Finding You by Kelly Elliott
My head began to spin, and I totally forgot what I was going to say as I climbed on top of her and slowly worked her with my fingers.
“Noah, please, I need to feel you inside of me,” Grace begged. And Grace was not the type of girl to beg.
“I want to play, baby.”
My lips found her tits as I sucked hard on her nipple, making sure to give her other nipple attention with my fingers. Her body trembled and I knew she was close.
“Noah,” she panted between breaths. Moving my lips down, I planted them over her pussy and took what was mine. I sucked and licked Grace to one hell of an orgasm as she grabbed at the sheets and called out my name. I was praying like hell Alex and Will weren’t home.
When her body finally stopped trembling, I positioned my dick at her entrance and slowly pushed in as I let out a moan. “You’re so warm.”
Looking into my eyes, Grace smiled. “I love you, Noah.”
Burying myself balls deep inside her, I let her words settle into my heart. “Mine. You’re forever mine,” I said as I pulled out and pushed back into her with force.
Grace’s eyes turned dark as she bit on her lip and said, “Yours. Now fuck me hard, Noah.”
And fuck her hard I did. Grace and I could make beautiful, slow, passionate love, or fuck like it was the last time we’d ever be together. All of it was amazing and felt like the first time.
Grace was my life.
From this day on, I would do whatever I had to do to keep her happy.
Noah
The day couldn’t have been any more perfect. Grace went to her class while I took care of getting lunch ready. I planned on talking to her about coming back to Austin with me this weekend at lunch. I had a feeling she would, but I wasn’t sure how she would feel about meeting my mother so soon. Time was of the essence though when it came to my mother.
Pulling up to the flower shop, I jumped out and headed in. The door chimed and a blonde girl came walking out from the back of the store.
“Good morning. How can I help you?”
I looked around the flower shop. “I need flowers.”
Letting out a giggle, the clerk said, “Well, you’ve come to the right place. We sell flowers.”
With a quick laugh, I nodded my head. “That you do. I’m setting up a surprise picnic for my girlfriend. I’d like to give her a bouquet of flowers. She is big into flowers and gardening.”
“Okay, well do you know what her favorite flower is?” she asked.
Smiling, I said, “Sunflowers I know for sure. Really any flower. She plans on opening up a flower shop-nursery type place in a few months.”
“Oh, how exciting! I’ve had my little shop here for a few years. Can’t be depressed when you’re surrounded by flowers every day.”
Laughing, I said, “I guess not.”
She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “Okay, well how about if I do a fall color bouquet. I’ll pick some vibrant colors and make the bouquet. I’ll be sure and put a few sunflowers in there as well.”
“That sounds like the perfect plan. Thank you.”
The girl nodded her head as she disappeared again.
Ten minutes later, she came walking out with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. It was huge.
“I got a little carried away,” she said as she handed them to me.
Looking at the flowers, I said, “I’ll say. How much do I owe you?”
Leaning back against the counter, she shook her head. “It’s on the house. Once a day, I do a pay it forward for one of our customers. You’re today’s lucky winner. Just do me one favor?”
I couldn’t believe my ears; was this girl for real? This bouquet would have cost me a fortune had I ordered it online. “Yes, of course I will.”
“Never lose the chance to see something beautiful each day.”
Smiling, I said, “I won’t. And thank you very much. I truly appreciate your kindness.”
Lifting her hand, she waved goodbye. “Have fun, and I hope she likes the flowers.”
Pulling up to Grace’s place, I jumped out and reached in for the flowers. Walking up the stairs, I went to ring the doorbell when the front door opened and Alex stood there with a stunned look on her face.
“She’s on her way.”
Staring at Alex like I had no clue what she was talking about, I said, “What? Who?”
Rolling her eyes, Alex grabbed my shirt and pulled me in. “Grace! She texted me to tell me she was going to surprise you and skip her last class. She’ll be here any minute. But I have to tell you something else.”
