Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(56)
The next day, when we finish lunch and Henry is on his way to his MBA classes, I get Maggie out of the house for a little girl time. Kim and Amy join us at the spa, then we have dinner while the kids continue to have daddy time. The four of us comfortably fall into a variety of conversations, some of which we share more about ourselves, feeling free since our girls’ time in Sedona for Maggie and Henry’s bachelor-bachelorette weekend.
Deacon, Maggie’s driver and bodyguard, drops Sadie and me off at my apartment by ten and then continues back down to San Marino with Maggie. Joe and I text, but I don’t invite him over and I don’t agree to go see him. I’m horny and don’t have my period, but the fact that Sadie and I both want to see him already perplexes me.
Friday after a night with my friends, I succumb to my desires for Joe when he drives us back to Pasadena — my hormones are on overdrive. Scared that Sadie might try to stay at Joe’s, my brain and body yank Joe inside, eagerly peeling off his clothes as we kiss. We’re practically naked by the time we make it to my bedroom doorway.
Desperate to stay connected, Joe sensually provides me four orgasms to his two after at least an hour of non-stop stimulation. When Joe comes back from using the bathroom, he snuggles right into me under the covers. He plays with my hair, kissing my shoulder on occasion when he’s not consuming my mouth. At some point, Sadie walks over to us, plopping herself between our bodies, which forces Joe and I to separate physically. We laugh at Sadie’s blatant attempt for attention. After a few minutes of petting or playing with her, Joe gets up, walks around the bed to the window side, and gets back under the covers, spooning me. Sadie moves closer, enough for Joe to still pet her, but she doesn’t try to wedge herself between us again.
Joe whines when I inform him that I’m kicking him out, lagging while he gets dressed and walks to the door.
“Why can’t I stay?” he asks for the third time, engulfing my mouth.
“Just sex,” I remind, finally answering him.
Joe huffs defeat, but continues to kiss me until I literally have to push him out the door after several attempts to guide us both back to my bed.
“Goodnight, Joe,” I bid.
“Goodnight, beautiful,” he reluctantly replies.
Seventy One
Saturday morning, I pack a bag and take Sadie with me to Nathaniel’s to go over some business while also trying to see if I can get a peek at the dress. When lunchtime rolls around, I’m not surprised to see Jared and Pop-Pop until they start acting oddly toward me.
“Why are you being weird?” I ask Jared.
It feels like there’s an elephant in the room.
“I’m not being weird,” he debates.
“Yes, you are,” I press.
“I think it’s time for Emma to see the dress,” Nathan announces.
No one says a word for a few seconds as my eyes dart back and forth to their faces. I eagerly jump up, following Nathan when he starts to leave the room.
Nathan begins babbling, nervous and excited all at once. “I hope you like it. I know you’ll like it. You promise you won’t be mad if there’s a little more skin showing than you might expect. I just had to make it, it fits perfectly with the theme of the movie and Chris’ suit and . . . .”
“I’m sure I’m going to love it,” I encourage, taking his hand.
“I did create an alternate, just in case this is too much for you,” Nathan confesses.
“Nathan, I trust you.”
He turns around and unlocks the closet.
My gaze falls upon a stunning dress that leaves me speechless. It’s the most glamorous, sensual and provocative, yet sophisticated, piece I have ever witnessed Nathan create. “Wow!” my voice expresses breathlessly.
“Seriously?” Nathan checks, interpreting my reaction.
“Yes,” I confirm at a barely audible level as my eyes soaks up every inch of the amazing garment in front of me.
Situated on a manikin, sits a gold dress adorned with gold beads and gems sewn into a see-through gold top layer of fabric. The neck of the dress is a solid, gold bar necklace that alone costs several thousands of dollars. The bodice area of the dress forms tightly to the breasts, draping over the middle of the necklace and back down to the waist with a long, triangular cutout that exposes flesh — and cleavage. Beads and gems cover the entire dress from the neck to the floor with the last few feet of the transparent fabric flowing outward all the way around to a five-foot train. There’s a slit in the dress that is just off to the side of the left leg.
“Do you want to try it on?” Nathan inquires.
“Yes, please,” I agree sharply due my excitement.
He’s cutting it a little close with making sure it fits since the premier is only five days away.
Denise and Nathan assist me with getting the dress on. I have to pin my hair up and remove all of my clothing except my underwear. A giggle trickles past my throat when I realize that I’m wearing one of the pairs of panties that Joe gave me.
“Wow!” Jared comments when the door opens.
“You look absolutely lovely, Emma,” says Pop-Pop.
“Do you have to make any alterations, babe?” Jared checks.
“No. It fits her perfectly,” Nathan replies. He takes my hand and leads me to the floor length, triple mirrors.