Barely Breathing Read online

  Kay’s eyes widen as she looked at the keys in her hand. “He gave you a car?” she asked, looking at each of them in turn.

  “The insurance company paid for it, and I upgraded it,” John said, knowing what it seemed like.

  Jason spoke up. “She needed a good car, and that Honda was falling apart.”

  “No it wasn’t,” Kay said.

  “Anyways, I’ll be making the payments,” Sophia said. “I’ll be right back. Let me say ‘hi’ to a couple of people.” She grabbed Kay’s hand and pulled her away. “I can’t believe you invited Kevin. What were you thinking?”

  “He got the point. He won’t be bothering you anymore,” Kay said, giving her a funny look. “A car!”

  Jason turned to John. “You didn’t tell her it’s paid off?”

  “When she goes to make the first payment, she’ll find out.” John followed her with his eyes.

  “If you continue to act the way you are, Kay will know something happened between you two,” Jason said.

  “Because of the car?”

  “No, dude. It’s the way you look at her.” Jason looked concerned. “You’re married and I know you still love your wife.”

  “We’re just friends, Jason.”

  “I remember telling you the same thing when you asked me about Kay, six years ago.”

  “That was different. Sophia has been here for me when my wife should’ve been. She made me believe in myself again, made me see my life in a different way. That I shouldn’t wallow in the past. Because of her, I live for today. She even helped me with Johnny, when she didn’t have to. She makes me laugh, which was next to impossible all of last year. So yes, I see her as more than a friend but I would never put her in that situation.”

  “Fuck, man, you have feelings for Sophia. She’s Kay’s best friend, who also happens to be friends with your wife.” Jason nearly spat the words.

  John turned and looked at him. “Sophia’s become special to me.”

  “Was she special before the accident?” Jason asked, crossing his hands over his chest.

  He clenched his jaw. “Look, Jason, she was heaven sent. If she hadn’t been on that road that night, I would probably be dead right now, so yes, the accident made her special to me.” He walked away, pissed.

  The club opened up to the public hours ago, but the group had stayed and mingled. Sophia had been on a party high until the moment Charles Morris, one of Jason and John’s junior partners, walked into the club.

  He was a short, pathetic man. Sophia rolled her eyes at him as he passed by, then turned away before he could say a word to her. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

  He grabbed her arm, stopping her retreat. “Happy birthday, Sophia.”

  She pulled her arm away. “Don’t touch me!”

  He faced her, holding up both hands. “Where’s Amy?”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not her keeper. I haven’t been her assistant in a long time.” She nearly gagged, remembering the day she’d walked in on them having sex on Amy’s desk. She was still disgusted, still wondering how she could do that to John.

  “Jealous?” he asked, moving closer to her. “You could take her place.” He slid a hand down her back and squeezed, her ass.

  Without thinking, she grabbed his hand and turned it, making it crack like she’d learned in self-defense classes. He almost stumbled to his knees. “This will be the last time you put your hands on me,” she said in a stern voice, not letting go. “Do I make myself clear?” she asked, squeezing his hand harder.

  He turned tomato red. “Yes…”

  Oh, my God. I can’t believe what I’m doing. She released him, and ran off.

  John watched Sophia talking to Charles, and then rush off like something was wrong. He placed his drink down and decided to follow her.

  She entered the restroom, and he went in after her.

  When he opened the door, she was leaned over the sink in the mirrored enclosure on the other side of the entryway, he gawked at her ass, making his cock jump, damn she was sexy. He locked the door, took long strides toward her, and gently grabbed her waist.

  She jumped, startled. “What are you doing in here?”

  “I was worried about you. What’s wrong?” He gazed at her.

  “Nothing.” She turned her back to him and rested her elbows on the counter again. “John, please leave me alone.”

  He moved behind her, barely touching her. “I’m not leaving you like this.”

  “Like what? I’m okay.”

  He moved closer, grabbed her waist to pull her up, and whispered in her ear. “I can’t stop thinking of you.”

  “John, please,” she whispered.

  He kissed her neck. “Tell me you haven’t thought about that night.” He turned her to face him. “Tell me.”

  She gazed at him. “Please don’t do that.”

  “Do what?” He stepped closer to her.

  She moved back. “Don’t look at me like that.”

  He pulled her forward. “Kissing you is all I’ve been thinking about all night.” He took her lips prisoner. He nipped at her lower lip, and passionately devoured her mouth. He wasn’t prepared for how soft her luscious lips were, tasting of mint.

  She placed her hands on his chest, pushing him away, and shook her head. “No, no, no.”

  “Sophia, I’m sorry.” He went to touch her, and she moved back again.

  “I can’t do this.” She paced. “We can’t do this anymore.”

  “What are you saying?” He tried to grab her hand.

  “We can’t see each other anymore.” She sighed. “No more kids outings, babysitting, Saturdays, or phone calls.”

  “I’m sorry for kissing you.” She allowed him to take her hand. “But don’t do this. You’re special to me…”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “John, our feelings are clouded. You’re missing your wife, and I, well, I don’t know, but this can’t continue.” She pulled her hand away. “People are saying things, and thinking they have the right to touch me.”

