Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(132)
I find my hands sliding up his hot, muscular chest and my fingers lock behind his neck. Unable to control my urges, I deliver my lips to his. Joe molds his mouth to mine, following my lead as our lips and tongues unite to dance as one. We both refrain from allowing our true needs to surface; our need for more.
Joe breaks contact first and I desperately seek more, chasing his mouth. Like an unspoken knowing, we remain touching, not wanting to let go.
Trying to redirect our attention, Joe says, “So this is your bedroom, huh?”
“Yeah,” I confirm with my voice a little shaky. “You shouldn’t be in here.”
“Why not?” he teases.
“Another step closer to breaking a rule,” I blurt.
Shit. I can’t believe I just said that.
After a breathy chuckle, Joe continues, “Another step closer, huh? We’ve already broken a few.”
“Exactly,” I concur, hinting that I don’t want to check anymore off the list.
“We’ll, we better leave, or else we’ll never get out of this room,” he suggestively infers.
“Only in your dreams,” I goad.
I can’t help but be flattered by his forwardness. It’s strangely not bothering me me as much.
I’ve never had a man pursue me this intensely before without it feeling creepy, and I’ve never desired a man with such severity. I’m enjoying this game of chase we’ve started and I’m guessing he does too. It has come to light in this very moment, that it’s not simply the matter of will I surrender to the temptation of the forbidden fruit, but a matter of when. Does Joe know? Has he known this all along? Have I?
“Already have, beautiful,” he entices. “If you only knew.”
Heat engulfs my cheeks and spreads throughout my body like a wildfire. I turn my face away trying to hide. Joe laughs heartily before kissing me on my temple and then leads me out into the living room.
Joe, Sadie and I head down to the garage where he parked.
“Since when did you get a Tesla?” I inquire as Joe opens the door.
“Since recently,” he admits. “I liked Jared’s and Nathan’s since meeting you guys at the beach.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head as I get in. “What happened to the Audi and Phantom?” I ask as Joe climbs behind the driver seat.
With a wicked smile, he confirms, “I still have the Phantom, but I got rid of the Audi.”
“Boys and their toys,” I muse.
“My parents are excited to meet you today.” Joe changes the subject abruptly as his eyes shift from a strange glare at my legs and sprint to my face.
I can feel all of the color drain from my entire body.
“What’s wrong?” he inquires with concern in his voice.
“Huh? Nothing,” I lie. “I didn’t realize that they would come all the way out here just for an engagement party.”
“Our families have been doing business together the last few years aside from the fact that Henry is like another brother to me,” he explains.
“I know,” I mention, fidgeting with my purse.
I wasn’t expecting to meet them this soon. I thought I’d meet them briefly at the wedding. This is all weird and awkward for me.
Anna greets Joe, Sadie and me in the middle of the hallway when we arrive. She takes Sadie’s bag of food and toys from Joe and informs us that Mr. and Mrs. Covelli are finishing getting ready while Jimmy and Allen are waiting in the living room.
“Emma, you’re here!” Jimmy shouts full of excitement, jumping up from his chair. “I’ve missed you, sweetie!”
Both Jimmy and Allen lightly encase me in a joint hug.
“Don’t get her dress all messed up, babe,” Allen scolds.
“I’m not,” Jimmy rebuts.
“We just saw each other at Jared’s birthday party,” I remind.
“A lot can happen in just two days,” Jimmy instructs. “And, I must commend you. That was a fabulous party!”
“Thanks,” I accept graciously. “But, Nathan helped a lot since I’ve been busy with wedding duties.”
“Is Pop-Pop coming today?” Allen asks while greeting Sadie.
“Yes,” I confirm.
“Great. It’ll be so nice to see him again,” he replies with enthusiasm.
“What took you so long to get here? What were you two doing?” Jimmy presses, insinuating more than I would be willing to explain, even if something did happen. He bends down, taking his turn to greet Sadie.
“What are you talking about?” I calmly feign ignorance to his stipulations.
“Joe left like a half hour ago. It doesn’t take thirty minutes to drive a half mile and back,” Jimmy continues.
“Now James, leave the lovely lady alone,” a charismatic woman’s voice chides from behind me. “It’s none of your business of what she and your brother may be doing.”
“Yes, Mom,” Jimmy concedes without hesitation.
Spinning around, my eyes fall upon a stunning, dark-haired woman who makes me feel like I’m meeting an older Audrey Hepburn, if Audrey Hepburn was still alive. Her striking resemblance to Audrey is uncanny and wasn’t noticed in the photos I’ve seen around Joe’s penthouse.
“Emma, this is my mother Elaine Covelli,” Joe introduces.