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.”
*Subject
to change before publishing* Unedited version*
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.
Copyright Kelly Elliott 2015
Kelly is married to a wonderful Texas cowboy who has a knack for making her laugh almost daily and supports her crazy ideas and dreams for some unknown reason...he claims it's because he loves her!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.
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