Chapter
Reveal & Cover Promo
Finding You
by
Kelly Elliott
 |
Release Date: September
8, 2015
~ Synopsis ~
If Grace Johnson knew one thing at all, it
was that all men were dirtbags.
All men … except Noah Bennet.
“I was lost in his eyes. Lost in his tears.
My goal was to pull him out of the darkness … even if it dragged me in as
well.”
If Noah Bennet knew one thing at all, it
was he needed Grace Johnson.
Needed her … desperately.
“My pain was pulling me under … she was my
only saving grace.”
Grace is willing to put everything on the
line to help bring back the man she is hopelessly in love with. Even if it
costs her the future she’s been longing for.
“If finding you means losing a part of me …
I’ll do it.”
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Chapter One
Grace
I sat in the library as I rolled
my neck around and let out a sigh. My mind had been pre occupied and I couldn’t
afford to not be focused. I’d fallen behind in my classes when Lauren got sick.
Glancing back down at my book, I
tried to read the words on the pages but my mind quickly drifted off to a
memory of Noah and me.
***
Sitting back, I let the sun warm
my face as Noah rowed the canoe.
“So are you going to just sit
there while I do all the work, Grace?” Noah asked in a teasing voice.
“Yep,” I said with a smile.
Keeping my eyes closed, I could
tell he had turned directions. Trying not to smile, I asked, “Are you getting
tired, Noah? Was last night to much for you?”
Noah chuckled. It was the first
night I’d stayed over at his apartment he shared with one other guy who also attended
A&M. I wasn’t sure why I was keeping how close Noah and I were getting away
from everyone. Maybe it was my way of keeping this relationship distant from my
real world. That or I didn’t feel like answering Alex, Lauren, and Libby’s
constant questions.
Whatever my reasons were, I
pushed it from my mind.
“Baby, you could never be to
much.”
Opening my eyes, I tilted my head
and gave Noah a sexy smile. As hard as I tried to keep from falling in love
with him, I fell deeper every moment we spent together.
“Is that a challenge?” I asked as
I leaned forward, making sure to squeeze my arms together so my breasts showed
just the right amount of cleavage since I only had a tank top over my swimsuit.
Lifting his eyebrows, Noah
glanced over to the shore. When I looked over my shoulder, there was a small
path. Noah paddled us over and jumped out. Reaching his hand out for mine, I
placed it softly in his. The rush I got just from his touch about caused me to
let out a moan. Stepping up onto the shore, I watched as Noah pulled the canoe
up and grabbed my hand.
Leading me down the path, he
pushed me against a tree and smiled at me.
“That is indeed a challenge.
Let’s see if you can keep up with me now, Grace.”
My heart dropped to my stomach as
I fought back those three words.
Lifting me up, Noah pushed his
hard dick into me as I gasped. Desire pulled in my lower stomach and I was
ready for anything Noah was going to give me.
Except for the three little words
he was clearly not afraid to say.
“I love you, Grace.”
My mouth parted open slightly as
I whispered back, “I love you too, Noah.”
***
My phone buzzed on the table,
pulling me from my memory. Glancing
down, I saw it was Alex.
Alex:
Hey. I’m finished with classes today. Want to go grab some food?
Me:
Where’s your hubby?
Alex:
Sleeping. We both have been trying to get caught up on classes.
Letting out a laugh, I nodded my
head at my phone.
Me:
I love Lauren, but she screwed this semester up!
Alex:
Right? So food or not? I’m starving and my baby wants food.
Me:
I’ll meet you at Fuego’s.
Alex:
Yes! I was hoping you’d say that. See you there in a few.
Smiling, I stood and gathered up
my books. Turning to head out of the library, I came face to face with Doug
Richards.
“Hey, Grace.”
My eyes traveled over his body as
I suppressed the moan I wanted to let out. Damn he was fine as hell and it had
been to long since I’d had sex. My mind had been filled with memories of Noah
and I was horny as hell.
Noah.
Pushing all thoughts of Noah
away, I smiled as I quickly gave my lower lip a seductive bite and purred,
“Hey, Doug.”
Doug’s eyes lit up. I’d always
been friendly with Doug, but this was the first time I’d ever put a little bit
of something more into my normal Oh hey Doug how’s it going.
