"What are you up to princess?"
Cass lifted her eyes from her notebook to find Keith leaning against the frame to her current room. She sets the notebook to the side as Keith slowly makes his way into the room. She moves her legs making room for him to sit down at her feet. Cass can't help but look into his ocean eyes as his body lowers near the foot of the bed. She leans back against the headrest still looking intently at him.
"Just sent Nat on her date and felt inspired..." Her hand gesturing towards the notebook.
Keith glances at it momentarily before looking back at her. The moment passing in silence as they continue looking into the depths of each other. Cass is unsure what he sees however she knows what is before her. His eyes however hold uncertainty.
"Care to go on adventure with me princess?"
"Care to give me a different nickname?"
"Never"
He pats her leg through the blanket before standing up. She huffs playfully making a smile appear on his face. He holds out his hand towards her. Cass doesn't hesitate taking it while pushing the blanket off her legs. Keith's hand tightens momentarily on hers. She looks down and is confused. She was wearing jean shorts and a simple tank top over her sports bra. She reaches down grabbing her boots. Keith releases her hand in the processes as she tugs on the cowgirl boots. Straightening back up, the man is smirking down at her before glancing at the boots. She just rolls her eyes aware of what he is thinking. The boots are really comfy and she has been wearing them with practically everything.
Keith can't help but look at the woman in front of him. He remembers what he believed her to be based off of all the interviews, the music, and the photos in magazines. He was expecting a princess who was constantly being told how perfect she was. First time actually meeting her, he could see it... Laying in her eyes were her own struggles and her fighting to come out on top. Now she stands here in a simple country girl outfit with her hair thrown up in a pony tail and can not believe how wrong he was. She isn't high maintenance and is extremely humble. Her appearance at the Dirty Dozen drew multiple eyes and she was friendly enough to speak to everyone who wanted to and giving autographs when requested.
"Come on"
He reached back out for her hand again which she took with no reservation. Leading her through the house and out the front door. The son was setting as he took her to the stables. Her other hand coming to clasp onto their intertwined hands as her eyes looked at all the horses in the stalls. He whistled and instantly a head stuck out of a stall. He walked her over and reach to brush the beautiful brown mare.
"Princess, this is my beauty Oakley."
Cass releases his hand so she could step up to gently brush the beautiful horses long face. "Hi Beauty"
The horse neighed making her smile. Keith unlocked the hatch to the stall before swinging the door open. Cass stepped back as he stepped into the stall patting the large horses back as he walked around her. He clicked his tongue and the large mare stepped out of the stall waiting further instruction from Keith. He grabbed a saddle and reigns before placing them on her. Cass stood back watching as he tended to the horse.
After a few minutes he looked to her, she walked over to stand beside him. He then guided her through how she will need to mount. He got on first and Cass followed his instructions to sit directly behind him. Keith reached back wrapping her arms around his torso. He glanced over his shoulder as she tried to keep some resemblance of space between them.
"Come closer princess"
She listened and scooted so her front was touching his back in every way. Her hands then held more firmly feeling the contours of his abs under her finger tips. She couldn't help but move her hands up and down a little. Keith momentarily froze feeling her fingers grazing over his washboard. After a moment she stopped her exploration unfreezing the man as he shook his head and clicked his tongue steering Oakley out of the stables.
Cass couldn't help but look at the view as the horse rode on led by the hunk of a man she had the pleasure of being wrapped around currently. The soft hues of oranges and pinks littering the skies as the wind danced allowing for the scents of the mountains to fill her senses. She could easily see how anyone could become captured by the beauty of living out here compared to the city life. It was so much calmer and allowed you to really bask in everything. She closed her eyes still holding on tightly to Keith as she relaxed her face to the skies. The breezing whisking her into utter freedom.
Keith could feel her chest press more into his back. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw how her head was lifted upwards as her eyes closed. She looked so serene in that moment. He turned back around attempting to not focusing on how her body heat radiating into him. His eyes trying to remain on their destination and not the beautiful distraction against him. It did not take long for them to arrive at the water fall again.
Cass opened her eyes as the horse slowed and could hear the familiar sound of water again. She smiled happy he brought her here. The sound of his tongue clicking had Oakley stop allowing them to dismount and tie her to a nearby tree. He then took her hand and walked back to the familiar area.
Upon arrival, barely any sun remained but it was enough for them. He turned to her as he reached down to the end of his shirt before tugging over his head. He could feel her eyes on him making him look to her. She looked utterly gobsmacked with an unhinge jaw as her eyes raked his chest. He couldn't help but chuckle at her expression. Cass couldn't help it. He looked like a Greek god... Scratch that- he looked like a dream.
"You plan to join?"
Her eyes snapped back up registering his question. "Wait- What?"
He laughed boastfully throwing his head back before reaching for the button of his jeans. Her eyes zeroing in on the action. His fingers stilled as he spoke, "Are you going to join me for a swim?"
Cass grinned as she understood now what they were doing. "Isn't it cold?"
"It'll be refreshing from this heat." He said as he pushed his jeans down.
