I know this story can be kind of a downer at times, so I thought I'd provide a lighter chapter.

##

Rayna ran into their bedroom throwing on some earrings and yelling into Deacon who was taking way too long in the shower. "We're gonna be late babe, let's hurry up!"

Deacon came out of the bathroom wrapped in nothing but a towel and came up behind Rayna as she was fastening her last earring. "Well whose fault is that?"

Rayna spun around giving him a peck on the lips and running her fingers along the edge of the towel playfully. "Well what could I say, you were looking all sexy and such this morning, I needed a little something to get the day started right."

Deacon leaned into her pulling her against him hard as the towel fell away. "Want a repeat?"

Rayna laughed running her hands up and down his back and ass before planting her hands firmly on his chest and pushing back. "I do, but then we'd never make it to work which is not an option today. "Fine," Deacon said as he walked towards the closet and threw on some jeans and a button down. A minute later he emerged fully dressed. "Alright, ready."

"It's so easy being a man. You just throw on the same damn thing every day and you look perfect." Rayna ran her hand through Deacon's hair brushing it away from his face. He held her waist before planting a last kiss on her lips.

"Morning check up…roll call." Rayna said staring seriously into Deacon's eyes.

"Name Deacon Claybourne. Birthday, February 27th 1968. Address 62 Windsor Drive. And you're….Jessica."

Rayna swatted at him playfully as Deacon smirked at her lovingly. "That's not funny you know."

"Oh come on, I know who you are. Sally right?" Deacon pulled her in close, tenderly kissing the tip of her nose.

"You joke, but yesterday you didn't remember how to use the microwave. Daphne had to show you."

"No one should be using those things. The radiation alone could make someone forget stuff." Deacon let go of her and started heading down the stairs with Rayna in tow.

"I'm just saying babe, "I love you and I worry about you."

"I know you do Ray, but really, today's a good day. No memory issues, no blood transfusions, and I'm heading to work with my favorite girl."

"Well, you better be on your A game. Madison Riley is coming in to discuss signing and I'll need some of that Deacon Claybourne charm to win her over."

"I thought you only wanted me to use that on you?"

"Well yes, but it's alright when it helps me get what I want."

Deacon smiled. "Oh, is that how this works?"

"Uh huh. Now get your sexy butt in that car."

Deacon headed out towards the garage. "Yes ma'am!

##

"So what's the deal with this girl?" Deacon asked when they were safely settled in Rayna's office.

"Madison Riley, 28. Her single "Bad Girl's Gone Good" just shot up the charts to number 3 in a matter of days, but I've heard she's unhappy with her label. She likes her men, I mean really likes her men, she's had more boyfriends than Taylor Swift, but I think girls like her more, you know?"

Deacon nodded as he listened to the song that Rayna had pulled up on her computer. "I don't know Ray, this doesn't really sound like my wheelhouse."

"Are you sure? You got real good at playing "Boys and Busses" while on the road with Juliette. I think anything's your wheelhouse if you want it to be."

Deacon smiled, "Fine, you're right."

"I'll do all the heavy lifting, just sit there and flatter her a little. She fancies herself an artist so make her feel like one."

"Okay, I can do that."

By 10:30 they'd been waiting for her a half-hour when Madison finally strolled in with her manager Jerry in tow. She was wearing 6-inch stiletto heels and a rhinestone studded bra that was peaking out from beneath a flimsy white tank top.

"Madison, I know that Highway 65 isn't as big as your current label, but I can tell you right now, currently you are the ninth highest grossing artist on your label, that means that the CEO will take eight other calls ahead of yours, but at Highway 65 you will be one of the top three grossing artists and I take everyone's calls no matter what time it is. We have a small stable of artists, but that's what they are, artists. People like Sadie Stone who just won a CMA and Deacon Claybourne here who has been one of the most respected singer songwriters in Nashville for the past 25 years."

Deacon smiled at Madison and flashed his baby blues. "Darlin' you will be taken care of here at Highway 65. No one knows the business like Rayna Jaymes."

Madison looked over at Deacon eyeing him like he was a lollipop that she wanted to lick from head to toe.

"Is he part of the deal? Cause if he is, I'll sign right now."

"Well, he is our artist liaison which means that he'll make sure your voice is always heard. Producer issues, need recommendations on a new guitarist, Deacon can help with that."

