Deep: The Complete Man Candy Trilogy

by Joanna Blake

  January was back in LA helping out. Her girlfriend was even part of the deal. Scratch that, Jan was engaged. Her fiancé.

  Everyone was getting married it seemed. My Miami buddy Chan was already off and running. Trent was next. I was the odd man out when I saw them these days.

  Most of my military buddies had been married for ages.

  I saw no need for it. Love, marriage, children. To me it was a foreign idea. The way I'd grown up, the 'happy family' ideal was as far away as Mars.

  Farther.

  Mars was a real place. The idea of me as a family man was... not.

  I pushed the thought of my unhappy childhood aside as Trista bore down on me with the director.

  "Hi Joss..."

  She was looking at me in that flirtatious way again. She was getting less subtle about it as time went on. I knew she expected me to fall over myself trying to please her but it wasn't going to happen.

  I didn't bend over backwards for women, especially not a cock tease like her.

  Especially when I knew it was not going to go anywhere, no matter what I might want deep down. I wanted a lot.

  "Yes?"

  "Lars had an idea."

  I eyed the director. His arm was slung around Trista in an overly familiar way. His past few movies were box office hits. He was only doing the video because he was a fan. I didn't really like the way he was touching her to be honest.

  It was almost like he thought he was going to bang her. Considering he was in his forties, the thought of them together was repellant to me. Really it was none of my business what she did.

  But I didn't have to like it.

  "Yes, we want to get some casual shots of Trista on the beach. Just squeeze it in today while we have the crew. We would only need a handful of them."

  "I can't approve it. The studio would never agree."

  Lars rolled his eyes.

  "What does the studio know of creativity?"

  He walked away muttering. But Trista wasn't giving up that easily. She stepped in closer, putting her hand on my arm. I stared down at her dainty little hand. Her nails were prettily manicured and delicate.

  Just like the rest of her.

  "Please... it would be so good for the video. The studio does want me to seem approachable."

  "Absolutely not. You'd be way too exposed."

  She fluttered her eyelashes at me.

  "I thought you hadn't noticed my outfit."

  I ran my hand through my hair. She was teasing me. I knew it was good natured and all in fun. But I was still flustered.

  "I didn't mean that- look, it's not safe. I can't allow it."

  She pouted for a minute. "But the video would be so much better..." Suddenly she smiled, looking at me from under her extra long eyelashes.

  "Alright Joss. I will do what you say if you do what I say tonight."

  I narrowed my eyes at her.

  "What exactly did you have in mind?"

  "Nothing. Just some games. We can even stay in the suite."

  I have no idea what possessed me to say 'yes' but that was exactly what I did.

  "Fine."

  I watched her walk away triumphantly, wondering what the hell I had just gotten myself into.

  Trista

  I carefully arranged the board games on the table. We had Risk, Monopoly, cards and poker chips. Jenna was ordering snacks from room service.

  "Don't forget the champagne!"

  "What's all this?"

  Perfect. Joss was standing in the living room in his off-duty clothes. Even though he was never really off-duty from what I could tell. He looked so handsome in his jeans and a fresh button-down shirt. It was a far cry from his tailored day clothes. I decided I preferred him like this.

  He looked almost approachable.

  Almost.

  His wavy dark hair was still damp from his shower. He looked breathtakingly handsome. But his gorgeous blue eyes looked a little confused. I smiled. Time to put my plan into motion.

  "Game night silly. You promised to play, remember?"

  I looked over my shoulder at him. I was wearing my favorite pair of worn in jeans. They were super soft and hugged my curves just right. I wore a soft pink camisole that covered my chest jusssst enough. My hair was down. I'd even applied a tiny bit of lipgloss.

  That was about all I could do without Shastie's bag of tricks.

  "Oh."

  That was the first time I'd ever seen Joss at a loss for words. He didn't talk much, but he always knew what he was doing.

  Until tonight.

  I was going to make the most of it too. Or try to. If tonight ended with his lips on mine, it would be a success.

  I was aiming to have my first kiss.

  "Sit. We're ready!"

  Shast and Jenna took their places at the table. We played cards first. Gin rummy. Joss sat stiffly, playing along. But I could tell he was not happy about it.

  "500 points- add it to my tally!"

  Shast crowed as she pulled another winning hand. I decided to have a little fun with her. I tilted my head, tapping my chin.

  "I don't know- don't we have to start over now that Joss is playing?"

  "Hell no! Are you crazy?"

  Joss looked back and forth at us. I laughed and decided to take mercy on him.

  "We have a running game. What is it? Three years now? Shast is winning."

  "Damn right I am!"

  I tilted my head, tapping my chin thoughtfully.

  "Well... you can count it I guess... but let's play something else for a while."

  There was a knock at the door. Jenna disappeared to get it. When she came back with room service I squealed.

  "Champagne!"

  Joss cleared his throat as room service popped the cork for us.

  "Are you sure you should be drinking?"

  I shrugged. "I hardly ever do. But it's a special occasion." I smiled at him as Shast poured me a glass.

  "But you aren't old enough."

  I coughed, almost choking on my champagne. Shast and Jenna were giggling like mad. I took one look at Joss and joined in.

