Hidden Depths Read online

  Letting the smile get bigger she nodded, "Absolutely. Let's go."

  As she got to her feet, she felt a little wobbly, falling sideways into Dev.

  "You okay?" Dev asked.

  "Yep, I'm good. Those vodka tonics pack more of a punch than I thought they did." Shaking her head a little to clear it, she smiled again. "I've got it now. Let's go."

  * * * *

  Josh watched them go, jealousy settling like a fist in his gut.

  Not only was she dancing with Dev, but she was drunk and dancing with Dev. Dev, who seemed to flirt shamelessly with every female within his line of vision.

  He managed to grunt out a few comments, even laughed at something Kelly said, but he couldn't seem to drag his eyes away from Gia. After awhile, Blake must have noticed, because he leaned over to say, "Why don't you just go out there and cut in. Dev won't mind. He's just having fun."

  Josh turned to look at his long-time friend. "That's right... Dev being here is all your fault, isn't it. And here I thought you said he was a nice guy."

  Blake laughed, "He is a nice guy."

  "Then why hell does he have his hands all over Gia? He's a nice guy that's never heard of the bro code?"

  Blake laughed again. "His hands aren't all over her dude, they're just dancing. And, it's not like you have any claim on Gia. Until a few weeks ago you were engaged to Deb, remember?"

  Josh rubbed his hands over his face and straight through his hair. "Damn it. Yes, I know. I just can't seem to get my head on straight right now. Watching him dance with her, I just want to rip his damn arms off his body."

  "So, why don't you go dance with her yourself? It would be just the two of you. Might give you a chance to talk to her alone. Or, kind of alone anyway."

  Josh tossed his head to the side, indicating Deb. "I don't think it's a good idea. I'll go try to catch Gia at work again tomorrow. See if her guard dog is off duty."

  "Her guard dog?"

  "Oh yeah. Trust me, it's an appropriate description. He's a new artist she hired for the shop. He's this giant, muscle bound tank that seems inclined to keep me away from Gia."

  "Guard dog, huh? Well, in that case you should definitely go dance with her. Might be the only chance you get."

  When a slower song began, and he saw Dev's hands cruising south toward her ass, Josh was out of his seat like a shot, heading over to break up the 'happy couple'.

  "May I cut in?"

  When Gia looked up and saw it was him, she answered "No", at the same time Dev said, "Sure."

  Grabbing her before she could walk away, he pulled her close, pressing her body tightly against his. When he felt her start to pull away, struggling against the hold of his arms, he leaned forward and whispered, "It's just a dance, Gia. Where's the harm?"

  The squirming stopped, replaced by stiffness. But at least she wasn't trying to escape any more.

  "I wanted a chance to talk to you. I want to apologize... again... for not calling. I can't say enough how sorry I am."

  "Yes, you mentioned that the other day."

  "I know. I just wasn't sure if you actually listened. I meant to call, Gia. I just needed to clear the air with Deb first. After what happened between us, I needed to officially end it with her."

  "No, Josh, you didn't. What happened with us should never have happened. It was stupid, and I'm sorry I let it go that far. It's been a while since I've been with someone, that's all. It was a simple reaction to being touched. A mistake. It won't happen again."

  "So, you're actually saying that it was just a heat of the moment thing? A one time, never to be repeated mistake. You feel no attraction to me whatsoever?"

  "That's right. That's what I'm saying."

  Her voice was breathy even through the noise of the bar. He took one hand and lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

  "Bullshit."

  A quick look of shock registered just before her gasp. He saw her open her mouth to argue, and knew he had mere seconds before she left to go back to the table.

  "Just give me one dance, Gia. One slow song, and if you still feel nothing, I'll let it go. We'll just go back to being friends. Deal?"

  "One dance, and that will convince you there's nothing between us?"

  He nodded and stood waiting for her answer. Josh didn't even realize he was holding his breath until he saw her silent nod and it whooshed out on a sigh. He quickly danced his way to the other side of the floor, away from the prying eyes of their friends. As the next song began, he was thrilled to hear it was another slow song.

