Love's Guard by Cheeya
Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to me but they are based upon two Xenaverse characters that we know and love. No copyright infringement was intended.
Love/Sex: This story is a work of alternative uber fiction and contains scenes of love between two consenting adults of the same gender throughout. If you're too young to read this, if it offends you or if it's illegal where you live, please don't read any further.
Language: Yes and often enough.
Dedication: For Sham and for Linda... my two favourite people in the whole world!
Archiving: Go ahead but let me know at the address below. I'll get a kick outta it ;-)
Bard's Note: This is part three of an ongoing tale. I hope you enjoy it!
Comments/constructive criticism to cheeya@xenafan.com the rest of my fan fiction/poetry can be found at http://www.geocities.com/cheeya_2000
Part 3
*Flash*
"Ms Strand, can you tell us what's going on between you and Dylan McLachlin?"
*Flash*
"Ms Strand! Ms Strand! Who was that lady who accompanied you to the opening of Rage? Is your relationship with Ms McLachlin over?"
*Flash*
*Flash*
Ari sighed as she tried to ignore the cameras and questions coming from the reporters surrounding her. Her bodyguard's hand was on her back, helping her through the hoards of people but when the actress looked up, she saw the anger reflected in Dylan's eyes. The six foot, dark-haired woman growled as she pushed one of the reporters roughly out of the way to let her client through.
"Hey!" he cried indignantly.
"Bite me," Dylan replied and pushed on.
*Flash*
"Ms McLachlin! Is Ari good in bed?"
Uh oh! Ari's eyes closed the moment she heard the question and felt Dylan stop and stiffen. The bodyguard's hand curled into a fist and she slowly turned to face the reporter but Ari suddenly moved to stand in front of her, gazing up into her eyes.
"Dylan, don't do it," she said, covering the fist with her hand. "Please, don't do it."
Dylan's eyes locked with hers in a battle of will and her jaw muscles clenched as she fought for control over her rage but finally, she blew out a long breath and looked at the man holding a microphone out.
"You'll never have the pleasure of knowing, Buddy," she growled and then took hold of Ari's hand to continue on to the aeroplane. At the top of the stairs, Ari turned, gave a little wave and then preceded Dylan into the plane. She ran a hand through her hair and took a seat but she jumped as she heard a string of strangled curses and a fist thumping the bulkhead near the door.
"Oww! Fuck! Bastards!"
Dylan spun and leaned back against the wall, her eyes squeezed tightly shut and her teeth gritted but she opened them as she felt two warm palms pressing gently against her stomach. Emerald green eyes looked up at her and she felt her heart aching.
"Calm down. It's ok. You just have to ignore them," Ari said softly. She rubbed Dylan's stomach slowly and felt the tension begin to melt from her.
"I can't believe he asked that," the taller woman replied.
"I get asked stuff like that all the time and I normally say exactly what you said," Ari grinned and Dylan felt herself smile back but she looked down then.
"I was going to punch him," she admitted in a small voice.
"I know... but you didn't. Everything's ok."
"I would have hit him if you hadn't stopped me."
"I was the reason you were going to hit him, Dylan, I know that. I had to stop you."
Just then, the captain's voice came over the cabin speakers.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we'll be taking off in about five minutes. Please make sure your belongings are secured and your seatbelts are securely fastened."
Dylan took a deep breath.
"Go get settled in while I check on the guys. I'll be back in a few minutes."
Ari nodded and went back to her seat. She buckled in and then rested her head back against her seat, closing her eyes in utter exhaustion. It had been one of the worst weeks she could remember and she was looking forward to getting home. She felt someone sit beside her and turned her head to smile at her bodyguard.
"What's the plan when we get home?" she asked. Dylan shrugged.
"That depends on you, I guess," she replied. "Do you still want me to stay on as..."
"Yes," Ari interrupted. "Definitely. This thing with the letter..." She paused and took a shaky breath. "I told you that I feel safe when you're with me, as if nothing can touch me... well, I still do, Dylan. I want you to stay on as my bodyguard."
The older woman nodded.
"As long as you want me there, I'll be around," she replied and their eyes slowly met and held but after a moment, Dylan looked away, immediately feeling the loss of the tentative contact. "Why don't you try to get some sleep. It's been hectic."
"Ok," Ari replied. She hit the button to recline her seat and tried to relax but she smiled as she felt a blanket being tucked in around her. "Thanks,"
"Don't mention it. I'm gonna be right here, ok?"
"Ok."
Ten minutes later, Ari was asleep. Dylan spent the following two hours watching her.
