Now and Forever 2 (The Book of Danny)

Story Excerpt

When he got to Willow Falls, Danny checked into the only motel in town. The next

afternoon, he left the motel and hiked the three miles to the reception for new professors. The walk couldn’t compare to the long, hot, dry treks with a seventy-pound-pack on his back he endured in the desert.

While he walked, Danny wondered what kind of women he would find here. Danny dated and bedded lots of co-eds in college and graduate school. He achieved an enviable sex life by reciting love poetry by heart and discussing books with young women. Unfortunately, when his lovely bed partners discovered he planned to fight in the Middle East, they dropped him.

Overseas, he got to know only prostitutes, a group of desperate women doing whatever they needed to for survival. He turned to alcohol and women to deal with the pressure, to dull his senses and escape the horror of reality.

He arrived at the dean’s house twenty minutes late for the party. The colonial house loomed larger than some in the neighborhood, painted beige with white trim and black shutters. When he rang the bell, an angel answered the door–Dean Eliza Baines, dressed in a chiffon print dress of aqua and soft green, matching her eyes. Her short blonde hair glistened in the afternoon sun,framing a delicate face, a small nose and sensuous lips. The gentle fragrance of gardenia flowed from her slender neck down to the tips of her pink fingernails. Danny couldn’t find his voice. He never expected such beauty to be standing right in front of him in the middle of nowhere.

“You must be Dan Maine, I’m Eliza Baines.”

He shook the hand she offered, unable to stop himself from staring. “How did you know?”

“You’re the last one,” she said, her eyes looking him up and down quickly.

“I didn’t realize your house was such a long walk from my motel,” he said, embarrassed.

“Why didn’t you call me? I would have picked you up.” Please come in. You must be

thirsty.”

Eliza took his arm and eased him through her living room to the patio in the back. About a dozen new professors stood around with cocktails, eating hors d’oeuvres and chatting. Looking for a woman rated as a top priority in Danny’s life, but in this group, no one came close to the beauty the dean possessed. The other professors were sunk deep in conversations, so Eliza turned to him.

“What are you teaching?” she asked.

“Freshman English,” he said. “You’re the dean?”

“I split the undergraduate students with Mac Caldwell. My field is biology,” she said,

stealing an admiring glance at his chest and shoulders.

Danny thought he would like to study a little biology with her as his gaze traveled over the length of her...again.

“You’re spear-heading our new literary magazine, aren’t you?”

“A challenge I’m looking forward to. Do you miss teaching?” he asked, turning his attention back to her face.

“Sometimes I do. You have a more interesting life, let’s talk about you. I hear you just got out of the military?” she said, turning the conversation toward him again.

“Released three days ago.”

“Released? Not discharged?” she started, her brows knitted.

“I meant released from the hospital,” he corrected.

“The hospital? What happened?” Eliza asked, putting her hand on his arm.

“Just some shrapnel and a concussion. I couldn’t hear for a week, but I’m okay now,” he

explained, shrugging.

“What about your family?”

“I’m on my own. I don’t have anyone,” he said, focusing on the beer he held to cover his

discomfort.

“I guess Kensington State will become your family,” she said, squeezing his arm and

looking into his eyes.

He put his hand over hers.

Danny’s plight touched Eliza, wounded in the war and all alone. He seemed to be a self- sufficient man, strong, energetic and good looking, too. Eliza noticed how the green flecks in his hazel eyes danced when he smiled. She guessed his age to be around thirty, much too young for her, though she felt strongly attracted to him. Something vital and alive about this new professor crackled in the air, he exuded a power, electricity, a sensuality that grabbed her. She found herself staring at his lips and wondering what pressing hers against them would feel like.

“Can I help you clean up?’ Danny asked.

“Not necessary,” she said, gathering up dirty dishes.

“I want to,” he said, picking up more dishes and bringing them into the kitchen. They spent an hour washing dishes, cleaning and straightening up.

“Are you hungry? I’m making a salad for dinner.” Her warm smile and shining eyes invited him to stay.

“Great, thanks,” he replied, returning her smile before glancing again at her chest.

Together they chopped, sliced and tore up ingredients creating a tempting salad, then sat down to eat.

“I’m sort of an idiot about computers. Does the school have a special system?” he asked, passing bread to Eliza.

“We have an easy one. A professor from the computer department put together a manual, but you have to be a geek to understand it. I’d be happy to give you lessons,” she offered, her gaze straying to his lips, again.

“That’s great. You may have to give me several lessons. On some things, I’m a slow

learner,” he said, grinning.

“That could be arranged,” she said, lowering her eyes. “When would you like to start?” She passed the bread back to him.

“How about right after I take you out to dinner, tomorrow night?”

“You don’t have to—” Eliza said, a little color suffusing her cheeks.

“But I’d like to.”

“I’d like that,” she said. “Six thirty?”

“Fine,” he agreed his heart beating a little faster after their hands touched passing the butter.



Adult Excerpt

“…You are good for Danny,” Callie said, with a smile.

