THE SPUR

As I tie up my hair in a loose braid, a cool draft brushes against my neck, pulling my attention away from the mirror. I turn and notice the bathroom window ajar—a gap I'm sure wasn't there before. Stepping over, I see a bright red Dodge Ram pulling up the driveway. A quick glance at my phone tells me it’s nearly noon. Liam's early.

Securing the window, I rush back to the mirror to finish up my makeup—just a touch of mascara and a swipe of highlighter—before heading to the front door.

“You’re early, Mr.,” I say with a playful pout as I open the door, then break into a smile.

"I like to be on time," Liam replies, his head tilted, a grin spreading across his face. "May I come in?"

I nod, waving him inside, then walk over to the couch to pull on my hiking boots. Liam, looking ruggedly handsome in dark brown leather boots, snug jeans, and a grey jacket, watches me lace up.

“I thought you didn’t like hiking?” he teases, one eyebrow arched as he observes me.

I chuckle, securing the final knot. “Maybe I’m just warming up to it,” I reply, rising to face him fully. "Especially when the company is promising."

"Do you have a jacket?" he asks, his eyes sweeping over the interior of the cabin. "It can get pretty chilly up on the mountain."

I nod, gesturing towards my black puffer hanging beside the door. "Got it covered. Should I bring anything else? Water, snacks?"

He smiles, shaking his head. "I’ve packed everything we need. Just bring that sparkling personality of yours."

Laughing, I grab my jacket and give him a playful shove as we head outside. The sky is a brilliant blue, the sun beaming down generously despite the cool 48°F forecast. It's a perfect day for our little adventure.

I walk over to the passenger side of Liam’s truck. He follows, gallantly opening the door for me and shutting it once I'm settled inside. I sink into the leather seat, appreciating the roomy interior as I buckle up. He slips into the driver's seat, starting the engine, and we're off, ready to explore the scenic heights of the Spur.

As Liam starts the truck, a dimple forms on his stubbled cheek, giving him an adorable look. "I’m glad you decided to come out with me today."

"And I’m glad you asked," I respond, settling into the heated seat that soothes my aching back. The cab smells of new leather and fresh grass—a comforting blend.

We roll forward, leaving the long driveway and merging onto a winding road. Liam begins to share the history of the Spur, telling of its early settlement by Irish immigrants escaping a land famine. He points out that several founding families, including his own, still reside in the area.

"My ancestors built the pub, and it’s been in the Brady family ever since," he says, his voice filled with pride.

"Your mom, was she from around here?"

"Ahh, Ma," Liam says, his expression softening, "No, she grew up in Ireland. My Da met her when she was 18; her parents were visiting town, and for him, it was love at first sight."

"And for your mom?"

Liam shakes his head with a smile. "No, lass, she didn't fall so quickly. She resisted quite a bit. But it was destiny, you know? They were meant to be, and here they are, still together after 34 years."

I do some quick mental math and raise an eyebrow. "So, your parents didn’t waste any time before..."

"They tied the knot pretty fast. Da says when you know, you just know. Apparently, they made me soon after—they like to joke about the magic of their first night together, which, as their son, is way too much information."

As we approach a fork in the road, Liam steers left. My gaze lingers on the right path, the direction leading to where the accident occurred about five minutes up. A shiver runs through me as I try to push away the creeping memories.

"You okay?" Liam asks, his warm hand resting briefly on my thigh before he returns it to the steering wheel.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I assure him, even as we veer off the main road and begin ascending a steep hill. The truck bounces over the rough terrain, dodging fallen trees and stumps, causing me to grip the door handle a bit tighter.

At the summit, Liam parks the truck, and I'm immediately struck by the panoramic view. The entire valley stretches out below, the town nestled like a miniature model in the distance. We step out, and Liam takes my hand, leading me toward an ancient rock formation reminiscent of a mini Stonehenge.

The circle of five stones, with a long table at the center, is both eerie and fascinating. Intricate carvings mark each pillar, and as Liam heads back to the truck for a moment, he tells me, "Take your time, explore a bit."

Left to my own curiosity, I approach the main stone table and run my fingers over a deeply etched, swirling pattern that resembles an animal—something familiar. It reminds me of an iron talisman in my father’s old study, now tucked away in storage. Was it a fox? The memory is distant but persistent, tugging at the edges of my mind.

"Pretty incredible, isn't it?" Liam says, approaching me with a rug and a picnic basket in hand. "It’s an old Celtic symbol of a wolf."

"How old is it?" I ask, captivated by the design that seems to resonate with images from my dreams.

"As old as the town itself," he responds, spreading the rug beside the stone table and setting down the basket. He gestures for me to sit.

"This has been here for generations."

"Do people still use it for something, like animal worship or sacrifices?" I inquire, my curiosity piqued as he pulls out a bottle of wine and some food containers.

"Some say it was a site for worshiping long-forgotten gods," Liam explains, tearing off a piece of bread and giving me a playful, knowing glance. "Some locals still come here, to pay their respects. But it’s normally used for weddings."

After taking a sip, he settles beside me, resting back on his arms and gazing at the sky.

"Do you know who or what they are paying their respects to?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

"Aye, but they're a secretive bunch, those who still come here. If I told you what I knew, I'd have to either kill you or make you one of us," he jokes, a twinkle in his eye.