"Well, I was thinking of maybe more of a personal touch."

Rayna managed to keep her composure while choking back a gag.

"Honey, I think I'm a little more than you can handle." Deacon responded, flirty smile full blazing.

"Oh you have no idea how much I can handle." Madison flirted in return.

Rayna cleared her throat. "So what are you thinking Madison?"

Madison gave Deacon another glance and then looked back at Rayna. "Alright, I'll sign."

Bucky took Madison and her manager into the back to handle the paperwork while Deacon and Rayna headed into her office. She sat down purposefully giving him the silent treatment.

"What? You said to sweet talk her." Deacon said.

"Sweet talk her, not serve yourself up on a silver platter."

"Come on baby. Everyone in Nashville knows that I belong to you. We made damn sure of it during that little make-out session in the bar last month. Not to mention…" Deacon walked over behind Rayna and started massaging her shoulders. "You know that there ain't ever going to be another woman for me. Even if you had married Luke I would have loved you till the day I died."

Rayna put her hands on Deacons turning to kiss one of them. "I know babe, I just don't enjoy watching you act like that with someone else."

"That, like this morning's early activity was your idea, but if you don't want me to I won't." Rayna stood up and leaned against the desk, then she pulled Deacon towards her positioning him between her legs as she swept kisses across his neck. "No, you're right, I trust you, and I did ask you."

Deacon pressed into her a bit and let out a quiet moan before he whispered in her ear. "Ray, this office is all glass."

Rayna sighed and pulled back a little. "I know, who's damn idea was that?"

"Once again, I think it was yours."

"Worst idea I've had all year."

##

A couple of days later Deacon and Rayna were curled up in bed together when the phone rang. Deacon moaned and pulled her tighter against his body. "You get it."

"It's your phone, you get it."

"I'm sick, I shouldn't be woken up at this time."

"Guilting me already? Fine, I'll get it."

Rayna reached out and grabbed Deacon's phone off of the bedside table. "Hello."

"Hi…um, Rayna?"

"Yep."

"Oh, I thought I was calling Deacon's phone."

"You are, but he's sleeping." Rayna nudged Deacon with her elbow and he responded by burying his face in her hair and kissing the spot beneath her ear that always drove her wild. "Who is this?" Rayna said half purring and half annoyed.

"Oh, it's Madison."

Rayna rolled her eyes. "Is there anything I can help you with Madison?" Rayna eyed the clock. "It's 11:45, but I'm sure if it's an emergency we can figure something out for you."

"Oh no, I just thought, you know cause he's the artist liaison and all, I was just having a bout of writers block and thought maybe he could help to unstick it, but I'll call back in the morning."

"Why don't you do that," Rayna said with just the right amount of sweet southern charm to mask her annoyance. "Actually, we'll give you a call tomorrow when we get out of bed."

Rayna hung up the phone and threw it on the floor. "Laying it on a little thick Ray? You didn't have to say that thing about us getting out of bed, I think she got the point when you picked up my phone."

Rayna turned in Deacon's arms so she was facing him. "Well, there's nothing wrong with a little reinforcement."

"Speaking of reinforcement, I could use some just to make sure you still love me."

Rayna wrapped her leg around Deacon pulling him towards her. "How much do you need?"

Deacon ran his hand up her thigh and under the shorts she was wearing lightly brushing against her and causing her body to shiver. "Quite a bit I think."

Rayna responded by kissing him fully. She ran her tongue over his lips until he allowed her access. She loved this so much, it was never not passionate with them. No matter if it was slow and sensual or fast and frenzied the passion between them was always there. Rayna released her leg so Deacon could pull off her shorts and slip her tank top over her head then she rolled him on his back so she was on top of him. As she slipped him inside of her she looked in his eyes and asked "Is this the kind of reinforcement you were thinking of?"

Deacon let out a low growl and pulled her hips towards him as he began to buck into her. "Yeah, this will do."

Deacon looked up at Rayna as she moved on top of him lost in her own pleasure. He loved the way she looked, loved what he could do to her. Her hair was wild and she was panting out his name as she came around him. Deacon flipped her on her back and rocked into her slowly at first then quicker as he brought himself to his own climax. As Deacon lay back on the bed he stroked Rayna's cheek with his fingers. "I'll have to thank Madison in the morning."

"For what?"

"For waking us up."

They both laughed, then drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.