He’d protested when Sarah and Tommy gifted it to him for his birthday 5 months ago.

Tommy had nudged him and laughed “Hopefully this will stop you moaning about your back at work all the time old man.”

Sarah had laughed at Tommy’s jab, but the 16 year old looked at Joel seriously for a beat “Dad you deserve a bit of pampering, you work so hard and do so much for us. Please don’t let it go to waste”.

Which brings him here, stepping out of his beat-up pickup, stuffing the voucher back into his pocket as he let out a breath.

His back had been playing up more than usual recently…

With the voucher running out soon and Sarah’s weekly reminders he had caved, she’d spent her hard earned money from her Saturday job coaching kids soccer and he couldn’t ignore that.

Tommy had a baby to feed and clothe, a mortgage for his new house with Maria to afford.

Joel couldn’t let their money go to waste.

It was a thoughtful gift, truly, and he appreciated the consideration. He’d always appreciate anything Sarah gave him.

He walked slowly down the weathered street towards the massage parlor, delaying the inevitable.

He slowed as he noticed the dainty, well designed sign which hung above a glass door. He’d noticed it a few times in passing since he’d received the gift. Sometimes it felt like it was calling him in. That was probably his back crying out for help.

He pushed open the heavy door and a gentle smell hit him, something floral and fresh. Soothing music played from speakers hidden somewhere in the luxuriously decorated lobby. He definitely felt out of place.

There was no one behind the large wooden clad reception desk, which displayed a large recessed logo Healing Hands.

He stood awkwardly, contemplating turning around and grabbing a drink at the bar he knew a few roads over. De-stressing with a glass of amber liquid and returning home to Sarah to tell her how much lighter he feels after his session. It wouldn’t be a lie, a loop hole.

No, he couldn’t bear twisting the truth like that, and he knew Sarah would see straight through him.

So he took three large strides toward the reception desk and dinged the little bell perched atop it.

“Sorry one moment, I’ll be right with you!” A delicate feminine voice drifted from the room hidden past the lobby.

Joel responded with a simple “No rush,” because there was really no rush.

He wanted to delay the inevitable, still trying to come to terms with the fact that someone was going to be in his personal space for an hour, their hands touching him, probably slathering perfumed oils over his body which would leave him uncomfortable and sticky until he could get home and straight in the shower.

This is for Tommy and Sarah he reminded himself.

A shuffle pulled him from his thoughts as you emerged from the doorway and confidently walked over to the desk.

Glowing. The only word Joel could think to describe the beautiful woman who was stood in front of him.

“Hello, how can I help you today?” you greeted him with a cheerful smile, your aura was light and welcoming, Joel instantly felt calm. So calm his mind went completely blank.

You continued to smile, your head cocking gently to the side in question.

“Apologies again for the wait, how can I help you Sir?”

“…Sir?”

Sir…

That word pulled Joel hurtling back to reality.

He coughed slightly, grounding himself in the moment and shaking his head.

“Sorry miss, I called this morning. I have a voucher for a full body massage and I believe my appointment is at 2pm?” He glanced towards the clock behind the desk, half checking he was on-time, half to break the intense eye contact you were giving him.

He looked back to you and you had dropped your gaze to the screen, moving a mouse delicately over the surface of the desk.

How can someone moving a mouse be so graceful? Joel thought to himself.

You nodded and looked up at him with another beautiful smile.

“Certainly, Joel M?”

His name tumbling from your mouth made his heart race.

What is wrong with me today? Joel blinked away the thought and nodded in response.

“That’s me,” he offered with a smile of his own, trying to lighten the weird tension he felt he was giving off.

You beamed at him and nodded “Perfect, it’s lovely to meet you Joel,” you introduced yourself and started rounding the desk.

“You’ll be with me today.”

Oh no. Joel’s heart thumped louder in his chest, feeling like his fight or flight was kicking in. Not you.

He’d thought you were just the receptionist. The beautiful, glowing receptionist who had made Joel’s cheeks warm and his thoughts wander within the first three minutes of meeting you.

He was going to be stuck in a room with you, your hands rubbing his bare skin for a full hour.

Realising he’d been stuck in place since you’d dropped that bombshell on him, he stepped forward to follow you down the hallway off the lobby, kicking himself again for being so awkward.

“That’s great,” Joel responded, trying to speak in a tone that didn’t infer the feeling of apprehension and dread that had overcome him.

Mentally slapping himself he gave himself a quick mental pep-talk. This was your job. Your profession. He needed to be respectful and put whatever this feeling was aside. You were going to heal him, to stop the pain that groaned from his back every time he stood up from his armchair.

“Is this your first massage Sir?” you asked inquisitively as you guided him into a dimly lit room.

“That obvious?” Joel responded, his mouth quirking up in a playful smirk.

You laughed gently, and Joel thought his heart may actually beat out of his chest. Thinking about how that beautiful sound would be ingrained in his mind forever.

“Maybe… no not at all, I just need to talk you through a few basic things as you’re a newbie,” you responded, light and jovial.

You asked a few necessary questions, covering off medical history and allergies, somehow managing to make the conversation feel like the most fascinating exchange Joel had ever had.

“Right!” You clasped your hands together and started striding towards the door “I’m going to leave the room so you can remove your clothes and get comfortable, contrary to popular belief you can keep your underwear on! Just shout out when you’re on the bed and I’ll pop right back in.” You flashed him one last small smile and closed the door softly behind you.

Oh right… he had to take his clothes off.

Joel let out a small groan and toed off his worn-in boots, he unbuckled his trousers and shook his head slightly. How did I get here?

He pulled his dark grey t-shirt off and looked down at his body. Bare bar his tight dark Calvin’s, at least I wore good underwear he thought as he laid back on the table. He pulled the towel over his bottom half as instructed and called out steadily to let you know he was ready.

You re-entered the room, Joel glanced up and his breath hitched again slightly. You looked ethereal walking into the lowly-lit massage room, the bright light of the hallway behind you casting a halo-like glow around your hair.

“Hello again,” you quirked. Your light essence and slightly comical nature shining through.

Joel smiled amused, and the feeling of calm overtook him again. He was now convinced you might be a witch. A good witch though.

“Are you ok with oils?” you asked, moving around the table and lingering near his head.

“Sure, maybe not the ones that’ll make me smell like a perfume shop though,” Joel replied, glad he could string a sentence together while laying half naked in front of the most gorgeous woman he thinks he’s ever seen.

You chucked and smiled down at him “But they’re the best ones!”

He shook his head with a quirked lip sensing your teasing tone and let out a dry chuckle.

You squeezed a glistening liquid into your hands from a sleek bottle and placed it back on the shelf to your left. Joel noted that it luckily wasn’t accompanied by a strong scent, he knew he could trust you.

You rubbed your hands together, warming the oil, and leaned forwards, gently running your hands over the tops of Joel’s broad shoulders.

Joel sucked in a breath.

You noticed.

It was normal to you. Usually it was the shock of the first touch. Sometimes you’d wonder if you hadn’t heated up the oil enough. But as you looked down at the ridiculously handsome face of the man lying beneath you, you hoped it was for another reason.

- - - -

Your heart was racing. You could hear the sound of your blood pumping in your ears, muffling the sound of Joel’s deep voice.

As you registered what he’d said, without thinking, you closed the small gap between you both. You placed your lips on his like you’d been wanting to all evening, and after a moment, he kissed you back. His surprisingly plump lips massaging over yours.

You pulled back for air, and looked up at his handsome face, your hands still resting over his salt and pepper stubble. “Yes. I’d love to go on a date with you,” you breathed out, unable to stop the smile spreading across your face.

Joel took your lips in his once again, the kiss was deeper this time, more confident. Both of you fighting for dominance, and simultaneously fighting your smiles. It was electric, gradually turning into something primal.

You gasped as Joel manoeuvred you easily, dragging you onto his lap so that you were straddling him. Your bodies moved so naturally in sync with one another, your hips shifting slowly as you started to grind over his crotch. Everything that had been brewing since you’d met him coming to a head.

You both broke apart for air and you started to kiss down his thick veiny neck. He let out a moan as you nipped the skin under his ear.

“Maybe we should slow down, I should really take you on that date first…” Joel suggested, though his words held no conviction.

You sat back in his lap slightly and looked at him, shaking your head in protest. You needed more. Now. “I feel like it’s a little late to wait, I’ve already seen you naked…” you giggled out.

“That’s true, we have done this a bit backwards,” Joel conceded. “And I do need to return the favour…”

He pulled you into his chest again quickly, rolling you both over so your back was flush with the couch, you let out a squeal at him manhandling you with such ease.

Joel grabbed the remote and turned off the TV that was still playing in the background, plunging the room into the warm lighting of the dimmed overhead lights and floor lamp.

He captured your lips again, now hovering above you. His tongue ran across your bottom lip, asking for access, which you quickly granted him. You both fought for dominance as the kiss deepened.

Joel pulled off of you, only to press his lips to your neck moments later. He left wet open mouth kisses trailing down, until he reached the neckline of your tank top. He looked up at you, his dazzling chestnut eyes asking for permission. You nodded eagerly.

He dragged your tank top over your head revealing your forest green lace bra. “Fuck… You’re so beautiful...” Joel whispered, “… and green’s my favourite colour,” he added with a wink.

Joel resumed peppering your décolletage, then moved lower, placing lingering kisses over the thin lace of your bra. But you needed more.

You reached around and quickly unclasped it, letting the cups fall and moving the straps down your arms quickly.

Joel let out a hungry growl as your breasts were fully revealed to him, he immediately reached up and took one of your soft mounds in his hand, kneading it rhythmically and squeezing your hardening nipple between his large calloused fingers.

He took your other nipple between his teeth, gently grazing them across the sensitive skin before locking his lips around the peak and sucking. Warmth spread throughout your chest, and shocks of pleasure shot straight to your core.

You moaned loudly at the stimulation, your hips lifting in search of friction. “You need more? Such a greedy little thing,” Joel chuckled. The change in his tone caused your stomach to flip, you weren’t expecting him to be one for dirty talk, but god were you glad he was.

Joel released your breasts fully and dragged his lips down your chest and abdomen, leaving the occasional peck along his path. When he finally reached the waistband of your yoga pants, he glanced up, once again asking for permission to which you responded with a frantic nod. You needed him now.

He pulled the soft stretchy material down your legs, along with your soaked green lace panties, at a painstaking pace. His gaze was locked on your core as it was revealed to him. Your gaze was unwavering from his face.

You kicked the garments off the rest of the way, landing somewhere behind Joel.

He took you in, then looked up at you, hunger and adoration swimming in his eyes. “You’re so goddam perfect,” he whispered, before licking a slow stripe from your entrance to your clit. He groaned deeply, the vibrations travelling through you adding to the fire building in your core. “So wet… so fucking sweet.”

