Hidden Depths Page 4

  Unfortunately, the promise his conscious mind made never made it to his subconscious. Her long black hair, lush breasts, curvy hips and ass all made an appearance in his dreams again that very night.

  Chapter 5

  A couple weeks later it was hot. Steamy, sweaty, raunchy hot. Sacramento was usually warm this time of year, it was August after all, but this was a weird hot. It was mid afternoon and it was in the upper nineties and about sixty percent humidity that felt more like one hundred percent. If she'd lived in the Midwest, she would have called this tornado weather.

  She'd had very few customers in her shop today, most people doing something to keep cool rather than heading into town. And if they were here, they were eating ice cream, not getting a tattoo. She'd already sent Jasmine and Billy home. So, when Kelly called and said there was a group of them heading to the river that afternoon, Gia decided to close up shop early and go with them.

  They all met up at Kelly's. She lived in a townhouse right on the edge of the Village, two doors down from Gia's. Since Gia really didn't drink, plus she owned a jeep, she got elected as one of the drivers. Kelly was the other. They could have walked down to the river from where Gia lived, but the wider, sandier part they preferred was about fifteen minutes away.

  There were eight of them total. Kelly, Debbie, Shannon and Gia as well as Blake, Josh, Scott and a friend of Blake and Josh's named Devon, or Dev. They split into pairs, Kelly and Blake riding with Deb and Josh. Everyone else piling into Gia's jeep. Gia breathed a sigh of relief that Josh and Deb were taking the other car.

  Once they loaded up, they were off to the river. By four-thirty they were there and unloaded. Everyone started peeling off clothes, slathering on sunscreen and racing into the water. Kicking off her sandals, Gia was one of the last, still putting her keys away and tucking her purse under the umbrella. She pulled off her shirt and shorts then turned, surprised to see Josh standing there with his shirt still on. Since they were the only two left on the sand, she felt she could speak freely. And, she knew why he wasn't in the water yet.

  "It's healed enough to go in, ya know. Make sure you coat it with a layer of sunscreen and wash it really well when you get home, but it's been over two weeks, you're fine to swim. Besides, it's too fuckin' hot not to."

  "Yeah, I'm not worried about that."

  "Then why are you still up here? Want to borrow my sunscreen?" Gia tossed it over to him then turned and reached for her hat. At his hiss of breath, she turned and looked at him. He looked... strange. He stared at her, his eyes roving over her, head to toe.

  "Okay, I know I'm not as skinny as they are, but I've never had any complaints, so quit staring at me. And I know it's not about the ink. You've seen most of it before, and now you have one of your own."

  "You're not fat, Gia, don't be stupid," he growled at her.

  "I'm not stupid, dumbass." All of a sudden it dawned on her why he was still standing there. She couldn't stop the laugh that bubbled up at her realization. "You haven't told her, have you? Deb doesn't know you have a tat."

  Now he glared at her, no longer taking in her body, just staring straight into her eyes, all pissed off and pouting like a petulant child.

  "No, I haven't shown her yet."

  "Now, how the hell did you manage that. I mean, I know she has her own place still, but seriously, it's not a little tattoo, Josh. How could she not see it when you're doin' the nasty? Unless, wait, are you a shirt on kind of guy?"

  This time he didn't even bother with words, just growled at her, a low menacing sound. Which sent Gia off into fits of laughter.

  "So, that's a yes. I don't see why. Having recently seen that torso, I can easily attest to the fact that you have nothing to be shy about. Or maybe you guys are a lights off kind of couple. Nobody can see anything. Am I right?"

  His temper finally snapping, Josh stepped up to Gia, leaning over her in an obvious attempt to seem threatening. "I am not embarrassed, as I thought I'd already proven when I stripped in your shop. And I don't need the lights off. I like to see what I'm doing, where I'm touching. See the reactions I'm causing with my lips and my tongue. See everything, including the look of pleasure when I bury my cock inside her."

