Just Breathe Trilogy Box Set (107 page)

Since having dinner at Maggie’s, I have been looking non-stop for ideas on the internet as to what to get Joe. Joe texts and calls several times, checking to see if I’m free and says that he misses me and can’t wait to see me. He tries to persuade me to come over each night, saying that he wouldn’t mind being surprised if I just showed up since I have keys to get in — I refuse to see him until I figure out what I’m giving him.

Last night, by about midnight, I finally figured out what to give Joe, which is a relief since he’s on his way over to get me to start celebrating Valentine’s Day at eight in the morning. All I know is to wear something comfortable because we may or may not be outside at some point. He better not be going overboard with regards to today — I really can’t take it.

At seven forty-five, Sadie alerts me that someone is at the door before the knock is heard.

“You’re early,” I greet with a playful smirk.

“Hi, beautiful,” Joe returns with a smile as he holds twelve, red, long-stem roses that are wrapped with a red and white hearted patterned ribbon.

“Hi,” I answer, accepting the flowers.

“I didn’t want to take any chances that you were going to back out at the last second,” he teases.

“You texted me five minutes ago and I replied,” I remind.

“True. But, you could have been somewhere else while replying,” he suggests.

“Even if I was, you’d have Taylor and Hunter in cahoots to keep track of me . . . you know, keeping dibs on where I am at all times, just in case,” I muse.

“I seriously considered it,” Joe reveals with a nervous smile. He leans in and kisses me while I get the flowers in a vase.

“I don’t know why?” I feign, returning his kiss.

I hear a woman giggle and find Anna standing behind Joe. “Hi, Anna,” I greet warmly though I’m confused by her presence.

“Anna’s here to pack for you,” Joe informs.

“Pack for me?” I repeat.

“Yes,” Anna confirms heading into my bedroom.

“Why is she packing for me?” I inquire, following after Anna.

“I want today to be a surprise,” Joe reveals, tugging on my arm and spinning me to face him. He offers a yummy kiss. “So, Anna’s going to pack the things you’ll need before we leave.”

“What things do I need?” I ask, tilting my head behind me, hoping that Anna will answer.

“I told her the gist of what we’re doing and what you’ll need,” Joe replies, holding me close.

“I don’t like surprises,” I remind.

“So,” Joe chuckles. “You’ll need to get used to it since you’re my girlfriend.”

“I’m seriously reconsidering the
girlfriend
thing,” I goad.

“Don’t make empty threats,” Joe directs. “You know what happens with them.”

“Yeah,” I sigh. “I
like
what happens . . . and so do you.”

Joe pulls me in for another kiss or two before redirecting my attention to the kitchen. I get the flowers into the vase while Joe grabs Sadie’s bag and starts adding some of her usual basics for trips.

Once Anna is finished, Joe grabs my bags and we head out. The two of us sit quietly in the back seat of his Tesla with Sadie as Hunter drives and Ace is in the front passenger seat. The rest of our teams are following in two other vehicles.

After about five minutes of driving as we head south on the freeway, I ask, “So . . . where are we going?”

“You’ll see, beautiful,” Joe replies, kissing my hand.

“Come on,” I whine. “Give me something.”

“Nope,” he chuckles.

“Hunter?” I call, hoping he’ll give me a hint.

“Sorry, Emma,” he says lightheartedly.

“We need to get a woman on my security team,” I state.

“What? Why?” Joe inquires.

“Because, she’d fill me in,” I share.

“That’s definitely not going to happen,” Joe mentions.

“Why not?” I challenge playfully. “You think a woman can’t do as good as a job as them?”

“No,” Joe replies in a serious tone. “You know that’s not what I’m saying.”

I giggle at Joe’s reaction.

“That’s not funny,” he comments.

“Yes, it is,” I reply, laughing more.

Joe gives me a stern look.

“I see that look,” I poke.

“What look?” Joe questions.

“The twitchy palm look,” I tease.

“Careful, beautiful,” Joe threatens deviously.

“What?” I deny any and all awareness.

“You know what,” Joe states.

“I’m sure the boys won’t mind keeping their eyes forward if you’d like,” I tease.

Joe shakes his head, but doesn’t verbally reply.

