When Beca woke very early the next morning, Jesse was still asleep. The sun hadn't come up yet and Beca had a few tricks up her sleeve. She got out of bed, grabbed Jesse's cowboy hat put it on her head and walked back toward the bed before crawling over him. Jesse started to stir and wiggle beneath her as she kissed her way along the strong V of his hips. She continued to kiss and lick her way along his rock hard abs and when she reached his hardened nipples she took one between her teeth which elicited a loud hiss from Jesse.

Jesse opened his eyes for the first time and noticed she was wearing his hat. "Damn... she looks sexy!" he thought as he sat up to kiss her. The kiss was full of desire. He wanted and needed her. When he broke the kiss he said, "You're wearing my hat."

"How do I look?" she asked posing.

"Looks good on you but better on me." he said taking the hat from her head and putting it on his own.

"Think so?"

"Oh, I know so."

"Well...you see, I'm gonna need it back ..." she said taking the hat back as she pushed him back down on the bed. "... for my mornin' ride."

"Mmmm, I like what you're thinking. Giddy up baby!"

Beca kissed his chest and neck, paying special attention to the pulse point on his neck. When he tried to run his hands up her sides, she shook her head and said, "nuh uh" then took his wrists in her hands and held them over his head. She looked at him and said "stay" before kissing his nose, his lips then teased him by moving slowly back down his body. He watched as she nipped and sucked his abs until she was satisfied with the marks she left.

"Mmmm...looks like someone is happy to see me." she said as she made her way down his happy trail while his cock rubbed between her breasts. She was teasing him and he wanted nothing more than to touch her but he was playing by her rules. She continued the teasing by squeezing her breasts tighter around him. He wished he could see what she was doing but the brim of his hat kept that from happening, so instead he closed his eyes and used his imagination. She lowered her head and took his tip into her mouth while her breasts were still around him. Jesse was grunting and moaning heavily. This was an entirely new sensation and he was enjoying every last minute of it. If she didn't stop soon, he wasn't sure how much longer he would last.

When she finally took his entire length into her mouth she began humming the song that she wrote. He almost lost it. She hadn't tied his hands but he left them right where she put them. He was going to let her have all the control even though he wanted to use his hands to roam her body, to pleasure her the way she loved. When Jesse's hips started to move involuntarily, Beca used one of her forearms to still him. "Babe... I ... I... uhh..." Beca began kissing her way back up his body, that's when Jesse couldn't stand it any longer. He reached down and brought her up to his mouth and kissed her hungrily.

Beca broke the kiss and asked "Are you ready?"

"Mmm hmm, I've been ready. Ride me baby."

Beca turned around and rode him reverse cowgirl. She rode him hard and fast before slowing her pace. As she rode him she hooked one hand into the crook of his bent knee while the other grabbed hold of his hat as she leaned back a little. She glanced at him over her shoulder and gave him an evil little wink as she continued to ride him. Jesse couldn't help but think, "She's riding me like I'm a damn bull. This is so fuckin' hot!" He was admiring the view, he loved her back and her ass was just there begging for him to touch it. The longer she rode him the harder he found it to keep his hands to himself. She was moving in circles and he wasn't sure how much longer he could last, he began hissing, moaning and writhing with pleasure beneath her. She paused for a minute to allow him to catch his breath before she started moving in circles again. As she did she could feel her own orgasm starting to build with each move she made. Her orgasm hit her hard. It hit her so hard that Jesse could actually feel her insides shaking, it was extremely intense for both of them. His body responded to the intensity by throwing him right over the edge. Beca fell forward onto Jesse's thighs as he straightened his legs. They lay still for several minutes, both breathing heavily unable to speak.

Beca was the first to move, slowly sitting up on Jesse's abdomen. For the first time since she told him to "stay" Jesse moved his arms up and down her sides pulling her back onto his chest. He smiled as his hands furiously roamed her body. When he squeezed her breasts, she arched her back and gave a little moan, letting him know that she was enjoying what he was doing. He kissed her shoulders and nuzzled her neck. "What got into you?" he asked

Beca chuckled a little bit before she rolled over to put her chin on his chest, "You did." she said with a wink.

"That was the best way to wake up ever." he said pulling up toward his mouth. "C'mere." He wanted to be able to kiss her properly; his lips were dying to meet hers. The kiss was long and slow, full of want and need. He rolled them over...it was his turn to be on top. As he kissed his way down her body, she noticed her phone light up. When she reached for it he said, "Leave it."

It was too late, she already had the phone in her hand and reading the text message. "Shit!" she said pushing him off of her.

"What? What's wrong?" he asked puzzled.

"That was Rae. My dad wants a family breakfast in an hour. I need to get home and shower." She said trying to find her clothes. As she was dressing Jesse decided he was going to make it hard for her to leave. He stood behind her kissing her neck and shoulders. "Jess... you're not making it easy to leave." she said turning around in his arms and kissed him. "Bye... I'll see you after my meeting with John."

