Before & After
      Reckless
 

  
 
Bill - The Past



"You look beautiful today," Bill said, as Michelle piled her plate with potato salad. She looked up to find him with a wistful look on his face.

Bill was putting on all the charm. Patrice was on vacation with her family and truth be told he missed Michelle. He had been more than happy to drop his plans to hang with the boys once Michelle had called to invite him over. Things were looking up. Michelle had certainly never looked better. She was wearing cut off jean shorts with a white t-shirt that strained against her chest and Bill was wondering how much work it would take to get her to shed it later on that night.

He smiled at her, his lip jutting out in what was supposed to be a cute pout. A face he had known Michelle to find irresistible.

"Ummm...thanks." She smiled pensively and continued to spoon the food.

"I've missed this..." he spread his arms wide. Michelle looked around the patio at the people gathered there. Abby and Harley were sitting in the Jacuzzi laughing. Rick and Philip were tossing back beers while flipping burgers on the grill.

"hmmmm..."

"It's been a long time since we've all gotten together like this."

"This?" She asked.

"Yeah, you know...couples."

"Uh...Bill..."

"Don't say anything," he interrupted. "Look, I know this hasn't been our best summer together. Things haven't been normal, but I think we can get it all back. Back to what it used to be." He asserted as he placed his hand on her cheek.

"I--I..." Michelle tried in vain to formulate a coherent sentence.

"Hey you two!," Harley called. "Stop the romantic talk and bring the chips over here."

Michelle quickly moved away and grabbed the chips from the table. She rushed over towards Harley and handed her the snack.

"Here ya go!"

"Thank you! Harley said.

Michelle returned to the table and once again began picking at the food.

"Do you remember last winter when Rick and Abby went away for the weekend? The Jacuzzi..."

"I remember."

"We had some good times here."

"Can you pass me a piece of bread?" Michelle dismissed his memory.

"Sure." His eyes pierced Michelle's as he handed her a slice of the Italian loaf.

"Thank you."

She sat down at the nearby table. He followed her. She stared at her plate. "Do you want to go out to the lake later?" He asked her.

"Ummmm...I don't know." Michelle had her hand on her collar bone.

"Come on Bauer. It'll be just like old times..."

"I'm really not in the mood."

"Okay. We can hang here."

Michelle played with the food on her plate. She looked different to him. Studying her closely he caught a glimpse of a shadow on her collarbone. She shifted her position again and the mark became more visible. Makeup?

Michelle seemed to sense his focus, and she moved quickly tugging her t-shirt back into place. He stared at her.

"Melissa told me you left without telling them the other night.," He said cautiously.

"The other night?," she asked. Little Miss Innocent...

"Yeah, Friday. When I ran into you at Duffy's. Who'd you leave with anyway?" He waited anxiously for her answer.

"I was tired. I took a cab!" She said a little too quickly for his liking.

"I see..."

Michelle pushed her plate away.

"That's interesting..."

"Interesting? What's that supposed to mean?" She's nervous about something...

"You have something on your shoulder." He reached over to fix her t-shirt which once again revealed the mark on her skin. Michelle jumped away from his touch.

"I've got it!" She fixed her shirt.

"Jeez...you're nervous. Relax."

"I am not nervous!"

"Okay! Okay!"

"I'm going to talk to Harley and Abby."

"You've hardly eaten anything," He protested.

"I'm wasn't that hungry!"

He watched Michelle walk away from the table. What's going on here?





Bill - The Present



The memories were driving him crazy. He reached for the bottle of liquor and poured himself another drink. Eyeing his briefcase he sat in the chair. Suddenly he got up and grabbed it. Finding the contents he wanted inside he threw down the leather valise. He studied the documents. He strode quickly to the kitchen the papers in one hand the liquor in the other. At the sink he tossed the papers inside and poured the remaining liquor over them. He reached for the matches on the sill. With one strike the match lit and he threw it into the sink. The papers drenched with alcohol exploded into a ball of flames.