Joel’s tongue breached your entrance as he licked into you, his nose rubbing against your clit with every movement. He drank everything you gave him, slurping and lapping. Your hands tangled into his curls, grounding yourself as you whispered his name over and over.

His lips moved higher and closed over your bundle of nerves, sucking and flicking it with his skilled tongue.

You let out a guttural moan as you felt him slowly push one of his girthy, long fingers into your heat, while continuing his stimulation of your bud. Joel moved his finger in and out of you roughly, twisting and curling it with every stroke.

“Oh god… fuck yes,” you breathed out, pulling gently on his hair instinctually. He groaned, and added a second finger. He sucked at your clit harder. His fingers curled into you fiercely, pressing repeatedly against the spongy spot inside of your warmth.

Your moans were continuous, you were babbling your words, barely coherent. You sucked in a deep breath and squeezed your hands tighter into Joel’s salt and pepper littered strands.

Fire filled your abdomen and the wave of pleasure within you crested, your eyes rolled back and your muscles clenched as your white hot orgasm peaked.

Joel continued his movements until you couldn’t take anymore, and you gently tugged him off from your now too-sensitive puffy lips.

Your chest was rising and falling as you came down from your high. You let out a breathless laugh as you looked at Joel’s face, his mouth and stubble glistening with your wetness. His expression was a mixture of satisfaction and pride.

“That was…” you couldn’t find any words that would do it justice, so you settled on “…fucking incredible.”

Joel chuckled and moved back up onto the couch, leaning over to press his lips to yours. You could taste yourself on his tongue, sweet and tangy. He pulled away, just an inch, and whispered “Now we’re even.”

You smiled at him, head still hazy from your recent high. Your hand brushed gently over the sizeable tent in his jeans. “For now…”

Joel’s gaze followed yours, as you focussed on his bulge. “You don’t need to…” he protested, his voice was so genuine and kind. He was so good.

“Trust me… I want to.”

You moved off the couch, lowering yourself onto your knees in front of him, your legs still weak and shaking from your intense orgasm. Joel grabbed a throw cushion from behind him and dropped it on the floor for you. The thoughtfulness of the action made your heart swell.

You stared up at him through your lashes, the juxtaposition of you, completely bare knelt before him, and Joel looking down at you still fully clothed made your pussy clench.

Your hands quickly worked to undo his jeans and drag them, along with his briefs, down his muscular thighs.

His cock stood to attention, bobbing slightly. He was leaking already, the swollen dark tip glistening with his precum. You licked your lips at the sight.

You gently placed kisses on his inner thighs, resting your face on one of them as you stared up at his girthy, impressive length.

You ran your hand through the wetness that had collected between your own thighs, covering it in your slick. Joel groaned at the sight, and took in a sharp breath as your warm, wet hand made contact with his length.

You pumped him in your hand gently at first, your other hand groping his heavy balls and massaging them delicately. Joel’s hips twitched forwards as he breathed out “Oh fuck…”

With your eyes locked on his, you leaned forward without stopping your motions, licking his silken tip teasingly. Your tongue explored the head, gently caressing his slit and then taking the full width of him into your mouth gently. It was a stretch.

You sucked on him like a lollipop, hollowing your cheeks and taking him deeper into your mouth, pumping what you couldn’t fit with your hand with synced movements.

“Oh yes… just like that… good girl.” his voice was breathy and low.

You felt a wave of excitement spread in your lower abdomen at his praise, you let out a satisfied groan in response. The vibrations further stimulating him.

Wanting to satisfy him, you pushed yourself deeper onto his cock, taking him into your throat.

“Ah shit… you keep doing that I’m going to be done real soon baby.” He breathed out, looking down at you with pure adoration and lust.

His words spurred you on, as you opened your throat further, repeatedly taking him deeper and deeper. You held him as far in your throat as you could before stopping to gasp air into your lungs.

You continued to deep-throat him, while working his balls gently and his hips started to twitch again.

You pulled off just enough to mumble out “Use me.”

Your palms moved to rest on his thick thighs, and Joel tentatively rocked his hips forward. Your throat took his length, and he picked up his pace, fucking your mouth.

His hips found a steady, punishing pace and you gagged around him. It must have pushed him over the edge as Joel let out an animalistic groan and hurriedly asked you “Where?”.

You didn’t pull off him, giving him your answer. Seconds later you felt ropes of his warm salty cum hit the back of your throat and tongue as he started to pull out of you. You swallowed every drop he gave to you, licking your lips as you sat back on your calves.

Joel stared at you, his eyes glassy and his expression exhausted but satisfied. “You’re something else…” he stated. He held out his hand for you, and pulled you up to sit next to him on his comfortable couch once again. You snuggled into his side, resting your head on his shoulder, feeling like you belonged.

The week following Benji’s birthday party was long and torturous for Joel. The heavy workload and taking over Tommy’s projects had left him feeling physically and mentally exhausted.

The only respite he had found was when he’d settle into bed at night. When his thoughts would turn to you.

On the evenings he’d picked Sarah up from Maria and Tommy’s house, he’d been the target of relentless teasing.

Tommy had clocked the way Joel had been looking at you during the party, and he sure as hell let his brother know it. The comments were constant.

Sarah had been relatively quiet about her suspicions, but Joel had seen her slyly eyeing him throughout the week. She’d been on her phone a lot more than usual too.

Of all their reactions, Maria’s had affected him the most. He could sense Maria was apprehensive about Tommy’s theory that Joel was sweet on you. It had fuelled his insecurity and self-doubt. Did she not think he was good enough for you? Was it the difference in age?

Joel’s tiring week, combined with the nerves he felt when he thought about seeing you face-to-face again, caused him to delay his promise to look at your AC unit until the very last possible day.

If he’d known things would devolve into what they did, he’d have called you on Monday morning.

Your delicate, soft hands and their skilled movements had pulled from Joel the strongest orgasm he’d ever had. You were all he could think about since leaving the parlor on Friday night.

He still couldn’t believe it had happened, the dreams and fantasies he’d been having over the last two weeks had finally become reality.

It wasn’t his intention to leave like nothing had happened. After your phone had rung and caused the moment to dissipate, he wasn’t sure where he stood. Or where you wanted him to stand.

He had been so close to asking you out properly. A nice dinner, at a cultured restaurant with really good food. Something authentic. Something good enough for you. But in that moment his nerves, his self-doubt, the apprehension he’d sensed from Maria all weighed on him too much. He couldn’t. As much as he now thought it was possible you liked him too, even a little, he didn’t want to risk you saying no. Or worse, you saying yes and him disappointing you.

At the end of the evening, you had seemed to be acting completely unfazed, and Joel had a horrible thought. That maybe it hadn’t meant anything to you after all.

It was now Tuesday, it had been a long, intense day onsite at a new build. An early start and constant issues which needed resolving had left Joel feeling beat. Unfortunately, long days seemed to be common for him now.

He pulled into the drive of his suburban home, glancing at the truck’s digital clock which showed 18:30 in glowing red. He shut off the engine and reached across to pick up the bag of Thai food resting in the passenger seat.

Joel pushed open his front door and was immediately met with the sounds of talking. As he ventured deeper into the house, he could make out Sarah’s voice, as expected. And… your voice? Definitely not expected.

He hesitated for a second in the hallway, before plucking up the courage to round the corner to the kitchen.

As he reached the doorway, your eyes met his, your face morphing into a sweet smile.

Joel was equal parts entranced and confused. You were sat at his dining table looking beautiful, wearing casual yoga pants and tank top. Joel was taken aback at seeing you in his home, his space. But it felt right somehow.

Sarah was cross-legged on the chair next to you, her hair gathered on top of her head and a pencil placed between her fingers as she was writing in her notebook.

His daughter looked up at Joel as he fully entered the room, looking like she’d been caught red handed. “Hi Dad! I hope you don’t mind I was stressing about my biology homework and Ellie gave me her Aunt’s number.”

You quickly turned to face Sarah, with a confused and shocked look. “You didn’t tell your dad I was coming over?!” you hurried out.

Sarah looked guiltily between you both.

You looked at his daughter with thinly veiled disbelief and whispered under your breath, just loud enough for Joel to catch it, “No wonder you and Ellie are becoming such fast friends.”

Joel shook his head with a small smile, but Sarah wasn’t off the hook. It was quite uncharacteristic for Sarah to not ask his permission, but apparently this was in the name of homework.

“S’fine Sarah, just give me a heads up next time, I could have got enough food for all three of us,” he said, lifting the take-out bag up to emphasise his point.

Sarah nodded and apologised again as you quickly protested saying there was no need for him to feed you. That you were almost finished anyway.

Joel moved across the kitchen to put down the bag of food and grab a drink.

Sarah had picked up her phone and started typing, then brought her attention back to you as you were reading over her work.

“You want a drink?” Joel offered, wanting to be polite. And wanting an excuse to interact with you further.

“Oh that’d be great. Sarah has been a very gracious host though, she gave me a soda when I arrived,” you said as you smiled at his daughter, to which his daughter beamed and looked over at Joel as if to say See? I’m mature.

“You’ve raised her well,” you added. Joel could tell you were trying to smooth over the slight tension between him and his daughter with compliments and praise. And admittedly it was working.

“I’ve tried my best,” he joked turning back to the fridge, “you want another soda?”

“Yes please, any is fine but cherry is my favourite!” you replied with a smile.

Joel grabbed a can, cherry of course, then moved towards the cupboards. He wanted to be a good host, he wanted to impress you. He took out a glass and filled it with ice, pouring in the soda and grabbing one of the retro striped straws Sarah insisted he bought her for her iced coffees. Finally presenting the cherry drink to you.

You laughed gently, amusement clear in your eyes and thanked him, reassuring him the can would have been fine, but that you appreciated the effort.

Joel could feel his cheeks warm, he was certain a blush was visible on his cheeks.

He looked at Sarah, already expecting a reaction, his daughter was looking up at Joel like she was going to burst into laughter. Any reaction would have been better than that.

Sarah’s phone buzzed on the table, breaking through the awkwardness of the moment, much to Joel’s relief.

She looked over the new message and then her gaze snapped between you and then Joel.

“Thank you so much for your help I think I can finish this last question on my own,” Sarah said quickly to you as she closed her notebook then looked up at Joel.

“Um, Dad.” He knows that voice, she was going to ask him for something. “So… my friend has invited me to stay over at her house tonight, we’ll go to sleep latest 10, she wants to show me this new video game. Please can I go?”

He looked at his daughter in disbelief. First inviting guests over without asking and now this? Who was this girl and what had she done with his daughter?

He was usually lenient with Sarah as she’d always been so well behaved. But he was genuinely considering saying no this time.

Just as he was about to give her the bad news, he caught you looking at him. You were clearly rooting for Sarah, and at the look you were giving him he caved, he couldn’t stand disappointing you too.

“You promise you’ll be in bed by 10?”

