Rayna
It was almost a month later when she saw Luke again at a country radio event. He didn't usually come out for those types of things. He told her later that he'd attended hoping he would see her there. He invited her out to his ranch and, because Deacon had the kids, she said yes. Maybe it was just because they were older, but she found him attractive and he was fun to be around. It didn't have to turn into anything, but she'd decided she would be open. She hadn't been with anyone she'd wanted to get serious with and thought maybe this was the right time to explore that again.
When she drove out to the ranch, she was surprised at how big it was. The driveway off the road was long and winding and she could see all the various pastures that surrounded the house, all surrounded by white wooden fences. The house itself was very formal looking and reminded her of the houses in Belle Meade. She could see the horse barn off to the left of the house and she could see that there was also a small pond. When she parked and got out of her car, Luke walked out the front door to greet her.
"I have to say I didn't really expect all this," she said to him, with a smile.
He laughed. "Well, growing up we were pretty poor so when I started making money I decided I would buy the things I always wanted and never had."
"I thought you had a horse farm in Kentucky."
He nodded. "I do." They started walking towards the barn. He'd told her they would go out riding, so she'd worn jeans and boots. It was a warm mid-winter day and she'd rolled up the sleeves on her shirt to her elbows. "That's for breeding thoroughbreds though." He grinned. "Kind of like you." She frowned. "You know. Your album. Thoroughbred." She smiled then. It was her latest album that had dropped the previous summer.
She laughed. "Very funny." She breathed in. "So, like I told you it's been a while since I've been on a horse. I hope you have one that's gentle."
"I do. She's a pretty chestnut mare named Delilah. She's very good natured. My daughter Sage is learning to ride on Delilah."
"Well, if she's gentle enough for your daughter, she should be fine for me."
When they were finally on the horses and heading out towards one of the pastures, she found that it had been a little like muscle memory to get back on a horse. She'd been crazy for horses as a young girl but, like so many other things, that had ended when she was 12. When her mother died a lot had changed. Lamar had been distant and uninvolved in the lives of his daughters and not only was she having to face things on her own but so many things she loved went by the wayside.
"So how's Delilah?" Luke asked.
She looked over at him and smiled. "Perfect." She smoothed her hand over the back of the horse's neck. "Thank you for inviting me. I had forgotten how much I loved this. How freeing it feels to be out on a horse without all the other cares of the world. It feels so good to get back to doing something I've missed." As she looked at him, she felt her heart beating a little harder and her mouth get a little dry. His eyes seemed to signal that he wanted her, and she found herself wanting him in return.
She felt tingly all over. She traced her fingers over Luke's bare chest, as he grazed his fingers up and down her arm. She moved her head to look up at him and smiled. "Seems like I'm doing a lot of things today I haven't done in a while," she murmured.
He chuckled. "Well, I have to be honest with you and tell you that you don't seem like you've missed a beat. On any of 'em."
"If we're being honest, I should tell you that I didn't really expect to be doing this today."
"Well, truthfully, I was hoping it might lead to this. Or at least lead to what would lead up to this." He breathed in deeply. "I think I've had a crush on you since I first met you."
She laughed softly. "I think I knew that."
He raised his eyebrows and grinned. "I was that obvious?"
"Yeah, you kinda were. But I thought it was sweet."
"I never thought I'd ever have a chance with you. And I'm sorta beating myself up a little for letting it take this long."
She looked away. It had been 4 years since Deacon had left. She'd slowly come to the realization that it was time for her to move on and build a new life for herself and that made her sorry she'd waited so long to come to terms with it. Not that she had expected it would be with Luke, but she knew she shouldn't have waited so long to find someone new. She looked back up at him. "I'm just glad you finally did," she murmured. He moved so that he could kiss her, and she let herself lean into it. When he rolled her onto her back and entered her again, she welcomed him fully.
