Bitter Hearts (A Southern Loving Book 3)

by Thorn, Ava

  She stood there with a dumbfounded look on her face. Standing outside in the rain was long forgotten. “I‘ve never danced in the rain.”

  “Dance with me.” Hank held his hand out for her.

  “Okay.” She put her hand into his.

  A song by Keith Urban played “All for You,” softly on the speakers. Hank led her to a spot away from the truck as the headlights served as their spotlight. She gingerly put her arms around him as they began to dance. Kari felt his hand on her back and his chest close to her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling his scent.

  “I’m falling for you,” he crooned.

  A slow dance in the rain was worth the cold that would come within a few weeks. Kari looked up at him as they moved in unison. “Thank you,” she said in a mere whisper.

  “Darling, anything for you.”

  “I’m surprise…” her voice trailed off.

  “That I don’t have to left feet?” He twirled her around and roughly pulled her against him. “Sugar, there’s a lot you don’t know.”

  They danced together silently until the song ended. Standing toe to toe and eye to eye, until Hank blushed when he found himself getting lost in those big brown eyes of her.

  “I will always remember this night,” Kari said, her voice husky,

  His lips crashed hungrily down upon hers.

  “Hank,” she sighed against his lips.

  “Should we stop?” He kissed the crook of her neck as he felt her small hands unbuttoning his shirt quickly.

  “N…No,” she breathed, as Hank nibbled on her earlobe. His tongue made its way down Kari’s neck; she yelped as he picked her up and carried her to the tailgate of the truck. Sitting her on the edge, he bunched the skirt of her sundress up around her waist while her hands moved to remove his pants. He groaned at the sensation of his erection springing free.

  His hands trailed around her hips and cupped her ass, pulling her closer to him. “Utterly beautiful,” Hank repeated, as he slid into her.

  Kari grabbed a fist full of Hank’s wet, curly hair and her tendrils clung to her damp face. His hands slid over her entire body, unable to get enough of her flesh. Her legs wrapped around him tighter as they moved faster causing the tailgate to squeak.

  “Yes,” she purred against his neck, unable to resist the urge to nip his skin.

  “You do something to me.” Hank ripped the strap on her dress, causing her breasts to spill free. He hungrily latched onto her breast, looping his arm under her thigh, he dived deeper into her. Kari moans filled the night air. He rocked harder into her until they were both panting.

  “Faster,” she demanded in a low voice. “Don’t stop, Hank.” Her voice hit a new octave.

  He held onto her tightly, and she dug her fingers deeper into his back in an effort to keep up with the pace.

  “Give it to me, Kari,” Hank spoke through clench teeth.

  “Yes…Oh…Yes!”

  “Say my name.” The pace became frenzied as he felt her walls begin to contract around him.

  “Oh…Hank!” she screamed. Her body went limp as her head rested on his shoulder, trying to regain her composure. His rough breath caressed her shoulder.

  The rain continued to fall around them. He cupped her face in his hands. “Spend the night with me.”

  “Okay,” she grinned against his muscular chest. “I guess we just crossed two things off my bucket list.”

  “What’s that?” he asked as he kissed her quickly and pulled her off the tailgate.

  Sitting next to him inside of the comfort of the warm truck she peered at him. “Dancing and sex in the rain.”

  “What else do you have on that bucket list?” He looked at her sideways before cranking up the truck and driving towards his house on the ranch.

  “You will just have to find out,” she teased.

  Chapter Five

  The sound of something sizzling and popping in the kitchen woke Kari from her peaceful slumber. She blinked a few times, trying to focus and get the sleep from out of her eyes, before she noticed that Hank was gone and his side of the bed was cold. For the past three days they’d been spending every waking moment with each other after their respective work. Stepping out of bed, she slipped onto his University of Texas t-shirt, opening the bedroom door she peeked into the hallway and smelled bacon cooking and fresh coffee being brewed.

  Hank stood in front of the stove wearing his black boxers from last night. His hair was disheveled. He looked utterly tempting. She sneaked up behind him and kissed the center of his back.

