Just Breathe Series (Trilogy Box Set)

by Martha Sweeney

  When the ladies find out that I don’t have any plans other than to visit Jimmy’s and Allen’s gallery, they insist on me joining them at the spa for the late afternoon. I gladly accept, eager to get rid of some of the tension that still lingers in my muscles and bones.

  By six, Mrs. Covelli and the ladies drop me off at Joe’s place. They happily remind me to consider staying for Thanksgiving and I smile, confirming that I’ll definitely think about it.

  When I get up to the loft, Joe and Sadie are quick to greet me, with Joe planting his lips to mine. I pull back in objection, but immediately accept the affection when he confirms that Jimmy and Allen are not home. He mentions that Anna just fed and walked Sadie and that our dinner is almost ready.

  I call Jared and Maggie back, filling them in on the days’ worth of events and explain what happened in New Jersey now that I’m more emotionally settled. I purposefully don’t mention that Joe’ knows about my birthday. They mention how the media is in a frenzy over me, making various claims since I have yet to emerge from the hotel. Maggie does bring up her concern about them learning where I am now, but I explain the level of security at all the Covelli properties. The spa was even pretty easy to get in and out of considering it is in one of the buildings that the Covelli family owns.

  Mrs. Covelli calls me later that night, inviting me to go shopping with her, Emily, Charlotte and Isabella tomorrow. She explains that they need to find a dress for their upcoming company winter gala as well as their New Year’s party and mentions that she thought it would be a great opportunity for me to give the press what they want by appearing in public. Though I’m a little apprehensive about the idea, I heed her advice. She’s a woman who’s been in the spotlight since birth and could probably help more than I can fathom.

  Ninety Seven

  By eleven in the morning, I’m in the limo with Mrs. Covelli and the ladies, heading off for our day of shopping. We stop at a very posh and prestigious restaurant for lunch. Mrs. Covelli picked it because she loves the food, but also because it’s a location where celebrities are known to appear and where the paparazzi quite literal stalk people from the curb. She purposefully stands next to me once we’re out of the vehicle and strikes up a business conversation as we walk in. Once we’re seated, our business talk ends and we freely discuss lighter topics with our companions.

  The next several hours after our meal, the four of them try on a variety of dresses between two different designer stores. I happily sit and watch with Sadie by my side, oohing and ahhing over each garment. They insist that I try on a few as well, so I oblige. Throughout their dress search, they all ask a variety of questions about Nathan and Nathaniel’s. Charlotte comments that she’s dying to see the dress I wore at the premier and commends me on feeling comfortable to wear such a revealing dress. I joke that wearing that dress is the most skin I’ve shown in public next to a bikini at the beach.

  “If you don’t mind me asking, what do you ladies do? Emily? Charlotte? Isabella?” I inquire politely.

  “I’m an editor for a fashion magazine,” Emily answers sweetly.

  “How long have you been doing that?” I continue.

  “Since college,” she returns. “I’ve been at the one I’m with now for about ten years.”

  “Wow,” I reply. “Is it pretty flexible with regards to your work hours?”

  “With the power of the internet and computers,” she comments. “It’s easier to work from home.”

  “You work from home too, don’t you, Emma?” Isabella searches.

  “Yes,” I confirm. “Both of my businesses are internet based.”

  “I was a television executive,” Isabella offers.

  “Was?” I seek.

  “My career’s on hold while this one is coming,” Isabella expands, patting her belly. “There’s too much stress with the industry.”

  “I can understand,” I reply.

  “I help David and Daniel with the charter business,” Charlotte shares. “A little less with this one on the way.” She pats her rather large belly.

  “How far along are you ladies?” I ask.

  “We’re due only a few weeks apart,” Charlotte eagerly shares. “I’m expecting in late March, and Isabella is in early April.”

  “How’s Maggie doing?” Mrs. Covelli chimes in.

  “Good. Really good, thanks,” I reply.

