*** Please note, some adult situations follow. Please skip this chapter if you don't enjoy reading such things.

"Hmmm…arh..um. Yep. Hmm, maybe"

Deacon looked up as Rayna walked into their bedroom. She was frowning at what the person on the other end was saying to her. She rolled her eyes at Deacon before sitting down on the edge of their bed to kick her shoes off.

"Ye I understand what you are saying Markus, but I don't think that is the way we should go. What you did today was perfect. Hmmm, ye….sure." Deacon laughed under his breath as Rayna mouthed a silent 'sorry', before pacing around the bedroom. He didn't know how she managed to remain calm when dealing with difficult musicians. He had barely controlled his frustration when he toured with Juliette and he wasn't even going to contemplate the time he had spent with the Rebel Kings. There was no doubt about it, Rayna definitely had the patience of a saint. He snorted, as he thought she must have to be to put up with him all these years.

Picking up the contract for the bar he resumed reading, half listening to Rayna on the phone. Rayna continued trying to reason with Markus, and judging from the tone of her voice, he would say that Markus was close to pushing her over the edge. Rayna gave a little scream as she stormed across the room, her face suggesting that she was ready to kill someone.

Slamming her phone down on the bedside table, she threw Deacon a look that suggested he not say anything. Swallowing his laughter, he watched as she stormed into the bathroom. He could hear her slamming draws closed and muttering under her breath.

"Ray?"

"He is going to be the death of me" was the muttered response he got from her.

"Why? What did he do?"

Storming out of the bathroom Rayna waved her toothbrush around, punctuating her words "I swear it's like having a third child dealing with Markus."

Peering over his glasses at her, he took in her agitated state. Markus certainly had pressed all her buttons. He hadn't seen her this angry in a long time. Smirking unconsciously, he realised that he was the last person who had pissed her off this much.

"Give him time Ray. He will soon learn he can't win against you!"

"Ha!" rolling her eyes at him, she walked back into the bathroom. "You're hysterical Deacon."

Deacon chuckled to himself, he certainly thought he was amusing. He could still hear muffled noises coming from Rayna. Now he was intrigued about what Markus had said to her. Rayna normally didn't hold onto her anger for long and was generally able to move on quickly; well other than her anger against him. She didn't take offence at much, after all it was just business.

He glanced over at the doorway. Rayna was leaning against it rubbing moisturiser into her arms. She was frowning as she worked things over in her mind.

"So what happened? What did he say?"

"It's nothing. I just over reacted that's all."

"Come on Ray. You can't bull shit me. It takes a lot to get to you."

Rayna rubbed at her forehead, before telling Deacon what had happened with Markus.

"Markus said that I had no idea what was a great song, and what would move on the charts. That things have changed. It's nothing. I just took it the wrong way, and he apologised straight after but you know…. it just bugged me."

"Oh babe. He doesn't know what he is talking about. You have always had an ear for what would work or not. I would trust your judgement over any of the top music producers."

Rayna smiled at his attempt to make her feel better.

"You are bias."

"Well yes and I am sleeping with the producer in question. Ray, come here." Deacon jerks his head at her.

Rayna bit her lip at his comment and slowly made her way over to his side. Standing between his legs she smiled tentatively at him.

"BUT I stand by my statement. Ray, you have always been able to pin point what was wrong in a song and what it needed to make it better. Don't let some punk undermine your confidence."

Rayna lent down and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

"Thank you."

Deacon trailed his hands up and down her bare legs, basking in the feel of her silky skin. His fingers teased the edges of her underwear.

"Did you want me to go round and beat his sorry arse for you?"

Rayna shivered at the feel of his fingers cupping her butt cheeks. Her fingers involuntarily twitched against his shoulders as he gripped and pulled her closer to him. Looking down at his upturned face, her heart swelled with love. Even though he was joking about beating Markus up, she knew that he would do anything to ensure her happiness. Placing a soft kiss on his lips she smiled. Smoothing a lock of his hair off his forehead,

"Thank you for wanting to be my knight in shining armour, but I don't think that will be necessary this time."

Deacon's lips twitched in amusement.

"Are you sure Ray. Ask Luke, I have a mean right hook!"

Rayna choked out a laugh and hugged him to her. His arms laced around her as he rested his chin against her stomach. He looked so adorable peering up at her, with his reading glasses on and an earnest look upon his face. Cupping his face, Rayna once again kissed his soft lips. Peppering them with light kisses, she lavished him with love. No one else had ever made her feel so safe. Knowing that he would defend her, even with violence, made her feel cherished. She knew in her gut that it was primitive and in the past it frustrated her that Deacon would punch anyone who even insulted her, but it also made her treasured.

Trailing her fingers over his face, Rayna stared down at the face who meant all the world to her. Here he was, the man who had stolen her heart and refused to give it back. This man, sheltered her against the ugliness of the world while at the same time could frustrate her till she couldn't see straight, no one else had ever come close to threatening his place in her heart. Teddy and Luke had no chance against the memory of Deacon. Even when their relationship moved into the friend field, Deacon would stand next to her and support her every decision. If she was lucky Teddy might have threatened to sue anyone who insulted her, whereas Luke if it suited his own purpose would have defended her.

Deacon pulled her closer to him, while stroking his hands up and down the backs of her thighs. Rayna shivered, it felt so good to have him close again, to feel the heat of his body against hers. Her whole body hummed at his nearness. She took his glasses off, placing them on top of the paperwork sitting on the bedside table. Threading her fingers through his hair, her lips found his again. As she deepened the kiss, a soft moan escaped her as she tightened her grip on his hair. His hands cupped her, pulling her as close as their current position would allow them. He groaned in frustration before using their combined weight to fall back onto the bed.

