"Rise and shine, sleepyhead," Jeff murmured against her hair, his voice thick with sleep.

"It's so early," Layla protested, her eyes refusing to open and her head not budging from its place on his bare chest, "and we didn't get much sleep."

"I'm supposed to be meeting with Luke and Gabriella for brunch," he told her, playing with a lock of her dark brown hair.

"It can't be much past seven. Let's sleep in, Mr. CEO," she suggested, eyes still closed as she pulled the sheet over her bare shoulder.

"It's after eight. I really have to get moving," he replied, scooting out from beneath her. She grabbed his arm and pulled him back, suddenly much more awake.

"Not so fast," she said, lifting her lips for a kiss.

"Really? I thought after so much celebrating last night, you'd be too tired this morning..."

"I'm wide awake." She wrapped her arms around his neck and his lips found hers. "I'm never too tired for this," she whispered as she laid back and he trailed kisses along her jaw and down her neck.

LATER THAT DAY

"I have a surprise for you," he told her, beaming at her as they walked to his car from the airport.

"Who are you and what have you done with Jeff Fordham?" she laughed.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm just saying, I already know you're not that awful person everyone in Nashville thinks that you are, but the past couple of days you've just been...wonderful. Too wonderful. You've taken away any doubt that I wasn't a priority."

"Of course, you're my number one priority, Layla. I've told you that over and over."

"But the difference is, now I believe you," she smiled and touched his face as he held the car door open for her. He kissed her softly.

"Good. Now let me take you home," he said.

"I'm not that excited about packing, but I can't wait to move in with you," she said as they pulled out of the parking lot.

"Any ideas about a new manager?" he asked, changing the subject as he drove.

"Yeah, I think I'm going to call Glenn. I told you about talking to him at the Bluebird."

"Good. He's a smart businessman and he has great connections. He's well respected in Nashville," Jeff said nodding.

"Where are we going?" Layla asked as they passed her exit.

"Home."

"Jeff, are we headed to your house?"

"We're headed to our house."

"But I haven't packed a single thing. When are the movers coming? I can't just start staying over without actual stuff."

"Don't worry about it. I've taken care of it."

"Taken care of what?"

"The packing. The moving. It's already been done."

"What? Jeff! When?! When you said you'd already called the movers, I thought you'd probably set something up for next week...or you were teasing me."

"Nope. Why do you think I wanted you to come to Atlanta? I'd already planned the whole thing," he said, taking her hand as he drove.

"You really are the best, you know that right?"

He kissed her hand. "You bring out my best."

A few minutes later, he pulled his car through the gate. Layla stared at the brick mansion. Everything felt so surreal. This is where she was going to be living.

"Most of your furniture is in storage in the garage and most of everything else, except your clothes, is in one of the guest rooms boxed up and waiting for you to go through and unpack. I told them to hang your clothes in my closet and gave them instructions to label everything really well. Let me know if anything is missing or confusing," he told her as they walked upstairs.

"I'm sure it's fine," she said, following him with her bag. She'd stayed there many times before, but it still felt strange to her- this big house for just one person. Well, two now. But still, her tiny house that had more occupants than anyone cared to remember hardly compared to this place. She hadn't even been in every room.

He dropped their bags in the master bedroom and took her hands. "I told you I had a surprise."

"I thought this was the surprise," she said, glancing around.

He shook his head. "Follow me," he smiled, pulling her along as he walked back out of the big bedroom and down the upstairs hall. Around the corner, he stopped in front of a door with a big blue bow on it.

"What is this? Are we going to have separate rooms?" she asked, confused.

"No, of course not. I want you by my side every night, but this room is completely yours. It's my gift to you."

Her lips curled into a half smile and she narrowed her eyes at him as he gestured for her to open the door. She turned the knob and as she stepped inside, her jaw dropped.

"Jeff..." She didn't even have words.

"I'm guessing you like it?"

"Like it? Are you kidding me?" Her fingers ran lightly over one of the many guitars lining an entire wall. From the variety of electric and acoustics, the recording system, sound absorbers, comfy sofa and chair, and the desk in the corner, he'd thought of everything. "I've never had a real music room," she added, stopping at her favorite guitar and plucking it's strings in a little melody.

"I want you to feel at home. This is your space to work, write, get away from me, have some space- whatever."

"Why would I ever want to get away from you?" She stepped toward him, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his chest.

"I ask myself the same thing about you," he said, his chin settled on top of her head.

Layla closed her eyes and breathed him in, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

"It's crazy how in just a day's time, we've went from being constantly separated because of Juliette's tour, to no longer having to deal with her schedule and nasty attitude and getting to be with each other practically every single night." She sighed contentedly. It seemed to good to be true.

"Yep. She's no longer my problem and Luke's company will require some travel, but for the most part, I'll be here in Nashville. With you."

"Until I go out on tour," she mused.

"That hasn't even been scheduled yet. And we'll make it work," he assured her.

"I don't want to think about that right now. I'd rather start make something that isn't music in this room," she said, her hands finding and undoing his belt. He kicked the door shut behind them and picked her up, pressing her against the wall as his mouth found hers. She wrapped her legs around him, as his hand inched up her shirt.

It never got old with Jeff. Every time, she couldn't get enough- his kisses, his touch, the way he made her tremble, made her breath catch, even the way he sharply inhaled as she shimmied out of her clothes like it was the first time he'd ever seen her naked. His fingertips on her bare skin still lit her on fire, and when they moved from the wall to the couch, clothes landing haphazardly on guitars and furniture, he pulled her onto his lap and ran his warm hands down her back as a low moan escaped her lips and like so often when they made love lately, she couldn't imagine anything or anyone being able to make her feel the way he did. Moments later, when she lay sprawled across him, sweaty, spent and her heart practically beating out of her chest, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her shoulder. She smiled- he wouldn't pull away. He never pulled away from her after sex anymore. Not like in those first few months.

"Why did you always pull away from me?" she asked, practically drunk with happiness and still out of breath.

"What are you talking about?" he murmured.

"When we were first seeing each other."

"The first night we were together I held you practically all night. I woke up with you still in my arms."

"I know, but after that. All those times..."

"The truth?"

"Yes, I'd like to know."

"Because I knew I was falling for you and I hoped that I could put some distance between us. I didn't want to fall for anyone."

"But you fell for me."

"Yes, Layla. I fell for you. I mean, I asked you to move in with me- I hope that says something. I haven't lived with anyone since...well, since Jade and that was over ten years ago."

Layla bit her tongue, determined not to be too pushy or a clingy girlfriend. Or a jealous one that wanted to ask him if he loved her more than he'd loved Jade. She wanted him to say those three words he'd yet to actually come out and say so bad. She wanted to say them back to him, too. No way was she going to say it first though. She knew he loved her, he made it clear in so many ways, and she loved him, more than anyone ever, but still. Her heart wanted to burst. She wanted to shout it from the rooftops, but she did her best to play it cool- determined not to rush things or push them toward anything that wasn't what they both wanted. She wanted him to take the lead on this. It would mean so much more that way when he did say it.