Page 9 of Georgia On My Mind (Southern Promises)

Chapter Six

Hart was ravenous for Gia, their kiss going from sweet and subtle to spicy and penetrating, her lips and tongue hydrating his soul after the parchedness left behind in his recent drought. He wanted her with every fiber of his being, the growing bulge in his pants evidence of his lustful intentions. Watching her dance was hypnotic, and the experience intoxicated him, never undergoing anything remotely as wanton as he was now. His hands slid down to her buttocks, and he pulled her forward forcefully so she could feel what she had done to him. She grabbed the back of his hair and tugged powerfully, sending a jolt of pain to his scalp.

“Ouch!” he bellowed, stumbling backward. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, breathing heavily after the sudden release. Gia stared back at him with a grim expression, making him chastise himself internally for letting his manhood get away from him. He was completely undone and fearful he just fucked it all up.

“I’m sorry, Gia. I crossed a line. It’s just that…you’re an incredible talent. That dance was… God! It was like watching a bird dive and hurl through the air! You’re gorgeous, and you took my breath away with your incredible expression. I couldn’t have denied you that embrace or that kiss if I’d wanted to, Gia. I’m so drawn to you and your amazingly beautiful talent.” He was muttering like an idiot, trying to backtrack while the two of them stood their ground catching their breath. “Please, Gia.” He held his hand out toward her. “Please. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

He watched her hesitate before offering her hand, his compliments doing the trick. Slowly, he pulled her toward him and gently ran his free hand down her shoulder. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” she replied, her voice husky.

Hart lifted her hand and brought it to his mouth, kissing her knuckles lightly, making her sigh.

“Hart—”

“Gia,” he interrupted. “I’ll work on the survey for you. Absolutely. But you’ll have to forgive me for what just happened. Watching you was magical. I don’t know what came over me.”

She searched his face with wide eyes, gripping his hand.

“I’m very attracted to you. And that kiss…” He couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “Holy shit, that kiss. Please say you’ll have dinner with me tonight. I want to make it up to you. I promise I’ll stay in control. I won’t let that happen again. At least not until you’re ready.” He offered a dazzling smile. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “You have more passion in your body than I have in my little finger.”

Gia pursed her lips to stifle a giggle, making Hart laugh. “It’s true!” He pulled her in for another hug, keeping his hands around her mid-back. “You and me, tonight. What do you say?”

He was shocked when she said, “Okay.”

***

Because it was a Monday, Gia didn’t have to worry about any students or her staff coming to the studio. As far back as she could remember, the studio had closed on Sundays and Mondays. She was glad she and Hart had come to a mutual understanding. She was attracted to him and wanted to explore what was next. What that was, she didn’t know. All she knew was it felt wonderful to dance like that again with Hartford Parker as her sole audience—to feel the power in her body and to let go of everything, even if it only lasted a couple of minutes. His reaction was the icing on the cake. She wanted to move people with her talent; catch them off guard and leave them breathless. It certainly happened with Hart. The poor guy had come undone, his bold move of grabbing her ass something that probably came naturally to a playboy like him. She had to admit, it would have been easy to get carried away with him. They were both on a high, and if they had succumbed to the physical attraction they had for one another, it wouldn’t have been special. And that was what she wanted—something special. It took discipline for her to pull back from his flaming lips and not stroke his hardness. Her body reacted to his touch immediately—her damp panties were proof of that. If only his aggressive passion hadn’t scared her, causing her to retreat. She hadn’t been intimate with anyone in a very long time and thought it must be just as hard for him to concede, knowing that physically he had been ready and willing to consume her. For him to apologize profusely and immediately offer to take her to dinner was sweet; his invitation genuine.

Hart had agreed to come back around seven and pick her up for their dinner date. She fibbed, telling him she had some work to do in her studio office, not ready to divulge her current living situation. Staring back at her reflection in the small mirror of the only unisex bathroom in her suite, she applied a dab of lip gloss to her full lips. There was no shower or bathtub to speak of in her business, so bathing was a luxury. She made do with her own “sink baths” standing over the old drain in the floor and washing her body using a large sponge. Washing her hair was the most significant challenge, hence the short haircut. When she had first relocated to the studio, her hair was longer, reaching down to her shoulders. After several failed attempts at washing it in the small sink, she got fed up, walked to the nearest haircut chain, and requested something short, radically changing her look. She had to admit, it was a much easier style to maintain—even her wigs for her Marilyn and Madonna gigs fit better. Her life was all about practicality now.

A faint knocking could be heard coming from the front doors. Gia quickly put her lip gloss into a small purse and turned out the lights as she made her way to the entrance. The sun was still shining in the early spring evening as she opened the door, revealing Hartford Parker in a shimmering orb of light.

“Wow!” he stated. “You look gorgeous.”

Gia blushed and locked the deadbolt on the door. “Thank you. You look very handsome.”

He smiled and offered his bent elbow, escorting her to the passenger side of his Mercedes. He opened the door and gestured his hand in a sweeping motion for her to get in. She erupted in a burst of giggles, aware that he was intentionally showing off his best gentlemanly efforts. When they were both buckled in and on their way, Gia turned toward him. “Thanks again for coming to pick me up.”

“You’re very welcome. Did you get a lot of work done?” he asked.

Gia quickly nodded. “Yes. There’s always a lot to do in the studio.” She looked out the window at the foliage that was just starting to bloom. It seemed as if her own heart was opening up, much like the fragile flowering buds on the trees. To be vulnerable and transparent in front of Hart during her dance had been hard, and she knew she had surprised him. He got carried away grabbing her ass and rubbing himself against her, and immediately back-peddled as fast as he could, as if knowing he had made a near-fatal mistake. Clutching her hands nervously in her lap, anticipating the night ahead, she hoped he might be more transparent during dinner and reveal more about himself.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked, looking over at her.

Leaning her head back on the sumptuous leather seat, she turned and admired his masculine features highlighted by the sun. “I’m glad I didn’t scare you away.”

His smile illuminated his face. “You may have startled me, putting me in my place, but I don’t run off so easily.”

She matched his smile. “I’m glad.”

They arrived at an older country club near the perimeter of the city, the valet service quickly opening their doors. Gia inhaled sharply, disappointment washing over her. She had hoped Hart would take her to dinner at a restaurant in the Buckhead area or the trendy part of Midtown. Old habits must die hard when she realized this was the lifestyle Hart was accustomed to, growing up in an affluent family. She stepped out of the luxury car and waited for him as he tipped the valet and jogged to her side. He must have noticed her demeanor.

“Is this okay?”

Smiling through her nerves, Gia nodded politely and hooked her arm through his.

The hostess sat them at a lovely table by a large window overlooking the golf course, the dipping sun in the sky backlighting the tall Georgia pines and swaths of perfectly manicured grass. They ordered wine, and a perky waitress named Brittany relayed the specials of the evening. A small votive candle flickered in the middle of the table between them and, Gia couldn’t help but swoon, looking at the handsome man who sat across from her. He chatted animatedly about his dismal attempts at golf and how it was a necessary evil in the real estate business.

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