*** warning this chapter contains adult situations*** please skip if that isn't your cup of tea

Leaning in the doorway, Rayna closed her eyes as tender notes from Deacon's guitar caressed her. He always did have a way of using music to say what he wanted when words failed him.

"That sounds nice"

His hands stopped strumming as he watched her slowly enter the room. Rayna could see the hurt in his eyes, and it broke her heart knowing that she had caused it. Sitting down next to him on the couch, she gave him a small smile. The sad smile he gave her caused her breath to hitch in her chest.

"Thanks. Want me to change it. Fix it up a bit?" Beneath the sarcasm, she could detect notes of anger and hurt.

Giving him a lopsided grin, she acknowledged his words but refused to go down that path with him. Grabbing his guitar, she gently placed it on the coffee table before threading her fingers with his. She loved the roughness of his hands, that they told the story of his life. She knew they could be as soft as a feather on her skin as he teased her until she couldn't see straight anymore and at the same time they were strong enough hold her steady whenever she felt insecure.

"Hey, I love you. I've loved you my whole life and I'm going to keep doing that till I die. There is no body that's going to come between us."

When Deacon raised his eyes to her, they were wet with emotion and love. Rayna could feel herself becoming overwhelmed with the love she felt for this man. Cupping the side of his face, her thumb caressed his cheek as they both felt the waves of love crash over them. Kissing her thumb as it grazed over his lips, Deacon closed his eyes willing the tears that wanted to fall, away.

"I'm sorry I got all heated. I just get real jealous, you know. I'm not used to you being all mine yet." Kissing the centre of her palm, Deacon's eyes pleaded with her to understand.

Rayna smiled at the feel of his lips against her palm. Her blue eyes told him how much she loved him. Her fingers burnt his skin as they skimmed over his face and softly traced the whorl of his ear. He could hear the thudding of his heart as he allowed himself to fall into the deep pool that was Rayna's love. He watched as her tongue darted out, moistening her lips as her breathing became shallow. Leaning in to hear her, Deacon could smell the comforting scent of her skin combined with the heady aroma of arousal.

Rayna's voice sounded unnaturally loud to her ears, even though she knew she was whispering, not wanting to break the spell cast over them.

"I talked to Markus and made it very clear to him that Deacon is my man and he better back off!'

The sharp laugh that erupted from Deacon broke the sexually charged tension of the room.

"You said that?"

"Yeah"

"How'd he take that?"

"He acted like I was crazy"

"Well I don't know, he might be right. You do keep choosing me. How smart is that?"

"Not very"

Smiling softly at him, Rayna slowly closed the gap between them. She breathed a sigh of relief as her lips caressed his. Her lips sought to deepen the kiss, but Deacon pulled back slightly. His fingers smoothed the frown line between her eyes, as he laughed silently at her confusion. She could feel his breath on her lips as he confessed,

"Tell you what, he can change any damn lyric he wants. He can change the whole damn song. I got the real prize."

"Oh! You did not just say that to me"

Deacon's eyes twinkled with amusement as he pressed his lips firmly against hers, preventing any further words from being exchanged. Failing backwards, Rayna wrapped her arms around him, holding him snug against her body. Her legs had parted to allow him to be cradle by her. She could feel his heat against her, causing her to rub herself against him. Their collective moan was swallowed by their lips. Rayna had threaded one hand in his hair while the other hand inched itself under his shirt where it was clawing at his back.

Breaking the kiss, Deacon panted against her neck as he frantically tried to catch his breath. His lips sucked gently on her neck before nibbling their way down to her collar bone. Rayna pulled his hair, dragging his lips back up to hers. Her tongue demanded entrance to his mouth as his hands burrowed into her hair. Holding her head steady, his mouth claimed ownership of hers as he sank further into her. Her legs wrapped around his, pulled him closer to her as they let their bodies slowly grind against one another. Rayna growled deep in her throat as her hands scraped over his warm skin. She wanted to feel his naked skin against hers but she was reluctant to release him from the vice like grip her body had on him.

Deacon's lips slowly eased up their ownership of hers as they roamed over the skin of her neck. He could feel her pulse beneath his lips as he kissed the hollow of her neck. His guitar roughed fingers, pushed her head back giving him greater access to her skin. He licked and nipped at her, causing her to knees to squeeze and release his thrusting hips in time with his kisses. His other hand had managed to push her shirt up over her breasts, allowing him to cup her. Her breathing was ragged as he squeezed her breast firmly before releasing it to trace her nipple with his thumb. His hand on her neck prevented her from seeing his eyes, but she knew they would be dark with ownership and desire. The feel of his teeth against the sensitive skin on her collar made her groan. She knew that he had branded her, laying out for all to see that she was his. This primitive display of possessiveness heightened her desire. No one had ever had such command over her as Deacon had. The feminist in her wanted to rally against this caveman behaviour but at the same time she could feel herself rushing towards that exquisite release. They both needed this, to reclaim ownership over one another.