*~*~*~*~*
"Where's the goddamned limo?!"
Dylan paced furiously back and forth, waving her arms as she yelled into her cell phone. "Ariana Strand doesn't pay limo fees to have to wait two goddamned hours in an airport! You've got thirty minutes to get a car here or Ms Strand will be terminating your contract! Traffic? I don't give a shit about traffic! You... but... alright. Thirty minutes. So you should be!" She hung up and then flopped onto a sofa. "Son of a bitch," she muttered but once again, a soothing hand rested on her shoulder.
"You're going to give yourself a heart attack," Ari smiled as she sat down next to her bodyguard.
"Maybe a minor one," Dylan agreed with a small smile. "George got stuck on the freeway. Dammit, I shouldn't have yelled. He's a good guy."
"I'll send him a fruit basket or something," Ari replied. "Don't worry about it."
Blue eyes narrowed slightly as the bodyguard looked curiously at her client.
"Why are you being so nice to me? I mean... after... what I did in Los Angeles?" Ari shrugged and looked away but Dylan gently turned her face back. "Why?" she repeated softly.
"Because... um... I... I still love you," came the whispered reply. "I tried so hard over the past few days but I just can't hate you, Dylan."
The older woman nodded.
"I didn't want you to hate me... I mean, I know I deserve it but I... I really didn't want you to hate me."
"I could never hate you," Ari replied. "But it's going to be hard for us to go back to being just friends, you know that, right?"
"Yeah," Dylan stated on a long breath. "But I want us to be friends. Do you?"
"Definitely."
"Good."
They smiled at one another and then David came running over.
"George is here. You ready?"
"Yep," the two women replied and then headed out toward the car.
*~*~*~*~*
It was almost four in the afternoon when the limo finally pulled up outside the main residence of the Strand estate. Marlene Strand was waiting for her daughter at the door with a large smile on her face and the actress ran to hug her.
"Hi, Mom. God, am I glad to see you!"
Dylan smiled as she watched mother and daughter enter the house but the smile widened as Ari looked back briefly and offered her a slight eye-roll as the bodyguard heard Marlene comment on the fact that she thought her daughter was too thin. The dark woman chuckled and headed back to her apartment.
Once seated in Ari's private living room, Marlene looked into her daughter's eyes.
"Honey, what is it?" she asked. "You look so tired."
The actress nodded and rested her head on her mother's shoulder, smiling as the older woman's fingers began to stroke her hair.
"Mama, I'm in big trouble," she said softly.
"You've fallen for her, haven't you?" Marlene asked, already knowing the answer. "Does she feel the same?"
"That's why I'm in trouble. Things were going so well. She'd opened up to me and we'd even progressed to the kissing and touching stage but then, someone published a photo of us having dinner together in a newspaper." Ari felt her mother nodding and realised that she'd seen the article. "She went crazy, Mama. She told me that we couldn't see each other anymore because her reputation as a bodyguard was at stake but I know she feels something for me. She told me..." Tears were flowing freely now and Marlene wrapped her daughter up in a hug.
"Shhh, it's alright, Baby. Everything's going to be ok."
"I feel incomplete without her. I feel as if I'm missing something inside me."
"I know, Honey. My, my, for someone who doesn't fall in love easily, you've really fallen hard haven't you."
Marlene received a nod and a sniffle and just rocked her daughter gently until she fell into an exhausted sleep.
*~*~*~*~*
5.30am. Dylan rolled out of bed and changed into her workout gear, not really caring about the soothing sound of birds singing or the fact that it was a beautiful day outside. The phone rang. She ignored it. The aroma from the automatic coffee maker called to her. She ignored that too. All she cared about was getting as sweaty as possible and working out all the frustration and tension she was feeling. She was at sit-up number three hundred and six when a fist banged on her front door.
"Go away!" she yelled and kept going, picking up her pace even more.
"Dylan, its David!" came a voice.
"Go away!" she yelled again.
"Dylan, c'mon. Let me in!"
"I said go the fuck away!"
"Dylan, Ari just got another letter!" All movement from the bodyguard stopped dead. Her breath came in ragged gasps and her stomach muscles began to burn. "Dylan, she's really upset. I think you'd better get up there."
Ohshitohshitohshitohshitohshit
"Come in. I'll be ten minutes."
True to her word, ten minutes later they were on their way to the house at a run. Dylan burst into Ari's private living room to find the actress and her mother there. The blonde looked terrified and her mother was trying to calm her down.
"Ari," Dylan said softly as she moved around the couch to kneel facing her. The younger woman looked at her for a moment and then threw herself at her bodyguard, wrapping her arms around her in a death grip.
