Page 2 of Filthy Love

As if her brain knew where her thoughts wanted to go, it put an image right there of the last time she spoke tohim. She turned to the mirror, looking at herself.

The pink flush crawled up her neck, heated her cheeks.

Hawk was never far from her mind.

Maybe that's how it would always be.

He'd consumed her heart and life for nearly half of it, she'd been unrequitedly devoted to one man for what seemed like forever, it would be more of a surprise if he wasn’t on her mind today of all days.

“Yes, I'm sure.” She kissed Rider's cheek again. “How are the parents?” Whilst her childhood had been princess houses and spoiled trips to the beach, Rider's had been altogether different, their dad was too hard on him, always pushing him to do better and that had led them both down a road they couldn't come back from, not even now Rider was a father himself. The best father. Having them all in the same room together was testament they all loved her but wearing on the nerves.

Rider’s most of all.

“Mom is with Zara, they're talking about Thanksgiving.” He shrugged a massive shoulder nonchalantly. “You know dad, always has some shit to complain about. Don't let him ruin your day, Gia. I'll kick him out if I have to.”

Hugging him again, she was so damn grateful for Rider being the man he was.

She wasn’t so much nervous as she was settled in the decision she’d made.

“He’s trying. Walk me out to dad.” She asked smiling, hooking her arm through his. He gave her an encouraging squeeze, eyes so like hers looking down as if to silently ask if she was sure again.

Yes, she was.

Hawk would always remain in her heart.

Forever.

First love was powerful.

Every event in her life brought her to this. She fully believed in that.

“Let's go get you hitched then. If that fucker wears a path in the floor I ain't payin' for it.”

Gia laughed. At least she wasn't the only nervous one.

“Let's go then. I don't want to keep my groom waiting any longer.”

CHAPTER ONE

“If Grace Kelly tells you to work it, then you work what your mama gave you.” - Gia

The key to happiness was different for every person, but could hers be less complicated and maybe a bit more attainable, you think? She wasn’t asking for much at all.

Sometimes a woman got tired of waiting for the mountain. Sometimes she just needed a little divine intervention.

And like now; she was listening to her whispering, wanting heart.

As she’d done for the past few months, Gia Aella Marinos studied her image in the full-length mirror in her bedroom, meticulously picking out just the right outfit for the day ahead. Looking at herself, she liked what she saw most days. She was a female after all, there was days she loathed her straight brown hair and wished she had more exotic eyes than her normal blue. And her slim figure was fine because she worked out even though she hated spin class, but her love of chocolate dictated she exercise at least once a week if she were to uphold her addiction. Turning left and then right, she surveyed her hips and boobs.

Most days she liked what she saw.

Today she was too nervous to care about a few extra pounds hanging on for dear life around her stomach.

She was no fashionista, but her girl Grace Kelly often helped her out with outfits and what trend was in season this year. Not THE Grace Kelly, she hadn’t taken up Ouija boards for fun, her best college friend was lucky enough to have the same name. It was always funny when she gave it at Starbucks.

Today was an A-line baby pink skirt that fell modestly just above her knees, paired with a white, big collar, big cuffs rolled to the elbow shirt. Both looked cute against her olive skin.

Sedate but stylish, she thought, gazing at her image. She wore her dark brown hair down to her shoulders, it was without a kink unless she used the curling iron.

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