Behind Closed Doors

[~Alois Trancy~]

she snuggled into his chest as she slept, having such light skin and hair, she looked almost angelic

[Ciel Phantomhive]

He smiled and layed her in the bed. He called in a maid to change her and slept in the bed next to hers. he had figured she wouldnt want to be in the same bed

[~Alois Trancy~]

the next morning she was up earlier than him and she took a bath, dried her hair and dressed before walking out of the bathroom

[~Alois Trancy~]

Derik was awake by the time she got finished and oh his phone. He stood outside on the balcony discussing business.

She walked out quietly “Darling do you want something to eat? I was going to call for breakfast.”

“please?” he smiled at her and then in the phone said “no. not you. The clientele has to stick to the contract…no. if geneco isn’t going to cooperate it isn’t a deal.”

She smiled slightly and then went and ordered them a nice breakfast making sure to order him his favorite and once it came she went back out to him

He held his hand up to her “what do you mean it’s invalid?...NO..I worked this out on the 17th.”

She stopped and said not a word and just turned back into the room, she watched him from the table

He seemed to get more angry and upset as he paced the deck. He threw his free hand in the air to exasperate his distress

She kept quiet and ate her food covering his so it didn’t get cold

He finally tapped his phone off in exasperation and put it in his pocket walking inside

“is everything alright?” she asked taking the cover off his food for him

“just a little bump with the system.” He smiled and sat down

“it will work out now eat your food and we can head off.” She said with a smile

He smiled and began to eat

She got up and fixed her hair as she waited for him

He finished and stood “you ready?”

She smiled “of course.”

He took her hand and walked out the door.

She followed quietly to the car

He looked over at her “you ready?”

She let out a breath “yes im ready”

“this could make or break everything.” He kissed her hand

She sighed “not helpful dear your making me nervous.”

He smiled “here we are.” He pulled the car into a huge parking lot capable of parking 30+ cars. The home itself was three stories with about 12 bedrooms and two kitchens/living rooms

“I thought you said your family wasn’t well off, this house if quite big.” She said looking at it

“they aren’t. but they are comfortable.” He smiled

“well shall I meet the family then?” she said opening her car door, she just wanted out of the car but she made sure her hair was still perfect before getting out of the car

He smiled “Aright.” He turned to the house and put his hands to his mouth with the loudest pig call you have ever head “SuuuEYYY”

She jumped when he did that “Derik? Good god what was that?” she said smoothing out her dress as she stared at him

He grinned at her “I’m gonna do it again.” He turned to the house and let out another “SuuUUEEYYY!!!” three small children came sprinting from the backyard tripping over each other in a stumble to get to him “DERIK!”

She took a step back, she was awfully confused by Derik’s actions, she didn’t say a word

He knelt down as the kids jumped on him. He caught all 3 in his arms and picked them up, Spinning in a circle. A women came out of the house, wiping her hands off on a towel. She had bright blue eyes and soft brown hair

She was nervous and not really sure about the rowdy young children not used to kids acting like that, “Derik…darling?”

“I warned you that you’d see a whole new side.” He reminded her as he kissed each of the kids on the head, two girls and one boy. The woman walked down to them., arms open wide “Derik girl your momma a hug.” She twanged at him. He smiled and hugged her tight lifting her from the ground, she only came up to his shoulder in height

She smiled slightly but said not a work being polite and letting them do their thing. But she looked down at the little boy since he was staring up at her

Derik kissed his mom on the cheek “momma, this is Esmeralda. Esmeralda, my mother, barb.”

She smiled at her “it’s a pleasure to finally meet you ma’am.”

“oh, im not that old.” Barb smiled and hugged her warmly. When she stepped away she looked slightly suspicious “hey jerry. Get your stinkin’ bottom out here!!? She called to the house. “I’m coming!” a man with jet black hair and Derik’s green eyes emerged from the door. When he saw Derik and Esmeralda his eyes lit up

“now I see where those green eyes came from.” She said quietly to Derik with a small nervous smile

He smiled and took her hand “Yeah.” Jerry walked over to them, he was a very large man in height, not fat but built like an ox. He hugged Derik tightly then held out his hand to Esmeralda “hello.”

She smiled and put her hand in his like a lady, she knew nothing else but that “hello sir it’s nice to meet you.”

“you too miss.” He smiled at her then punched Derik in the arm “boy I was worried you were a homo.” Derik got a very Serious face “Dad. I AM. This is my friend.” Jerry turned pale. Derik busted into laughter and Jerry punched him

She flinched a bit when he punched him “I’m quite sure he’s not.” She said smiling a little

Jerry raised his eyebrow and Derik laughed harder

“I’d be very upset if my fiancé was..well gay.” She said, wondering why it was all so funny

“Fiancee?” his dad spluttered “you’re marryin’ this dickweed?!” Derik frowned at her “I haven’t told them yet.” Bard watched them closely

She put a hand over her mouth at his fathers language “well you could have told me that Derik.”

