help, thanks."

"Ah, but you were so kind to come here and follow me to help me with Valerie. I feel I should return the favor with Betty. Besides, should we not also escort Betty's friend, Miss Christina?

She seems to be...uh...finished with her dancing now." DJ pointed to Christina, who was slamming down a few more drinks, as she was surrounded by several men who had been intrigued by her performance.

"Oh, hell! I forgot all about Christina. Here, uh...Betty, why don't you sit down and DJ can order you that coffee, okay? I'll be right back. DJ, don't…"

"I am not drinking alcohol, if that's what you're concerned about, Uncle Daniel. Go, I'll take care of Betty for you." He grinned, raising his eyebrows slightly.

"Okay. Fine. I'll be right back." He went to 'rescue' Christina from her fan club. as DJ helped Betty find a seat, and brought them both back coffees, sitting down next to her, "Here you go, Betty. This should help your head from pounding so much. I brought you some water, also."

Betty smiled, "Thank you, DJ. You know, Valerie is a very lucky girl."

DJ rolled his eyes, blushing slightly, "Thanks, but, you'd better not let her hear you call her a girl! She will be angry again.

I don't see why she is in such a hurry to seem older. She's always rushing things. She is very, very jealous of you, Betty."

Betty took a drink of her coffee, and smiled, "Really? That's funny. Is that because of you or Daniel? I know she has a crush on him. Or at least, she did! She was sure flirting with him."

"Now who is jealous?"

"I'm not jealous of her, really. Just…"

DJ sat next to her, "Of all the women in Paris you think Daniel has been wanting since he left here? And all the women he has been with over the years?"

"Well...yes."

"Betty, you do not need to be envious of ghosts. The type of women Daniel used to date are NOT who he wants anymore. You should know better than any person just how different he is, since it is mostly thanks to you that he has changed so much.

I remember how he was back in New York, when we thought he was my father. There were girls coming up to him all the time. And he always flirted with them, too.

But when mama and I came here to bring him back to Paris with us, he was a very different man. He was...pathetic and sad, and sat in his scruffy robe.

He had food boxes everywhere and had not shaved or showered in some time. He said he had waited too long and that you would never want anything more than to be friends with him now. He was very depressed like that for a very long time.

After we brought him home with us, he finally started talking to me and I could see that helped him to forget about his own heartbreak. But he still thought only of you all the time. He did not even look at other women while he was there. He lost his confidence.

You do not need to be jealous. And as far as Valerie is concerned, I'm not really worried about her having a crush on Daniel any longer. Mainly because she flirts with every man. I know this about her.

Besides, she told me she knows I will grow to be just as sexy as Daniel. I told her I'll be sexier, because I am French!"

Betty laughed, "I'm sure you will, DJ. And thanks for telling me that. He really was that upset?"

"Yes! He has not spoken of any woman but you the whole time he was with us in Paris."

She smiled, "That's good to know."

Daniel had been having a difficult time, getting Christina to come with him, "These are my boys, Daniel Meade! Go, leave me alone, go play with Betty! Play footsie or something. She tells me you're good at that!"

"She told you that?"

"She tells me everything, mister!"

"Great!"

One of the men at her table was annoyed with Daniel, "Get lost, Yank! We were here first! Christina was talking to us! We were about to talk her into another performance later. Go back to America!"

"She's a married lady, first of all. And I don't think her big, Scottish husband would like you talking to his wife and the mother of his child that way."

"Well, he's not here, though. Is he? Who are you, her manager?"

"I'm her...brother! So, back off! Go annoy some other girl, will you?"

The man and his friends waved their hands, "This place is going downhill! You used to be able to chat up the girls once in a while! Stupid bloody yank! Dragging the best looking girl off stage like that and now hogging the Scottish blonde!"

Daniel shook his head and put out his arm to Christina, "Well, Mrs. McKinney, shall I escort you back to your friend? I'd yell at you for bringing Betty to a dump like this, but I have a feeling you wouldn't remember anything I said right now, anyway."

She nodded, "I have a feeling you're right, Danny boy! Besides, she was desperate to learn to be sexy for you, so this was the only place I knew of taking her."

Daniel came to the table, helping Christina to walk, rather unsteadily, "So, here's your dancing partner, Betty. Are you feeling better?"

She nodded and smiled, and held up her coffee, "Yes, thanks, Daniel. Much better, actually, thanks to DJ! I guess I should get Christina and I a cab and let her sleep it off at my place.

Thanks again for everything. I'll see you two gentlemen later. Call me tomorrow, okay, Daniel? Goodbye, DJ, honey. Thanks for the coffee and the good conversation.

