I love it when Lauren and I experiment with foreplay. It makes the connection between us stronger. The trust, the unspoken chemistry – everything. And believe it or not, it's not just about the sex. Though that's spectacular as well. It's part of an organic whole, part of building up our relationship. Since I've recommitted to her, I want to experience every single moment to the fullest. Every kiss, every glance, every touch. Being with Lauren has helped fill a hole in me that I didn't even know was there. And as each day passes, I'm even more grateful for the love she brings into my life.
But right now, I'm grateful for her voice, purring through my phone. You'd think the rational, intellectual doctor wouldn't be good at phone sex, but I know the side of 'after hours Lauren' that no one else is privileged to see.
"We're going to do something different tonight. How about –" She pauses, I'm sure just to torture me. "A little role play?"
"Ooh, role play?" I grip my phone harder. "With costumes and stuff?"
"Yes. I am a doctor, you know." Her voice has dropped to seductive, low tone, sending shivers down my spine. "You'll be the patient. I'll be the physician attending to your needs. But to receive the proper care, you'll have to do. Exactly. What. I. Say."
"I'll do anything you ask." I smile, my brain already working on overdrive. "But why are we dressing up at all, babe? We won't be wearing clothes for that long!"
"Oh no, you'll still get me in the lab coat." Another delicious pause as I swear I hear her lick her lips. "Only the lab coat."
Now I'm the one that's breathless. "Shit!" I gulp, finally forcing some air in my lungs. "Are you sure you're not a succubus?"
Her laughter pleasantly tickles my ears. "Sorry, Bo. My latest blood tests confirm that I'm 100% human. And by the way, you haven't seen this human's entire range of positions in bed – yet."
My free hand reaches out and grabs the nearest thing next to me – a pillow from the couch – as I stuff it in my mouth to stifle a scream of frustration mixed with anticipation. Now my mind is really on overdrive!
"Dr. Lewis!" I gasp, after I rip the pillow from my teeth, sputtering out a stray feather from my mouth. "Get your cute little doctor's ass over here, stat!"
She is trying to reign her laughter in. "I'll be there as soon as I drop off some things at the Dal. I've got some books out on loan from Trick. But don't worry. I'll keep the visit brief. Extremely brief. You, on the other hand…I'm going to enjoy taking my sweet, sweet time with!"
My grin threatens to split my face. "I look forward to it. See you in a few."
"Bye."
Hanging up, I press a finger to my lips, contemplating. Mentally cataloging the various kinds of lingerie I have available that aren't in the laundry pile. That blue silk negligee I got last week? What about the green one? No, better to go with basic black. That goes with everything.
I stand and start to pace impatiently. Normally I can keep my cool, but Lauren's words keep sending giddy butterflies through my gut. Butterflies mixed with snakes. I almost regret that Kenzi's not here to talk me down. But it's better for her and her much abused eardrums. After several consecutive nights of listening to what she calls 'the succubus bedroom decathlon' she's bunking with her cousin Pavel. Knowing that she'd hear a repeat performance if she stayed much longer.
Stopping in mid-stride, I change directions and walk to the kitchen counter to grab my keys. What the hell. Even if it is just a short pit stop at the Dal, it'll still take Lauren a half hour to get here. And I can't wait that long. The smile creeps onto my face again. Being spontaneous and creative, whether in a fight or fae politics is a hallmark of mine. Why shouldn't it apply to my love life as well?
My hand is on the doorknob when I'm driven to my knees. Pain rips through my torso with a blow so hard, I almost scream out loud. Winded and shaky, my hand goes to my right side, carefully probing the muscles. Nothing. The pain is gone as suddenly as it came.
I manage to get to my feet, as I release a long breath. The butterflies in my stomach have become a constant, tight churning in my gut. My senses are on high alert as I exit the clubhouse, close and lock the door behind me. Something is definitely not right.
I've only taken a few more steps when the pain hits me again. It feels like a two by four has been broken over my head. A yell explodes from my lungs and tears squeeze from my eyes. I blink rapidly as it passes just as quickly, my vision returning to normal. My instincts are screaming at me, every nerve fiber standing on end. I touch my head briefly, as my fingers come away clean. I start to run as it occurs to me – this physical pain is a warning, something beyond explanation. But I know it's not my own.
The cold air shocks my lungs as I burst out of the clubhouse and wrench the door open of the battered Camaro. Kenzi and I rarely use it these days, since its dependability is shaky at best. I say a prayer as I jam the key into the ignition, trying to get the engine to turn over.
