Bitter Hearts (A Southern Loving Book 3) (15 page)

“Ha!
That would be exciting,” Hank said, putting their luggage on the bed.

Kari
peeled back the comforter on the bed and checked for any spots or hairs.

“What
are you doing?” Hank asked.

“Well,
I wish I had one of those lights so that we could see if there’s any juices on
these sheets and comforter.”

Hank
fell onto the bed laughing. “It’s clean, baby,” he said pulling her down on top
of him. Wrapping his arms around her, and kissing until they both had to come
up for air.

“Do
we stay in or do we go out for dinner?” she asked when her tummy started to
rumble.

Hank
got off the bed and threw a red pillow at her. “I propose that we take a shower
and hit Beal Street.”

Kari
laughed harder and threw the pillow back at Hank, hitting him upside the head. “What
is Beal Street?”

“Where
all the music is at,” he replied, before heading into the bathroom.

Scooting
off the bed, she rifled through her luggage searching for something to wear
that Hank bought her from the boutique earlier today.

“Kari,”
Hank called out.

“Yeah?”

“The
bathroom has mirrors,” he laughed.

“Oh
God,” she mumbled.

***

Hank
hadn’t been to Beale Street in years. This was where everything happened at
night, from live entertainment to delicious food.  Beale Street was a historic
part of downtown Memphis, Tennessee with a two block stretch of live music,
clubs and restaurants. The street was closed off to traffic so pedestrians
could walk freely up and down the street. Hank held Kari’s hand tighter as they
walked passed a group of people. There were people everywhere. They stopped a
few times to take pictures in front of neon nights.

“The
best performers played here on Beale Street,” he said.

“Even
you?” she asked.

“Yes,”
he said, stopping them in front of BB Kings restaurant. “This is my favorite
place on Beale Street.”

The
faux roadhouse sported blues music memorabilia, including jazz guitars woven
into the wall as artwork.  Kari nodded her head to the beat of the music; there
was a group of guys singing on a song on stage.

“Hank!”
a heavy black woman shouted as she walked towards them quickly. She hugged
Hank, wrapping her meaty arms around him. “I’m so happy you finally brought
your butt back here.”

“Corrine,
you know I can’t stay away that long.” He kissed the woman on the cheek.

“Now
who might this be?” Corrine smiled with one hand on her hip, looking back and
forth between Hank and Kari.

“Hi,
I’m Kari,” she said, extending her hand to the woman.

“Now
child we don’t be handshaking around here.” She held her arms open for Kari.
“Give me some love.”

Kari
hesitantly stepped forward and hugged the woman; oddly it felt like a mother
that hugged a child. It was heartwarming and comfortable. “It’s a pleasure
meeting you.”

“No
honey, it’s all mine when my Hank told me he was coming for a visit and bringing
a special person with him,” Corrine said in a loving tone. “Now, follow me to
the table I have picked out for you guys.”

After
sitting down at the table, Corrine left to give the chef orders for their
table. Hank’s eyes traveled to Corrine standing near the bar, she mouthed “I
like her.”

“Did
you hear me?” Kari asked, looking at him strangely.

“No
darling, I’m sorry what did you say?” Hank asked.

“When
was the last time you came here?”

“Last
month,” he said, as a waitress sat a pilsner glass filled with draft beer in
front of him and a glass filled with colorful slushy alcohol beverage.

“What
is in this?” she asked, staring at the colorful concoction.

“Baby
that is a Lucille, made up of Malibu coconut rum, blue curacao, mixed with
orange and pineapple juices,” Corrine said as she sat a plate with appetizers
in front of them. “Soul Samples; we got fried pickles, catfish bites and our
good ol’ Memphis wings.”

“You
know the way to my stomach every time I come here.” Hank picked up the hot
sauce, shook a few drops over the pickles and catfish.

“I
never had catfish or fried pickles before,” Kari admitted.

“Child,
where the hell you from?” Corrine laughed uncontrollably.

“Beverly
Hills,” Kari replied in a deadpan voice.

“Don’t
worry baby girl, Auntie Corrine will take care of you and that sophisticated
pallet. Now, I’m going to go back and allow you guys to eat you meal.” Corrine
looked Hank directly in the eyes. “We’ll talk later.”

“Yes
ma’am,” he said.

“I
see why you like it here,” Kari said after Corrine left their table. “The food
is surprising great, the atmosphere relaxing and not to mention the music is
wonderful. I can sit here all night and listen to the great sounds coming from
the guitars and saxophone.”

“This
is the best time I’ve enjoyed being at this restaurant,” he said in a lower,
more seductive tone, making Kari blush. “You’re absolutely beautiful.”

“Thank
you.” Kari breathed as she began to blush again.

Hank
popped another catfish bite into his mouth to keep himself from drooling over
the brown sequin dress that fitted Kari’s body like a glove.  “I think we
should dance,” Hank said standing up, holding his hand out for her.

“Okay,”
she said, putting her smaller hand into his bigger one.

Standing
on the dance floor, he placed a hand at Kari’s waist and took one of her hands
in his own. “Are you okay?” he asked, as they started to slow dance to the
music.

“Yes.”
Kari smiled into his eyes.

“I
like this.”

“Me
too.”

With
a little smile, Hank began to sing along with the song that was playing. “You
make me a better man,” he said.

“Why
do you say that?” she asked, pulling back to look him in the eyes.

“Because
when I’m with you… I’m reminded of the man that I want to be. You know how the
saying goes, love brings out the best in people and that’s what you doing with
me.”

“Are
you saying you love me?” she asked as he twirled her around.

“Would
I be wrong if I did?” he asked her back.

“No.”

“The
first time I laid eyes on you, I loved the way your black hair danced in the
wind. You brighten my day up, even with the road rage.”

