Page 43 of Georgia On My Mind (Southern Promises)

He leaned on his elbows, positioned on either side of her dark head. “I love you too, Gia. I love you so much. I’m sorry you didn’t get my message sooner…”

“Shhh,” she interrupted, placing two fingers over his lips. “Fate intervened, Hart. Don’t you see it? You showed up in the nick of time and stopped me from going through with something I would have regretted for the rest of my life. Your message was loud and clear.”

She was right. What were the chances he and his group of friends would show up right when she was supposed to perform? It was uncanny. Fate had intervened and once again, he was grateful.

Their bodies pulsed in a slow delicious rhythm, the anticipation of climaxing building. Hart sat up, pulling her long legs up and over his shoulders, pushing himself deeper. Her moans were becoming more frequent, her nails sliding down his back, indicating she was close.

“Don’t hold back,” he insisted, gazing down at her beauty and watching her body pulse faster and faster. Gripping her buttocks, he could feel his release on the verge of exploding. “Oh, god, Gia. Gia!” They came together as one, exploding with intensity. Hart’s eyes rolled back in a stupor as wave after wave hit him head-on. It was the most powerful orgasm he had ever had. Covered in sweat and trying to catch a breath, he looked at his true love who was smiling back at him. “What?” he asked, reveled by her satiation.

“You’re incredible, Hart. I’ve never felt anything like that before.”

He pulled out and collapsed next to her, bringing one of her hands to his lips and lightly placing a chaste kiss in the center of her palm. “I haven’t either. It feels different when there’s love involved. Does that make sense?”

She nodded, hoisting herself up, bending her elbow, and resting her head in her hand. Running his fingers across her forehead, he gently pushed her bangs out of her eyes. “You’re really beautiful, Gia.”

“I am?” Her smiled made his groin pool with heat.

“Yes. You’re mine.” His lips made a trail of kisses down her cheek to her pink plump lips. As his tongue invaded the gap of her mouth, he could hear his sister Katie’s voice calling his name.

“Hart? Hart! We’re back! Surprise!”

Wide-eyed, Hart and Gia looked at each other. He wasn’t expecting his sister back for another week. “Hold that thought.” He bolted out of bed and grabbed his clothes from the floor. Struggling to get his feet through his shorts, he fell in haste, landing on his ass, making Gia giggle uncontrollably. Back on his feet, he quickly grabbed her by the cheeks and gave her a hard, breathless kiss. “I’ll be right back.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Baby girl!” Hart shouted, opening his arms wide to receive a bear hug from his sister Katie.

“Big brother!” she squealed, embracing him tightly. When she pulled back, her face radiated pure joy. “I missed you!”

“I missed you too. Where’s Clay?” Draping his arm across her shoulders, they walked into the family room.

“He’s getting our bags out of the car.” Her brow suddenly creased with concern. “What happened to your face?”

Hart brought his hand up to his bruised cheek and chuckled. “Nothing. I was at a club with Mitch celebrating his bachelor party with the gang last night and ended up on the wrong end of some bouncer’s fist. It doesn’t hurt.”

Stopping in the middle of the room, she stomped her foot and put her hands on her hips. “Hartford Parker! When are you going to learn you’re not a teenager anymore? A barroom brawl? I thought you were past this kind of behavior and a grown up by now…”

“He was protecting my honor,” Gia interrupted, standing in the doorway of the kitchen, startling Katie. She approached, extending her hand. “Hi. I’m Gia.”

Katie looked at Hart with wide eyes and smiled before turning back to Gia and enthusiastically grabbing her hand. “Hi, Gia. I’m Katie, Hart’s sister. It’s so nice to meet you finally!” The two girls grinned and giggled, shaking hands longer than usual.

Hart playfully put his arms around both girls and sighed contentedly. “My two favorite girls in the whole wide world. I’m a happy man!”

“Hey! What’s going on in here?” Katie’s boyfriend Clay Watkins trudged through the hallway, his cowboy boots clomping on the floor as he carried two large duffel bags and a guitar case.

“Clay!” Hart swooped in and bear-hugged him, making him drop the bags with a thud. The two guys slapped each other on the back, Hart playfully flicking Clay’s longer hair, telling him to get a haircut. After introducing him to Gia, the two couples collapsed on the couch to catch up.

“Sorry, we didn’t call to let you know we were coming back early. But we wanted to surprise you.”

“Yeah, man. The tour bus got back to Nashville yesterday. After a good night’s sleep at my place, Miss Katie here wanted to hit the road as soon as possible to get back to Atlanta.”

“Why the rush?” Hart asked, curious as to why Katie and Clay were grinning from ear to ear. Gia was snuggled next to him on the couch, intently taking it all in.

“To tell you our news… We’re engaged!” Katie squealed with delight, holding her splayed hand out to them, showing off a huge diamond ring.

Sitting proudly next to her, Clay beamed with love, one booted ankle resting on one knee. “She couldn’t wait to tell you.”

“Oh my god!” Shock didn’t begin to describe Hart’s emotions. “Congratulations!” They were all on their feet, excited by the news. Gia was holding Katie’s fingertips, admiring the ring, and Hart shook his head, tears of joy tickling the corners of his eyes. Hugging Clay tightly, he joked, “You better take damn good care of my baby girl, or I’ll come after you!”

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