Bill laughed.





Michelle - The Past



She stood before the mirror pulling a comb through her wet hair. When she was finished she stared at herself. With her index finger she traced the form of the slight bruise on her collar bone and smiled wickedly at the memory of Danny's mouth in that very spot. A tickling sensation began in the pit of her stomach. A feeling of foreboding came over her as she remembered Bill's eyes fixated on her. She turned on the water and splashed her face with cool water. Bill was scrutinizing every move she made. She knew he was calculating everything in his brain and sooner, rather than later, he was going to realize that two plus two is four. She threw more water on herself trying to erase her nerves. Nothing had gone as she'd planned. Her eyes were still closed as she reached for the towel that she had left on the counter. She patted her face dry. Opening her eyes she gasped when she saw the smiling face reflected in the mirror.

"Oh my God!"

She turned around quickly and threw herself against him. He laughed as she rained kisses all over his face. He pulled her with him against the wall of the small bathroom and kicked the door shut with his foot. Her mouth covered his in a deep soulful kiss that left them both gasping for breath. He slid down to the floor and brought her with him. His lips pulled gently on her bottom lip...

"What are you doing here?" She asked her mouth open to his. His hands tangled in her hair. He nibbled softly on her neck.

"Visiting..."

"I thought you said you'd be gone until tomorrow..." His warm breath was making her heart do flip flops. Her fingers began to play with the knot in his tie.

"I came home early." She loosened his tie and pulled it from around his neck.

"Why are you so dressed up?," she asked as her lips caught his. He tugged on the sash of her robe.

"I came straight from the airport..." She worked furiously at the buttons of his navy blue shirt.

He pushed her robe from her shoulders and placed his hand over her breast. His fingertips passed softly over her nipple. She sighed audibly. His shirt was now open to his stomach. Her hands covered his chest.

"I missed you so much...don't go away again..." Her head lolled backwards as he placed kisses on her collarbone.

"I won't..." She pulled his shirt from his dress pants.

He moaned as her hands fumbled with his belt. He reached for her hand and pulled it to his erection. "You're happy to see me...," she giggled.

"Very happy..." He kept her hand steady along his length. She reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper.

"There it is!"

She opened the folded sheet and read,


M,

I'm not going to have to wake you up...

D.



Michelle laughed and smiled at him.

She shrugged the robe from her arms and let him take in her naked form.

"Michelle..." He reached for her. She gladly welcomed his roving hands. Their mouths crashed together. His tongue left a fiery trail over her lips and into her mouth. She wanted to be consumed by him. Her head fell back. "I couldn't stop thinking about you..." He said against her cheek.

"I want you so much..."

He groaned. "I want you too..."

She placed the palm of her hand against his cheek. Her thumb rubbed his bottom lip.

"Michelle!" They both hesitated, eyes opened wide. Michelle stood up and grabbed at her robe.

"Yes Aunt Meta?" She called, positive her voice was giving her secret away. Danny leaned forward and wrapped his arms her. He began kissing her stomach.

"Just leaving your clean clothes on your bed."

"Tha...Thanks!" She gasped. Danny's hands were on her buttocks. Michelle tried pulling away from him. He held her tighter.

"Oh Michelle! Before I forget - Bill called." Michelle stopped breathing. Danny's mouth was suddenly still against her belly.

"He said to tell you that he had a good time today and that he'd call back later!"

Danny's arms slid from her body and he removed his lips from her skin.

"I'm leaving for the Country Club now. Bye dear!"

"Bye...," She said dejectedly. Danny was standing before her buttoning his shirt. He wouldn't look at her. Michelle rearranged her robe and stared at him.

They heard the door to her bedroom close. He reached for the door knob. She put her arm out and stopped him.

"Danny..." He turned his head to look at her.

"You didn't do it." It was statement not a question.

"I...I tried."

He sucked in air and shook his head at her.