“I promise dad.”

“Do you need to eat first?”

“No I can eat there, she said she’s got leftovers I can have.”

“Ok, suppose you can go. Don’t make me regret saying yes though.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” she chanted quickly, jumping up and giving him a quick hug. “I’ll go pack my bag, I can cycle there it’s not too far!”

You were observing the interaction with a smile. Your eyes following Sarah as she grabbed a bag of marshmallows from one of the cupboards. “I don’t want to show up without snacks!” she said to you both like it was the most obvious thing in the world, before running upstairs.

Joel sat on the open seat across from you, and let out a sigh, half exhaustion, half at the audacity his child had seemingly gained in the span of a day.

You looked over at him, “Kids eh?” you joked.

Joel let out a laugh, the day catching up to him. Resting back in the chair he let his gaze sweep over you.

You looked so comfortable in his space, one leg tucked beneath you as you took a sip of your cherry soda through the red and white striped straw. He tried to tear his eyes away from your lips wrapped around it.

You released the straw, gently licking your bottom lip to catch the drop of red soda that had escaped. Your eyes flicked up to meet his, Joel was certain you had caught him staring.

Sarah came bounding back down with a packed overnight bag slung over one shoulder and her school bag over the other.

“Bye guys! Love you Dad, see you tomorrow!” she shouted as she headed towards the door.

“Love you too babygirl, be safe cycling with all that, you sure you don’t need a lift?!”

“I’ll be fine!” And with a bang of the door the house settled into silence.

“She’s gonna be the death of me,” Joel said, sitting up in his chair. He looked over at you as you let out a gentle laugh. His new favourite sound. “Thanks again for helping her with her homework, t’is real kind of you.”

Your smile grew as you gave him a gentle shake of your head. “Oh nonsense! It’s been fun, she’s so smart, she just needed some parts explaining in a more practical way I think. She really could make a great doctor someday.”

Joel smiled at you as you held his gaze. The moment felt real, tender — the air was charged.

His mind cast back to the last time he saw you, when he was laid on your massage table. He glanced quickly at your hands that had given him so much pleasure. Were you thinking about it too?

You seemed to break from the daze first, “I should probably get going then,” you delicately said, untucking your leg from the seat.

Joel felt his heart stop at the thought of you leaving. “No! Um… I mean if you want to stay for food you can, I’ve got too much now Sarah’s abandoned me… you’d be helping me out…”

“Only if you’re sure?” you asked with a quirked eyebrow.

“Of course. And I owe you.”

You looked up at him with a startled face, a slow blush spread over your cheeks.

Joel’s mind finally caught up to him as he realised what you might have thought he meant.

“For helping Sarah, you deserve some food for your troubles.”

You let out a breath and nodded.

“Go on then, Thai food does happen to be my favourite…”

Joel smiled and started unpacking the boxes onto the dining table family style, grabbing two plates and some cutlery.

You both piled food onto your plates and dug in.

You let out a moan as you took your first bite, “Fuck that’s good!”

Joel’s mind buffered at the sound of your moan.

“I usually go to Thai Corner, but this is amazing!” you continued, your eyes wide with glee.

Joel smiled at you and your contagious cheerfulness. “Can’t go wrong with Chaba Thai. Best I’ve ever had.”

“It’s delicious. It’s literally on par with the food I had in actual Thailand!” you laughed.

“You’ve been to Thailand?” Joel asked, genuinely interested, realising there’s still so much he didn’t know about you.

You explained the exchange programme you took part in, and delved into stories about your travels to Thailand and other corners of the world while you were working on perfecting your techniques. You spoke with so much passion, animatedly telling your stories. Joel was hooked on your every word.

As the conversation slowed and your plates were almost empty, Joel looked at you across the small table separating you both. “Well, all that training paid off for sure. You’re real talented.”

You looked over at him, your cheeks glowing and a perfect smile spreading over your face. “Thanks, that means a lot.”

Joel broke the lingering eye contact you were both holding. “We’ve got some brownies Sarah baked if you’d like dessert? They’re real good, especially warmed up with ice cream.” He wasn’t ready for you to leave quite yet.

“I never say no to dessert,” you replied with a cheeky grin.

Joel looked over the messy table which was littered with empty containers. “You can go sit in the living room if you want, t’is bit tidier in there? Can get comfortable and pop the TV on - I’ll bring the desserts out.”

“Sounds like a plan,” you agreed and stood, grabbing your drink and Joel’s, “I’ll bring these through”.

Joel tried not to stare at your figure as you moved across his kitchen towards the hallway. The yoga pants and tight tank you were wearing hugged your body perfectly, yet still leaving enough for Joel to let his imagination run wild. With each step forward you took, the movement of your hips mesmerised him further.

He hurriedly prepared the brownies, heating them in the microwave and topping them with a generous dollop of vanilla ice cream.

As he walked into the living room, Joel felt his heartbeat race as he saw you comfortably lounging on his couch, flicking through the TV channels, your legs pulled up underneath you. Looking like you belonged.

Everything felt so easy with you, conversation, sharing space — even the silences. It was all so natural.

He handed you one of the bowls and a spoon, settling next to you on the sofa.

“Ooo I love this movie!” you exclaimed as you clicked on the channel currently showing an old comedy and turned up the volume on the remote.

You both tucked in and ate in a comfortable silence as you watched the film, placing your emptied bowls onto the coffee table.

The sounds of your laughter and Joel’s low chuckles filled the cosy living room.

Every so often Joel would turn to you, taking in your profile as your face lit up at parts you found funny. His eyes ran over your full form, just noticing now your feet were covered with brightly spotted fluffy socks.

You were so real. So authentic. So warm. And so close. A warmth spread in Joel’s chest.

Joel leaned back into the couch, spreading his legs slightly. His knee brushed yours and you glanced at him. It was unintentional. But he didn’t move, the contact between your two bodies remained.

You looked at him gently, your face displaying a small and content smile as you both held each other’s gaze. Joel’s eyes dropped quickly to your lips, the proximity between you would make it so easy for him to capture your mouth with his.

He snapped his gaze back up, where he saw something unreadable swirling in your eyes. Joel didn’t want to get this wrong. He needed to clear the air of what he was sure was on both of your minds.

“About the other day…” Joel started, in a gentle cautious tone.

You gave a small nod, encouraging him to continue. You looked curious and… nervous?

“I…” Joel gulped thickly, he hadn’t thought through what he was even going to say.

“I don’t want things to be awkward between us, I wanted to check you were comfortable with what happened?” he managed to find his words along the way, it wasn’t what he really wanted to say, but he was glad the sentiment made sense at least.

Your face dropped, suddenly looking crestfallen. Joel’s heart pounded as he realised you’d been expecting him to say something else.

You broke to the eye contact between you, focussing back on the TV screen, as if to collect your thoughts.

Looking back at Joel, he noticed a new expression had taken over your face. Unreadable and guarded. You gave him a small smile, though it didn’t reach your eyes. “Of course, it had been a long day. I think the moment got away from us.”

Your voice sounded dejected. Despite all his insecurities and self-doubt, Joel knew you were lying. He knew you’d wanted him to say he’d felt more. That it meant something. It was clear as day, written across your face in large bold letters.

“No,” Joel replied.

Your face crumpled into pure confusion. “No?”

“No. That’s not… The moment didn’t get away from us and it didn’t happen just because we were tired. I think we both…” Joel shook his head trying to find the right way to say what he wanted to. “I wanted it to happen. I’ve wanted it since I first met you, and more than that, I wanted to return the favour.”

You were looking at him in shock, but your mouth had curled up at the corners, your eyes filling with something deep.

“And not just the physical stuff… even though you are really good at it,’ Joel added under his breath. “I wanted to ask you out on a date, a proper one… if that’s something you’d want?”

Joel took a deep breath, his heart was racing with nerves, at how he’d bared himself emotionally to someone for the first time in… too long. The silence you were giving him wasn’t helping to calm him down.

Before he could even register that you’d moved, he felt your soft, plump lips capture his, your soft hands caressing the sides of his face. When his mind finally caught up to what was happening, he finally moved his lips against yours, deepening the kiss. He felt you smile against him, the kiss only breaking so you could both catch your breath.

You looked up at him, your hands still resting over his stubble. “Yes. I’d love to go on a date with you.”

What neither of you were aware of, were the two teenage girls currently sitting on your sister’s couch playing video games. Two girls who’d become fast friends recently at a 1st birthday party. Two girls who shared a love of marshmallows, and evidently a love of scheming…

- - - -

Part 10 will be posted soon, I had to split this chapter in two it was wayyyy too long

Every time your phone had buzzed since you’d given Joel your number, you eagerly checked it - only to be disappointed when you saw it wasn’t him.

Following the party, Ellie had been tormenting you relentlessly for having a crush on Tommy’s older brother. You denied it but you knew it was no use. She was too perceptive for her own good, and yours.

She’d known something was up before you’d even left the house that day. Admittedly you’d spent longer than you think anyone ever has getting ready for a 1st birthday party.

Ellie noticed and was immediately suspicious. “You do know this is a 1st birthday party right? As in the birthday boy isn’t even conscious or self aware yet…” your niece had commented sarcastically.

“Your point Ellie?” you’d replied as you’d turned to your vanity to put the finishing touches to your natural but meticulous makeup.

“This is the most effort I’ve seen you put in… well I think ever? And that dress! Damnnnn girl.”

“Hey I put effort into my appearance thank you very much,” you’d lightheartedly retorted, quietly adding “and not everyone at the party is going to be a 1 year old.”

Ellie had caught it though, and had given you a quizzical look.

As soon as you’d locked eyes with Joel at the party, you’d caught your niece smirking up at you with a knowing look.

By Wednesday you’d given up, feeling dejected. Of course you also had his number, but you didn’t want to bother him. You were sure he had actual paying work to do.

You tried to push away the thought that he’d forgotten. The notion made your heart sink, especially considering it’s all you’d been thinking about for the better part of a week.

On Thursday evening, as you’d settled down after some yoga stretches to watch TV, your phone buzzed. You’d given up hope at that point, picking it up expecting it to be your sister or Maria.

New message: Joel Miller

Butterflies immediately swarmed your stomach as you saw his name illuminated.

Joel M [19:46]: Hi, it’s Joel. Sorry for not messaging you until now, busy week. I’m finishing up the job near your place tomorrow and can swing by after? Can be there for 5pm so I don’t interrupt any customers?

You could hear the pounding of your heartbeat as you scrambled to reply to him.

You [19:48]: Hey Joel, no worries at all sorry to hear you’ve had a busy week! Tomorrow at 5pm works perfectly for me. See you then and thanks again for doing this x

You pressed send before you could overthink the message, then instantly regretted the kiss you added at the end. It was your usual sign-off, but you started to panic Joel would read into it.

You looked back to the TV screen, staring blankly at the images as your mind wandered to Joel.