His lips roughly claimed her again as their tongues darted out, dancing and twining together. Their collective sighs and moans echoed through the room as their hands struggled to settle on any one spot. Deacon's hips slammed against her as she breathlessly sighed his name. Everything faded away until all they knew was each other and the feelings building within them. Deacon growled against her lips as he gently bit down on her lower lip. Rayna's fingers pinched his skin, her nails burrowing deep into him, causing him to swear to a higher power. Her hands released their grip on his skin and frantically clawed at his belt. Screaming in frustration, Rayna released his lips to exclaim his name, begging for help with the stubborn buckle. She could feel her heart pounding in her ears as the throbbing between her legs demanded release. Grinding herself against his hardness, Deacon sucked a breath through his teeth as he struggled for control.

It never ceased to amaze him the level of attraction between him and Rayna. Their bodies seemed to crave each other, even when they weren't a couple, their bodies demanded the touch of the other. Whether it be an innocent brush of a hand as they walked alongside each other, or a hug that went longer than was allowed. Anytime they had extended periods away from each other, normally whenever they both decided to go their separate way and try to move on from each other, they would always snap back together. The invisible elastic that was straining under the distance between them, snapped tight and they found themselves seeking out the other. During these periods they would unconsciously sit close enough to each other to feel the heat radiating off them. Their tongues, moistening their dry lips in nervousness would dart out remembering the taste of the others skin. Their voices would have a breathlessness to it, as they struggle to keep their emotions contained. Not once during the time Rayna was married did they ever cross that line in the sand, even though they both desperately wanted to. Rather they gained the strength and endurance to keep going through those brief moments when they let their guards down. Letting their eyes tell the other what their lips were forbidden to say. This combined with the small touches allowed them to survive. Though coming off the emotional charged concert stage, they often skated so close to that line that it got blurred. While nothing sexual ever took place, the subtle excuses to touch each other was fraught with electricity. Small things, such as Rayna finding an excuse to grab Deacon's hand would speak of the depth of intimacy they both craved. While the actions would appear to others to be innocent; grabbing his hand to get his attention, or to lead him through the crowd, Rayna would cling to it as long as she could, refusing to let go. Deacon would place his hand low on her back, his fingers often straying across that line, suggesting an intimacy that their circumstances denied them.

Rayna's hand snaked into the fly of his boxer shorts and began caressing him. Deacon threw his head back and growled. The feel of her hand on his inflamed skin was causing spots to dance before his eyes. His hips rocked against her hand as she stretched up, her lips searching for him. He briefly gave in to the intoxicating taste of her lips, but it wasn't enough he wanted more. Releasing her lips with a smacking pop, his lips quickly found her breasts. Sucking the satin enclosed flesh into his mouth, he sucked until her nibbles were taunt before switching to the other. His teeth grazed across the nipples, teasing them until they were so hard it bordered on painful. Rayna's head was tipped back and she was emitting a constant moan. Deacon licked the skin between her breast before tipping his head to the side and biting down on the exposed skin. Rayna screamed his name as her hand tightened its grip on him. Deacon fumbled with the buttons of her jeans, frantically pushing the material down desperate to get to the warmth beneath. His fingers brushed over her sensitive nub, causing Rayna to gasp out his name. They were both so close to the edge that he knew it wouldn't take long before they both exploded. Pushing the material of her underwear to the side, he slid into her. She gave a sigh of relief as her hand cupped his buttocks pulling him violently against her.

Deacon wrapped his arms under her, lifting her torso against his chest, his hands cupping her shoulders as his hips slammed into her. Rayna lifted her legs up higher, her knees pressed against his side changing the angle for them both. She could feel Deacon's hot breath against her ear as his hips grounded against her. Releasing her grip on his butt her hands sought to get traction on his body wanting to feel his skin. Groaning in frustration as his clothing denied her this pleasure, her hands threaded through his hair, her fingers pulling it as she dragged his lips to hers. She moaned deeply against his lips as his hips increased in speed. Their breathing became ragged as their kisses lost their finesse. Their hot breath caressed the others lips as their eyes, darkened with excitement, spoke of their love for each other. Rayna gasped once before exclaiming his name loudly, her whole body tensing before relaxing and taking him deeper into her. Deacon kissed her deeply as he grunted into her mouth, his hips violently slamming against her seeking his own release. With a loud gasp for air, Deacon hoarsely called out her name before collapsing onto her.

He nudged his nose against her ear, as he struggled to catch his breath. Whispering,

"God… I love you"

Rayna smiled up at the ceiling before turning toward him. Her lips nibbled gently against his,

"You have no idea just how much l love you"

Their lips were still pressed against one another as they both smiled goofy grins at the other. As their breathing returned to normal, they both registered the everyday noises of the house as it invaded their sanctuary. A faint noise made them both open their eyes widely. Disbelief quickly replacing desire. They heard it again, as Rayna turned her head towards the noise. They both identified it at the same time. A look of horror exchanged between them. Frantically Rayna pushed Deacon off her, as they both struggled to straighten their clothes. The sound was getting closer and louder. Rayna's eyes were as large as saucers as she tried to untangle her limbs from Deacon. Bolting up off the couch, she smoothed her hands over her hair before focusing on righting her shirt. Her eyes darted to Deacon, who was jumping up and down as he tried to bring his jeans back up his legs. Watching him hop around, Rayna was suddenly overcome with the silliness of it.

"MOMMMMM"

Her eyes cut to his and they both burst out laughing, moments before their daughters burst into the room.