Just Breathe Trilogy Box Set (46 page)

I watch her face to make sure she’s done. Maggie laughs at me and after a minute of making sure she won’t continue, I drop my hands from my ears and begin to laugh as well.

“We still need to find you a man who can really satisfy you,” she insists.

“Drop it,” I urge.

“I can’t believe with all the men you’ve slept with that not one of them has been able to get you to orgasm without you having to . . . .”

“Drop it,” I repeat a little more sternly.

A thud sound comes from the floor by Sadie. Maggie and I laugh. “It’s okay Sadie. I wasn’t talking to you,” I inform, picking up her bone and giving it back to her. “I was talking to Aunt Maggie.”

“Now you know why Jared, Nathan and I say that song is your theme song,” Maggie throws in and sticks out her tongue when she’s finished.

Maggie is right. I have yet to find a man who can satisfy my sexual needs, a real man, that is, who isn’t named B.O.B..

“If we’re going to get out of here anytime soon, I need to shower,” I announce.

“We should hit the spa sometime this week,” she says graciously dropping my sex life from the current topic list. “I think we could both use it.”

“Definitely!” I agree.

“Oooh, do you mind if I borrow some jewelry?”

“No, not at all,” I offer, heading towards my bedroom with Maggie close behind. “You know where they are.”

When Maggie and I get back to the kitchen for a small bite before continuing with the rest of our day, I notice writing on the notepad attached to the side of my fridge. It says;

Glad to know you talk about me. See you soon, beautiful!

xoxo Joe

It quickly rip it off before Maggie can see it and shove it into my wallet.

The rest of the day, it’s just Maggie, Sadie and me until we head over to Nathan’s for dinner with him, Jared and Pop-Pop. I decide that it’s time to fill them in on the business deal that I’m working on with Joe and his parents.

“So, that’s why you two have been spending so much extra time together,” Nathan states.

“Yes. For business and planning the joint bachelor-bachelorette weekend.”

“And, getting Pop-Pop here for Jared’s party,” adds Maggie.

“Well, that explains a lot,” Nathan confesses. “And, here we thought you two were having sex.”

So the truth comes out. That’s what they’ve been talking about.

“Makes sense,” Jared adds with an expression like he’s still not completely convinced.

I don’t want to lie to my friends, but I don’t want to admit to them either that there is something, what I’m not exactly sure, happening with Joe. I’d rather use him for his body to satisfy my itch and once I’m ready to move on, like I do with all men, I’ll eventually admit to it — maybe. All I know is that Joe and I want to fuck each other, and I desperately need to fuck him so I can get back into my regular trolling routine.

“So what does this all mean for us?” Maggie searches.

“It means that you’ll still be COO, you’ll have more staff to run everything and you’ll be making a lot more money . . . that is, if you still want the job.”

“Of course I do. Wow! I’m so excited. This is so much fun,” she beams.

I smile at Maggie, happy and relieved to hear that she’s still on board. Turning my attention to Jared, I continue with more explanation. “Jared.”

“Yeah,
Kitten
,” he says.

“Because this expansion is going to take up more of my time . . .” I start.

“Yeah?” he replies.

“That means I’ll have less time to work and focus on Naturally Me,” I explain.

“What do you need from me? I can easily do more if you need. I’d be happy to,” he eagerly supports.

I take a moment to think about how I want to phrase my next statement. “I was thinking about more than that.”

Jared cocks his head to the side, showing that his interest is piqued.

“I was thinking of turning over fifty percent of the company’s ownerships over to you. You ultimately do what I do, but we can . . . .”

“Oh my God! Are you serious?!” he shouts, almost on the verge of tears.

Nodding, I continue, “We can hire some more staff, maybe even find a place for Pop-Pop if he’d like.”

“Of course!” Jared shouts, jumping up and hugging me. “Thank you for believing that I can . . . I love you!”

“I wouldn’t trust anyone else,” I return, fighting back tears. “I love you too!”

“Looks like you’re going to be my sugar daddy!” Nathan teases.

“Hell yeah!” Jared confirms. “I don’t mind being one.”

Pop-Pop is emotional too, especially after hearing how determined Jared and I are to find a place for him as well.

Once we get settled with our emotions, Nathan grabs two bottles of wine and we pop them open to celebrate. Our conversation for the rest of the night turns into questions and ideas for both companies and eventually over to incidentals where we are laughing into the night.

Back at my apartment and laying in bed with Maggie, who is already asleep next to me, I stare at the ceiling with contentedness surrounding my heart. I knew my friends would be excited and happy for me, but I didn’t expect them to be this enamored with how things are changing, let alone myself. This is one point in my life where I don’t mind the change. The pride and love I have for Maggie and Jared is at a level I can’t even describe. I’m even more thankful and grateful for them being in my life.

