A Whole New World/CH 6
Daniel cocked his head to the side, and pursed his lips, while Betty read the first few pages. "That's actually where I…"
"SH!" she held up her finger to her lips, "Let me read!"
He smiled and got up to go into the kitchen while she kept reading, obviously engrossed.
He got a pot, and filled it with water, then gathered some pasta, bread and olive oil, and opened a bottle of red wine, then started to reach into the fridge, when he felt arms reaching around his waist from behind, "Daniel?"
"Uh huh?"
She turned him around, and seeing he was holding a salad mix, she tossed it onto the counter, "I read...well, I read the first few chapters and you...but I don't understand! If you really felt that way…"
"Not felt, FEEL, Betty! I never stopped having those feelings...for you! How could I? Just look at you! You're gorgeous! And sweet and adorable and...well...how could any man be expected not to...fall in love with you?
Even a man as damaged as I was when you first met me and…rescued me from being the asshole I was turning into, someone like my father!"
He closed the refrigerator door, and leaned against the outside of it, taking her face into his hands and stared into her eyes for a moment, then took his thumb and brushed away a tear, then leaned forward to kiss it on her cheek.
As he dropped his arms to wrap them around her, he kept up the kisses, from her face to her eyes, then down one side of her neck, causing her to moan softly, "Mmm...Daniel!"
She took a deep breath and slid her hands down to his butt, feeling how firm it was, and he grinned as he nuzzled her neck, "Like what you...feel?"
She bit her lip, blushing, but smiled and nodded, "Uh huh. I do."
"Thanks! I knew those extra squats would pay off! Your ass is very nice, too! Sexy!" he lightly squeezed her butt.
She laughed, hitting his chest, but then drew in a breath as she felt his firm pecs, "OH! Um...thank YOU, but watch it, Mister! Remember Michael!"
He shook his head, then dipped down his head to crash his lips into hers, "SH! Less talking. Especially about other men you think are better built! More kissing!"
She melted into his arms, and as he deepened the kiss she was keenly aware of his lack of clothing and how turned on not only she was but clearly he was, too.
When they both came up for air, he looked down, making a face, "Okay, don't you think it's time you got into something more...comfortable? I'm in here, cooking for you in my underwear and you still look so...polished! And put together! Loosen up! Make yourself at home!"
"Daniel! I don't think...I mean, I just got back today! I am NOT jumping into bed with you on my first day back to New York! No matter how...good a kisser you are or writer, or...um...how sexy you are!"
He sighed, "Fine! I suppose I should put something on, then. I'm not thrilled about the idea of being the naked chef. At least not unless we're both naked. Can you please keep an eye on the water, and put in the spaghetti when it starts to boil? It's pretty easy. Just throw them in. I'll be right back."
"Okay. I have made spaghetti before!"
He smirked, as he bounded upstairs to his bedroom to grab some sweats and a tee shirt to put on,"Really? Good to know. I'd hate to think you only knew how to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!"
She called out, "Hey, that was a collaborative effort, remember? We BOTH made that!"
"Yeah, I remember. I remember that we do make a really good team! I bet we still do. At...all kinds of things."
"Why does everything you say sound like an innuendo? You're like...have you been hanging out with MARC?"
He came back downstairs, grinning, as he grabbed her waist from behind and turned her around, kissing her quickly on the lips, "You sound… jealous!"
"Of Marc?" she laughed and rolled her eyes. "Hardly!"
"No, of me! Having fun with YOUR friend without you. Hey, you left, Betty! What if I had spent time with Marc, huh? We hung out a little. It was a very long time ago, actually. So did Justin and I. Surely he told you about me, taking him out on his twenty-first birthday?
And how I went out drinking with him when he and Austin broke up...I...okay, I probably shouldn't have mentioned that. How do you ALWAYS get me to tell you things I don't really want to admit?"
She smiled, "Because. You're a terrible liar! Especially with me!"
"Says the worst liar EVER! Look who's talking? You almost got me arrested because…"
She made a face, shaking her head, and throwing up her hand, "EW! DON'T even! Don't go there! Don't forget, I had to watch that tape with my FATHER, Daniel!"
"No you didn't! Nobody forced you to watch it!"
"I was just so...relieved! I knew you couldn't have possibly hurt Christina!"
"Yeah, right! Better to be a perv than a murderer! Speaking of my crazy-ass sister, the last time I spoke to her about you, she said to please say hi and she STILL is VERY sorry and wants to know if you have any ideas how she can beg your forgiveness, she's…on…"
"A twelve step program?"
He shrugged, "Sort of, I guess. More like therapy probably. I mean, she's not really addicted to anything. Not that I know of, anyway. Other than shopping! God, get her and my mom together, they don't stop! It's exhausting just watching them!"
She laughed, then made a face, "Wait, WHEN did you talk to Alexis about ME? Did you already tell her I was coming back to New York? Just in one day?"
