Bitter Hearts (A Southern Loving Book 3)

by Thorn, Ava

  When Hank opened the door for her, Kari had to ask herself; how could a woman walk away from this endangered species? Since being in Nashville she heard the term southern gentleman and Hank was exactly one. She bet he was the type of man who would offer his coat to her if she was cold.

  Thirty minutes later they pulled up a boutique. Kari surveyed the small chic clothing store. Was he punking her?

  “You’re kidding me.” Kari shuffled uncomfortably from foot to foot as she eyed the clothes hanging around from the display cases. This wasn’t her style she didn’t wear shirt that said “HeyBo.”

  “Kari! Stop whining and let’s get the shopping,” Hank said, before waving a sales woman over to them.

  Hank was right she was used to high end clothing; this was nothing like the stores she shopped at back home in Beverly Hills. This small boutique was decorated in yellow wall paneling, lacy white curtains. Oh God was that a huge high heel sofa in the corner. There were signs plastered at the front of the store- ‘20-45% off everything.’ This definitely wasn’t her cup of tea.

  “Hank! This is a surprise!” A woman said excitedly.

  Kari turned around to see a cute brunette walking quickly over to Hank and thrusting herself into his arms. She pretended to be looking at the clothes on the clothing stand, which Kari told herself she would never be caught dead in.

  Hank looked displeased to see the woman, Kari wondered what that was about. “Maxine,” he said grimly.

  “Fancy meeting you in here,” Maxine said with her eyes glued on Kari. “Who’s this?”

  The clothes were long forgotten as Kari made her way to the woman who referred her as “this,” “Hi, I’m Kari Hayes.” She extended her hand to the woman.

  Maxine placed her finger on her chin. “I know that name but I don’t know where I heard it at.”

  Hank placed his hand at the small of Kari’s back. “Well, we should be getting on,” he said, steering her towards a display case.

  Maxine reached out and touched his arm “I just want you to know that I’m sorry about you and Natalie,” she eyed him seductively. “Too bad she didn’t realize what a fine piece of man she had in her grips.”

  Kari cleared her throat, “Hank I’m going to go over here,” she pointed to a rack of jeans near the window.

  Hank draped his arm over Kari’s shoulder to keep her in place. Maxine’s eyes became huge as they bounced back and forth between Kari and Hank.

  “Oh.” She seemed irked at the revelation that Hank was a couple with Kari.

  “Now we should be getting on, Kari needs something to wear for the fair and plus I’m doing a set with Austin tonight.”

  Kari noticed how the woman beamed just with Hank mentioning that he was performing tonight.

  “Well, hopefully I’ll see you later tonight,” she purred.

  Kari couldn’t be mad at the overly flirtatious Maxine, her and Hank was nothing more than friends with benefits.

  “Yep,” Hank replied, pulling Kari towards the table with jeans. “Here, I’ll pick out a few jeans for you, we can get done quicker… you wear a size eight right?”

  “What?” she whispered. “How did you get that number?”

  Hank looked up from pulling dark blue jeans with studded sequin pockets, his grey eyes because hazy with desire. “My hands have roamed on every inch of your thick thighs and ass. So a size eight right?”

  Kari gulped as the room temperature seem like it went up a few degrees. “Ten, but we…I mean…I should try it on because you know.”

  “I know you have more thighs, butt and hips,” he said licking his lips slowly, as he remembered lying in bed tracing her body.

  “Let me go.” Kari snatched up two different size jeans and practically ran to the dressing room to get away from Hank and the sexual electrified air that surrounded them.

  ***

  Kari had already slipped between the doors of the changing room, Hank called over a young girl, who helped him with the items he picked out for Kari. He was so busy pulling dresses down from racks for Kari that he didn’t notice Maxine standing on the sidewalk outside taking a picture of him.

  “How do I look?”

  Hank turned around, she was absolutely breathtaking in ivory color top with lace cut detailing along the neckline and all the way down the sleeves. The light blue jeans hugged all her curves that her momma blessed her with. He smiled when his eyes traveled down her feet. “You didn’t have to get cowgirl boots.”

