A few hours later Ashley awoke to the sound of knocking. She turned over and saw Nick was no longer lying next to her. She sat up stretching and could faintly hear Nick talking to someone in the other room as the front door opened and then closed again a few moments later. Sitting up she spotted the robe he had placed at the end of the bed and quickly slid it on before entering the parlor.
“Oh good your up.” He smiled at her as she walked in. “I was just gonna come get you.”
“What smells so good?” she said sleepily as she sat on the couch.
“Breakfast.” He said pushing the cart over and placing a few covered plates on the table in front of her before taking a seat. “I wasn’t sure what you wanted, so I just ordered a little of everything,”
“Yumm.” She smiled as she put a pancake, some eggs and sausage onto her plate. “So what else do you have planned for today?”
“I can’t give away all my secrets at once, that would be no fun.” He laughed. “I gotta keep you on your toes.”
“I can’t even get a little hint?” she pouted as she took a big bite of her pancake managing to drip syrup on her chest.
“Good job.” He laughed, stopping her as she reached for the napkins. “Let me get that for you.” He smirked, leaning in to lick it off of her.
“If you keep this up we’re never gonna leave this room today.” She giggled as he lingered there, pushing the robe off her shoulder a bit before kissing up her neck, taking his time to finally reach her lips.
“That’s a problem?” he teased as he kissed her once more before going back to his own breakfast. “I’ll be good, for now, but only because we have somewhere to be soon.”
“And where would that be?” she raised a brow taking the last few bites of food and placing her plate back on the table.
“You’ll see when we get there.” Nick smirked as he put the empty plates of food back onto the tray and stood up to go back into the bedroom.
“If I don’t know where we’re going how am I supposed to know what to wear?” she asked following him.
“Just dress comfortable, but wear long pants.” He said pulling out a pair of track pants and a t-shirt from his own bag.
“It’s super hot out.” She laughed. “Why long pants?”
“You’ll thank me later.” He said as he retreated to the bathroom to finish getting ready.
A short while later they were dressed and ready to go. Nick took Ashley’s hand as they made their way back to the lobby and outside where there was a golf cart waiting for them.
“Are we going golfing? Because I have to warn you, it’s not my best sport.” She laughed as she climbed into the passenger seat.
“No, we’re just using it to ride to our first stop of the day.” He said as he got in and started it up. “This place is huge, it would take us forever to walk where we need to be.”
“So you’re really not gonna tell me where we’re going?” she said giving him her best pout to try and get it out of him.
“Nope.” He smirked, “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
“I hope you realize how much of a big deal me just sitting back and letting you take the reigns is…I don’t like to not be in control.” She said with seriousness through a slight nervous laugh.
“I do, and I’m very happy that you trust me.” He said as they started for their destination. “I think you’ll be strangely surprised how much you like me in control.”
“You haven’t let me down so far.” She smirked running her hand up his thigh with a giggle as he swerved the cart a bit, not expecting the sudden gesture.
“Stop being so dirty! My innocent ears can’t take it.” He teased.
“Haha. You? Innocent?” she couldn’t help but laugh. “If you’re innocent then I’m like fricken mother Teresa.”
“Yeah right! You, little lady, are nowhere near innocent. You’re just a good actress.” He laughed.
“It is not an act! I am an innocent little angel.” She batted her eyes.
“Should I remind you of this morning?” he said with a smirk as he leaned in to whisper in her ear. “An innocent little angel wouldn’t be able to do all that with her ton..,”
“Shut up!” she laughed covering his mouth, feeling the blush rise in her cheeks.
“I rest my case.” He smirked and quickly stole a kiss as they pulled up to their destination.
“A stable?” she asked when the cart came to a stop. “Oh, are we going horse back riding?” she asked excitedly.
“Maybe.” He smirked. “Come on.” Nick said taking her hand and leading her inside where they were greeted by a ranch hand.
“Ah, you must be Nick and Ashley.” He said reading from his clipboard as they stepped inside the stables. “Right on time.” He shook their hands and lead them back to an open coral where there were two horses waiting. “We got two of our best saddled up and waiting for ya.” He said gently patting the horses backs. “Have you both rode before?”
“A couple times.” Ashley smiled as she pet the white and brown horse in front of her.
“Not for a while, but yea.” Nick answered as the horse next to him neighed and snorted a bit as he approached.
“Ah, Rosie seems to have a liking for ya.” The ranch hand laughed.
“He seems to have that effect on all the ladies.” Ashley teased.
“What can I say? It’s a gift.” Nick laughed.
“Well let’s get you up and we’ll ride you around the coral a bit, get the horses used to ya, then you can be on your way.” He said. “Now Dakota here likes to run a bit, you used to a gallop?” he asked Ashley as he led the horses around.