“Can’t wait, then,” I goad, sliding my hand between his groin and copping a feel.

Joe lets me get a good rub or two of his slightly firm shaft before removing my hand. I whine my protest as Joe pulls out a piece of red, silk fabric from his pocket.

“So, you do want to have a little fun,” I comment with a smirk, reaching for his bulge.

“No,” he replies, blocking my attempt. Joe moves like he’s about to place the fabric over my eyes.

“What are you doing?” I search.

“Where we’re going is a surprise. I don’t trust you to keep your eyes closed the whole time, so I’m going to blindfold you,” Joe shares.

“What?” I say in shock, pulling my head away.

“Hold still,” Joe directs.

“No,” I object. “It’ll mess my hair up.”

“Your hair will be beautiful either way and we aren’t going to get there if this isn’t on,” Joe comments.

“But . . . .” I start to complain.

“Emma,” Joe says sweetly.

“Okay, fine,” I huff.

Joe places the blindfold on and then holds me more firmly as comfort while repeatedly kissing the side of my head. We chat on occasion about random things, which helps make time pass and my nerves to ease a little.

When the car finally stops, my hands jump to remove the blindfold.

“Not yet,” Joe instructs, blocking me.

“What? Why?” I complain.

A gust of wind with a taste of saltiness pushes into the vehicle when the door opens. We’re obviously near the ocean.

Joe releases the fabric from my face once he gets me situated a few feet away from the car. Giving me a second for my eyes to adjust, Joe leads Sadie and me onto a marina that is half filled with boats of all sizes.

“How long do we get the boat?” I ask as he helps me on.

“Depends,” Joe replies.

“On what?” I explore.

“I was thinking . . .” he begins, “. . . maybe after lunch, we could take you for your first driving lessons?”

My body pauses a few inches from the ramp to get on the boat. I search his face to see if he’s joking.

“Emma?” Joe checks, his expression changing, revealing a small smile.

“What?” I ask, resuming my trek onto to the boat.

“I was just kidding,” he shares nervously.

“I know,” I reply.

“Really?” he pries.

“No,” I admit. “But, I was hoping you were.”

“Learning a little bit about driving a car might help . . . it puts the control back in your hands . . . you did so well with the go-karts,” Joe reminds.

My mouth scrunches to one side, not completely sure about the idea.

“Consider it,” Joe suggests. “Now, sit. I need to get the boat ready for us.”

Sadie and I relax on the front of the boat while Joe gets the vessel ready for our journey. There’s a cool nip in the air even though it’s warm with the sun on us. Sadie and I snuggle under a blanket Joe offers and wait patiently for him to get us out to sea.

“So, how long do we get the boat for?” I check.

“As long as we want,” Joe replies with a smile.

Once we’re beyond the marina and into open water, Joe calls me over and I gladly join him. He leads me to stand between him and the steering wheel, having me guide the boat for a little while.

“You’re a natural,” Joe praises.

“I’ve had a good teacher,” I muse.

“So, you’re not mad at me for the blindfold?” Joe inspects.

“No,” I reply nonchalantly, shrugging my shoulders. “I’m glad that you didn’t go full on romantic. We’ve always done things differently and I appreciate that.”

“Me too. Well, I think this is romantic,” he says, snuggling into me. “And, the day isn’t over yet.”

Neither of us say anything — I don’t really think anything needs to be said.

Once we drop anchor, Joe pulls out a basket and a bottle of wine. We eat and snuggle with Sadie, enjoying the calm rocking of the boat. Once we finish our meal, Joe instructs for me to stay on deck while he goes below. I ask what he’s doing, but all he does is threaten me that he’ll tie me to the boat to make sure I don’t follow. I concede to staying put.

About five minutes later, Joe leads me down the stairs. My mouth opens wide at all of the candles scattered around the bedroom.

“Joe . . .” my voice nervously calls.

“Relax,” he coaxes. “They’re fake.” He touches one of the wicks. “See.”

“They look real,” I comment.

“I know,” he agrees. “That’s why I got these.”

Joe pulls me into him, taking my lips with his. By the time I’m down to my underwear and he has laid me on the bed, I notice the red rose petals as they stick to my skin. As the heat rises, Joe and I kiss, touch and lick every inch of each other’s body in the most passionate ways.

