The journey back to Bo and Kenzi's ramshackle house taxed the human women to their limit. Bo's gentle suggestions to rest, and her request that Lauren stay close rather than travel to her solitary home, were met with little resistance.
Preparing for bed was a comfortingly prosaic exercise. Simple domesticity served as a balm to fear and pain. Kenzi excused herself first, to change into red and black pajamas, then amble to the kitchen to forage for a snack.
Lauren borrowed a T-shirt from Bo to sleep in. She lifted her eyebrows at the word Security, which was emblazoned across her chest. Bo answered the unspoken question with a sheepish grin. As the garment was fitted for Bo's more generous curves, the hem just skimmed the very top of the lean doctor's thighs.
Lauren stripped off her underwear, intending to rinse them out for the morning. Bo waved off her idea with a casual hand and insisted that she simply borrow some. The doctor chuckled to herself as she considered that Bo did not own much in the way of demure clothing. Resigning herself to being uncomfortable, and secretly pleased by the intimate act of sharing, Lauren discretely observed Bo in the bathroom mirror.
The freshly showered succubus more than illustrated the doctor's silent musing, as they stood side by side at the sink to clean their teeth. For sleepwear, Bo had selected a matching cami and thong in rich lace-trimmed indigo silk, which offered tantalizing glimpses of her voluptuous form.
The fair-haired woman's mouth watered at the luscious curves on unabashed display. In turn, Bo relished secretly viewing the lower curve of her lover's shapely rear, or her neat golden curls, as the T-shirt hem rode up. The lovers sent one another appreciative glances as they finished their routines and moved to the bedroom.
Aware of Lauren's rising state of desire radiating from her, as clean and pure as a halo, Bo found herself charmed by her lover's hesitation, as Lauren's expressive eyes dipped downward in thoughtful consideration.
Lauren mentally replayed the night that she had come to Bo's home to seek elusive sleep in the aftermath of Nadia's death. Bo had let her speak, listened to her fears and doubts, held her through her tears, and then cradled Lauren in strong arms while she slept. She had woken up sprawled on top of Bo, comfortably nestled in her cleavage, and clinging to her like ivy. The brunette had met her bashful frown with a patient easy-going grin that was just Bo, then dismissed Lauren's protests that she had been up all night with one simple declaration: "I was keeping you safe."
Bo quietly closing the glass-paneled bedroom doors to block the noise of Kenzi's efforts in the kitchen. "Lauren?" Bo began, gesturing to the bed that the doctor was gazing at in silent reverie, "is this OK?"
Lauren's eyes refocused on the generous bed, on its plush and feminine plum-colored satin sheets and pillows, before feeling a mild flush shade her cheeks pink in anticipation. "I was wondering," Lauren tried hard not to give in to the urge to babble as Bo regarded her with amusement, "which side you wanted?"
"I don't mind," Bo chuckled. "Make yourself comfortable."
More used to frantically tumbling into bed with Bo, tugging at each other's clothing as their passion lead the way, Lauren sat on the edge of the bed and self-consciously pressed her knees together before she slid her legs beneath the covers.
The chill of the icy smooth fabric sent a sharp thrill racing along Lauren's spine, piquing her nerves and making her nipples harden. An eager shiver ran through her body as the satin sheet flowed against her bare legs, draped her hips and waist, and awakened exquisite tactile sensation wherever it touched her.
One corner of Bo's mouth lifted in a crooked smile as she viewed Lauren's physical response to savoring the luxury of her bed. As soon as Lauren had settled with a sigh of contentment, Bo circled the bed to take the free side. Bo noted that her lover was viewing the motion of her hips and the sway of her breasts as she walked with unapologetically keen interest. Unable to resist offering temptation, reveling in the frank appreciation of her figure, Bo reclined on her bed and stretched slowly for Lauren's viewing pleasure.
Despite the weariness etched across her features, Lauren unconsciously moistened her bottom lip as her gaze cruised Bo's form. She lingered over shapely legs, then the enticing strip of skin between Bo's cami top and her thong, before alighting on Bo's full breasts.
Lauren's warm welcoming desire flared into vibrant life, in defiance of her fatigue, as Bo greeted her frank study with a wicked grin and a smoldering perusal of her own. Without needing a word of invitation, the two women surrendered to longing and reached for one another.
Bo accepted Lauren into her arms, reclining against plush pillows to accept the blonde's lean weight on top of her. Bo parted her legs to make space for her ardent lover's thigh, taking Lauren's groan of appreciation in her mouth as she bowed her head for a kiss.
