These Things Take Time/CH 21
After the rousing success of Betty's launch, the magazine's first month hit the presses while simultaneously hitting the 'net',and projections were extremely favorable for its success.
The press loved Betty's plucky spirit and her 'Cinderella story' of 'former frumpy girl from Queens' to London's darling.
She had to admit, Clark and Marc's website was actually helping her image, as well, and causing an internet sensation that had done wonders for the buzz on her first issue.
The fact that she was also now linked with former 'playboy heir' Daniel Meade was also touted. Of course, the incident with Sofia's public humiliation of Daniel was mentioned, along with his short-lived marriage to Molly and Betty was furious about it on his behalf.
She had been trying her best to keep him from finding out about the publicity that concerned him, but she saw his face when he saw a few of the British tabloids, with headlines, asking, "Is the third time a charm for poor 'dumped Daniel', after his sad history with women?
Has New York's former playboy turned Prince Charming finally found his Cinderella in 'Our Little Princess Betty' from Queens?" and similar stories.
Betty tried to lead him away from them, shaking her head, "Daniel, you know how ridiculous those tabloids are. You know better than I do that they just say whatever pops in their head."
"Yeah, but it's not like they're printing lies about me, Betty. It's all true. I was dumped by Sofia. I do have a sad history with her, then Molly. Not to mention Renee.
Thank God Wilhelmina helped me keep that one out of the press, because she doesn't want them to know she's got a sister even crazier than her!
Plus, if they found out that she tried to kill you because she was jealous...well, who knows what clever byline they'd come up with that one!"
She pulled him to her for a kiss, then put her hand on his cheek, "Daniel, none of that matters. It's all in the past.
The British press is notoriously nosey. You know that. When I first got here, they found all the pictures they could from Marc's first stupid website.
They even found out about Henry and Charlie and Matt Hartley and talked to some of the idiots at Mode who claimed you and I had been having a secret affair the whole time I worked there….
But in the end, they just ended up...well, identifying with me, I guess. I think they sort of felt sorry for me. The more press coverage I got, the more public support I got for the magazine. It even convinced the people at work who were skeptical of Lindsay hiring an American to take my side.
He shrugged, "Yeah, so, you're saying I should just roll with it and let the Brits feel sorry for me, and my shitty love life? Maybe they'll be happy that you and I have finally gotten together, is that it?"
She smiled, taking his hand, "Well maybe. At least, hopefully, I can do something to help your love life turn around."
He squeezed her hand, leaning down to kiss her cheek, "You've already done that, Miss Suarez. Last night was…"
She blushed, "Totally. I've never...you know, that many times before."
"In one night, you mean?"
She shook her head, "No, I wish. I meant… ever!"
He looked shocked, "Seriously? Man, those guys you dated were all so lame! Okay ...sorry. Not my business.
But, Betty, we've got to make sure you're never neglected again! I've got a lot of catching up to do for you, huh? It's a hard job, but somebody's got to do it and I'm more than ready and willing!"
She laughed, "Gee, thanks; that's very noble of you, Daniel."
He smirked at her, "Sure, Betty. No problemo!"
She rolled her eyes at him, "Very funny! So, anyway, have you heard from Alexis how things are going with the wedding plans?"
"Yeah, as far as I know, everything's still a go. Mom is in Paris now, helping her with some of the last minute details.
I told her to make sure on the seating chart to put Brian as far away from us as possible. I still can't believe what that asshole said to you at your launch! I kind of wish you hadn't dropped your panties in front of the guy, though, babe."
"Daniel, it's not like I did it on purpose! Kind of like you, flashing my underwear around in your jacket!"
"Okay, you win. I know he just took advantage of the situation. But it sounds to me like he's just into competing and he sees you as some kind of prize. Just...please stay as far away from the guy as possible.
That whole thing with him being the poor misguided, but loving dad who needs help with his daughter was just his way of getting your sympathy. Believe me, I know how guys like him operate, honey. Hell, I used to use DJ when he lived with me in New York. Guys are jerks!
