Georgia Clay (Southern Promises Book 1)

by KG Fletcher

  “Thanks.”

  “Been here long?” He followed her up a small brick staircase and noticed a pretty grapevine wreath hanging in the center of her front door with bright yellow sunflowers interspersed in the vine.

  “About six years. It’s convenient to everything,” she replied happily as she put a key into the lock. A rush of cool air hit them square in the face as they entered, and a beeping sound could be heard from what he assumed was a home alarm. She punched in a code before clicking on the lamp sitting on a quaint hall table. “Why don’t you leave your guitar down here and I’ll show you to the guest room and bath upstairs where you can shower and change if you want to.”

  “That’d be awesome.” He was hoping he could clean himself up after spending the night in the bed of his truck. A change of clothes and a toothbrush in his mouth would be decadent, for sure.

  “Here you go.” She turned on the overhead light in a small room that had a full-size bed, a dresser and nightstand. The light was attached to an ornate ceiling fan that turned lazily above them. “There’s a private bath through that closed door. Towels are under the sink.” She looked up at him with her doe eyes that made him swoon. “Please, make yourself at home, Clay. I’m thrilled we get to spend some more time together.”

  He offered her a sincere smile. “Me too.”

  They stood smiling at each other before Katie interrupted their silent conversation. “Okay then, I’m gonna freshen up and then meet you in the kitchen. Sound good?”

  “Sounds great.”

  A few minutes later, the hot water of the shower rained down on him, cleansing his body from the night outside. He lathered his head with shampoo and couldn’t help but bring one of his hands down to grip the on-going boner in between his legs. Katie’s essence was everywhere. From the bright white towels neatly folded under the sink to the small basket of complimentary travel size toiletries for her guests to use, he could feel her presence. Several replica Picasso paintings and drawings were on the walls of the charming spare room and bathroom, one of which was a simple, yet haunting rendition of a woman lying across her hands, sleeping. As his soapy hand moved back and forth across his thickness, he couldn’t help but wonder if she had ever bathed in this shower, the very thought of her naked body with warm water flowing down her creamy skin making him shudder with want. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, letting the water shroud him as he pleasured himself, Katie’s face at the forefront of his mind. The sexual tension between them was evident. He could have easily taken advantage of the situation with her the night before, but he held back. He wanted the first time they made love to be special.

  Stepping out of the shower feeling lighter and fully awake, Clay was immediately hit with the strong smell of coffee. His lips turned up into a smile as he wrapped a towel around his waist. He wiped the fog from the mirror and leaned both hands on the vanity, looking at his reflection. His chin and cheeks were scruffy, but he didn’t want to waste time shaving. He quickly brushed his teeth and ran a comb through his wavy, dark hair before getting dressed. He was more than ready to spend quality time with Katie.

  Chapter five

  Katie hurriedly set the small table in her galley kitchen with her best silverware and linen napkins. She flitted about the cramped space, fluffing scrambled eggs in the pan and warming up homemade banana bread she’d saved in her freezer leftover from Easter. Her mother always had the yummy treat available for family gatherings, mainly when Katie’s brother, Hartford was in town. She imagined Hart would approve of her latest situation with Clay Watkins. Hart was four years older and wouldn’t have known Clay from their high school. But he was still the protective big brother she had grown up with, always asking about her latest dating adventures, teasing her that if he were in town, he’d spy to make sure the guys she was with were Southern gentlemen. He certainly wouldn’t have to worry about Clay. Gentleman was his middle name! She licked her lips, staring off into space, and thinking about him when she realized her eggs were starting to cook too long.

  “Oh, geez!” she said out loud, pulling the skillet off the burner with a clatter.

  “You okay?” Clay asked, coming around the corner of the kitchen. He looked fresh and handsome as ever in a tan tee and blue jeans, the scruff on his face achingly gorgeous.

