Reclaiming

by Gabrielle Demonico

  “Okay.”

  She smiled softly and for a moment, silence hung in the air between them. With his right hand, Jett reached up to her left cheek. Daniella’s eyes fluttered closed as she leaned into his gentle caress. For several seconds, he continued to hold her until at last she opened her eyes to see that he’d moved within an inch of her lips.

  Daniella gasped for breath and on pure instinct she stammered, “No Jett, don’t. Please…”

  He looked at her and blinked in understanding. His hand fell away from her face and he turned back towards the nightstand to pick up the gun.

  He smiled and said, “Thank you, Daniella. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Okay. See you then…”

  Less than a minute later, he slipped out the front door and disappeared back into the night.

  ***

  After a dreadful night’s sleep, Daniella awoke the next morning in a fog of confusion. For a brief instant, she convinced herself she’d imagined the entire thing. That is, until she got up from her bed and saw the restraints and gag strewn about the bedroom floor.

  She got on with her morning routine in a robotic fashion until at last she made her way into the kitchen for breakfast. Out of habit, she glanced out the window and noticed to her horror that the police were back once again. She looked away in a hurry.

  “Shit!” she exclaimed.

  She pressed her back against the refrigerator and a wave of dread washed over her. Had they figured out he’d been there? If they knew, she was big trouble and it was a matter of time before they hauled her off to jail. She swallowed hard and peaked through a slight opening in the curtains.

  She strained to get a good look but from her vantage point it didn’t appear anyone was in the vehicle. No matter how hard she tried to get a clear line of sight, it was impossible. As the seconds ticked by, it became more difficult for her to breathe. Her hands trembled as her mind concocted the worst outcome imaginable.

  “Calm down, Daniella. Jesus…” she said in a firm voice. “If they were going to do anything, they would have done it. You’ll be fine. Shhh…”

  But just as the positive affirmations started to have the desired effect, there was a loud knock at the front door. The sound startled her. She let out a scream and then almost as quickly, she covered her mouth with her palm.

  “Coming!” She stammered.

  As Daniella made her way to the front door, her legs felt like fleshy noodles. All but convinced her last remaining moments of freedom were upon her, she walked across her apartment when a second, much louder knock echoed in the air. Finally, she reached the door, grasped the knob and turned it. She winced as she pulled the door open fully expecting the feel of cold, hard steel against the flesh of her wrists.

  But instead of two Pine Hill sheriffs, it was Marlon who stood in her doorway. Caught completely off guard, Daniella shook her head.

  “Marlon?” She said. “What are you doing here?”

  Taken aback by her disheveled state, he replied, “Well, I… I found it last night when I went by the bar to pick up my tips. I figured you’d want it. Sorry for just dropping by like this. I would have called first but you didn’t give me your number.” He raised his right hand and produced her missing earring.

  Daniella struggled to process it all.

  “I… uh… thanks.” She muttered as she took the jewelry from his hand.

  He leaned away from her. “Everything okay? You look… pale. Almost like you are about to pass out or something.”

  “What?” She said. “Pass out? No, I… I’m fine. I just thought you were someone else is all.”

  “Oh. Well, okay.” He said.

  Silence fell between them as Daniella fidgeted with the earring.

  “Well I should probably get going,” he said. “I was on my way to work and I figured I’d take a chance to stop by and see if you were here.”

  Daniella refocused her attention on him.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude or anything.” She said. “It’s just been a crazy morning is all.”

  “No worries; I understand.”

  “Thanks for bringing my earring by; it’s one of my favorites. I thought I’d never see it again.”

  “Sure thing.” He replied as he backed away from her. “Glad I could do it. Maybe you could make it up to me sometime?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, my friends are having a pool party later this week. Any interest?”

  “Later this week?”

  Marlon nodded. “Whatdya think?”

  “Well, it sounds like fun but I can’t. I’m sorry…”

  “That’s okay. I’m not much of a swimmer anyway.” He said as he kicked a small stone across the hall. “What about Saturday, are you free?”

