The drive to Sylvan Lake is stunning. The Black Hills rise around us, a sea of green punctuated by towering rock formations. Krystal leans back in her seat, her face turned to the sun streaming through the window. The sight of her, relaxed and happy, eases some of the tension in my chest.
"Tell me about your family," I say, desperate to focus on something other than my own tangled mess.
Krystal's smile falters for a moment. "Not much to tell. It's just me and my mom, really. She raised me and my siblings on her own after my dad left."
I nod, encouraging her to continue. She talks about her childhood in Georgia and about her mother working multiple jobs to keep food on the table. As she speaks, I'm struck by the strength in her voice, the pride.
"What about you?" she asks. "What's your family like?"
I grip the steering wheel tighter, choosing my words carefully. "Complicated. My parents are still together, but... it's not exactly a warm and fuzzy situation. My dad's always focused more on the family business than us kids."
It's not a lie, but it's far from the whole truth. I wait for Krystal to push and ask for more details, but she just nods as if she understands perfectly.
We arrive at Sylvan Lake, and for a moment, all thoughts of family and secrets are pushed aside. The lake is a mirror, reflecting the sky and the surrounding rocks perfectly. Krystal gasps, her eyes wide with wonder.
"It's beautiful," she breathes.
I watch her take it all in, and something shifts inside me. I want to give her this - moments of beauty and peace. I want to be the one to make her eyes light up like that.
We spend the afternoon hiking around the lake, talking and laughing. It's easy with Krystal, in a way things haven't been easy for me in a long time. She tells me more about Ashanti and the challenges of raising a daughter on her own.
I find myself sharing stories from my time in the Marines, carefully edited to avoid mentioning anything that might hint at my family's wealth or influence.
As the sun starts to dip lower in the sky, we return to the truck. I can't stop looking at her—the way the fading light catches in her hair, the curve of her lips as she smiles.
We reach the truck, and suddenly, Krystal's there, pressing me against the door. Her lips find mine, hungry and insistent. Irespond immediately, my hands sliding down to grip her hips, pulling her closer.
The kiss deepens, and I lose myself in the taste of her, the feel of her body against mine. My hands roam over her curves, memorizing every dip and swell. Krystal moans into my mouth, the sound sending a jolt of desire straight through me.
I spin us around, pressing Krystal against the truck. My lips trail down her neck, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin. She arches into me, her fingers tangling in my hair.
"Shane," she gasps. "We're in the open."
"I don't give a fuck," I growl against her skin. "I need you. Now."
I fumble with the tailgate, managing to get it open. We tumble into the bed, a tangle of limbs and desperate touches.
My hands find the buttons of her shirt, quickly undoing them. The fabric falls open, revealing her soft brown skin. I cup her breasts, my thumb brushing over a nipple.
Krystal whimpers, her back arching. I bend down, capturing her nipple between my lips. I suck and flick my tongue, savoring the sounds of her pleasure. Krystal's hands tug at my shirt, and I help her remove it, our bodies pressed together once more.
Then I take a moment to drink in the sight of Krystal beneath the stars, naked and wanting beneath me. She's beautiful, with smooth skin and soft curves.
I want to worship every inch of her.
This is how I want to remember her—flushed and wanting, her skin warm and inviting beneath my touch. I move down, unbuttoning her jeans and sliding them off along with her panties.
Kneeling between her legs, I can see how wet she is, glistening in the fading light.
I lean in, my tongue tracing over her slit. Krystal's hips buck, a moan escaping her lips. I delve deeper, licking and sucking,relishing the taste of her on my tongue. Her fingers grip my hair, holding me in place.
"Fuck, Shane. Yes!"
Her voice is ragged with need, and it only fuels my own. I slide two fingers inside her, curling them just right.
"God, you taste good," I murmur against her skin. "I want you coming on my tongue."
I lick and suck, my fingers working in rhythm with my mouth. Krystal's gasps turn into cries, her thighs trembling around my head. I can feel her tightening around me, the pressure building.