  “Yeah… almost burned our eggs,” she lamented, swinging her damp ponytail around to pay attention to her cooking. She had jumped in and out of the shower in record time, purposefully wearing her worn denim shorts that were slightly frayed at the edges and a bright yellow tank top with her best Victoria’s Secret lacy bra underneath. Yeah, she wasn’t trying too hard.

  “Mmm, smells good,” he said, leaning his butt against the kitchen counter and watching her. She had to purse her lips to keep from smiling as she stole glances at him while she finished salting the eggs. What was it about him that drew her in like a moth to a flame?

  “Can I help you with anything?”

  “Nah. Make yourself a cup of coffee and have a seat. The cream and sugar are on the table, mugs are on the stand.” She motioned to the corner where her coffee pot was.

  An hour later, the remnants of their breakfast lay before them on the table as they sat back and finished off their coffee. They had talked nonstop about Clay’s travels all over the world, Katie wanting details of his adventures, imagining what it would be like to have that kind of freedom—and money. He was captivating to watch and fully engaged as he told stories about Paris and Italy, Africa and Australia.

  “My God, Clay! Where haven’t you been?” she asked, wonder tinging her voice.

  He laughed and palmed the coffee mug in between his hands. “I’ve been fortunate in my life, that’s for sure. I have the music artists to thank for most of those trips. Nine times out of ten I was invited to visit a touring show to see how a new song was faring on the road.”

  “Yeah, roads in Paris and Rome!” she interjected.

  “I know. It’s crazy,” he replied, shyly averting her gaze.

  “You ever meet anyone while you were traveling? Anyone special?” Why those words came out of her mouth in that moment, she didn’t know. It was too late to retract them.

  Clay’s dark eyes stared back at her from across the table and he shrugged. “I usually blend into the crowd. There’ve been a few times folks have tried to set me up with an acquaintance in their entourage, but nothing ever serious. I’ve made a lot of friends, but no relationships with anyone special.”

  “Hmmm,” she replied staring back at him with narrowed eyes, her chin propped in her hand leaning on the table. “For some reason, I find that hard to believe.”

  His eyebrows raised, and a mischievous glint appeared in his eye. “Well, you can believe what you want. I’ve never wanted a long-distance relationship. That kind never work out. And being on the road traveling to other countries isn’t a normal place to start relationship either. I prefer the good ole USA.”

  Katie’s heart sank. If she and Clay were to continue to try to see each other, theirs would be a long-distance relationship. Nashville was four lengthy hours from Atlanta.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, bringing her out of her deep thought. “You’re pouting.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  He laughed. “Yes, you are. Your bottom lip was jutting out while you were thinking about something. You were pouting.” Licking his lips, he stood and pushed his chair back. With wide eyes, she watched him walk around the table until he was standing directly in front of her. Using his index finger, he tilted her chin up gently. “Was it something I said?”

  His eyebrows were knitted with concern as he slowly slid the pad of his thumb over her lower lip. He seemed fascinated with her mouth which sent a jolt of electricity straight to her jean shorts. She stood and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. His hands slid down and rested on her backside.

  “Did you get enough to eat?” she whispered into his ear, trying to change the subject. She wasn’t abo
ut to tell him the truth, that she was sad things weren’t going to work out for them because of distance.

  “Not quite,” he replied softly. He pulled back from their embrace and palmed both sides of her face looking at her with a penetrating stare before he leaned down and kissed her. His tongue slowly eased into her mouth and his teeth grazed her lips. She couldn’t help but moan, opening her mouth wider aware that her hands had mysteriously slid down his sides and were gripping his buttocks as if her life depended on it. The length of his hardness rubbed against the top of her thigh and she purposefully brushed herself against him, the friction naturally turning him on. She suddenly pulled back and quickly eased her yellow tank top up and over her head, flinging it to the kitchen counter. Standing before him with her chest rising and falling, she waited for his reaction. His wide eyes raked over her body from head to toe, his face flushed and an apparent growing bulge in his jeans. He offered a slight smile before he crossed his arms in front of himself and pulled off his tee revealing his toned abs and glorious chest that had a smattering of hair across his skin. They stood in the small kitchen staring at each other, waiting for the other to make the first move. Katie was about to steal second base.

