Breathe Out (Just Breathe, #2)(72)

I leave Joe alone in the kitchen while I hurry to pack my toiletry bag and two suitcases of clothes, shoes and other things.

“That’s a lot of clothes,” Joe comments, startling me. “Plan on staying a while.” Joe’s brow lifts as his smile widens.

“Not really, no,” I object. “That one has shoes, toiletries and B.O.B. and his friends.”

“You won’t need B.O.B.,” Joe rebuts.

“If Jimmy and Allen are around, yes . . . yes I do,” I goad, closing the bag.

Two seconds later, Joe has me pinned against my bed.

“It’s about time,” I say, giggling.

Joe doesn’t say anything, he doesn’t have to. He simply kneels up, flawlessly undoes his pants and puts on a condom, flips up the bottom of my dress and rips off my panties. In one solid lunge, Joe fills my sex completely, somehow knowing I’m slick enough for entry.

“Joe,” my voice trembles with elation.

“Is this what you want?” Joe huffs into my neck as he plows into me.

“Yes,” I verify.

“You want me to f*ck you . . . make you cum?” he asks on another thrust.

“Yes,” I pant. “Fuck me.”

Joe gives me exactly what I’m begging for, pounding into my sex, thrust after thrust as his hands grip my ass to keep me steady.

My arms grab onto his body. “Harder,” I plea. My hips widen when Joe’s pace quickens. “Yes,” I moan. “Just . . . like . . . that.”

The orgasm explodes, making my sex as wet as it’s ever been.

“Fuck, Emma,” Joe groans his climax.

We lay panting for a few moments.

“I don’t know if that took the edge off or made it worse,” Joe admits, grunting when he pulls out of me.

I don’t say anything, but my body completely agrees with his statement.

“I hate to rush us, but we need to go,” Joe says begrudgingly.

“Mad you’re missing cuddle time?” I tease.

Joe gives me a bashful look. “You like it, too.”

“Maybe,” I goad.

“We’ll snuggle later, I promise,” he announces.

“You’ve got family over,” I challenge.

“That won’t stop me. Especially, when they’re asleep,” Joe reveals his intention.

“Not happening,” I debate, moving to rinse off in the bathroom.

“We’ll see about that, beautiful,” Joe playfully pushes back.

Back at Joe’s, Jimmy tries to insinuate something scandalous between Joe and me, claiming we took a long time. Anna politely scolds him, telling Jimmy to leave us alone. She says that the only reason we were gone as long as we were was because she asked Joe if we could stop by a store for her to get a few things. Jimmy challenges her, trying to find out what things, but Anna rebuts that it’s none of his business and they are personal items.

Despite the craziness of the day, my heart goes out to Anna. She’s earned my respect even more by covering for us.

Jimmy and Allen head to bed by around ten-thirty while Joe, Sadie and I hang out in the living room for a while. Sadie lays with me on the couch and Joe plays the piano for at least an hour. Every time I pick my iPad up to work, I find myself peeking to see what’s been said about me and my friends. The media has now identified Jimmy, Allen, Joe, Maggie and Henry and exposed that they were wearing pieces from Nathaniel’s. Becoming agitate by what’s being discussed, I opt for a book. Finishing the most recent romance novel from the bookclub that Maggie signed us up for fails to distract me completely from the news being generated about me and my friends.


Becoming antsy, I resolve to take a bath in the large tub in my private bathroom. Just as I’m about to get up, Joe stops playing and joins me on the couch, sitting next to my hip.

“Hey,” he greets quietly.

Hey,” I return, setting my book down.

“How’s the book?”

With a smile, I offer, “Better than the last one.”

We don’t say anything for a moment as Joe pets Sadie.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he admits.

“Even with Jimmy and Allen here?” I check.

“Yes,” he confirms. “I’d rather see you and not be able to touch you than both.”

I lower my head bashfully. “I regretfully inform you that I’m just planning on taking a bath,” I mention.

“Can we snuggle a little after?” Joe seeks.

“I’m surprised you’re not asking to join me,” I quip.

“I’m tempted, but you’re noisy,” he jabs. “It would be too risky.”

“I’m not that loud,” I counter, squinting my eyes.

Joe leans closer, placing his face an inch away from mine. “I like the noises you make.”

“I don’t make noises,” I challenge.

“Yes you do, beautiful,” Joe corrects. “And, it’s sexy as hell.”

“Well, I guess we could snuggle afterward,” I reveal. “You didn’t get to earlier.”

Joe’s lips peck mine.

“And, B.O.B.’s not much of a cuddler after sex,” I tease.

“I’d be happy to take his snuggle time,” Joe accepts.