Gloomily, Eleanor escorts us outside. She hugs each one of us in turn, insisting that we have much fun in Miami. God knows the emptiness I'm starting to feel from this point onwards.

"Take care, honey," she murmurs softly in my ear when it's my turn to say goodbye.

"I will. Thanks for everything." I smile tightly, and it kills me inside that she'll only remain a beautiful memory in my heart.

We all slide inside the van, and Peter hits the engine. Having one last opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Yellowstone and its landscape, it's precisely what I do throughout the ride.

Sam and Malik engage into a conversation, and the rest of us remain silent to our thoughts. I can't describe what I'm feeling right now, but it's surely not something I could term as bliss.

I'm reminded of Peter picking us up like some clumsy tourists, and I smile weakly when he looks at me with his discrete glance while talking to Liam.

Looks like the boss is giving some orders, for Peter keeps nodding and nodding, and Liam is seemingly serious as he tells him something right outside the car.

Before leaving, however, Peter approaches me and says, "Nice trip, Miss—" He pauses, running a hand through his raven hair like a flustered young boy. "I mean, Kira."

How cute! I can't help but smile from the way he's just addressed me casually as if it was the hardest thing to do. Do they get gentleman training on the ranch?

Well, I highly doubt, if I consider some boy named Julian.

"Thank you, Peter." I hug his sturdy body, and it takes him completely off guard. He stiffens and it makes me smile heartily.

"Don't mention," he whispers, smiling back.

Liam glances at us but he doesn't say a thing. He's expressionless, his eyes bored deeply into mine. Malik is on the phone, and Sam is following him with her eyes on her own phone.

"Time to go, Professor!" Malik shouts as he starts heading inside the airport.

Well, here goes nothing.

I naturally catch up with Liam, who's also carrying my suitcase, and I realize we haven't talked to each other in a while now. How do I approach him? I ponder as I hold his pace.

Should I ask about the weather?

"Have you been to Florida before?" Liam breaks the silence when I least expect, and a part of me jumps with joy.

"Not at all," I reply vaguely, and his precarious blue eyes give me a brisk glance. "But I suppose it's a very nice place, especially Miami." I glance back at him with a small smile.

"I guess," he prompts heedlessly, and his brows knit in apprehension. What now? "Are you still angry at me?" he asks, and I hold my tongue, taken aback. "You don't even want to talk to me, right?" He sounds hurt by my indifference.

What does he want us to talk about? I sigh, jostling my way past a couple of teenagers in a group who are laughing heartily, their voices mingling with Flight announcement.

"I don't know what else to say," I answer truthfully. I can't say that I'm crazy for him, and then back out when he asks me to make a move regarding this. "Let's just leave things as they are. It won't kill us, will it?"

Liam's jaw tightens ruefully, shattering my faulted heart. He stays taciturn for a few seconds before saying, "I think—"

"Kiki, can you tell me what this word means?" Sam's voice interrupts our discreet exchange, and I thank heavens for that, unlike Liam.

He frowns a bit, looking defrauded.

"I'm not your dictionary, Sam," I reply while walking past Liam so that I can catch up with Sam.

My heart and soul remain with him, however, thinking of only him.

"Oh, come on!" Sam laments.

"I don't understand why you can't download one and yet you have games for dressing up the dolls."

Sam laughs hard. "Are you going to ask why I don't have the Bible as well?"

"No, that will make God strike us both with thunder," I reply, making Malik Join the conversation.

"Professor, when was the last time you went to church?" he asks amusedly.

"Please, let's not use that road, Malik. I'm ashamed," I mutter.

"Liam goes to church once or twice a month," he says, and we all face Mr. Intense, who seems lost in his own world.

He pulls my suitcase with ease while tossing his duffel bag on the shoulder. He's absentminded, his sun-lit face bright yet dark from lack of mirth in his eyes. He looks at us and frowns.

"What?" he snaps as we approach the authentication counter, discerning our collective gaze towards him.

