Page 24 of Defining Us

“It’s a mess,” he said with a regretful shake of his head. “Didn’t think I’d?—”

Mallory pushed his shoulders, guiding him back onto the seat before he finished the unnecessary apology. With a saucy smile, she climbed into his lap and slammed the door shut.

“Make a mess of me,” she purred, tugging his earlobe between her teeth.

A carnal growl rumbled from his chest, and he shifted to retrieve a condom from his wallet. Placing the packet in the cup holder for safekeeping, he ensnared her mouth, and she rocked against his groin. Frantic kisses followed, each one filled with a silent promise. Pledges to communicate better, to give this their all, to not let fear get the better of them. Every brush of his lips strengthened her belief in an optimistic future.

As full as her heart was, her panties were just as damp. He gripped her ass as she squirmed against his erection, both working together to increase the friction. No different from a couple of horny teenagers desperate for some privacy. She lifted her hips when she reached her limit on the foreplay, allowing him enough room to unzip his jeans and sheath his hardcock with the condom. Her pleated midi skirt worked to their advantage, and she moved the lace to the side of her lower lips instead of discarding her underwear completely. Desire soared as she positioned herself, sinking onto his cock with a whimper.

Outside, the rain picked up again and drummed against the truck, matching her own steady rhythm as she rode him. She gathered her skirt’s fabric in one arm, and Joel helped her move, completely in tune with her needs. Every inch of him was perfect, from the rigid erection to his rapt gaze. Despite the public setting, not a single car appeared on the remote road, and they only had eyes for each other.

After last night’s frantic fucking, they took it slow and savored the feel of each other. Kisses, tender touches, words of affirmation. Her climax built steadily, bubbling within her like a hot spring. His thumb worked her clit masterfully until she finally burst, a cascade of pleasure sweeping over her.

Joel held her close while she reveled in the sensations, peppering her neck with heartfelt kisses. Her cadence faltered, so he took the reins and thrust into her pliant core until he reached his own orgasm with her name on his lips.

“One day we’ll do it in a bed. Clothes off and all,” she joked, resting her head on his solid shoulder.

“I’m not worried,” he whispered into her damp tresses before pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. “We have all the time in the world.”

When the booksale returned six months later, the amount of silent auction donations had tripled. Since it was the dead of winter, the event was once again held inside the library, and thelayout was rearranged to allow for the extra tables. A blanket of snow covered the ground outside, but inside was warm and toasty as residents from Honeysuckle and the surrounding towns came out in full force to purchase well-loved books and place their bids on the auction items.

So much had changed in six months, but the library remained a constant source of comfort. After all the anxiety, she’d aced her evaluation with Vivian days after she and Joel had stood in the rain and started their journey together. Mallory had filled out the form while lounging on his couch the following afternoon, her legs draped over his lap as he read. And during the meeting that Monday, Vivian had confided her intention to retire in five years’ time, deeming Mallory as her planned successor.

But until that time, she spent her days behind the circulation counter, loving every minute of it.

Throughout the day, her eyes often drifted over to Joel. He’d broached the idea of volunteering for the sale earlier that week, insistent that Tony could handle the shop on his own for a Saturday, and was assigned a payment table. It was utterly adorable how he sat sentry over the lockbox, diligently counting out change for each used book destined to go to a new home.

He caught her gazing, their eyes locking across the library.Love you, he mouthed.

Love you too, she replied back.

Later that night, once staff and volunteers had tidied everything, Mallory offered to lock up. And because Joel drove them both to the library that morning, he stayed behind too.

She spent most nights at his charming cottage, located about fifteen minutes from the main hub of town and situated near a bristling brook. The lease on her apartment was up next month, and they’d recently had a frank conversation about their next steps. Although Mallory barely lived at her apartment nowadays,her prior experience of rushing into a relationship still lingered. She’d decided to re-sign for another year, simply to give herself some peace of mind, and Joel had been completely on board, happy to support her in whatever way she needed.

But that was the type of man he was, and she loved him all the more for it.

Once the lights were shut off, Mallory stopped him from putting on his winter jacket without a word. Joel sent her a questioning look, but that confusion shifted to lust when she turned the key to lock them in. She crooked a finger, silently luring him back into the stacks.

After all, it was healthy to be impulsive every now and then.

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