Finding You

by Kelly Elliott

  Pushing the door to the truck open, I jumped out and headed to toward the blonde.

  I could hear Noah trying to get out of the truck. He probably remembered his pants were undone and that’s why he was further behind than I was.

  Walking up to the steps, I plastered on a fake smile. “Howdy. May I ask who you are and what you’re doing on my front porch?”

  The blonde’s smile faded some, as she quickly looked at Noah who was now coming up behind me.

  “Jade. What in the world are you doing here?”

  Jade. Ugh what a trampy name.

  Jade quickly looked to me and then back to Noah. “Noah, I’ve been trying to locate you ever since I got your letter about your mother.”

  Letter? Holy hell. Noah had talked to her recently? Why didn’t he tell me? What reason would he have keeping it a secret?

  Balling my fists up, I tried not to read into this too much. This is what happened last time. I read the entire situation wrong.

  “Um . . . Jade, what’s going on? Why in the world would you need to track me down?”

  A million things went through my head. She’d had Noah’s baby. Or maybe she had some sexually transmitted disease and she had to tell him about it. Maybe she wanted him back and him sending her a letter gave her hope?

  Jade took a step closer to Noah and asked, “Is there somewhere we can talk . . . alone?”

  Oh, she didn’t. She. Did. Not. That . . . that . . . bitch!

  Keeping my cool, I slowly let out a breath and said, “I’ll just step inside and take care of some things that needed taken care of a few minutes ago.”

  Noah looked at me and went to talk, but shut his mouth quickly. As I made my way to the front door, I pulled out the house key. As I slid it in, Jade began talking. “Wow, you’re still looking hot as ever.”

  Squeezing my eyes shut, I pushed the door open and turned to face Noah. He was staring directly at me, trying to get a read on what I was thinking. His face was blank, like he was just as taken off guard by this woman showing up on our doorstep as I was.

  Shutting the door, I leaned my forehead against it and let out the breath I’d been holding in.

  Turning, I propped myself against the door and slowly slid to the floor as I looked at the engagement ring on my finger.

  Dropping my head back, I whispered, “Please don’t let this all be too good to be true. Please.”

  Noah

  Standing there, I stared at the door. I could see it written all over Grace’s face. Panic. Fear. Uncertainty as to why the one and only other girl I’d ever been with was standing on our front porch. Jeff’s words filled my head.

  “I swear to God, if you hurt my daughter, I’m going to hurt you.”

  Jade had written me a few letters over the years, but after I met Grace, I threw them out. I never even read one after Grace came into my life. Jade was my past and as far as I was concerned, Grace was my future. Even when she pushed me away, my heart belonged to Grace.

  Clearing my throat, I glanced over to Jade and said, “So are you going to tell me why you’re here, Jade?”

  Frowning, Jade shook her head and said, “Is that any way to treat your ex-fiancé? Does she know about us?”

  Pushing both hands threw my hair; I scrubbed them down my face and let out a frustrated moan. “Jade, there is no us, there hasn’t been for years and we were never engaged.”

  “That’s a lie, Noah. You asked me that one night we were at the beach.”

  Letting out a laugh, I couldn’t believe she was holding on to something like this. “Jade, I was drunk for Christ’s sake and it was on a dare. I told you that the next morning. That’s when we decided to go our separate ways.”

  Pointing to me, Jade’s eyes grew dark. “No. That’s when you decided to go your own way and you left me heartbroken.”

  “For fucks sake, Jade. All we ever did was fight; you cheated on me! Do you remember that?”

  “Mistake. It was a mistake, Noah.”

  “Nothing was a mistake. It was all done with the knowledge of what the consequences would be, Jade.”

  Jade took another step closer to me as she let a smile play across her face. “Noah, if you didn’t care about me, why did you send me a letter?”

  Shaking my head, I couldn’t believe what was happening. “Because no matter what happened between us, we were still together for five years, Jade. My mother liked you and you liked my mother. I was only doing the polite thing by sending you the letter to let you know my mother passed away. I sent them to a few people, not just you.”

  Jade’s face filled with disappointment. “Did you read any of the letters I sent?”

