Discovering Danielle

by L M Terry

  “I know. I know. He will call.”

  “Hey, I have something I need to talk to you about since we are on the subject of Ted.”

  I sigh loudly, I don’t care to hear anything about Ted. “Whatever, let’s hear it.”

  “He, um, he left your mom. He is shacking up with a lady over in Hillside.”

  “Okay, I guess that doesn’t surprise me.”

  “Your mom isn’t well, Dani. Maybe you could come home and see her? It’s so bad she has home health care coming every day.”

  “No.”

  “Dani.”

  “No. I’m not coming home and assuming responsibility for her when she hasn’t taken care of me since my dad died. I can’t even take care of myself at this point anyway.”

  “You could visit her without taking responsibility. I just don’t want you to lose your chance to talk to her, to say things that need to be said.”

  “I don’t have anything to say to her Liz. Hey, I have to go I have an appointment with Mrs. Chan, and I can’t be late.”

  “Fine, we will discuss this later.”

  “Lizzie, I really don’t know what I would do without you. Please give him a chance when he calls.”

  “I will hon. But, if I suspect anything fishy Tank and I are coming to get you.”

  “Yeah, okay. Talk to you later Liz.”

  “Bye, honey.”

  So, much for moral support. To an outsider I can see why this would all seem crazy. Anthony is my only hope and evidently he is going to be the only one I will be able to share things with. If I would have told Lizzie what type of bar I met him in she would be on the first flight here.

  I will just have to have faith him.

  Chapter Seven

  Danielle

  ◆◆◆

  I’m so hopping mad as we drive to Anthony’s that I can’t even speak to him. What I thought was a simple afternoon of getting my nails done was just a way to keep me busy while he packed up my shit and moved it to his house. Like who the fuck does that?

  “Not going to talk to me?”

  I don’t answer and turn away from him to stare out my window. Maybe Lizzie was right, what a creep. This is crazy, what the hell am I doing?

  “How long do you think it would have taken you to pack up your stuff and actually move it into my house?”

  I glare at him. “It was my stuff. You had no right to go through my things and pack them up. Like don’t you understand how violated I feel?”

  “I’m sorry but I wasn’t going to allow you several wasted weeks of dilly dallying waiting for you to decide whether or not this all was a mistake.”

  “This is a mistake and what if you didn’t pack something I need.”

  “Tell me and we will either retrieve it or I will go buy whatever it is you are missing.”

  “You are the most arrogant bastard I have ever met.” That isn’t true but dammit he pisses me off.

  “You’ll get used to it.”

  So many things, so many things I want to shout at him but once again he is right. It would have taken me forever to actually pack my things and move them to his house.

  “By next June you will be glad that you put up with me and all my arrogance I assure you. I don’t fail. Period.”

  “You’ll get tired of me before the year is up. Good thing you are allowing me to keep my apartment,” I say sarcastically, picking imaginary fuzzies off my t-shirt.

  “Why do you think I will get tired of you?” he asks pulling over on the side of the freeway.

  “What are you doing?” I glance around nervously.

  “I want to know why you are giving up before we even begin?”

  I hit my head on the back of my seat with a thud. “I’m boring and scared of everything. You will get tired of me. It will wear on you believe me.”

  “I can assure you I haven’t been bored, not one single second have I been bored.” He cups my cheek in his palm, turning me to face him.

  “I’m scared you will give up on me.”

  “I won’t give up, I promise. I know you have no reason to believe me, but I will show you.”

  “Okay,” I nod, and he leans in giving me a quick kiss on the lips before pulling back into traffic.

  “Now what shall we conquer today?”

  “Well, I think I’ve conquered enough for today. I’m here aren’t I? But, I do have something for you to conquer.”

  “I think you may have this backward. I don’t need to conquer anything. Remember I fear nothing.”

  “You don’t think you will be conquering me?” I whisper, sucking my bottom lip into my mouth.

  He glances at me and then back at the road. “Why, Danielle, are you inviting me?”