Come Monday night, Maggie is still sleeping over, working and conducting wedding stuff as Henry has yet to return from China. She’s needing more down time in between being around family and checks with Amelia for wedding needs and details. Maggie reports that business is going very well for Henry, he’s just really busy. I don’t doubt that he’s trying to get additional things done prior to the wedding.

Jared joins Maggie and me for the night so all three of us can discuss and schedule needed steps for both businesses this week. With tomorrow being the start of June, the three of us have a lot of things to take care of regarding business and Maggie’s wedding. The wedding is less than two months away and almost every weekend is booked with some kind of event — Father’s Day with Fŭqīn and Pop-Pop, the bridal shower, 4th of July, the bachelor-bachelorette weekend Joe and I have to finish planning and then the rehearsal dinner and wedding. There are only one or two weekends that have yet to be booked for some kind of a party or gathering.

Just after dinner, Maggie inquires, “Who are you texting?”

“No one,” I reply, focused on the conversation.

“Is it a man?” she playfully pries.

“How long have you known me to know that I wouldn’t give my phone number out to a man, let alone any straight man,” I remind.

She pauses for a moment. “Well, Joe is a man and I know he has your number.”

Jared and her snicker.

“If you must know, I’m talking with Amy and Kim.” I show her my phone’s screen just long enough for her to see who’s in the conversation.

“Why?” she searches.

I look up at Maggie to answer. “I talk to them regularly, not just when the family is together.”

“And, she’s finalizing bridal shower arrangements,” Jared interjects.

“Thanks,” I sarcastically reply.

“What?! It’s not like she doesn’t know when it is,” he shrugs.

Maggie and Jared let me be for the next few minutes as I continue texting with Amy and Kim. Joe texts again for the third time today, asking the same question he’s been asking every day since our heated interaction where we almost got caught by Maggie. He keeps sending,
When can I see you?
. I’ve been purposefully ignoring him.

“We need to finish planning the bachelor-bachelorette party,” he writes.

Wow! It took him four days to send a different message.

“And, we need to go over the paperwork I have for Raven Media,” he includes.

My conversation with Amy and Kim just wrapped up, so texting Joe a response won’t be noticed by my two friends sharing the couch with me. I guess ignoring him for four days is enough time.

“I know,” I write back.

“Are you avoiding me?” he inquires.

“No. Why would I do that?” I text.

“You’ve ignored my texts and calls the past few days,” he states.

“Maggie and Jared have been here. I’ve been busy taking care of business and wedding stuff,” I reply.

“What we need to take care of falls under the same categories,” he writes.

“Yes,” I agree. “But, not me needing to respond to you asking when you’ll see me again.”

“Those two things were implied in the question,” he texts.

“Didn’t hear it implied,” I write.

I hope he catches my sarcasm.

“What did you hear?” he searches.

I send back a winking emoticon.

“I’m not sure what you are implying,” he texts back.

“You know what I mean,” I stipulate.

“If we were talking in person, I would know,” he writes.

“Knowing you, we wouldn’t be talking,” I comment back.

Joe sends back a winking, kissing face emoticon.

I can’t help but smile.

“That’s not a bad thing, is it?” he checks to validate my statement about us not talking if we were together.

“Maybe,” I reply.

“Are they staying the night again?”

“Yes.”

“Can you sneak out?”

“And, go where? Your family is at your place,” I answer.

“Wherever you want,” he writes. “I just need to see you.”

“Why?” I press back.

Let’s see what he’ll admit.

“I miss the taste of your lips on mine,” Joe texts.

My heart skips a beat and I’m unable to respond.

“Please,” he begs.

I don’t write anything because I’m not quite sure what to say. This is torture for me too. I should have slept with him sooner, like I do with other men — but, Joe isn’t like other men.

By the end of the week, Joe schedules another meeting between his parents, himself and me. The preliminary paperwork that he had done for the first round of negotiations went faster than I had expected. Joe said that he’s trying to help facilitate a number of key pieces prior to the wedding so that way, once the wedding is over, we’ll have more time to take action for purchasing and refurbishing a property, loading in and setting up hardware and the necessary staff.

I have to say, I am very impressed with the amount of detail and thoroughness Joe put into the contract. There are only a few minor tweaks we all agree upon during the meeting which, once corrected, I’ll review with my lawyer before we have another official meeting to sign the documents.

With fifteen clients paying for social media management, and most of them paying for premium services, Raven Media is grossing just shy of two point eight million dollars a year. What we make for media management does not including the additional services we supply, which gives us a grand total of four point seven million dollars, which is approximately half a million more than last year. After salaries and expenses are paid, Raven Media nets two point six million; I pay my staff very well. After taxes, the company only has to pay federal taxes because of where it’s incorporated, and with the previous years’ earnings, Raven Media officially has eight point seven million in liquid cash. The cost for the servers and staff for the first year shouldn’t drain all of the capital.

