Finding You (Chikalu Falls, #1)

by Lena Hendrix

“Didn’t mean to scare you,” he said in his deep grumbly voice, his mouth so close to me, his breath touched my ear. “I just figured you might need a boost.”

I wanted to know what Lincoln felt like in bed. I fantasized that he was a generous lover, unlike any I’d been with before. I imagined him being assertive, overcome with his desire, and taking me, knowing I wanted it just as badly as he did.

Watching Jo the way I was certainly wasn’t very honorable, but she held my gaze as she took a long drink of water, and right then I knew. I would risk everything to be with her.

Love when they both into each other but like the tension is still building

Growly, protective Lincoln was quickly becoming my new favorite thing.

“No one calls me Joanna,” I said breathlessly as my heart pounded in my chest. “But you are my Joanna, aren’t you?” he said, his voice gravely with desire, searching my face for some answer.

“Mmmmmm,” I said, closing my eyes. This was the world’s most delicious burrito, I was sure of it. “Careful with those noises,” Lincoln whispered deeply, his voice at my ear.

Damn. I was pretty sure he’d ruined me forever. How could you top spontaneous, rough-in-the-best-way, toe-curling sex like that?

There was an overwhelming desire to protect her taking root inside of me, and I wasn’t sure what to do with that.

‘Nothing you could ever do.’

Tattoo he has to remind him of his dad, legit made me cry. His dad used to say there is nothing you could ever do to make me love you any less

“Well, we’re lucky this town loves him.” He jerked his head in my direction. “No one in that bar is talking…at all. You beat the shit out of two people in the middle of the day with a dozen witnesses, but when I came in to ask questions, most people acted like they didn’t know what I was talking about.”

“Well, all right.” Colin walked up next to me with a smile, slapping a hand down hard on my shoulder. “I’ll get shit cleaned up here. You go get your girl.”

The past several weeks flickered through my mind. The shotgun bubble of her laughter at her own terrible jokes, her fingertips dragging a tingling path up my forearm as she read her book, the way her face lit up when she reeled in a monster fish, how she hummed—completely off-key—to any song she half knew. Everything about her was painfully perfect.

He loves her

I felt the sharp burn of the liquor, but it soon gave way to emptiness. It was the emptiness of missing Joanna, I realized, and it would eat into my bones and stay with me forever.

Dude go fucking get her

Mom still lived in our childhood home where she spent her days gardening, baking, and volunteering at the Chikalu Women’s Club. She had a line on every bit of gossip in this town, so I knew I’d have to face her sooner or later over what went down in Colin’s bar. She poured homemade lemonade into two slim glasses, taking a sip from one and setting the other in front of me. “So…you’ve been the talk of the town.” I guess we’re getting right fucking to it then.

I love his mom already

“And what happened with that sweet girl, Jo?” Sitting in her kitchen made me feel sixteen again. “I don’t really want to talk about it.” “Well, I didn’t ask if you wanted to talk about it, did I?”

Yep. Love the mom she’s fucking hilarious

Apparently, being a successful adult male didn’t make you need your mom any less.

Yes omg

“It was bad. I hardly got the words out and he was flying out of the office. I didn’t see him until later that night, and he looked awful. I guess Colin had to pry him off the guys.” “That’s kind of hot.” A devilish grin spread slowly across my sister’s face.

Can’t wait for honeys book

“I’ve been finding little things—flowers, the firewood, treats for Bud. I do not understand him.” “He’s in love with you, idiot.”

“Joanna,” I growled when she crashed into me.

Her eyes met mine again, but this time, surprise was replaced with fire. There’s my warrior. My heart galloped in my chest.

After accidentally-on-purpose running into Joanna outside of the coffee shop, I spiraled deeper into chaos.

“All right, well, if you’re going to pull the whole ‘mopey zoo lion’ thing, I’m going to need another drink.” Finn signaled to our server for another round. “I’m not moping,” I lied.

“You thinking that I had some claim on her is just an excuse. An excuse to punish yourself for feeling anything real. For believing that you’re unworthy of love.”

Honey’s voice softened at my confession, but her words were daggers. “Well, you better not fuck this up again or I’ll have your head on a platter.”

Honey tipped her head, peering over her sunglasses. “Who is that?” I smiled. I had wondered how long it would be until she noticed Colin. “That’s Lincoln’s friend Colin. He owns the bar in town.”

“Mmmm.” She licked her lips and shimmied her shoulders. Well, Colin was in trouble.

I need you to know that I will carry you with me for the rest of my life. I won’t see another wildflower or hear another sad country song and not think of dancing with you in the kitchen.

Joanna, my heart beats to the rhythm of yours and the best thing to ever happen to me was finding you.

The diamond was probably a little big, but I was going to marry the fuck out of that girl and everyone was going to know it.