Just as the golden orange rays of the morning sun rose over the violet horizon, Erin stirred and began to wake. She was so used to getting up early, her body did it automatically even on weekends with no work that day. You'd think that after their escapades last night, her body would sleep longer.

Stretching carefully so as not to wake Liam, Erin slowly crept from the bed. Liam snored softly, sleeping peacefully on his back. Erin found blankets in a trunk at the foot of the bed and wrapped one around herself. It was too early to ask for breakfast so she padded over to the balcony doors quietly dragging a chair with her and parked herself to watch the breathtaking sunrise.

Despite always getting up early, she rarely had time to actually sit and watch the sunrise other than her view from the car. It was beautiful here. No smog, no city lights, just the beautiful lush green landscape spread out before her. The dark blue sky slowly turned light orange and pastel purple. A smile stayed on her face watching the gorgeous colors shift from dark to medium and then finally to lighter orange and yellow.

A light groaning sound behind her alerted Erin that Liam must be starting to wake up. The sound of bare feet slowly padding closer to her confirmed it. Liam wrapped his arms around her torso as he leaned down from behind her, lightly peppering kisses along her neck. Erin gladly tilted her head actively accepting his affection.

"Why are you up so early?" Liam probed, moving the blanket aside and kissing her bare shoulder.

"Mmmm, I'm always up early," Erin moaned, giggling slightly as Liam's stubble tickled her skin. "Teacher life."

"What do you do for fun?" Now Liam's hands gently stroked her bare arms. He had pushed the blanket down so it pooled at her hips.

"Ooo, that's a tough question," Erin cooed, squirming under his touch that was so gentle yet sensual. "I paint...or draw...I'm rarely alone."

"Then I suppose..." He kissed her neck again, lingering on the spot earning a shiver. "We should make good use...of our time together." She felt his grin against her neck as his hand slid down the center of her torso, down into the blanket until he found its mark between her legs.

Erin gasped softly then grabbed his wrist, tightly holding it in place then reached into his hair with her other hand. Her legs spread apart instinctively in welcome. Liam's other hand gently squeezed and massaged an aching globe.

Still sensitive from the night before, it didn't take long before Erin was panting and moaning under Liam's touch. She turned toward his face eagerly capturing his lips with hers. Once his finger went from one to two, it wasn't long before Erin came apart.

Grinning, Liam released Erin strolling around in front of her. Erin's breathing made her breasts heave slightly. She stood slowly then guided Liam to sit on the chair. His eyes went wide as she straddled him then slowly lowered herself on his already aroused member.

Erin placed her hands on Liam's shoulders, biting her lower lip as she watched his face while she lifted then slowly lowered herself again in languid rocking motions. His eyes rolled back momentarily, hands wandering up and down her back to finally settle on her hips. Erin flipped her long hair out of the way giving Liam a full view again of her breasts as they bounced.

Movements soon became rougher and more intense as she rode on, eliciting groans from both of them. Liam's hand roamed up her back and into her hair, guiding her face down to his to claim her lips again, swallowing her moans.

"Liam...I..." Erin started, completely breathless. Liam wrapped his arms around her, rising from the chair. Erin wrapped her legs tightly around his hips as he carried her to the bed laying her back onto the rumpled covers, never parting their their pistoning bodies.

Once back to the bed, Erin reached her arms above her head in welcome allowing Liam to take over. Gradually yet roughly they joined. Liam leaned over her, pressing his forehead to her neck kissing and fanning her glistening skin with his groans. Erin's hands dove back into his hair as their bodies met in a passionate, unhurried rhythm.

A soft knock at the door interrupted their revelry and Liam's eyes went wide.

"Don't you dare stop," Erin groaned. "Blankets..."

"You are naughty," He chuckled. She just grinned.

Liam took the blankets and covered them, both giggling as they concealed their mischief. Now covered to his mid back, Liam continued their rhythm as the door slowly opened, one hand on either side of Erin to cover her nudity with his body.

The soft gasp of surprise from the maid had Liam and Erin giggling as their lips met again. Quick footsteps did their work as she left a tray of food then scrambled hastily back out and softly closed the door. Erin and Liam chuckled louder once she was gone.

****

The maid once outside bumped into a muscular chest, nervously looking up into the handsome face of one of the guests.

"Oh...I'm sorry-" She began but a hand firmly grabbing then stroking the side of her neck stopped her.

"Is Lady Erin awake yet?" He growled.

The maid nodded, "Yes, b-but she is...occupied..." She tried to stop him as he reached for the doorknob which turned out to not be latched.

"Uhh....nnnghhh yes!....Ahhhh Liam!" The woman cried as the man above her repeatedly thrusted into her depths.

The fists of the man watching this love scene unfold clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly. He couldn't believe the sight before him. The blankets had slipped down and he'd recognize the man doing the plundering. Furious, the unexpected onlooker stormed out.

****

"Ahh, Erin I'm..." Liam groaned, pressing his forehead to her chest then sucking furiously at the crook of her neck.

"Ahh! Yes!" Erin moaned, digging her nails into his back. "I am too!"

