The Crime of Protection

by Gloria Martin

  That was alright, I didn’t mind that. I liked a challenge, and I’d fought off tougher competition than him. I respected him, but he was nowhere near the ladies’ man that I was. I was a top notch player, whereas he had no idea how to play the game.

  I could stomp him down in a few mere seconds, but purely out of respect for the time we’d spent together, riding the country, as Stallions, I slid back in my seat to let him have his shot. But not for long. I sure as hell didn’t intend to let him have Laura.

  As I watched them talk, I thought back to all the crazy things I’d gotten up to with Laura, and a horniness began to stir within me. Sure, I’d been with plenty of other women, but there was something about Laura that made me desperate to have her again. I wanted her body riding mine, I wanted to feel her, to touch her all over. I wanted her to call out my name in pleasure over and over again.

  Mac could try, but he wasn’t going to overpower me in the end. I needed to have Laura again, and I wasn’t going to stop until I achieved that.

  I hoped to be with her again tonight, but judging by her stunned reaction to us reappearing in her life, I felt like she was going to take a little more wooing. I didn’t mind, I could wait. She would be worth it.

  *****

  Laura

  As I left work a few hours later, I held two scraps of paper tightly in my hand. One containing Fenton’s phone number, and one with Mac’s. I was still completely and utterly in shock, and that had been made much worse as the night had gone on.

  As Fenton had handed me his number, he’d been his usual, dirty self, not so subtly suggesting a hook up in the next few days while the Stallions were around. I really should have instantly shot him down, but for some reason I’d just smiled and let him think ‘maybe’ instead. The overpowering chemistry that had brought us together was still there, and that alone had silenced me. After many, many lonely nights, the thought of a night of passion with Fenton was far more tempting than it should have been.

  That hadn’t been anywhere near as much of a shock as when Mac had given me his phone number. He’d practically asked me on a date – in the roundabout way that he did everything – and I’d been too stunned to answer him right away.

  It was just too weird to consider Mac liking me in that way. He was my closest friend growing up, and he never showed any signs of having any kind of feelings for me then, so it felt strange that he was doing so now.

  But there was no denying that I’d liked it when he asked me on a date. It made my skin flush a little, actually. Fenton was familiar, but also he was a relationship that was destined to go nowhere, whereas Mac was new. And when I thought about it, he seemed like a better bet for a long-term relationship. It could have real potential.

  So what would I do? Go for a fling with a hot, confident man that would make me feel on top of the world for a few nights; or risk something terrifying, something too scary for words, but something that could be real?

  The real question was, which one did I like best?

  Maybe it was best to leave it well alone, keep the past in the past. Maybe trying to combine both my lives (my old one, and the one I was leading now) would be a mistake that I’d someday regret.

  But if I didn’t try, I would never know.

  Without even giving myself another second to think, I found myself dialing Mac’s number rapidly.

  “Hello?” he answered breathlessly, after barely one ring. It was as if he’d been waiting by the phone, which knowing Mac, he probably was.

  “Hi,” I replied, beginning to feel oddly shy. “It’s Laura.” Suddenly I was acutely aware of the years we’d spent apart, and all that we no longer knew about one another.

  “Oh Laura, I’m so glad you called!” he said. He sounded so elated to hear from me that it made my insides turn to jelly. I had to sit down to stop myself from falling from my trembling legs.

  “It was nice to see you again,” I said. I grinned to myself, excited to have the opportunity to speak to my best friend once more. I found myself wondering why I’d been so keen to cut myself off from absolutely everyone, why I’d been convinced that a clean break was the only way for me to get a fresh start.

  We ended up talking on the phone for over an hour, learning a lot of what we’d missed in each other’s lives. We even discussed the taboo subject of my parents, their utter disapproval of me, and my disappearance. Their abandonment in my time of need had cut deep, which was probably why I’d ignored everyone.

  We never fully returned to the topic of dating, or him liking me, but I felt like it was hanging over us the entire time, just waiting to come out. But neither of us were brave enough to bring it up.

  After we hung up the phone, I felt really unsettled. I was unsatisfied that so much had gone unsaid. I knew that Mac was shy, but I also knew a relationship between us would get anywhere if we continued to skate around our feelings.

  I felt the need to speak to someone who was always straightforward, no matter what, so against my better judgment I called the number Fenton had given me.

  “Hey sexy,” he drawled as he picked up, without even asking who it was on the line.

  “Hi,” I couldn’t help but grin as I replied. Fenton hadn’t changed one bit, and I really liked that. The familiarity in such a strange situation was comforting. “It’s Laura.”

  “I know”, he replied simply, as if it were obvious. “I knew you’d call.”

  “Oh, did you now?” I heard the flirty lilt to my voice, which always seemed to come out when speaking to him. My relationship with Fenton had been wild, but since I’d been here, I’d put it behind me – especially since it had been the thing that had driven me away from home. However, just a few words from his mouth and I felt myself slipping right back into that side of myself, the wild side that I’d forced myself to shut off.

