• 55 •

RAdCLY fFe

But that’s on my list. I have a few other things to look into as soon as Allie—”

“I know you need to talk to Allie tonight,” Tory said. “But after she reports, I don’t want you to go back to work. Not tonight.” When Reese said nothing, Tory took her hand. “You need to be here with me.

And I need you here.”

Reese brought Tory’s hand to her lips and kissed it. “I’ll be right beside you, all night long.”

v

“Hey,” Bri said to Allie as she walked into the locker room at the station house shortly before ten thirty. “Smith said something happened out at Reese’s. What’s going on? How come no one called me?”

Standing in front of her open locker, Allie shot a look over her shoulder. She’d already changed into her jeans and, except for her scanty black lace bra, was bare from the waist up. She saw Bri’s gaze drop and laughed. “Eyes up, Parker.”

Bri blushed. “Sorry. Reflex.”

“Yeah yeah.” Allie slipped into a tight, scoop-necked black top and tucked it into her jeans, then pulled on her black cowboy boots.

“Tory walked in on someone in the house. She’s fine. And I didn’t call you because I took the call and you weren’t on duty. I handled it.”

“Jesus, Allie. It’s Reese and Tory!”

Allie patted Bri’s chest. “I know, baby. But I was going to call you when you came on shift and fill you in. There wasn’t anything for you to do.”

“You think I should go out there?” Bri paced in a small tight circle, her hands jammed into the pockets of her low-slung black jeans.

“No. Strope and I checked the whole neighborhood. It looks like someone might’ve been squatting in the house right next door. We did a quick check inside when I found the back door unlocked, and there was fresh trash in the kitchen. And someone had probably been sleeping in the living room.” Allie pulled a black leather bag out of her locker and slid her holstered weapon into it. “Nothing to identify who it might’ve been. We stayed while Reese checked through their house again, and she didn’t come up with anything.”

“It doesn’t feel right,” Bri muttered. “Just doing nothing.”

• 56 •

RetuRning tides

Allie straddled the narrow wooden bench between the lockers and propped her bag against her leg. Bri sat down facing her, their knees touching.

“I don’t like it either,” Allie said softly. “The whole thing just feels creepy.” She rested her hand on Bri’s thigh. “But there really wasn’t anything for you to do, and I didn’t think Reese and Tory needed all of us showing up at their house.”

“I’ll do some extra drive-bys tonight,” Bri said.

“Good. I figured you would.” Allie grinned. “You’ve got an awesome hickey on your neck, by the way. I guess you probably know that.”

Bri tried to frown while rubbing the sore spot, but her smile came off self-satisfied. “Well, I had the afternoon off.”

“Yeah, well,” Allie said, squelching a surge of envy, and maybe a little jealousy. “Maybe I’ll get lucky tonight. I’m on my way to the Pied to meet Flynn.”

“That was fast!”

“We ran into each other at Reese and Tory’s.” She stood and lightly swatted Bri’s shoulder. “Don’t be giving me that look. We’re just having a drink. And then, if…” She shrugged. “We’re both legal.

And I haven’t had any since Deo, and that was weeks and weeks ago.”

“Well, it’s not like it’s a terminal illness or anything.”

“Oh yeah, like you go what…more than a day without it?”

Bri swung her leg over the bench and straightened up. “That’s different. I’m married.”

“You’re supposed to get less when you get married.”

“Says who?”

“Says everyone. That’s why I prefer variety.”

“Just be careful, okay?”

Allie frowned at her. “What do you mean, be careful? You know I don’t go in for drugs or anything like—”

“That’s not what I’m saying.” Bri placed her fingertips gently on Allie’s chest, at the top of her left breast. “I’m talking about this, Al.

About getting hurt in here.”

“Don’t,” Allie said softly. “Don’t get all sweet and gentle on me.

It makes me want to kiss you.”

Bri snorted and shook her head. “Jesus, you make me crazy.”

“I can’t help the way I am, especially when you pull that fierce

• 57 •

RAdCLY fFe

butch stuff. It just does something to me.” Allie smiled tremulously.

“It’s just a date. Nothing to worry about. Promise.”

“Okay. Look, I’m sorry.” Bri shrugged. “I just… Well, you know, with Ash in town and—”

“Walker has nothing to do with anything,” Allie said curtly.

“Nothing at all.” She ruffled Bri’s hair and strode toward the door. “I gotta go. Flynn is really hot, and I don’t want to keep her waiting.”

“Yeah, right. I hear you.” Bri turned and watched the door swing closed behind Allie. She might have believed her, except she’d seen the hurt skate across Allie’s face at the mention of Ash’s name.

v

He watched her turn the sign in the window of the shop door to Closed. When she came out and turned right to walk down Commercial Street, he fell in behind her.