  “Did I wake you?” he asked.

  “The bed was cold without you,” she whispered, rubbing her hands up and down his chest. “I can get used to a man cooking me breakfast, can I get dinner like this too?”

  “Under one condition,” he teased, angling his head to grin at her.

  “What’s that?” She kissed the faint scar on his shoulder blade.

  “If you cook naked with me.”

  “We can arrange that.” She noticed the scratches on his back. Reaching up, she gently massaged the spot. If memories served her correct the scratches came from him thrusting into her hard and deep. As if he was reading her mind, he growled slightly and made her shiver.

  “The bacon is done,” he said, turning off the burner. Hank turned around so quickly he nearly knocked Kari on her butt. Picking her up and sitting her down on the countertop, he kissed her passionately. Their lips broke apart as Hank gave her neck some attention, kissing and nipping. Kari’s arm draped around his neck as he hooked a leg around his waist.

  He sighed heavily. “You are my drug that I must take every day,” he breathed against her neck, moving to nip her collarbone.

  “How many times did the doctor order you to take this drug?” she teased, as a moan escaped her lips. Closing her eyes, she enjoyed his rough hands caressing her hips and butt.

  “Four times a day.” He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. Placing her on the bed, he removed his boxers as she quickly removed her shirt. He dove onto her. Kari shirked and giggled at his antics.

  “I have my prey.”

  She laughed. “Prey?”

  “I plan on devouring every part of your delicious body.” He cupped her full, perky soft breasts that he couldn’t get enough. Taking one in his mouth, he ran his tongue over it.

  “Yummy,” she whispered, the words coming I small hitch. When his hand massaged the other breast, fingering her nipple, she moaned in approval.

  Hank could never get tired of seeing his siren. He nuzzled her breast and flicked his tongue over her. With the other hand, he reached between her thighs to her wet box, massaging gently and caressing her. He watched in fascination as pleasure overwhelmed her and she gripped the white sheets. She moaned his name, long and hoarse. Not deciding to wait any longer, he kissed her gently.

  “Please,” she groaned against his lips.

  “Whatever you want, doll,” he said, nuzzling her neck.

  Kari moaned louder when Hank buried himself within her, the rotating of his hips had her body and mind singing. He lifted her legs over his shoulders to give him more depth. She clung to him tightly, he could feel her body shuddering and knew that she was about to cum. Kari cried out her orgasm, while he continued to thrust into her, praying that the feeling he had with her would never end.

  Wrapping her legs tighter around him, meeting his thrusts and nipping at his shoulder. Hank heard Kari whispering something to him but couldn’t make it out, but Hank couldn’t concentrate on the words in the clouds of his desire. He moved fiercely, on the brink of his release. Kari held onto him tightly as he came into her. His body began to relax, breathing heavily; looking up into his eyes she ran her fingers through his hair and kissed him tenderly.

  “Are you okay?” he asked against her lips.

  Kari laughed and nodded her head. Lifting his hand up to brush a tendril of hair off her forehead. Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her again and nuzzle
d the size of her neck.

  Kari hissed as Hank bit and sucked the side of her neck. “You just gave me a hickey.”

  “I’m sorry,” he chuckled, kissing the spot gently. “I reckon I wanted to brand you.”

  “Like a horse?” she asked, clearing her throat.

  “I wouldn’t call you a horse…more like a beautiful filly.”

  Kari laughed so hard she head tears pricking her eyes. “That’s like me calling you a stallion.”

  “You remind me of a filly, which is young and lively,” he said between kisses.

  Kari stared at him for a second before she laughed. “I’m hungry and you smelling like bacon is not helping.”

  “Well,” Hank said, getting out of bed. “I don’t need to keep you and your tummy waiting.”

  Kari squealed when he tossed her over his shoulder and went towards the kitchen. “No clothes!” she shrieked.

  “Baby girl, that’s the pleasure having your own home, no one to interrupt.” Hank smiled sitting her down on the counter top.