“Dad,a word?” Derik looked all serious as he turned and started across the lawn. Jerry followed him

Esme let out a small sigh “oh dear he’s angry with me.”

“not you hun.” Barb smiled

“I just…I thought he would have told you about this.” She said looking over at her

“oh he told me.” Barb smiled and looked over at them where Derik was scolding Jerry

She watched him “im really seeing a new side of him already.”

“he is a country boy. How about you and I go on back and I introduce you to his first love?” Bard smiled

“depends his first love isn’t another women right?” she said trying to make a joke

“she is very beautiful.” Bard grinned and headed towards the backyard

She stopped for a moment the picked up her dress and followed after her “im not sure how I feel about meeting this women.” She thought it was a lady

Barb smiled and led her to the corral where 13 beautiful horses grazed lazily

She cringed when she got a scent of horse poop

Barb whistled and a gorgeous white horse trotted off obediently

“the first love was the horse wasn’t it?” she asked looking at the horse

“sure was.” She smiled “can you ride? If not I could teach you. Or im sure Derik would.”

“only side saddle down a path for my birthday.” She said looking at the horse “I’m sure Derik could show me, could be a good way to learn about him.”

“he hasn’t ridden in yeeeeaars. He stopped after her got bucked off and broke his arm. I reckon he might be a little scared now. Kage does love them though.” Barb smiled fondly at the thought of her other son.

“Kage, ah he’s Derik’s younger brother right, he spoke about him a bit the other day.” She said smiling a little

“yes, he’s very opposite his brother. Derik likes to do business and always worried about succeeding while kage just wants to find himself.”

“is he here by chance? “ she asked

“bot yet. He’ll arrive on Monday. Which reminds me. We have church tomorrow will you be goin?” her tiny smile was sweet and kind
“oh would you like me to?” she asked smiling a little “and Derik will come right?”

“of course Derik I’ll go. He wouldn’t ever skip a day with Jesus while im round.” She pet the horse

She smiled “well then of course I’ll come.. now should we see what the boys are up to now. Seeing this side of Derik is a bit…amusing.”

Barb chuckled “they should be out choppin wood about this time. Lets go round to the other side of the house” she pointed to the left and began walking

She smiled and followed

When barb reached the boys jerry was no where to be seen and Derik was on the phone. But there was someone chopping wood. His muscles rippled as he swung the axe down onto the log, splitting it directly in two. The boy kicked it to the side and set down another one, as he was doing so his blue eyes flicked up and he saw his mother. He flipped his black hair and smiled a bleach white smile “hey mom.”

Esme felt her cheeks heat up and she looked away putting a hand over her mouth to hide her giggles

“Kage!” Barb held out her arms and he scooped her up, swinging her in a circle “its been so long, I couldn’t stay away two more days mom.” He only had a twinge of country twang in his voice. Barb laughed “don’t you ever stay gone that long again.”

She looked over, looking at Kage her eyes stopping on his muscles; she couldn’t help but giggle into her hand again

Kage set Bard down and his eyes Caught Esme’s. he seem to stop breathing for a long moment. She was his focus.

“so you’re the infamous Kage” She said smiling at him “pleasure to finally meet you.”

He smiled to come alive again and held out his hand “Infamous? Not me.” He smiled “who might you be?”

She put her hand in his “I’m Esmeralda.” She answered trying not to giggle

He kissed her hand formally “Very nice to meet you. Will you be around often?”
“holidays and vacations.” Derik cut in “this is my fiancée.” He looked slightly annoyed with his younger brother.
Upon this news Kage dropped her hand and stepped back

Esme sighed “Derik no need to be so annoyed with him he’s just being welcoming.” She said looking over at Derik

“yeah.” He muttered “lets get situated inside.” He took her hand and lead her in, away from Kage.”
Kage leaned on the wall and watched them go. His eyes were glued to Esme

Before going inside Esme looked back at Kage, she flashed him a smile and went inside with Derik

Barb looked at Kage and raised her eyebrow “its her mom.” Was all he could say “you’re sure?” she stared at him, un-surprised “100%” he replied “oooohh boy.” She leaned on the house also. Derik led her up to her room

“your family is very welcoming.” She said as she sat on the bed in her room, she was staring at his chest wondering if his body looked like that

“yeah, it’s a Tennessee thing.” He smiled

She giggled “Darling where will you be staying while were here?”