“Yea, I can handle it.”
“Alright now. This trail is plenty long so take your time and enjoy yourselves. Just follow the green trail markers and it will lead you right back here. There are a few emergency posts throughout if you need any assistance. They phone right back here. There’s also some tie ups ‘round the lake if you care to stop and relax a bit. Have fun and we’ll see you back here in a few hours.” He said leading them to the entrance of the trail after they rode around a bit.
“Thanks.” Nick said as they made their way onto the trail.
“This is so awesome.” Ashley said after a few moments of taking in the gorgeous mountain views around them.
“Good, I’m glad you like it.” He smiled as they made their way down the trail.
“It’s so beautiful out here.”
“And quiet.” Nick added with a laugh.
“Yeah, I almost forgot what that sounded like.” She smiled. “Touring is fun, don’t get me wrong, but there’s just always so many people around. It’s hard to have a few moments to clear your head.”
After about an hour they finally reached the lake. They decided to stop for a bit and relax. Nick helped Ashley off of her horse and tied them up on the nearby post before joining her by the water. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her on the cheek.
“I swear, I could stay here for forever and be perfectly happy.” She said leaning her head back against his chest and smiling up at him.
“Nah, you’d get tired of it after a while. You need adventure in your life. Places like this are good to escape for a couple days, that what makes them so special.”
“Well listen to you, Mr. Poetic.” She teased turning around to face him wrapping her arms around his neck. “Thank you for bringing me here, I really needed it.”
“We both did.” He smiled before leaning down to kiss her. “Not trying to sound really corny or anything, but I don’t think I ever get tired of that.”
“Me either.” Ashley said with a smile. “Do your friends know you’re this chessy and romantic?”
“I’d never live it down.” He laughed.
“Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.” She smirked and kissed him again. He kissed her back and pulled her down to the grass before kissing her once more.
“So you really like this? I mean the horseback riding and all.” He said looking down at her as she rested her head on his chest.
“It’s perfect.” She smiled as she traced random shapes on his chest.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d be up for the whole nature thing.” He laughed a bit.
“I like nature, it’s the bugs I don’t like.” She joked. “But animals, nature, the water…that I love.”
“Well then I’m glad I went with the horses…it was either that or the spa.”
“The spa, huh?” she said with a smile. “You didn’t want to get all prettified?” she teased.
“I mean look at me? Do I really need the help? I’m already making the girls faint.” He joked.
“Oh, and I suppose I do need the extra help?” she raised a brow.
“I call it like I see it.” He smirked.
“Jerk!” she laughed and smacked him playfully. “See if you get any from now on.”
“You’re the most beautiful girl in the worrrrllldddd.” He said pulling her closer.
“Uh huh, suck up all you want. What’s done is done.” She teased turning away from him.
“I can sense that smirk on your face.” He laughed. “You know you could never hold out on me.”
“Oh you don’t know the self restraint I have.”
“I have a higher power.” He smirked. “And you don’t want me to use it.”
“And just what would that higher power be?” she asked with a raised brow, looking over her shoulder at him.
“Let’s hope you never have to find out.”
“When my mind is made up there is nothing you can do to make me change it.”
“You’re asking for it.” He warned her.
“You don’t scare me.”
“I warned you.” He said as he reached out a pulled her close and began tickling her.
“Nick!” she squealed trying to get away from him.
“Told you that you were asking for it.” He said as he continued his torture, pinning her down so she couldn’t get away from him.
“Please…” she said squirming beneath him.
“Please what?” he smirked.
“I surrender!” she said breathlessly.
“What was that?” he said stopping a moment to let her catch her breath.
“I said I surrender, you win.” She said through a deep breath.
“That’s what I thought…” He smirked as he pinned her arms above her head from his place on top of her before leaning in to whisper in her ear. “I wonder how many people actually pass by on this trail…”
“You’re so bad!” she laughed, trying to get free.
“Being bad is so much fun, you’ve said so yourself.” He smirked and kissed her deeply.
“We can’t.” she laughed apprehensively. “Anyone can come by…you promised to be good.”
“I know, I know.” He said with a laugh and kissed her once more. “But later, you’re all mine.” He said with a smirk and got up helping her to her feet.
“Or maybe you’ll be all mine.” She smirked and pulled him in for one more kiss before returning to their horses.
“Either way I win.” He laughed as he helped her back up onto her horse.
They arrived back to the stable just as the sun was staring to set. Getting back in their golf cart they made their way back to the main hotel and up to their room.
“I smell like nature.” Ashley laughed as Nick unlocked the door and they entered the room.
“Oh so that’s what that smell is.” Nick teased.
“Shut up.” She laughed smacking him playfully.