  Licking her suddenly dry lips, it took two tries before she could make her voice work. If she didn't know better, she would swear he was talking about her, not Deb. Standing up on her toes, bringing her face closer to level with his, she went nose to nose with him. She refused to be cowed, and she damn sure wouldn't let him know what his words were doing to her. "Well then, how is it that she hasn't seen it yet?"

  Josh's head snapped back. He took one step, then another backward, away from Gia. "Because, we haven't exactly done the 'nasty', as you put it, since I got the work done."

  Gia was shocked. Truly, completely stunned. There is no way she could keep her hands off a man like that for almost three full weeks. Three full hours seemed like too long. Three days... forget it.

  With a casual shrug and a wicked smirk, she said, "Well, that explains so much. You're sexually deprived. How long had it been before the tat? You know, sexual frustration can make you do some very foolish things. Oh, and I need to make sure to get Deb a really good BOB for her shower gift. If you're not taking care of business she definitely needs a battery operated boyfriend. There is no way I could go three weeks without rubbin' one out. I'm more of an everyday sort of girl."

  Leaving him standing there with his mouth hanging open, Gia strolled down to the water. She lifted one arm, pushing her hat further down on her head and added an extra little swing to her hips as she walked. Being hard up definitely explained the hard on a few weeks ago. Not to mention all the flirting he'd been doing. She figured the extra wiggle might be just exactly what he needed.

  As she waded out into the water she grinned, thinking of the fireworks about to start when Deb caught sight of the tattoo. When she heard splashing behind her she turned, just in time to see Josh diving at her in a full body tackle.

  * * * *

  As she came up sputtering, her hair hanging in wet strands sticking to her face, Josh felt infinitely better. He'd already been aroused just by the sight of her in a bikini. Her taunting and his little description of sex had made him hard as a damn fence post. A situation that was made worse by the visual he'd had of her 'rubbin' one out'. Since he knew there was no real way to hide the evidence of his desire, getting into the water as quickly as possible had seemed like a great idea. Taking her down a peg in the process had been even better.

  "Josh, damn you! Now I have sunscreen running into my eyes. And where's my hat?" She yelled all this as she frantically wiped beneath her eyes, trying to stop her makeup from running.

  Grinning from ear to ear, Josh scooped up her very wet hat, still full of water, and plopped it unceremoniously onto her head. "There you go, sweetheart, is that what you wanted?"

  The splashing had drawn the attention of their friends, and the yelling had only made it worse. It finally occurred to Josh that they had an audience.

  This was confirmed when Deb squealed, "Georgia Ann McClellan, what on earth did you do to my fiancé?"

  In his rush to get into the water, Josh had actually forgotten about the tattoo. He'd stripped off his shirt, throwing it in the sand while he ran. Now he looked at Deb, seeing the absolute horror in her eyes.

  "Now Deb, she didn't..." Josh began only to be interrupted by Georgia.

  "Nothing he didn't want me to."

  "What are you talking about? There is no way that he would decide to get a tattoo at thirty years old, right before our wedding. He is just not that type. He's a lawyer, for heaven's sake. Did you get him drunk? Was this some sort of bet with you and he lost? You two have been griping at each other for years. I know you did this, Gia. I recognize your handiwork when I see it."

  Gia opened her mouth to answer but Deb cut her off, continuing her rant before Gia could get a word in. "Don't you even try to deny that you did this."

  "I wasn't going t
o deny anything. I was simply going to say thank you. But this wasn't a bet, sweetie. Josh came into my shop, asked for a tattoo, and persisted when I called the bullshit card. After a half hour of convincing me, I finally agreed to do it. That was almost three weeks ago. So, instead of bitching at me, why don't you have a chat with your man."

  With an evil little grin and a small finger wave at Josh, Gia headed over to talk to Kelly and Scott who had been silently watching the little scene unfold. Sucking in a deep breath, Josh turned to face a now furious Deborah.

  "I can explain." Josh said as Deborah walked closer to him.

  "I'm listening."

  Josh searched his brain, trying to find anything that would make sense to her, trying to find words to explain what he was feeling, without hurting her feelings. He had nothing. "Okay, I can't explain. But, I really didn't lose a bet. I asked her to do this, even after she told me she wouldn't, so don't be mad at Gia. I'm sorry."

