#joelmillersmut

Joel walks to his house and he is beaming, he can’t stop thinking about how great last night was and how he wants you all to himself again and again. Only the thought of you naked makes his cock twitch, he climbs the small set of stairs to the front porch and opens the door. Ellie is at the table eating her breakfast. She narrows her eyes and stands up, dropping her toast on her plate.

She comes closer, sniffing him, only to smile, feeling the faint scent of your perfume, Ellie doesn’t say anything, she just smirks and walks back to her meal. Joel ignores her petulance and goes to his room to get ready for work.

As soon as he opens the door to his room he sees his well-made bed and can only think how good you’ll look laying there, naked. He bites his lips, maybe tonight he can find out.

Tommy is already at the gates waiting for his brother, he is never late, but this time he is extrapolating. And just as he’s about to leave, Joel appears, walking like the sun only belonged to him, a huge grin on his face. Suspicious. He gets closer and gets up on his horse, looking at his brother like nothing happened.

“What is up?” Tommy asks, noticing his brother’s face is of someone who hasn’t slept last night

“What is up, what?” Joel swallows

“You’re weird” he narrows his eyes “I smell something on you”

“Why are you guys acting all Sherlock Holmes on me today?” Joel starts to ride

“Because, Joel Miller, you’re never in a good mood, smiling like this” Tommy shakes his head, chuckling

It is 6 o’clock when you get home to get ready for your date with Joel. Your mind is focused on your night with Joel, how good he makes you feel. How loved and cared for. How he loves to make you come over and over again. All you want is for him to come pick you up at your house, a green one.

You choose your best dress, a green one you found in one of your patrols, just sandals. Looking in the mirror and taking a deep breath. It’s your third date and you’re still so nervous, why? You know why, Joel is simply perfect, and you want him in your life, so there is this desire to please him so he stays.

Joel is in his room, trying to choose the best outfit to impress you, he is trying his best and all he wants is for you to like him the way he likes you. He wants you to be his girlfriend more than anything. Once he is ready, after a great shower, he checks himself in the mirror. Wondering if you’d think he is not trying enough if he wore another button-down shirt. But that’s what he will wear, a button-down military green shirt and denim pants.

At 7 you hear the soft knocks, your hands are shaking so much you can’t even hold the handle, and your heart is pounding. When you open the door Joel is smiling already, that beautiful smile framed with his dimples. He looks at you from top to bottom.

“I’m going to be jealous of the men looking at you” he says, taking your hand and kissing every knuckle

“They should be jealous of you” you smirk “After all, you’re the one I make love to”

Joel shivers hearing your words, realizing that’s true. He is the lucky one, the luckiest man in Jackson. With a smile he pulls you to his arms, kissing your cheek, very close to your lips, brushing your cheek with his thumb.

“You’re right, I’m goddamn lucky for that” he whispers to your ear “Can we go?”

“Absolutely”

The Tipsy is not as busy as always, but there are enough people for you to be nervous. Being seen with Joel is still something new, not for any type of shame, but because you have no idea what people will think about it. Joel’s hand stays on your lower back, making sure the ones who are there know that you are with him, the warmth making you feel comfortable.

Joel pulls the chair for you, and you smile. Today’s menu is the same as the other dinners, steak with mashed potatoes and vegetables. Not what you two would probably eat if it wasn’t the apocalypse. He orders a whiskey for him and you do the same.

“You look especially beautiful tonight, have I told you this today?” he smiles

“A couple of times on our way here” you shake your head side to side

“But first it ‘you look especially beautiful tonight under the moonlight’, then ‘you look especially beautiful in this dress’” you giggle, with a foolish smile on your face

“Well, because I have to make it clear” he nods

Seth brings the drinks and sets them in front of you, minutes later, he brings the food. Joel starts eating, and you hide a laugh. He must be so hungry, he patrols and is a big man, so it’s obvious that at 7:30 pm he will eat a big plate of steak and mashed potatoes in seconds.

“Hungry, big boy?” you giggle

“Oh, I’m sorry” he smiles with his mouth full

“I think you don’t need to apologize, we’ve seen a lot of each other” you wink, taking a sip from your drink

“So” he wipes his mouth with a napkin “How was your work day, babe?”

“Nice” you shrug, cutting a piece of your steak “Maria asked me to organize the new supplies”

“Oh, yea? She bosses you around like that?” Joel pretends to be shocked “I thought you didn’t like to be bossed around”

“Shut up, Miller” you laugh, shaking your head “You’re an idiot. Tommy bosses you around too?”

“Yeah” he nods “But I never denied that I like being bossed around”

“You got a point” you kick his leg from under the table “She is very bossy though, sometimes kind of rude” you roll your eyes

“Sometimes?” Joel raises his eyebrows “Kind of rude? You mean all the time, she hates me”

“She doesn’t hate you Joel, she’s just not a huge fan”

“You’re being nice”

“I ain’t” you nod “For real, she is actually trying to make us be together” “Is she?” he raises one eyebrow

“Yeah, she’s been like ‘oh, you know my brother-in-law’” you mimic Maria’s voice “‘He is so lonely and needy’”

“Lonely and needy?” he opens his jaw dramatically

“And she says ‘I bet he has a nice cock, by the way’” this one you whisper, but still mimicking

“A lot of lines being crossed right now” he chuckles

“Yeah, like, I almost told her ‘He has a huge cock’” a crooked smile tugs on your lips “But I wanted to tell her that he is way more than that”

“He is?” his hand finds your knee under the table

“Besides being the most handsome man in Jackson, and having a huge cock, her brother-in-law is the sweetest, most romantic, attentive, and lovely man I’ve ever met”

Joel blushes and smiles, looking down at his plate.

“You’re amazing, you know that?” he asks, raising his gaze to you

“I kind of do” you giggle

The music stops, and you see Trevor choosing a song on the jukebox, Girl From the North Country by Bob Dylan, but the version with Johnny Cash. Joel doesn’t hesitate, his gaze searches for yours, and when he stands up, he takes your hand. Everyone turns to you both.

“Will you dance with me?” he winks, that seductive wink

“Of course, handsome!” you take his hand, and he leads you to the center of the Tipsy

Joel pulls you to him, your bodies pressed so close you can feel his heartbeat. One arm slides around your waist, his hand gripping the curve of it, while the other holds your hand halfway up, his fingers firm. He starts to sway slowly, in rhythm with the music.

Remember me to one who lives there, for she once was a true love of mine.

As if drawn by something magnetic, your faces move closer - so close your noses brush. Joel’s breath lingers on your lips, you can smell the whiskey he’s been drinking. His eyes lock onto yours, burning. You have to fight the urge to kiss him.

“Can I kiss you?” he whispers, his lips almost brushing yours. Your heart is beating so fast you’re sure he can hear it. He just wants to make sure you allow it, there are too many people around.

“Of course” you smile softly

Joel’s hand leaves yours and finds your neck, his thumb brushing your soft skin, he tilts his head and slowly presses your lips together. It is not deep, not a show, just a touch of intimacy. Just a statement of Joel to the others, he is in love, and by now he doesn’t want to hide anymore.

