Suprise Read online

  Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Epilogue

  Jill Gates

  17,500 words.

  Surprise

  Deception Series Volume 1

  by Jill Gates

  This story is a work of pure fiction. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidence. Copyright 2012 Jill Gates, all rights reserved. Surprise, Deception Volume 1 is an original work of fiction. Please enjoy responsibly, intended for adults age 18+ or the minimum age of majority in their jurisdiction.

  Chapter One

  One

  The drunken co-ed leaned heavily over the bar, her ample chest almost pressed into the seated woman's face. Her pretty, tanned skin flushed slightly, while her blue eyes widened in surprise. "Do you mind?"

  Swaying, the young woman frowned, as if noticing how awkward her reach had been. "Sorry," she slurred, "I was trying to get my drink."

  Making a shooing motion, Vanessa pulled up her dress, the tight fitting tube showing off her frame and cleavage to good effect. "Let me give it to you," she said after straightening. Even though the gesture was self-conscious, when the seated woman tugged up her dress, a dozen people nearby swiveled their heads to take a look. Her frame, outlined immaculately in the tight fitting dress, was the kind to turn heads and catch wondering eyes.

  Including the tipsy young co-ed. Her brunette hair was pulled back over her shoulder in a simple pony tail, which she tugged as she straightened, eyes wide and eyeing the blonde woman's incredible physique. "I've been drinking," she muttered, voice pitched low, "But I think I'd like that."

  With the rum and coke held carefully in her hands, the blonde woman paused, holding it out and tilting her head to the side. Her hair was bound up in a french twist, held in place by decorative chopsticks. "I'm Vanessa," she said, handing the drink to the younger woman. "What did you mean by that?"

  Taking the drink, the younger woman drained half the glass and then squeezed in between the footstools, her legs brushing up against the seated woman. Vanessa shivered, the younger woman's jean clad thighs pressing closer than was decent. Flushed slightly, she reached out, past the younger woman, and grabbed the arm of the nearest steak-head. "Excuse me!"

  Muscle brain turned, grinning when he saw Vanessa's outfit, and then his white teeth popped even more when he saw the young co-ed practically standing in between her bare knees. "Can I buy you a drink?" Smooth, baritone and confident, his voice matched his hair and polo shirt, replete with popped collar.

  "You can give my friend your stool," Vanessa quipped, her blue eyes flashing. "Is chivalry dead or something?"

  "Sure," muscle brain replied, his tanned cheeks flushing slightly. "Anything you need, ladies," he said, looking to the side, his eyes widening at the sight of the younger woman. She stood, pony hair tied back over her shoulder, ample breasts sticking out from a plain, low cut black shirt. "Can I buy you the next round?" Pausing, he made a show of flexing his biceps as he stepped back from the bar. Any other evening, Vanessa would have been interested in taking advantage of him, maybe even more than once.

  "Listen," Vanessa said, her girlish voice sounding flat above the cacophony of the dive bar. "I'd love another round." She turned to the bar tender, looked at the younger woman, and said, "Two captain and coke zeros," her thumb jerked in the direction of popped color guy, "On his tab."

  "However," Vanessa continued, "Do you think you'd mind terribly letting us have some private girl talk for a bit?" She batted her long lashes and him and winked. "After another round or two, I'd love to get to know you."

  Grinning like a fool, the steak-head nodded and threw his card down on the bar. "Whatever the ladies want," he said. "I'll be back in a bit." Nodding to his friends, Vanessa caught something about pool before he was out of earshot.

  "Have a seat," Vanessa said, despite the heat between her legs from where the girl's thighs touched her. "I'm already attracting a ton of attention," she paused, looking meaningfully at the younger woman's tight jeans and form fitting shirt, "Without also driving every man's mind in the place to their dirtiest fantasies."

  "Sorry," the co-ed replied, sliding into the vacant stool. "I'm Sophia, thanks for the drink."

  Vanessa looked closer at her face, the liquid brown eyes, and her lightly freckled nose. "Are you here alone?"

  "No, I have friends with me," Sophia said, frowning. "But they left. I was going to get one more drink, then take a taxi home." She flushed prettily and lowered her eyes, "I didn't mean to bother you."

