“I love you so much.” Tory claimed Reese’s mouth, exploring gently at first with the tip of her tongue over the silken surface of Reese’s lips before dipping into the sweet heat beyond. She pressed her hips down when she felt Reese rise beneath her, gently rocking into her. The wind was all around them, and in the distant silence, the threat of thunder hovered.

When Reese lifted her arms to clasp Tory to her, Tory caught her wrists and pressed Reese’s arms back down, holding her forearms close to her shoulders. She moved her mouth from Reese’s lips to her jaw, then along her neck, and finally to the soft hollow between her collarbones where her heart beat so close to the surface. Closing her eyes, Tory felt the precious life pulse through the vulnerable vessels just beneath the skin. The power and the wonder that was Reese filled her, and that flood of love rushed through her, heating her blood and stirring her desire.

“If what we talked about ever happens,” Tory murmured against Reese’s throat, “I’m likely to say almost anything to keep you with me. But I want you to remember what I’m going to tell you now.”

She let go of one of Reese’s hands and unbuttoned Reese’s shirt, then pushed up the light silk tee beneath it to expose Reese’s breasts. Pressing her face to the inner curve of one small, firm breast, she heard Reese gasp as her lips found a tight nipple. She kissed the erect nub gently. “I’m not going to ask you not to go. I’m not going to ask you to resign. 1 know who you are, Reese. I love you for every single thing about you your bravery, your valor, your dedication. I want you to do what you need to do, whatever that is.”

“Tory” Reese’s voice was husky and low, her body quivering beneath Tory’s. “Whatever you want”

“No. Just remember what I’m saying now, because if there ever comes a time when you need to go, I don’t think I’ll be strong enough to say it then.”

As she spoke, Tory loosed the buckle at Reese’s waist and opened her trousers. She pushed herself down between Reese’s legs until her face was against the taut abdomen. Then she splayed her fingers along the arch of Reese’s rib cage, her thumbs meeting in the center as she massaged the trembling muscles. Reese shifted restlessly beneath her, her hips lifting rhythmically against the weight of Tory’s body.

“Lie still, darling,” Tory whispered as she kissed the soft hollow where Reese’s abdomen joined her thigh. She caressed and tormented the delicate skin at the base of Reese’s belly until Reese was moaning continuously, and then she grasped Reese’s trousers and tugged them down far enough to press Reese’s legs open. Continuing her kisses along the inside of Reese’s thigh, she tasted Reese’s desire. When she closed her lips gently around the prominence of Reese’s clitoris, Tory moaned with wonder and helpless longing. She’d made love to Reese hundreds of times, but every time she was struck anew by the overwhelming splendor of their passion. Beneath the star-filled night sky, surrounded by the wonder of the land and sea that nurtured her, Tory paid homage to the love that had resurrected her life and defined her destiny. As Reese’s cries drifted to her on the wind, the sound as primitive and wild and achingly beautiful as the roar of the sea beyond, Tory closed her eyes against her tears.

Soaring, Reese threaded trembling fingers through Tory’s hair and through glazed eyes watched the stars dance overhead. As Tory brought her steadily and exquisitely to orgasm, she melted beneath Tory’s lips and surrendered to the demands of Tory’s mouth, knowing that she had never been so perfectly loved. For those moments out of time, all that she was belonged to Tory.

“You need a ride somewhere?” Randy asked KT.

KT hesitated, then nodded. “I wouldn’t mind a ride into the center of town. I can get a cab, though, if you’re not going that way.”

“Nothing in this town is out of the way,” Randy noted as he locked the front door and indicated a black Mazda Miata parked in the far corner of the gravel lot. “It’s no problem.”

It took less than five minutes to reach the center of town, where KT climbed out, thanked Randy for the ride, and headed toward her temporary home. Along the way, she replayed her conversation with Tory, recalling Tory’s assessment that Pia was not her type. She couldn’t help but wonder if Tory really believed that she could only be interested in a shallow sexual relationship with a woman.

When KT considered what her life had been like the last five years or so, she supposed that conclusion might seem valid. She’d had no long-term relationships since Tory, and even her affairs had been relatively brief. But as attractive as she found Pia, the thought of a night or two in bed with her left her feeling unsatisfied. That in and of itself was a departure for her.’ Casual liaisons had been her staple, providing both a release from stress and a diversion from introspection. For whatever reason, that wasn’t what she was looking for with Pia. They’d already shared more than she’d shared with most of the women with whom she’d slept in recent years.

