Capybara Publications

Scene 7

Scene 8

Scene 9

Scene 10

Scene 11

Scene 12

Scene 13

Scene 14 (smut)

Epilogue

Extended Scenes (Non-Chronological Order)

Alaska's Nice This Time of Year, Right?

Don't Be Late (smut)

Touch (pt. 2) (smut)

Extra

Bed Rock (smut)

The Sister Act

Taking the High Road

Nightmares

He was speechless, staring down at her in disbelief. “You’re pushing it, sweetheart,” he warned, his hand collaring her throat loosely.

This time she rolled her eyes directly at him, looking unimpressed if not a little cocky. “Really?”

A low growl rumbled in his chest as he looked at her, his frustrating building to a breaking point as she continued to push him. “I’ll spank your ass raw if you don’t quit your shit and stop actin’ like a fuckin’ brat.”

She scoffed, jerking her head out of his grasp and turning his back to him. 

Her dismissive action was enough to make him fist her hair near her scalp and pull back, her body arching backwards from the force as she gasped. He easily turned her body in the backless chair to face him, grip on her locks like iron as she met his dark eyes.

“You just earned your punishment, sweetheart. Upstairs. Now.”

She had a break between the spring and summer semester, a much needed one that. He came home on a Friday afternoon and told her to get ready, that he’d be taking her out on a date. She didn’t refuse or question him either, excited at the prospect of going out to dinner with him, doing something together after he’d been gone for a couple days doing business in Dallas. 

“You look absolutely gorgeous, baby,” he nearly growled in her ear, fisting the material of her little black dress at her hips. 

“Joel, dinner,” she reminded him with a soft laugh as he began to kiss along the curve of her neck, lips wet and hungry.

“We got time,” he muttered, one of his large hands slipping between her thighs to rub over her clit.

“Joel, I swear,” she gasped, grinning as he stroked her clit through her panties with rough fingers.

“Swear all you want, baby, lemme hear it,” he grunted, his smile evident in his tone as gripped her shoulder and turned her around to face him. 

She rolled her eyes, smiling as she took his hand and tugged him towards the door. “I’m hungry.”

“I got somethin’ to fill you up,” he remarked without skipping a beat, smirking as he reached around to grope her ass with a low, rumbling chuckle. 

She laughed, shaking her head as he dipped his head down to kiss her again, one final attempt at getting her to give in before they left. 

The restaurant was crowded when they arrived. Thankfully they were only late by ten minutes and Joel seemed intimidating enough in stature that the host didn’t argue about seating them. Once seated near the bar, Joel pulled Indi’s chair closer to his at the small, round table, so both their backs were to the wall, allowing them the view of the whole restaurant from their corner.

“That’s a nice touch,” she said with a giggle, pointing at the giant metal longhorn statue near the entrance of the restaurant, propped up on a platform with a plaque in front of it.

Joel scoffed lightly, his arm around the back of her chair. “S’alright,” he muttered, bringing his glass of whiskey to his lips. 

Their waiter was fast, attentive, but also knew to leave them alone for the most part. Indi figured it must be because of Joel’s intimidating scowl, one always directed at others but never at her. 

“Hey, this kid keeps lookin’ at you,” Joel said lowly after they had ordered. “You know ‘m?”

She looked up at him, having been too distracted by the decor of the restaurant to feel anyone’s eyes before following his gaze to the bar. Joel seemed to be glaring at the bartender. The bartender was casting long glances at Indi.

“Oh…” she choked, her back stiffening as she realized who she was looking at. “Oh shit.”

“Who is that, darlin’?” Joel asked again.

“Um…th-that’s my…” she chuckled nervously, anxiety filling her stomach as she kept glancing over at the bartender. “Remember when I said I used to date a drug dealer?” she asked quietly, leaning close to him. “That’s him.”

Joel stared at her for a long moment, his brain short-circuiting for a minute as it tried to process the fact that he was currently sitting in the same room as his fiance’s ex-boyfriend. From the few things she’s mentioned about him throughout their relationship, a no good punk ex-boyfriend at that.

“That’s him?”

She nodded slowly, watching closely for his reaction. “What’s his name?”

“Joel,” she sighed, shaking her head in exasperation, “don’t start.”

“Name, darlin,” he demanded, keeping his voice low, but his tone left no room for argument.

“Joel,” she insisted.

“Don’t make me ask you again, sweetheart…I have no problem tyin’ you up tonight for makin’ me repeat myself,” he warned, leaning in close, his lips brushing her earlobe as he practically growled his threat at her.

She gripped his forearm with a shiver, that tone immediately sending a wave of desire between her legs. He chuckled, already knowing the effect he was having, reading her desire like an open book. “I’m waitin’, sugar,” he drawled, bringing his free hand up to caress her jaw, his thumb brushing her lower lip as she shuddered against his touch. 

“Derek,” she sighed, blinking slowly up at her fiance, brain already beginning to shut off and fully submit to him.

“Thank you, baby, that’s all I needed to know,” he cooed at her, his dark tone vanished, replaced with a gentle warmth. 

He drops the topic after that. Joel does an excellent job of keeping his girl focussed on him and their date, engaging her in conversation about things he knew would keep her talking, keep her smiling at him. All the while, he would sneak glances at the kid behind the bar, who still blatantly stared at their table as he worked. It annoyed him, but not to the point he felt he needed to act. 

And then his phone vibrated in his pocket. “Fuck, it’s Tess. Give me a minute, baby, I’m sorry,” he sighed, scooting his chair back to step away.

“It’s fine, Joel,” she insisted, continuing to eat as he walked towards the men’s bathroom, bringing the phone up to his ear. 

Joel had been gone all of ten seconds before Derek approached their table, hands in his pockets, smelling like stale alcohol and a hint of weed. 

“Hey Indi,” he greets her with a smirk. “What do you want?” she sighed, having a feeling this might happen if Joel left her side. 

“That’s your new dude?” he asked, shifting his weight to one side as his eyes trailed down to her chest.

“Yes, that’s my fiance actually, so get lost,” she declared, bringing her wine glass to her lips.

“You know who that is right?” Derek continued with a low chuckle and a shake of his head. “You thought I was into some shit, baby, that’s the kingpin of the whole city…” 

“So you’re still dealing, then?” she muttered, setting her glass down slowly.

He shrugged, trying to appear confident and nonchalant. “Not like I used to, only the natural stuff now.”

She didn’t believe him for a second. “That’s great, you can leave now,” she huffed, her eyes sharp as she glared at him. 

“Damn girl, chill out. Just tryin’ have a conversation with you. You know, catch up,” he insisted with a flirtatious grin. 

“That’s not a good idea,” she stated, leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed across her chest.

“Come on, babe, you know we had fun,” he cooed at her, only causing her glare to harden.

“Fuck off, Derek.”

He sighed, rolling his eyes, his easy smirk shifting into a scowl. “Look, is your man needin’ another guy? I’m lookin’ to make some cash and rollin’ with the Millers is guaranteed bank,” he said, leaning on the table, his palms flat on the tablecloth as he spoke to her.

Before she could go off on him for his sheer audacity, another figure approached the table. Indi exhaled a breath of relief, finding Joel standing tall beside his chair, eyes cold and jaw tense as he stared down at Derek.

“Best be gettin’ away from her, kid,” he growled, taking his seat. 

“O-oh, uh, Mr. Miller, I’m…I was just catching up with Indi, we, um, we used to date, you know?” Derek stuttered, standing straight with his hands in his pockets again.

“That so?” Joel drawled, bringing his arm around the back of her chair, his hand protectively on her shoulder.

“Y-yeah, yes, sir. I was tellin’ her that I’m still in the game…thought maybe you could use another guy on the streets, uh…workin’ for you, sir.”

Joel glared at him, his free hand on the table, holding his whiskey glass as he scanned Derek who shifted nervously from one foot to the other. He raised a brow at the younger man with a cocky smirk.

“I don’t need some punk-ass kid touchin’ what’s mine, including my product. Get back to your day job, Derek,” Joel stated in a low tone, stating the other man’s name with obvious warning. 

Derek gulped, intimidated by Joel already knowing his name without him having mentioned it yet. He looked at Indi and then back Joel. Her expression was blank as she leaned into Joel’s side, her gaze steady on Derek, standing her ground with a disinterested shrug.

“Y-yeah, alright,” he nodded with a scoff, ducking his head as he turned around.

“Hey, kid,” Joel said as Derek went to walk away.

He turned back around, a slight spark of hopefulness in his eyes. 

Joel’s gaze was icy as he glared at the younger man. “Speak to my girl again and I’ll break your fuckin’ jaw.”

She knew she shouldn’t be as turned on as she was when Joel so openly threatened her ex-boyfriend, but she couldn’t help it. When he got like this, he seemed to radiate power and dominance even more than normal, his energy drawing her in like a magnet.

When Derek was gone, she leaned into Joel’s side, her hand on his thigh as she whispered in his ear. “That was really hot, handsome.”

He chuckled, a low sound deep in his chest as he watched her eyes dilate fully in the low light. “Got you all hot and bothered, baby?” 

She nodded, biting her lower lip, leaning into him to kiss him. “Very…”

He smirked, bringing one large hand to her jaw and kissing her hard, his fingers curling into her hair as she sighed. He felt her hand inch up his thigh further, her engagement ring clinking lightly against his belt buckle. 

Blearily, he looked around the dark bedroom, only to confirm that his wife was indeed not where she should be at this hour. Getting up, he pulls on his boxers and a pair of black sweatpants from the floor. As he steps out of the bedroom, he immediately is hit with a wave of warm, sugary air, the hallways filled with the inviting scent of sweets. She was baking again.

