Sheltered Love

by Mj Williamz

  “His animosity toward me is warranted. I did have him arrested. And I will again if he ever shows up there again. But I doubt he will.”

  “I hope not.”

  The tension eased shortly thereafter when Tanner stumbled out the door and got in his truck.

  “It’s a wonder he doesn’t have a dozen DUIs,” Grey said as he drove off.

  “I know.” She motioned to the bartender, who came over to their table.

  “What have I said about overserving people? Tanner was drunk as a skunk.”

  “He didn’t get any from us. We refused to serve him. He only stayed for a game of pool then left. I promise you we didn’t get him that way.”

  “Okay. Thanks.” She turned to Grey. “Well, that’s a relief anyway.”

  Their relief was short-lived. Tanner was back and got in Grey’s face.

  “Where’s my wife?” he said.

  “I don’t know your wife,” Grey said.

  “Bullshit.” He leaned closer. Boone could smell the whiskey on his breath. “No normal person has security guards posted around their house.”

  “I’m a paranoid person,” she said.

  “Fuck you. I’ll give you something to be paranoid about,” Tanner said and walked over to the pool table.

  “You’ve got to kick him out,” Grey said.

  “He’s not drinking,” Boone said.

  “If this has to come down to making you choose him or me, I’m willing to make you do that.”

  “That’s not even a choice. You know you win.”

  “Prove it. Kick him out of here once and for all. I mean it, Boone.”

  Boone stared at Grey, and hoped she’d see some sign she was messing with her. There was no such sign. Grey was dead serious.

  “So eighty-six him?”

  “Yes. Show me you’re serious about cleaning up the bar.”

  Boone stood. Her stomach was in knots. She knew it was the right thing to do. She should have blocked Tanner from the bar years ago. But confrontation didn’t come easy to her. Still, if she had to choose between Tanner and Grey, well, there really was no choice.

  She crossed the bar to where Tanner was sitting on a stool waiting his turn at the pool table.

  “Tanner, you’re drunk,” Boone said.

  “I am not. Even though your pretty boy bartender says I’m too drunk to be served. I’m only shooting pool, not drinking. Now leave me alone.”

  “Look, I can’t have you coming in here all drunk and belligerent all the time.”

  “Fuck you, little Miss Perfect.”

  “I’m serious, Tanner.”

  “So am I. Get the fuck out of my face.”

  “No, Tanner. You get out of my bar. Now.”

  “Make me.”

  “Tanner, you don’t want me to make you. I tell you what. You sit here and I’ll call you a cab and when it gets here, you go home.”

  “Bullshit. I don’t need no cab and I’m not leaving.”

  Boone signaled both her bartenders to come over. They were both in their early twenties, around six feet tall and were lean, but muscular.

  “Show Tanner to his car, please,” Boone said.

  Tanner stood, hatred in his eyes.

  “Fuck you, bitch. I don’t need your fucking bar anyway. You can take your self-righteous ways and shove them up your ass. But don’t think kicking me out of here will keep me away from you and your whore. I’m going to find my wife and I think you two know where she is.”

  Boone held her breath as she watched Tanner stumble back out to his truck. When he was gone, she walked back to the table.

  “Well, that’s done,” Boone said.

  “Thank you. I know it wasn’t easy. He is your brother, after all.”

  “I don’t know if that mattered to me. I hate the guy. I really do. I guess I just figured The Boonies was for anyone.”

  “I’m really happy you did that, Boone. I feel like you’ve shown me how much you’ve grown, how far you’ve come.”

  Boone tried to relax, but found it hard. The tension coursed through her. Grey must have noticed, as she stood behind Boone and rubbed her shoulders. Boone leaned into her.

  “That feels good.”

  “Good. You just relax now.”

  “You’re right,” Boone said. “He’s gone, so let’s forget about him and get back to enjoying our evening.”

  They ate their burgers, watched some television, and Boone even let Grey win a game of pool. They were relaxed and happy as Grey followed Boone back to her place.

