“What makes you think there will be a next time . . . or here for that matter?” I bait.
“Just a guess,” he replies, kissing me on my nose. “Besides, I doubt you want to come over to my place knowing that Jimmy and Allen could be there at any moment.”
Glaring at him, I comment, “You aren’t leaving any here.”
“Why not?” he says a little shocked.
“I don’t need my friends seeing them,” I explain.
I wouldn’t really care if I did have some, but I know that there’s a strong chance that Jared or Maggie would come across them. I don’t hide anything from them — not in the physical sense. Jared even knows where B.O.B. and Master P sleep.
“Why would it matter if they saw them?” he questions, not understanding.
“I’ve never had condoms in my apartment,” I expand on my reasoning.
“Hmmm . . .” Joe answers his understanding.
After a few minutes of being curled into each other, and Sadie seeking some affection, I get up to pee and change. Joe finishes getting dressed in my bedroom while watching me once I return.
Securing his tie back into place, Joe steps closer to me and says, “I should go.”
“Okay,” I agree, surprisingly a little disappointed that he has to leave, but then I remember that his family knows he dropped me off and it’s been a while since he’s been gone.
“Don’t worry,” Joe soothes. “They won’t ask. If there's a comment, I’ll just mention that I had to run a few errands.”
“Okay.” My heart beat slows, confident he’ll provide cover.
“When can I see you again,” Joe questions, placing his hands on my hips.
“I don’t know,” I say.
Nodding his understanding, Joe leans in and kisses me. Our arms wrap around each other, not wanting to let go as our mouths seek to savor every little taste before they part.
“See you later, beautiful,” Joe hums with the sexy voice.
“Later, Joe,” I return in kind.
Fifty
Thursday is a typical day for me — other than my period starting. Looks like I will be a little less distracted from needing Joe’s body for the next few days. Good thing it’s starting too since Jimmy and Allen are still in town and tomorrow we’re leaving to surprise Nathan for his twenty-seventh birthday for a weekend in Vegas.
Nathan has been working incessantly, day in and day out, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s forgotten about his own birthday. Jared and I decided to plan a trip as a little getaway since the only time Nathan has really taken off other than Maggie’s wedding was when we all went to Hawaii. Nathan’s been so focused that he even took work with him when we all went to Sedona for the bachelor-bachelorette weekend. With it being the beginning of August, and the fact that the movie premier with Chris is just seven weeks away, Nathan has been bouncing between finishing the final details of the custom pieces while making sure everything for the upcoming fashion lines is on time.
Arriving in Las Vegas Friday morning an hour after getting on Joe’s private plane, Jared, Nathan, Jimmy, Allen, Pop-Pop, Joe and I check into the Bellagio. Jared and I booked the Executive Parlor Suite for Nathan and him, Jimmy and Allen booked themselves in the Cypress Suite and Joe and I book ourselves and Pop-Pop in our own Bellagio suites.
With lots of time to kill, Jared and I load our friends into a limo to head out onto the Vegas Strip with a particular destination in mind.
When we show up to the building, Nathan freaks out as he steps out of the vehicle. “Holy crap!” He jumps up and down.
“Well you said you wanted to do the real thing, so we figured why not get a preliminary round in first to make sure,” Jared says once Nathan finishes screaming.
“I love you both,” yells Nathan as he runs over to hug Jared and me.
For the next few hours, our group gets to enjoy some indoor skydiving. Everyone packed some extra clothes and Jared had a bag for Nathan and himself. Jared and I rented out the whole facility for the morning, giving our group of seven plenty of time to take the thirty-minute training class and lots of free time to take flight before heading to lunch.
One by one, we each get an individual chance to get acclimated with the instructions from the staff. Soon, we’re flying in what the staff calls the tunnel, and the rest of the time we’re soaring away. We take photos of each person and the staff willingly take some group photos of all of us in flight together. It’s fun to see Pop-Pop having a great time too. He’s a trooper through the whole thing and seems to get a handle on it pretty quickly. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by Pop-Pop’s willingness to do it. He is ex-military.
