Hidden Depths (15 page)

Kelly looked puzzled for a moment, before the light finally
clicked. "Ooohhh... No, we're not... I mean, it's not... well, we
don't..."

Laughing Josh finally came to her rescue. "We're not
dating, Mother. Although I admire your subtle attempts at nosiness."

Now Fanny had the decency to look a little chagrined.
"I'm sorry. You just seem so much happier the last few days. I thought at
first that you and Deb had managed to patch things up, but then when you
brought Kelly, I thought, maybe..."

"Oh, no Mrs. Taylor. We're just friends. He called me
last night specifically to come play tennis this morning. There's nothing like
that between us," Kelly said.

Josh's father, who had remained silent through all of this,
finally chimed in. "Fanny, that's enough. Leave them alone. Josh will tell
us if he's seeing someone new when there's something to tell."

Josh squinted his eyes, surprised by his father's support.
He figured his dad was still upset he'd broken it off with Deb. "Thanks,
Dad. Mom, there's nothing to tell."

"Well, then why the good mood all of a sudden?"

Josh casually shrugged his shoulders. "Just enjoying
the day, that's all. And you're right, it has been good company." Pushing
his chair back Josh rose, pulling some cash out to cover lunch. "And on
that note, I think it's time Kelly and I hit the road. Thank you for the
tennis, and I will see you both this evening for dinner. Alone, in case you're
wondering." He winked at Kelly, then smiled at his parents as he helped
her from her chair.

Kelly stayed quiet until they were outside the club, but as
Josh walked her to her car, she finally turned and asked, "So, your
parents thought we were..."

"Apparently. I never thought they would go there, not
since you and I basically were in diapers together. Sorry if they embarrassed
you."

She laughed, "Not embarrassed, just surprised.
Although, since your mom mentioned it, you do seem to be in a much better mood
the last couple of days."

"I do? Hmmmm, well how about that." Josh smirked
at her.

"Yes, you do. Since Friday night at The Tavern, your
mood has improved dramatically. I wonder, could there be a correlation?"

"Maybe I just needed a few good drinks with
friends."

Now it was Kelly's turn to smirk. "Friends? Or maybe it
was seeing ex-girlfriends again? Or dancing. Could it be dancing that has put
you in such a happy state?"

Josh was a little shocked. "Dancing? Now why would you
say that?"

Kelly punched him in the shoulder, laughing at the slightly
dumbfounded expression he knew he wore. "I saw you dancing with Gia,
doofus. And I know you were supposed to go see her last night."

He narrowed his eyes, trying to gauge just what she thought
of that. "And, so what if I did? Go see her, I mean."

"You know, she seemed just as hesitant to talk about it
as you do. So, let me just lay it out there for you... I can't speak for anyone
else, but if you and Gia have something going, and by the way you two were
clinging together on that dance floor I would guess you do, then I say go for
it."

Now Josh was floored. He hadn't expected that from Kelly,
not knowing how close she and Deb were. He knew she was close to Gia as well,
but wasn't there some sort of girl thing, kind of like the 'bro code'?

"You really wouldn't mind if I started seeing Gia? Even
though Deb and I broke up less than two months ago."

"Nope," she grinned again. "I actually think
it would be great. She would be good for you. And there's been something there
between you guys for forever. She's the only one that's ever really riled you
up. You're always so calm and collected, and yet she has managed to get under
your skin for years." She paused a beat, apparently thinking over her next
words. "I don't think Deb would mind either, Josh. I can't say for
certain, but honestly neither one of you have seemed all that upset about the
break up. I think she'd probably be okay with it. At least, that's my
opinion."

With a quick smile, she finally hopped in her car, tossing
her stuff in the back of the convertible before starting the engine. On a last
quick grin, one that reminded Josh of the Cheshire Cat, she put the car in reverse.
"Have fun tonight."

She pulled out, leaving Josh staring after her.