As you settled into bed later that night, all you could think about was the broad-shouldered man you would be seeing in less than 24 hours.

The day passed slowly. It was typical. You’d given 3 massages and then spent 2 hours finishing up collating the receipts for your taxes. The joys of being a small business owner.

At 16:55 you found yourself staring at your reflection in the restroom mirror. Double-checking your appearance and straightening your uniform.

The bell over the entrance rang out and you quickly gave yourself a last once-over. You looked as good as you could after a busy 8 hour work day, it’d have to do.

As you entered the lobby and saw Joel, a sense of deja vu washed over you. He was standing tall by the reception desk, just like when you’d first laid eyes on him, only now he was holding a toolbox in one hand and a stepladder in the other.

He shot you a quick greeting accompanied by a dazzling smile, immediately sending warmth to your cheeks. Fuck he was hot.

“Hi Joel! How’s your day been?” you forced out, hoping he couldn’t sense the nerves and excitement in your voice.

“Busy one, glad it’s Friday,” he replied, still smiling, “how’s yours been?”

“Same as yours by the sounds of it,” you answered with a gentle chuckle.

A beat passed as you both stood awkwardly in the lobby looking at eachother. You muttered a quick “Right…” as you asked Joel to follow you.

“The unit is just through here,” you guided him towards the treatment room “and thank you again for coming and taking a look, hopefully it’s an easy fix!”

As you looked up at him, Joel’s warm chestnut eyes were already focussed on your face. “It’s no problem really, I’ll try best,” he said, one side of his lips twitching up.

He situated the ladder in place and grabbed some tools you couldn’t name. As he got to work, you tried not to let your eyes linger on his substantial back muscles tensing against his dark grey T-shirt.

You didn’t know if you should stay or go. If you should keep quiet and let him focus, or if you should make conversation.

“Would you like a drink? We have some infused waters and every herbal tea you can think of…” you offered.

“That’d be great thanks, could you do a coffee?”

“Of course! How do you take it?”

“Black please?” Of course. He seemed like a black coffee drinker.

You scurried to the small kitchenette, taking a deep breath to settle your nerves. After the coffee machine had done its job, you took a few moments to gather yourself.

When you re-entered the treatment room, you immediately stopped in your tracks. Joel was reaching up to look at the very top of the AC unit. His t-shirt had ridden up his toned back, exposing a strip of his golden skin. The same skin your oiled hands had touched and kneaded.

Your mouth went dry and you could barely get your words out as you murmured a quick “One black coffee as requested!”

He snapped around to face you, and another smile spread over his face.

“Thanks,” he softly said as he demounted the ladder and took a stride towards you, you handed the mug to him and tried not to react as you felt his calloused fingers as he take the handle from you.

He took a sip, and you actively avoided looking at his lips. For your own sanity.

He let out a content sound, smiling at you. “Good cup of coffee.”

“Thanks, I’m a bit of a coffee nerd. It’s the only thing that got me through school.”

He chuckled and nodded “I get that, it’s the only thing that gets me through life.”

You smiled, your stomach doing somersaults as you held eye contact.

“So… busy week huh?” you asked, breaking the silence, it wasn’t uncomfortable but you couldn’t keep staring at him and letting your thoughts wander.

“Yeah it’s been manic, Tommy thinks he caught something at the party, he’s been out of commission with a cold so I’ve been picking up his projects too.”

“Oh jeez, I hope he’s better soon. I’ll message Maria later and see if she needs a hand with Benji too,” you immediately responded, worrying about your friend.

He smiled at you. “Sarah has headed over there after school everyday to help Maria. I’m sure she didn’t want you to worry.”

“Yep, that sounds like Maria,” you chuckled, still feeling a little guilty you didn’t know.

“How’s your week been? Eaten anymore cupcakes?” he asked in a teasing tone.

“I’m on a cupcake detox actually,” you laughed,“my week’s been good, it’s tax season though…”

“I hear that,” he replied with a nod. “Right, I better get back to it. Think I can see what the problem is, just need to check a few more parts to confirm.”

Joel placed the steaming mug onto the shelf beside him, which held bottles of oil and unheated stones. As he stood from his leaning position, you noticed his right shoulder tense, followed by a wince spreading across his sculpted face.

You instinctively reached towards it. You placed your hands over his muscular shoulder and as you had thought, found a deep knot. One of the many you weren’t able to massage out in his too-short 1 hour session.

Joel flinched. You retracted your hand quickly spluttering an apology. “Shit, sorry Joel, it’s been a long day, I think I’ve forgotten my social skills,” adding a laugh to diffuse the embarrassment you felt.

He shook his head reassuringly. “Don’t worry… um, why did you just squeeze my shoulder?” he said with surprise and humour gently lacing his tone.

“I noticed you wince and your shoulder tense up - is it painful?”

“Oh, yeah it’s been playing up a bit today. Must be all the extra shifts I’ve taken this week. Not getting any younger,” he joked with a chuckle, touching his injured shoulder.

“I can take a look if you’d like?” you offered without missing a beat.

Joel looked like he wanted to protest, but you gave him an encouraging look before he could refuse. “You’re helping me, let me help you,” directing him to sit on the massage table.

He conceded and sat awkwardly on the edge. You chuckled and encouraged him to get more comfortable. He made an exaggerated point of scooching back “Better?”

“Much.”

You gently rubbed his shoulder through his dark t-shirt, which was slightly damp with sweat. He flinched initially as your fingers started to knead at the problem area, but soon relaxed, letting out a quiet sigh.

“I can feel what the issue is, I can work on the knot a little if you’d like? It should reduce the pain for now.”

Joel immediately answered with an affirmative “Yes,” though it was more a breath than a word, “keep doing what you’re doing, it’s feeling better already”.

As you would have any other client, you asked him gently if he could remove his top. Unlike with any other client however, the thought of seeing him shirtless again sent a tingling sensation dancing through your body.

Joel seemed to snap out of his slight daze-like state and nodded. As he peeled the dark t-shirt from his body, a musky smell mixed with cologne hit your senses. You wondered if he’d re-applied it before he arrived.

You warmed a little oil in your hands and got back to work. Joel’s eyes closed as you rubbed and pressed, letting out a few gentle groans which you could tell he had been fighting. You maintained a consistent rhythm, letting your fingers gently melt the knot away.

With Joel in a sitting position however, you couldn’t apply the weight you needed to dig deeper into the knot. “I need to apply a bit more pressure to your traps, is it ok if you lay down on your front?”

Joel nodded and positioned himself face-down on the table. Applying as much pressure as you could, you still couldn’t get enough leverage.

“If you’re comfortable with it, could I get up on the table? It allows me to use my body weight more effectively,” you explain to him, it was very usual, especially with Thai massage techniques.

Joel agreed with a muffled murmur against the head rest.

You gently removed your (very unfashionable) work clogs and mounted the table, gently straddling his back. You resumed the movements for a while, and Joel made encouraging noises as you worked.

You were trying to relax into the massage like you usually would, but you were finding it increasingly hard to ignore how your core was resting on the warm expanse of his lower back.

“Jesus you’re good at this,” Joel murmured out, muffled by the cushioned head rest.

You laughed and thanked him, in disbelief at how his visit to look at your broken AC unit had unfolded.

After you finished your work on his back, you demounted Joel’s back and the table. “Can you turn over? I just need to do your front traps.”

Joel turned onto his back and you positioned yourself beside the table again. Your fingers resumed massaging skilfully.

Then you noticed it. Again. The area of him that had been stuck in your mind. The one that had a starring role in your fantasises and dreams.

Your movements halted and Joel looked up at you. He didn’t look embarrassed like last time though. If anything, he looked content. He stared up at you with something intense swimming in his eyes.

Something passed between the two of you as you both held each other’s gazes. A silent understanding was established.

Your movements commenced and your hands started to move lower, across his chest and then his abdomen. Actions that had no benefit for his shoulder pain.

He groaned appreciatively and you whispered his name gently. He stared up at you, your hands lingering near the waistband of his jeans, and he gave a gentle nod.

You couldn’t believe this was happening. But you didn’t want to stop. You couldn’t. It felt right.

Your fingers lowered at a painstaking pace. Apprehension and excitement filling your mind and body. You opened the button of his jeans and slowly lowered the zip.

Joel sat up resting on his elbows and looked at you. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure,” you nodded, “are you?”

He looked at you with disbelief. “Definitely.”

He toed off his boots and worked his jeans down his legs, leaning back down onto the table.

You gazed at the tent and let your hand gently stroke over the large bulge. Up and down. Slowly. Tentatively. You felt a flutter in your stomach.

Joel’s eyes fluttered closed as he whispered “Fuck,” under his breath.

Your fingers traveled over his shaft through the soft fabric, causing his breath to hitch. Your fingers finally reaching the waistband of his briefs and gently dragging them down.

Your eyes widened as his large, girthy cock sprang free from its confines. A lump formed in your throat at his size. “Jesus,” you whispered, without even registering you’d said it. You squeezed your thighs together to relieve the sensation which had started to grow within you.

Joel smirked slightly, not cocky though, almost sheepish. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.”

“I do,” you said without missing a beat, “I really do.”

Your soft, oiled hands made direct contact with the silky skin of his cock, slowly spreading the oil over the length.

“Oh fuck, that feels...”

Using the palm of one hand, you focussed on the glistening head applying gentle pressure and friction. Joel’s hips rutted upwards slightly as he let out a moan.

You didn’t often put your knowledge of the male reproductive organs to use. But your extensive studies had taught you a thing or two.

You moved your hand from his tip to his heavy balls, gently massaging them as your other continued pumping rhythmically at his shaft, twisting as it neared his tip.

The groan he let out was animalistic.

“I… I’m not going to last very long. Oh god… just like that,” he breathed out.

Keeping the movement up and down his cock consistent, you dragged a finger back over his tip, collecting the precum that had gathered there and moving it gently over the head.

“Oh god, that feels… fuck that feels so good,” Joel murmured as he placed his forearm over his eyes.

As you moved both of your hands to pump his shaft quickly, alternating the pressure you were applying, Joel’s hips started rutting up desperately. Moans spilled from his mouth.

“Oh fuck.. fuck.. just like that, fuck right there yes…”

Joel let out a deep, guttural sound — low, and rumbling. Your cunt was pulsating. You squeezed your thighs together tightly hoping for even a little relief.

“Oh god, don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop… I’m going to…”

You continued your paced, smooth movements, your mind solely focussed on wanting to make Joel feel good.

Joel’s gaze met yours, looking up at you like you were something holy. You tingled all over, warmth was steadily building in your lower abdomen.

With a loud uninhibited moan his hips jerked as he released ropes and ropes of his hot cum, coating your hands as they worked him through it.

You released your hold on him, feeling like you were waking up from a trance. You were soaked, the damp heat between your legs throbbing at the sight of the large Adonis in front of you breaking apart under your touch.