  Looking away, I softly spoke, “No.”

  “Not one, Noah. Not one single letter? Why?”

  Blowing air out forcefully from my mouth, I looked back at Jade. “I don’t want to hurt you again, Jade. But you showing up here and doing all of this, you leave me no choice. I didn’t read the letters because there was nothing there for me to read. No matter what you had said in them, it wouldn’t have changed my mind. Once I met Grace, everything changed. She’s my entire world. When I think of my future, I only see Grace.”

  Jade stood a little taller and titled her head some as she stared at me. “I see. Well, this was all just a waste of time. I guess I’ll be getting married this Saturday knowing there will never be an us again.”

  This Saturday she’s getting married? Wow. That poor bastard had no idea what he was getting into.

  “You’re getting married this weekend and you’re standing here asking about us?”

  Jade smiled. “Noah, we were together a long time. You can’t deny we didn’t have some wild and crazy times. I miss you. I had given up hope of us ever getting back together until you sent me that letter. It took courage to seek you out and when I did, the house had been sold and you were gone. I had to find you.”

  Shaking my head, I looked into Jade’s eyes. “Jade, we were young. There isn’t anything there between us. There hasn’t been in a very long time. Maybe you’re just nervous about the idea of getting married.”

  Throwing her head back, Jade laughed. “Trust me . . . I’m going to be set for life, Noah.” Jade took a few steps closer to me as she licked her lips.

  Nothing. I felt absolutely nothing.

  “So you’re sure there’s no chance we can go out to dinner. See if there is anything there that once was?” Lowering her voice she said, “Maybe a roll in the hay for old times sake, Noah?”

  I actually felt sorry for Jade. She clearly didn’t love the man she was engaged to. If she had, she wouldn’t have tried so hard to track me down. Especially when she was getting married in a couple of days.

  “Sorry, Jade. I’m very much in love with Grace.”

  Pursing her lips, she said, “You’re kidding, right? I’m practically throwing myself at you, Noah, and you’re turning me down?”

  “I’m beginning to remember why we broke things off, Jade. I think the best thing for you to do is leave.”

  Swallowing hard, a look of anger moved across Jade’s face before she smiled and laughed. “Now I know why I cheated on you. You always were a bit boring. In and out of bed.”

  My eyes drifted over toward the door as I looked back at Jade. “I guess I was saving the best for the woman I loved and wanted to spend the rest of my life with. The woman I’m marrying in two weeks.”

  Pushing past me, Jade headed to her car, got in and slammed the door shut. She quickly headed down the driveway as I stood there still in shock somewhat that she had even been there.

  The door to the house opened and I quickly turned around to see Grace standing there. She wore a smile so big it caused me to smile.

  Before I could even say a word, Grace jumped into my arms and wrapped her legs around me as she pressed her lips against mine. Walking her back into the house, Grace spoke against my lips. “I’m so sorry. I eavesdropped, but I’m so glad I did. I love you. I love you so much, Noah.”
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  Pushing Grace against the wall, I gazed into her eyes. “You’re the one for me, Grace. You always were and you’ll always be.”

  Grace placed her hand on the side of my face and ran her fingers over my two-day-old stubble. “I’ve changed my mind.”

  “About?”

  The way Grace was looking at me had my stomach doing all kinds of crazy flips. The love in her eyes was the only thing I ever wanted to see there. Licking her lips, Grace said, “Make love to me, Noah. Slowly.”

  Just when I didn’t think I could love this woman anymore than I already did, she proved me wrong. “My pleasure, baby,” I said as I kissed her gently on the lips.

  Taking Grace into our bedroom, I slowly placed her back onto the floor. Just thinking about being with Grace had my pulse speeding up. Taking my time, I undressed her as I took in every inch of her beautiful curvy body.

  “Noah,” Grace gasped as her hands went to my hair. Cupping her breast with my hands, Grace dropped her head back and released a sigh of contentment. “God, you’re beautiful,” I whispered as I took a hard nipple into my mouth.

