Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(89)

As I am about to respond to his statement, noise rises in the hallway. Joe immediately moves back to his previous spot on the couch and encourages Sadie to join him. Before I can see who is coming, Jimmy and Allen plop down on the other end of the couch. As tired as they are, their overworked muscles are probably making it hard for them to sleep.

With nothing else planned for the day, and with only four more days until our trip, those of us who do not live in this glorious penthouse elect to end the weekend early. Maggie and Henry offer first to take me home, but I politely refuse. I have about a half mile walk until I’m home. Maggie contends with my rebuttal saying I have bags to carry, but I tell her that I’ll be fine and Sadie and I could use the walk. Joe announces that he will walk me home. I object, but everyone insists.

After saying farewell to Jimmy and Allen, who have trouble getting up from the couch, the rest of us leave. Before walking to my place, Joe and I bid farewell to Maggie and Henry and then Jared and Nathan as they depart from the valet area. At a relaxed pace, Joe and I take our time to my apartment. Once at the gate for my building, Joe insists on helping with the bags all the way up to the door. Not wanting to cause a scene, I agree. I try to take the bags from him when I stop in front of my door, but he won’t give them to me.

“I’ll carry them in,” he states. “What’s the big deal?”

“I like my privacy,” I reply. “I don’t have guys back to my apartment. You’ve gotten the farthest with just even knowing where I live.”

“You’ve never had a guy in your place?” Joe sounds shocked. “What about Jared and Nathan?”

“They don’t count,” I argue.

“Why don’t they . . . ohh.” He makes the connection and a wicked grin spreads across his whole face. “You’ve never had a guy in your place.”

“Yes,” I nervously confirm, looking away.

“Would you make an exception for me?”

“It’s one of my rules,” I verify.

“Ah . . . then why don’t you take these and Sadie inside and come back to say goodbye?”

“Why can’t I say farewell now?”

He stands looking at me with his arms crossed. The look on his face confirms my speculation. He’s not going to leave unless I agree.

“Fine,” I sourly confirm.

He bends down and pets Sadie while I unlock the door.

I don’t bother turning on a light since my apartment is fairly well lit from the late afternoon sunlight streaming in through the large windows. Five steps into my home and the sound of the light switch startles me. Dropping my bags, I turn sharply to find Joe perched in the door frame. Scared that he might try to come all the way in, I rush back over to him.

“You know, I just realized that it’s almost dinner time,” he states, pulling me into him.

“So?” I question, wondering where he’s going with this?

“So, I was thinking we should have dinner.”


Pulling away from his embrace, I place my hands on my hips before commenting, “We should.” He takes a step in and I immediately block him with my body, “What are you doing?”

“I figured that was your way of inviting me in for dinner.” Joe’s eyes sparkle and the smile on his face makes it a little hard to object.

Clearly he missed my implication and I need to stand my ground. “No. I wasn’t inviting you in. First of all, I have my rules. Second, what I meant was that I agree we both should have dinner, but I didn’t agree that we should have it now or together.”

Playing along he continues, “Fine, then you, Sadie and I will go out for dinner.”

“No. Sadie and I will eat here. You can eat wherever you want.”

“Well, beautiful, I choose to eat here.”

“No. My place is not an option,” I contend.

“You said I can eat wherever I want. So, I choose here,” he goads with a smile.

A battle of wills ensues as we stare each other down for who knows how long.

Sternly I advise, “My place is not an option.”

He takes a step closer, causing our noses to barely touch. “Okay, then we’ll go out to eat.”

“No.”

With his hands on my body, Joe presses his lips to my right ear and commands, “Either we go out or we’re breaking rules. You choose, beautiful.”

I’m not fond of either of my two choices. Breaking any of my rules is not an option, no matter how horny I am. Fear of playing this game a second time today is also not appealing. What is a girl to do? I guess I need to choose the lesser of the two options.

Surrendering I agree, “Fine.”

A victory smile emerges on Joe’s face. His hands push firmly on my hips forcing me to take a step backward.

“What are you doing?” I question.

“We’re eating here, right?”

Shoving him hard enough, I get him to take two steps back. “No. We’re going out. Stay right here. If you move from the door, the deal is off.” Before I turn, his expression softens, almost saddened by my choice, but he quietly agrees.

Walking back towards my purse, I check the time on the stove clock; it’s almost four-thirty. Fighting the urge to be affected by Joe’s disappointment, I choose to take back more control over the situation. It’s time to feed Sadie. I take out the last full food containers out of the cooler. Spooning the contents into her bowl, I monitor to see where Joe is standing. He hasn’t moved as far as I can see. As Sadie chows down, I inspect my purse to make sure I have everything I need. I have trouble properly keeping track of my inventory as my attention repeatedly bounces to Joe, making sure he hasn’t moved. I take extra precaution and quadruple check my bag to ease my distracted mind. Sadie finishes eating and I wash her bowl.