“I can stay here or in a different room whatever makes you more comfortable.”

“different rooms is better, you know how my family feels about such things.” That and she didn’t love him, she didn’t want to sleep beside him

“of course.” He smiled and kissed her forehead, walking out of the room.

She sighed and unpacked her things then changed into a short sundress before going to explore the grounds

Kage was out back with the horses. His ripped up wrangler jeans were faded and his cowboy hat fit him well. He was shirtless as he leaned forward on his horse and dug his heels into it’s side’s gently “h’yaw.” And the horse took off faster around the coral in circles.

Esme stopped and walked over to the coral putting her hands on the wooden fence watching him

He was sweating and so was the horse he rode. He whipped it on the hind quarter. It was sheer black with one white stripe down the face. He rode bareback with only a rope around the horses neck and mouth as reigns

“Kage.” She said not sure if he’d noticed her

Kage didn’t hear “break damn you!!” the horse reared up and tried to buck him but he clamped his legs down . his hat fell to the ground and he threw his weight forward. The horse being force to land on all fours again .

Esme took a step back and she picked his hat up, she was curious and wondered how she looked in that hat so she put it on, she looked gooood

When the horse stopped moving at his command he slid off, patting it on the neck and eading it to the gate. Then he saw esme and smiled “well don’t you just look all sorts of trouble in my hat.”

She walked over to him with a smile “sorry I couldn’t resist.”

“you should be.” He took it and put it on his own head “now you better back away from this horse.” He warned

She took a step back “oh, well I wanted to ask you if you could teach me Kage.”

“teach you what?” he raised an eyebrow at her and opened the gate, leading the horse to the bigger pin

“to ride a horse. Derik’s to wrapped up in his work sometimes, the minutes that phone goes off he’s all about it” she said with a sigh

Kage laughed “you have no idea”

She put a hand on her hip “you think I enjoy being second to that phone? I hate it.”

“he is always about the biggest and the best.” Kage shrugged “me, I just want to be happy. My family an my horses is all I got. I’m a nomad. Never in one place too long. But I always come back here.”

“that’s really why he agree’d to this marriage, unlike him I had no choice.” She put a hand over her mouth “oh please don’t repeat that to anyone,”

Kage Stared at her “you’re telling me, that you… you don’t even love him?” he was appalled

She let out a breath “I was given to him, as an arrangement. I don’t have to love him but I have to marry him.”

He just stared at her for a moment longer “you disgust me.” He turned on his heel and latched the coral gate, then turned again and walked away from her

She went after him and grabbed his hand “you stop this instant, you think I chose this? You think I want this? No I don’t have a choice in this. So listen good country boy, if I had the choice on w ho I was to marry it would be out of love not money.”

He wrenched his arm away from her and pressed her against the side of the horse stables, his skin prickled “you have the choice. They can’t throw you in prison for marrying someone you love.”

“Yes but they can ruin my family.” Her face heated up at how close he was her voice was shaky because of it “I’d have to actually be in love with someone to get out of this.”

“Then look!” he snapped “I got a passport when I was 15 years old and went looking and I still haven’t found her!” his grip on her wrists tightened “but I wouldn’t trade all the pain for an arranged marriage with a fake like you.” He threw her arms down to her sides and walked away again

Her eyes filled with tears “Derik!” she cried running back into the house

He was on the phone but the second he saw her he turned it off. “Whats wrong baby?” he opened his arms

She ran into his arms in tears “your brother grabbed me and p-pushed me against the wall then I told him our m-marriage is arranged!” she cried, her face in his chest

He soother her “he just doesn’t believe in this kind of thing.” He sighed

“and that’s an excuse for throwing me up against the wall!” she about screamed “he grabbed me Derik do something!”

“I will. I was trying to calm you the hell down first!” he snapped and went out the door

She just sat down on the bed now sobbing because he snapped at her

[~Alois Trancy~]

Derik went to find Kage and the two brothers got into a heated argument

She walked to the window overhearing the two

“SHE DOESN’T LOVE YOU DERIK!” Kage screamed and stepped towards him.
“she will LEARN TO!!” Derik barked in response and stepped towards kage in response. He pushed his younger brother. Kage was forced back a step and angrily threw Derik’s hands down before striking him in the face with a punch

“stop it!” she cried running down there “stop it both of you!”

