Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(67)

A few minutes prior to taking our seats, Chris escorts me to the restroom. He patiently waits for me to return and I’m excited when I find that all of my friends have found him. The nine of us make our way to our designated seats and settle in quickly before the movie commences. As I try to rest my hands comfortably on my lap, Chris takes the one closest to him and laces our finger together, letting them sit on the arm rest. My eyes dart back to my friends who are sitting two rows behind us since Chris and I are sitting with the main cast. An uncomfortable feeling stirs inside me when I look at Joe and find his eyes fixed on my hand paired with Chris’. When Joe notices me, he smiles and nods and then abruptly looks away.

The science fiction movie is very good, with lots of unexpected twists and turns. Chris did a wonderful job acting as did Marcus and the rest of the cast. There were several scenes where Chris was half naked, which weren’t too bad to look at, but Joe’s body is much more entertaining to ogle.

When Chris and I make it back to our limo, he texts Nathan the location of the after-party just in case our vehicles get separated on the road. The address has been under lock and key to make sure uninvited guests don’t show up.


The cast and crew are first to arrive at a huge, ballroom style location that has musical equipment for a band on a grand stage with tables and seating areas scattered about. Lights, life-size photos and posters and decorations mirror the theme of the movie.

Everyone is led to a different room, waiting to perform a grand entrance once the party coordinator informs them that the other guests have arrived. Waitstaff quickly greet us with wine and hors d’oeuvres as we enter the room. I stay quiet on Chris’ arm, eager to see my friends, constantly checking my phone to update Jared. When the time arrives, all of the spouses and guests of the cast and crew are ushered into the main room, just off to the side where Chris’ and his coworkers will be entering. I try to look for Jared and my friends based off of the location Jared texts, but the lights are too low.

One by one, the actors and actresses enter the stage, performing a small scene. Then, the band takes the stage and the crowd meshes to feast, chat and dance into the night. It takes at least twenty minutes for Chris and I to make our way about a quarter into the room from the stage. His attention is captured by the throng of people demanding his attention every few feet. At one point, I politely excuse myself, telling him that I need to find the ladies’ room. He offers to take me, but I insist that he stays and I promise to find him when I return.

As I make my way toward the back of the room, I scan for my friends, but I can’t seem to find one of them. The need to actually pee becomes unbearable, forcing me to vacate the room temporarily to resume my exploration for my friends when I come back. I wander through a few halls, trying to find a secondary bathroom that is just far enough away to be inconvenient for most party goers to bother. A female staff member is nice enough to point me in the right direction.

Around a small, tight corner with a large two-story window with pillars on either side and directly across from it, the ladies’ room door reveals itself. I take my time, in no hurry to get back to Chris. Two steps out of the bathroom, my arm is taken and gently yanked behind me. The sound of a door closing echoes as a pair of lips grace mine. My body knows who it is by the smell of him and taste of his mouth and tongue.

“I’ve been dying to kiss you all night,” Joe admits, barely moving his lips from mine. He dives in for another round and I’m happy to reciprocate.

“You kissed me earlier,” I challenge. “Remember? Among a few other things.”

Joe presses his groin into me. “How could I forget?”

“Oh,” I breathe out. “It could have slipped your mind.”

“Hardly,” he debates.

“Yes,” I say. “It was quite hard.”

Joe chuckles.

“And, apparently, it’s hard again,” I mention.

“Hard for you,” he confesses.

My throat hums when I press my lips to his.

“Too bad Chris can’t see this,” Joe randomly comments.

My head snaps back in astonishment.

“I did have to suffer watching him steal the first kiss of our date,” Joe reminds.

“Fuck,” I huff, flopping my hands to my sides.

“What?” Joe questions.

“You just killed the moment,” I whine.

“Damn,” he states. “How can I fix it?”

I bite my lip.

“Nathan would be mad if we ruin the dress,” Joe comments.

“I wasn’t suggesting sex,” I counter.

Though, I’m considering it now, trying to picture how to do it without damaging the dress.

With a smile, Joe delivers with the sexy voice, “I can’t wait to make you cum again.”

“Mmmmmmm,” I moan into his mouth. “Better. Much better.”

“Good.”

Joe and I continue our make-out session until my phone buzzes.

“Shit,” I say.

“What?”

“I should get back,” I regretfully mention. “And, that’s probably Jared.”

“Go,” Joe sweetly offers, stealing a kiss.

“What about you?”

“I need a minute,” he says.

My gaze trails down his body and a snicker escapes my mouth at the sight of his bulge under the dim light.