“ Did she? Tory asked, her own throat suddenly tight. Oh, Bri. Baby, what is it?
“ Yeah. Its so neat. Imhappy for you.
Tory couldnt help herself when she heard the tears in the wistful tone. She crossed the deck, turned Bri around with her hands on her shoulders, and enfolded the young woman in a hug. Brushing her cheek against Bris, she whispered. “Thank you, sweetie.
For a fleeting second, as Bri relaxed in Torys arms, nothing hurt at all.
Chapter Twenty-five
It was almost ten o'clock Friday night when Bri reached the Breakers, a shore side restaurant and bar in Barnstable where the party for the recent graduates was being held. Fleetingly, she thought of the last time she and Carre had been together, and she thought not of fighting, but of making love. They hadnt seem each other in weeks, and during the increasingly rare phone calls, they were both tense and awkward.
Fuck, you know she's not coming.
Nevertheless, the first thing she did when she walked through the door into the big room crowded with classmates, recent graduates, and the usual locals, was to look for Carre. After a minute or two of fruitless searching, she admitted what she had known all along. Carre was not there.
"Looking for someone, Bri?" the honey-smooth voice inquired.
Bri turned with a resigned smile to Allie. "Not anymore, it looks like."
"Well, glad to hear it," Allie replied, her tone clearly surprised. "Come on, follow me."
Allie took her out onto the back deck, which was nothing more than a wooden platform in the sand that edged the beach above Cape Cod bay. The area was dimly lit and almost as crowded as inside the bar, but the noise level was less. Although there wasnt much to see, the air was clearer outside, and the sound of the surf rumbled not far away. When Allie stopped, Bri asked, "What's up?"
"Got something for you." Allie bent down, dug around in an ice-filled chest, and came up with a beer. She handed it to Bri. "This is the unofficial drinking area for the recruits. Technically, we are not in the bar."
"I believe that would be a very loose interpretation of the law, Officer." Bri laughed and took a long swallow. It felt good after the dusty drive, and it felt even better not to be thinking about anything at all.
Allie moved a little closer as the crowd grew denser, her arm brushing Bris. “Where are you living this summer?"
Bri was aware of the bare skin against hers. Allie touched a lot. "Don't know yet. Bri shrugged. “There are usually a lot of single rooms available for summer help. Hovels mostly, but I don't need much more than a place to sleep. I figure I'll get something tomorrow."
"You know, Im moving into a two-bedroom place between Wellfleet and Truro this weekend. Allie sipped her beer and considered Bri contemplatively. “And that's just about halfway between your job and mine. You could always share it with me."
"Uh," Bri blushed, happy for the dim lighting. "That'snice of you, but I'm pretty sure I couldn't afford it."
"I'd bet you could. How does a hundred dollars a month sound?"
Bri laughed. "It sounds like charity, or else you've lost your mind. Look, Allie, I really appreciate it"
Allie put her fingers on Bri's arm just under the edge of her shirtsleeve, high on her upper arm. "Hey, were supposed to be celebrating tonight. Don't worry about it. I'll give you my number and if you don't find something, or you change your mind, the offers always open. Okay?"
"Sure," Bri said with a smile. Allie was hard to resist. Bri leaned down, fished another beer out of the cooler, and opened it. For the first time in weeks, she felt almost good.
Forty-five minutes later, the party was in overdrive, with everyone talking too loudly, most everyone drinking too much, and more than a few forgetting whatever social inhibitions they might once have had.
"Let's dance," Allie shouted close to Bri's ear, grasping her hand at the same time.
" Here ?"
"Why not?" Allie moved her hand to Bri's waist, hooked her thumb inside Bri's jeans where they rested on the crest of her hip, and ran her fingers back and forth on Bri's side under her T-shirt. Leaning so close that their thighs brushed, she said, "Do you think they might get the wrong idea?"