Going downstairs, he walks to the kitchen, scratching the patch of hair above his belly button that trailed from his stomach past his waistline. Ellie’s sitting in the adjacent living room, on the couch with her laptop, a giant pair of headphones on her small head as she works. She’d recently gotten into exposing government documents about global warming and medical research. Joel warned her to be careful, but made no other move to stop her. The kid was good at hacking, she understood the digital age better than he ever would and for that she was not only his kid but a valuable asset in his line of work.

She looks up when he approaches the sofa, taking her headphones off and looking up at him with tired eyes. He knew she was worried about Indi just as much as he had been over the past couple weeks.

“She’s baking again,” Ellie said, looking up at Joel, eyes filled with concern.

He sighed, running a hand down his face. “I know, kid,” he responded, tired and worried.

He learned early on that when his wife was stressed, she baked. A lot. At the end of her last semester of grad school, she’d filled the fridge with an array of desserts: cookies, cakes, pies, some French shit that he couldn’t pronounce. Thankfully, she graduated in the winter, so there were more than enough reasons to distribute her baked goods throughout the holidays. 

She’d been up late doing this over the past couple weeks now. He tried not to push her about it, knowing she wouldn’t really talk about it until she was ready. He kept an eye on her though, made sure the kitchen stayed stock with the ingredients she needed, praising her efforts every time, complimenting her skills even if it was something as basic as chocolate chip cookies.

But, this time felt different. 

“Go to bed, Ellie, it’s late. I’ll talk to her,” he said, patting the teen on the head before going into the kitchen to face his wife. 

She has her back to him, looking tense as she stirs something in a bowl, her hair tied up in a messy ponytail. She was stunning in his eyes.

“Baby, it’s three in the mornin’,” he said softly, coming up behind her, wrapping his arms around her smaller frame and kissing the side of her head. 

“I’m almost done,” she insisted weakly, her tone somber as she stared down into the bowl. 

“Can’t sleep?” he guessed, remaining in place, his tone soft.

She shook her head and he felt it, the slight tremble down her spine. “Nightmares?” 

She nodded, her hands coming to a stop in her stirring. 

He sighed, his arms tightening just slightly around her. It had been approaching the time of the year of her kidnapping, where David had snatched her up as a means to taunt him. She had seemed fine initially, but he knew better than most that the human mind had a way of bringing up unprocessed issues at the most inconvenient times. 

“You wanna talk about it?” he offered, swaying her gently side to side.

“Not really,” she muttered, as her flour-covered hands came to rest over his own.

“Want to smoke?” he attempted, feeling like maybe a little weed might help her nerves. 

“Yeah, okay,” she agrees, pushing the mixing bowl away.

“I’ll meet you up there,” he said, kissing her temple.

She’d washed her hands and cleaned up a little in the kitchen before meeting him outside on the second-story balcony. They sat on the swinging bench, Joel easing her into his lap as he handed her a loaded pipe. 

“Greens are yours, sweetheart.” 

She took the first hit, inhaling with practiced ease before handing it to him. They smoked in silence, the sounds of the night filling the air as she gradually began to lean more and more into him, her shoulders lowered completely by the time they were left with nothing but ash in the bowl. 

“Better?” he asked, setting the pipe aside, wrapping both his arms around her.

“I keep seeing their faces…” she admits, recalling the shadowy faces of the men who had assaulted her at the command of David.

He brings her head to rest on his shoulder, the guilt of her getting involved in his life in such an awful way still weighing heavy in his chest. “You’re safe now, baby, I’m not lettin’ anything like that happen again,” he said in her ear, his voice low and warm, melting over her remaining tension like rich honey.

She didn’t respond to him immediately, still too deep in the trenches of her dark memories. Joel took her hand, bringing it up to his lips, laying a kiss on her knuckles repeatedly until she met his eyes. “Let’s go for a drive, baby,” he suggested, patting her thigh.

“You hate driving at night,” she commented.

“We’re not going out on the streets, darlin’, come on,” he shook his head with a weak smile, giving her another pat on her leg.

They got into his truck after making sure the oven was off. Ellie had disappeared from the living room, but Joel spotted a couple missing cookies off the tray Indi had left cooling on the kitchen island. 

He shook his head with a chuckle as he ushered his wife out to the garage and into his truck, snatching one for himself while she had her back turned to him. 

He took a dirt road along the side of the house, leading into the thicket of trees surrounding the property. She was quiet in the passenger’s seat, looking out her window with a slight pout in her lips. 

“Tommy…used to get nightmares a lot after he got back from his deployment. Ellie too…when I first found her…” he said suddenly, watching the path for any stray deer or animals that might jump across in the late night.

She hummed her acknowledgement, eyes still cast out into the darkness.

“He…he got real bad about drinkin’ around that time…didn’t know how to deal with it…doesn’t seem like it now, though, huh?” he went on, unbothered by her silence.

She shook her head, picturing Tommy’s bright smile and warm drawl, similar to Joel’s, but more youthful, more…lively. 

“Did you…ever get nightmares?” she asked softly, tilting her head down to look at her hands, a bit of ash stuck behind her nails.

He sighed. “Not about that part of my life…not really,” he admitted honestly.

She glanced over at him, hearing the shift in his voice. He didn’t have to explain himself. She had heard enough of the part of his life that he was referring to, and personally saw the amount of experience he had with pain when he killed David right in front of her.

“How’d you make it stop?” she asked, her voice quivering as she shuddered. 

“I still get ‘em sometimes,” he muttered, voice low. 

“I know…” she said, having woken up once or twice to Joel tossing and turning, but he never spoke about it, no matter how much she urged him. 

“I’m not gonna lie to you, sweetheart,” he said, bringing the truck to a stop in a clearing, nothing but tall trees and hard ground surrounding them. “It…it takes time, but it does get easier if you don’t run from it…I know that sounds scary though.”

Before she could answer, he was getting out of the truck and going around to her side, opening her door and easing her to her feet. He takes her hand and leads her to the bed of the truck, dropping the tailgate and lifting her up to sit on it. 

She watches in mild amusement as he goes into the backseat and pulls out a blanket, setting it in her lap before hopping up to sit next to her, bringing his arm around her.

“This is nice,” she comments timidly after a brief silence, leaning into him, her head on his shoulder as they listen to the sounds of the forest.

The setting is peaceful, the smell of the trees and sounds of nature lulling some of her worry away. The comforting weight of Joel’s arm on her keeps her grounded and present in the moment as they sit quietly. 

“You know, I love you more than anythin’, baby,” he said, his lips against the crown of her head.

“I love you too, Joel…thank you for this, for…being here with me,” she responds, her hand on his thigh as his calloused hand rubs soothingly up and down her forearm. 

Joel Miller (Last of Us HBO Series)

Without Warning (Completed) + Extended Scenes

AU Mafia!Joel Miller x Original Female Character

Minors DNI. 18+ (drug use, swearing, sexual themes, dark themes, blood/gore, violence)

Joel Miller, the biggest, meanest, most dangerous crime lord this side of the Mississippi couldn’t help but be drawn to the Tipsy Bison’s newest waitress. Follow the trials and tribulations of their relationship through these scattered scenes as they try to navigate each other’s worlds. 

Bruno Madrigal (Encanto)

Summer Wine (Completed)

Bruno Madrigal x OFC

Rating: T - M (chapters vary in rating)

Bruno can’t help but be drawn to beautiful little bartender who so openly flirted with him, unbothered by the rumors and stories. She’s everything he ever wanted to be, confident, comfortable around people, and able to bring out the best in those she serves. Over time, as they grow closer, she begins to bring out parts of him he never knew existed, courage, dominance, and perhaps a bit of jealousy…

Chapter 1   Chapter 6   Chapter 11   Chapter 16

Chapter 2   Chapter 7   Chapter 12   Chapter 17

Chapter 3   Chapter 8   Chapter 13

Chapter 4   Chapter 9   Chapter 14

Chapter 5   Chapter 10   Chapter 15

Dancing With the Double-Edged Sword (Completed)

Bruno Madrigal x OFC

Rating: T- M (Chapters Vary)

When Bruno introduced Hernando to the family, his sisters and mother thought he was simply playing games, but as they grew older and Hernando continued to grow with Bruno, they realized that he might be here to stay. After many failed attempts at “curing” Bruno, the family eventually grew used to Hernando’s presence, learning to recognize the signs of when they were interacting with Bruno and when they were interacting with Hernando. Although their personalities may differ, they continue to share the same body. Now they must learn to maneuver romance together as they pursue the same woman. Likewise, she learns how to love two versions of the same man, finding pieces in each of them that only draw her closer.

Chapter 1  Chapter 6   Chapter 11

Chapter 2   Chapter 7   Chapter 12

Chapter 3   Chapter 8   Chapter 13

Chapter 4   Chapter 9   Chapter 14

Chapter 5   Chapter 10   Chapter 15

Morpheus/Dream of the Endless (DCU/Netflix)

The Games We Play (18+) Imagine

“Is this what you wanted, little one?” he questioned slowly, softly, against her neck, feeling the goosebumps form under his lips, “Has your misbehavior been the result of needing your Master’s hand?” he continued, feeling how her body tensed and twitched as he spoke.

Patience, Little One (18+) Imagine

Summer Wine (Completed)

Bruno Madrigal x OFC

Rating: T - M (chapters vary in rating)

Bruno can’t help but be drawn to beautiful little bartender who so openly flirted with him, unbothered by the rumors and stories. She’s everything he ever wanted to be, confident, comfortable around people, and able to bring out the best in those she serves. Over time, as they grow closer, she begins to bring out parts of him he never knew existed, courage, dominance, and perhaps a bit of jealousy…

Chapter 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 11 Chapter 16

Chapter 2 Chapter 7 Chapter 12 Chapter 17

Chapter 3 Chapter 8 Chapter 13

Chapter 4 Chapter 9 Chapter 14

Chapter 5 Chapter 10 Chapter 15

Dancing With the Double-Edged Sword (Completed)

Bruno Madrigal x OFC

Rating: T- M (Chapters Vary)

Summary: When Bruno introduced Hernando to the family, his sisters and mother thought he was simply playing games, but as they grew older and Hernando continued to grow with Bruno, they realized that he might be here to stay. After many failed attempts at “curing” Bruno, the family eventually grew used to Hernando’s presence, learning to recognize the signs of when they were interacting with Bruno and when they were interacting with Hernando. Although their personalities may differ, they continue to share the same body. Now they must learn to maneuver romance together as they pursue the same woman. Likewise, she learns how to love two versions of the same man, finding pieces in each of them that only draw her closer.