  Josh pulled her closer, thrilling to the feel of her body against his. Until he realized she was still standing rigid, holding herself stiff as a board.

  "Come on Gia, if you're going to prove there's nothing between us, you have to relax."

  Slowly, as the music played, she loosened up. After another few seconds, she was warm and soft, their steps beginning to merge into a gentle sway more than a dance. Her arms came up and around his shoulders, pressing her even more firmly against him. He could feel her little nipples pushing into his chest, reminding him of the tiny silver rings she wore under that shirt.

  He couldn't have stopped either the groan or his growing erection if his life had depended on it. Wrapping his arms even tighter around her waist, he leaned down to whisper in her ear. "I meant what I said at the bar. You look incredible tonight. You can't even imagine what kind of ideas that little skirt is giving me. I keep thinking about what you might be wearing, or not wearing, underneath it."

  He felt more than heard her sharp intake of breath. He nipped her ear, sliding his thigh a little further forward, pushing it between her legs. "Are you going to tell me what's under there? Or should I check for myself?"

  He knew she was getting aroused when she didn't step away from his leg, but rather pushed a tiny bit closer to him. His shaft jumped, throbbing and pushing against his zipper almost to the point of pain.

  Someone bumped his elbow, a quick reminder that they were in public. It briefly crossed his mind to back away, to end this before he pushed it too far. To hell with it, he didn't care. He wedged his leg a little further between hers, making sure it was pressed firmly against the juncture of her thighs.

  When she gasped again, rubbing ever so slightly against his leg, he couldn't stop from asking, "If I slipped my hand under this skirt, would I find you wet?"

  Chapter 13

  Gia gasped, the sound escaping despite her best efforts. She could feel Josh's hard shaft pressing against her belly. Combined with his closeness, his warmth, and that damn thigh pressing against her mound, Gia was going crazy.

  She had been ignoring him all night, but her traitorous body had other ideas. From the moment she walked in and saw him, then having his hot breath on her neck at the bar, she had been aroused. Almost painfully so. Now, with his thigh pressed between hers, she couldn't stop the tiny little wiggles as she rubbed against him, her body seeking what it needed despite the turmoil in her mind. She'd had just enough alcohol that her thoughts were slow and soft. She was sure it was the alcohol...it couldn't be desire. Whatever it was, the thought that she should stop this was fuzzy and distant, being overwhelmed by the need she felt.

  When his hands slipped down from her back to settle on her ass, the heat searing through the thin cotton of her skirt, she moaned, grinding against his leg.

  "Josh, stop. Someone could see us."

  He leaned into her ear again, "There's nothing to see Gia. We're just dancing. Relax and enjoy."

  He nipped again, the little bite on her neck sending another round of tingles through her body, heat zipping right behind it to settle between her legs.

  This time, the rush of wetness was enough she was sure it would soak through her panties. His hands gripped harder, pulling her slightly up and tighter against his leg. The extra pressure against her already engorged clitoris dragged another moan from her lips.

  "Fuck Gia, you are wet. I can feel the heat against my leg, even through my jeans."


  She rubbed her breasts side to side, creating a delicious friction against them, the gentle tug of her nipple rings only added to the sensation. She twisted her hips again, giving up on subtlety, simply needing the release her body was craving.

  With a little whimper, she twisted faster, pressing even tighter against him.

  Hearing the groan from Josh, his hands gripped her tighter, using his strength to slide her up and then back down his thigh. He nipped her ear again, this time biting down a little harder, his hot breath panting out against her.

  "Gia, come for me. I need to see it."

  She gasped, his words bringing her even closer to that edge.

  * * * *

  Josh heard the song starting to wind down and knew he was almost out of time. To anyone watching he knew they would simply look like a couple locked together in an intimate dance. Their friends may ask questions, but hopefully they couldn't really see anything. No one else would be any the wiser. Not that he cared, because there was no way in hell he was letting her go right now.

