Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(39)

Has he forgotten?

“Leaving. Not answering your texts or calls,” I quickly write, fearing that I might not ever acknowledge it.

“You made up for it the next morning, beautiful,” he texts. “And, each time after that.”

“Really?” I check.

“Yeah . . . but I could use a reminder,” he baits.

“Me too,” I surprisingly answer.

“Come over.”

“Jared and Pop-Pop are here,” I inform.

“Damn,” he writes. “Everything okay?”

“They’re still keeping an eye on me,” I confess.

“Good,” he sends. Before I write a response, he comments, “Want to sneak over later?”

I can’t help but smile. “I want to,” I confirm.

“But?” he explores. “Too risky?”

“Yeah,” I agree.

“When are they leaving?”

“Hopefully tomorrow,” I answer.

“LOL,” Joe writes, knowing my sense of humor.

“Who you texting?” Jared questions.

My head snaps to look at him, finding him propped in the doorway. “No one.”

“The look on your faces doesn’t seem like it’s no one,” he jabs. As I’m about to respond, Jared interrupts. “Don’t worry about it, Kitten. It’s good to see you smile like that.”


“Thanks,” I reply. “What’s up?”

“Dinner’s ready,” he informs.

“Yum. It smells good,” I mention.

“I think Pop-Pop has out done himself with this one,” he chuckles.

The three of us feast on the delectable meal Pop-Pop prepared as we talk and laugh. While I clean up the dishes, Jared informs me that they are heading back home tonight. Apparently, the way I acted at dinner set them at ease and they were waiting to make sure I was good to be on my own. I tease Jared about me being a big girl, but there’s no arguing with him when he gets protective. If the roles were reversed, I would have done the same for him — because I have.

I bid them farewell at eight and once they’re out the door, I rush to the bathroom and check myself from head-to-toe, searching to see if I need to shave, pluck or anything else. Next, I strip down and jump in the shower. I wash quickly and check a second time for any locations that may need trimming. Letting my hair air dry, I put on a cute summer dress without a bra, put on one of the pairs of panties Joe gave me, slip on some heels and grab my purse and Sadie’s leash as we head out onto the streets of Pasadena.

When we turn up Raymond Avenue, Sadie’s temperament changes a little — I wonder if she knows where we’re going. In less than ten minutes, we’re standing outside of Joe’s building.

Anna pleasantly greets us at the door, and before she gets the chance to invite us in, Joe is striding toward us as Sadie runs to him. Joe warmly greets Sadie, but keeps his eyes locked on me.

“I have some things to take care of . . . you will not see me, and then I will be gone,” Anna states.

Joe leans in to hug and kiss me on the cheek. He lingers longer than usual.

“Thank you, Anna,” Joe answers without looking at her.

My gaze follows Anna’s body heading down the hallway as she coaxes Sadie to follow. The next thing I know, Joe has me pressed up against the wall in the adjacent hall that leads to his bedroom and his mouth is consuming mine.

Barely peeling his lips apart from mine, he questions, “How did you get away?”

“They willingly left not too long ago,” I mumble, not wanting to do anything else but be naked with him.

Joe’s hands slide up the sides of my legs, hoisting my dress up enough for his hands to explore my ass and sex. My hands grip onto the back of his neck as our mouths and tongues swirl together. Joe quickly jumps to my neck and my body instantly surrenders. I groan when he lowers to the floor — why are we not on his bed by now?

Joe pauses for a second after kissing my navel. “Is this one of the pairs I got you?” he checks.

Biting my lip, I nod confirmation.

He presses his face into my belly, just above the edge of my underwear, and takes a deep breath in as his lips and tongue taste my skin. We both moan at the same time.

“Are you going to . . . rip them off,” I gulp.

Joe lets out a moan as if he’s contemplating the idea. “I’m not sure yet,” he says, leaning back slightly. “I think I really like this pair.”

“Then, we better hurry, or else I . . .” my voice stops when I hear a strange noise.

Standing back up, Joe searches, “What’s wrong?”

The sounds occur again.

Joe and I quickly fix our appearances and check the each other before anyone gets close. I hear Sadie’s feet trotting across the floor along with Anna loudly announcing that she’s on her way to answer the door.

“Had a backup booty call just in case?” I goad wanting to defuse the situation.

Joe gives me a stern look — the kind of look that says how can you ask a question like that?. “No. I’m not expecting anyone,” he states calmly. Joe steps into me, placing his hand on my cheek.

“It’s okay if you did,” I comment, trying to deflect my insecurities.

Joe gives me another look like he’s hurt by the idea that I would think such a thought. “There’s no one else,” he testifies. His lips tenderly seize mine.