"Nothing, Brother. We all think you're handsome," Malik teases.

Sam and I start giggling, for these two can be typical boys.

Liam mutters something under his breath, and his sight is not one to complain about. He's cute when he's flustered, and even so when he's put on the spotlight.

We board the first-class cabin and I don't think I can ever get used to this luxurious life. And much to my dismay, my seat is right behind Liam's.

How will I ever avoid him, huh? I swallow gently, my eyes staring subtly at him as he lodges his jacket on his seat so as to finally settle down.

"Gorgeous, isn't it?" Sam wiggles in the backseat that's more like a bed.

"Yeah," I whisper.

I'm sure I can get through this. Eyeing Malik at the other side, I find him busy with his tablet, oblivious of anything around him. He's serious for a change, and it's a rare sight. Other than the four of us, the plane has only two more passengers, an old couple.

Finally the plane takes off. My eyes stalk the Montana grounds for the last time as we ascend higher, transfixed, before disappearing into clouds that take my mind off for a change. I can feel it's going to be a long ride.

Moments later I begin feeling tired of sitting and sleeping around; hence I get up and try to find the restroom. The lights are off but I can imagine everyone's asleep, including my neighbor in the front seat that I gingerly walk past.

I take my short call and sit on the clammed toilet. My mind wanders off, thinking of nothing new. A short turbulence snaps me from the clouds, however, and I realize it's ridiculous staying locked up inside here. I'm bored, tired, and I wish I could cuddle with him instead.

I'm about to make my exit when someone takes me back inside with a gentle push and brace on my shoulders.

What the heck!

"What do you think you're doing? Are you crazy?" I yell quietly, discerning that it's none other than Liam.

Apparently this little cabin is barely enough for a single person, let alone the two of us. The light is dim, but I grasp Liam's facial features so well that I can see the smirk on his lips.

"Depends on your answer, Ms. Jones," he utters. "What kind of games are you playing with me?"

A hard scowl settles on my face. "Games? What games?"

"Seriously, Kira?" He glares at me, condemning me as if I'm the source of everything happening to us. Maybe I am. "Why are you doing this? Why do I feel like you're running away?"

"Look, let me just go before anyone catches us here. We can talk about that later, please." I try to slip away but I forget it's impossible without his will.

"You are not going anywhere!" He blocks my path with his towering frame. "Not until you tell me why you're angry at me. Why are you so busy avoiding me? Well, unless you want us to settle this in front of everyone, which I don't have any trouble with."

My God! I know he is not kidding.

I run my fingers through my curls, searching for an intelligent response. "What is it that you want, Mr. Darcy?" is the only thing I come up with.

How lame! My subconscious huffs.

"I want you. Isn't it obvious?" Liam whispers hoarsely.

"Huh?" Damn, he's really making me lose my mind. I gulp at his mocking and godly look that devour my trembling lips.

"And I know you want me, too," he remarks confidently, grazing his thumb on my bottom lip, eyes glowing fondly. Fuck! "However, I don't understand why you're pushing me away, and I can't stand it."

I can feel his heartbeat . . . and mine takes a dangerous pace. Oh yes, I want him, now, right in this place, but I'll never admit it.

"I can't do anything about it, and you know very well the reason why I'm keeping my distance," I tell him softly, trying to avert my gaze. He clutches my chin and lifts my face up. "Please, Liam, let's not complicate things more than—"

He shuts me up with a kiss.

"Liam—" I breathe between his lips, trying to protest while melting deep inside.

His tongue is forceful, relentless, such a turn on for my already enraged hormones. I no longer resist when he holds me tightly, body to body. I kiss him back, wrapping my arms around his neck.

Oh Lord, I could die for his touch, kisses, and his imperial urge to have me in his mercy. I slowly submit, letting him take me wherever he wishes to take me. And then, just as I'm about to fall deep and succumb to my desires, he sets me free.

Damn it! It's a pure scam! I grunt inwardly.

