You Belong To Me (19 page)

“Or we could do that!” She said laughing and kissing him. “Sightseeing is so over rated anyway,” she teased.

“Well let's eat downstairs and then figure out what we're going to do with the rest of our time.”

“Sounds good to me,
 let's go.” 

Walking down t
o the dining room, Danielle squeezed Mitch's hand as she took a moment to contemplate with herself.

This guy is amazing, not only does he stick around during all this madness, but he takes a week off of work and books us into one of the most romantic inn’
s here in Vermont. What the heck did I do to deserve such a guy?  Is it luck? Fate? A little of both? Maybe the saying; good things come to those who wait? Is actually true. And who am I to argue with fate?

Once the waiter had left with their drink order,
Danielle asked Mitch, “What are we going to do about this lunatic?  I mean, I feel like I'm running away because I've done something bad.  I just wish this would all go away, and no one's even questioned the guy and here we have to stay in a hotel sorry inn, and all the while he's out there roaming around doing whatever he wants Mitch. And you want to know something?” Danielle continued.  “I'm not scared any more Mitch, I'm angry. I'm angry because our lives have been turned upside down by that cretin,” she said, trying to keep her anger at a simmer.

“Danielle I know this has been crazy babe and it seems like nothing is getting done, but trust me, sooner or later the guy is going to get caught. And if not by the police, then some other way.”

“What do you mean some other way Mitch?”

“What?”

“You heard me, what other way Mitch?”

“Nothing for you to worry about Danielle, try to enjoy your drink babe.”

“I'll enjoy my drink after you tell me what you’re planning Mitch.”

“Look, here's our waiter.”

“Are you ready to order?”

With a slight tone in her voice that resembled annoyance, Danielle said, “No we are not, can you please give us a moment.”

“No problem, just signal when you’re ready.”

“Thank you,” she said while turning around and focusing her attention back onto
Mitch.

“Okay now Mitch what the hell is going on and don’t lie to me please.”

“Danielle, I'm not lying to you when I tell you that nothing is going on and nothing is planned, it's just that...”

“Just that what Mitch?”

“Danielle, sometimes bad things happen to bad people and with all this guy has put you through, I was just thinking of...” Pulling Danielle closer to him so that he could whisper in her ear, Mitch spoke of what he had been thinking about, he spoke of having Ethan killed. Pulling away, Danielle swallowed hard, picked up her wine glass and emptied it.

“Danielle, say something. Danielle it's just a thought, nothing is set in stone Danielle, please look at me and say something.”
 

“Mitch, I don’t know what to say.”

“Danielle your angry at me now, please don’t be angry babe.” 

“I'm not angry with you Mitch, I don’t even know if I should or shouldn’t be but for some strange reason. I'm not angry, I'm a bit shocked and I feel guilty Mitch.”

“Why Danielle, why in god’s name should you feel guilty?”

“Mitch I feel guilty because when you first said it a moment ago, I felt like that was the answer.”

“Okay, so why the guilt?”

“Well I'm not exactly comfortable with liking the thought of having someone killed Mitch, you’ll have to forgive me.”
 

 
"Danielle I'm not saying it's right, but considering the circumstances, it may be our only option Danielle.”

“I understand all that Mitch, but I want you to understand something here and now, I love you. You have made my boring world a much better place, and I woul
dn’t want to see that ruined by some freak who can't stay away from me.”

“I love you too Danielle.”

“Please let me finish Mitch.  I admire and adore the fact that your my protector and my hero. Now let me ask you this Mitch.”  While holding his hands and looking into his eyes, Danielle said, “What do you think it would do to me, to us if say, he gets killed? You think the police are gonna let it go?  No Mitch they are going to investigate and sooner or later it's going to come back on us and I for one will be damned if either of us is going to spend even one night in jail over Ethan Tillitson.

No, it's out of the question. Sure we can think about it, think about ways to make him suffer and hurt like he's done me, but that’s all we can do Mitch. You have to
think of the consequences babe, and believe me, there are always consequences. I have finally found the love of my life and I'm not about to lose him because of some insignificant, stalking psycho. Do you hear me Mitchell Conway?  Do I make myself clear?” Danielle asked sternly.

“Yes Danielle you do. By the way, I've never seen you get this heated before babe, I kind of like it.”

