Georgia Clay

by KG Fletcher

  “Sure. If you’ll bring it out and kiss me,” she teased.

  His lips turned upward into an immediate smile, and his arm muscles bulged as he hoisted himself up. He leaned the fishing reel against the boathouse and took off his sunglasses before pulling two ice-cold cans of beer out of the small Styrofoam cooler sitting in the shade. Taking three giant steps, he leaped into the water right beside her sending a wave up and over the inner tube, dousing her. She shrieked, inhaling quickly as the tube flipped over. When she came to the surface sputtering, Clay was swimming next to her, laughing, water dripping from his face and hair.

  “Oh my god, Clay! It’s freezing!” She clung to his warmth, wrapping her bare legs around his waist.

  Gripping the two cans of beer in one hand, he swung his other arm over the inner tube holding her steady. She wiped her hand across her soaking wet face and shivered, trying to come to grips with the cold water.

  “Get back in the tube. Your lips are turning blue,” he chuckled.

  She struggled to lift herself up and felt his hand splayed on her bottom helping to push her into the center of the circle. The hot sun felt good beating down on her goose-pimpled flesh as she started to thaw.

  “Is it always this cold?” Her teeth were starting to chatter.

  “Oh, yeah. Feels great on a hot summer day. Here.” He handed her the can of beer.

  They both flicked the tabs and clinked cans before drinking. Clay rested his chin on the edge of the tube bobbing up and down in the water. She reached her free arm around his neck and played with the back of his shaggy, wet hair.

  “This is the life, huh?” He grinned up at her.

  “I’ll say.” Taking another pull of beer, she looked up into the sky, noticing the long contrails left in the wake of an airplane. Absent-mindedly, she wondered where they might be headed. Were the people on that plane as happy as she was? Were they going somewhere exotic? Maybe a honeymoon in Paris or Italy or a business trip to Chicago? She blushed, noticing Clay watching her intently.

  “What were you thinking about just then?” he asked, lifting the wet can to his lips.

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. When I see a plane in the sky, I automatically wonder where they’re headed. It’s something I’ve always done since I was a kid.”

  “Hmmm.” Clay squinted up into the sky. “I like that. So where do you think that plane is going?”

  Looking up again, she pursed her lips. “I’m gonna say… New York.”

  He nodded. “That’s a possibility. It’s headed north.” Taking a big gulp of beer, he paused before running his finger up the string that tied her bikini behind her neck. He tugged on it until it loosened. “Where do you think this is headed?” he asked, his eyes following the string he had just untied as it slipped into the water, floating on the surface.

  Katie shivered, feeling the fabric loosen around her breasts and pull away slowly by the up and down motion of the gentle waves. She was exposed, her nipples pebbling in the heated breeze while a familiar fluttering started between her legs. Her chest was rising and falling as she lay there, allowing Clay to stare at her nakedness.

  “I want to be with you, Clay,” she said boldly.

  He quickly looked from her chest to her eyes and nodded. “I want to be with you too. So bad.”

  She offered him a slight smile before reaching around her back and tugging on the lower string of her bathing suit. When the tie released, she tossed the bikini top to the dock. Clay slowly shook his head and breathed in through his nose.

  “You have no idea how gorgeous you are with the sun shining down on you like that. I sure hope the neighbors aren’t watching.”

  Katie sucked in a surprised breath and crossed her arms in front of her exposed chest. The sudden movement caused her to teeter precariously before the inner tube flipped her over again. She felt a steady hand grab the inside of her arm and pull her up to the surface. Sputtering and laughing at the same time, she wiped her face pushing her hair out of the way.

  “Neighbors? Are you serious, Clay?”

  He was laughing right along with her and grabbed her beer can that was floating upside down in the lake water and tossed it to the dock. “Come here.”

  The water felt like velvet sliding across her bare chest as she swam the short distance between them. They were nose to nose, bobbing up and down in the lake.

  “Put your arms around my neck,” he insisted with a low, sexy voice. The droplets on his eyelashes sparkled in the hot sun.

