Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(155)

I don’t return the sentiment, not that I don’t feel the same. It’s just that I’ve never said anything like that to any guy before, and I’m not about to start. It’s too foreign and I don’t want to give him the impression that I want a relationship.

“You’ve got very bad timing,” I whine after he pushes my body against the wall and squeezes my ass.

“What do you mean?” he questions, not wanting to let go of my mouth.

I pull away and offer a look. A please don’t make me say it out loud look.

“You’re kidding me?” he replies, catching the hint. “It hasn’t been that long . . . has it?”

“Unfortunately . . . yes,” I regrettably confirm.

He kisses me again before saying, “I don’t care if you don’t.”

“I do,” I profess, stopping a kiss.

We don’t say anything for a minute as we hold each other.

“I could help . . . .”

“No! Out of the question,” he protests before I finish.

His response is definitely not what I was expecting. My brows furrowing at him and are my only best reply.

I’ve never offered or thought about helping a man get off before, especially since every man I’ve been with has left me high and dry, having to finish the job myself. There were one or two guys I hooked up with in the beginning where I did, but then I would be left unsatisfied. I’m not sure why I’m offering now, but I do feel a little bad.

“What?” he asks seeing my express.

“Nothing . . . I’ve just never had or heard of a guy refuse to at least get his own needs taken care of . . .” I explain.

“I’m not getting any until you are, which will be at the same time,” he sternly declares.

I wince and he notices.

“What?”

“Does masturbation count?” I shyly question.

“No,” he chuckles. “I’d have some serious cases of blue balls if I wasn’t.”

I sigh with relief and giggle at him for actually saying blue balls.

“We’re on the same page about that, beautiful. Don’t you worry,” he sweetly comments.

“I guess you should just take me home then,” I mention.

“Why? Do you want to go home?” he says full of concern.

“No . . . I . . . um,” I giggle nervously, not sure what to say.

“I want you to stay regardless,” he states, sealing his words with a steamy kiss.

“No one is here?” I check.

“Just you, me and Sadie,” he confirms.

“Not even Anna?”

“Not even Anna.”

“Good,” I exhale returning my lips to his.

Joe offers me a tee shirt to sleep in and he and I snuggle into his bed with Sadie while we watch a movie. Joe ends up falling asleep before the movie is finished. I can’t sleep since it’s still early for me, so I get up to snoop around a little. Sadie stays with Joe, too tired to get up and join me.

“What are you looking for?” Joe says, startling me as I slip a book back into its spot on the bookcase in his office.


I find him leaning in the doorway. “Nothing? What are you doing awake?” I inquire, turning and propping my ass on the shallow edge of the bookcase.

Joe takes a few steps closer. “You weren’t there to keep me warm, so I woke up.” Joe catches a piece of his shirt I’m wearing and tugs at it for me to move closer.

“I’m not there with you any nights,” I rebut, sliding my hands onto his shoulders.

“Exactly . . . so I notice when you get up,” he informs before seeking a kiss. “How long have you been out here?”

“Probably . . . ten . . . fifteen . . . minutes,” I suggest in-between slow, erotic kisses.

“Mmmm . . . too long then,” he moans, scooping me up.

“I need a book,” I profess just as he turns to leave the office.

“You sure I can’t distract you with something else?”

“Yes,” I whine, not liking my own answer.

He gently lowers me to the ground and I hop over to find a book.

“I might be able to find one faster if you help me,” I tease.

“As tempting as that is, I’m enjoying the view from here,” he says with his sexy voice.

I bite my lip when I turn on my tip-toes to look at him.

“Keep that up and it will be my activity of choice as your only option,” he devilishly threatens.

I deliberately reach a little higher to the top shelf for a book to cause Joe’s shirt to slide up higher and just barely expose the bottom of my ass cheeks. I can hear Joe growl his disapproval of my actions.

“Found one,” I announce, slowly turning towards him. As I approach him, I deliberately brush my hand across his stomach.

“You’re asking for it,” Joe announces as he scoops me into his arms.

Back in his room, Joe settles us into his bed. Between Sadie and Joe’s hot body, it doesn’t take more than ten pages for my eyes to droop. At some point, I feel a shift in the bed and wake just enough to feel Joe sliding the book from my hands and covering me with the blanket.

“Emma?”

“Hmmm.”

“Goodnight, beautiful.” I feel his lips on my temple.