When Deacon drops Rayna off, he decides that he needs to get some air before going back to his own room for the night. He makes his way back down to the lobby and exits the hotel. He doesn't know where he is going but he doesn't care. He needs to think everything over in his head. As he wanders down the street he is hit with many memories.
He remembers their first kiss. He had been trying to do things the right way. He could already tell that she was special. He waited two weeks before he finally decided to take the plunge and kiss her. She had responded eagerly, pulling him close, moaning as he slipped his tongue into her mouth. He remembers how his heart soared afterwards when he saw the huge smile on her face.
He remembers their first date. He wasn't usually the type of guy that took girls on real dates but she was different. He planned the whole thing out, made reservations and everything, but on the way to the restaurant his truck had broken down. He was initially pissed at his bad luck but when she told him that she wanted to lay in the bed of the truck and look at the stars, he realized that it might actually be good luck. At the time, it had been the most romantic thing he had ever done. He remembers the way the moonlight illuminated her face. She was truly a thing of beauty. He couldn't stop himself from kissing her softly at the sight. They had stayed out until dawn. He remembers how angry Lamar had been when they finally got back to her house.
He remembers the first time they made love. He remembers how they couldn't keep their hands off of each other. He tried to slow himself down and enjoy the moment but he couldn't contain his desire for her. He remembers how she looked lying beneath him, a look of pure pleasure on her face. He remembers the way that she called his name and clung to him. When he looked into her eyes afterwards, he realized the real difference between a quick fuck and actually making love. He realized that the difference for him was Rayna. Afterwards, they had written their first love song together. It was their first chart-topping hit. He remembers how exciting it was to hear it on the radio every time they got into the car. Each time, it reminded them of the night they had spent together and they would smile at each other happily.
He remembers their first fight. He doesn't remember what it had been about but he remembers how fiery she looked as she yelled at him. He remembers how she had stormed out of his house, only to return ten minutes later to apologize. When she returned to the house, she didn't waste any time. She kissed him passionately as he held her tight. She kissed him with everything she had. They didn't make it to the bedroom but they didn't care. They made up right there on the floor of his living room.
He remembers the first time he told her he loved her. There were no candles or romantic gestures. He had simply looked at her, eating breakfast across from him and wearing only his t-shirt, and it had slipped out. He had been thinking it for weeks but he didn't want to ruin anything or freak her out. She had simply smiled at him and told him that she loved him too. Unable to contain his excitement, he placed her on the kitchen counter and proceeded to show her exactly how much he loved her.
There had been many other good times in between but there had also been many bad times. Vince's death had changed everything for him. His drinking spiraled out of control and it brought his relationship with it. Rayna tried to stick it out but he was too far gone. The day that he found out she was leaving him was one of the worst days of his life. Then when he read about her wedding in the newspaper, he realized just how badly he had messed up. He had lost the only woman he had ever loved. He had lost the only thing that could make him truly happy in this world.
Looking back on everything, Deacon knows what he has to do. He has spent the past 14 years of his life wishing to be with her. His biggest regret is letting her slip away. He can't let it happen again. He can't lose her forever when he is so close to finally having everything that he has ever wanted. He needs to tell her.
Deacon walks back to the hotel. He looks at his watch and sees that it is already one in the morning. He doesn't want to spend another night without her but he doesn't want to disturb her if she is sleeping. He decides to send her a text.
You awake?
He waits anxiously for a response. When he is in the elevator, his phone vibrates. It is a message from Rayna. His heart pounds rapidly as he opens the text.
Yeah, why?
He doesn't bother to reply. Instead, he pushes the button for the penthouse. When the elevator reaches her floor, he walks quickly to her door and knocks. A moment later, she opens the door. She is wearing her pajamas and her hair is up in a ponytail. She looks just as beautiful as she did the first time that he saw her.
"Deacon? What are you doing here?" she asks.
"I couldn't wait any longer, Ray. I'm ready. I forgive you. I want to be with you," he tells her quickly.
He sees her face light up as she smiles broadly. She grabs his wrist and pulls him into her room. She kisses him passionately.
"You couldn't wait any longer, huh?" she asks with a mischievous look on her face.
Deacon shakes his head and captures her lips with his. He kisses her softly on her neck and then on her shoulder.
"I need you," he says desperately.
She kisses him eagerly. Deacon sees the desire in her eyes. He sees her face flush. He knows that she needs him too.
"I want you," she replies.
She looks at him invitingly. She wants to feel his skin. She wants to feel his body against hers.
He leans down and kisses her deeply. She breaks the kiss as she pulls his shirt over his head. She runs her hands over his bare chest. She pulls his head down and kisses him. His hands make their way under her shirt. He slides them up to caress her breasts. She sighs at the contact.
"Ray," he breathes.
She is beautiful. Every sound she makes heightens his desire for her.
Deacon pulls her pajama shirt over her head and leans down to unhook her bra. He kisses her breasts tenderly. She reaches down and undoes his belt, helping him step out of his pants. In response, he helps her to remove her pajama bottoms. He pulls her hips against his and Rayna grinds into him, feeling his desire for her. She moans in anticipation.
"Deacon, I want you now," she tells him.
He doesn't waste any time. They fall down on the bed together. Deacon kisses her softly and removes the final layers of clothing that are keeping them apart.