"Jesus, Dylan. They were here," she whispered. "Whoever it was, they were here."
The taller woman gently rubbed her back and before she even realised what she was doing, kissed her temple.
"It's ok. I've got you," she said softly. "I'm here."
"I'm scared, Dylan," Ari admitted, her voice barely audible.
"I know, Sweetheart, but I'm not going to let anything happen to you." Ari loosened her grip and gazed into worried, blue eyes. Dylan felt her heart melt and she knew that she couldn't deny it any longer. The thought of Ari's fear and the possibility of her getting hurt made her sick to her stomach. She shook her head, her little voices not even daring to speak up. "What am I doing?" she whispered as she looked into fearful green eyes. "How can I, for even one minute, pretend that I'm not crazy in love with you? Ariana, I'm so sorry."
"I... It's ok," the actress replied as her heart soared higher than any bird could. She leaned in and they met in the middle, each woman trying to convey her love through a single kiss. It deepened slowly and when they finally parted they held each other tightly. "I love you, Dylan, more than anything."
"And I love you. Jesus, Ari, I've never felt like this before."
It was at this moment that they realised that Marlene and David were still in the room, their eyes politely averted. The blonde actress giggled and then stood up.
"Mama, I'd like you to meet my partner, Dylan... again."
The older woman gave the bodyguard a hug.
"You had me worried for a while, Dylan," she whispered in her ear.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am," the dark woman, drawled. "I had a moment of utter stupidity."
"I'm just glad it's over," Marlene replied with a smile.
"Me too," the bodyguard replied as she looked at the woman she loved. Then her face turned serious. "Alright, tell me about this letter."
Ari nodded and went back to sit on the sofa while David produced another zip-lock bag.
"Ariana found this in her bedroom this morning when she came back from her shower. It was sitting on her bed."
Dylan felt her anger well and glared at her second in command.
"How did this person get into the house, David? We have cameras everywhere. There are guards making constant rounds of the grounds. How. Did. This. Happen?"
Marlene backed away from the fury she felt coming in waves from the bodyguard but secretly smiled, pleased that someone was taking such good care of her daughter. Meanwhile, David's eyes were locked on his boss.
"I don't know how this happened, Dylan. Tom was manning the monitors all morning and he didn't see a thing. There was only one five-minute period when he wasn't at his post and that was to go to the bathroom. No one could get in and out of the house in that time."
Dylan nodded, reluctantly agreeing with her friend. She suddenly thought back to the movie she'd watched with Ari a week previously and wondered what Kevin Costner would do... Take Ari away from the estate... but where?
"I wonder what San Antonio is like at this time of the year," she said suddenly. Three pairs of curious, confused eyes fixed on her. "We're getting Ari out of here, David. I'm going to take her to my family's ranch in San Antonio."
The sandy-haired man nodded.
"I'll get the team ready..." he began but Dylan grabbed his arm and shook her head.
"No, I... I want you to stay here. I'm bringing Steph with me and that's all. I'll drive Ari, her mother and Steph up there. We're going late tonight and you're going to stay here and carry on as normal as if Ari is here. Get me?"
David nodded slowly.
"What's going in that gorgeous head of yours?" he asked.
"I think there's someone on the inside." Stunned silence. "I don't know who it is but I don't want anyone to know except you, ok? As far as everyone else is concerned, Ari is sick and confined to bed. I've gone to San Antonio for a much-needed vacation. Get it?
"Got it."
"Good." Dylan turned to Ari then. "Sweetheart?" Tired green eyes opened and gazed up affectionately. "Do you like horseback riding?"
"I'm a Texan. Of course I do!"
"Good. Pack enough for a few weeks. We're going to my grandparent's ranch. Your Mom's coming too. I don't want to risk her getting hurt."
Marlene nodded her agreement.
"Ari, let's go and get ready. I haven't unpacked yet so I'm ready to go."
Ariana nodded and stood up.
"We'll be ready in an hour," she promised and then headed toward the door but she stopped suddenly and looked back at her partner. "Promise me you won't do anything stupid like getting shot or anything."
Azure eyes grew sad.
"I can't promise that, Ari," Dylan replied moving to hug her petite love. "I'll do anything to keep you safe."
"You're fired."
"What?"
A chuckle.
"I said you're fired. That way, you don't have to dive in front of any bullets for me."
Dylan smiled and kissed the actress on the forehead.
"Doesn't matter," she replied. "I'll do it anyway. I love you."