"Unbelievable..." He gripped the handle again.

"Wait!" She said desperately her voice barely a whisper in case Meta came back in.

"Why?."

"Why?"

"Yes! WHY?" She could see the fury in his eyes.

"Danny...listen. I told Bill to come by today, so I could tell him it was over."

"And you obviously didn't do it." He said pointedly.

"I want this thing over with Bill as much as you do."

"Really?"

"Really!"

"You know you say that, but something always keeps you from telling him to stop calling or coming around here. Why is that Michelle?"

"I didn't expect my brother to have an impromptu gathering. What was I supposed to do? We weren't the only ones here! I never got the chance."

"I don't care anymore."

"What is that supposed to mean?" She raised her voice.

"Whatever you want it to."

"You want me to end it? I will. I'll call him right now!"

"Don't do me any favors..."

"I haven't been with Bill in weeks. It's not like I'm with him."

"I want him out of your life."

"For all intents and purposes he's out of my life. I'm with you!" She was holding on to his hand now. "I don't get it."

"What? What don't you get?" he asked her his voice filled with anger.

"Why? Why is this so important to you?" She yelled.

"Because!" he yelled back.

"Because what Danny? I don't understand. WHY?"

"Because I'm in love with you damn it!" He's in love with me...




Danny - The Past


"Because I'm in love with you damn it!"

A veil of silence covered the room.

"You love me?" she asked quietly reaching for his hands.

"Michelle..."

"I love you," She interrupted. This is it Santos...

"I love you."

They gazed at each other. He pulled her closer to him their hands clasped together at their sides. He inclined his head to hers his lips gently grazing hers. Her mouth opened beneath his. Their tongues met as the kiss deepened. She stood on her tiptoes and melted into him. He could feel her heart pounding in time with his own. His longing for her displayed itself in the possessive nature of the kiss. She clung to him and matched his desire. He felt the electricity in the air as his hand caressed her neck. She sighed into his mouth and he knew he was taken. There was no place in the world as close to heaven as here.

He stepped back towards the bed. She moved effortlessly with him. He sank down to the bed. She fell against his chest. Her lips burned against his skin as she moved to nuzzle his ear. Her hands spread across his chest then her fingers quickly went to work at unbuttoning the buttons he had hastily fastened earlier. His hand tangled in her damp curly hair as he eased her closer to drink from her lips again. He savored her unique sweetness. The soft blue material of her robe separated in his nimble hand as he sought the comfort of her full breast. She pushed the cotton shirt from his shoulders. He lifted his body to accommodate her. Laying her face against his chest he watched her lips curl into a smile as she began to leave a trail of soft slightly wet kisses on his body. Her teeth brushed against his chin. He inhaled deeply. With one hand he brought her face to gaze at his.

His eyes questioned hers. He saw there was not a hint of hesitation on her behalf. This is going to happen...

She reached for the buckle of his pants. He lay back as she released the belt and proceeded to torturously pull down the zipper. He leaned his head into the cushioned bed. Thinking better of it, he reached up and pulled her down towards him folding his body over hers. Her robe hung loosely around her body. His hand followed the curve of her hip and splayed over her stomach. He worked the robe from her body. He shrugged his shirt off and cast it to the floor. His eyes swept over her. She was perfection. "Perfect...," he whispered.

His hand wandered up her body to tenderly cup her breast. The pink point of her nipple beckoned to him. With his tongue he traced the pattern of the nub memorizing the taste and the feel of it. Her hands played in his curly hair. He opened his eyes and found her lovingly gazing at him. He smiled.

She opened her arms indicating she wanted him closer. He maneuvered himself into her embrace. His head rested against hers. Her lips claimed his with fervor. His mouth opened to receive her. He was lost in Michelle. His hands glided over her back. He felt the goosebumps on her skin. The curtains from her balcony billowed over the bed with the breeze creating a tent over them momentarily.