  He pulled again, lifting her slightly as he moved his leg side to side against her. He was so damn hard he'd be lucky if he didn't come with her, but he had to see her orgasm. He needed to know that she was as out of control as he was, that he wasn't alone in this.

  He leaned again, whispering in her other ear this time, "Just imagine my fingers inside you, rubbing that perfect little spot, my cock thrusting into you, fucking you until you shatter."

  He felt her body go taut, so he bit down right where her neck met her shoulder. When he felt her nails digging into his shoulders, he stilled his leg, pressing firmly against her while she rode out her release. His cock hurt, the zipper digging into his shaft. He breathed in deep, struggling to remember where they were when he really wanted nothing more than to bend her over the nearest table and shove into her.

  Her body relaxed against his just as the song ended and a faster one began to play. Slowly releasing her, he tilted her chin up one more time.

  "I will see you tomorrow night. I'm coming over to your house after you close up and we are going to talk."

  He turned and strode off to the bathroom without waiting for her response. He needed a minute to cool down. No, actually he needed a cold shower. Or a bag of ice for his groin. Regardless, he needed to get away from her tempting little body, before he did something that would embarrass them both.

  By the time he came out of the bathroom, Gia was gone.

  Chapter 14

  Gia woke the next morning, not quite hung over, but not feeling quite right either. She refused to believe that the headache and queasy stomach was in any way related to anything but her overindulgence in vodka and tonics. It had absolutely nothing to do with the horrifying guilt she felt over her 'dance' with Josh last night.

  After he'd left her on the dance floor, she had thrown her braid over her shoulder to hide his bite mark, grabbed her bag from the table and all but run out of the bar, mumbling something about too much alcohol.

  It was the first time in the three years she'd owned her business that she had been utterly grateful that she did not work banker's hours. She didn't even open until noon today. Thank God. She rolled over and decided that a little more sleep would be just the ticket to making her feel human again.

  As her eyes drifted shut her doorbell rang. She ignored it the first time, and the second. When the third ring was followed by a persistent knocking she finally threw back the covers and screamed out, "I'm coming!"

  "Fuck." Yelling made her head hurt. She stumbled to the door, sure she knew who was on the other side.

  She swung open the door muttering, "You weren't supposed to be by until tonight, Josh..."

  It wasn't Josh, but rather Kelly standing on the other side of the door. Holding a cup of coffee out towards Gia, she asked, "So, we were expecting someone else I take it? And he's coming over tonight, hmmmm?"

  "What, no... I just figured... after last night... never mind. What are you doing here, Kell?" Gia knew she sounded grumpy, but damn it she was grumpy, and the temptation of coffee only did a tiny bit towards changing that.

  "Awww, well good morning to you too, sunshine. I just thought I'd come on over and bring you some coffee. See how you were feeling this morning. You know, since you drank so much you had to run home last night. Without even saying goodbye. After you and Josh danced. Really, really close together."

  Grimacing and trying to hide her guilt behind the cup of coffee, Gia took a giant gulp, only to gasp and choke on the coffee. "Holy fuck, it's hot!"

  "Well, duh. I just walked to the coffee house and came straight over here. So, take a deep breath and spill, Gia. What's going on with you and Josh?"

  Catching her breath, and taking another, smaller sip of the coffee, she tried to stall until she could figure out what to say. Finally, she decided on, "Nothing."

  With a short barked out laugh, Kelly said, "Sure, it totally looked like nothing last night."

  "What? It was just a... dance."

  "Uh huh, a really, really, really close, sexy dance. Sexy enough that I could feel the steam coming off of the two of you."

  All of a sudden Gia was light headed, falling backwards onto the sofa as her knees gave out. "Oh hell... you saw us? Could everyone see us?"

  "If by everyone you mean Deb... then no. I happened to pick that particular moment to head to the bathroom and I caught the little show on my way by. You guys were pretty well hidden from the table."

  "Oh... good. I just wouldn't want Deb to have seen us..."