It took a couple minutes for the shock to wear off, only to
be replaced by his own Cheshire grin. Not only did he get to see Gia tonight,
but he actually had the support of at least one of their friends. Maybe, just
maybe this would work out. Now, he just had to convince Gia of that
possibility.

Chapter 19

When Gia closed up shop Sunday night, she was not even
remotely surprised to find Josh out front waiting for her. Yet, her heart
seemed to skip a beat when she saw him, once again leaning against his Mustang.
Tonight he was in a white T-shirt and another pair of jeans. These looked
newer, a darker color, and seemed to be a little tighter than the few pair she
had previously seen him wear. He had paired it with the old combat boots again.

Damn he looked good. And, for tonight at least, he was all
hers.

She took a deep breath to slow her racing heart, locked the
front door behind her and finally walked over to him. The sinfully slow curve
of his lips, settling into the smirk she loved so much, sent her heart thudding
against her ribcage again.

"Hi," she said, a little breathier than she would
have liked.

Her only warning of what was coming was the quick lift of
his eyebrow and a little twist of the smirk, before his mouth settled on hers.

He hooked his hands in the belt loops of her jeans, pulling
her flush against him, settling her between his thighs where he rested against
the car door. This was no soft kiss of greeting, but a deep kiss, warning her
of his intentions. Her mouth opened on a gasp, apparently all the invitation he
needed to bring the kiss        even deeper, plunging his tongue into her
mouth.      

She melted into the kiss, despite her reservations, tangling
her hands into his hair. The silky strands teased her fingers, inviting her to
twist and tug gently, pulling him even closer.

A passing car honked, the driver throwing out a wolf
whistle, reminding Gia they were standing in the middle of the street... in The
Village... where anyone could see them. Including their friends.

She jumped back as if burned, placing a hand against his
chest. She wasn't sure whether or not she was holding him at bay, or simply
needed some sort of continued contact while she tried to steady her breathing.

After a minute, she finally felt like she could speak again.
"What the hell was that? A simple hello would have been sufficient."

He smirked again, his eyes alight with humor. "Not for
me," he answered with a shrug.

"We're in the middle of the damn street, Josh. That
was..."

"Hot? Amazing? A teaser of what's yet to come?"

She looked at him, forcing herself not to laugh as she
schooled her face into a look meant to chastise him. "I was going to say
completely inappropriate."

Another little shrug. "Maybe. But I enjoyed it and so
did you. So, you ready to go? I was thinking we can drop your car at your place
and head over to mine for the night. I'll bring you back on my way to work
tomorrow morning."

His little plan served to remind her of her pique over his
assumption that he could simply spend the night at her house. As good as his
idea sounded, and regardless of just how her body responded to that idea, she
needed to put a stop to his high handed assumptions before things went any
further.

"And you presume I'll be staying the night with
you?"

He cocked his head to one side, that damn eyebrow shooting
up again as his lips settled into a snarky little grin. "Ordinarily, no.
However, I only have until tomorrow night and I still have 'work' to do. And
since you're the one that set a deadline for this little endeavor, I figured
that was the best plan. Would you prefer to go to your house again? Or, if
you'd like, we can simply head back inside your shop and I'll see if I can't
win this bet here and now."

As he spoke, he moved closer to her, pushing her to back up
until she hit the passenger side of her Jeep. He didn't lift his arms to cage
her in this time, instead using his body to trap her. His body heat radiated
against her, stirring her blood without even a touch. Damning her reaction to
him didn't seem to change the way she responded, her body immediately priming
for the pleasure it knew was coming.

Sucking in a deep breath she decided that anywhere indoors
and off the streets was a good idea. "Fine. Your house it is. But, once we
get there, we need to talk before this goes any further."

He nodded, his eyes lighting up at her words. "Perfect.
I'll follow you to your house and you can pack an overnight bag. Okay?"

