Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(107)
Twenty Five
Waking up to a cool morning Spring breeze with the sweet scent of salt water is one of my favorite things. Rolling over, I notice that I’m completely alone in the room. Sounds coming from the patio draw my attention; I see Joe talking on the phone. I’ve seen Joe engage in this behavior quite a few times over the past three months, so I know it’s a business call. He’s had them on Saturdays and Sundays on occasion. Joe is casually pacing in the grass, stopping to pick up the ball and toss it for Sadie when she brings it over. I glance at the clock and notice it’s just after six our time, which makes it nine in California and twelve on the East Coast. There are all types of possibilities to whom he’s speaking with.
Joe and Sadie pop in on me in the kitchenette just as I finish preparing Sadie’s breakfast and two glasses of clay. “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Morning,” I reply, drying my hands and then petting Sadie.
Finishing his drink first, Joe picks up Sadie’s empty bowl and places it in the sink with his glass. Before I finish swallowing the last gulp, Joe sandwiches my body between his and the counter. He takes the glass from my hand, places it in the sink, and delivers a tender kiss that mirrors one we shared last night. I indulge him and reciprocate before removing my lips.
My phone chirps, interrupting Joe’s attempt for a third smooch. Checking the screen, I see that Jared texted.
He wrote, “We’re up . . . sort of. What time do we need to head out?”
“Within the next hour and a half. Let me know when you are ready to eat,” I reply.
“Sure thing, Kitten,” he answers, followed by a winking emoticon face and a heart.
Once in the shower, I realize that locking my bedroom door was pointless since both sliding glass doors are wide open. Good thing I at least locked the bathroom door since I decide to indulge myself with masturbation.
Joe and I meet up with Jared and Nathan by six forty-five for breakfast. By seven-twenty, we get in our designated car from the valet and head to the Northwestern shores of Maui for zip-lining. With bathing suits on and extra clothes packed, we embark on a four and a half hour long nine-line tour. We marvel at the beauty of the valleys and sugar cane fields that lead to the first line as our guides offer insight on the stunning Hawaiian landscape and culture. We travel along the double lines, racing each other as we zoom past the Pacific Ocean, follow the trail to the natural pool for a zip-line splash and swim, and get to see the spectacular West Maui Mountains.
In the afternoon, Jimmy and Allen join Joe and me on a helicopter tour over the entire island. Being back in the air strangely didn’t bother me when we took off. Soaring above the land, I realize that there’s so much more to see and do in Maui. We only have all day tomorrow and Monday before we leave Tuesday morning, which is not enough time. I definitely need to come back again just to see the rest of this island and the rest of the land masses that make up all of Hawaii.
Getting back to the hotel, we find out that it’s just the four of us for dinner. Henry scheduled a romantic dinner for him and Maggie, and Jared scheduled a couples massage and a meal for two in the suite. Since we don’t need to rush and get ready, the four of us decide to take a short nap. Somehow Joe ends up in my bed with Sadie and me. He tries to kiss me again, but I skillfully avoid him. It’s not that I don’t want to kiss him. It’s the very fact that I want to that concerns me, especially after last night and this morning.
I’ve kissed a lot of men, far many more than I’ve had sex with. None of the men I’ve only kissed held my interest long enough for me to want to take it any further with them. After the first kiss or two, a girl knows more about a guy than he realizes. The way he treats your mouth is a key indicator of his ability in bed. All of those whom I have had sex with were never able to satisfy me with an orgasm on their own — even the good kissers. I’d either have to rub myself with him inside of me, which many get offended by, or I’d just take care of myself at home. If Maggie was around, we’d take care of each other. I would say that there is a distinct home court advantage for women with other women.
The challenge I’m having with Joe is that I want to kiss him, which is odd because I’ve never wanted to keep kissing a man. Every time he kisses me, or I think about kissing him, my body wants more. I’ve tried going out to pick up a guy on my own since going to Ayana’s with my friends, but none of the men are appealing to me. It’s like my body doesn’t want any other man until I test-drive Joe.
I’m not sure what I should do. I’ve tried to avoid him in the past and it just made it more difficult. Maybe if I give in, let him kiss me, I’ll eventually get bored and my desire will go away. Fingers crossed.
The first awake from our nap out of the three bodies on the bed, and seeing the sunset on the horizon, I check the time on the clock. It’s almost six. I’d get up, but my body is encased by Joe’s. Rotating into him, I watch him rest for a few minutes before trailing my fingers through his hair.
“Hey, beautiful,” his husky voice delivers.
“Hey.”
“Did we oversleep?”
“I think so,” I confess. “It’s almost six.”
“Wow. Really?”
“Yeah,” I confirm. “I need to feed Sadie. You should see if Jimmy and Allen are up.”