Jess whimpered as he took her good arm and lifted, pulling her torso off the bed as she was pulled to a kneeling position.

  “And can’t forget to pull your hair a little,” he said, taking a fistful.

  Joel kept an eye on her. Looking for any signs of pain or discomfort. He was pushing things a bit. He hadn’t meant to dump her on the bed with quite that much force, but Jess hadn’t complained. His original plan was to take her from behind, but he worried about putting weight on her injured shoulder. So, by taking her good hand and pulling her back, she was free to relax as necessary.

  But then, with her kneeling back with her legs spread, he remembered her request from earlier. With one hand holding her up, the other he tangled in her hair to hold her steady. No bumping, no jostling, and no chance she’d fall forward and hurt herself. The only problem now was his cock was pressed into the back of Jess’s leg, and he wasn’t sure about how to steer it into position, before he felt a presence move in behind him.

  “Let me help, master,” Luneira purred as she took hold of him.

  “Truly, it does not hurt?” Jenny whispered as Luneira placed Joel at Jess’s entrance.

  “Watch the first girlfriend’s face and tell me if she appears to be in pain.”

  Joel ignored them as he thrust into Jess’s quivering body from behind.

  “Oh fuck,” Jess moaned.

  “Her eyes are rolling. Is that a pleasurable expression?” Jenny asked.

  Joel adjusted his grip while ignoring his two vassals. By leaning back slightly, he was able to balance Jess in place. She only turned her hand to grasp at his forearm as he thrust forward. The momentum caused her to bounce gently in place. Her body rocked forward under Joel’s thrusting hips. Only for the grip on her arm and hair to gently pull her back, spearing down over Joel’s cock. Which once again slammed up from behind her, shoving her forward in a steady rhythm.

  “Master, your cock looks delicious,” Luneira said and leaned in for a closer look.

  “Would eating his cock be painful?” Jenny asked.

  “You ask too many questions,” Jess groaned.

  “I’m not sure⁠—”

  Jess reached up and snagged the wraith by the shoulder and pulled her into a kiss. Joel could see, even through her metallic mask, that Jenny was taken entirely by surprise. So was he. The sight of two women kissing like that sent Joel into overdrive.

  “Yes master,” Luneira closed in, wrapping her arms around Jess’s ass. “Take her. Use her. Fill her.”

  Joel felt movement around his cock. Luneira had slid one hand up between Jess’s thighs. She split her fingers, sliding them over Jess’s labia to either side of his cock. She smiled up at him as Jess bucked her hips.

  The overwhelming display of sapphic lust pushed Joel over the top. He pulled back on Jess, driving himself deep inside. The pressure on Luneira’s hand made her shift her attention. Slipping her hand higher, she massaged Jess’s clit while she felt her master’s cock throb inside the pretty blonde.

  Jess came apart. Jenny appeared to insist on continuing their kiss, while Luneira rubbed her clit to yet another orgasm. Meanwhile, she could feel Joel throbbing inside her. There was no chance for her to escape the overwhelming sensations being thrust into her from all directions. All she could do was brace as she started to cum all over again.

  Joel held Jess as still as he could. Her body was quaking and twitching enough it was almost too much to stay buried inside her. Luneira moved away shortly after Jess started cumming and took Jenny by the arm to pull her free as well. With nobody else temporarily distracting them, Joel slumped forward.

  Jess let out a whimper as she hit the bed, and Joel ended up lying beside her. He was still in her and she felt the sticky mess starting to leak out as Joel pulled her close.

  “Holy shit,” Jess puffed. “Joel, what the fuck?”

  “Sorry,” Joel blinked and shifted to roll Jess onto her back so he could look her in the eye. Which had the added effect of pulling his cock free of her pussy. “Was it too much?”

  Jess gave a tired giggle. “Like that every time? Maybe.”

  “So… good then?”

  “Good enough. We should have invited Amanda,” Jess grinned. “If she’s still interested after watching what you can do to a woman, she can have you.”

  “Thank you first girlfriend,” Luneira said with a giggle.

