Page 25 of Georgia On My Mind (Southern Promises)

Gia lay sprawled across his naked body, fast asleep, with the midday sun shining brightly into the bedroom in large slanted beams at the foot of the bed. Small particles of dust floated in the brightness, and the warmth of the sun penetrated his bare feet in the path of light. His arms were around her, and he lightly ran his index finger across her bangs, wholly satiated from their first time making love. Her graceful, athletic curves were intoxicating, and she moved smoothly like a river, the power underneath sweeping him away in her current. It was everything he could have imagined, and more.

Letting her sleep, he thought about their conversation on the back porch and was troubled. She had told him her childhood was traumatic but gave no details. Not wanting to upset her, he stopped himself from asking too many questions, having no idea what she had been through. If they were going to continue their love affair, he would have to coerce the information from her somehow gently.

His own childhood was idyllic, having grown up in a country club neighborhood with an all-American family who truly loved him. His parents had been married for almost thirty-five years, a noble feat in this day and age. The only trauma he ever experienced was disappointing his father from time to time when he was involved in minor fist fights at school or punching holes in his bedroom wall out of teenage angst. He took after his grandfather who had an angry streak that would rear its ugly head quickly, and then disappear as if nothing had happened. His sister Katie was the sensitive sibling in the family, having to endure his hormonal outbursts while growing up together in the same household. Before she left on tour with her country music boyfriend, she had commented how proud she was that he had finally grown up and was taking responsibility for his actions without angrily damaging property or people.

Hart looked down at Gia’s sleeping face, her dark eyelashes curling upward like soft feathers. He could feel an ember of something strong brewing in his chest. Gone was the rage of his past. What he felt now was tender and caring. He pulled her closer, realizing he felt the need to protect her, to look after her. From what, he wasn’t sure.

Gia stirred in his embrace, her eyes fluttering open. His heart skipped a beat as he took in the captivating, endless blue of her eyes.

“Hi,” she said sleepily.

“Hi,” he replied. “You looked so peaceful sleeping in my arms. Do you feel better?”

She inhaled deeply, a smile of satisfaction blossoming across her face. “Mmmhumm. I was out cold.”

He watched her sit up and stretch, reaching her long arms up into the air. He stifled a grin as he noticed her hair sticking straight up in the back, making her appear very young. Her shoulders lazily slumped as she looked back at him, her dark nipples on her bare chest a stark contrast to her milky-white skin.

“What time is it? Did I waste the whole afternoon sleeping?”

Hart sat up and ran his hand over the back of her hair gently before pulling her forward to kiss her mouth. “No. We’ve got all day and night.”

“Yay,” she replied, rubbing the tip of her nose with his. He chuckled.

“Why don’t you take a long soak in my sister’s garden tub while I take care of a few things? You need to continue to relax on your only day off.”

Her eyes lit up. “A garden tub? Are you sure she wouldn’t mind?”

“Nope. She’s on tour with her country music boyfriend somewhere in the northwest. Her tub is deep and optimal for relaxing. I insist.”

She smiled with pleasure as if tempted by the invitation to soak in a deep tub. “Well, if you insist…”

*

Gia pointed her long leg up into the air and ran the loofah sponge down her skin, causing tiny bubbles to skate and skim across the top of the water. To be immersed in the decadent warmth was heaven. She couldn’t even remember the last time she had soaked in a tub this big. Leisurely washing her hair was another indulgence, and she took her sweet time, enjoying the simple task she had taken for granted. Lying back with her head propped up on a soft towel, she lightly traced the top of the bath water and stared out the un-obscured window highlighting the corner tub that overlooked the wooded lot below. The view was magnificent with budding trees under the blue sky dotted with white clouds. She had finally relaxed, thanks to Hartford Parker and his generous insistence on doting on her hand and foot.

The door cracked open, and he peeked his head in. “May I come in?”

Gia turned her wet head and smiled broadly. “Of course.”

She watched him enter, his sweatpants hanging off his sexy hips and his full lips looking oh-so-tempting. Grabbing a towel, he placed it on the side of the tub before sitting, his eyes taking in her naked body under the water.

“Good. You look relaxed. And clean.”

She giggled, allowing him to take her all in. “This has been pure heaven.”

“You don’t have a bathtub at your place?”

Her eyebrows shot up. “No. I…I wish I did.”

He nodded. “Well, I’m glad you could enjoy this. Do you need any help with anything? I’m your personal cabana boy today. At your beck and call.” He grinned, tilting his head playfully.

“Wow! My very own cabana boy? I guess you could help me out of the tub?”

“I would love to.” He stood and yanked the towel he had been sitting on, fluffing it open. Extending his arm, Gia put her hand in his, allowing him to pull her up and out of the tepid water, and he immediately wrapped her up. Water dripped from her face as she looked up at him, cocooned in his arms.

“Aren’t you going to dry me off?” she asked softly.

His lips curled up to one side as he pulled the towel off and gently started to dry her. She clasped her hands in front of her chest, watching him bend low and start at her feet, slowly moving his way up. The friction of the fabric against her soft mound caused her to inhale sharply, and he paused to pay particular attention to that area. Bringing the towel up to her chest, she unclasped her hands and allowed him to dry her tummy and breasts, aware of the tingling happening between her thighs again.

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