  “That was so much fun,” Grey said as they walked into the house.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s not very upscale, but it’s mine.”

  “Yes, it is. It’s such a comfortable place to be. You should be proud of yourself for what you’ve made it.”

  “I actually am,” Boone said. “I love that place.”

  “And it shows.”

  “I also love you,” Boone said, taking Grey in her arms.

  “And that shows, as well.”

  “Good. I never want you to doubt it.”

  “Maybe you should prove it to me right now,” Grey said.

  “I was thinking the same thing.”

  “Actually, you know what I’d like to do first?” Grey said.

  “First? You mean I don’t get to ravish you right now?”

  “Nope. I’d like to relax in the hot tub with you first.”

  “That sounds wonderful.”

  Boone poured them each a glass of wine and they donned thick robes to walk out to the hot tub. Boone stood back and watched as Grey slipped out of her robe and stepped into the water. She watched the warm water reach up and caress her softest spots until the bubbles hid them from her view. She wanted Grey more than ever and quickly stripped off her own robe to join her.

  She sat next to Grey and wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. The night air had just enough chill to add to the excitement of the hot tub. She was feeling the need to take Grey right there, but knew Grey just wanted a nice soak.

  “This feels amazing,” Grey said, leaning her head back and looking at the stars. “And look at all the stars you can see here. I’d think the city lights would be too bright to see them.”

  “Everything is beautiful tonight,” Boone said. She ran her hand along the underside of one of Grey’s breasts.

  “You say the sweetest things.”

  “You have the sweetest things.” She closed her hand over the breast. “I just can’t get enough of you.”

  “Nor I you.” She turned her head and pulled Boone to her for a kiss. It was a long, sensual kiss, their tongues slowly teasing each other.

  “You are such a good kisser,” Boone said.

  “We kiss very well together, that’s for sure.”

  “That we do.” Boone kissed her again, another lazy kiss that hinted at so much more to come.

  “How long are we staying out here?” Boone asked, a jumble of hormones.

  “Just a little while longer. I promise to make it worth your while.

  “I don’t doubt that you will.”

  They relaxed in the water, the jets gently easing any tension out of their bodies. Boone remained alert, however, awaiting the go sign from Grey.

  She finally felt Grey’s hand on her thigh.

  “Baby, I feel so good. Thank you for this. It was just what I needed.”

  “I know what else you need,” Boone said.

  “Mm. So do I.”

  She eased her hand up Boone’s leg until it teased where her legs joined.

  “Baby, you’re playing with fire.”

  “I like your fire. I want to play with it all the time.” She pried Boone’s legs apart and slid her hand between them. “I love your fire.”

  Boone leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Grey’s touch was superb. She knew exactly what to do and when to do it. Boone had been with many women before, but none were as skilled at loving her as Grey was instinctively. She felt her f
ingers touching all her sensitive spots and spread her legs wider, craving more.

  Grey worked lovingly and tirelessly as Boone teetered closer and closer to the brink, finally catapulting over into an overwhelming orgasm.

  “That was fantastic,” Boone said when she finally caught her breath. “Fucking amazing.”

  “Good. Let’s get inside and dry off so you can return the favor.”

  They lay together on the bed, Boone propped up on an elbow looking down at Grey.

  “You’re so beautiful. You take my breath away. I’ve never been in love like this before.”

  She watched the blush start on Grey’s chest and work its way to her cheeks.

  “It’s true. You don’t need to be embarrassed.”

  “Who said I was embarrassed?”

  “I can see your whole body blush,” Boone said.

  “Oh, yeah. You do have an unfair advantage there.”

  Boone ran her hand over Grey’s breasts, watching her nipples pucker. She moved so one nipple poked into her palm.

  “I love your nipples.”

  “They certainly enjoy you.”

  “I’m glad.” She bent and took a nipple in her mouth, drawing it deep. She flicked the tip of it with her tongue and felt Grey squirm.