When I get a moment, I make sure to text Javier, my fake hookup from the bachelor-bachelorette weekend, that I’m in town. We chat back and forth and make plans to see each other next time once the premier is over and it’s safe to let Jared and Nathan know that I played them. Since he and his boyfriend work on the Vegas Strip, he sends over some show tickets for my friends and me. I promise to return the favor when he comes to visit me in the future.
After lunch, we make a round through a casino or two, winning some extra spending cash. We head back to our rooms to wash up and change for a night of fun. For our first night on the Vegas Strip, we all have dinner and take in a Cirque de Soleil show — tickets thanks to Javier — his boyfriend is a performer. By eleven-thirty, Joe and I escort Pop-Pop back to his suite while Jared, Nathan, Jimmy and Allen head out for a night of drinking and dancing.
“Missing Sadie?” Joe questions as we round the corner to the other wing of the hotel. Our rooms are on the same floor as Pop-Pop’s, just on opposite ends.
“A little,” I agree, looking down.
I know Sadie is doing better than me right now. She’s with Amy, Eric and Jet. She’s plenty happy and well occupied.
“Anna could have watched her,” Joe reminds me of his offer.
“I didn’t want to bother her after last weekend with the wedding,” I politely rebut.
“Anna wouldn’t have minded. I caught her talking to Sadie as she did house work,” he chuckles.
Smiling from the thought, I confess, “I do it too.”
Joe brushes his knuckles down the side of my arm — I think he’s trying to reassure me. We arrive to my room and the awkwardness melts away as we stare at each other. My body fidgets needing more of his touch, but I don’t dare tell him that.
I can see the strain in Joe’s eyes. He wants to touch me and probably just as bad as I want him to.
“What were you planning for the rest of the night?” he inquires.
“Oh . . . I think I’m going to have a nice, long, hot bath,” I inform him.
“Any plans after that?” he searches, moving closer to me.
“Not sure . . . I haven’t quite decided yet,” I playfully contend.
Joe looks both ways down the hall and my eyes follow, not sure what he’s looking for. As my head leans in to look past his left, Joe’s mouth captures mine.
After a steamy kiss, Joe inquires, “Would you like some company?”
“During or after my bath?” I sensually ask.
“During or after.” Joe kisses me again and lightly bites my bottom lip.
“Company would be nice . . .” I begin, not knowing how to explain my predicament.
With a look knowing not to push, Joe offers, “After, then.” He moves closer, pressing himself more into me. “Just don’t take too long.”
Not wanting to separate from his lips, I nod in agreement.
With a wicked grin, Joe discovers, “Your room or mine?”
“Yours,” I confirm.
I know we’re safe from our friends knowing, but I’m not sure about sleeping in the same bed through the night even if we aren’t having sex. Our sex-capades have changed things.
About thirty minutes later, I make my way down the hall to Joe’s room. I would have been to him sooner, but he texted me a few times with statements like, I’m making s
ure the bed is warm, Thinking of me? or Are you hungry?.
Joe used the security latch to prop the door open, making it easy to just pop right in. We put the television on, but we hardly pay any attention to it. Joe and I curl up into each other, snuggling, kissing and talking on occasion.
“So, was it Javier, or his boyfriend who was in the show?” Joe questions.
“Stephan, his boyfriend,” I answer.
“Which character was he?” Joe inquires.
“I’m not sure,” I reply. “Javier sent me a photo, but all of the performers had too much makeup on to be able to tell.”
“Are Jared and Nathan still in the dark about your fake hookup with Javier?”
“Yep,” I confirm. “And it better stay that way.”
“Your secret is safe with me, beautiful,” he confirms, sealing it with a kiss.
I’m not sure how long we’re talking and kissing, mostly kissing, but it is long enough for me to start yawning.
“I should get to bed,” I mention.
“You are in bed,” Joe states.