“What do you think about going to my place? Ellie is sleeping at Dina’s and-” his lips trail from your lips to your ear “And I want to see how you look in my sheets now.”

“I think-” you giggle “It is the most wonderful idea”

Joel grabs your hand and leaves the Tipsy, waving at Seth, who is smiling at the scene. You both walk to Joel’s house side by side, you hold his arm as his hand rests on your lower back. On the way, Tommy and Maria see you from their window, of course it is you, the only possible woman for Joel Miller. The one he wouldn’t miss.

Once you both step inside his house, Joel pulls you into him again, now the kiss is deeper, starts slow, his tongue sliding in and exploring your mouth the way you love, with care and gentleness. His fingers thread in your hair.

“So-” he mutters against your lips “Let’s go see if you match my sheets too?” the smirk on his face is filled with intention.

“I bet I do…” you bite your lower lip

Joel sweeps you off your feet and peppers you with kisses as he carries you to his room. You’ve never been to his room before, and it looks exactly like you imagined, rustic just like him, simple. The bed sheets are plain and simple, Joel gently lays you there, stepping back and smirking.

“You look good in my sheets”

You laugh, and he steps next to the bed again, leaning to kiss you. Joel’s big and rough hands slide up your thighs, slowly, rasping against your skin. Your dress comes along, teasingly, as he peels it from you, leaving you with a black lace bra and panties.

His lips trace a line from your belly button up to your chest, stopping at your collarbones, only to unclasp your bra. His hands go down and slide your panties down, slowly, stepping back again.

“You look amazing in my sheets, baby” Joel smirks

With his eyes on yours, Joel kneels at the side of the bed, he positions one calf on each shoulder only for his hands to grip your hips firmly to pull you closer to his face. Before anything, he kisses your thighs and inner thighs with devotion and tenderness, his rough beard scraping the skin, making your pussy pulse.

Joel squeezes your hip, digging his fingers before his tongue touches your pussy, warm and slick, parting your folds, licking up and down slowly. He wants to savor every inch, tasting every drop of what he causes in you, all your arousal. His gaze is still on yours, the wrinkles in his eyes exposing his smile.

“Oh, fuck, you’re so good” he growls, muffled by your wet skin “You taste so godman sweet”

He seals his lips around your clit and sucks hard into his mouth, letting it go only to suck it again, making your toes curl. Joel wants to take his time, teasing your entrance, circling his flat tongue around, going up and doing the same to your clit. He thrusts his tongue inside your pussy, going deeper and exploring it slowly, fucking you with his mouth.

Your fingers hold his curls, tugging them gently as you start to feel the pressure building, rising from your clit to your stomach. He spreads your thighs wider with his shoulders, burying his face deeper, his nose brushing your clit while his tongue continues to explore your inside.

After a few more laps, your first orgasm crashes over you suddenly, your pussy clenching around his tongue as you feel the waves pulsing through you. His name comes out of your mouth in a loud cry, making him suck you lightly only to prolong your feeling. Joel is not planning to stop anytime soon. He drinks every single drop of your cum.

“I love to hear you come” he chuckles, watching as your cum drips from your folds “I want it all”

“Joel, oh god-” you gasp as his lips suck your clit again, making your body arch from oversensitivity

Joel comes back, his tongue licking faster now against your clit, alternating from using just the tip and the whole tongue, making your hips move involuntarily. The pleasure is overwhelming, Joel is perfect, he likes to make you come. He gets hard from seeing you lose your senses. He eats you out like his life depended on your cum.

One of his thick fingers slides inside your slick pussy, the movement easy from how wet you are. The double work builds your pleasure faster now, not only that, but his gaze burns into yours. You moan his name over and over, begging him to continue. You’ve never been eaten out so well. He slides one more finger, and it stretches you even more.

The second climax crashes, he groans and this sound makes the waves stronger, he wraps his mouth on your whole pussy and sucks it, hard, his teeth grazing your clit just enough to make you scream out. Joel draws his fingers and sucks them, rolling his eyes and humming, only to pump them inside again. Your body is trembling, he holds you steady, working you until you're panting.

Joel eases his fingers out slowly, and his tongue takes their place, licking your entrance to clean all the cum before entering you once more, slower now, but broad strokes that cover your entire pussy, from ass to clit. Taking his time and giving each small place the attention it deserves. His free hand strokes your thighs.

“Just one more for me, my love” Joel mutters, making you feel the vibration

He nibbles gently on your lips before sucking your clit softly a few times. It feels like torture, your clit is throbbing for him, every nerve urging. He slides his two fingers back in, going harder inside but softer and slower outside. His thumb rubs firm pressure on your clit and his teeth find your ass cheek. Everything is so overwhelming that the third orgasm comes and you scream louder now.

This time you squirt on him, his smirk is there, seeing the mess he’s making of you. He loves to see your face twisting in ecstasy. Your whole body gives up now, your pussy clenches around his fingers. Joel groans and licks all your cum, satisfied. He even flickers his tongue over your clit to see you shudder.

Joel finally rises, you’re panting, boneless. He stands up, admiring your wasted naked body, his lips are red and swollen, with a satisfied crooked smile that you want to kiss off his face. He nods before crawling up your body, hovering over you.

“Now, you look perfect in my sheets” his voice is rough “Right here, spent, red and flushed, the best view I’ve ever had in my life, and see, I’m 55.”

“Joel Miller, stop and fuck me” you smirk

Your hands fist his t-shirt and pull him down for a messy kiss, tasting yourself on his tongue. Your hands roam up his abdomen, getting to his chest under his shirt, how warm and hard it feels. Joel doesn’t want to wait, he is eager for you right now. Standing up, he sheds his clothes quickly, and when he shoves his jeans down, his thick hard cock is right there, ready for you.

Joel watches as you admire his cock while biting your lower lip, he knows you love it and he’ll give it to you. He helps you up on the pillows - he can only think how good they’ll smell later - and props himself on one of his elbows, the other hand leads his cock to rub against all your soaked pussy, drawing a moan from both of you, before pushing in slowly, inch by inch.

“Oh, Joel” you gasp as he stretches you

“God, you feel so good” he smiles down at you, kissing your forehead

You both are really close to each other, his weight becomes a comforting anchor as his hips start to roll. The thrusts are deep and unhurried, each time he goes inside he fills you up completely, grinding against your clit, your gazes remain connected. You wrap your legs around his waist, urging him to go deeper.

“Deeper, baby” you scream out

“All for you” he smirks, watching your face contort in pleasure as he hits your cervix now

Joel’s hand gets in between your bodies, fingers finding your clit to rub firm circles, searching for another orgasm from you. His teeth graze your jaw. With a loud moan, you shatter once again, your nails digging into his back. His cock fucks you steadily as his fingers now only massage your clit, feeling you clench.

“God, you’re so perfect, Joel” you whisper

“I love to watch you come for me, my love” his lips find your forehead with tenderness

Slowly and gently, you push Joel out of you, winking and propping yourself onto all fours. His hands hold your hips firmly, and he pulls you, sliding back in with a guttural moan. This new angle hits new spots, you feel his cock dragging inside of you as he sets this unhurried pace.