  “I like them.” She did a small dance in her tan colored cowgirl boot with a cross and angel wings on the front and on the toe of the boots.”

  Hank looked down and checked his watch; they had three hours before he had to perform at the fair. “In that case, Jenny we will take the boots you picked out along with the outfits.”

  “Yes sir,” they young sales clerk said, before disappearing to the back of the store.

  “What are you doing?” Kari asked standing closer to him.

  “It’s a surprise.” He kissed her forehead, sidestepping he went to the counter and placed his card down for the sales clerk to ring the items up.

  “Why are you buying all these clothes?” Even though Hank had impeccable taste, she didn’t need a man buying her anything.

  “I like you and I want you to be comfortable on our trip,” he responded. His real answer would have went something like this, I love the way you whiskey eyes light up.

  “I must admit that everything in this store is nice.” Kari stood up on her tippy toes and kissed his cheek. “Thanks.”

  Hank felt his heart quicken, Kari was genuinely having a good time. He looked at her and opened his mouth, but no words came out. Kari returned the stare, just as surprised. After a second, Hank continued to state, wordlessly. His grey eyes had a faraway look in them.

  Kari sighed and looked away from him.

  He knew that she could feel the connection between them. He wondered how long she could pretend like she wasn’t feeling what he was feeling every time they were together.

  “What’s the matter, Kari?” he asked soothingly.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Stop being so damn coy. Tell me what’s bothering you,” he sighed, sounding exhausted and stressed.

  “There’s no cure for falling for someone,” she said softly, and walked away from him to look at jewelry on a display case.

  “Would it be all that bad?” he asked, his eyebrows raised. When she didn’t’ answer he added, “What about the whole friends with benefits?” he said in a low voice, just enough for her to hear.

  Kari laughed and shook her head. “Love only makes things worst with us.” She scowled at a necklace before picking it up, placing it on the counter. Hank laughed at her antics. “It’s not funny we both have been burned by love.”

  “How do you know a fulfilling relationship will make things worse for us?” He looked up at her and smiled slightly.

  “Alright Mr. Jackson, the total is $710. Is that everything for you today?” the cheerful sales clerk asked after she finished ringing the items up.

  Kari breathed a sigh of relief as the sales clerk interrupted their conversation. Her life was calm, but there was this nagging feeling, Hank was the storm that would bring havoc to her peaceful life she had for herself in Nashville.

  Chapter Six

  Kari giggled as Hank ushered them from different food stands and vendors selling different odds and ends. The Nashville Fair was in full swing. Today would be the battle of bulge for her, this was truly her first time experiencing a country fair to its full effect. There was fried butter, beer and bubbled gum. She munched on funnel cake.

  “You having fun yet, city girl?” Hank said.

  “Yes!”

  Kari and Hank spent the few hours before he was due at sound check going on various rides. She didn’t make anything out of it as Hank held on her hand tightly as they maneuvered from ride to ride. They both were filled with happiness. Kari didn’t realize how much of a couple
they looked like until they ventured into the crazy mirrors; were they a couple? Of course they kissed a few times during the night and held hands since they arrived at the fair. Her heart began to swell as she thought about how attentive Hank was with her. She shook her head quickly and told herself to stop acting like a high school girl.

  “One more ride,” Hank said, pointing up the Ferris wheel.

  “Okay,” she said with a mouth full of funnel cake, she tossed the empty plate into the trash and reached for the cotton candy Hank was holding for her.

  They sat down on a seat, as the attendant came and made sure latch was secure before the ride moved higher and higher until they had an unbelievable view of the fair below. Hank joined his hand with hers. He stroked his thumb across the back of Kari’s hand; sending shivers through both of them.

  “Do you want some?” she asked softly.

  Hank saw a small piece of pink cotton candy on Kari’s lip. He smiled and leaned in “Yeah,” he said, leaning in and kissing her passionately.