Seeing Noah at the hospital with
his new wife only proved to me that I needed to move on. I couldn’t shake the
way Noah had looked at me though. I swear I saw the same look in his eye as I
saw the first night he made love to me. Actually, the first time he ever looked
at me I saw the passion.
“Plans for tonight?” Doug asked
as he ran his fingers lightly up and down my arm. My body shook with the idea
of being with someone. I needed a good hard fuck to pull me out of this funk.
What would one mindless one-night stand do?
It would at least ease the throb
between my legs. I’d gone through to many vibrators. I was ready for the real
thing.
Licking my lips, I winked. “I
believe you’re picking me up around eight? Taking me to dinner and then a
little bit of … dessert afterwards.”
The smile that spread across
Doug’s face caused me to smile. “I like that plan.”
My eyes roomed his body as they
landed on his lips. Hopefully he was a good kisser. He had big shoes to fill.
Reaching into my purse, I took
out a pen and grabbed Doug’s arm as I wrote down my address. “See ya at eight
handsome.”
The second I turned to walk away
I wanted to spin around and tell him to forget it. That I forgot I had plans
with a friend. Worry my lip, I continued to walk toward the exit door.
No, Grace. It’s time to move on.
What I needed was one evening of pure fun and Doug was the one who was going to
provide it. Noah was married and I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself.
What we had shared was amazing and I let it spoke me. I pushed away the only
man I’d ever truly loved.
It was time to move on.
Tonight I was getting laid.
***
“What do you mean you have a
date?” Alex asked with a stunned look on her face.
I took a bit of my taco and
shrugged my shoulders. “You know, Alex. That thing you do when you’re single
and haven’t had normal sex in I don’t know how long. Even my vibrator wants me
out of the house.”
Alex giggled as she quickly
looked around. “You’re terrible, Grace Hope Johnson.”
Shrugging my shoulders, I said,
“Hey, you’re getting dick every night. I wonder if I should get a Brazilian
wax?”
Laughing, Alex shook her head.
“That was random as hell.”
“I just got to thinking, I think
I want my hoo-ha to smooth for tonight.”
Alex started choking on her taco.
“What? Grace, you can’t do that today and then have sex tonight?”
Pulling my head back in a shocked
expression, I asked, “Why not?”
“Have you ever had anything waxed
on your body before?”
Tilting my head, I thought about
it. “Nope, I can’t say that I have.”
Leaning in toward the table, Alex
motioned for me to come closer. “Grace, it hurts like hell to get waxed for the
first time. I don’t think you want your hoo-ha to be tortured before you dive
back into the whole sex thing again. I mean I get the whole, I just want
mindless sex thing, but do you really want to mistreat her like that all in one
day?”
About to state my case, I heard
someone clear her throat. Alex and I both turned to see a mom staring at us
with her daughter sitting there with her mouth dropped to the table. Smiling, I
said, “I’m not going to have mindless sex tonight … well actually I am but I
always use protection and… ouch!” I called out as I felt a stabbing pain in my
shin from where Alex kicked me. Turning back to her, I yelled, “What the hell,
Alex?”
Alex eyes were widened as she
shook her head. “Grace, stop talking.”
The mother stood and motioned for
her daughter to follow as Alex sat back and moaned, “Great, some mother I’m
going to be.”
Letting out a laugh, I shook my
head and said, “You’re going to be a kick ass mother. Just like Ellie. Hey, so
we never really got to talk about how your parents and Will’s parents reacted
to the big baby news.”
Alex, shrugged her shoulders. “I
think they were all in shock. My father biggest worry was school. I’m so glad
we’re all graduating this December.”
Taking a bite of my taco, I
nodded my head. “Yeah, I’m glad too.” After swallowing the taco, I worried my
bottom lip. I had been trying to figure out how to ask Alex if she had changed
her mind about our plans.
Alex reached across the table and
took my hand in her hand. “The baby doesn’t change anything, Grace. I want to
still follow our dream of opening up Wild Flower. We’ve been dreaming of
opening a flower nursery for years. Nothing is going to change that.”
I instantly felt my body relax.
Our whole focus throughout school had been to open a nursery between
Fredericksburg and Mason. The news of Alex having a baby had scared the piss
out of me. Smiling, I said, “I’m not going to lie, I thought I might be doing
this on my own and I was scared as hell.”