3am. Dylan McLachlin blinked her tired blue eyes as she waited for Ari and her mother. She pulled her leather jacket tighter around her and shivered in the cool night air. The stars were twinkling brightly in the sky and she smiled, thinking that one particular constellation looked like a fish. A fish? Why does that seem so familiar... like I've spoken to someone about it before? But she pushed the thought aside as Ari appeared at the door. My god, she's so beautiful... and she's mine. The thought made the stoic bodyguard feel like she was sixteen again and she barely managed to suppress a delighted giggle, even though she knew she shouldn't be so possessive. Aww screw it. She's mine. She met the actress halfway and took her duffel from her, raising a questioning eyebrow at her. Ari grinned.
"Just because I have lots of clothes doesn't mean I have to bring them all. I take it your grandparents have a washing machine?"
Dylan chuckled.
"I've met your mother. I should have known you'd be domesticated," she teased.
"I can cook too," the blonde replied with a wink. "And I know the way to your heart is through your stomach, Miss I-Don't-Like-Chocolate-But-Eat-It-When-No-One's-Looking."
The eyebrow inched even higher.
"You know about that, huh?"
"Uh huh, but I won't tell anyone if you don't tell that I have my favourite bear in there."
"Promise," came the chuckled reply and they sealed the bargain with a loving kiss.
"Hey, get a room, you too!"
Marlene Strand was suddenly beside them, a broad grin rising to her face when she saw two matching blushes.
"Let's go," Dylan prompted as she opened the back door of the Explorer and helped the older woman in. Ari giggled and pinched her love's backside as she walked around to the passenger door. She winked and then climbed in, leaving the bodyguard to put the bags in the back. David was the last to appear and he strolled to his friend.
"I wish you'd let me come," he said softly.
"I can't, Davy. You're the only person I trust to keep things going around here. We'll be fine. Steph's a good bodyguard." They looked at each other for a moment and then Dylan stepped into him for a tender hug. He was surprised but held her tightly before kissing her on the cheek.
"Be careful. Best friends aren't easy to come by, you know?"
"Yeah," she replied. "You be careful too. Let me know when the letter comes about the date of the Oscar ceremony. I'll have to get her back to make arrangements for it. Meanwhile, keep trying to find out what's going on around here."
"Yes, Boss. Now get going. Steph will be wondering what's happened to you."
Ten minutes later, Dylan had the Explorer cruising along the freeway on the way to pick up Steph, the last addition to their party. Ari was in the front seat and she reached over to place her hand on her partner's thigh.
"You ok?" she asked as she watched the muscles tense in the bodyguard's jaw.
"Yeah," Dylan sighed. "I just can't stand the thought that one of my guys is in on this but there can't be any other explanation. No one could move around without being noticed except security or one of your house staff."
"I trust my staff implicitly," Ari said softly. "They've been with me for four years now."
"I trusted mine too," Dylan replied. "Until now. The only person I trust now is David."
The actress looked confused.
"What about Steph? You trust her, don't you? Why?" Dylan said nothing and Ari shook her head slowly. "Wait. Don't tell me you and Steph used to be... oh god."
The bodyguard placed her hand over her partner's, entwining their fingers.
"It was a long time ago and believe me there's nothing going on. Steph is engaged to be married now." She smiled. "Besides, I'm kinda in love with someone."
"Oh? Who?" came the chuckled reply.
"You," the dark woman growled as she lifted their joined hands to her lips. "Forever."
Ari just sighed. God, I'm crazy about this woman... and loving every minute of it.
After picking up the curly-haired bodyguard, Dylan put her foot down and they were soon speeding along the highway towards San Antonio. She dialled the number for her grandparent's ranch and a sleepy voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Grandpa, it's Dylan."
"Dylan? Sweet Jesus, Girl, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm ok, Grandpa, but I need a favour."
"What is it?"
"I'm on my way up there with some people I'm protecting. Can we stay with you for a few weeks please?"
"Of course. You know you're always welcome here, Sweetie. Who is it?"
"Have you heard of Ariana Strand?"
"The actress?"
"Yep. It's her, her mother, another bodyguard and myself. We'll need three rooms."
There was silence for a moment but then Joe McLachlin chuckled.
"I'm too tired to do the math but something tells me you've got something to tell your grandma and me." Dylan laughed and a pretty blush rose to her cheeks.
"Actually, I do. Tell Grandma I love her. We'll be there in a couple of hours."
"Ok. Bye, Dylan."
"Bye, Grandpa."
The dark woman slipped her phone back into her pocket and didn't even have to look to know that Ari was grinning at her.
"You blushed," the blonde commented casually. "He guessed, didn't he?"
