Braiding my hair loosely in the mirror, I'm distracted by a gentle breeze caressing my neck. Turning to look for the source, I notice the bathroom window is slightly ajar.

I thought I closed it yesterday.

Making my way over to the open window, I see a bright red Dodge Ram make its way up the driveway. Checking my phone, I noticed that it's 11:50 am.

Shit, shit, shit, he's early.

Closing the window and returning to the mirror, I quickly apply the final touches to my face, some light mascara, and gentle highlighter before making my way to the front door, opening it as Liam attempts to knock.

"You're early, mister." I pout then smile.

"I like to be on time," he returns, cocking his head to the side and grinning, "may I come in?" he continues, standing back and waiting for an invitation to enter.

Waving him inside, I head to the couch where my hiking boots are currently resting and start to pull them on.

"I thought you didn't like hiking?" Liam asks, raising an eyebrow as he watches me tie up the laces. Taking in his appearance, I see that Liam is also wearing dark, brown leather hiking boots, which look fantastic when accompanied by his tight jeans and grey jacket.

"I don't like it, but a girl is always prepared." I salute him, standing up and pulling my navy blue sweatshirt down over the top of my black leggings.

"Do you have a jacket? He queries, looking around the cabin, "It can get pretty chilly up on the mountain."

Nodding, I run upstairs, open the bottom drawer of the dresser, and grab a black puffer jacket, returning to Liam as I put it on. "Yep, anything else I need to bring, water, food?"

Grinning down at me as we stand together, he shakes his head, "No, I have everything we need, love, all you need to bring is your sparkling personality."

Laughing, I shove him playfully and head outside, locking the door behind us after he exits.

The sky above us is clear blue as we step off the porch. The temperature forecasted today is a cool 48°F, but with the sun shining and not a cloud in sight, it looks to be a perfect day for sightseeing.

Making my way across to the passenger side, Liam follows, opening the door and closing it behind me once I'm seated.

Such a gentleman.

Admiring the leather seats and spacious interior, I pull my seat belt on and wait for him to join me.

Jumping into the driver's seat and starting the ignition, Liam turns to me smiling, his adorable dimple appearing in his stubble, "I'm glad you decided to come out with me today."

"And I'm glad you asked," I reply, sitting back and allowing the heated seats to soothe my lower back which is still tender, the smell of new leather and freshly cut grass filling my nostrils.

Moving the truck forward, we exit the long driveway, turning right. As we head onto the winding road, Liam proceeds to tell me about the history of the Spur.

According to Liam, the Spur and the town of Black Mountain were settled by a small Irish community in the early 1800s when they left their homeland during the potato famine to find more fertile ground.

To this day, there are still several founding families living in town, the Brady's being one of them.

"My ancestors built the pub, and it's been managed by a Brady ever since," Liam explains, his voice dripping with pride.

"So your mother, was she a local?"

"Ahh, Ma," a gentle look passing over his face, "no lass, she grew up in the city, her family, however, the O'Clery's, had ties to Black Mountain, but had moved away when she was little. My Da and her met when she was 18, her parents were in town for a visit, and according to Da, for him, it was love at first sight."

"And according to your mother, was it also love at first sight?"

Shaking his head, Liam sighs, smiling. "No lass, no she didn't see it that way, put up a real fight she did. But it was destiny; they were meant to be and are still together 34 years later."

I do the math and raise my eyebrow, " So your parents were not together long before..."

"They created me the first time they were together. Da jokes about his super seed, which isn't something a son wants to hear, but it worked, and here I'm."

We come to a fork in the road, where we turn left. My thoughts drifted to the road leading to the right, the same street about 5 minutes further up where the accident happened. I shiver and try to repress the memories that attempt to break free.

Soon, I will go there.

"Ava, you okay, love?" Liam queries, resting a large hand on my thigh, the warmth seeping through my pants.

"Yeah, I'm fine," squeezing my leg, he returns his hand to the wheel, takes another left off the main road and proceeds to drive us up a steep hill. Navigating his way up the very bumpy terrain, I bite my lips as he maneuvers the large vehicle to avoid fallen trees and cut-down stumps. Finally clearing the path, Liam stops his truck as we reach the top.

