With that, I plunge my tongue into her wetness, my mouth claiming her with a fervor that takes her breath away. Lucy's head falls back, her body arching as she presses herself against my mouth, her hands gripping my shoulders for support. Mytongue dances and swirls, as my lips suck and tease her clit, driving her wild with pleasure.

Moans and gasps fill the alley, echoing off the walls as I bring her to the brink of ecstasy. My fingers join my mouth, slipping inside her, filling her as I lick and suck her sensitive bundle of nerves. Lucy's body trembles, her orgasm building like a wave, until finally, with a cry of release, she comes undone.

As her tremors subside, I stand, my hands gently holding her upright. I look down at her with a satisfied smile, my lips glistening with her essence.

"That was incredible," Lucy breaths, her body still buzzing with pleasure.

"It's not over yet. I haven't even gotten to the best part."

Before she can respond, I lift her up, her legs wrapping around my waist. I press her back against the rough brick wall, my hard length pressing against her core. Lucy gasps. She can feel the heat and hardness of me, and she knows I’m ready.

With a swift motion, I position myself at her entrance, my hands holding her thighs open, and with one smooth thrust, I slid inside her. Lucy cried out, her body welcoming the invasion, her walls gripping me tightly.

My eyes close momentarily as I savor the sensation of being buried deep within her. "You feel so damn good," I whisper, my breath hot on her neck.

I begin to move, my hips thrusting in a steady rhythm, my suit pants sliding against Lucy’s bare skin. Her hands clutch my shoulders, her nails digging into my flesh as she matches my pace, her body rising to meet each stroke. The sound of our bodies slapping together fills the alley, mingling with our heavy breathing and moans of pleasure.

"Oh, Joel," Lucy pants, her head thrown back, her breasts heaving with each thrust. "Yes, just like that. Harder, please."

I oblige, my hands gripping her thighs tighter, my thrusts becoming more urgent. I pound into her, the sound of our passion filling the night. Lucy's body tightens around me, her climax building once more, and she cried out my name as she comes, her walls milking my length.

My own release is close, my body coiling with tension. I want to prolong this moment, to savor the feeling of being inside her, but my control is slipping. With a final, powerful thrust, I empty myself into her, my seed filling her as I bury my face in the crook of her neck, my breath ragged against her skin.

We stand there, locked together, our hearts racing and bodies slick with sweat. My hands gently caress her back as I press soft kisses along her jawline. Lucy's fingers are threaded through my hair, holding me close, our bodies still joined as our breathing slowly returns to normal.

"That was..." Lucy begins, her voice soft and breathless.

"Incredible," I finish for her, my lips curving into a satisfied smile. "I've wanted to do that all night. To have you right here, in this alley, is a fantasy come true."

Lucy giggles, a mix of satisfaction and embarrassment. "I can't believe we just did that. It was so risky, but it felt amazing."

I chuckle, my breath tickling her ear. "Sometimes the best moments are the ones that are a little bit naughty. And I have a feeling this won't be our last adventure."

As we disentangle ourselves, adjusting our clothing, the reality of what we just did began to sink in. We share a look, our eyes sparkling with a mix of desire and mischief.

She looks at me, her expression unreadable. "Joel, what are we doing?"

I want to tell her I know. That I have it all figured out. But the truth is, I don’t. All I know is that I want her, more than I’ve ever wanted anything, and that terrifies me.

"I don’t know," I admit, the words heavy with truth. "But I don’t want to stop."

With a final kiss, we step out of the alley, our footsteps echo on the pavement as we made our way to the car.

15

LUCY

The morning after the gala, I wake to the faint light of dawn filtering through my bedroom window, painting the walls in soft hues of pink and gold. My body is still, but my mind is racing, replaying every moment of last night. The heat of Joel’s touch, the way his eyes softened when he looked at me, the unspoken words that hung in the air long after we parted. I’ve never felt anything like it, this overwhelming mix of exhilaration and uncertainty.

I’m conflicted. Part of me wants to dive headfirst into whatever this is, to let myself fall completely. But another part of me, the cautious part, whispers warnings about how complicated this could get. He’s Aiden’s best friend, my boss in a roundabout way, and a single dad with two incredible kids who don’t need someone waltzing into their lives and shaking things up.

But it’s too late for that, isn’t it? I’ve already fallen for all of them.

The sound of laughter drifts up from the kitchen, pulling me from my thoughts. Miles and Finn. The warmth in my chest spreads, and I can’t help but smile. It’s not just Joel who’s drawnme in; it’s them too. They’ve wrapped themselves around my heart, and no amount of caution or hesitation is going to change that.

I pull on a sweater and make my way downstairs, following the scent of coffee and bacon. The boys are at the table, chattering animatedly about some board game they’ve decided to reinvent with their own rules. Joel stands at the stove, his movements uncharacteristically clumsy as he turns the bacon with one hand while trying to pour orange juice for Finn with the other.

"Need a hand?" I ask, leaning against the counter.