Chapter 1 Chapter 6 Chapter 11

Chapter 2 Chapter 7 Chapter 12

Chapter 3 Chapter 8 Chapter 13

Chapter 4 Chapter 9 Chapter 14

The Games We Play (18+) Imagine

“Is this what you wanted, little one?” he questioned slowly, softly, against her neck, feeling the goosebumps form under his lips, “Has your misbehavior been the result of needing your Master’s hand?” he continued, feeling how her body tensed and twitched as he spoke.

Patience, Little One (18+) Imagine

“He must get so bored listening to her talk about homework and prom all the time…”

“She looks like she doesn’t have a clue what she’s doing in bed. He’s probably only in it because she’s a tight hole to fuck.”

They laughed.

Uncomfortable. Discouraged and uncomfortable were two of the first words that came to mind after she’d left the bathroom, her heels clicking hastily down the hall back to the main room.

She’d gone with Joel to some sort of networking event. Apparently his contracting company had constructed the building they were holding the event at tonight. 

“What’s wrong?” Joel asked once she’d returned to his side, immediately noticing the change in her demeanor.

“N-nothing…I’m gonna head home,” she said, unable to look at him.

He didn’t even excuse himself from the group of wealthy-looking business men. Rather, he gave a hard look with a slight tilt of his head and they dispersed quickly. He pulled her away from the crowd to a corner near the entrance. “What’s wrong, baby girl?” he asked, the weight of his rough hands on her shoulders a comforting distraction from the shame tinting her whole body pink. 

She couldn’t cry here, not when the same women who talked so crudely about her were lingering at the bar nearby, stealing glances and smirking triumphantly. She was just proving them right and she hated it.

“I need to go home, Joel,” Indi snapped, her voice quivering. 

His brow arched. He’d tracked her gaze across the room to the group of wives lingering at one end. Scowling now, he suspected something had happened when you had gone to the bathroom.

“What happened?” he demanded, ignoring her request. “They say somethin’ to you?” he questioned, leaning down closer to their face.

“N-no, I just…” she sighed, looking up at the ceiling, willing her tears to remain behind her eyes. 

They were still fairly new in their relationship, nothing official having been stated, but the implications were there. Joel made it very clear that he was committed to her with his actions, his demonstrations of affection. The words hadn’t been necessary. 

Looking around, she realized just how out of place she felt. All these people were at least thirty or older, established, successful, they could probably explain to her what a 401(k) actually is and how to use it. 

“Hey, look at me. What’d they say to you?” Joel demanded, his tone rough as he brought her focus back to him.

She shook her head, her anxious little brain now worried that she was upsetting him or that she might embarrass him when such a thought hadn’t crossed her mind even when he asked her to be his date.

“Sweetheart,” Joel sighed, softening his tone just a bit. “Let’s step outside, I need some air,” he decided, wrapping an arm around her and guiding the both of them out the front of the building, away from the curious eyes. 

Once they were both standing out in the warm summer night air, she took a deep breath, her hands slightly trembling as she watched Joel pace in front of her. She saw how his hand would go to touch his gun, but then he’d stop himself and ball that same hand into a fist, continuing to walk in tense circles. 

“Joel…Joel, stop that, please,” she sighed, tired of seeing him go round and round.

“Tell me what they said to you,I know how those stuck-up housewives can get, baby, so just say it,” he insisted, finally stopping to stand in front of her, placing both palms flat against the wall she leaned on, trapping her between his large arms. 

Her lower lip trembled. She couldn’t look at him as she told him, eyes cast down to his dress boots, black and shiny under the street light. 

“I’ll fuckin’ end them,” Joel all but growled to himself, his own head bowed as he closed his eyes, attempting to contain his rage.

“Stop that, you can’t solve everything with violence. It doesn’t matter anyway,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, still looking at the ground. 

“Hey…hey!” he snapped after lifting his head, grabbing her chin with his thumb and forefinger, forcing her gaze to meet his own heated one. “You don’t believe a fuckin’ thing they say, sugar, you hear me?”

“Joel, lower your voice,” she sighed, shaking her head.

“Nothing, not a single fuckin’ word of what they said is even remotely true. You and I got somethin’ they wished they could have, yeah?”

“...yeah.”

He sighed. “I’m gonna make you believe it, baby, I know you don’t right now, but you will,” he said, pulling her into his chest, his arms like steel around her smaller frame as he hugged her. 

Joel took them home quickly after bidding his client a quick goodbye, claiming something at home had come up with his kid. 

Indi was quiet the entire ride, shoulders slouched forward, head bowed, lip trembling. He hated it. He hated seeing her usual bright eyes so dim and discouraged. 

“I want you to know, darlin’, that I rarely think about the age difference,” he said slowly as they drove down the quiet road leading to his house. “You’re so smart and so funny, sweetheart, I will never get bored of talking to you. You make me feel young again, in all the best ways, baby, you have to see that. Tell me you see that…don’t you?” he asked, parking the car, turning the key, leaving them to sit in the stillness of the garage as he gripped both her hands in his.

“I-it’s just,” she sighed, frustrated and self-disparaging. “You have your life together, you have a house and a job, you have an actual savings account and your own car…you have a life established already, Joel…and I’m still trying to figure out mine day-by-day.”

“I don’t have shit without you, Indi,” he stated matter-of-factly, his voice sharp, commanding. “The house, the car, all that could get taken away and I’d get it back, I’d recover, rebuild, whatever. But you…you, darlin’, I can’t ever replace you, replace this feeling that I can get only with you,” he continued, his tone so serious and gruff, suggesting he was frustrated or angry. 

“Thank you, Joel,” she said softly, his words touching her heart, relieving some of the negativity still flooding her mind.

“You let me deal with those bitches, alright? No one talks about you like that. Ever. If some shit like that ever happens again, you tell me, right then and there, understood?” he grunted, getting out of the truck in a haste, going around the front to get her door and pull her inside.

“Okay, Joel,” she murmured, his aggression teetering between comforting and unnerving. 

He sighed, shutting the garage door and pulling his girl into a tight embrace. She closed her eyes as he kissed her forehead, inhaling her scent, exhaling a deep breath along with some of his tension. 

They stood in the dark kitchen for a long while, the silence thick with Joel’s lingering anger and Indi’s lingering self-doubt.

“Do you promise?” she asked softly in his good ear.

“Promise what, sugar?” he murmured, his lips pressing into her temple as he held her.

“Do you promise that…you’re not only with me…because I’m…youn-.”

“Don’t even finish that question,” he cut her off with a low growl, removing his hands to hold her jaw tightly, keeping her teary eyes locked on him. “You know damn well I’m not with you for that, you could be thirty, forty years old, sweetheart, and I’d still be just as wild about you. It’s not the age, baby, it was never the age, okay?” he urged her, brushing his thumbs along her cheekbones. 

She closed her eyes, relief from his words washing over her as a few tears slipped past her lashes. Joel immediately wiped them away with the tips of his thumbs, pressing his forehead to hers as he breathed her in, wanting nothing more than to take all her pain, all her doubt away. 

“Let’s get you showered and in bed, hm? Wash off all that bullshit from tonight,” he suggested, kissing her forehead again before leading her up the stairs. 

He took his time with her in the shower, whispering nothing but sweet praises and encouragement as he brought her to orgasm again and again. She would collapse into bed, satiated, clean, and comfortable, the scarce lingering doubt disappearing with her sense of logic while he fucked her under the shower head.  That night while she slept beside him, Joel sat up on his phone. He had one of his informants look into the guest list at the event tonight, easily identifying who those women were based on security footage from that night sent to his phone. Glancing down at the woman still sleeping beside him, he leaned over and gently kissed her temple, running his fingers down the back of her head. 

“I’ll take care of this, baby, don’t you worry,” he murmured softly, slipping out of bed to go to his office and make a few career ending, social status destroying, marriage ending phone calls. 

The job had run longer than anticipated, delays in the project keeping Joel occupied at the office where he conducted actual contracting jobs. He’d been putting more time into his business front with tax season slowly approaching, he had to make sure things were still in order to avoid any government suspicions. Plus, with his alliances forming nicely after taking down David and his band of idiots, he’d experienced a significant drop in supply loss, allowing him more mental space to deal with his legit company. 

The time had gotten away from him as he closed a deal on a new project downtown, the estimated profit keeping his spirits high. He’d been riding the high of success all day that he didn’t pay any mind to his phone, one important notification getting lost amongst the others until he finally got a moment to himself, his investors having left not too long.

It popped up after he’d sorted through his emails for the day, a delayed reminder of what he’d already seemed to have missed. Dinner at 7pm. 

Shit. 

Shit. Shit. Shit. 

He bolted from his chair, the rolling seat nearly toppling over from the force as he swiped his keys off the table and ran out the door to his truck. His heart was beating at an unsafe rate as he turned a street car with an obnoxious screech of his tires.

Fuck. He fucked up. He really fucked up.

It was nearing 9pm when he got home, a bundle of roses and a stuffed bear from the gas station in his arms as he walked in through the garage. The house was eerily quiet, most of the downstairs lights off already. Fucking shit. 

