“We are grown-ups,” was my answer. “I am struck by my wild abandon, yet here I am.”
He used his pointer finger to tip my chin up. “If it feels like too much, you can stay at a hotel. I don’t want you to, but I want you to feel comfortable.”
“I’m good, promise. It’s all taking a bit getting used to.”
He laced his fingers through mine and his lips found my mouth. We stood, taking up space, kissing, closed-mouthed and then not… Our bodies hummed as our tongues danced, and it felt so right in the moment.
His free hand found my hair, and I felt his palm smooth down my straightened locks. “I miss the curls, wild and crazy like you.”
“My hairdresser beat them into submission,” I teased back, our mouths only an inch or two apart.
“You look gorgeous no matter what.” His voice came out husky and deep and it reminded me of another time when he’d taunted me about my panty choice. “Come on. Let’s go outside and turn on the firepit.”
Taking my hand, Daniel walked me outside to an urban oasis. A firepit sat in the center of a stone patio, a covered swimming pool in the distance, a myriad of plants and bushes giving us privacy as we sat on the outdoor love seat.
“Fireplace for dummies,” Daniel stated as he flicked a switch and the flames came to life.
“Your whole place is outfitted for ease.”
“I’ll take it if it means I can sit here and stare at you rather than make a fire.”
I felt myself blush. A forty-year-old woman, whose cheeks reddened at a compliment.Sheesh.“Tell me about living out here. It must be a dream, knowing everyone who is someone, rubbing elbows with movie stars.” I steered the conversation toward everyday life, although Los Angeles was far from mundane.
“Let me grab some wine and be right back,” Daniel said as if we did this regularly.
Maybe he did, but I didn’t…
He popped back with a bottle of red in one hand and two glasses and a corkscrew in the other. Handing me the glasses, he made quick work of the bottle, pouring us each some and saying, “It’s not as great as people make it out. Everyone wants privacy, and it’s in low supply. Every other person I give a lesson to has bodyguards and is avoiding paparazzi. I don’t mind all that…I get wanting to protect your loved ones and quiet or special times. But you just never know why someone wants to get to know you. Is it your fame? Your money? Your connections? Sorry…this is turning into a monologue.” He clinked his glass into mine and said, “Cheers to you knowing me when I was a nobody.”
“That’s the second time you’ve said something like that. I think you called yourself ‘everyday people’ earlier.”
He stayed quiet but appeared to be digesting my comment. “I always liked that about you. You don’t moderate your words. I admire it. You are always genuinely you,” he stated, not giving away any emotion.
“I mean, you are somebody. And in college, I wouldn’t say you were a nobody either, more like the most popular guy on campus.” It was true; I didn’t censor myself. It might have been an attribute Daniel admired for a moment, but it was often my downfall. Either way, I continued. “After hearing about theprivacy issues plaguing everyone you know, I get why your friend’s discretion while skiing was so important to you. Even though he wasn’t supposed to be doing that, he trusted you to go with him, and you followed through.”
“And then he took care of things. I mean, paid bills, made sure the staff and hospital were well taken care of—I have a few true friends like that, and that’s it.”
“We think it’s so glamorous from the outside looking in… I see it’s not quite that.”
“Like when someone wants to marry you for your perceived fame and prestige. I guess that’s why I make a point of being a regular Joe. When you have been burned because of your passion, or career—”
“Something you worked hard at all your life to succeed at,” I interrupted.
“Yes, I know, but being taken advantage of for it was like a burn. A singe I won’t forget.”
I took a slug of my wine before running my free hand over his and intertwining our fingers. “I’m sorry that happened to you.”
“Me too. My dad couldn’t let it be. Rubbed salt in my wounds for a long time, making it worse than it had to be.”
In his deep green eyes were pools of emotion. There was something so sexy and attractive about a man who felt, really took all of it in. “You didn’t deserve that either.”
Peering over his wine goblet, he smiled and asked, “How did I deserve you? This is the best day I’ve had in a long time.”
It felt like the subject was closed, and I didn’t push. Pocketing my new understanding of Daniel, I took in the gorgeous man in front of me. “Tomorrow may be better. You can attempt to teach me golf. You’ve seen my stroke. Although are you sure it’s okay? I truly want to see your daily life…but with no ulterior motive.”
I couldn’t help but think of moments earlier when Daniel spoke about being taken advantage of—
“Ha! I’m thrilled to show you and to show you off. Not to mention, I’ve worked wonders with worse.”
