Second Chances Ch. 01

The man at the bar had been staring at her all night and Natasha had to admit that he was a lot cuter than most men that gave her that eye.

As she sipped on her beer, she tried to place his looks. Spanish was in his blood, his dark, wavy hair and his olive skin gave that away, but his clear blue eyes hinted at a mixed heritage. He was built too, the physic of a bodybuilder that was shown off in the black skintight t-shirt.

“Hey, Rick.” Natasha shouted to the bartender over the blaring music. “Who’s the guy at the end of the bar?” She asked, motioning to the man with her head.

“Don’t know. Never seen him before. Looks like he’s taken an interest in you though.” The bartender shouted back, giving her a wink and a smile.

Natasha laughed and shook her head, her long brown hair shaking slightly in the messy bun at the back of her head. She smiled back at the mysterious man at the end of the bar as she stood up from her stool and slowly began walking towards the ladies room, her hips swaying in the tight black dress. The noise of the band disappeared as the door shut and Natasha enjoyed the quiet of the bathroom. She walked to the mirror, setting her small handbag on the counter as she stared at her reflection.

Reaching up, she pulled her hair free of the rubber band, letting it fall around her face as she reached for her lipstick. Natasha had always been pretty, one of those heartbreakers in high school that would use guys and leave them in the same week. Her long brown hair hung down her back, almost reaching to her butt with a slight curl to it that could never be tamed.

A slender form that she always kept toned and dressed in the latest fashions from Milan although she really couldn’t afford it. She leaned into the mirror, applying the wine colored lipstick, watching as her steel gray eyes sparkled in the dim light. No guy could resist when she turned on the charm and Natasha now had her eyes set on the mysterious man who had been watching her all evening.

“Let’s go have some fun.” She said to her reflection as she tucked her hair behind her ears and adjusted the top of her strapless black dress so that her modest breasts jutted upward and gave the illusion of a fuller chest.

Natasha reached out and pulled the door to the bathroom open, the blaring music of the bar overwhelming her senses as she glanced once more in the mirror. She gasped as she ran into a man and turning quickly to apologize, Natasha realized that it was her mystery man.

“Hi.” She said, with a nervous laugh, her voice husky with excitement as she looked over his face and body once more. “I’m sorry I ran into you.”

“Don’t worry about it, Bella.” He whispered, his voice tinged with an English accent that made Natasha melt inside.

“I saw you looking at me from across the bar.” Natasha said, leaning back against the wall, turning on her charm as the short black skirt slowly rode up her thigh. “See something you like?”

“I see a few things I like, Bella.” The man whispered, taking her hand in his and kissing it gently.

“I’m Natasha.”

“Charmed.” He said with a laugh as he leaned in to whisper into her ear, his lips lightly grazing against her skin. “You can call me Ben.”

“Well, Ben, would you like to get out of here? I live just down the block.” Natasha whispered back, taking a deep breath as her heart fluttered over the handsome man who was running his hands up and down her bare arms.

He took a step back, his blue eyes burning into hers. “Lead the way, Bella.”

Natasha giggled like a little girl on her first date and took his hand, leading him out into the cold winter night. She shivered slightly, cursing herself for not taking a jacket. After all, it was the dead of winter and it had been unseasonably cold this year, but fashion had been her first priority. Ben wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, his perfect smile beaming down on her as they walked down the street.

“You’ll have to pardon the place. It’s not the best.” Natasha stated, blushing slightly as they came upon her apartment building.

It was rundown to say the least and she hardly ever invited people up to see it, after all, she had a glamorous image to maintain. This guy had such a weird effect on her though and she had invited him without thinking. Ben just smiled as he followed her up the stairs to her sixth floor apartment.

“Why not just take the elevator?” He asked as they stood outside in the dingy hallway, waiting for Natasha to fish out her keys.

“You never take the elevator.” Natasha said with a laugh as she pushed open the door and stepped inside her small apartment.

Ben surveyed the apartment, noting that Natasha was obviously embarrassed by the place. “I didn’t come to see the apartment, but the beautiful person who lives here.”

Natasha turned, blushing slightly as she set her handbag down on her ratty old couch, and giving him a big smile, flashing her perfect white teeth. “Would you like something to drink? Wine, perhaps?”