That’s when it hit me. I wasn’t done setting up. “Shit! I still need to finish getting everything ready.” Rushing into the house, I made my way to the backyard, where I saw everything had already been set up. Looking to my left, I saw Will with two older guys. One looked familiar.
Very familiar.
Oh shit.
It’s Grace’s dad.
I’m so fucking dead right now.
The other guy walked up to me and smiled. “Hey, assmole. You want to date my Grace?”
Assmole? His Grace?
Looking back at Will, he stood there smiling.
Turning back to the guy standing in front of me, I asked, “Ah . . . I’m sorry. Your Grace?”
Nodding his head, he said again, “That’s right, assmole. Grace is my niece. Jeff said you’re not allowed to have my Grace.”
Turning to Will, I asked in a hushed tone, “Assmole? Did he call me . . . assmole?”
“Daddy? Uncle Matt? What are you doing here?”
Spinning around, I saw Grace standing there with a smile on her face. She glanced to the picnic and then to the flowers in my hand as her face lit up bright, I couldn’t help but smile back as she gazed into my eyes and whispered, “Noah, did you do this?”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
Grace went to talk when her Uncle Matt tapped me on the shoulder. “You like Grace? You want to kiss Grace?”
Grace giggled and looked at Matt. “Oh, Uncle Matt. I missed you!”
Matt smiled. “Can I hug you, Grace?”
Nodding, Grace held open her arms as Matt quickly walked into them and gave her a hard but fast hug. Turning to me, he asked, “Assmole, can I hug you?”
“Um, sure?” I said as I looked around at everyone staring at me. Grace and Will wore smiles, but Jeff looked at me like he wanted to take my head off.
Matt walked up and hugged the hell out of me. He was fucking strong and I was not expecting him to squeeze me so tight. Stepping back, Matt laughed, then turned to Jeff. “Why do you want to hurt him, Jeff? He’s nice.”
My head snapped over to look at Jeff as Grace let out a nervous giggle. “Daddy. What are y’all doing here?”
Not taking his eyes off of me, Jeff said, “We decided to come and surprise you and bring you home for the weekend.”
Grace’s smile faded. Turning to look at me, I swallowed hard. Grace reached for my hand as I scouted the area for places to escape.
“Daddy, you should have called. I’m going to Austin this weekend with Noah. He came today to pick me up.”
Oh God. She’s lying to her father. He’s old fashioned. What would he do if he knew I let his little girl fuck me in the parking lot of Target?
Shit. I’m so dead.
Dead.
I’m pretty sure if I had a head start, I could clear the back fence.
“Is that so? What’s in Austin?” Jeff asked as I looked back at him. Clearly he was waiting for my response. Putting on a smile, I dug down deep inside and said a quick prayer.
Taking a few steps forward, I put my hand out and introduced myself. “Mr. Johnson, I’m Noah Bennet, Grace’s boy—” My voice stopped.
Grace walked up next to me. “Boyfriend,” she finished for me.
Jeff reluctantly took my hand and gave it two quick, but firm handshakes. “Are you unsure of your relationship status with my daughter, son?”
Shaking my head quickly,
Lifting his eyebrow, Jeff asked again, “What’s in Austin?”
Taking a quick look at Will, he gave me a head nod and winked. “My mother and sister. Um . . . you see, my mother is dying of cancer and we’re not sure how much longer she has to live. She would like to meet Grace before . . . before um. Well, before she passes away.”
My heart was pounding in my chest and I wasn’t sure how Jeff would respond. His face relaxed a bit and he stole a look at Grace before looking back at me.
“I’m so sorry to hear that, Noah. That has to be very hard for your family. Your father especially.”
Looking away, I cleared my throat. “My father didn’t stick around when the going got tough, sir.”
Shaking his head, Jeff gave me a polite sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Turning to look at Grace, he asked, “Where are you staying Grace Hope?”
Oh hell. He used her middle name.
That can’t be good.
Grace
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. I was ready to kill my father. Why did he use my middle name? I’m twenty-one years old for Christ’s sake. I don’t have to answer to my father.
