I cannot apologize enough for the huge delay in posting this, which is most likely, the final chapter. I do have ideas for a sequel, so if people are wanting one, let me know. I hope this doesn't disappoint. I've had very little time to write anything, and have been feeling a lack of inspiration, which hasn't made it any easier. So, apologies again, and I hope people like the story as a whole.
As Evony and Lauren entered the Dal, it was almost like a hushed silence fell upon the room, quickly followed by the sound of whistling, and clapping from the crowd.
Lauren had positioned herself behind Evony, and now slightly bowed her head. Bo was stood behind the bar, and had locked her arms on the surface, which enabled her to lift her feet off of the floor, giving her a clearer view of the two women who had just walked in.
Crystal turned to her, "I think you may need to save your girl!"
"I know, right? She looks like she wants the ground to open up, and swallow her whole."
"She needs to get used to being in the limelight!"
"Well, I don't think Lauren cares about that. She just loves to do what she enjoys doing, and what she's good at. But she also realizes that she needs a certain level of notoriety to continue in that career."
"So is that why she plays along with the jackal who's with her?"
Bo laughed at the candid comment. "Well I won't argue with that assessment of Evony, but don't let Lauren hear you say that! They're actually good friends, although I'll never understand why. But, it's also not my place, I guess. She's keeping my girlfriend in work, and getting her talent out there. I can ignore the rest… most of the time!"
Bo and Crystal looked on, as Evony started to entertain the crowd before her, moving herself so that she was central to the attention, and laughing in an over-exaggerated manner at the people surrounding them. Lauren was looking on shyly, before she placed a strand of hair behind her ear. She looked bewildered by the people before her.
"Are you going to rescue her?" Crystal laughed gently.
"I think I may just be her knight in shining armor!" Bo smiled before walking around the bar, and moving herself through the crowd surrounding the two women. "Lauren!" She shouted over the top of a tall man, who peered around at her, with a suspicious frown. "Excuse me!" Bo pushed her way through, managing to grab one of Lauren's hands, causing the blonde to jump slightly at the unexpected contact.
"Bo!"
"Hey, babe!" Bo smiled widely, before turning to Evony. "I need to steal her away, just for a minute!"
Evony started to protest, but not before Bo was pulling Lauren through the crowd and towards the bar. Lauren looked over her shoulder, shrugging slightly towards her employer.
"We won't be long! I'm sure it's important." she yelled back at her, as Bo gripped her hand firmly through the crowd.
Lauren allowed Bo to pull her behind the bar, and through the door to the back room. Bo didn't switch on the light as she made sure Lauren was fully in the dark room. She used her own body to push into the blonde, forcing the door behind her closed, and Lauren let out a small gasp as her own body impacted the heavy wood. The gasp was quickly extinguished as Bo pressed her mouth against her own, locking lips in a needy and passionate embrace.
After a few prolonged seconds she slowly pulled away, and Lauren gently hummed a satisfied sigh. Her eyes were slowly adjusting to the dark room. "Mmmm, well that was a nice surprise!"
"Well you look ravishing! And so I needed to ravish you. In private." Bo growled, seductively. "And I thought you looked like you needed saving, so here I am."
"You seem to be making a habit of that."
"Of what?"
"Saving me."
There was a brief silence as both of the women let their foreheads gently rest on each other, Bo breathing the scent of Lauren's perfume deeply.
"I think I could say the same."
"In what way?" Lauren was genuinely curious at the statement. "You're so together, you didn't need saving."
Bo let out a gentle sigh. "You really have no idea, do you? How much you mean to me… I know we're relatively new to this whole couple business, but the impact you've already had on my life… I thought I'd given up on finding love again. I've been let down by so many people… But meeting you… It made…" Bo stopped, her voice breaking slightly at the last few words.
