Just Breathe Series (Trilogy Box Set)

by Martha Sweeney

Taylor has been watching us from a distance.

  When we’ve hit the second turn, I’m able to look back for a second and don’t find Taylor. At the forth corner, I see Taylor rounding the second. Shit he’s fast.

  The four of us ride around the track until my go-kart literally runs out of gas.

  “Nice job, Emma,” Hunter praises.

  “Thanks,” I sheepishly accept.

  “Not bad for a first time,” Joe cheers, hugging me.

  I step out of his embrace after about five seconds, uncomfortable that Hunter and Taylor are standing right next to us and because I’m completely turned on.

  As we’re leaving, Joe holds the door open for me to get into the car. We remain silent for the majority of the ride with only our hands and fingers dancing together.

  Hopping into the elevator around eleven at night, Joe and I recap our adventure, laughing half the time.

  “Where have you two been?” Jared asks, stepping out of a different elevator across from ours.

  “Looks like you two were having fun,” Nathan adds.

  “Did you go for a run?” Jared investigates.

  “No,” I answer.

  Jared and Nathan eye Joe and me. Suddenly Uncomfortable, I head toward my room.

  “Kitten,” Jared calls after me.

  “Just tell them, Emma,” Joe suggests.

  “Tell us what?” Nathan sings.

  “Joe took me back to the go-kart place,” I reveal, unlocking my door.

  “What?” Jared and Nathan say at the same time. They’re quick on my heels as I enter the room.

  “Why didn’t you tell us,” Jared questions.

  “It was kind of impromptu,” Joe explains.

  I explain the events that took place when I came back to my room after dinner and Jared and Nathan look at me with shock.

  “She did really good. I think she did better with less people there,” Joe admits.

  “It was just the two of you?” Nathan explores.

  “And, Hunter and Taylor,” I add.

  “I got it on video,” Joe reveals.

  My hand launches at his arm. “I made him stop filming early on.”

  A devious grin surfaces on Joe’s face. “I put it back in my pocket when you yelled at me, but I didn’t turn it off.”

  “What?” I gasp.

  “I wanna see,” Nathan commands.

  “Joe,” I scold with a clenched jaw.

  Jared and Nathan snicker.

  “What?” I ask.

  “Nothing,” Jared objects.

  I hear the sound of a motor and Joe’s voice giving me instructions. Curiosity catches this kittens attention and I stare in awe with my friends as we watch and listen to the video.

  “Not bad, Kitten,” Jared praises.

  “Thanks,” I accept sheepishly.

  “So, you just jumped behind the wheel?” Nathan asks.

  “No,” I object.

  “I drove first and had her tell me when to speed up,” Joe informs.

  “Well, why don’t Nathan and I go get into our pajamas and we’ll come back and hang out,” Jared suggests.

  “Why?”

  Jared gives me a look and I know what he’s referring to. He’s concerned that I’ll have the dream.

  “I’ll be fine,” I object. “Go enjoy the rest of your night.”

  “We’ll enjoy it even just hanging out in here,” Nathan expresses.

  “I’ll be fine, I swear,” I say.

  “You don’t know that, Kitten,” Jared opposes.

  “If I do, I’ll come to your room,” I offer. “Besides, I’m really tired from the adrenaline rush. I was just going to shower and then go to sleep. I’ll probably be so tired that I’ll sleep right through the night.”

  Jared studies me and I can tell he’s debating on continuing the discussion or not. He cups my face and says, “I don’t like the idea of leaving you alone, Kitten.”

  “I’ll be fine,” I huff. “I haven’t had the dream since . . . .” I stop to think about it.

  “Since staying at my place the first time,” Joe reveals, covering for me from when I had it in Hawaii and at Maggie’s wedding.

  “Exactly,” I support Joe’s statement.

  “I know today has been a bit traumatic,” Jared counters.

  Stepping into Jared to where our foreheads touch, I say, “Jared . . . I’m good. I promise.”

  The look in his eyes shows that he accepts and understands. He kisses my forehead, leaving his warm, comforting lips pressed against me for a long while. Reaching into his pocket, Jared slips his room key into my hand. “Just in case, okay?”

