Radclyffe - Safe Harbor

"Okay?" Reese questioned softly, her breath warm against Torys cheek.

Tory tried to steady her voice as she replied, "Just out of practice. Dont let go, I may topple over." She fervently hoped Reese couldnt feel just how true her words were.

"Dont worry about that," Reese answered. She scarcely recognized her own body. It seemed to have developed new senses in just a few scant moments. Her skin was tingling, her pulse pounded in her ears, and she swore she could feel Torys heart beat in time with her own. Whatever was happening, she had no desire for it to stop. In fact, when the music changed to a faster beat she didnt even notice. The heady mixture of physical stimulation and emotional confusion muted her awareness of anything beyond Tory and herself.

"I have to sit this one out, Reese - its going to get very fast in a minute," Tory said as she leaned back to look up into her taller partners face. Reese was staring at her in the strangest way, her grip about Torys waist tightening instinctively as the contact between them lessened. Tory tilted her head questioningly as she relaxed against Reeses body. "What is it?" she asked. She had to raise her voice as the music pounded and more people crowded onto the floor.

Reese looked around, fully cognizant of her surroundings for the first time in what seemed like hours. Her loss of connection with external events was enough to frighten her; that coupled with the apparent mutiny of her senses left her totally baffled. She leaned close, her lips against Torys ear.

"Im ready to sit down, too, but my legs seem to have acquired a mind of their own. And theyre saying stay."

Tory laughed, slipping her hand down Reeses arm and grasping her hand.

"Come on! Ill lead the way."

As she turned to guide them through the crowd, she was acutely aware of Reese pressed against her. She told herself it was because of the throng of people close around them, and not due to any intent on Reeses part. Regardless of the reason, she couldnt deny the surge of pleasure the contact provoked.

Marge and Catherine, sandwiched against the narrow rail enclosing the dance floor watched them go. Marge had just replenished their drinks and they were catching their breath before the next round on the dance floor.

"I cant believe my eyes," Catherine muttered. "I havent seen her on a dance floor in ten years. That friend of yours must be a magician."

Marge grunted. "The likes of her Ive not seen before."

Catherine looked alarmed. "Dont tell me shes some kind of playboy - playgirl rather, - or something worse! My sister had her heart broken once already by someone like that!"

"Thats not what I meant," Marge soothed. "Shes about as honorable as they come - maybe too honorable. Shell protect your sister to the point of holding back what the doc might like offered."

"Shes not straight is she?"

"Havent seen any signs of it," Marge said with a grin. "But then you dont exactly shriek married mother of two."

"Yes, well, I dont look like a combination of k.d.Lang and Gregory Peck either!"

"True enough -" Marge conceded. "Ive known Doc King for three years, and I know damn well she can take of herself. Reese Conlon is a tough one to figure, but I get nothing but good feelings from her. And I can tell she thinks a lot of your sister. And Id bet my last dime that shes gay. I know youre going to worry, but it wont change anything."

"I know. Its just that Tory's had so many lousy breaks. She deserves so much more."

Marge nodded. "Whatever happens between them, you dont have to worry about Reese Conlon. She believes that Marine Corp stuff - including the semper fi ."

God, I hope so, Cath thought. She had seen the way her sister looked at the woman.

"I cant believe how crowded this place has gotten!" Reese exclaimed as she maneuvered the Cape Codder in its tall frosted glass onto the small table in front of Tory. She slid into the seat beside her, nearly draining her own seltzer and lime in one deep draft. "Dancing is quite the experience," she commented. "Thank you for the lesson."

Tory searched for a hint of sarcasm, but found none. "My pleasure," she said, knowing only too well how dangerously true those words were. "Youre a natural. I didnt do anything except follow your lead. Youll have to ask my sister to fast dance with you - shes great."

"No thanks," Reese said emphatically. "Youre more than enough for me. Let her wear Marge out if she can."

Tory couldnt help but blush, even though she knew perfectly well that Reese wasnt flirting. She wouldnt know how to flirt if she wanted to, Tory thought to herself with disgust. You have got to get over yourself with this woman!

"How would you like to have an early dinner?" Reese asked.

Tory hesitated, still searching for calm after the way she had felt dancing. Reese looked so damn handsome with the sun highlighting her blue-black hair and her tanned, golden skin. The fact that she was watching Tory intently didnt help. If she didnt know better, shed swear the woman was asking her out. Her body refused to behave. Her pulse skipped, her stomach fluttered, and there was no denying the wet warmth that pounded insistently between her thighs. Reese excited her, and that was impossible. That way lay disaster. She saw Marge and her sister approaching with relief.

"I cant," she said, beckoning her head toward the women. "I need to spend some time with my sister."

Reese felt a quick stab of rejection, which made no sense at all! Of course Tory needed to see her sister. Her acute disappointment was embarrassing. She stood abruptly, needing suddenly the comfortable familiarity of her work.

"Of course - I should be going anyway." She looked about to say more, but she simply turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Marge looked after her retreating back in surprise. "Wheres she off to?"

Tory sighed. "To work, would be my guess. Where else?"

Now Marge stared at her in astonishment. What was it with these two? They both looked as if they had lost their last friend.

"Your sister and I were just discussing dinner. You ready for that?"

Tory pushed herself up, reaching for her cane from the back of the chair. "Im not really hungry. Why dont you two go? Ill be at the clinic. You can pick me up later."

She didnt wait for their reply. She was too preoccupied with the memory of Reese Conlons face when she walked away. Despite an attempt to hide it, Reese had looked hurt, and that upset Tory more than she wanted to admit.

Chapter Fourteen

It was close to two a.m. Reese was parked on the pier, facing Commercial Street, watching the last of the visitors straggle out of town. She was looking for anyone who wasnt fit to drive.

"Reese? You copy?" the disembodied voice of the night dispatcher called over the car radio.

"Im here," Reese responded. "Go ahead."

"We just got a request for you to call the East End Health Clinic..."

Reese gunned the engine, flipping on her lights with one hand as she wheeled out into the street. "Whats the situation?" she questioned, her voice tight. "Is it another break-in?" She was two minutes away, and it seemed like an eternity.

"Unknown. Handle as routine."

A call from the clinic at this hour could hardly be routine, and Reese knew it. No one should even be there. It had to be Tory. Reese slammed into the lot, half-way out the door before she even had the car in park. Torys Jeep was the only vehicle in sight. She scanned the entire area as she raced toward the door, looking for signs of an intruder. The front door swung open just as she reached the porch. Suddenly Tory was there.

"Reese -" she began.

Reese grasped her shoulders, searching her face intently. "Are you all right?" she questioned hoarsely. She pulled Tory out of the backlit doorway as she peered into the interior of the building, automatically shielding her with her own body.