  She wrapped her arms around him, the heat from his chest penetrating her exposed skin and the movement of the water causing her nipples to rub up and down against his flesh. They looked at each other before he leaned in and gently kissed her, his mouth cool and hoppy from the beer. They were wrapped up in the moment—their bodies tangled together beneath the surface, their emotions circling overhead like a plane, ready to land. It was real and pure. Katie’s senses were on overload as she tried to come to grips with the blatant truth that shocked her like the cold water of the lake. She was falling in love with him.

  CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

  Katie was still glowing mid-week after her mini-vacation with Clay. Even though they could only stay one night at the lake, her cup filled to overflowing, making it much easier to face the remaining days ahead without him. There was a sense of shared understanding between the two of them—respect for each other’s time and commitments. She got it and never wanted to get in his way of anything career related. His response to her career was much the same—he was proud and impressed with her work ethic.

  She held her head a little higher as she walked into the large conference room, ready to take on the afternoon meeting with her team. The admins had arranged platters of sandwiches and drinks along the console against the wall, which indicated they might be there for a while. Grabbing a cup of coffee, she chatted with her coworkers before settling in a comfortable seat around the massive table next to Dale.

  “You seem extra chipper today. You’re feeling better?” he asked softly, leaning into her ear.

  Smiling demurely over her shoulder, she batted her eyes at him. “Yes. Much.” She hadn’t told Dale the truth about her surprise lake trip with Clay, letting him believe she had called in sick.

  “I’m glad. It’s not the same without you around here.” He winked just as their boss came in with purpose and spread a pile of papers at the head of the table.

  For the next three hours with a couple of bathroom breaks in between, the team got down to business, going over numbers and important paperwork that was necessary for an upcoming conference. Katie sighed with relief, knowing she wouldn’t be at that particular conference. This trip would be the first one she ever missed because it happened to fall on the same weekend as Clay’s performance at the Ryman. When he had first asked her to be there for him, she did her due diligence and put in a request for vacation time through the company work-source portal. Dale had to walk her through it because she hadn’t taken a vacation for so long and had forgotten how to use it. The dates were immediately approved, much to her excitement. During meetings like the one today, she was usually uptight and in work-mode, concentrating on making sure all their i’s were dotted and t’s crossed. Out-of-town conferences were a big deal and not something to be taken lightly. For once in her career, it was liberating not to have to worry about it.

  Everyone scattered when dismissed for the day, including Dale who had an overdue conference call he needed to get on. As Katie threw away her trash on the way out the door, her boss called out to her.

  “Miss Parker? May I have a word, please?”

  Katie raised her eyebrows and turned back toward him. “Sure, Mr. Taylor. What can I do for you?”

  “Have a seat, please.”

  She pulled out the swivel chair next to him and sat with her back erect. Mr. Taylor had been her boss since day one, and they had always gotten along. To some, he often came across as intimidating, but Katie knew he was “old-schoo
l,” much like her father. They held a mutual respect for one-another, and she always received rave reviews in her portfolio once a year.

  Mr. Taylor smiled with pursed lips, and she noticed he looked more tired than usual, his normally bright blue eyes dull and fatigued. He took his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose.

  “Is everything all right, Mr. Taylor?” Concern was evident in her voice.

  An audible, deep sigh came from the man. “It has come to my attention that you received approval on some upcoming vacation time.”

  Katie’s heart fell to her stomach, and she immediately tensed. Did she not put in her time off in the system correctly? Dale was right beside her talking her through it. Could they have made a mistake?

  “Yes. I’ll be in Nashville on Friday through the next week. I’m finally taking a vacation after all these years.” She chuckled, the fleeting grin on her face quickly faded when she noticed the knitted brows of her boss. “Did I not correctly put it in the work-portal? I received an email saying the time-off request was approved…”

  Sighing again, the large man put his glasses back on and looked right at her. “Yes, you did it correctly; however, my assistant should never have approved it without my knowledge.”