With a few more rough plunges and low a guttural moan, Liam tumbled over the edge and exploded inside her clenching walls. He slipped his hand to where they joined putting just the right amount of pressure on Erin's pleasure bud as he rode out his climax, soon throwing Erin of the edge as well.

Panting heavily and both lightly coated in a sweaty sheen, Liam separated them but remained laying on Erin, his head resting on her stomach. His hands gently stroked her sides as Erin's hands played with his hair.

"That poor maid," Liam chuckled.

Erin smiled and shrugged. "I have never felt the way I do with you. Why am I going to let breakfast being delivered stop that?"

Kissing her stomach then propping his chin up on his hands, Liam smiled at her. "We should eat breakfast before too long. We must begin our journey back to the keep today."

Erin pouted then slowly dragged her fingers down his cheek. "What will happen when we get back?"

"Well..." Liam began before he slid away and lay next to Erin. He drew circles on her stomach and cast his eyes away as he began talking. "I know it hasn't been long but before we leave...I would like to get the King's blessing...to marry you."

Erin sat up and pulled a sheet up to her chest. "What? So... soon?"

"Yes," Liam replied simply then sat up next to her. "Erin, I have fallen so deeply in love with you. It started that day you scolded me for reprimanding Ashlynn," he chuckled then took her hands in his. "I love how you dove into the duties at the keep, working closely in the gardens and kitchen as if you have always belonged. I love how passionately you fight for yourself and your daughter. You have raised an amazing child by yourself. So yes...I want to marry you...If you will have me."

It was a long moment before Erin answered. Her eyes searched his, heart swelling with the sincerity she felt in his words. If she admitted it to herself, she had fallen hard and fast for Liam, too. It was inexplicable how it had happened but one major thing gave her pause.

"Liam," Erin whispered, reaching out and cupping his cheek. She stroked his stubble as she gave her careful response. "I am not from this time...I don't know how long I will be here..."

"Are you rejecting me?" Liam whispered, shock and hurt plain on his handsome face. He turned to get off the bed but Erin's hand reached out to grab his wrist. She knelt next to him, gently turning his face to meet her eyes.

"I don't want to see you hurt!" Erin defended. "What's worse is if something happened and I suddenly returned to my time, I won't be here to comfort your hurt but we will be separated by hundreds of years to suffer heartbreak alone! I can't handle that!"

Tears welled in her eyes, her voice, thick with emotion, cracked as she spoke. Liam turned back to face her, demanding softly, "Tell me you do not care for me."

Erin blinked and swallowed. "I...can't..." Liam's lips twitched upward slightly for a moment.

"Why not?" He scooted closer and his voice got husky. When Erin didn't answer and looked down, Liam reached out and cupped her cheek. "Please, tell me."

"Because...I'd be lying," She finally answered softly. "Which is why I don't want to see you hurt again."

"I would hurt more having you here but not with me than you being gone," Liam tried.

Erin began to panic. Her overthinking mind just wouldn't stop. She slid off the bed away from his touch and wrapped a blanket around her. "Perhaps, this was too much too soon."

"Do not say that, Erin," Liam reached for her again but she recoiled and stepped back.

"I'm serious!" She shouted, tears burning at her eyes. "I can be impulsive and that's what this was...I...I think when you return today..."

"Erin, please..."

"Ashlynn and I will stay here," Erin stepped back again, her hands up to show she wanted space.

Her heart was racing and shattering at the same time. This was for the best. Distancing themselves now before things got even more complicated.

Liam didn't know what to think. His mind reeled. This decision seemed more impulsive than the intimate night they just had. Everything they shared through the night, spoke volumes of the mutual, passionate feelings and fiery attraction between them. Without saying anymore, Liam walked over to pick up his clothes silently putting on the pants, boots and tunic, draping the plaid over his forearm.

Erin had turned her back to him and faced the balcony again. Silent tears fell down her cheeks, a hand over her mouth to stifle the sobs as her heart shattered. If he saw she was crying, he'd be wonderful and comforting then she'd cave. If they had been of the same time, she would not hesitate to marry him. He was the kind of man she had always dreamed of spending her life with. Strong, compassionate, a leader and not to mention the added bonus of incredibly handsome. She knew her heart's limitations and suddenly being ripped from his life was not something she was ready to face. It would thoroughly break her.

Once dressed, Liam took a few steps toward Erin but stopped. He would respect her wish for space. Without saying a word, Liam turned and walked silently out the room.

At the sound of the door clicking shut, Erin frantically turned only to see he was actually gone. It was best this way, she kept telling herself despite her heart screaming that it was a lie.

Finally, she let the tears and sobs break freely from her as she ran toward the bed and tucked herself into the blankets. Liam's scent still lingered giving miniscule comfort. Still, the tears and sobs came.

What had she done?

Who wants to grab Erin and shake some sense into her? Don't worry...an unexpected source does that shaking soon ;)  This in general are about to get shaken up. Buckle up!

Enjoy, vote and comment!  Then go checkout Weekend Getaway if you haven't already!  Darkness has plunged over there ;)

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