Page 53 of Trial Run

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 acrossher 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 backslightly, 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.

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