"Look what I found," Liam announces as he finally shores onto the living room. Lifting my gaze up, I see him holding the novel he had lent me from his home library. "Care to explain, Ms. Jones?" He smiles playfully.

My cheeks flush innocently.

"Well, it kind of happened that I might've forgotten to return it to you, without any deliberate attempt to steal it." I butcher his British accent, which makes him laugh hard at how fake it sounds.

Well, a girl can try.

He pitches the book back on the marble shelf containing a few more. "Are you trying to say that's how I sound, Ms. Jones?" he asks as he saunters toward the kitchen, his hand busy ruffling his hair with a towel as he dries himself up.

"Aye, isn't that how you speak, Mr. Darcy? And truly I fancy how you speak, for it's one of the simple reasons I was drawn to you in the first place," I add truthfully.

A giggle rumbles out of his mouth.

"You're such a tease." He hugs me possessively from behind, pressing his cool just-showered body against mine, still shirtless with only a pair of black Levi's at the bottom.

And damn he smells of my shower gel which makes me want to eat him alive.

"Okay, I'm sorry I took your book. I didn't mean to steal it, though, I promise," I utter.

"It's okay," Liam prompts, and I discern that he's too indulged into making me his victim to dwell on such a trifle. "Smells good here," he murmurs, peeking over my shoulder to behold my culinary project.

"I'm making you breakfast. Hopefully you'll eat everything I'm cooking." I'm confident with my kitchen skills, so why shouldn't I brag?

"Hmm, again you never quit amazing me, baby. I can't wait to taste your food." He provokingly kisses my shoulder blade, disrupting my attempt to lay the bacon on the grill.

How can I focus with his artful hands wandering all over my body?

"Ouch!" I scream when he slips his hand inside the large T-shirt I'm wearing, tugging my little pantie with a single finger on its thin waistband.

"Hmm," he whispers with an imaginable smile in my head. "I like it when you scream like that."

"Oh yeah?" I bite my bottom lip, enjoying the playful mood of my boyfriend, teasing my body smoothly as though he's now addicted to it. "Liam . . ." I hum with a giggle when he starts kissing my neck, and his hand down has my pupils dilating from the searing pleasure.

"What? You want more?" he cajoles me.

"Um . . ." Maybe I do, but right now? I don't want to burn my kitchen, damn it. "Yeah. Let's stop everything and go back to the bedroom," I reply with a smile, my breath a bit caught up by his naughty touches and kisses.

"What? No way, woman! Let's save that for later, I'm starving!" he quits everything he's been doing, making me boom into a loud laugh.

"But I want more." I twirl around with pursed lips.

He blinks twice. Boy, am I playing with fire? I stifle a laugh.

"More, Kira? Even after what we had just an hour ago? And in the middle of the night? Am I working under capacity or something?" Dismay bathes his eyes and my laughter increases.

God, he's so cute. I could tease him all day long but I know he's tired and I've drained his energy big time.

"I'm kidding, Liam! Look at your face." I laugh at him even more, and his smile slowly colors his face as realization washes over him that I'm just playing around.

"Fine. Let's eat and we'll continue where we stopped." He grabs my ass and presses me harder onto him. I whimper with mild ecstasy as he grazes his lips against mine, teasing me without kissing me. "I'll have you right here if that's what it takes. Little insatiable woman." He slams his lips and kisses me hard until I gasp for air.

"I'm not insatiable!" I stoutly deny as I inhale. Liam lifts one eyebrow in rebuke to my statement. "Stop it, Liam. I was only kidding about wanting more. Well, I can't deny that your single touch turns me wild, though." I wrap my arms around his neck.

"Does it?" He blushes, and I gently lie some kisses on his neck, and down on his collarbone. His muscles flex and his Adam's apple bob. "Okay, stop." He gently pushes me and I find a bulge on the front of his jeans.

"Okay, Mr. Darcy." I chuckle lightly and get back to my cooking. "By the way, I need your help on something. You can whip the eggs, can't you?" I glance at him over my shoulder.