  “You never could resist me,” he drawled, sending a bolt of desire racing right through me. The butterflies and confusion that had been floating around inside of me seemed to find a focus as a buzzing in my underwear started calling out to me.

  “That’s true,” I said. There was no point in denying it, Fenton was always able to see right through me. There was a lustfulness in my tone now, and I was certain that he could hear it.

  “So, when are we going to hook up again?” he asked bluntly, sending wild images jumping around in my mind. I began to trace the outline of my underwear with my fingers as I imagined being with him once more.

  “I don’t know,” I started, but he quickly jumped in.

  “It’s okay, you don’t have to decide now. We both know it’s going to happen sooner or later.”

  That cockiness, it was just too much!

  “We’ll see.” I slid a finger inside of myself, and tried to keep my panting quiet. I did not want Fenton to know that I was touching myself while on the phone to him. There was no way I’d be able to keep him away!

  “You’ll call,” he said. I could hear the smile in his voice. “Sooner or later.”

  I pictured his mouth all over my body, his hands exploring me, his hot body pressed up against me, and I had to bite down on my lip hard to stop a squeal from escaping.

  “Yeah?” I practically whispered.

  “You want me, I know you do.”

  “I have to go,” I announced suddenly, feeling the waves of pleasure starting to build. There was no way I’d be able to disguise having an orgasm while on the phone to him, and I was already dangerously close. “I’ll see you soon.”

  As I shut him off, fantasy him took over, and it wasn’t long before I was collapsed in a deeply satisfied, yet confused heap. In fact, for a long time after I hung up the phone, my mind was still reeling. If I thought that calling them both would help me, then I had been wrong. I felt more stuck about what to do than ever.

  *****

  Mac

  Why hadn’t she called yet? I expected to hear from her by now! I couldn’t take it for another second longer. I couldn’t stand the fact that Laura hadn’t
contacted me, just when I was so convinced that things were finally going my way.

  I needed to see her again, I needed to take her out, to show her a good time. I needed to make her see that I’d become a man. I wanted her to understand that I wasn’t the young, insecure boy she’d once known.

  At that moment, I would have done anything in the whole world to make her mine. That was what led me to the decision to head to the bar. I was pretty sure she’d be at work, so I’d chat to her and confirm our date.

  Even considering taking her out was nerve wracking, but I had no intention of letting that stop me. A little anxiety was nothing to face, when I thought about what the future could hold.

  This was it, my moment of glory. I would look back on this time forever as the best day of my whole damn life. The moment my life really began.

  I swung the bar door open, trying to keep my anxious breaths under control, and I swaggered in as if I was the most confident person in the entire world. I didn’t want any of my uncertainty to show, so I focused solely on keeping that under control.

  I spotted her almost right away. She was the most stunning girl anywhere, and I couldn’t believe I’d never said that to her. If I couldn’t make her mine this time, I might not survive it. I didn’t think I would ever be able to find someone so damn perfect for me.

  But then as my eyes scanned the room, I spotted the person she was talking to, and my heart fell into my shoes. My entire world shook out from underneath me.

  Fenton. Of course.

  She was laughing and chatting to him, smiling at him the entire time. He was making her happy all over again, and I hated that. I wanted to be the only one that made her happy!

  A fierce jealousy coursed through my veins as I found myself faced with a decision. They hadn’t spotted me yet, so I could keep my dignity intact and run. Or I could go over there and fight for her.

  *****

  Fenton

  Mac slid into the seat next to me, sending me a grim smile. How did that guy always seem to sense when I was finally getting somewhere with Laura? He seemed utterly determined to cock block me.

  To be fair to the guy, he hadn’t backed down as quickly as I’d expected him to. But it didn’t matter; I would still get her in the end. I always did.

  “How you doing Mac?” I asked casually, sipping my beer. I kept my expression innocent, as if I had no idea what was going on around me. I wanted it to be a surprise when I shot the victory dart.

  “I’m good.” He was nervous, sweating almost. That gave me an advantage. Laura wasn’t going to choose a whimpering fool over me.

  After that, we didn’t really speak to one another. We simply turned our attention to Laura, and the competition really heated up. Every time I said something sexy, Mac retaliated with a sweet compliment. Then whenever I complimented her, he turned romantic. The only problem was, I couldn’t tell which tactic was working on her best – the steamy, or the kind. Laura had become a closed book, and that was pretty stressful. I was used to knowing exactly where I stood, and I didn’t like to be completely in the dark.

  “Okay guys,” she finally announced with a strange tone to her voice. “I have to close up now.”

  This was it, my moment.

  “Are you going home?” I asked. She nodded. “Okay, well I’ll come with you then.” I just said it. I didn’t want to give her the opportunity to say no.

  “Erm…” her eyes flicked frantically between me and Mac. “I don’t…”

  “Don’t worry,” Mac jumped in, smiling serenely. “I’ll come too.”

  Ooh, okay. He wasn’t backing down no matter what I did. This was turning increasingly interesting by the minute.