  Pulling away from him she gazed into his grey eyes. “You disgust me. I kind of hated you on sight… but now I want to know more…I need to know more.”

  “Why?”

  “You intrigue me.”

  “I tried not to notice you or the dimple in your cheek. Kari Hayes, I’m hooked on you like a cold beer after a long hard day.

  Kari blushed. “What the hell?”

  “I’m a southern man,” he shrugged and looked at her seriously, “but you are everything that a man needs after a hard day at work.”

  Kari wanted to curse him and tell him to go to hell. “You’re still married Hank.”

  “Divorce proceedings have already been filed.” Hank put his finger against her lips. “Let’s just date and see where this goes.”

  “Fine,” she conceded. “I will allow myself to just go with the flow.”

  “Good,” he said seriously. “You’re worth it.”

  Kari was shocked by his fervent answer. “You are too.”

  “You just made me feel special,” Hank said, with a sudden harden glint in his eyes.

  Kari looked away and focused her attention on her cowgirl boots. “Thanks for the boots and clothes,” she said.

  “You’re welcome,” Hank replied, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

  Kari blushed again; she never was one to be at lost for words. Her mind was in turmoil, wondering if she was reading too much into her relationship with Hank.

  Picking up his hand she looked at his watch, “Shit, you have sound check in thirty minutes.”

  “We will get there in time,” he said, smiling at her once more.

  “Do you like it?” she asked when he looked her confusedly, she continued. “Performing… I saw the gold and platinum records on the walls.”

  “Austin and I grew up listening to Johnny Cash. We both got separate record deals when we went to Nashville. I still dabble a little bit in the country music scene; write songs for Austin every now and then.”

  Kari bit a piece of her delicious sweet mouthwatering candy. “Why did you stop?”

  Hank reached over and pulled a piece of pink cotton candy and placed it into his mouth. “My ex was insecure. There are groupies who live to snag them a rich country singer; they don’t care about the wedding band on the finger.”

  “Why can’t you have both, music and love?” she asked, nudging him gently.

  “I wanted both but at the same time I wanted my wife to be happy and to feel like she was secure in our marriage,” he said as he rubbed his thumb across her hand. “Enough about my failed marriage, tell me why it’s so hard for you to let your guard down.”

  “I think I risk too much by being vulnerable,” she chuckled uneasy. “Learnt that a young age, my parents were never there, my nanny Rita is practically my second mom.”

  Hank could hear the sadness in Kari’s voice. He pulled her closer to him “You build this wall up to protect yourself from your fears…if you don’t lower them down you’re going to miss out on so much.”

  “When my walls where down I fell in love with a man who was only using me for the millions in my bank account. I need to control what happens to me.” Kari was shocked on how easy it was for her to communicate with Hank about her past.

  “Kari, don’t repeat the same mistakes as my mother,” he mumbled. “My father disappeared from our lives when I was four years old, my mom was always guarded and suspicious of any and every one that came into her life. She was unable to follow her heart because she was afraid of what might happen.”

  This wasn’t the first time that someone told her that she needed to tear down the walls that she erected after Sam. Those walls were to protect her from being taken advantage of, failure and rejection. Kari never had trust issues; she exposed her true self to Sam only for him to betray her. When the ride was over they walked hand and hand to the stage. There were already a lot of people eagerly waiting for the concert to start.

  ***

  Kari stood backstage and watched Hank play the guitar naturally. She’d been too many concerts, even being a special guest at an event. She wasn’t a big fan of country music, but it was Hank and she enjoyed watching him strumming the strings on the guitar and hearing his deep twang baritone voice while singing.

  When the song ended Austin spoke to the crowd. “Thank y’all for coming, but tonight I’m giving you guys a special treat. Everyone, my cousin Hank Jackson.”

  Kari noticed how shocked Hank appeared to be but he masked it well. She could tell that he truly loved being on the stage. Austin stood next her watching Hank intently as he began to sing a song that Kari had heard him singing before.

