Chapter fifty-eight
The Oasis
Summer 1923
Summer returned, so did she.
C arlos was already there waiting, like he said he would be. She ran to him, laughing with tears in her eyes. He caught her without hesitation, holding a little tighter, like he couldn’t believe she was really back.
They fell back into each other like no time had passed. She was a little older and a little taller, but everything else was the same.
The same pond.
Same trees.
Same girl, and the same boy.
They swam in my pond and chased each other through my grass. The sunlight was a little softer, and the wind blew a little gentler just for them.
She talked like she always did, and he listened with a smile on his face like he could listen to her forever.
The days passed, and they fell deeper into each other. Their kisses lingered longer, deeper, slower, and full of emotions they were yet to understand.
One afternoon after swimming in my pond, they lay together onto the grass. She propped herself on one elbow, her finger drew lazy circles on his chest, and her damp hair curled against his skin.
Carlos watched with a smile that lit his whole face like he couldn’t help himself. He was completely in awed with her.
“You’re not so grumpy anymore,” she teased, tracing his smiles with her thumb.
He huffed, pretending to be offended, but there was no heat behind it.
Before she could laugh, he flipped her gently on her back. She squealed, giggling, but when she looked up at him, her laughter caught somewhere in her throat.
Carlos hovered above her, his eyes roaming her face like he was memorizing every line, every freckle, every breath.
“You’re trouble, Catalina.” He knew then that this girl had stolen his heart.
He leaned down and kissed her, slow, deep, and aching, pouring everything he wasn’t sure he should say into that kiss.
She kissed him back just as fiercely, her fingers threading through his damp hair, pulling him closer until there was no space left between them.
“I want you,” she whispered between them.
Carlos froze before pulling back enough just to see her. “Cata…” He swallowed hard. “We don’t have to—”
“I’ve never done it before, but I want it to be with you.” Her voice trembled a little.
He hesitated for a second.
“Please, carino (sweetheart), make me yours,” she said breathlessly.
“Dios mío (my God), Cata,” he whispered, closing his eyes for a second.
When he opened them, the look on her face undid him. Her eyes were so wide, so innocent, yet so sure. Her lips were kissed bruised and trembling, not from fear, but from want.
She wanted him.
And the truth was he wanted her, too, even though he knew he shouldn’t. If her dad ever found out, he would kill him without hesitation.
But how could he say no?
“Are you sure, Cata?” He pressed his forehead against hers.
“I’m sure,” she breathed out, threading her fingers into his damp hair.
“Okay, I’ll go slow. Stop me at any time,” he whispered, and she nodded.
His lips found hers again, and he touched her like she was something precious. He explored the curves of her body, and his eyes searched hers for reactions.
She responded to him with trembling sighs and soft moans, and he kissed them from her lips.
When he finally sank into her the first time, they both stopped breathing. It was too much and not enough at the same time. Even the world seemed to pause, like it was stepping away to give them privacy. The sunset spilled across the sky, painting everything in soft golden light.
They’d never felt anything like this before, the way everything inside them cracked open and made room for the other. He gave her time for her body to adjust, kissing her through it, her temple, cheeks, and the tip of her nose.
When he finally moved, he closed his eyes, swallowing hard against the sound that threatened to escape him. Catalina let out a broken gasp. He whispered apologies between soft sighs.
And afterward, when she curled into him, her hair damp against his chest and his arms wrapped around her like a shield, he pressed his lips to the top of her head and whispered, “I love you.”
She tilted her head to look at him. “I love you, too.” She smiled back at him, meaning every word.
She never felt freer than she did at that moment. No duty, no obligation. Just a girl who loved a boy, and he loved her back.
If their love was enough, they would have had forever.
Maybe they still would.
If it wasn’t in this lifetime, maybe in the next.
Until then, I’ll hold this memory for them.