She was standing at the kitchen island, dressed in only one of Luke's shirts. He was making coffee for the two of them and she let herself admire his body from behind. He was tall and lean, yet muscular, and the fact that he was wearing jeans and no shirt just made that more noticeable. Since she'd had nothing to go home for, she'd ended up staying overnight at his ranch, and she had enjoyed it more than she had expected. Luke was a generous lover, and an eager one. She'd felt comfortable with him.
"Penny for your thoughts?" His voice startled her as she realized she'd been distracted. He held 2 mugs of coffee and was smiling at her.
She smiled and took the coffee. "I was just thinking about how surprising this visit to your ranch turned out to be," she said, with a laugh. "I thought I was just coming out to ride horses and then it turned into, well, so much more." She laughed again.
He leaned in and kissed her. "I'm hoping it was all good," he said.
She took a sip of her coffee. "Definitely."
"I hope there will be more of this." His eyes seemed to hold a mix of interest and caution, as though he didn't want to expect too much.
"I hope so too." It felt nice to be with someone again. Someone who seemed to be as uncomplicated as Luke. She noticed the time then and took another quick sip of her coffee. "As nice as this has been and as much as I've enjoyed being with you though, I need to get back home." She set the mug down on the island. "Deacon will be bringing the kids home soon."
Luke nodded. "How often does he have them?"
"Right now, whenever he's home. Once I start my tour, it'll be a little different. Logistics are different for him. Rock bands tour more, it seems." He would be touring most of the year with the Revel Kings. She wasn't sure what had made him decide to be part of a band and let go of a solo career, but then that wasn't the kind of thing they discussed these days. She had also been surprised that he had taken Cy's offer to join his band, but she supposed he just wanted to try something new. Maybe he just wanted the rock 'n roll lifestyle.
"I guess that is a little complicated."
She shrugged. "We've figured it out for the most part."
He looked thoughtful. "I have to admit I was surprised when the two of you broke up. I thought it was that kind of forever thing."
She sighed. "Sometimes things don't last forever. Even when you thought they would."
"Yeah, it's tough when relationships end."
"Well, we do still have a relationship. We co-parent our kids." She didn't really want to delve into this topic with him just yet, so she changed the subject. "So, I need to get dressed so I can get home." She smiled and kissed him. "I really did have a great time."
As she drove home, she realized she was actually excited about the possibilities of this new relationship, that maybe it could lead to something. She hadn't necessarily expected to end up in bed with him and then stay over, but it had felt right. She had stayed away from relationships up to this point, wanting to concentrate on her kids and her career. Plus, she hated to admit that it had taken longer than it should have for her to get over Deacon. It had been hard for her to acknowledge that it was over.
She thought back to her 2005 tour. She hadn't had an album to support that year, but almost every stop on the tour was sold out. The lead guitar player she'd hired to replace Deacon had made the decision before the tour started to get off the road. His wife was pregnant, and he wanted to be close to home. She'd hired a guy named Weston to replace him. Actually, Bucky had hired him, but when she first saw him, she'd had to admit she felt a little weak in the knees. He was young – 27 – and breathtakingly handsome. He was a ladies' man, that was clear from the very start. One night, early in the tour, she'd had a little too much to drink at the after party, for reasons she couldn't remember, and he had offered to take her to her room. Except that he'd taken her to his room instead.
From that night until she ended it, she would meet him in his room most nights for some very enjoyable sex. That was all it ever was, but it had made her realize how much she had missed being touched and being desired by a man. She never stayed the night, because she needed to get back to her own suite and her kids, and she, of course, had never brought him to her room. It was strictly a tour fling, and she never saw him when she was home in Nashville. She had ended it about a month before the tour was over, knowing it wasn't leading anywhere and knowing she didn't want it to. When the tour was over, she had told Bucky she wanted to move on from him. And then there had been someone else she'd dated for a short time, but it wasn't a good fit.
What she had realized was that she really wasn't someone to have casual relationships or a strictly sexual relationship. She wanted a connection. With Luke she had that connection, and she knew immediately that this would not be something casual, that it would be a significant, important relationship. She smiled, realizing the idea of that made her very, very happy.