"Ok. Sounds good." he said pulling her into another kiss.

"Jess... this is great but if I'm late my dad is gonna have my head. I gotta go." she told him. "Besides, we have 28 horses that are gonna kick up a fuss soon if you don't get down there to feed them."

"Yeah...ook boss lady!" he said with a smirk.

"And don't you forget it." she said playfully as she ran down the stairs.

Beca quickly ran out of the stables and toward the tree that she had to climb to get onto her balcony. As soon as she was inside she began to undress and get in the shower. She noticed the marks Jesse left on her the night before and smiled then she remembered their fight. She needed to make sure he really accepted her apology, because she shouldn't have shut him out. She could have spoken to and/or texted with him but she didn't and she really wasn't sure why except that she just wanted to be alone.

Beca quickly got dressed, applied her make-up and braided her hair loosely over her right shoulder before making her way downstairs. She was halfway down the stairs when she had to turn around and go back to her room for presents she bought. When Beca got downstairs her family was already at the table waiting for her. She walked around kissing each one on the cheek and handing them their present.

"Oooo presents!" Rae said excitedly.

"What's the occasion Beca?" her dad asked.

"They're 'just because' presents. I got them while I was in New York." she said serving her plate.

"Mom! Look at the earrings Beca bought me!" Rae squealed as she ran around the table to hug the life out of Beca. "Thanks sis! I love them!"

Beca started to peel Rae's arms from around her neck, "You're welcome. Glad you like them. So, Dad what's this breakfast about?" she asked taking a bite of her bacon.

"Well...your mom and I wanted to hear about your trip. We also wanted to spend some time with you since you're leaving for Houston is a few days."

"Day after tomorrow Dad. The rodeo starts on Friday."

"Right. About that, are you sure you're ok going with Jesse by yourself? Usually some of the other ranch hands go."

Trying not to laugh she said, "Dad, Jesse's my best friend. I'm more than ok with it."

"Beca, honey are you sure?" her mom asked. "We can get someone else to go."

"Mom, he and I are the only ones competing. It doesn't make sense for anyone else to go. We'll be fine."

"Lucy, it's a four hour drive and Jesse is extremely responsible. He won't let anything happen to her."

"I know Tripp, but people may talk. It's inappropriate for them to go out of town alone since she's engaged to Luke."

Beca slammed her hands down on the table and stood up. "I am not engaged to Luke! You got me into this clusterfuck and you're going to get me out of it." She said before storming up the stairs.

She heard her dad say "Damn it Lucy! I told you not to say anything. This is a very sensitive topic for her." When she got to the top of the stairs she sat down to listen to the conversation going on in the dining room.

"Tripp, you're a fool if you think the Babineaux's are going to accept that settlement offer."

"Well listen to me and listen to me good, if I have to beg, borrow, cheat, steal or sell my soul to the devil himself, I will not allow Beca to marry that son of bitch. You got that? She deserves so much better and I don't give two shits what anyone says about Beca going out of town with Jesse. He's a good boy."

"I didn't say that Jesse was bad, but people are going to talk Tripp."

"I don't care! Let the blue haired, white knuckled, shriveled up old bitties talk! If they're talking about Beca then they're leaving someone else alone." he shouted leaving the table the same way Beca did. Beca heard him head toward the stairs so she made her way to her room. She quickly messed up the bed sheets and blankets to make it look like she slept in her bed last night because she knew he dad was coming up to talk to her. She laid on her bed as her dad knocked on the door. "Beca...can I come in?"

"Yeah Dad, come in."

Sitting on the bed he said, "I know you were sitting at the top of the stairs and I know you heard your mom and I arguing."

"Oh, I uhhh... I'm sorry about that."

"It's ok. I came up here to let you know, I meant what I said. One of these days I hope to walk you down the aisle, but it's going to be to your best friend and love of your life. I won't walk you towards Luke."

"Thanks." Beca said wondering if her Dad knew about her and Jesse. "Dad, I gotta head over to John's office."

"Oh, it is that time isn't it? Do you want me to go with you?"

"No, I've got this but thanks." she said grabbing her purse, phone and keys.

"Beca..."

"Yeah Dad."

"I'm going to help you fight this...I promise."

She walked back across the room to where her dad was still sitting on the bed, kissed his cheek and said, "Thanks. I love you. Gotta go."

"I love you too baby." He said watching her walk down the stairs. "And Beca..."

"Yeah"

"I love the cuff links."

Beca smiled. "You're welcome...but I really gotta go."

"I know. Let me know how it goes."

"I will." she said walking out the front door.

Beca arrived at John's office on Tuesday morning with a belly full of nerves and butterflies. She sat in the parking lot willing herself to believe that John could make all of this crap she was born into go away. After giving herself the 'you're a big girl...put your big girl panties on and get in there' pep talk, she walked in she was greeted by John's assistant, Heather.