“The one in my room,” I explain my intention further.
With slightly furrowed brows, Joe comments, “I don’t know why you don’t just stay here.”
“It’s weird,” I tentatively admit.
“How is it weird? We’ve done it before.” Joe pulls me in closer.
“It’s different now,” I sort of explain.
“The only difference is that we’ve had sex,” he confronts as if it’s a normal behavior for us.
“Exactly,” I reply, trying to hide my uneasiness.
“So?” he presses, wanting more of an answer.
“It’s just sex, nothing more and I don’t want to give the illusion . . .” I begin until Joe cuts me off with a kiss.
His lips linger for a long time. “Stay.”
I’m able to shake my head before my lips are willing to say the word. Right as I’m about to utter no, Joe locks his mouth with mine while shifting more to be on top of me.
“Please,” he sweetly begs.
“No,” I mumble as he stares into my eyes.
Joe returns his mouth to mine as if he’s trying to convince me without words. My body wants to stay, clearly by the way that it clings to him, but my brain is saying that this is all too much, too fast right now. I reluctantly pull away and I see the effect it has on Joe though he’s trying to hide it.
He walks me to the door, always touching me. I turn to say goodnight, seeking one last taste of his lips.
“Maybe tomorrow?” he peruses with a hint of heartache.
“Maybe,” I playfully remark.
“Goodnight, beautiful.”
My body tingles from his words.
“Goodnight, Joe.”
Fifty One
The next morning, I wake with plans to have breakfast with Pop-Pop and Joe. The three of us are the only early birds of our group. Before the August desert heat sets in, we walk around the Strip, taking in the sights. By lunch, Jimmy, Allen, Jared and Nathan are awake and meet up with us in the Bellagio to eat. The afternoon finds all of us in the spa, even Pop-Pop — because he’s never been to one. After dinner, we hit the casinos for a few hours. Pop-Pop heads to bed by around eleven and the rest of us go searching for a nightclub. By one in the morning, I’m helping Jared escort Nathan up to their suite. Nathan had a bit too much to drink.
“I’mmmm fine,” Nathan’s mouth slurs.
“Riiiiight,” Jared and I chuckle.
“Glad to know you’re having a good time,” I tease.
“It’s my birphday,” Nathan stutters.
“I know,” I agree. “Which is why I’m glad you’re having a good time. You’ve been working too hard.”
“Emma’s right, babe,” Jared confirms.
“I know, I know,” Nathan says shrugging out of his pants.
Jared and I snicker when Nathan falls onto the bed.
“You got this?” I ask Jared.
“Yeah,” he confirms. “If you stay for too much longer, you might not like what you see.”
“I’ve seen lots of naked men,” I remind. “And, I’ve seen you both naked.”
“I know,” Jared replies. “But, once he’s naked, even with alcohol in his system . . . .”
“I’m going,” I laugh, not wanting to stick around to see them get it on. “Love you,” I call over my shoulder as I open the door.
“Love you,” Jared returns.
“Love . . . you,” Nathan replies, grunting as he tries to yank off one of his shoes.
I dart out the door as soon as I see a look in Nathan’s eye — one that plans on having Jared naked in the next five seconds.
Once I finish rinsing off in the shower from dancing all night with five hot guys, I hear a knock at the door. Still wrapped in a towel, I crack it open to see who it is, even though I know who it is.
“Hey,” I greet with a little friskiness to my voice.
“Hey, beautiful,” returns Joe with a smirk. “Thought you might like a little company for our last night here.” His eyes travel down the length of my body.
“Let me get dressed and . . .” I begin to disclose before I stop myself from seeing his reaction. “What?”
“I promise I’ll behave,” he sinfully declares.
“I highly doubt that,” I muse.
“Scouts honor.”
“Were you ever a scout?” I rebut.
“No, but . . . .”
I don’t let him finish and open the door further to let him in. Joe beams at his little victory.
