Hidden Depths Read online

  "Yeah, Blake. Basement," he yelled back.

  He unwrapped his gloves, tossing them on the weight bench and grabbed a towel. He wiped his face and was just reaching for a bottle of water from the little fridge when Blake made it downstairs. After guzzling about half the bottle, he nodded his head in greeting.

  "What's up? Want some water or a beer or anything?"

  Blake walked past Josh, grabbed a beer from the fridge and tossed one to Josh as well.

  "So, what the hell is going on with you and Gia?" Blake asked.

  Josh choked on his water, damn near spraying it out his nose. When he managed to catch his breath again he only managed one word. "What?"

  Blake sighed. "Look, I think I'm the only one that noticed, although maybe Deb did, I'm not sure. You couldn't take your eyes off her. And I don't just mean the nipple rings, that's almost understandable really, but even before that. I saw you looking at her all day. So... what's going on with you and Gia?"

  "Nothing, Blake, I swear." Josh debated for about a second and a half before blurting out the truth. "Not really. I kissed her the night she did my tattoo. She said no and pushed me away. That's it. So, nothing's going on."

  "You kissed her?"

  Josh ran his hand over his face, shoving it through his sweaty hair in a gesture of frustration. "Yeah. Stupid, but nothing else happened. I didn't even know about the nipple rings until the lake the other night. Proof that it was a kiss and nothing more."

  "And she pushed you away?"

  Josh nodded.

  "Huh. That's not the vibe I was getting. It felt like there was something more... mutual there."

  Josh couldn't stop the tightening in his gut at that thought.

  "Josh, I hate to state the obvious, but you're engaged. To someone else. Why are you kissing her? I mean, even once is too much. Was this some latent curiosity or something? Even I can admit to wondering what kind of fire was under there a time or two myself."

  At the thought of Blake kissing Gia his stomach churned. He wanted to beat the living shit out of his best friend. That was not a good sign.

  "Hell, Blake." Josh shook his head deciding to just dump it all on Blake. Maybe talking it out would help him make sense of the mess he had inside him. "It's not just curiosity. Not even fucking close. I have wanted her since about the minute I met her, despite the differences between us. She's just never been interested in me. Then, a few weeks ago, I'd had a crappy week at work, trying to open a new location in Australia, permits, paperwork and my dad watching every move I make. I left early Tuesday afternoon, came home and got my car, drove like a madman for awhile and ended up right back in the Village staring at the front of Adriana's. I pulled the car around the corner and started walking. Everything felt wrong, like it was just squeezing too tight, ya know. I ended up in her shop asking for a tattoo."

  "I get that. You always did have your ways of breaking loose. But, that still doesn't explain the kissing. The tattoo wasn't enough?"

  "No, it wasn't like that. Just being there I felt better. Her shop is just like she is. A crazy riot of color everywhere, chaotic. It should make you dizzy but it doesn't. It's just comfortable. As soon as the needle hit my skin I felt... great. We talked. She's amazingly 'unsarcastic' when she's working. Unlike the rest of the time. The quiet, the sound of the gun, the easy chat. It was incredible. Then, when it was done, I was checking the tat in the mirror, then I turned around and there she was. She was watching me with this crazy look on her face. I'd never seen it before. I felt like I had to kiss her if I was going to keep breathing."

  Josh took a deep breath, realizing just how sappy and stupid he sounded, even to his own ears. "So, I did. And she pushed me away. End of story."

  "And that's it. One measly kiss, one you mistakenly thought she wanted, and now you stare at her anytime you think you can get away with it?"

  Josh nodded. "Yeah, that's about the size of it."

  "I don't buy it Josh. Not unless it was a record breaking, gut tearing, ball busting kiss. You've kissed lots of women, so have I for that matter. There had to be more to it."

  "Well, it was definitely a record breaking, gut tearing, ball busting kiss. So damn much that I can't get her out of my mind. She even makes a nightly appearance in my dreams." At Blake's shocked expression, Josh laughed. "Guess you didn't expect that, did you?"