  Moving my mouth to her other nipple, my hand slowly slid down her stomach as I felt her entire body shudder. Slipping my hand between her legs, I slipped in two fingers as Grace called out my name. “Oh God, Noah.”

  Smiling, I sucked and pulled her nipple until it couldn’t get any harder. The urge to push her against the wall and fuck her hard was a battle I was trying to defeat as I went painfully slow with every move I made.

  “Grace, your body turns me on so fucking much.” I spoke against her ear as I kissed along her neck. Grace’s hips began pumping and grinding as she demanded more from my fingers.

  Smiling, I pulled back and looked into her needy eyes. “You said slowly, baby.”

  Shaking her head quickly, Grace panted out. “Changed. My. Mind.”

  Slowly pulling my fingers out from Grace’s body, she protested by grabbing my ass and pulling me closer to her.

  I was still dressed and wanted desperately to feel my skin up against, Grace’s. But I was going to take this painfully slow. Stepping away from her, Grace jetted her lips out and gave me the cutest damn pout I’d ever seen.

  Attempting to speak without sounding like a fifteen-year-old boy going through puberty, I said, “Lay on the bed, Grace.”

  Biting hard on her lower lip, her eyes raked over my body. “But you’re still dressed.”

  Lifting my shirt up and over my head, I tossed it to the ground as Grace whimpered. I ever so slowly took off the rest of my clothes, never taking my eyes off of Grace. When I slipped my boxer briefs off, my hard dick jumped. Ready for the attention it was about to receive. Grace’s eyes locked onto it as I smiled. I loved the way she looked at me like she would never be able to get enough of me.

  Taking my dick in my hand, I slowly worked it as Grace sucked in a breath.

  “So damn hot,” she whispered as she quickly moved to the bed and sat.

  I knew she wanted to take me in her mouth, but this time, it was all about pleasuring her. Dropping in front of her, Grace’s eyes lit up as I lifted her legs, causing her to fall backward. Leaning up on her elbows she watched my every move as I held her legs up and kissed the inside of her thigh. Ever so slowly making my way to her wet pussy.

  My eyes quickly landed on Grace’s as I smiled and then swiped my tongue across her clit.

  “Oh God!” She called out as her body jerked. She was so turned on I knew it would only be a matter of a few licks and she’d be falling apart.

  “Does that feel good, baby?”

  Grace nodded her head frantically. “More. Noah, for fucks sake, give me more!”

  “My little demanding, Grace.”

  Grabbing my head, Grace took a handful of hair and pushed my face into her. Giving in to her demands, I sucked and licked as Grace let out whimpers and mews.

  “Noah, yes!” Grace trembled as her orgasm rolled through her body. I had to fight like hell to keep from coming at the same time. Grace tasted like heaven and I wanted more than anything to dive back into her.

  “Noah . . . please I need you inside of me.”

  Kissing along her lower stomach, I smiled as I watched goose bumps engulf Grace’s body. Giving more attention to her breasts, I kissed along her neck and finally took her lips with my mouth.

  Grace wrapped her legs around me and pulled me toward her pulsing pussy. I’d never be tired of being with Grace. Every time felt like the first time. I could explore her body for hours upon hours.

  Our kiss turned frantic and the plan to go slow quickly flew out the window as I lined my dick up at her entrance and pushed in fast and hard. Never breaking our kiss, I moved in and out of Grace as if my life depended on it.

  Pulling her lips from mine, Grace captured my eyes and smiled. “Harder, Noah. I want to feel you for the rest of the day.”

  Giving her what she asked for, I grabbed her hips and pulled another orgasm from her as I hit the spot I knew was her undoing over and over. The moment I felt her squeeze on my dick, I exploded. It was almost as if time stopped and I was trapped in a lovemaking euphoria.

  It was paradise.

  Standing at the end of what would be the aisle Grace was supposed to walk down in two hours; I stood there in silence as I listened to everything that had gone wrong since this morning.

  The guy who was delivering the cake tripped, falling on the cake, thus destroying it.

