“So do we,” Maggie adds.
“Our whole family has them,” Jimmy offers.
“Since when,” I question.
“Since always,” Jimmy answers.
“I’ve never seen them,” I argue.
“They’re that good,” Allen states.
“Leave her alone,” Joe interjects. “This will blow over in a few days. A few weeks at the latest.”
“I’m not so sure,” Jimmy debates. “There’s already been talk from the one reporter, David from Star Magazine, who’s been posting about him seeing and overhearing Jared, Nathan and Emma both signing autographs and taking pictures with some of the fans with and without Chris before they went inside the theater.”
“Shit!” my mouth explodes.
Everyone looks to me as I regretfully share what occurred. Maggie beams, excited for what all the hype can mean for Naturally Me on top of Nathaniel’s. Jimmy and Allen believe that there is no way this whole thing, especially with Chris in the mix, will be going away anytime soon. My mind starts to wander as my friends continue to chat, hoping for a not so public airing of my unreal relationship with Chris.
Jared calls a few minutes later, catching me up on all of the emails flooding Naturally Me. The majority of them are all positive from our supporters and followers. There are a few pieces of hate mail, as we predicted, we’ve gotten some unfriendly mail over the years specifically for our LGBT section, but they are mostly direct to Jared about him being gay and that he’s going to burn in hell for his blasphemes ways. I jump into instant defense mode and it takes Jared a minute to calm me. He’s able to brush off the comments much easier than I can when they target him, but then again, the roles reverse when there’s hate mail for me.
Jared reassures that there is no connection to me from last night and Naturally Me in the news, yet, but there’s a good chance that it will happen within the next day or two. He also mentions that he already has our social media team handling a lot of the press, letting them know what we feel most comfortable saying, which is pretty much nothing. He suggests I lay low by not going outside, and if I do, to wear a hat and sunglasses. Ironically, he encourages that I stay at Joe’s once he finds out that they have bodyguards from Jimmy. Joe, Jimmy and Allen agree, as do Maggie and Henry, when security comes up in conversation. I insist that he an Nathan lay low as well, considering some of the nasty emails received. He tries to assure me that Nathan and he will be fine, but agrees to have me arrange for some protection for them. When Jared updates me on the status of Nathaniel’s, I discover that the store is sold out. Nathan and Denise have been taking a lot of back orders while also mentioning to customers that several pieces are coming out this fall in department stores. Jared rushes off the phone when he hears that another A-list actor is calling for a consultation.
Joe contacts one of his guards to make arrangements to have a team come within the next day or two to potentially be my bodyguards as well as another group to be assigned to Jared and Nathan. I’m grateful for his attentiveness to protecting Jared and Nathan and not just me.
For the rest of the day, I purposefully do my best to keep my eyes and ears away from any of the news from last night. Anna sweetly comments that she thought I looked pretty. I thank her appreciatively despite my apprehension for the topic. Maggie and Henry head home after dinner and once the sun is fully set, Joe, Anna and I take a trip to my place to grab a few of my things. Jimmy and Allen try to come along, but Joe stands firmly with it only being three of us, hoping to not draw any more attention.
Anna stays in the car as Joe and I head up to my apartment. The second the door opens, Joe has it closed behind us and my body pinned, devouring my mouth.
“Do we have enough time?” Joe search with desperation in his voice.
“I doubt it,” I regretfully admit, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to.
“Damn,” he states, fighting to expose his irritation. “What do you need to pack?”
“Stuff for Sadie, clothes and some other things,” I manage to explain.
“Other stuff?” Joe muses. “Like?”
“Just other stuff,” I say.
“Like B.O.B.?”
“Maybe,” I answer calmly. “I’m considering it now that you mention him, with Jimmy and Allen at your place.”
Joe growls a little with frustration and excitement.
“He might have to . . .” I begin.
Cutting me off, Joe commands, “Unless you want to be naked in the next five seconds, don’t finish that statement.”
I weigh my options carefully, opening my mouth several times as if I’m going to and then don’t, wanting to tease and play.
“Start packing, or else we aren’t leaving,” Joe explains.
“Sure,” I agree, smacking his ass when I walk away.
“You’re asking for it, beautiful,” Joe announce.
“Am I?” I play.
Joe takes a moment to compose himself. “What should I pack for Sadie,” he questions with a steady tone.
I lead him into the kitchen, seductively bending over in front of him to get two large, pliable coolers, baiting him on purpose. A yelp immediately followed by a giggle passes my lips when Joe spanks my right butt cheek. Joe gives me a look, almost a little surprised by my reaction, but then realizes what I’m doing. He’s trying so hard to stay focused.
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 fuck 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 t
he 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.
Joe walks me to my room, and just before we part, he requests that I text him when I’m finished. Once I’m settled in the tub, I get the courage to take a photo of myself lounging and send it to Joe before I masturbate. He writes back instantly, thanking me for the photo and checks to see if I’m finished yet. A few minutes later, Joe asks if we’re cuddling with our without clothes. I confirm it will definitely be with clothes, God forbid something should happen.
By midnight, Joe and I are tucked under my covers with Sadie. He stays for a while as we lay facing each other, kissing most of the time. Sadie whines when Joe eventually gets up to leave, following him out the door. She comes back to bed with me a few minutes later, curling into our usual position.
Seventy Six
Sadie and I hop right into our usual morning routine easily after our second night at Joe’s. When she and I head out of the building for our morning walk, Joe joins us with his security team. Each time I take Sadie out after learning of Joe’s security detail, I try to see if I recognize any faces. I have no luck discovering who they are or where they might be, and Joe laughs when he realizes what I’m doing. He offers that I’ll meet them later today since his head bodyguard, Hunter, has already found four guys for the job as my team and is still wrangling the last two for Jared’s and Nathan’s. They just need my approval.