  Katie gulped trying to remember to breathe. “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t understand. I’m not allowed to take a vacation?” She wasn’t about to dive into the many reasons why she was owed a vacation from the company outright. All the time she spent at the office working, never taking days off, working weekends and holidays. The endless days and nights eating, sleeping, and breathing work. Her skin prickled with nerves. She would fight for her time off. She would fight to be there for Clay whom she had made a promise to.

  Mr. Taylor’s face softened. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re the only one in this whole damn company that deserves a much-needed vacation.” For a brief moment, she started to relax.

  “But…”

  There was a “but.” What kind of “but” could it possibly be? What was more important than her time off supporting the man she was in love with? She bristled, ready to argue for what was rightfully hers.

  His voice became authoritative. “You’re my ace, Kathryn. I need you at the Pharma Conference representing the southeast. This is an important event for our industry. You know it better than anyone else.”

  “You don’t need me for this one,” she reassured him, trying to stay calm. “You can send Russell instead of me. Dale will be there too, so you really have nothing to worry about.” In shock, she watched with wide eyes as he slid a large envelope toward her that displayed the company logo on the upper left side.

  “You and Dale are a team.” He smiled. “I’m flying you both first class. You fly out Friday mid-day and return on Wednesday the following week. I want you to take the next two weeks off when you get back. My way of thanking you for a job well-done and for putting your best effort forward at the conference.”

  Stunned, Katie pulled her hand back from the envelope as if it were a loaded gun. “I’m sorry, sir. I…I can’t go. There’s a significant event I promised to attend on Friday night. I can’t let my boy…my friend down.”

  “I see.” He scowled as if mulling over her response. “Is this a life or death matter?”

  “No…”

  “Is this a family member or family event?”

  She could feel her shoulders sag. “No, sir.”

  He stood and started to stuff papers into his already bulging computer bag. “Well then. Whoever it is will understand. And won’t they be surprised when you get to spend two full weeks with them when you get back from California? I think I’ve been more than generous.” Dumbfounded and at a loss for words, she watched him walk to the giant glass doors of the conference room and turn around. “My apologies for the mix-up and not catching it sooner. I think I’ve more than made it up to you. Now, go get ‘em, ace!” He winked before pushing the doors open with force, leaving her in an astonished wake.

  As soon as he turned the corner and was out of sight, she allowed her eyes to brim with tears. Her hands were shaking as she pulled the contents of the envelope out. Staring at the first-class ticket and itinerary, she shook her head. All these years as a faithful employee and it came down to this. How in the hell was she going to break the news to Clay?

  ***

  Clay was standing on hallowed ground. Looking out into the twenty-three-hundred seat venue of refurbished, century-old, wrap-around church pews placed in a signature curve, the hairs on the back of his neck prickled. His acoustic guitar still hung around his neck as he rested his right arm on the body of the instrument. Swallowing a lump of emotion, he looked up into the bright lights, awestruck by the legacy and history of the place. He could feel the essence of legends who had played at the historic Ryman Auditorium, and he was humbled.

  The sound check had gone off without a hitch, his voice reverberating in the great hall with warmth and clarity. It was no wonder—experts had praised the acoustics in the building for years, calling the Ryman one of the best listening places in the world. His band had dispersed to the backstage area leaving him alone on the stage for a moment of reflection. He looked around, wide-eyed and grateful. Never in a million years did he ever imagine he would be performing in the place his Daddy always dreamed about him playing…

  You’re good enough son. Don’t you ever forget it. Mark my word, someday you’ll play on the Ryman stage just like that Tillis fella, leavin’ everyone in awe of your talent.

  Clay’s eyes were closed, the sound of his daddy’s voice echoing in his memory. Nodding his head, he opened his misty eyes back up and smiled. His daddy was with him—he could feel his aura surrounding him like a warm hug. “I’m gonna make you proud, Daddy,” he whispered into the air, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

  “Who you talkin’ to?”

  Clay was startled and jerked his head to the side. Buddy was standing with his hands on his hips, looking like a mule eating briars, his wide-mouth grin impossible not to smile back at. He ran his hand through his thick hair and chuckled. “Nobody. Just having a moment.” Pulling the guitar strap over his head, he held the instrument by the neck. “That was probably the coolest sound check I’ve ever had, Buddy. Thanks again for…for everything.”