Derik struck kage in the face in response. While Derik was taller, Kage was more defined and wirey. He was fast. Kage upper cut him in the chin. Derik rubbed his jaw then kicked kage in the knee and as he went down, kneed him in the chin

“Derik!” she scream, she was crying as she grabbed a hold of his arm

Kage spit blood on the ground and loo0ked up with anger in his eyes. He lunged at derik and tackled him to the ground

She had a hold of Derik’s hand so when he tackled him to the ground he knocked her over also “please stop!” she was covered in dirt and crying now

Kage held Derik’s face down and had his arm raised to punch him, but stopped. “you’re going to get hurt.” Then he glared at Esme and walked off

She just sat there “Derik.” She cried, hoping he was aright

He stood up and spit “im okay honey. Sorry.” He kissed her forehead and looked at kage who was limping off

“im going to go bathe.” She said wiping tears and mud off her face

“Alright I have to change.” He pulled off his muddy shirt. His body was slim and he had some muscle definition but not like kage

She watched him for a moment before quicky heading inside, she stripped down and slid into her tub and took a long soak before going out to the horses

Kage was in the barn, on a stack of hay. He popped his knee back into place and inhaled sharply, tears stinging his eyes

She walked into the barn and haden’t noticed him. She smiled lightly as a horse put it’s nose in her hair with smelled like roses

He wiped his eyes with a rag he’d had in his pocket and examined his knee.

He didn’t look at her

She sighed and once she looked over she noticed him and walked over “let me see.”

“get away from me, heathen.” He turned his back on her

“my father is in medical, please let me make sure it’s alright” she said sitting on the hay next to him

“I was with a surgeon for 6 months. I know it’s fine.” He stretched it out and stood up, waking away,

She sighed and got up “Kage wait.”

“you really piss me off, you know!” he spun around and snapped, his twang thick “I can’t believe you would be that kind of person. It’s disgusting. Stay away from me.” He turned back around and went to his horse at the end of the stable. This horse was beautiful chestnut with strong, sleek muscles

She followed him “well im sorry ive never had anyone show me what’s

different, this is all I know”

“well learn!” he brushed his horse down

She looked confused “I can’t…..teach me?”

“I can’t do that. You are engaged.” He didn’t look at her

“all is fair in love and war I’ve heard.” She said walking back down to the
horse she was with before

“ha! Not Only are you a fake lover but you’re a cheater.”

“id have to cheat to be a cheater.” She said hugging the horse around the neck

He rolled his eyes.

She climbed into the stall and got herself up on the horse by using the trough as a foot up “and if I do recall you’re the one who didn’t take his eyes off me when I first got here.”

“until I found out what kind of person you are.” He reminded

“you don’t really know me Kage.” She said still sitting on the horse and she squeaked as it nudged the open gat all the way open and walked out

He sighed and got on his horse “h’yaw!” he kicked it in the sides and followed after her

She was holding onto the horses neck “Kage, help.” She looked so helpless it was adorable

He forced the horse into the corral and the kids shut it then ran off. He circled the horses and got up into a bounce. He swung his arm with the rope and finally roped her horse. He pulled back and his horse stopped also, pulling hers to a halt

She was still clinging to the horse’s neck staring at the ground “how do I get down?”

“jump.” He shrugged and slid off his horse

She looked up at him “I can’t, Kage please help me down.” She begged

He looked at her and sighed “swing your leg over.” He said as he walked to the other side of her horse and held up his arms

She did so and put her dainty hands on his shoulders
He looked at her “well? Jump.”

She did so and when she slid down she wasn’t paying attention and their lips met

He pushed her away after that and turned to the horses like it didn’t happen.

She turned away red putting her fingers to her lips

He took the reins of her horse and walked them out of the coral to the stables

“Kage.” She said following him, she’d felt a spark in that kiss and she didn’t understand it

“what?” he looked at her with disdain

She flinched back “nothing….” She quickly turned away.

“you have a fiancée. And it’s my brother.” He said much more softly “we cant do this again.” He walked to the stables

“you…you felt it too didn’t you.” She said following him into the stables

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He pretended to be oblivious

She looked away with a sigh “I know it was there kage.”

“there was nothing anywhere.” He put both the horses away and locked the mares gate. He went into his horse’s stall and took off his bridal

She felt tears prickle her eyes as she turned away and left

He nuzzled his horses face “what was that?” he mumbled and took off his saddle

She calmed herself down and went searching for Derik

Derik was getting done in the shower

She walked into his bedroom “Derik im on your bed don’t you come out naked.” She warned

He was already opening the door

She sat on the bed flipping through a book she’d found on his nightstand

He sighed and closed the door, pulling on some pants

“once your done come here.” She said not looking up from the book

He came out and sat next to her

As soon as he did she pulled him into a kiss that would leave him breathless and in shock.

He kissed her back, surprised but willing.

She pulled back and got up “now how about you show more around some?”

He blinked at her “alright.”