The lovers kissed softly and gently, neither seeking to deepen the embrace. The quiet sounds of mouths capturing and sucking softly on pliant lips, as delicate tongues brushed tenderly together, blended with muted exhalations and murmurs of pleasure. Their eyes drifted closed to better savor sweet and mild kisses, which flowed easily between them.
Relishing how their bodies fitted together like puzzle pieces, Lauren trusted Bo to bear some of her weight. The lanky blonde cupped a practiced hand against Bo's breast, exploring her lover's generous curves through the glossy silk and rough lace of Bo's lingerie. Lauren delighted in the gliding strokes of her palm, and the contrasting coarseness of the elaborate trim, as she rubbed Bo's excited nipple to make her shudder.
Bo's own hands were never still as her lover caressed her. Bo toured the sculpted muscles of Lauren's back and shoulders through the comfortable cotton T-shirt, before feeling Lauren smiling against her mouth as Bo's knowing hands travelled down her body.
Dextrous fingers journeyed to the hem of the shirt, then lower still to ghost against the backs of Lauren's thighs. The whisper-light touch tempted a squirm, and a hum of pleasure, from the honey-haired woman. Bo pushed the T-shirt out of her way, exposing flawless skin and supple flesh, then grazed her neat fingernails upwards, from smooth thighs to the swell of Lauren's bare behind.
As their kisses began to deepen in earnest, the lover's sensual touching drew sultry moans from one another. Lauren rubbed the pad of her thumb over and around Bo's aching nipple, using the contrast between the fabrics as a delicious torment against the rigid peak, until Bo was gasping in bliss. Lauren adjusted her hips to press more intently against Bo, entangling their legs and searching for a moment of relief.
In return, Bo's strong hands kneaded Lauren's backside. Bo massaged firmly, parting her, before dipping down to brush impudent tickles against Lauren's neatly trimmed crease. The touch from behind, teasing and tantalizing, enticed a fresh throaty groan from the human woman.
The succubus felt her nerves beginning to blaze, as the familiar and always-present energetic life force within called on her to surrender to lust, take control and ravish her lover. Bo confounded her hunger with faith; trusting that Lauren would be strong, centered and confident enough in herself and her desires to match Bo's passion. "Lauren, please."
The softly murmured benediction thrilled Lauren, filling her chest with liquid heat, then sent an urgent pulse down between her legs. Slipping a thin cami strap from her shoulder, Lauren lowered the neckline to expose Bo's luscious breast. Bo arched her back as Lauren curled her softened tongue around her nipple and suckled; firmly at first, then with an even and gentle tempo.
Bo's hands roamed Lauren's hips, drawing her closer so that she could guide the steady friction of bodies grinding together in tempo with the loving mouth at her breast. Once satisfied by their carnal rhythm, the succubus' touch drifted lower. Bo teased Lauren's labia, sampling her rising moisture, before grasping her cheeks to deliver a lewd squeeze which dredged another deep chesty groan from the blonde.
Longing to feel naked skin, Bo captured the hem of the T-shirt and began to lift. "I want you," Bo breathed.
Her dark eyes sparkling with good humor, and a bright corona of aroused desire glowing around her, Lauren broke the eager suckle. Lifting up from Bo so that the shirt could be drawn from her, Lauren purred, "Then have me."
The first rapping of knuckles on glass was so quiet and shy that the lovers, lost in giving one another pleasure, missed it. The second, a little louder but still hesitant, dragged their reluctant attention to the glass-paneled door.
With her face studiously turned away from the clear view into the bedroom, black hair loose and falling in swathes around her face, Kenzi tilted her head to try and discern if the knocking had been noticed. "Guys? Are you still up?" the young woman called.
Catching her breath from their deep kisses, and trying not to tremble beneath the shapely limb pressing against her sex, Bo exchanged concerned glances with Lauren. Signaling an apology with her eyes, Bo received a nod in response. "Yeah, we're awake," Bo answered.
Beyond the glass Kenzi nodded absently, then reached for the door handle, before pausing once more. "Are you guys, like, naked?"
Scrambling apart, Bo straightened the neck of her cami to cover her breast. Beside her, Lauren tugged down the hem of her shirt to deprive Bo of her view of taut creamy skin. "No," they chorused.
Taking her friend's words as an invitation, Kenzi let herself into the bedroom. The pajama-clad woman's sleepy gaze rested for a moment on the two lovers, before she cringed a little in embarrassment. "Sorry for messing up your mojo."
Lauren pushed a hand through her bed-rumpled hair. "No, it's OK, Kenzi." Lauren offered her a mild smile. "We're tired and ready to sleep."
The smooth ease with which Lauren deflected Kenzi's agitated concern brought a disapproving frown from Bo. The doctor brushed off the scold with a discrete shake of her head and the briefest flare of stern warning.