Bri could smell her perfume, the same scent shed noticed that day in Allies apartment. Even more distractingly, she could feel the light press of Allie's breasts against her chest. They were both wearing T-shirts, and neither had anything on underneath. Allies nipples were hard, and Bris tightened instantly in response. Totally involuntarily, her stomach clenched and a thrum of pleasure shot down her spine. When the jolt of excitement hit home, she got stiff in the space between one heartbeat and the next. "Whatidea would that be?"
She didn't recognize the low, husky timber of her own voice. Or she did, and she didn't want to think about what it meant. Christ, Im getting so hot.
"Well, if any of them are half the hot-shot investigators they think they are," Allie murmured, stepping even closer now, edging one thigh slightly between Bri's legs, "they'll figure out that I'm trying to get you to kiss me."
"I don'tthink"
“ Good. Dont then. Allie nudged harder with the leg resting against Bris crotch, smiling when the unexpected pressure on Bris rampantly hard clitoris drew a soft groan from Bri. “And after you kiss me for a long, long time, Id really like it if youd make me come.
“ Jesus. Bri blinked to clear her suddenly hazy vision. Then she found herself staring into the most beautiful eyes shed ever seen. Eyes so warm, so deep, that just looking into them was like the tenderest of embraces. Her voice was a mere whisper. "Carre."
Bri had never believed it when people used the expression time stood still , but for that brief instant when her eyes met Carres, before Carre turned with a small cry and pushed hurriedly away through the crowd, everything simply stopped. The blood ceased to rush from her heart, the air halted its journey through her lungs, and every thought justvanished. There was nothing left in her world. Nothing at all.
"Oh my God."
"What?" Allie asked in confusion as Bri suddenly took her by the shoulders and pushed her aside.
*****
By the time Bri managed to force her way through the crowd on the deck, into the bar where another roiling mass of people awaited, and, finally, to the front door, Caroline was nowhere in sight.
Fuck, where is she?
Bri turned around and sprinted, or rather tried to sprint, toward the parking lot. She was a little unsteady and realized that she'd inadvertently had more to drink than she intended. Plus, it was hard for her muscles to work when there was no blood flowing through her veins. Everything was frozen inside. She'd never been so damn terrified in her life.
Then the cough of an engine turning over caught her attention, and, turning in the direction of the sound, she saw taillights flicker. She raced toward the car as it backed out from between two trucks, and without even giving it a second thought, slammed both palms down on the trunk. "Carre! Wait!"
The car came to a jerking halt, the force of the bumper as it rocked against her legs bouncing Bri back a step. It hurt but she didnt care. The door flew open and Caroline jumped from the car. Quicker than Bri would have thought possible, Caroline was in front of her, her hands fisted in Bri's T-shirt, shaking her violently. "Are you crazy? Are you completely nuts? I could have killed you. God damn you, what is wrong with you?"
"Carre, listen..." Bri began desperately.
"No, you listen. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of you pushing me away, and I'm sick of you running away."
Bri stood with her hands loose at her sides and allowed Caroline to manhandle her. "I'm sorry."
"I don't care. That's not good enough. What were you doing in there?" Finally, Caroline stepped back, staring at Bri with wounded eyes and fury in her face. "Is she why you moved out? Didn't you even have the guts to tell me?"
"No! God, no."
"I know what you look like when youre hot, Bri." Caroline ran a trembling hand through her hair. "You want to tell me that s
he wasn't making you" her voice broke and she turned away.
Bereft, bleeding at the sound of tears in Carres voice, Bri took one tentative stepped forward. She raised her hand but for the first time in their lives together, she was afraid to touch her. "Babeshe's just a friend."
"You're such an idiot, Bri. She was all over you, and you looked like that was just fine with you." Taking a deep breath, Caroline turned back and studied Bri's face as if she were a stranger. "I thought you left Manhattan because of this job. Because you needed something for yourselfsomething that would make you feel better about yourself. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe it was heror someone like her."
"No. Jesus, no. You're wrong."
"Maybe I'm not wrong, and you just haven't figured that out yet. Caroline shook her head unhappily. “I'm going hoback to Manhattan. Don't call me for a while, okay?