Being with Liam feels so natural, so familiar. He shifts the conversation, pointing towards the valley below us. "See that land down there?" he asks. "It's all owned by the townspeople. No government interference—just a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to what's best for their land and the town."

After finishing my drink, I stretch out on the rug, lulled by the sound of Liam's rich, melodic voice as he shares tales about the town and his family. The soothing timbre of his stories and the peaceful setting cause my eyelids to grow heavy.

Suddenly, the sound ceases. I open my eyes and turn to find Liam leaning close, his gaze intensely fixed on mine. His fingers trace the contours of my face with a featherlight touch, sending my pulse racing. His face inches closer, his breath warming the air between us.

"May I?" His voice is a low rumble, his eyes lingering on my lips.

I nod, unable to speak, and he closes the distance between us. His lips meet mine in a gentle brush, the surrounding scents of fresh grass and wood smoke deepening the moment, stirring something within me.

He closes the distance, his tongue gently traces my lips, seeking permission which I grant by parting them slightly. Our breaths mingle, dispelling the chill from the mountain air. Liam's soft moan vibrates against my mouth as our tongues explore each other—tentatively at first, then with growing urgency.

As we kiss, I savor his taste—mint and wine, a fresh sensation that fills my senses. Liam's body shifts, aligning with mine as he positions himself between my legs. Welcoming his closeness, I part them slightly, allowing him to settle more comfortably against me.

The wind stirs around us, but our shared warmth turns the cold into a burning heat as our hands explore each other.

His chest and shoulders are so strong, solid, and alive.

Warmth spreads between my legs, prompting a moan as Liam's movements precisely target my sensitive spot. His arousal is undeniable—thick, hard, and oh God. Responding to my moans, he growls softly, releasing my lips to focus on the sensitive skin of my neck. A shiver of pleasure courses through me as he trails soft kisses down to my collarbone, his fingers teasingly tugging at the zipper of my jacket.

We’re going to do this.

Jacket now open, his hand slides under my sweatshirt, pushing it up over my chest. His fingers skillfully find my breast, coaxing it free from the confines of my bra.

Shifting down, his lips travel from my shoulder, settling on my exposed and erect nipple. He begins to suck gently, sending waves of electric pleasure coursing through my body with each pull.

I’m throbbing, my core aching for more as I press against him, his hand slipping down to my pants, stroking the sensitive area between my legs. I moan again, louder this time, as he gently bites my sensitive flesh, applying just enough pressure to send waves of pleasure crashing through me.

His hand slides inside my leggings, tracing the seam of my panties before slipping beneath them. "Fuck, Ava, you're so hot, so incredibly wet," he groans, his voice low and guttural.

I push him up slightly, my nipple making a popping sound as it leaves his mouth, and reach for his buckle, unclasping it quickly. His hands take over, hurriedly unbuttoning his jeans.

Suddenly, a loud 'CRACK' echoes nearby, a branch snapping sharply, followed by a deep, ominous growl. I freeze…

Liam curses sharply, swiftly removing his hand and scrambling to his feet. He scans the area, his expression tense. Reaching down, he grabs my hand, tugging me to stand beside him. I quickly adjust my clothing, tucking myself back into my bra and pulling down my sweatshirt as my eyes dart around, searching for any sign of movement in the bushes.

"I'm sorry, love, but it's not safe here anymore. Seems we've attracted some local wildlife," Liam says, his voice edged with concern. With no clear idea where the growling is coming from, I nod, helping him quickly gather our things, folding the rug and packing up the picnic basket.

Liam waves me toward the truck with a reassuring smile. "Get inside; I'll handle this," he says, his eyes scanning the tree line for any further signs of the intruder. Slightly shaken by the earlier noises, I waste no time scurrying to the passenger side of his truck.

I open the door and slide into the leather seat, securing it behind me. My eyes drift back to the forest, catching a glimpse of a large, black shape retreating down the mountain slope. A bear? Something about its movement seems unsettlingly familiar.

Soon after, Liam climbs into the driver's seat, tossing the picnic basket and blanket into the back. He shifts uncomfortably, adjusting his clothing with a slight grimace.

As Liam grumbles and massages his forehead, I can't hold back a burst of laughter. "Well, that wasn't the ending I had in mind," he says, half annoyed, half amused.

My laughter escalates, tears springing to my eyes as I clutch my stomach. Erin would definitely have a blast teasing me about this. I haven't had sex in forever.

Catching his breath, Liam chuckles along, though I can tell he's still a bit frustrated. "Glad you think it's funny, Ava," he says with a wry smile, shaking his head. "Feck, you smell incredible," he murmurs as he turns the key in the ignition, seeming to consider something. "Raincheck?"

God, I’m so incredibly aroused right now. "Absolutely. Or we could continue this at the cabin. "

Groaning again, he sighs, "If only I could, love. I’ve got to go into work today. Otherwise..." His voice trails off, his expression rueful.

As the engine hums to life, he quickly changes the subject. "Oh, by the way, Ava, I was meaning to ask you—how about joining me at the town's Halloween party tomorrow night?

It seems like I'll be addressing the issue downstairs myself. FML!

I take a deep breath, and 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." His enthusiasm is contagious.

Liam gently takes my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Why not indeed."

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

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."