  “We heard about your friend,” Isabella shares.

  “I can’t imagine going through that,” Charlotte comments. “That must have been really hard for her.”

  “It was,” I offer, staring at the floor. “But, she’s doing really well now. They’re excited to try again.”

  “What about this one, ladies?” Mrs. Covelli asks, stepping out from the dressing room.

  We all turn to look at her and smile our approval.

  “I think that’s the one, Mom,” Emily declares.

  “Definitely,” Charlotte adds.

  “Anything you try on looks good on you,” Isabella comments with a hint of playful complaining. “Everything I put on makes me look like an elephant.”

  “Well, we are elephants,” Charlotte giggles, rubbing her belly.

  “Not funny,” Isabella elegantly whines. “I still can’t understand how you don’t have swollen feet like me.”

  “It’ll pass,” Charlotte soothes lovingly.

  “Come now, ladies,” Mrs. Covelli directs. “You both are lovely. You’re carrying my grand babies and there’s nothing more glamours than that.”

  My heart melts at her words.

  “Do you want children, Emma?” Charlotte inquires.

  I choke on my saliva. “What?”

  “Children? Do you want them?” she repeats.

  “Uh . . . no,” I answer nervously.

  “Why not?” Isabella searches. “You’d be a great mom. Look at how you are with Sadie and Lily loves you. She’s already been calling you Aunt Emma.”

  “What?” I gasp.

  “She has,” Emily validates. “Lily keeps asking if you and Sadie can sleep over like Uncle Joe does.”

  My eyebrows furrow, and I’m left speechless.

  “Joe is her favorite uncle,” Charlotte adds. “Everyone in the family knows that.”

  “He’ll make a great father too,” Isabella adds.

  “Mom raised good men,” Emily praises Mrs. Covelli.

  I get the distinct feeling that they’re baiting me to elicit a specific response — what response I’m not quite sure or for what reason.

  “She definitely did,” Isabella agrees.

  “Yep,” says Charlotte.

  I stare at them, not sure what to say.

  “You’ve got plenty of time to change your mind, Emma,” Isabella informs.

  “For what?” I check, snapping back to the conversation.

  “To want to have children,” Charlotte giggles.

  “Emily didn’t have Lily until . . . you were what . . . thirty-two?” Isabella says, looking to Emily.

  “That’s correct,” Emily says.

  “Isabella and I are thirty-one and pregnant now,” Charlotte adds. “How old are you, Emma?”

  “Twenty-four,” I cough out, uncomfortable that we’re still on this topic.

  “Oh, you’ve got plenty of time,” Emily suggests.

  My eyes bounce between the four of them as they nod and smile.

  “She just needs to focus on finding a man,” Charlotte adds with a twinkle in her eye.

  “I don’t date,” I mumble.

  “That Chris guy, the actor, he’s cute,” Isabella pokes.

  “Chris and I are just friends,” I announce.

  “Everyone starts off as just friends,” Emily comments with a smile.

  “What about Joe?” Charlotte offers.

  All I can do is shake my head.

  “You ladies still need to pick a dress,” Mrs. Covelli interjects. “And, we are scheduled to join the men for dinner soon.”

  Emily, Charlotte and Isabe
lla head to the changing rooms that are only about twenty feet away to try on the next selections as Mrs. Covelli offers a comforting smile. I bow my head slightly, showing my appreciation.

  For dinner, we return to the Covelli home. All of the Covelli men are there waiting on us — we find them chatting in the living room near a roaring fire in a grand, marble fireplace. It doesn’t take long for Jimmy to confirm that the news have been splashing photos of me and my day out to the public. When they inquire if I’m staying, I graciously explain that I won’t be, claiming that I need to get back for a variety of business needs — I fail to mention that the idea of distancing myself with them sooner than later will squash the rumors of Joe and me dating.