  ***

  Hank stumbled on the stairs blindfolded. “Is this necessary?” he asked. For the past few days he’d been staying with Kari and at Austin’s house, due to her contractors tearing apart his house. All he wanted was to walk into the damn house with no sign or trace of Natalie.

  “I don’t want you peeking, I want to see the surprise on your face.”

  “Honey, I was surprised last night when you burned chocolate chip cookies.” He laughed when he felt a small punch on his cheek.

  “Well you don’t have to worry about my attempt at cooking anymore,” she pouted, trying to sound offended.

  “Oh baby, I’m not going to lose any sleep with you not cooking,” he chuckled. “Seriously K, you burned premade cookies.”

  “We’ll stick to buying cookies from the supermarket.”

  He felt her when she moved in front of him. “Can I take it off now?”

  “Yes.”

  Ripping off the blindfold, he stared in shock at the house that he didn’t recognize. “How much did this cost again?” His living room and kitchen looked like it cost a million dollars

  “I used your money wisely.” She took him by the hand and led him around the kitchen. “The kitchen is warm, woodsy and inviting, but I still incorporated the rustic style.”

  Hank ran his hand on the warm, copper granite countertop. “This is awesome, you made it more rustic.” His eyes took in everything that Kari designed for the kitchen space including the completely stone wall and the mahogany ceiling beams.

  Kari allowed him to check out the kitchen, the smile on his face was evident that he was smitten with the design.

  Hank nodded his head as he walked along the hardwood floor, automatically there were a new vibe in the house. Kari replaced the old furniture that was picked out by Natalie with masculine dark furnishings.

  “Do you want to see the bedroom?” she asked.

  “Are we going to christen it?” He wiggled his eye brow.

  “If you play your cards right.” She pulled him by the hands and steered him towards the master bedroom.

  Hank stood there and didn’t say or show any reaction. She mixed contemporary and traditional, especially with the exposed beams in the ceiling. Opting for a tufted headboard gave the room a strong focal point. The tan bedding complemented the warm neutral tones throughout the room. She added something that wasn’t there when she first walked into the room and that was light.

  “If you don’t like it-”

  “Honestly, darling? I really like what you’ve done with this place.” He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Why don’t we cook a meal in the new kitchen, throwback some beer and wine…eventually head to the bedroom and christen the bed?”

  “Hmm…I like your plan Mr. Jackson.”

  Two hours later, they sat down to a nice dinner of grilled steaks, baked potatoes and salad. “If you keep cooking like this I might just have to marry you.”

  Hank’s knife stilled over his plate as he looked at Kari.

  “You cook all this and made a banana pudding, not to mention you’re pretty handy.” She stopped chewing on her steak and looked at him. “What?”

  He picked up his beer and took a sip. “The comment you just made.”

  “About me marrying you?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Rita would say you’re the finest catch out there,” Kari whistled and drank her red wine. “You don’t think you’re a catch?”

  “Hey my wife left me for another man.” He chewed slowly. “Apparently, I’m not a good catch.”

  “I think you’re a great catch.” She twirled her finger around her glass.

  “Thank you ma’am,” he winked. “You’re a great catch too.”

  “I can’t cook worth a damn.”

  “Honey bear, any man would want a woman like you, who is confidence, intelligent, honest, independent and sexy.”

  “You think I’m sexy?”

  Hank was about to take a drink from his beer. “You know I do.”

  “I think you’re a cute cowboy too.” Pushing her plate of food away, she wiped her mouth and held up her glass. “We should make a toast.”

  Hank held up his bottle. “What are we toasting to?”

  “To new friends-”

  “Lovers,” he corrected.

  “Here’s to meeting a new lover and having no control of the future…”

  “And a big fuck you to the people who hurt us,” Hank interrupted, clicking his glass against hers.

  “I’ll drink to that,” she said, smiling seductively at him, “Besides dessert, what’s next on our agenda tonight?”