I agree with Valerie. Vous serez un homme très sexy un jour!" She smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek. Then she turned to Daniel, and took Christina from him, "Thank you, too, Daniel. Goodnight."

"Goodnight? Wait, did you just call him sexy? Betty!"

She laughed, and helped her friend, "Come on, Christina, let's get some sleep. I think our dancing days are over."

"Speak for yourself, Betty! I got a request to come back next month if I want it! Where did you run off to? Oh, Daniel...right.

I should have known. Daniel, Daniel, Daniel. You're just as addicted to that man as you always were in New York!

He was just talking to me a minute ago, I think. Or was I having a flashback that I was in New York again?"

Daniel stared as Betty and Christina left, then glared at DJ, "What was that all about? Why does she think you're sexy? What did you say to her?"

DJ laughed, ""You two are so ridiculous! She is jealous of Valerie and of every girl in Paris these past six months, as well as every woman you have ever been with.

And you...are still jealous of me! Not to mention all the men here that she was starting to flash!"

"Yeah, there must be something in the water, here. She got drunk and flashed her ex in a bar the last time she came to London for her sister's bachelorette party!"

DJ shook his head, laughing at Daniel's expression, "Aww...poor Daniel, everyone but you! How long is it going to take you two to finally admit how crazy you are for one another and to make love? I will likely be a grandfather myself before this happens!"

"I've told her I love her several times now. She still hasn't said it to me yet, other than that one time by accident...wait, that's not true, she DID! Earlier tonight.

She told me she loves me, but that she didn't want to 'compete' with all the other types of women I'd been with in the past.

I tried to tell her, that's not what I'm looking for. I just want her. She totally slipped that in. I didn't even pick up on it. But she definitely said she loves me!"

DJ laughed, "You are like a child on Christmas morning! That's wonderful, Daniel. It's about time you BOTH figured it out! So, now what are you going to do about it? Wait another six months to remind her of what she said?"

"DJ, look, it's definitely not ME that's ...waiting, now, I promise you. It's her. She's well, a little...nervous, I guess.

Because of my past. My reputation. God knows, Betty's seen me at my worst! She's had to drag my sorry ass into meetings when I was so hungover I could barely open my eyes. She's seen me use women like a drug, I'm embarrassed to say."

Daniel's phone rang, and he made a face, when there was a loud noise from the crowd as the drag show started. He quickly picked up his pace and stepped outside, hailing a cab and motioning DJ to join him as he climbed into the back seat to take the call.

"Uh, sorry about that, Mr. Jensen. Someone had their...uh...IPod turned really loud next to me. It was...my nephew! He's staying with me this weekend before he goes back to Paris with my sister. You were saying?

You did? That's great! I'd be happy to do that, yes. Okay. Fantastic! I'll see you Wednesday, then and we'll go from there. It was very nice meeting you all. Thank you. Right, Jonathan Sanders. I'll remember. I look forward to meeting him, too. Goodnight!"

Daniel grinned, and gave DJ a high five. His nephew shook his head,"I take it, you got the job? They didn't keep you waiting long! You haven't even had to do the interview for the other ones."

"That's the CEO from the Wempleton Advertising agency. It's my top choice.

They have a managing editor position that he thought I'd be perfect for, since I've done editing and they haven't been able to fill it in house or with anyone local for several months now so they're in a hurry. They want someone with recent US experience."

"That's perfect!"

"Yeah, they were one of the places I went to when I was here before, but they didn't have anything back then.

But he said he remembered me from when I interviewed before and was glad to here I was back in London. He liked my experience then, but when this became available, he wasn't sure I was still in the area. I told him, I'm here for the long haul now."

"Sometimes, these things just take the right timing, Daniel. It's like with your love, I suppose. You and Betty were friends for so long, and the timing never was right before.

Then, when you were here before, you got scared, so you ran away. Now, finally, it seems you are both ready!"

"I sure as hell hope so! I know I am! Her family gets here in two days. I'd like to...well, see her before then, you know. But she told me she wanted to wait till after her launch."

DJ made a face, "But that's still several days away!"

"Tell me about it! I'm going to lose my mind before then! But it's not likely that anything's going to happen between us while her family is here."

"Perhaps not, but at least it will make her very, very happy and grateful to you. So, you know there will be no problem to woo her properly."

"Did you just say 'woo'?" Daniel teased.

"Yes, is this not something from your generation?"

"Uh, more like my father's generation, I think. Or maybe my grandfather's, actually."

DJ shrugged, "Well, we should celebrate before I leave tomorrow. Then, you will be on your own to win Betty. I have done all I can do.

The rest is up to you. Clearly, she wants you. She wanted to be more sexy for you, so she tried to do things she is not that comfortable doing. So much that she had to drink to...how you say, 'loosen up'."