  “You like that, huh?”

  “Oh, dear God.”

  She bent to take the other one as she skimmed her hand down Grey’s body and settled it between her legs.

  “I love how you’re always ready for me.”

  “Always. I’m always ready for you to take me.”

  “You feel so good down there.” She moved her fingers inside her and watched as Grey closed her eyes.

  “That feels so good,” Grey said.

  “Yeah? You like that?” Boone withdrew her fingers and plunged them in again. She twisted her hand, pressing into Grey as she did.

  “Oh yeah, Boone. Oh yes, please.”

  Boone continued to move around inside Grey, stroking her with her fingers until she felt the tremors begin. She loved her harder and faster until Grey finally cried out and let the climax overtake her.

  Boone pulled Grey into her arms and held her close, feeling her heart rate slow back to normal.

  “I love it when you hold me like this,” Grey said. “I feel so safe in your arms.”

  “Baby?”

  “Hmm?”

  “You’ve mentioned how I make you feel safe a couple of times today. Do you not feel safe generally as a rule?”

  Grey propped herself up and looked at Boone.

  “It’s not that I don’t feel safe usually. I don’t live in a state of fear or anything. But with you, I feel protected and safe and secure. It’s just a really nice feeling.”

  “Okay. I just don’t like the idea of you ever not feeling safe.”

  “No worries. It’s just that it’s amplified in your arms.”

  “Good. Because you’re always safe with me.”

  “I know this, Boone.”

  Boone pulled her close again and held her as they drifted off to sleep.

  EPILOGUE

  Spring had sprung in the Pacific Northwest, bringing with it warmer days and more sunshine. Boone woke one morning feeling particularly good about life. It was a big day for everyone and she could feel it in her bones. The warm morning air drifted through the open window and blew over her like a lover’s breath. It stirred the fire already burning inside her.

  She rolled over and kissed Grey’s shoulder, loving the feel of her soft skin beneath her lips. Grey stirred slightly, but remained asleep. Boone almost felt guilty for wanting to wake her, but her needs were great and only Grey could satisfy them. She kissed her again and ran her hand down her naked back, cupping the smooth curves of her hips.

  “Mm.” Grey rolled over and stretched. “Someone woke up in a mood.”

  “I did indeed.” Boone kissed her shoulder again and nuzzled her neck. “You looked too good lying there for me not to have my way with you.”

  “You can always have your way with me.”

  “I feel bad for waking you up, though.”

  “No, you don’t.” Grey laughed. “And I certainly don’t.”

  Grey took Boone’s hand. She spread her legs and placed Boone’s hand between them.

  “Ah,” she said. “That’s where you belong.”

  Boone made love to Grey quickly and passionately, her desire for her apparent in every motion. She took Grey to one orgasm after another until Grey finally tapped her shoulder.

  “No more,” she whispered. “No more.”

  Boone laughed as she looked down on the satiated Grey.

  “You sure you’ve had enough?”

  “I’m positive.”

  Grey curled up against Boone and fell right back to sleep. Boone smiled at the feel of Grey’s body against her, content to have her in her life.

  They woke an hour later. Grey sat straight up in bed.

  “Oh my God. What time is it?”

  “It’s only ten o’clock. Relax. We have plenty of time.”

  Grey fell back against her pillow.

  “Thank God. It feels later.”

  “Nope. I wouldn’t have let us oversleep. Today’s a big day.”

  “It really is. I’m so excited.”

  “Me, too. You ready to hit the shower?”

  “I am.”

  Grey followed Boone down the hall to the bathroom. Boone turned on both showerheads, then stood back to let Grey enter. She loved to watch the water cascading over Grey’s body and felt the familiar stirring deep inside.

  Grey apparently was feeling it too, as she turned and wrapped her arms around Boone as soon as Boone entered the shower. They kissed briefly before Grey bent to take one of Boone’s nipples in her mouth.