  "That's okay," Vanessa replied, absent-mindedly pulling up her dress. The younger woman's eyes went right to her cleavage, and Vanessa could see by the flush of her cheeks that her words earlier were not a drunken, one time slip. "You're not bothering me," Vanessa said, raising her glass and taking a long sip, "I think I just made a new friend."

  Frowning, Sophia looked bummed and took another drink, reaching over her hair to twirl her braid. "I'm only here for the night," she muttered, drinking another swallow.

  "What do you mean?"

  "I was here doing an internship; today was the last day, and my flight leaves tomorrow. I'm heading back to Boston in the morning."

  Intrigued further, Vanessa said nothing, only took another sip of her rum and coke. Setting the glass down, she leaned over and patted the younger woman's shoulder, giving her a friendly squeeze. "It's okay," Vanessa said, encouraging. "I'll bet you're happy to get back home to your friends and family."

  Nodding, the younger woman didn't look at her, just continued sipping her drink. Curious, Vanessa decided to lean closer and ask her if she'd meant her muttered words. "What did you mean, you'd want me to give it to you?" Despite her casual attitude, the very act of asking made her nipples stiffen in her dress, and Vanessa desperately hoped she had not misunderstood what the younger woman said.

  Sophia turned and deliberately gave Vanessa a wink, eyeing her tight dress significantly. "My friends and I couldn't figure out who you were here with," she said. "After they left, I was drunk, and curious, so I had to know." Leaning over, she deliberately placed a hand on Vanessa's thigh, causing her to shiver. Goosebumps prickled her skin and her face flushed.

  Giggling suddenly, Sophia leaned back and grabbed her drink again. Taking a small sip, the licked her lips, pink tongue moving in an exaggerated circuit. "An attractive woman in the programming department is about as common as a straight male fashionista."

  Laughing in response, Vanessa took a deep breath, wondering what she was doing. Her date for the night had never shown, so she'd been waiting, lonely, for nearly an hour when Sophia almost bumped into her. While she appreciated attractive women, she had never in her life imagined doing anything intimate with somebody, even if they were as hot as Sophia. The innuendo left little doubt as to the younger woman's interest, but despite her flushed face goosebumps, the thought of doing anything with a woman was completely foreign to her. A sideways glance at Sophia showed the younger woman's interest with clarity, her nipples were poking through her t-shirt, which caused significant warmth to spread between the blonde's thighs. Shifting in her seat again, she tugged up her dress, drawing the younger woman's eyes instantly to her chest.

  "Did you get stood up or something?"

  Vanessa nodded, surprised at the insight behind the question. "My date never showed. Sucks, really. He sounded very interesting. Tall, handsome and articulate."

  "Good sense of humor too, right?"

  "It seemed so, but who knows when you're just exchanging funny messages over text?"

  "Vanessa," Sophia said, suddenly shy, "Do you mind if I keep you company wh
ile you're waiting for Prince Charming?"

  "What's a lady in waiting without her nursemaid, the woman who guards her virtue against the villainous desires of the brutish sex?"

  Grinning, Sophia grabbed her glass and turned to face the other woman, once again placing one knee in between Vanessa's. "A toast, to protecting your virtue."

  "From villainous desires," Vanessa added, winking suddenly. Clinking her glass to Sophia's, she caught the surprised look in the younger woman's dilated brown eyes and smiled wider. She drained her beverage, surprised it was empty, and signaled the bartender. "Two more, please."

  Just as the drinks arrived, the steak-head returned. "How are you ladies doing?"

  "Very well, thank you." Vanessa raised her glass when the bartender returned and gestured to him expansively, nearly spilling onto his brand name polo. "To your chivalrous gesture," she said, sipping the drink and smiling winsomely at him.

  "Maybe I could join you for this round," he continued, smooth baritone oozing confidence. "I lost the game, but perhaps I can win the favor of your company for spell."

  Sophia giggled, idly playing with her drink and ignoring the man's banter. Frowning, the steak-head looked at her, then back to Vanessa, who's outfit more clearly displayed her attention seeking needs. "I'm Connor," he continued, "Might I know who's seductive lips I have had the pleasure of lubricating this evening?"