  I giggle and decide to not answer that question. “I need you to call my friend Lizzie. I told her about us…I mean this, whatever it is, and she isn’t sold. If you don’t call and appease her she will be on the next flight here. Her and her boyfriend Tank.”

  “Tank huh? Well alrighty then I will make the call tonight. Is there anything I should know about this Lizzie? I mean I’m sure she will love me, but any little bit of ammo helps.”

  “She’s my best and only friend. We’ve been friends since elementary school.”

  He nods his head and I can see the gears turning. “Good, I would love to visit with her.”

  I snort. “I’m sure you would but don’t get any notions of digging up any dirt on me. She won’t spill my secrets she is loyal to ME. Unlike Mrs. Chan and Dorothy, Lizzie can’t be charmed by your good looks when she can’t see you.”

  He laughs heartily. “Women don’t have to see me to be charmed, princess.”

  “Yeah, right whatever. Lizzie is unique, she follows her own rules. I have no fear she will always side with me.”

  “That is good, everyone should have a friend like that. But, I don’t think you give Mrs. C and the folks at Sunnybrook enough credit. They are your friends too, they love you.”

  “They feel sorry for me, it’s not the same thing.”

  “Is that what you think? Do you think I feel sorry for you too?”

  “I guess.”

  “Again, with the guessing? That is a problem that we will work on. No more of that.”

  “Fine, yes.”

  “You are wrong. I can’t speak for the others, but I can speak for myself and I do not feel sorry for you. Also, don’t think you can distract me. We were talking about what to conquer today. Since you tried your best to sway my attention from that by distracting me with this Lizzie person I will make it an easy one.”

  “W..what is it?” I ask, anxiety rearing its ugly head as the conversation turns.

  “A full body massage.”

  My head spins to his as we pull into the garage. “Um, why would that scare me?”

  “It won’t. Quite the opposite I’m hoping. Although you might be a bit nervous at first. But, you will trust me I think.”

  Oh, holy hell. My stomach just flipped upside down. He gets out and opens my door for me. This time I don’t stare at the pretty things he has in the garage. I sit frozen in my seat. That was a fast turn of conversation but fuck if I don’t want to find out what this body massage entails. He grips my hand in his and gently tugs me out of my seat.

  “Doesn’t take much to silence you does it?” He brushes his thumb over my wrist as if checking to see if he got my blood pumping. He did.

  When we get inside I go right to the windows and unbelievably I march right up to the glass. The water is churning below much like my stomach. Anthony is fast. But is this too fast? I’ve been stalled out the last seven years, so I need to make up for all that lost time. He definitely can help with that.

  We stopped and picked up Italian on the way home and the delicious smell of it wafts across the room tickling my senses as he unpacks the containers. “I have one question before we start this,” I say.

  “Shoot.”

  “Have you brought other women here? To help them, I mean.”<
br />
  “You are the first.”

  I turn to watch him. He glances up at me and stops his movement when he sees the look on my face.

  “Dani, I feel a connection to you. I’m not sure what it is but, I really do like you. I enjoy spending time together. I’ll admit it is more than me just helping you.”

  “But, like you save people and I wondered if this has happened before.”

  “No, I’ve never brought a woman to this home or anywhere I’ve lived. This is a first for me.”

  “So, this is new for you too?” I wring my hands together.

  He gives me a sincere smile. “Yes, now come eat. Also, I’m proud of you for standing so close to the windows. You are strong, Dani, you don’t see what everyone else does but, I’ll get you to see it.”

  We finish our meal in silence and when he stands to clean off the table I jump. He chuckles. “Butter,” he says.

  “What?” I throw him a confused glance over my shoulder as he dumps the empty containers in the garbage bin.

  “You are going to melt like butter in my hands.”

  I swivel back to face away from him. A slow burn builds in my belly. “Um, are you like a licensed masseuse? You seem very sure of yourself.”

  “No license. When you are as good as me you don’t need one. Come, I’ll show you around the house and then I’ll set up my table.”