  "Nightly appearance?"

  "Yep, every fucking night. I haven't had Deb stay over for fear of her hearing something, or worse."

  "Damn. Okay... so what now?"

  "What do you mean 'what now'?"

  "What are you going to do about it?"

  "I'm going to see a damn shrink and figure out a way to get her out of my head. Or at least out of my dreams."

  "Okay, that's one way. Here's another idea. Kiss her again."

  "What? I'm engaged as you so kindly reminded me. I'm not kissing her again. What the hell are you talking about?"

  "Hear me out. Look, I love Deb, you know I think the world of her. She deserves better than this, better than you drooling after another woman, let alone one of her friends. You said this was an amazing kiss, better than any you've had. Well, that means one of two things. In my experience, a great kiss, let alone a ball busting kiss, is felt by both people. So, either you imagined this reaction and it wasn't really as good as you think it was. Maybe heightened sensation from the adrenaline rush of the tat or something. Or, it really was that good. Which means she felt it too. Which also means, you have no business marrying Deborah."

  Josh thought about what Blake said. It sounded insane, but it actually made sense. In a twisted, ‘I'm dying for any excuse to kiss her again’, kind of way. Had he imagined his response? Was it due to adrenaline? He didn't think so. But, he also didn't think that Gia had felt the same thing. She had pushed him away after all. Then promised to forget it, like it was no big deal. Yet the other night at the beach, he knew she'd been aroused. Was it just from talking about those tantalizing nipple rings or was it because she knew he'd been staring? Was he nuts for even considering this? Undoubtedly. Yet he was considering it.

  "Do you honestly think I should kiss her again? Blake, I don't want to hurt Deb. She really does deserve better."

  "Yes, I really think you should. Better isn't always safer, Josh. For once, don't play it safe. Break away from that damn life plan you have and do something not on the agenda. You and Deb have always seemed like a perfect couple. If you are, then you should have no feelings for Gia or anyone else. So, kiss her. See if it was real or imagined."

  Josh pondered this for another minute, though it was really more for show. He had already decided. He'd probably decided the instant Blake mentioned it, maybe before. Apparently he was just waiting for permission from someone.

  Pissed at his own weakness, his own need for approval, Josh growled at Blake. "Fine, you're right. I'll kiss her. Now, get out. I need to beat up this heavy bag a little while longer."

  Without looking to see if he left, Josh wrapped his hands back up and swung his fist at the bag hanging there. It was at least another hour before he made it back upstairs to shower. His body was so tired and sore he thought maybe, just maybe, he could sleep without the erotic dreams.

  He thought wrong.

  Chapter 8

  Monday afternoon Gia was sitting in her shop, tucked into the back room doing some necessary paperwork. She had to balance the credit card sales, calculate tips and figure out what to pay each of her employees. She also had to pay the bills so they would have power in the shop next week.

  Uugghh! She hated doing bills. She knew it was necessary and always paid everything on time, she just dreaded it. She had a tendency to put it off until the absolute last minute.

  Lost in thought, she almost jumped out of her skin when she heard a knock on the front door of the shop. Wondering how anyone could possibly know she was even in here, she about lost her footing when she saw Josh. What the hell is he doing here?

  As she opened the door, he
answered at least one of her questions without her having to ask.

  "I saw your jeep out front. I know you're closed on Mondays, so what are you working on in here?"

  "Aahh... well, unfortunately, bills don't pay themselves. Accounts don't balance themselves either, no matter how much I wish it were so."

  Josh laughed. "So, how did you ever get through school as a business major? I was surprised you didn't do art or at least something more creative."

  "I took as many art classes as I could possibly squeeze in. Business was a better bet for a degree. I think that's how I convinced the bank to give me a loan to start this place."

  Turning to the nearest table, Gia hopped up, dangling her legs over the edge. "So, I know you didn't come here to ask me about my degree. What's up?"

  "Well, I was actually planning to go to your house. I only stopped here because of the jeep."

  "My house? Why?"

  "To see you."

  "Okay, now you see me. Again I ask, what's up?"