"Carre, please," Bri begged. It felt like her legs were going to go. In another second, she'd be kneeling. She didn't even care. Shed do anything "Please, I love you."
"You know what the worst part is?" Caroline said as she slipped back into the car. "I believe you."
Bri thought she might die as she watched Carre carefully back the car the rest of the way out and drive slowly away. Carre didnt look back, not even once.
Chapter Twenty-six
Bri opened her eyes, blinked in the bright sunlight, and immediately closed them. She lay very still, aware that she was in a strange bed and that she was not alone. The crisp cotton sheets felt oddly rough against her bare nipples. Her shirt was off. Her jeans were on. Her fly was open.
Fuck.
She hadn't been too drunk to remember what had happened.
"Come in with me, Bri," Allie whispered as the car carrying the two of them and several of their friends pulled to a stop in the lane in front of Allie's rented bungalow. “You can stay here tonight.
She couldnt ride back to Reese and Torys. And the prospect of being alone with her pain was more than she could handle. Allie's hand on her thigh was soft and reassuring. "Yeah, okay."
They said nothing as they walked down the path to the front door, but Allie had her arm around Bri's waist again. It felt strange. Good, though. Solid. Firm. Alive.
"This way," Allie said softly after she closed the door behind them. She held onto Bri's hand and led her through the dark living room.
Bri followed, because it seemed the thing to do. She let Allie draw her down onto the bed, saying nothing as Allie lay beside her, facing her in the dark. A hand came to her cheek and stroked her tenderly, then moved around to the back of her neck and pulled her head close for a kiss.
She wasn't thinking of anything. The tongue running lightly over her lips was supple and warm. When it moved inside her mouth, it was the only thing she could feel. There were no thoughts of the past or the future, only that moment and the firm anchor of hot flesh filling her mouth. She sucked it, breathed in the heat, clung to the taste of passion.
Dimly, she was aware of Allie's rapid breathing and soft moans. When fingers tugged at the bottom of her T-shirt, Bri shifted and, in the next minute, another barrier was gone. A hand drew her fingers to a full breast and again she heard a small cry in the darkness. Her fingers were closed around a tight nipple, and when she squeezed, Allie whimpered. Bri was sure her heart was beating quickly, but she still couldn't feel it.
Fingernails rasped down the center of her belly. Her thighs tightened and didnt relax. She was panting. They both were. She jerked, then lifted her hips when fingers worked loose the snap on her jeans. The sound of her zipper sliding open was so loud in the still room. Soft breasts pressed against her chest, a slender leg slid over her thigh. Fingers pressed inside her jeans. The intoxicating aroma of desire was everywhere.
"Touch me, Bri," the honey-smooth voice pleaded. Nearly breathless now. "Please. Oh, make me come."
She knew the words, but the voice was wrong. Make me come, baby. Carre's voice. But not.
A hand cupped her inside her jeans, fingers closed around her clitoris. The first gripping spasm shot a warning down her legs.
"Oh fuck," Bri gasped, rolling away. "Jesus. Jesus."
"What?" Allie's voice was a choked cry, thin and desperate. "Oh, don't stop now."
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Carre, god, I am so sorry.
Fists clenched to her center, Bri turned onto her side. She kept her back to the woman beside her and curled in on herself, closing her eyes tightly. Maybe she slept. Maybe she just disappeared for a while.
"I can't decide whether I'm mad at you or not," Allie said quietly.
"You should be." Bri turned her head on the pillow and opened her eyes. Allie was sitting up against the headboard, inches away, nude. Her breasts, full and firm and rosy-tipped, were beautiful. Bri lifted her gaze to Allie's eyes. "I never should have come here with you last night. I sure shouldn't have gotten into bed with you."
"You were turned on at the bar. Here, too." Allie smiled softly, her expression dreamlike. "You were so wet when I touched you. You got hard between my fingers. You would have come in another second."
"Yeah." Bri's voice was a whisper. She was wet now . But that wasn't the point. She couldnt help what her body did. Only what she did about it.
Allie brushed Bris arm with her fingertips. "You make me crazy hot, you know."