  “Nah, it was bound to happen with a talent like yours.” He placed his hand on Clay’s shoulder, leading him backstage as he handed off his guitar to one of the tech crew in the wings. “The event is sold out. Has been for weeks. You ready for your life to change overnight?”

  Clay stopped in the dimly lit hall. “It’s already changed. I’m pretty sure I got this.”

  Buddy offered a whole-hearted nod. “You got some more changes ahead. Your stylist is here.”

  “My what?” He couldn’t have heard him correctly.

  Buddy snorted with a quick laugh. “Yep—your very own, hand-picked, genuine stylist. She’s in the dressing room with an assortment of clothing for you to try on.”

  “The fun never ends, Buddy.”

  “You got that right.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

  Katie absentmindedly pulled on a random string at the corner of her crimson duvet while listening intently to Clay go on and on over the phone. He sounded excited, filling her in on the past couple of days rehearsing with his new tour band and sound checking at the famous Ryman. Her mind inadvertently wandered to the past few days in Atlanta which had been atrocious, the highlight of the week drowning her sorrows in way too many gin and tonics with her best friend, Stacey. Breaking the news to him wasn’t going to be easy, for sure. Stace begged her to follow her heart, imploring her to make the right decision. She made it sound so easy. But it wasn’t.

  After her initial confrontation with Mr. Taylor, Katie had gone back into his office the next morning stating her case with purpose and passion. It was all to no avail. Not even her impressive list of accomplishments and accolades and a promise to work overtime for the next year could pers
uade him to change his mind. Apparently, some of the bigwigs of the company were going to be there, and he didn’t want to chance any mistakes that could embarrass the southeast division. “This is the most important conference of your career,” he told her. He wouldn’t budge, seemingly irritated at her persistence, and put his foot down, demanding she attend the conference or to start looking for another job which was entirely out of character for the man. She thought it must be an important conference if he was going to sink to this new low.

  Poor Dale was just as upset when he found out about the double-booking. He knew how hard she had worked to get to where she was—that her career meant everything to her.

  “Dale, you of all people should know I can’t just quit to follow something that might or might not work out. You know how hard this industry is. Do you see a ring on my finger? And what about Clay’s new tour? He hasn’t promised me anything. What if he forgets about me the first month he’s on the road? I want to be there for him, so badly. But give up my whole career for one show?” The guilt she struggled with was real because she had made a promise; a promise to be there for him on the most important night of his life.

  Dale was at a loss for words. No matter what advice she received from her friends, the final decision was all hers, and hers alone.

  “You’re so quiet, baby. You still feelin’ under the weather? I shouldn’t have let you stay in that cold lake for so long.”

  A small smile grazed her lips as Clay’s sexy baritone voice tinged with concern brought her back to the present moment. She had been faking a cold all week to cover up her emotional state making him believe she wasn’t feeling well. Thoughts of their time together at Lake Burton crept into her mind, her skin prickling with goosebumps as she remembered the contrast of the cold, icy water and the warmth of his bare skin as he held her in his arms. Clay had pulled her out of the lake with bulging biceps and wrapped a towel around her naked chest. They warmed up in the giant shower of the master suite before they made love for hours, working up an appetite. He insisted she relax in the comfortable hammock with a glass of wine while he prepared dinner, grilling steaks, and setting a lovely table on the back deck overlooking the water. The gold flecks in his eyes danced like the flames of the votive candles he had put in the center of the table as they fed each other Betty’s famous carrot cake, laughing and talking about anything and everything. They left the dirty dishes in the sink and ended the day with a sunset cruise around the lake, Clay pointing out all the magnificent homes owned by local celebrities and wealthy business leaders. The colors of the sky were a tapestry of sweeping pinks and oranges swirling among the clouds, making her stare wide-eyed at the horizon. She felt safe in his arms, sitting in his lap as he steered the boat, gliding effortlessly along the smooth, glassy surface of the water, the wind blowing through her hair.