Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(11)

I can see the strain in Joe’s eyes. He wants to touch me and probably just as bad as I want him to.

“What were you planning for the rest of the night?” he inquires.

“Oh . . . I think I’m going to have a nice, long, hot bath,” I inform him.

“Any plans after that?” he searches, moving closer to me.

“Not sure . . . I haven’t quite decided yet,” I playfully contend.

Joe looks both ways down the hall and my eyes follow, not sure what he’s looking for. As my head leans in to look past his left, Joe’s mouth captures mine.

After a steamy kiss, Joe inquires, “Would you like some company?”

“During or after my bath?” I sensually ask.

“During or after.” Joe kisses me again and lightly bites my bottom lip.

“Company would be nice . . .” I begin, not knowing how to explain my predicament.

With a look knowing not to push, Joe offers, “After, then.” He moves closer, pressing himself more into me. “Just don’t take too long.”

Not wanting to separate from his lips, I nod in agreement.

With a wicked grin, Joe discovers, “Your room or mine?”

“Yours,” I confirm.

I know we’re safe from our friends knowing, but I’m not sure about sleeping in the same bed through the night even if we aren’t having sex. Our sex-capades have changed things.

About thirty minutes later, I make my way down the hall to Joe’s room. I would have been to him sooner, but he texted me a few times with statements like, I’m making sure the bed is warm, Thinking of me? or Are you hungry?.

Joe used the security latch to prop the door open, making it easy to just pop right in. We put the television on, but we hardly pay any attention to it. Joe and I curl up into each other, snuggling, kissing and talking on occasion.

“So, was it Javier, or his boyfriend who was in the show?” Joe questions.

“Stephan, his boyfriend,” I answer.

“Which character was he?” Joe inquires.

“I’m not sure,” I reply. “Javier sent me a photo, but all of the performers had too much makeup on to be able to tell.”

“Are Jared and Nathan still in the dark about your fake hookup with Javier?”

“Yep,” I confirm. “And it better stay that way.”

“Your secret is safe with me, beautiful,” he confirms, sealing it with a kiss.

I’m not sure how long we’re talking and kissing, mostly kissing, but it is long enough for me to start yawning.

“I should get to bed,” I mention.

“You are in bed,” Joe states.

“The one in my room,” I explain my intention further.

With slightly furrowed brows, Joe comments, “I don’t know why you don’t just stay here.”

“It’s weird,” I tentatively admit.

“How is it weird? We’ve done it before.” Joe pulls me in closer.

“It’s different now,” I sort of explain.

“The only difference is that we’ve had sex,” he confronts as if it’s a normal behavior for us.

“Exactly,” I reply, trying to hide my uneasiness.

“So?” he presses, wanting more of an answer.

“It’s just sex, nothing more and I don’t want to give the illusion . . .” I begin until Joe cuts me off with a kiss.


His lips linger for a long time. “Stay.”

I’m able to shake my head before my lips are willing to say the word. Right as I’m about to utter no, Joe locks his mouth with mine while shifting more to be on top of me.

“Please,” he sweetly begs.

“No,” I mumble as he stares into my eyes.

Joe returns his mouth to mine as if he’s trying to convince me without words. My body wants to stay, clearly by the way that it clings to him, but my brain is saying that this is all too much, too fast right now. I reluctantly pull away and I see the effect it has on Joe though he’s trying to hide it.

He walks me to the door, always touching me. I turn to say goodnight, seeking one last taste of his lips.

“Maybe tomorrow?” he peruses with a hint of heartache.

“Maybe,” I playfully remark.

“Goodnight, beautiful.”

My body tingles from his words.

“Goodnight, Joe.”





Fifty One


The next morning, I wake with plans to have breakfast with Pop-Pop and Joe. The three of us are the only early birds of our group. Before the August desert heat sets in, we walk around the Strip, taking in the sights. By lunch, Jimmy, Allen, Jared and Nathan are awake and meet up with us in the Bellagio to eat. The afternoon finds all of us in the spa, even Pop-Pop — because he’s never been to one. After dinner, we hit the casinos for a few hours. Pop-Pop heads to bed by around eleven and the rest of us go searching for a nightclub. By one in the morning, I’m helping Jared escort Nathan up to their suite. Nathan had a bit too much to drink.

“I’mmmm fine,” Nathan’s mouth slurs.

“Riiiiight,” Jared and I chuckle.

“Glad to know you’re having a good time,” I tease.

“It’s my birphday,” Nathan stutters.