Chapter Twenty-one
“Reggie grabbed the icepack from the nurse and swung her legs off the bed. “I’m good now.”
The nurse placed a hand on her chest and pushed her backward with surprising force. “You’re not, actually. And you’re not leaving this room until the doctor releases you.”
She formulated a half dozen responses, but none seemed likely to change this woman’s mind. Fine, she’d wait until her captor was gone and make a break for it. Brooke was out there somewhere, and she had to get to her.
“Don’t even think about it,” the nurse said. “We’ll all be keeping an eye on you. We’ve got strict orders to keep you safe.”
Reggie’s brain was too foggy to fully process the words, but she decided to let it go and bide her time. They couldn’t keep her here forever, right?
“Fighting with the nurses?” a voice from the hallway called out. “Not the best way to get the good-flavored pudding.”
Reggie looked around the nurse to see Lennox leaning against the doorway. “Get in here and tell this woman I can leave.”
“She’s not going to do that,” the nurse replied.
“Why not?”
“Because she’s the one who ordered me to keep you here.” She pointed at Lennox. “She flashed her badge and said you were a very important witness in a high-profile case and you just saved someone’s life.”
“Is that right?” Reggie directed the question at Lennox. “Because if all of that is true, she should know there’s somewhere I have to be right now and it’s very important.”
Lennox stepped aside to reveal Brooke standing behind her. “I think you mean there’s someone you have to see right now. And the reason I needed you to stay put is so I could bring her to you without you getting in the middle of any gunfire.”
Reggie heard the words, but they barely registered as she locked eyes with Brooke and made a silent vow to never let go. “Lennox, I need you to take this lovely nurse and leave us alone for a minute.”
Lennox grinned. “On it.” She motioned for Brooke to enter the room. “She’s all yours. She’s a handful, but I have a feeling you got this.”
“Trust me, I know what I’m getting into, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
As Brooke started toward her, Reggie stood, intending to meet her halfway, but the pain in the back of her head swirled up into a searing storm and she lost her balance. Instantly, Brooke was at her side, holding her arm, and easing her back onto the bed. She politely, but firmly ordered the nurse to find another ice pack and curled up against her on the bed. Brooke’s embrace was strong and warm, and she never wanted it to end. After a minute of silence, Brooke sighed prompting her to ask, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. You’re the one who was launching yourself into gunfire.” Brooke kissed her lightly on the cheek. “I’m so relieved you’re alright.”
Alright didn’t accurately describe how she felt right now. The adrenaline from the ordeal had dissipated and now that she was safely wrapped in Brooke’s arms, the rest of her energy receded. “Same to you,” she said, barely suppressing a yawn.
Brooke narrowed her eyes. “You’re tired. Of course you are.” She edged away. “I should go and let you rest.”
Reggie reached for her hand. “Please stay.” She watched Brooke’s face, noting the slight frown. She probably had other places to be, like at home with her son. “Sorry, that was selfish. You should be with Ben.”
“Ben is fine. As much as I want to keep him close, we need to be able to decompress about what happened and I don’t want him to ever know how close he got to losing me. Your pal Lennox and her girlfriend are taking him for the night.” Brooke smiled. “Besides, I get the impression it was a combination let’s let them have some alone time and let’s see if we want one of our own someday.” She shrugged. “Either way, you have me all to yourself. Should we break you out of here or are you sold on hanging out for the possibility of pudding?”
“Break out, please.”
“Good answer. I’m going to find the doctor and make it so.”
Reggie watched her leave the room, missing her company within seconds. She reached back and touched the bandage on her head and winced at the sharp pain the gentle touch provoked. She was in no shape to do the things she wanted to do with Brooke, but she was grateful for the prospect of having time alone with her now that the threat of recent days was behind them. She wanted to know more about the trial and Benton and everything else, but right now she couldn’t bring herself to care about anything but the very next step and she was going to take it with Brooke.
An hour later, after a skirmish with the nursing staff at the hospital and a few rounds with the doctor on call, they pulled up in front of her apartment building. Brooke parked in the spot closest to her apartment and came around to help her out of the car. She placed one arm gently around her waist and led her to the door. Reggie fished in her pocket for the key and handed it to Brooke, happy to let her take control.
Once inside, Reggie sank onto the couch with a sigh, her body aching but her mind still buzzing from the intensity of the day. She glanced around, relieved to see the apartment was tidy, and gave Brooke a grateful smile. “Sorry, I’m not much of a hostess on a good day. There’s Coke in the fridge though. I might be addicted.”
Brooke smiled back, her eyes soft as she grabbed two bottles from the fridge. “No need to play hostess. You’ve been through enough today.” She handed one to Reggie and sat down beside her. “Mind if I join you?”
“Of course not.” Reggie took a sip of the drink and sank deeper into the cushions. For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the tension from earlier slowly fading away, replaced by a quiet warmth.
“This is nice,” Reggie murmured.
Brooke slid a little closer, their legs brushing. “This is nicer,” she said softly, clinking her bottle against Reggie’s. She hesitated, then reached out, taking Reggie’s hand in her own. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t shown up.”
Reggie shook her head. “You would’ve figured it out. You always do.”
“Maybe,” Brooke admitted, her thumb brushing softly over Reggie’s knuckles. “But I’m tired of doing everything on my own.”
“You don’t have to anymore,” Reggie said, her voice steady as she met Brooke’s eyes. She squeezed her hand, feeling the weight of everything she wanted to say but not yet knowing how. “I’m falling in love with you, Brooke.”
