18

Sorry

I awoke shivering as the temperature had dropped, no number of blankets was going to keep me warm tonight. My hair was messy as it piled before my eyes, finding a band I had around my wrist I gathered it up upon my head into a bun. I took to my feet and followed the comfort of the crackling fire. The closer I got the warmth found me as I welcomed it gratefully.

"What are you doing up, it's only 3am?" Kaleb seemed confused but happy to see me as he sat upon a log prodding at the flames with a stick.

"I couldn't sleep it's so cold tonight. Every time I would drop of I swear the icicles on my toes would start clinking together." I whispered knowing everyone else in the camp were sleeping.

"Well in that case you better come and take a seat this will soon warm you up." He patted the log next to him as I gripped the woven blanket around my neck keeping it securely tied around me. "I like the hair by the way." He smiled gently as I cautiously patted it down. "Honestly, it looks good. I've seen many women first thing in the morning, and they do not look like this." He bit his tongue as he continued to prod the fire.

"Many women hey." My eyes widened as I smirked enjoying watching him squirm.

"That sounded bad. I didn't mean I've had many women I just mean." He scratched his chin scrunching his lips.

"It's ok Kaleb I'm just playing with you. Ohhh marshmallows may I?"

"Sure here." He passed me a stick as he placed one onto the end of it.

"What are you doing." My brows knitted as I was confused.

"Please don't tell me you have never had a toasted marshmallow."

"No I can't say I have, but I'm willing to give them a try." My hands shivered as I held the stick.

"Ok it's simple just place the stick over the flames but not into it straight away as it will burn. Woah not too much." He gripped my hands as the shivering worsen, but I believed this was no longer because of the cold. I pressed my lips as I enjoyed his touch a little too much. "Just like this." He guided the stick above the flames gently turning it in my hands as his body moved closer. "Now place it into the fire no longer than two seconds just to get that extra bit of gooiness. That's enough." His voice raised gently as he pulled my hand back. "Now that is the perfect-toasted marshmallow. Go ahead and enjoy."

"Oh my this is so good." I devoured it as it burnt my lips and inside my mouth, but I did not care.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, but you've missed a bit." He grinned as he reached for my mouth pausing. "Just there." His thumb brushed across the corner of my lip as my heart thudded. "All gone." His eyes gleamed before placing another marshmallow onto my stick.

Shaking my head I returned to reality as I could not but help wonder why my heart was extra heavy tonight. Being here with Kaleb was the only place I wanted to be. I felt comfort and a strong sense of connection with him right now. "Are you ok?" I looked at him sensing he was hiding something.

"Sure why wouldn't I be."

"You look lost as if you are hiding a million secrets behind those eyes of yours."

"You can see that?" I watched as his Adam's apple drew back into his throat as he tried to swallow back something deep.

"Kaleb this may sound absolutely insane, but I feel like I can read a lot about you tonight. I don't know what it is but something inside of me just wants to hold you and to tell you everything will be alright." I could feel the blush arising upon my cheeks as the words poured from my lips.

"Well I will take your word for it Elle." His lips twitched as he seemed uneasy. "Easy or you will burn it."

"Darn it I forgot I was even holding it in there." I pulled out the stick and studied the blackened marshmallow as it slowly glooped from the stick. "Ha I think maybe this is not my foretay."