I ought to know. I was the biggest jerk of all, I realize that. But, I'm sorry, I'm at least a reformed jerk, thanks to you and I have no intention of sharing you with that jackass!"
She smiled, looking up at his shirt, and rather shyly unbuttoning a few buttons, running her hand across his chest, and causing Daniel to practically drop his coffee cup.
He looked around, "Betty, what are you up to? Are you into public…fooling around or something now? I mean, in a pantry with the door closed is one thing, but this is...we're outside, honey!"
She nodded, "Mhm...here in Kensington Park. Does that statue over there remind you of anything, Daniel?"
He squinted, and rolled his eyes, almost blushing, "Uh...Peter Pan? Seriously, Betty? I was drunk off my ass that night, babe. I'm ashamed to say I remember the damn statue more than I do the girl I was with that night!"
"I know, Daniel. I'm not saying we have to…actually…" He pulled her close and kissed her sensuously, then as they both caught their breath, he grinned impishly, "Is that what you were looking for, baby? A little public thrill gets you off now? Jesus, I've created a monster!"
She giggled, "Maybe a little. I don't really want to…" He dipped his head onto her neck and started nuzzling her and put his hands on her rear, as he pulled her closer, making her moan into his ear softly, which only spurred him on more.
Before long, he had her up against a nearby tree, his fingers combing through her hair as he kissed her passionately.
Her breath hitched as he slid one hand inside her coat, feeling her soft, warm skin through the material as he slowly unfastened two buttons to touch her lacy bra, then leaned down to kiss her just above it, before she managed to push him away gently, "Daniel...you were right. We...really shouldn't...uh do this."
He smiled up at her, "That's what makes it so much fun, right? And now you've got me all excited. Okay, where would you be more comfortable? How about ...inside over there?
We can surely find somewhere there a little more private, where, we wouldn't actually get arrested, just kicked out if we get caught. Maybe the library. Does that...do it for you?"
She nodded, as he took her hand, "Betty, tell me the truth, is this sudden excitement about PDA because of that stuff you saw about me...you know about my past uh...'exploits' shall we call them?"
"Maybe a little. I guess I just wanted to know how it feels to really be you know, 'Daniel's girl', does that make sense?"
He pulled her to him, and nipped at her ear, whispering, "Yeah, of course. I get it. But, Betty, you're the only one from now on that I'll ever want to be my girl. That other stuff is ancient history.
You don't ever have to worry about competing with another woman or being compared to anyone...for my heart. You know that; right? Those days are over for me. I love you now and forever, babe. I promise."
He took her face in his hands and looked into her eyes. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Betty. In every conceivable way. You changed me...no, that's not right. You accepted me just the way I was, well, other than the occasional 'judgy butterfly' looks, but you made me want to change myself into a better person.
You believed in me from the start, when no one else did. You saw me as this great guy, with all this potential, and you helped me become what you saw in me, if that makes any sense.
It's like you let me see myself through your eyes, and it was so much better than I really was or even thought I could ever be."
"Daniel, you never gave yourself nearly enough credit for what a good person you are. You always were. You've always had a great heart, even when you were kind of a self-absorbed womanizer, you were still sweet most of the time."
He shook his head, "Still defending me, I see. I love you, Betty. Now, let's go make out inside the palace somewhere, shall we? I can't believe I've turned you into a little thrill-seeker when it comes to sex! That's so hot!"
She giggled as she grabbed his hand and led him inside, "Come on, Daniel. I have a few wild oats to sew, and I want you to be my gardner. Wow, that sounded just as dirty in my head as it did out loud! You sort of...have a way of bringing it out of me, I guess...among other things."
He smiled, thinking she was seriously the most adorable creature he had ever seen. Once they had found a somewhat secluded spot, where a display case blocked them from view.
He made quick work of firing her up with a deep kiss while his hands wandered over her, touching her sensuously, and he felt her starting to get turned on by how tightly he was holding her next to his rapidly growing arousal.
She moaned into his mouth and he could feel her breaths coming faster and more intense as she unbuttoned his shirt and began kissing his now exposed chest and stomach while she dipped her head down to meet his growing need.
