Two weeks later, while Myra packed for the family trip to their winter getaway, she couldn't stop thinking about the crazy turn her life had taken.

Adam had been arrested for assault and attempted rape. Myra and her family learned he did indeed have priors, and she would be testifying against him at the beginning of the new year.

She still felt nauseated at the thought of what could have happened, what very well would have happened, had Keegan not shown up, but she actively reminded herself to focus on the holiday ahead, not what was in store when the court date rolled around.

She and Liam had been on three real-life dates, but he and Keegan were pushing to finish one of their products before Christmas. The two practically lived at the office, which made social activities nearly impossible, but one thing Liam made sure to do, was talk to Myra every night before she went to bed. He called her at the same time every night and they talked about everything under the sun. At first, it was awkward and felt slightly forced. She’d known him for ten years, they had always gotten along, laughed, talked and joked, but figuring themselves out in the ecosystem of their budding romance was more difficult than she thought it would be. One of the things that contributed to her difficulty was Liam’s confession that he was a Dominant. Myra had no idea what that was, was so grateful he couldn’t see her wild blush when he explained it to her. She hadn’t known what to say to him and was thankful that he hadn’t pressed her to discuss it more after his explanation. She wanted to be with Liam, but she’d done the worst thing she could do – she’d googled it. After that, she was hesitant to tell him about her inexperience, afraid he would be put off by it. They didn’t discuss his sexual preferences more than that time, when he’d asked her if it would be a problem and she’d said no, it wouldn’t. When he told her he was looking forward to teaching her, she’d been grateful they didn’t have much time alone, because as much as Myra adored Liam, this stuff scared her shitless.

The more they talked, the more comfortable she became with the “getting to know each other phase”. She looked forward to their conversations and missed him when he wasn't there, but now, thinking of being alone with Liam for such an extended period of time both shook her nerves and excited her. Being the gentleman he was, Myra knew he would never openly compare her to other women, but she also knew he’d had more than a few. While she’d done little more than some intense make-out sessions with her last boyfriend. Liam’s touch awakened a slew of new, exciting feelings, but she feared not being enough for him when they got down to the good stuff.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, pulling Myra from her thoughts. When she opened the door to the handsome man standing on the other side, her heart melted at the grin that split his face, showing those devastating dimples. She grinned right back, then threw herself into his arms. Liam wrapped her up, spun her around so they were inside the apartment, and kicked the door closed.

“I’ve missed you.” She admitted, tilting her chin to look into those brown eyes that smiled back at her with so much warmth.

“I’ve missed you more than you can imagine.” He answered, cupping the side of her face with one hand, caressing her cheek with his thumb in that way that filled her body with warmth.

He bent his head, brushing warm, soft lips softly against hers and Myra sighed into him with the contented thought that if she never kissed another man, that would be just fine with her.

“If I kiss you anymore, we’ll never get on the road.” It was a promise. She saw the truth of it glowing in his dark eyes. She swallowed hard against the tendrils of nervousness snaking through her.

“Let me just grab my bag and I’m ready to go.” Myra spun around and hurried to her bedroom to gather her things.

After he’d put her bags in the boot of his Land Rover and helped her up, because he was the kind of man who wouldn’t even dream of making her open her own door, Liam climbed in the driver’s seat and they were on their way.

* * *

They had been driving for a little more than two hours, chatting about mundane things, everyday things that she suspected couples chatted about, when Liam suddenly pulled to the side of the road. Myra looked out the window, quickly aware that the snow had started to fall with vigor.

“Don’t worry,” He reassured her. “I have chains. We should be able to make it to the cabin with no problems.”

Did he say should?

That certainly did not sound reassuring coming from Liam, but Myra nodded and stayed in her seat while he went through the process of applying the chains. They did make it to the cabin, nearly four hours later. The snowfall all but closed the roads, making their journey arduous and taxing. By the time they pulled in front of the large, log cabin where so many memories had been made, Myra was exhausted, grumpy, and trying very hard to be kind to Liam. He had gotten them there, safe, in one piece, not slid down the side the side of a hill somewhere, and she was grateful. She was also tired. When Myra got tired, there wasn’t much to be done but put her to bed.

“I’m sorry, Liam. I don’t mean to be so grumpy.” She told him once they’d schlepped everything into the big, cold cabin. Liam put the finishing touches on a fire in the living room fireplace and turned to face her. She looked up at him, chewing on her lower lip, fearing he’d change his mind about her if she didn’t get her act together.

“Come here, Love.”

He turned and walked to the huge leather sofa dominating the recessed living space, lowered himself into the plush cushions and patted his lap. Myra willingly went to him, sitting on one muscular thigh, her legs draped over the other. She let him pull her against himself while he leaned back to a resting position and felt the tension leave her body as he stroked her hair and kissed her head.

“I know you’re tired.” He soothed. “I’ve known you for a long time, Myra. I know your moods better than you think.”

That made her smile. “You’ve been watching me, huh?”

His chest rose and fell with a deep sigh, then reverberated with the deep rumble of his voice. “I’ve been watching you since before it was legal.”

She snickered, felt him chuckle too. “Can we start over tomorrow?” She asked hesitantly. “When I’m better company?”

“Ah, Myra. Don’t you know you’re always the company I want? I don’t care that you’re tired. Go ahead and rest.”

And she did. The smooth, even stroke of his hand over her hair, the steady rhythm of his strong heart, lulled her to a sleep she didn’t even remember falling into.