  The florist, who had designed all of the flowers, was in an accident on the way to delivering the flowers. She was okay, but our flowers were spread across the highway. Apparently, there were three cows in the middle of the highway and when she tried to avoid them, she swerved too much and flipped her van. She walked away without a scratch, thank God, but we wouldn’t be having flowers for the wedding or the reception.

  The pastor who was going to do the ceremony was stuck in Austin on the side of the road. His truck overheated and he was waiting on someone to come help him.

  The band that was going to play at the reception all came down with strep throat. Yes. The entire fucking band all had strep. Colt was scrambling to find someone to step in. Jeff and Gunner offered to play a few tunes, but apparently, Grace threw a shoe at both of them when they told her their idea.

  Scrubbing my hands over my face, I asked. “Is there anything else that’s gone wrong?”

  Alex scrunched up her nose and said, “Yes.”

  Grayson was standing next to me as he murmured, “Oh shit.”

  Rolling my eyes, I whispered, “Hit me with it.”

  Alex sucked in a long deep breath as she slowly blew it out. “I called St. Regis to confirm your honeymoon package and they said they didn’t have you coming in until next week.”

  My mouth dropped open. “What?”

  Nodding her head, she said, “Yep. Grace has the confirmation email with the correct dates, but honestly, I’m too afraid to even ask her for it. If she finds out this is going on . . . she may lose her shit. She’s been pretty calm so far.”

  Holy fucking shit. Shaking my head, I said, “It’s like someone doesn’t want this marriage to happen.” Turning slowly, my eyes searched for him.

  Jeff.

  Narrowing my eye, I shot daggers at him.

  Alex hit me on the chest and said, “Stop it, Noah. I see it all over your face and Jeff didn’t do this. Y’all have just had a series of misfortunes.”

  Glancing back at Alex, I said, “Misfortunes? Alex, this is a fucking nightmare.”

  Turning away from Alex and Grayson, I paced back and forth. What could I do to fix this? I wasn’t about to let our wedding day go down like this. Not without a fight.

  Stopping, I let a small smile play across my face. Turning to Alex and Will, I said, “I need to run to Wild Flower.”

  Alex pulled her head back in shock and asked, “Why?”

  Giving her a wink, I started walking backward. “Don’t tell Grace about the honeymoon just yet. Make sure Colt
has the pastor secure and set. Will, Gray . . . I need y’all to come with me. I’m going to need help.”

  Will glanced over to Alex and shrugged his shoulders as Grayson followed me. “I guess we’ll be back in a few”, Will said as he kissed Alex quickly on the lips.

  Making my way to my truck, Grayson grabbed my arm. “Dude, do you have plan?”

  Smiling, I nodded my head. “I have a plan.” Will walked up next to me as I looked over at him. “Will, I need you to go to my house. In my office closet is a guitar case. I need you to get it and bring it back here. Grayson and I are going to get some things from the nursery.”

  Will gave me wide smile as he asked, “A guitar case?”

  Nodding my head, I said, “Yep. That’s what I said.”

  “Okay, I’m on it,” Will said as he took off jogging over to his truck.

  Grayson and I walked up to my truck and got in. Starting my truck, he asked, “Noah, dude, your wedding day is falling to shit and you’ve got Will getting a guitar and we’re headed to a damn flower store. Please tell me you haven’t lost your mind.”

  Turning to Grayson, I gave him a serious look. “I haven’t lost my mind, Gray. I’m giving my bride to be the only thing she said she ever needed.”

  Grayson stared at me for a few seconds before a smile spread from ear to ear. “Holy shit. Dude, you have a determined look on your face.”

  Pressing on the gas, I looked straight and said, “Grace is going to have the best damn wedding day even if it kills me.”

  Letting out a laugh, Grayson let out a hell yeah as we drove toward the nursery.

  Grace

  “What do you mean, Noah left?” I asked as I stood there staring at Alex.

  “He said he had to go take care of something really quick and he’d be back. Grace, let’s just get your dress on.”

  Falling back onto the bed, I didn’t even care if my hair got messed up. It was half up and half down. No one would ever know the difference.

  “Why?” I said as I squeezed my eyes shut. “My wedding day is falling apart before my very eyes and there is nothing I can do about it. Nothing.”