"Morning." My voice is crispy. 

I watch Liam descending the stairs gaily, taking my breath away. He's wearing a black fitted sweatshirt, his hands inside the pockets of his gray joggers.

"Are you okay?" he asks.

"I'm good," I reply and proceed to wherever I was going.

"Wait." Liam grabs my wrist deftly. "Are you angry at me?" he asks, a frown on his face.

"Do I have any right to be?" I pull my hand out of his.

His lips harden, seemingly confused. "What is the matter with you?"

"Nothing," I breathe.

He scowls, and a heavy breath escapes him. "About yesterday," he starts, and evidently he thinks that's the reason for my foul mood, "I had to go with Samantha because I received the call when we were—"

"You're not obligated to explain a thing to me, Mr. Darcy!" I resume my journey to the kitchen.

"But I want to," Liam barks softly, just enough for me to hear. He's tailing me, and I just keep walking. "Listen, we can avoid this nonsense if—"

"If we tell her everything?" I finish it for him sharply, standing by the kitchen door. "Do you think it's that easy for me?" I can already feel the threatening tears brimming in my eyes.

I take a deep breath to reclaim my composure.

"Listen." Liam seizes my face with his palms. I stay put as his eyes lock with mine.  "I feel like I've known you forever, Ms. Jones. I have absolutely no idea why, but I don't want to let you slip away from me. It's crazy but I can feel it."

Yes, I know the feeling. And it's a very stupid feeling considering that we've known each other for just . . . a week maybe?

This is bullshit!

"But it's still wrong! I can't just go on with this and disregard her. We shouldn't have started this, Liam. I'm calling it off!" I turn around to enter the kitchen, only to bump into Julian holding a big sandwich, his eyes wider toward us. "Great." I huff a soft laugh.

"Hi," he utters, mouthful. "Sir . . . Liam?" He quickly regards his boss.

"Just go ahead with your agenda, Julian," Liam tells him dismissively.

Watching the crazy boy, I really feel like laughing. He looks at me coyly but I don't care whether he saw us or not. He knows everything, after all.

"Have a nice day, Julian," I say when he walks past me.

"Okay." He nods stiffly.

"And you, too, Mr. Darcy. Just go on with your agenda and—" The kitchen door slams shut, and in a few seconds I'm into Liam's grip, right behind it. 

"Stop thinking of negativity, Kira," he snaps. I breathe softly in a flustered manner. My name sliding from his lips is quite a torture. "I won't give up on us so easily, and don't ask me to go away."

"But—"

"I was only thinking of you." He cuts me short, desperation lacing his voice. "No matter how much Samantha kept talking and talking; only you occupied my mind because I could not think straight imagining what you'd be thinking. I'm sorry." He sighs, fear clouding his face.

Jesus! Why is he doing this? I struggle to move but his arms are too strong around my body.

"Listen, somebody may come here, so let's—"

Liam's lips shut my mouth ferociously, holding me tightly as he kisses me. I hold my breath, feeling his tongue coaxing mine possessively, demandingly, igniting the smoldering fire in me. My protest slowly dies, and deeply I kiss him back, circling my arms around his neck.

He's my weakness. I can never resist him.

But holy shit! I'm sure anyone can walk in here at any time and it'll be a huge disaster. Discerning this, I pull back abruptly.

"Enough," I beg, catching my needed breath.

"My God, you're driving me crazy." Liam looks confused as he stares at me in the eyes. "I don't know how to deal with your impertinence, I swear. Fuck, I want you near me all the time, so what do I do?" he huskily asks.

"I don't know," I breathe. "Sam will be here soon. Let me go." I step away from the door while fixing my composure.

"Okay." Liam opens the door and I storm out of the kitchen.

I have to go back to Los Angeles and forget everything. The dream is over and I need to get back to reality. A gush of fresh air takes my breath of nerve as I step into the front patio. My body feels hot and cold at the same time, and I can't stay still.

That kiss. Damn that kiss!