Bri said nothing.
"When you wouldn't touch me last night, I thought I was going to die. Her voice was husky, her eyes slightly glazed. “I had to make myself come. I couldn't help it."
Bri looked away. Her heart hammered wildly.
“ Did you hear me?
“ No, Bri rasped, her stomach clenched so tight it hurt.
"It only took one touch. I imagined it was your mouth." Allie drew a trembling breath. "I came so hard"
Bri sat up suddenly and swung her legs outside the bed. She was shaking. Hoarsely, she said, "I gotta go. I'm sorry."
"I'm not. Next time, though, Allie rested a palm on the center of Bris bare back, “I want it to be you for real when I come."
*****
Reese came quietly down the stairs, mindful of the blanket-wrapped figure on the sofa. Moving carefully, she crossed to the kitchen and slowly began to assemble the coffeemaker.
"Can I help?" a soft voice asked from behind her.
Turning with a smile, Reese shook her head. "I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"
"No." Caroline's eyes were puffy from lack of sleep and too-recent tears. "Is Tory up?"
"Not yet. She's sleeping in." Reese pulled coffee from the refrigerator and unwrapped the bag. "I finally talked her into working only a half-day on Saturday. Shes going in this afternoon."
"I'm sorry that I showed up unannounced last night," Caroline said in a small voice. She slid onto the stool and propped her elbows on the counter, resting her chin in both hands. "I didn't think I could make it all the way back to Manhattan, and I didn't know where else to go."
Reese stopped what she was doing and came around to take a seat next to the young blond. "Don't apologize. I'm glad that you came. You can always come here."
"Bris staying here, too, isn't she?"
Surprised, Reese nodded. "How did you know?"
"Her motorcycle jacket is on the coat tree." Caroline's voice caught on the next words. "She never gets very far away from that. I" Quickly, she turned away as the tears she thought she had finally exhausted began again. In a whisper, she murmured, "Sorry."
"Don't be." Reese waited, wanting to touch her but uncertain if she should, desperately trying to fathom what had happened. Bri had cut out right after their shift ended the night beforesaid she was headed to Barnstable for a class get-together. Shed never mentioned Caroline was coming in for it. And then Caroline showed up in the middle of the night here, clearly shaken and having been crying. When shed said she didnt want to talk, theyd put her on the couch and gone back to bed. What the hell is going on?
Softly Reese asked, "Where's Bri?"
Caroline shook her head, keeping h
er face turned away. "I don't know."
"Whats going on with you two?"
"Everything has turned upside down in the last four months. I didn't even realize Bri was unhappy. Maybe I should have," Caroline said shakily.
"She didn't say anything?"
“ She hardly ever does. She's always beenshe keeps things inside."
"You knew she wanted to be a police officer, though, right?"
"Yes, Caroline replied. “I just thought it would be later. We both thought school in New York would be so great."
"Maybe she did, too, at first. Maybe it took leaving here to realize that this is where she belonged."
"I thought we belonged together ," Caroline said sadly. Her eyes were liquid with more tears, but she stubbornly held them back.
Reese blew out a breath and wished desperately that Tory were there instead of her. She was certain there were things she should be saying, or something that she should be doing. "She must have thought that leaving New York when she did was the right thing to do."
"How could that be? How could it be better for us not to be together?"
Carolines voice was agonized, her confusion so clear that Reese's insides twisted. She sighed and rubbed her face with both hands, searching for a way to explain something she didn't fully understand herself. "If I were Bri," Reese began as she struggled to put words to the emotions, "I would want to feel like I deserved you. I would want to feel likeyou could be proud of me."
"I've always been proud of her," Caroline said, startled. "She's strong and brave and" the image of Bri with the strange woman the night before flickered into her mind. It was so painful that she lost her voice.
"Maybe, Reese added quietly, “she can't believe that you could be proud unless she's proud of herself."
They stared at one another silently until Reese grinned ruefully. "I'm not too good at this, am I?"
"I think you're wonderful," Caroline whispered.
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