  That night, after getting ready for bed, Joe stops by my room to try and convince me to stay. I refuse and ask for the name and number of David’s and Daniel’s charter company, hoping to book one of their planes to take me and the team home. He insists on seeing me home and at first I don’t understand what he means. Eventually, I get it out of him that he plans on sending me back on their jet with him joining me. He claims that there’s business he needs to address in California, so he might as well travel back with me, then return before the holiday. I vehemently oppose the proposition, but Joe sways me with his confident authoritative tone — that, and the promise of inducting both of us into the Mile High Club.

  The next day as I get out of the airplane restroom, I find Joe and Hunter talking. I wait a few minutes, but fall short of giving them enough space to talk, especially when Joe and I lock eyes and he gestures for me to sit down next to him on the couch. Just as they’re finishing their conversation, Joe gets a business call. I do my best to occupy myself, petting Sadie and checking my phone, but the smell of him becomes too distracting.

  Leaning into his ear, I whisper, “ I’ll be waiting in the back for my induction into the club.”

  Joe’s expression lights, but I can tell he can’t get off the phone right away.

  “I can start without you if I need,” I tease, standing up.

  Joe reaches for my waist, but I pull away. Every few feet as I move to the back of the plane, I look over my shoulder, giving him a seductive look to soothe his disappointment. Since there isn’t a bedroom, I head to the large restroom and close the door behind me. My hands drift over my breasts and down to my sex, unable to wait. I jump with a start when the door opens a minute later.

  “Naughty,” Joe hums as he catches me with my hand down my pants.

  I give a pleading look.

  “I should spank you for that,” he declares.

  “Really?” I say, eagerly anticipating the possibility.

  Joe locks the door and restrains my wrists against the wall. “As bad as I want to, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  “Why not?” I complain. “I was naughty and I need to be punished.”

  Joe leans in with a kiss, tugging my bottom lip as he pulls away. “You’re too noisy. I don’t think you’ll want Hunter and the guys hearing you.”

  “They have their own bathroom in the front,” I bait. “Please.”

  “Tonight,” he confirms.

  “I don’t want to wait,” I protest.

  “You were the one who was naughty, so you don’t get to decide,” he states.

  “Please,” I coax, pouting.

  Joe doesn’t say anything, instead he guides my hands above my head with one hand as the other slides into my unzipped pants and panties. His mouth devours mine as his fingers circle my nub and then insert into my already wet sex. He grunts his approval, quickly removing his fingers to taste my juice. Joe offers his fingers to me, but pulls away last second. I groan my objection, but purr when they return to my folds and start manipulating me in the way he does oh so well.

  “Shh,” Joe instructs as my moans get louder. “If you make any more noise, I won’t let you finish.”

  “I . . . can’t . . . help it,” I whine.

  “Why is that?” Joe questions with a devious smile.

  “Because . . .” I begin, sucking in air to finish answering.

  “Do you like how I make you feel?” he asks, striking a sensitive spot that makes me whimper.

  I do my best to curb the noises coming from my mouth by using the dip in his shoulder to cover my mouth. “Yes,” I pant.

  “What do you like best?” he searches.

  “They way you make me cum like nobody else,” I whimper. Heat rises in my cheeks at my openness.

  “Good girl,” Joe praises, wiggling his fingers in a particular spot as if certain he could make me cum instantly.

  My mouth plunges into his shoulder desperately trying to hide all the sounds erupting from me as the orgasm ignites. Before my breathing normalizes, Joe’s face is between my thighs, drinking up my release. When he’s finished, he yanks my pants and underwear down and then his own. I regretfully announce that we need to use a condom, but thankfully he has one in his wallet.

  Joe spins me around once the condom is on, lowering my upper body over the sink. He drops to his knees and nips at my rear. I whine, making it clear that I want more punishment, but he doesn’t grant me the pleasure. He teases my opening with the tip of his cock and I have to bite my own lip to stop my groans. The head of his penis finally breeches the rim of my cave, poking in and then pulls back out. He fills me half way on the next thrust and then removes himself again. The next pulse in, Joe fills me completely and we both pause silently, celebrating the moment.

