Sheltering Dunes by Radclyffe Read Free Book Online

But considering what’s on the agenda for tonight, I think I’d better know first.”
    Reese sighed and rubbed her cheek on top of Tory’s head. “Just now, I was thinking about the desert.”
    Tory stiffened infinitesimally and then relaxed again. “What about it?”
    “I’m okay,” Reese said, knowing Tory would immediately worry. She was okay. She’d been okay from the moment she’d climbed out of the transport that had brought her home and stepped into Tory’s arms. Sure, she had nightmares, just like every other vet. She had regrets, guilt, and soul-deep remorse for the decisions she’d made that had led to the deaths of others. But she had been ready for the realities of war—she’d trained all her life for the sacrifice service demanded. She knew the price of war and that everyone—civilians and troops—paid, in one form or another. “Being here with you and Reggie is what gets me through every day.”
    Tory kissed her throat. “Me too. And I can’t stand it when you’re hurting.”
    “I’m not hurting.” Reese stroked the thick silky tresses and absorbed the quiet strength she counted on every day. “Sometimes I try to imagine what my life would have been like if I’d never met you. If I didn’t have you. If I didn’t have Reggie.”
    Tory tightened her hold. “Why?”
    “Maybe to figure out how I got so lucky. Maybe just to know what I need to do to be sure I never lose you.”
    “Oh, love,” Tory murmured, pressing her mouth to the base of Reese’s throat. “I love you. You never need to worry about me not being here.”
    “You know what I see when I think about my life without you?”
    Tory trembled. “What?”
    “Nothing. Silent cold darkness.”
    “Darling, don’t do this to yourself. If my having a baby is going to torture you this way—”
    “No.” Reese rubbed her hands up and down Tory’s back. “It’s not about another baby. It’s about all the things I can’t control. All the things that I can’t guard against.”
    “You are a wonderful partner, an amazing mother, and a remarkable sheriff. You take care of all of us better than anyone I could ever imagine.” Tory slid a hand between them and unbuttoned Reese’s shirt. She parted the front, tugged Reese’s T-shirt out of her pants, and pushed it up. She kissed Reese’s chest in the valley between her breasts. “I love you. You’re the most amazing, beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”
    Reese leaned back and gripped the railing with both hands. The cool night air teased across her nipples and they hardened. Her thighs trembled at the unexpected softness of Tory’s mouth against her skin. “Tor. We’re outside on the deck.”
    “It’s dark and I don’t care. You’re mine, and I’ll have you any way I want you, when I want you. And I want you right now.”
    Reese laughed. “You’re not even pregnant yet. This is going to be fun.”
    Tory looked up, her eyes glittering. “You better believe it.” She licked Reese’s nipple until Reese groaned, toying with the opposite one at the same time.
    “Tory.” Reese’s hips jerked, and she felt herself swell inside her jeans. “You know what you’re doing to me, right?”
    “Oh, I hope so.”
    Tory caressed Reese’s belly and grasped the button on her jeans. “You didn’t answer my question about what was bothering you.”
    “I don’t like statistics. They don’t mean anything when you’re dealing with one person. Hearing there’s a ninety percent chance you won’t have the same problem you had the last time doesn’t make me feel any better. Ten percent is way too high, Tor.”
    “I know. I agree.” Tory rested her cheek on Reese’s breast. “What else did you hear that’s worrying you?”
    “Women who have had preeclampsia are likely to have it a second time.”
    “That’s true. But we’re lucky—I work with a superb doctor every day. Nita will be watching me like a hawk over here, and I’ll be seeing Wendy at least twice a