"Yeah, and I thought it was interesting that she didn't seem nearly as shocked as I was when you called!"
"Your mom?"
"I'm sure! Those two are thick as thieves. Not just about shopping, either. By the way, have you ever heard about something called, 'Detty?"
"What-ty?"
"Detty! It's Daniel and…"
"Betty? That sounds like Justin's bright idea! Or Marc. Probably Justin, though!"
"Actually, I found out it was Justin and Amanda, of all people! And my mother was one of the 'founding members' apparently! Alexis knew all about it. She, and your sister and even your dad were all aware of it. They all started some...pool about us. To see how long it would take you and I to ...get together."
"As in...kiss, sleep together, get married, what, exactly?"
He raised his eyebrows at the 'M" word, then shook his head, smiling at her apparent lack of surprise, "I'm not sure. You seem very UN-shocked at all this, Betty! Did you know about it?"
She nodded, "Uh huh. I heard something a few months ago. You know Hilda! She and Justin were talking on the phone to your mother once when I was here for Christmas, and you were in Provence, with your sister and DJ. I heard her talking because she's so loud! And when I asked her what she was talking about, she clammed up, but Justin spilled the beans later that night when I questioned him about it."
"Interesting. So...I'm curious as to just how many people were originally 'in on this'! Back when we were still working together at Mode, everybody was always all in our business, spreading gossip, and saying things about us…"
She rolled her eyes, "Tell me about it! Do you have ANY idea how many times I had to go into the men's room to clean the stalls of disgusting stuff Marc wrote? And Amanda!"
"Sorry, sweetie! And here we were, totally innocent! Nothing, no hanky panky. Nothing more than a hug all four years!"
"Mmhmm…Crazy!"
"I do always enjoy your hugs, though! You give amazing...hugs. Betty?"
"Yes?"
He lifted up her chin with his crooked finger, pulling her closer to him with his other arm around her waist, "Is there something I should know about? Why are you acting weird?"
"I'm not acting weird, Daniel. YOU'RE weird! Uh oh! Your spaghetti!"
He dropped his arm, and casually turned down the flame, and put the noodles into a strainer in the sink, then back into the pot. "It's fine. It's done. Are you hungry?"
She bit her bottom lip, and nodded, hoping he didn't see how she looked at him when she answered, "Uh huh. Very!"
"I don't have any garlic, so it's just bread with olive oil and parmesan and salad. I let some red wine breathe earlier, unless you really liked the Scotch. But wine probably goes with this dinner better anyway."
"Okay. I'll have...what you're having. Sounds good! Thank you, Daniel. I am starving! That airplane food was terrible! And it's not even part of the...fee…what? Why are you staring at me?"
He shook his head, but kept watching her expressions closely. After they sat down, he poured a glass of wine and handed it to her, clinking the glass, "Because you're fucking beautiful, okay? Sorry, I can't help staring. To...old friends!"
She smiled, and drank a sip, "To old friends!"
He slugged his wine, and put the empty glass down, then grabbed hers and sat it down as well, "I know it's been a really long time, but what the hell are you NOT telling me, Betty? Did we have sex when I was drunk or high one night and now I have an illigitimate love-child you left in the UK or something?
Why are you acting so sneaky? You KNOW you totally SUCK at lying, especially to ME! What is the face about, huh? I mean...it's a cute face, a very pretty, very sexy, adorable face, but...what's the deal?"
She backed up, "WHAT? Daniel, I have no idea what you're talking about! NO! Okay, nothing ever happened, like that! I have no children, and we never...did that, okay?"
He nodded, "Okay! Good! You had me worried. It makes sense, though. I mean, if we had, there probably wouldn't be so much sexual tension between us still, right? But you ARE acting kind of sketchy! There has to be something you're not telling me!"
She put her hands over her eyes, rubbing them, then poured herself another glass, to the brim and slugged it quickly, "There is! I...um…it's sort of...about your mom!"
He looked puzzled, "My mom? Oh, wait, because you said she saw me kissing you that time, when I was drugged and thought you were Molly? God, don't tell me it went further than a kiss? With my Mom there? Gross! That's worse than me grabbing her boob, thinking it was Renee's!"
"WHAT? When did THAT happen? You never told me that!'
"Yeah, and I still didn't, okay? I'm taking that one to the grave and so are you! Technically, you were an employee then, so...it falls under Mode's confidentiality agreement!"
She laughed, nodding, "Of course, Daniel!" she crossed her finger over her heart, "To the grave!"
"SHIT! SHIT!" the smoke alarm went off, and he opened the oven, to reveal the bread he had forgotten about. Meanwhile, the sauce on top of the stove began to bubble and splatter all over.
Betty rushed over to help Daniel, but when she grabbed the pot with the spaghetti sauce, she forgot to use a pot holder, and burnt her hand, "OUCH!" she dropped the pot into the sink and Daniel immediately grabbed her hand, running cold water over it, "Betty! Dammit!
