Untouched Perfection
a Timeless Love Novel
by
Kristin Mayer
* * * *
Untouched Perfection
Copyright © 2017 by Kristin Mayer
Published by K. Mayer Enterprises, INC.
Cover Design: Sommer Stein with Perfect Pear Creations
Interior Designer: JT Formatting
Editor: Jen Matera at Write Divas
Editor: Nichole Strauss with Perfectly Publishable
ISBN-13: 978-1-942910-21-3
All rights reserved.
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products, bands, and/or restaurants referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Visit my website:
http://www.authorkristinmayer.com/
This book is dedicated to Paul, the love of my life.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Thank You
Other Books by Kristin Mayer
Prologue
The streets of Paris were bustling as we left the Catacombs. I welcomed the warm air after having been chilled underneath the city with the dead for nearly an hour. I always welcomed the heat since I lived in Florida.
As we moved down the street, the images of the skulls stuck with me. So many bodies claimed the Catacombs as their final resting place. The suffering, the loss, the death—all things I hated to think about. Instead, I focused on the positive. The reverence had been like nothing I’d experienced in my life—paying respects to thousands upon thousands of people who once had walked this Earth. But still, we’d been surrounded by thousands of skeletons. Among them, I’d felt almost hopeless.
Dylan hugged me closer, breaking me out of my thoughts. “What a rush! You never know when your time is up. That’s why it’s important to live each day like it’s your last.”
That was his motto, always had been. I scrunched my nose, not wanting to talk about this now. “Let’s change the topic.”
He laughed. “Thanks for going down there. I know it wasn’t your thing.”
“Now you can make it up to me by kissing me at the top of the Eiffel Tower.”
He kissed the top of my head. “I would love nothing more, Mrs. Reynolds. Where are we meeting our tour guide?”
I pulled out my map as Dylan wrapped his arm around my waist and brought me closer to him while pedestrians passed us on the sidewalk.
At times, I still had to pinch myself. I was on my honeymoon—in Paris—with the love of my life. Until we checked in at the airport, the honeymoon location had been a surprise. One by one, he was making my dreams come true.
“We have to take the Metro to Champ de Mars.”
When he said nothing and remained still, I looked up. Dylan’s beautiful caramel-colored eyes stared back at me. In his eyes, I saw the promise of a lifetime together making beautiful memories. And one day we’d have a family. I loved my life and the man fate gave me.
A corner of his mouth turned up. “What?”
“I was thinking about how much I love you. How lucky we are. And we’re in Paris on our honeymoon. I can’t believe you did all this.”
His mouth found mine in the gentlest of kisses. Against my lips he murmured, “I love you, Mrs. Reynolds.”
I sighed and smiled when I pulled away; I’d never felt this happy before in my life. “I love the sound of that. The first thing I’m doing when we get home is making my name change official.”
Since there hadn’t been time to change my name, all my documents still said Knoah Knox on them. I loved how Knoah Reynolds sounded.
Dylan nibbled my neck. “I can’t wait for your name change to be official. I’ve waited nearly five years to make you my wife.”
“It took you long enough to ask me out. I had to wait almost four months after you started school and us being friends.”
On the streets of Paris, we grinned at each other, madly in love. Everyone deserved this overwhelming happiness.
“You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”
I shook my head and grinned. “Never.”
“It was a legitimate fear. You turned down every other guy who asked you out. I had to get creative. But if you were my best friend, I could keep any other guys from asking you out until I worked up the courage.” His face turned serious, which was rare for the free-spirited Dylan. “You were the best chance I ever took.”
I loved him with my entire heart. Oh, how I wished we were back in the hotel room.
He shook his head and smirked. “I can see what you’re thinking and I want nothing more than to be inside you. But, we can’t miss the Eiffel Tower. Ours was the only opening they had left for a tour. And I know how you’ve always dreamed of seeing it. I’m not letting my girl miss it.”
It was the symbol of love. For as long as I could remember, I’d wanted to go to the Eiffel Tower with the love of my life for a kiss. It was item number two on my bucket list—right after marrying the man of my dreams. With a huff, I said, “You’re right.”
Dylan nipped the pout that had formed on my lips. “Where do we need to go to take the Metro
?”
Refocusing on the map, I stared at the different stations. “It’s four blocks away.”