  “No, this week is really bad for me.” She replied. “Give me your number. I’ll give you a call when things settle down a bit and we can talk about it then. How does that sound?”

  He shrugged. “That’s all I’m gonna get right now anyway isn’t it?”

  “Yes,” she replied. “Sorry…”

  “Ahh, that’s alright,” he said. “Tell you what, give me your number right now and I’ll call your cell. That way you’ll have mine.”

  “Okay, that sounds good.” She replied as she reached in her pocket and pulled out her phone.

  After they’d exchanged numbers, Marlon turned to leave. “It was nice to see you again, Daniella. I hope that things start to calm down for you soon. It sucks when life is nothing but stressful crap all the time.”

  Daniella nodded. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

  She stood in the doorway as he made his way down the stairs and out to his car. After he disappeared from view, she went back into her apartment and closed the door. Now late for work again, she hurried back into the kitchen to grab her lunch and her purse. As she did, she took one last peek out the window towards the police car.

  Both men were inside, in plain sight.

  What the hell was the matter with her? Had she imagined them not being in there before when she looked? Well, whatever the case, the last thing that she needed right now was her mind playing tricks on her.

  Daniella drove to work with conflicted thoughts. As prepared as she thought she was to see Jett again and give her a piece of her mind when she did, the truth was she’d failed miserably when the opportunity arose. Intentionally or not, he’d placed her in an awful position with everyone in her life. She had every right to be angry but when it came right down to it, she didn’t have the willpower to refuse him.

  Her car crept to a red light near her office.

  Daniella always considered herself to be a fair person. Was it unfair of her to not at least try to help him once more? Sadly, everyone in her life hated Jett so asking for any advice was pointless.

  The light changed and she finished the drive into work. Fortunately, the only sanctuary she had during this time was her new job. At least this whole sordid affair hadn’t contaminated it.

  Not yet anyway.

  ***

  Everyone at the office was excited about the upcoming three day weekend. Luckily, Daniella hadn’t committed herself to anything yet, or at least that she recalled.

  Of course, she knew her friends Candi and Victoria were all too aware of that fact. She was just about certain they would be by to inquire about her plans, never mind her late evening ride home with Marlon the previous night.

  As a precaution, Daniella hunkered down in her office as soon as she arrived. She had plenty to keep her busy, most of all the upcoming juvenile diabetes fundraiser.

  For a majority of the day, she managed to avoid Candi and and Victoria and stay focused on her work. Aside from the occasional reminder to ‘come by their office on a break’ or meet downstairs at the cafe to ‘catch up’, she’d evaded all direct lines of questioning.

  And that was just as well because it seemed like the day raced by. The decision to help Jett or not weighed on her every moment.
Unable to stall any longer, she decided if she couldn’t get an appointment it wouldn’t matter anyway so she called to find out.

  After a short conversation with Dr. Mallory’s answering service she got the confirmation she needed. They scheduled the appointment for first thing Saturday morning. Satisfied she’d done what she promised, Daniella headed back inside to gather up her belongings and get an early start on the three-day weekend. Whether or not she would go through with the appointment was still undecided, but at least the option was available. She came back inside, turned the corner to her desk and stopped dead in her tracks.

  “Hmm,” Victoria began. “I think a certain someone is avoiding a couple of very concerned and compassionate friends. Would you agree, Candi?”

  Candi crossed her arms. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  Daniella cocked her head in their direction.

  “Well, maybe a certain someone was busy doing something you two might want to consider doing when you come back to the office next week. It’s called work!” Daniella exclaimed. She turned her back towards them and began to pack her bag.

  “Daniella!” Candi whined. “What happened with Marlon?”

  She chuckled as she turned back in their direction. “The two of you are worse than middle schoolers.”

  “Uh, excuse me?” Victoria said.

  “You heard me.” Daniella replied.

