Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(148)

Joe doesn’t take his eyes off of me when we hear Jared. His lips slowly connect with mine again and my body melts into his.

“Awww,” Jared sings. “You two are sooooo cute.”

“Shut up,” I direct with gritted teeth.

“Who taught her that?” Jared inquires.

“Taught who what?” I ask, confused by what we’re speaking about.

“Sadie and the trick in the video,” Jared clarifies.

“We didn’t teach her that,” Joe mentions.

“There’s that we again,” Jared comments.

“Shut up, Jared,” I direct.

“So, I want details,” Jared states.

No,” I object.

“Yes,” Jared responds. “You’ve hidden this from me for six months. I deserve details.” He looks to Joe. “How many?”

“What?” Joe asks confused.

“Orgasms,” Jared articulates.

“Enough,” my voice weakly chimes in.

Jared gives me a look — the I know all about your other conquests and there’s no way I’m not going to hear about this one. “The first time,” he expands.


“The real number or the one I thought?” Joe searches.

“Joseph!” I shout, smacking him in the arm.

“Both,” Jared clarifies.

Joe looks right at me and all I can do is shake my head while he reveals, “I thought four, but she later confirmed five.”

Anger rises inside me and I push Joe away, forcing him a few steps back. He moves closer, but I don’t let him touch me.

“Damn,” Jared remarks. “Every time?”

“I’m not answering that,” I snap.

“Practically . . . unless it’s a quickie,” Joe offers.

“God damn it! Shut up, Joe,” I bark.

“It’s good to not hide it,” Joe comments.

“See,” Jared supports. “You guys need to talk about this.”

“No, we don’t,” I challenge. “We’re done. I knew this would be a mistake,” I confess.

Joe pulls me into him. “You don’t mean that.”

“Yes, I do,” I counter, trying to pull away.

Joe’s lips connect with mine and my body surrenders. His authoritative tone and posture are distracting.

“It’s definitely a relationship, Kitten. Especially if he’s the first to make you cum,” Jared shares.

“He’s not the first,” I challenge.

“He’s the first man to make you cum,” Jared clarifies.

I feel the heat gathering in my cheeks.

“When are you going to tell everyone?” Jared inquires.

“It is not a relationship and there is nothing to tell,” I state calmly.

“You’re kidding, right?” Jared questions with a mocking tone.

“Emma,” Joe calls.

“No,” I answer. “I’m not kidding.”

“He’s the first guy you’ve slept with for the longest amount of time,” Jared reminds.

“So?” I peruse.

“So, it’s definitely a relationship,” Jared reiterates.

“No, it’s just sex,” I say firmly.

Jared snickers and Joe grins.

“I’m serious,” I press.

“Do you stay the night?” Jared continues, focused on Joe, ignoring me.

“Of late,” Joe offers.

“Joe,” I scold.

With a smile, Jared announces, “Definitely a relationship, Kitten.”

“No,” I argue.

“You’ve never spent the night with a man before,” Jared reminds.

“Yes, I have,” I counter with a smile.

“Nathan and I don’t count,” Jared states.

“Yes, you do,” I confirm.

“Fine,” Jared presses. “You’ve never spent the night with a guy you’ve had sex with.”

“We’re not in a relationship,” I repeat.

“There’s that we again,” Jared teases.

“Fuck me!” I retort, lifting my hands to my face.

“Well, Joe has and I don’t doubt he’d be up to assist if you need it again,” Jared laughs.

“Not funny,” I say with heat in my voice.

“I thought it was,” Jared pokes.

The three of us stand looking at each other for a few seconds.

“So, when are you going to tell everyone?” Jared searches.

“Tell everyone what?” I check.

“About you two and your relationship?” Jared expands.

“It’s not a relationship,” I huff.

Jared looks to Joe. “Monogamous?”

“Yes,” Joe confirms quickly.

“And, her?” Jared checks.

“Does Maggie count?” Joe inspects.

Laughing, Jared verifies, “No, Maggie doesn’t count.”

“Maggie counts," I challenge.

“No one else,” Joe shares.

“It’s definitely a relationship, Kitten,” Jared announces again.

My mouth opens, but fails to say anything. I move away from them, but Joe snatches me by the wrist. He gently tugs me toward him, surrounding me with his arms. I try to get away, but the smell of his body is intoxicating. Joe takes my face, forcing me to kiss him. My brain fights for a few seconds, but my body succumbs to his touch.