Just Breathe Trilogy Box Set (74 page)

I’m pulled away from my friends further when Chris needs to mingle with some of his coworkers from the movie. He introduces me to everyone and I’m excited to meet all of them and to see Marcus, who had a role in the movie as well that I wasn’t aware. I stand smiling most of the time, only talking when someone greets me or asks a question. Chris stands close to me the entire time, keeping his hand on my back with his thumb gently rubbing back and forth over my exposed skin. On several occasions, Chris leans in, kissing me on the cheek or on my exposed shoulder. I don’t say anything or move, and when our eyes meet, I give him a half pressed smile.

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.

Joe’s smile curls to the left side. “Plus, it wouldn’t be good if we returned together.”

I nod and start to move to the door. Joe tugs me in for one last, long fervent embrace.

When the door closes behind me, I text Jared, letting him know I’ll meet him by the main doors to the room. I manage a few minutes with my friends, but Chris finds me pretty easily. It’s not hard to spot me in this dress let alone the fact that everyone in the room knows I came with him.

For the rest of the night, I’m stuck to Chris’ side. I happily dance with him and he graciously lets Marcus, Jared, Nathan, Jimmy and Allen have a turn even though he keeps a very close proximity. When I try to leave to use the bathroom, he escorts me each time, waiting patiently just outside. I keep my alcohol intake to a very low minimum on purpose, not wanting to do anything stupid or foolish. When I’m not dancing with anyone else or we’re just standing around talking with people, Chris continues to keep a hold of my waist or hand. He snags a few kisses on my cheek or shoulder, but I’m able to deflect his attempts for my lips except for two different times in the night.

As the evening dies down, Chris reluctantly takes me back to Nathaniel’s with my friends’ limo guiding the way. We recap the night and laugh at some of the funny things we witnessed. With it being almost two-thirty in the morning, the roads are open, making it easy for use to get back to Nathaniel’s in a timely fashion.

When I notice that we’re only a few blocks away, something Chris says catches my attention. “What?” I inquire, not sure I heard him correctly.

“I said I think we should continue this relationship,” he says calmly with a smile.

“What relationship?”

“Our relationship,” he explains.

A nervous laugh erupts from my throat. “We’re not in a relationship.”

“We should be. All the reporters will say that we are, and you never said or did anything to counter that we might not be,” Chris mentions.

I stare blankly at him, letting his words sink in. He didn’t dis-sway the idea either.

“It’s a win-win situation for Nathan, you and me with our careers. It wouldn’t hurt for us to placate the sensationalization that will come from tonight,” Chris explains further.

“I’m flattered, Chris, but this is strictly professional for me and I don’t plan on taking matters beyond where they already are,” I earnestly reply.

“Why not? We had a great time tonight,” he counters.

“Yes, we had a good time, but I’m not interested in dating. I told you that in the beginning,” I calmly remind.

The car comes to a stop and I can see out the tinted window that we’re in Nathaniel’s parking lot.

“Is it because of Joe?”

“What are you talking about?” I snap.

“I see the way he looks at you,” Chris reveals.

“This has nothing to do with Joe. He and I are friends. His best friend is married to my best friend, Maggie.”

“Have you slept with him, too?” Chris pushes.

“Who I’ve slept with is none of your business,” I sharply answer.

“Tell me what to do,” Chris says with pain in his expression and voice.

“About what?” I reply confused.

“What do I need to do for you to be with me?” he pleas. “I want you.”

“You hardly know me,” I counter.

“You haven’t given me the chance,” he rebuts.

“I don’t give anyone a chance,” I explain.

“Will you make an exception? For me?” he searches.

“No,” I say as calmly and gently as I can.

“What if I tell you that I won’t stop trying,” he questions.

“I’d tell you you’re wasting your time and to find a woman who can give you what you want,” I state.

“How do you know you can’t give me what I want?”

“Our current conversation is a prime example,” I present.

Chris hangs his head a moment before looking at the door. He doesn’t say anything as he gets out of the vehicle and offers his hand to me.

