Page 86 of Filthy Love

It was enough.

Until the object of her crush strode back into her life and all Gia wanted now was her own happily ever after.

If only she could marriage-counsel whammy Hawk so easily.

But he was a stubborn one.

“How does that make you feel, Beth, hearing Skip express his feelings regarding your sex life?” Rather than let the couple descend into arguments months old as was the usual way with frustrated people, she guided the conversation.

Gia saw a great amount of love in this couple. Somehow along their years together they'd lost their way to each other. Watching them unlock their hearts these months was both frustrating and rewarding. Sometimes it was one step forward and ten million back. Other days she just wanted to bang their heads together like that internet meme'now kiss.'

“I feel like...” Beth looked directly at her husband and Gia watched his features change, downshifting into something softer, open and expectant. “I can't live up to what he wants.”

Skip swore. “That's bullshit, Bethie. I want you. Only you. I wish you wanted me instead of making me feel like a fucking predator for needing to hug you or god forbid to have sex with my woman.”

Wow. Breakthrough. She watched on. Her notebook across her lap.

“I do! God. I do. I just—I just hate to disappoint you.”

“Beth …” exhaled Skip and as one they reached for the other’s hand, clasping tightly it was a long few minutes before Gia broke their silence and rallied the conversation again.

By the end of their session she thought they’d taken a great step forward in reconnecting with each other. She showed them out and pencilled them in for next week. The Minksky’s were one of her couples who opted not to be transferred to Leo’s practice, but to have long distance video sessions with Gia instead.

It was well after six when she finally closed her laptop after transferring her notes to hard copy. Gia rubbed at her forehead, a tiny ache behind her eyes building as she placed her reading glasses back in their case and tossed into her purse.

She’d officially seen her last clients in Austin.

It was bittersweet.

On one hand she was so excited to be heading back to Colorado. She missed her big brother and his sweet baby-chops that was her darling and most favorite niece. But she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t a little sad to be leaving behind the practice she’d grown the last few years. She’d be leaving it in good hands, but still, she had an ache in her chest.

And another large reason for her twitching excitement was the man waiting outside for her.

She knew this because he’d texted her “I’m here.” Forty minutes ago.

A man of few words was Hawk and each one thrilled her.

There he was.

Man spreading his gorgeous self on the gray seats along the far wall facing her door. One arm along the back of the chairs, the other dangling on his thigh. His blues lifted the moment she opened the door and the bloom of love in her belly was immense as their gazes clashed, though he didn’t smile, she felt his strong stare all the same licking over her. When Gia managed to drag her gaze from him she noticed her secretary’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head.

She suppressed her giggle.

No wonder he was scowling if he’d had to deal with Caroline’s scrutiny all this time, and god forbid if she tried to talk to him.

“Hi, sorry to keep you waiting.” She offered as he stood to his towering height and once again swept the air out of her lungs with just how big he was. In his usual biker uniform, his shirt today was off gray with the collar of the white tee showing underneath. His jeans were well worn and softly cast to his long legs along with his biker boots, her biker was looking sexy as hell.

It was four days into Hawk's new 'look' and that first sight of him still made her heart thump out of her chest and her pelvis to clench tightly.

Seems he was having the same effect on Caroline who appeared half frozen in place behind her desk as she mouthed to Gia;Oh my god, Gia! Oh, my god, who’s the hottie?While Gia suppressed a grin, Hawk took her book laden satchel out of her hands, swinging it onto his shoulder, next he took her briefcase like he thought that was too heavy for her to carry.

“I could get used to you meeting me at work.” She smiled and wished he’d lean in and kiss her.

Since their talk he’d been … she’d class it asdifferentaround her. Not odd or distance just different. Attentive was a good way to describe Hawk. He took watching her seriously, they’d practically been glued at the hip the last few days and she wasn’t complaining one bit.

But as considerate as he’d been when she’d wanted transporting all over town to finish last minute errands, he hadn’t made any kind of sexual move towards her and she was in a word going hornily-crazy. Not to mention he’d insisted on waiting outside her parent’s house last night even though she’d wanted him to come inside. He’d nodded to her mom at the door and stayed by his bike.

So, would a kiss be so out of the question? She understood his reasons for not taking their relationship … whatever they labelled it … to the next level, he was thinking of her and Gia, horny and desperate could still respect him for it, but she missed his mouth and fingers between her legs.

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