“Fuck, baby” he rasps “I’ve been thinking about this ass all day”

Joel leans down to kiss your shoulder, one hand steadying him as the other goes down your body to find your clit again. He starts to tease it again, rubbing it slowly and gently, thinking about how sensitive it is right now with all the overstimulation, his lips still on your skin.

“You come so pretty for me, baby, gimme another one, would you?”

His cock slamming inside of you, his hand on your pussy, and his breath on your neck make the heat rise up, and you push back against him, meeting his thrusts. He plays with your clit relentlessly, his finger pressing just right, like your body doesn’t need an instruction manual.

You cry out, clenching around him, he holds you up as your arms give in. He groans, holding himself so he doesn’t finish, he needs more. Joel pulls your back to him, kissing your sweaty neck and shoulders, giving you both time to breathe.

“God, woman, can you please stay here forever? I don’t want this to end” he whispers into your ear “You are too hot”

Then Joel lays you gently on your side and spoons you close, hitching your leg over his. He enters you again from behind, the burn from all the friction becoming pleasure, now it is more intimate, not rough. Joel’s breath is hot on your neck, he thrusts slowly, planting kisses wherever he can.

“I love holding you like this” he whispers, his free hand roaming down to your clit once more “I love to watch you come undone for me”

He grinds you lazily, building another orgasm, until you're trembling. And it rips through you with a soft sob. He continues there, rolling his hips slowly, enjoying the feel of your pussy clenching on him, kissing you and praising you in every possible way. Letting you know how much he is in love, how gorgeous you are, how he loves to kiss you, to hug you, and to fuck you.

The only thing Joel can’t say right now, because he is scared it’s too soon, is asking you to be his girlfriend. He wants you all to himself, every day. He would marry you if he could.

“Can I try another one?” he asks quietly

“Oh, god, Joel Miller, how will I walk tomorrow?” you giggle

“You can ask Maria to work in the office tomorrow.” he chuckles, kissing you and laying you on your back.

Joel stands up, holds your legs up, and pulls you to him, hooking them on his shoulders. He gets inside again, looking as your eyes roll back. His face filled with pleasure, he kisses your calves as he thrusts, slowly. Joel leans, bending you, he kisses your lips.

“Look at me, babe” he demands, softly

His fingers find your clit once more, but he does it lightly and teasingly now. He continues to kiss you and stimulate you, and now he is searching for his own orgasm, he buries himself deep with a low groan, his thrusts becoming erratic.

“Fill me up, babe” you ask, biting your lower lip, he also looks amazing when he comes

And so Joel does, you feel his cock pulsing inside of you and filling you with his hot cum. Groaning a few times, panting, his head falling back and you see the veins in his neck. The smirk stretches on his face when he looks down again.

"Oh, babe, you look really fucking good in my sheets” he shakes his head, winking “A perfect match, actually, I think you should stay"

“Joel!” you laugh as he kisses your knees and legs, giving a few bites on the way

He slowly pulls himself out of you, his cum leaking. Joel goes to his bathroom, grabbing a towel to clean you up and water for you to drink. He rubs the towel with such care and devotion, always stopping to kiss your lips with a smile. Joel Miller, just as you, couldn’t be happier. Right now he can’t stop thinking of how badly he wants you to be his girlfriend.

“Want to take a shower, babe?” he strokes your belly

“Only if you bathe me” you wink at him

“I’ll do whatever you want. Can you stay the night?” he tilts his face and gives you that look, the one he knows you can’t resist “I love to sleep cuddled up with you”

“You don’t even have to ask, my love” his heart skips a beat once he hears this word coming out of your lips

Together you both take a shower, a warm and relaxing shower, Joel hugs you and makes sure to kiss you and take care of you. Cleaning you up, all the sweat and sex leaving both of your bodies. After you finish, you both lay in bed, cuddled up, he pulls you to lay on his chest. Your fingers draw lazy and random patterns on his tummy, caressing it with care and love. He plays with your hair, rolling it on his fingers and stroking it lightly.

You can feel the kisses on your face and chest, waking up naked, tangled in Joel’s sheets, he is sitting up on the side of the bed, looking at you with a smile, his hand brushing the hair from your face. The soft morning light illuminates your face, making you more beautiful than you already are. On his bedside table, there is a tray with coffee and toast. That’s a lot for Joel Miller to cook. You smile softly, sitting up and pulling his face to yours, kissing his lips.

“It ain’t fair you know, how perfect you look on my sheets in every goddamn way” he shakes his head, still with his lips on yours “Even with this messy hair, sleepy face. At every hour, every lighting and every possible position”

“Joel, you’re so sweet” you smile softly, your hand cupping his face and your thumb brushing gently

“You’re sweet and beautiful” he kisses the palm of your hand “I really really like you, risk to say I’m already in love”

“I’m in love with you too, Miller” you tilt your head “How could I not?”

“Would you go out with me tonight? I just don’t want to stay away from you”

“Of course, my house again?” you wink

“Wherever you want”

You both enjoy breakfast together, no rush, just enjoying each other’s company. Kissing, feeding each other, and laughing. Being with one another is so easy, so good. It feels like you’re meant to be together after all.

“Joel, unfortunately I have to go” you stroke his thigh “I have to go to work and I don’t want Ellie to think badly of me”

“You shouldn’t care about what Ellie thinks, I’m in love with you, that’s all I care about”

After breakfast, Joel walks you home, this time a little far from each other, it is daylight and you don’t want people to know you’re sleeping with Joel yet. You actually do, but you’re scared it’s too soon. And he hasn’t told Ellie yet. When you get to the front of your house, you both stop in front of each other.

“That’s me!” you bite the side of your lower lip “I guess I see you tonight?”

“You will” he cups your face with one hand, holding it firmly.

Joel leans down and kisses your cheek slowly.

“I can’t wait to.”

You giggle and look into his eyes. You say your goodbyes, and Joel turns around to walk home, giving you one last look back. He makes his way home, only planning to ask you to be his girlfriend this time. It has to be special, and also thinking about how he could introduce you as his girlfriend to Ellie. One thing he is sure of, he has to make you his. To be forever in his sheets.

Your house is empty, and so is your heart once Joel leaves. You can’t wait for him to ask you to be his girlfriend, to introduce you to everyone, so you don’t have to hide anymore. A smile comes to your face as you think that maybe you can ask him to be your boyfriend, not wait. All you want is to make him yours. So he can be forever in your sheets.

From what you’d seen, Joel was a force of nature—moving through the world with a quiet, unrelenting intensity that made people instinctively step aside. His demeanor was hard, impenetrable, as though he never spared anyone more than a passing glance, like nothing could reach him. He seemed to carry the weight of something heavy, yet refused to let it show. And yet, despite that, he had saved you. As the flickering candlelight cast soft shadows across the room, your thoughts drifted to him—those deep lines etched into his forehead, the way sweat gathered on his brow after a day’s labor, and his lips, which you had never once seen curve into a smile.