You're a jinx, girl! You distracted me! I'm sorry, I'm just really pissed at myself! And worried about you. Are you okay? Poor baby! Does it hurt?"
He kept running the cold water over her hand, looking deeply into her eyes. She felt hot but not from the pan. They both couldn't seem to take their eyes off each other. Finally, she mumbled, "Uh huh. I mean...it's okay! I'm fine. I...um…"
After ten or fifteen minutes, he finally stopped the water, and looked closer at her hand, "It looks like it might have a blister, see? Let's get some burn cream and a bandage on that, so it doesn't get infected. Come on."
He led her upstairs, through his bedroom and into the master bathroom, grabbing bandages and ointment. After he cleaned her hand and wrist, and bandaged it for her, he softly told her, "You got a little on your wrist, too. You need to get out of that dress with those tight sleeves. Honestly! I'm not making it up. Look, read what it says!"
He handed her his phone to show her the recommended treatment for a minor burn, that did indeed suggest she do so, "See? Right there, it says, "Take off any jewellery, rings, or clothing that could be in the way or that would become too tight if the skin swells." I'm telling you, this part of your sleeve could irritate your wrist, honey."
She nodded, sighing, "Fine! What do you have that I can put on with short sleeves? Do you have any more...sweatpants like the ones you're wearing?"
"Sure. Are you planning on going topless? Cause if so, that's great! Works for me! If not...here, I have some tee shirts, in my top drawer. Let me get them. Do you...need any help getting out of your dress?"
She looked at him somewhat apprehensively and he backed up, holding up his hands, and trying not to let her see his smirk, "Purely for medical assistance, I swear! I don't want to get a hammer of thunder dropped on me!"
She rolled her eyes at him, "Stop gloating! I know this is all my fault! This is exactly why I don't even try to cook! I'm too clumsy and always do stuff like this in the kitchen! My Papi banned me from the kitchen when he's cooking."
He laughed, "Well, first of all, I promise you, I'm not taking any pleasure in you getting burned! And I feel like this was more my fault. I was supposed to be cooking. But I let you and your sexy smile and talking to you totally distract me from what I was doing!"
"That still sounds like my fault!"
"No! Not when you're the one who got hurt, honey! Okay, how does this come off? There's no zipper anywhere and...oh! I see!" he started to unbutton her buttons in the front but saw they were only decorative. So he tugged on the bottom of her dress and gently pulled it up over her head.
"WOW!" His eyes widened, and he gulped, staring at her in her bra and panties. She looked at him shyly, "NOT a word, Mister! Help me with this tee shirt, please?"
"Uh huh! Sure! No problem." He carefully helped her put on his NIke tee shirt and held out the sweatpants for her to step into, while she put one hand on his shoulder for balance, "Sorry, these are the shortest ones I… have."
He tried his best not to run his eyes (or hands) over her body, but the tightness of the material over her ample hips was definitely not making it easy for him to stay focused on helping her.
"Daniel?" she stifled a laugh at his expression, but was too embarrassed to really tease the man too much. After all, his little strip tease earlier, along with reading how he had clearly followed her to London with a relationship between them in mind was making her head spin, as well. Then, when she had "cornered" him on the fridge door, kissing the man in his underwear ...was all getting to her!
Daniel's thoughts were clearly scattered, too, "Huh? Oh, right! Sorry! I...here, there's a little drawstring in the front. I'll uh ...tie it for you."
She could tell his hands were shaking slightly, as he tried to make a bow, his fingers gently touching her skin, just below her waist.
She felt a sudden wave of lust rushing through her and knew their physical closeness was definitely affecting Daniel, too. She leaned closer and whispered, "Thank you! And thanks for the...first aid! How did you know…"
He shrugged, "Oh, I uh...took a first aid course when Molly was so sick! Just so I wouldn't feel quite so helpless. After she passed out on our wedding night, well...not that it really mattered, I guess in the long run.
But I never wanted to feel so...useless again. I thought if I at least knew SOMETHING about first aid, it might help me to feel less out of control. I guess the joke was on me, huh? In the end, I wasn't even there! Not that I could have really helped her, but…"
She put her "good" hand on his cheek, and shook her head, "Daniel...you were a wonderful husband! You did everything you could! You have nothing to feel guilty about!"
He nodded, "I know. I'm so sorry you got hurt on my watch. Is Justin going to "sick" his husband on me for damaging his favorite auntie while you're under my roof?"
He smiled, and took her hand into his, turning it and kissing the inside of her palm tenderly. "Maybe you should just stay here until this heals completely. Then he'll never know."
She blushed, nodding, "I see. So...you really do want to keep me here...indefinitely?"
He raised his eyebrows, and took a deep, measured breath, the intensity in his eyes sending chills down her spine, "Sure, Betty. Stay here, please? I'll be more than happy to be YOUR 'sex slave!" You clearly like being the one in control. I can handle that. So...boss me around. Tell me what you want, boss lady. I'm yours to command."