Hearts Ablaze

Chapter 11

The sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon as Emma locked up Sweet Maple Bakery, casting long shadows across Main Street. She smiled to herself, thinking of the weekend getaway that lay ahead. Two whole days with Liam, away from the responsibilities of work and the prying eyes of Maplewood's well-meaning but nosy residents.

As if summoned by her thoughts, Liam's truck pulled up to the curb. He hopped out, looking unfairly handsome in jeans and a soft flannel shirt.

"Ready for our great escape?" he asked, pulling her into a warm embrace.

Emma breathed in his familiar scent of pine and smoke, feeling the last of the day's tension melt away. "More than ready. Let's get out of here before someone ropes us into another town committee meeting."

Liam laughed, pressing a kiss to her forehead before grabbing her overnight bag. "Your chariot awaits, m'lady."

The drive to the bed and breakfast was filled with easy conversation and shared laughter. Emma found herself marveling, not for the first time, at how effortless things were with Liam. It was as if no time had passed at all, as if they were picking up right where they left off all those years ago.

As they pulled up to the quaint Victorian-style house that housed the bed and breakfast, Emma felt a flutter of excitement in her stomach. The building was painted a cheerful yellow, with white gingerbread trim and a wraparound porch dotted with rocking chairs.

"Oh, Liam," she breathed, taking in the scene. "It's beautiful."

Liam squeezed her hand, his eyes warm. "Wait till you see the inside. I hear they have the best homemade breakfast in three counties."

Emma raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing at her lips. "Is that a challenge, Mr. Harper? Because I'll have you know, my cinnamon rolls are legendary."

Liam's laugh was rich and warm. "Trust me, I'm well aware of your culinary prowess. But this weekend, you're off duty. No baking allowed."

As they checked in and made their way to their room, Emma couldn't help but feel a little nervous. This was their first real getaway together since rekindling their relationship. What if things were different outside of Maplewood? What if...

Her spiraling thoughts were interrupted by Liam's soft gasp as he opened the door to their room. Emma peered around him, her own breath catching at the sight.

The room was spacious and airy, with a large four-poster bed draped in crisp white linens. A cozy seating area faced a fireplace, and French doors led out to a private balcony overlooking the lush gardens below.

"Wow," Emma said, stepping into the room. "This is... wow."

Liam set their bags down, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "Only the best for you, Em. I wanted this weekend to be special."

Emma turned in his arms, reaching up to cup his face. "It already is. Because I'm here with you."

Liam's answering kiss was soft and sweet, filled with promise. When they pulled apart, both slightly breathless, Emma couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny?" Liam asked, his eyes twinkling.

Emma shook her head, still chuckling. "Nothing, really. I just... I feel like a teenager again. All nervous and giddy."

Liam's smile softened, his hand coming up to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I know what you mean. It's like... like we're getting a do-over. A chance to do things right this time."

Emma felt her heart swell at his words. "I like the sound of that. A do-over."

They spent the rest of the evening exploring the bed and breakfast's grounds, hand in hand. The gardens were beautiful, filled with late-blooming flowers and winding paths. As the sun set, casting everything in a soft golden glow, Emma felt a sense of peace settle over her.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Liam asked as they settled onto a bench near a small koi pond.

Emma leaned her head on his shoulder, savoring his warmth. "Just thinking about how happy I am. How right this feels."

Liam pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I know what you mean. Being here with you... it's like everything in my life has been leading up to this moment."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the fish swim lazily in the pond. Finally, Emma's stomach gave a loud growl, breaking the spell.

Liam laughed, standing and offering her his hand. "I think that's our cue to find some dinner. What do you say we check out that little Italian place we passed on the way in?"

Emma took his hand, allowing him to pull her to her feet. "Sounds perfect. I'm suddenly craving spaghetti and meatballs."

The restaurant was cozy and intimate, with checkered tablecloths and candles flickering on each table. As they settled into their seats, Emma couldn't help but think back to their first official date at Bella Notte.

"What are you smiling about?" Liam asked, his own lips curving upwards in response.

Emma reached across the table, taking his hand in hers. "Just thinking about our first date. How nervous I was, how badly I wanted everything to be perfect."

Liam's thumb traced gentle circles on her palm. "I was a wreck that night. I must have changed my shirt five times before I left the house."

Emma laughed, the sound light and carefree. "Really? You seemed so cool and collected."

Liam shook his head, his expression fond. "Trust me, it was all an act. I was terrified I was going to say or do something to mess it all up. That you'd realize you were better off without me."

Emma squeezed his hand, her heart aching at the vulnerability in his voice. "Oh, Liam. I could never be better off without you. You're it for me, you know that?"

Liam's eyes shone with emotion. He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. "I love you, Emma Lawson. More than I ever thought possible."

The rest of dinner passed in a blur of good food and better company. They shared a tiramisu for dessert, playfully arguing over who got the last bite. As they left the restaurant, pleasantly full and slightly tipsy from the wine, Emma felt a sense of anticipation building in her stomach.

Back in their room, Liam pulled Emma close, his hands settling on her hips. "So," he said, his voice low and intimate. "What should we do now?"

Emma pretended to consider for a moment. "Well, I did hear something about a massage earlier. Something about you being good with your hands?"