  Joe pumps into me with slow, deep thrusts. His left hand caresses my clitoris and my hips rock back into him. “Welcome to the club, beautiful.”

  A giggle escapes my lips, not expecting his announcement. “You too.”

  “Another first to add to our list,” he states.

  “Mmm hmm,” I agree.

  The excitement and rush of knowing people are actually within possible ranging of hearing us turns me on to no end. It doesn’t take long for the orgasm to sweep into my body and I’m forced to clasp my hand over my mouth to reduce my cries of ecstasy.

  Joe allows me to turn and face him and I dive my tongue into his mouth. He hoists me up against the wall and continues to pleasure us both. At some point, Joe’s hand covers my mouth to quiet me. I can’t help but laugh. Surprisingly, the very act excites me and brings on my release quicker than I anticipated. Joe grunts his release as my high comes to an end.

  We stay close together, giggling at our escapade. Joe helps me clean up and we take an extra few minutes to cool down. As we exit the bathroom and head into the sitting area, I spy grins on our bodyguards’ and Anna’s faces. I consciously talk myself into not being embarrassed — they’ve known all along and have yet to say anything. At this very moment, all of them have earned my trust and respect completely.

  Ninety Eight

  Joe heads back to New York two days after we land in California. During the time he’s in Pasadena, I sleep over his place. I dive back into work when I finally return home, wanting to distract myself from the fact that Joe is gone. Over the course of the next couple of weeks, I’m spotted out in public on occasion and there are minor postings of me as it begins to appear that I’m falling out of the public’s interest — which makes me very happy. They even speculate that their rumored relation between Joe and myself is faulting since we’re on different coasts.

  There are a few days that I get together with Nathan to go over the plans for Nathaniel’s, which additional celebrities he’s capable of taking on and to discuss the January fashion show. The money Nathaniel’s has made since the premier and the demand for more pieces from retailers has jumped tenfold. His videos have increased in views on YouTube and there are a bunch more that are being posted on a weekly basis.

  Maggie hosts Thanksgiving this year, letting Pop-Pop and me help with the cooking. When our family settles down, tired from stuffing our faces with turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce and everything else in between, Henry and Maggie stand to make an announcement. My ears perk up instant
ly when I see the bubbly smile on her face.

  “Henry and I are thankful to have you all in our lives. It means a lot to us for all of the love and support you’ve given,” she begins. “And, we’re even more thankful to announce, even though it’s early, that I’m pregnant.”

  Chatter erupts from everyone ranging from tears of joy to congratulations as we hug and kiss them.

  “Kim confirmed it a few days ago,” Maggie continues once we return to our seats.

  “How far are you?” Jared inquires.

  “Just about two weeks or so,” she says.

  “Wow, really!” Nathan comments.

  “How did you know?” I ask.

  “I noticed the signs sooner since I knew what it felt like from before,” she explains, rubbing her belly.

  With the buzz of the excitement, Maggie prods with a few questions about my trip to New York during my birthday and all eyes fall upon me. I object to speaking about it, not wanting to take away from her joy and good news. She argues that Thanksgiving is a day for everyone and not just one person. With some coaxing, I share everything that happened while I was there — everything but the details about Joe and me.

  Maggie’s family seems genuinely happy for me. Tears fall a few times when I recount the events since the emotions are still fresh.

  “What are you going to do with the house?” Nathan asks.

  “I’m not sure,” I honestly answer.

  “Did you go inside?” Amy inquires.

  “No,” I say, hanging my head.

  “It’s okay, sweetheart,” Pop-Pop reassures. “Give it time.”

  “Yeah, Kitten,” Jared agrees. “I can only imagine that seeing everyone again was overwhelming.”

  “Why don’t we go to New York for Christmas,” Maggie suggests.