"Come on, come on, baby." I urge the machine, willing it to cooperate. "Don't quit on me now."
I almost cry tears of joy as the engine sputters again and roars to life. Jamming my foot on the gas, I tear out of the lot, almost losing control of the vehicle as I turn the wheel 180 degrees.
I'm panting and trying in vain to breathe deeply at the same time. But it's no use. My heart's pounding and my blood pressure shoots so high, I almost see stars.
"Lauren." I whisper. "What's happening?"
The bumper of the Camaro receives a sizable dent as I bring it screeching to a halt in the alley near the Dal, almost running over a dumpster. I kick open the door and leave it ajar, the engine running.
Letting my instincts guide me, I turn away from the Dal and half walk, half run down the alley, my eyes scanning intently. The logical part of me doesn't know exactly what I'm doing or what I'm looking for. But I can feel the primal succubus inside me, starting to emerge. My muscles are tense, ready for battle. I know that something terrible has happened here. My head abruptly whips to the right as I detect a crumpled form. One that's as familiar as my own.
"Lauren!" Her name rips from my throat as I run to her side. Kneeling and gently rolling her over, I'm alarmed at the amount of blood that covers her temple and continues to flow down her face.
"Oh god! Who did this to you?" I question out loud, trying to keep my tears at bay as my fingers gently probe her face. Her right eye and cheek are starting to bruise a nasty shade of purple, and her lips are tinged blue.
I carefully slip my arms under Lauren's shoulders and the crook of her knees, cradling her body close to mine. I stand and turn towards the beckoning lantern of the Dal, trying to walk as quickly as I can without jostling or dropping my precious cargo. I've only made it a few steps when I feel her body start to shake in my arms.
"Lauren, shh." I can feel the panic in her frame as she cries out and starts to struggle. "It's me, it's Bo."
I send a pulse through her, letting the orange glow seep into her skin. Her movements become less jerky, as I feel her relax against my hold.
"That's it." I whisper against her ear. "I've got you, sweetheart. I've got you."
I reach the Dal and manage to maneuver the door open. Scanning the crowd, I'm relieved to see two who can provide me some much needed backup.
"Trick, Dyson!" I ignore the stares of the other patrons as I push to the back of the room. "We need help!"
"Lauren…" I see Dyson's face fall in shock as he sees her battered condition. He quickly recovers and clears space on the long wooden bar top. I vaguely hear Trick ordering all the remaining fae out of the Dal as I lay Lauren down.
"What happened?" The wolf asks.
"I don't know, I just found her in the alley." In the light of the bar, her injuries look so much worse. I take a breath to steady my pulse, knowing that the panic is showing in my voice.
"Here." Trick passes a clean cloth over. I press it to Lauren's head wound, hearing her whimper as her eyes flutter and fight to open.
"I'm sorry, I know that hurts." I apologize as I thumb away my girlfriend's tears. "But I've got to stop the bleeding."
I hear Dyson on the phone, ending a quick call. "Hale's sending over a medical team from the light fae lab. They'll be here within minutes."
He pauses for a moment, inhaling deeply. The wolf's eyes emerge, briefly reverting to yellow slits. "I smell fae on her, Bo. Something rotten. Definitely underfae."
I glance at him, resisting the urge to let the monster in me come forth and suck the life out of anyone that threatens the woman I love. "No matter who they are, they won't exist when I'm done with them!"
My attention is diverted as I hear a terrifying, rattling breath from Lauren's lips. All thoughts of the succubus are gone as my stomach twists in alarm.
"Lauren?" I place a hand on her wrist, feeling her pulse become more erratic with each beat. "What's wrong, what do I do?"
Trick steps up and places his ear to her chest. His face grimaces as he listens.
"She's got a severe injury to her lung. It's making it difficult for her to breathe. Her lips are turning blue, she's getting no circulation." Carefully, Trick eases up Lauren's shirt. I suck in a physically painful breath seeing the massive contusions and concave section of her ribs where they have been beaten.
"I've seen this kind of injury before." Trick takes command, speaking with authority "Dyson, get me the strongest alcohol I've got. Top shelf. What Kenzi calls the good stuff. More clean towels and that first aid kit behind the bar. And some kind of a small, hollow tube. Take a ball point pen and disassemble it. That should work fine."
My grandfather lays a hand on my arm. "Bo, we need to work quickly. We don't have time to wait until help gets here. You have your knife, right?"
I swallow, trying to wet my throat, my mind still not quite wanting to process what he wants me to do. "Of course."