You told yourself it wasn’t disappointment that ate at you after the failure of your deal. You had tried, and you had failed. And it didn’t take long to realize that, no matter how much you fought, survival alone was a battle already lost. The world was too vast, too cruel. People like Joel and Tess—they survived because they didn’t hesitate. They moved with purpose, their resolve unshaken. You had been alone for so long, learning to rely on only yourself. It had become second nature. But after that night, after seeing them, you couldn’t deny the truth that lingered in the quiet corners of your mind: you needed them. Needing them felt like a betrayal, a weakness exposed after eight years of solitary survival. Yet, it was unavoidable.

So, you followed them.

At first, it was subtle. You kept your distance, always watching from crumbling alleyways or behind half-destroyed walls as they moved through the QZ. Joel and Tess were always together, their steps synchronized in a way that spoke of years of understanding.

Joel’s presence was magnetic, like the calm before a storm—a quiet intensity that drew everything in without needing to make a sound. He moved through the chaos of the QZ with an effortless confidence, each step deliberate, his gaze sharp and unyielding. His arms often folded across his chest, as if guarding something buried deep within, while the silver threads in his hair would catch the light in fleeting moments, softening his hardened edges. There was a gravity to him, an unspoken weight that made people part in his wake, as if they understood he was someone you didn’t challenge. Beside him, Tess was his counterbalance—sharp where he was silent, commanding in the way only someone who had seen the worst of the world could be. Her eyes, always keen, seemed to strip the world bare with a glance, bending it to her will without the need for words. Together, they were an unspoken force—two sides of the same coin, moving in unison as if the world itself couldn’t touch them.

You, on the other hand, were a whisper—a silent presence, unnoticed.

They never saw you. Days turned into weeks, and you grew more daring, trailing them deeper into the black market. You watched their every move as though they held the key to your survival. You waited for the moment when you could prove yourself, to step out from the shadows and show that you could be part of their world.

That moment came sooner than you expected.

It was an ordinary evening, the sun sinking low, casting long shadows across the streets as curfew tightened its grip on the QZ. You followed them, close enough to hear the faint murmur of their conversation, yet always far enough to remain unseen. You watched Joel, how his presence seemed to guide Tess through the streets, a protective force that lingered beside her, even in silence.

They led you into an old, abandoned building, the air inside thick with dust and the scent of decay. You moved carefully, your steps light, but the streets outside could not fully mask the faint scuff of your foot against the cracked floor. It was in that instant that you saw them—Joel, Tess, and a small group, huddled in the dim light of the building. Tension clung to the air. This wasn’t an ordinary smuggling deal. Something was wrong.

Tess’s voice was low and urgent, speaking to a woman you didn’t recognize—her face pale, skin clammy with sweat as she pressed a trembling hand against a wound, blood seeping through her fingers. Standing nearby was a girl, no more than fourteen, her arms crossed, eyes filled with both fear and defiance.

Your pulse quickened. This wasn’t just another smuggling deal. Something was wrong. And you definitely shouldn’t be here.

You took a step back, intending to disappear before anyone noticed your presence, but the sound of your shoe scraping against the rough floor echoed like a gunshot in the oppressive quiet. You froze, dread curling around your chest.

Joel’s head snapped toward you, years of survival sharpening his instincts as his eyes narrowed, scanning the darkness with lethal precision.

“Come out,” his voice commanded, low, edged with something dark and unyielding.

Your heart thundered in your chest. You hesitated for only a moment before stepping forward, hands trembling by your sides. You felt exposed, like a child caught spying on something forbidden, the weight of embarrassment heavy on your shoulders. When you emerged from the shadows, your breath caught in your throat—Joel was pointing a gun at you, his expression unreadable.

There was a flicker of recognition in his eyes, brief and fleeting, before they hardened, dark and sharp, pinning you in place as if daring you to make the wrong move. Your heart raced, your breath catching in your throat as the weight of the moment pressed down on you. But even through the fear—through the threat of the gun trained on you—you couldn’t help but notice him.

He was a man built of rough edges and unspoken sorrow. The strong line of his jaw and the sharp angles of his face, framed in that fleeting light, left you breathless in a way you couldn’t explain. He was handsome in the way of broken things—handsome without softness, without intention, as if the world had shaped him out of its wreckage and forgotten to smooth the edges.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing here?” His voice, thick with a southern drawl, was laced with frustration that bordered on anger. His dark, unblinking eyes weighed you down with suspicion, pulling you abruptly from the trance you hadn’t realized you’d fallen into. A flush crept up your cheeks, the warmth of embarrassment mixing with the intensity of his gaze.

Your throat was dry, the words stuck somewhere between your mind and your lips. You tried to speak, but nothing came out. Swallowing hard, you grimaced at your own silence. Great. He probably thinks I’m mute, you thought, a grim sense of irony creeping in. This was the second time you’d been struck speechless in his presence, as if the weight of his gaze alone had the power to steal your voice.

Before the moment could stretch further, Tess’s voice sliced through the tension like a knife.

“Wait,” Tess said, stepping between you and Joel, her sharp gaze flicking between the two of you before recognition dawned in her eyes. “I know her. She’s the doctor from the QZ.”

Your heart skipped a beat. How did Tess know you? You had worked in the infirmary for extra rations, but you had kept your head down, trying not to draw attention. Yet, Tess knew. Of course she did. Tess always knew.

Joel’s gun remained raised, though his eyes shifted to Tess, waiting for an explanation. Tess’s expression softened slightly as she gestured toward you.

“She might be able to help,” Tess said, nodding toward the woman slumped against the wall. “We need her.”

Need me for what? The question echoed in your mind, but you stayed silent, your heart pounding as the gravity of the situation settled over you.

A scoff echoed from the young girl standing nearby, her eyes rolling with exaggerated annoyance. “Another one? What is this, ‘Take Your Random Stranger to Work Day’?”

Joel shot her a sharp look, his voice hard. “Quiet.”

The girl huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Just trying to lighten the mood.”

Joel’s gaze returned to you, the gun still in his hand, though now lowered. His eyes searched your face, as if weighing how much of a threat you posed, or whether you were worth trusting. The tension in his jaw didn’t ease, but after a moment, he nodded. Barely.

“Fine,” he muttered, though he spared you only the briefest glance before turning his attention back to the situation at hand. His mind seemed elsewhere, as if, like you, he had found himself in a moment far bigger than he had anticipated.

You exhaled shakily, realizing only now how tightly you’d been holding your breath throughout the entire encounter. Tess gestured for you to come forward.

“That’s Marlene,” Tess murmured, her voice softer now as she motioned toward the woman slumped against the wall, her breath labored and shallow. “Shot by FEDRA.”

Your eyes widened as the severity of the wound hit you. The blood seeped through her fingers like a slow, inevitable surrender, too much for her to survive without immediate care. Every instinct in you flickered to life, pushing aside the fear as you dropped to your knees beside her. Your hands moved swiftly, tearing a strip of cloth to fashion a makeshift bandage. As you pressed it firmly against the wound to stem the bleeding, your mind raced, piecing together the gravity of the situation unraveling before you.

Above you, their conversation continued, a low, urgent hum that seemed to thrum through the air—Joel, Tess, and Marlene whispering in hushed tones about transport, the girl, and something far more dangerous than you’d realized. Plans were forming, intricate and desperate, and you were now in the thick of it.