She looked over at him smiling a little

He took her around the house and the smell of chicken breast wafted through the house

She smiled “well that smells delightful, I forgot how hungry I was.”

“mom is a wonderful cook.” Then he remembered that she hadn’t had many home cooked meals from her mother

She had her arms wrapped around him “when can we eat dear?”

“soon as it’s finished.” He kissed her forehead as Kage walked in the door. Kage scowled at him then walked into the other room

She let out a sigh “he doesn’t like me.”

“me either. It’s okay.” He laughed

She looked back at the room “but he seemed to like me when we met….now he hates me.”

“because of the arrangement.” He shrugged and lead her to the table. Bard was setting everything up “wash your hands.” She slapped Derik’s paw

She sighed, she was still thinking about how that kiss with Kage felt to her

Kage sat across from Derik who sat by Esme and perpendicular to jerry. Jerry was at the end of the table. Bard sat at the other end perpendicular to kage

She smiled “it’s smells so good, I was starving the moment I smelled this.”

Bard smiled “home cooking is the best.” She sat another dish at the table “shall we say grace?...Derik?” he took Esme and Jerry’s hands. Kage took jerry and barbs hands and barb took esmes’s hand. As they all closed their eyes Kage looked Directly at Esme

Esme felt his eyes and she looked up meeting his eyes

Kage’s eyes burned with a deep secret desire and the struggle in his mind.
Derik droned on through the prayer

She bit her lip, offly confused as well

He eyes darkened and his lip twisted up. Then grace was over and he dropped his eyes

Esme then looked over at Derik with a smile

Derik patter her leg and they all began eating

She sat up straight and proper, eating like a lady should in small bite and her elbows off the table

The rest of them ate like normal people. After dinner kage retreated to the horses.

Once finished she smiled at Derik “im going to go see the horses I want to do the hair of the girls ain cute braids.”

“Alright. I have a business call to make.” Derik smiled and headed up the stairs.

She grabbed her box full of colored ribbons and went out to the stables

Kage fed them all and was walking out of the stables

“kage.. ” she said giving him one of her gorgeous yet cute smiles

He didn’t respond. Walking to the house

She sighed “Kage please cant we get along?”

“we don’t.” he didn’t turn. “ever.”

“why? Explain to me why!” she about yelled, obviously frustrated

“Because I can’t stand you!”

tears started to well up in her eyes “w-what….y-you hate me don’t you.”

“YES!!” he threw his arms up “you show up here and completely distract me from everything and it turns out you’re engaged to marry my older brother who you don’t even love! And then you kissed me!” he looked exhausted

She started to cry “distract you? You think I meant to kiss you!” she had walked over to him and was right in his face “I have tried to be nice to you, and tried to hide my attraction to you, but you’ve been nothing but an…an ass!”

“welcome to the south baby!” he threw his arms up and when he dropped them he leaned back “oooh do you have another thing coming.” He stood up right and looked at her “you really don’t love him.”

She looked away from him “it’s hard to love a man who only seems to care for his work. My family wants nothing but the added power of me marrying him not for me to be really in love.”

“does he know all that?” kage watched her. His black hair ruffled in distress

She sighed shaking her head “I already know he loves me, he’s said it but I just…I just cant I need to be really in love.”

Kage watched her for a moment and then stepped forward, slipping his hand into her hair kissing her

She felt her cheeks heat up and she leaned into him kissing him back

He pulled away, reluctantly, after a moment

She looked down at her hands on his chest, she ran her hands down his chest feeling his muscles.

He watched her and then stepped away “you’re engaged

She looked up at him “but I don’t love him Kage you know I don’t love him.”

“that changes nothing.” He shrugged

“then why did you kiss me.” She asked “I feel a spark when we kiss kage!”

“I don’t know why.” He sighed

she looked away “do you feel anything at all Kage?”

“yes. Which is why im so damn mad.” He sighed

She stepped back up to him “I shouldn’t be with him.”

“then don’t be.” He stepped back

She matched every step he did “I really do have no choice, I have to marry.”

“no you don’t.” he stepped away again

She stepped to him again “Kage you don’t understand, this is complicated my family is forcing me, I must marry by the time I turn 20 or I will lose everything.”

“does it have to be Derik.” He eyed her

She sighed “I don’t think so, they didn’t specify, only that the man must be able to provide for me easily.”

He watched her “it wouldn’t be hard to find someone like that.”

“yes but they like Derik’s money so they arranged this before I had the chance to find a real man. One the way I like, one I could easily love without trying.” She said leaning against the fence

He shrugged “say no. they can’t stop you. If you find someone you love that’ll keep you financially stable, who cares what they say.”