  Joel groaned as a mouth closed over his cock and he looked down to see Luneira doing her best to clean him, while Jenny looked over Luneira’s shoulder with confused interest.

  “Joel, you okay? You look like you’ve run a marathon or something,” Marlene said as he entered the room.

  “Yeah,” Joel coughed gently to clear his throat. “I’m good. Busy day.”

  “Busy,” Marlene nodded. “Right, okay. Was there something you wanted?”

  “Actually yeah,” Joel said. “We found a couple of teens and an old man nearby. The teens have a… I’m guessing a younger sibling.”

  “Wait, how old?”

  “Not old enough to have a kid of their own,” Joel assured her. “There was an incident, and I promised I was coming back with food and a cleric to check them over.”

  “Oh,” Marlene relaxed slightly. “Right. I can do that. They’re not coming here?”

  “I’m being pretty loose with the word incident,” Joel said with a grunt. “They thought we were after them. It devolved into a fight and it turned out their neighbor had a gun and was still around.”

  “A gun?”

  “Yeah, of all things. He said his rifles didn’t work, but the shotgun sure did,” Joel recalled. “Either way. I don’t want them thinking I’m lying to them. So I was hoping I could take you over there and check them out.”

  Marlene frowned. “Can… we bring Timothy?”

  “Yeah,” Joel agreed. “That’s not a problem.”

  “Thanks.” Marlene smiled.

  Joel saw the reaction and frowned. “Hey, so a question, so I know what’s going on⁠—”

  “Not yet,” Marlene blushed. “I… I’ve been working on him and… Is that okay?”

  “Definitely okay.” Joel held up his hands. “I was serious with all that shit with Dante and Bryson. I don’t own you or anyone else. Jess and I are together by choice.”

  “And… your vassals?”

  “That’s more complicated,” Joel admitted. “But as far as I can tell, other than a compulsion to follow orders, they’re still their own people. And I haven’t forced them to do anything they haven’t wanted to.”

  “Would you?” Marlene asked.

  “Never,” Joel stated and shook his head. “I might look the part of a bone headed idiot, but I’m not one.”

  “Sorry,” Marlene said with a wince before she perked up at the sound of a door opening.

  “Marlene, you still here?”

  “In here, Timothy,” Joel called out.

  The rogue froze as he came in. His eyes narrowed a little on Joel, but then switched to Marlene. Joel coughed and gave Marlene a pointed look. She blushed slightly, and Timothy’s concerned look turned into a frown.

  “Joel was just asking me to come with him to visit some kids who need a healer,” Marlene said.

  “Oh,” Timothy said.

  “I was hoping you could come with me?” Marlene said quickly seeing his shoulders slump.

  Timothy shifted slightly and looked at Joel. “Is that alright?”

  Joel let out a long sigh and shook his head. “Marlene, I’m going to leave this to you. I’ll meet you outside in a few minutes.”

  Timothy got out of the way as Joel walked past and out the front door. Marlene, Amanda, and Timothy had been staying in Jess’s old place. Jess, for that matter, was standing in the front yard of Joel’s home with Luneira. Jenny was nowhere to be seen, and Amanda was across the street talking to Helen, who gave him a little wave.

  “Hey, ahh… Joel?”

  Joel turned and looked at Timothy, who had a slightly bemused look to him. There was a faint outline of lipstick where it had smeared slightly on his cheek. Behind him came Marlene, who looked slightly flushed, but there was also a determined glint in her eye.

  “You’ve ahh…” Joel gestured to the lipstick mark. “Got a little bit on you.”

  Timothy’s eyes widened, and he rubbed his face before seeing the shade. Nothing dramatic, but Marlene kept herself presentable.

  “I… ummm…”

  “Meant every word when I said it to Bryson and Dante.” Joel shrugged. “You still up for the visit?”

  “I mean…” Timothy looked around. “Yeah, I guess.”

  “Great.” Joel turned and made his way over to Jess. “Seen Jenny?”

  “She said she was following you.” Jess frowned.

  Joel looked around, before noticing Jenny standing exactly where he’d stopped looking a moment ago.

  “Master,” she said and bowed.