“Hey! You said it not me!” he said defensively as his phone began to ring from its place in his bag. “I thought I shut that stupid thing off.”
“No worries, you get that and I’m gonna go take a shower.” She said giving him a quick kiss as she made her way into the bathroom.
Checking his phone he saw it was their manager calling. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with work so he shut his phone back off and quickly took a shower in the other small bathroom in their suite. He quickly got dressed and ran to the lobby to get a few things he needed for his next surprise. He made his way back up to the room and set up the last few items. Grabbing a piece of paper from the desk he quickly jotted down a note as he heard the water turning off. He quickly placed the note down and made his way back out of the room
“Hey babe, I was thinking…” Ashley said as she walked out of the bathroom a while later. Looking around she realized he wasn’t there. “Nick?”
She checked the whole room and he was nowhere to be found. Looking around she noticed another small card folded over a single rose placed on the counter. “He is too much.”
Check in the closet for your next surprise. I’ll be back to pick you up at nine.
She shook her head and smiled to herself as she made her way back over to the closet. She opened the closet timidly at first, not sure what to expect. Especially since the last time he surprised her in a closet she almost had a heart attack, but inside was only a garment bag. She pulled it out of the closet and saw it was from one of the boutique shops in the lobby. She hung the garment bag on the hook inside of the door and unzipped it. Inside was a simple but beautiful silk emerald green dress. She smiled running her hand over the soft fabric. It was absolutely gorgeous. He was definitely outdoing himself, but she couldn’t help but be excited for what else he could possibly have in store. Checking the clock she saw she didn’t have much time to get ready, but she wanted to make sure she looked her best, especially after he had gone through all this trouble to make their day special.
She quickly blew out her hair making sure to keep its natural light curls. Pulling on the dress she smiled at herself in the mirror. It was perfect. Understated, but beautiful. Not wanting to overdue the makeup she brushed on some bronzer and blush before applying a thin line of eyeliner and a coat of mascara. She had just finished blotting her lipstick when there was a knock on the door. She smiled to herself as she quickly slipped into her heels, giving herself one final check in the full length mirror, and made her way to answer it. Nick stood on the other side with a big smile on his face. He was in a pair of black dress pants and a light teal button up shirt.
“Well don’t you clean up nice.” She smirked looking him over.
“And I picked it all out myself.” He teased.
“I’m so proud.” She said with sniffles as she jokingly wiped her eye. “They grow up so fast.”
“So are you gonna let me in or what?” He shook his head laughing.
“In?” she looked at him questionably. “I thought we were going out.”
“I know.” He smirked. “But I figured I’d bring dinner to us.” He said revealing the rolling cart he had next to him.
“You know, if all else fails you can always be a magician.” She laughed, opening the door further so he could push the cart into the room. “Can we eat outside? It’s such a gorgeous night.” She said before he could take the platters off the cart and place them on the table.
“Good idea.” He said opening the French doors leading outside. He grabbed a lighter and lit the torches that lined the balcony and set up the table.
“This is perfect.” She smiled at him and reached up to kiss him. “Have I told you how amazing you are?”
“I’m glad you like it.” He said returning the kiss. “I know it may seem like I’m going a little over board with all this, but I just know how hectic the next couple of months are going to be while we finish up touring, and I just wanted to make sure we started this relationship off on a good note.”
“I couldn’t think of a better way.” She smiled with a slight nod of agreement and kissed him once more before taking a seat across from him.
After dinner they made their way back inside the room. The night air had made the room a bit cold so Nick turned on the fire place in the living room while Ashley gathered some blankets and tossed a few large pillows on the floor in front of it.
“I forgot to tell you how beautiful that dress looks on you.” He said pulling her to join him on the floor.
“But it would look better on the floor?” she teased finishing his thought.
“Well duh, that’s obvious.” He laughed. “But really, you look gorgeous.” He said leaning in to kiss her.
“You know my cheeks hurt from smiling so much today, and it’s all your fault.” She jokingly shoved him.
“That is one thing I don’t mind taking full credit for.” He smiled. “So are you ready to go back to reality in the morning?”
“I don’t want to think about tomorrow, I just want to think about being here with you right now.”
“Good, because you want to know the only thing I’m thinking about right now?” he said with a straight face.
“What?” she raised a brow in curiosity.
“How good that dress would look on the floor.” His serious face slowly turned upward into a smirk.
“You are such a loser.” She shook her head laughing as she kissed him and leaned back onto a pillow.
“But you know ya love me.” He smirked and kissed her once more.
“You wish.” She laughed it off in the moment as he kissed her once more, but the truth was she was beginning to think she really did.
Author's Chapter Notes:
i know i know! I'm horrible with these updates! but hopefully they're worth the wait? :) enjoy and please review!
