by Mj Williamz
Boone reached behind her to feel Dani’s wetness, but found her suit bottom still on.
“You need to get out of this,” Boone said.
“Good idea.” Dani stepped out of her bikini bottom and grabbed Boone’s hand, spinning her around as she placed it on her center.
Boone slipped her fingers inside Dani as she kissed her hard on her mouth. She felt Sasha’s hand on her. She wanted more of them than she was able to get in the kitchen.
“Come on.” Boone took their hands. “Let’s go to the bedroom.”
They fell onto the bed, Sasha pulling Boone to her for a kiss. Boone was almost lost in the moment until she felt Dani’s tongue on her clit.
“Ohh.” She groaned into Sasha’s mouth. She rolled onto her back, opening her legs. She pulled Sasha to her, taking a nipple in her mouth. Boone sucked hard on it, feeling it poking the roof of her mouth. She held the breast in both hands, kneading as she suckled greedily.
She kissed down Sasha’s belly, ever aware of Dani working her magic between her legs. She was teetering and fought to hold on as she maneuvered Sasha so she could put her tongue inside her. Sasha tasted delicious, salty and sweet, and Boone licked every inch of her.
Boone was so close to her own orgasm, but was determined to make Sasha come first. It wasn’t going to happen, she soon realized as the lights burst behind her eyelids and her body convulsed in the fit of her climax.
She continued to lick Sasha as she felt Dani move up next to them. Dani placed Boone’s hand on her clit and Boone rubbed it. She did her best to focus on both women, and finally Sasha cried out as she came.
Sasha switched her position to suck on Dani’s nipple and Boone moved her mouth to Dani, who took very little time before she screamed as the orgasm rolled over her.
They collapsed together into a fitful sleep.
CHAPTER SIX
The beginning of the next week was uneventful until Wednesday. Boone arrived at work that morning and started preparing her deposit for the day when there was a pounding on the front door. She ignored it, thinking it was an overzealous patron. It was only nine o’clock, so whoever it was would have to wait another hour.
She continued to work, but the pounding went on. She stood to walk to the door to tell the person to leave when her cell rang.
“Hello?” she said.
The voice on the other end was garbled.
“I’m sorry. I can’t understand you,” Boone said.
The person seemed to be crying and mumbling. Boone struggled, but still couldn’t understand them. She was about to hang up when the person yelled through the phone.
“Phoebe!”
“Phoebe? Is this you? I can’t understand you, honey,” she told her sister-in-law.
“Door!” the person yelled.
Boone moved quickly and opened her front door to find Phoebe standing there with her face colored a sick purplish hue and her lips busted open. She pulled her to her in a hug.
She pulled Phoebe inside and wet a towel to press to her lips.
“Oh my God, Phoebe. What happened to you?”
“Tanner.”
Boone had a sick feeling in her gut. She should have expected this from her brother. He was a grade A asshole, but she’d hoped he was different from their father in at least one aspect. Now she knew better.
“I’m so sorry,” she said.
Phoebe was still sobbing and holding the towel to her lips. She took a deep breath and moved the towel.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know where else to go.”
“It’s okay. You did the right thing coming to me.” Grey’s face flashed in her head. “I know someone who can help and a safe place for you. Are you interested?”
Phoebe’s eyes were wide, and Boone could see her fear.
“It’s a place Tanner will never find you,” Boone said. “I’d let you stay with me, but eventually, he’d come looking for you. You don’t want him to find you, do you?”
Phoebe shook her head.
“Okay. So we need to swing by my place really fast and then we’ll get you to a doctor.”
Phoebe nodded and allowed Boone to steer her out of the building and into her truck. She helped her inside her house, and Boone ran to her bedroom, frantically trying to recall what she’d worn to the mixer the previous week. She remembered and dug through her pockets to find Grey’s card.
She hurried back to Phoebe and they drove to a Convenient Care walk-in clinic. While they waited to be seen, Boone called Serene Pathway.
“May I speak to Grey, please?” she asked the person who answered the phone. “Yes, this is Boone Fairway.”
“Boone, to what do I owe this pleasure?” Grey’s voice was cold on the other end of the line.
“Grey, I need your help. I’m with my sister-in-law. My brother did quite a number on her.” She softened her voice. “Please help us.”
“Where are you?”
“At the Convenient Care in Southwest.”
“I’ll get there as soon as I can. What’s your sister-in-law’s name?”
“Phoebe.”
“I’ll ask for her if you’re in a room already.”
“Thank you, Grey.”
*
Grey grabbed an intake packet from the file cabinet and hurried out the door. She was concerned about what state Phoebe must be in for Boone to have called her. And despite the circumstances, a small part of her was also excited about getting to see Boone again. She knew it was inappropriate to be feeling that way, but she couldn’t help it. Boone had sounded so sad and worried on the phone. Grey just wanted to wrap her arms around her and tell her it was going to be okay. She hoped it would be.
She arrived at the Convenient Care and found them still in the waiting room. Boone stood.
Grey took in the sight of Boone. Gone was the cocky, confident bar owner. She was clearly shaken. She held the hand of the badly beaten woman hunched over in the chair. When their eyes met, she saw real fear in Boone.