  “Okay,” I agree.

  “Love you, Kitten.”

  “Love you.”

  Nathan hugs me when Jared and I separate. “Love you.”

  “Love you too,” I reply.

  Joe follows them out of my room, saying his farewell in his gaze.

  Exhaustion kicks in as I start to undress to shower. I manage to wash my body, but that’s about it. I quickly brush my teeth and hair and flop onto the bed wearing just a tank top and boy-shorts. Sleep takes over, preventing me from being able to get under the covers.

  Eighty Four

  As I attempt to lift my heavy eyelids, I discover a hazy darkness surrounding me. Blinking slowly several times, my half-opened eyes won’t focus to give me any clear indication of what’s around me and where the blurry, flashing lights above are coming from. My body feels heavy. Still unable to open my eyes all the way, I perceive that I’m laying down somewhere. A cool dampness near my left cheek reveals itself as a slight gust of air brushes past my face. Sliding my right arm up the side of my body like a snake, my fingers creep to my lips. Drool — or, at least I hope so.

  Two large and oddly shaped figures materialize in front of me. They are so close, only a foot or two away. Voices suddenly emanate from the now more defined silhouettes. Their speech sounds muffled and trails off into the distance even as I try to concentrate on their words. Who are they? What are they saying? Why can’t I understand them? One of the voices almost sounds feminine.

  Another indistinguishable sound gradually becomes more apparent as it grows louder and the ringing in my ears subsides. It’s the engine of a car. My brain finally starts to put the fuzzy pieces of evidence together. I must have fallen asleep in the back seat. A familiar smell creeps into my nose that reassures me — my mother’s perfume.

  “Mom?” my throat squeezes out in a raw, breathy, hoarse tone.

  “We’re almost home, dear,” her voice replies in a low sluggish tone.

  I internally smile at her comforting words, though her voice sounds peculiar.

  A sudden rush of nervousness enters my belly. The car feels as if it’s flying down the road like a rocket ship as the speed of the flashing lights zooming above my head all blur into one.

  “Mom,” I try to shout, but not a single sound escapes my mouth this time. Confused, I try again. “Mom!”

  She doesn’t hear me. I don’t hear me.

  A single, bright white light races toward us, growing larger by the second. My mother turns her head toward me smiling. Why doesn’t she hear me? How does she not see the light?

  Again, with all my might. “Mom . . . !” my voice trails in my head like a deafening siren, stabbing my ears like a knife.

  Time stops in this very moment. I can see everything with perfect clarity as I stare in horror into my mother’s eyes. My mouth is left open, still screaming without a sound. I can’t hear anything except a piercing ring that echoes in my body. Why can’t she hear me? Why doesn’t she see the terrified look on my face?

  My body lurches backward as I attempt to scramble to grab my mother and I suddenly become paralyzed. Then, it happens all at once as the sound of metal hitting metal as it wraps itself around and around echoes in my ears. My parents’ bodies hurl forward to the oncoming truck, bouncing around like ping pong balls, getting dented with each blow. I see the face of the truck driver
— absolute horror engulfs my heart as I see myself staring back at me with the most demonic of expressions.

  My heart is filled with terror as I desperately try to yell one more time, “Mom . . . !”

  Jerking up, I shout out in horror. My heart is pounding, my lungs are panting and my entire body is shaking. Panic rises as my surrounds look and feel unfamiliar. I scurry to find a light and Sadie. As I search the room, I remember where I am. Grabbing my phone and room key, I hurry down the hallway and repeatedly knock on a particular door it until it opens.

  An arm reaches from the darkness, tugging me in. His body is warm and comforting. Without needing words, Joe carries me to his bed, tucking me into his body. “I’m sorry,” he says with pained words.

  My mouth lifts to his and he offers his willingly. “Fuck me,” I breathe out.

  “You sure?”

  “Yes,” I assure. “I want you. I need you.”

  His mouth smiles while it’s still pressed against mine. “I want you too.”

  For who knows how long, Joe tantalizes my body with his lips, tongue, fingers and cock. Joe confidently caresses me in all the right places as if he’s writing a song and my body is the instrument with each crescendo resulting in a climax.