  “I reckon we’ll take this into the bedroom.” He stood abruptly from the table, “Shall we, m’lady?”

  Kari nearly choked on her wine. “All you need is a fedora.”

  “All you need is your birthday suite.” Picking Kari up, he strolled through the house to the bedroom, where he laid her down gingerly.

  Stripping out of their clothes quickly, he settled his big body between her trembling thighs. “You’re all mine.”

  "Dido,” she murmured.

  Hank cupped her breast with trembling hands, as he kissed her and thrust into her with aggravating slowness that made her beg for more. Closing her eyes tightly, she savored the slow pace they found. It felt like it was just the two of them in the world.

  ***

  Kari stood in the doorway holding a cup of coffee, watching Hank work happily in his garage that was converted into a woodshop. Walking into the room, she touched the little wooden knickknacks on a shelf that he’d probably made himself.

  “You’re very creative,” she said, looking around the room that was filled with different furniture pieces. “How much longer do you think it will take you to build the cribs?”

  “Well, with the slats milled down to the right dimension, with your design and following federal regulation for safety, I’m thinking about another week or so unless a pretty woman wants to help,” he smirked at her and went back to work.

  Kari looked around the room and found what she was looking for and picked it up. “Put me to work. The faster we get done, the quicker I can decorate the nursery.”

  “What the hell,” Hank said, taking the hammer from Kari, he tried not to laugh but couldn’t help it. “I’m making good progress on the cribs. All the wood is cut, holes drilled, and right now I’m sanding.”

  “Oh, don’t we have to hammer nails into place?” she asked, as Hank steered her to a chair far away from the work bench.

  “Bolts and glue,” he replied, as he went back to sanding the pieces for the crib.

  “I bet your going to build your child a crib,” Kari said, when Hank didn’t replied she looked up to see sadness on his face. “What’s wrong?” she asked quickly.

  “Come here,” he said, walking out the room.

  Dust floated upwards, and Kari coughed hoarsely. She could barely see around her in the dark attic with
only a peek of sunlight coming from the window. A click sounded above and light filled the room. The attic was packed with dust cover boxes. She watched as Hank walked over something cover with a sheet. He pulled it off revealing a sleigh crib that hadn’t been sanded yet.

  “I made this…a few years ago.” His voice broke.

  Kari ran to him and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m sorry, I was insensitive…I shouldn’t have been nosey.”

  “For three months I watched her body change with our baby. I loved him or her since the test read positive. The dreams that we had for our baby no longer existed and the relationship with Natalie changed drastically.”

  “Why? Shouldn’t that be the time you both lean on each other for support?”

  Hank let out a small sigh, one that contained so much sadness. “See, my mind and heart needed to heal, but Natalie needed to heal emotionally and physically. I tried to be there for her but all she did was push me away. I thought me being on the road was the cause of her stress. I thought by quitting the country band Austin and I was in that she would understand how committed I was to my family.” He sobbed in her arms. “What I get in return a fucking slap in the face, gave her everything she wanted and…she does this to me.”

  Kari held him tighter and rubbed his back gently; pulling away from him she looked him in the eyes. “You’re a good man! Don’t let anybody including her make you think otherwise.”

  Hank walked away from her and shook his head. “I’m mad, frustrated, and feeling rejected.”

  “All those feelings that are coursing through your body will eventually help you heal…I know it, I’ve been there. The fear of what the future may hold and you don’t have any control on what will happen.”

  “And what! You deal with it by not establishing an emotional connection with people?” he said with sarcasm, walking away from her.

  Kari ran after him. “What the hell does that mean?” she yelled.

  Hank ignored her and went to the fridge where he pulled out a bottle of Corona, popping the cap he took a long swig. “It means that you’re closed off from the world. Kari Hayes is afraid of taking risk.”

  “You’re delusional,” she said, shaking her head. “You’re pretending that everything is freaking fine when it’s not.” Storming to the master bedroom, Kari changed into her clothes quickly. She left the house without even looking or saying goodbye to Hank.