“It
wasn’t road rage,” she smiled.

“Everything
is worth fighting for even with the ups and downs that may come with us.” He
pulled Kari just a little bit closer in their dancing.

“The
same goes with you,” she exclaimed quietly. “I’m realizing that you’re breaking
down my walls slowly. I like who I am with you. I feel like I have the whole
world in my hands.”

The
song was long over, but they still danced to beat of their hearts. “I will give
you the world.”

Kari
wrapped her around him tighter. “Thank you,” she said to his chest.

“I’m
a lucky man,” he smiled, looking into her eyes.

“Vice
versa.” Kari stood on her tiptoes and kissed him slowly until someone cleared
their voice from behind.

“Dinner
is served,” Corrine said, and walked away.

“We
can dance again?” she asked, her passionate eyes looking up at him.

Without
thinking, his mouth descended down upon those tempting, full lips of hers.  She
tasted like coconut and pineapple. He felt like his lungs were close to
bursting, he pulled back, looking down at her, their chests heaving.

“Hank,”
her voice was low, as if the words were ripped out between gasping breaths.
“Can we take our food back to the hotel?”

Taking
her by the hand, he made his way to the bar where Corrine stood. “I already had
it prepared in a to-go box,” she said, handing them a bag.

“We’ll
be back tomorrow,” he said, and kissed the older woman on the cheek.

They
barely made it back to their room at the Heartbreak Hotel, his moth was all
over hers as they walked through the threshold of the bedroom.  Clothes were
discarded all over the suite.  He laid her gently on the bed. He kissed her
deeply before trailing heated kisses down her body, stopping at her breast to
give extra attention with his mouth; he let his tongue flicker across her
nipple until it became nice and firm in his mouth. Kari was letting out soft
moans to let him know she was pleased. Her perfectly manicured hands were running
through his hair.

Hank
continued his way down her body, kissing her belly until his mouth found the
thin barrier of her lace panties. Kari raised her hips automatically to let him
take them off her. His eyes met hers as he kissed between each thigh, Kari bit
down on her lips as Hank kissed her treasure spot.

Kari
thrashed on the bed as Hank’s tongue darted in and out of her. She moaned and
arched her back as that sensational feeling built in her stomach. His mouth
gave more attention to her clit while he entered two fingers inside of her,
moving them in and out. Kari moaned louder, grabbing a fist full of Hank’s hair
to keep him in place and after a few more sucking and strokes, she cried out
her orgasm, her body trembling and shuddered. When her orgasm passed, Hank
kissed his way back up where he planted tenderly kisses on her lips.

“Are
you ready?” he asked.

“Yes,”
whispered Kari in a hushed breath.

Hank
positioned himself between her legs. They kissed tenderly for a moment; Kari
pushed her hips up against his. He bit back a groaned as he looked her directly
in the eyes.

“I
can’t remember anything feeling so right.” Kari smiled and kept eye contact
when he entered her gently. Once he was in her wet warmth, he kissed her softly
before moving inside of her slowly at first. He knew that Kari hated when he
held back.

Picking
up the tempo, the room was soon filled with the sounds of two bodies moving
together, moans, and quick breathing. When they both reached their climax, Hank
was pushing in and out vigorously, he felt Kari contract around him with
spasms, making him find his release inside of her, both crying each other’s
name in ecstasy.

Hank
fell onto Kari totally spent, trying to catch his breath.

“That…was…”
began Kari between breathes. “Amazing.”

“Unbelievable,”
said Hank at the same-time.

They
both chuckled. Hank rolled off her onto his back and Kari nestled against him.
Laying her head on his chest, as Hank caressed his abs.

“We
should eat,” Kari said after she heard Hank’s stomach growl.

“I’ll
get the food and you find something to watch,” he said, easing up from the bed.

By
the time Hank made it back to the bed, Kari was sitting in bed wearing his
button up shirt. “My shirt looks better on you,” he said, sitting on the bed
with the box of food from the BB & King Restaurant.  

“Well,
thank you, sir.” She smiled seductively at him. “There is nothing on cable
except for an Elvis movie called ‘Loving You’ that is coming on.”

“It’s
fine, but I know how you 80’s babies can be.”

“What
does that mean?” Kari asked with her hand on her hips.

“It’s
really old, 80’s babies don’t watch anything older than 1998,” he said.

“Ha,
ha, ha, that was a low blow,” she laughed. “I’ll have you know I still watch
Shirley Temple movies when I catch them on
AMC
.”

“Eat
baby,” he said.

Sitting
on the bed eating BB& King Famous Lip Smacking Ribs with baked bean
coleslaw and Bourbon pecan pie while watching Elvis Presley movie call ‘
Loving
you’
.

Hank
shook his head at Kari who was passed out thirty minutes after the movie
started. He threw away the food containers and climbed into bed next to her. He
loved the way she breathed in and out, running his finger across her moist
lips. Laying his head closer to her just to get a whiff of her sweet fruity
perfume that was etched into his memory bank.  She must have sensed him close
to her, because Kari snuggled closer to him.

He
closed his eyes in an attempt to get some sleep before the sun rose. But when
he closed them all he could see was Kari.  Their life together flashed before
his eyes, as is his mind and heart was trying to tell him that she was the one
he would spend the rest of his life with.

***

The
next morning they walked through the Colonial Revival style mansion that sat on
a small hill behind the tress, which once was the home of Elvis Presley. Kari
couldn’t pay attention to the tour guide, her thoughts where on the cold
shoulder she received from Hank this morning. As they wander through the foyer,
living room, dining room.  It was eerie how everything was exactly the way
Elvis left it since he died with the 1960’s décor.