Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(131)

“I know,” Joe agrees. “Didn’t you skate when you were little?”

“Yeah, but I don’t really remember it much,” I admit. “It was a long time ago.”

“You were only gone for nine years,” Joe counters.

“I haven’t skated since I was probably ten or eleven,” I object. “It’s been too long for muscle memory to kick in.”

“True,” Joe agrees. “Looks like we need to practice more since you’re here.”

“No,” I disagree. “I don’t doubt that someone has already spotted us and is posting about how ungraceful I am.”


“You’re graceful,” he comments.

My foot hits a knot in the ice, taking us to the ground. “No, I’m not,” I laugh.

“You okay, Emma?” Jared asks, skating over with Nathan.

“Yeah,” I confirm, trying to stand up with his and Joe’s help. My hands and knees sting.

“That looked like a nasty one,” Nathan comments.

“I cushioned his fall,” I reply, still laughing.

“We’re good,” Joe suggests, but I can see he’s not telling the truth.

When Jared and Nathan skate off, I say, “You got hurt.”

“No,” Joe lies with a pained smile.

“Liar,” I claim.

“I’ll be fine,” Joe tries to brush it off.

“How about a break?” I suggest.

Joe and I move to join Pop-Pop and Joanna on a bench once Joe successfully manages to toe me across the ice. Seeing that Joe’s in pain, I take my skates off and get the four of us some hot chocolate while we rest and watch the rest of our friends and family enjoy themselves for the next hour. When we get up to leave, I see that Joe’s limping a little and tries to hide it.

Later that day, we make our way over to Joe’s parents’ house since they invited everyone over for an early Christmas feast because we won’t all be together on Christmas Day. All of Joe’s brothers are in attendance as well, and Tony and Thomas don’t hesitate to make advances. Their deliberate attempts get chuckles from Jared and Nathan and sparks and idea for me. When the time comes for me to use the restroom, I grab my purse and text Joe a cheesy pickup line in honor of his brothers.

I check the internet for something funny and send, “There’s a party in my pants and you’re invited.”

When I round the corner back to the living room, I see a smirk on Joe’s face. Two seconds later, my phone buzzes and I eagerly look down to see his response. My eyes find What’s your favorite silverware? . . . because I like to spoon!.

Halfway through dinner, my phone buzzes in my pocket and I discreetly check it on my lap. I prepare myself for whatever it may be, but heat rises in my cheeks when I see that Joe has written I can’t wait to make you cum all over my face. Our eyes temporarily connect, only lasting a second or two because I can feel my face flushing more. After a few breaths, I respond I can’t wait to suck on your candy cane.

By the time my friends and I are hanging out in the second living room on the third floor, I get another text from Joe saying So, I heard you have the hots for me. I ponder the option to either send a pickup line or dirty text. Once I take another sip of wine, I write I’m not drunk, just intoxicated by you.

Through the rest of the night, Joe and I send each other different dirty and funny messages. Our crazy conversation continues when we’re in separate vehicles on our way to sleep for the night. Joe, Jimmy and Allen head to their New York penthouse while my family and I head back to the rentals.

“I wish you were here,” Joe admits.

I try to hide my reaction, but it’s not easy when we’re video chatting. “Me too,” I agree.

“I had fun,” Joe shares. “I liked writing dirty and corny pickup lines.”

“Yeah,” I say. “I’m glad you played along. I wasn’t sure if you would or if you would threaten to spank me again.”

“You can send me messages like that anytime,” Joe suggests. “I really like them.”

“Really?” I check a little surprised.

“Yeah,” he confirms. “I wasn’t as surprised this time, so I didn’t think to spank you.”

“Oh,” I say disappointed.

“That doesn’t mean I won’t on occasion,” he reveals.

A smile pops on my face.

“Seriously, though,” Joe begins. “Don’t hesitate to write anything like that to me.”

“Does it turn you on?” I peruse.

“Yes, especially since I know that it means you’re thinking of me,” he explains.

I don’t say anything.

“So, how often do you think of me,” he asks eagerly.

“Oh, I don’t know,” I say, pretending that I don’t really know.

I think about him everyday and surprisingly to me the thoughts aren’t always just about sex.

“Good to know,” Joe states confidently.

“I didn’t say anything,” I announce.

“You didn’t have to,” he reveals. “I could see it on your face.”

“I should go,” I redirect. “It’s getting late.”

Joe laughs. “Goodnight, beautiful.”