Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(131)
Later in the night, Pop-Pop and I share with Jared and the rest of the family the whole story of how Pop-Pop came to be here at the party. Jared apologized to Joe for not including him when thanking Nathan, Maggie and me, but Joe was a gentleman about it.
Everyone stays until the place closes, except Maggie’s family. Thankfully, all of our guests graciously leave as the staff politely leads the way out.
Pop-Pop is a trooper and stays up until our time in the restaurant comes to a close. Joe and I walk Pop-Pop back to his room, and when we get there, Nathan comes out the room across the hall and reveals that the hotel arranged for him and Jared to be near Pop-Pop, allowing their conversations to easily continue into the night.
Joe takes me home, but we stop by his place first to get Sadie. We find Sadie and Anna asleep on the couch when we get in. Jimmy and Allen aren’t back yet, which means they’re still out partying or with my friends.
Sweeping me into him for a kiss after Anna leaves, Joe requests, “Stay the night.”
“No,” I hesitantly disagree.
“Why not?” he questions, kissing me before I can answer.
“Jimmy and Allen are here,” I present.
“Not yet,” he disputes, then tries to seduce me more with his tongue.
“Soon enough,” I battle in between breaths from our mouths being connected. “Beside, even if I considered it, they’d see me in the morning and I have nothing to wear.”
“You won’t need clothes,” he states, barely letting go of my lips.
“Exactly. Which supports my refusal.”
“I’ll lend you a shirt,” he offers.
Pecking him on the lips, I repeat myself. “No.”
“Then, can I come over to your place?” he questions with the sexy voice.
Joe is starting to become more forward which is turning me on and also heightening my resolve to follow my rules. I can’t break my rules — not any more.
“No,” I say a few seconds later after saying it in my head first.
“What if I promise to behave?” he searches.
“Definitely not,” I reply.
Joe huffs into my neck and groans at his failure to sway me.
Dropping Sadie and me off at the apartment, Joe tries to persuade me into letting him come inside. I contend with the notion that if he did stay that our friends would assume we are sleeping together. After some time kissing in the doorway, Joe reluctantly heads home.
“Goodnight, beautiful,” he sings, rounding the corner to the elevators.
“Goodnight, Joe.”
Thirty Four
Thursday and Friday, I close myself off from distractions to focus on business. I spend the majority of the days working on the new Raven software and some Naturally Me content. I’m glad I chose to stay away from people to work because half of the time I am inundated with phone calls or text messages for both personal and business reasons.
Maggie is mostly calling about wedding stuff and asks me to tell Jared that Pop-Pop is invited to the engagement party. I only get to speak with Jared briefly, but I don’t mind, knowing he’s with his grandfather. Amy is calling to give me updates on the information gathering she was doing for me about Maggie’s bridal party. Nathan is calling about Nathaniel’s. Henry is beginning to panic a little between Maggie, her family and his family and I think he is seeking calm reassurance from me that everything is being taken care of. Joe — well, let’s just say that Joe is Joe.
Early Saturday afternoon, I’m finishing getting ready for the engagement party as my phone chirps from a text message.
“Here,” Joe writes.
Like clockwork, Joe is fifteen minutes early.
“It’s open,” I text back before heading into my closest to get my earrings and shoes.
In many traditions, it’s not customary for anyone else to wear white other than the bride-to-be, but this is a Chinese wedding mixed with many Western traditions. I’m wearing a pure white silk, gently ruched sheath dress that stops at my knees with angular, abbreviated cap sleeves. To wear a hint of red for good luck, I’m wearing my ruby earrings and shimmering red Valentino heels.
“Emma,” Joe’s faint voice calls from the doorway.
“In here,” I shout, holding the molding between my bedroom and walk-in closet, slipping on my right shoe. Just as I’m getting my left foot into its shoe, I see Joe standing in the doorway of my bedroom.
“Wow!” he exclaims with wide eyes and a dropped jaw.
My gaze gradually trails up and down Joe’s body two times while I remain slightly bent. I’ve never seen Joe wear a suit minus the jacket and have a vest on instead. Boy does he look scrumptious. Visions of ripping off his clothes seduce my mind and I gladly let them delight my sex until I realize that Joe is standing a foot away from me. What is he doing in my bedroom?
Joe carefully slides each of his hands onto my waist, but doesn’t move to kiss me. He just stands watching me, like he’s waiting for something.
“What are you doing in my bedroom?” I search.
“You said you were in here,” he answers with a provocative smile.
“That wasn’t an invitation,” I explain in a flirtatious tone.
Why am I trying to be sexy?
“My mistake,” he seduces, tightening his grip and pulling me closer.