Danny watched from the bed as Michelle sat down at her vanity and assessed the damage to her appearance. She was a wreck. Her hair had been ravaged by his plundering hands and her lips were swollen and lipstick-free. The beginnings or tears were beginning to smear her eye make-up and her dress was completely wrinkled.
Michelle attempted to fix her hair, but her hands were shaking so badly, she couldn't hold the brush. Danny remained silent, trying to figure out what she was thinking.
Michelle fought valiantly against the tears of shame welling up in her eyes. She would not cry in front of him, dammit. She wouldn't. She couldn't believe what she had just done. It was her wedding day, for God's sake! Her wedding to another man! But the minute Danny Santos , who she had "hated" for so long, walked in the door, she was in is arms. Kissing him. Holding him. Making love to him. Well, she'd certainly proved Danny right. She was helpless when it came to him.
Determinedly, she picked up the brush and dragged it through her hair. To hell with him. He got what he came for. Now he could go.
Slowly, Danny rose from the bed and began getting dressed. Michelle began to repair her make-up, refusing to meet his eyes in the mirror.
Finally, Danny could take it no more and put his hand on her shoulder. He felt his heart splinter when she jerked away as though his touch had burned her.
"Don't touch me!" she practically snarled.
"I did a hell of a lot more than touch you a few minutes ago!" he snapped, hurt and wanting to hurt her back.
Michelle gave a hollow laugh."That's right, Danny, you sure did. You must be feeling very proud of yourself right about now. You were right, weren't you? It doesn't matter what you've done to me. All you have to do is kiss me and, bam, I'm flat on my back for you."
Danny grabbed Michelle's arm and hauled her to her feet."Don't you dare say that! I have been going crazy with wanting you these past few months and when I walked in this room and saw you standing there, looking at me like that...God, Michelle, it's a wonder I didn't go up in flames."
"You didn't have to spend these past months 'going crazy' without me, Danny!" Michelle cried. "It was your choice to leave."
Danny closed his eyes, but not before Michelle saw the pain that flickered there.
"It...it was your choice,wasn't it?"
When Danny didn't reply, Michelle took a deep breath and the tears that had been hovering spilt down her cheeks. "Oh, God, Danny, it wasn't your choice. You didn't want to leave me." Happiness mixed with disbelief welled up inside of Michelle as she pulled him to her."You do love me." she sobbed against his chest."You didn't mean those awful things in the note."
Danny held Michelle so tightly, he was surprised she could still breathe."Writing that note was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, Michelle." he said roughly."It was like ripping my own heart out."
"Why? Why did you have to leave?" Michelle asked, pulling back to look at him with those eyes that had haunted him for months.
"I can't tell you,Michelle."
Those beautiful eyes hardened."So we're back to keeping secrets?"
Danny sighed and cupped her face in his hands."I don't want to keep secrets from you. But if I tell you, I'll lose you."
Michelle leaned forward and kissed him softly."You'll lose me if you don't."
Danny looked into her eyes and knew she was right. He couldn't live without her and the only way to keep her was to be completely honest."Michelle-" he began.
Suddenly, there was a pounding at the door. "Michelle,honey, it's time!"
Michelle's eyes never wavered from Danny's face as she mouthed, "Bill."