Page 43 of A Second Dawn

But I’m in luck. As if summoned by my thoughts, Ella slowly creeps down the path.

I’m surprised to see her up already. Normally, she and Claudette sleep for another two or three hours. I learned early on that neither of them are morning people.

Though once Claudette is up and moving, she’s as cheery as ever. Ella, on the other hand, takes a little while to warm up.

She hasn’t seen me yet. So why is she hiding behind a bush? What is she watching?

Not a minute later, the answer to my questions emerges from the thick underbrush. A majestic-looking moose and calf gracefully make their way toward the water’s edge.

As beautiful as the sight of these creatures is, my gaze is riveted on Ella, fascinated by the wonder and reverence playing out on her face.

The moose, with its towering stature and impressive antlers, moves with confident grace. As if sensing being watched, the mother moose pauses for a moment, her eyes scanning the surroundings, ever vigilant and protective of her young.

With a synchronized stride, they reach the stream, their movements fluid and unhurried. While they sip from the crystal-clear water, I quietly disappear behind the trees and, staying low, make my way to Ella.

“You’re up early,” I whisper when I reach her side, crouching next to her.

“Ahh,” she yelps loudly, scaring the two moose. They flee back into the forest.

“Holy crap, Ade. You scared the bejesus out of me.” She hits my chest with her fists. “Don’t ever do that again. My heart is exploding, it’s beating so fast.”

Then her eyes fall onto my naked torso.

Her lashes flutter against her creamy skin, and heat rushes up her neck, pooling in her cheeks.

It’s the most adorable sight I’ve seen since the last time she blushed. I love it.

The rays of the sun illuminate her from behind. Strands of her hair have come loose from her ponytail and are tumbling over her shoulder, framing her face.

Claudette dyed Ella’s hair a reddish brown yesterday to disguise her anew. In this light, it glows like the heart in my chest.

She wears three layers of clothing to fight off the chilly morning air. They obscure her shape, yet my body is reacting as if she was standing here naked.

Fuck, I need to cool off again.

“Why are you awake already?” I ask again, my voice huskier than I would like.

She’s so damn beautiful, I can’t take my eyes off her. The throbbing vein in her neck catches my attention. Her pulse is skyrocketing, and I doubt it’s from her little scare when I startled her.

She doesn’t respond straight away, and I’m not sure she even heard me. Her eyes are glued to my skin, and I watch with satisfaction as she scans me from head to toe, stopping for a moment at my wet shorts.

I glance down at myself. Yep, I’m leaving nothing to the imagination, the fabric clinging to me like a second skin.

She swallows hard, breathing out heavily. Then her gaze travels up my stomach and catches at the sight of my exposed biceps. Her eyebrows arch and her hands lift for a second as if wanting to touch me. But then, just as fast, she lets them fall again, reining in her desire.

Still, I’ve never been happier to be in the shape I’m in.

I love working out, the endorphins are my addiction. If she saw the plank workout I do with the guys, I bet she’d be salivating.

My body itches to be closer to her, to have her hands run over the areas she finds so fascinating… especially the lower half. I want her on her knees in front of me, taking me all the way down her throat.

As if realizing she’s been staring at me open-mouthed, her eyes shoot to mine.

“Umm… umm… I heard a noise beside the window of the RV and saw the moose. I followed them. So beautiful… didn’t know you were here…” she rambles, her cheeks blazing.

Inhaling deeply, she then asks, “Why are you wet? And why aren’t you wearing anything? It’s freezing.”

“I took a dip after my workout,” I reply.

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