Page 73 of The Fall

“That day, on the way home, my sister and I proclaimed to our parents that we would be doctors one day. My parents encouraged us and took us to every single human science fair in the state of Texas, fueling our growing interest at every turn. I never had another thought about what I would be after that day. It always seemed predestined—for both of us. It was a common bond we shared since we were young. It kept us close in years when we should have been at odds. We would spend night after night talking about the different ways we would help people. Of course, we didn’t have a clue what the hell we were talking about. We were just two little girls rambling on about a future we were so certain of.” I looked up at Dean, who was listening intently. “Saying and doing this is the thing I’m most proud of. And I almost didn’t make it.”

“What are you talking about?” Dean asked, his eyes roving my face for answers.

“I’ll promise to try with you if you promise this won’t get in the way of my career. I’ve finally found my home and don’t want to screw it up.”

“Work first. Is that what you are telling me?” He was amused, and I straightened my shoulders. It was hard to project just how serious I was while sitting naked before him, but he seemed to catch on quickly.

“Dean, I’ve worked really hard to be where I am.”

“And you think I want to take that away?”

“I think you don’t know how hard it was for me.”

“And Josh did?” I heard the bite in his voice.

“No, we fought a lot about my career and the time I spent working and away from him. I could never talk about it with him because of his resentment, and that’s one of the reasons we are no longer together. I love this thing…this thing I do, more than anything.”

“Dallas,” he said carefully, pulling me to him by my underarms and onto his lap. “You’re not the only doctor in the tub.”

“I realize that. I just want to put that out there.”

“Okay, Dr. Whitaker, I won’t whine about the long hours you spend at work.”

“Thank you,” I said quickly, pulling my legs from around him and pulling the plug to drain and let more hot water in. Once the tub was reheated, I took my place back against him as we settled back in.

“Dally,” he asked quietly, “what are you not telling me?”

“I’ve told you everything important.”

“I can’t believe I didn’t know that story through all the years I’ve known you.” He moved my hair to the side and placed a gentle kiss on my neck.

“You missed a lot of years.”

He pulled me tighter to him. “And I’ll start making it up to you right now.”

“I don’t want to survive anything. I want him. I want to be with him, always.”—Laura (Room 212)

“Dally, wake up!”

I heard my name in the distance and managed to get out of the way of the first cloud. It had come dangerously close to me. I ran faster, harder, trying to avoid the second angry vortex, and fell to my knees as the wind knocked me over.

“Dallas!” I opened my eyes and looked up to see concern etched on Dean’s face as he hovered over me. I muffled a sob in his chest as he held me close. He rolled over, pulling me to him as I cried harder than I had in years. It was the first time the tornadoes had actually gotten to me. I couldn’t control my shaking as he held me tightly, murmuring words of comfort as I let go. When the last of my tears were drying, he tilted my head up, pressing a kiss to my forehead.

“Just a dream,” I answered him before he had a chance to ask.

“A nightmare, maybe. Do you have those often?” He pushed the hair away from my face and then cupped my chin.

“For a while now. It’s not every night.”

“When was the last time you had one?”

“I don’t remember,” I lied, holding him tighter to me. His frown told me he didn’t believe me, but he left it alone. I pulled myself to straddle him and saw his eyes heat.

“I didn’t mean to scare you,” I pushed out shakily as he looked up at me, eyes trailing down from my face to my bare breasts and back up again.

“I wish I could keep them away,” he said softly.

I felt him grow hard beneath me and lifted myself, the tip of him at my entrance.

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