She looked over at him “yeah but seems it’s a bit harder for me, men don’t exactly come to me freely, my father frightens them. I mean how hard is it to find a big strong man who can hold me tight, take care of me, and will love me?”

“I wouldn’t know.” He chuckled

“you’re the closest to my vision.” She said quietly

He raised an eye brow at her

She smiled at him “you are almost everything I’d always wanted, strong, handsom, and when your not yelling at me you are very sweet.”

He raised an eyebrow “in that case.” He pushed her into the barn and kissed her

She wrapped her arms around him falling back onto the hay kissing him back, actually feeling something in a kiss made her heart race

He rolled over so she was on top

She ran a hand into his hair stopping for a moment to breath before kissing him again

He tried to keep his hands off her but failed

She didn’t stop him, she was in heaven as long as his hands didn’t travel anywhere inappropriate

[~Alois Trancy~]

He kissed her neck gently and then head footsteps

She sat up quickly pushing him off “someone’s coming.”

“Derik.” Kage jumped up and moved away

She got up quickly fixing her dress walking to the door “Derik?”

“what are you doing in here?” he eyed her suspiciously

She held up the ribbons “doing hair but they keep eating and I can’t get close.”

Derik smiled a little bit at her but looked around the place. Kage was hiding

“oh my god Derik what are you looking for?....you don’t trust me.” She hissed smacking him in the chest with the bag of ribbons and she stalked off to the house

He stared after her and when he looked away Kage snuck out.

She yanked the front door open and ran up the steps to her room

Kage snuck into the kitchen where his mom was, glaring at him

She just sat on her bed, pulling the clip from her hair that held it up, she groaned and stared into the mirror

Kage and her exchanged glances. His was guilty and hers was disapproving. “all is fair.” She crossed her arms. He grinned at her and hopped up the stairs

She left her hair down, she never had it down all the way and it was in sexy curls like that. She fixed her dress and opened her door to walk out

He walked in as soon as she did, pushing her in as well and locked the door behind himself.

She squeaked almost falling back onto the bed “Kage what are you doing?”

“just be quiet a minute.” He knelt in front of her “how long so you think we can keep this up before it’d be too risky.”

She sat on the bed and sighed “I….I don’t know Kage, at least until I can figure out how to say I cant marry derik without hurting him. Kage, he loves me, how im going to figure this out I don’t know.”

He kissed her softly “this is my brother. I want to help you but I don’t. do you know where I am right now?”

She stared at him “im sorry Kage but I don’t even see you and Derik getting along….at all.” She sighed “and I don’t know where are you?”

“currently?...The carribean. I do business there as well as a few other places Ie: cabo, the virgin islands, spain.”

She laid back on the bed and groaned “you don’t settle down do you Kage?”

“I’m trying actually. But since I haven’t found anyone, my brother brought me into this business world and taught me everything he knows. My father set me up with my own firm and I own 23 hotels internationally.”

She sat back up “wow Kage, you just seem more like a farm boy than a business man…no offence.”

“I am a cowboy.” He corrected “my dad really helped me start my own business, he also got me a board of directors to do it all while im away. Globally, I own 13 hotels.”

She smiled slightly and kissed him “you really are great Kage.”

“you also just met me. We are gonna one day at a time this until you leave or make a decision” he stood up all the way “for now. This is an affair.” He smiled and slipped out

She smiled a bit and walked over to her window, wondering where Derik even was she walked out of her room to look for him

Derik was in the living room, on his laptop

“Working again I see.” She said sitting away from him

Derik waved her quiet with his hand “yes, I am abe to do that.” He said, looking into the computer screen where a voice responded “splendid! As long as the cooperation is met to our contracts standards you could have a multimillion dollar company.”


She just sighed and sat on the couch with her arms crossed

He continued his converstation for about 10 minutes and then clicked the camera button on his laptop, shutting it off

“you’re always working,” she mumbled

“Too pay the bills.” He looked at her

“but you brought me here to get to know the real you Derik how can I do that when all you do is get on your phone or laptop and ignore me” she stood up frustrated “you haven’t spent anytime with me, it’s all about your phone with you.”

“its al about my business which was here before you and the reason that we can be together at all.” He snapped

She sat down putting her face in her hands to hide the tears “but you never pay attention to me, you care more about your job than you do me. “

“Obviously not.” He sighed

“I want to spend my time here with you just stay on your phone.” She said staring down at her hands

He kissed her forehead

She looked up at him “can we just leave the phone away tomorrow, just you and me time?…..and that time will be outside.”

“Alright. No phone.”

She smiled and kissed him “thank you.”

He kissed her forehead and left.