“Mitch this is no time for jokes, I'm serious. Promise me that this was only a conversation, just you thinking out loud and that’s all it will ever be.”

“Yes, I promise and it was just me thinking out loud, that’s all. And you’re absolutely right about everything. I only thought about the consequences momentarily and even then I didn't care because I was so filled with rage and an
ger Danielle.”

“I understand Mitch, I do. But let's not even think or talk about that animal anymore during our stay here deal?”

“You've got yourself a deal.”

“Good, now let's order,” she said as she waved over the waiter.

After finishing their late lunch of prime rib burgers and fries, they decided to go for a walk around the grounds of the inn. Spotting a small private garden Danielle took off running towards it.

“Oh isn’t it beautiful? Look at all these flowers and statues; it's like something from a pai
nting.”

Twirling around she gazed upon a garden full of soft, velvety roses that seemed to take hold and wrap its beauty around everything and anything they touched.
  Stone benches were placed throughout the garden, while a white gazebo stood in the center. Swirls of ivy wrapped itself around each column. 

“Mitch isn’t this great? You should so do this at your place, in your gazebo.”

“Our place Danielle, our gazebo.”

“Yes that’s right, our place,” she smiled brightly.

As he slowly walked towards her, she leaned over the railing of the beautiful gazebo and held out her hand, he gently kissed it. Moving up her arm with his kisses, Danielle felt the twinge of desire creeping upon her much like the ivy that crept along the gazebo columns. His kisses made her body tingle. Stopping only for a moment to join her inside the gazebo, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her with a passion that made her feel like she were somewhere else with him, somewhere far away. A place where no one was watching, no one could get to them. She returned his kisses with all the love in her heart. 

Reluctantly, he pulled away. “Danielle, let's go back to the room or else I'm going to take you right here and now in this gazebo.”

“You read my mind, let's go.”

Besides their late lunch o
n the day of their arrival, they decided to fore go the sightseeing and ordered each and every meal in their room, where they spent their time talking, making love, and stopping only to eat.

“My how the time flies,” she said while reluctantly packing their bags.

“I know babe, I'm sad to see it all come to an end, well here anyway.”

“I know what you mean.”

“I am anxious to see Shay though. And I was thinking, it's time for me to go back to work Mitch.”

“Danielle are you sure?” 

“I couldn’t be surer babe, I need to get back out there and besides I'll have Vic and Joe around and the guys in the back and lumber yard. And I'm sure you will be making some daily pick-ups right? So you see there's safety in numbers and maybe Vic and J
oe will let me bring the dog to work sometimes. Oh that reminds me, we really should name him Mitch.” 

“Well Danielle, if you’re alright with going back to work, I'll support you in that decision and yes we should name the new addition to our family,” he
said, taking her into his arms. “And you’re absolutely right; I will be doing a lot more pickups at the store. That’s a promise,” he said winking.

While Mitch paid the bill, she made one last check of the room to make sure nothing was forgotten. Satisfied
that all was packed, she glanced around the room once more just to take in its beauty and think about the wonderful love making that occurred there very shortly after they had arrived and had continued throughout the rest of the week. Nothing that good can last forever, time to get back to reality, Danielle thought to herself as she closed the door.

On the way home, Mitch was concerned about how she would feel, this being her first time back home since the attack. He glanced at her gazing out the window.
  Seeming to read his thoughts, Danielle turned to him and put a reassuring hand on his and told him that she'd be fine as long as he was with her.

“If you feel even the least bit uncomfortable Danielle you tell me and we're out of there okay?”

“Babe, it's fine, I'll be fine. Besides, I told you, I'm not scared anymore. I'm angry and I want to show that maniac that he didn't get to me, he didn't get to us.”

“That's my girl,” he said, squeezing her hand.
  As Mitch pulled into his driveway, Danielle thought she'd feel a bit apprehensive about entering the house, but for some strange reason, she did not. In fact she felt like she was finally home, home and safe and sound.

Of course that could all change once I walk in, she thought. But standing outside she did
n't feel anything menacing at all. Looking at her with concern in his eyes, Mitch unlocked the door and took hold of Danielle's hand. Once they were safely inside,  he headed over to the alarm to disarm and re arm it.  “See babe, this is the code, it's the anticipated date of my sisters baby.

