The Bookshelf

The box had been sitting in the middle of the living room for three days, like a dare neither of them wanted to accept anymore.

“It’s just a bookshelf,” Lila said, arms folded, though the line of her body suggested more restlessness than confidence as she stared at the diagram.

“It’s not just a bookshelf,” Maren said from the floor, brushing blonde hair back from her face, only for it to fall loose again. “It’s… a mistake.”

The diagram, thin black lines and no words, suggested confidence neither of them possessed. Step three alone seemed to contradict step one.

Lila exhaled, shifting her weight, her curves pressing subtly against the edge of the couch as she leaned forward. “We should’ve just paid for assembly.”

Maren glanced up, blonde strands falling loose around her face and over her shoulders. “Fine,” she said. “But if he’s weird, we’re sending him right back out the door.”

Twenty minutes later, the app chimed: "Ryan is on the way." He'd be there in twelve minutes.

Lila looked over Maren’s shoulder to see Ryan’s profile picture. The picture was small, but she could tell he was around their age. 

Neither of them said anything, but Lila adjusted her top without thinking. Maren retied her hair, then let it fall again.

Lila’s strawberry blonde hair fell in soft, messy waves around her shoulders, still a little undone from her shift. She hadn’t changed, just came home and dropped her stuff, so she was still in her bar clothes. Tight top, low enough to do its job, and yeah, she wore a push-up bra. She always did for work. Tips were better when she did, and she’d figured that out a long time ago. The fabric sat just right because of it, lifting, shaping, making it hard not to notice.

And the shorts… those were worse. Or better, depending on who you asked. Worn-in, cut high, riding up every time she moved or shifted her weight. She didn’t fidget much, but when she did, it was enough to draw attention without making it obvious she meant to. 

Maren looked completely different beside her—same level of revealing, honestly, just in a different way. Workout set, tight and clean, everything held close and exactly where it should be. No adjusting, no second-guessing. She just stood there like that was normal, like she hadn’t picked it on purpose, even though she absolutely had.

Both of them needed to get laid. Maren broke up with her boyfriend of two years, three months ago, and was debating downloading Tinder but kept putting it off. She didn’t want to deal with the fake conversations; she knew why she was there and wanted to get straight to the point. 

Lila was also in a bit of a dry spell. She had been clocking long hours at her job. She knew what she was signing up for when she accepted the job offer. Startups were notorious for long hours, but she didn’t realize how her personal life would take the brunt of the hit. 

Lila didn’t have time for a relationship, but she needed someone to help her de-stress. No strings, just sex. That was her dream. Lila hadn’t had a day off in way too long, but didn’t have the energy to find someone to go out with. 

Lila and Maren had been roommates since college, and this was the longest they’d gone without a man entering their house.

When the knock came, it cut clean through the room.

Maren opened the door, then paused.

She glanced back at Lila, a flush already rising in her cheeks, her smile tipping into something just a little devious. Yeah, she mouthed, we’re not sending him away. Then she stepped aside.

“Hi,” he said. “Assembly request?”

Up close, he was hard to ignore. His shirt fit just close enough to trace the shape of his chest and shoulders, stretching slightly when he moved.

“Yeah,” Maren said. “Please.”

Lila watched him openly, her gaze dragging once before settling back like she hadn’t done it at all. “If that’s even possible, we’re pretty sure this bookcase is cursed.”

He smiled slightly. “I’m sure I can handle it.”

He crouched, and the movement pulled his shirt tight across his back. 

“Ryan,” he said.

“Lila.”

“Maren.”

He nodded once and started working.

The shift was immediate. Where they had hesitated, he didn’t. His hands moved with certainty, fitting the pieces together like they’d always belonged that way.

Lila drifted closer without deciding to. “You make that look easy.”

“It is,” he said. “Once you stop forcing it.”

She leaned in a little more, close enough now to notice the heat coming off him. Heat clung to him now, clean soap and sweat mixing into something distracting. “We were definitely forcing it.”

Behind them, Maren stepped closer too. “And losing.”

“Yeah,” Lila said, softer now, a hint of a smile tugging at it. “Pretty badly.”

Ryan glanced up, just for a second. This time, he didn’t look away as quickly. His gaze moved between them, slower now, more deliberate.

“Most people do,” he said.

Maren let out a quiet breath, shifting her weight as she leaned in against the edge of the frame instead of standing back. “So this is your thing? Fixing other people’s mistakes?”