She sighed and walked out onto the porch, it was already dark and she smiled up at the stars

Kage was locking up the stables.

She looked over and leaned against the railing just staring at him, she bit her lip thinking.

He was wearing light blue jeans and a red flannel with the sleeves rolled up and the front unbuttoned.

She blushed lightly “Kage.” She called not taking her eyes off him

He looked up at her “Yeah?”

She smiled “will you sit out here and talk me? I don’t want to sit out here alone.”

“where’d Derik?” he eyed her carefully

She shrugged “does it matter? Were just going to sit and talk, he can get over the fact we talked and got along.”

he chuckled and climbed up the vines on the wall sliding onto the balcony.

She giggled sitting on the railing “you show off.”

“me? Nah.” He smiled

She looked at his abs and once he was close enough she touched them lightly with just her fingertips “oh you are.”

“no. You’re the bad one here.” He watched her

“but you’re the show off.” She said giggling

He shook his head

“well what shall we talk about then?”

He shrugged “you called me up here.”

She sighed “frankly I don’t want to talk…” she was more wanting to kiss him

“then what do you want to do?” he looked up into the sky

She slid off the railing “im going to go back to my room, if you decide to come along you’ll find out.”

Kage grinned and followed her.

She laughed and opened her bedroom door

Derik turned around “Esmeralda?” he raised his eyebrows

She jumped a bit “oh Derik Darling what are you doing in here?”

“I came to see you.” He watched her suspiciously

“oh, then do you want to play cards” she smiled at her “Kage was going to teach me.”

“sure.” He said curtly. He was glaring at Kage

“Derik if Kage and I can get along now I think you can to.” She said sternly as she got cards from her bag

He sighed “Fine.” Kage sat down on her bed.

“good.” He kissed him on the cheek then sat down next to Kage “okay so what are we playing again?”

“3 rings.” Kage smiled and Derik rolled his eyes

She smiled back at him “okay so how do I play?”

He explained the game to her

She smiled and they went on with a round, she of course wasn’t very good at the game at all

Derik and Kage had perfect poker faces and Kage won “I’ll go help mom with the chickens.” Kage got up and left

She smiled as he left than looked over at Derik “well he’s not that bad after talking to him.”

Derik shook his head “he’s a people pleaser.”

“Derik can you teach me to ride a horse tomorrow?” she asked to change the subject

“ride?” his face went pale

“yes I really want to learn.” She said sitting on his lap

“uhm. Are you…There’s nothing else?” he swallowed . the fear was plain on his face

“i want to go for a walk also…Darling are you alright?” she asked putting a hand on his cheek

“I don’t ride”

“okay, I’ just ask Kage to. We can go for a walk just you and me though.” She smiled at him

“alright.” He smiled a little

“now what did you want before??” she asked

“Just to see you.” He smiled

“well aren’t you sweet.” She giggled

He kissed her

She just put a hand on his shoulder and kissed him back

He held her tightly like that for a moment then broke the kiss

She smiled “I was going to go bathe, unless you’d like to talk a little longer.”

“you can go.” He smiled

“alright, goodnight dear.” She kissed him on the cheek then went into the bathroom.

He got up and went downstairs

She hopped into a nice warm bath

When Derik went down the stairs he got in an argument with Kage about talking to esme.

She wore a short silk nightgown, they were bought for her at her bridal shower but she wanted to wear them already since they were comfortable, she pulled on a long silk robe after she dried her hair and walked down stairs

Kage didn’t look at her. Derik smiled at her

“I got thirsty.” She said wondering where the glasses were, then she noticed Kage wouldn’t look at her “Kage? You alright?”

“Fine.” He was facing the window and didn’t even look at her reflection
Derik raised an eyebrow while barb poured her some tea

She sighed then smiled thanking barb for the tea

Bard gave her an annoyed, knowing look.
“yeah.” She clipped and handed Kage a bottle of beer. Derik got himself some coffee.

She felt uncomfortable right now with the way things were going so she quietly slid out of the kitchen.

Barb watched her with snake eyes. Derik followed her

“I’m going to go to bed.” She said quietly, kissing Derik on the cheek before heading to the steps

He sighed and went to his room

She sat down by her window slowly drinking her tea

Barb went to bed and Derik was locked in his room. Kage knocked lightly

She’d taken off her robe so all that was left on was the short silk nightgown, she knew it would be either Derik or Kage so she didn’t bother putting the robe on as she opened the door

Kage smiled at her

She blinked and pulled him into her room locking the door “Kage, your mother knows doesn’t she?”

“probably.” He shrugged and sipped his beer

She watched him “why are you acting so strange, Kage you wouldn’t even look at me in there.”