“Perfect.” Dylan’s voice trailed and I watched his eyes focus on a flower cart not far from us. “Would you get us some water, baby?”
Dylan loved surprising me with sweet gestures.
I turned to see a small little convenient store. “I’ll be right back.”
His eyes lit up. With another peck on the lips, I walked inside and grabbed two waters. The differences in brands and pricing amazed me. I loved Europe.
“You look like a woman in love,” the older man behind the counter commented as I approached.
“I am. My husband and I are here on our honeymoon.”
I glanced out the window and saw Dylan walk across the street as suspected.
The man looked out, too. “Enjoy, madame. True love only happens once, so they say. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” I fished a few euros out of my pocket to pay. I watched Dylan talk animatedly to a man selling flowers. One thing was for sure—Dylan never met a stranger. He could have a conversation with a fence post if given the chance.
I sighed, and warmth trickled through me as he accepted the colorful bouquet of flowers.
I am the luckiest girl alive.
This moment was perfect—I had all I’d ever wanted in front of me. And we planned to start a family soon after I finished college. A baby. I’d wanted to be a mother for as long as I could remember.
Our eyes met and Dylan beamed at me while he held the flowers out toward me.
His devotion made me giggle. I needed to kiss him.
As I pulled the door open, he yelled, “I love you, Knoah Reynolds! Forever and always, I love you.” Passersby stopped as Dylan declared his love for me on the streets of Paris.
I hollered back, “I love you, too!”
He opened his arms for me to come to him. I stepped out of the store toward the man I would spend the rest of my life with, needing to feel his touch.
Boom!
The earth shook and I fell back into the store. The chaos surrounding me was too great. Something hit my stomach, and I fell back. Dylan! I needed Dylan.
Dust swooped through, creating a heavy fog.
I lost sight of Dylan.
What’s happening? I scrambled to right myself.
“Dylan!”
“Knoah!”
Where is he?
Everything was so dark.
Where is Dylan?
“Dylan!”
Pain.
So much pain.
I need…
That was my last thought before everything went black.
Chapter One
Three years and five months later
“Knoah? Earth to Knoah.”
I glanced from the window to see my roommate and dear friend standing at the door to my office. “Hey, Sawyer. Sorry, I was lost in thought. What’s up?”
Nonchalantly, I straightened a folder on my desk. It was almost lunchtime, and I had nothing to do. It was going to be a long day. I’d been working late the last few days to keep my mind off things for the upcoming events I was planning. I always worked late when I was troubled. And recently, the past had been resurfacing more than I wanted.
Sawyer quirked her brow as she watched. “You look more than lost in thought. Everything okay?”
Shifting in my seat, I mustered up a smile. “Everything’s fine.”
“Just a sec. Bosslady’s calling me,” Sawyer said as she left the office doorway.
Not long after I started working here two years ago, Sawyer did as well. We became instant friends and then roommates. At first, I’d been apprehensive about how fast we clicked, but then I accepted it as fate. I needed a friend, and so did she. Sometimes it was okay if things moved fast.
From the look on her face, I knew she didn’t believe my halfhearted attempt. The bags under my eyes were probably the first indicator. I hadn’t slept worth a damn in the last week. I doubt I hid that well from her. When Sawyer slept for shit, I noticed it, too.
The strange thing was we never asked each other about it. Maybe that was what made us perfect roommates.
I rolled my neck to relieve some of the tension. Today was my birthday. And beside the week of my wedding anniversary, it was one of the hardest weeks for me.
Four years ago, Dylan made it one of the most special days of my life when he proposed to me on my birthday. I sighed as I tried to keep my emotions in check.
Our parents wanted us to wait to get married —at least until I finished my master’s. If I hadn’t insisted on getting married, we wouldn’t have been in Paris… and Dylan would still be alive.
After a long discussion, Mom and Dad came around to the idea in the end. Dylan’s mom… not so much. To this day, things were strained between us.
She hated me.
I struggled to keep my thoughts from drifting to painful reminders of the past. Focus on today, not yesterday. I mustered up a more genuine smile as I recalled Dad and Mom singing to me this morning. They sang off key and out of sync—I loved it.
“Now there’s a smile that doesn’t look like someone pissed in your cereal.” Sawyer was back at the door and clapped her hands for emphasis.
Oh geez, cheerleader Sawyer is out.