  “Well, I for one think it’s pretty rude for a girl to not give any details about the hunky guy that drove her home.” Victoria said.

  “Oh yeah?” Daniella asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I’m all ears.” Daniella said as she raised her eyebrows. “Tell me about him.”

  “What? Who?” Victoria asked. Confused, she glanced at Candi and then back towards Daniella. “What are you talking about Daniella?”

  “You just said it was rude to hold back on details.” Daniella replied. “So give me the details of your date.”

  “Me!” Victoria shrieked. “I meant you!”

  Daniella slung her bag over her shoulder and as the clock struck five, she bolted past her nosy coworkers.

  “Not cool, Daniella!” Candi exclaimed as she exited.

  “Yeah! We aren’t gonna forget this!” Victoria shouted.

  After a successful avoidance of the gossip mill, Daniella made her way across the parking lot and jumped into her car. She had no idea what time Jett might come by, so if the police were anywhere close by, she needed to know it.

  ***

  On her way home, Daniella’s cell phone rang. She leaned over and reached around inside of her purse. After a successful retrieval, she picked it up and answered.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi Daniella, sweetie.” Her mother said.

  “Hey Mom,” Daniella began. “I’m, uh, a little busy right now. Can I call you later this weekend or early next week?”

  “Oh, this won’t take a minute, honey.”

  “Alright then…”

  “I spoke with Harold about Saturday night.”

  “You what, Mom?” Daniella said. “With who?”

  “Daniella…” her mother replied with frustration. “We talked about this hardly a day ago. My word… sometimes I wonder if you hear a single word I say to you.”

  “Yes, Mom, of course I do.” Daniella said as the details of their previous conversation returned to her awareness.

  “Okay, he’s going to meet you at eight o’clock tomorrow night.”

  “Eight o’clock,” Daniella repeated. “Got it.”

  “Do you?” Her mother asked.

  “Yes, Mom. I said eight o’clock.” Daniella replied. “What else is there?”

  “Oh, I don’t know…” Marilyn said. “How about where you are supposed to meet?”

  “Oh right,” Daniella acknowledged with a sheepish tone. “Where?”

  “Tattlin’ Turtle…”

  Daniella rolled her eyes. She’d blown off a guy a thousand times hotter in the form of Marlon, and now she was gonna show up with Harold at the same place Marlon worked? She imagined how the introduction might go…

  Oh hey, Marlon. This is my date, Harold, the chrome dome, doughboy that lives in his mom’s basement. Don’t let his appearance fool you though, he’s got a hot motorcycle. And when he rides it now, his man boobs don’t even flap in the breeze. Now you run along and whip us up a couple of your strongest cocktails. We’re gonna sit here and talk debits and credits.

  “Mom,” Daniella replied. “I’ve been there before. It’s a noisy, smelly dive bar. I’m fine with the time but can we meet somewhere else?”

  “Hmm, well, would you like to come over here?” Her mother said. “I could make a casserole. We could invite Babs as well. We could play cards or watch a movie? It would be terrific!”

  “Uh, Mom! No way! God…” Daniella replied. “You are turning this into a total nightmare. You know what, give me Harold’s number and I will call him myself to set something up.”

  “Are you sure sweetie? I don’t mind cooking.”

  As Daniella sat in traffic she shook her head and balled her fist skyward. She loved her mom more than anything but seriously…

  “No thanks, Mom. Just the number, please.”

  “Well, okay but you two kids are missing out on a great opportunity to spend time with folks that have been around the block once or twice.”

  “Mom…” Daniella groaned. “Please… the number.”

  After she jotted it down, Daniella said, “Okay Mom, well, I have to run.”

  “Okay, honey. Promise me that you will let me know how the date goes!”

  “I will, Mom. I promise.”

  ***

  After Daniella arrived home, she put her things away and headed for the bathroom. She needed to shower, relax and clear her head a bit before Jett arrived. Once she finished, Daniella wrapped a towel around her body and made her way into her bedroom.

