“Please tell me everything,” I whisper and brace myself. “If you’re ready.”
She sits down beside me, holds my hand, and tells me everything.
Everything.
And I’m destroyed.
My choices put her in the clutches of a monster.
“You didn’t do it, Nathan. Mark did. I didn’t know what he was, and neither did you.”
“I should have known,” I spit out, unable to catch my breath—unable to reconcile my emotions. I’ve been feeling sorry for myself for all these years, when she… she…
“Look at me.” She puts her hands on the sides of my face and lifts my gaze to meet hers. “Evil can be very good at disguising itself. But you know what?” She caresses my jawline. “We’re here, and he’s not.”
She leans in and kisses me. Her soft lips open, and I taste her sweetness.
I want her so badly, but I need to stop.
“Crystal, do you need time? What happened… I don’t want to hurt you.”
“What I need is the man I married, the man I love. It’s true I’m still healing. Every day. But he didn’t change me.” She takes my hand. “You’re not him. And I’m still the same woman who lovesyouand wantsyou.”
“But…”
She puts a finger across my lips and slides my hand, which has been resting on her leg, under her dress. “Badly.”
She’s so soft and lovely.
But it’s been a long day and I’m filthy. I can’t touch her like this.
I look at her sheepishly. “I think I need a shower.”
“Okay,” she whispers. “But don’t make me wait too long.” I watch her trail her fingers across her neckline to her chest. Slow. Inviting.
I rush to the bathroom. I’m a mess. What she just shared with me is heavy. I feel guilty for wanting something from her. But she wants it too. We both deserve this, and we deserve to bury the past and never think of that asshole again.
Getting under the stream, I close my eyes and give myself a moment to soak in the hot water. It feels so damn good. Then I think of Crystal’s body and what it felt like to be inside her. I grasp the handle to turn off the water.
The curtain moves, and she steps inside. Naked.
“Oh?” I choke on the word, eyes locked on hers. And then I let my gaze drift.
She motions with her index finger for me to turn around and takes a washcloth and soap from the shower caddy. The spicy fragrance of ginger mixed with sweet vanilla wakes up my senses.
I hold my breath as she works up the cloth until it’s filled with suds. I can hear her, but I can’t see her, and it’s driving me crazy.
She puts the cloth on my back and begins washing, moving in slow circles. I let my shoulders relax and lean back into her touch.
She moves on.
When she reaches the place between my legs, I jerk as intense pleasure surges up my spine.
Unable to stand still, I turn around to see her, her soaked white-blonde hair a darker shade of gold and her blue eyes staring at me.
“Come here,” I rasp. Catching the back of her waist with one palm, I pull her to me and breathe in the pleasure of her soft curves pressed against my body. Taking some soap into my hands, I cup her breasts and knead them, rolling over her nipples with my thumbs. Watching them harden, I push myself against her belly.
She bends her neck back, letting out a sexy moan.