He didn’t dare call out to her, knowing how utterly screwed he was this time. 

Moving up the stairs with only the flashlight on his phone as a light source, he crept up each step like the next person about to die in a horror movie, blood rushing through his ears as he grew more and more anxious. There was a warm light peeking through the crack at the bottom of their bedroom door. She was awake. Of course, she was still awake. 

The door creaked open. He stood there, biting his lip nervously, taking in what would have been a comforting scene any other day. Any other day where he hadn’t fucked up and forgotten about dinner with his girl. She didn’t look up from the book in her lap, hair pinned up loosely as she read by the light of her bedside lamp. 

Joel swallowed the thick lump in his throat, praying to whatever higher being out there that she didn’t unleash hell on him and if she did, she took mercy on his poor old soul. Although small, she had a fire that he often enjoyed poking and teasing at, unless that fire burst into pure wrath, because then he was absolutely terrified to be on the receiving end of it. 

“...Hey...baby girl…” he spoke softly, taking a hesitant step into the bedroom, adjusting his grip on his offering that he hoped would lessen the inevitable blow. 

“Long day?” she asked, slowly turning the page of her book, voice unnervingly calm.

“Uh,” he swallowed his nerves, taking another hesitant step towards her. “Y-yeah, got the deal…breakin’ ground next week,” he said with an uneasy chuckle. “B-brought you somethin’,” he added quickly, laying the flowers and stuffed bear down at the end of the bed.

She was too still, too quiet. He didn’t like it one bit. How could this tiny woman strike so much fear into him?

“Tired?” she asked, not even glancing at his gifts.

“Uh…yeah, a little…” he shrugged, shifting  his weight from foot to foot, his breathing coming out in uneven shudders. He closed his eyes, mentally preparing to just bite the bullet. “Are…are you mad at me?”

She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. “No.”

“Really?” he questioned softly, hesitant to get any closer.

“Not mad,” she muttered, opening her eyes with a slight shake of her head. “Disappointed.”

He sighed in defeat. Honestly, he’d take her being pissed off and furious over let down, disappointed, whatever it was she was displaying to him now. Pressing his lips together in a thin line, he moved to sit on the edge of the bed, reaching out to grasp her ankle that was tucked under the sheets. She inched it back towards her body, causing a pang to shoot through his chest. He hated when she withdrew from him like this.

“Look, baby, I’m sorry. Time got away from me, can I make it up to you? We can go out to that breakfast place you love so much, I’m yours for the entire day, darlin’,I swear” he tried to bargain, desperate to be back in her good graces. 

She scowled at him, folding the covers back and setting her book on the nightstand. “Sit down, Joel,” she said flatly, nodding towards the armchair in the corner of the room, the one he’d often sit and fiddle with his guitar in when he had some downtime. 

Nodding, he got up, easing back into the chair as she followed behind him without another word. Her silence was maddening as she brought her hand to his jaw, her soft fingers caressing his trimmed stubble. It was strange, the contrast between the irritation in her eyes and the soft touches she gave him. It was…unnerving. 

“Gun,” she demanded quietly, opening her hand to him.

He tensed, but gave up his pistol without a second thought. She held it in her smaller hands for a moment before setting it on the dresser. He sat stiffly as she came around the back of the chair, her hands on his shoulders, starting to massage his tense muscles with a soft sigh from her lips.

“B-baby, can we just…talk ab-.”

“Hush, Joel,” she cut him off, gripping his shoulders a little firmer to emphasize her cold words.

He shut his mouth immediately with a soft click of his teeth, his body buzzing from her touch, his mind still apprehensive by her too calm demeanor. He couldn’t even enjoy how her fingers attempted to work the tension out of his shoulder blades, too nervous about the leashed anger she could have brewing inside her. 

“I had something special planned for tonight, just for you,” she admitted softly, her lips grazing the shell of his ear, making him jump at the sudden warm breath on him. She chuckled darkly at his reaction.

“I’m so sorry, really, b-.”

“Shut up, Joel,” she huffed, bringing a hand to the back of his head, fisting his salt and pepper curls tightly in her hand and pulling back so that he was forced to look up at her once she stood straight again. 

He couldn’t help but groan at the sharp pain and the way she commanded him so effortlessly fueled by her own frustration. 

His mind fogged briefly as he recalled the previous times she’s pulled his hair like this, usually when she was under him and desperate for his touch, not like this though, not with a blazing fire in her dark eyes and a slight scowl on her pretty, pouty lips.

“Getting turned on already, baby?” she smirked, noticing how he shifted uncomfortably in the chair, the outline of his cock prominent against the dark denim of his jeans as his legs spread in a futile attempt to relieve some of his discomfort. “Too bad,” she scoffed, releasing his hair, his throat eliciting another deep groan, this time of frustration, escaping his lips as he reached around to try and chase her form.

“Stop,” she commanded, grabbing his wrist just as he was about to grab onto her waist. “Stay.”

She backed up from him, his hand falling into his lap as he watched her closely. She stood just in front of the bed, her fingers gripping the ends of his t-shirt that she wore, the one she often wore to sleep. Joel’s hungry gaze followed each movement closely, his mouth going dry as she pulled the shirt over her head, revealing a black lace set, lines of flimsy lace crossing over her chest and down her sternum, leaving her nipples exposed and lifted under the soft material. Fuck. 

She kept her eyes on him as she slid back onto the bed, slipping those tiny sleep shorts off to reveal the rest of her hidden set to him. He swore under his breath, bringing his fist to his mouth as he bit his knuckle roughly, his knee bouncing erratically as he tried to keep from jumping on her. Gods, she was absolutely stunning as she peered over her body at him, laying out on the giant bed, his own personal pinup model. 

The dainty material had no real structure, the criss-crossing strips of black lace connected along her waist to the garter belt fit snugly on her hips. Hungry eyes trailed down her form until he was looking directly at her soaked pussy, exposed to the air, the only hints of underwear being more lace strips lining her hips. 

Joe’s dark gaze continued down to the sheer stockings covering her feet up to her thighs, held up by the clips of the garter belt. Her hand came down to trail a teasing line down her stomach, head laid back on the bed as she spread her legs for him, dainty fingers rubbing her clit in slow circles.

“B-baby,” he pleaded, shifting his seat again, bringing his free hand to rub over his aching cock through his jeans.

“Don’t you fucking dare, Joel,” she snapped, lifting her head, catching him trying to undo his belt buckle. “You’re not allowed to touch…yourself or me,” she said, sitting up on one elbow, glaring at him as she rubbed at her clit, dipping her ring finger into her dipping heat with a soft sigh, closing her eyes. 

This was his punishment. He’d take her yelling at him over this torture any day. 

“P-please, baby…” he begged, unsure of what he was begging for exactly, just needing her to do something besides play with herself as if he wasn’t even there, willing and ready. 

He grunted, trying to readjust his throbbing cock as he sat back, taking deep breaths in a weak attempt to get a hold of himself. 

“Touch yourself again and I’ll tie your hands to the chair,” she warned, hearing the slight shift of his belt buckle over his heavy breathing.

Fuck, that was hot. The threat. The way she held control over him. The way she tortured him. It was the most pleasurable kind of punishment. 

“C-can I at least-.”

“No, stay there and watch,” she cut him off sharply, dipping two fingers into her dripping heat, crooking them slightly with a self-satisfied sigh as she closed her eyes.

He sat, squirming and panting like a dog, for who knows how long while she worked herself up agonizingly slowly, teasing herself open, her body on full display to him. He didn’t try to plead with her again, just took his punishment as best he could, clothes too constricted, body too warm, cock too hard, overall just too on edge, by the time she lifted her head again.

“Look at you,” she cooed, bringing her fingers to her lips, licking her own juices off, causing him to groan and swear under his breath. “You look absolutely wrecked, baby.”

He grunted, itching to get out of the chair, but holding himself back as he fisted the ends of the arm rests with white knuckles. “D-darlin’…” he pleaded, his voice almost like a low whine as he watched her lick the length of her index finger clean, transfixed on how her juices glistened in the low light.

“It sucks, doesn’t it…” she said softly, bringing her wet fingers down to circle her nipples, his eyes following every moment, watching the soft bud perking from her touch. “...to be waiting and waiting…and not get what you want?” she cooed with a wicked smirk, moving to her other nipple, working it to a stiff peak as she tilted her head back with an erotic sigh, presenting the curve of her neck to him.

“P-please, sweetheart,” he groaned, unable to keep still at this point, knees bouncing frantically, hands moving up and down his thighs as he tried to find some relief.

“Answer me,” she demanded with a slight glare, her own eyes a little hazy, pupils dilated but he could sense the irritation still present behind them. 

“Yes, y-yes, it sucks, I’m sorry, baby,” he groaned desperately, loudly, his hips jerking into the air fruitlessly as he attempted to chase the pleasure that wouldn’t come, body coated in a light layer of sweet from how painfully turned on he was by her little show. 

She chuckled, a dark sound that had his pulse skyrocketing. “You’re going to watch me come, handsome,” she stated leaving no room for argument, leaning back, spreading her legs wider as she now used both hands on herself, two fingers thrusting lewdly into her soaking heat, the other hand working her clit in quick, tight circles. He couldn’t take the sounds of her wet, squelching pussy sucking in her fingers, a desperate moan for her covering the sounds momentarily.

“L-let me do it, p-please, baby, let me make you feel good, I’m sorry,” he now openly whined from his spot, grinding up into the air in time with her fingers, feeling like he might come in his pants just from watching her.

“No. This is your punishment, Joel. Take it and maybe I’ll think about letting you come,” she panted, lost in her own touch, her own hips jerking against her hand as she moaned.

“Please…please…” he begged, mouth running on its own accord at this point, urging her to come, leaning forward as he desperately wished to feel her.

