I wake up in a good mood this morning knowing that we're about to hit a road trip to Billings, the largest city in Montana. The boys have an urgent business with some banker over there, and so they asked if we wanted to tag along.

"Just wake me up when we arrive," Sam tells me, her voice groggy and lazy. She's seated between Malik and me in the backseat of the car.

"Sure, ma'am," I reply placidly.

"Do you enjoy this, Professor?" Malik asks teasingly upon seeing my smile.

"Yeah, don't you?" I reply, gazing at his big, bright eyes.

"Well, I love the company better." He shrugs, forging some sort of gallant that makes me chuckle. Jeez, he's in a good mood! "And you, Brother?" He faces Liam, who's seated at the front passenger seat, lost in his own thoughts.

Do I want to be in his head?

"I like it. That's why I chose this state of all America," Liam says coolly, gracing us with his small glance and distant smile.

As expected, a drive in the countryside is always awesome; unless it rains, I guess. We arrive in Billings before noon and check in a hotel since we're spending the night. This time each has their own room, which makes me jump with joy for some unknown reason.

Since the boys are scheduled for a business dinner, we decide to spend the day sightseeing around the city, which takes us places I never fathomed existed. I'm glad my camera is never treacherous to stay far from my handbag, and I love it.

***

We had a grand deal of pleasure visiting places, including the Moss mansion, a very enchanting historic house that's believed to be haunted during midnights. It reminded me of Alhambra Palace for some reasons, and I felt like I'd travelled back in time.

I once went to Spain on a vacation with my parents. I was young but I clearly remember the train trip from Barcelona to Granada, and the amazing ruins of Alhambra. I was so excited because I already loved history and museums by then.

I just didn't know it was going to be my last vacation with them.

It's around ten at night as I head out of the bathroom after a quick shower, before going to bed at last. Removing the shower cap, I shake my head to free my curls, feeling such vigor, and at the same time I hear a bell ring at the door.

A frown flits on my face. Sam left about ten minutes ago, so then who could it be at this hour?

I fasten the bathrobe whilst I pace towards the door. Opening it, a few seconds later, my heart drops when I see Liam standing before me.

Oh God! What is he doing here?

Gulping, I watch his currently calm blue eyes scanning me from head to toe, guarded as always. I turn completely dumbstruck, unable to utter a syllable. I feel nude.

"May I come in?" he asks in a low voice.

"Um, sure," I respond with a startle, moving aside to draw him in. "Is everything okay?" Comprehending his reason, I quickly add, "Oh, you must be here for Sam! Well, she's already left."

Liam takes his time beholding my room, and I keep my patience while mirroring his gaze. Satisfied with the grand inspection, he turns to me and says, "I didn't come here for her. You're the reason why I'm here."

"Me? Why?" I demand, surprised.

I wait impatiently for his response that doesn't take forever.

"I believe this is yours." He hands me the camera that he's been holding the whole time. Huh? I mentally chastise myself. "You're lucky the driver was decent enough to bring it back."

"Oh, thank you. I must've left it inside the car," I say with audible relief.

And what was I imagining again? I'm surely going nuts.

"You should be careful with the things you like," Liam says with a pause, "you may lose them when you least expect." He yawns audibly.

For once I detect the exhaustion portrayed in his face as he yawns, and yet he's still strong enough to taunt me.

"You came to just give me this?" I ask without thinking, and then chew on my lip regretfully.

Of course, dummy, why else would he be here? To sing you a lullaby?

Smiling feebly, Liam says, "Goodnight, Ms. Jones."

Huh? Just like that?

"Oh . . . yeah . . . nights." I sigh.

Smiling indulgently, Liam scurries towards the door. And then a sudden urge to retain him overpowers my composure, pushing me towards him as he clutches the door handle.

He looks abruptly at me, completely stunned. "What are you doing, Ms. Jones?" he asks in a normal tone of voice, and I read mixed emotions in his eyes for a change.