  "Gross," Vanessa said, setting her glass down. "I appreciate the drinks, thank you." She reached down and grabbed her purse, "But that was the crudest thing I've ever heard. How much do I owe you?"

  Stunned, he simply stood there, eyes wide, chiseled jaw line clenched tightly together. "Don't worry about it."

  "No, I insist," Vanessa replied, reaching into her purse and withdrawing a few twenty dollar bills. "Thank you very much," she said, pushing her hand against his expansive chest, the money wrinkled, "Now please take the money, and have a nice evening."

  Frowning, he grabbed the twenty dollar bills and stormed off, clearly angry. Sophia looked a little worried, and started to sip her drink once more, frowning at the bar.

  "Are you okay?"

  Shrugging, Sophia took a longer pull of her drink before setting it down. Vanessa was getting tipsy herself, and knew the younger woman had to be at least a bit further gone. "What's wrong?"

  "This is why I don't go to bars," Sophia said, "Some jackass always wants more than you're willing to give, and honestly, I don't think I'm interested in that type at all." Smiling suddenly, she showed her teeth, "Even if he had nice pecs."

  Shaking her head, Vanessa could only agree. "Why do all the hot guys seem to be such royal douche bags?"

  "How about another toast," Sophia said, voice a bit slurred, "To the foreswearing of all encounters with douche bags?"

  "I'll drink to that," Vanessa said, taking a long pull from the glass. Swaying slightly, she wondered if the bartender had started putting more rum and less coke in the glass, or if she was getting as drunk as the other woman clearly was. "I think this will be my last round," she said, setting the glass down. "As it is, I can't drive home. Will you be okay?"

  "I was going to get a taxi anyway," Sophia said, "After my friends left, I definitely don't have a ride."

  "Maybe we can split the taxi then? I'm headed South," Vanessa said, face flushed. The background sounds in the bar were growing louder, and her stomach was starting to do little flip flops.

  Sophia grinned winsomely, batting her eyelashes at Vanessa, "Going South sounds fantastic," she said, then hiccuped. "'Scuse me," she said, covering her mouth. A fit of giggles overtook both women, and Sophia leaned closer to Vanessa again, to whisper in her ear. "Where did you get that dress? It's so sexy."

  Flushed, Vanessa took a moment to reply, the warmth of the other woman's breath on her ear driving the rest of her mind far, far away. She reached out to steady herself on the chair, but ended up wrapping her arm around the other woman's shoulders. Shivering delicately, she turned her head to the side, eyes focused on the pale curve of Sophia's ear. Nuzzling her neck for a moment, Vanessa lost herself in in the smooth feel of the woman's flesh, the pulse of her blood pounding through a vein in her neck.

  Remembering to answer the question, Vanessa breathed in, then exhaled softly on Sophia's ear, causing the other woman to shiver and put her hand on Vanessa's knee once more. Feeling naughty, Vanessa changed her mind and said, "The exotic erotic ball."

  Blinking, Sophia had no idea what that meant, only that with her hand on Vanessa's knee, the other woman's arm around her shoulders, and the rum coursing through her veins, she could think of very little she wanted to say. Only things she wanted to do. "Oh," she said.

  "It's a party that showcases all sorts of things," Vanessa purred, whispering into the younger woman's ear again. Inside, she could barely believe she was trying to tease the younger woman. "Usually, they have some strip shows, adult stars, costumes and toys." Pausing, she barely resisted the temptation to nibble softly at Sophia's creamy earlobe, "Sometimes, they have demonstrations of the toys, too."

  Sophia's fingers dug harder into the blonde's knee, her insides nearly melting at the suggestive words. Breathing heavily, she tried to clear her head, the rum making her judgement cloudy. Blinking slowly, she turned her head. With Vanessa leaning into her, she could feel the other woman's breath on her face, her cherry lips only inches away. Licking her lips, she finally remembered where they were and straightened with an effort. Looking around the bar, not a few women, and far more men, were watching them with open interest. She glanced at her empty glass, unable to remember finishing it, half tempted to order another. A small part of her whispered, this can't be happening.

