"I'm just waiting for things to get back to normal. I knew it was dire when fashion week was canceled," she brings it up again. I swallow down a groan. My head is about to explode if I don’t get away from this conversation. “When do you think you’ll come back?”
"I’m not exactly sure. Eli's still working remotely, and I think we might stay through the summer and just see how it goes before we decide." Things change every day so if I give my mother a timeframe, she’ll expect me to abide by it, but if I leave it open, then she can’t hold me accountable.
"Summer? That's nearly four months from now," she exclaims as I sit back down on the couch. “Surely, you can come back before then.”
All I do is shake my head. “I want to, Mom, I really do. But I don’t know what the future holds, so we’re just taking it day by day. No telling what’s going to happen in a few days, nevertheless, a few months.” While some parts of the country have loosened their restrictions, the hospitals are still overflowing, and there’s still no cure or vaccine. I may be in limbo with my penthouse and graduate school, but as long as Eli is with me through it all, I don't care. We’ll figure it out together.
“I worry about you,” she says.
"We’ll be fine and can FaceTime as much as you want," I remind her.
"Cameron, you know I'm not very good with technology."
"Well, luckily, you'll have plenty of time to figure it out. But anyway, I’ll let you go. I'll chat tomorrow if you want," I say quickly, wanting off the line.
After taking another sip of tea, she grins. "Okay, sweetie. I love you. Chat soon." She blows two kisses, then I end the call.
If I was home, I know she'd wrap me in a big hug and press a kiss on each of my cheeks. I let out a lengthy sigh and lean my head back on the couch, then close my eyes. When I open them, Eli is standing above me, and I jump.
“Jesus, you scared me.”
His lips tilt up. "We should go for a hike today."
"Seriously?" I ask, furrowing my brows. I haven't hiked since Ryan and I were kids. “Do I look like someone who hikes?”
He licks his lips and chuckles with a shrug. "I noticed there were some trails cut out. They might be slightly overgrown, but I'd love to go check them out. Take Bruno with us and let him wander around the property for a few hours."
"Alright, I'm down, but you can’t make fun of me if I trip and fall or something." Because it’s a high probability.
“I can make that deal.” He leans over and places his lips on mine. Wrapping my arms around the back of his neck, I smile against his mouth.
"Go get dressed," he tells me, and I notice he’s already changed. When I get up, he takes the opportunity to smack my ass before I run upstairs.
I dress comfortably in one of my tennis skirts because it's so beautiful out today, then tie my running shoes nice and tight. As soon as my foot hits the bottom stair, he's grinning ear to ear, reaches his hand out, and I meet him. "You're wearing a skirt to hike, huh? Why am I even surprised?"
I roll my eyes at his little dig. "It's a thing. Google it."
He shrugs. "If you say so. I mean, I'm not complaining about the view at all."
"That's what I thought." I wink. "Now, let's get some fresh air. I’m shocked we haven’t gotten cabin fever yet."
“You and me both,” he retorts.
Bruno follows us, and as soon as he can get around us, he's off in a full sprint going straight to the pond. Eli laughs, and I groan, knowing that means he'll need a bath when we return. We take a trail that leads to some woods, and Eli and I walk in silence, holding hands. The wind rustles through the dense forest, and it brings me back to being kids and playing out here with Ryan. We never had a “normal” childhood, and the only time I felt like a kid was when we came to the cabin. I didn’t have to put on fancy dresses or sit up straight or do any of the things my parents wanted me to do to impress their friends and the media. Out here, I got to get dirty, play outside, and be a kid.
We continue walking farther down the path, and the sunshine peeks between the trees. A smile plays on my lips as Eli squeezes my hand, then kisses my knuckles.
"I love you," I tell him. "Thank you."
"Love you too. And for what?"
"For the escape. I needed it," I say truthfully.
Eli stops walking and turns to me. The space between us disappears, and I'm getting lost in his mouth and touch. His large hand slips under my shirt, and he palms my breast. I'm panting, and all I want is him. I take several steps forward, guiding him until his back rests against a gigantic tree. We're breathless already as I untie his shorts, then fall to my knees and take him in my mouth. I look up in his eyes, and when he runs his fingers through my hair, I stroke his shaft as I suck harder. Eli breathes out deep grunts as I increase my pace until I'm nearly choking on his cock.
I slow my pace, then suck and lick his tip as I stroke him.
"Cami, fuck," he groans, and his legs begin to
