Seeking Me To Find You (Finding You Series Book 1) (29 page)

The meeting with
Rory was so cathartic for them both. After about ten minutes, I knew I had to step out so they could heal in private. As I was giving them their time, I reflected on everything that had transpired over the past couple of months. Looking back, I had fallen in love with Grace the moment she challenged me about me dragging a dog, my dog, off her property. I never imagined that this beautiful creature would turn my world on its end, making me search within to heal things from my past in order to make her my future.

As I am driving her home, I reach over and take her hand into mine. Giving it a gentle squeeze, I silently reassure Grace that I will always be there for her.

“Jackson, before we go home, can we go somewhere private to talk?”

Knowing the perfect place, I simply answer, “Yes.”

I drive down Old Highway 101 where I find a small turn off that leads to trails that will take us out to picturesque sandstone bluffs that over look the Pacific Ocean. Once we park I help her out, grabbing my backpack. We proceed down to a secluded area.

Looking around in awe, she says, “This is so majestic. I’ve only seen views like this in pictures.”

I clear a spot which is at a safe distance from the bluffs edge. I grab the poncho liner from my backpack I keep for emergencies and place it on a cleared space on ground. I look over and notice Grace admiring the rocky beach below. It is pretty much secluded except for two surfers heading out to seek their perfect wave.

I take a seat and wait for her to gather her thoughts. After a few seconds, Grace comes over, sitting directly in front of me.

“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me the past couple of weeks.”

“It was my pleasure.”

“I know that but I don’t know why. When you said that you couldn’t do us, do this, I thought that you were done with me. That you didn’t care.”

Taking her hand, I explain, “Grace, I got scared. My feelings for you were so intense, I started second guessing everything. In my life experiences, if it’s too good to be true then it probably is. When I started going back to work, it became more and more difficult for me to give you what I thought you needed.”

“What did you think I needed that I wasn’t already getting?”

“You needed someone to be there with you more than an hour a day. You needed someone that was fully invested in you and not his career. I felt I was cheating you out of everything that you deserved.”

With this said, Grace becomes agitated.

“So you made the decision just to walk away instead of talking with me? Don’t you see how selfish that was of you?”

“Yes, but now I think I’m being selfish because I want you to be with me always because I can’t live without you.”

The awe that spreads across her face deepens my feelings.

“Jackson, I know that for the next six months your schedule will be semi-normal. What happens when you go back to your regular duty?”

“Between conversations with my Sergeant Major and my mom, I discovered that I was hiding behind my career. I can just make different choices that will keep me home more.”

“Jackson, I never asked you to make a choice.”

Drawing her closer, I whisper, “I know, but in looking at my choices, I choose you. Every time, I choose you.”

Grace slowly leans in for a kiss but I divert her, quickly standing up and pulling her with me. I gather up our belongings and head back to the truck.

“Where are we going?” Grace calls from behind.

“Home so that I can make love to you.”

*

As soon as
we get back to her place, I scoop her up and carry her upstairs. The look on Thor’s face as I close the bedroom door, barring him from entry, is priceless. I now understand where they get the term “puppy dog eyes”.

When I turn around, Grace walks up to me. She starts to slowly unbutton my shirt, kissing my chest after freeing each button.

I start to reach for her and she pulls back.

“If we’re going to make a go at this relationship again, you’re going to have to learn to let me take control sometimes. Yes, it’s nice to be taken care of by your man, but sometimes a woman needs to let her man know just how much she appreciates all he does for her.”

After Grace strips me of my shirt, she aims for my jeans. She slowly pulls them down, divesting them from my body. With an audible gasp, she has learned that sometimes this Marine goes commando. Slowly, Grace brings my hardened shaft to her soft lips. As she keeps direct contact with my gaze, she skims her mouth against the head while moving her hand up and down my length. Drawing her mouth away, she takes her thumb and swirls the tip with the moisture that has beaded. Once again, she claims a tight grip at the base. Grace takes me into her mouth, deeper this time, until her lips meet her fist. Watching her move her delicious mouth in rhythmic timing with her hand drives me wild. I try to calm myself so this does not end too soon, but she starts licking and sucking me as if I was an ice cream cone.
Holy Fuck!