Grey fought her desire to comfort Boone. If it weren’t for establishments like The Boonies, she’d see less of this kind of treatment of women. She shook off her train of thought. It wasn’t only bars that caused this, and resentment wasn’t what these women needed. After all, Boone had reached out to her, and she needed to put aside her disapproval of her business. She needed to focus and be present for Phoebe and Boone.
“Thank you so much for coming. Phoebe, this is Grey. She runs a shelter for abused women.”
Phoebe stared at her blankly, fear still apparent in her eyes. Grey placed a hand on her shoulder.
“It’s going to be okay, Phoebe. We’ll get you taken care of. I need to ask you a few questions. Do you think you’ll be able to answer them?”
Phoebe looked at Boone, who looked back to Grey.
“Her lips are pretty bad. Talking isn’t that easy for her right now.”
Grey nodded. She’d experienced this before. Too many times.
“How about if I ask you questions and you can nod or shake your head?”
Phoebe moved the towel from her mouth and Grey fought not to show her reaction to the torn, bloodied lips.
“I’ll try to talk,” Phoebe said.
“I’ll step away so you two can talk in private,” Boone said.
Phoebe grabbed her hand. “No! Please, stay.”
“I don’t know.” Boone hesitated. “This could get pretty personal.”
“Please?” Phoebe looked terrified.
“Fine. I’ll stay. But promise me you’ll let me know when you want me to leave.”
Phoebe nodded.
Grey went through the packet, asking Phoebe for details about the incident that brought her there, as well as explaining the services her shelter provided. She tried to focus on Phoebe as she described the attack, but sensed Boone tensing up. She looked up, and the look of anger on Boone’s face was hard to ignore. Her chiseled face was tight and her lips drawn in a thin line. Grey wished she could do something to he
lp her, but she was there for Phoebe. She knew from experience the anger would do nothing to help right now, and in fact could be detrimental to Phoebe’s recovery. If she realized she was creating such a reaction in Boone, she might shut down.
“Boone, would you mind getting Phoebe a soda? I think she could use the sugar right now.”
She watched as Boone shook off her emotions. “Sure, would you like that, Phoebe?”
“Uh-uh. You stay.” She gripped Boone’s hand fiercely. The tactic had worked, though, and Grey could see Boone focused more on how Phoebe was coping than on her own anger.
They were finally ushered back to see the doctor, with Grey accompanying them. Nothing was broken, thank goodness. They stitched up her upper lip but said her lower lip should heal fine. When it was time to leave, Grey turned to Phoebe.
“Do you have your own ride? Or would you like to ride with me?”
“Can’t I ride with Boone?” Phoebe asked.
“I can follow you,” Boone said.
“Sure. That’s fine.” Grey smiled inside at the idea of more time with Boone. She was impressed at Boone’s willingness to help Phoebe through this. Often family members got so caught up in the anger and helplessness of the situation that they failed to give the victim what she needed most. The security of someone she trusted. Boone either understood this from experience or was intuitively sensitive to what was appropriate. Either way, she regretted judging her so quickly at the Chamber of Commerce mixer. She was obviously a deeply caring person.
“My car’s that gray Lexus over there,” Grey said. “Where are you?”
“Mine’s the truck next to you,” Boone said.
“Okay. I’ll make sure you’re behind me.” Grey slid into her car.
She kept her eye on the rearview mirror and was relieved to see Boone behind her as they pulled through the security gates on the street.
They arrived at the shelter and Grey walked over to help Phoebe out of the truck. She guided them both inside the center.
“Welcome to Serene Pathway.”
She showed them around the shared area, taking them to the kitchen, dining room, and den. She led them down the hallway where the counselors had their offices, and finally took them to Phoebe’s room.
Boone looked around the room.
“This place is nice,” she said.
Phoebe nodded.
“Do you have any belongings?” Grey asked.
“In my car,” Phoebe mumbled.
“Oh, shit! Your car’s still at the bar,” Boone said.
“I’ll take you to get it.” Grey turned to Boone. “Unless you need to take off?”
Phoebe reached for Boone’s hand.
“Please stay.”
Boone looked down at her, a tender expression on her face.
“I’ll hang around,” Boone said. “But first we’ll go get your car. You’ll be okay until we get back.”
They returned to the bar and Boone ran inside to let Christopher know she wouldn’t be around for a while and Grey waited for her by her car. When Boone came back out, Grey watched her climb behind the wheel of Phoebe’s car and once again, they headed for the shelter.
Grey had Cecilia reschedule her day so she could spend as much of it with Boone and Phoebe as possible. She told herself Phoebe needed her, but she knew she wanted the time with Boone as well. There was something about her, a quiet strength that drew her to Boone. There was also that soft, caring side that Grey never would have guessed belonged to her. Either way, she was happy to spend her day with them.
“Is there anything I can get for you?” Grey asked Phoebe as she put her things away.
“You’ve done so much already,” Phoebe whispered.
“I’m hoping to do so much more,” Grey said. “With counseling and job training, we’ll get you back on your feet in no time.”