Liam's grin was wicked. "Oh, I think that can be arranged. Why don't you get comfortable on the bed? I'll be right back."

As Emma settled onto the plush mattress, she heard Liam rummaging around in his bag. A moment later, he returned with a small bottle of massage oil.

"You came prepared," Emma noted, raising an eyebrow.

Liam's cheeks reddened slightly. "I, uh, may have done some research. Wanted to make sure I could back up my claims."

Emma felt a rush of affection for this man who cared enough to research massage techniques just to make her happy. "Well then, Mr. Harper. Show me what you've learned."

What followed was possibly the most relaxing and simultaneously arousing experience of Emma's life. Liam's hands were strong and sure, working out knots she didn't even know she had. As he moved lower down her back, Emma felt herself melting into the mattress.

"Feeling good?" Liam murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

Emma could only manage a contented hum in response. She felt boneless, utterly relaxed and yet hyper-aware of every point of contact between her body and Liam's.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the massage shifted from relaxing to something more. Liam's touches became lighter, more teasing. When Emma finally turned over to face him, his eyes were dark with desire.

"Emma," he breathed, his voice rough. "God, you're beautiful."

What followed was a night of slow, tender lovemaking. Emma lost herself in the feeling of Liam's hands on her skin, in the way he whispered her name like a prayer. And when they finally came together, it was with a sense of coming home, of two pieces of a puzzle finally clicking into place.

Afterwards, as they lay tangled in the sheets, Liam's arms wrapped securely around her, Emma felt a sense of peace she hadn't known in years.

"I love you," Liam murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her shoulder. "So much, Emma."

Emma turned in his arms, cupping his face in her hands. "I love you too, Liam. More than I ever thought possible."

As she drifted off to sleep, Emma's last conscious thought was that this, right here, was everything she'd ever wanted. And she'd fight with everything she had to keep it.

The next morning, Emma woke to the feeling of soft kisses being pressed along her collarbone. She smiled, keeping her eyes closed as she savored the sensation.

"Good morning, beautiful," Liam's voice was low and husky with sleep. "Sleep well?"

Emma opened her eyes, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of Liam's tousled hair and sleepy smile. "Mmm, better than I have in years. You're a pretty comfy pillow, Harper."

Liam's laugh rumbled through his chest. "Happy to be of service. Although I have to say, if this is how I get to wake up every morning, I might never let you leave this bed."

Emma felt a blush creep up her cheeks at the implication. "As tempting as that sounds, I believe we were promised the best homemade breakfast in three counties. And I, for one, am starving."

Liam groaned playfully, burying his face in her neck. "Do we have to? Can't we just stay here forever?"

Emma laughed, running her fingers through his hair. "Afraid not. But," she added, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, "we do have all day to explore. Any special plans?"

Liam's eyes lit up. "Actually, I was thinking we could check out that hiking trail I mentioned. It's supposed to have some amazing views. And then maybe a picnic lunch?"

Emma nodded, feeling a surge of excitement. "That sounds perfect. Although," she added with a mischievous grin, "if I get too tired on the hike, you might have to carry me."

Liam's answering smile was bright enough to light up the room. "For you, Lawson? Anything."

As they made their way down to breakfast, hand in hand, Emma couldn't help but marvel at how right it all felt. This easy companionship, the comfortable silences punctuated by bursts of laughter... it was everything she'd ever dreamed of.

The day passed in a blur of activity. The hike was challenging but rewarding, with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. They shared a picnic lunch at the summit, feeding each other strawberries and stealing kisses between bites.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink, they made their way back to the bed and breakfast. Emma felt pleasantly exhausted, her muscles aching in the best way.

"What do you say we order in tonight?" Liam suggested as they entered their room. "We could have a quiet night in, maybe take advantage of that big bathtub?"

Emma felt a thrill of anticipation run through her. "That," she said, pressing a soft kiss to his lips, "sounds absolutely perfect."

Later, as they soaked in the oversized tub, surrounded by bubbles and the soft glow of candlelight, Emma found herself thinking about the future. About mornings and nights like this stretching out endlessly before them. About building a life together, right there in Maplewood.

"What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?" Liam asked, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her arm.

Emma turned to face him, her heart full to bursting. "Just thinking about how lucky I am. How grateful I am that you came back to Maplewood. That we got this second chance."

Liam's expression softened, his eyes filled with love. "Emma, coming back to Maplewood... coming back to you... it's the best decision I've ever made. You're it for me, you know that? You're my home."

Emma felt tears prick at her eyes. She leaned in, capturing Liam's lips in a kiss that was soft and sweet and full of promise. When they pulled apart, both slightly breathless, Emma rested her forehead against his.

"You're my home too, Liam Harper. Always have been, always will be."

As they climbed into bed that night, wrapped in fluffy robes and each other's arms, Emma felt a sense of contentment wash over her. This weekend getaway had been more than just a romantic escape. It had been a reaffirmation of their love, a chance to reconnect away from the distractions of everyday life.

And as she drifted off to sleep, Liam's steady heartbeat beneath her ear, Emma knew with absolute certainty that this was just the beginning. The start of a new chapter in their story, one filled with love, laughter, and the promise of forever.