"Betty!" He put his head back and closed his eyes, completely entranced and taken in by her sudden brazen desires for him.
"Oh...God, baby, slow down, you're going to be the death of me!SHHITT!"
Her giggle just made him come that much quicker, damnit, how did she bring out the absolute kid in him, in both the best and worst possible ways, he thought! He had always prided himself on how well he could hold out long enough to satisfy a woman.
But with Betty…it felt as if she had complete control over his emotions, his 'manly pride' was totally out the window. The minute she touched him it sent shock waves through his body. The woman had a kind of power over him he had never experienced before in all his vast...experience!
He managed to regain himself enough to get his confidence back and concentrate on Betty's needs now.
He bit her earlobe gently and whispered gruffly, loving how his voice seemed to affect her, "Okay, if you don't want to get us kicked out of here, you've got to do what I say and not what I just did. Can you be absolutely quiet, no matter what...I do to you?"
She nodded, her face flushed with arousal and curiosity. He grinned, wiggling his eyebrows and flattened his one hand against her stomach, slipping it carefully and tantalizingly slowly under the waistband of her panties, as he held her wrists above her head with his other hand, which appeared huge in comparison to her small, dainty ones. She gasped slightly, but bit her lip as he looked at her intently to remind her to keep quiet.
He did the 'Daniel version' of multi-tasking, attending to her soft, white breasts with his tongue, while he meanwhile slid first his thumb in circles, then plunged two fingers inside her now wet center, his erection growing harder by the second as he felt her breathing getting more and more erratic.
He wanted so badly to taste her right now, but was concerned he would completely lose control and this was not the place for that.
Besides, he knew Betty well enough to know she needed more privacy than she realized for those really intense orgasms he looked forward to driving her to. For now he had her right where he wanted her, wanting (and literally begging) for more.
After he had driven her wild twice in a row, he decided to have some mercy and let go of her wrists, allowing her access to touch him, while he kissed her deeply, appreciating the way she rolled her tongue in his mouth, and bit lightly, then sucked his lip.
Betty may not have had nearly as much experience as Daniel, but her imagination and sheer genius as a 'quick study' finding what he responded to made her more than his match in every possible way, he realized, excited at the implications.
As soon as he had released her hands, she had him worked into a frenzy again almost immediately.
His reaction was to pull her away and shake his head. He then took her by surprise, sliding her panties down roughly although careful not to actually rip them, and entered her swiftly, pinning her against the back wall, and intertwining both her hands with his, holding them up above them on either side of her, and gripping her fingers tightly with his own.
She felt so warm, wet, and inviting by now that he could barely keep from falling over the edge right away once again. But he tried to concentrate on their kissing to distract himself from how amazing she felt as she shuddered around him, her own climax building and building, till he finally gave in and surrendered to the intense pleasure she was giving him.
He plundered her ear with his tongue, imitating his actions elsewhere, and as he thrust into her those final last times, he was almost afraid he would knock a hole in the wall.
He felt like his whole world was spinning out of control and Betty was his only touchstone to keep from free falling. "OH. MY. GOD, Betty...I love you, baby!" he tried to whisper into her ear, but bit his own lip to keep from shouting his orgasm from the rooftops.
As they tried to hold one another, and gather their senses again, they heard voices outside the little library where they had finally ensconced themselves, wedging a heavy chair and table behind the door, since there wasn't a lock.
Daniel handed Betty her blouse and panties, and he zipped up his pants with lightning speed, then grabbed her hand, to race out the exit outside, just as a guard was able to push his way inside the room that had served as their love nest.
They kept running, past the gardens and back out the other side of the park, till they were both out of breath and stopped, laughing and panting.
Daniel pulled her up to him, "You are totally nuts, girl! I'm getting too old for this stuff! Don't get me wrong, you're absolutely worth going to jail for, but how about I take you home and make love to you in the bedroom or...anywhere inside your flat at least? That way you can scream out my name as loud as you want, okay?"