The security technician said it should be something no one can easily guess and I figured I’d use that because besides my family, you are the only one that knows that date.
  Now hit this button and the entire house is armed; all windows, doors, front and back, and all of the upstairs windows as well. And check this out,” he said, opening up his laptop. “Just click this button and you can see outside, the driveway and the garages all at once babe, and when neither of us are home, we can log in via our cell phones or computers and check on the house. If we leave Samson here alone, we can check on him as well.”

After several hours of debating between Max and Toby, Samson was the name they both had agreed upon.
 

“If anyth
ing triggers the alarm, the police, fire, and medical will be alerted and when the alarm company places the call to us, unless one of us answers with the code word, they will all be dispatched.

“I hope that never happens but thank you so much for all of t
his.”

“I just want you safe when I'm not here Danielle and this will certainly help.”

“Mitch I feel like this is where I'm supposed to be, I don’t feel scared, and I don’t feel nervous or frightened.

“That’s wonderful,” he said as he wrapped her in his a
rms. He had to admit, he was extremely happy that she wanted to stay.

After spending the weekend getting acquainted with Samson, a dinner date to catch up with Shay and Jason, two hours on the phone talking to Vic, Danielle was more than ready to start th
e week anew.

“This feels like my first day on the job Mitch, it seems like it's been forever since I worked, but I like the feeling.”

“I'm glad babe,” he said wrapping his arms around her and nuzzling her neck.

“Mitch this past week has been absolute heav
en. Have I thanked you recently for all that you do for me?”

“No need to thank me Danielle. I think you know by now, I’d do anything for you.”

“I know you will and I’d do the same for you. Now you better let me go get dressed, I don’t want to be late on my first day back,” she giggled.

“I don’t want to let you go,” he whispered in her ear. And as he did so he let his hand trail down the length of her back stopping to gently massage her buttocks. While allowing his tongue to twirl along her ear and down he
r neck, Mitch felt himself getting harder with his every touch of her.

“Danielle, I want you right now,” he said guiding her over to the bed.
  His touch had made her want him as well.  Each time they made love, the arousal, want, and yearning never faded, and that was something they both never doubted.

Standing behind her, he unhooked her bra and began to caress and massage her nipples to a point. Moaning and pushing herself against his erection, she could hardly wait to feel him inside of her. He ar
oused her so instantaneously every time they made love.  Wanting more, she begged for him to take her, to fill her up. Answering her request, he slowly and erotically pulled off her lace panties.  Not being able to resist the glistening opening that awaited him, Mitch began to kiss Danielle's neck and back as he slid into her without effort.  Moaning and grinding her hips along with his every thrust, Danielle felt that familiar, lovely ache inside of her, it was a feeling of sheer and utter pleasure.

“Mit
ch, you feel so good,” she repeatedly moaned his name.

He loved the way she welcomed his every thrust, how she contracted her muscles to squeeze around him, enveloping him in warmth.
  Danielle did not want him to hold back any longer, begging and aching for him to take her harder and faster.  As Mitch complied, he felt himself tighten inside of her and with one final thrust; they both surrendered and exploded onto each other. Lying next to each other and out of breath, Danielle giggled and said, “I think it's safe to say I'm going to be a bit late for work.

When Mitch walked Danielle into the store to begin her work day, they were both greeted by Vic, Joe and all of the employees.

“Thank you guys so much, I really appreciate it!”

“We're just glad to have yo
u back!” Said Vic giving Danielle a big, tight hug.

“I'm happy to be back Vic. I missed you guys, all of you,” she said looking at the rest of the employees.”

“Okay, okay. Everybody dig in, we’ve got a full breakfast buffet here, so come on don’t be shy.”

As people began to fill their plates, Danielle got to sit while Mitch went up and fixed two breakfast plates for them.

“Isn't this the sweetest thing Mitch? It's nice to be back, I've got a good feeling about this Mitch. I really do.” 

“Danielle sweethear
t, we are so very happy to have you back,” said Vic.

“I'm happy too Vic, now we just gotta convince Mitch here that I'll be safe and sound here at work.”

“Well of course she will Mitch, we've got some good strong men who work here Mitch, or did you forget?”

“No, I didn't forget Vic, I just worry is all. But I know you'll keep an eye on her. But please call me if you see or hear anything suspicious. The job site isn’t far from here so I can be back here in a hurry if need be.”
 

“Mitch, I'll be fine, I promi
se. I told you, we're not going to let this guy run our lives anymore, we're not.”