“We can’t move her like this,” Tess said, her gaze flickering to Marlene with a grim finality. “She won’t make it.” She paused for a moment before adding, her tone steady, “We need to get the girl out of here. And we need her,” Tess said, nodding in your direction. “Medical skills might be the only thing that keeps us alive.”

Joel’s eyes shifted to you again, lingering with a skepticism that felt like a blade at your throat. He didn’t need to say a word for you to feel the weight of his mistrust; it was written in the hard line of his gaze. The sharpness in his eyes pinned you in place, silently assessing your worth, your potential threat, and whether you were just another burden to carry. But Tess’s word seemed to hold weight with him. He trusted her, and for now, that was enough.

After what felt like an eternity, Joel gave a terse nod, though his expression remained unyielding, and his gaze barely flickered in your direction. His mind seemed elsewhere—perhaps racing just like yours, caught in the sudden tangle of choices and consequences.

Your breath came in shallow bursts as you pressed harder against Marlene’s wound, the tremor in your hands betraying the fear you fought to suppress. The air thickened with the weight of what was unfolding around you, a moment too vast, too unpredictable to fully comprehend.

when you first moved in he was the first to offer his help. him and his brother came over first thing the next morning. both of them were exceptionally sweet, but you were captivated by him. those big strong arms carrying your vanity all the way to your bedroom without complaint. the veins that ran from his knuckles up to elbows. and that greying, short, fluffy hair that jus covered his forehead and kinda curled around his neck and ears.

after a long day of squeezing furniture through your front door, joel and tommy, though exhausted, had kindly refused any kind of payment except for a bit of spaghetti that you’d neatly packaged up for them both to take home. though you may have put a little more care into joel’s.

after that joel would wave to you as he packed his truck for work or when he would take a break from mowing the lawn. he bore a kind smile on his usually stern face every time, asking how you were settling in if your window was open. sometimes you would slip in a small issue just to pique his interest.

“my sink just ain’t draining right mr. miller. could ya fix it for me?”

“that storm last night just happened to take out a bit of my siding mr. miller.”

“mr. miller could you install this new shower head for me?”

of course, you could most likely figure all of those issues out yourself with your own toolbox. hell that shower head came with package instructions. he didn’t have to know that though. 

for now you’d use all the excuses possible to get him to come over. plumbing issues, renovations, even leftover dinner (which he oddly always declined). and this was no different today as you gazed out into your neighbor’s backyard. the window was open and you could just barely hear the birds singing, their beautiful trill sadly overwhelmed by the hum of that old mower. summer was certainly here in texas. the brutal sun had burnt you plenty of times over already and the grass between joel’s house and yours was growing faster than ever. 

your hands are busy in the sink, scrubbing away at a wine glass from days prior, but your eyes are busy watching his back as he pushes the lawnmower. the steaming hot water on the back of your hand brings you back to your own reality. you rinse the glass out, place it on the drying rack, and pick up a small whiskey glass in it’s place. 

tonight you’d planned on making something to cool you down. popsicles were freezing for dessert and you’d already made a batch of lemonade, but you really have absolutely no idea what to make for dinner. 

the hum of the mower grows louder as joel comes up on your window. he kicks the old machine off and grins up into your window. 

“how’re you doin tonight miss?” his sultry accent slides right off his tongue and suddenly your stomach flutters slightly. you smile and wave. 

“i’m doing just fine mr. miller, how about yourself?”

he runs a hand through his sweat-slicked hair and chuckles. “tommy’s got me workin horrible hours. had’ta beg him for a day off.” with one hand on his hip he gestures out to his finished yard, clearly exhausted, “an even then, the work never truly stops.”

you nod along sympathetically, truly upset to see the poor man so tired. you could only imagine how hard it must be, being a single dad and working for so long.

an idea sparks in your brain. 

“mr. miller,” you hum, leaning up against the window sill, “how ‘bout you come over for dinner tonight?”

his face drops and both his hands come up in front of his chest, “oh no miss, i’d hate to impose-”

“you’re not imposin’, for the millionth time.” you roll your eyes dramatically, earning a small chuckle from joel, “just come on over after you put sarah to bed. i’ll make dinner and you can relax.”

joel seems to contemplate the idea for a moment, scratching his scruffy cheeks in thought. you watch, your hands white knuckling the whiskey glass, fearful that you'll receive another polite rejection.

a puff of air blows from between his lips as he finally relents. 

“alright, i s’pose i’ll be over tonight.”

--------------------------------------------------------

giddy didn't even begin to explain your current feelings. you were ecstatic, over the moon, befuddled, but also, simply anxious as many people are when they host a dinner at their home, especially for somebody they admire.

you stand in front of your fridge a few hours later, robe wrapped tight around your waist with a towel still on your head. joel still hasn't text back telling you what he wants to eat. 

he didn’t look like much of a soup or stew man. you think maybe he would be a griller. all dads are right? and he had told you he was a hunter before. but you don't have a grill and the only meat you currently have is a package of chicken breasts anyways, which you can't see yourself doing much with if you did even own a grill. 

*ping*

your eyes catch the message on your screen before it fades 

i’ll eat whatever you make. i liked your pasta.

perfect. 

you grab the chicken, a package of frozen noodles, and the ingredients you’d need for a sauce and get to work. 

--------------------------------------------------------

dinner is still in the works when your doorbell rings. you jump a slight bit, wooden spoon falling to the ground with a harsh clatter. 

“just a moment!” you call out even though you know very well who it is. 

you quickly pick up the spoon and cover the cooking pasta with a lid. once you get to the door you take a deep, slow breath and reassure yourself. 

this isn’t a date. you’re just trying to get him out of his house. into your house. to get to know him better. it’s a win - win situation for you both really. nothing bad will happen.

you swing the door open with a small smile. low and behold joel is standing on your front porch, a large bowl held gently in his hands. your eyes rake over him before you can tell yourself to be subtle. 

his peppery hair is freshly washed and pushed back in a neat style. a few stubborn strands fall astray here and there but it all seems to add to his cool and stubborn charm. you can tell by the strong smell of his aftershave that his beard has been trimmed and seemingly brushed over. the hairs definitely weren’t that neat when you last saw him. your eyes stray a little lower and you can’t help but gaze at his chest in that tight black shirt he’s wearing. the red flannel layered over it doesn’t do much to cover the muscle he’s built over the years. 

“what have you got there?” you ask, blinking rapidly to try and clear your mind. 

“it’s just ah,” he avoids eye contact, his fingers thrumming against the sides of the bowl, “just a salad. i figured i’d bring over somethin’ so you didn’t have to do all the cookin’.”

you smile appreciatively and step to the side. “thank you joel. you can just set it on the dinin’ table.” he nods as he walks past you into your kitchen. looking at your ingredient cluttered counter, you suddenly wished you’d picked up a little. 

as you try and stuff down your insecurity, and make sure that dinner is still coming along, joel has a peek around your home. with absolutely no cares about how unkempt your kitchen appears, he wanders through the threshold and into the lounge, his hands now stuffed comfortably into his jean pockets. you watch him from a ways back for a moment, simply taking in the way he strides around so comfortably. 

he saunters up to your fireplace, gazing at your family photos, and picks up a picture of you and your older brother. 