  "You know, you've been sorry an awful lot lately. It feels like I never see you, and when I do you're apologizing for something. Why don't you stop it and just tell me what's really going on?"

  Josh hung his head, completely shamed by his own behavior. She was absolutely right. "I'm sorry for that too, Deb. Look, you're right, we need to talk. But not here, not today. Let's just try to relax and enjoy this afternoon with our friends and we'll talk tomorrow. Okay?"

  She seemed to consider for a moment, and Josh waited quietly. He knew she would never cause a scene, not really. The only reason she had even commented on the tat was out of shock. Finally, she nodded, pasting an obviously forced smile onto her lips. She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Fine, we'll talk tomorrow."

  Chapter 6

  Gia had been standing with Kelly, Scott and Dev watching to see if either member of the unflappable couple finally broke and lost their temper. When Deb softly kissed his cheek, Kelly echoed her own thoughts.

  "Well, that was a bit disappointing. Watching him tackle you was the highlight of that little show, and you already knew about the tattoo." With a little shrug of her shoulders Kelly looked at Gia.

  "So, why exactly did he tackle you? Were you being a bitch again?"

  Feeling just a tad bit ashamed of her behavior, Gia simply turned her ire on her friend, glaring back at her. "I'm never a bitch. I just refuse to let Mr. Perfect and Proper get away with his holier than thou behavior."

  "Uh huh. So, you were being a bitch."

  With a sigh, Gia finally admitted, "Maybe I just poked at him a little more than I should. He's just always so stuffy. I like him so much better when he's pissed off and... real."

  "You like him better that way, but does Debbie? Or Josh for that matter. Does he like it better when you push him until he snaps?"

  Gia thought about it for a while, trying to be honest with both Kelly and herself. "Yeah, Kell, I think he does. He's always so uptight. When I push him, argue with him, prod until he finally breaks, I think it's a kind of therapy for him. A chance to just be. Without judgment. Everyone can blame me, not him."

  Kelly tossed her head from side to side, pondering that for a second. "Maybe. I guess it kind of makes sense. Did he really ask you to do that tattoo?"

  "Yeah. It was totally weird. He just waltzed into my shop, bold as you please, told me he wanted a tattoo. I thought he was shitting me, or trying to get me in trouble with Deb. It took him almost thirty minutes to convince me he was serious."

  "Huh. Well, maybe there's more to the lawyer than meets the eye," Dev said.

  Shannon and Blake walked up behind them, Blake joining in on the conversation. "Trust me, you have no idea."

  "What do you mean?" asked Dev.

  "Nothing really. Just that Josh is a prime example of that expression 'still waters run deep'. There's a lot more going on than people see."

  "That's why I razz him all the time," Gia said. "He's just... more fun when he's not being so stiff."

  "Yeah, he is. But, the stiff is more comfortable for him. How much do you know about his family? He has been on the same exact path his entire life. Since he was born, basically. Grow up and attend all the proper private schools. Go to the best colleges, get a law degree. Come in and manage the expansion of the company. Marry the right wife, have two point three children, raise them to follow in your footsteps. He has always been the perfect son, living up to every expectation."

  Suddenly Gia felt guilty for giving Josh so much grief. "I always knew he had a life plan. I just never realized it wasn't his plan. I don't know too much about family pressure, but I can't imagine it's much fun." With a glance over at Josh and Deb talking quietly on the beach, she let out a deep sigh. "You'd think after eight years he might've at least mentioned it. Maybe I should just leave him alone."

  She glanced over at Kelly who just shrugged silently. Glanced quickly at the rest of the people standing with them. Apparently they were all in agreement. "Okay, okay. I'll be nice to him. Even when he's being a stuffed prick."

  Kelly laughed, "Yeah, I think that's easier said than done for you, Gia. But good luck with that."