“Something like that,” Ryan smirked. 

“And you like it?” she pressed.

“I like seeing things come together.” Ryan didn’t break eye contact this time. He held it just a second too long, long enough to make Maren shift her weight, her breath catching before she looked away with a faint, almost surprised smile.

Lila noticed.

She tilted her head slightly, studying him now instead of the shelf. “You don’t mind coming into strangers’ houses?”

Ryan’s hands slowed, not stopping completely, but enough to give him away. He glanced up at her, then past her, letting his gaze move between them again before answering.

“Depends who I’m walking into,” he said.

Another beat. Longer this time.

His gaze moved between them again, slower now, no real attempt to hide it.

“Some people just need help with the instructions,” he said lightly. “Others…” his voice dipped slightly, “just need someone to take the pressure off.”

A faint shift in his expression, not quite a smile. And just like that, the air shifted.

The bookshelf began to take shape between them, and each added a piece, narrowing the space. Lila handed him a panel he hadn’t asked for. Their fingers met, not accidentally enough to ignore. This time, neither of them moved right away.

Her breath caught, just slightly.

“Thanks,” he said, quieter.

Maren saw it. Of course she did.

For a second, she almost stepped back, glancing toward the hallway like she might leave them

to it, like she suddenly had somewhere else to be.

“I should probably—”

“Hey,” Ryan cut in, easy, like it wasn’t a big deal. “Can you grab me that screwdriver?”

She paused.

Her eyes flicked to him, then to the toolbox, then to Lila.

Lila was already watching her, that same slow, wicked look. Why not?

Maren exhaled softly and stepped closer instead of away. She reached into the toolbox, her fingers brushing his as she handed it over, just long enough to register.

Ryan took it, finally looking up at her.

“I think this is a three-person job,” he said.

Maren’s eyes dipped for a second, then lifted again, slower now. They watched him work, occasionally handing him a piece of the bookshelf or a screw.

Then he reached for the final piece and pressed it into place. The panel slid in with a quiet, decisive click. Done.

He straightened slowly.

“Already?” Lila asked.

“I work fast, but can take my time when needed.”

Maren smiled, slow and deliberate. “We might need a second opinion.”

“On the shelf?”

Lila’s voice was steady now. “On the service.” 

Ryan looked at both of them, “Where’s it going?”

Maren glanced at Lila, then back at him. “We hadn’t decided.”

His eyes moved between them again, slower this time. “Bedroom?”

The word lingered.

Lila’s lips curved slightly. “Maybe.”

Ryan nodded once, like that settled something. He glanced back at the shelf, then at them again.

“It’s a decent size,” he said. A small pause. “Might take a little work to get it to fit right.”

“You’re very confident,” she said.

“I know what I’m doing,” Ryan smirked.

Lila’s smile flickered. “Do you now?”

Instead of answering, he stepped in closer, his hand settling at Lila’s waist, drawing her in that last inch. At the same time, his other hand found Maren’s hip, not hesitant, like he already knew she wasn’t stepping away.

The shift pulled a sharp breath from Lila, but she didn’t move back.

Ryan’s gaze moved between them, slower now, taking them both in. “You two looked a little wound up.”

Maren let out a soft breath, then a quiet laugh. Her hand slid up his arm, not tentative anymore, fingers curling slightly like she meant to keep them there.

Lila didn’t move back. “And you think you can fix that?”

“That’s what you hired me for, isn’t it?

His hand closed at Lila’s waist, firm, pulling her into him. She went with it without hesitation, her body fitting against his as she’d already decided. The contact pulled a sharp breath from her, her hands coming up to his sides, gripping instead of hovering.

Maren moved in at the same time, not waiting to be pulled. Her hand slid to the back of his neck, fingers threading into his hair, drawing him toward her. He turned just enough to meet her without letting Lila go, his other hand finding Maren’s hip, holding her there.

Lila pressed closer, her hands moving up his sides, feeling the tension under his shirt, the way he reacted to it. She leaned in, her voice low against him. “Still think you’ve got this under control?”

Ryan exhaled against her, a low sound this time. “Trying to.”

Maren’s grip tightened at the back of his neck, pulling him back toward her, not giving him time to reset. Her body stayed close to his, her other hand sliding down his arm, then back up again, like she couldn’t decide where to keep it.

Lila didn’t let him go either. She pulled him back toward her, her hands steady now, confident, keeping him right where she wanted him.