"We need to help Lauren breathe. Now."
I shake my head, feeling the tears fill my eyes. "No! I can't do it. I can't hurt her more than she's already been –"
"Bo!" The hand on my arm now has me in a merciless grip, as my grandfather's eyes bore into mine. "She'll die before we get her to the lab. If you're not strong enough. For her."
I nod. Trick releases my arm and I reach down to my boot and unsheathe my knife. Dyson makes his way back to the bar, his arms filled with supplies. He quickly gets everything ready. I rip open Lauren's shirt, fully exposing her right side. I carefully swab her skin with alcohol and do the same with my blade.
I blink several times to clear my vision. It does me no good to cry now, especially when my lover's life is in my hands. My throat tightens as I feel Lauren's shaking hand reach out and encircle my wrist. Guiding it to her side, she positions the knife point at an angle to insert between her ribs. Her eyes flutter open for the briefest of seconds as she manages to nod in my direction.
"Dyson, hold her shoulders down." Trick orders, as he moves into position. "I'll get her legs. We can't let her move the slightest bit, otherwise it could make the tear in her lung even worse."
He addresses me. "Push the knife in, hard. But not far enough to puncture the lung again. Just through the outlying muscle and tissue. It will release pressure on the lung so it can expand."
"Okay." I nod again as I feel my resolve strengthen. I know I've only got one shot at this and there's no room for error.
"Hang on, sweetie." I whisper. "Ready?"
I feel her take a shallow breath. Without hesitation, I plunge the knife in, feeling the strange, ethereal sensation of the blade sliding through flesh. Just as quickly, I pull it out, replacing it with the hollowed out pen. I can feel my ears ringing, as I realize both of us had screamed in agony. I'm not sure whose pain was greater.
After a few seconds, I hear Lauren's breathing improve. The tight vise on my chest loosens a little. Trick carefully secures the tube in her side with tape and some gauze from the medical kit.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." I repeatedly kiss her forehead. "Sorry I had to hurt you."
I pause, as I feel Lauren's body go completely limp. "Lauren?" I resist the urge to gently shake her, as I feel my desperation rising "Lauren?"
"It's going to be all right, Bo." I feel Dyson's hand on my back, comforting me. I follow his gaze to the door where two fae I recognize from the lab come towards us, wheeling a stretcher. "Help is here."
I refuse to let go of Lauren's hand as I run alongside the gurney. Going through the double doors into the white expanse of the light fae lab, we're met with a medical team who take over from the two fae paramedics. My mind races as I try to decipher the numbers and medical jargon everyone is spewing.
"Okay, let's get her into the OR, now!" That's Braden, a light fae healer who has worked with Lauren in the lab for the last few years.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" I question him, as I squeeze Lauren's fingers protectively. "With a human patient?"
Braden's eyes meet mine, his manner efficient and reassuring. "Don't worry, succubus. We'll take good care of Dr. Lewis for you." He reaches and gently pries my fingers away from Lauren's. "Let me do my job. I'll update you as soon as I can."
I'm left panting and emotionally spent as I watch Lauren and the medical team disappear behind another set of double doors. Exhausted, I hang my head, resting my hands on my knees. I swipe them on my pants, realizing that I still have my lover's sticky, drying blood coating my palms and fingers. I look down at my clothes and see that my shirt and bare chest are also covered. My mind randomly recalls Lauren in the midst of one of her science-y rants – and why head wounds bleed so much due to the number of blood vessels in that part of the body.
"Bo!" I hear stilettos clacking on the tile behind me as I turn to see a wide-eyed Kenzi running to my side. "D-man called and told me what happened. He's –"
"I can't get it off, Kenz!" I finally let the dam burst, as I feel the hot rush of tears on my face. I frantically scrub my hands together, making even more of a mess. My chest hitches as I start to hyperventilate. "Her blood, it's all over me, it's all over –"
"BoBo! Slow down, sweetcheeks." Kenzi puts her hands on my shoulders, squeezing them hard. "Let's share a Dalai Lama moment. Just breathe with me, okay?"
After a few moments of exaggerated breathing, I feel my heart rate slow down. I meet my friend's compassionate gaze, grateful beyond words that she's able to be at my side when I need her the most.
"I can't lose her." I shudder as I say the words out loud. "Not after everything we've been through."
"Come on." Kenzi motions with her head, as she leads me towards a bathroom. "Let's get cleaned up so you look decent when Dr. Hotpants wakes up and lays one on ya."
