“Miami,” I say.
She nods. “The day we met.”
“Tell me about it…”
An hour goes by as we turn the pages. Crystal tells me each story of my life in such vivid detail, it’s like I’m there, experiencing it.
She tells me stories of my college years in Miami, and how Mark and I were friends first, before we met Crystal. Then she rescued Mark and became my mentee. For a moment, I wonderwhat would have happened if Mark had drowned that day. Fate can be incredibly merciful and cruel.
As we go, she turns back to the pages of the years before we met. Mom. Dad. Maddie—I mean Mads.
And my dreams about Atlantis.
“I’m going to pace out all the big stories—not tell them all at once.” She tells me with a playful smile. Her protectiveness of our memories warms my heart. These photos are treasures to her. Her most valuable possessions.
She’s bringing me hope. Maybe I can relive my life through her memories, even if I can’t reach them myself. Is a distant memory any different from what a great storyteller can create for you?
I’m at war with my mind. She’s already won my heart.
She closes the album. “Whew… maybe that’s enough for now.” Flushed, she looks at me with those eyes of hers. She shifts on my lap, searching for comfort, and instead finds the heat coiled tightly beneath my skin. I’m on fire.
Not thinking about what I’m doing, I pull her toward me and kiss her. Our tongues begin to dance, and she moans my name, which kills me.
“Crystal.” My body reacts instantly. Like muscle memory, I know exactly how to hold her. Pushing my hips into hers, she opens to me with her warmth and her trust. When she sighs in my mouth, I no longer think about all the things I don’t know. I know I want her.
I carry her to my room, gently laying her on the bed. Flat on her back, she pulls the white dress over her head and tosses it. The sight of her kills me. No bra. No panties. God help me.
She’s more gorgeous than I imagined—and I’ve fantasized. With no shortage of opportunities for sexual encounters in Miami, and no lack of desire, I still felt a primal need to remainfaithful. Just because I couldn’t remember didn’t mean there wasn’t someone waiting for me. And it felt important to wait.
But now I don’t want us to wait anymore. Rushing to her, I pull her legs around me. God, she’s so soft and warm. Desperately, I push forward and stop just at her entrance. I want nothing as badly as I want to be inside her right now.
But I freeze.
I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. A wave of guilt washes over me.
This isn’t fair to her. It’s too soon.
What if I take something I can’t give back?
If I could remember one thing. One detail. Her favorite way to be touched, the sounds she makes when I’m inside her, what she looks like when we’ve finished. Something. I don’t just want sex with her. I want to give her all of me.
“Nathan?” Her forehead creases as her gaze searches mine.
“Crystal...” I gently pull the sheet around her and sit, turning my head away.
“I want this. It’s okay…” she says. Sitting up, she lifts her hand to my face, turning me back to her. “Let me give this to you.” Tears fill her eyes. Her hands trace my neck and slide down until she stops at the dip in my neck.
“I can’t do this. Not yet. I’m so sorry.” Heat rushes to my face.
She lets go and puts her finger to my lips, taking a deep breath. Then smiles. “I had so much fun today.”
“Me too,” I say quickly, thankful to push past the awkwardness. My failure.
She glances at the wall. “Oh shoot, I’m almost late for the town hall meeting. Come with me? You can leave when it’s time to pick up Natalie. I’ll get a ride home.”
CHAPTER 18
The Stranger
