Page 57 of Strike Fast

Tess’s eyes snapped open when Reid shifted beside her in his bed. They’d fallen asleep spooned together but at some point, they’d both wanted space because they were sprawled apart as far as they could get while still staying on the mattress.

Disquiet buzzed in her belly as the memory of what they’d done a few hours ago came back to her. Carefully climbing out of the bed, she gathered her fallen clothing from the floor and tiptoed out of the bedroom.

The moment she eased the door shut without waking him, she took a deep, relieved breath. Sleep was the best thing for him right now, and she needed to think.

She showered in the guest bathroom, trying to make sense of what was going on inside her as the hot water rushed over her head and body. Sleeping with Reid during such an emotional crisis probably hadn’t been her best idea, but she’d wanted to comfort him so badly.

As for whether or not she was prepared to take on everything that came with him…how could she not? The simple truth was, she was in danger of losing her heart to him—and his daughter—and she couldn’t turn away now. Not when he needed her, and not when she knew exactly what it was to feel that helpless and scared, as she had when the men from Brian’s regiment had shown up at her door to tell her he was gone.

She’d realized two important things. Keeping him at arm’s length wasn’t going to make her happy. And becoming a widow at such a young age had taught her that life was far too short to spend it holding back out of fear that something else bad might happen.

By the time she’d finished the shower and dried off, her mind was made up. She stared at her reflection in the steamed-up mirror above the sink, gearing up for the battle ahead. She was a soldier at heart, and she would see this through to the end, supporting him however she could. However much he would let her. If it all blew up in her face later on… She’d deal with it then.

After dressing, brushing her teeth and running a comb through her wet hair, she went to the kitchen and made coffee as quietly as she could. She opened the fridge to see what he had that she could cook up for breakfast, and a lump formed in her throat when she saw the bottles of root beer and girly-packaged yogurt containers sitting on the top shelf.

Autumn was supposed to have stayed overnight last night. She should have been there right now instead of Tess, rummaging in the fridge for something to eat and waiting for Reid to wake up so they could get on with whatever adventures they had planned for the day together.

Instead she was God-only-knew where, probably terrified, maybe in pain. Or maybe…

Tess shut the fridge, suddenly sick to her stomach.

“You’re up early,” a deep voice drawled from behind her.

She spun around to find Reid walking toward her from the bedroom wearing only a pair of jeans. Her heart skipped and her mouth went dry at the sight of his bare torso on display mere feet from her.

In the darkness last night, she’d explored every dip and hollow of that muscular body. She’d held him as close as she could. Held himinsideher.

For her, that kind of intimacy wasn’t casual. Not at all. But she wasn’t sure whether it was for him or not.

She licked her lips. “Thought I’d put on some coffee and make us something to eat. Toast sound good?”

Reid closed the distance between them and drew her into a hug, one big hand sliding into the back of her hair to hold her head against his shoulder. “I’m not hungry.”

Settling into his hold, she scented the toothpaste he must have just used. “You still need to eat something.”

Instead of arguing, he eased her head back and searched her eyes, his thumb tracing along her jaw. “I was too rough last night.”

Blood rushed to her face and she lowered her gaze, uncomfortable. “No, I’m fine.”

“Tess. Look at me.”

The quiet command had her lifting her gaze immediately.

“I was rough and selfish, and I’m sorry.”

She couldn’t look at him. “Reid, you weren’t selfish—”

“Yeah I was.” He tipped her head back and kissed her softly. Slowly. Igniting sparks of heat low in her belly. “I’m glad you’re still here. When I woke up I thought you were gone until I smelled the coffee.”

“I wouldn’t have taken off without saying goodbye.” She settled her hands on his waist, taking in the circles beneath his eyes. “Did you get much sleep?”

Pain shadowed his deep blue eyes. “No. I keep waiting for the phone to ring. I feel like I should bedoingsomething.”

“I know.” The helplessness and lack of action was awful. “Maybe we should head down to the police station and wait there.”

Reid took her face in his hands. “Thank you.”

“Hey, it’s noth—”

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