Because I’ve already established a high value for the company from its inception, the Covelli family is offering a very interesting deal that I can not resist, which is one of the tweaks we agree to make during the meeting. The Covellis are taking a smaller percentage of ownership of Raven. Instead, they are purchasing the property that will house the physical location of the servers and will be charging Raven Media a monthly lease to rent most of the building. They’ve got their eye on several properties that can allow for other businesses to rent space as well, which expands their profit potential with refurbishing it as a green building. The Covellis are using their purchase of the property as the test pilot for greening any existing properties they own. If all goes well, this property will be the litmus test for redefining corporate and hospitality facilities and industries.

After the meeting, which took place at his penthouse, Joe takes me home. Suddenly, Joe hits the stop button on the elevator before pinning me to the side wall. Expecting a heated embrace, I’m surprised when Joe takes his time, trailing his fingers down my cheek, over my neck and back up as he delivers a sensually slow kiss. As I slide my hands up his chest, Joe creeps his tongue into my waiting, open mouth. It’s like he’s purposefully controlling himself as he relishes in every single sensation. My mouth seeks more when he pulls away just far enough out of reach.

“So, you’ve talked to Maggie about me?” he inquires.

“What are you talking about?” I check.

“The other day, when she came over and you hid me in the closet. You said
I
’
m not talking about this with you again
, meaning me,” he reminds.

“Did I?”

“You did,” he affirms. “How often do you talk about me?”

“I don’t,” I argue.

“Sounds like you do,” he challenges with a wicked grin.

“No,” I purposefully disagree.

“Hmmmm,” his throat groans.

Joe’s lips move in, seeking more of mine. There’s more force and desire behind each kiss.

“I want you,” he says in his low, sexy voice.

All I can do is nod my understanding. He’s completely seduced me with his mouth.

Anticipating another kiss, I’m sourly disappointed when Joe turns his head and seconds later the elevator resumes its ascent. He stays pressed against me, staring into my eyes, but doesn’t kiss me. I lean to capture a kiss, but he wickedly denies me of the pleasure. A devilish smirk emerges in the corner of his mouth when I moan my dissatisfaction. It’s like he’s taunting me, wanting me to tell him that I want him too and that I won’t get to taste his lips until I do. I try again, but he pulls away just as our lips are about to connect. I groan louder which gets a chuckle out of him. Reaching my hands up, I clasp the back of his neck and pull him towards me. Just as our lips brush, Joe suddenly has my wrists pressed against the wall and our lips are now inches apart. I whine my protest when he hits to button to make the elevator move again.

The door dings, and just before it opens, Joe shifts away from me, facing the entrance. He seems as cool as a cucumber; like nothing has happened and he’s completely unaffected by it. I know he is, though. I felt his erection pressing against me. I can see it bulging slightly through his dress pants when my eyes drift down to double check.

As the door opens, Joe takes my hand and leads us out of the box. My body jerks to the left as I had already started to go right to the main hallway. Seconds later, Joe has managed to direct us both beyond the stairway door and has me with my back to the cool concrete wall. He presses himself against me, and the rigidness of his penis is there from before. Cupping my face in his hands, Joe proceeds to tease and torture me with his mouth, barely making contact the first few times.

“Please,” I beg, unable to wait any longer. My hands grip his forearms out of desperation as I press my ass against the wall to help me reach is lips. I feel his erection stiffen.

I’ve never begged for a man to kiss me — but, I like begging him for some reason.

“Say it again . . .” he whispers.

“Please,” I force before he’s done directing me. “Please.” My chest heaves from the pent-up need and desire.

Our mouths converge as we both moan with satisfaction. We stay glued to each other for several minutes until we hear the ricochet of another door opening in the stairway below. We don’t move as we listen and watch each other’s eyes.

“My Dad, Mom and I have to head back to New York for some business.”

“When?”

“Tonight,” he says with frustration in his voice.

“Okay,” I barely mutter.

I wasn’t expecting news like this.

“I don’t know when I’ll be back,” he informs me with pain in his face. “At least a week . . . until just after Father’s Day weekend, but maybe longer.”

“Ohhh.” My stomach drops.

“Do you think . . .” he starts, but stops himself.

“What?” I search.

“Nothing,” he contends.

“What?” I press.

He doesn’t say another word. Joe wraps his arms around me, hugging me, holding me — like he doesn’t want to let go. I consciously take in the feel and scent of him.

“Promise me you won’t
not
talk to me,” he pleas after several lengthy kisses.

“Sure,” I reply.

“Promise?” he checks.

“Yes,” I confirm to assure him, sealing the agreement with a kiss.

A weak smile dances briefly across his face. “Good.” He takes another long look at me before saying, “See you soon, beautiful.”

“See you soon, Joe.”

I watching him swiftly pull away and head down the stairs. As he rounds the next flight, our eyes meet and Joe takes a deep breath in before continuing down. My eyes follow him, trying to catch a glimpse, even when he’s officially out of sight.