  “Is that the reason you came in here?” he asked, getting angry. “Did Charles touch you?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” She turned around, walked to the door, unlocked it and went to open it, when he stopped her by slamming it.

  “It does. Did he touch you?” He could feel his nose flaring.

  “John, you’re married. You don’t have to defend me. I can take care of myself.” She opened the door. On the other side were three ladies waiting to enter.

  He stared at them, wishing they would disappear. “If you won’t tell me, then I’ll ask him.” He marched out, and she rushed after him.

  “John…John, don’t!”

  Jason and Kay watched as they passed by. “What’s wrong?” Kay asked Sophia.

  “Jason, please stop him.” Sophia stared straight at John’s receding back.

  Jason rushed after him, but it was too late.

  “Charles!” John yelled, and everybody nearby stopped what they were doing and stared.

  Charles had the nerve to smile.

  “Wipe that grin off your face. Did you fucking touch her?”

  Charles had a nervous look on his face. “Wh-who are you talking about?”

  “Sophia.”

  “You’re talking about that bitch that worked for your wif—”

  He didn’t get to finish his sentence, because a fist connected with his chin.

  John was surprised when he turned and saw it had been Sophia’s. “I’m no one’s bitch.”

  Charles stepped forward, rubbing his jaw. “Why did you tell him I touched you?” He raised his voice, wiping blood from his lip. “You know you came on to me.”

  John stepped in front of him.

  “I’m going sue your ass for assault.” Charles glared at her.

  She glared back at Charles. “You really want to do that?”

  John observed them. Obviously something else had to be going on.

  “I
’m not going to step down to your level. If you want to sue me, go ahead.” She turned and rushed out of the club. Kay ran after her.

  John and Charles stood face to face.

  “Does Amy know you’re cheating on her with that trash?”

  John balled his fist, ready to hit him, when Jason stepped in and pulled him aside. “Calm down, dude. He is just pushing your buttons.”

  John pulled away. “What if it had been Kay?”

  “Kay’s my wife,” Jason answered in a stern voice. “What’s Sophia to you?”

  “A friend.” John turned and raced out of the ballroom in search of Sophia.

  ***

  “What was that back there?” Kay asked her.

  “He…that…he touched me!” Sophia yelled, and took a deep breath. “I tried to control myself, but then John…”

  “John what?” Kay grabbed her arm. “He is married.”

  Sophia pulled her arm away. “I know he is married, Kay. We’re just friends.”

  “Are you having an affair with John?” Kay asked, glaring at her. “I see the way you guys look at each other. Is he the one you’ve been having fun with lately?”

  Sophia glared right back at Kay.

  “Sophia,” John said softly, moving toward them.

  Kay stared at them. “John, what’s going on?”

  “Nothing.” He shrugged. “I was protecting a friend.”

  He stepped in front of Sophia, cupping her cheek. “Are you okay?”

  She began to shiver, removing his hands from her skin. “Oh God, he is going to have me arrested for assault.” She tugged her hand through her hair. “I can’t go to jail. I’ll lose everything. What am I going to do?” She paced. “I lost control. I never lose control.”

  He stopped her from pacing. “I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen. Do you believe in me?”

  She gazed at him. “Yes,” she whispered and her breathing went back to normal. “Thank you for standing up for me.” She moved and turned to Kay. “And thank you for a wonderful birthday.” She marched toward the parking lot to her new car.

  “John, what the hell is going on? What happened at that cabin?” Kay asked, her hands on her hips.

  “We survived, Kay. That’s it. Good night.” He also turned and walked to his car.

  ***

  Kay went back into the club in search of her husband, trying to manage her own anger. “Jason, what the hell is going on?”

  “Kay, he defended your friend. Shouldn’t you thank him?”

  “Something is different since the accident.”

  “You’re right, baby. They went through a traumatic experience together and survived. They kept each other alive. They’ve formed a bond they probably don’t want to break, even if they could. I guess they feel responsible for each other.”

  She calmed down. “I never thought about it that way. I just thought—”

  “You thought wrong.” He took her hand in his. “Come on, don’t let other peoples’ problems become ours. Don’t let this ruin our night.”

  “You’re right.” She kissed him. “Let’s dance.”

  “Let’s.” He guided them to the dance floor.

  Chapter Thirteen

  John opened and then slammed the door to his condo. After Amy had been gone two months, he’d moved into a condo leaving behind everything that reminded him of her. Now here he stood six months later, soaked wet from the rain. He started having flashbacks from the night in the woods. He remembered the way her body felt against his, her warmth, making his dick jump.

  On autopilot, he began taking off his shirt. It caught, and he threw it on the floor. It had started raining right before he jumped into his car. Who does Kay think she is, accusing Sophia? And fucking Charles, touching her? He leaned on his kitchen counter, trying to calm down.

  He shook his head, dripping water on the tiles, when he heard a soft knock on his door. He marched over and swung it open to find Sophia drenched in rain, her normally flawless eye makeup running down her face. She gazed up at him.