Looking around at the magnificent views, my mouth drops open. I can see the entire valley, right down to the town from this point.

Climbing out of the car, Liam takes my hands in his larger one and leads me towards an old rock formation, almost like a mini Stonehenge, the crumbling structure a marvel as we walk around.

Each pillar is expertly positioned to form a circle with a long stone table located in the center. Intricate carvings are etched into each structure in a somewhat familiar style, "Ava, I'll be right back, so take your time to look around," Liam advises as he lets go of my hand and moves back towards the truck.

Nodding distractedly, I walk to the headpiece at the top of the altar-like table and trace my fingers around the design in its center, its edges rough and deep, a swirling pattern in the shape of an animal.

I've seen this before in my father's old study. I think it was an iron talisman that would be in storage now. What was it? A fox? A wo...?

"Pretty amazing, isn't it, love?" Liam asks, breaking my train of thought and standing next to me, a rug and a picnic basket in hand. "It's an old Celtic symbol of a wolf. Beautiful."

"How old is it?" I ask, transfixed on the pattern before me. Wolf, that's it, just like in my dreams after the accident.

"It's been here for as long as the town has." He provides, laying the rug on the grass next to the table, positioning the basket on top, and motioning me to join him.

"Do you know what it was used for, animal worship or sacrifice?" I ask, raising an eyebrow and sitting next to him as he withdraws a bottle of wine, mugs, and two plastic containers filled with local delicacies.

Pouring a cup and handing it to me, he looks thoughtful, "Rumor has it that it was a place of worship to old long-forgotten Gods," giving me a conspiratorial look, he winks, "there are whispers that people still come up here to pay their respects."

He takes a sip and settles his body next to me, resting back on his arms and looking to the sky.

"Do you know who or what they're paying their respects to?" I prod, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"Aye, but they're a very secretive lot, the people who still come here, and if I told you what I knew, I would have to kill you or make you one of us..." He jokes, shoving a piece of bread in his mouth.

It's so easy being with Liam, so familiar.

"See the land down there?" He asks, changing topics and pointing his arm towards the valley below, "It's all owned by the townspeople. There's no corruption from the government, just a community of like-minded people wanting what's best for their land and the town."

After eating some of the food and finishing my drink, I lie down on the rug, listening to Liam's deep, lilting voice as he talks more about the town and his family, his soothing tones making me feel so peaceful, causing my eyes to droop.

His voice suddenly cuts off, and I open my lids, turning to look at him, his eyes fixed on mine, our bodies side by side, "Do you have any idea how beautiful you look right now, Ava?" He asks, moving onto his side so that we're only inches apart. Lifting his hand, his fingers tracing my face, he plays with a loose strand of my hair that has come free from my braid.

My pulse quickening, heart pounding as his face lowers to mine, our breaths mingling. "May I?" He asks, his voice deep, husky, eyes focused on my mouth.

I nod, and he closes the distance, his lips grazing mine, the smell of cut grass and wood fire surrounding me, igniting something deep inside me.

I feel his soft tongue trace the seam of my mouth, probing for entry, subtle licks as our flesh touches. Inhaling through my nose, I part them ever so slightly to give him better access, the warmth of our combined breaths chasing away the chill of the mountain air. Liam groans as he enters, our tongues meeting, gently at first, then turning ravenous.

As we move together, I take in his taste, mint, wine, the fresh combination hitting my senses. Surrounded by the pleasure, I feel Liam's body shift, positioning himself between my outstretched legs. Parting them, I don't discourage him as he lowers himself on top, grinding against me.

The wind whips around us as we move together, our combined body heat quickly turning into a furnace as our hands explore each other.

His chest, his shoulders, so vital, so solid, so alive.

Warmth pools between my legs. I moan as Liam hits my sensitive spot with his obvious arousal, which is thick and solid and feels fantastic. Growling at my response, Liam releases my lips and latches onto the sensitive skin of my neck. I moan again when he begins trailing soft kisses down my collar bone, his hand tugging at the zipper of my jacket.

We're going to do this.

