Неизвестный - 2. Beyond The Breakwater

Reese grinned. “Uh huh.”

“Well, when you choose not to reveal your sexuality to General Conlon, it’s a professional necessity. Not telling your father about your child is personal, and in my opinion much more critical.”

“Being a soldier’s a lot simpler. The rules are clearer, and the decisions a lot easier to make.”

“Yes, indeed.” Kate smiled. “I think you’re doing wonderfully as a civilian, by the way.”

“I hope so,” Reese said fervently. “Because Tory means more to me than anything ever could. And now…” She swallowed and met her mother’s eyes. “I think I’m going to need a fair amount of advice about this parenting thing.”

“I’m sure you and Tory won’t have any trouble at all. I intend to do nothing except spoil him or her, which is a grandmother’s right.”

“Well, as long as you’re available for an emergency rescue mission if I get into trouble,” Reese remarked, hunting for the paint brush.

“You can count on that.”

Tory stopped in the middle of the dining room and cocked her head. “Why do I smell fresh paint?”

Reese swiveled on the stool at the breakfast counter and smiled. Tory had been in the clinic all day. Thirteen interminable hours. “Welcome home, love.”

“Let me repeat,” Tory said firmly as she crossed the room. “Who’s been painting?”

“Uh, I thought I’d get started on the nursery.”

“You did. ” It was a statement, not a question. Tory leaned her cane against the counter and regarded Reese expressionlessly. Normally, Reese was a recruiting poster example of good health and physical fitness. Now, a hint of illness still lingered. The shadows under her eyes had faded, but had not disappeared completely. Her color was better, but she was still pale. It hadn’t been long enough for Tory’s fear to have completely left her. “I’m going to kill you.”

“Could you kiss me first?” Reese murmured, extending her good hand.

Tory moved between Reese’s parted legs, resting her palm on Reese’s thigh for support. “I suppose.”

“Then I’ll go happy.” Reese slid her arm around Tory’s waist and pulled her near, dipping her head to claim soft lips. Closing her eyes, she lost herself in the familiar sensation of supple warmth and tender welcome. It had been too long since they had touched this way. Tory’s breasts brushed her own, and, as it always did, the pressure of Tory’s body started Reese’s blood humming. She groaned faintly and worked the back of Tory’s blouse free from her slacks. Her palm found the hollow at the base of her lover’s spine, and she spread her fingers over the swell of hips below, urging Tory closer still.

“Reese,” Tory sighed as she released the kiss. “I don’t think…”

“Shh. I’ve missed you.” Reese’s voice was deep and mellow. She took Tory’s mouth again, more insistently this time, probing deeper with her tongue, sucking on the full lower lip until Tory moaned. Reese closed her thighs, holding Tory captive against her.

“Your arm…”

“Is fine,” Reese whispered, moving her lips to the sweet spot below Tory’s jaw, kissing her way down to the faint hollow between her collar bones. She drew her fingers from Tory’s back, around her side, and up underneath the front of her blouse. When she encountered the thin silk brassiere and the hard nipple beneath, she flicked her thumb across the taut peak. Tory surged against her, a sharp cry resonating from her throat. The sound of her pleasure made Reese stiffen and throb. “Ah, god, you are so perfect.”

“They’re so sensitive now.” Tory arched her neck, her eyes closed. “I can feel it all the way inside me when you do that.”

Reese closed her eyes, too, and rested her forehead against the crook of Tory’s neck, working the full nipples between her fingers, one and then the other. Tory’s breasts lay heavy in her palm, a weighty fullness so sensuous it stole her breath. Listening to Tory’s breathing quicken, she teased her until Tory’s hands in her hair forced her head up.

“Am I hurting you?” Reese asked quickly, her eyes searching Tory’s face.

“No,” Tory managed hoarsely. “It feels so good I think you could make me come.”

“Do you want to try?” Reese whispered through a throat tight with desire. She never stopped the rhythmic squeezing, watching Tory’s green eyes darken to black with arousal.

“Mmm, no. I want to lie down so you can touch me everywhere.”

Reese groaned as another jolt of excitement tore through her. Pleasing Tory always drove her to the edge, and often when Tory climaxed, she would too, spontaneously, just from hearing her lover’s cries. “Bedroom?”

“Yes, now, before I can’t walk.”

They managed to climb the stairs to their bedroom without losing contact, their arms around each other’s waists. Once at the bedside, Tory said, “Sit down.”

Wordlessly, Reese did as she was bid while Tory turned on the bedside lamp. She was aware of the steady pounding in her depths, of the pressure building, demanding relief, but she would not move until Tory directed it. Tory’s pleasure was her greatest satisfaction.

“Watch me,” Tory murmured as she unbuttoned her blouse, her eyes on Reese’s face. She slid it off, let it fall to the floor. “I love the way you want me.”

“So much.” Reese forced the words out as her hands trembled on her thighs. She caught her breath as Tory reached behind, released the clasp on her brassiere, and freed her breasts. They were fuller, lush in a way that was primordially female. Watching Tory’s hands brush lightly over them, linger briefly on the swollen nipples, then slide down her abdomen made Reese’s stomach clench. A pulse beat frantically between her thighs.

“Touch me,” Tory breathed, stepping closer and reaching for Reese’s left hand. She drew the fingers to her breast, closing her eyes at the shock of pleasure as Reese gently squeezed. While Reese teased her, Tory unbuttoned her slacks and pushed them down along with her underclothes. Resting one hand on Reese’s shoulder, she stepped free, exposing herself to her lover’s view.

“You’re more beautiful every day,” Reese whispered, smoothing her palm down Tory’s gently swelling abdomen. When her fingers brushed the soft hair at the base of her belly, Tory’s hips jerked.

“Time for me to lie down,” Tory said huskily, her fingers fluttering over Reese’s cheek. “Be careful with your arm, sweetheart.”

“I’m fine.” Reese shifted to make room on the bed, leaning her right shoulder against the pillows as she turned on her side. “Lie close to me.”

Tory lay on her back, her eyes on Reese’s face. “Slowly.”

“I will.”

Knowing fingers traced her breasts, the slope of her ribs, the faint curve of her hip. Everywhere Tory’s skin tingled; every sensation seemed to center between her thighs. When Reese brushed her hand the length of Tory’s leg, then up the inside, Tory’s hips lifted in invitation. But Reese did not touch her where she so desperately needed to be touched, but moved instead to the other leg, stroking lightly up and down until Tory quivered with urgency.

“Please,” Tory whispered.

Smiling, her breath barely moving in her chest, Reese drew a fingertip high between her lover’s legs, parting swollen folds, gasping as a flood of moisture rose to her touch.

“Yes,” Tory sighed.

“Don’t close your eyes,” Reese demanded as she slid her fingers around Tory’s clitoris, squeezing gently. She fondled her until the rhythm of Tory’s rolling hips signaled she was on the edge. Then Reese moved lower, easing inside, drawing a guttural moan from her lover. She thrust slowly, watching Tory’s pupils grow huge.