  After laying quietly for a few moments from our frolic under his covers, Joe says, “Emma?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Was it the same?”

  “Mostly,” I admit.

  “What was different?” he tentatively asks.

  “The driver of the truck,” I offer.

  “Have you ever seen who the drive was before?”

  “No,” I reply. “Well, only once . . . it was Maggie.”

  “Who was it this time?”

  “Me,” I mumble.

  Joe’s arms tighten around me. “You know it’s not your fault, right?”

  “Yeah,” I lie.

  Joe nips my ear.

  “Hey,” I object.

  “I know you lied to me just now,” he reveals.

  We lay silent for a few more beats.

  “Sorry,” I reply.

  “It’s okay,” he says. “I know it’s a knee-jerk reaction because of your walls.”

  “Yeah,” I agree.

  “Thanks for letting me in . . . even just this much,” he adds.

  I don’t reply.

  “Emma?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You staying?” he asks hesitantly.

  A smile spreads across my face. “Yeah.”

  Joe’s pulls me in closer. “Good.”

  “Goodnight, Joe.”

  “Goodnight, beautiful.”

  Eighty Five

  Warm, soft kisses on my neck stir me from sleep.

  “Good morning, beautiful.”

  I’ll never tire hearing him greet me all the ways he does.

  “Good morning,” I return, keeping my eyes closed. “What time is it?”

  “Just after six,” he reveals, then tastes my mouth. “Should I order some room service?”

  “Sure,” I agree.

  Joe groans when I slip out of our embrace.

  “I need to pee,” I confess. “I’ll be right back.”

  “What are you in the mood to eat?”

  A sinful smile emerges on my face as I look over my shoulder and stand in the doorway for the bathroom.

  “I meant for food,” Joe corrects.

  “Me too,” I answer. Stepping into the bathroom, I reply before closing the door. “Surprise me.”

  The door opens to the bathroom right as I finish flushing the toilet. “I ordered something light since I know we’re going to meet up with Pop-Pop and Joanna.” Joe steals a kiss before I make it to the sink.

  My eyes bulge a little as they watch him in the mirror — Joe takes his turn relieving himself right in front of me. What the hell?! For all the times we’ve stayed the night, with or without sex occurring the night before, he’s never done this. Shit.

  Nervous, I rush out of the bathroom and slip back under the blankets.

  Not long after, Joe joins me. “How’re you feeling?”

  “Good,” I return.

  We stay in bed snuggling until room service is delivered. I hide under the covers, not wanting to be seen by the staff member. The last thing I need is to have a witness to me being in Joe’s room.

  After we eat, I sneak back to my room to shower. I text Pop-Pop, inquiring about breakfast and he confirms that he and Joanna are free anytime. We schedule to meet up in twenty minutes and I grab Joe from his room on the way down to the only five-star restaurant in the casino.

  Just as Joe finishes ordering, Maggie and Henry pop into sight. Jared and Nathan aren’t long to follow. When our food arrives, Joe excuses himself temporarily from the table to take a phone call. My family and I chat freely as we eat. I openly share my late night excursion with them and they all seem genuinely happy for me.

  “We want to see the video of Emma driving,” Maggie says to Joe as he sits back down.

  “That may have to wait,” Joe announces with his business persona in full effect.

  “What’s going on?” I question.

  “They know we’re here. They know you’re here,” Joe reveals.

  “Shit,” my mouth slips. “Sorry, Pop-Pop.”

  “Damn. I was really enjoying some time away from all of that,” Nathan comments.

  “Me too,” I add.

  “How did they find out?” Maggie inquires.

  “Could have been staff,” Joe says. “All of our guards are on high alert.”

  “What should we do?” Maggie asks the group.

  Everyone looks at each other while remaining quiet.

  “Emma?” Jared starts.

  “I don’t want to be the one to decide,” I reply.

  “Well, they’re most likely here for you, Jared and Nathan,” Maggie states.

  “Does it get any better?” I ask, looking to Joe.

  “In time, but . . . there will always be something,” he admits.

  Everyone nods their understanding of the predicament.