Deacon
He sat back against the pillows along the headboard of the bed. The hotel in San Antonio was one of those historic places, so everything was top of the line. The furniture was heavy solid wood, the sheets and comforters were fluffy and soft. The rewards of being part of a megastar rock band. Next to him, Carmen rolled onto her side and propped herself up on her elbow. She looked up at him and smiled. Carmen had a sexy smile, the kind that – in the right time and place – could instantly make him want to throw her onto the bed and make crazy love to her. Carmen was petite, with long dark brown hair and eyes the color of liquid chocolate. Sexy eyes. She was part of his past life, life before sobriety. Before she got her big break in journalism, she had been part of a wide circle of people in his and Rayna's orbit. She and Vince were never exclusive, but she was always Vince's best girl. He'd never known her to have a serious relationship and once Vince died, she'd disappeared from their scene.
She was now one of the top music industry journalists and had articles in all the biggest music magazines across the country. She had told him when they reconnected that she had always had a thing for him, but knew he'd never look at anyone else but Rayna. But now there was no Rayna and while she was out on the road with the band, they would hole up in his hotel room and reconnect.
He looked down at her. "What?" he asked, with a smirk on his face.
She shrugged. "Nothing. Just still wondering what you're doing with the Revel Kings."
He chuckled. "It's a good job. Pays good money."
"Enough to put up with Cy?"
He smirked again. "Evidently. Could be worse things."
"I guess I'm just surprised you've forsaken country music."
"I ain't done that. But it's hard trying to make your own path. And this is definitely bigger than anything I ever done." Cy had come along when he was beginning to wonder if he'd ever be a truly successful solo artist. He'd known Cy and the rest of the Revel Kings since he'd first come to Nashville. Although Cy and most of the band still lived in Nashville, they had made the decision early on to go rock 'n roll and it had been good to them. They were still one of the top bands in the music industry, playing to sold out arenas and stadiums. He'd been ready for something new, needed something new, something that would also take him out of Rayna's orbit, and this had fit the bill. He just hoped Carmen didn't dig too deep into why.
She reached out and ran her hand over his arm. "I guess." She looked up at him again. "So, things are really over with you and Rayna?"
He sighed. He didn't really like talking about Rayna and he wished Carmen wouldn't bring it up. Caroline had told him that she didn't think she could get out from under Rayna's shadow, which he thought was absurd. Of course, things with Caroline had ended soon afterwards. "They been over, Carmen, for a pretty long while. Like I told you before," he said tersely. "And I don't wanna talk about it."
"I just never thought..."
He glared at her. "Carmen," he said, a warning in his voice.
She rolled onto her back, stretching her arms up over her head. "Okay, okay," she said. He leaned back and closed his eyes. "You do know she's seeing Luke Wheeler now, right?"
It really wasn't so much that she was seeing someone. He didn't really have a right to weigh in or even really question her doing it. They weren't together anymore. She was free to do what she pleased. It was that it was Luke Wheeler. Despite the fact that he'd toured with Luke for a year and a half, it hadn't done much to change his opinion of the man. Actually, it had made it more clear. That first summer Luke had just come out of a messy divorce and was feeling his freedom. The second summer Luke had learned not to mention Rayna around him. But he'd had all he could take that year. Luke was a womanizer and he treated women like possessions, which bothered him. Luke almost always had other male openers on his tours, so the atmosphere was like a rowdy boys' club, with drinking and the general rowdiness that followed. Since he no longer drank, he'd wearied of it quickly. It was good money but not good enough to do it again. Luke had been disappointed that he'd turned down a 3rd tour, but he'd had enough, and Tim McGraw had offered more money, so it had been easy to say no.
He might not have cared as much about Rayna seeing someone if it had just been some random guy. But this was different. Luke had always had a thing for Rayna, was always flirting with her back in the days when they were all on the county fair circuit, trying to sweet talk her. It had made him angry and it had led to more than one drinking binge. Luke had been too smart to get into a fight with him, not that he hadn't tried. Rayna always dismissed him, but apparently now she had not. It bothered him, though, that she hadn't told him about it. He wondered if Luke had been around the kids too, so he was even more irritated that she hadn't mentioned it.