Daniel nodded, "Yeah, that's sort of what she said tonight. She told me she didn't feel sexy enough for me. I hate that she feels that way. I think she's gorgeous, and incredibly sexy."

"Well, you must convince her of this somehow. Maybe we could have a small drink on it at the hotel bar?"

Daniel rolled his eyes, "Good try, but no booze. Your mom's orders. And I agree. I know you're French, blah, blah, blah. You've tried this crap on me before, remember?"

"Well, I'm old enough for beer and wine here. But, I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable. I will miss you when you get drunk and say ridiculous things, though."

"Yeah, me, too, buddy. I want you to know, anytime you need anything, I'm there, okay?" Daniel hugged DJ, and he nodded, trying not to get choked up at the thought of not seeing each other.

As the sun came up the next day, Betty made some coffee and took it to Christina as she got ready for work. "Oh...thank you, Betty! I don't remember how we got home! Was I imagining things, or was Daniel there?"

"He was there. So was DJ. It seems DJ's new little girlfriend was there to prove she was all grown up! So, that's why Daniel was there, to find him."

Christina laughed, but thought better of it, "Ooh, then he saw you there. How did that go? I vaguely recall him yellin at me!"

She smiled, "It went...okay. He told me he didn't want me doing that for anyone but him from now on."

"Sounds promising. Do you remember anything from what you saw before we both got totally wasted?"

"A little, I think. But, I also sobered up a little when I was talking to DJ. And he told me that when he and Alexis came here to get Daniel, he was upset thinking I only wanted to be friends.

He said that Daniel didn't go out at all while he was in Paris. That he only...thought about me!"

Christina smiled as she drank her coffee, "I'd say that was some very good news, luv. Good enough to go speak to the man himself about, in fact."

Betty nodded, looking determined, "I'm going to. Tonight. I'm going to have a little 'chat' with him and ask him about it.

I have to get to work now. I've got a new photographer coming in that I need to meet with at ten. But I'll see you later."

"Betty, listen, I have an old friend I'm going to stay with tonight."

"Aren't you coming to the launch?"

"Of course, I'm still coming. But I want to...make myself scarce, in case you and Daniel heat things up tonight, you ninny."

"Oh. That's sweet, Christina, but you don't need to do that. I already told him before I wanted to wait till after the launch. That I wasn't ready to do anything before then."

"So? You can't change your mind? We're women, Betty. Haven't you heard? It's our prerogative to do just that! So, if you're ready now...go get him! Call me later and I want details!"

Betty rolled her eyes, "We'll see. Thanks! Bye."

All day, as she sat through meetings, trying to keep her 'head in the game', Betty kept thinking about what Christina had told her. Finally, she found herself in the bar at Daniel's hotel.

She sat, sipping on a cranberry and lime, when she felt a hand on her shoulder and heard that familiar rumbling voice, sending chills up her spine, "Hello, beautiful. Come here often?"

She swiveled slightly in her chair, so that her crossed legs were next to him as he stood close enough for her to smell that intoxicating cologne of his. "Not really.

Tell me you have better pick up lines than that, though, handsome. Or else I'm just going to have to say goodbye right now!"

He put his hand on her wrist and stood closer to block her, "Lame, huh?" His eyes twinkled as he grinned at her.

She was wearing a purple dress that wrapped around her tiny waist and revealed just enough cleavage to be enticing.

He glanced at her, making it quite obvious that he was 'checking her out'. He smiled, "So, you don't wear glasses, huh?"

She shook her head, and having dropped off one of her shoes, she ran her foot up his leg, "I got contacts a few days ago, actually. I've just been too much of a small poultry to try them.

I've been told I often take way too long to do something that I should have done a long time ago. I'm just not that good with change, sometimes." She slipped her hands around his waist, and down to his backside, making him raise his eyebrows in surprise.

"I think...we just have to follow our instincts about what's the best time for making those big changes in our lives.

I think there's something totally hot about a woman who plans all the time and tries her best to be on top of everything. I like that she tries to control it all, you know, making lists…" He moved closer, and ran one finger up her left arm.

"You like lists, huh?" she slipped her hands inside his shirt, unbuttoning two of the buttons and loosening his tie.

"Oh, yeah. They get me hot." He put his hands on top of hers.

She smiled, "Really? What's your stance on...girls who use post its a lot?"

He blew out a breath, wiggling his eyebrows and grinning, "Stop, that's just not fair, now. I once had a fantasy of putting them all over this girl I knew."

"Oh yeah?" She smiled, as she played with the necklace he had given her.