"What's up, Kenz?" Bo asked, stubbornly turning her face away from Lauren.
The smaller woman's turbulent nerves sketched lines of stress on her dainty features. "I don't feel good," she sighed.
"I'll get my bag." Careless of her state of undress, Lauren pushed back the satin sheet.
"No, Doc," Kenzi quickly interrupted, "I don't mean that." The normally verbose woman, used to relying on her quick wits and clever words, found herself bereft. Kenzi miserably scrubbed at her brow, before folding her arms tightly over her modest chest in a pose of pure self-protection.
Kenzi's brittle distress pulled at Lauren's sympathetic senses. The youngest of the trio, the one most detached from death, was buckling beneath painful memories and exposure to the Dark. Lauren lightly touched Bo's shoulder to catch her attention. "I'll grab some blankets from the footlocker and sleep on the couch." The rest of Lauren's statement remained unsaid between them: She needs you.
Kenzi blinked wearily and rubbed at her eyes, a gesture that made her look so much younger than her years. "No, you should be together, I'm sorry."
Bo shared another glance with Lauren, and was pleased to find a reflection of her own warm regard. Whatever disappointment Lauren may have felt for the interruption to their lovemaking was carefully concealed as she nodded her understanding and acceptance.
"Hey, Kenz, it's OK," Bo coaxed. "Lauren's going to scoot over, there's room." Bo softened her voice to relax her younger friend's fracturing emotions, and set aside her pride. "We were just turning in, it's no big deal."
Contented and comforted by Bo's suggestion, Kenzi paused at the edge of Bo's spacious bed as the two women made adjustments for her. Although the succubus' natural habitat was generous enough for them all to have plenty of room, Bo's offer to the slender thief to slide closer was gratefully accepted.
With her head propped up on her elbow, her palm cupping her chin, Lauren smiled fondly as Bo settled on her back and wrapped her arm around Kenzi. The pale-skinned girl rested quietly against Bo's shoulder, before closing eyes that Lauren realized had been on the verge of tears.
For almost an hour, the honorable Fae woman held Kenzi close; allowing her to burrow against her neck, then soothing her with a slow and measured rubbing of her back and shoulders.
Watching Bo gifting kindness and security to Kenzi, Lauren felt her heart brimming with adoration. She had experienced for herself that the practical Fae woman did not even think to question simple acts of companionship; Bo's capacity for selflessly granting loving support to her friends was as much a part of her as her indomitable spirit.
As she realized that she was being observed, Bo raised her affectionate gaze to Lauren, and received a simple chaste kiss in response. The honey-haired woman gave Bo her familiar broad smile, before speaking softly on an exhaled breath. "Does she do this often?"
"Sometimes," Bo whispered, "when it's really bad. She makes her choices too, but sometimes it's just a little harder. She's not done this not since she ended with Nate." Bo sighed at her own words, and the burden behind them.
Lauren leaned over Bo's chest, surprising her by moving so close to Kenzi that she looked as if she was intending to kiss the young woman goodnight. "What are you doing?" Bo asked.
Sparing Bo a critical glance, Lauren inhaled deeply by Kenzi's nose and mouth before returning to her pillow. "I don't smell tequila or wine. Is there vodka in the house?" Secure in her beliefs, Lauren stood her ground against Bo's disapproving frown. "Your body will treat any amount of alcohol like a poison and will metabolize it like any other toxin. She can't hope to keep up with you, you need to be careful."
"She's not drunk," Bo protested. "She puts up a front, but she just feels so much sometimes. Something about that woman really got to her."
Lauren smiled fondly at her lover's urge to defend the youngest of the trio. "Does she tell you much about her past?" Lauren studied the ceiling briefly, before giving a conceding chuckle. "Or at least, does she ever tell the same story the same way twice?"
Bo softly hushed Kenzi as she became restless, then sent a sharper glare to Lauren, which the doctor acknowledged with a tilt of her head. "What are you thinking?" Bo asked.
"Something she said to me about Jaime leaving someone behind," Lauren answered, carefully keeping her voice only just audible. "If she sets her mind to it, she's very intuitive about people."
"She's a con artist," Bo reasoned. "A good one."
"We found a clue to who Jaime was," Lauren added.
Bo accepted the unsubtle hint without a moment of doubt. "We'll get on it in the morning." She received another light and sweet kiss from Lauren in acknowledgment. "I'm sorry we got interrupted."
"There will be other chances, other times," Lauren answered amiably. "You're her family." The glowing smile of pride, which spread across the succubus' mouth and made her eyes shine, sent a profound wave of love through Lauren's body.
"Get some sleep," Bo offered gently. "We'll talk tomorrow."