His hands moved with them, one firm at Lila’s waist, the other at Maren’s hip, holding both of them in place, adjusting as they shifted, not letting either drift away.

The movement picked up without anyone saying anything. Closer. Tighter.

Maren leaned in again, her breath warm against his skin, her hand still at his neck, keeping him there. Lila followed, her grip tightening at his side, her body pressed fully against him now.

“We have some other tasks for you, don’t we, Lila?” Maren purred.

“I think you’re going to be busy the rest of the afternoon,” Lila agreed.

Ryan took out his phone and toggled his availability off, “I’m all yours, ladies.” 

Maren and Lila were pressed against him, feeling the heat his body radiated. His pants twitched at the zipper. 

Maren leaned in to kiss Lila gently, asking for permission. Lila deepened the kiss and reached out to pinch her taut nipple as a response. Maren moaned as Ryan’s eyes began to dance with excitement and anticipation. 

Maren pulled away, winked at Ryan, and lowered to her knees. They heard him sharply breathe in as she began to unbuckle his belt and unzip his pants.

Lila put a finger under his chin and turned him towards her. She kissed him ravenously, her tongue exploring his mouth. He moaned into her as Maren grabbed the length of him in her hand and began pumping slowly. 

Ryan was just as big as Maren had hoped. She liked a thick cock, and Ryan had to be over seven inches long. Her mouth began to water as she lowered to her knees and took him as deep as he would. Ryan moaned loudly into Lila’s mouth. 

Maren felt him get harder, and the hint of salt told her she was doing a good job. He lightly pushed his hips forward so she could take him deeper. She gave him a few good pumps, then slowly pulled away, not wanting him to finish before she had her fun. 

She looked up at Lila, who was grinding into Ryan’s hand that had begun to wander. She could practically smell her arousal. Maren gently pushed Ryan’s hand away, replacing it with her own, and slowly began unbuttoning her shorts. She wanted to give Lila enough time to push her away, but she made more space between her and Ryan and opened her legs wider to give Maren the access she needed. 

While they had played around before after a drunken and lonely night, they’d never done anything like this sober. Maren wanted to make sure Lila was okay with it.

Maren slid down Lila’s tight shorts to find her thong already soaked. She knew that Lila needed this as much as she did. It had been way too long, and her toys just weren’t doing it for her as much these days, probably from overuse. 

As soon as Lila felt Maren begin to pull her pants off, she felt soaked. She sucked Ryan’s tongue with a new fierceness, wanting him deep in her throat. 

She shivered when Maren’s breath grazed her nakedness. Ryan stopped kissing Lila for a second, looking down and moaning, “Please lick her.”

Maren looked up at Lila and raised an eyebrow, asking for permission again.

“Please,” she breathed, leaning and pushing her hips forward in encouragement. 

Maren kissed under her belly button and worked her way lower, and lower, until she was at her smooth lips, which she knew had just been waxed a few days ago. Lila had perfectly shaped lips, neatly keeping all the other folds tucked in place. 

She licked Lila’s seam from front to back. Lila sucked in sharply, her nipples getting harder as goosebumps rose along her arms. 

Ryan watched as if he were in a trance, eyelids heavy and glazed over with lust. He reached out and started working on Lila's nipples as Maren broke the seal and licked Lila’s core, which was pulsing with desire so hard that it almost hurt. If she didn’t release soon, she felt like she’d scream or cry. 

Lila tasted sweet and salty, still somehow fresh despite a long shift at work. Maren grabbed her ass with both hands and started licking deeper, swirling her tongue over her perfect rosebud. Lila cried out, and her legs began to shake. Maren used one hand to steady her, then gently teased her entrance with her index finger. Lila pushed forward, seeking relief. She needed Ryan inside her, but didn’t want Maren to stop. 

Maren slowly inserted her index finger, plunging it in deep, reaching for that rough patch deep inside that she had felt on herself before, as Lila’s hips bucked forward. She knew she hit the mark when Lila shuddered. 

Ryan’s hand reached for his hard cock, he couldn’t resist, slowly pumping while Maren pleasured Lila. He had never seen anything hotter in his life. He paused in between, making sure he wasn’t pushing himself too close to the edge. He could reload quickly, but wanted to cum for the first time balls deep in one of them. 