“Sounds perfect, Bella.” Ben said with a suave smile as he sat down on the couch, watching her as she moved, his eyes taking in every movement of her body beneath the tight black dress.

Natasha worked quickly to prepare the red wine, not wanting to miss a minute with the handsome man staring at her from the couch. She brought out two glasses and, after handing one to him, sat down on the couch, pushing her purse to the floor in her haste. “Bella. That’s an interesting nickname. Do you call all the pretty girls that?”

“Only the ones that take my fancy.”

“Oh?” Natasha asked, looking at him over the rim of the wine glass as she took a drink.

“And how many girls would that be?”

“Two. I’m looking at one of them.”

“And who was the other?”

“My fiancé.” Ben said quickly, downing the wine and rolling the glass between his hands with a sigh.

Natasha froze, unsure of what to say at that. She could have cursed herself at this point, her mind screaming that she had brought home yet another loser. “Fiancé?”

“Don’t worry about her, Bella. She died in an accident about a year ago.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Natasha whispered, her heart leaping. He IS available, her mind screamed. “You must have been heartbroken.”

“Enough talk about the past, Bella. She’s gone and it hurt for a while, but I’m ready to move on.” He said, as he slowly leaned forward, gently kissing her cheek.

Natasha laughed and leaned into the kiss, warmth spreading through her body just from that brief contact. “Well, I’d be glad to help you move on.” She whispered into his ear, her lips lightly grazing his skin.

Ben laughed, his blue eyes sparkling as he took her wine glass and set it on the floor. Taking her hands in his, he gently kissed her knuckles and then leaned in, giving her a deep, sensual kiss on the lips that left her swooning. Her hands automatically slid up the back of his shirt, tracing the muscles that lined his back. His tongue traced her lips, gently slipping inside and dancing with hers before he pulled back, leaving her breathless. His hand gently caressed her cheek, traveling down to cup the side of her neck.

“Do you want me, Bella?” He whispered.

“Oh, yeah.” She said with a soft laugh, leaning in to kiss him again.

Ben reached up and placed a finger against her lips, shaking his head slightly with a grin. “Not yet. Close your eyes.”

Natasha grinned and closed her eyes, listening as he stood up from the couch and slowly walked around the apartment. A few feet away, she heard him stop and the sound of cloth rustling filled her ears. She laughed and started to open her eyes when Ben shouted, “No peeking.”

She closed her eyes again, trying to figure out what he was doing as she nervously chewed on her lower lip. She couldn’t deny that she was aroused, wanting nothing more than to have this man throw her on the bed and ravage her.

“You’re so beautiful like that.” Ben whispered, making Natasha jump as she realized that he was standing just in front of her. A hand on her cheek made her shiver in anticipation and she leaned her head into his hand. “Give me your hand and keep your eyes closed.”

Natasha reached out with her hand, her fingers grazing against his pants and the noticeable bulge just to the left. She blushed as he laughed and took her hand, helping her to stand. Walking a short distance, he drew her to a stop, kissing her again as he ran his hands over her bare arms. “Just what are you up to?” Natasha asked with a giggle as he slowly drew her arms over her head.

“Open your eyes.” Ben said, his breath warm against her face.

Natasha opened her eyes and smiled at him, kissing him gently on the lips as she felt the smooth rope wrap around her wrists. She looked up and saw that he had hung a rope from the old pipe that crossed over the ceiling. She squirmed slightly, more turned on than ever before. “So, you have me where you want me. What now?” She asked, her breathing heavier as her heart raced.

“I’m going to worship you, Bella.” Ben said, kissing her in-between each word as his hand slowly slid up her skirt to the damp panties underneath. “I see you approve.” He whispered, his eyes full of lust as his other hand reached for the zipper at the back of her dress.

Natasha couldn’t help but press the length of her body against his as she gave him a smoldering kiss, wanting to feel all of his muscles, naked against her. She felt his fingers caress her back where the zipper hand parted and that made her shiver. He smiled at her as he broke the kiss and he began to slid the tight dress down her body. He groaned as her breasts were bared, bouncing free of the material as it rested on her hips. They were no more than a handful, but Ben had to admit that they were beautiful and perfect; small pink nipples standing proudly at attention as Natasha puffed out her chest for him to get a better view.

