Chapter 156: I Am Not That Out Of Shape
Chapter 156: I Am Not That Out Of Shape
Camilla
"I know you guys are well known for all of your surprise adventures but this looks like a place you would go to bury a body." I said, gazing around curiously at the entrance to Buttermilk Falls.
They purposely parked in some secluded section for privacy even though I knew there was plenty of space in the main area where the washrooms and actual gates were.
"No, it doesn't." Gregorio waves a dismissive hand jokingly.
"Too many cameras." His words made me tilt my head confusedly but when I felt Adriano's large body step up behind me, his fingers turned my chin to our right.
It took me a second to understand but in the distance, I could see the sight of a round security camera on the edge of the park office. My gaze was then turned to the ticket booth and lastly the restroom. They had easily noticed all of these things even though the majority of our surroundings were lined in trees and pathways.
It was a sight chilling reminder of who they were and the reasons they have to be so attentive to something as laid back as a hiking trip. At the same time, however, it was honestly a little admirable about all of this, the details they must notice that I don't. Half of the time, my natural instinct is to move so fast everything else around me just becomes one big blur.
Right now though, nothing was rushing the four of us and the plans I never could have predicted for the day.
"And how long did you say the walk is?" I asked, gazing at the narrowed pathway breaking off in the distance.
The smirk in amusement I received tells me all I need to know. It was long enough they knew I would never agree to it prior to being here.
"Here," Domenico said, walking in front of me and placing a can of bug spray into my hands.
With that, I noticed the pair of black hiking boots he brought with him, dropping to a crouch in front of me. I knew better than to ask how he knew my measurements or why he had women's shoes in my exact size just laying around their house. Although it bothered me greatly how much money I am sure they have spent on me without my knowledge, I couldn't stop it and I knew it was coming from a place of good.
Besides, I most certainly couldn't complain about the sight of Domenico kneeled before me, slipping off my current shoes and replacing them with the much more durable ones. As I had thought, they fitted me perfectly.
"Thank you," I blushed as he stood up, Gregorio tossing him a backpack from the car before the sound of it locking heard behind us.
"Anytime, darling." He winks, slipping his hand into mine and tugging me forward when Adriano's already moving.
I applied my bug spray the best I could as we walked, offering it to Gregorio who came up to my side within no time. It was clear Adriano planned to lead us to where the hell we were going and though I was confused as to where everybody was, my attention was very quickly pulled to the map of all of the trails.
The one Adriano moved down was a just over a seven mile hike and my legs were still slightly shaky for this morning. Slipping my hand out of Domenico's, I make sure not to drag my feet or trip over any roots from the many trees surrounding us on either side
Admittedly, the trail was really beautiful, the woods secluding us from the rest of the world within minutes. I followed in step with Adriano, Domenico at my back and Gregorio behind him.
Now there were no roads, no buildings no signs of infrastructure whatsoever. All there were was a dirt path muddled with uneven rocks and broken branches my men on either side of my body. No one made the move to talk but I was okay with the silence just as much, although it was never truly quiet.
An endless number of birds sat atop branches all above, remaining hidden from the human eye despite their song of different pitches and tones revealing their whereabouts. I could hear the calm flows of distant streams ahead and smell the variety of different scents that made it feel easier to breathe.
The last time I had done something like this was a week before my father's disappearance and although I had expected to feel sadness at the realization, the soft burn in my thighs and the fresh blends of color simply seemed to ground me instead. I think I have finally found myself happy enough to no longer feel despair at the fact that my father left, knowing he is out there somewhere hidden and alive. And I have so much more going for me than those one year ago.
I opened a business, broke up with my ex, allowed myself to face hundreds of fears of mine just to come out on top with not only respect for myself but for the three amazing men in my life. Nobody can take them away from me and that knowledge allowed me to enjoy this moment.
"You never said where we were going actually." I prob at my one of them, keeping up surprisingly well and continuing my stumbles to a minimum.
Even if I couldn't see their faces, I knew they were all likely smirking at my curiosity, knowing they had the answers I very clearly wasn't about to receive.
"You will find out soon enough, princess." Adriano said, not offering me my hints.
"Just enjoy the view and we will be there in no time."
That confirmed there was indeed a specific place they were taking me to but I couldn't help reveal my own smirk at his words. Shamelessly glancing down at his ass, I knew that I had no problem with the view at all. I wonder what he would do if I spanked…
My thoughts were cut off abruptly as Domenico saved me from my stumble, smiling up at him sheepishly as Adriano turned to see what my gasp was for. I just waved a hand to indicate I was fine, suppressing my guilty grin at being caught because I knew Domenico was well aware of where my thoughts had traveled to.
"Go ahead, darling." He whispered into my ear, daring me to find out.
Adriano had obviously heard his words but didn't make a move to prevent me from trying. He probably wouldn't even care because it would give him an excuse to punish me in return. Maybe another day because I was already sore and didn't feel like losing my ability to sit comfortably as well.
But that didn't stop me from looking, contentedly following my men deeper and deeper down the uneven pathways.
"No," I shoved Domenico's hand away as he made the move to pick me up like he would as a child.
"No offense, darling but you are slow. We were almost there anyway." He said but while I am keeping an eye on him, Gregorio sneaks up and grabs me before I can have the chance to protest.
My laugh carried throughout the forest, the air damn near being knocked from my lungs at the swiftness in which I was taken into his arms.
"I am not that out of shape." I mumbled even though I am well aware of how lax I had recently become on my running and stretching training.
It has been weeks since I have stepped foot inside a gym house but that is beside for now.
"Okay, maybe a little but I can still walk."
Despite my words, he only plants a kiss to my cheek that sends butterflies skyrocketing in my stomach. It was unexpectedly sweet and it kept me distracted enough that by the time we got to our destination, it took five minutes instead of the likely fifteen minutes on my part.
I heard it before I saw it but as the pathway turned from natural to man-made, all I could do was drop my mouth open in absolute awe at the sight of the well over one hundred foot tall waterfall before us. The area was absolutely massive with stone stairs and hills in every direction, my hand silently telling Gregorio to put me down as I smiled. Maybe it is stupid but I have never seen a waterfall before today with my very own eyes.
It was so much louder than I expected and I shivered happily as a cool mist lightly speckled across my face against the heat of the afternoon sun. Not a single person was in sight apart from us and I was thankful for it as I took a few steps forward to gaze around.
"I take it as you are impressed?" I felt Adriano come up behind me, his hands falling to my waist as I took everything in.
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