  “You even have a frickin table?”

  “Of course, I wanted you to be comfortable.”

  “Let me get this straight. You bought a masseuse table just to give me a massage?”

  “Yep,” he clips as he drags me through the house.

  When we get to his bedroom I realize he has me set up in there with him. He is opening drawers showing me where he placed all of my things.

  “I thought you said I would have my own space?” I say trying to nip the irritation from bleeding out in my voice.

  “I did and you do.” He drags me down the hall and opens a door. “Here it is.”

  I walk in and spin around in the middle of the room. It is…a dream. “Anthony, wow. You shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble. I can paint anywhere.”

  “I’m sure you can. But, I wanted you to have a place to escape me. I know I can be a bit much at times.”

  Psht, that is an understatement. “It’s beautiful and the view. It’s…I don’t know, Anthony. I don’t even know what to say.”

  “How bout you are ready for that massage.”

  I run my hand over the easel set up in front of the windows. “Do you really think this will work?”

  “Yes, if you trust me. I really want you to try to let go and put your faith in me.”

  “Okay, but don’t forget I need you to call my friend.”

  “I’ll do that while you shower.” He wiggles a finger beckoning me to him.

  Hmph, the things he does to me with such simple gestures. I straighten my shoulders preparing myself for whatever he has planned for the night.

  While I’m in the shower I try to listen to the conversation he is having with Lizzie. I offered to make the call to introduce them, but he said he had it handled. I’m a little anxious about what they might talk about. I know Lizzie will keep my secrets, but Anthony has this way of getting people to give in to him. She is strong but I don’t know if anyone could keep up with him in a battle of wits.

  As I slide into the robe he left out for me I hear him laugh loudly. Great, Lizzie has succumbed to him too. I quickly run the brush through my hair and exit the bathroom. He looks up at me flashing me an ear to ear grin.

  “Of course, Liz, sure thing. We’ll be seeing you soon.” More obnoxious laughter and then he winks at me as I stand there studying him carefully. “Sounds like a plan, yep, okay, until then. Have a good night.” He clicks his phone off and tosses it on the nightstand.

  I shift from one foot to another as we stare at each other. “Well?”

  “Well what?” he says as he gets up and walks over to the massage table patting it.

  “What did you two talk about? She isn’t on a plane out here as we speak is she?”

  “No. Now come on get over here.”

  “Well you said, we’ll be seeing you soon so what does that mean if she isn’t on the way here?”

  He laughs. “Nothing for you to worry your pretty head over. Now come here.”

  I slide a few steps closer watching him unbutton and fold up the cuffs on his dress shirt. The act reveals tattoos on his forearms. He glances up. “Off with the robe.”

  Reluctantly I tear my gaze away from his arms to meet his gaze. “W-what?”

  “The robe.” He snaps his fingers and pats the table again. “Face down, let’s get going.”

  He has seen me naked once, a long, long time ago and it was the last time anyone has seen me without my clothes. I start gnawing on my nails. “Is that necessary?”

  “How do you expect me to give you a massage with the robe on?”

  Do it, Dani. Take it off. You have dreamed of this for years. It’s happening, quit acting like a ninny. With trembling hands, I tug at the belt on the robe and then let it slide off my shoulders to pool around my ankles.

  Anthony takes a step towards me and I will myself to stay where I am. He wraps his hand lightly over my throat pushing back gently so that my eyes meet his. “Good girl,” he says with small growl coming from somewhere in the back of his throat.

  Oh god. He doesn’t let go of my neck as he begins to walk backwards tugging me with him towards the table. Once we are standing next to it he picks me up off my feet and sets me on the edge. “Lay face down.”

  I lock down every muscle in my body as I lay against the cool sheet draped over the table. Tucking my arms under my cheek I face the wall away from him. I’m sure my face is all kinds of red. His eyes now have unlimited access to my entire backside.