  "Vanessa," Sophia finally said, her voice suggestive, lingering over the blonde's name. "I can't tell you how happy I am to meet you." She swayed, getting up off the stool, leaning heavily against the bar. "But it's late and I have to travel tomorrow." Hiccuping, she met the blonde's eyes, her own brown orbs glassy. She leaned forward, holding Vanessa's stool for support. "I'm so drunk. I could use some help, just to make sure I get back to my hotel safe." The innocent look on her face nearly made Vanessa laugh out loud, but instead she nodded, keeping her face smooth.

  "Can we get a taxi?" Vanessa said, turning to the bartender.

  "Sure, just wait outside, it should be less than a few minutes," the bartender, a middle aged woman with sallow complexion and long brown hair, gave a friendly smile. "This time of night, they know a lot of folks need a helping hand to get home. Stay safe."

  The brunette swayed ahead of the blonde on the way out the door, despite the late hour, the dive bar was still packed. The floors were covered with peanut shells, the walls, cheesy Americana from the last fifty years. Sexist, impudent and outlandish, the very air of the scene breathed dirty possibility. Shivering slightly, Vanessa wondered what exactly she was doing, flirting with the younger woman. I'm just going to help make sure she gets to her hotel safely, she thought. Despite her inner monologue, she grew distracted on the way out of the bar, her blue eyes fastened to Sophia's posterior. Curious, she wondered if the other woman looked as good out of her jeans, or if the pants were the only reason the shape was so perfectly round. She doesn't look like a computer geek, Vanessa thought.

  Chapter Two

  Two

  Outside, Vanessa shivered, pulling her shawl closer around her shoulders. "It's cold out here," she said.

  Laughing, Sophia gave her a shocked look. "In Boston, this would be considered a nice summer evening. Here, it's only the start of winter, and you think it's cold?" The brunette looked around in an exaggerated motion, holding one hand to her brow, as if scouting something in the far distance. "Funny, I don't see a foot of snow, or even an inch."

  "It was warmer earlier," Vanessa said, clutching her arms around her waist. "I guess I just expected tonight to be different." Her tone grew wistful as the taxi pulled up, and Sophia reached out to give her hand a squeeze.

  "Let's hop in the taxi," she sa
id, "You can rest your head on my shoulder. It'll help."

  Nodding, Vanessa watched as the younger woman opened the back door and climbed in, clambering over the seat on all fours. Face flushed, Vanessa forgot about being cold as the younger woman moved in such a provocative way. "Hop in," Sophia said, voice muffled.

  With a mental shrug, Vanessa climbed in, careful to make sure her dress didn't ride up and show anything above her mid thigh. Once Sophia finished giving the directions to her hotel, Vanessa caught the cab driver's speculative look in the mirror.

  "I'm helping make sure my cousin gets back to her place safely," Vanessa said, loudly. "She's flying back home tomorrow now that her internship finished."

  The older cab driver's face slumped and he nodded, remarking only, "Late night. Probably a good idea to make sure she gets there safely."

  Sophia gave her a speculative look, then gazed out the window, watching the buildings start to slowly pass by as the taxi picked up speed. Still feeling a chill, Vanessa snuggled up next to the other woman, satisfied the driver at least had a plausible reason for their closeness. She flicked a glance into the rear mirror and he ignored them, so she closed her eyes for a moment. Breathing in the scent of Sophia's perfume and the old leather of the taxi, Vanessa could not help feeling a mix of dread and excitement.

  Flirting with another woman was nothing new to her, she'd done that and more in college. However, that was a decade ago and tonight was no game of spin the bottle. Once onto the freeway, the ride evened out and she knew without a doubt, she had to talk or risk falling asleep.

  "How was the internship?"

  "Oh, it was good. I think the company was pretty fun. It reminded me of college," Sophia paused, frowning, and looked down at Vanessa's eyes, which were tilted up towards her face. "Both the good, and bad, parts." Making a mysterious face, Sophia whispered, "What do you do, by the way? You never said."