"Um..." The blush returned. "Yeah, he... he's pretty perceptive."
"He knows you're gay, right?"
"No, not... really."
Dylan began to feel very uncomfortable under her partner's scrutiny.
"Okaaaay," Ari replied. "What about your mother?"
"Definitely not."
"He probably thinks that the other bodyguard you mentioned is your boyfriend," the actress mused.
"Well, he'd be wrong, wouldn't he? Look, don't worry, Ari. I'll tell him. He'll be ok with it because one of his sons is gay too and he's cool with that."
Ari nodded and then moved a little closer to her partner.
"I'm not worried. I was just thinking about not being able to share a room with you."
Blue eyes snapped around to look at her, fully appreciating the lascivious grin they found. Broad shoulders rose in a shrug and a quirky smile rose to Dylan's face.
"There's always the barn."
*~*~*~*~*
The sun was up by the time they were pulling into the main yard of the McLachlin Ranch. Dylan cut the engine outside the house and rolled her tired shoulders creating an audible pop as the bones settled into place.
"Well, here we are," she said softly and Marlene leaned forward to look more closely.
"It's beautiful!" she praised. "I'm going to enjoy this."
The party got out of the car to stretch their legs and Dylan waved Steph over.
"Yeah, Boss?"
"Steph, I want you to have a look around. If you see anything that might be a security breach, let me know, ok?"
"Sure," Steph replied and turned to follow orders but Dylan stopped her.
"Stow your gear first and settle in," she said softly. "We're in this for the long haul."
The bodyguard nodded and went to get the bags out of the Explorer. Dylan took Ari's hand and locked their fingers, leaning down to kiss her gently.
"You ok?" she asked.
"Just tired, I guess," Ari replied as she leaned against her taller partner. "A hot bath and warm bed sounds good right about now."
"Yeah," the bodyguard replied. "Oh, there's my grandpa."
A tall, elderly man strode toward them from the direction of the barn and pulled Dylan into a bear hug. Joe McLachlin was a huge man who made even Dylan's six feet look small.
"Hello, Pumpkin," he said softly.
"Hello, Grandpa," she replied as she returned the hug. Marlene wandered over and Dylan stepped back. "Joe McLachlin, meet Marlene Strand and Stephanie Barnes. Steph is part of my security team." Joe was surprised for a moment but said nothing until Dylan took Ari's hand and gently pulled her forward. "And I'd like you to meet someone very special to me... my partner, Ariana Strand." The older man smiled warmly and gave the petite woman a gentle hug.
"It's a pleasure to meet the woman who's finally stolen my granddaughter's heart," he whispered into her ear and Ari blushed.
"She's stolen mine too, Mr McLachlin," she replied.
"Call me Joe." He turned then to Marlene. "And I guess you're Ariana's sister?" he asked charmingly and Dylan rolled her eyes.
"Nope, I'm her mother," Marlene replied. "But I like you already just for saying that."
Joe laughed.
"C'mon inside, y'all. Breakfast should be just about ready."
They all trailed into the house and were introduced to Dylan's grandmother, Martha McLachlin, a tiny, kind woman who immediately took a liking to Ari. The breakfast was an interesting meal. Dylan spent most of it blushing while Ari laughed at the embarrassing stories Joe and Martha told.
"I'm outta here before you completely ruin my reputation," the bodyguard said with a tender smile and then went outside to stretch her legs. The morning was warm and the sun caressed her already tanned face. Her long, dark hair lifted slightly in the breeze as she extended her senses. She felt it before she heard it... soft footfalls. "Hi, Grandma."
"How do you do that?" the old woman laughed. Dylan shrugged and returned the smile.
"Dunno. Good hearing, I guess."
They sat on the edge of the porch together and Dylan wrapped a long arm around her grandmother.
"She's a wonderful young woman," Martha said softly. "You love her very much, don't you."
"Yeah," the dark woman replied. "With all my heart. She completes me. It's a simple as that."
"We complete each other," came a new voice and the two women turned to find Ari behind them. "I hope I'm not intruding."
"Not at all, Sweetheart," Martha replied. "I was just going inside anyway. I have work to do. Come find me later, Dylan."
"I will, Grandma." The bodyguard smiled as her grandmother went inside. Then she opened her arms to have them immediately filled with a warm, blonde actress.
"I love you, " Ari whispered as she gazed up into piercing blue.
"I love you too," Dylan replied. "Um... feel like a nap?"
The actress looked in the direction of their room and then began to kiss the hollow of her love's throat.