Jacket open, his hand drives under my sweatshirt, pushing it over my chest, his fingers locating my breasts, pulling one of them out from their secure spot behind my bra, exposing the delicate mound to the cool mountain air.

Moving his lips from the top of my shoulder, he shuffles further down, his mouth latching onto my exposed and erect nipple as he begins sucking, electricity coursing through my body on each solid tug.

I'm so wet, my core aching, craving more as I move against him, his hand traveling to my pants, rubbing the sensitive spot between my legs.

I moan again as he bites down on my swollen flesh, his teeth applying just the right amount of pressure to send my mind into a lust craze.

His hand, makes its way inside my leggings, glides over the seam of panties before dipping inside.

"Fuck Ava, you're so hot, love, so wet." He groans, his voice guttural.

Pushing him up, my nipple makes a popping sound as he releases it. I reach for his buckle, unclasping it, his hands taking over unbuttoning.

'CRACK,' I freeze at the sound of a branch snapping, closely followed by a deep growl...

"Fuck!" Liam curses, removing his hand from the front of his pants and standing up. Looking towards the surrounding forest and frowning, he reaches down and clasps one of my hands in his, pulling me up to my feet. I turn my head, my eyes searching for the source of the noise. I see nothing as I tuck myself back into my bra and pull down my sweatshirt.

"I'm sorry, love, but it's not safe here right now, it seems we've attracted some of the local wildlife."

Unable to see what's making the growling noises that are still coming from deep within the thick foliage beyond, I follow Liam's actions and help him pack up our little picnic.

"Ava, you get in the car, and I'll take care of this," Liam offers, stopping me and offering a small smile. Slightly freaked by the sounds, I nod, not waiting to be asked a second time, and turn back towards the truck, heading for the passenger side.

Opening the door, I climb inside, curling my body into the smooth leather. When I'm seated, the door securely closed behind me, I look back towards the trees again, and this time I see a massive black shape dart down the mountain. A bear, maybe? The shape looks familiar?

Liam, climbing into the truck, basket and blanket stowed in the back, groans, trying to adjust his considerable bulge hidden beneath his pants as he sits.

Watching him struggle, I can't help but laugh, my reaction causing Liam to bang his head on the steering wheel. "Well, that wasn't the ending I was planning." He grumbles into the leather.

Tears form in my eyes as the laughter fills my body. I hold onto my stomach. Erin would be having a field day with this, I haven't had sex in God, years?

Liam also joins in with my laughter, turning to face me, even if a little pained. "Well, I'm glad you find this funny, Ava," running his hand down his face inhaling as his fingers pass his nostrils," Fuck, do you have any idea how good you smell," turning the ignition, he continues hopefully. "Raincheck?"

I'm so horny right now!

Trying to gain composure, I can only nod, my lips unable to form a coherent word until the laughter slows. Swallowing deep and giving Liam an almost shy look, I take a deep breath, "Liam, you could always come inside when we get back to the cabin?" I suggest once I have control over my voice.

Groaning again, he sighs, "If only I could love, I have to go into work today. Otherwise," he pauses, turning towards me. "Ava, I was planning on asking you to join me tomorrow night for the town's Halloween party?"

It looks like I'll be taking care of the issue downstairs, myself. FML!

After taking another deep breath, I offer a tentative smile. "I don't have anything to wear."

"So that's not a no?" Liam grins. "Leave it with me. I'll get something organized and have one of the lads deliver it to you."

"Okay, why not?"

Taking my hands in his, Liam gives them a gentle squeeze. "Why not indeed."

Driving back to the cabin, our hands still entwined, we discussed my size requirements and plans for the festival, deciding to meet at Brady's at 7 pm.

Pulling into my driveway, Liam presses a lingering kiss on my lips, apologizing again for having to leave. He's due at the bar in just over an hour but needs to go home and have a 'cold' shower before starting his shift.

Heading for the door, I touch my fingers to my lips, still tender from his kisses, and let my mind think of all the possibilities of what might happen tomorrow evening.

...................................................................................

Lucid dreams fill my mind as I sleep, my body tossing and turning, then warmth.

Pine, spiced musk.

Teeth on my neck.

"My Doe Eyes."