“What does he need an old lady like me for?”

“You’re not an old lady. You’re kind and caring, giving him stability…good sense. Plus

you’re very pretty. Danny likes pretty women.”

“Thanks, Callie,” Eliza said, hugging her.

“He needs help coping with Kyle’s death and his military experience,” Callie added.

“Do you know what happened?”

“Not specifics, bad times, the worst, people getting blown up. Danny had to kill people. He’s suffering still,” Callie told her friend.

“He won’t talk about his experiences to me.”

“He will eventually. Pillow talk or aren’t you two sleeping together yet?”

“Callie! That’s a pretty personal question,” Eliza said, aghast.

“Eliza, you’re my best friend. What’s the secret? We’re all adults.”

“Tomorrow will be our third date. That’s rushing things a little.”

“I’m surprised you’ve been able to hold him back this long,” she said, laughing. “Those

Maine boys have hot blood!”

Eliza laughed in spite of herself. She liked Danny more than she wanted to admit. Now

Callie knew, soon Mac would also. Would people think she ‘robbed the cradle’? Eliza had to get comfortable with the idea of dating Danny or give him up. She knew she wouldn’t give him up.

A man who made her sizzle the way Danny did when he kissed her was here to stay.

The adults played board games after Jason went to bed. Partners were switched with Mac and Danny on the same team for one game, which they won. They did high fives and teased the

women. The way Danny made Callie laugh and reminisced with her was wonderful to see. The evening ended pleasantly. Hearing Danny’s relaxed sigh on the ride home pleased her.

“Mac is getting used to me,” Danny said.

“He’s a good guy, but he has a hard time dealing with Callie’s feelings for Kyle. He’s

improving.”

As Danny pulled up and parked in her driveway, she realized she wanted to kiss him. Just one kiss. But one sweet kiss rapidly progressed to several heated kisses. Danny tempted her with his tongue, teased her with his lips.

Eliza melted as the fire he ignited inside her threatened to consume her, the more he kissed her, the more she wanted him. The floodgates on her pent up feelings opened. His hand cradled her breast. When his fingers closed around it and squeezed gently, she felt a sexual charge flash through her body like lightning.

“I’ll stop whenever you want to,” he whispered in her ear, but Eliza knew she couldn’t

stop...didn’t want to.

She said nothing, moving her arms around his neck, inching closer to him and losing herself in the passion spreading throughout her body. He moved his free hand to her inner thigh, rubbing his thumb lightly over her smooth skin, creating a strong desire…heat she hadn’t felt in years.

Her breathing became ragged.

“Let’s go,” she said, pulling away from him and opening the car door.

Inside, she took his hand and led him into her bedroom. Danny took her in his arms and

kissed her as Eliza moaned and pulled up his T-shirt, running her hands up his chest. He ripped the shirt over his head and tossed it on the floor, then stepped back.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked her, his eyes glowing with excitement.

She nodded, breathless, her body trembling.

“I want you so much,” he said, reaching for her.

Years of frustration turned into undeniable, uncontrollable desire, filling Eliza with an

unbearable heat. Danny’s breathing became ragged, his body taut and his eyes on fire with passion. They took their time undressing each other, trying to slow things down. Danny flipped open her bra with one hand and then eased down her panties smoothly, showing more experience than Eliza expected at his age.

“You are incredibly beautiful,” he said, devouring her body with his eyes, the flush of desire creeping up his chest.

Stepping up to him, she touched his strong chest, ran her hands through his fine, blond chest hair, and slid up over his firm muscles to his shoulders. His hands caressing her breasts sent fire through her veins to her core. He ran his hands down her sides and around to her gently rounded behind, pulling her hips against his. She moaned when she felt his arousal.

Danny pushed her down on the bed, kissing her hungrily, before his mouth traveled from her moist lips to her neck and to her breast. His hand moved slowly down over the softness of her belly, then lower. She sighed with pleasure, her eyes closed while his fingers explored the warm wetness of her center. Eliza’s body burned as he gently caressed and stroked her, building the intensity. She raised her hips to him, inviting him to quench the fire by taking her.

He started this tidal wave of feeling in her so she trusted Danny to take over. Despite Eliza’s growing desire, he didn’t rush. He made slow, sensuous love to her with his hands, lips and tongue. She reached out and stroked him, causing him to gently remove her hand.

“If you continue that, this will be over real quick,” he whispered.

When he could hold out no longer, he covered himself and entered her. As he moved inside her, Eliza closed her eyes and lost control, crying out with pleasure as they gave themselves and took each other in explosive mutual ecstasy.

Afterward, they collapsed, panting. Danny folded her in his arms, holding her close and

brushing her neck with his lips. When he finally lifted his head, she gave him a sweet and loving kiss.

“I didn’t think…this hasn’t…oh…” Eliza took a deep breath.

“You are the most beautiful, most amazing woman,” Danny whispered, stroking her hair.

“That was…was…to the moon,” she breathed, putting her palm on his cheek.