As he thought about it, he recalled that she'd started acting a little more circumspect over the past month or so. She didn't chat with him much when he picked up or dropped off the kids. She seemed...distracted. He wondered if that was when she had started seeing Luke. And why she hadn't mentioned it to him, especially in light of the fact that he would interact with the kids. She knew what he was like and it surprised him that she would get involved with someone with his reputation with women. After the Saturday show, the band would be headed back to Nashville for a couple of weeks. He would make sure to ask her about it then.
He got to Rayna's house a little early. When she opened the door, she frowned slightly. "You're early," she said.
"Yeah. I wanted to talk to you about something." She didn't move. "Can I come in?" She sighed, then stepped aside and let him in.
"What's going on?" she asked. He noticed she was a little more dressed up than she usually was. He wondered if she was meeting Luke after he'd left with the kids. That it bothered him at all was a little unnerving.
"I was thinking maybe you could tell me." She shifted her eyes away from him. "You wanna tell me about Luke Wheeler?" She turned back to look at him.
"What?"
"I heard you been seeing Luke Wheeler. I wondered if it was true and, if it is, why you hadn't told me. Considering the kids and all."
She frowned. "It's still new. The kids haven't met him and I haven't talked to them about it." She looked at him sharply. "How did you hear?"
"Someone passed on the information. I was just surprised not to hear it from you directly."
"I'm sorry. Like I said, it's still new. And we haven't gone public yet either. I would have told you before I introduced him to Maddie and Levi." She looked at him curiously. "Does it bother you that I would be seeing someone?"
He shook his head. "Course not. It was just surprising is all. That it was Luke."
"He's grown up a lot since we knew him. Just like you have." He looked away. "I like him, and we have fun together. I haven't had a really serious relatonship since...you left. So I want to take it slow and see how it goes." He looked back at her. "And I will tell you before he meets the kids. So you can be prepared." He found it hard to believe that Luke could have changed that much since the last tour, so he wondered what Luke's angle was.
Just then he heard footsteps coming down the stairs and then Maddie and Levi burst into view. "Dad!" Maddie cried, running over to hug him, Levi close behind. His mood was completely lifted by the presence of his kids. They were the center of his world. When he looked up at Rayna, she was smiling.
"You two crazy people be good for your father, okay?" she said.
"We will," Maddie said, with an eye roll.
"We will," Levi said with a nod.
"Their things are right there," Rayna said, pointing at the suitcases and totes by the door. "Have a good time this week." She looked at him. "I'll see you at the end of the week."
Rayna
It had surprised her when Deacon had asked about Luke. Over the last couple of months, they had been seeing more of each other, but because they didn't want to go public yet – or at least she didn't – she would spend time with him on the ranch, when Deacon had the kids. He was itching to make it more public, she knew, but she'd learned to be cautious. She thought maybe this would be when they could talk more about what it would mean to go public. She would leave to go to the ranch soon, now that Deacon and the kids were gone. She had her own overnight bag packed and already in her car so that she could spend the next few days with Luke. She felt a little shiver of excitement as she thought about being with him. She imagined they would start to pull each other's clothes off as soon as she walked in the door and be in bed together inside 5 minutes. She felt her cheeks get warm and a smile cross her face. She hurried towards the back door, grabbed her keys and purse, and entered the garage.
She parked behind the house, then got out and grabbed her overnight bag. She briskly walked to the back door and let herself in. She dropped her bag and purse. "Luke!" she called out. After a moment, she heard footsteps and then he burst into the room.
"Hey, baby!" he cried, a big smile on his face. She met him halfway and let him wrap her up in his arms. "I'm so glad you're here."
She kissed him, then stepped back. "Me too." She smiled. "I know it's just been a week, but I've missed you." He looked deep into her eyes, and she could feel little tentacles of desire swirl through her body. "Really missed you," she murmured.
