Forever After (Post Apocalyptic Romance Boxed Set)

by Rose Francis

  Her head tilted back, a wide smile playing on her lips. It was the look of a woman who had spent many nights thinking about this, and was finally getting just what she wanted. The look quickly faded, however, as an angry fist pounded her door downstairs before whoever it was let themselves in.

  “Tia!” There was a feminine shout, frantic in its plea. “Are you home?”

  Tia’s eyes opened wide, and she hissed, “Fuck!”

  Chapter 4

  Tia's face was full of apology, her lips kissing along his jaw gently. “She needs me.” He’d recognized the voice as her adopted sister, a young woman who had lost her entire family to the strange aftermath of The Leaving, and was now devoted to Tia’s cause. There was a sorrow and fear in her voice, and quickly the footsteps clamoured up the stairs, the door flying open, and a quick gasp followed.

  Leon didn’t rush things, even though he knew it was over. Instead he gave Tia a slow, loving kiss and began to rise up as he turned. Just in time to see the door fly open, he slid his impressive cock from its all too pleasant sheath in Tia’s cunt, only to kneel on the bed, fully exposed, before the other woman. With a casual, warm smile that belied the situation and his nudity he said, “Hey, Faith.”

  The petite woman hid her smile behind her hand, looking equal parts apologetic and pleased. “Hey, Leon,” she purred, her eyes not darting away from his body and face. “I didn’t know you were back.

  With his shoulders back, and his broad, well-muscled chest—and member—out, he gave a wry smile to the small woman. “Only just barely got in,” he remarked, not entirely referring to his arrival. He was terribly shameless in general, and in front of her he had no qualms with his nudity, and rubbed a hand down over his abs as he gave a deep exhale.

  Tia pushed herself up, her face contorted in frustration as she leaned forward. “What is it, Faith?” Despite her annoyance, her words came out only concerned.

  Faith looked back to Tia, her eyes widening as if she had just remembered why she was here. “Oh! There’s someone new! They’re pretty beaten up, said they got chased by the dogs. Said they ain’t eaten in a week or more, nothin’ but berries anyways.”

  The woman looked quite exotic. Her brown hair was pulled back in a casual ponytail and showed off her olive skin with the high cheekbones and catlike eyes. She was quite thin, though not unhealthily so, and was constantly in her shorts and tank top. Even in winter she was the last one to reluctantly cover her skin.

  Leon shifted to the edge of the bed, sitting there and reaching over, beginning to gather his things slowly. “She or he got a name yet?” he asked curiously, brow raised as he looked to the exotic beauty. He liked her, even if she did cheat him out of something he’d longed for.

  “Naw, don’t even know if they’re a he or she. Kinda hard to tell,” she admitted with some embarrassment. “Anyways, they passed out I think, or they’re half in and out. The doctor’s looking after them,” she added on, trying to ease the situation, “but they wanted your help. And some food, of course. Doc’s hoping they can stay with you ‘till they’re well.”

  Tia nodded, grabbing her dress and standing to slip it on over her head, rearranging her large breasts so that they sat more comfortably, albeit braless. “Right.”

  She was usually such a giving woman, and Leon could tell that their interruption was rankling her more than she was letting on, if only because she hadn’t already rushed the door to help. There was something in her posture and tone that was unfamiliar to him.

  She moved toward the door, her arm going around Faith’s waist, walking with her down the stairs. Tia was a fair bit shorter than Faith, and looked a lot more curvaceous next to her, but they made a good-looking pair.

  They were the stuff of his dreams together. If only it weren’t for their stubborn insistence he could have the two of them together back at his place... or so he liked to think.

  With the two of them going ahead, he gave a sigh then pulled on his turtleneck and clothes, getting dressed promptly before he followed them on down. No point in sitting around waiting.

  Most of the town was gathered around, though his earlier tryst-partner and her brother were strangely absent. The doctor, a good-looking, silver-haired woman, was crouched next to a crumpled heap of a human. The new-comer’s hair was long and blonde, though it was dirty and matted in places. Their skin was tanned on the verge of burning, and their eyes were clenched shut as they convulsed slightly into the dirt.