“We can’t have the birthday girl down. My brother wants to take us out to lunch to celebrate your special day. It’ll be fun. We’ll even get dessert.”
Sawyer’s brother, Cameron, was the exact opposite—always calm and in control. Over the last couple of years, he’d become a good friend of mine. I think Sawyer and her family wanted us to date, but our relationship was strictly platonic. Thankfully, a couple of months after we’d become friends, Cameron met his soon-to-be fiancée. He was like an adopted brother to me.
“That’s nice of Cameron.”
“You’re like family, Knoah. It’s what we do. Plus, we can hear about what all he has planned for his fancy-schmancy proposal.” Sawyer rolled her eyes. She was not a fan of his girlfriend, Monica. I had to agree; at times, she was a little uppity.
Maybe the distraction would be good.
I checked the clock. It was half past eleven. “Is he ready for us?”
“Yeah, he said any time after eleven. I was on a conference call for the Brown wedding.” She leaned dramatically against the doorframe. “I have officially gotten Bridezilla incarnate as a client. I may not survive this.”
I snickered. From the stories Sawyer told me, the bride was crazy. The woman wanted everything in multiples of nine since it was her lucky number. And she was convinced that Elvis Presley’s spirit needed to be channeled through special crystals in order to give musical vibes to their unborn son, who was yet to be conceived.
A hand went to her brow. “That woman is going to cause me to start drinking at work. This last phone call, Bridezilla wanted to add a monkey as her ring bearer.”
“Are you serious?”
“I shit you not, Knoah. A fucking monkey. And to top it off, she wants it to wear an Elvis wig and a white costume with rhinestones. This woman has officially caused me to hate Elvis. I have no burning love for him anymore.” She huffed. “At least it’s close to Halloween, so maybe everyone will think it’s a costume party.”
I was nearly bent over with tears streaming down my face, imagining Sawyer’s reaction as Bridezilla made these requests.
Standing straight, she flipped her black hair over her shoulder in exasperation. “That’s fine. Make fun of me. I’m going to tell Mickey I need your help at the wedding.”
Gasping, I stood. “You wouldn’t!”
“Oh, I would.”
“Sawyer! It’s my birthday!”
She giggled. “Then be nice. I’ll be right back. Let me grab my purse.”
“Okay. Truce. I’ll do the dishes for the week.”
Winking, she said, “Deal. I’ll meet you up front.”
I gathered my things and went to the front. Mickey, our b
oss, was in her office. Five years ago, Mickey had started As You Wish Event Planning. We handled everything from corporate events to weddings to Christmas parties. Sometimes the title of the company fed our clients the idea that anything was possible. Case in point—the monkey dressed up as Elvis for the ring bearer.
People were crazy.
Somehow, the super-crazies always landed in Sawyer’s lap.
I motioned through the glass window to my boss that I was headed to lunch. After putting her call on hold, she said, “Happy birthday, Knoah. Feel free to leave when you’re caught up on work.”
“Thanks, Mickey. Would you like me to bring you back any lunch?”
She gave me a professional smile. “No, I have an off-site meeting in an hour. I won’t be back. You girls have a great weekend.”
“You, too.”
Promptly, she returned to her call. The mysterious weekly Friday rendezvous. In all honesty, I knew hardly anything about her except the fact that she worked a lot. Overall, she was a good boss and allowed me to do my job.
The television in the lobby was on a news station. It was about a new drug approved by the FDA. I closed my eyes, thrown back to the day of the explosion. A chemical spill within the pharmaceutical facility had caught fire. Someone had not followed protocol, and that ended up costing many lives—including Dylan’s. The only reason I survived was because I’d been knocked back into the store where I’d bought the water. Dylan saved me.
He’d always put me first. Always.
After he died, the sadness and fallout of all I’d lost gripped me and wouldn’t let go. I hadn’t been able to go back to college to get my master’s in public relations. The last three years had been difficult, but any step forward was a step in the right direction.
But… I wasn’t sure I’d ever find myself again.
The screen changed, and I shook my head, remembering my therapist had challenged me to focus on the positive for my birthday this year. It was time to live for me. Easier said than done.
Another challenge: Find something to do for you on your birthday. Something out of the ordinary you wouldn’t normally do. The day was nearly halfway done, and I hadn’t figured it out yet. I was determined to excel at this challenge.
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