Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(57)

Returning from the bathroom with his pajamas on, Joe graciously says, “Thanks, Emma.”

Glancing up from my book, I smile and say, “You’re welcome.”

I continue reading to avoid watching him get to the other side of the bed and slide in. Placing my book down for a second, I move a pillow longways in the middle of the bed. Sadie shifts up to rest her head in the center. With a book in hand, Joe laughs.

“What?” I demand.

“Nothing,” he rebuts with a smile.

We read in silence for a while, and as I cover a few more pages, I peek from the corner of my left eye at Joe. With my attention back on my book, my left hand caresses Sadie several times before it bumps into something unfamiliar. I immediately look over and see Joe’s hand as I run my fingers back up Sadie’s body — his goes in the opposite direction. He never flinches and continues to read while maintaining his even, fluid strokes. With a mind of its own, my hand heads back down Sadie’s body. Luckily, I’m able to control it enough to stop just short of bumping into Joe’s again. To not draw any attention, I force my eyes back to my book while shifting my hand to Sadie’s head. Joe shows no sign of noticing and I’m relieved.

A song comes through the speakers that I’m not in the mood to hear, so I pick up my phone to change it. After hitting the shuffle button twice, I decide to let the next song play. Before I know it, Joe snatches the phone from my hand.

“Hey!” I yell.

“I just want to see your playlists,” he defends playfully.

Five seconds later his phone rings. Did he just dial his number? Reaching to grab my phone, I’m a little surprised when he jerks away.

“You didn’t?”

His smile gives his intention away. “Yep.”

Joe finishes punching in something as I place my book down and lunge to get my phone. He switches hands, blocking me with his right arm while using his left thumb on the screen.

“I don’t want your phone number and I certainly don’t want you having mine.”

“Why not? You might need to get in touch with me for something,” he argues.

“Why would I ever need your number?” I push his arm down out of my way to get to my phone as I’m now kneeling on the bed.

He’s strong enough to keep me at bay. For some reason, I’m kind of enjoying the fight.

“I know you and Henry have each other’s number.”

“What does that have to do with you having mine and vice versa?”

“Emergency. And, we’re friends.”

“Why would I call you for an emergency?” I protest.

“The possibilities are endless. And, now you have it.”

He persists to look at my phone while trying to keep me away. Frustrated and frisky, I decide to brawl. Understanding my actions, Joe shifts and pins me to his chest, my arms are now locked. I don’t kick or use my legs only because Sadie would get hit and she clearly refuses to move. He’s stronger than I anticipate from the other times we’ve spared. I lower my head to bite his forearm, but he shifts before I can clamp down enough to break free.


Joe’s chest pulses behind me as he laughs. “Calm down, Kitten,” he heartily harasses.

Did he just use Jared’s pet name for me?

“Only Jared and Nathan get to call me that,” I complain.

I’m able to see what he’s doing with my phone since he needs his left arm to help hold me in place. He’s definitely searching through my playlist. He holds me tighter each time I wiggle and secures my head with his chin since I try to thrust it back several times. He continues to laugh at me like he’s enjoying the situation.

I finally stop struggling and ask, “What are you doing?”

I know what he’s doing, but I’m not sure why.

“Checking out your playlist. You can tell a lot about a person from their music selection.” He continues to scroll through the songs. “You’ve got an eclectic mix here. Don’t worry, you can see mine when I’m done.”

“I don’t want to see yours,” I dispute.

He chuckles into my ear, “Of course you do.” He turns off my phone and puts it next to my book, but he doesn’t release me.

“Let me go,” I demand.

“Not yet,” he rebuts relaxed.

“Yes!”

“No.”

I growl which elicits more laughter from him.

“I’ll let you go once you calm down,” he informs.

“That might be a while.”

“Fine by me,” he says tightening his left leg around me.

As much as I hate being restrained, I know that I could break free if I made Sadie move. Ironically, she has yet to aid in my defense. Tied in his arms, the feel and smell of him starts to get the better of me, and I enjoy his body pressed against mine. Crap, now I’m really horny.

A few seconds go by before he removes his leg and a few more pass before he slowly lessens his grip on me. Before completely releasing me, he kisses the back of my head. I pause for a second, in shock to his lips touching me, and to make sure I’m really free before springing over to my side of the divider pillow. I refuse to look at him as he chuckles under his breath and hands me his phone.

Ignoring him, I check my phone to see what he put in it. Under my contacts Joe added his name and wrote, Joseph ‘Blue Eyes’ Covelli and added his phone number and email. Seriously?! I don’t dare delete it because I’ll need to know who’s if he ever does call. Damn it! Damn him!