  Josh seemed to be considering his answer carefully, weighing his words before he said them. This was that controlled manner that she hated so much. Remembering her promise to try and be nicer, Gia did the best she could.

  "Come on lawyer boy, just spit it out."

  * * * *

  That was it! He was tired of that damn nickname. He was a man, not a boy, and he was a lot more than some fucking lawyer. Before he left here tonight, she would know it.

  He walked a step closer, then another. In one final step he was standing right in front of her. Her legs were no longer swinging, instead her knees were framing his waist. He saw the shock in her eyes, bringing a quick grin to his face. Taking advantage of her surprise, he leaned in, his lips a mere inch away from hers.

  He whispered, "I'm here for this," a millisecond before closing his lips firmly over hers. He felt her suck in a breath, her body tensing for just a moment before sinking into the kiss. When her body melted, her hands cruising up his chest to twine into his hair, he almost crowed with joy. She wasn't unaffected by his kiss. Whatever it was that made her stop the first time, she had felt something.

  As a small moan whispered between their mouths, causing another quick smile. He leaned in and bit her lip before sucking it into his mouth to soothe the sting. For a moment, Gia went rigid. Then she planted her mouth against his, pressing hard, nipping his lips then thrusting her tongue into his mouth.

  He wanted to touch everywhere, kiss every inch of her body. Josh ran his hands down her sides, hooking his thumbs under her T-shirt. Tearing his mouth away from hers he tugged, lifting the shirt up above her breasts. When she raised her arms he kept right on going, tossing the shirt somewhere across the room.

  She was sitting before him, wearing a satin polka dot bra that barely contained her full breasts. He leaned in, burying his face in her cleavage, licking and nipping. "I want to see your nipple rings."

  "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

  She leaned forward unbuttoning his shirt, one button at a time, kissing each little piece of skin she exposed. His cock jumped, straining the zipper of his slacks. Desperate to get that bra off her, he yanked his shirt from his pants, ripping it off, his undershirt following close behind.

  "Your turn," he said on a groan. When she didn't move fast enough to please him he grabbed the top of the bra, pulling down until her breasts were free. Then he looked his fill. Her nipples were small and dark pink in color, contrasting with her pale white skin. The tips were tight, pointing out, teasing him. And in each tip was a silver ring.

  He needed his mouth on those breasts. Now. Closing his mouth over one nipple, he sucked hard, pulling her deep. Gia moaned, arching into him. One more long pull and he let it loose, flicking the ring with his tongue. He swirled his tongue around the hoop, nipping at the tip with his lips, before sucking her deep again.

  As her hips twisted, moving her closer to the edge of the bed, he moved to the left side, giving that breast the same treatment. With the last deep pull, Gia came unglued.

  She grabbed his head, digging her hands into his scalp before fisting them in his hair and tugging. She brought his mouth back up to hers, meeting him with a hard, hungry kiss. He pulled her tight against him, feeling her softness press against the hard planes of his chest. She twisted her hips again, grinding against his already aching shaft. His body responded, his hips thrusting forward to meet her twists without any conscious thought on his part.

  He could feel the heat of her body even through their clothing. Pulling back, he shoved her hair off her neck, leaning in to suck and nibble that sensitive column while he brought his other hand down, cupping her sex.

  "Ah, fuck. You're wet. I can feel it through your damn jeans." His already throbbing cock got even harder, silently demanding to be inside her wet heat.

  "Yes," she moaned, grinding against his hand.

  He moved his lips up, sucking her earlobe into his mouth. When he pulled away, he whispered, "Do you need me to make you come, Gia?"

  Again she moaned, "Yes. God, please."

  At the sound of her plea, Josh pulled back trying to undo her pants. He got the button loose and the zipper halfway down before she pulled him against her for another heated battle of tongues.

  This time she wrapped her legs around his back, using all her strength to pull him into her. She writhed against him, pulling tighter, then releasing a little and he could finally thrust against her. Josh had been on the edge for days, needing release, needing to fuck her. He couldn't take any more. Grabbing her hips he shoved against her, pressing his shaft against her wet core, sliding up and down. The motion was as old as time, his body didn't seem to care that they were both still clothed.