He leaned down and gave her a deep kiss, one that left her a little breathless. "I've really missed you too," he said. Then he took her hand and she eagerly followed him up to his bedroom.
Deacon
He couldn't get Rayna's words out of his head. I like him and we have fun together. I haven't really dated anyone since...you left. So I want to take it slow and see how it goes. He didn't know why it bugged him so much. She had every right to do that. They weren't still together. Maybe it was because he hadn't had a serious relationship. The thing with Carmen, though fairly regular, was not a whole lot different from the thing with Caroline. Or the thing he'd had with Vivienne, a songwriter he'd met after the Tim McGraw tour. Or Stacy, someone he'd met standing in line at a coffee shop. They weren't serious. Had never been and he'd known never would be. Sure, it was nice sometimes to spend more time with a woman, more than just a one or two night thing. But it had never felt like he was in a place where he'd want to introduce them to Maddie and Levi. That always felt like his line in the sand. If he wasn't comfortable with the idea of including his kids, then it wasn't going to be for the long haul. Maybe that's what it is. Maybe this feels like it might be the long haul for her.
"Dad," Maddie called out from the backseat. "What's for dinner tonight?" That brought him back to the present.
He looked at her in his rear view mirror. "It ain't even close to dinner and you're already thinking about that?" he asked, with a smile.
That night, after the kids had gone to bed, he sat in the living room in front of the TV. Some show was on – a show after a show the kids liked – but he wasn't paying any attention. He went back to thinking about Rayna being with Luke Wheeler. That was the other part. It was Luke Wheeler. She'd been so dismissive of him when he'd gone out on tour with Luke, so what had changed? It was hard for him to picture her having a personal relationship with Luke. With anyone really. Being intimate with him. He felt something deep in his gut that he wasn't sure he understood. He had no right to stand in her way, but it bugged him. And he wasn't sure what, if anything, he should do about it. Or could do about it.
Rayna
Luke brought up going public, almost as though he knew Deacon had asked. They were all tangled up in the sheets the afternoon she was leaving to go home, and she was resting her head on his shoulder. "So, I got invited, again, to perform on the main stage on Saturday night during CMA Fest." CMA Fest was just 3 weeks away and most touring artists had a break during that week. "I hadn't done it in a while so I'm thinking about saying yes. But I wanted to ask you if maybe you'd come out on stage and do a song with me."
She lifted her head and looked at him. "What?"
He chuckled. "You heard me. I want you to come on stage and do a song with me. Sort of like a coming out party. For us."
She was a little startled. "Wow, Luke." She couldn't think of what to say.
"I think it's time, Rayna. I mean, if this is really something. I think it is, but I'm just not sure what you think."
She ran her fingers a little absently over his chest. Then she looked at him. "I think it is too," she said. She felt butterflies in her stomach as she said it. She knew this was where they were headed – had felt pretty good about it – but it still was a lot.
He smiled. "So, you'll do it? Sing with me?"
She took a deep breath. "If we can find the right song, yes, I'll sing with you." He laughed out loud, then put his arm around her neck and kissed her. She couldn't help but laugh too, but she held one finger up. "But one caveat."
"What's that?"
"I need to let my kids know that we're...dating. And I'll want you to meet them. Before we do any of that. Levi's really too young to understand dating but Maddie does, so I want them to be part of it."
"Of course," he said. "I want to meet your kids. And for you to meet mine. And I'm gonna work on coming up with the perfect song for us to do." His face turned serious. "And what about Deacon?"
"What about Deacon?"
"I guess you'll need to tell him."
She looked down. "Well, I guess we weren't quite as discreet as we thought. He'd already heard about it from someone." She looked at him.
He frowned. "I don't think it's common knowledge."
She shook her head. "I don't either, but he asked me about it." She shrugged. "I told him it was true but that we hadn't gone public."
"So, how's that going to go?"
"Deacon and I aren't together. Haven't been for a while now. I understand he wants to know if I'm introducing someone to the kids, just like I would want to know. But he doesn't make those decisions for me about who I see."