"No, but I feel like trying out our bed. Whaddya say?"
"Yes, Ma'am," Dylan whispered as she nibbled on a tasty earlobe. "Good idea."
They were just about to leave when Steph appeared.
"Dylan, I've found something you might be interested in."
Shitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshit.
"Um..." The dark woman shot Ari an apologetic look, which returned a smile and a nod. "Ok. What is it?" She followed the younger bodyguard down the steps of the porch and across the yard toward the barn. Ari chuckled and headed toward their room to take a cold shower.
*~*~*~*~*
"So does your Mama know?"
"About me and Dylan? Yep, she sure does."
Martha handed another plate to the petite actress who dried it and placed it on the counter beside her.
"And she likes her?"
"Everyone likes her. She's pretty amazing... even when she's yelling at journalists to get their no good, yuppie butts outta the way."
Martha laughed then and handed another wet plate over.
"That's our Dylan. I remember, when she was a kid, a boy about five years older than her took her basketball and tried to get away with it. She kicked him in the shin so that he came down to her level and then socked him in the jaw. Took him right down, BAM!"
"How old was she?" Ari giggled.
"Six! It was her cousin, Paul. Her Daddy gave her a scolding and then one of her favourite chocolate chip cookies."
"My Daddy knew that Paul was a spoilt little brat and hey, he still is!" Ari smiled as her tall partner sauntered across the room and started putting the dishes away. "I've never had any trouble standing up for myself."
"So I can tell," the actress replied smiling up into blue eyes. "Sometimes even I'm afraid of you."
"You are?" Dylan asked, momentarily shocked. "Ari, I'd never do anything to hurt you, you know that, right?"
The blonde immediately regretted what she said and moved close to her love, wrapping her arms around her waist.
"Of course I know that. I was kidding, Dylan." She was pleased when the look of worry disappeared from the bodyguard's face. "But," she teased. "That look you do is pretty scary."
"She got that from her Grandpa Joe," Martha chuckled. "He's got a look that'll stop a bull in its tracks."
The two women laughed and Ari stood on her toes to gently kiss her bodyguard.
"I'm done here. Want to go for a walk?"
"I'd love to. How about I show you my favourite spots?"
"Sounds perfect."
They headed out after saying goodbye to Martha and soon they were strolling hand-in-hand through tall grass. They walked for a couple of hours, just content in each other's company.
"How did I get so lucky?" Dylan asked as she raised their joined hands to her lips.
"I don't know, but it seems to have rubbed off on me too," Ari replied with a smile. She stopped and backed her bodyguard up against a tree. "I think you mentioned a barn, did you not?" She slipped her hands under Dylan's shirt and ran them over her hard stomach. Then she slid them higher. "Oh god," she moaned as she found bare breasts. "No bra?" She raised a golden eyebrow.
"Never on vacation," the older woman chuckled. "It's a promise I made to myself a long time ago."
"I like it," came a low purr and Ari smiled as her partner's body reacted to the sexy tone. She lifted the black cotton shirt and circled an erect nipple with her tongue before sucking it into her mouth.
"Jesus, Ari," Dylan moaned as a bolt of pleasure shot southward. She laced her fingers through blonde hair and gently held the actress' head in place as teeth nipped, lips kissed and tongue tickled. The bodyguard's breath came in ragged gasps as she felt her jeans being opened and a hand slowly slipped inside. "You're going to kill me," she gasped and she heard a soft giggle float up to her. The hand stopped its movement but stayed where it was.
"We wouldn't want that to happen, now would we?" Ari asked with a knowing smile but Dylan's face was the picture of disappointment.
"Well, if it was going to happen, this would be the best way to go," she offered hopefully, her eyebrow inching its way upward. The actress pretended to think about this, all the while moving her fingers just slightly. Dylan moaned and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her love and trapping her hand where it was. Then she shamelessly began to grind her hips.
"Sneaky," Ari grinned as she increased her hand's movements but Dylan suddenly stopped and gently removed the hand. "What?" The actress was confused but the bodyguard shook her head, placing a light kiss on the petite blonde's nose.
"I'd rather wait until I can properly return the favour. Let's head back to the ranch."
"Alright," Ari agreed, touched that her bodyguard wanted to wait.
It was dinnertime when they reached the house and after cleaning up they sat down to a meal of steak and potatoes. The meal was a loud affair with Dylan and Joe having a friendly argument about the best type of beer to drink with steak. Ari shrugged at one stage and simply stated... "Miller."
That silenced the bodyguard and her grandfather and they finally nodded and conceded the point to Ari, who grinned happily and offered her glass in a toast.