Lauren gently brushed the brunette's hair back, away from her face, and rested her hands on Bo's shoulders. "Go on. Please…"
"Meeting you, well it made me realize that I'd never even been in love before. You don't care about my past… or my mother's past. You bring out something in me that I hadn't even realized existed. Or that I was really capable of…" Bo's voice temporarily caught in her throat, giving Lauren the opportunity to launch herself forward, gripping Bo's face in her hands and locking their lips in an almost desperate embrace.
The kiss started off hard and passionate, and melted into a familiar, tender but still needy wanton. Lauren was the first to break away. "I want to take you home. I want to spend hours loving you, not being here… pointlessly…"
"Lauren, it's not pointless. It's for you, and about you. And your career!"
"I know. I just find it a little uncomfortable sometimes. I don't know half of the people in that room. I just want to be with you right now. Appreciating you." She started to kiss the side of Bo's face, working her way down her neck. "Loving you…" Bo started to sigh as Lauren reached a tender spot. "Making love to you…"
Bo let out a small gasp, as Lauren's hands started to roam lower on her body. "I… I can take you home now? If you want….?"
Lauren pulled away slightly. "No. I mean yes, I want to… but you're right. This is my work, and it's also Kenzi's night. We should at least stay for that."
"Really? Why did I open my big mouth about that?!" Bo laughed.
"Because you care about me… And because we love each other."
"Oh!" Bo raised her eyebrows playfully, and started to banter. "We love each other, do we? Because I believe I just declared love for you… you, however…"
Lauren laughed. "I…" she cleared her throat… "I Lauren Lewis… do love thee, Bo Dennis… very very much."
"Just very much?"
"Don't push it!" Lauren took a breath. "I am falling in love with you Bo. I want to be with you every second of the day. And I'm trying to trust this. Whatever this is. If I let fear take over, then I'm not sure I could continue with you… because I can't go through what I went through before."
"A fresh start, right?" Bo leaned in and kissed Lauren gently on the lips.
"Right."
Bo pressed her leg firmly in-between Lauren's center, pushing her harder into the door. Lauren moved her hands lightly down Bo's body until she reached her hips, where she took a firm grip and pulled the brunette's body even closer into her own.
There was a heavy thud on the door, and a voice from beyond the other side shouted, "Let me in! I need to use the bathroom!"
Bo pulled away, in annoyance at the intrusion, as Lauren let out a disappointed gasp.
"Ignore them!" Lauren sulked.
"What? And keep getting interrupted?" Bo winked, "Give me a second and I'll get rid of them!" Moving Lauren gently to one side, Bo pulled the door open quickly. "The bathroom is…" she stopped as the man before her was moved to one side roughly, and Evony stepped in front of him.
"Ahhh! There you are! I am taking it that my protege is in there with you?"
"She's ummm… she's…."
Evony waved her hand and rolled her eyes in a quick response, cutting Bo off mid-sentence. "Whatever! Just tell her to get herself together and get out here! Pronto!" Evony leaned in slightly to try see into the dark room, but her view was still obscured. "Hear that Lauren?" she added loudly.
Lauren's voice almost sounded sheepish in response. "I'm coming Evony. Bo was just- showing me a vintage…"
"I do not need those details! Just get that perky behind outside here and schmooze your clients!" Evony huffed, turned on her heels and marched away, pushing the man who she had cajoled to knock on the door, to one side in her wake.
Bo continued to watch Evony stride away as she spoke to Lauren, "Babe, you had better get out there. She did not seem happy, and she looks like she could almost melt someone with a single glance right now!"
"Oh shit!" Lauren smoothed her clothes down, and quickly touched her hair, despite having no idea what it looked like. "Am I presentable?"
"You're delectable!" Bo gently kissed her on the nose, as she moved past.
"Well, we can continue this back home! I need to make amends with Evony right now!"
"No you don't! Just go charm a few of her minions and she'll bend over backwards for you!" Bo paused, reflecting on her last exchange. "Not that I want her bending any way over you… but you know what I mean?"
Lauren smiled, "I know what you mean."
Lauren briefly looked back at Bo, as she made her way back towards the crowd, smiling briefly. Bo's eyes wandered down her body, stopping herself before her mind got carried away.