“Very nice, Bella.” He murmured as he kissed the side of her neck, his tongue teasing her as he kissed down her collar bone to the hollow of her throat, his hands pushing the thin material of her dress to the floor.

Natasha moaned as he gently kissed his way down her breasts, teasing them as he hooked his thumbs into the thin material of her panties, slowly pulling them over her thighs and down her beautiful legs. He knelt and looking up into her eyes, lifted each leg and pulled the fabric free. He smiled as he took a step back, admiring the woman helpless in front of him in nothing but her strappy high heels.

“Tell me, Bella, what’s the best thing about your body?” He asked, dropping the panties onto the floor as he slowly walked over to her dresser, opening the top drawer and selecting an expensive silk scarf she had bought just a week earlier.

Natasha scrunched her eyebrows at the curious question, but was too far gone to think anything about it. “I’ve been told my hands are the best part of my body.” She stated, her voice husky with desire.

Ben turned and looked at her hands suspended above her head. “They are very lovely.”

Natasha laughed and jokingly waved her fingers at him as he walked closer with the scarf tightly in his hands. “Going to blindfold me now? Make me beg for you?”

“Close your eyes and find out.”

Natasha slowly closed her eyes, entrusting everything to this man that she had met no more than thirty minutes earlier. To tell the truth, this bondage stuff didn’t freak her out. She had once dated a stockbroker from New Jersey who was into it and she had thoroughly enjoyed herself during their little play sessions. She may have married him if he hadn’t had cheated on her with his secretary while she was off visiting her parents in Albany. Men will never learn, Natasha though as she heard Ben walking closer to her.

She smiled and moved a little against the rope as he slid the silk over her eyes. She fought the urge to push her body forward, fighting to retain some control and just wait for Ben’s next move. It was then that Natasha realized something was wrong; the silk was sliding down her face and as she opened her eyes, it wrapped tight around her mouth, effectively gagging her. She whimpered against the fabric, her gray eyes wide with fright as she stared at Ben’s smiling face.

“Sorry, Bella, but I’m afraid that I can’t do this.” He stated, stepping away her body, his eyes gazing over her intently.

What the hell is he talking about? Natasha asked herself, her heart pounding loudly in her ears, not from arousal, but from fear.

“You see, you’re part of a project of sorts for me.” He said with an evil smile. “Did your parents never teach you to bring strange men to your apartment?” Ben laughed as she started whimpering, pulling her hands frantically against the ropes. “By the way, I told a little white lie back there. My name isn’t Ben, but don’t concern yourself with that. I’ve been watching you for a while now, Natasha Eckert. Oh, yes, there isn’t anything that I don’t know about you by now.” He stated as her eyes widened.

Oh, my god. I have a stalker. Natasha thought as she watched him rummage around in his pocket, his hand playing with something. She whimpered, tears falling down her cheeks and soaking into the silk scarf.

“You want to know something?” He asked, pulling out an object that was no bigger than his palm. “My fiancé didn’t die in an accident. I intended to kill her.”

Natasha gasped, her gray eyes wide with fear as he flicked his wrist and a switchblade popped out of the object. With a calm demeanor, Ben slowly walked forward towards the girl who was screaming hysterically. Outside, no one heard a thing as the snow silently fell on New York City.

***********

Detective Daniel Ross peered out of the frost covered window of the taxi, watching as the buildings passed by quickly and the flashing blue and red lights in the distance became brighter. Winter in New York City was hard this year, snowing and sleeting almost everyday and it made Daniel want to book it back to the airport and return to Los Angeles to his old job. The cab stopped at a road block outside of a huge apartment building somewhere in Manhattan; in truth, he had lost track of the jungle of streets that the dark city possessed. Paying the cabbie and giving him a nod, Daniel stepped to the police barricade and flashed his badge.

“You new?” The young officer asked, raising an eyebrow at him..

“First day in your fine city.” Daniel stated, his eyes scanning the neighborhood and the apartment building.

It wasn’t the best neighborhood he had ever seen in his line of work, just row after row of run down apartment buildings, but a simple homicide was going to be a piece of cake for his first assignment here in NYC.

“I’m looking for Det. Baldacci.” He stated, turning back to the cop who was starting across the temporary barricade towards a man who was trying to make his way around it.