  Boone braced herself against the wall, not trusting her legs to keep her upright.

  Grey kissed down Boone’s torso until she knelt between her legs. Boone felt her tongue working its magic and let herself go. The climax was almost immediate.

  “You’re so easy,” Grey teased, lathering her loofah.

  “Hey now. At least I’m not a pillow queen.”

  “Is that what I am?” Grey laughed.

  “You sure were this morning.”

  “And I deserve to be.”

  “So you do.” Boone pulled Grey to her and washed her back, reveling in the feel of her nipples poking her. She brought her washcloth around to the front of her and gently washed her breasts, before dipping it between her legs.

  “Why did I bother with my loofah?” Grey asked.

  “I don’t know. You had to know I was going to wash you. Any chance I get to enjoy that body, I’m going to take.”

  “Well, now it’s my turn.” She scrubbed Boone then they rinsed off, with Boone never taking her eyes off Grey’s lithe body under her showerhead.

  They dried off and dressed and were finally ready to start their day.

  “We’re supposed to be there at one, right?” Boone said.

  “Yep. We need to hit the store first.”

  “Yes, we do.”

  They drove to the store and bought burgers and hot dogs and buns. Then they drove to The Boonies and Boone ran inside to pick up a couple cases of beer.

  “Okay. Do we know how to get there?” Grey asked when Boone was back in the truck.

  “We have GPS.”

  They drove through the suburbs to a small apartment complex.

  “This looks like the place,” Boone said.

  They found a place to park and followed the voices around to a pool area. There they saw many familiar faces, mostly residents of the shelter, past and present. They were able to pick Phoebe out of the crowd and she waved them over.

  “I’m so glad you two could make it,” Phoebe said.

  “We wouldn’t have missed this for anything,” Boone said. “Where should we put this stuff?”

  “Come on in. I’ll show you around.”

  They followed her into a studio apart
ment. It was small, but well furnished.

  “This is really cute, Phoebe,” Grey said.

  “Thanks,” Phoebe said. “And it’s all mine!”

  “That’s the best part of it,” Boone said. “I’m so proud of you.”

  “Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without the two of you.”

  “Don’t play down your part,” Grey said. “You were instrumental in moving on with your life and getting your own place.”

  “I am so thrilled to have this,” Phoebe said. “I love having a place of my own.”

  Boone thought Phoebe looked amazing. She was wearing a shirt over her bathing suit, and she looked relaxed and at ease. More so than she’d ever seen her.

  “Did you bring your suits with you?” Phoebe asked.

  “We did.”

  “Well, get changed and come on out and join the party.”

  “Okay, we’ll meet you there,” Boone said.

  They stepped into the small bathroom and stripped out of their clothes.

  “Come here,” Boone whispered.

  “Boone! Not now.”

  “Oh yeah. Now.”

  She ran her hands over Grey’s naked body, bringing one to rest between her legs. She found her wet and ready.

  “I think someone wants this as bad as I do.”

  “I can’t believe you.”

  “I want you. I always want you. I can’t help it.”

  She rubbed Grey’s swollen clit briefly and Grey bit into her shoulder to keep from crying out.

  They finished changing and joined the party. Grey mingled with the residents while Boone manned the grill. She barbecued the hot dogs and burgers and handed out beers to people who stopped by. It was great to see all the women there. So many of them were success stories and it made her feel good to see the women Grey had helped over the years.

  “How you doing?” Grey walked over and wrapped her arms around Boone.

  “I’m doing great. How are you?”

  “I’m having so much fun.”

  “That’s awesome. Babe, I’m so proud of you. I see all these women and it makes my heart swell with pride that you’ve had a hand in them getting their lives on track.”

  “Thank you. That’s very sweet of you to say.”

  “It’s true, baby. I’m so proud you’re mine.”

  They kissed, long and slow, oblivious to the crowd around them.

  “I love you,” Grey said.