After our steamy sex session, we lounge on the bed with nothing on and are only slightly covered by the sheets. We snuggle for a while until Joe takes out his guitar. I pay close attention to the melody of the first song, not recognizing it from when he’s played the piano or guitar in the past. I think nothing of it until he begins to sing — something he usually doesn’t do.

And, it’s all about the way she makes me feel

It’s all about he kisses that you steal

The kisses that you steal

The kisses that you steal

“Is that a new one?” I inquire.

“Yes,” Joe confirms.

“Who is it?” I say.

“It’s
Kisses That You Steal
by blakgraz.”

“I like it,” I comment loosely.

“Me too,” agrees Joe with a smile.

He plays a few more songs, ones that I recognize like Jason Mraz, Ed Sheeran, John Legend and Maroon Five, and then snuggles back under the blankets with me.

“Thank you,” I say, pulling up a few of his chest hairs until they fall out of my grip and repeat the affection.

“For what?” Joe searches.

“For this . . . today,” I explain. “For not going crazy and all.”

“The day’s not over yet,” Joe reminds with a chuckle.

“I know,” I agree.

“Don’t worry, beautiful,” he says kissing my temple. “I promise it’s nothing too crazy.”

“Good,” I reply.

By four, Joe tells me we have to get dressed and head back to land. I pout, but do as I’m told with promises of more naked time later.

After the boat is docked, we get back in the car and make our way to a beach house that Joe has rented for the next couple of nights. Joe and I rinse off and get dressed for dinner. I’m not sure where he’s taking me, but he did say that it would be fancy.

With red lace panties on — one of the pairs Joe bought me — I finish getting ready in the bathroom with the door closed while Joe finishes in the main room. Wanting to be romantic, and hopefully not cheesy, I put on the red dress Anna packed for me that fits firmly to my body and stops at my knees that has cap sleeves and an open back. Once my hair is up and my makeup is on, I wait by the door to make sure Joe is ready before exiting.

“I’m ready, beautiful,” Joe announces after my knock and inquiry.

My hand shakes a little as I open the door. When it’s halfway open, my heart jumps into my throat at the sight of Joe turning to face me as he finishes putting on a cufflink. He’s wearing dark grey pants with matching vest, a white button shirt and a red tie that practically matches the color of my dress.

Joe’s body freezes as he takes in the complete sight of me. “You’re so . . . beautiful, Emma,” he breathes out on a strain.

I can’t help but smile. “Thanks,” I return. A few seconds later, after trying to compose myself, I comment, “You look pretty good yourself.”

It takes us what feels like a whole minute to completely collect ourselves before our bodies are capable of moving.

“You ready?” Joe asks, clearing his throat and offering his arm for me to take.

“Yes,” I confirm even though I still feel a little weak in the knees.

We barely say anything as we practically sit on top of each other in the back seat.

After some time, right as the car arrives with a stop, Joe says, “Thank you.”

“For what?” I inquire.

“For today . . . being with me,” he comments.

“Thank you,” I return, offering my lips.

A few seconds later, the back door opens and Joe gets out faster than I’m able to process that we’ve arrived to our destination. I hurry over the seat, eager to see where we are since I haven’t paid attention to anything other than Joe. When my head turns in the direction of the building, my feet stop for a moment. I can feel my body shaking as I recognize our destination.

“I figured it would be romantic to have dinner where we had our first date,” Joe whispers in my ear. “We don’t have to . . . .”

“It’s perfect,” I announce, cutting him off.

Joe leads me inside Spago and the maitre d’ ushers us to the exact same table where Joe and I dined the last time we were here together — the date just before Hawaii.

“Is this a coincidence?” I ponder as Joe pushes in my chair.

“No,” he chuckles. “I told Chef Andrews that I wanted the same table when we arrived.”

“Of course," I muse.

“We can change tables if you want,” Joe offers sweetly.

“This is perfect,” I reply. “Thank you.”

The waiter offers a bottle for Joe to look at and Joe is quick to nod acceptance. Then, the server pours our drinks and leaves us without menus.

“No menus?” I ask, speculating that it’s the same as last time.

Joe smirks as his only answer.

“Hello, my dear friend,” Chef Andrew states as he approaches our table from behind me.