Out of the blue, a familiar voice of the roaring engine swaps my subconscious into reality, and my eyes open immediately. Malik is back. I can't help but smile at the sight of his infamous Chopper 64 as it lands on its usual place.

I straighten up when Malik drops off the ground with a small duffel bag in hand. Today he's exclusively dressed in white cropped pants and a blue jacket that matches his shoes. He looks handsome and majestic, nearing the porch.

"Told you I'd be back sooner than you can imagine, didn't I, Professor?" He beams as he approaches.

I walk toward him with a grin and he throws his bag to get me in his arms.

Laughing, I accept his friendly hug. "How was your trip?"

"Good. Boring but good." He seems happy as we pull apart. "Is everyone in?" He picks his bag and slowly we march into the house.

"Well, Eleanor left a while ago," I answer. "Sam is inside, and Liam—"

"He's here." Sam responds.

When I turn back, I see the two of them together.

"Here they are." I fling my hand and step aside.

"Hi, Malik. Are you good?" Sam smiles radiantly at him.

"Very good, and I see everyone is doing great," Malik replies. "What's up, Brother?" He moves towards Liam.

"Hey." Sam gets closer to me as I lean on the concrete railings. "Are you good?"

"Yeah." I force a smile, and she easily believes me. "Had breakfast?"

"No. I'm famished." She rubs her tummy. We laugh briefly before she says, "I'll go eat something. You coming?"

"No, I'm good."

My morning goes on gloomily until Malik returns about thirty minutes later. He smiles softly, a golden iPhone in his hand.

"Everything okay, Professor?" he asks casually.

"No. I feel like everything's a mess and I want to fly away so I forget it all." I probably sound like a drunk woman. He lifts a single eyebrow at me. "Can I use your helicopter?" I ask without flinching.

"The Chopper?" He's very surprised.

I nod.

"Actually I'd like to see Big Sky. I've heard marvelous stuff about the place. Can we go together? I mean . . . Can you take me there?" I give him a hopeful look as it's my last card for escape.

Without a word, Malik quickly taps on his phone and makes a call.

"Cyrus, fifteen minutes to finish that thing. We're flying to Big Sky." I hear him saying in a menacing voice and the call doesn't last longer. "Done. Anything else?" He grins at me.

Wow! My eyes glow.

"No, I'll go change." I smile in awe.

I quickly change into a white maxi dress that's perfect for a lovely summer date. Except that I'm not going on a date. With my curls tied up, and brown sunglasses on, I'm so good to go.

My self-confidence is all that I need right now to beat my demons before they make me feel undeserving of good things in life.

"Long dresses are also beautiful on you, huh?" Malik comments when I step outside, his tone as playful as always.

What a tease.

My smile is wider as we near the helicopter. Cyrus, the pilot, regards me with a simple hello, and I answer as given.

"Ready?" Malik asks him.

"Yes, sir," Cyrus replies.

Malik gives me a hand climbing in, and I grab it so naturally. I sit at the back and he sits at the front. The seats are comfortable and the cabin is spacious enough for me to see outside without troubles.

Minutes pass by as Cyrus sets his mechanics. He puts on an enormous headset—which we all do. After a short moment a deafening sound that sets my adrenaline on fire, and I start grinning at the quivering sensation in my stomach.

It's my first time riding in a helicopter and I can't complain. The air blown around is so exhilarating; it makes me feel problem free. Slowly we hit the sapphire blue sky, watching everything else lagging down.

"Wo-hoo!" I shout, my eyes gleaming like a toddler.

"Loving it!" Malik yells, laughing.

"You bet I do!" I yell back.

We fly above so many interesting features: the giant trees, the green grasses, the mountains, until I finally spot something like a park with animals running around streaming into view.

"Is this the Yellowstone National Park?" I shout out to be heard by Malik.

"Yeah, Professor," he answers loudly. "Should I push you off?" He laughs wickedly.

"Not funny, Malik! Not funny at all!" I retort, and it makes him laugh even louder, together with Cyrus.