"Yes, that much I can manage," he utters hesitantly, giving me an amused look. He looks enticed even, resembling a little boy who's about to try something new. "What are you cooking? I'll help you."

Making breakfast with my boyfriend? What an achievement, Kira Jones! My subconscious yawns, rising from her beauty sleep.

"Cool. Come here and I'll show you what to do," I say with a bright smile.

Our time in the kitchen turns sweet. Liam becomes my assistant and I lose track of all the inquiries about the recipe and other details.

"Are you putting all that in the omelet?" He is leaning against the breakfast table, arms across his bare chest, watching me as I pour the vegetables into the skillet.

"Yeah. It's a Spanish omelet so it has to be filled with all nutrients!" I reply.

At last we settle down for breakfast and my eyes gleam whenever I look at him, grateful for every second I'm spending with him. He followed me all the way here; I can't stop feeling this to the deepest part of my heart.

"Do you like it?" Liam asks.

"What?"

"This whole handsomeness, do you like it that much, Ms. Jones?" He points at his own body.

I laugh briefly. "You're crazy, Liam."

"No, I'm not." He laughs along. "I spent most of my last night staring at that beauty painted all over you."

"You did?"

"Hmm, and you were so calm."

After the terrific treat I had, how could I not? My cheeks are most possibly red.

"Want a toast?" I cancel my blushing session.

"Let's see." He takes a delicate bite.

"Delicious, isn't it?" I ask.

"Tolerable enough," Liam answers with a smile.

"Tolerable enough?" I frown.

"It's delicious, but I'm not a huge fan of bread," he says, chuckling. "But this omelet is rather perfect. What's in it again?"

"Salami bacon, sweet potatoes, baby spinach, and eggs," I answer. "Oh, and my love for you."

"That explains it. You're indeed remarkable, Ms. Jones . . . even in the kitchen." He takes a big bite.

"Thank you." I flush pink.

"I know someone who'd have loved to eat this," Liam tells me.

"Who?"

"Oh, Professor, I'd really like to hire you for my kitchen," Liam mimics a voice, and I'm certainly sure now that he's talking about Malik.

I miss Malik.

"I'm sure he'd be licking his fingers," I say, and I must confess that I miss him big time.

Regardless of what happened that night, I still give him a very special place in my heart.

His mood serious, Liam suddenly says, "I'll have to return to the hotel for a while."

A frown flits on my face.

"Please, Kira," Liam pleads. "I need to change and—"

"Make out with your laptop that you're practically married to?" I finish for him, cajoling him.

"Making out with my laptop? Respect me, please." He laughs. "I'll only be gone for a while. In fact, we can go together if you want." He squeezes my hand on the table, his smile tender and promising.

"It's okay. I don't want you to think I'm uptight or something. Just go and do what you have to do, but you'll have to come back later." I still want to be with him so badly.

"Oh, will you have something special for me?" He sounds excited.

"Yes, because I'm taking you out for dinner. It will be my treat, and I'm not taking no for an answer," I state.

Liam's eyes flash joyously. "You'll take me out for dinner?"

"Yes. Do you have other plans, by any chance?" I snort defensively, and still it doesn't seem to bother him.

"No, I do not have other plans," he retorts. "I'm merely impressed, because no woman has ever taken me out for dinner."

"There's a first time in everything, Mr. Darcy," I say boldly.

"That it seems." Liam smiles.

Liam is about to leave after giving me a see-you-later kiss, and I'm holding onto the parts of his brown leather jacket pleadingly. I seriously wish we could play a little more.

"Can't you just stay a bit longer?" I beg him with my puppy eyes. "Just two hours more. No, just one." I demonstrate with my index, like a little girl would.

"Kira, we've talked about this. Why are you being so stubborn for Christ's sake?" Liam raises his voice and my hand drops. He sighs, then checks the time on his bronze watch and frowns. "No, I've got to go, my love."

"Your love?" I blend in between these words, blushing.

"Yes, mine." He kisses my lips. "I need to charge my phone, change my clothes, and check out how things are going in London."