"Hey Bo!" a man's voice intruded on her voyeuristic moment.
"Hey, ummm… hey, Zachary!" Bo smiled warmly.
"Call me Zach. Crystal's shown me around the basics, want to show me the paperwork?"
"Ummm… well I should keep my face around here. But I guess it would make sense to show you that now while I'm here…"
"It can wait, if you want? I just figured if the quicker I know where everything is, the quicker I can make a real start."
"No, you're right. And the band isn't starting just yet, so we have time. And I want to take Lauren away for a few days… so I'm sure you and Crystal can run the place between you. So, let's go."
Bo leaned on the bar, one hand supporting her, and the other placed loosely by her side. She was watching Lauren working her way through the room, politely making conversation and shaking hands. Bo was struck by the way she stood out in the crowd, how she moved, how she confidently met with Evony's clients. Involuntary thoughts of what they'd been through started to permeate into her mind, and with them a wave of emotion of the journey that she'd been on.
"Why are you crying?" Crystal placed a hand on Bo's arm, tenderly, but making Bo jump a little at the sudden intrusion.
Bo quickly wiped away at her cheek, "Crying? Am I? I don't know what just came over me?"
"Is everything okay?"
"Everything is great, Crystal. I mean really great. I never thought Lauren and I would get to where we are now… but I'm so happy. She makes me happy…"
"That's all that really matters, Bo." Crystal smiled warmly. "I'm happy for you both." she sighed, "And envious!"
Bo laughed warmly, and placed both hands on the bar.
"How's the new guy?"
"Good. I think he'll be good. Are you okay with running the place with him while I take Lauren away for a week?"
"Sure! Go for it! I could use the extra cash!"
A guitar strummed a little, creating a hushed silence through the bar. Bo hadn't even noticed that the band had taken their place to play. Kenzi gave her a small thumbs up, and wink as her gaze fell upon her.
Bo moved around the bar, and to Lauren's side, who was stood with a tall, grey suited man. Lauren made her excuses to the man, and allowed Bo to take her hand and lead her to the edge of the bar, where they could enjoy the band together. Bo wrapped her arms around Lauren's waist, pulling her close into her body, and placed a gentle kiss on her neck. Lauren's fingers tightened over Bo's hands, pulling herself closer into the embrace. They gently swayed together as they watched The Shadow Thieves perform.
"How does Rome sound?"
"Rome?"
"Tomorrow. I want to fly to Rome with you. We'll just spend a week relaxing. Just the two of us."
"But, your work? My work…."
"My work can run with other people's help. And I think maybe once we get a break - some alone time together, you can come back refreshed, inspired, and ready to take the art world by storm again!"
"I'd really have to clear it with Evony first… I mean, we only just got back…"
"It's okay, let me help with that." Bo gently removed her arms from around Lauren's waist, and moved to one side, easing the blonde gently against the bar.
"Bo?" Lauren spoke the word slowly, the trepidation in her voice evident.
Bo turned back briefly, and slightly held her hand up to silence Lauren. "Trust me! Okay? I know what I'm doing." Bo determinedly strode towards Evony who was speaking to a group of clients.
Lauren grimaced as she saw Bo lead Evony, who seemed a little reluctant, to one side. Evony glanced briefly at Lauren, frowning a little. Lauren raised a hand timidly, and wiggled her fingers in an awkward wave. She saw Evony raise an eyebrow in response, and quickly mouthed "Sorry!" and knitted her eyebrows to show her discomfort. It was clear that Evony wasn't interested in Lauren's attempts at negotiating, as she turned her back to the blonde, and started to speak to Bo.
"Oh good lord!" Lauren buried her head in her hands and turned to the bar. "Crystal, could I have a vodka please, just on ice!"
"Sure thing." Crystal set to making the drink for Lauren, glancing up a few times as she was doing so. "Everything okay?"
"No! Well, I doubt it… Bo's just talking to Evony about me going away. I just have a bad feeling about it."