Back inside, Joe lets me use his rebounder before Anna’s done making us breakfast. I have trouble staying focused as I jump. Joe’s not in the room, but knowing that I’m in his room is distracting. All I want to do is strip down and wait for him under the covers or in the shower. After stretching, I almost collide into Jimmy in the hallway as I head to the kitchen to eat.
“What were you doing in Joe’s room?” Jimmy accuses playfully.
“Jumping,” I say.
“Jumping Joe’s bone-r is more like it,” he presses. “Look at you, you’re all sweaty.”
“I was on the rebounder,” I object.
“Riiiiight . . .” Jimmy baits, clearly looking for a reaction.
“Joe’s not in there. You can check for yourself,” I offer, walking into the kitchen first.
“Good morning, Mr. James,” Anna greets.
“Morning, Anna.”
“Ms. Emma,” Anna comments.
“Good morning, Anna,” I greet. “Just so you know, you don’t need to greet me each time. Okay?”
“Yes, Ms. Emma,” she accepts.
“Good morning,” Joe says, strolling in the door behind Jimmy and me.
I watch Jimmy as he looks Joe up and down and then back to me.
“Right . . .” Jimmy says sarcastically.
I roll my eyes.
“What?” Joe searches.
“Nothing,” Jimmy blows it off.
“I ran into Jimmy in the hallway. He saw me coming from your room and naturally assumed that the reason why I’m all sweaty is . . . .”
Jimmy cuts me off, “I said no such thing. It’s your dirty mind that thought that all on its own.”
“Bull,” I challenge.
“The guys will be here just before lunch, Emma,” Joe changes the subject.
“Thanks,” I comment.
Jimmy snickers, but doesn’t dare say another word.
After we eat, I shower and then get back to work on business since it’s officially Monday. I do get distracted from time to time, as I have the past couple of days, checking the twitter feeds about Naturally Me, Chris and myself. Chris has yet to make an official statement. From what Jared said in a text, Chris is graciously letting Jared and me handle any statements about our assumed relationship. Right as I’m about to tackle more emails, my eye catches the latest tweet that confirms via photos and videos of me, some with Jared and some without, verifying my association with Naturally Me and as well as a wide variety of comments, statements and speculations about me and Chris — I turn off my iPad after reading about twenty of them.
My head snaps around when I hear my name.
“Emma?” Joe says.
“Hey. Yeah. What’s up?” I reply, sounding as controlled as I can at the moment.
“You okay?” he searches, moving closer.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” I lie.
“Hunter and his guys are here,” he informs me.
“Great!”
At least this could be a good distraction for the time being.
Anna leads eight gentlemen into the living room who file into a single line next to each other standing practically at attention. All eight of them are dressed in business attire, which catches me completely off guard. Sadie stays right by my side as I get up from the couch and move in their direction. Upon closer inspection, I recognize one of them — he was the driver when Joe and I had our date as well as for the concert we went to with Joe’s parents.
“Emma,” Joe continues. “This is Hunter, he’s in charge of my team. Ace, Luke and Conor.” Joe gestures to each one when he says their name.
I nod my greeting.
“Who would be in charge for my team?” I check.
“That would be Taylor, ma’am,” Hunter informs me with a slight Southern accent, gesturing toward Taylor.
While Hunter has dirty blonde hair, brown eyes and a stature that is probably five-foot-ten, Taylor is approximately an inch shorter with a two-inch buzz cut, dark brown hair and amber eyes. Both men have chiseled jaw lines and I bet if they smiled, they’d make most girls’ panties drop.
I smirk to myself, amused by the idea that if I had met any of the men standing in front of me in the past, I would have fucked them. Oddly, my body doesn’t respond to them in that way.
“How old are you, Hunter?” I begin.
He looks at me quizzically for a second. “Twenty-six, ma’am.”
With the sweetest smile I can give, I instruct, “Do not call me ma’am. I am not your mother, your grandmother or any woman who is older than you. In fact, I am younger.”
“My apologies, ma’am, I mean Miss,” he corrects.
“That goes for all of you,” I command.
They nod their understanding.
My eyes drift to Joe and I see him fighting a smirk.
“Nice to see you again, Hunter,” I comment.
“You as well, Miss,” he returns with a smile.
“Taylor,” I say, walking toward him.
“Yes, ma’am, I mean, yes, Miss,” he answers.
I smirk when he fumbles slightly. “How long has Hunter known you?”
“Eight years, Miss,” he explains. “We were in the marines together.”
“Who have you brought with you today?” I continue.
“I brought Dale, Dylan and Caesar, Miss,” he reports.
“How long have you known them?” I search.
“I’ve known Dale and Dylan for seven, Miss, and Caesar for twenty.”
My attention turns to Caesar. “Would you trust Taylor with your life, Caesar?”
“Yes, ma’am. I mean, yes, Miss,” Caesar answers without hesitation.
Standing back in front of Taylor, I continue. “Did you all serve together?”
“Yes, Miss,” Taylor continues.
“Were you all in the same regiment?”
“Yes, Miss.”
“What were your ranks?” I inquire.
“We were a part of the marine special operations regiment, Miss. I was a Second Lieutenant, Dale and Dylan were Master Sergeants and Caesar was a Sergeant Major.”
“Did you boys and your regiment serve?”
“Yes, Miss. We all served in Afghanistan.”
“Thank you for your service,” I commend.
“Thank you, ma’am. I mean, Miss.”
“Lose a lot of brothers?” I search.
“Unfortunately, yes, Miss.”
Just Breathe Series (Trilogy Box Set) Page 75