  “I’m not sure what I’m doing here, but I needed to see you.” Her voice was soft.

  He took her hand in his and gently pulled her in. He closed the door behind him and pinned her against it, his hands on each side of her head.

  He stared at her collarbone, seeing the thumping of her heartbeat just below. She was nervous—or hot with desire. Yes, it was desire…her nipples were hard, arousing him in turn.

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t…” She went to turn and leave, but he stopped her.

  They gazed at each other for a long moment, John pulled her to him, into his kiss. His lips slanted over hers. He hurriedly took control of her tongue, guiding it as he made love to her mouth. Her soft palm caressed the back of his head.

  He backed her up into the side table, then picked her up and placed her on it before settling in between her legs. He moved his hands up her thighs to her panty line, and tugged a little.

  She put her hands on his while he caressed her. “This is wrong,” she said.

  “Why?” he asked, his lips against hers.

  “You’re married.”

  “Not for long.”

  “We can’t do this,” she said, trying to back up.

  “Then why did you come here?” he asked, still touching her.

  “I needed a friend.” She placed her forehead on his chest.

  His arms went around her. “I’m here…” He kissed her neck. “This feels so right.” He whispered in her ear. “Sophia…I want you.” He sucked on her neck, making her moan.

  “I want you, too.”

  He kissed her, nipping at her lower lip, kissing his way down to her neck. He pulled down her dress, exposing her breast. He pulled her left nipple in his mouth and gently sucked, then took turns between nipples.

  She breathed faster and her hold on his hair got tighter. “Oh…huh…” she moaned, leaning back. “Your mouth…”

  His cock was hard as a rock. He continued to attack her with his mouth, first her breast and then back up to her neck.

  His cell phone started ringing.

  “You need to get that.” She groaned, trying to lean away from his lips.

  “Whoever it is can leave a message.”

  “John, it might be important.”

  He kissed her lips one more time, and dug into his pocket. He listened to the message, still touching her thighs. “Johnny, its Vickie. Please call me back when you get this. It’s important.”

  “It’s my sister.” He released her. “Don’t leave. Hello? Vickie? What’s wrong?”

  Sophia sat on the table, her fingers over her mouth, still feeling his lips on hers. Her legs were still shaking. Are you crazy? Needing to get herself together, she slid off the table and went to the bathroom. He’s married. She shouldn’t be there. It was wrong to desire him the way she did, but damn, he was fine, his tan skin, not a once of fat on his abs and that huge bulge in his pants, had her mouthwatering. She never looked at John in any other way before. He’d always been Jason’s friend, nothing more, but after getting to know him, and seeing how kind and loyal he was, she couldn’t help it. Oh God, this can’t be happening. She opened the bathroom door and tiptoed to the entryway, but when she was about to turn the knob, she heard him throw something.

  “No…when?” she heard him say. His voice sounded rattled. Her heart stopped for a moment. I can’t possibly leave him like this.

  She walked over and saw some shattered glass on the floor.

  “When did he die?”

  Sophia gasped.

  “He never apologized for what he did to us.” John squeezed his eyes shut. “Vickie, if you need anything, let me know. I love you.” He hung up the phone and put his hands over his face.

  She moved next to him and wrapped her arms around him. He fell into her embrace. “What happened?” she asked softly.

  “My father passed away.”

  She rubbed his back. “I’m so sorry. Do you want me to make arran
gements for you and Johnny to be with your family?”

  His red-rimmed eyes stared at her. “No need. He’s already buried.”

  She didn’t know what to say.

  “He died about a month ago. The hospital claims they tried to contact us, but were unable to.” He got up and went out to the balcony. “He died alone.”

  She followed him out. “I’m so sorry.”

  He turned, staring at her. “He was a poor excuse for a father. I didn’t even know him.” He took a deep breath. “I tried to reach out to him once I was old enough, but he pushed me away.”

  She grabbed his hand. “You tried, and that’s all that counts.”

  “I can’t miss something I never had, but it still hurts.” He pulled his hand away and gripped the railing. “Why am I feeling this way?”

  She came up behind him. “John, he might’ve been an awful parent, but he still was your father. That’s why it hurts.” She laid her head on his back. “I know how it feels to lose someone.”

  “You lost someone?” He turned and looked at her.

  “Yes, a long time ago, and up to this day it still hurts.” She stared at him.

  “I know the pain of losing someone you love. I still feel the day I lost my grandmother, and years later, my mother.” He looked up at the stars. “I don’t know how to feel for someone who didn’t give a damn.”

  “He might not have given a damn, but you did.” She touched his chest to feel his heartbeat. “If you didn’t care, then you wouldn’t be you.”

  He lowered his head. “Thanks for being here.”

  She took his hand in hers and came back inside. She sat on his sofa and pulled him down next to her. Placing his head on her lap, she started combing through his hair.

  “Any good memories about your dad?”

  “When you’re three years old, your dad is everything to you, regardless of how he treats you.” He took a moment. “The only good memories I have of my father were when he was sober.” He closed his eyes. “The only time I remember him being sober was when we attended church on Sundays. I remember praying to God for Sunday to arrive.”