“How long can I stay?” Phoebe asked.
Grey had already gone over all that with her, but she knew residents were often in shock when she met them, so she patiently explained it again.
“You have a place here until you’re ready to move on.”
Phoebe nodded.
Grey saw Boone check her watch. Grey checked hers. It was already three o’clock.
“Will you be okay if I take off, Phoebs?” Boone asked.
Phoebe looked terrified. Pools of tears formed in her eyes.
“I can hang out if you want,” Boone offered.
“No. It’s okay. You’ll stay with me?” Phoebe looked at Grey.
“Sure.”
“Okay. You can go.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow to check on you,” Boone said.
Grey felt her heart skip a beat. There was something about Boone that intrigued her. Clearly, there was more to her than met the eye.
“I’ll walk you out,” Grey said. “Is that okay, Phoebe? I’ll be right back.”
Grey escorted Boone to her truck and gave her a security card so she’d be able to come see Phoebe whenever she wanted.
“You did the right thing you know, calling me.”
“I’m so glad we bumped into each other the other night. I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t know about your place.”
“Well, you did, so it’s all good. And we’ll take good care of Phoebe.”
“Thanks. I believe you.”
Boone opened her door. Grey knew she wanted to see her again. Away from Phoebe and the shelter.
“Why don’t we have dinner tonight?” Grey said.
“Tonight?”
“Yeah. We could both use it after this day, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, we could.”
“So, what do you say?”
Boone’s eyes twinkled in merriment.
“Are you asking me on a date?”
“Not a date,” Grey said, reminding herself what Boone did for a living. “I could never date you. But I am asking you to dinner.”
“Sounds great. Where and when?”
“Say six o’clock? I can pick you up from the bar.”
“I’d better not still be at the bar at six o’clock,” Boone said. “How about I pick you up from here at six?”
“How about we meet at La Mirage at six?” Grey laughed. “Do you know where it is?”
“I do and I’ll be there.”
“Sounds great. See you then.”
“Wait, Grey?”
“Yes?”
“Will Phoebe be okay then? Without you here?”
“I’ll introduce one of the night staff to her. She’ll be fine. I don’t spend the night here, Boone.”
Boone nodded her understanding.
“Right, then. See you tonight.”
*
Boone drove off, her heart still heavy for Phoebe, but also a little lighter at the prospect of a date with Grey. Even though Grey said it wasn’t a date. She hoped the night would end with Grey in her bed, date or not.
She pulled up at The Boonies and cringed at the sight of Tanner’s truck there. She had to play it cool, act like she didn’t know anything. It would be hard, since she wanted to rip his testicles off and shove them down his throat.
She walked in and went behind the bar to grab a beer and talk to Christopher.
“How’d today go?” she asked.
“No problem. I had it all under control. What was your big emergency?”
“Nothing I can talk about. Just some stuff I needed to deal with.”
“You’re okay, though?” Christopher asked.
“I’m just fine,” Boone said.
“Hey, sis!” Tanner called to her.
“What’s up, Tanner?” She wandered over, intent on playing it cool.
“You seen Phoebe today?”
“Phoebe? She doesn’t usually come by here. You know that. She’s not the barfly type.”
“Don’t bullshit me, Boone. I saw her car here earlier.”
Boone felt her stomach clench.
“I don’t know what to say. She wasn�
��t here.”
“Yeah? Well, how come I come in around the lunch rush and you’re not here?” He sounded like he’d been there since the lunch rush, but she was sure she hadn’t seen his truck when they’d picked up Phoebe’s car.
“I had some personal stuff to attend to. No biggie. I can’t be here twenty-four seven.”
“Well, if you know where my wife is, you better tell me.”
“What? Did you lose her or something? How the hell should I know where your wife is?”
“It’s none of your fucking business why I’m asking. But I’m just sayin’.”
“Fine. If I see her, I’ll let her know you’re looking for her.”
“You’d better, if you know what’s good for you. And her.”
“Yes, sir.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm. She was going to have another beer, but couldn’t stand being around Tanner any longer.
“I’m out of here,” she told Christopher. “I’ll be back in the morning. Thanks again for today.”
“No problem. I just hope everything’s okay.”
“It will be, Christopher. It will be.”
She got home and quickly changed to swim a few laps to help ease the tension of the day. She took a shower and donned a pair of light gray slacks with a white button-down, short-sleeved shirt. She slipped on black loafers and grabbed her keys. She’d make it a little early, but that was better than being late.
She needn’t have worried about being early. She parked right next to Grey’s Lexus and walked in to find Grey already seated at a table for two.
“I thought I’d be early,” Boone said.
“I’m always early,” Grey said. “Better than being late.”
“I agree.”
“Have you ordered anything yet?” Boone asked.
“No. I was waiting for you. I thought about ordering a bottle of wine, but thought since you’re in the business, you may have a better idea of what’s good.”
Boone blushed at the compliment.
“I don’t know a lot about wine, but I’ll give it my best shot.”
She ordered a nice bottle of Malbec, which they sipped while perusing their menus. They placed their orders and Boone found herself nervous as a schoolgirl. She told herself to pull it together and make conversation.
