Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(45)

“Don’t,” Joe interrupts. “Don’t apologize. Like I said, we all cope in different ways. I’m just glad that you’re back.”

I don’t say anything as I try to calm myself.

“You know, you’re a great friend to Maggie,” Joe praises. “You did what you could and I know that Maggie and Henry are grateful for everything. You showed up when she needed you and you did the best that you could.”

Joe moves closer, wrapping himself around me, holding me well past my tears subsiding.

A small smile creeps into the corner of my mouth. “Thanks.”

I feel Joe’s head nod in the crook of my neck. He continues to hold me for a while, lifting his head up on occasion to kiss me on the lips, cheek or neck. Suddenly, Joe starts tickling me as his mouth returns to my neck. I squeal and Sadie hops over to the rescue, causing Joe to stop when the sheets expose his naked ass, and Sadie starts sniffing his rear. Joe squirms to get away from Sadie, but she’s quick to follow him.

“Serves you right,” I declare, laughing.

Grabbing the blanket, Joe yanks it over his head and mine, hiding us both from Sadie as he continues to tickle me. Joe’s hands stop their torture once his head is level with mine. He stares into my eyes, not minding that Sadie plops herself over our legs.

His mouth suddenly takes mine, ardently exploring it with each stroke of his tongue. My arms wrap around his neck, latching on to the moment.

“Can I stay the night?” he nervously checks.

I don’t answer, not sure what to say.

“I want to be here . . . just in case the dream comes back,” he comments.

My jaw clenches at the possibility.

“We aren’t meeting my parents until eight and I don’t have any clothes to make it back safely to my room,” he adds.

“You have clothes,” I argue.

“Sweaty clothes,” he disputes.

“I can get you clothes,” I offer, not completely revealing if I’m kicking him out or not for the night.


“I don’t need them, not right now anyway,” he replies with a sinful smile.

“No sex,” I remind.

“I know,” he concurs. He nuzzles my neck, causing me to squirm again until he just lays still.

After a few minutes of silence, Joe pops his head up from the crook of my neck.

“What?” I question, curious by the look on his face.

“Why can’t I smell you?” he says.

“What?” I search, not understanding him. “You can’t smell me when your face is planted in my neck?”

“No,” he corrects. “I mean, why can’t I smell you?”

My brow furrows still not comprehending.

“Right before we got in the tub, I could smell you when I was undressing you.” He shifts, forcing Sadie to move along side us and lowers his lips to my belly. “Now, I can’t smell you,” he repeats, this time looking down at my crotch.

Heat rises in my cheeks.

“A woman has a scent,” he adds.

I cover my face with a pillow, unable to believe he’s brought this up for a topic tonight.

“What?” he asks, lifting the pillow up to see my face.

I try to force it back down, but he yanks it away. My arms lift to hide my face, but Joe inches back up my body.

“Emma,” he coaxes. He gently pulls at me to show my face. “Beautiful.”

“Why do you want to know?” I ask, embarrassed that I might have to explain.

“Because I’m curious,” he replies.

“I have something down there,” I confirm.

“Obviously if I can’t smell you. What is it?” he presses.

Rolling my eyes, I mumble what it is.

“What?” he checks.

“A menstrual cup,” I say louder.

“What’s that?”

God, he’s not going to just let this slide. This is embarrassing.

“It’s a medical grade silicone cone shaped thing that goes in there,” I explain.

“How does it fit in there?”

Damn. Curiosity has killed the cat, and it just might kill this kitten.

“It’s shaped to fit better than a tampon and it’s more environmentally friendly,” I offer.

“Really? Can I see it?” he gets up, moving down my body.

“No,” I contend. “You can’t see it.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s in there.”

“I want to see how,” he states.

“I’m not taking it out,” I profess.

“Can I just see it while it’s in there?”

Laughing, I offer. “Fine.” I start pull down my pants, but Joe beats me to it.

He quickly tosses my underwear and shorts to the side, but is met with my legs closed at the knees. Joe gives me a pleading look and I hesitantly spread my legs. “It’s green,” he says.

“Yeah, I know,” I answer, surprised by his statement.

“Are they all green?”

“No . . .” my voice quickly cuts off when I feel Joe’s fingers spread my sex apart.

He flicks the end of the menstrual cup that sticks out for removal.

“Hey,” I contend.