  She plopped down on the bed and exhaled. “God, I’m so tired…” she sighed. She picked up her cell phone to check the time. It was a little past seven and probably still too early for Jett to show up so she decided to instead lay down for a few minutes.

  “Just a quick nap.” She whispered to herself. “Fifteen minutes is all I need.”

  However, Daniella was more exhausted than she realized for almost as soon as her head hit the pillow, she was asleep. Soon afterward she started to dream. As she did, random vignettes of work, her mother and even Buttons flashed in her mind.

  At some point, she heard a noise. It sounded at first like a light tap but soon grew in volume and intensity to the point it banged in her mind. Even so, nothing in her dream caused her to react to it and after a while, it faded as a new visualization entered her mind.

  However difficult things were with the whole Jett situation, Daniella was a young woman with needs. As of late, she neglected them time and again as life continued to pile endless crap upon her. But now, in her dreams, her unconscious would no longer be denied.

  A sudden vision of Jett appeared in the haze of her sleep. Shirtless, he moved over her and as he did, Daniella’s primal side searched the air for a whiff, a hint, of his scent. At last she caught it and as she did, her body shivered in response. She looked into his eyes and without any thought, she reached up towards his chiseled midsection with her left hand.

  She exhaled a deep breath of pent up desire as her hand came in contact with his taut skin. At the same time, her right hand made a direct line to the burgeoning slickness between her thighs. Daniella felt the pace of her breath start to quicken as the tips of her fingers pressed into her pink, swollen lips.

  She groaned as they did and she lurched upward towards Jett’s imaginary torso. Daniella’s tongue emerged from her mouth like a hungry serpent and licked at his flesh. As it meandered among the crevices and channels of muscle, her right hand made a slow, circular motion against her clit.

  The seconds ticked by and as they did, Daniella sensed a huge rush of need swell wit
hin her. The pace and friction of her strokes started to increase and then, without warning, her left hand moved towards the entrance of her pussy. She slipped two fingers inside as Jett hovered over her. The combination of his presence above and her digits inside caused Daniella’s body vibrate to the point of no return.

  Suddenly, Jett spoke to her.

  “Cum baby, do it…” he said. “I want to see it.”

  “Mmm, hmm…” she moaned as she sucked in her lower lip. “Mmm, hmm… mmm, hmmm…”

  “That’s right, Daniella…” he whispered as he reached down and fondled her breasts. “Cum for me.”

  “Ohhh, ohhh…” she groaned. Daniella gasped for breath as the moment neared. “Oh, I… I… aaahhhh!!!!” she cried out.

  As her body rushed toward tipping point of climax, her eyes flipped open. There above her was Jett, in the flesh. Wordless, he looked into her eyes. She froze upon the precipice of orgasm.

  “Jett… I….” She gasped as a strange mix of complete shock and the denial of climax engulfed her. “What are you…” Daniella made a half hearted attempt to move away from him towards the wall behind her bed. He pursued her as she withdrew.

  “No… Jett.” Daniella said. “We can’t… I can’t…” She shook her head back and forth as if she needed to convince herself.

  “Okay…” he whispered as he moved between her legs. Jett nodded as his head descended towards hers.

  Now awake, aware and frustrated like never before, Daniella looked into his eyes as he approached. To dream about him was one thing but this was quite another. At least some part of her thought it was best to keep it all safe… a fantasy.

  “Please no,” she whispered. “I can’t stop myself, I can’t resist you…”

  Her nostrils filled with the scent of his masculine musk. Daniella found herself in the midst of a struggle between body and mind. In the moment, reason abandoned her and left to her instincts, there was but one choice left.

  “Then don’t.” He said.

  With that command, Daniella’s hands moved up the length of his tight, hard backside. She felt his pelvis press into the wetness between her thighs and she moaned as he leaned into her. Her fingers continued upwards until they made their way into his hair. She caressed and twirled it as his mouth neared hers.