Joel continued to lay on the table, one arm resting over his eyes again as he caught his breath. He slowly came down from his high, sitting up and looking over at you.

“I um — holy shit, that was incredible… thank you?” Joel said, a blush coating his cheeks.

You let out a loud laugh, releasing the tension that had been growing in you and in response to the absurdity of the way the night had ended up. “I promise I don’t usually do this… I mean I’ve literally never done this.”

“I didn’t think you did,” Joel reassured you quickly, following it with a cheeky “I feel special...” As he pulled his black briefs back up.

The sound of your ringtone stole your attention.

Calling: SmEllie

“Sorry Joel I need to take this,” you said, with a look you hoped would assure him that you weren’t done talking about this.

Lifting the phone to your ear you heard your energetic niece shuffling over the speaker “Hey! I hope this isn’t a bad time, could you pick me up from physics club? Mum’s been called on urgently and I’m stranded. I’ve asked everyone here if they can give me a lift and they can’t I’m stressing out,” she rambled before you could get a word in edgeways.

“Ellie, breathe! Of course I can, I’ll be 20 minutes.”

She ended the call after praising you as the world’s best Aunt and promising you she’d make it up to you.

You looked over at Joel who was now fully dressed, and had clearly heard the whole exchange.

“Sorry Joel, duty calls,” your words heavy with genuine apology at the abrupt end to the moment you both were having.

“I promise it’s fine, I completely understand,” Joel uttered reassuringly, “I haven’t finished with the AC but I think I know what the problem is, I’ll need to order the piece in to replace it anyway,” he continued, grabbing his tools and packing away.

Your heart felt heavy as you realised the moment might have ended.

Joel turned to you, his face looking nervous and conflicted as he blurted “I…. Would you…” he shook his head and you could see his internal battle on his face. He took a breath and spoke again, this time more calibrated as he asked “When’s good for you next week?”

Still dejected from the shift in tone, you didn’t let yourself hope he was about to ask what you thought he might be. Playing it safe, and to save face you replied to his second question politely “Any day next week works, when will the piece arrive?”

Joel looked up at you with a small smile “Perfect, it should only be a couple of days I’ll text you when I’ve got it.”

You thanked him as you both walked back through to the lobby. You wanted to ask him if he was trying to ask you out, but you weren’t sure you’d survive the humiliation if he hadn’t been. Maybe he’d just needed release. And that’s all this was.

You put on a brave face as you grabbed your own bag and locked up behind you both.

Staring up at Joel in the evening light, you felt so much had been left unsaid.

“I really need to get going to pick up Ellie,” you said through an apologetic smile.

“I’ll let you go then, I um… I’ll see you next week then?” he asked.

“Yes, see you next week Joel,” you replied, turning just in time so he didn’t see your face drop.

- - - -

It was your biggest assignment yet, a chance to make a name for yourself. The responsibility of interviewing one of, if not the most famous person in the world didn’t come lightly.

You sat in the front seat of your beat up coupe car, taking deep breaths in… and out. You had this.

They’d picked you for a reason. Your way with words. Your journalistic prowess. That’s what you kept telling yourself anyway.

You grabbed your worn burgundy leather handbag from the passenger seat and with one final grounding exhale, exited the car.

As you stood, you adjusted your dark grey pinstripe pencil skirt, pulling it down so the slit running up the back sat at a respectable height. Your hands gently re-tucked the bottom of your black silk blouse which had slipped out of your waistband.

That was enough procrastinating. It was time.

You looked up the vast shaft of the Baxter Building, making your way to the entrance. The intimidating height and impeccable modern design made you feel small and insignificant.

The sound of your stilettos clicked along the marble floor as you approached the receptionist, a kind looking lady in her 50s. The sound ceased as you stilled and smiled over the futuristic desk at her.

“Good morning, I’m here to interview Dr Richards, I believe he is expecting me.”

“Certainly miss, he is ready for you now. I’ll contact his assistant to take you up to him. Please feel free to take a seat,” she replied in a professional tone as she started dialling a number on the desk phone.

You lowered yourself into a modern white high-back chair, taking the opportunity to review your notes.

You removed your scuffed leather-bound notebook from your handbag. It had accompanied you to every interview you’d conducted, it was as much a lucky charm as it was a writing utensil. As you placed it gently on your lap, the notebook fell open at the ribbon marked page.

Reed Richards - “Mister Fantastic”

> Family man

> Hero

> Protector

> Role model

> Symbol of hope

> Leader

A recent focus group’s words to describe the man you would be meeting imminently. They taunted you, building him into a legend, an idea.

You glanced over the questions you had drafted below, rehearsing them in your head.

The sound of footsteps broke your concentration, as a skinny, tall brunette man approached you with a welcoming smile and an open palm. Your name fell from his lips in greeting as he introduced himself as Dr Richards’ assistant. “It’s lovely to meet you in person finally, Dr Richards is ready for you now. I’ll bring you up to his office.”

“Likewise, and thank you. How is he today?” you asked sweetly with a smile, as you both started to walk towards the elevator.

How is he today? It was a simple question which you found could tell you more than an hour-long interview could. It was your party trick. It gave context to your subject’s answers, and helped you to read between lines.

“He’s very well thank you, though it’s a particularly stressful time for him given the importance of his research at the moment,” the assistant answered, his voice lowering slightly as he offered the information to you like a secret.

“Of course, saving the world sounds like a stressful responsibility,” you answered with a casual laugh, aiming to disarm him.

“And a responsibility is exactly how he sees it. The weight of it is immense, it’s a level of stress I don’t think we could comprehend,” his assistant continued, sounding equal parts worried for, and in awe of his boss. “That kind of stress can seep into all areas of your life,” he added cryptically as the elevator dinged and the glass doors opened onto the 20th floor.

You followed as his assistant directed you towards a heavy wooden door. He knocked sharply twice, immediately met with a deep “Come in.”

He turned to you with a small smile, “This is where I leave you, good luck.” You thanked him and rested your hand on the brass handle, gently pushing down. The door opened to reveal the vast, lived-in, intimate office of the smartest man in the universe.

Despite the complex mathematical equations scribbled over the chalkboard walls, and the high-tech equipment scattered across the space, it felt warm and welcoming.

You’d been so distracted observing your environment, you hadn’t noticed your interviewee’s gaze taking you in. His eyes danced over your form, from your profile to your heels.

You turned and focused your attention on the man in question, who was rounding his desk, taking wide strides towards you. His focus didn’t waver from your face, a kind smile graced his classically-handsome face and he extended his hand (and arm) towards you, showing off his incredible power as if it was a party trick.

You shook his hand gently with a chuckle, his calloused hand felt warm in yours. Your gaze held his for a beat too long.

“It’s so lovely to meet you Dr Richards,” you said trying to sound confident. He was even more gorgeous in person than you were expecting. “Our readers are highly anticipating this article on you.”

“Please, call me Reed. And it’s lovely to meet you too, please take a seat,” he said in his smooth, deep voice, pointing to a chair across from his desk.

You positioned yourself across from the broad-shouldered genius, as he lowered himself back into this desk chair.

“I’m sure you’re used to interviews by now, you probably don’t need the pointers?” Your tone was light and jovial, hoping to skip past the formalities.

“Indeed, and just a warning, there aren’t many questions I haven’t been asked already,” he replied with humour laced in his voice.

“Noted. I’ll bring my A-game then,” you rebutted with a smirk.

You pulled a travel recorder from your bag and placed it on the large mahogany desk, clicking the start button.

“We’ll start with an easy one… as the smartest being in the universe you’re best placed to answer this. What is the meaning of life?”

The wrinkles around Reed’s eyes deepened as he let out a genuine laugh. “I haven’t been asked that question before actually.”

He took a moment to think, the refreshing question actually making his brain work hard, he was used to having all the answers.

His eyes met yours, something deep and introspective swirling in them. “Love,” he said seriously. “Without it, what’s the point?”

You smiled at the answer, a cliche, but a sweet one. “That’s a beautiful answer.”

“It’s an honest one.”

“What kind of love? Romantic?”

“Not necessarily, love can mean many things.”

“Give me an example.”

“Love to me is family.”

“Sue?”

“Of course, among others.”

The conversation ping-ponged, like a game, a challenge. He was closed off. You needed to redirect.

“If there’s one job that could turn your hair grey, it’s saving the world… how do you deal with the stress?”

“Distraction,” he answered quickly, without missing a beat.

“Can you elaborate on that?”

“Clearing the mind and then refocusing. The new perspective can be a game-changer.”

“And how do you distract yourself?” you asked evenly, the questions and answers were still short. You needed to find an in.

Reed coughed, his cheeks acquired a slight pink dusting. “Many ways… exercise, art to name a few.”

You needed to dig deeper. The shift in his tone interested you. The cracks were starting to show.

“Interesting… when’s the last time you successfully distracted yourself? In a way that resulted in a game-changing new perspective?”

Reeds eyes avoided yours. His gaze lowered, for a second you thought he looking over your body, but you were convinced you must have imagined it. He quickly snapped his gaze away, towards the equations which littered the walls.

“That’s difficult to say.”

“I think you’re avoiding the question.” You were bullish, you hadn’t got to where you are today without stepping a little too close to the line.

Reeds eyes snapped to yours, his eyebrow raised slightly in surprise.

“It’s private.”

“Sexual?” You said the word on instinct, lost in the game of it all. You also wondered if that particular word was on your mind because of the handsome man sat only 3 feet away.

Reed spluttered a cough. He sat up straighter in his chair, leaning over his desk slightly as he spoke to you in a low voice.

“That is incredibly inappropriate.”

You faltered slightly. Shit. You had taken it too far. You’d gotten swept up in the back and forth, your competitive side wanting to ‘win’.

In a smaller voice you whispered out your apologies. “Sorry Dr Richards, I’m not sure what came over me.”

He shook his head “It’s fine, I um… can I speak off the record?”

You nodded quickly and paused the recorder “Of course, I’m so sorry Dr Richards, I hope we can continue the interview. I will wipe this from the recording.”

“Of course we can continue, sorry I’m not used to things getting that personal. You have a talent for finding the truth, I can tell.”

Your eyebrows drew together slightly at his ambiguous comment. Did he mean you were right? You were still talking off the record, for your own selfish reasons you wanted to push.

“So it was?”

“Was what?”

“Sexual.”

Reed looked at you, really looked at you. You could see he was fighting an internal battle, was he really going to confirm your theory?

“Off the record?”

“Of course,” you answered as you made a point to show the recorder which displayed a pause symbol.

“Yes.”

“Oh.” Warmth bubbled in your abdomen. “With Sue?”

“Jesus, do you have an off button?”

“Sorry.”

“No.”

“Oh.”

“I don’t know why I’m telling you this.”