“I told you, asshole, you step around the line again and I was gonna arrest you. You just had to push me, didn’t you?” The cop said, pulling the man past the line and pushing him to the ground, swiftly cuffing his arms behind his back.

“She’s upstairs. Sixth floor. Elevator doesn’t work and the main stairwell is blocked off. Found evidence in it or something. You’ll have to take the fire escape.” He said, nodding to the iron staircase that had officers crawling all over it.

“Thanks.” Daniel muttered as he started over the icy sidewalk towards the escape as a light snow started again, layering the already freezing city in a sheet of white. He shook his spiky, blond hair free of snow, shivering as a cold wind blew straight past him.

He reached up and started up the ladder to the fire escape, cursing to himself as his hands stuck to the icy metal. He had never lived through a cold winter in Los Angeles, therefore he had no real winter clothing. He had been lucky that he bought the thick leather jacket that morning, but his hands would have to suffer for awhile. Sidestepping other officers, Daniel was breathless as he stepped through the door on the sixth story, looking over the group of officers gathered outside the doorway to an apartment, sharing a laugh as technicians scrambled in the hallway to gather evidence.

“I’m looking for Detective Baldacci.” He said to the crowd of men only to be met with blank looks as they stopped their conversation and stared at the new comer.

“New guy?” A huge, hulking officer with a shave head asked as he crossed his arms in front of himself.

“Yeah, I’m new.” Daniel stated, getting annoyed by the constant questioning. “Look, they told me at the precinct that I was working with Baldacci. Now, will you tell me where she is?”

“They finally gave her a partner?” The youngest looking of the group asked the baldheaded man. Jeeze, Daniel thought. These cops get younger every year.

“Looks like he has an attitude to match hers.” He said with a laugh. “You two are going to be a match made in heaven.”

“Why the hell are you people just standing around? If you haven‘t noticed, we‘re standing in the middle of a crime scene.” Came a shout from the doorway that made all of the officers jump. A skinny man stepped out of the apartment, his brown eyes narrowing at the group as he ran a hand through his black hair. “I don’t pay you people to stand around, do I?”

“No, Sarge.” The hulking man stated as they all scattered away from the man, like children who had been caught doing something bad.

“You Ross?” He asked, turning to the detective, his jaw set in anger.

“Yeah. Daniel Ross. I’m looking for Det. Baldacci.”

“Sgt. Justin McCartney.” The man stated, extending his hand and giving Daniel a strong shake. “She’s in here looking over the scene. I’ll introduce you two.”

Daniel followed close behind the skinny sergeant, stopping briefly in the doorway of the apartment and looking over the gruesome scene with a trained eye. It was horrible, blood pooling on the floor of the dirty one room apartment. A white sheet was spread over a figure, red streaks slowly soaking through the fabric over the stomach. Nothing much to look at: a small ratty couch with a small purse on the floor, twin sized bed with a thick quilt, dirty kitchenette and bathroom, with posters of Paris and Rome plastered over the crumbling walls. A long length of rope hung from the ceiling, the ending frayed and stained with blood.

Officers of all ranks milled around the small apartment, some taking pictures, others collecting evidence. The medical examiner stood in the center of the room, over the body, shouting orders to his assistants and basically lording over the scene. Daniel couldn’t help but notice the woman standing by the window, looking at the sill intently.

She was tall and thin with no real muscle to see through her thick floor length overcoat. Long, light blond hair ran down to almost the center of her back, pulled neatly back into a ponytail.

Her face was soft, with a rounded chin and an upturned nose that wrinkled in concentration as she looked from the window to the city outside. Her gaze was trained on something outside, her concentration unwavering even as the M.E. shouted at his assistants in a high pitched voice.

“Rory. Come here a second.” McCartney shouted across the room.

The woman turned around from the window slowly, almost annoyed to be pulled away from her work, and started across the small apartment. She didn’t even bother to look up from the notepad that she was writing on as she sidestepped the body and stopped in front of the two men.

Looking up from the paper, Daniel found himself looking into the darkest pair of brown eyes he had ever seen. This girl was a knockout by any standard: blonde, brown eyes, tall and very well built. Without the heeled ankle boots she was wearing, Daniel wagered that she was only a few inches shorter than his 6’3”.