  “I say, let’s play it out,” Nathan chimes in. “If it gets crazy, we’ll leave. Let’s just have all our stuff packed and in the cars just in case.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Jared comments.

  “Good thing the Halloween party is invite-only,” Maggie mentions.

  “Yeah, no shit,” Nathan blurts. “Sorry, Pop-Pop.”

  Laughing, Pop-Pop reminds, “You’re all adults. You don’t need to apologize each time you curse. I used to swear like a sailor when I was in the military.”

  Everyone laughs.

  By the end of our meal, we agree to pack our things and have them delivered to our vehicles. When we gather in Jared’s room, we plot out our plan of action.

  “Let’s give them what they want,” Nathan suggests.

  “And, what’s that?” Maggie searches.

  “Be in front of their cameras,” he informs. “Let’s go shopping and eat lunch out on the town so they can have their fill of us for a few hours. Then, we can head home. They’ll probably leave us alone after that.”

  “It’s possible,” Joe notes. “They usually are just looking for a few pictures they can use to spin a story. Once they have it, they’ll leave.”

  We take two elevators side by side down the main floor of the casino once Hunter, Taylor and Deacon confirm that the cars are packed. Maggie, Henry, Pop-Pop and Joanna get in one elevator while Jared, Nathan, Joe and myself get into the other. When the doors open, visitors of the casino rush toward Jared, Nathan and me. Taylor and Caesar, my bodyguards, with Hunter and Luke, Joe’s bodyguards and Steve and Jesus, Jared and Nathan’s bodyguards block the mob’s access to us in front while the rest of our teams and Maggie’s and Henry’s follow up behind us.

  A crowd quickly forms in front of us, screaming Jared’s, Nathan’s and my names. We smile and sign a few autographs as our guards press forward. Lights flash in every direction. It takes about
thirty minutes to walk the distance to the lobby which is only about one hundred meters from the elevators. The crowd swarms around our vehicles as we get in, but the hotel staff is quick to aid our drivers to shift the mass of people out of the way.

  Our chauffeurs park in a line out front a few boutiques that Maggie, Jared and Nathan want to check out. Each of the stores are happy to have any current customers leave the shop while the eight of us peruse their merchandise. After a little apprehension, Joanna starts to perk up and ooh and ahh over some of the outfits and accessories. Jared and Nathan make trying on clothes a game and everyone joins in, even Henry and Joe. We pick out different things for each other to try on. Then, Maggie finds a quaint little jewelry shop and we buy something that we see catches Joanna’s eye among a few things for ourselves.

  “Ooo, I want to go in here,” Maggie announces freely, not caring who’s in earshot.

  I look to Henry and Joe, who both look very uncomfortable with the idea. Joanna giggles and Pop-Pop mirrors Henry’s contention while Jared and Nathan eagerly follow Maggie and me into the store.

  “Nothing in here is going to get your pregnant, Maggie,” Nathan teases.

  “But, they can help,” she sings, smiling back.

  Maggie and I milk each second we’re in the adult sensual store, allowing the crowd and paparazzi to catch glimpses of us playing with a variety of items — purposefully posing. Before we leave, Maggie discreetly purchases a few things. I make a mental note of the items I want to find on the internet to order.

  “I’m hungry,” Maggie announces to our group when we exit the adult store.

  Jared, Nathan and I snicker, avoiding making any crude comments concerning what we think she’s really hungry for in front of Pop-Pop and Joanna.

  We head home after lunch because the crowd becomes a little unruly. While driving back, we text back and forth about what we want to do. Joe offers for everyone to stay the night at his place since there’s enough room and security. Everyone agrees and we head for Joe’s penthouse.

  Anna and Sadie greet everyone happily. Sadie is especially excited to see Joe and me. Joe offers his room to Pop-Pop and Joanna, Jared and Nathan take Jimmy and Allen’s room and Maggie and Henry take the third guest room and I take the last. When Pop-Pop inquires as to where Joe is sleeping, he mentions that he has a bed in his office and there’s always the couch. Pop-Pop tries to argue with Joe, but Joe’s patient persistence wins in the long haul.