Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(102)

“Yes, but I do have morals when it comes to kissing a woman who avoids kissing me when she’s sober and plants several on me when she’s as drunk as you were last night,” he replies.

“I wasn’t that drunk.”

I know I was, but I’m trying to downplay it.

“You were drunk enough not to remember.”

“Did anyone else see us kiss?”

“No.”

“Then, I didn’t kiss you and you have no proof,” I declare.


He laughs, curling into me. “Deny it all you want, beautiful. I was sober and I know what happened.”

I play with Sadie as Joe snuggles into me. Despite my sexual desire for him, my rules must not be broken. Fear of what could or may happen are just not an option, not after last night. I’ve got to be more careful.

My brain plays over all of the details that I can remember from yesterday. There are still too many foggy pieces. I don’t trust that Joe will give me honest answers, or, he just might give me truthful answers that I don’t want to hear. I’m not sure what to think.

“I like this,” he mentions.

“What?” I say confused by his statement since my attention has been elsewhere.

“Snuggling with you,” he admits. “Can we do this every night?”

“No,” I object.

As much as I enjoy snuggling with him, this cannot become a regular habit. I’ve been rationalizing it like I’m snuggling with Jared or Nathan, but that’s not holding up well at all.

“Why not?”

“Because . . . I have rules and snuggling will just lead you on,” I protest.

“Is snuggling one of your rules?”

“I thought you had sources who told you my rules,” I sarcastically comment.

“I just wanted to see if you added any new ones,” he teases.

His statement doesn’t reveal whether or not he knows them.

“Why?”

“Because, if snuggling and kissing aren’t on the list, then you shouldn’t have a challenge doing either with me.

“They’re definitely going on the list,” I goad.

Without warning, Joe grabs my face and plants a deep, passionate kiss on my lips. I mildly protest as I secretly enjoy it. Joe breaks for a breath, giving me enough time to shift my head and stare at him in astonishment.

“What was that?” I search.

“Figured I should at least get one in if I might have to work extra hard to get them back off the list.”

“I told you . . . just friends,” I demand.

I’m secretly flattered by his bold move and chide myself for the dirty thoughts stirring inside.

“I would believe you, except the kiss you gave me last night says otherwise,” he announces.

Sadie presses herself between us, indicating that she’s getting restless and hungry. I’m able to slip out of the bed on the other side before venturing into the kitchenette to prep Sadie’s food. Joe follows us and has trouble making eye contact. Looking down, I know why with my tiny pajamas. After gulping down some clay, I rinse out the glasses while Joe nuzzles into my neck.

“What are you doing?”

“Sneaking in every opportunity I can,” he explains.

It takes all the control I have not to give in.

“I told you we can only be friends.”

“The kiss you gave me last night suggested you want to be more than friends.” Joe leans towards me like he’s about to kiss me.

Pulling my head back, I state, “You mean the kiss you stopped last night?”

For the first time, Joe is rendered speechless.

“I need to take Sadie out.”

Joe and I shower and change, separately of course, and then take Sadie out for a walk on the beach by six-thirty. Except for the hotel staff and a few locals, the resort and beach are empty. Everyone must still be sleeping.

By about seven, the three of us go to eat breakfast in one of the hotel restaurants. We relax in the patio dining area in the shade where there is only one other table occupied by guests, an elderly couple, who on their way out, stop to tell us that we make a lovely couple. The husband notices the lack of a ring on my finger and lectures Joe about sealing the deal when it comes to love. Yes, he uses the word love. I inform the gentleman that we are just friends and explain my lack of interest. He teases Joe that he must be doing something wrong if I’m not interested and he adds that he and his wife were friends before they got married and remain best friends. They’ve been happy for over forty years.

Back at our suite, I lounge in the sun while reading a book. Joe lays on the same couch in the opposite direction causing our legs to overlap. Sadie lays on the cool tile to my right and is close enough for my dropped arm to scratch her side.

Some time later, I wake in my room with Sadie on my left and Joe on my right. I must have fallen asleep in the sun and he brought me in. While scratching Sadie behind the ears, I study Joe’s sleeping body. His right leg is draped over mine with his right hand cupping my waist just under the ridge of my shirt and his face is buried in the crook of my neck. It’s much easier to snuggle with Joe when he’s sleeping. There’s a sense of innocence to him when he’s resting.


I slip quietly out of the bed without disturbing Joe to use the restroom. Voices in the living room area catch my attention and I check to see who’s awake.