Letting out a chuckle, Alex shook
her head. “No way. Will and I have already talked about it. I fully intend on
pursuing our dream, Grace.” Shrugging her shoulders, she said, “Besides, we
will own the place! I can bring the baby. She learn to dig in the dirt probably
before she learns to walk.”
Sitting up straighter, I let out
a gasp. “Oh my gosh! We can build a little baby nursery besides your office. I
mean, I’m sure y’all will have more kids in the future. I bet my dad or your
dad could easily add that into the design. Move that storage space somewhere
else.”
Alex’s eyes lit up as she nodded
her head. “Grace, that’s a great idea! This will be perfect for both of us.”
Narrowing my eyes, I let out a
confused chuckle. “How is a baby room perfect for me?”
Giving me a sly smile, Alex said,
“For when you have kids.”
Nearly choking on my tea, I held
up my hands. “Whoa! Whoa! Holy hell woman! Don’t even speak such words. This
girl has no plans for kids in the near future. Fuck, I’m not even having sex and
the last time I checked … you can’t get knocked up from a vibrator.”
Alex looked around as she put her
finger up to her lips. “Why do you have to talk so loud?”
“Why do you have to say such
things? My God! There is already something in the water with you and Libby both
getting pregnant. I’m sure Lauren is probably going to be announcing something
in the next few months. Well … no thank
you. I’m not having kids any time soon.”
Alex’s eyes looked sad. “Grace,
do you not want kids?”
My heart instantly hurt as I
plastered on a fake smile. “Someday I’m sure I’ll want kids. Right now it is
the furthest thing from my mind. All I want right now, Alex, is to move on and
have a good time.”
“Grace, I talked to Noah the day
Lauren got out of the hospital. He desperately needs to talk to you.”
Swallowing hard, I fought to hold
back my tears. “W-what did he say?”
Shaking her head, Alex said, “He
asked how Lauren was and then for your number. I gave it to him. He said he
needed to talk to you.”
Feeling my entire body start
shaking, I quickly stood up. “Why would you give him my phone number, Alex?
He’s married for Christ’s sake! Besides, it’s been over two weeks since Lauren
left the hospital. He must not be that desperate to talk to me. Damn it, Alex.
Why did you give him my number?”
Alex motioned for me to sit down.
“Grace, just give me one second to explain.”
Grabbing my food and drink, I
glared at Alex. “I have to go, I have to head home and grab a book a forgot and
head to class.”
“Grace! Let me finish talking!”
Alex called out.
Racing to the door, I pushed it
open and quickly dragged in the fresh air. Glancing at my watch, I sighed. I
was going to be late for class now. Quickly making my way to my car, my phone
buzzed. Pulling it out of my purse, I saw it was Alex.
Alex: I didn’t mean to upset you.
It’s just he seemed desperate. You really need to talk to him, Grace.
Rolling my eyes, I threw my purse
and phone onto the passenger seat and headed back to the house I shared with Alex
and Will. Now that Luke, Libby, Lauren, and Colt had moved out it seemed cold
and empty all the time. Even when they did live there, I spent more time at
Noah’s place than I did at home. Well, at least I did until I freaked out and
pushed him away.
Wiping my tears away, I
concentrated on thinking about nothing but my date tonight with Doug. I’ll deal
with Alex later. Right now I needed to push Noah Bennet far from my memory. I
needed to move on and this date tonight was long over due.
*Subject to change before publishing* Unedited version*
Copyright Kelly Elliott 2015
~ About the Author ~
She’s also a mom
to an amazing daughter who is constantly asking for something to eat while her
fingers move like mad on her cell phone sending out what is sure to be another
very important text message.
In her spare
time she loves to sit in her small corner overlooking the Texas hill country
and write.
One of her
favorite things to do is go for hikes around her property with Gus....her chocolate
lab and the other man in her life, and Rose, her golden retriever. When Kelly
is not outside helping the hubby haul brush, move rocks or whatever fun chore
he has in store for her that day, you’ll find her inside reading, writing or
watching HGTV.
~ Connect with Kelly ~
Facebook ** Twitter ** Website ** Amazon Author Page ** Goodreads
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