Free Escape from Bondage by Dusty Miller Page B

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    Heather folded the note as Braden
unscrewed the cap from a silver flask. Their eyes met and they
smiled. His light lay on the table, pointed at the interior wall,
throwing rings of light and shadow from its lens. He raised the
flask and had a quick nip, and saluted her with a gesture. She put
the note down and took the brandy. Tipping it back, she sucked back
an ounce or two, trying not to cough and gag. It was strong stuff.
The fumes burnt in her nostrils. She blinked, waving them away. She
would need a little courage for this.
    Braden leaned in close.
    “ Heather. My darling
Heather. I love you so very much. Please trust me, and try not to
make any noise.”
    The same as in the note more or less,
but the shock of his words shot through her. Her eyes darted left
and right, listening intently. The big place was as quiet as it was
before…the rain, of course, and the wind. The odds were that no one
could have heard, as low and quiet as his tone was. The thumping in
her chest was the worst noise in the room.
    “ It’s okay.” She bit her
lip and offered the flask, but he waved it away, indicating that
she should take another drink.
    Repressing a giggle, she complied,
this time downing a half a mouthful and then firmly screwing the
top back on. She set it aside on the small night table between
beside the note and baggie.
    Braden rose. He took out the small
remainder of a roll of grey duct tape from a side pocket. Her eyes
followed him as he pulled the blanket away and then bending over,
pulled her pajamas and her legs out straight. He smoothed the
fabric and wrapped it around her legs. He gave an inquiring look,
and she nodded happily. She licked her lips and watched him,
totally calm and prepared for whatever came next.
    She put a hand over her mouth to
stifle her snicker.
    This was so exciting…how daring of
Braden to come here in the night…he must have used the fire escape.
God, the guts it must have taken. What nerve the man had. Delicious
warmth spread out from her stomach, and all through her middle.
Something mysterious smoldered, bursting forth into flames deep
inside of her. He gave a jerk of the head. With her elbows, she
worked her way down and out flat. He gave another tug on her long
cotton pajama top. Curiosity built inside her. He wasn’t stripping
her off. She’d just caught on.
    He took her wrists in his big left
hand and thoughtfully pulled a bandanna from his pocket. Putting it
around her wrists, he taped them firmly together and now she was
well and truly in for it. Her heart pounded in anticipation as
Braden came in for a long and sweltering kiss, their breath the
only sound. His aftershave was tangy and sharp in her
nostrils.
    Tearing off one final short piece of
tape, Braden rubbed the tip of his nose on hers.
    “ I love you,
Heather.”
    “ I love you too, Braden.”
Her voice was surprisingly strong and loud, yet she felt all warm
and comfortable, even sleepy now that the initial shock had worn
off.
    His eyes shifted and they both
listened again, hearts palpitating.
    He gently put the tape over her mouth,
as her eyes blazed into his.
    Imagine him climbing up those old iron
rungs in the rain, in the middle of the night, just to be with
her.
    A tear welled up in her eye as he
stood looking at her for a moment. Tearing himself away, still
steaming from the rain, he turned and got busy.
    With her head tilted slightly to the
left, she was breathing calmly through her nose as he pulled out a
couple of drawers on her dresser. Her pulse began to rise at this
mystery. Taking a green plastic garbage bag out of another pocket,
he began packing some of her things. A bolt of pure terror hit
Heather. Her pulse shot up and she twitched against the restraints.
She mustn’t fall off the bed. It was too much for her, and she
slumped in physical resignation, drained by the fear and the
knowledge of her predicament. She struggled with the panic. She had
no idea of what came next, but they