Crystal laughed gently, "Don't worry so much! Bo is a great negotiator! And she'll do it with your best interests at heart."
"I don't know. I mean Evony's no push over… And she and Bo, well they're always at each other's throats. Things have been peaceful, and I want it to stay that way!"
"What do you want to stay, and what way?"
Lauren jumped as Bo's voice came from behind her suddenly. "Well…"
"What happened?!"
"What happened? Nothing happened. I just got you some time off."
"Really? Evony was okay with that?"
"She was."
Lauren turned slowly, and eyed Bo suspiciously. "What did you say to her?" The music was getting louder, and Lauren had to shout to be sure Bo heard her.
"Money talks, baby!"
"Monkey what?! What?"
Bo laughed at the strained look on Lauren's face. "MONEY!"
"What?! Money?! You sold me?! Did you just Demi Moore me?"
"Demi Moore?"
"Yes, like for a million dollars or something?"
Bo erupted into laughter, "Lauren, how many of those vodka's have you had?!" She grabbed her by the waist, bringing the blonde stumbling into her. "Babe, there's nothing she could ever give me that would make me want to give you up!"
"Then what did you mean? About money?"
"I just offered to buy your time! As soon as we're back, I'm commissioning two paintings from Evony."
"Oh."
"Oh… yes. So technically, you'll still be working for me. Do you see the genius in that?"
"You're paying for it though."
"Hmmm, that's a good point. So, I hope I'm happy with your work. Or that could get…. Awkward!"
Lauren laughed, and kissed Bo gently on the lips. "I'll be worth it! I promise!"
They both jumped a little as Crystal interrupted. "Guys, maybe save it for the bedroom? Look, you have an early start tomorrow if you're going away. This place is going into wind - down. Why don't you both call it a night, and save me the PDA?!"
Bo laughed, "Okay, okay… point taken!" She led Lauren away from the bar. "Come on beautiful, I think we have some unfinished business. And we have that early start!"
Lauren grinned, "Let me say goodnight to Evony." As Bo walked towards the door, Lauren carefully sidled up to her employer.
Evony smiled a little too forcefully, "Lauren."
"Evony… I just wanted to thank you, before we leave."
"Thank me?"
"For allowing me to get some personal time, with Bo."
"Seems to me, that all you've been doing lately is Bo… and personal time. Besides, no need to thank me too much, your girlfriend is paying for it."
"I know. And I promise, when I get back, I'll be back one hundred percent."
"Only a hundred? I'm expecting more than that Lauren. Seriously, you need to get your head back in the game. And while I'm very appreciative of the very lucrative deal I just made, essentially for her to hire you… well I probably would have told you to go anyway. You've lost some inspiration somewhere and you need to get that back."
"Okay. Well, I'm not going to dwell too much on the hiring element…" Lauren paused, frowning and tilting her head slightly. "Nope, definitely not thinking on that one too much. But, really Evony, I'll put everything into making things right, and making you happy as soon as I return."
"Oh well, I will certainly look forward to that!" Evony winked, as a mischievous smile spread across her face!
Lauren rolled her eyes in response. "Okay, I really should go."
"Go! Get refreshed, get back and work!"
"Thank you. Really, and I promise. Anything you say… within reason!" Lauren smiled, and quickly lunged forward to take Evony into an awkward embrace.
"Ummm, Lauren!" Evony flapped her arms a little, clearly unsure of whether to accept the embrace or not. She whispered into Lauren's ear, "I have a reputation to keep!"
"Well, I wouldn't want to damage that!" Lauren winked. "I'll see you bright and early, when I return next week."
"I can't wait. Now, go make your client's payment worth it!"
Lauren rolled her eyes, and made her way to Bo, who was standing at the door. She raised an eyebrow, "How much, exactly, did you pay?"
"I'm sure it was actually my soul."
Lauren slapped Bo's arm, playfully. "Then let's go make this worth it!"
Bo grabbed Lauren's hand and pulled her into the open air, their laughter briefly echoing back into the busy bar.