  "What's so funny?"

  "Puh-lease! Girl is well over the age limit! She's ready for social security!"

  He frowned, looking at me.

  "How old are you exactly?"

  I leaned in.

  "I could tell you but you would have to be sworn to secrecy."

  He just looked at me with his usual lack of humor.

  "I am already sworn to secrecy."

  "Fine." I tilted back my glass, guzzling the champagne. "I'm 23."

  His jaw dropped. I smiled seductively. At least I hoped it was seductive. I'd never actually attempted to seduce anyone before.

  Other than when I was performing anyway. I always knew what to do. I knew all the steps. Every note was ingrained in my brain. But this... this was a whole new ball game.

  "Let's sit on the couch. I want to play something else."

  Joss followed us awkwardly, standing by the balcony door. Jenna handed him a glass of champagne. He stared at it for a moment, then sat it down untouched.

  We drank champagne and played monopoly for an hour. Another bottle of champagne came and went. And then another.

  Shast was winning when I threw my money up in the air. "I give up!" I stared at Joss, pointing my finger accusingly.

  "You aren't playing!"

  Joss shrugged. He'd been avoiding looking at me all night. He still wouldn't make eye contact. Not since I'd tried flirting with him.

  Fail!

  "I'm working."

  "But you promised."

  He ran his hand through his hair. I noticed that he did that when he didn't know what to do. That was okay. I had a pretty good idea.

  "Fine. One more game. You should get some rest."

  I smiled. This was it. The opportunity I'd been waiting for.

  "Let's play- truth or dare!"

  Shast squealed and crowed. "Uh oh!" Jenna just lay her head in her h
ands.

  Joss was looking at me now. Hard. He knew I was up to something. He looked almost... intrigued. He didn't say anything but I definitely had his attention.

  First, I dared Jenna to hop on one foot while singing the star spangled banner. Then she dared Shast to pretend to be a dog. We all lost it when she ran around the room barking. She even humped the corner of the couch.

  Then she dared me to sing one of my favorite classic rock ballads accappella. It wasn't so much a dare as a request. I did it though, feeling strangely shy in front of Joss.

  When I was finished everyone was quiet. Even Joss was staring at me. It was now or never.

  "Joss, truth or dare?"

  He looked into my eyes. For a split second I thought I had won. Then he spoke and my triumph instantly deflated.

  "Truth."

  We all groaned. He looked genuinely miffed.

  "What?"

  "Truth is for wimps!"

  He scowled at me.

  "I don't have time to play games anyway."

  He turned, walking outside to the terrace. I was hot on his heels. The girls, bless them, stayed inside. I was pretty sure they knew I was crushing on him, even though I hadn't said anything.

  Yet.

  Joss was clearly not playing along with my plan. I wasn't letting it go though. I'd maneuvered for hours to get him alone!

  "Coward!"

  He sighed heavily. He sounded tired when he finally spoke.

  "What do you want, Trista?"

  "I want you to say 'dare.'"

  He glanced at me, partially hidden in the shadows.

  "Fine. Dare."

  I stepped closer. He tried to ignore me but I wasn't deterred. I felt his muscles jump when I put my hand on his chest and leaned up to whisper in his ear.

  "I dare you to kiss me."

  Time stopped. I don't think either of us breathed for a full minute. I could feel the heat coming off his body in waves.

  "No."

  The hot flush of embarrassment washed over me. I stepped back quickly but he grabbed my hand, turning me so that my back was against the wall.

  Well, I hadn't been expecting that.

  He leant over me and stared into my eyes. He looked at my lips and I felt my knees go weak. My heart was hammering in my chest. He was going to kiss me. I just knew it.

  "I don't like being told what to do."

  I tilted my head back. He was so close. So close to kissing me... I could tell he wanted to.

  Then his eyes hardened and he snarled.

  "If you need attention so badly, there are a million men who will give it to you. You don't need to go slumming with the help."

  I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I pushed him away and started to run. His hand shot out, dragging me back against him.

  "Wait-"

  I stared at him, my eyes full of tears. I didn't care anymore though. I just wanted to run away and lick my wounds.

  "What do you want Joss? To humiliate me? You've already done that."

  "No. I want this."

  His mouth crashed down on mine.

  Chapter Nine

  Joss

  I inhaled the scent of her as my fingers explored her. She felt like silk under my hands and lips. Soft, warm, willing silk.

  More than willing. She was eager. If you had asked me I would have said she wanted me as badly as I wanted her.

  But that was impossible.

  Still, she felt damn good. Better than good. Phenfuckingnominal.

  A part of me was screaming that this was dangerous. Risky. Crazy. Wrong.

  This was pure madness.

  I kicked that voice down with the heel of my boot. I didn't want to hear it right now. It didn't matter. All that mattered was her mouth under mine, her silky hair brushing my skin, her warm body trembling in my arms.

  We were hidden from view against the wall. Her soft sounds of pleasure spurred me on as I pushed myself against her. I wanted to absorb her. Mold her.

  Devour her.

  Our tongues danced with each other, tangling desperately. My cock was standing straight up. It wanted out.