“boyfriend?” he asks, not-so-subtly trying to make the question seem casual. when you almost burst out laughing, catching yourself with a hand slapped over your mouth, his face morphs into some befuddled expression.

“no,” your words come out breathy as you recover, taking the photo from joel and settling it back into it’s place, “that’s my older brother. nice guess though.”

a moment of silence passes between you two as joel processes this information. you hold a shit-eating grin on your face as you continue to hold back sudden bouts of laughter.

“so no boyfriend?” his brow cocks slightly in your direction. you give the same curious look and cross your arms over your chest. 

“why’re you so curious mr. miller?”

joel bites the inside of his cheek, his exhausted eyes meeting your lively ones. he takes in your features, admiring the soft look of your skin and the gentle curl of your lips as you break into a smile. “no reason.” he spits the words out confidently, his own arms coming up to cross below his chest. “i was just curious. i don’t wanna make the same mistake with a picture of you n’ your cousin.”

you roll your eyes and let your arms drop. “okayy.” 

as you walk past him to take dinner off the stove, you wonder if you’d read that conversation right. he was definitely asking to make sure you were single. right? or maybe he really was just asking out of curtesy. like how older relatives always pry at the younger ones' love lives around the holidays. 

you were terrified to flirt too confidently, fearful you would say something wrong or make joel uncomfortable. he was quite a bit older than you after all and was most likely much more adept in conversation, something you had always struggled to get a real grasp on. his 46th birthday had just come around a few months ago. 

fuck he was literally old enough to be your dad. 

you push those thoughts to the back of your head and try to focus on plating your chicken fettuccine. you set the table, one plate on either side, and uncover joel’s salad that sits in the middle of the table. 

you pop the fridge open and call out to your guest. “do you want lemonade or wine, joel?”

“depends what kinda wine you’ve got in there miss.” he walks back into the kitchen and watches as you pull a rounded bottle from the fridge door. 

“ah, it’s a red semi-sweet,” you hum, “shiraz i think?”

"sounds good to me.” he’d always been a bit more of a beer guy, they were easier on his body, but he’d never turn away a good red wine if anyone offered. so while you were busy popping the bottle open, he was busy preparing two of your recently washed wine glasses, still setting on the drying rack. 

he takes a rag he presumes is clean enough and wipes the outsides of the glasses down carefully, then sets them next to you. with slightly shaky hands you fill each glass just about 3/4 of the way full. 

“easy tiger, i gotta know where my front door is when i leave here.” joel teases, picking up both glasses and carefully setting them next to each of your plates. you follow closely behind with the wine bottle and scoff. 

“if you can’t find it i’d be more than happy to help you.”

“that’s real kind of you. and so is all this.” he makes a grand gesture to the table, smiling at you over the salad bowl, “thank you for dinner tonight.” joel fishes the salad tongs out of the dish itself and settles a healthy helping of lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers on the side of your plate. once satisfied with your portion he moves on to his own plate. 

“oh it’s no trouble at all really. you look as if you could use a night away.” you reassure him eagerly before digging into your plate. 

“you’re right about that.” he chuckles, taking a slow sip of his wine, “i got tommy lookin’ after sarah tonight. figured i better not eat n run.”

“you are just such a kind soul.” you tease, reaching for your wine to wash down the thick fettuccine sauce. 

this was nice, you think. it was nice to have someone to share a sense of humor with, someone who could not only tease you, but enjoyed when you shot back with the same attitude. joel just made conversation seem so smooth and easy.

joel tucks in to his own plate of pasta, wrapping the noodle around his fork so he didn’t have to slurp like a true gentleman. as he goes to push the food into his mouth though, the noodle slips and he slurps it up so fast that the end whacks him on the tip of his nose. 

sauce dots joel’s nose bridge and stains his mustache. normally he’d be a bit irritated by the failure of his first bite but the way you laugh at his fuck up and those first few sips of wine have his heart feeling a lot lighter tonight. 

joel glides his tongue over his mustache, collecting the leftover sauce that he can reach all while making eye contact with you over the table. you watch him do so and shift a little in your seat. 

suddenly your face feels hot. 

“so,” you avert your gaze and pick up another noodle, “what do you actually do for work?”

“mmm,” joel nods, currently wiping at his face with a napkin, “me n’ tommy are carpenters. flooring, framing, building walls, you name it.” he takes another small bite and put a hand over his mouth to speak. “tommy’s been talkin’ bout starting his own contracting business though. wants me to join him.”

you nod along eagerly, brows raising at what you can only assume is good news. “you should. you guys would be good at it. especially with all the practice i’ve given you over here.”

joel’s eyes crinkle as he laughs and raises his glass to his lips. the red wine goes down smooth and he finds himself subconsciously taking bigger and bigger swigs each time.  “what about you miss? what are you doin’ for work?”

“i’m workin’ from home right now. i specialize in graphic design for companies.” you judge his expression as approval, maybe even surprise, and continue with your explanation. “i’ve got a trip comin’ up soon. they’re flying me out to new york city for it.”

“we’ll have to celebrate before you go then.” joel offers, “dinner can be my treat this time.”

“that sounds wonderful.” you agree, cleaning your plate of the remnants of chicken and salad. 

joel pushes his chair back and stands, taking his empty plate and silverware in his hand. "finished?' he asks, leaning down to be able to look you in the eyes. you gaze up at him, almost feeling stupid as you nod wordlessly. you manage to slip in a quick "thank you joel" as he turns away.

a gentle hum is all you get in response. joel is busy spraying down the plates in the sink.

you stand up as well, pushing in both of your chairs and gathering your wine glass in your hands. "so," you take a small sip of wine, "if you don't wanna eat n run, what do you s'pose we do?" joel chuckles to himself as he joins you, his own wineglass in hand.

"i s'pose we see if that fireplace of yours works." he nudges you with his elbow as he walks past, a grin lining his wine-reddened lips. you follow quickly behind and settle yourself on the cushy sofa.

"have you burned it before?"

"ah, not yet. There should be some wood inside but i was 'fraid i'd burn the house down." you respond, finishing off your glass of wine in one big swing.

the fireplace wasn't really anything fancy. it held your tv atop it, serving more as a decorative piece rather than something you'd use often. rusted wrought iron doors kept stray pieces of cloth, paper, or string from catching light. dark oak that matched the rest of your home made up the rest of structure, encasing your tv in a box with a mantle above it.

joel crouches down in front of it with a stiff groan, you can even hear his knees crack, and eases the iron doors open. "i'm sure we'll be just fine." he tugs a lighter from his jean pocket and clicks it on. using the small flame joel lets a smaller twig catch fire before tossing it on the logs. "we'll see how we get along with that."

It's not long before the fire is practically roaring in your lounge. All the times you'd curled up in a blanket because it was too cold in the house and you seriously could have just lit a fire with a spare lighter and been sweating in minutes.

you really don't know if the wine or the fire has contributed to the warmth on your face more. all you know is that the way joel is sitting on your sofa, his legs spread slightly, one large hand resting on his thigh and the other currently pouring you another glass of wine, is making you want to slide closer. you can still smell his after shave. the musky smell wafts off him and you wonder if he seriously got this ready just to see you.