  “I’m blown away by her smile

  I don’t know what it is about her

  that makes me want to stay

  See girl I’m digging on you,

  You have my heart spinning and beating around

  I don’t why I want to stay…”

  Austin chuckled softly at the surprised look on Kari’s face. “He’s talented, isn’t he?”

  She nodded her head speechless; she didn’t want to take her eyes off Hank just in case she missed something about him.

  Hank had a powerhouse voice that could rival any major country singer. His voice was deep and mesmerizing; she could even hear a faint R and B influence in him.

  When the song ended, the crowd went wild and it was the moment Hank realized he missed the most, being on stage was like home to him. His fans always asked him when he was going to start recording new music again. He looked over at his muse standing next to Austin clapping.

  “I’d like to thank my cousin Austin McBride, who graciously shared the stage with me tonight. Being up on this stage tonight has inspired me to head into the studio and record a few tunes.” The crowded erupted in cheers, Hank held up his guitar pumping it into the crowd a few times before exiting the stage.

  “You were great,” Kari said, jumping into his outstretched arms.

  “Thanks honey,” he muttered in her ear, as he started to slowly come down from the high from being on stage. This high was greater than any drug he could put in his body, the feeling of adrenalin and joy. He gripped Kari’s hand as they made their way to the trailer, as photographers took their pictures.

  When Hank stopped to talk to a reporter, Kari whispered to him that she would meet him in the trailer. He nodded his head and kissed her on the cheek. She walked away from him, taking a deep breath, she turned around and met his stare. There were no words spoken between them only a smile.

  Was she in too deep? It was weird. Kari couldn’t help it. Hank was right; the barriers that she had up were making her life needlessly limited. She hasn’t dated because she was afraid to get hurt again. Could she learn to be vulnerable again? The way Hank touched her and showered her with affection made her want to open herself up to trust again. Not all men were cut from the same cloth.

  ***

  Hank walked into the trailer, Kari looked up and th
eir eyes met instantly, she gave him a somewhat innocent smile.

  “Hey,” he said softly.

  “”Hi,” she responded standing up. “Nice performance.”

  They continued to smile at each other; her eyes were roaming from the door, his lips and back to his eyes again. “Have I told you that you one beautiful woman?”

  “Actually, you did.”

  He liked the way Kari tried to hide the fact that she was blushing. Standing so close by her he could feel her body temperature rising. Or maybe it was because he was on fire. Every time he was around her, she did this to him, all warm inside. He could smell sweet perfume, reaching up he caressed the side of her face.

  “I don’t have much to give; I’m lonely and cold without any direction.”

  “Let me give you company and show you that you don’t have to be lonely anymore,” He kissed her lips gently, slowly, her hand wrapped around him.

  Kari pulled her mouth away from him. “Slow,” she said.

  “Let’s have a bond that’s now built on bitterness from the past or wallowing on the pain that others have caused.” He lifted her chin up, staring into those whiskey eyes. “We have so much to offer one another.”

  “I think it’s time for our road trip,” she said, kissing his cheek. Moving out his arms, she started to gather her left over cotton candy, she was starting to turn around when she felt Hank brush up against her butt. She closed her eyes as his large hands roamed between her legs as she pushed against the wall.

  “We have a few minutes.” Hank’s deep voice caused tremors to run throughout her body. His hands palmed her butt cheeks, massaged her stomach. His hot breath on her neck caused her to become wetter. He pressed himself fully against her; Kari could feel his manhood pressing into her ass. She bit back a moan as he ground his hips into her.

  He turned her around and roughly pulled her to him. “Do you want to stop?”

  She shook her head no as his hands worked on the button and pushed her jeans as far as they could go. Hank lifted her on the small table, and quickly disposed of her boots and finish taking her jeans. He parted her thighs and smiled as he pulled her shirt off. A moan escaped her lips as a finger brushed against the lips of her pussy. His mouth covered hers, as he added another finger into her wet cave. Just as soon as he was kissing her, he dipped down and allowed his tongue to probe her wetness.