“With Noah of course.”
Noah took a small step back as I squeezed his hand.
Daddy slowly nodded his head. “Grace, your family wasn’t aware of you dating anyone. How long have y’all known each other?”
I already lied to him once when I said Noah came to pick me up today, I wasn’t about to continue. “We met my freshman year when Alex and I made a trip to A&M. We’ve dated off and on since then.”
Noah turned to look at me as I kept my eyes steady on my father. Matt was standing next to Daddy and kept repeating, “Oh no. Jeff is mad.”
Daddy turned to Matt and in the same sweet and gentle voice he always used with Matt, he said, “Matt, I’m not mad. I’m . . . concerned.”
Matt laughed. “You’re mad.” Pointing to poor Noah, Matt said, “He’s mad at Noah. Noah, you’re an assmole.”
Noah swallowed hard and answered with what sounded more like a question. “Thank you?”
Will busted out laughing. “Noah, that’s Matt’s way of saying asshole.”
Noah squeezed my hand. “Oh,” he mumbled as my father fought to hold back a smile.
“Daddy, there is no reason to be concerned. Noah and I love each other and this is a big step for us. I would have rather have brought him home to the ranch to meet everyone, but I guess if he had to meet anyone first it should be you. On a surprise visit. Where you interrupted what clearly was going to be a romantic lunch.”
My father balled his fists together as Matt started clapping. “Noah likes Grace and Grace likes Noah!”
“So it seems,” my father spoke between gritted teeth, “how romantic.”
Tilting my head, I glared at my father as I dropped Noah’s hand and placed my hands on my hips.
“Oh shit. This is going to turn out bad . . . for me,” Noah said under his breath.
“Oh I don’t know, Dad. Maybe Noah might have proposed to me.”
My father’s jaw dropped open as he and Noah both asked, “What?”
Smiling, I continued. “Or, maybe some foreplay.”
Noah reached for my arm and gently tugged on it. “Ah . . . Grace what are you doing?”
My father’s face was turning red. “But, if I was really lucky, Alex and Will would have left and I would have gotten screw—”
Noah stepped in front of me and held up his hands. “Okay! Well, since the picnic is no longer, I don’t think we need to talk about it in front of your dad.”
“No. Let’s talk about it. I’m curious to see where this would have led,” Daddy said as he pushed Noah out of the way and stood in front of me.
Shaking my head, I spun on my heels and stormed into the house. I could feel my father following behind me. “Grace Hope Johnson, don’t you walk away from me.”
Stopping, I quickly turned around. “Daddy, I’m a grown woman and you can’t come into my house and start questioning my life.”
My father pulled his head back and laughed. “The hell I can’t. I pay for this house. Therefore, I’m pretty damn sure I have a say.”
Tears threatened to spill, I was so angry.
“Then I’ll leave.”
“Grace,” Noah said from behind my father. Walking up, Noah stepped in between us. “Mr. Johnson, I won’t be the reason for a fight between you and Grace. I love Grace; I’m not going to lie about that. If me being here or Grace coming home with me this weekend makes you uncomfortable, I’ll gladly go ahead and take off.”
My father looked at Noah and nodded. “Bye,” he said as he waved his hand at Noah.
“Dad!” I shouted. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. I’m so angry with you right now. I . . . I have to take a time out!”
Spinning around, I ran upstairs to my room and slammed the door. Taking a quick look around, I saw Noah had a few things in my room. I quickly picked them up and threw them into my duffle bag. If I knew my father, he would be up to talk to me in less than five minutes.
Making up my bed, I turned and sat on the edge and waited.
Almost twenty minutes later, I made my way downstairs. I heard laughter coming from the back yard. Opening the back door, I stood there stunned. Everyone was sitting around the table, eating out of the picnic basket, listening to a story Noah was telling. Alex was sitting on Will’s lap, Matt was between my father and Noah, and my father was popping grapes into his mouth, laughing.