  They all kind of laughed before Dev, who had made his way back up to the sand while they talked, came back with a blow up beach ball. As they all spread out, tossing the ball back and forth, even Deb and Josh came out and joined them. After awhile, the beach ball gave way to chicken fights. All in all, laughter was the pervading mood.

  As the sun set, the group, now thoroughly waterlogged and much cooler, headed back up to the sand. They started a small fire in one of the rock circles someone had built, pulling out marshmallows and old wire hangers. S'mores and a few glasses of wine started to mellow everyone out. The two couples sat framing Gia and Shannon leaving the girls together in a kind of cluster around the fire. As the wine started to flow more freely, giggles erupted between Shannon and Kelly.

  Wanting to be in on the joke, Gia elbowed Shannon gently. "What's so funny? I'm always up for a good laugh."

  "Not funny, not really. Just sort of..." Shannon trailed off into another giggle.

  "Okay, now I have to know. It's not often that you giggle. What are you two talking about?"

  Finally Kelly crawled around Shannon to whisper into Gia's ear. "She was just telling me that she wished she had the nerve to get nipple rings like you have."

  Gia looked at Shannon. Even in the firelight you could tell her cheeks were beet red. Whether it was the wine or embarrassment, Gia had no idea. "Come on by my shop anytime and I'll take care of that for you."

  "Oh no. I could never do that. That's the point. I just wish I could." She waited just a pause before asking quite loudly, "Didn't it hurt?"

  * * * *

  The question and Gia's answering laugh was enough to persuade Josh that he wanted in on the conversation. The others must have agreed because before he could ask, Blake popped up with, "Didn't what hurt?"

  Kelly, who wasn't particularly shy to begin with, was just buzzed enough to blurt, "Gia's nipple rings."

  "Damn, Kell, find your filter!" Gia shouted.

  Of their own accord Josh's eyes glued themselves to Gia's breasts. Everyone else was laughing, but he was staring, trying to see through the triangles of her bikini top. He heard the conversation going on around him, yet he couldn't drag his eyes away.

  "You really have nipple rings?" Dev asked. Gia must have nodded or something because he continued, "That is hot as hell."

  "So, did it hurt?" Shannon asked. At least, he thought it was Shannon, although he didn't look up to verify.

  "Well, yeah, at first. Just like any piercing." Gia answered.

  Was it his imagination or did her voice sound a little breathier?

  "So, then why'd you do it?" This was definitely from Blake.

  When Gia didn't answer right away Kelly blurted again. "She says it feels amazing. You know, after it heals."

  Were her nipples getting harder? Josh swore he could see them starting to push against her top. Without lifting his eyes he asked, "Is that true, Gia?"


  Everyone got quiet, waiting for her answer. Now he knew her nipples were tightening up. He could just see the outline of little rings starting to take shape under her top. Finally he lifted his head, meeting her eyes across the fire. "Well, is it?"

  Finally she answered. "With the right partner, yes, it can definitely enhance stimulation." It was a stock answer, one he was sure she'd given to both women and men considering the piercing for themselves. But now he was certain he wasn't imagining the change in her voice. It was deeper, rougher than normal. Gia was aroused.

  Luckily Blake spoke up. "Okay, too much stimulation for me. I've been single too long, so unless you all want this to get embarrassing we need to change the subject."

  A low laugh rumbled through the group, giving Josh the incentive he needed to break eye contact with Gia. He looked over at Deb, saw her watching him with a quiet, contemplative expression. He tried briefly to picture her with nipple rings. The image was almost comical, but the humor worked to help deflate the hard on he'd been sporting. He leaned in, kissing Deb gently on the lips. When he tried to pull the kiss deeper, to ignite just a spark of passion, she pulled away. No surprise there. She didn't like PDA's.

  "Josh," she whispered, "not in front of everyone."

  He smiled softly, kissed her nose, then leaned back to participate in the conversation flowing around him. Deb was predictable. Comfortable. So why was that damn tight feeling back in his skin?

  Chapter 7

  A few days later, Josh was down in his basement working off some excess energy when he heard a shout from his front door.

  "Yo, Josh. You here, man?"