  He pressed harder, grinding his cock into her. Gia screamed, throwing her head back as she cried out, twisting faster against him.

  He felt her nails dig into his shoulders, scratching a trail down his back as she screamed out, "Yes. Oh, hell yeah!"

  The little sting of pain as she tore at his back was enough to bring on his orgasm. He felt the little ripple of pleasure right before the first jet of come shot from him. He grit his teeth, too lost in his release to even think about not hurting her, he squeezed her hips, thrusting against her with all his strength as he rode out the best climax of his life.

  When the haze of pleasure finally started to pull back, Josh was surprised to find he was still standing. He'd been fairly certain he'd blacked out for a minute. Sucking in another deep gulp of air, he leaned forward resting his forehead against Gia's. He gently kissed her nose, bringing his hand up to brush the hair off her cheek.

  He needed to say something. Ask her how she was. Get her water or... something. He opened his mouth to ask if she was okay. What he actually managed to say was, "Holy shit."

  Gia laughed, a deep, rich chuckle that he felt rumble through her. "Yep. That about sums it up. I don't remember the last time I got off with my pants still on."

  Now it was his turn to laugh. "Yeah, me neither. In fact, I would go so far as to say never."

  "Really? Now that's just sad. Everyone should have some good sexual craziness in their lives."

  "Well, this tops my list."

  "So, is this really what you came here for? Cuz' if I'd known, I might have taken my pants off first. Would've made things a little easier. And probably less messy for you."

  He looked deep into her eyes, trying to figure out if she was being serious or just blowing this off with sarcasm. "Would you really? If I'd told you I was coming over because the only thing I could think about was seeing your nipple rings, would you have simply shown me?"

  She cocked her head to one side, giving him a little smirk and a flip response. "Well, you'll never know now, will you? But, you've seen them anyway. Satisfied?"

  "For now. What about you?"

  She pushed him back far enough that she could hop off the bed. The jiggle of her boobs, still pushed up by the bra underneath them made his dick stir in the sticky heat of
his pants. He almost groaned when she tugged the bra into place before turning back to face him.

  She smirked at him. "For now. So, Josh. What is this all about? You show up here, get a tat, kiss me then tell me to forget it. You flirt with me at the beach, stare at my boobs when you hear I'm pierced then pop in to kiss me again. Is this some sort of weird sexual experimentation? Because you're supposed to do this when you're in college, not when you're an adult and engaged to someone else."

  She slipped her shirt over her head, grabbing his and throwing it back to him while she spoke. He tugged it on, leaving it loose and still mostly unbuttoned. Rather than answer her, he decided to ask his own question. "Did it turn you on?"

  She cocked her head to one side and lifted one eyebrow in answer.

  He chuckled. "Not right now. I already know the answer to that. At the beach, when I was... flirting with you. When I looked at you. Did it turn you on?"

  She looked at the wall behind his head, so he pressed. "I know something did. I watched your nipples tighten and press against your bikini top. Was that because you were talking about the rings... or because I was looking."

  Suddenly she seemed intent on straightening out her clothes. He knew she was considering, debating what to tell him. Being a lawyer he knew enough about stall tactics to recognize one when he saw it. Decision made she finally looked back at him, meeting his eyes again.

  "You."

  "Good. Then we're even."

  "Great... so what now?"

  He searched his head for answers, trying to find an explanation that she would find plausible and coming up short. Instead he said, "I don't know."

  She shrugged her shoulders at him, wearing that little smirk he was so used to seeing.

  "Well, then let's chalk this up to an impulsive act by a man driven to distraction by nipple rings."

  Hearing the dismissal in her words, Josh turned to go. There was more to say, lots more, but nothing she would believe, or even understand. He stopped at the door, still searching for the words. He turned just in time to see her back disappearing into her office door. Josh spun around and left, feeling somehow defeated despite what had just happened.