Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(169)
“Okay.”
I turn on some music and let four songs play before I hop out of the tub. My feet still ache, but they’re much better between Jared rubbing them earlier and now the bath. Not wanting to dress too cute or sexy, I put on a light grey fitted v-neck, a pair of underwear and three-quarter length black, cotton sweats. I curl my hair into a bun and wrap my hair tie around it twice. I brush my teeth, use my mineral salt deodorant, and add some coconut oil to all my exposed skin.
Even though I know he’s leaving the door propped open with the security bar, I text Joe as a heads up. I don’t know what I could walk in on and want to make sure no one else is in there before I just pop over. Once I know the hallway is clear, I tap on his door before pushing it open.
“Come on in,” he says in a loud whisper.
Closing the door behind me, I turn to see Joe sitting on his bed with a book. “Hey,” I greet.
“Hey,” he returns, putting his book down on the nightstand. He stands up when I get close to the bed and pulls me into him. He doesn’t kiss me right away, he just looks at me.
“What?”
“Nothing,” he assures grazing his fingers along my cheek before they slide to the nape of my neck as his mouth moves in to welcome me.
I eagerly accept his lips, sliding my hands to his waist and pulling him further into my body. I moan with each slow, seductive kiss. Some of the tension in my body relaxes, stirring the kitten inside from slumber. I growl when he takes his lips away from mine.
With a chuckle, Joe says, “Come on.”
He takes my hand and leads me to the bed. We curl up before looking for something to distract us on the television. Once we settle on an action movie, Joe’s strong hands tenderly massage my neck and shoulders. My body instantly surrenders to his touch. After some time, long enough for me to drift in and out of consciousness, I wake to his hands stopping. Joe laughs when I moan my objection. I groan louder when he gets out of the bed.
“I’ll be right back,” he comforts. He disappears into the bathroom for a minute.
When I hear the door open, I jump up to take my turn. Joe delivers a glorious kiss before letting me pass. Returning to the bed after relieving myself, I give Joe a quizzical look when he’s not in the same spot as before. Without a word, Joe taps a spot behind him on the bed. I place my hands on his shoulders as I tuck my feet under me, slipping in behind him.
“What are you doing?” he questions when I start to rub his shoulders.
“I thought you wanted a turn,” I confess.
Laughing, Joe instructs me to lean back. As I shift, I feel his hands reach back and pull my legs out from under me. He moves closer to me where my sex is literally against his lower back. My hands slide up his arms, ready for their task, thinking he’s now ready. After the first squeeze, my hands stop when I feel Joe’s hands firmly begin to work their magic on my left foot. I let out a whimper from the pain and pleasure. Joe leans back into me where his back is against my chest and our heads are practically even. I slide my hands down onto his chest, resting them as he continues to relieve all the aches from the muscles in my feet.
At some point, I feel Joe tuck his arms under my waist and shift me on the bed before I’m covered with the blankets.
“Goodnight, beautiful,” Joe hums quietly in my ear.
“Nigh,” my voice breathes out as a smile curls on my face.
Once his body settles, I curl into his delectable form before sleep takes me over again.
Forty Four
As I attempt to lift my heavy eyelids, I discover a hazy darkness surrounding me. Blinking slowly several times, my half-opened eyes won’t focus to give me any clear indication of what’s around me and where the blurry, flashing lights above are coming from. My body feels heavy. Still unable to open my eyes all the way, I perceive that I’m laying down somewhere. A cool dampness near my left cheek reveals itself as a slight gust of air brushes past my face. Sliding my right arm up the side of my body like a snake, my fingers creep to my lips. Drool — or, at least I hope so.
Two large and oddly shaped figures materialize in front of me. They are so close, only a foot or two away. Voices suddenly emanate from the now more defined silhouettes. Their speech sounds muffled and trails off into the distance even as I try to concentrate on their words. Who are they? What are they saying? Why can’t I understand them? One of the voices almost sounds feminine.
Another mumbled sound gradually becomes more apparent as it grows louder and the ringing in my ears subsides. It’s the engine of a car. My brain starts to put the fuzzy pieces of evidence together. I must have fallen asleep in the back seat. The front right figure turns to face me, but the face is blurry at first until my eyes adjust to the odd lighting.
“Maggie?” my throat squeezes out in a raw, breathy, hoarse tone.
“It’s your turn,” her voice replies in a low sluggish tone.
A sudden rush of nervousness enters my belly. The car feels as if it’s flying down the road like a rocket ship as the speed of the flashing lights zooming above my head all blur into one.
“Maggie,” I shout, but not a single sound escapes my mouth this time. Confused, I try again. “Maggie!”
She doesn’t hear me. I don’t hear me.
A single, bright white light races towards us, growing larger by the second. Maggie turns her head towards me smiling. Why doesn’t she hear me? How does she not see the light?