The words hung in the air, and for a moment, Brooke simply stared at her, as if processing. But then a soft smile spread across her lips, and she leaned in, brushing her lips against Reggie’s. “I’ve been falling for you too,” she whispered.
Reggie’s heart swelled with the admission, and she kissed Brooke again, more deeply this time. The tenderness between them was palpable, but there was also something electric simmering just beneath the surface. Brooke’s hands trailed down Reggie’s shoulders, lingering near her injury, her touch light but full of intent.
“Are you okay?” Brooke whispered, pausing as if to make sure she wasn’t causing Reggie any pain.
Reggie tugged her closer, her body humming with desire. “I’m okay. Just be gentle.”
Brooke nodded, her movements careful but deliberate as she leaned in again, kissing her deeply. Their lips moved in sync, slow and exploratory at first, but with a growing intensity that neither of them could ignore. Reggie slid her hands around Brooke’s waist, pulling her even closer, and Brooke responded eagerly, her body pressing against Reggie’s with soft urgency.
As their kisses deepened, Brooke’s hands moved with increasing confidence, exploring Reggie’s body with a mixture of curiosity and reverence. She was careful around Reggie’s injury, her fingers trailing lightly over her side, but she made up for it with her tenderness, her touch igniting a fire inside Reggie that had been simmering since the moment they’d met.
Reggie’s breath hitched as Brooke’s hand dipped beneath her shirt, her fingers tracing the skin just above her waist. “You’re incredible,” Reggie murmured between kisses, her voice thick with emotion.
Brooke smiled against her lips, her breath coming faster now. “You’re just saying that because you want me to keep kissing you.”
Reggie laughed softly, tugging Brooke closer. “Maybe. But I also think you’re incredible without the kissing.” She pulled back slightly, enough to meet Brooke’s gaze. “You’re raising a great kid, going back to school, working so hard, and you still manage to be this strong, amazing woman.”
A faint frown flashed across Brooke’s face, and she glanced away. Reggie reached out and cradled her cheek until Brooke faced her again. “Did I say something wrong?”
Brooke hunched her shoulders. “I’ve got a lot going on and I’m totally okay with that, and you’re great with Ben, but have you seriously thought about what it means that I have a kid?”
Reggie laughed again. “Uh, I have seen mama bear in action. Up close and personal.” She paused for emphasis. “The way you love Ben, the lengths you would go to protect him? Those things only make me fall for you more.”
Brooke’s eyes softened at the words, and she leaned in, her lips brushing against Reggie’s once more, this time with more intensity, as if words were no longer enough to express how she felt. She kissed her harder, her hands moving to the hem of Reggie’s shirt, tugging it up slowly.
Reggie allowed her to pull the shirt over her head, her breath coming in short, shallow bursts as Brooke’s hands moved over her skin, caressing her carefully, but with growing confidence. Brooke’s lips followed the path of her hands, trailing soft kisses along Reggie’s neck, her collarbone, and down to her chest. Each touch evoking a wave of pleasure, her body responding eagerly to Brooke’s tenderness.
“You’re beautiful,” Brooke whispered, her voice husky as she looked up at Reggie, her fingers tracing the curve of her waist.
Reggie’s breath caught at the look in Brooke’s eyes, and she leaned forward, pulling Brooke into another searing kiss. “So are you,” she murmured against Brooke’s lips, her hands moving to the buttons of Brooke’s shirt, her fingers trembling slightly as she undid them one by one.
When Brooke’s shirt fell away, Reggie let her hands explore, savoring the warmth of Brooke’s skin beneath her palms. She was careful, mindful of her own injury, but the desire between them was undeniable, and soon they were both lost in the feel of each other.
Brooke’s hands roamed lower, her touch soft but insistent as she pressed Reggie back onto the bed, never breaking the intensity of their connection. Reggie’s body responded instinctively, arching into Brooke’s touch, her breath coming in short gasps as pleasure built between them.
Their touch became more urgent, their bodies moving in perfect rhythm as they explored each other, their kisses growing deeper, more passionate. Reggie pulled Brooke closer, and Brooke’s breath hitched as she pressed her hips against Reggie’s, their bodies perfectly aligned.
“Are you okay?” Brooke asked again, her voice breathless but full of concern as she paused, her fingers trailing lightly over Reggie’s side.
Reggie nodded, her body trembling with anticipation. “I’m perfect,” she whispered, her hands sliding up to cup Brooke’s face, pulling her into another kiss. “I want this. I want you.”
Brooke leaned down, her lips capturing hers in a searing kiss. Their rhythm resumed instantly, and passionate, intense touches sent Reggie close to the edge. Her breath came in ragged gasps as Brooke’s hand slid lower and she arched into the pleasure of Brooke’s touch. She gripped the sheets beneath her, her fingers twisting in the fabric as Brooke’s lips trailed down her neck, her hand guiding her to the brink. Over and over until her body trembled with release and Reggie’s mind went blank, her only focus the warmth of Brooke’s skin, the feel of her body intertwined with hers, and the overwhelming sense of feeling finally fulfilled.
They lay together afterward, tangled in the sheets, her body still humming with the aftershocks of pleasure. Brooke’s hand rested gently on Reggie’s side, her touch soft and tender, as if she never wanted to let go.
“I love you,” Reggie whispered, her voice barely audible in the quiet room.
Brooke smiled, her fingers tracing light patterns on Reggie’s skin. “I love you too,” she whispered back, her voice steady and full of certainty.
As they lay there in the quiet, their bodies pressed close, Reggie knew that this—right here, with Brooke—was exactly where she was meant to be.