“I’m not used to telling anyone where I’m going, Kara.” I stopped and leaned against a tree trunk. “Not since I was a kid. And even then…”
She leaned against the tree across from me. She gathered all her hair and piled it on her left shoulder. It streamed down her front silkily. She made a captivating picture, standing there, watching my face.
“I’m not making an excuse,” I continued. “It just is. I didn’t think about telling you that I was leaving because I never had to do that before. I’m not used to anyone looking for me.” I raked my fingers through my hair, uncomfortable at having to explain. “The people I’ve allowed in my life know I don’t want them to look for me.”
Her eyes drifted down. Was she hurt by what I said? The thought of her waiting for me to call or text squeezed my heart painfully.
“Kara, I’m sorry I left without a word. I had no idea how it would affect you. I know you like me. That you’re very attracted to me. But I didn’t know you…had feelings for me. That you cared.”
I let out a breath. It was hard opening up, even with her. It was hard. “I stopped thinking. I’m sorry. I didn’t think I was important enough to you to… I didn’t think at all.”
I was staring at her face the whole time, but she never once lifted her eyes up to mine. I kept quiet and waited until she looked at me.
When at last she did, she said, “I think I understand. And I’m sorry because I know I demand and expect things to happen right away, disregarding how hard it is for you to open up. I’m learning, too. This is all new to me too. But…” She trailed off, chewing on her bottom lip.
I pushed away from the tree and walked to her. Her eyes were on me, her face open, beautifully vulnerable to me.
I cupped her face in my hands, leaned down to kiss her lips. Her taste was a balm to an open wound.
“I was worried about you,” she said. “Can you tell me next time, if you leave again? Just send me a text, a call, an email. Send a bird with a note. Anything.”
I chuckled, kissed her again.
“I’m sorry you were worried about me. I’m an ass, but I don’t want to be an ass to you. I hate hurting you. When you told me I was just like everybody else…” I paused, feeling my chest tighten. “It…hurt me. And I realized that I couldn’t let you go that night without letting you know how important you are to me.”
I rubbed my face with my hands, wondering if I was doing this right. If I was making an idiot of myself. But her hazel eyes told me to keep going.
“I don’t want to be just like everybody else to you.”
“You’re not.” She reached for my hand. “You’re not, Cameron.”
“I know you said you care for me and that I don’t feel the same about you. You’re wrong.” I stroked her hair, her neck, her face. “Whatever I have for you inside me is stronger than anything I’ve felt before. I tried to forget you, but it’s impossible. I had no one I wanted to call mine…before you. I didn’t care about anyone. There are only two people I’ve let in my life.” I tipped her chin up. “And now there’s you.”
She sighed softly.
“I’ve never been good w
ith words. But I’ll show you. I want to show you.”
She closed her eyes as I kissed her eyelids, her cheek, her nose. “You’re doing good so far,” she said. “Really good.”
I kissed her lips, her chin. “Am I?”
She nodded and opened her eyes.
“I’m ready to tell you now,” I said. “About the maze.”
“All right.”
I looked down for a moment, feeling my heart pound against my chest. There was a familiar ringing in my ears every time I remembered what happened just behind the maze. Something I kept forcing my mind to forget.
I stepped forward, leading the way this time. When she grabbed my arm, I paused and met her eyes.
There was an understanding there and a whole lot of strength that reinforced my own. She slid her hand into mine, squeezing tightly. As if somehow she felt my apprehension.
“I got you, Cameron,” she whispered. “I got you.”
Goddamn it. Goddamn it. I gripped her jaw, yanking her to me. I kissed her again, hard and fast. Something that would tell her how much I wanted her. Her fingernails dug into my back as she rubbed her body against me. I would take her right here if we didn’t stop now.