"watcha lookin' at, hm?"

"huh?" your head snaps up and your mouth hangs agape a bit, completely caught off guard.

joel chuckles, his smile wide enough that you can see his teeth this time. "you just zoned out a lil' there." he lays a hand on your shoulder, slowly dragging it down towards your elbow.

a shiver races up your spine at the feeling of his callused hands on your skin and you blurt, "oh, i was just thinking."

joel must be really feeling the wine too because suddenly he's very invested in your thoughts. "what about?" he prods, letting his fingers continue to linger on your arm. you find yourself leaning into his touch and even scooting a little closer to the older man on the couch.

"nothin' important." you hum, simply staring back at him.

joel does the same, his green eyes flitting over your features as if he's drinking you in. finally, they land on your lips. plush, soft, and stained red from your consistent sipping of the wine. his fingers twitch restlessly against your arm and you think you see something change in his eyes.

before you can pinpoint his expression joel is setting his wine to the side and leaning in closer, his now free hand hovering close to your cheek. a moment of silence passes between the two of you as joel searches for words. blood seems to roar in your ears as you anticipate the question you know he'll ask.

"can i kiss you?"

you've never been more sure about anything as you briskly nod your head and the both of you lean in.

his lips are warm and a little rough but you melt into the kiss nonetheless. joel holds a hand on the back of your head, the other pulling you closer and closer until you end up on his lap. not knowing what to do, your hands find a home against his chest. your heart is racing and your stomach is fluttering. all of your past experience seems to fly out the window and you're not even sure if you're doing things right.

the seam of his jeans catches against your covered clit as joel adjusts his hips a bit, though you know it's on purpose. your sharp nails dig into the smooth cloth of his t-shirt, earning a little groan from joel's lips in return. the sound is a gruff vibrato that rumbles from his chest. you can only imagine how his moans sound. your mind begins to run wild and the feeling in your belly rises, thighs tightening around his hips in an effort to feel something.

joel's large hands roam over your body. from your shoulders to your hips, your ass to your thighs. he gropes and squeezes every supple expanse of flesh he can find but makes a valiant attempt to make his touches at least a bit more gentle. as his lips pull away from yours, significantly puffier and shiner, you notice how they puff out with the effort of huffing for air.

he smiles and grabs one of your hands. "how're you feelin' sweet pea?"

a giddy feeling runs through your body at the new nickname. no more of the uncomfortable "miss". it almost felt like a promotion. "i feel good." you tell him, running your thumb gently over his knuckles.

"yeah?" he stares at you adoringly, pushing your hair out of your face, "do you wanna keep goin'? maybe move on to your room?"

"god, yes." you sigh heavily, your hand tightening slightly around his.

"alright." joel laughs heartily at your reaction, his cheeks going bright red. he grips your thighs and pulls you closer to his stomach. "put your arms around me, pretty." of course you do as he tells you to, arms interlocking at the nape of his neck. once you're secure, joel pushes himself up from the couch cushions and sets off towards your bedroom. the skin on his neck is warm and inviting, smelling heavily of that same damn enticing aftershave. you kiss along his collarbone, over his shoulder, and up his neck.

joel kicks your door open gently with the toe of his boot and crosses the threshold into your bedroom. his heel taps the door shut. you start to get a little more nervous, the hazy buzz of the wine starting to wear off, and as joel lays you down on the edge of your bed he seems to catch on.

his thumb caresses your cheek as he hums, "we can stop anytime you want sweet heart. we can stop right now if you want to okay? just say the word." you nod briskly, lips shut tight in embarrassment. "use your words, tell me if you wanna stop."

"no, i wanna keep going." you tell him, tugging on his flannel collar, "i'm just a little nervous."

joel smiles warmly and nods. "i understand. we'll just take it slow, okay?"

"okay." you breathe.

his hands run down your hips and over your belly. he slides them up under your back and urges you to move up to the headboard where you'd undoubtedly be more comfortable. there's a soft *puff* as your head sinks into the cloud like pillows that he had unknowingly picked out for you when you first moved in. joel kicks off his boots and then crawls after you, fully on his hands and knees, his pupils blown up with lust.

you lean upwards, capturing his lips with yours, and drag him back down with you with a hand on his cheek. joel hums against your mouth, almost giggling into the kiss like a teenage boy. the action is contagious and soon the both of you are separated and laughing softly.

once the both of you were calmed down, joel begins toying with the hem of your t-shirt. "can i take this off sweet pea?"

"of course." you murmur, freely allowing his warm hands to slide up under your shirt, exploring your the soft skin on your belly. once he reaches your ribcage, he pushes the fabric up and over your head revealing your breasts to the cool air in your room.

"shit." he huffs, eyes raking over your body. "you are so pretty sweet heart." joel continues where he left off with you, first placing a kiss on your lips, then your cheek, your jaw, and gradually beginning to travel lower. his lips roam across your neck slowly, stopping every now and then when he finds a particularly sensitive spot that causes you to squirm underneath him. hickeys begin to line your collar bones and, as he continues to go even farther south, the tops of your breasts.

he brings a hand up to test the waters, gently massaging your flesh. your head falls back a bit and you worry your bottom lip with your teeth. "does that feel good, hm?" he rumbles.

"yes." the response is airy, your head feeling cloudy as he continues to practically make you melt into the mattress. the only thoughts in your head right now are about him. you are completely, utterly, totally, focused on him.

joel kisses down your sternum, his beard scratching against your skin. "good," he hums quietly, almost grumbling against your belly, "that's what i like to hear." he continues to lay wet kisses along the top of your abdomen. his fingers tease at your waist band, tugging on the stretchy fabric just far enough to allow his mouth to place a gentle kiss beneath.

"joel," you whine, shifting your hips, "please."

his fingers dip below the waistband of your pants yet again, this time toying with the top of your underwear in the process. joel's eyes meet yours, sweet and soft under his thick brows. "can i take these off?" a brisk nod is all he needs to continue, popping the button on your slacks and tugging them down along with your underwear.

you gaze up at him and, when his eyes meet yours, he smiles warmly. "doin' okay?"

"i'm doin' great." you respond, fingers tingling in anticipation as he sinks down between your legs, the muscles in his broad shoulders almost rippling. joel hums in approval, taking his time to kiss his way up your thighs. his teeth nip here and there, leaving purple and red bruises all along your flesh. when he finally reaches your cunt, he blows cool air over pushes sopping folds, chuckling at your surprised hiss. joel swipes his tongue over his lips before finally leaning in.

you gasp at the surprisingly warm feeling of his tongue on your slit, your hips pressing into the mattress.

"ah, ah, don't run." joel murmurs, holding your hips with his arms as he fully digs in. the arch of his nose bumps against your throbbing clit as joel pushes his tongue past your entrance. his tongue curls and pulls, pressing right against that spongey spot that makes your toes curl. hot pleasure runs down your legs and you squeeze your thighs tight around his head. joel chuckles in response, only pulling you closer with his muscular arms.

a rather loud moan of his name falls past your lips and you grab hold of the man's hair, tugging as your arms tense up with the pleasure. the soft tip of his tongue traces a figure eight over your clit repeatedly, the sensation making your knees quake.