  Tia had grabbed a bowl containing some bread and beans, the latter courtesy of Leon, and gave it to Doctor Benson. Bringing her hand to the person’s head, Tia’s brown eyes searched the doctor’s. “Will they be fine?”

  She nodded, offering the bowl to their nose. “Sure. They just need some TLC.”

  Tia slumped back, finding Faith’s arms wrapping around her, head resting on her shoulder as her entire body pressed against her sister’s. “Thanks for helping.”

  “Not much else I coulda done,” Tia admitted, and Faith kissed the woman’s cheek just next to her ear. “Still. Owe you one.”

  Leon didn’t really see how interrupting their sex had accomplished anything. Tia wasn’t the doctor and it had been a big load of fuss just to hand someone a bowl, as far as he was concerned. But he didn’t let his irritation show, and watched quietly.

  The new person was in rough shape, to be sure. Though he’d seen worse. Stragglers like this turned up all the time in some way or another, and you always had to scratch your head at the notion of how they survived.

  Not that he cared. Watching the two “sisters” only helped inflame that other part of his mind which refused to die just because of an interruption. Moving up next to them, he murmured quietly, “Hope you’re going to be able to handle another one.” Another mouth to feed, of course.

  Her eyes turned up to him and she frowned thoughtfully. “Better they get here now rather than in the dead of winter.”

  The last winter had been hard on them. They’d lost a few people to dog attacks, had a couple stolen by bandits, and two infants had died from a rather mysterious illness. It had been rough on the tight-knit community.

  Doctor Benson looked to the three of them, their bodies huddled so close together as the individual finally stirred at the scent of the food, their hand grabbing for the spoon and moving to shovel it into their mouth quickly.

  Faith watched Leon’s movements intently, and subtly inched to be closer to him, her front still pressing against the distracted Tia. Her lips contorted into a rather scandalous smile at him before dropping to his groin, licking over her mouth rather blatantly before whispering back in Tia’s ear as though nothing had happened, “I’ll help you ’round your place all week and leave you all night. I mean, you’ll still have them to care for, but I’ll just go spend the night with Will an’ Fiona.”

  Tia nodded, glancing back at the woman with gratitude in her eyes, “Next time somethin’ like this happens, just get it yourself, alright?”

  Leon caught the look, of course, and for a moment returned one of his own, one of those piercing dark stares the ladies loved so much.

  At their talk he pushed himself between them both, an arm around each, though he pulled Faith into his chest a little more firmly. “I’ve missed you two, I gotta say.” He kissed each of them on the head in a friendly, familial way. “Someday I swear I’ll talk ya into moving to my place.” He gave a warm smile.

  He could tell Faith realized her preferential squeeze in the subtle manner that her body positioned itself against his, turning her torso just enough to let her breast rub against his chest. She smelled like sandalwood or some other natural spice, and she kept shifting herself against his form.

  Tia seemed more sullen and distracted, though it was hard to tell for anyone that wasn’t him. From the exterior, everything looked fine, but she withdrew just so from his hold, her eyes still upon the newcomer. She was lost in thought, and all but ignored Leon’s words.

  The rest of the crowd had dispe
rsed slightly, going back around the cooking fire and to their fields or homes, though several mingled nearby, watching the newcomer as they devoured their food.

  Doctor Benson removed the bowl as they finished, their eyes wide and seeking more. Offering them some of the flask at the hip, the doctor tested their reflexes and responses.

  “How many fingers?”

  “Two,” the newcomer said in a strangely neutral voice. As they slowly pushed themselves up into a sitting position, it became obvious why their gender was so hard to place. Everything about them skirted the line between feminine and masculine, but for their longer hair which could have likely been a practical issue. Still, there was no beard on their face, and the fullness of their lips was so delicious.