  “You’re scary.” Joel shook his head.

  “Thank you, master,” Jenny bowed once again.

  Joel chuckled and turned back to Jess, who smiled at him. “You’re going again?”

  “Just to drop a few things off for the kids and to tell them where we are if they need anything,” Joel assured.

  “I know it’s important to you to keep your word, but I’m still sad you won’t be home to cuddle.” Jess gave a small pout.

  “Knock that off,” Joel grinned and kissed her. “You and I both know where being cute is going to get you.”

  “Will it?” Jess pouted a little harder.

  “When did you decide to be a brat?” Joel snorted. “You started off all confident, and now you’re all needy.”

  “Shut up,” Jess said and blushed. “Now, kiss me. Then go be a hero.”

  Joel rolled his eyes and pulled her close. His lips met hers and they shared a moment before pulling away.

  “While you’re gone, I’m going to talk to Amanda, okay?”

  “Whatever you think is best,” Joel nodded in agreement.

  “Then I’ll handle it. Just be safe, alright?” she said.

  “As safe as I can be, I promise.” Joel kissed her once more.

  “When we’re back, I’ll take another look at your shoulder,” Marlene offered.

  “I’d appreciate that.” Jess smiled. “It’s boring around here when you’re all gone.”

  “Did Dale come ask you questions?” Joel asked.

  Jess rolled her eyes. “He did, but there’s so much to do and there’s only like a dozen of them. They’re digging up part of the drainage channel out the back so Peter can do some more farming.”

  “That’ll keep ‘em busy,” Joel said.

  “Five minutes to tell him what we needed, five hours to dig. I was thinking about construction, but I’m worried about the incursion chance,” Jess said and gnawed on her lower lip.

  “We’ll talk about that later,” Joel stated. “I have a quest that might affect things, and I’m not sure how.”

  “Great,” Jess said and rolled her eyes. “Now, get out of here before I drag you back to bed or something.”

  Joel snorted and shook his head before looking at his companions. “Alright, need some food and some water. We can just grab a few things from Emily and get out of here.”

  “Right, that makes sense.” Marlene nodded and led the way.

  One quick explanation and a backpack later, Joel was over the fence helping Timothy get Marlene down. Of their original group, she was the least physically gifted by Morpheus. It wasn’t like a classic cleric class where she’d hold a big hammer and wear heavy armor. She was a squishy healer through and through. At least compared to someone like Joel with his enhanced strength stat.

  With Luneira sticking close to Marlene, Timothy took up the rear while Jenny scouted ahead. Joel took the lead, following in her footsteps as he marched across the street. This time, they were less cautious. The likelihood that something had come by in the meantime was slim. They’d already killed a couple of hellhounds and the drave.

  So, marching along, Joel was completely unprepared for the sound of a shotgun to go off. Joel screeched to a halt before hearing a distant scream.

  “GO!” He shouted. “BOLSTER!”

  Joel felt his muscles swell as he drew his sword and shield. Luneira darted past. Her sleek battle form was quicker than he was. Timothy would have been as well, but he remained with Marlene, who was the only one as slow as Joel. Though slow wasn’t the right word. Just that the others were much, much faster.

  When Joel reached the corner and turned onto the street. There was a body in the street. A man splayed out with his chest blown open. The old man with the shotgun wasn’t in great condition, either. Laid out on the ground, he had a spear in his stomach. Likely having been thrown by the man he’d shot. He noticed others were fighting in the front yard.

  David was being held by two men, while a third took a wild swing, punching him in the stomach. Stacey was screaming as two more had a hold of her and their younger brother Tommy. She was desperately clinging to the boy as they tried to pull them apart. For what reason, Joel didn’t know. But he didn’t quite care either.

  Jenny was the first to appear. Blinking into position beside Stacey. She swiped her blades across the throat of the one holding the teen. He fell back with a silent gurgle. Stacey overbalanced and fell, dragging Tommy and her other attacker to the ground, where Luneira fell on them.

  “What the fuck!?” the one punching David whirled around.