  His hands lightly brush over my back, then my bottom roaming all the way down my legs before he removes them. When they land on my back again they are slick with some sort of oil and they are warm. Damn if they aren’t warm. A groan escapes before I can bite it back and he chuckles. His hand glides over my ass and I clench it and my legs together. Shit, shit, shit.

  He doesn’t seem deterred by my reluctance. He just keeps kneading his hands over my shoulders and down along my spine making it harder and harder to remain in lock down and before I know it my mind is reveling in the way his hands feel over my body. By the time he makes his way down to my feet, pressing his thumb to various pressure points I am indeed melted butter.

  “Enjoying?”

  “Mmmhhmm.”

  “Good. Turn over.”

  His hand tugs at my hip urging me to roll towards him. “Umm, I think I’m good.”

  “Yes, you are but I’m not done yet. The best part is yet to come,” he all but purrs the last word.

  When I’m flat on my back I lock my eyes on the ceiling. He moves down by my feet working on my calves, watching, waiting for me to get comfortable with the new position. Once he is satisfied he moves higher and higher and soon he is standing behind my head working the knots out along my shoulders over my breasts. Lightly flitting over them, just enough to make my nipples peak and a warmth to settle in my core. It burns warmer and warmer until soon I am sizzling like bacon on a griddle. My entire body trembles, begging for him to touch me where I need him to.

  When his finger lightly roams over my clit I all but buck off of the table. “Shh, baby, it’s okay. Don’t worry I’ll give you what you need. I won’t leave you hanging.”

  “I don’t even know what I need,” I say my body quivering with unspent energy.

  “Oh, but I do princess and I’m going to give it to you.”

  His finger returns to that button, rolling over it gently, lightly igniting it to an almost painful state.

  “Oh god,” I cover my face with my hand peeking out at him between my fingers. I’m embarrassed by how quickly and intensely my body is reacting to him. It came out of nowhere, or had
it been building? I’m not sure. His finger slides down to my entrance and I abandon the pursuit to hide my face to grab his wrist. I don’t pull him away, I just hold his wrist, trying to steady myself under his ministrations.

  “Red, yellow or green?”

  “Ummm, oh god.” I throw my head back as a storm begins to form inside me. “Green,” I grit out trying to still myself on the table, hopping I don’t roll myself off the edge.

  “I’ll be careful,” he whispers as his finger enters me just a fraction and then a little more. “This may feel a bit strange at first, but I want you to trust me and just go with it. Understand?”

  “Yes,” I bite my bottom lip hard to keep myself from voicing my fears.

  He curls his finger and pushes against my inner wall causing the most intense sensation I think my body has ever felt. “Oh shit.” I grip his wrist digging my nails into his skin.

  “It’s okay, it’s not what you think just go with it. You’ll see.”

  What I think is that I’m about to piss all over him but then it changes, yet it doesn’t. The storm begins to rage, I open my eyes to see that he is watching me carefully while pushing against me relentlessly and then it happens. “Oh fuck,” I yell almost sitting myself up on the table before falling back against it with a thud.

  He doesn’t stop, he doesn’t release his hold on me, curling his finger harder against me as his other hand holds me down forcefully just above my pelvic bone.

  “Oh god, oh god. Shit. Fuck. Holy damn,” I shout as I come again…and again…and again until I am entirely spent and making up words that aren’t even in the English dictionary. New words, words that only Anthony and I know the meaning too.

  I lay there panting as he gently cleans me before scooping me up in his arms. My head rolls on his shoulder as he carries me to the bed and then the room is engulfed in the darkness. For once I don’t even care. Nothing matters. I’m floating in this happy little place inside myself. The bed shifts and his warm body slides up next to mine. He drags me close to him positioning me so that my head lays on his chest and my leg drapes across his.

  I don’t know where my fear and anxiety went but Anthony chased them away. I have never felt so completely and utterly relaxed. However, tears slide a little closer to the surface than I’m comfortable with. Damn him. I realize that he is going to break me before he puts me back together and there is nothing I can do to stop him.