Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(161)

“How long are you going to be mad at us?” asks Nathan right in front of everyone a few bites into our entrees.

I refrain from making eye contact with him. Everyone at the table goes silent.

“They know I’m talking to you, Emma,” Nathan announces.

I lean over and whisper something to Maggie.

She gasps, “I’m not saying that.”

I give her a stern, pleading look.

“I can’t, Emma,” she says, fidgeting.

“What?” Henry asks. He leans over to hear Maggie. Henry’s eyes dart to me and then Nathan before he looks back at Maggie.

I tap Maggie’s leg.

“I’m not addressing that matter now. Later, between just the two of you, I will. Now, both of you stop fighting and let's have a wonderful night,” she sweetly commands.

It takes a few minutes before conversations strike back up again. Thankfully, Jimmy and Allen always know how to do it gracefully until they bring up the topic of the premier.

“That is not a topic for tonight,” Maggie instructs everyone at the table.

A hush falls across the table.

“Shit, Emma. I’m sorry. I really am sorry,” Nathan honestly apologizes.

He clearly knows what I said to Maggie by her remark.

My eye catches something across the room behind Nathan and Jared after I make eye contact with Nathan — something cute — something yummy. The kitten and the itch have returned. I quickly look away not wanting anyone to see. Both Jared and Nathan look over their shoulders and return with smirks.

I continue eating, but my eyes continue to glance beyond Jared and Nathan on occasion.

“I dare you to go talk to him,” Nathan jabs.

A smirk curls in the corner of my mouth. I say nothing.

“Who?” Maggie inspects.

“I double dog dare you,” Nathan presses. “And if you do, I’ll never tease you again. Ever.”

My smirk creeps over to the other side of my mouth as I consider the challenge. It’s not really a challenge at all, but I could use this to my benefit. My eyebrow lifts to Nathan’s statement to bait him. This just might be the opportunity to get both him and Jared off my back about Joe.

“I triple dog dare you,” Nathan adds with a gloating smile.

You won’t be the one gloating for much longer Nathan.

“What’s happening?” Jimmy inquires.

“What are you daring her to do?” Maggie searches.

“She knows what he’s daring her to do,” Jared replies, watching me intently.

I look to all of the faces at my table staring back at me. The majority of them don’t have a clue. This is going to be good. I lower my fork. Gulp down the rest of my wine. Wipe my mouth and kiss Maggie on the cheek before I stand up. “Ever?” I state more than really question.

“Ever!” Nathan repeats.

“Where are you going?” Maggie asks as I start to walk away.

I kiss Amy and Kim on the cheek as well and I head off without a word. I don’t look back. I continue forward in my pursuit.

“Hi,” I offer with a dazzling smile to a handsome man sitting at the far end of the bar.

“Hello, gorgeous,” he returns.

His mocha latte skin shimmers in the light, accenting his pearl white teeth and chocolate brown eyes. He closely resembles the television star Michael Trevino who would make any woman’s panties drop.

“Is this seat taken?” I ask in a flirtatious tone.

“Not at all, my dear,” he says, standing up to pull the seat out for me.

“Is this your first time here?” I inquire.

“Sedona, no. At this resort, yes,” he replies with a gleam in his eye, returning to his seat. “I’m Javier.” He extends his hand forward.

Placing my hand in his, I offer, “Emma.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Emma.” Javier lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses it.

“The pleasure is all mine.” I take out a pen from my purse and jot down a little note for Javier on a napkin. Once he’s finished reading it, we exchange a few glances. I place my hand on his knee to finalize what’s about to happen.

Javier covers my hand with his and slides it up a few inches. His eyes scan the room behind me and I know he sees my friends watching.

“Would you like to go somewhere a little more quiet,” I say seductively followed by a wink. “To chat, of course.”

Javier eagerly jumps to his feet and assists me off of my chair. “Shall I order us a bottle for the room?”

“Why not,” I giggle, stepping into him.

Javier instantly places his hand on my hip and dips it just a little low where his fingers extend to the top of my ass. I press my body into him as I glance over my shoulder with a wicked grin to see who of my friends are watching. The entire table are watching me, especially Joe.


When the bottle of wine is delivered to his room, Javier answers the door with his shirt off, his belt undone and barefoot. “There were a couple of men out there snooping,” he informs me after closing the door.

I can’t help but gloat with a wicked grin as I unzip my dress and it drops to the floor.

Two hours later, Javier and I exchange a heated kiss just outside his room, just in case anyone is watching. I make my way to my cottage, doubting that any of my friends are still in the dining room or lobby waiting for me.