“Gonna come for you, baby,” she sighed blissfully, her hands working up speed until she was shaking, her legs closing around her own hand as she rode the waves of her own high. 

She took a moment to catch her breath, slowly opening her legs and bringing two fingers back to her mouth, sucking on her fingertips as she sat up to assess Joel. He was trembling in his seat, lips parted slightly as he watched her come down, his cock straining painfully against his jeans as he took labored breaths, sweat beading down the sides of his face. He was a mess, an absolute mess of a man who looked ready to break at any moment. 

Sliding off the bed, she approached him, bringing her fingers out of her mouth and offering them to him. He leaned forward, immediately wrapping his dry lips around her fingertips, a deep groan rumbling in his chest as he tasted her. 

Pushing his shoulder, she eased him to sit back in the chair, pulling her fingers from his lips slowly. Running a hand through the sweaty curls on his forehead, she smiled at him, a true smile filled with affection, her original coldness no longer present as she caressed his face. “Did so well, handsome,” she praised softly, her voice barely above a whisper as he choked on a desperate noise, her touch electrifying against his very sensitive nerves. “Did exactly as you were told…”

“P-please…” he groaned, eyes unfocused as he looked up at her, trembling and aching in his pants, his voice cracking at the end as if he might actually cry. 

“What do you want, baby? You want me to touch you? You want to touch me?” she asked softly, standing between his spread legs, resting both hands on his shoulders. “You can touch now, Joel, you earned it.”

“Y-yeah,” he nodded, hands immediately grabbing a hold of her waist, yanking her forcefully onto his lap as he attached his lips to her perked nipple, groaning in satisfaction as he rutted up into her like an animal. 

She sighed softly, holding onto him as he grinded his clothed cock against her wet heat, the fabric growing damp from the excess of her orgasm dripping down her thighs. Joel’s nails dug into her hips as he grinded into her, his mouth and teeth leaving sharp bites and marks across her breasts as he grunted and growled like a savage beast. 

“Fuck, Joel, yes,” she sighed, leaning her head back, remaining pliant as he finally pulled himself out of his pants, hissing at the open air on his overly sensitive tip. 

He  used one hand to lift her hips, holding the base of his length with his other hand until he could aim and thrust up into her fully, both of them moaning at the intrusion. She squeezed his length so perfectly, warm, wet heat, coating his neglected cock. His mind was absolutely gone at this point, his body moving only on primal urges as he fucked her in quick, hard thrusts, growling and grunting viciously. 

It didn’t take long for his own release to wash over them. She whined as he rutted into her, a sharp snarl escaping his throat as he pumped her full of his come, holding her down on his cock until there was nothing left to give. 

Joel went still after his release, eyes closed, chest rising and falling erratically as he tried to catch his breath, mind still too foggy to resist as she eased herself off his lap, disappearing into the bathroom momentarily. In his fucked out haze, he could hear the faint sound of the toilet flushing before she reappeared, fully dressed in her loungewear again. 

He watched with tired eyes as she went over to her bedside table, the foil of a Plan B pill crinkling in the quietness of the room briefly before she popped it in her mouth, followed by a long drink of water. 

“You okay, handsome?” she asked softly, returning to his lap, offering him the half-full bottle of water. 

“I’m good,” he nodded, his senses returning to normal after a quick, refreshing sip. 

“Need anything?” she followed-up, her fingernails scratching lightly at his scalp just how he liked after a long day. 

He shook his head, sweaty arms wrapping around her, keeping her held tightly against his chest. “Just you…”

“You did so well, Joel, took your punishment so perfectly,” she purred against his jaw, leaving a trail of wet kisses across his heated skin.

He hummed as his large rough hands held her tightly against his body. “...I’m sorry, baby,” he murmured after a moment, eyes closed as he rested his head on her shoulder.

“It’s fine, Joel…there will be other dinners…besides…you’ve made up for it more than enough,” she praised him, kissing all over his face sweetly. 

“I like when you give orders,” he muttered against her lips, words slurred from fatigue, kissing her slowly.

She was a little firecracker and brightened up the house when she came to stay every few weekends or pop up in the middle of the day when she didn’t have school and wanted to hang out with Joel. 

Indi wasn’t sure how much Ellie actually liked her, all her interactions usually kept at a friendly level and they were usually with Joel unless he was busy with work. They could get along well for short periods of time, talking animatedly about whatever Ellie had been watching lately or what Indi’s been doing in school. Beyond that, Indi wasn’t too sure.

Until one day, Ellie came to the house early one midsummer afternoon, looking nervous as she fidgeted with the straps of her backpack.

“Oh, hey Els,” Indi greeted her at the front door, looking cozy in one of Joel’s t-shirts and a pair of sleep shorts, “Joel’s not home right now, do y-.”

“I know,” Ellie spoke up quickly, anxiously avoiding the older woman’s gaze. “I wanted to talk to you…”

“Oh…okay, come sit down,” Indi urged the young blonde, ushering her inside to sit and talk  together in the kitchen where Indi had been cutting fruit for a smoothie. “Everything okay?” she asked Ellie, keeping her eyes focussed on the cutting board littered with strawberries as the unusually quiet teenager sat on the opposite side of the island, throwing her backpack on the chair next to her.

“Y-yeah, um…so…Dina’s having a, um, pool party this weekend…” she said hesitantly, watching Indi cut up a bunch of strawberries with ease. 

“That’s cool,” Indi nodded with a small grin, keeping her tone even and casual, wanting to give Ellie the space to speak freely at her own pace. 

“Yeah so, s-she…I mean, I-I want to go b-but…” she trailed off, looking extremely uncomfortable.

Indi put the knife down, moving to stand beside Ellie, offering a comforting squeeze to the teen’s shoulder. “But…?”

She sighed, slightly frustrated with herself, not usually the one to struggle with expressing her thoughts to people. “I want to get a nicer swimsuit,” she said quickly, her words a little mumbled together.

“Oh, okay,” Indi agreed, finding no issue with what Ellie was asking.

“I-I’m sure Joel could drop you-.”

“No, not with Joel,” she interrupted Indi, looking up with wide eyes, a mix of fear and embarrassment in those blue eyes, her chinks tinted pink. 

“Okay, not Joel,” Indi repeated softly, rubbing soothing circles into her back. “What’s got you worked up over this, Els?” she questioned gently. 

Ellie sighed, looking down at her fidgeting hands. “...I want to look…pretty…for Dina’s party and…I don’t know what…looks good, like that, you know?” she mumbled, glancing up at Indi nervously.

“Oh…oh! Yeah, no, I get that, you like Dina a lot and want to look nice for her, makes sense,” she nodded encouragingly. 

“I can’t ask Joel, that’d be fuckin’ weird,” she added with a light scoff, her cheeks growing pinker at the mention of her father-figure taking her to look at bikinis. “Y-you always look pretty, so…could you, um…h-help me pick out something…that would,” she huffed, struggling to get her words out in one go. “Will you help me find something that’ll look good?” she finally choked out, looking at the older woman with a raging blush and a slight pout.

“Sure, yes, definitely Ellie,” Indi agreed, appreciating that the teenager came to her for this, feeling like she’d taken a big step towards Ellie trusting her. 

They talked a little more about what Ellie was looking for. It seemed she was dead set on a two piece, but struggled with feeling exposed in it, which was understandable. 

“I had weird feelings about my body too when I was sixteen, hell up until I was in my mid-twenties, I struggled with being comfortable in my body,” Indi admitted after she’d made them both a smoothie, taking Ellie to sit out on the covered patio connected to the kitchen, enjoying the view of all the trees and the trickle of the jacuzzi fountain nearby.

“Really?” Ellie asked softly, watching Indi over the rim of her cup. “You’re always so…” Ellie couldn’t even pick the right word. “I mean, Joel’s so…crazy about you, I want…that with Dina, I think…you always look so…put together and pretty and shit, so I mean, I get why he’s all heart-eyes, but…I want to be able to walk around like you do,” she said softly, toying with her straw.

“Don’t base your relationship goals off Joel and I, Els, we had to figure out our own dynamic just like you’re figuring out yours. Sometimes we’re still figuring it out,” I chuckled softly. “And, thank you, I appreciate the compliment, but it’s not always like that. I don’t feel pretty all the time and when I do, it usually takes a lot of self-encouragement to put that vibe off,” I explained. 

She hummed in acknowledgement, looking down at her cup, thinking loudly but saying nothing.

“Ellie, you are so bright and funny. You’re creative and determined. You are also pretty, inside and outside,” I said, reaching over and squeezing her arm. 

She was blushing, glancing at me with a shy smile. “Thank you,” she murmured, setting her cup down before sliding over to the older woman and wrapping her smaller arms around her neck in a tight hug. 

They heard the garage door open from inside, Joel soon stepping out in his usual jeans and loose t-shirt. He was sweating, probably coming from one of his contracting jobs, the real one, smelling like sawdust and sunlight.

“Hey, what’re you two doin’ out here?” he asked, leaning over to kiss Indi’s temple before ruffling Ellie’s hair with a warm smile.

He loved these rare moments when he got to catch his girls together. Ellie didn’t hug often, so he knew they had been talking about something serious, especially given how red in the face his kid was looking when he came out to them. 

“Just hanging out,” Indi said with an easy grin, “Ellie and I were thinking about going to the mall in a bit.”

“Oh? For what?” he asked curiously as they all moved back into the air conditioned kitchen.

“Book store.”

“Shoes.”

The two women looked at each other. Indi nervously bit her lip while Ellie became flustered, glancing at Joel who had raised a brow at them. 

“Bookstore and shoes,” Indi clarified with a soft laugh, recovering quicker than Ellie and going over to kiss her fiance's cheek, not even bothered by the sweat and grime on him.