  Leon watched the newcomer with feigned interest at first, though it did grow to genuine fascination. He knew better than to push or prod Tia in any way, she’d go however she wanted or intended, and that was that. So he rested a hand on her shoulder reassuringly, but devoted the bulk of his attentions to Faith, rubbing his large hand pleasingly across her back.

  Leaning down to the petite woman’s level, he murmured quietly, “I could convince you to come at least, right?” then gave her a teasing wink, his fingers rubbing below the edge of her tank top upon her bare skin.

  “I’m sure with enough effort,” she whispered back as Tia stood, moving to take the bowl away and discuss practical concerns with the doctor.

  “She’d hate me if I let you, though.” Faith smiled up at Leon, deviousness twisting her face and her voice to something nearly daring. “You too, probably,” she purred.

  Her beautiful little devious act managed to send a shiver down his spine, though he didn’t show it through his calm exterior. Instead he locked eyes with her and gave a slow lick of his lips, his hand still rubbing along her lower back, brushing her shorts. His manhood responded as he eyed the scantily clad vixen pressed up against him. “I’d never dream of separating you two,” he remarked. “In fact, my dreams usually go the other way.” With a wry grin he murmured quietly to her ear, “But then again... you are a tempting one,” his voice husky and deep in her ear in such a soothing, reassuring manner.

  She laughed, a little too loud, and Tia looked behind her at the two of them, seeming a bit skeptical. She never had been the jealous sort, and it had never been a problem in their relationship, at least from her part. Still, she had always seemed a bit cautious when the two of them were together, and Faith stood up at the glance.

  “I’m goin’ to see what Will an’ Fiona are up to,” she announced, though as she walked away her hips sashayed in such a prominent manner, her hands rubbing down over her pert ass and resting in her pockets.

  Tia narrowed her eyes at Leon, confused, “What was that all about?”

  Leon watched the girl walk away then turned his gaze back to Tia. With a roll of his eyes he crossed his arms over his chest, “Having a bit of fun at our expense,” he said then smiled to her. “Anything I can do?” he asked, knowing there likely wasn’t as he eyed the new addition to her camp. This is the reason he couldn’t live out here. He wasn’t a farmer or a caretaker. He built things, yes, but he was a man of action.

  “Naw, I think it’s just a matter of time. We should probably get them bathed?” She looked to the doctor for confirmation and she gave a slight sound of agreement.

  “Bathed and rested, I’d say,” she smiled, a twinkle of humour coming to her eyes.

  Tia looked to Leon. “Would you carry them?”

  He knew where she was referring to. It was an area just on the outskirts of town, a heavily fortified house with a man-made pool. They’d jerry-rigged it to heat rather easily, and used it as their bathhouse. It was one of the best protected places on their land, and as such was one of the places that many people saw fit to relax.

  They’d relaxed there on more than a few occasions, usually spending some time there right before he had to head back home.

  That was a task he could do. With a nod to her he unfurled his arms and bent down onto one knee. The strange newcomer looked like they’d be lovely, once they were cleaned off. He couldn’t help but notice as he scooped them up gently in his big arms. Balancing them across his arms, with the head rested into the nook of his bicep and chest, he carried them easily to the bathhouse.

  Leon didn’t strain. He’d carried heavier loads just for barter across hours of open land, after all. Bringing them to the house, he laid the battered newcomer out, their clothes needing to be removed before they could be dipped on in the water.

  Tia took to that, the mostly limp and unconscious individual slumping as she removed their shirt, their body emaciated and entirely flat chested. She coddled them as she tried to undo their pants, her fingers prying them down. They were already a couple sizes too big from the weight loss, and she quickly shed them of their pants and undergarments, revealing the male form nude and curled against her arms.

  She looked to Leon once more as she shifted to remove the boots. “Will you put him in?”

  Leon found himself staring, taking a moment to respond to Tia’s request. He’d not seen such a lithe and delicate-looking man since before the whole mess ruined everything. Dipping back down, he scooped up the man, even more gingerly now—for some reason—and brought him to the bath. He dipped down, cradling the man’s head in his hand as he lowered him down, gently letting him sink into its hot surface.