  He spotted Joel coming and rolled his shoulders, right as Jenny appeared behind him. Only for the man to duck his head, narrowly avoiding the blade that would have pierced the back of his skull.

  Instead, Jenny was forced to vanish as one of the two holding David drew a knife and lunged. While that forced Jenny into hiding, it did free David. The scrappy teen turned on his final attacker, throwing them both back onto the ground. There, he twisted and scrambled free as the chaos got worse.

  “Fuck, get the kid!” one of them shouted. “What the fuck happen—DAN!”

  The one that Jenny had failed to kill stared in anger at the body of his friend, who was bleeding, but staring glassy eyed into the sky. Stacey was clutching Tommy to her chest, who wailed in fear and confusion. Her second attacker was struggling under Luneira, whose blob form was suffocating him slowly.

  Joel didn’t hesitate as he finally arrived. The one in charge was his target. Joel wasn’t sure what his class was, but it didn’t matter.

  “Bash!”

  Joel’s shield flicked out, and the man snapped to attention.

  “Dodge!”

  Joel staggered slightly as the man shot back, out of reach. They both stood there, staring for a moment, before David snarled.

  “Tackle!”

  The brawny teen lunged for Joel’s target and, just like he’d done to Joel, he took the man to the ground. Just then, Jenny appeared before one of the two who was holding him. This one threw up an arm, catching her blade as she stabbed at his neck. He let out a piercing scream as she twisted and yanked it free, vanishing as his friend threw a useless punch. With them distracted, Joel turned to David and his opponent. The teen was scrappy, but once again failing to take him out as his opponent got the upper hand and flipped the two of them over.

  That gave Joel a clear opening. The sword hummed as it swung. David let out a shout of shock as the blade hacked into the man’s chest. Joel didn’t put a lot of strength into it. Just enough to sink the hammer shaped head into the man’s chest, before yanking back, pulling his dying target off the teen in the process. Joel dumped the bleeding and dying man on the ground and turned to the last two who were fending off Luneira.

  “We surrender!” the injured one threw up his hands.

  “That’s nice,” Joel snarled as he stomped forward.

  Chapter Five

  “So we can leave?”

  Joel rolled his eye. “For the last time, yes. Just don’t ask me to help you back over the fence. Jesus fucking christ⁠—”

  “Joel!” Marlene snapped.

  Joel sighed as he looked over the group. Stacey, David and little Tommy. They were looking at him like he might just rip their heads off. Considering what they’d witnessed him do, though… they weren’t far off. The only one who hadn’t come was the old man with the guns. He was kinda cagey, though mentioned he might swing by to check on things.

  “Sorry,” Joel said as he turned away. “Just sick of sticking my neck out for people and being treated like a fucking monster for it.”

  “Look, he’s really a nice guy,” Timothy chimed in.

  Joel ignored the rest of the conversation. Luneira and Jenny stuck close as Joel made for home. It was getting late, and that meant everyone would cluster around for an evening meal. Somebody came up with the great idea of eating communally. That gave everyone a chance to be in the same place at once. What it quickly turned into was a chance for people to ask Joel a bunch of dumb questions.

  Which fence to pull down? Can we knock down a wall in a house? Would it be better to grow celery or carrots in this spot?

  Most of it, Joel couldn’t care less, even if he tried. The rest he simply didn’t know. How he’d ended up the de facto leader of this group he didn’t know. What he did know was none of this day-to-day shit mattered. Because as soon as everyone went to sleep, there was a whole new world out there. One where he was needed. Where it actually mattered.

  “You look grumpy,” Jess said as he walked through the front door. “You were in a far better mood when you left.”

  “That was before I had to kill a bunch of people,” Joel said and sighed deeply. Exhaustion covered his face.

  Jess frowned. “In… the real world?”

  Joel nodded. “Those kids we found. When we got back, someone else had them. And now they don’t.”

  “Are they okay?” Jess asked.

  Joel nodded and shrugged. “Physically, at least. Marlene patched them up. David was getting a beating. I don’t want to think what they were gonna do to Stacey.”

  “She’s—”

  “Young,” Joel asserted and nodded as he angrily tensed his hands. “They surrendered.”