He nodded, putting his hand on top of hers, as he looked at the necklace he had given her, and leaning to drop a kiss on her neck and whisper, "Yeah, I also had a really good one about taking your picture with nothing but that necklace on. My uh...camera is upstairs."

"It is?"

"Uh huh. Unless...you still want to...wait."

She shook her head, leaning her forehead against Daniel's and whispered, "I think if either of us waits any longer, we're going to internally combust, don't you?"

He took both of her arms in his hands and leaned down to hold his lips over hers, "Betty, I told you before, I'm ready whenever you are, sweetheart. Just...say the word."

"What's the word?" She bit her bottom lip, feeling as if she was going to faint, he was so close.

"Uh...yes, I guess."

"Yes, Daniel. God, yes!"

He gave her that grin that she loved, as he pulled her to him and held her cheek in his hand and kissed her, tenderly at first, but as she met his tongue with hers and started making soft moans, he pulled her even closer, and finally, as they reluctantly stopped to take a breath, he shook his head,

"Betty, please tell me you're not just messing with my head."

She shook her head, "DJ's gone back to Paris?"

He nodded, "Yeah. He left late this morning. He's already there."

She smiled, "Christina is staying with another friend, too. Just in case we needed to go to my place."

He smirked, "I guess...everybody's trying to tell us we need to...stop stalling, huh?"

She put her hands on his chest, and nodded, "I think you're right. Daniel, I need you to know. I do…"

"Love me?" Yeah, you let it slip again last night, Betty. I didn't catch it at first."

"I did? Oh, I did, didn't I? Now I remember."

He laughed, "I'm surprised you remember anything about last night. You were pretty wasted!"

"I remember you, throwing me over your shoulder…"

"Like some 'caveman'? That's what you called me at first."

"I did? Right. Well, I guess I thought you were being a little...old-fashioned."

"Well, one of us had to be! What is it with you and Guinness? Get a few pints into you and you can't wait to take your top off, huh?

Or is it just something about drinking on this side of the Atlantic? You know, I could order us some drinks, 'loosen you up' if it would help."

She giggled, as he helped her down from the stool, holding her waist, then sliding his arm around it as Betty shrugged, "Maybe that's it.

I know one thing, I'll never go in another strip club again. I was so embarrassed. I can't believe I almost….did that! Thank you for stopping me, Daniel."

He shrugged, "Hey, we all make mistakes, Betty. I think I'm still up about four thousand to three or so in your favor so far. So, don't sweat it. It was...my pleasure to rescue my lady in distress, actually. ''

Besides, I did get a nice peek at what I've been missing all these years. You've definitely been holding out on me, Betty!"

He stopped as they reached the door to his room, and he fished the key out of his pocket, holding it up, "Last chance to change your mind."

She pulled his tie down to make his lips meet hers in a passionate, intense kiss. As she let him back up she whispered, "Does that answer your question?

I know what I want, Daniel. And it's you. I do love you. You're right. I'm done denying it. I'm ready, too, believe me! Well, as ready as I'm ever goint to be, anyway. I can't guarantee I know what I'm doing as much as your probably used to, but..."

He leaned his head against hers and brushed aside a strand of hair, "Betty, I'm in love with you, honey. I don't care what you...know or don't know about sex. I'm sure you've got the basics, anyway.

And frankly, whatever I might have known, I've probably forgotten, it's been so long for me! We'll figure it out, together. Or, I'll be more than happy to teach you some things. Don't worry about it. I just want you. Now. Please?" He smiled and closed the distance between their lips, kissing her tenderly.

As soon as they parted, she nodded and smiled back at him, breathlessly, "Okay, Daniel. I want you, too."

He opened the door, and Betty stepped inside, slightly overwhelmed at the opulence of the penthouse suite. "Wow, nice place!"

He smiled, leading her gently towards the bedroom, "Thanks. If I'd known for sure… uh...tonight was going to happen, I would have had them bring up a bottle of champagne and caviar, maybe some roses or something."

She undid his jacket and tie, and slipped them off of him, tossing them to a chair, as she shook her head, "We don't need any aphrodisiacs and I definitely don't need any alcohol, thanks! I'm good."

He took her hand and kissed it, staring into her eyes, her beautiful brown eyes, now even more astounding to him, that they were unencumbered by her glasses, "Yeah, I think we finally are...really good, Betty. I agree, I don't need anything besides you and me."

She finished unbuttoning his shirt and he helped her slip it off his muscular frame. She took a deep breath and placed her hands gently on his chest, as he sucked in a breath, mesmerized by her touch.

She stared at him and the way she touched him, so softly, so carefully, made his heart jump. Betty loved him, he could tell for sure now. She loved him in spite of all the idiotic, insane things she had seen him do. That fact alone, made him love her even more.