"that's right sweetheart," joel encourages you with a muffled groan, his scraggly beard scraping wondrously over the soft plush of your thighs, "cum on my tongue. it's okay." you're entire body trembles, a feeling like no other running up your spine and out through your arms and legs. your chest feels full as you huff and puff, trying to keep yourself quiet.

one of your legs rests over his shoulder, encased in his grip and trembling harshly against his clothes, while the other is left to lay free on the mattress. joel runs his palm along your skin, soothing you, keeping you grounded as you practically lose your mind.

you're right on the precipice, moans slipping out unabashedly at this point. with one more rough scrape of his beard, his tongue lauving up your folds and over your clit, you finally cum.

your chin tilts up and your eyes squeeze shut. joel grunts as your grip on his short hair tightens dramatically, but he doesn't pull away. instead he works you through your orgasm, keeping your hips pressed down, his tongue still lapping gently at your sore clit. you whimper pathetically at the feeling of his wet beard still grazing over your folds. the sharp bristles stick to his lips and cheeks, completely saturated with your cum.

joel raises his head when you've finished and the sight of him makes your head spin.

his eyes are dazed, lips puffy, wet, and red, and his beard is soaked to a deep brown. "you did such a good job sweet pea." joel's hands rub over your thighs and up to your stomach.

"thank you." you huff, smiling up at him as you recover. one of your hands grabs his collar and tugs the man down to your level. you place a sloppy, wet kiss on his lips, tasting your own release on his tongue.

when you release his collar, joel pulls away with heavy breaths. his eyes are completely blown up now, almost black, with desire. his hips slot between your own, replacing his face with rough denim, strained against his hard cock. desperate to get him in the same situation as yourself, you begin to push his flannel down his arms.

"steady now," joel laughs, helping you to get his t shirt off, "there's no need to rush sweet heart." as he tosses the fabric to the floor, his lips meet yours for a brief kiss. as much as you want to pull him back in for more, but the aching need for his cock outweighs the need for his lips.

joel pops the button on his jeans and shimmies out of them, kicking the denim off the bed into the pile of both your already discarded clothes. you gaze, completely enamored, at his body. his torso is lightly covered in scars from work. though he's well built, you can't find his abs. there's just a bit of fat layered over what you know is strong muscle. you reach out and joel let's your palms wander over his body, feeling all the way up to his chest.

gently, joel takes both your hands and settles them on your own belly. "keep em there. " he commands, thumbs hooking into his boxers. you swallow harshly, throat going dry as he pulls the tight fabric down his legs.

his cock bobs, head flushed and dripping with pre-cum. he was average in length, but god was he thick.

you stare up at joel, wringing your hands on your stomach while seriously contemplating if he would fit. "that won't-" you begin to gush your thoughts, but he shushes you.

"we'll go slow." he promises, kissing your forehead, "you can take it, i know you can." joel sits back on his knees and spits into his hand. you watch as he works his cock slightly, wetting it down to make it as painless as possible.

once he's satisfied, he leans over your body and presses his lips to your cheek. you can feel the wetness from his beard transferring onto your skin. "ready?" he hums.

you nod in response, grabbing at his bicep to prepare yourself.

joel lines himself up with your soaked entrance, running his head through your folds, teasing you just a bit. the feeling makes you want to cry, pathetic desperation running through your veins. you needed him so bad, and he was messing with you?

"joel, please." you spread your legs for him and dig your nails into his arm.

"oh, what a good girl fer me." he mutters, southern accent thickening immensely, "keep 'em just like that pretty."

slowly, joel sinks his hips forward. the head of his cock presses past your hole easily, and you swear you feel every ridge running along your walls. he watches as your nose scrunches and your eyes fall shut. your lips press into a thin line as he thrusts forward gently, pushing in just an inch more.

every pulsing vein catches on your gummy walls. you almost feel too full when he continues, pushing himself forward inch by inch, keeping his promise to go slow and be gentle. your legs are trembling, nails just about to draw blood from his strained bicep, as he finally bottoms out.

the both of you gasp, hot, heavy breaths hitting each other's faces as joel rests his forehead on yours. it's intimate, the way the arch of his nose settles against yours, the way you can feel his breath gently brushing against your lips. you tilt your head just slightly, catching his lips in a kiss that joel readily replies too. his mouth is hot, lips plush and soft as he kisses you back passionately. you gasp against his lips as joel pulls his hips back slowly, till just his tip rests inside of you.

your hands grapple at his shoulders, clawing and scraping as joel thrusts back into you in one fluid motion. he keeps his movements gentle for the moment, still pressing kisses to your lips, but as the pace picks up, the tip of his cock nudging at your gspot, you lose the energy to kiss him back.

joel watches your face through hooded eyes, your chin tilted and cheeks a bright rouge. your eyes were practically closed, just your pupil's peeking out between your lashes as you gaze back up at him. your hair was ruffled across your damp forehead, some strands sticking to your skin while others stuck straight up.

to him, you were possibly the prettiest mess he had ever seen. what he would give to be able to see this perfect portrait of you every night. your beautiful body spread out, though this time on his sheets, while he fucked you stupid.

staring back down at your fucked out expression, joel chuckles. "you feelin' good pretty baby?" he asks.

"mhm." the sound barely comes out past your quiet whimpers and moans. your brain felt numb, like it was melting into mush, and thoughts no longer swam around your mind. the only thing you even wanted to think of was the heavy drag of his cock along your quivering walls, punishing your cunt with the rough yet steady pace he had set.

"use your words sweet pea," he uses his hand to brush the hair from your forehead.

"yes, fuck, yes joel." you cry to him, your sharp nails digging through the skin on his shoulders all the way down to his waist.

"atta girl," joel growls, his teeth gritting at the burning pleasure that now runs all the way down his back. your cunt squeezes him at the gravelly sound of his voice. he whimpers, voice cracking, as he asks, "gonna cum on my cock, huh?"

"yeah," you puff, "yeahyeahyeah-" you lose track of how many times you tell him yes. you only know the burning hot pleasure that's building in your belly. joel keeps his forehead pressed to yours, his free hand cupping your jaw gently.

"look at me baby," he demands, very carefully nudging your jaw upwards, "just let it go," he's kissing the tense parts of your face, shushing you as you whimper and cry out that it's all too much, "it's okay sweet girl, i've got you."

that's when the pressure in your belly finally overflows. your arms wrap around his neck, pulling him close so that you can bury your face in his neck. you chant his name like a prayer, right next to his ear just to make sure he can hear.

joel's thrusts become sloppy, his hips canting wildly forward, and his breathing starts to grow shallow. you feel his cock twitch inside of you, but just before joel finishes he pulls out completely. he groans, his nose scrunching, fists squeezing the pillow behind you, as his release lands across your belly.

for a moment all that's heard is the quick breaths between the two of you. a warm feeling grows in your chest as joel presses his face into your neck, sighing heavily.

and then you laugh a little.

"what?" joel picks himself up and looks at you, puzzled.

"nothing," you hum, still dazed, and cup his face, "we should clean up."