Startled, stunned, intrigued—Oh, I don't know.

"I do care about the things I like," I snap, panting softly. What?

"I bet you do," Liam replies, and a little smile appears faintly on his lips. He stands straight, amusement evident on his face. "And what else, Ms. Jones?" He narrows his eyes inquiring.

"Um . . ." I stutter.

What the hell is happening here?

Liam folds his arms across the chest, and his lips curl into a wider smile. "And what else would you like me to know about yourself?" he repeats.

"Um . . . nothing." Damn, what does he want to hear? I clear my throat, putting my stance straighter. "I don't know how it happened but I don't usually lose my stuff—"

Wait! Why am I so busy convincing him about the camera? And he seems to be having so much fun at my expense as he digs his hands inside the pockets of his jeans, staring fervently at me.

"I'm listening, Ms. Jones," he mutters.

"Well, I guess I wasn't careful." I take a deep sigh, and this time Liam laughs at my defeated face. Holy shit! "But I seriously care about the things I like, and the people I like." I still my gaze, letting him take care of my faculty as he stares wordless at me.

Say something, please! I plead inside, my heart racing crazily, hoping he doesn't find me crazy.

"Ms. Jones . . ." And he suddenly moves closer, his looks so intimidating that I gulp stoutly. "Do you have something to tell me?" he questions out of the blue, his voice calm, stirring, indescribable.

"Um, do I?" I breathe.

Liam chuckles at my reaction. "Do you have a question to ask me?" he insists, and I dare say he can read my mind.

I do have a question for him, and it's better I ask now that I have a chance rendered so smoothly by the proprietor himself.

"About Sam," I start confidently, and Liam stares more intently. "Why did you invite her over if you were going to play hard to get?" I cross my arms on my chest.

Yeah that's it. I did it.

I press my lips together, impatiently waiting for Liam's answer. Seconds pass by, making my uneasiness grow wild. And finally . . . his lips move, making me inhale sharply.

"Is that how it seems, Ms. Jones?" he utters gently, his eyes narrowed in a confused manner. That I'm playing . . . what do you call it again?"

"Hard to get?" we say in perfect unison, and he starts laughing.

Damn! I love the sound of him laughing. Probably this is the first time I'm seeing him laughing so lively, his guards thrown away.

"Well, I don't know how else to interpret your actions, Mr. Darcy," I tell him frankly, my confidence restored. "How do you explain a guy who invites a woman to his house, only to feed and take her places?" I add, and he stares at me smilingly.

God knows how sexy he looks when he smiles. It's almost impossible not to get lost into those ocean-like eyes.

Okay focus, Kira.

"What else should the guy do to make sure his guest is having a good time at his home then?" Liam retorts seriously, but I find it more of a mockery.

Or . . . maybe not? He's probably being earnest.

"A guest? Is that all she amounts to you?" I raise my voice, feeling a bit annoyed, and yet he looks totally unaffected.

"I clearly told you before, Ms. Jones . . ." Liam strides closer toward me. "I don't harbor any special feelings for your friend; not at all. She kindly toured me around Los Angeles, and I was indeed grateful. She needed a nice vacation destination, away from the city, and I gladly offered her my home. Did I commit such a grave sin by so doing?"

What? I scowl in confusion. This is what they agreed to and not Sam's version of the story? I'm truly surprised.

"I guess not," I utter softly.

"I thought so." Liam's eyes glisten when he momentarily closes the distance between us, his Adam's apple bobbing sweetly, and my heartbeat accelerates. He gets closer, his eyes fixed on me confidently.

I freeze.

What the hell is he up to? And why am I anticipating his next move? I should move away from him, but why am I stuck as though waiting for him to slip off my robe?

"I think—" My breath hitches as I collide my butt with the door.

"Besides," Liam utters softly, making me more attentive, "there's a room for only one woman in my head."

