The lingering scent of pine and faint woodsmoke clung to Kara's skin, a silent testament to the night she’d spent in Cameron’s remote cabin. Dawn, a timid smear of milky light beyond the vast glass windows, was just beginning to etch the shadowy forest outside.

She sat up, a wave of dizziness washing over her, clutching the blanket close. The spot beside her, where Cameron had been, was empty. A strange mix of disorientation and an ache she couldn't quite name settled in her chest.

“Cameron,” she murmured, the name feeling both familiar and utterly new on her tongue. Her mind, still hazy from sleep and the lingering dream of his kiss, replayed fragments of last night. The maze. His confession. The things they did.

She covered her face with her hands. Oh, God. She had slept with Cameron. Or, more accurately, beside Cameron. The memory, though incomplete, brought a blush to her cheeks.

The cabin, all minimalist lines and exposed wood, offered scant distraction. Her eyes darted around, searching for a sign of him. A soft click, then the front door creaked open, admitting a tall, broad-shouldered silhouette. Her heart leaped. Even in the dim light, she knew it was him.

“You’re awake.” His voice, deep and rough, cut through the quiet. “Coffee?”