Cass felt her blood run hot just looking at him. Damn she was screwed. Her hands reaching for the hem of her shirt before tossing it off followed by her boots. She then unbuttoned her jean shorts and drew them off before looking up. She didn't even realize his eyes were on her the entire time. She watched as his gaze drunk her in... very slowly. She stepped forward towards him as his eyes were still south of hers. She pressed her fingers under his chin before pushing up making his eyes finally find hers again.
"Let's go"
Keith grins before turning back around and walking over to the edge of the rock. The jump is less than two feet. He jumps and resurfaces to find Cass still standing there.
"What's it to be princess?"
She narrowed her eyes playfully at the nickname before squealing as she plunged in. Keith laughing lightly again as she resurfaced. He swam the few feet to her as she began to lay her body flat allowing it to float. He watched as her face morphed to pure serenity. He liked seeing her at such ease.
"You're staring Keith"
"Hard not to..."
She kept her eyes closed but a smile lit up her face at him. After a moment she finally lifted her head as her body submerged in the water. She got close to him looking directly in those stunning blues again.
"Thank you for bringing me here Keith"
He didn't say anything but smiled showing his teeth as they both looked around at the enclosed cavern. It was quite a beautiful spot with the waterfall, the rock work and the sun causing the surface to golden as the light fades away.
"I saw your interview.." He says making her look to him.
"Oh yea?"
Keith nods his head before looking back at her not realizing how close they have become. "How did it feel to be back in the spot light?"
Cass shrugs really thinking about how she felt after the retreat she had being here. "It comes with the territory. If I'm being honest, I just want to sing and enjoy it."
"So would you give it all up then?"
"What do you mean?" She asks confused by his question.
"The fame, the magazines, the posters... all of it."
Cass considers what he is asking taking it in for a moment. "As long as I could continue to sing, I wouldn't honestly care. It could be for just my enjoyment but as long as I could, I would be happy."
"So it's not about the fame?"
"Never has been." She answers instantly and truthfully. "I am happy people like my music and hope it inspires them in one way or another... but it isn't what drives me to sing."
"What does" Keith moves so their legs are beginning to brush with one another.
"My love for the craft." Cass is easily distracted feeling his body heat radiating on hers as their legs practically entangle in the water. "I love to sing and that is what drives me to continue."
Keith takes in her words and realizes how utterly wrong he was. Not just on Cassie but his hesitation towards her. She wasn't anything like his ex. She wanted to make a name for herself and it was what lead her to leave him. Cass already having the fame worries him that she will one day just take off and never return possibly taking his heart with her by that point. Putting all worries aside, he moves his head closer to hers.
"How do you feel about yourself Cass?"
His words a mere whisper in the air but due to the close proximity, they come out low and sultry. His eyes glancing back and forth between her eyes and her lips. She swims back creating some space making his eyes look to her in confusion. She grins before swimming back a few feet to where she can touch.
"I'm happy and that is enough."
Keith smiles happy she understands. His strokes following her body movement in the water before he feels the stones below his feet. He takes the opportunity to reach out gripping her bare hip and pulling her towards him. Her small smile and red cheeks leaving him proud. His ego enjoying the effect he had on her.
"Good"
That's all he said before taking his free hand grasping her neck and bringing his lips down hard onto hers. She doesn't hesitate return it as her lips began to dance against his own. Her hands finding their way to wrap around his neck as her legs whine around his waist in the water. His hand leaves her hip to wrap around her waist squeezing her form to his own. The kiss is ferocious and hot, and so much more than what either was expecting. After a moment, Keith slows it down to a sensual movement before finally releasing her lips pecking her a few times. Pulling back enough to look to her, he finds her with a lazy content smile as her eyes sparkle in the evening light.
The evening escaping them as the swam around and floated together talking about anything and nothing. The sky began littering with stars allowing them to know it was time to return home. Getting out, they continue to kiss and touch gently at every opportunity. Holstering Oakley, they make it quickly back to the house. He helped Cass off first before dismounting and taking off the saddle from Oakley. She went quietly into her stall before the pair walked back to the house hand in hand.
Sounds coming from Nat's room making both freeze momentarily. Cass couldn't help but look to Keith who had a mix of disgust and anger on his face. Cass laughed seeing his look of horror. She attempted to cover it with her hand but it didn't stop him from narrowing his eyes on her.
"Don't be so stiff"
She threw her head back as his eyes went wide. She walked back down the stairs towards the living room. The sound of footsteps following her made her aware he was following her.
"She is my baby sister!"
Turning around, she gave him an unimpressed look. "She is no baby Keith... She is a woman."
"Please don't remind me" He pleads making her shake her head with a small smile.
She walks over flopping on the couch while she turns on the tv. He sits down beside her sighing as he lays back against the couch. She glances at him before turning on the tv. After a few minutes, Keith rotates so his head is lying on her lap. Cass smiles gently as her fingers brush through his dark locks. He sighs feeling her apply pressure to his scalp.
"I definitely won't be able to live here after hearing that."
Cass laughs again as she continues to massage his head.
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