"A woman?" I let out a soft gasp, a trepid sensation running through my blood. This is nothing but danger, yet I'm hardly afraid. "Wh-who is that woman?" I hardly ask, and I'm so eager to hear his answer.

What is this, if not madness?

Liam looks deeply into my eyes, a small breathtaking smile brightening his face. With menace, he places his one hand on the door, towering me with his majestic body and height.

I look away in a heartbeat, gulping.

He brushes a thumb against his lower lip, in such a manner that leaves me totally disoriented. Holy cow! How do I get out of this? I look back at him, and his smirk is devilish.

He's sexy, so hot and alluring. Damn, do Greek gods still exist?

"You're in deep trouble, Ms. Jones." He briskly hauls my waist tightly so I pump onto his hard body.

Dear God!

"Mr. Darcy . . ." I mumble, but I don't make any effort to repulse as I'm feeling hot and cold at once. "We can't—"

"I tried, but you keep pushing me to break my barriers," he claims, his fingers digging in my curls from above my nape, and I'm melting in his grip. "Do you enjoy seeing me losing my mind over you?" He softly brushes his lips near my earlobe, driving me insane than I already am, and the effect is indescribable afterwards.

"What are you talking about?" A foreign current runs through my blood . . . something intense for my poor body, and I'm so unused to this fatal seduction.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Liam says, then plants a tiny kiss at the corner of my mouth.

Jesus! I close my eyes at the tantalizing feeling it entices, letting my body relish it. His lips are soft, gentle, as they slide against mine, beguiling me.

"Don't you?" he whispers.

A soft moan lurches from my lips when he caresses my back, turning my hormones wild. And them he holds me tighter, crushing my breasts onto his chest.

God, his hands are electrifying!

"No, I don't," I breathe, staring at his intoxicating eyes. "We can't—" I try to retreat from his arms, but he fiercely starts kissing my mouth, his lips relentless and demanding.

I easily succumb, wrapping my arms around his neck. He pushes me roughly against the door, but I don't mind. Our tongues intertwine, molding and swirling coherently with one another.

His skillful kisses on my neck command my entire body to eternal heat, something I've never experienced before. I close my eyes willingly, and loosen my arms around his neck to balance my momentum.

His lips are soft on my skin, so wet that I feel worshiped.

I moan, he grunts . . . we enjoy the forbidden.

I know it's wrong, I'm very much aware of it, but I can't stop having the pleasure of his amazing touch that I've been dying to feel in both my slumber and reality. His strong arms tighten around me, forcing me to surrender myself at his mercy.

I could do more than kissing if he asks me to. And on top everything, this feels just right, and it's exactly the same feeling I've known through my freakish dreams. His kiss is so deep, utterly possessing . . . makes me needy and vulnerable.

But no, it's still not right.

Something keeps reminding me deep inside. I need to stop this, my head warns me vehemently, yet my body refuses to listen. As if Liam can read my body language, he slowly releases me.

I'm panting heavily, ruffled in and out. Liam looks at me for a very long while, saying no word, and then breaks into a smile. I'm suddenly coy, and he takes pleasure it seems.

"Your lips taste heavenly, Ms. Jones," he says with a haughty grin, caressing my mouth with his thumb. "Have a good night," he whispers in my ear as he pulls aside.

My eyes widen, and he gently pulls me aside, away from the door. Our gaze doesn't break as he flings it open, before disappearing through it, leaving me completely out of my mind.

"Oh my God. What are you doing, Kira? Have you gone crazy?" I breathe, and slowly drop on the door. "You kissed him, you idiot, and you were probably ready to open your legs, weren't you?"

I pinch my lips to make sure I'm not dreaming, and yes, I'm really not dreaming. I've just had a kiss with Liam Darcy, and he's one hell of a kisser.

I'm about to get up, and proceed with the sleep, which won't be an easy task for sure, when another knock snaps the hell out of me. I ask who it is, and it's Sam's voice that I hear.

Fuck!