He didn't say anything at first, then smiled and kissed her. "Well, that's good to know."
She smiled back. "Maybe when we're both in town next you can come over for dinner. What do you think?"
"I think that's great. I can't wait to meet your kids." He kissed her again and then the kiss morphed into more and before long she was lying underneath him, swept up in all the good feelings.
She asked Deacon to stay for a minute after he dropped off the kids. She watched as Maddie and Levi ran upstairs and then clasped her hands together nervously. She didn't know why she was nervous. Maybe it's just because this is the first time either one of us has taken this step.
"What's going on, Rayna?" he asked. She turned to face him.
"Well, I told you I'd let you know if, when, Luke and I decided to go public with our relationship. And so, we have. He's going to come over next week for dinner and to meet the kids. I wanted you to be prepared."
He looked guarded. "Already then, huh?"
She tried not to roll her eyes and she ignored his comment. "And he's asked me to sing with him at CMA Fest, so that means it'll be, I guess, official."
He shifted from one foot to the other. "Yeah, I guess it will be." He breathed out. "It has to be Luke? Really?"
She frowned. "I don't really understand why you think it's your business, Deacon. I think you gave up the right to care about my personal business a long time ago."
He opened his mouth as if he was going to say something, then closed it. He shifted back and forth on his feet before finally speaking. "Uh, yeah, you're right. I guess you know what's best. Thanks for giving me a heads up. I guess."
She was annoyed that he was being a bit of a prick about this but decided not to engage. "Sure. So, I guess we'll see you in a few weeks?"
He nodded. "Yeah." He turned towards the door and opened it, then looked back at her. "Bye, Rayna."
"Bye," she murmured and then she watched him leave, closing the door behind him. His reaction left her feeling a little unsettled, although it really should not have. It was true – he'd given up the right to care about what she did in her personal life, except where it impacted Maddie and Levi. She shook her head and walked back to the kitchen.
Deacon
Carmen wasn't on the flight to LA. He was kind of okay with that since her presence usually made Cy act squirrely. He had told Carmen that she shouldn't be so obvious in focusing her attention on him, but she didn't care. In fact, he sometimes thought she took pleasure in tweaking Cy. Of course, sometimes he did too. But the truth was that Cy was always more of an ass when Carmen was around too much or seemed to ignore him. Cy had always been a bit of a prick, even now that he was sober. To be fair, Revel Kings was really his band, even though the rest of the guys were equal partners. Cy was the star and he liked to be treated that way. And, although he wouldn't say it, he knew Cy wanted Carmen for himself. Whether it was because he actually wanted her or was just because Carmen had not shown any interest, it didn't matter. It just meant that he was the one in Cy's sight line.
As they got off the plane and walked across the tarmac, Cy came up to him. "So, how's everything going, Deac? You spend some time with the kiddos?"
He smiled a little. Cy wasn't good for a lot of small talk, so he sensed there was something else on his mind. but he'd make him work for it. "Going good. And yeah, had a week with the kids. It was good seeing 'em."
Cy smiled, but it was a bit insincere. "Still can't believe you let yourself get all domesticated like that. Sounds like maybe it wasn't a smooth fit though."
"What can I do for you, Cy?" He wasn't getting caught up in Cy's bullshit.
"I know Carmen's meeting us here, but I think you've been sort of...monopolizing her, if you know what I mean."
He shook his head. "I can't help it if she's got her own mind, Cy."
"Well, I'm thinking maybe we cut it all short. So maybe you don't get a lot of mention."
He looked at Cy. "So it's what, an article about you?"
Cy smiled, one of his slick smiles. "Yeah, maybe so, maybe so. We don't need as much focus on the supporting players."
"Except you need those supporting players. In case you forgot." He smirked and then picked up his pace as he headed for the terminal.
He reached over to the bedside table and picked up the glass of water sitting there, taking a sip. Then he looked over at Carmen. "So did Cy cut your article short?"
She smirked. "He tried."
He smiled. "Not successful then?"