The entire train of thought left her uneasy, because she wasn’t certain why she felt differently about Pia or if it was even wise to try to find out. She’d had a difficult conversation with Tory, her arm ached, and she’d forgotten both lunch and dinner. She felt around in her pants pocket for the last pain pill she’d counted out that morning the one she should have saved until midnight and swallowed it dry. Then she detoured down the sidewalk to the Pied for something to wash it down with and for a little company to help turn her thoughts from her past mistakes and future uncertainties.

Two hours later, she’ d had two drinks and had turned down one very promising offer to spend the evening with an extraordinarily attractive, but very young, art student from Brown who was spending the fall semester painting on the Cape. As lovely and eager as the young woman had been, KT was simply not interested. She left a ten-dollar tip on the bar and decided it was time to go home. When she eased down from the bar stool, she was nearly overcome by a sudden wave of dizziness. She staggered back a step and clutched the curved edge of the bar with her right hand to ‘ steady herself.

Two drinks. I only had two drinks. I can’t be this drunk on just two drinks. Must be because 1 didn’t have dinner:

She blinked and tried to focus on the faces across the room. Unfortunately, the room and everyone in it were spinning.

“Looks like you could use a little air,” a smooth voice murmured in her ear as a firm arm came around her waist.

“Dizzy,” KT muttered. “Just a little dizzy.”

“I can see that, darlin’. Now come on outside with me.”

Too disoriented to argue, KT allowed herself to be led through the bar and onto Commercial Street by the willowy brunette who guided her. She shook her head and tried to focus on the woman’s face, but found it impossible. She could tell, though, that she was beautiful. As beautiful as her mellow voice with its soft Southern accent,

“I’m okay,” KT stated emphatically, trying to walk a straight line and failing. “1 just live up the street a few blocks.”

“Well, it’s a nice night for a walk, so why don’t we head that way. What’s your address?”

KT had to think for a minute, but she was finally able to recall the numbers on the front of the guest house. She shook her head, but it didn’t clear the cobwebs from her brain. Must be tired. Too much stress.

“What’s your name?” the brunette asked.

“KT. You?”

“Allie. You must be new in town, KT, because I don’t know you, and I can’t imagine that I would have missed you. I don’t usually miss good-looking women like you.”

KT would’ve laughed at the pick-up line that should have been hers, but she suddenly felt as if she might vomit. She concentrated on controlling her heaving stomach and remained silent. Ten minutes later they turned down the driveway toward the rear entrance to KT’s building. KT had draped her arm around Allie’s shoulders for support, and the smaller woman still guided KT with an arm around her waist.

“That’s it,” KT muttered, indicating the rear stairs. “Up there.”

“Well, I brought you this far. I’m going to make sure you get inside.” Carefully, Allie guided KT to the stairs. “Besides, I’m getting kind of fond of you.”

From the shadows of the porch across the way, Pia watched the two figures come arm in arm down the path and climb the stairs to KT’s apartment. As soon as they disappeared inside, she got up, entered her own small, tidy home, and closed the door gently behind her.

Chapter Eighteen

“Keep going,” Pia said to the teenager who sat on the weight bench doing straight leg lifts with a three-pound weight strapped to his ankle. “Four more reps and then stop and we’ll ice it.”

“We’ve got a big game coming up next week,” the handsome boy said. “Am I going to be able to play?”

“I think so, but the final word will be up to your surgeon. You’re seeing him on Wednesday afternoon, right?”

“Yeah. But he won’t let me do anything unless you say it’s okay”

“Well, I’ll give you a written report to take with you to the office visit, just like always. I think if you agree to stretch out before the game…” She saw the fleeting look of disdain cross his face before he quickly squashed it. “I know, I know. It’s not considered cool to stretch, but if you don’t, you’re going to be right back here again with another ligament tear and that will be the end of your football career.”

“I hear you.” He sighed, then met her gaze fully. “I promise.”

“And ice it as soon as the game is over.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

She smiled and wrapped an ice pack on the knee in question. “Let me see you Wednesday morning for a half-hour session.” She checked the appointment book that she kept on the small desk under the windows overlooking the garden. “Eight thirty.”