Her hand nestled between them and found his erection. Danny exhaled. She stroked the length of him through his pants which hung low on his hips. She pushed down on the pants urgently. He reluctantly left her arms and stood by the bed easing the remaining clothes off his body as she watched. He joined her again on the bed. Laying next to her he sought her mouth and suckled on her full lips. His body covered hers. Her hands clasped around his neck, her fingers tickling his skin. He kissed her with passion. Leaving her lips he stared into her dark brown eyes. He was overcome with too many feelings and he grasped for that one last bit of control remaining in him. Their breathing came in matching gasps.





Michelle - The Past



"Don't stop."

Michelle sensed Danny's hesitance. She had never felt this need before. It was tearing through her body at breakneck speed. Her mouth took possession of his as she urged him to continue. She took his hand and settled his palm against her heart.

"Do you feel how fast it's going?"

"Uh-huh..." He caressed her.

"It does that every time you're in the same room with me." He held her hand and brought it to his chest.

"So does mine..."

He kissed her again. His lips lingered on hers.

"I'm not afraid of this Danny. Not anymore. It's out of our control."

His lips crushed against hers. She brought her knee up. His hand followed the path of her leg to her hip. He shifted until he lay between her legs. Her hands moved lazily over his arms. Staring into her eyes he moved forward until his penis rested at her opening. Michelle closed her eyes.

"Open your eyes..." He whispered.

Her eyes opened. She could feel the heat of him against her moisture. She positioned her hips higher. He rocked forward and met her resistance. She was perfectly still gazing into his eyes as he moved again. She felt a slight pressure as he moved. He kissed her dry lips. Resting on his elbows he watched her.

She felt his hips moving slightly. He was inside her. It's amazing...

He kissed her neck and she gave into the feeling as he went deeper. She felt a burning sensation. Her eyes closed, but she quickly opened them again. He paused. She noticed him biting his lip. He didn't move letting her body receive him.

"Okay?"

"Okay..."

His mouth covered hers. Their tongues moved in a passionate dance together. She felt herself expanding around him. He slowly gyrated his hips. She followed his lead. He pulled himself up and she felt him slipping away. Just as quickly he was back inside her. She was mesmerized by the sensation. Her hand slid down his back. He withdrew again and this time she followed him by thrusting upwards. He began to move at a quicker pace. With each movement she was rocked by the intimacy. She wasn't alone...

He cupped her breast and applied a slight pressure to her nipple. She heard a moan erupt from deep within her soul. His mouth was open over her jaw, she felt his teeth against her skin. He was moving faster now. With each thrust he would press down on her core. She felt the pressure of his weight and then it would be gone. Her body seemed to move at it's on will. She couldn't focus on where the the pleasure was centered. It was everywhere.

"Oh my God...Oh...Danny..."

"I love you...," He said in her ear as she felt his thrusts become more frenzied.

Her mind went blank as a overwhelming rush of emotions crashed over her. He thrust once more and fell gently to her chest. He continued to press kisses to her. She lay panting, gasping for breath. Her heart was beating too fast...

"I love you..." she heard over and over. Tears glistened in her eyes. I'll never feel this way again...

"I love you...," she whispered as his lips took a hold of hers.



Michelle - The Present

She finished combing her hair. Her mind had again easily drifted to the memories. Glancing at herself in the mirror she smiled at the thought of that first time with Danny. She had been right, she'd never felt that way again. Each and every time with Danny had been different and wonderful, but never had it been like the first time. It was a moment she couldn't recapture. She walked to towards the bank of elevators. She saw the door begin to slide.

"Hold the ele..." the doors closed. "Vator..."




Danny - The Present


"Hold the ele..."

He immediately reacted by hitting the "open" button on the display. The doors opened.

He gaped at the figure before him. The doors began to slide closed again, he put his arm in between and watched it bounce back. She hadn't moved.

He stepped out of the elevator and stood in front of her.

She reached for his hand and placed it against her rapidly beating heart...