She narrowed her eyes and held up her hand, her index finger and thumb hovering close together. "A smidge. Don't get me wrong, it's not like he has no influence, but the magazine has a particular interest in doing more of a behind the scenes look into one of the longest running rock bands in the country. And in the end, Cy wants the press more than he wants to be a jerk."
He chuckled a little. Carmen reached out and ran her hand softly over his chest. He cleared his throat and looked down at her. "You were right about Rayna and Luke, by the way." He raised his eyebrows. "Not that I want to have a conversation about it."
Carmen smiled. "I know." She drummed her fingers lightly on his chest. "Intriguing match though."
"Not biting." He rolled towards her, pushing her back against the pillows, taking her mouth with his.
He and Carmen had decided to be more low key for the rest of the time she was on the road with the band. She spent more time with the other members of the band during the day, but still showed up at his door after each show. Which worked for him. He couldn't stop thinking about her comment. Intriguing match though. And wondered how things would go when Maddie and Levi met Luke. It made him clench his jaw every time he thought about it.
Rayna
She and Luke were sitting on the patio at his ranch, each with a beer. The weather was pleasant, and the sun was bright. She had been thinking about what song they should perform together at the big CMA show. The problem was that Luke didn't have a lot of songs that were workable for a female voice and especially for a duet. But she thought she'd come up with something that would work.
"So, I was thinking about the duet idea," she said. "I have a thought."
He smiled. "What're you thinking?"
"Shotgun. It would need just a little reworking, depending on how you want it arranged, but I think that would work. Maybe slow it down just a bit." She smiled. "What do you think?"
"I think you're a genius." She laughed and he reached over and squeezed her hand. "I knew you'd figure it out. We'll have to rehearse it, but I don't think that'll be a big deal." He let go of her hand and sat up in his chair. "So what did Maddie and Levi think about coming out to the ranch this weekend?"
"They're excited. I think Maddie's not sure about riding a horse and Levi has been non-stop talking about it. I hate to tell him he's too little." She smiled at Luke. Dinner at her house had gone well, she thought. Luke, whatever else he was, was great with kids. With her kids. It had warmed her heart and it had made her like him even more than she already did. And she already liked him a lot. To an almost embarrassing degree, if she were honest. He was actually the first man who'd made her feel sexy again.
She loved when Luke undressed her. He always took his time, making sure he kissed and caressed her in all the right places. By the time they were both undressed, she was aching for him. He was a good lover – gentle, but also incredibly skilled. But the most important thing was that he made her feel cared for and he made her feel like she was more than just a woman in his bed. She liked that about him.
Luke wasn't the only man she'd gotten involved with since Deacon left, but he was the one she wanted as much as he seemed to want her. He felt like her equal, someone who understood her and understood the music. She'd had that dalliance with one of her lead guitar players, the summer before Levi turned 3. It had been hot. It was all about sex, though, and so, as heated as it was, it ran its course by the end of the tour, and she had not brought him back the next year. There were a few other men she'd gone out with that didn't last long. And there was the 6 weeks before the holidays when she had dated a man Tandy had fixed her up with named Teddy. He was nice and polite and dreadfully boring and after she'd ended it, she'd told Tandy she should date him. And now there was Luke and she loved being naked with him. But it was a lot more than just that and now she thought she might be falling in love with him.
"Rayna?" She realized her mind had wandered and she looked at Luke, not sure what he'd just said.
She smiled in spite of her embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I was just thinking about how much the kids were going to enjoy coming out here," she lied.
He chuckled indulgently. "Well, I was just saying that we should work on that duet while you're here and then I'm going to cook you dinner." He smiled that sexy smile of his and she practically shivered.
"I didn't know you cooked," she murmured.
"I can do a few things. My specialty is grilled salmon and asparagus."
She grinned. "Well, that sounds amazing."
He reached for her hand and stood up, bringing her up with him. He gave her a cheeky smile. "But I was just thinking you looked particularly enticing just now and it made me wonder what you were really thinking about." She was sure she blushed because he laughed softly. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Then he looked at her and winked. "Shall we?"