When she went upstairs to change, Joel followed after her, claiming to want a shower. Once secured in their bedroom, he leaned on the door, watching his girl change out of her loungewear into denim shorts and a loose t-shirt. He crossed his arms over his chest and eyed her suspiciously.

“What’re you two really up to?” he asked as she went into the en suite bathroom to put on a light layer of make-up.

“It’s nothing bad, Joel, just…girl stuff,” she shrugged, smirking at him through the mirror.

“Uh huh…” he nodded, still not completely believing her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

She rolled her eyes. Such a dad. “Okay, don’t say anything, but Ellie is feeling some type of way about her body and she asked me to go with her to get some clothes,” she explained.

“Her body? Somebody say somethin’ to her?” he asked, immediately getting defensive as he came to lean on the vanity counter in the bathroom, hand automatically dropping to the revolver on his hip. 

“No, nothing like that, she’s just…feeling a little self-conscious and wants to change things up,” she shrugged, glancing up at him with amusement at how quickly he reached for his gun. “Don’t make it weird by saying anything, she’s already feeling awkward.”

He sighed, never knowing what to do when it came to Ellie’s developmental stages. “I wish you would’ve been here when she got her period early the first time she stayed here,” he groaned, recalling the absolute heart attack he almost had in the grocery store at nine o’clock at night on a Friday looking at the wall of feminine products before some older female employee took pity on him and handed him a box with a knowing smile. 

“Were you freakin’ out?” Indi asked, teasingly.

“Absolutely,” he chuckled, admiring how fluidly she applied something as basic as chapstick, making the act seem much more erotic than it really was in that moment. 

She laughed softly, standing to kiss him before exiting the bathroom to grab her shoes.

Joel insisted on dropping them off, doing his best to not bring up anything that might even remotely make Ellie uncomfortable as she played on her phone in the backseat of his truck, too quiet for his liking. He dropped them off at the entrance, promising to be back in a couple hours after he checked on “some things” nearby AKA supplies. 

As Ellie walked alongside Indi through the mall, she began to clam up again, her shoulders high with tension as she ducked her head. 

“It’s going to be just fine, Els,” Indi said, directing Ellie into one store, keeping nearby as the teen browsed the selection of swimsuits nervously. 

“There’s so many,” Ellie murmured, looking to Indi, anxiety filling her blue eyes.

“Yeah, it’s a lot,” Indi empathized. “Maybe let’s start with the basics and go from there,” she offered, selecting a few solid colored pieces for her to try on first. 

Indi was patient the entire time, offering subtle encouragement as Ellie went through set after set, locking herself in the dressing stall for most of the first hour. She understood it was hard to be a teenager and feel weird in your own body, and told Ellie the same as they went to two more stores. 

“I like this,” Ellie said softly in the third store, having disappeared behind a dressing curtain with a handful of pieces. 

“Oh?” Indi perked up from her seat in the dressing room, hoping Ellie had finally found something she was comfortable in. 

She stepped out in a black halter top and bikini bottoms that offered medium coverage on her smaller figure. Indi nodded approvingly, complimenting how the top accentuated Ellie’s shoulders nicely. The teenager beamed shyly at the compliment, ducking her head down as she went back behind the curtain. 

Before they returned to the entrance that Joel would pick them up at, Ellie carrying two bags compared to Indi’s one, they stopped for coffee and a quick scan of the bookstore, just for the hell of it. Before stepping outside, Ellie stopped Indi and wrapped her arms around the older woman suddenly, her face tucked into Indi’s shoulder.

“You’re the closest thing I’ve ever had to a sister…thank you for today,” she said quickly before letting go of the older woman, smiling bashfully as they left the mall. 

Joel noticed the change in Ellie’s demeanor when he picked the girls up. His kid now much more like herself, loud and sassy in the backseat as she attempted to critique his driving while simultaneously complaining about something that had happened with the horses at Bill and Frank’s. Reaching over, Joel took Indi’s hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles and finally her engagement ring softly. “Gross,” Ellie commented from the back seat.

One minute, Joel had been thrusting deeply into her tight heat, grunting feral above her as he gripped her headboard in an iron fist, the nails of his other hand digging into her hips as he pinned her squirming form down to the sweat-covered sheets. The frame squeaked in time with his thrusts, the whole mattress shaking as he gave her everything he had, hungry for her release.

The next minute there was a creek and then a crack. 

Just as she cried out for him from her orgasm, a whining, whimpering puddle under him, they felt the drop, both of their stomachs’ flipping as the bedframe hit the wooden floor with a low thud. “Oh fuck!” she gasped, sitting up, nearly hitting Joel in the forehead, breathing hard as she looked around. 

He was silent, shocked and a little disoriented, still hard and throbbing in her wet heat.

“Joel!” she gasped, looking towards the end of her bed, which was angled awkwardly on one leg, the rest of the frame flat on the ground. 

He blinked once, finally realized how off balance he felt, taking in the scene before him, finally releasing the headboard and sitting up. She giggled, scooting back, his cock slipping out of her wet heat as he hissed from the change in temperature. 

“We…” she laughed with a shake of her head, “I can’t believe we broke the bed.” 

“Shit...my bad, baby,” he muttered, grinning in amusement as they awkwardly got off her now busted bed frame, the mattress sagging to one side. He didn’t even seem embarrassed or upset at the matter, just…proud, almost? Entertained and proud, if she had to guess by that slight hint of smugness in his smirk. 

They got dressed, Joel still achingly hard in his jeans as he assessed the damage. Shoving the mattress to the ground, he inspected the frame. 

“Where’d you get this from? It’s a piece of shit, babe,” he scoffed bluntly, now noticing the shoddy welding and old metal bars.

“It’s called living on a budget, asshole,” she shot back, playfully rolling her eyes as she sat beside where was kneeling. “Textbooks are expensive,” she added after he shot a glare at her over his shoulder from her sass. “Can you fix it?” 

He scoffed. “No, baby girl, this is beyond fixin’,” he shook his head, standing up straight, his knees popping in the process as he groaned softly. “Just gonna have to get you a new one, make sure it can hold up against me,” he said with a sly grin down at her.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure that exists, Joel.”

“Come on, get your shoes on,” he said, offering his hand to her.

“Why?” she questioned, allowing him to help pull her up anyways. 

“Gotta get you a new bed frame, maybe a bigger mattress while we’re at it,” he said casually, grabbing his keys from her dresser after she was full on her feet.

“What? Joel?!” she called after him, following him out into the living room, where he picked up his wallet and slipped on his shoes.

He ignored her arguments as he guided her out the door and into his truck, pulling out onto the main road with a smug grin as she stared at him with a mix of confusion, shock and a little irritation sprinkled in as well at his sheer audacity.

“Where are we going?” she asked, eyeing him suspiciously as he stopped at a red light. 

“Told you, darlin’, gonna get you a new setup, can’t have my girl sleepin’ on the floor,” he shrugged easily, popping a stick of gum in his mouth from the pack he kept in the driver’s side door. 

“Joel, you’re not buying me a new-.”

“Shh, baby doll, don’t you worry ‘bout it, alright,” he cut her off by reaching over to caress her jaw softly, stealing a quick kiss before the light turned green again.

She gaped, unable to process the strange mixture of contempt and appreciation battling ferociously in her chest. It left her opening and closing her mouth like a floundering fish, at a loss for words on whether to thank him or chew him out for his arrogance. 

“Joel, stop being ridiculous, this isn’t funny,” she said, finally managing to string a coherent thought together. 

Their relationship was still fairly new to her, so Joel's insistence on providing was something she was still getting used to, even if it was his fault in a way, something in her overly-independent brain continued to fight him tooth and nail about whipping out his card for her at any chance he got.

He chuckled, finding her fire adorable. He liked seeing this side of her, all worked up and determined to maintain her independence, even when all he wanted to do was take care of her.

“I’m pretty sure I’m the one to blame for the bed givin’ out in the first place, baby doll, the least I can do is get you a new one,” he reasoned calmly, enjoying the frustrated pout on her face all the more when she started blushing. “You’re cute, gettin’ all worked up when I try to take care of you,” he observed, his eyes filled with amusement and adoration as he ran his fingers through her hair. 

She blushed harder, turning her head away for a moment to gather her thoughts. “Shut up,” she muttered defiantly, her heart fluttering in her chest as she heard the low, deep chuckle that made her melt. 

He brought her to an IKEA, strolling leisurely around the front of the truck to get to her door, taking her hand as he helped her out. She was attempting to scowl at him, her irritation much lower, but still present. To him, it looked like she was simply pouting still, making him smile.

“Gonna need to fuck that attitude out of you when we get back,” he commented lightly, wrapping a heavy arm around her shoulders, leading her to the entrance.

She gasped softly, his lewd comment out in public catching her off guard, only making him grin wider as an oblivious family walked past them.

It took them roughly two hours to find a bed that Joel approved of, his contractor brain assessing and scrutinizing every detail. The first hour consisted of him grumbling and swearing under his breath about the “shitty craftsman” and “fuckin’ aluminum beam in a box” before they found one that didn’t make him roll his eyes or scoff. He didn’t bat an eye when she tossed a new comforter and a couple pillows into their cart, smiling in approval when she wasn’t looking, happy that she was finally letting him provide for her. 

She followed him into her apartment as he carried the new frame, her arms holding the two pillows she had bought as he balanced the comforter on his shoulder. He could feel her heavy gaze on him as he rolled up the sleeves of his flannel, using a box cutter from his truck to remove the framing.

Gods, watching him put the bed frame together had her wet and needy much quicker than she would like to admit. He held a screwdriver in his mouth as he aligned two bars together. She had no idea what he was doing, but she could watch him do it all day long. Joel glanced up, his eyes taunting as he caught her practically drooling over him. He removed the screwdriver from his mouth, using it to secure the two pieces in his hand together with a bolt.

