Teacher: The Final Act (A Hollywood Rock n' Romance Trilogy #3) by R. L. Merrill

and told her to have them ‘clear the damn room, rip up the fucking ugly carpet, and haul that shit away. When Jesse is feeling better, we’re going to redecorate that room.  I’m thinking a home gym sounds great, complete with mats, punching bags, weights...’
    I could hear her laughing on the other end of the phone.  She wanted to talk to me so Danny handed me the phone.
    “You alright, sugar?  I’m so sorry,” she said.
    I set her straight immediately. “No more ‘I’m sorrys’ Nora. I’m really okay, I promise.  I look horrible, but I’m hoping that it will be gone in a few days.  Probably not by the time I’ll see Jane, though.  I’m afraid she’s going to be really upset.”
    She assured me that she’d talk to her about it and for me to just rest.  ”Danny said you guys would be home for dinner tomorrow, so I’ll make your favorite fried chicken.”  
    I thanked her enthusiastically and we hung up.
    Bronson had BBQ delivered and Cosmo and the gang arrived at the same time as the delivery guy.  We were really lucky any of the food made it into the house.  Cosmo was pissed when he saw me.  He turned to Danny and I saw him clenching his fist. I got between them with my hands on my hips, ready to put an end to this.  
    “Cosmo!  It’s not his fault!  This guy was nuts, all right?  If Danny would have been there, we’d likely be planning his funeral right now.”  
    That got the room quiet.  Cosmo’s face fell and he held out a hand to Danny, who shook it, his face with the disgusted expression again.  Cosmo hugged me tight. I had to tap out as much from the smell as from pain.  Cosmo only showered on Sundays, it was his thing, and today was Friday.  He was such a handsome guy. It was really a shame.  I wondered if he was still seeing Maria and what she thought about his hygiene routine.
    We ate and the guys all sat around talking music.  I lay on a couch with my head in Danny’s lap.  He ran his fingers through my hair gently.  At one point his fingers got caught in a snarl and pulled. I tensed up, which hurt my neck. I had to squeeze my eyes shut to get past the moment. Danny could tell I was in distress. I tried to play it off, but it was icky.  I excused myself and went to the restroom, where I promptly threw up my dinner.  When I came back out, Danny looked really worried and told everyone he was putting me to bed.  I said my goodnights, actually glad to be off the hook for entertaining guests, and Danny crawled in with me.
    “Aren’t you going to go visit?” I asked.
    “Nope.  My place is with you.  Those fuckers can entertain themselves.”  
    I chuckled and settled into Danny’s side.  ”Thank you for taking care of me today,” I murmured. He kissed an open spot on my forehead.  It had taken some maneuvering and practice earlier, but he’d found places he could kiss me where it didn’t hurt.  He started to kiss them once more. I felt myself melt against him.  
    “I don’t want to hurt you, honey.  Maybe we should...”
    I unfastened his pants and he groaned, his body going tense.  
    “No, we shouldn’t wait, if that’s what you were going to say.  I need this,” I said, my voice shaking a little.  ”I need you to make me feel good so I can forget the way he touched me.”  I felt Danny suck in a breath and then his arms came around me tight.  
    “Whatever you need, honey, you’ll have.  I’ll give you whatever you want.  Just please don’t ever leave me.  I don’t ever want to lose you,” he cried against my neck.  He gently took my clothes off and kissed all of my boo boos.  I made sure to point out the ones he may have missed.   
    When we were both naked and ready to go, I froze.  
    “Let me be on top, Danny.  Just this time.”  
    He sat back and let me switch places with him.  ”If you want to stop—”
    I put my hand over his mouth and sank down, joining us in the closest way possible.  We both cried out and I