Page 71 of Ghost Of You
With the sun shining brightly above, casting its golden warmth over us, we ascend the winding stone path, determined to reach the peak where the forest and the waterfall await. The path, rugged and uneven, is flanked by wild plants and thick ferns that seem to have claimed parts of the trail, making it feel like nature is slowly swallowing the way forward. Footbridges span across clear, babbling brooks below, where flashes of silver from darting fish catch our eyes, enjoying their world undisturbed. We navigate shallow creeks that cool our feet, the sound of water trickling around us as we traverse carved-out steps etched into steep, rocky inclines. Massive boulders tower beside us, acting as impromptu benches where other hikers rest, their trekking poles and worn backpacks scattered beside them.
A gentle breeze whispers through the trees, sending leaves spiralling through the air like confetti in a natural celebration. Glancing to my right, the view opens up into a vast panorama of rolling mountains blanketed in deep green, dotted with quaint farms and grazing cattle. The scene is so picturesque it stirs alonging in me for the simple, tranquil life of the countryside. There’s a peace here that city life could never replicate—the crisp scent of pine filling the air, the melodic songs of birds creating a soundtrack to our hike, and the unspoiled beauty that stretches as far as the eye can see.
While I appreciate the fast pace and energy of urban living, there’s something about losing yourself in the wilderness that rejuvenates the mind and body. Out here, away from the noise, the buzz of people, and the chaos of everyday life, I feel a sense of calm, as if the very air is cleansing. Each step forward feels like shedding the weight of modern life, replaced by the serenity that nature so effortlessly provides.
Ahead of me, Laelia moves steadily, her shorts clinging to her as she strides along the path, her backpack swaying in time with her steps. Her sun-kissed skin glows under the golden rays, and I can’t help but watch her, entranced by the sway of her hips. My eyes linger, tracing the way her hair falls in loose waves down her back, brushing against the top of her shorts as it catches the breeze. There’s something undeniably magnetic about the sight in front of me, stirring thoughts that, admittedly, are ill-suited for this peaceful setting. But the temptation is undeniable. The juxtaposition of being surrounded by the purity of nature, yet having my mind wander into far less innocent territory, heightens the thrill.
She moves slowly, and though part of me is eager to speed ahead, I hold back. There’s a good excuse, after all—I want to stay close, in case she slips on the rocks or needs a hand on the steeper sections. But let's be honest: her pace, slow as it is, grants me the perfect excuse to enjoy the view. If there were a race between her and a tortoise, I’d bet on the tortoise winning, but in this moment, I’m in no rush. The climb might be strenuous, but the sight before me makes every second worth it.
Suddenly, without warning, Laelia halts. Lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice until it's too late, and I stumble straight into her.
"Shit," I mutter as I bump into her. Laelia turns, an amused, knowing expression plastered on her face.
"Were you too busy staring at my ass again?" she teases, the corners of her lips curling into a smirk.
"Pft," I sputter, trying desperately to suppress the grin threatening to betray me. If I smile, she’ll know for sure. "No," I lie, but the pitch of my voice betrays me, shooting up just a little too high.
She giggles, eyes sparkling. "Liar!"
"Me? Lying? Never." I laugh, feigning innocence as she shakes her head with that all-too-familiar look of disbelief.
"And I don’t like sex," she fires back, voice laced with sarcasm.
I grin, unable to resist. "We both know that's the biggest lie I’ve heard all day."
Her smirk grows, eyes challenging me. "And we both know you're a terrible liar right now."
I laugh, caught red-handed. "Okay, fine." I glance around, making sure there’s no one within earshot before leaning in slightly and saying, "I was too busy staring at your ass, imagining all the things I want to do to you right here, out in nature, to watch where I was going. Happy now?" My words come out quickly, almost too loud.
Her eyes widen in shock, darting around nervously at the other hikers nearby. Her mouth falls open, and the blush that rises to her cheeks is unmistakable. She clearly didn’t expect me to be that bold, especially not in public.
I raise an eyebrow, silently daring her to respond. But I know she won’t—not with all these people around. Why didn’t we choose a more secluded trail? Oh yeah, because we wanted to see that famous waterfall everyone keeps raving about. Now though,the only thing I’d rather be seeing is her body beneath me, her skin flush against mine. But, alas, a man can dream.
As expected, she bites her lip, her gaze filled with a mix of frustration and desire, before she turns back and continues walking. I chuckle quietly and shake my head as I follow her.
When we reach the top of the trail, the landscape changes dramatically. The dense forest envelops us, with towering trees stretching skyward. Sunlight filters through the canopy, creating intricate patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor. The earthy scent of the woods fills my senses, fresh and invigorating.
With each step deeper into the forest, we tread over dead leaves and twigs that crunch underfoot. Moss clings to the trunks of the trees, and clusters of wild mushrooms grow from the damp ground, their caps glistening with dew. Wildflowers—bluebells, daisies, goldenrods—dot the underbrush, their vibrant colours and sweet fragrance adding to the beauty of the scene.
Squirrels dart through the foliage, appearing and disappearing as they search for food. The forest is tranquil, with the only sounds being our footsteps and the occasional call of a bird. The mud beneath our feet shows our progress, mixing with the tracks left by other hikers.
Looking up as I follow Laelia, the dense canopy of trees obscures the sky. They stretch overhead, allowing only slivers of sunlight to pierce through, casting small, ethereal spotlights on the forest floor.
I glance around at the other hikers we pass. Each of them pauses to admire the river flowing between the trees, its width expanding as we progress. It’s a promising sign that we’re nearing the waterfall sooner than expected.
Determined, I quicken my pace and catch up to Laelia. I take her hand and gently tug her forward, urging her to increase her speed as we navigate through the crowd of hikers.
As we round a bend, we come upon a sign that reads, 'Waterfall Ahead.' The excitement is palpable, and it feels like we’re just moments away from reaching our destination.
Honestly, the quicker we reach the waterfall and Laelia gets her photos, the sooner I can find a secluded spot. The thought of taking her right there in the woods has been on my mind, and the urge is building. My focus is on the immediate goal of reaching the waterfall, but my thoughts keep drifting to the more primal desires that have been simmering under the surface.
Laelia slips her phone into her backpack and sets it down beside a large boulder. With a playful smirk, she pulls off her trainers and then reaches for the hem of her t-shirt. She lifts it over her head and tosses it onto the ground next to her bag. I watch as she reveals her lace bra, the intricate pattern catching my eye.
She then unbuttons her shorts and smoothly slides them down her legs, kicking them aside. Now, she stands before me in just her bra and panties, the bold display leaving little to the imagination.
I can’t help but be captivated by the sight before me. The sun filters through the canopy, casting a warm glow on her skin, accentuating every curve. The excitement in the air is evident, and as Laelia strikes a pose with a playful grin, it feels like we’ve crossed into a realm where the boundaries between the wild and our desires blur.
She turns, glancing back at me with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “You coming, or are you just going to stand there?”