Rayna laughed at their awkward position. Both her legs were hanging off the bed, while her upper body was smothering Deacon. Wiggling down along Deacon's body, she paused to kiss him again as she struggled to find her footing on the floor. Finally getting both feet on the ground, Rayna watched as Deacon scooted up the bed to rest against the headboard. Crawling up the bed on all fours, her eyes were dark with hunger as she prowled along his body. Her legs straddled his lap as she once again possessed his lips. Her tongue fought his, their breath mingling while their hands roamed each other's body. Her knees squeezed his hips as her own made involuntary thrusts against him. She moaned as his hands burrowed under her t-shirt to stroke her back. He ran his hands from her shoulders down to her thrusting hips and back again, enflaming her desire. He was the only one who was ever able to bring her to the edge while she remained fully clothed. His hands cupped her butt, pulling her closer to him. She could feel his desire pressing up against her crotch. Her hands clutched at his t-shirt frustrated at the barrier.

Releasing his lips, Rayna gasped for breath while pulling at the edge of his shirt.

"Off"

Deacon smothered a smirk at her demanding tone and quickly dispensed with the offending clothing. Sighing with pleasure, Rayna ran her hands over his chest, marvelling at the feel of his skin beneath her hands. Leaning in, she placed a soft kiss on his swollen lips before caressing the tender skin of his neck. Deacon groaned at the feel of her teeth grazing his skin. Darting her tongue out, Rayna licked at the dip at the base of his throat. She could taste the slight salty tang of his sweat. Moaning softly, she sucked at his skin wanting to taste more of him. Deacon fisted his hands into her hair, roughly pulling her lips off him. The feel of her marking him was driving him crazy, he wanted to bury himself deep in her and never leave. Before she had time to react, Deacon claimed her lips and devour her. The taste of her was intoxicating and more powerful than any drug. Knowing that there existed a time when this wasn't possible, enflamed his desire even more.

His hands held her head still as his lips claimed ownership of hers. Her hands grab at his back, pulling him closer while her knees clamp tightly around him. Finally, he releases her lips. Panting heavily, they both struggle to draw breath deep into their lungs. Their eyes are dark with desire as they communicate without words. Deacon ripped her shirt over her head, throwing it to the ground. His lips made a slow march from her throat down to the swell of her breasts. Bracing her, he leans her backwards while nibbling at her sensitive skin. She moaned as his lips tortured her, enflaming her desire but never settling where she wanted them. She can feel him smiling against her skin as she growled in frustration. When he captured one of her nipples between his teeth, she sighed deeply. His tongue soothes the enflamed bud before his teeth once again has her gasping his name. Panting for breath, Rayna can feel her desire pooling deep within her. Rubbing her centre against Deacon's erection she attempted to find some satisfaction but he had successfully trapped her within his arms. Her small thrusts against him did nothing to alleviate her desire. Groaning in frustration, her fingers pulled at his hair. His lips release their control of her breast as he looks up at her face. Her mouth was wordlessly mouthing his name, while her eyes were firmly screwed shut. He smirked at the look on her face before his lips begin the delicious torture of her other breast.

Rayna draws out his name as her hands reach out to grip at him. Pulling herself upright, she wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him. Deacon strokes her back, burrowing his hands under her underwear to grip her butt. Pulling her flush against him, he rubs himself against her loving the breathless sounds she is making. Lifting herself off him, she removes her last barrier of material between them. Pushing him backwards, Rayna settles herself against his thighs as he falls flat against the bed. Running her hands over his chest, she twirls her fingers around the splattering of chest hair marvelling at the feel of his skin. Her lips nibble at his skin, while her tongue traces a trail from his neck to his nipple. Licking at the puckered nub, she sucks before swapping to the neglected one. Deacon's hands bunch the sheets beneath them as Rayna slowly works her way down his torso. Biting gently at the sensitive skin at his hip, her fingers grip the waist band of his boxers shorts slowly lowering them down his legs. He bucks upwards as she licks her way up the inside of his thighs.

Rayna continues her exquisite torture of him. Her tongue circles his belly button before her teeth gently bite his skin. He shudders before groaning as she rubs her face against his stomach. Moaning her name low in his throat, he sucks a lungful of air in as she takes him into her mouth. He pulls frantically at the bedsheets as she works him closer to the edge.

"Rrrrrraaaaayyyy"

Smirking up at him, Rayna crawls up his body to claim his mouth. Deacon threads his fingers into her hair as their tongues duel. Releasing his lips, Rayna looks down into his blue eyes dark with desire. Licking her lips, Rayna claims his lips once again, wanting to sink in him. Breathlessly pulling back she fastens her lips against the skin of his throat. Her hips thrust uncontrollably against him, seeking a release that was rapidly approaching. Cursing at a higher authority Deacon grips her undulating hips holding them firmly against him. They both growl in frustration, wanting that blissful release but wanting to prolong it as long as possible. Pushing up off his chest, Rayna wiggles her body down his body to position herself above him. Deacon's hands brush along her thighs as their eyes project their lust for each other. Lowering herself slowly down, they both sigh with relief as their bodies join. Gripping her hips in his hands, Deacon encouraged her thrusting hips. He loved watching her moving above him. Rayna's hands braced on his chest, hold her steady as her hips slowly rock against him.

Deacon can feel his desire rapidly building as he watches her. Her blue eyes are black with passion as her hips lose some of its rhythm as she frantically reaches for her own release. Reaching between their joined bodies, Deacon toys with the sensitive bud at her centre. Throwing her head back, Rayna screams his name as the waves of her desire come crashing over her. Boneless, she collapses on top of him. His hips work frantically against her as he thrusts one final time before exploding in his own release.

Cradling her in his arms, Deacon kissed her forehead. Rayna lifts her head to capture his lips. Smiling she whispers against his lips,

"Welcome home."