  “You’re gorgeous,” he whispered taking a step closer and slipping his index finger under her lacy, white bra strap. One touch sent a shockwave to her core and with one tug, the strap fell down her arm. He did the same with the other strap, which made her nipples pebble underneath the satin. She was dying for his hands to be on her breasts and hastily reached around her back, unclasping the bra and letting it fall to the ground. Clay inhaled sharply before reaching out to touch her. The subtle brush of his fingertips on her delicate skin almost sent her into a full-blown orgasm. She rolled her head back and closed her eyes as both of his hands tenderly fondled her, his thumbs making circles around her nipples. She could feel his mouth suckle her as she brought her hands up into his wavy hair pulling him in tighter.

  “God, that feels so good,” she said breathlessly, lost in the ecstasy of his hands and mouth all over her chest. He knelt, peppering her belly with tiny kisses and slowly undid the button of her jean shorts. Katie was panting with want and shivered as his fingers slid over her underwear. He looked up at her, the caramel of his eyes obscured by his black irises. There were no words that needed to be said out loud. They were conversing with their amplified senses. Looking down at him, she nodded, the air coming out of her mouth in tiny pants, anticipating something beautiful about to happen. He started to slide her shorts down her legs when the sound of a key was heard in the locked door. They both bolted upright, Clay standing before her nakedness in protective mode.

  “You expecting anyone?” he asked quietly.

  “No.” She reached for her clothes minus her bra and clumsily dressed. “Stay here.”

  She ran around the corner just in time to see the front door open wide and her best friend Stacey burst in, her face animated with excitement.

  “Holy shit, girl! What a night!”

  Chapter six

  Stacey flew into the townhome like a tornado, her long blonde hair fluttering behind her in thick waves. Katie closed the door and followed her into the living room where she watched her bestie collapse dramatically on the sofa. Passing the kitchen entrance, she eyed the interior nervously, not sure how she should let her friend know she had just interrupted a very intense moment. To hide her erect, tingling nipples from under her thin tank, she crossed her arms over her chest and waited to hear the latest news. Stacey was always welcome day or night. She even had her own key. But right now was probably her worst timing in all the years they had known each other. Katie shifted uncomfortably aware that her panties were damp, not able to bring herself to tell Stacey she was intruding.

  “Brent is wonderful!” she gushed stretching her body out. “He’s showering back at the hotel. I didn’t want to drive all the way home to change, so I came over here to borrow some clothes. We’re going to hike Stone Mountain and then he’s spending the night at my place before he goes back home for the week. God! Last night was awesome!” She flipped over onto her stomach and looked at Katie with anticipation. “How was your night with Cowboy?” she asked wiggling her eyebrows comically.

  Katie sat on the edge of the sofa and chewed on her bottom lip. Clay was within earshot and she wasn’t about to explain how wonderful her night had been—that her body was still burning from the touch of his hands on her naked skin just moments before. If Stacey knew that he was mere feet from them, standing in the kitchen, able to hear everything they said, she’d go nuts with excitement. It had been a long time since Katie had been involved with a man, most of her time spent working and climbing the corporate ladder. It was a rare occasion for her to spend any time with the opposite sex outside of work, much less with someone she was genuinely attracted to.

  Stacey quickly homed in on her hesitation. “What?” she asked, quickly sitting up. “Did you and Cowboy…?” Katie shook her head. “Did you hit it off with each other?” Katie nodded, suppressing a smile. “I knew it!” She jumped up and threw her arms around her. “I’m so glad! Are you gonna see each other again?”

  “I sure hope so.” A baritone voice surprised them both, their blonde and brunette heads whipping around in unison. Clay stood in the doorframe of the kitchen entrance with his hands tucked into his jean pockets accentuating his arm muscles. His shirt was back on and his face was flushed, his smile making Katie faint.