"To new friends," she grinned.
"To new friends," everyone agreed. By the time the meal was finished, friends they were indeed. After helping with the clean up Dylan took Ari's hand and silently led her to their room. Once inside, she locked the door and stepped up close to the petite, blonde woman. Long fingers raised the actress chin and Dylan leaned in to kiss her gently.
"Do you have any idea how much I love you, Ariana Strand?" she asked softly. She caressed her love's cheek and then wrapped her up in a tight hug.
"Um... I'm not sure... I think you might have to show me," came the whispered answer. The taller woman swooped down and captured Ari's lips in a searing kiss as she walked her back toward the bed. The actress laughed as she felt herself scooped up into strong arms and then deposited with a bounce on the large, springy mattress.
"You sound and look like your mother," Dylan pointed out as she kissed her way down her lover's neck to her shoulder.
"Dylan?"
"Hmmm?"
"We're about to make love. Please don't talk about my mother."
"Whoops, sorry," came the chuckled reply and then almost all coherent thought was forced from the blonde's mind. Within seconds, their clothes were scattered on the floor and a warm tongue was washing itself over her ribs and stomach muscles while two large hands cupped and kneaded her breasts, teasing the hardened nipples.
"Ummm... Dylan... I..."
"Yes?"
"Yessss... uh... never mind. I've forgotten the question."
"You smell good," the bodyguard mumbled. "Ravishing again?"
"Yep. A little lower... oh yeah, right there..."
"Here?"
"Oh god... don't stop... oh Dylan..." Ari's breathing was coming in gasps now but she moaned loudly as two fingers gently slid inside her. Her hips lifted, forcing more contact and she pulled the bodyguard up for a long, deep kiss. "Harder... please..." she whispered and Dylan thrust her fingers harder, curling them a little to find that sensitive spot inside. Ari wrapped her legs around her lover's and cried out softly as the bodyguard moved her thumb to take in her swollen clit.
"Ok?" Dylan asked.
"Oh god, yes!" Ari replied as she arched her back even more. "I'm almost..."
The tall, beautiful bodyguard lowered her head and took a rigid nipple gently between her teeth as she pressed a little harder with her thumb and that was it. Ari threw back her head and cried out her lover's name as her world literally shattered, spun and reformed in a moment of ecstasy. Her body shuddered and she held on to her lover as if her life depended on it. Then it was over and she trembled as her muscles began to relax.
"I love you," Dylan whispered into her ear and a tiny, satisfied smile settled onto the actress lips.
"Now I know how much," she whispered back. "That was incredible, Dylan."
The bodyguard rolled them over and settled her petite lover on top of her, gently stroking her back with her fingertips.
"I'm glad. I wanted everything to be perfect."
Ari kissed the smooth skin under her cheek and brought her hand up to gently caress a soft breast.
"There's only one more thing that could make it more perfect for me than it already is," she said softly.
"And that is?" Dylan asked, her eyes slipping closed at the erotic touch.
"Let me make love to you," the actress purred, her voice an octave lower than normal.
Dylan's lips quirked in amusement.
"Where's that barn?" she asked but completely forgot about it when soft lips found her most intimate pleasure centre. "Oh god... who cares..."
*~*~*~*~*
"Honey, are you sure about this?"
Ari leaned on the top post of the fence and watched as Dylan positioned herself above a waiting bronco.
"Sure," the bodyguard called back as she pulled on a pair of gloves. "I've been doing this for years!" The actress nodded and climbed up to sit on the fence, looking over the top of her sunglasses as her partner wrapped a rope securely around her hand. Her grip needed to be solid or else she wouldn't stand a chance. Joe tipped his hat back and grinned at his granddaughter.
"If y'all can break this one, I'll give her to you. No one else has managed yet."
"Not even you, Grandpa?" Dylan teased.
"I ain't doin' that no more," he replied. "Martha'd kill me!"
"And she'd be right too," Ari called from her perch. "I'm seriously considering having a certain bodyguard's head checked for doing this."
Said bodyguard rolled her eyes.
"She's just like Grandma," she explained. "Except Ari makes you feel guilty too when she nags."
"I heard that!"
Shit! Note to self: remember to grovel tonight.
Joe laughed and patted his granddaughter's arm.
"Ready?"
"As I'll ever be." Dylan lowered herself into the saddle and reaffirmed her grip. "Alright," she drawled. "Now!"