“Doin’ okay over there, sweetheart?” he asked, his drawl thick as he teased her.

“...uh huh…” she murmured, sounding breathless as she watched his hands, rough and controlled in their movement as he moved to the other end of one of the bars. 

He chuckled. “Lookin’ a little wild eyed, darlin’...”

“S-shut up,” she muttered, looking away, slightly embarrassed. 

“Don’t worry, ‘s cute,” he winked, crouching down to test the security of one of the legs after twisting it into place. 

She felt like he finished at an agonizingly slow pace. It shouldn’t take this long to put a bed frame together. He had to be teasing her on purpose. At least it felt like a long time, her body growing warmer and warmer as he put the new piece of furniture together for her. She couldn’t even really appreciate the end results because she was too busy working his belt buckle open.

“Easy baby, still gotta put the sheets on,” he chuckled teasingly, leaning back in her desk chair, allowing her to frantically free his semi-hard cock from his jeans.

“Later,” she panted, dropping to her knees, nosing at the trail of dark curls starting on his lower abdomen and moving down to where she grasped the base of his cock. 

“Got you all worked up, darlin’,” he said with a smirk, running his hands through her hair as she licked the tip.

“Yeah,” she murmured with her lips around the head of his cock, suckling softly with a needy moan. 

“Oh, fuck, baby girl,” he groaned, fisting the hair at the crown of her head loosely, his head rolling back as his legs spread and relaxed around her body. “Gonna thank me with that pretty mouth, sweetheart?” he asked, his voice now a low rumble in his throat. 

“Please,” she murmured, pulling back to lick at the tip, her hand warm and wet as she stroked him slowly.

“That’s right, baby, use that mouth on me,” he nodded, pushing her head down halfway onto his throbbing cock, groaning as she sucked him off with a whine. “Such a pretty girl, doin’ so well f’ me, gorgeous’,” he praised her with a throaty moan, his fingers in her hair guiding her strokes as her hand worked the rest of his length just as eagerly. 

“Fuck, that’s it, baby girl,” he sighed, his stomach tightening as he felt his oncoming release, his grip rough on her soft locks as he got closer and closer. 

She pulled off him, gasping softly for air, her hand still moving rhythmically on his length. Her lips were wet and slightly swollen from how hard she was sucking on him, eyes dazed as she stared up at him. 

“So fuckin’ pretty like this, baby,” he sighed, guiding her mouth back to him, growling as she took him deeper, gagging on his length. “That’s right, such a good girl f’ me, gonna come, baby girl, swallow f’ me, be my good girl,” he groaned, holding her head down with a deep growl, his hips bucking slightly into her mouth as she moaned, his release coating her throat.

She was breathing hard when he finally released his grip on her hair, eyes wide and eager as she stood up, leaning over to kiss him, the taste of him still on her lips, making him groan in satisfaction.

“Thank you, baby,” she said sweetly, her hands on his shoulders as she pushed herself to stand straight, looking over at the newly built bed frame, much nicer than her original by a longshot. 

“Anything for you, sweetheart,” he chuckled, still catching his breath, his soft cock still exposed as he lazily tucked himself back into his jeans.

“Wanna test it out after I put the new sheets on?” she offered with an arched brow, grinning slyly at him, her sweet tone replaced with one of a mischievous minx.

He was also particular about things like pumping gas, she quickly came to learn. Even though she had her own car, slowly collecting dust in his garage, he was insistent that he take her where she wanted to go and if he couldn’t, he’d send one of his men with her. 

“Want anything, baby girl?” he asked as they pulled up to a gas station after finishing lunch one afternoon. 

She shook her head with a soft smile. He was always so attentive. 

“I’ll be right back,” he nodded, leaning over the center console and kissing her forehead before getting out of the car. 

He wanted gum or something, which is the only reason he didn’t pay at the pump. She noticed through her side mirror that the light on the pump activated, signaling he’d paid already, but when he didn’t immediately emerge from the gas station, she shrugged, thinking she would do something nice and pump the gas so they could get home sooner. 

As she stood outside, leaning against his truck, watching the numbers on the screen rise, her hand resting on the pump lazily, she felt his  heated eyes on him before she saw him, her back to the gas station entrance.

“What the hell do you think you’re doin’?” Joel demanded, walking out with a soda and a bag of chips, her favorite candy also sticking out of his front pocket, a deep scowl on his face as he approached her. 

“Getting the gas,” she shrugged, looking at him in confusion.

“Get back in the car, baby,” he said gruffly, batting her hand away from the pump handle.

“Why? I got it, Joel,” she insisted, looking at him incredulously. 

“No. Get back in the car. Here,” he said, using his Boss voice on her, handing her the stuff in his hands.

“What’s your problem?” she questioned, hearing his irritation in his tone, like he was trying to be calm but struggling. 

“You don’t pump gas.”

She stares at him for a moment, confused. “What?”

“You don’t pump gas. I do.”

“Joel…baby, what the hell are you talking about?” she asked, finding this conversation ridiculous, if not a little funny.

“Just get in the truck, darlin’, I got this,” he said with a shake of his head, urging her again as he pressed the cold plastic bottle and crinkly bag into her hands.

She wanted to argue with him, ask him why he was acting like this over her pumping gas, but knew better than to start something out in public. She took the items in his hand, going back to the passenger seat with an annoyed huff. 

He got into the driver’s seat, but didn’t start the truck. With a heavy sigh, he turned his upper body towards her in his seat, his forearm laying across the steering wheel, fists clenched, as he fixed her with a hard look. Not angry, but very serious. 

“Don’t do that again, baby girl,” he said a little ominously, his eyes way too serious to be talking about fucking gas. 

“What? Pump gas? Why?” she demanded, her attitude starting to peak.

His jaw tensed at her tone. “You don’t pump gas, ever.”

“You’re being ridiculous right now,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. “Why not?”

“Because you don’t.”

“That’s not an answer, Joel,” she huffed, shaking her head, looking out her window.

“Hey, look at me,” he demanded, reaching across and capturing her chin between his thumb and forefinger, pulling until she met his heated gaze. “I don’t ever wanna see you touch a gas pump, okay? You get me or you get one of the guys. Understood?”

“Why?” she demanded, still not satisfied with his reasoning.

“Because you’re my girl and you just don’t, okay? I take care of the gas, I get the doors, I pay the bill, I walk on the outer part of the sidewalk, okay?”

She took in his words, considering his meaning, his reasoning for getting so upset. These were all just basic, chivalrous acts that she recognized. She didn’t understand why he’s making such a big deal about it.

“Why are you so upset?” she then asked.

He shook his head, obviously getting frustrated that she wasn’t understanding. “Because, darlin’, that means I’m takin’ care of you. You’re my girl, right?” She nods. “Okay, then, so that means you let me worry about all that stuff.” 

“Joel, I think you’re overreacting a bit,” she said, twisting her head out of his grasp, her attempt at a scowl looking more like a pout.

He rolled his eyes. “Look, baby girl, I know you’re strong and independent and perfectly capable of doing things on your own. I love that about you, but I was raised to take care of a woman, treat her right and that includes pumping her gas. When I saw you just now, I felt like I had majorly fucked up because my girl’s standin’ out in the heat puttin’ gas in my truck” he explains, keeping his voice controlled and steady. 

“Joel, I understand that,” she said slowly, “and I’m sorry if I offended you in some way, but it’s really not that a big deal to me. I pumped my own gas for years before I met you, it’s not going to hurt me this time around.”

“But what if it’s hurtin’ me, huh?” he questioned, his words startling her into silence. 

He sighed heavily, shaking his head before starting the car and pulling back onto the road towards his house. She was quiet, pondering his words even after they arrived and he came around to get her car door, taking her hand and helping her down in silence. 

“I’m sorry,” she finally said after they’d gotten inside.

“Don’t worry about it, baby, just…let me handle it from now on, okay?” he sighed, pulling her into his chest, strong arms wrapping around her waist. 

“Does it really bother you that much?” she asked softly, nuzzling her face into his chest, inhaling the familiar smoky scent that was naturally Joel. 

“Yes, it does. I don’t like seein’ you doin’ more than you have to. I like takin’ care of you, darlin’, and I like treatin’ you like a princess, even if you think I’m being, what’d you say the other day? Extra?” he asked, a small grin forming on his face when she laughed. 

“Yeah, you were being kind of extra back there,” she giggled softly, looking up at him, her chin on his chest.

“So let me be extra for you, sweetheart, you deserve nothing less,” he said softly, leaning down to brush his lips against her own, his large, warm hand coming up to caress her jaw. 

“You spoil me too much,” she sighed happily, leaning up on her toes to kiss his jaw. 

“It’s ‘cause I love you so damn much,” he said, kissing her forehead.

“Joel, just sit your ass down and wait for us,” Tommy snapped over the phone, “Four minutes and we’re there, don’t do somethin’ stupid.”

“You don’t understand, Tommy,” he tried to insist, glancing around his current barrier to try and spot the shooters’ locations, keeping his voice low as he held the phone close, “She might actually cut my dick off if I’m late one more time.”

His brother scoffed over the line, the car’s tires screeching in the background. “It’s six to one, Joel and you’re already injured, stand the fuck down.”

He chuckled, never being one to take orders well. That’s why he became his own boss after all, so no one could tell him what to do, including his little brother. “Six to one? I like those odds.”

He hung up the phone, sticking it in his pocket before taking a deep breath, gripping his gun tightly before standing up, revealing his location and moving forward with the practiced precision of a military unit. He hit one upon standing and then a second after taking cover behind a table that had been tipped over. 

When he came to the warehouse this evening, looking for an inventory list, he didn’t expect to find the door unlocked and men, who were not his own, inside. They had guns, of course, and started firing upon hearing him. He’d barely had time to duck behind one of the vehicles that had been inside. That’s when he called Tommy. That’s also when he saw the time and a sliver of panic ran down his spine. 