“People tell me things, I think I have a face people trust,” you offered with a chuckle, “that’s my superpower”.

“Yes, your face is… trustworthy.” The words sounded heavy.

“So not Sue…”

“I need distractions… often. We have an agreement.”

“I see.” Your thighs squeezed together.

He noticed. It sent his blood rushing south, he shifted in his seat.

“How do you distract yourself?” He asked, wanting to confirm if his suspicions were correct.

“I don’t like to distract myself, I like to experience everything I think. The good and the bad,” you said honestly. “I like to be present”.

“When did you last distract yourself?”

“I don’t— oh.” You gulped in realisation at what his question actually meant. “Quite a while ago”.

“That’s a shame,” Reed said, his voice was lower now, carrying a gravelly tone that wasn’t present before. “I’m sure you know about my research at the moment.”

“Of course, it’s incredibly important.” You gulped, unsure where the conversation was going, the depth and cadence of his voice had shifted significantly.

“Yes it is. It’s incredibly stressful.”

Oh.

“I can only imagine.” You couldn’t believe this was happening. “I suppose a new perspective could be beneficial?”

Reeds pupils dilated, his cock twitched at the insinuation. His arm began to stretch, discretely travelling around the grand desk, unnoticed by you. As his hand reached the hem of your skirt, you let out a sharp gasp of shock and excitement.

“A new perspective would be very beneficial,” he whispered as his fingers travelled up your thigh.

You sucked in a breath as his long fingers gently stroked over your wetness, which was thinly concealed by a pair of black lace panties.

“Is this ok?” Reed asked gently, his desperate eyes holding contact with yours.

You nodded eagerly “Yes,” you breathed out, wanting him to apply more pressure to the increasingly damp patch.

His elongated fingers gently moved the lace aside, finally making contact with where you wanted him the most.

“Fuck… you’re so wet already.”

“Oh…” you breathed out shakily as his extended fingers started to stroke through your silky folds. They found your bud of nerves easily and with small, circular motions applied pressure. Your hips bucked upwards, begging for more.

Reed stood and rounded the desk, without halting his movements. He easily used his other arm, elongated, to lift you and place you onto his sturdy wooden desk.

He crowded you, slotting his thighs between yours. Your face was now inches away from his, giving you the chance to map every line and freckle.

“I’ve wanted to touch you ever since you walked through my door in this tight skirt.”

You whimpered in response.

“I’ve wanted to taste you ever since you sat across from me.”

“Taste me then,” you encouraged.

His lips met yours in a crushing, electric kiss, his lips massaging your own skilfully.

You pulled apart from each other panting and flushed. His fingers finally halted their ministrations and returned to their normal size.

“Take your skirt off,” he instructed, his voice desperate and begging “there’s somewhere else I’ve wanted to taste.”

You shimmied your skirt and panties down your legs, letting them fall in a heap at your feet.

Reed lowered himself between your open legs, leaving small kisses up the curve of your thigh teasingly. Finally, his mouth met your core, eliciting a deep moan from you.

His tongue dragged a firm, hot, wet stripe from your entrance to your clit. “Fuck.” He groaned out and he started to lap you up “You taste so sweet, just how I imagined,” he continued and hummed contently, the vibrations causing you to shiver and whimper.

His lips closed over your pink bundle of nerves, sucking and licking artfully. Electric shot through you, your hands flying to his hair on instinct.

Then, you felt his warm tongue breach your entrance, licking into you. The sensation was intense, as his tongue stretched into you, fitting itself into your most intimate area.

His large elongated tongue then started to curve rhythmically against your silky warm walls. The sensation was indescribable, pure pleasure spreading throughout your entire body. Moans and curses fell from your flushed lips as the feeling built steadily, thick.

“Reed… oh fuck… don’t stop… that feels…” You cried out with a deep moan as your abdomen clenched, your body felt light and fuzzy as your orgasm overtook you. Reed drank everything you gave him.

As you came down from your daze, you saw Reed unzipping his trousers and dragging them down his legs, along with his underwear.

“Take your top off, I need to see you,” he said in a breathy but demanding tone.

You fumbled with your buttons hurriedly, the silky material of your blouse floating down your arms. You leaned back onto your elbows, staring up at him now in only a black lace bra.

“Beautiful,” Reed said, his voice filled with adoration and need.

Only then did you notice his cock. It was big, thick, corded with veins. You couldn’t tell if he had elongated it, or if the size was all him. It was stood to attention, the tip reddened and glistening with pre-cum.

His fist pumped his shaft slowly as he took in the sight of you laid before him.

One of his arms extended, travelling behind you and undoing your bra clasp. You lowered the cups and pulled it down your arms, baring yourself to him fully. Naked bar your heeled pumps.

Reed let out an animalistic groan as his gaze locked in on your tits, immediately ceasing his actions and bringing both of his hands up to explore them.

“You’re so perfect,” he murmured lowly.

As he took one of your hardened peaks between his fingers, squeezing and rolling it delicately, you moaned loudly.

He left kisses all over the curve of your breasts, finally reaching your unattended nipple, sucking it into his mouth. His teeth dragged over the bud tenderly, the sensation sending shocks of pleasure to your core. You were dripping.

Reed gently removed himself from you, taking one last look up and down your body as he held his large cock in his hand. He guided it towards your entrance, stroking the silken tip through your folds a few times, catching your clit and spreading your wetness.

He lined-up his tip with your entrance. As he started to slowly push in, your hands grabbed onto his forearms, grounding yourself.

When he reached the hilt, you felt so full, however the feeling was abruptly interrupted as you started to feel an ineffable sensation, something entirely new. He was expanding.

“You’re doing so well for me, you’ll adjust.” You looked up at him with scared but pleading eyes. You felt tears gathering along your lash line at the sensation. You felt like you were being split in two.

After a few moments, the pain morphed into a dull ache and you nodded up at him. He gently started thrusting in and out of you, the ache transforming into pleasure quickly.

As he felt you relax he sped up gradually, eventually pounding into you hard and fast, finding that spongy spot inside you with every snap of his hips.

His hands found yours, and he pinned your arms above your head. Your chests met with sweaty, hot contact. His lips met yours in messy passion and desperation, and his rhythm started to falter.

The fire that had been building low in you began to burn white hot. Curses left your mouth as you panted and your eyes rolled backwards as the feeling of pure ecstasy began to wash over you. Your second orgasm hit you harder and you cried out, clenching around him.

Reed whimpered at the added pressure and through sharp breaths whispered “fuck, fuck, fuck…” like a mantra.

He quickly pulled out and you held his gaze as he pumped ropes and ropes of warm white cum across your abdomen and tits with a loud, husky groan.

He took a step back and inhaled deeply as you stared up at him still in a daze.

“That was incredible. Are you ok?” he asked gently, as he moved to pick up your bra and blouse for you, also grabbing you some tissues from his desk.

You let out a light laugh, your mind still cloudy with pleasure. “I’m fantastic.”

Reed laughed softly and handed you your clothing as you both started to re-dress.

As you were buttoning up your blouse you turned to him “So… are you feeling less stressed? Did you get your new perspective?”

You met his gaze as he pulled his shirt back on, it hung open, baring his toned golden chest.

“Definitely, you might have just helped save the world,” he said, humour dancing in his words.

“I am feeling quite heroic,” you continued, glad things hadn’t turned awkward. “I’d be willing to help you de-stress again in the future, you know, for the sake of the planet.”

One side of his mouth lifted “I’d like that,” he replied, something deeper swimming in his tone.

When both of you were fully dressed, Reed moved to sit back into his desk chair.

“Right… I believe we have an interview to finish,” he said, as he reached across the desk and clicked the start button of your recorder.

- - - -

If you’ve made it this far… thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it, this was my first attempt at writing smut arghhh but those reed magazine covers had me inspired

It had been 10 days since his massage.

10 days since he had met you.

10 days since you had invaded his mind. You’d worked your way into his dreams and his waking thoughts alike.

His backache was still alleviated following the appointment. Every time he stood from a chair and only felt a small tinge instead of the shooting pain that he had become used to, he thought of you.

Joel hadn’t asked Tommy yet how he knew you, not finding the right moment at work where it was just the two of them. And he didn’t want to bring it up in front of Maria, thinking the worst. He felt guilty even giving thought to the idea Tommy would cheat on Maria, but his jealousy seemed to be clouding his better judgement.

Joel indicated left onto Tommy’s street, Sarah was sat in the passenger seat next to him, a neatly wrapped gift resting on her lap.

It was a toy Sarah had picked out for her younger cousin. Some expensive fun-looking educational toy that Benji was probably too young for. But he couldn’t say no to Sarah, and he was a big softy for his baby nephew.

The wind from the open windows of the truck ran through his curls. For the Beginning of April, the weather in Austin was balmy. Spring had definitely sprung, it was a warm 85 degrees and the sun was high. He’d worn a new black t-shirt that Sarah said fitted him well, his smartest jeans, his trusty boots and had a green plaid flannel ready to throw on later when the weather chilled.

As he pulled up to Tommy’s house, just about managing to find a parking spot to squeeze into, he thought to himself how ridiculous it was to have such a big party for a 1 year old. When he had celebrated Sarah’s first birthday, it was a small family affair. Sarah’s first taste of birthday cake was captured on camera, the picture now hung on the wall in his hallway. He knew ultimately this gathering was more for the adults and older kids than for Benji though, and Tommy would find any excuse to host a cookout.

Joel looked up at his brother’s home as he exited the truck, he was proud of how far Tommy had come, his house was modest but big enough for his growing family.

He’d accepted he’d never solve the mystery of how Tommy pulled Maria, she was smart as whip and caring. But he was so glad his brother had found her. They really were perfect together, and he’d always secretly be envious of them.

Following Sarah, he entered through the back gate which had been left ajar, catching the eye of his sister-in-law. Maria walked over looking uncharacteristically frazzled, carrying Benji in her arms.

He watched as Sarah placed their gift with the others and walked back over to him and Maria. She cooed at Benji, giving her cousin a kiss on the head and then hugging her Aunt.

“Welcome guys! Tommy is just starting up the grill and most of the guests have arrived so you can grab a seat and mingle, I’ve got to go finish all the salads and side dishes, we’re running a bit late thanks to the crawler over here,” Maria rambled quickly, motioning to Benji who had a cheeky smile on his face as he looked up at Joel.

“I can help you Aunt Maria?” Sarah offered with a smile. Joel still couldn’t believe he’d raised such a thoughtful and kind daughter.

Maria looked at her gratefully and then glanced at Joel with a sheepish look. “You don’t mind holding him for a bit do you? I’d put him down but he’s being a menace today and seems to have become a speed crawler overnight.”

He chucked and nodded “No problem Maria, I can take the little speed demon.” He took Benji from her and she gave him a thankful smile, making her way to the kitchen with Sarah in tow.