The gate was swung open and the horse bolted out of the enclosure, doing her best to buck Dylan off but the tall woman held on with a death grip, her free hand raised to help her balance as she rolled her body with the horse's motion. She held on for as long as she could but she suddenly lost her grip and hit the ground hard, rolling out of the way of the prancing mare's hooves. She lay there for a moment, trying to catch her breath as the horse was quickly caught and controlled by the waiting ranch hands.
"Goddammit," she cursed as she slowly picked herself up off the ground and dusted her clothes down. "Son of a bitch."
"Dylan, are you ok?" Ari called from the far side of the enclosure.
"Never better," the bodyguard replied with a wave, wincing at the pain from where she'd hit the ground right on her...
"Hard luck," Joe called.
"I'm not finished yet. Just let me recover from that one and I'll try her again."
"She's feisty," the older man pressed but Dylan just grinned and glanced over to where her partner was sitting, swinging her legs.
"I'm used to feisty," she replied. "Now, I think it's time for lunch. Let's get cleaned up."
Dylan, Ari and Joe entered the house to find Martha, Marlene and Steph deep in conversation.
"What're y'all talking about?" Ari asked, easily falling back into the sweet, native accent she'd had to discard to pursue her acting career. Dylan felt a stirring in her groin and couldn't help but reach out to cup her lover's cheek and then plant a kiss on her nose.
"What was that for?" the actress asked with a smile.
"For being too damn cute for your own good," the bodyguard mumbled as she made her way to the bathroom. All eyes in the room turned to Ari and she cleared her throat self-consciously.
"Anyway, you were telling me what you were discussing?"
"Underwear," Steph replied absently as she continued chopping some carrots. "We were just saying how uncomfortable thongs are."
"Depends!" Dylan yelled from the bathroom. "They can be comfortable if they're cotton!"
Ari looked at Joe with a raised eyebrow and he blushed before making a hasty retreat back out the door. She giggled as she took a seat beside the curly-haired bodyguard.
"I don't like 'em personally," she commented and then laughed as a dark head complete with arched eyebrow stuck itself into the room.
"That's a shame, I do," Dylan said regretfully and then disappeared again. Ari made a mental note to wear a thong for her lover sometime.
The women fell into comfortable conversation and soon lunch was ready. Ari called Joe back in and they enjoyed another nice meal together. Ari smiled at her partner as she looked proudly around the table.
My new family, she thought. God, I love Dylan so much.
The actress was startled out of her thoughts when Dylan's cell phone rang. She went outside to answer it and then returned a few minutes later with a thunderous look on her face.
"That was David," she said angrily. "There's been another incident at the estate. Someone brought in a can of spray paint and decorated Ari's bedroom with some choice words."
"What did they say?" the actress asked in a small voice.
"I don't think you..." Dylan began but Ari held up her hand.
"Dylan, tell me," she quietly asked, locking eyes with her lover.
"It said 'Have fun on Oscar night'."
The blonde nodded resignedly.
"That's it then. Whatever this person is going to do, it's going to happen at the Oscar ceremony," Steph supplied.
The raven-haired bodyguard nodded grimly.
"Looks like it. That's good though because all we have to do is keep Ari away and she'll be safe."
"I'm going," came a small voice.
"Steph, call David back and tell him not to bother with the plans for the..."
"I said I'm going!" Ari yelled, as she stood up and banged her fist on the table. She was greeted with stunned looks and open mouths. "Don't you see? If I don't go, whomever it is doing this will win. I'm not going to let that happen. I've worked damned hard for this and I'm not going to let some... psycho fan or loony rival spoil it for me. Even if I don't win, I owe it to myself and the people who support me to be there." With that, she stormed out of the room and onto the porch outside. Dylan buried her face in her hands.
"Shit. Sometimes I hate it when she's right." She looked up then. "Steph, call David and tell him to double the security on every position. Tell him to hire more personnel if he needs to. And tell him to make sure that every bodyguard is fully armed. Ari is to have a bodyguard with her at all times... even in the bathroom."
"Yes, Boss," Steph replied and then left the room to make the call. Dylan slowly stood and went after her partner. She found the actress leaning against the porch rail, a trail of tears drying on her beautiful face. Dylan stood in front of her and wiped the tear tracks away before gently raising her face.
"So... what are you wearing to the Oscars then?" she asked softly. "And will I do as an escort?"
Ari stepped into her lover's arms and held her tightly.
"I think you'll do," she mumbled into the cotton of Dylan's shirt. "But you'll have to get an evening dress."
"Darn," came the chuckled reply. "Where am I gonna put my gun?"
"Maybe we can get you a custom made thong?" Ari suggested and the two women finally collapsed into laughter. "I love you."
"Love you too."
To be continued....