"Hi. I'm Beca Robicheaux. I have a meeting with Mr. Breaux this morning."

"Hi Beca." Heather said with a smile. "I'll let him know you're here. Can I get you anything?"

"Some water would be great."

"Coming right up."

Beca sat in the lobby ringing her hands. She didn't know why she was so nervous, she had spoken to John before, but this was different...a lot different. Her life was literally hanging in the balance because of this decision her parents made for her before she was even born.

Heather brought her a bottle of water and told her, "John will be with you in a few minutes."

"Thanks." she said trying her best to fake a smile.

Beca didn't see John enter the reception area. He stood there watching her figdet and knew this was not the confident, independent young lady he watched grow up. She was a scared girl that had a bunch of moron's planning her life for her. In that moment he vowed to do whatever it took to make sure she didn't have to marry Luke.

"Beca!" he said with a huge smile and open arms.

"Hey Mr. John!" she said as she hugged him. She referred to him as John when speaking about him, but her mom and dad raised her right, when she spoke to him he was Mr. John.

"Come on back sweetheart." He told Beca before telling Heather, "No interruptions. Hold all my calls."

"Yes sir." Heather responded.

John motioned for Beca to have a seat on the couch in his office. "So Beca, how are things going?"

"Pretty good."

"I hear you just got back from New York. Is it as beautiful as everyone claims?"

"It really is. I loved it."

"So, are you leaving us for the bright lights and the big city?"

"No, Natchitoches (pron: nakuhtish) is home. It always will be."

"You told me many times when you were a little girl that one day your name would be in lights."

"That was my childhood dream. I have new dreams now."

"Let me guess...dreams that don't include Luke Babineaux?"

"You got that right." Beca said. She thought, "Finally the elephant in the room has been addressed."

"Well Beca, I'm not going to lie to you, the Babineaux's are going to fight this tooth and nail. They aren't going to make it easy."

"But why? Why does it have to be so damn difficult?"

"They're going to use every delay tactic imaginable. But Beca, I'm on your side. You know I love and respect your parents, but what they've done is horrible and I told them as much."

"Mr. John, I love my parents but I just don't understand why they would agree to something like this."

"Sweetheart, I wish I knew but I can tell you this, we're not going down with a fight. As far as I'm concerned, you aren't marrying that asshole douchebag."

"Thanks."

"The papers show that your dad is offering to pay the existing debt in full with a more than fair amount of interest and in turn you are to be released from the marital obligation. They'll have 90 days to make their decision or file a counter offer."

"My dad mentioned 60 days."

"Originally, I told him that I would draw up the settlement papers that would give them 60 days to agree to the settlement or request more time, but knowing that they are going to use stall tactics, I had the papers changed to 90 days. They're gonna ask for 90 days anyway, so we'll give it to them right out the gate. That's one delay we won't have to worry about."

"What happens if they don't respond?"

"If after 90 days they haven't accepted the offer or made a counter offer, then I'll file the settlement with the court. Judge Arceneaux would love nothing more than to tell Eli Babineaux that he's being a horse's ass. Then he'll sign the judgment and voila Beca, you are no longer betrothed to that God-awful waste of rotting human flesh."

Beca giggled. She would love to hear Judge Arceneaux tell Eli that he is a horses ass. "Mr. John, can I tell you something in confidence?"

"Beca, honey...anything you tell me is and always will be in confidence. You can trust me."

"Ok, good." she said taking a deep breath. "You know The Toussaint's right?"

"Yes, Charlie and Nora are good people."

"Well, I'm dating their son Jesse...and have been for about 7 months now."

"Beca, that's great! I really like Jesse. He's a great kid. It's a shame his family came on such hard times. Something about that whole situation is really suspicious to me."

"What do you mean?"

"Houses don't just mysteriously burn down. The Toussaint's had a very lucrative cotton plantation one day and the next day it was all gone. Burned to the ground. That wasn't an accident."

"Wow..." Beca said. "So, do you suspect foul play?"

"I do...just wish I could prove it. I looked for a long time trying to prove that the fire was set intentionally but I came up empty. The fire is why your dad took them in and built the guest cottage. Your dad, Charlie and I all went to school together. We've thick as thieves since we were 5."

"I knew about your friendship and I knew that Charlie and Nora lost their house but I didn't know how they lost it. I thought they lived with us because Charlie is the groundskeeper and Nora was our Nanny." He watched Beca's face and knew she was up to something.

"Beca, I've seen that look before. Don't go sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. Don't go borrowing trouble."

"Oh, I won't." she said with a sneaky smile. "Are we done here?"

"We are. I'll call you when the Babineaux's have been served."

"Thanks." Beca said giving him a hug.

As soon as Beca walked out, John smiled and shook his head, "That girl is up to no good."