I break our eye contact for a brief second and feel her withdraw from me. Grace stands before me and pushes me onto the bed. I’m lying on my back as she starts to slowly strip. Seductively, Grace climbs across the bed and straddles my body. Leaning forward, she plants a soft kiss on my lips. As she comes back down, she takes my straining erection and directs it to her entrance. Easing down on me inch by inch shatters me. Grabbing her hips, I guide her up and down while she pants my name. Realizing that she has ceded control, I swiftly pull out and flip her over onto the bed. Opening her to my mouth, I savor all the delectable juices that are flowing. Grace tightly grips my hair, bringing me deeper into her core. When I sense she is on the verge of coming I pull back, making her beg for more.

At my loss, Grace whimpers, “Please.” Knowing that I could never ignore her pleads, I hover my body over hers. She runs her delicate hands over my chest and down my arms. As I gaze into her eyes, I realize that I could never live without her. I want to spend the rest of my life pleasing her with everything her heart desires.

Smoothing her hair from her face, I lean in and place a single kiss to her lips. “I love you, Grace.”

Immediately her eyes well up with tears. “I love you too, Jackson.”

With that, I made love to the woman that I’ll love forever.

*

Several weeks have
gone by which has helped to solidify our relationship. Due to our schedules, Sam has invited us to come to L.A for the Thanksgiving holiday. Grace is still a little guarded when it comes to Sam, but in time I know they’ll work things through.

Today I’ve decided to take Grace out for a little paddle. One thing about Southern California, the weather doesn’t have huge variations. That’s why today, the weekend before Thanksgiving, we can enjoy the outdoors while wearing a light jacket.

As I am checking the ties on the kayak Grace comes walking up, placing a good morning kiss on my cheek.

“Are you sure I don’t need anything other than an extra set of clothes and my sunscreen?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Throwing her bag in the passenger seat, Grace comes back around to finish helping me.

“Jackson, are you okay?”

Looking down at her, I can see that she is deeply concerned.

“Grace, you worry too much.”

Putting her hands on her very fine hips she says, “That’s my job and you better get used to it. You’ve been pulling weird hours lately and I know that you have to be exhausted. We can stay home if you want.”

The past week I have filled in for fellow Marines who have had to be out due to various reasons. I try to help out whenever I can, knowing that they would return the favor if ever I was in need.

“Grace, it’s a beautiful day and I just want to get out.”

Securing the last strap, we head out for the day.

*

Once we get
to the beach, we find that it’s rather balmy. The surf is rough which causes excellent conditions for the surfers, but there’s no way it’s safe enough for us to go out.

“Grace, I know that we planned on going out paddling today but the surf seems too volatile. Would you settle for a hike?”

Grabbing her pack, she says, “Let’s go.”

The trail at Doheny is not really a trail you can “hike”. The trail is virtually level but has awesome ocean views. My plan is to hike from the marina down to the south end of the beach. Most people choose the opposite route because they like to end with a picnic near the marina.

As we are walking, we fall in a normal pattern. She always lags behind me stopping for anything that peaks her interest. Every once in a while I will stop and wait for her to catch up. I believe this is my favorite part. When Grace realizes that I’m waiting for her she quickly jogs up to me. She throws her arms around my neck, giving me a quick kiss. Then we set off farther down the beach.

I get to the entrance of Capo Beach and patiently wait for Grace. She has stopped, yet again, to watch a pod of dolphins playing in the surf. This time I go to her. As I reach her, I can tell she is in awe of her surroundings. I stand behind her, bringing her into my arms. She tilts her head to the left, exposing the silky skin on her neck. Bending down, I place gentle kisses following her shoulder up to her ear.

“How about we set up our picnic on the beach?” I whisper into her ear.

“Sounds like a plan.”

*

As we’re eating,
we discuss the plans for the holiday. We decide to leave Wednesday evening after I get off of work. Silence befalls us as we sit watching the surfers take on some impressive waves. I grab my backpack. As I rummage through it, Grace becomes curious.

“Whatcha looking for?”

As I delve deeper, I start throwing crap out left and right.

“Jackson, what is wrong?”

Continuing to chuck things, I hear a gasp. I turn around and see that Grace is walking towards the small, black velvet box I was desperately searching for. Looking up at me in confusion, she bends down and picks it up. She extends her hand placing the box into mine. As I come to one knee, Grace covers her mouth in disbelief.

Gazing upward to her beautiful face I begin, “Grace, from the first moment that I thought you were going to call the cops on me for trying to drag off my own dog, I’ve loved you.”