  It wanted in.

  Her back arched as I cupped her breasts, moaning at the feel of her in my hand.

  "Trista-"

  "Don't stop..."

  I yanked my hand away. She reached for me but I shook my head, clenching my fists. I forced myself to step away.

  "I apologize."

  She stared at me, her swollen lips open in surprise. I forced myself to look away before I kissed her again.

  Because if I started, I wouldn't be able to stop.

  "That was a mistake. It won't happen again."

  "What?"

  "You might do this sort of thing all the time but I don't."

  "Do- what?"

  She was blinking up at me, her gorgeous eyes shining in the darkness. I had a feeling she was on the verge on tears. I needed to push her over that edge. Make her hate me.

  Then it would be easier to stay away from her. My voice was dripping with condescention.

  "Seduce the help."

  She looked stunned, like I'd slapped her. Then she straightened up. Her hand dropped from my chest.

  "Actually, I've never seduced anyone. Obviously I'm not any good at it."

  I watched in agony as she walked away. Every fiber of my being wanted to reach out and yank her back against me. I wanted to take her into the big bed in there and do things to her all night.

  Instead I stood there, feeling like my body was burning up.

  I waited until I heard everyone go to bed.

  I waited.

  The whole time her voice was echoing in my head.

  What the hell did she mean she had never seduced anyone?

  I closed my eyes, leaning my head against the wall.

  Did she mean I was the first?

  I moaned. The way she'd felt- so pure and perfect- I was starting to think she was the real deal. A good girl who worked hard at her job and just wanted to be kissed.

  Her job just happened to be driving men wild with lust.

  And she was way, way too good at it.

  Trista

  "Trista. Get up."

  "Leave me alone."

  "It's Saturday. Cheat day."

  I moaned, rolling over in the bed. Normally, I loved Saturdays. Friday night was game night and Saturday was... pancakes and veggie burgers with fries. Pizza. Whatever I wanted.

  Saturday meant spending all day in my pajamas. Or on the rare occasion, going out. Usually shopping meant bringing the clothes to me, but I needed more. I was tired of being cooped up.

  I wanted to escape.

  There was no way I was going out there to face Joss. I'd beg him to let me go out and he would say no. I couldn't take it. Not after he'd rejected me.

  Not after he'd kissed me like that.

  I could still feel his lips and his hands. His body pressing against mine. The heat of his erection.

  It was probably nothing to him. To me, it was everything.

  My first real kiss.

  Yeah, I was definitely not coming out of my room today.

  "Can you send Shast in?"

  Jenna looked at me dubiously.

  "Should I order pancakes?"

  "No, thank you. But I might want you to run a few errands for me later."

  "Whatever you want."

  She shook her head as I pulled the covers over my head. I had to distract her. And I had to distract him.

  Also, I needed a disguise.

  "What now Miss Thang?"

  I peeked out from under the covers.

  "I need your help."

  She cocked an eyebrow at me.

  "This better be good. I haven't even taken my hormones yet."

  I sat up and smiled at her conspiratorially.

  "I need a wig. And a distraction. I'm going out."

  She perked up immediately.

  "Well, you called the right girl. But I am coming with you."


  "Okay."

  "Where are we going anyway?"

  "Somewhere normal people go."

  "So, the mall."

  I chewed my lip. That didn't sound like that much fun.

  "Or the beach?"

  "We could go to the area by the pier and do both."

  I nodded happily.

  "Oh and Shast, we need to get rid of Joss."

  "He won't like this."

  She was giving me a worried look. I raised my chin.

  "I know. And I don't care."

  Chapter Ten

  Joss

  I stared at the security footage incredulously. A very trim, sexy brunette wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap was walking through the hotel lobby to a waiting cab. I would not have recognized my client if it weren't for the six foot tall woman beside her.

  Shasta.

  I was going to have to have a long talk with her. With both of them.

  Once I found them.

  I felt my palm itch with the urge to spank Trista. I just might do it. Not only had she put herself at risk but her poor assistant looked like she might keel over. I looked at Jenna who was wringing her hands and pacing.

  Trista had sent Jenna out halfway across LA for a specific sort of juice and then shimmied over the edge of the balcony. I had thought she was still getting dressed. They had fooled me.

  Nobody fooled me.

  Oh yes, I wanted to spank her.

  It was my fault. I knew it. I'd been avoiding her all morning. When Jenna announced that Trista was sleeping in, I had been relieved. More than relieved.

  I had dreaded seeing her after that kiss. She knew that I wanted her now. I didn't want to see the smug look in her eyes. She'd gotten to me and she knew it.

  I hadn't known how to act after last night. Or how to feel. Usually I didn't feel anything.

  Now I was feeling everything.

  Anger. Fear. Lust. More anger. Annoyance. Maybe even a hint of admiration for how she'd managed to pull this little stunt of hers off.

  But mostly I was worried that she was going to get herself into trouble and not be able to get herself out again. What if he found her? Or anyone other guy who played rough?

  All it took was one red-blooded ordinary American man with a temper. The way she looked, she was bound to get herself into trouble. Any other guy would have taken what she was offering last night. Maybe I should have.