"See?" Liam mutters coolly, his grin proud.

"Jerk," I utter breathlessly and he smiles at it.

Fuck him!

He swaps me for a tight hug, kissing the top of my head with unrestrained passion. "Don't run away from me, Kira. Please don't," he breathes, imploring me.

"Liam . . ." My heart shrinks.

And I realize our formality fades only when we're too emotional. His name feels heavy otherwise, but here it feels like a balm for the words I can't easily let out.

"I'm not sure what it is that you have, I swear," he says gently. "I can't think straight since your arrival at my ranch and it's been so frustrating. And you know what else?" I pull back and blink at him. "I feel like I've known you my entire life, Kira. It's crazy, isn't it?"

I know the feeling. It's not crazy at all, but it doesn't change anything.

"What a poet," I mumble with a small smile.

"Me?" He seems entranced, and I just nod.

I never imagined Mr. Intense to be this romantic. As always, I forget everything when I'm with him. I even forget where we are, and the kind of danger we're exposing ourselves with in case Sam learns of our mutual disappearance.

However, there's something wild about this secret romance. It's a ticking bomb and time seems to be it's only detonator. It makes me feel like a teenager in love, something I never experienced in my teenage years. I don't want to wake up if this is a dream.

But Sam crosses my mind like a hurtful reminder and all the excitement fades away. I'm back to the backstabber friend who can't even do things in the open. I blanch at the thought of her finding out about us, and the hatred she will have toward me.

As if Liam can read my mind, which he certainly can now, he slowly envelops his strong arms around me to glue us together once again. I yield willingly and embrace him tightly, afraid to let him go for good.

"I'm not going to impose any further, but just know that I'm not ready to lose you," he whispers.

I ignore his words, for if I dwell I'll lose my mind.

"You should probably go ahead first," I suggest, breathing in his tantalizing scent.

His muscles tense. "Okay. But make sure to stay where I can see you," he orders, and I smile at the sound of his majestic voice.

"I will," I utter.

I feel extra terrible when Liam finally walks out of the stall. Tears slowly gather and start drenching my face, and with much difficulty, I collect myself and breathe in a meditating manner. It's so hard to understand how people stay in love.

Why does it have to be this complex?

***

Outside Miami International Airport, a classic black SUV is waiting for us. Pushing our way towards it, a man appears to regard our presence. He's around forty, if my eyes don't lie.

He is indeed older than the boys, an Arab as well, and possesses good features for a man to be termed as handsome, despite his faintly graying hair.

"Sir." He regards Malik with utmost respect, and then hands him the car keys.

What money can do.

"Jamal. Everything good?" Malik strides toward him.

"All good," Jamal, as addressed by Malik, answers. Thereafter he turns to Liam, in the same manner—respectful and gentle. "Sir Liam."

"Good to see you," Liam says with his sweet rare smile as they shake hands.

My poor heart. I could watch that smile the whole night long.

"Hi, there," Sam greets Jamal softly, hugging her purple camisole she's paired with a pair of tight white jeans.

"Hi," he replies coolly.

I only smile at him, which he returns as given. He's already handling the bags, including mine, and I try to give him a hand with the task.

Frankly, I'm used to doing everything on my own, so it's kind of difficult to change overnight into a fragile little princess. But well . . . Let's enjoy it while it lasts.

At last all our bags are filled in the car. Exhausted, I slip in the backseat, followed by Liam who uses the other door. I'm a little stunned, but I keep my mouth shut.

Imagining what this cowboy is up to, especially after pinning me inside the plane toilet, I'm not sure what else to expect. He's full of surprises.

Malik sits behind the wheel, and Sam jumps at the front passenger seat, all smiley. Jamal exchanges a few words with Malik and the two agree to meet at home.

The engine roars and the ride commences from the Airport to some Miami streets. Just like L.A, the neon lights are all over and I can't contain my gaze from wandering.

Not until I feel a familiar hand on mine. Liam Darcy! Help me, Lord.