Page 2 of Soldier Daddy’s Dutiful Little

“Cher…”

“Hey, come on. What’s up with you, girl? Still, Oscar? Now, baby girl, you don’t need to go crying on about that. I know you miss him terribly, but he’d be back soon, right? That’s what he said, right? Vee? Are you there?”

Her voice took on this soothing motherly tone that always managed to calm me down regardless of whatever got me all bothered or annoyed.

I couldn’t really respond, I just kept nodding and sniffling while she cooed sweet, reassuring words to me.

CHAPTER TWO

Vanessa

I found myself in his apartment later that afternoon, wandering around his house eating from a large bowl of ice cream. I tried to find comfort in the mint-flavored treat but my thoughts kept straying. I looked at the doorway and remembered how he whisked me in, his tongue playing in the curves of my ear.

His breath was heavy on my neck, causing tingling sensations that seemed to spread from my neck to every part of my body. I remember how much I craved him then, how much I wanted him to claim me, how much I wanted his large hands to rove over every inch of my bare skin.

I could nearly hear his heavy baritone reverberate through the house, calling my name, chiding me to be a bit more obedient. I smiled. A deep sense of nostalgia and sadness welling up within me was causing my vision to blur for the umpteenth time.

That’s it. I have to leave this place before I go stark, raving mad. I can’t sit around, moping, waiting for Cheryl that promised to come next week. I need to get out, do something, experience something; something that could get my mind off of this.

For some reason my mind went to Clark, one of my colleagues at the firm where I used to work. I remember last time we had drinks and he was extra nice to me. It was probably all that booze messing with his head or I was a bit too drunk. He said I needed to unwind and offered to take me out for a few drinks after work. I obliged him and wound up having to be carried home.

I chuckled, in spite of my mood. I desperately needed to stop feeling like this, so anything, anyone would do at this moment. I found myself calling Clark and he picked up on the second ring.

“Hey, Clark. What’s up?” I tried my best to sound as bright as possible, knowing how easily he picked up on even the slightest oddities.

“Wow, Vanessa, you called. How’re you doing? It’s been a minute!”

I laughed, imagining the eyebrow juggling that usually accompanied that sentence. “A minute indeed. How’s Ann and Jason and Mitch and the whole gang? Mitch still an obnoxious midget?”

“They miss you actually. Finances Department hasn’t been the same with you gone. And yes, Mitch is still totally an obnoxious midget! The name pretty much stuck after that evening. Never heard a more appropriate name for that guy!” We both burst out laughing.

“And I for one, have really missed you, Vanessa. We need to catch up and soon too...”

I cut in, happy that I'd finally be getting company. “How does drinks this evening sound?”

He seemed really excited and raring to go so we planned to meet by six later that evening. As soon as I finished the ice cream, I started heading back to my apartment in Queens, mentally going through my wardrobe looking for something appropriate to wear.

I settled for an all-black ensemble. A halter-necked body con dress, a cropped leather jacket, and black ankle boots. Perfect.

I fell into an uneasy sleep when I got back and only woke up when my alarm started blaring at four-thirty. I was surprised I was looking forward to this outing. At least I have something to look forward to for the first time in a while.

Two hours later, as I sat in the cab that was taking me to Simpson's, the bar Clark and I hung out the last time, I found myself wondering whether or not I was cheating on Daddy or if he’d even like the idea of me going out with some other guy.

It’s just for drinks. How dangerous can that be? Plus, he’s the one that left without prior notice, no calls, no communication, nothing and I’m worried about what he thinks?

I pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind and focused on the bright street lights on the way downtown. In no time, I got there and met him already seated at the bar.

It was pretty easy to spot him on one of the bar stools, as his ginger hair was literally a beacon. Plus, the bar was hardly at half capacity.

“If it isn’t James Clark, the finest Risk Manager in the whole of New York,” I teased, poking his back through his sky-blue shirt.

He turned around, his face a broad, welcoming smile.

“Hey, Vanessa!”

He seemed really excited to see me and stood to engulf me in a hug. His body seemed a lot harder than the last time we hugged

“Did you later take my advice to start working out? Looks like it paid off,” I said and punched his arm playfully.