Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(56)
Suddenly, my attention is pulled away from its increasing dismay. My gaze finds a hand draped over mine with a thumb brushing lightly back and forth over my knuckles. Looking up, I catch a calm, soothing expression on Joe’s face adorned with a soft, gentle smile and kindness in his eyes. The discomfort inside me subsides immensely at his gesture. I turn my hand to grasp his to keep me here in reality which pleasantly distracts me from the war inside.
I don’t want to mislead Joe and the thought presents itself temporarily. I squash it with the belief that he’s just being friendly. Joe’s large hand is warm and soft, but firm as it embraces mine. I welcome the desire that stir inside me from his touch; it’s a much more bearable sensation than the fear and thoughts of my anxiety for being in a car. I smile warmly at him in appreciation.
Our hands stay clasped during the entire drive and neither one of us seem to mind. Thankfully, Maggie and Henry don’t turn around enough at any point to catch us hand in hand. As soon as we stop out front of my apartment complex, I immediately let go of Joe’s hand. He accepts the release and doesn’t show disappointment before rushing around to open the door for me.
We say our farewells at the curb with the knowledge that we’ll all be together again tomorrow with Jared and Nathan. This weekend we’re staying local for our outings; Universal Studios on Saturday and the beach again on Sunday.
Later that night, Sadie and I hop on the Gold Line and then the Red Line to the Hollywood and Vine exit where Jared picks me up every time I go to visit. Staying the night with him will make it easier for the six of us to get together first thing in the morning to be ready for Universal when the doors open. Nathan and I cook, we eat and relax for the rest of the night. We chat and watch movies on Jared’s bed while Nathan sketches from time to time. Jared and Nathan fall asleep halfway through the second movie, which makes getting them up early in the morning much easier. I turn off the lights and curl up next to Jared with Sadie on my left.
Thirteen
We have a fantastic day at Universal Studios in Hollywood. The weather is perfect and the crowd is small for an early weekend in April. Maggie, Jared, Nathan and I have been there several times, but it was Henry’s and Joe’s first time. The six of us joke, laugh, scream and shout throughout the day depending on the ride or attraction as we also take lots of pictures with our phones.
Maggie and Henry, in Henry’s car, follow Jared, Nathan, Joe and myself back to Jared’s apartment in West Hollywood to pick up Sadie and our bags before heading to Nathan’s for the night. Once at Nathan’s, everyone gets settled as I feed Sadie and take her out for a good run on the beach. Joe joins Sadie and me to avoid being left with the two hot and horny couples.
Heading back up from the beach, I text both Maggie and Jared giving them fair warning that Joe, Sadie and I will be returning in five minutes. Thankfully, everyone has their clothes on when we open the condo door. Within fifteen minutes, we leave to have dinner.
After dinner, as soon as the door to Nathan’s condo opens, Maggie and Henry rush off to the third bedroom for the night. Nathan turns on the television for a movie, but his main intent is to prevent moaning from being heard. The four of us and Sadie pile onto the couch to watch a movie and in less than fifteen minutes, Jared and Nathan are making out. Before I need to say anything, they excuse themselves for the night, each kissing me on the cheek on their way to bed.
Joe and I sit quietly during the rest of the movie as we both pet Sadie. Once the movie is over, I wince at the noises we suddenly hear when I turn off the television and catch Joe doing the same thing.
“Come on,” I instruct him, tilting my head towards my room.
“You sure?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I answer nodding and rolling my eyes to the moaning and groaning that seems to be getting louder.
In the bedroom, I make sure both doors to the joining bathroom are closed and turn to see Joe shutting the one behind him. I pull out my Bluetooth speakers and start playing some music on my phone. No need to overhear anything from the adjacent room.
“Where’s your stuff?”
“My bags? They’re out there. Why?” Joe returns, unsure of my question.
“I doubt that you’ll want to go back out there anytime tonight,” I offer.
Looking confused with a brow lifted, Joe asks, “Are you suggesting that I sleep in here?”
“Yeah,” I confirm.
He chuckles, “Wow. I didn’t know that our relationship is that serious.”
Blankly looking at him, “We aren’t having sex. We’re two adults sharing the same bed. Besides, I know you aren’t a serial killer or rapist.”
Laughing hard, he teases, “You sure?”
“Yes. I’m sure.” Shrugging my shoulders, I add, “Even if you did try something, Sadie would have your throat in her jaw before I would even need to defend myself.”
Joe laughs as he quickly leaves the room to get his bags and darts back in within seconds. Eyes wide, he comments, “It’s gotten louder.”
We both stand giggling for a minute before getting situated.
We’ve become friends over the past two months and I feel more comfortable with Joe, more than I have with any straight man. In the past, I deliberately haven’t allowed myself the chance for any kind of a friendship to happen with other men, but our friendship has developed out of necessity when we are the third and fourth wheels to our friends dating. Thankfully our personalities line up and anytime we hang out it’s fun. The sexual tension is still there with Joe — I continue to admit to myself only, to make sure I adhere to my rules, of course. The fact that he’s about to share a bed with me tonight makes me a little jittery and nervous because I desire him — and, I’m horny. I’ve never had the notion not to adhere to my rules in the past when it came to friends of Maggie’s previous boyfriends. It was easy then. They were dumb or annoying, therefore immediately expunging any possibility of desire. Be strong, Emma.