  Laura didn’t tell us both where to go, she simply nodded as if she was a little stunned. And that was how we all ended up in her crappy rundown apartment, awkwardly sipping beers on her couch. Her one, small, very cramped couch…

  *****

  Laura

  I couldn’t believe it, this was insane. How had we ended up here? Why did I agree for them both to come back to my apartment? That was the complete opposite of what I’d been expecting.

  The competition over me had been surprisingly fun – and sexier than I cared to admit – but now, in my home, it felt all too real. I had no idea where this was going, and that terrified me. I didn’t know how far these guys were willing to take it. Was this going to end in a fistfight?

  I didn’t know how far I was willing to take it. All I knew for sure was that my body was hot as hell, and that sitting in between these two gorgeous, but very different men, was sending far dirtier thoughts through my brain than I would have imagined. I was horny as hell, and nervous of where that might take me.

  “Well babe,” Fenton started, slapping his hand down on my knee. “What next?” Sometimes his bluntness was welcome, but now it was making me increasingly uncomfortable.

  “I don’t—” I began, but he didn’t even let me finish. He simply leant forward and kissed me hard, claiming him with his mouth, totally ignoring Mac’s presence.

  I leant into him, losing myself in his lips just like in the old days. There was something so comforting about his familiarity that I couldn’t resist. Plus the chemistry between us was incredible. I found him utterly irresistible.

  But after a few seconds of pure pleasure, I forced myself to move backwards. I made myself pull away. I couldn’t kiss Fenton in front of Mac – especially since he’d practically told me that he liked me.

  “I’m sorry,” I murmured turning to face Mac. “That was—” But before I could finish, he kissed me too, giving the evening another bizarre turn.

  Was this real?

  He didn’t stop there though; he also ran his fingers up my thigh, sending shivers right through me.

  I had no idea what to do, all I knew for sure was that it felt so damn good. Did they both want me? What the hell would I do about that? I couldn’t be with them both.

  Could I…?

  *****

  Mac

  I wouldn’t back down, no matter what Fenton threw at me. If he kissed her, then I would just go one better. I would make Laura see that I was the one for her. She needed to understand that.

  I moved my hand right up her leg, not wanting to give Fenton the chance to take her away from me once more. I traced the outline of her lace panties, feeling her tremble a little under my touch. I was actually turning her on, and that felt amazing. I was so grateful that I could make her feel that way.

  I pulled back, wanting to see her face, her expression, as I slid a finger inside of her, which was when I noticed that Fenton was kissing her neck. He was not quitting either!

  So that was how he was going to play it? Fine! As long as Laura was happy, I was willing to take this as far as I needed to. And she sure as hell looked like she was enjoying herself at the moment!

  I plunged my finger into her, watching her buckle and arch her back in pleasure. She was squirming because of me, and I loved to see it. I slid in another, then another, before realizing that it wasn’t enough. That I felt compelled to go one step further.

  I wanted to taste her, and I wasn’t going to let some other person stop me. Especially not him!

  I pushed Laura backwards, indicating that Fenton should scoot over a bit. Her head ended up lying on his legs, but I didn’t let that bother me. A moment that I’d been fantasizing about my entire life was about to happen, and I wanted to focus on that instead. My cock was twitching with anticipation and excitement, so I allowed my mind to be ruled by that for once.

  I hitched her skirt up around her waist, and tugged her panties down. She was groaning because Fenton was kissing her, tugging up her top, playing with her breasts, but I blocked it out. She was content. That was all I needed to know.

  I kissed up her legs, edging my way closer to her center. Her hot, wet desire was crying out to me and I couldn’t wait to experience it.

  I plunged my tongue into her warm, slick pussy over and over again. She was
amazing, better than I’d ever expected. I was going to give her the best orgasm in her entire life. There was no way she’d be able to forget me after this! Her entire body was already close to screaming out, I could just feel it.

  Not long now…

  *****

  Fenton

  I’d done some crazy things in my time, but this was one of the most insane. Mac was working Laura’s body with his tongue, while she tugged my trousers, and began to slide her hand up and down me. It felt like I was watching a live porno that I was taking part in!

  It was insane, but also, well, pretty cool. In fact, for some strange reason I was fucking loving it.

  In fact…

  “No,” I cried out, grabbing hold of Laura’s hands, stopping her from driving me too wild. “I want your mouth.” I knew I was screwing with Mac’s plan, but I didn’t care. He wanted a competition; I was going to damn well give him one.

  He needed to learn that I always won! He probably saw this as a draw, but I knew that it was only just getting started.

  “I…” There was an eagerness in Laura’s eyes, a hunger that wanted to wrap her lips around me too. She always loved giving me fellatio, and I could see in her eyes that she was remembering what it felt like.

  I sent her a cocky smirk, before knocking her off me, pushing her to the ground. Mac was too stunned to react immediately. I grabbed hold of Laura’s head, and brought it nearer to my cock. I was dominating her, and she was allowing it to happen. She was fucking loving it, just as much as I was.

  I lay back, with my arms above my head as she began flicking her tongue all over me, moving her mouth up and down, covering me entirely.

  “Fuck yeah,” I said, closing my eyes in ecstasy. She knew just how to work me.