Come In

Chapter Eleven

When I woke up, I noticed that there was something different. I couldn't quite put my finger on the difference, but something was... off. I was beginning to get slightly anxious- trusting my instincts was almost always the best thing for me to do; I've learnt that through many experiences.

I glanced at my alarm clock, and was startled to see that it was midday. I had slept in, just like Cam had suggested. Though I suspected that he had a hand in this. Perhaps that's why I felt so uneasy- maybe it was the sun hitting my room from the wrong direction. I decided that that was the problem.

I was showered and dressed within half an hour. I went downstairs to find Cam making a selection of breakfast foods. Raising my eyebrows, I sauntered up to him as he finished frying eggs. He smirked at me, sending an electric current down my spine. I eyed the eggs, and looked back to him. He laughed- it was a nice sound. A free sound.

"I thought that, after your lay in, you'd like a proper breakfast. Grab a plate." He said, nodding towards a stack of plates on the side. I gave him a suspicious look, before getting my plate. I began piling food on- bacon, eggs, sausages, fried tomatoes- he really went all out. Cam's eyes never left me, which made me feel weightless. Normally, I'd feel awkward and on the spot, but Cam made everything so effortless that I could only bask in him.

I sat at the table across from him. He didn't stop staring, a smirk rising on his face every now an then. I began to get frustrated- what does a girl have to do to eat in peace around here?

"Okay, what's going on? You're staring." I accused whilst I piled bacon onto my fork, narrowing my eyes at Cam, who merely laughed.

"I'm watching you." He explained matter-of-factly. I raised my eyebrows as I chewed my food.

"Okay... why?" I asked.

"Because you're interesting. There's something in everything you do; little nuances in your movements that I find interesting. And I also like to look at beautiful things." He said, finally dropping his gaze. He got up and put together his own breakfast- eggs on toast.
I scowled.

"I am not a thing, Cameron." I said, adding a slight harshness to my tone. He frowned down at his breakfast.

"Of course... I'm sorry. I just meant- I'm sorry. But you are beautiful." He explained, glancing up at me again with a strange intensity to his stare. He was dazzling me. No! He was hypnotising me! I was sure of it.

"Well... uh... thanks." I mumbled, still under his thrall. I regained my self control once I realised that he wasn't really hypnotic. Well- not literally. I just had no self control with him.

I finished my breakfast at the same time as him, and before I could even move, my plate was swept away from me. He was fast- so very fast.

I folded my arms, and watched him flit about the kitchen, leaving order in his path. He had everything clean and cleared in seconds. He was going to come in very handy.

"So," he said, lowering himself back into his seat, giving me one of his dazzling smiles. "What would you like to do today?" he asked, eyes sparkling. He looked like he was excited about something. I narrowed my eyes.

"I expect that you've already got a plan." I accused, smiling when he winked back at me playfully. I sighed, standing.

"So, what's on the agenda then?" I asked, refilling my cup if coffee.

"I thought you'd like to go hiking with me today. In the woods." He said. Hiking? Me? I never would've thought that he'd suggest that. I'd always steered clear of things that could possibly cause me to trip or fall, because if I was doing something that could make that happen, it would. I guessed that he wouldn't have known that though.

"Cam, I'm not very... good at... you know... not falling."
Great explanation there, Anna! my subconscious was sneering at me. I mentally flipped her off.

Cam smirked.

"Anna, love. I promise I won't let you fall. I'll carry you the entire was if you wish. It's not the hike itself that I'm most excited about- it's the destination." He exclaimed.
Hm... Cam carrying me through the woods... Cam's arms, wrapped around me... The idea wasn't too abhorrent.

"Fine. Although you realise we only have half a day to work with here." I reminded him as I walked to the stairs to find my shoes. I was lucky that my small selection of shoes included a pair of old, brown leather boots that were (thank God!) already worn in perfectly.

"We'll get there with hours to spare" he said, winking again. My heart fluttered when he did that. I rolled my eyes as I finished tying my shoes.

When I was done, he grabbed my hand and walked me out into the front garden. No time passed at all before I was in his arms, snuggled to his stone chest. I was still amazed at how comfortable I could feel against the rock-like hardness, and ice-like temperature of his body.

We were flying through the woods for three seconds before he set me down. I looked around, but saw nothing impressive- just a bunch of trees coated in thick layers of moss. It was beautiful here though- the way the sun poked through the leaves of the trees up above, giving tony little pillars of light. I felt encased and safe here, with walls of tree trunks, and a ceiling of leaves.

"I shaved a couple of hours off of our hike, but I do want you to actually hike a little with me, otherwise what's the point?" Cam said, raising an eyebrow and giving a beautiful, carefree grin. He held his hand out and I took it, revelling in the feeling of his hand on mine.

He guided me through the forest- his feet sure and graceful as he flowed effortlessly over fallen trees and large roots- I clambered over almost everything with as much grace as a drunk toddler. His hand was always there to catch me, which made it a little easier. He seemed to be in his element here, laughing loudly, with a constant grin plastered on his face. I found myself relaxing into the hike- I was actually beginning to enjoy it. I laughed when he laughed, and found my clumsiness funny, rather than embarrassing. Cam seemed to have an effect on me, and I liked that.

After an hour, we broke through a wall of bushes (Cam held them open for me), and suddenly, we were in the most beautiful meadow I had ever seen.