Despite the fact that Joe has seen me naked twice now, I’m a little self-conscious, mostly because I have my period and I’m not in the mood to explain the little green nub that might be protruding from my sex. Pretending I need to finish up in the bathroom, I grab underwear and make my way in there to finish changing. I close the door a little to hang up the towel and right as I get my underwear halfway up, I notice Joe standing in the doorway.
“Enjoying the view?” I lightly joke, trying to divert my own uneasiness.
“Absolutely,” he answers grinning.
Once I have my tank top on, I turn to get some lotion. Just as I’m lathering up my left arm, I feel Joe’s body behind me. He lowers his lips to my neck, behind my ear while holding me by the waist. When I reach for the bottle to do my right arm, Joe’s hand seizes it. Smirking, Joe squirts lotion into his hand and begins to sensually rub it in from my shoulder all the way down to the tips of each finger. Joe steals a kiss and then grabs the bottle again, leading me out to the bedroom. He positions me so I have to sit on the bed. Without much effort, Joe slides my body backward, further across the sheets. My eyebrows crease, not sure what he’s planning. Then, with another amount of lotion in hand, Joe meticulously massages my right leg, starting at my inner thigh all the way down to each toe and back up. He repeats the same tantalizing act on my other leg.
“Any place else?” he searches, hoping for an answer.
“No,” I barely mumble, shaking my head.
I think what Joe just did is the most erotic thing I’ve ever had done to me. The tingling in my loins surprises me.
Joe leans in for a kiss and then returns the lotion to the bathroom. We slide under the covers and repeat last night’s events of snuggling and kissing, but hardly talk this time.
“Can I stay?” he investigates after our not so brief make-out session late into the night.
“No,” I politely refuse. My lips press onto the curve of his palm as it strokes my face.
“Please,” he begs with the sexy voice.
We kiss a few more times before I carefully deny his request. I did let him have a small victory by letting him into my suite. Five minutes later, Joe retires to his room after we savor more of each other’s lips which is becoming our custom farewell.
Fifty Two
The next few days after Nathan’s birthday weekend are normal for me with work and my friends. Maggie and Henry are into their se
cond week of their honeymoon, but Maggie touches base with regards to work twice — I tease her about relaxing and being with her husband. Jimmy and Allen fly back to New York the day after we returned from Vegas — they’re doing another Hawaiian themed show at their gallery after the first one went so well. Jared’s been doing a wonderful job taking over Naturally Me and has the filming crew over at his and Nathan’s, giving me more time to focus on Raven Media and the upcoming trip that Joe and I will be taking to meet up with his parents to visit the building their company purchased that has already undergone some renovations. While seeing the facility, we’ll be meeting with the contractors handling the redesign of the entire area that will soon be Raven Media. The next step after that will be to begin interviewing some key staff to handle the facility and the company with Maggie.
Since it’s Thursday, Mia is busy cleaning the apartment while I work in my office. As I take a break from staring at the computer screen for the last hour or two, my attention moves to checking out the photo albums I ordered for Maggie and the family. They were just delivered and I’m too excited to keep working.
The books look great as I flip through the pages and I feel certain everyone will love them. I created special books for Maggie and Henry, Maggie’s parents, Henry’s parents, Amy and Eric, Kim and Peter, Jared and Nathan as well as had a bunch of photos printed to be framed.
“Emma,” Mia says, popping her head into my office.
“Sí, Mia?” I reply, keeping my eyes glued to the pages of the book in my hand.
Mia says something in Spanish.
“Qué?” I question as my brain doesn’t register her words.
“There is a handsome man at the door saying he knows you,” Mia repeats herself in her native tongue.
A perplexed look stays fixed on my face as I stand up and make my way over to her. When I get to the doorway where Mia is standing, my eyes confirm the person whom Mia is referring.
“Hey, beautiful,” Joe’s voice sings.
“No sabía qué tenías un novio,” Mia comments.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” I inform her in Spanish.
Joe continues to pet Sadie.
Just Breathe Series (Trilogy Box Set) Page 57