He didn’t know how many men there were in the beginning, not taking the time to count when they started firing. Tommy must have logged into the security system from his phone. 

The third fell to the ground when Joel leaned around his current barricade. There was a slight pause. They were out of bullets. He took the opportunity and fired two more perfect kill shots, the bodies hitting the floor simultaneously. 

By the time he clocked the last one, the coward was already trying to run, only to get knocked out by Tommy’s appearance, snagging the man by the shirt and throwing a hard punch. Joel smirked, glad his brother knew to leave him alive. 

“I thought I told you to sit your ass down and wait for us,” Tommy grumbled, assessing the room and all the dead bodies scattered around. 

“And I thought I told you I have somewhere to be right now.” He glanced at his watch and swore under his breath. “Keep that one alive, I’ll come back tomorrow to deal with him,” he said, digging for his keys in his pocket.

“Joel-.” Tommy tried to stop him.

“Clean this up too, I don’t want the iron smell to stick,” he added over his shoulder, jogging out the door, too caught up in making it home within the next five minutes. 

His brother rolled his eyes with a smirk. He didn’t understand what Joel was so scared of. She was like, what? Five feet, three inches? How scary could she actually be if he’s a little late to dinner?

With a shrug, Tommy started directing the guys he’d brought who were supposed to be Joel’s backup on where to dump the dead bodies. 

“Jesus, he took out six big-ass dudes on his own…with just a pistol?” Daniel, one of their own, said with a shake of his head in disbelief. 

“I heard he took down fifteen dudes on his own, one time,” Matthew piped up, helping Daniel carry one body to the waiting tarp they’d laid out to avoid more blood stains on the floor.

Tommy rolled his eyes. “He took out damn near fifty on his own in the Salt Lake City Job,” he added, passing the guys with a smirk. 

Meanwhile, Joel was driving like a bat out of hell, swerving around other vehicles on the highway as he kept anxiously glancing at the clock on his dash.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he kept muttering to himself with each passing minute. 

He came to a screeching halt in front of his house, taking the steps two at a time and barging into the house. His breaths were labored from rushing as he quickly went in search of his wife to prove he was in fact, on time for their scheduled dinner date. With her getting busier with school this time of year and his erratic schedule, they realized quickly they needed to start actively working on setting time aside specifically for them.

“Baby? Baby, where you at?” he called, going into the kitchen first to grab some water. 

“Whoa, why are you yelling?” she asked, appearing from the game room, where he now realized he could hear the TV in there playing some reality show. 

“I made it on time, told you I wouldn’t be late,” he said, grinning confidently.

She tilted her head with a light scrunch in her brows, looking confused. “Late for what?”

His expression fell. “We’re supposed to have dinner tonight…right?”

She laughed with a shake of her head. “That’s tomorrow, Joel, oh my God,” she said with an amused eye roll.

He blinked once, twice and then pulled his phone out to see his calendar did in fact have nothing scheduled for today with her. 

He groaned. “Fuck, I musta been lookin’ at the wrong day, I’m sorry,” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. 

“It’s okay, Joel,” she said sweetly, coming up to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him into a soft kiss. 

“You’re not mad?” he asked, those dark brown eyes making her internally swoon.

“I mean you’re not late, yet, so there’s nothing to be mad about,” she shrugged, kissing him again before taking his hand and leading him upstairs. 

“We doin’ this right now, baby girl?” he asked, assuming she was going to their bedroom, grabbing onto her waist and giving her hips a squeeze.

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Maybe later, handsome,” she said with a smirk. 

“So where we goin’? I could go for a smoke after today,” he said, happily following her through the house blindly.

“You’re bleeding,” she said simply. 

“Huh?” He glanced down, remembering where he’d been grazed by that first bullet and finding a smear of blood spreading across his shirt where he’d been hit. It was just big enough to where he knew he’d just have to throw out the shirt, there was no recovering it with how quickly the stain grew as they moved into the bathroom. 

“Shirt off. Sit.” 

He smirked, her assertiveness always making him a little excited. “I like when you give orders,” he said with a lopsided smirk, his eyes trailing her form as she brought out the first aid kit. 

She giggled but chose not to indulge him by responding just yet to that comment. “How’s the other guy look?” she asked softly as she started cleaning the wound.

“Dead.” 

“Good.” 

“Doin’ somethin’ for you?” he teased, squeezing her waist as she applied a bandage over the wound, thankfully not that deep.

“You know it does,” she said without missing a beat, glancing up at him through her lashes with that coy grin. 

“Fuck, baby girl,” he groaned, pulling her against him as he leaned on the bathroom counter, shirtless, dark jeans dirty, smelling so uniquely like Joel. 

He knew what he did to her, just like she knew what she did to him. Bringing his thumb and forefinger to her chin, he tilted her head up, kissing her hungrily, a primal growl rumbling in his chest against her body, sending a spark of thrill down her spine. She loved when he got like this. 

“Gets you off knowin’ your man’s a killer, doesn’t it? Makes this pretty pussy so wet thinkin’ about all the bad things I’ve done, ain’t that right, sweetheart?” he crooned down at her, her eyes growing darker with every word.

She whines faintly in her throat, biting her lip. “Joel,” she sighed, clinging to him, his voice lulling her into the state of mind he wanted her, relaxed, aching, submissive. 

“Answer my question, baby,” he said lowly against her jaw, using his other hand to lace through her hair and tilt her head back roughly, earning another eager whine from her. 

“Yes, yes, I love it,” she gasps, eyes already closing, that wicked grin making his cock twitch in his pants. 

“I know you do, baby, you’re a little fucked up in the head, just like me,” he chuckled darkly, “But aren’t we all,” he added before leaning down to kiss her again, fisting the roots of her hair to secure his grip and keep her just how he wanted. 

He picked her up by the back of her thighs, groaning slightly in pain when her leg brushed his freshly bandaged wound. Setting her on the counter, he immediately tugged her shirt off, throwing it to the side without a care, his hands rough and warm on her chest, tweaking her nipples and squeezing her breasts. 

“Always so pretty for me, baby girl,” he groaned into her chest, his mouth latching onto one of her nipples while he continued toying with the other. 

She moaned, her thighs hitched onto his hips, her fingers blindly reaching to undo the buttons of his shirt. As Joel continued to toy with her body, she worked her hands between them, feeling his length strained behind his pants.

“No,” she said, sounding breathless, when he went to shrug his shirt off. “Keep it on.” 

He smirked knowingly. Something about the bloodstain most likely had her brain all foggy with some dark fantasy only he could fulfill. She definitely kept him on his toes. 

“Take it out,” he said assertively, leaning back from her, watching her expertly undo his belt, unbuttoning his pants and dragging the zipper down until she could reach in and feel how hard and heavy he was, the faintest damp patch on the front of his boxers from his own budding excitement. “See what you do to me, baby girl, got me addicted to you, just thinkin’ bout it gets me hard,” he groaned as she caressed and groped him through his boxers. 

“Feel,” she purred, using her other hand to bring his fingers over her panties, the material much more wet with her essence. “All for you, baby. Gonna do something about it?” she asked, sighing as his fingers moved the material aside and immediately slid into her heat. “Fuck!” she cried, caught off guard by the sudden intrusion but loving the stretch all the same. 

He chuckled darkly, bringing his free hand to her throat, squeezing the sides. “So fuckin’ wet for me, baby girl, could slide right in no problem,” he groaned.

She nodded against his hand, slipping her hand past the waistband of his boxers and gripping him firmly. “Do it,” she encouraged him, jerking her hips up against his palm, “Fuck, please, do it.” 

Yanking her panties down her legs, Joel pushed his own pants and boxers down to his mid-thigh, squeezing the base of his cock with a deep groan. She was already starting to drip onto the counter by the time he nudged the head in, sighing at the familiar warmth he could never have enough of.

“More,” she whined softly, leaning back, trying to scoot her hips forward.

He smirked, squeezing her throat again. “Bossy, tonight, aren’t we, baby?”

She huffed, obviously frustrated. “Yes.” She groans when he slips in another inch. “I want it all, Joel, please!” 

“Hush now, baby, I’ll take care of you,” he soothed her, finding her little fit amusing. “I always do, don’t I?.”

She’s panting, squirming against him, desperate for more. “You’re teasing too much,” she grumbled, pouting. 

He chuckles. “That’s funny comin’ from you, sweetheart.” He suddenly thrusts the rest of his length into her, reveling in how she cried out for him, her nails instantly digging into his forearm. 

He begins to thrust roughly, a slow and steady pace that has her gasping out every breath, the slow torture just enough to satisfy her need as he worked her to orgasm. Those little noises had his cock twitching as she latched onto him. 

“Feelin’ good, baby? Got quiet on me,” he choked out with a cocky smirk, her walls beginning to squeeze and flutter around him as she got closer to her end.

“Yes, yes, yes…so fucking good,” she nodded, pulling him down by his neck to kiss her, a wet and messy display of need. 

He hummed in satisfaction against her lips. “Come on then, gorgeous, soak my cock, be a good girl and make a mess on me.”

“Joel!” she moaned, her thighs squeezing his sides.

She brushed the bandage again with her inner thigh, unintentionally of course, but it was just enough pressure to have Joel groaning, a strange combination of pain and pleasure that had him teetering on the end much quicker than he anticipated. 

“Oh, f-fuck!” he grunted, erratically jerking into her until he came with a heavy groan. 

He hadn’t even realized she’d also come, her walls still spasming as he rutted weakly into her, the tip of his cock quickly becoming very sensitive as she squeezed him with her release. 

She was breathing hard, head leaning back on the bathroom sink mirror as she looked at him with a lazy, satisfied grin. “I love you…”