Letting the screen door slam, Noah stopped talking and everyone looked at me. Noah jumped up and made his way over to me. Stopping just in front of me, he placed both hands on my face and smiled that brilliant smile of his. Butterflies danced in my stomach and I wanted to throw myself into his arms.
“Are you okay, baby? I would have come upstairs, but I’m pretty sure your dad would have murdered me.”
Nodding my head, I looked into his eyes. “Did you drug my father?”
Letting out a chuckle as he dropped his hands, Noah shook his head. “No, but we did have a heart to heart.”
My finger came up to my mouth where I began chewing on my nail. Noah pulled it from my mouth. “Was it bad?” I asked.
Giving me another brilliant smile, Noah said, “No. It wasn’t bad.”
“What were you talking about?”
Noah took my hands in his as my heart rate increased. I’d never felt this way with anyone before but Noah. His touch, his smile . . . everything about him had my body reacting in some form. Even my father’s presence hadn’t lessened it any.
Letting out a chuckle, Noah answered. “I was telling them about a time I went on a fishing excursion with my father. It’s pretty amusing.”
My father appeared at Noah’s side. “Hey, pumpkin. You feel like talking now?”
The anger came flooding back. “I guess.”
My father reached his arm out for me to take it. That meant we were going on a walk alone together.
Slipping my hand through his arm, I felt calmed even though I wanted to be angry.
“Walk with me, Grace.”
Nodding my head, I peeked at Noah who gave me a wink.
Daddy and I made our way to the front door. Opening it, I stepped outside and took in a deep breath as I made my way down the stairs. We walked a good block before he finally broke the silence.
“Why didn’t you tell your mother and me about this Noah kid?”
I rolled my eyes and let out a frustrated sigh. “He’s not a kid.”
My father let out a deep laugh. “No, he certainly is not a kid. He’s too good looking, and the way he looks at you pisses me off.”
With a stunned look on my face, I turned to my father. “He’s too good looking? What in the hell does that mean, Dad?”
His shoulders shrugged as he broke our stare and looked behind me. “Guys like that . . . I don’t trust them.”
I slowly shook my he
Piercing my eyes with his, I saw anger building. “I don’t want you getting hurt, Grace. Guys like Noah, good looking and a built guy, he’s going to have girls throwing themselves at him and well . . . well, he might be tempted by them.”
Dropping my hands to my side, I balled them into fists. “Are you for real right now? You’re standing here saying that I’m not good enough to keep a guy like Noah?”
My father jerked his head back in surprise. “I didn’t say that.”
“Yes you did, Dad. You did say that.”
“I’m just saying that . . . that . . . oh God, I don’t know what I’m saying, Grace. I’m a little out of my element here. You’ve only ever dated one guy that I’ve known of and he turned out to be a little prick, and I know there was more to that story that I never got. I show up to surprise you with a trip home and there is some guy setting up a picnic in the backyard and all I can think is—”
My father’s voice cracked as he looked away. Placing my hand on his arm, I asked, “All you can think of is what?”
Slowly turning back to look at me, my father had tears building in his eyes. Sucking in a breath, I asked in a low voice, “Daddy, what’s wrong?”
Swallowing hard, my father closed his eyes. “All I can think of is he’s taking you away from me. The way he looks at you, I see it in his eyes—and yours. He’s taking you from me.”
Feeling my lower lip start quivering, I bit down on it and attempted to hold in my sob. When I felt like I could speak without crying, I gave him a smile. “Daddy, no one is ever going to take me from you. I haven’t mentioned Noah because he and I haven’t been dating for the last year. I was stupid and pushed him away when I realized I loved him, but he came for me. He loved me enough not to give up on me. Daddy, Noah makes me feel so happy and when I’m with him, I feel whole.”
Closing his eyes, my father slowly nodded his head. “Grace, I don’t want you to rush into something. You’ve got so much going for you.”
Giving him a slight push, I said, “I’m not going to ruin my future, Daddy. I promise you.”
“What about Wild Flower, your plans with Alex?” he asked as his eyes searched my face.