  "Dancing? Are we still going to go with dancing or can we both acknowledge that's a euphemism for sex in public?"

  Gia gasped, choking on her coffee again, this time actually spitting some of it out of her mouth and down the front of her shirt. She coughed, trying to get air as she breathed the coffee into her lungs.

  Kelly got up from the table and rushed over to Gia's side. "You okay?" she asked, patting her on the back.

  After a minute she caught her breath, and answered, "Yeah. I'm good."

  "Okay then... since I know you're not shy about sex, what's with the choking?"

  "Did it actually look like we were having sex... really?"

  "What? No, not literally, you were just dancing... there was just this vibe coming off you guys... Wait, you weren't... aaahhh... were you? Is that even possible?"

  Gia, who was never embarrassed by anything, felt her cheeks heating up. Before she could even respond, Kelly continued.

  "Gia, did you and Josh actually have sex on the dance floor?"

  "No!" Gia yelled, taking a deep breath before she continued a little more calmly. "No, we did not have sex. I have never had sex with him, and I never will, let alone on a dance floor."

  "Okay, then why the red-faced thing you've got going on right now? I don't think I've ever seen you blush before."

  When Gia didn't answer right away, Kelly kept prodding. "Come on Gia, just spit it out. You obviously need to talk to someone, and I'm not leaving here until I find out what's going on. Don't make me keep guessing."

  "All right! Damn, Kell you can be really pushy sometimes, you know that?"

  "Yes, yes, I know... Now stop deflecting."

  On a sigh Gia finally decided to just spit it all out and let the chips fall where they may. She figured she was about to lose her friends over this, but Kelly was like a dog with a bone... she was not going to let this go.

  "Josh... kissed me." On another deep sigh, she blurted out, "And I kissed him back."

  "Last night? At the bar?"

  "No, at my shop.... when he got his tattoo."

  Gia watched as Kelly did some mental math. "So, like almost two months ago?"

  Gia nodded, waiting for the look of judgment, the disgust she was sure was forthcoming. Instead Kelly just looked like she'd solved a riddle of some sort.

  "Well, that explains a lot."

  "It does?"

  "Yes, it definitely does. I even told Shannon there w
as something... different with you two at the lake that day, and at the Tavern. When I saw the tattoo, I just chocked it up to that, like some little secret you guys shared or something, but this makes a lot more sense."

  "And you don't hate me... or think I'm the worst person in the world?"

  Kelly laughed, "No... why would I hate y.... Ahhh, because of Deb. You think I'll hate you because of Deb."

  Gia started to nod, then ended on a shrug. "Yeah, maybe. Or because, there was more than a kiss."

  "Damn it Gia, just spill it... all of it. I promise I'm not going to judge you, or hate you, or anything else. We're friends. So, you have had sex with him?"

  "No... well, yes... no. Aahh, hell. No, not sex. But, we've messed around, kind of. Once. But it was before he and Deb broke up. Maybe that's why they broke up. I ruined a perfectly good relationship because I couldn't keep my damn shirt on, or stop my body's reaction to his amazing..."

  She looked up into Kelly's face, and she still saw no anger, only... humor? Was that a little smirk she saw?

  "His amazing... what? Ass, shoulders, abs, kisses, or did we just go straight to the package?"

  "Kell!"

  Now Kelly did laugh, long and loud. "Come on Gia, I've known the guy for the better part of a decade, same as you. It hasn't escaped my notice that he is well put together. I'm just trying to figure out how I didn't see this before."

  "See what before?"

  "You and Josh... it actually makes sense, really. Almost more sense than he and Deb."

  "Huh... bullshit. It makes no sense whatsoever. That's why I kept it to myself all these years," Gia mumbled under her breath.

  "Years, huh? How many years, exactly?"

  "Shit, if I'm confessing my sins, I guess I may as well confess all of them... probably about eight years."

  "So, since you met him?" At Gia's nod, she continued, "He and Deb have only been together for like four or so years, why didn't you say anything before that?"

  Gia cocked her head to one side and raised her eyebrow.