She knew exactly what he was asking. "Oh, yes," she said with a smile. And then she let him lead her into the house and up to his bedroom. She was already tingling all over.
She was both nervous and excited about going out on stage with Luke. She'd performed on the big stage before and it was always exciting, but it also always seemed like the hottest days of summer were during CMA Fest, even in the evening, so she was glad not to be performing a full set that night. She was standing on the side stage watching Luke. The crowd was hyped up – Luke had not performed at CMA Fest for several years – and she could feel the excitement.
Luke had told her he would invite her out for the last number, which would be their duet of Shotgun. She had worn a black sequined dress with tiny cap sleeves that hit her at mid-thigh, along with a pair of black stilettos. Her jewelry sparkled and she felt energized. It was finally time, and someone handed her a mic.
"I've got a special someone I want to bring out to sing this last song with me. Will y'all put your hands together for Ms. Rayna Jaymes!" Luke turned towards where she was standing and held out a hand as she walked across the stage. The crowd was screaming and she felt tingly all over as she smiled and waved to the crowd. When she got closer to Luke, he took her hand. He moved away from the mic. "You ready?" She nodded. They launched into their rendition of Shotgun, trading off lines and verses and singing choruses together. She could hear the crowd singing along and she felt almost like she was flying.
When the song ended, he took her hand and they raised their arms up in the air. He kept hold of her hand then and leaned toward the mic. "Let's hear it for Ms. Rayna Jaymes!" he shouted as the crowd continued to roar their approval. When the decibel level lowered a bit, he grinned at her and then said, "I should probably tell y'all that Rayna and I are officially riding shotgun." And then he kissed her. She hadn't expected that and she felt a little dizzy from the kiss and the crowd noise and she reached out and grabbed his arm to steady herself. He finally let her go and she looked out over the crowd, still feeling a little overwhelmed.
Finally she lifted her mic to her lips. "Thank you, CMA Fest!" she shouted, raising her arms over her head. Then she turned and looked at Luke, as he took her hand and they walked off the stage together. When they made it to the side stage, she handed off her mic and then turned to him. "I wasn't expecting that kiss," she said.
"You mad about it?"
She looked at him for a moment and then smiled. She actually felt giddy with excitement. "No, I'm not," she said, and then she kissed him.
Deacon
Pictures of Rayna and Luke were everywhere. After they had performed together at CMA Fest, Nashville was abuzz about the two of them together. Apparently the duet had been highly charged and had ended in a very public kiss. They were a 'supercouple' now, whatever the hell that meant. He'd been on the road, thankfully, and had missed it all. But then he had to listen to Maddie and Levi go on and on about Luke and his ranch and his horses and he'd finally asked Rayna if they had all stayed at Luke's ranch. She had been offended that he'd asked and told him that they had not. It got under his skin though and the idea that his kids 'loved' Luke had pissed him off.
"Why do you care?" Carmen asked him.
He scowled. "You don't know Luke Wheeler."
She grinned. "No, I don't. What's wrong with him? Other than the fact that he's a huge star and handsome and single and available." He was pissed that she got this much pleasure out of needling him.
"Because in spite of all that, he's a womanizer."
Carmen laughed. "A womanizer? Are you serious? He sure seems pretty into Rayna, who's not your wife anymore, by the way."
He had this burning feeling in his chest. "He don't treat women all that well. He cheated on his ex-wife, and he'll probably do it to Rayna."
"Well, she's a big girl. I'll bet she can handle it. But she's a big star too, Deacon. I think it might not be the same. And things change." She gave him a knowing look. "People change."
That's what Rayna had said. He just didn't really believe it. He was sure Luke would show his true colors eventually. "Well, we ain't gonna talk about it anymore," he said. He rolled on top of her and kissed her hard.
When he let go of her mouth, she laughed a little. "If this is not talking about it, I'm all in," she said. Then she kissed him back and lifted her hips against him. With a growl, he let himself take out all his frustration on Carmen, who was more than willing to let him.