  “There ya go,” he muttered softly to the man, “nice and warm.”

  The stranger moved against Leon’s body, reluctant to be let go. He seemed to crave human contact, but at the heated water they seemed soothed, a soft “ohh” escaping his full lips. His mouth parted, showing cosmetically straight and white teeth, as his lower lip trembled. His eyes remained shut, the water glistening as it lapped at his chest.

  Leon let him go at least once he had arranged him carefully in the water. With a soft petting of the stranger’s dirty hair, he smiled and looked to Tia.

  “Got a fragile one here, Hun.” It was said with warm humour, but he knew, of course, fragility was a weakness in this new age.

  Tia’s troubled look told him that she knew. Her lips were pursed to the side, staring at the new man in a fretful manner before she tore her eyes away, returning to Leon. “I’m really sorry we got torn away.”

  She wasn’t apologetic to him; she was expressing her own desires.

  Leon gave a gentle pat to the man’s shoulder then rose up, smiling at Tia. “Me too,” he said. He could be a bit overbearing at times, but with Tia he never pushed her to do anything. She’d only push back anyhow. “Been dreaming of it for a long time now, I can keep on dreaming a while longer,” he remarked with a bit of light-hearted amusement.

  Her nose crinkled, looking down at her hands, her breasts still so heavy and, as they were free from her bra, shifted easily with her motions. Her nipples even pressed against the light material, her own desire hardly dissipated. “Probably not a great idea to join him.”

  The stranger was sinking lower in the water, though it seemed controlled, letting himself bob down and get his hair wet before rising back up, some life and colour returning to his cheeks.

  Leon stepped closer to her, slipping one of his arms about her waist, his hand resting on her ass fully. “Wouldn’t make for a great welcome to the community if he woke up like that, no,” he confessed, pressing the two of them together so that he could smell her once more. It’d been a nonstop round of sexual torture since that brazen vixen interrupted them.

  Bending down he kissed her forehead. “Your sister and you,” he began in a soft whisper, “could have more peace and security with me,” and more time uninterrupted by the problem of others.

  Her brows furrowed, her head tilting to the side a bit. “Leon,” she moaned.

  Tia wanted him. Hell, from the way she said his name, she might have wanted the same thing, but she shook her head.

  “People need me here,” she whispered, sounding so tired and defeat
ed. It wasn’t her usual manner of shooting him down. Her loneliness was pungent in the air.

  “I know she’d like —” She stopped, noticing out of the corner of her eye that the man hadn’t resurfaced in a while, and she brushed past Leon, quickly jumping into the water and moving to the man’s front, lifting him up so that his head was above the water.

  With a suppressed groan, Leon watched as yet another moment slipped past his fingers. He moved over to the side of the bath, watching as Tia soaked herself tantalizingly, and helped lift the man, positioning him safely again.

  “Duties of a leader never end, huh?” he said to her good-naturedly, because the bitterness didn’t need to be expressed for the both of them to feel it.

  She was soaking, her white dress heavy and weighed down by the water, forcing more and more of her cleavage to be exposed. She looked so tender and vulnerable just then, the briefest flicker crossing her face as she moved around the man, her fingers pressing against his scalp and beginning to wash his hair. He leaned back, his head resting against Tia’s large breasts, seeming quite content as he half floated in the tub.

  “Pass me the shampoo,” she sighed out loudly.

  Leon watched this all, then gave a rather obvious groan of frustration before he grabbed the shampoo. Uncapping it, he handed it to her, this, too, being another thing they got from him, undoubtedly. “I can’t help but think how much simpler it’d be if I just got you knocked up and you had an excuse to go look after our kid, without givin’ a damn about the rest of the world.”

  “Maybe you should try harder,” she remarked bitterly. It was obvious how much she was hurting, especially as she brought her fingers to the man’s dirty blonde hair, lathering it as he moaned in pleasure. It sent a shock of derision through her that she didn’t like in herself, but as he kept repositioning his head along her large breasts, she couldn’t help but squirm.