Joel stood holding his nephew for a few minutes, talking at him in a goofy tone that he hoped no one could hear, pulling giggles and babbles from the 1 year old.

The moment was interrupted by his brother shouting over to him from behind the grill. “Hey Joel! We were blessed with the weather today, got the grill going if you want to take a spin?”

“Hey man, yeah you lucked out, and maybe in a bit,” he responded as Tommy walked over to him.

“Do you want me to take Benj? Don’t want you to have more pressure on your back than you need,” Tommy asked him thoughtfully, holding his hands out towards his son.

“Nah I’m good with him, just catching up with my little buddy here...” Joel replied looking down at his nephew with a smile. “..and my back has actually been great since I used that massage voucher the other day. I’m surprised you didn’t notice my lack of groaning at work recently,” he broached hesitantly.

Tommy grinned at him “No way man! Why didn’t you tell me you went!? I’m so pleased. Sarah had a stroke of genius with that gift idea, glad the miracle worker made a difference.”

The miracle worker? You? Now’s a good a time as any to ask the question that had been haunting him these last few days.

“Yeah she was great, how do you kn-“

“Speak of the devil!” Tommy said cutting Joel off, looking past him towards the gate.

Joel turned around, feeling his nephew’s small hands gripping onto his black t-shirt a bit tighter as he moved.

There you were.

Entering the party in a pretty summer dress that reached mid calf, tight in all the right places with a respectable split running up one side. A loose cardigan hung over your shoulders as you carried a comically large gift box.

Joel’s heart pounded louder, echoing in his ears. What were you doing here? How did you look even more beautiful than he remembered? Joel took in the glow that emitted from within you as the sun bounced off your skin and hair. It was the very first thing he noticed about you back at the parlor.

He then noticed a teen girl trailing after you, donning dark skinny jeans, a baggy band tee and converse covered in scribbles. Her ponytail swishing as she walked.

“You made it!” Tommy shouted as he made his way across the garden.

Your face lit up as Tommy approached you, Joel could just make out your reply “Of course! Couldn’t miss celebrating my favourite little guy’s big day.”

You put the huge gift down on the dedicated table and then embraced Tommy in a tight hug.

Joel’s stomach dropped.

You seperated after a few seconds and Tommy patted the younger girl’s head, saying something that made you and the girl chuckle.

Joel couldn’t look away as the interaction unfolded. Equal parts curious, jealous, and unable to take his eyes off you.

You touched Tommy’s shoulder with both hands, it looked like you were squeezing his upper arm gently. Was that affection? Joel’s body burned with a white-hot jealousy and confusion clouded his mind.

He was just out of earshot - in response to something you’d said, Tommy pointed across the garden. Directly towards him.

He saw the moment recognition crossed over your face, and for a quick moment he could have sworn your eyes flickered up and down his body.

Shit, you were coming over.

“There he is!” you said in a gentle voice as you moved closer.

Joel thought his heart was going to beat out of his chest, he felt heat climbing up his neck. What was happening?

You took another step forward and your arms extended out, you looked up at him expectantly and only then did Joel register he was still holding Benji.

Jesus, he was a goner.

He chuckled trying to act natural and handed his nephew over to you, ignoring the tingling sensation he felt as your skin touched his during the transfer and the addictive scent which surrounded you. The same scent he was intoxicated by 10 days ago.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his brother staring at him with a questioning look. Joel avoided his gaze. He was certain if he made eye contact with Tommy, the younger Miller would see straight through him.

He watched as you put Benji on your hip, bouncing him slightly and saying happy birthday to him in the softest voice Joel had ever heard. The young girl beside you pinched one of his nephews cheeks delicately.

God. Joel thought he was going to burst with warmth and affection from watching you interact so gently with his nephew.

Tommy spoke, breaking Joel from his trance. “Me and Joel were just talking about you Hands!”

Hands?

You glanced between him and Tommy, a raised eyebrow and a small smirk graced your face as you asked “Oh? All good things I hope?”

“Of course, Joel here said his massage worked a treat the other day,” Tommy replied, motioning towards him with his thumb.

Joel nodded. It’s all he could manage in the moment. His mind was buffering.

Luckily, Tommy kept the conversation flowing, turning towards Joel “This one really does have magic hands, hence the nickname ‘Hands’, and the other one actually - she’s our miracle worker.”

Joel smiled at you, trying to fight the warmth that continued to rise up his neck as you held his gaze. “She sure does,” Joel said with a small chuckle. He hoped that sounded normal.

“She healed my injured shoulder right up, you know the one they said would need surgery to permanently fix?” Tommy continued.

Suddenly you touching Tommy’s shoulder earlier made more sense to him, and Joel’s body relaxed at the new information.

“Impressive. The injury you got in that bar fight? Well, one of the injuries you got in that bar fight…” Joel said, only half joking, he still looked back on that night with anger and annoyance.

Tommy rolled his eyes at him “Yes Joel, that one - the doctors say it’s basically as good as new now, a proper miracle.” He rolled his shoulder back and forth a few times to emphasise his point.

You were looking at Tommy with an embarrassed but proud look on your face. “I’m just glad I could help, injuries like that fester for you older men, just trying to help out the elderly,” you giggled cheekily.

He’d forgotten the musical sound of your giggle. It made his brain shortcircuit.

At Tommy’s mock-offended reaction, the girl beside you laughed too.

Joel hadn’t noticed it before, but as he made eye contact with younger girl, he sensed thinly-veiled judgement from her. Like she was analysing him, trying to figure something out.

“So this is where the party is huh?” Maria asked as she approached the group. She immediately embraced you, her arms circling you and Benji at once giving a gentle squeeze, then she moved to the girl next to you and gave her a hug too.

Sarah appeared next to Joel, politely saying hello to the group and introducing herself with a small wave.

“Hi Sarah!” You said energetically, giving her your name. “I used to room with Maria at college, now we’re practically sisters,” you continued as you looked at Maria with an affectionate smile.

Oh. The remaining confusion lifted from Joel and everything clicked into place. You were Maria’s best friend, the ex-roommate. He’d heard about you over the years, you were practically Maria’s extended family.

The realisation launched a new avalanche of embarrassment and shame for the events that took place just over a week ago. For the feelings he’d had on your table, for what he did when he got home and for the dreams he’d had since.

He’d heard about Maria’s younger best friend before, which put you at least 10 years younger than him. Just to make matters worse…

You put your arm around the girl next to you and introduced her too “And this is Ellie, my niece.”

Joel smiled at you both, the new information had made him feel guilty, but also slightly relieved that your relationship with Tommy wasn’t what he had thought.

“Nice to meet you Ellie,” he said with a smile.

Sarah chimed in after him, repeating the same to both you and Ellie.

“So I hear you two met the other week?” Maria said, looking at you and then at Joel.

Oh fuck. What had you told her? Joel was sure he looked panicked, probably like a deer in headlights.

You looked up at him, holding eye contact. “Yes we did, it’s really nice to see you again Joel.”

“Yeah it’s good to see you too, honestly the massage was great I’m feeling amazing still,” Joel replied with a genuine smile.

He pretended not to see his daughter looking up at him with a curious sparkle in her eye.

Sarah turned towards you, dread flushing over Joel at what his daughter might say. “So you’re the masseuse?” she said emphasising the ‘you’re’ just a bit too much. “I feel like I should hug you, you actually managed to shut my dad’s moaning up.”

Joel rolled his eyes at his daughter’s antics as she cheekily grinned up at him. He was relieved that’s all she’d said. So far at least.

You laughed “You’re very welcome, that’s why I do it.” Joel noticed the crinkles around your eyes deepening.

“Wait… you went to college with Aunt Maria? Did you study law too?” Sarah continued questioning you.

Maria laughed as she took Benji from you and shook her head, “Oh god no, she’s way more interesting than me!”

You shook your head jovially “Nonsense Maz,” you said, knocking Maria’s shoulder playfully.

Maria and Tommy gave their apologies to the group as they left with Benji to greet some guests who’d just arrived, promising to catch-up in a bit.

Joel watched as you refocused your attention on his daughter. “I studied anatomy, I focused on the study of muscles, the lymphatic system and pressure points. I always wanted to go into massage but wanted to make sure I knew what I was doing!”

Damn. So you were smart. Really smart. And talented. Joel tried to ignore the thoughts of your hands on his body that entered his mind as he remembered just how talented you were.

Sarah beamed at your response to her question “That’s so cool! I love biology! I want to go into medicine, anatomy is so interesting.”

You looked happy with his daughter’s reaction, he could sense you were getting a bit giddy talking about what you loved.

“It really is! Being able to understand how the body works, and your own body is so important,” you said, your words dense with passion.

“You’re so cool, we’re studying the nervous and muscular system at the moment at school. It’s fascinating, but really hard,” Sarah said with a frown.

“Well if you have any questions or want me to help with anything let me know,” you offered kindly.

“I might just take you up on that,” Sarah smiled up at you.

Joel felt warm as you both interacted, something he hadn’t considered might happen.

Snapping him out of his thoughts, the girl Joel now knew as Ellie joined in the conversation. “Yeah she’s such a nerd - but it does come in useful with science homework.”

You looked down at your niece in mock exasperation “Hey! That’s not the only reason you love me right?…”

The younger girl shrugged and with a twinkle in her eye replied “Sorry you had to find out this way.” Oh she was definitely your niece.

You hugged Ellie and gave her a dramatic squeeze “You love me really.”

Ellie rolled eyes with a big grin on her face as she shrugged you off her.

Joel chuckled at the interaction, you two seemed close, in fact you acted more like sisters than aunt and niece.

“So what do you do… Joel?” Ellie said turning and staring up at him, emphasising his name for a reason unknown to him.

“Oh I’m just a contractor, well me and Tommy run a contracting business… we still get our hands dirty though,” he replied.

Ellie nodded at him looking thoughtfully for a moment. “Do you know anything about AC units?”

Joel chuckled, a bit thrown off. “Um, yeah quite a bit actually, often have to fit new units and resolve issues with them in new builds.”

“My aunt is having issues with one of the units at the parlor - do you think you could take a look?” Ellie asked him, looking… mischievous?

You coughed looking embarrassed and immediately protested “Joel doesn’t have to do that Ellie, I’m sure he’s very busy.”

He wanted to reassure you it was fine. He didn’t want to seem too keen but he loved that he had an excuse to see you again, even if it was just to fix an AC unit. “It’s no worry, I can stop by this week if you’d like, I’ve got a job in the area at the moment.”

It was a lie, but he hoped telling you that would make you feel better about him helping you out.

You smiled gratefully up at him. “That sounds good, I really appreciate it. And sorry she put you on the spot, she’s a menace but she means well.”

Maria loudly announced to the party the food would be ready in 10 minutes, encouraging the guests to make themselves comfortable and to grab a plate.

As the group dispersed, Sarah teasingly turned to Joel and whispered “You didn’t tell me she was so pretty...”