Apparently this is the first national park in America; so I'm kind of elated to finally see it even from above. I see a group of American Bison running around. The chopper heads south as we meander down the Gelatin Canyon, putting my camera into use.

Moments later we arrive at the famous Big Sky County. Damn! It's way more beautiful than I imagined. It's like something from an old book, its architecture old and vintage. The snow covers most of its landscapes, giving me a little taste of winter amid the summer.

I simply love nature.

"And here is the Big Sky, baby!" Malik shouts like a maniac when we finally land on some open field, the wind too strong to keep my eyes focused.

"Yeah, it's exquisite!" I reply loudly.

"Now wait until I show you what's best about this place," Malik brags and I grin happily.

Promenading around the heart of Big Sky is what Malik and I do for more than three hours. We talk, we laugh, and the best part is shopping at both the high end stores downtown and a local market. So far, my day has become quite splendid.

Moments later Malik takes me to this beautiful resort located on a mountain, for lunch. It's filled with tourists, and I can tell why, because from up here you can see the whole of Big Sky without struggling much.

I still don't understand why Americans disregard the Montana state. I think it's a little heaven on Earth.

Seated comfortably, eating and drinking, Malik starts his unexpected inquiries. "Will you tell me what's wrong with you now?" He narrows his eyes at me, and my smile fades instantly.

I feel alarmed.

"There's nothing wrong. Why? Do I look in trouble?" I chuckle.

He knows!

"Aren't you running away right now?" Malik asks, and he's damn right. "Come on, Kira, I know you like Liam."

Damn, are we that indiscreet? How did he find out? I fail to answer.

"Don't worry a thing, Professor, your secret is safe with me." Malik reclines back in his chair, his lips stretched into a soft smile. "It's the first time I'm seeing Liam so engrossed in romance," he says out of the blue.

What? I try to look unaffected by clearing my throat.

"I'm very positive that's not true," I remark while drinking my sangria.

Like seriously? First time? I don't buy it.

"Well, Liam is one of the people who don't know how to beat around the bushes." Malik's gaze is so earnest that I feel condescended, talking to an uncle. "If he shows even a slight interest on something, then it means he's indeed serious about it."

Why is he telling me this?

"So, you mean he's never been serious with a woman before?"

"I didn't say that. Goodness!" Malik is amused. I arch my brows inquisitively. He clears his throat and adds, "Let's say . . . he's indeed serious with you. Maybe more than I've ever seen him before."

"Why? Did he go through some rough patch as far as romance is concerned?" I ask.

"Professor"—Malik leans over the table, as he's seated across from me—"if you're that curious about his story then it means you are interested in him," he says coolly.

"Huh?"

"See?" Malik shoots me a scandalized index, back to the typical playboy. Jeez! "I was so damn right! When did you fall for him? How? And why?"

"Malik!" I groan, and he laughs even harder. "You've got it all wrong." My eyes betray my words.

"Okay, I'll pretend I believe you." He sips his own drink, and I tuck my lip between my teeth. "In my opinion, you like him, and he likes you."

"Just drink your Sangria." I pour him another one.

"Sure." He rolls his big eyes.

"But we can't always get what we want," I think out loud, sighing. "That would be too selfish, right?"

"I don't know," Malik replies coolly, sipping his drink. "But everyone deserves to be happy."

I know that.

"And what if it comes with a high price? What if someone has to be hurt for another to be happy?" I fix my eyes on the glass I'm holding, tilting it to the sides, Malik's intense gaze on me.

"Would you rather sacrifice your own happiness so that another won't get hurt?" he asks casually, and my heart tightens. "Is that what's happening to you?" He now sounds serious.

Maybe? Well, it doesn't matter.

"No." I face him with a smile. "But if it happens, perhaps I'll sacrifice mine. Stupid, isn't it?"

"Depends on your reasons, Professor. It can be stupid, but it can also be noble," Malik answers. "Oh, but I'm not a great believer of nobility," he adds, and we both laugh.