Josh waited in the car while Gia ran in to grab what she
needed. He knew that if he went in with her, there was no way he could stop
himself from pinning her against a wall and finishing that kiss they'd started
in front of her shop. If he did that, there was no way they would ever make it
to his house, and he really wanted to go to his house tonight.

This was partly his practical side kicking in. He didn't
have a suit with him, and he really did have to go to work tomorrow morning. He
had a telephone conference with the manager of the Canadian locations. Granted
they would have no idea what he was wearing, but somehow he thought his parents
would frown on him showing up in jeans and boots.

The other reason was much more personal.

On the off chance that Gia decided this thing between them
ended tomorrow evening, he wanted to have at least one image, one night, with
her in his bed. A memory he could pull out later, if need be. He was hoping
this wouldn't be a one-time thing, but he wasn't prepared to count on that just
yet.

So, he waited in his car. And he waited. And he waited.

Just as he had decided she had changed her mind and was
about to go in after her, she walked out the front door.

His breath caught, his heart skipped a beat, and his dick
jumped to throbbing life. She had taken time to change. He took in the sight
before him; her black hair with its bright purple streaks was down, the long
bangs falling over her eyes, and the shiny length swirling around her
shoulders. Her eyes were lined with a darker color, making the green really
stand out. Her lips were a deep blood red and curved up to showcase her
ridiculously white teeth. And she was wearing one of those skirts he loved so
much. This one was a red and black plaid, that she had paired with a simple
white T-shirt. The shirt was a little see-through, and even in the dark he
could tell she was wearing a darker colored bra beneath it. She had decided to
forego her traditional tights or thigh high socks this evening, instead wearing
knee high socks and black Doc Martins.

There was no doubt in his mind that she had dressed
specifically to torment him. A teasing glimpse of what he was not allowed to
have this evening. Rather than making him angry, it actually made him laugh.
Knowing Gia, he would probably find that she had decided to forego the panties
as well.

Jumping out to take her bag from her, he tossed it in the
backseat and went around to open her door. Before he even got there, she simply
sat on the edge of the door and swung her legs over the side and into the convertible.
Sliding down into the seat. His already aching shaft gave another little pulse,
pressing against his zipper.

Her position in the car, with him standing right next to it,
put her directly eye level with his growing erection. Rather than try to hide
the effect she had on him, he simply let her look. When she glanced up,
smirking at him before pursing her lips, he couldn't stop the grin that spread
across his face.

"Yes... you have that effect on me. But, you knew that
when you put that skirt on."

He walked around, hopped in and started the car. When he
glanced over at her, she was still smirking.

Chapter 20

Josh had pulled the car into the garage, helped Gia out and
opened the door to let her in. The short ride had been in silence, the wind
blowing through their hair, whooshing around their ears, the music playing
loudly enough to be heard above the road noise and making conversation
impossible. The chaos of the convertible had done nothing to ease the sexual
tension rife between them. As she headed into the kitchen, Josh tossed her bag
on the floor next to the sofa.

Gia looked around, taking in the obviously expensive, yet
distinctly male decor. Josh's house had always reflected his mother's good
taste and still managed his own sense of style. He had purchased his house a
few years ago, as soon as he'd finished law school. It was in an older
neighborhood, with custom homes. The simple one storey, with an open floor
plan, offered a great room, with one lone hallway leading to the bedrooms. The
colors were all dark, rich earth tones, shot through with dashes of color. And
of course, the high quality art work to match. He managed a comfortable, homey
feel, yet combined it with the vibe of an Italian villa.

She was familiar with the floor plan, having spent quite a
few weekends here, enjoying the sun, the pool and good friends, so there was no
reason for him to offer a tour of the place. 

She turned, feeling that she had to say something...
anything, to break the silence.

"I've always loved your house. I don't remember the
last time I was over here. I think it was for Deb's birthday party a couple of
years..."

She trailed off, realizing just how stupid that sentence had
been. The last thing she should have brought up was his ex-girlfriend. But they
couldn't really ignore it either. They needed to talk.