• 58 •

RetuRning tides

chapteR six

Do you need more ice on that?” Reese repositioned the pillow under Tory’s ankle.

“No, it feels much better now.” Tory took in Reese in her faded regulation-green boxers and T-shirt. The shrapnel wound on her leg and the burn scars on her arm and shoulder were still red and angry. She’d gained back a little of the weight she’d lost while deployed, but she still appeared wraithlike in the dim light cast by the lamp on the far side of the room. Reese had been nothing but gentle and tender and attentive all evening, but she vibrated with a violent energy Tory knew she was struggling to hide. Tory patted the bed beside her. “Stretch out next to me.”

Reese frowned. “I thought I would make you some tea. Or maybe a glass of wine?”

Tory smiled. “Wine. In a few minutes.” She pushed the sheets down. “Come here, first.”

“I’m just going to keep you awake,” Reese muttered as she slipped under the covers. “You need to rest and I’m not tire—”

“I’m going to sleep like a baby tonight, I promise.” Tory traced Reese’s lower lip with her index finger, then leaned over and kissed her.

In the middle of the kiss, she worked her hand underneath the bottom of Reese’s T-shirt and caressed her abdomen. The skin felt stapled to the ridges of muscle underneath, stretched tight and humming with tension. She flicked her tongue over Reese’s lip and murmured against her mouth, “But first, I have unfinished business.”

“Tory,” Reese groaned, partly in frustration and partly with anticipation she couldn’t conceal. Tory knew her body better than she

• 59 •

RAdCLY fFe

did herself. Tory knew what she needed, when she needed it, how she needed it—Tory knew what to do so her tension would ebb, her mind clear, and her dreams become comfort rather than torment. But not tonight. Tory had been taking care of her for months, although they both pretended otherwise. But not tonight. “You need to be careful of your leg.”

When Reese started to roll away, Tory slid her hand higher, between Reese’s breasts, and held her down. “You’d be surprised what I can do without moving very much at all.”

“No, I wouldn’t be.” Reese pulled Tory closer and kissed her again. “I know exactly how talented you are, but that still doesn’t mean I want you to wear yourself—”

“Sweetheart,” Tory said lightly, “shut up.”

Reese couldn’t answer because Tory was kissing her again, kissing her and massaging her chest, brushing her palm over her nipples, scraping her nails down the center of her abdomen and then stroking to smooth the thin trails of fire left behind. When Tory’s tongue plunged deeper into her mouth, Reese automatically lifted her hips, her thighs turning to iron.

“Be very good now,” Tory whispered as she drew back and leaned on one elbow, “and do exactly as I say.”

“Be careful.” Reese fixed on Tory’s gaze. In the yellow glow of the lamplight, Tory’s green eyes danced with flecks of gold, and although Reese was reminded of sparks escaping flames, she didn’t hear the roar of artillery or feel the scathing pain as fire consumed the earth. She saw strength and desire and safety. Here, in the one place only Tory could take her, she did not have to fight.

Tory skimmed her hand down the center of Reese’s body and underneath the waistband of her boxers. Reese arched and sucked in her breath. Smiling, Tory watched Reese’s face as she slowly and unerringly found her clitoris and began to stroke. “That’s right, darling.

Let me have you.”

“Tory,” Reese murmured, drifting on Tory’s smile. “You always have me.”

“Mmm. But not like this.” Tory nipped Reese’s chin. “Helpless.

At my mercy.” She squeezed and Reese hissed, her stomach muscles rippling under Tory’s forearm. “So hard and so hot.” She picked up speed and Reese’s breath followed suit, coming faster and harsher

• 60 •

RetuRning tides

with each passing second. The muscles along the edge of Reese’s jaw bunched, and she groaned. An urgent warning. Instantly, Tory released her grip, cupping Reese in her palm as she claimed her mouth with another deep kiss.

Reese twisted on the bed, desperate for Tory to stroke her. Tory’s tongue danced over hers, teasing and tormenting. She throbbed under Tory’s hand, teetering on the edge. She grasped a handful of Tory’s hair and tugged Tory’s mouth away from hers. “Do it, baby. Please. Keep going.”

Tory’s vision wavered and arousal swept through her so brutally she couldn’t get enough air to talk. She loved this moment, when Reese needed her and only her for everything. Reese was hers, completely, just as she was Reese’s. “No. Not so soon.” She circled the slick, smooth prominence with just her fingertip, thrilling to the sight of Reese’s fierce blue eyes losing focus as pleasure stole through her. “Just me. Just feel me.” She kissed her, caressed her. “Mmm. Yes, like that.”