Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(166)



“Good.”

“Do you plan on telling them?”

“After the premier,” I admit.

“I’m curious to see how they react.”

“Me too. Maggie knows,” I confess.

“She might tell them,” he confronts.

“No. She won’t. I didn’t give her any information. She just knows he’s gay,” I say confidently.

“They might try to get it out of Henry.”

“She’s not allowed to tell Henry.”

“How did you manage that? I know they tell each other everything.”

“She tried using the husband and wife code of trust thing . . . I told her they aren’t married yet. Besides, by the time they are, she won’t remember to tell him. She’ll be so wrapped up with the honeymoon and everything,” I explain.

“True.”

Neither of us say anything for a moment and I catch him yawning. “I should let you sleep,” I suggest.

“No. No. I’m fine,” he contends. “So how is B.O.B. doing?”

“Don’t know. I haven’t revived him from the other night,” I giggle.

“I can take over duties if B.O.B doesn’t mind . . .” he delivers devilishly in the sexy voice I enjoy so much.

My vagina tingles at the thought. I feel my face reddening and I’m not sure what to say.

Joe laughs. It must be at my expression.

“Even if I did agree, I would say you look too tired,” I tease.

“Not for that,” he opposes.

I can’t help but laugh. I think that’s a knee-jerk reaction for men. I’ve heard Jared and Nathan say it a few times.

“We should get some sleep,” I suggest.

“Yeah . . . .”

“Goodnight, Joe,” I bid.

“Goodnight, beautiful. Sweet dreams.”





Forty Two


Back in Pasadena, I’m busy from sunup to well past sundown every day through Wednesday with business and final wedding preparations. Wednesday afternoon finds me down at the St. Regis with most of the main wedding party, even though the wedding isn’t scheduled until early Saturday afternoon.

Thursday morning, we’re greeting friends and family of both the bride and groom as they start to filter into the hotel. Amelia and I are going over last minute details with Maggie and Amelia’s assistant, Barbara, before we attend several meals and activities that are scheduled with some of the key guests whom Mrs. Wú wants to introduce to Henry and Maggie. I’m not really required to speak, but I’m there for moral support and assistance if needed. As best man, Joe attends as well, but we hardly get a chance to speak with each other, even during dinner and late into the evening.


By the time we are no longer needed, Joe and I head back to our suites by around eleven. Oddly enough, Joe’s room is right across from mine. I take a long bath, and for as horny as I am, I’m unable to muster the energy to masturbate. I’m mentally and physically tired and hope that the bath will encourage sleep to come quickly.

My heart saddens when I remember that Sadie is not with me when I get out of the tub. There’s no way I’d be able to take care of her and all of my responsibilities with the wedding. I’ve spent a night or two away from her in the past, but this weekend is different. The stress of being perfect, saying the right things and acting perfect has my body wound like a top. Anna agreed to take care of her for the long weekend, so knowing that Sadie is in good hands takes a small bit of stress away.

Unable to fall asleep, I tiptoe across the hotel hall with my phone and room key in hand. Within five seconds of tapping on the door, it swings open. I see a tired, half naked Joe standing in front of me. Joe takes me by the hand and leads me into his room without a word. He puts on a shirt before joining me in his bed. We lay silently as Joe spoons me and lightly brushes his fingers up and down my left arm that rests above the covers. Even in the dark, my eyes stay open, barely blinking as I miss Sadie and go over in my head what to say for my toast for Saturday.

“Hmmm?” I inquire, realizing Joe said something in my ear, but my thoughts were too hectic and drowned him out.

“Missing Sadie?”

“Yeah . . . .”

He tightens his arms around me and my body softens when his lips caress my neck. My mind calms while his sweet breath dances over my shoulder several times. Suddenly, my eyes feel heavy like they are being pulled down by weights.

“Goodnight, beautiful.”

“Goodnight, Joe,” I purr.





Forty Three


I wake to Joe’s fingers gently stroking my face. “Emma . . . .”

“Hmmmm?” I keep my eyes closed.

“I know you’re tired . . .” he comments.

“Then, stop trying to wake me,” I complain in a groggy voice.

Joe’s lips sweetly taste mine, like he's carefully licking every drop of ice cream before it runs down a cone. “It’s time to get up,” he instructs.

I groan my protest as I roll more into his hot body and take his mouth with mine like I’m devouring the rest of the ice cream.

He chuckles as he pulls away from me. “If you want to make it to your room safely, without being noticed, you’ll need to get up.”

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