Realizing that I can’t let us part like this, hurting him more than I could have known, I smile and place my hand on his cheek. “You’ll find her,” I encourage.

“Who?”

“The one you’re looking for,” I explain.

“I want you,” he repeats, stepping closer.

“You’ll think differently when you find her,” I reply.

Chris places his hands on my waist, making our bodies flush. “Can we be friends?”

“In time,” I sweetly offer.

He wraps his arms around me, sighing into my neck. Chris’ lips press into my skin, snatching a taste.

It’s odd how your body responds to each person who touches you. The right person causes a chemical reaction, sending your hormones into a frenzy. That is not the case in this moment.

As he releases me, Chris takes hold of my face, stealing a kiss out of desperation. I don’t fight him, but I also don’t encourage him either.

His lips let go, but stay within an inch. “Please?” he begs.

“Just friends,” I remind.

Chris nods his understanding and reluctantly lets go. “Don’t break his heart, too, okay?”

My gaze follows Chris’ when I see him flick his head in a particular direction. Joe’s standing by his Tesla with my bag in hand.

“Or, your own, for that matter,” Chris adds.

I’m not sure what Chris does next while my eyes stay fixed on Joe. At some point, I do remember hearing a car door close before driving off.

“Hey, beautiful,” Joe greets, tentatively moving closer.

“Were you spying on me?”

“Maybe.” Joe’s cheeks faintly blush under the dim parking lights.

“Where’s everyone?”

“Inside.”

We stand in silence for a few beats.

“How much of that did you hear?” I check.

“Enough,” Joe offers with a grin.

“How much
enough
?” My eyes squint.

Joe tasks a cautious, conservative step toward me. “Enough to know he’s still a good guy after having his heart broken,” he reveals.

“He’ll recover,” I brush it off.

“With a woman like you, Emma, it’s going to take him a while to move on, regardless of how well he knows you,” Joe comments, moving closer.

A knot catches in my throat, making it a challenge to say anything until I swallow hard. “I should go say goodnight to everyone,” I redirect our conversation.

Joe nods in agreement, sweeping his fingers down my right arm.

We enter into Nathaniel’s through the back door by the office and make our way into the main store area. Everyone is chatting freely and don’t stop on our account. We rehash some of the things that occurred this evening and toast preemptively to a successful year for Nathaniel’s. Jared adds in Naturally Me and Raven and I wholeheartedly agree with him.

At some point, Jared checks in on me and I catch him up on what went down with Chris. “You handled it very resolutely,” he comments once I finish with the details. “I think a friendship can come from it, in time, of course.”

“Yeah,” I confirm, not believing that it would happen anytime soon.

“Our lives are going to change after tonight, you know?” Jared adds. “You ready for that?”

“No,” I contend.

“We’ll take it one day at a time, together.”

I nod in agreement.

After listening to our friends talking for a few minutes, I nervously explore a topic with Jared, “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything,
Kitten
.”

“Why was Joe the only one outside when Chris and I were still in the car?”

“He came in with us, but I suggested that he get your bags and put them in his car.”

“Why?” I inquire. “I was planning on changing.”

“Nathan wants everyone to take their pieces home. He wants to see what happens tomorrow when the shop opens and he didn’t want them possibly being stolen or anything since Pop-Pop is still working on the security displays,” Jared explains.

“Oh, okay.”

Jared brings up the subject of my episode before getting out of the car with Chris at the event. I explain what happened, but tell him it passed quickly. He insists on me not staying home alone and somehow mentions something to Maggie for her to suggest that she and Henry crash at Joe’s and Jared insists that I do the same. When Joe and I are in the Tesla, he notifies me that I’ll have one of the guest rooms and that he’ll be on his best behavior. He does pout a little when commenting that he’s disappointed that he won’t be able to make me cum sooner like we had agreed at the after party. I sinfully declare that he can make it up to me another time, possibly by setting a new record. Joe immediately accepts the challenge.