“I know, and your right babe, I just want to make sure you’re okay with all this.”

“Oh, I'm more than okay with it,” Danielle beamed. She was so happy to be back at work and among the living. As much as she loved living with Mitch, she was not a fan of working from home; she wanted to be back among her friends, and co-workers.

“Mitch, Joe and I would not have allowed her to come back to work if we thought she would be in any
danger, you know that,” said Victoria.

“And I’ve spoken to the guys about that idiot and believe me if he makes an appearance here, he won't be leaving unless it's in the back of a police car, or a body bag,” said Joe.

Danielle and Mitch exchanged looks. Danielle made sure to quickly steer the conversation away from body bags and murder.

“So did you hear about Shay and Jason's engagement party?”

“Yes,” said Victoria.

“Is it true that they are going to have a summer masquerade out at that old hotel? The one
that’s for sale?”

“Geez that’s the perfect place,” Joe said sarcastically. “The place looks haunted.”
 

Laughing Danielle reassured them that all arrangements had been made for a cleaning crew and interior decorators for the ballroom and a few of the gues
t rooms. 

“Shay wants a festive, summer theme and she is insistent on it being a masquerade ball.”
 

“Are you kidding? I’ve already been shopping around!” Said Victoria.

“Any luck finding anything?”

“Well I saw a few out at that shop
over in Malton, but nothing caught my eye. I think you might have to help me do some of that internet computer shopping Danielle.”

“Oh absolutely Vic in fact, I might order Mitch and I’s outfits online as well because I doubt we'll be able to find any plac
e local that carries ball gowns for a masquerade,” Danielle said.

“Well let's start looking now.”

“Sure but wouldn’t you like me to get to work on the inventory Vic?”

“Oh that can wait. Besides, you’ve done practically all of it from home. I can tell becau
se

nothing is behind. Come on, let's go in the back and order us up some costumes,” Victoria pleasantly insisted.

“Joe honey I'm going to order you the nicest tuxedo I can find.”

“That’s fine honey,” said Joe. “Just don’t make me wear something all pirate
-y or girly with those scarves flying all over the place!”

“It’s a masquerade ball, not a Halloween party,” Victoria shook her head at her husband playfully. “Now don’t you worry about what I'm gonna order you Joe. You’re gonna wear what I order for you, y
ou got that?” 

“Yes dear,” was all Joe could say before Vic and Danielle disappeared into the back office.
 

“See what you’re in for Mitch?
  You sure you’re ready?” Laughing Mitch told Joe, “You bet, I haven’t ever been this sure of anyone in my life.” 

“Well you got yourself a good woman there Mitch, a damn good woman. Take care of her Mitch and she'll do the like. Now get on to work and leave us be,” Joe said as he patted Mitch on the shoulder.

“Yes sir!” Mitch gave Joe a salute before he turned and walked out to his truck.

 
The summer months seemed to be flying by for the couple. By the time July arrived, Danielle and Mitch had started getting their life back. They were attending summer parties, barbecues, and spending lots of time with each other.

Bot
h were well aware that the police were finally able to question Ethan a week or so days after the break-in and found that he had come up with a solid alibi. He told the police that on the day of the break in he was at the unemployment office filing out some paperwork. When they checked with unemployment, they soon found out that he was telling the truth, he had been there that day. But not only did the computer confirm it, there was a witness, a desk clerk who remembered speaking with him for a lengthy amount of time directly on that day.

Neither Danielle nor Mitch believed his story. They knew that Ethan was the one who broke into Mitch’s house, but now they had no way of proving it. And to make matters worse, Danielle was unable to give a positive I.D. Non
e the less, the police served Ethan with a restraining order and told him that he was not allowed anywhere near Danielle.

The couple had good reason not to believe Ethan’s story because Ethan Tillitson had told a lie, he was nowhere near the unemployment o
ffice that day and he knew it. He had a very close friend in the unemployment office and she would have done anything for him. He knew that Julie, a clerk at the office has had a crush on him for a very long time now.

Ethan cleaned up well and all he had
to do was take Julie out for a night out on the town.  Dinner, drinks, a bit of fondling afterwards, the promise of a second date, and he soon had her eating out of the palm of his hand. And after a couple of dates, he even found himself liking her, not as much as she liked him however. But to Ethan, Julie was nothing like his Danielle, no one could take the place of Danielle.