“I didn’t notice,” he lied.

Sarah rolled her eyes at him. She was too perceptive for her own good. He knew it wasn’t the last he’d hear of it.

2 burgers later, Joel was stood talking to Bill and Frank, gripping a chilled beer bottle. The couple had lived next to Joel and Tommy’s mother before she’d passed, they’d helped the brothers towards the end and had become fast friends of the family. Sarah had headed into the house with a few other girls her age and left the men to chat.

Joel had zoned out of the conversation a few minutes ago, making sure to add a nod or a chuckle where needed. He’d spotted you sitting alone eating a cupcake, sans Ellie. The sun which had lowered slightly cast you in a beautiful light, your dress fitted you perfectly, accentuating your figure. Joel found himself unable to look away.

He’d caught glimpses of you since you’d all broken off to get food and mingle. You had been making your rounds, saying hi to people you seemingly knew, and introducing yourself to strangers confidently. Ellie had been following you around like a lost puppy.

He felt drawn to you. He wanted to approach you, keep you company, entertain you, get to know you.

But what would he even say? Ask you about your AC issue? No that’s boring. Ask you about Ellie? Maybe that could work.

He bowed out of his conversation with Bill and Frank’s politely and crossed the garden before he could talk himself out of it. He approached you offering you a smile and quick “Hey,” as he lowered himself into the chair next to you.

“Hi Joel!”

“Good cupcake?” he asked.

“Incredible… this may or may not be my 3rd,” you said in confession, making him laugh. “Would you like the rest of it? You’d be helping me out… I can’t stop myself,” you offered as you held up the remaining cupcake half.

“Well, if it’d help you out…“ he took the cake and took a bite, trying not to think about how your mouth had been on it just moments before.

He felt your eyes on his face, and looked up at you to see humour dancing in your eyes. You reached your soft hand towards his face and gently dragged your thumb over the side of his mouth.

Joel froze. As he stiffened you seemed to jerk back slightly, looking shocked.

You quickly rubbed the small amount of frosting from your thumb onto your dress as you mumbled out an apology. Your gaze snapped up to look over the party.

“It’s good isn’t it?” you asked him in an even voice, looking forwards avoiding his eyes.

“Really good, I can see why this was your third,” he replied.

You looked up at him finally, looking a little sheepish but amused.

“So, are you enjoying the party?” Joel asked, wanting to hear your voice again and to keep the conversation going.

“Yeah it’s lovely, I’m surprised I haven’t met you at something like this before,” you said.

He had thought the same, but put it down to the fact Tommy and Maria had been renovating their new house for the past few years so they hadn’t thrown a party quite this big in some time. “Yeah, we must have just missed each other,” he agreed with a nod.

“Sarah’s a lovely girl,” you said in a gentle tone.

“Thank you, she really is. Not quite sure how I got so lucky. Ellie is too,” he replied.

“I’m sure it wasn’t luck, you seem like an amazing dad. Maria has told me as much too, you should take the credit. And thanks, Ellie is great, I can’t take any of the credit for her though,” you said with a chuckle.

Joel felt pride as you spoke your kind words, and smiled at your slightly self depreciating humour. He disagreed though.

“I wouldn’t say that. Ellie seems to really look up to you, I’ve seen her glued to your side all day. She clearly loves you very much,” he said, hoping it would bring you a similar feeling of pride as you gave him.

You smiled and looked down at your shoes. “She’s had a tough time the past few years, I’m just trying to be there for her where I can. I honestly feel like she’s the one teaching me most of the time.” You didn’t elaborate but Joel could tell there was more you wanted to say.

As you looked up from the ground to meet his eyes, something charged passed between you.

The moment crumbled as Sarah and Ellie approached, chatting away with each other like longtime friends.

He spent the rest of the party sat talking with you, Ellie and Sarah, sometimes being joined by Tommy and Maria when they weren’t being called away. The group discussed random topics, mostly those brought up by the two girls, from soccer, to space, to a story Ellie told about you tripping over the very first time you picked her up from school, you having to be taken to the school infirmary and leaving with a princess themed plaster on your knee. The conversation flowed easily, the laughter was constant. A few times Joel caught you looking at him, he convinced himself it was nothing though.

As the party wrapped up and farewells were being exchanged, you walked over to Joel. Your arms were crossed tightly, like you were trying to keep the chill of the evening at bay. Joel wanted to offer you his warmth, or at least his flannel.

As you reached him, you rocked back and forth on your feet slightly, you almost looked nervous.

“Hi again,” you greeted.

“Hi.”

“We should probably be saying goodbye actually.”

“I guess that’s true,” he replied with a small chuckle.

“I um… I wanted to give you my number,” you blurted, your eyes darting around and not meeting his. “You know, so you can let me know when works for the AC…” you trailed off.

“Oh yeah that’s a good idea, I’ll message you so you have mine too,” he said as he handed his phone over to you, hands meeting and filling Joel with a spark of warmth.

You input your number quickly and handed the phone back to him. He looked down at the new contact, you’d saved it with your name followed by a cupcake emoji.

He chucked and quickly sent a quick message so you’d have his number too.

“It was lovely seeing you again,” you said, still looking a bit awkward. Joel didn’t think that seemed like you, he’d only seen you confident. Frazzled yes, but still confident.

“You too.” That was an understatement. “And I’ll see you next week, I’ll let you know when I’m coming the day before…”

“Sounds great, I guess this is goodbye then.”

“Yeah, goodbye… and get home safe.” He didn’t want the conversation to end.

As he watched you turn and walk away, Ellie joining you as you crossed the garden to the gate, Tommy appeared beside him.

“You got it bad huh?”

Tommy Miller. Cheeky. Good looking. The love of your best friend’s life. Apparently also the brother of the gorgeous man who got hard from your touch today.

Maria Brooks — well, now Maria Miller — was your roommate in college. She was in her final year studying law, while you were in your first year studying anatomy. You’d been missing your older sister and Maria was 3 years older than you. She quickly became your surrogate sister, best friend and closest confidant your freshman year, and you stayed just as close after she had graduated.

Maria had mentioned Joel before, you remember her saying he’d practically raised Tommy and that they were thick as thieves.

You didn’t see the resemblance when you had met Joel, but looking back you suppose both Miller brothers shared traits — tanned skin, big builds and broad shoulders.

After Joel had left the parlor, the rest of your day was productive, despite you being very distracted. Images of the elevated towel covering his crotch, and the expanse of Joel’s rugged, toned chest were stuck in your mind as you finished restocking the oils and locked up for the night.

You got home and changed into comfortable loose yoga pants and a tank top, flopping exhausted onto your couch.

The front door banged open 10 minutes later, an energetic yet annoyed looking Ellie bounded in and dramatically fell onto the chair next to.

“Fuck me I can’t wait to finish school,” she huffed out.

“Do you mean for the year or for good?”

“Both.”

“Well you’ve only got about 3 months left until summer, and only about 3 years until you finish high school forever…”

“3 sounds manageable,” she replied with a cheeky grin.

You laughed over at your niece. Ellie basically lived at your house these days. Her dad ran off with his assistant 2 years ago and your older sister works shifts as a paramedic. After the news broke about the affair, Ellie refused to speak to him and you started looking after her where you could to help out.

Fast forward 2 years, now she even has her own room at your house. The study where you once crunched numbers and practiced loan interviews to lease your storefront now housed a twin bed and the walls were adorned with video game and band posters.

Your massage room, though bigger than your study-turned-Ellie’s-room, remained in situ however.

“I don’t want to talk about the prison they call a school anymore, how was work today?” Ellie asked as she positioned herself with her back to you, cross legged in front of the sofa. This is how most of your conversations go, either giving Ellie a gentle head or shoulder massage.

Laughing, you stretched down positioning your hands on her shoulders. “Busy, Sophia and Maddie deserted me. Oil shipment arrived. The dodgy AC unit broke again. I gave a guy a body massage, sounded like I helped his back pain so that was rewarding.”

“Ooooo a guy?” Ellie teased, looking up at you over her shoulder.

You rolled your eyes looking down at her.

“Yes a guy, like all the other guys I massage at my job,” after a beat you blurted “I think I know this guys brother.”

“Oh mad, did you sleep with him?”

“ELLIE! Jesus no, it’s Tommy!” you practically shouted at her, your hands stilling for a beat.

“Oh gross yeah, you definitely haven’t slept with him then. Maria would literally skin you alive… wait actually she’d frame you for a crime and lock you up!” Ellie started rambling getting excited by her own imaginary scenario.

“Exactly. And I wouldn’t dream of it, he’s like a weird brother to me.”

“So Tommy’s brother huh, what was he like?”

Your cheeks warmed, you hoped Ellie wouldn’t look up at you and notice.

“He was nice, he seemed to enjoy the massage.” Unbeknownst to Ellie that sentence had a double meaning.

“Wait, how come you haven’t met him before?”

“I don’t know really, I mean I usually just see Maria on her own or with Tommy and Benji these days,” you pondered “I also didn’t go to their wedding remember, it was a short notice thing a few years ago - couldn’t make it because I was in Thailand on my exchange course”.

“Oh yeah, you’re a thai massage expert,” Ellie said as her shoulders started to relax.

“I’d like to think so, I did learn from the best,” you said smiling down at her.

The conversation took a tangent, Ellie began asking you questions about your time in Thailand and the many other countries you visited while learning how to use your hands in hundreds of different ways.

Lying in your bed, staring at the tapestry which draped from your 4 post bed, your mind drifted back to treatment room 3 and Joel.

You grabbed your phone from the ornate vintage nightstand and messaged Maria.

You [23:26]: Hey Maz, I think I met your brother in law today… Joel? X

Maria M [23:29]: Hiya Hands, yes! I meant to mention Tommy gave him one of your vouchers for his birthday - it was so long ago I’d completely forgotten! Did you sort his back out?

You [23:31]: No worries, I didn’t clock the resemblance at first. I did my best, he seemed pleased with the results. Best to ask him though haha

Maria M [23:33]: I’m sure you did my little miracle worker. I’m going to have to go we’re trying to get Benji to sleep for the 4th time tonight. You’re still coming to his 1st birthday party right? Ellie too?

You [23:34]: Yes we’ll be there! Good luck with the little hell-raiser, and tell Tommy I say hi. Catch up next week, night Maz x

Placing your phone down beside you, air expelled from your lungs in a controlled huff. A heads up would have been nice, but Maria couldn’t have known his visit would have this much of an impact on you.

A simple “My super good looking older brother in law is coming to you for a full body massage at some point.” would have done the trick. Maybe you’d have looked at him differently.

You shut your eyes waiting for sleep to take you, but your eyes darted open after a few seconds in realisation. Shit. He’s Benji’s uncle. There’s a 99.9% chance he’ll be at the birthday party Maria is throwing him next week.