  “Oh. My. God.” Stacey said, totally dumbstruck. She ran over to Clay and threw her arms around his neck. “This is fantastic!” she yelled out loud. He chuckled, receiving her energetic hug with stiffness.

  Katie blushed and went to his side. She couldn’t help but lean into his sturdiness and was rewarded when she felt his hand slide into the back pocket of her shorts and squeeze.

  “Okay, I’ll be out your hair in a jiffy. Let me go grab some clothes. I swear! Just give me two minutes!” She ran out of the room singing all the way, “This is fucking awesome!!!”

  “I guess she’s happy?” Katie said looking up into Clay’s face.

  “Seems to be,” he replied matter-of-factly, making her laugh.

  A few minutes later, the two girlfriends stood outside on the front stoop of the condo and hugged.

  “Call me later. I want details!” Stacey insisted.

  “I want details too,” Katie laughed, watching her walk down the steps to the parking lot.

  “Have fun!” she waved. “Oh and, by the way—you look really natural with no bra on in that thin tank! It’s a good look for you!”

  Katie’s eyes grew big and her arms immediately sheltered her chest.

  “Enjoy every moment!” Stacey yelled before shutting herself in her car and driving off.

  Katie remained on the top step and watched the taillights disappear around the corner. Looking down at her chest she realized Stacey was right—her yellow tank did nothing to hide the outline of her nipples. She shook her head and couldn’t help but blush.

  *

  “Sorry about that,” Katie apologized coming back inside bringing a swirl of hot, humid air with her. Clay was waiting for her, standing in the small hallway.

  “Does anyone else have a key to your house that might be coming by today?” he asked humorously.

  “No,” she answered, standing before him, looking sweet and innocent in her bare feet and bra-less tank.

  “Lock the door,” he said huskily, his sudden confidence and boldness surprising himself.

  He watched her cheeks flush with a subtle pink and she nodded before she turned and double bolted the front door. Before she could turn back around, he moved up against her back, reaching around and cupping her breasts. “Where were we?” he whispered into her ear with hot breath.

  Katie moaned and leaned her head back on his shoulder, running her hands down his thighs. He tugged at her top, pulling it up and over her head. She turned around and nuzzled his neck, tugging at his own shirt. When t
hey were finally skin on skin, their lips crashed together in a frenzied kiss, her fingers twisting in his hair. His body ached, he wanted her so badly. He felt her tug at his zipper, bringing it down and exposing his hardness beneath his commando composition. Feeling her hands grip his thickness was pure ecstasy, causing him to hold his breath and close his eyes.

  “I want you, Clay,” he heard her say in staccato breaths. “I want you now,” she begged.

  He navigated her body to the steps leading up to the bedrooms and set her down. With one pull, her shorts and panties glided effortlessly down her legs and he flung them against the locked door. She leaned back on the steps, her creamy curves standing out against the dark carpet. Stepping out of his blue jeans, he knelt in front of her, pushing her thighs to the side and burying his head in the apex of her legs. His tongue skated over her moist clit as she writhed and panted beneath him, her sweet aroma intoxicating. He lapped her up like a parched animal, not able to quench his thirst before feeling her entire body stiffen, then convulse into a full-blown orgasm, his name echoing in his ears. Straddling her, he pushed her hair that had come out of her ponytail back against her sweaty brow. Her eyes were huge, searching his as she came down from her explosion.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, peppering her face with soft kisses. The aroma of her sweet pussy lingered on his lips as he spoke.

  She nodded, blushing again. “Let’s go upstairs.” She hoisted her naked body up and grabbed his hand, leading him to her bedroom.

  The summer sun streamed into the warm room, highlighting the king-sized bed that was perfectly made. Katie grabbed the top edge of the crimson duvet and yanked it, causing several throw pillows to tumble to the floor. She quickly pulled the shades down and turned on a bedside lamp. When she was finished, she turned to him and he watched her gaze travel from his feet to his face and smile. Her naked body was a sight to behold, and his erection pointed straight at her.