"I understand, I'm sorry," I mutter weakly while moving away from him. My phone buzzes and I think it's the Uber I called for Liam. "The car has arrived," I tell him softly.

For once I see him indecisive, but he immediately regains his composure.

"I'll be back soon, and you'll take me out for dinner. My first time," he utters gallantly, and I can't hide the pleasure his words entice in me. "I love you," he adds, and this is officially enough for me.

"I love you, too."

We share another kiss.

"Be good," he whispers.

"I will. You look great, by the way," I breathe, and he smiles boyishly.

"Thank you." He blows me a playful kiss before leaving for real.

All by myself, I hug a pillow and sink on the couch as I embrace the loneliness Liam leaves behind. I didn't know my apartment was this big until right now that he's no longer here. I sigh and smile sadly.

All of a sudden Sam crosses my mind. How I wish I could share with her about this exciting moment of my life. She always wanted to hear about my love endeavors, my first legit sex, and my first night with a man.

But she's not here.

I spend my afternoon engrossed with movies on my laptop until I fall asleep seated down on the rug, with my head on the coffee table. I feel peaceful and it's been a while. It's a sound of my phone buzzing that brings me back to earth.

Liam's calling. Smiling, I answer right away.

"Hey." I stretch up and recline back on the couch. "You've finally remembered that I exist?" I tease.

"I was hoping to find you a little calmer, but I suppose you're still mad at me," he replies coolly, and I clasp my lips together, concealing my laughter.

"No, I'm not," I croak in a tired voice. "Staying mad at you is harder than I thought."

"Oh, thank God." He laughs gently. "Are you dressed up already? You are taking me out, remember?"

Dang it! I slap my forehead. I can't believe I'm still dumb on what to wear and time is flying way too fast already.

"Um, of course. But I still have time for that, right?" I wake my PC to check the time..

"It's almost six, and I think I miss too much of you already?" Liam says with minimal seduction, but quite enough to start that heat in me.

Focus, Kira.

"Oh, yeah? And what exactly are you missing about me?" I grab my stuff hurriedly, ready to deal with the fashion emergency.

"All of you," Liam says, "and the things I could do to you right now."

Damn him. I clear my throat.

"You mean what I could do to you?" I return, and I could hear him laughing aloud.

"Oh, Kira, always thirsty for a challenge," he mutters.

He promises to pick me up at seven-thirty sharp and our call ends.

I don't know what to wear and for a moment I wish Sam was here. She's an expert on this one. Frustrated, I sit in bed surrounded by different outfits with nothing particularly to satisfy my mood. I want to look both sexy and elegant, without being vulgar.

Sighing audibly, I run a hand through my curls, and it's when I catch a sight of a black long-sleeved dress with silver glitters. Yes! I've never worn it before, and I recall buying it at Sam's conviction in one of our many shopping sprees. You'll do, baby. I take it.

When I finish getting dressed it's six-forty. I'm still on time. I fix my hair into a simple up-do and slip into silver strap heels as the last option for my few pairs of shoes that aren't sandals and ankle boots.

Staring myself in the mirror, I think I look fairly fine. With a very simple makeup on my face, and a little shade of red on my lips, I strongly believe I'm ready to go. And out of the blue, I recall my encounter with Liam inside the fitting-room in Eleanor's boutique.

A giggle escaped my lips. We've come a long way.

It's seven-ten when I hear the buzz at the door. Liam's here. My smile widens as I grab my finish with my last earring, ready to go. I fix my dress one more time and twirl around to check my rear view. Not bad, Kira. Not bad at all. I giggle and sprint out of the bedroom.

I swing the door open and my smile fades like a thin smoke in the air. The person standing at my doorstep is not Liam. I try to slam the door to his face but he's too strong and fast to allow that. Trepidation sears through me as I struggle to shut it, and he pushes his way in with a single blow.

I don't know how Jeremy Kruger found my address, and what he wants from me, but he is here. He is right inside my apartment, closing the door behind him, and I'm terrified at the sight. I open a very safe distance between us while trying to bury my fears away.