“Maren, I’m so close. I just need…” She reached her hands down her breasts. Maren knew that she needed to be ridden hard. Maren had no intention of wasting this afternoon. They both better be too tired to walk by the time Ryan left. She hoped that Ryan was a multiple-round kind of guy. Based on his physique, she felt optimistic. 

“I know,” Maren whispered against her as she pulled her index finger out, making Lila whimper, and then grabbed Ryan’s cock, moving him behind Lila and handed him one of the condoms she had tucked into her pocket. Ryan’s eyes snapped into laser focus as he understood what Maren wanted. Thankfully, Ryan was tall. 

Maren went back to licking Lila, who was writhing with pleasure, which Maren knew was bordering on pain. She needed to come, was at the edge, and needed to be pushed over.

Ryan moved behind Lila, and Maren felt her spread wide and begin to shake uncontrollably as he fed his cock inch by inch into her tight pussy. Lila had left a dildo out before, so she knew she could handle how thick he was, but he was being gentle just in case. 

Maren stopped licking to watch Ryan ease into her. Maren felt her thighs getting wet. She was already throbbing, so she let her fingers work for a few seconds to release some of the buildup. 

Once Ryan was in all the way, he paused to make sure she was adjusted. Ryan’s eyes were practically rolling back into his head once he buried himself inside of her. Lila was moving, begging him to start thrusting or Maren to start licking again. She was stuck on the edge in blissful agony.

Maren looked up at Ryan and nodded. He began to move slowly, going in and out. Pulling out till just the tip of his fat cock kissed her opening, and then in one slow and smooth motion, going in as deep as he could. He gave her a few of these full and deep movements before pulling halfway out, gripping his hands on her hips, and gently moving in and out in micro movements. 

Lila gasped as he found her G-spot quicker than any of even her long-term partners had. As soon as he grazed it with his head, she felt her body go hot. He kept himself there with perfect self-control, stretching her walls as he worked that sensitive spot. 

Maren knew it was time. She lowered her lips back to Lila’s swollen pussy, which was dripping with desire. Maren started gently with wide circles, barely putting any pressure. She felt Ryan pick up his pace as well. Together, they kept a pace that left Lila panting and crying out as her climax started.

Maren heard her cries become louder and kept her fast pace steady, as Ryan started giving her full thrusts as hard as he could without moving her too much and making Maren lose contact. Lila felt like she was going to explode as Maren made tight circles around her clit and Ryan started giving her the hard and deep thrusts that she desperately needed but was too close to vocalize. 

She thought she hit her climax, but every one of Ryan’s strokes sent her higher and higher. Maren didn’t slow her licking, somehow knowing that she hadn’t peaked yet. Ryan drove into her harder and harder as Maren gripped her thighs, making sure she didn’t move too much. 

Lila felt like stars exploded from behind her eyes when she finally reached the final peak, Maren sucked the orgasm right from her, and Lila was cumming harder than she ever thought was possible. She hadn’t even dreamed she could be sucked and pounded at the same time. This was a level of pleasure she hadn’t reached before.

Maren knew when to slow her pace, being conscious of how sensitive she was, licking enough to keep the orgasm going as Ryan gave the deep strokes that made her ache with pleasure. He filled up every inch of her, and just when she was sure he was already in, he went further, another inch, until she felt his smooth balls graze her ass cheeks. 

Ryan was at his limit and needed to cum. Maren reached underneath and cupped his balls, giving him a light squeeze and putting firm pressure on the delicate spot between his balls and asshole that sent him immediately over the edge. He shuddered and groaned as he came. How Maren knew where to press was beyond him. When she put the pressure on that area, he felt something within him light up, and he shot a bigger load than he ever had before. When he pulled out of Lila, the condom was filled with more seed than he’d seen before. 

Lila’s legs were trembling, and Ryan was sweating as Maren looked up at them with a devilish grin. 

“Maren, get on all fours, you’re next,” Lila said with a shaky breath. Ryan had already started to get hard again. He grabbed his water and chugged half the bottle. 

“I’m down for another round. Where do you want me this time?” Ryan asked, matching her grin. 

Maren bent down and spread her cheeks so they could see how wet she was. The juices from her pussy had pooled on her asshole.

“Somebody needs to clean me up first,” she said innocently.

“Ryan walked behind her and dropped to his knees, licking her from the front to the back, then gently started to swirl his thumb around her asshole. 

She pushed back so it went all the way in and moaned.

“It’s your turn, Maren,” Lila purred.