“because your loving Fiancee tripped on me.” He sighed

She sat on the bed “what did he say to you?”

“not to talk to you!”

She flinched “he’s so….never mind, one thing is you don’t have to listen to him, if I want to talk to you I will.”

He chuckled

She smiled “but I don’t want to talk right now.”

“what do you want then?” he took another drink of his beer

She sighed “Kage come here.” She pat the bed next to her

He sat down

She smiled a little and moved closer for a kiss

He kissed her cheek, dodging her lips

She sat back looking quite hurt “..kage?”

“You’re engaged to my brother. Don’t be a cheater.”

She got off the bed and went over to the mirror and sat “get out Kage.”

“Fine. Stop being a whore.” He rolled his eyes and walked out

She held back some tears as she looked towards the door. She crawled into bed stuffing her face into her pillow

He walked into his room and drank the rest of his beer then went to sleep.

She didn’t put her hair up as she usually did, as a joke her friend got her some short shorts and a tight plaid shirt and cowboy boots at her bridal shower since they knew he was a country boy, she pulled on the shorts and the tight shirt, then pulled on the boots “damn.” She looked in the mirror feeling odd but she’d deal with it and she walked down stairs

The entire family was already awake. Kage was in the fields with Jerry fixing the fence, Barb was cooking breakfast, and Derik was just feeding the animals

She went outside to Derik and wrapped her arms around him from behind “good morning Derik.”

“hey hun.” He kissed her forehead

She smiled watching him, because of how her family was, he’d never seen her legs like that, she always had to wear skirts at least to the knee on dresses

“nice outfit.” He looked at her appreciatively

She giggled “thought you’d like it.”

He smiled brightly

She wrapped her arms around his neck “I look okay right?”

“gorgeous.” He smiled and kissed her

She kissed him back passionately when Kage and Jerry were walking back to the house

Kage groaned and Jerry looked at him “she is quite a fox. And not just in the looks I see. I don’t like two timers.”

She pulled away and just smiled at Derik, “can we go on our walk after breakfast.”

“yes we can.” He kissed her forehead and took her hand “Lets gp eat.”

She giggled “do you know what she made?”

“no idea. But I collected the eggs this morning so probably something with eggs.” He said as she opened the door for her

She smiled and walked in with him

“wash up.” Barb tapped the table with a wooden spoon

Esme looked down then quickly did as she was told

Kage and Jerry were already cleaned up and at the table

She finished before Derik and sat down quietly

Jerry and barb looked at her. Kage drank his coffee

She looked up at them from under her eyelashes “how are you this morning.” She asked, she was nervous so she was being shy

There was a long pause
“I am doing mighty fine. How are you adjusting?” Jerry answered finally

“it’s still a little difficult but it’s a more fun than back home no one likes to be outside.” She said looking up at them.

“Illinois.” He clicked his tongue “I should think you’d want to be outside.”

“people are just not to do anything fun.” She said sighing

“then what do they do?” he watched her. Barb sat out the omelets on everyone’s plates and Derik came and sat

“sitting on the Terrace out looking a gardens fountains and talking about boring topics.” She answered taking Derik’s hand when he sat down

He smiled at her
“no fun.” Jerry announced then held out his hands for prayer

She took whoever else’s hand

They prayed and ate. Then they finished. Kage excused himself and cleared off his plate. Then went outside.

She finished and smiled at Derik “ready to go for a walk?”

“yup.” He hopped up and took her plate

She looked at their mother “that was delicious, I hope I can cook as well as you do one day.”

“Maybe I’ll teach you a thing or two.” Barb smiled

Her eyes lit up ”really.”

She nodded “you kids have fun.”

“yeah lets go Derik!” she grabbed his hands running out the door

He followed her with a laugh

She stopped outside “okay show me around.”

“around where?” he chuckled

“everywhere, I want to know your favorite places around here.”

“none of them.” He smiled “I hate this place.” He started walking towards the road tho. Hands in his pockets. He wore dark jeans and a button up shirt which was rather nice for farm life

She sighed “my daddy made it off like I was marrying this sexy cowboy when I was first told about you, he lied about the cowboy thing mostly.”

“yeah.” He smiled “I’m al business”

“Im not going to lie that was the only reason id let father give you my hand in the first place, I was hoping you’d be more of a man then some business man with a stick up his ass.”

He chocked “stick up my ass?”

She sighed “it’s a figure of speech and I didn’t say that you had a stick up your ass like the others seem to….well sometimes you seem to.”

He gawked at her

She blinked “what? Im just saying, it means uptight.”

“I know what it means. I am not stupid.” He looked ahead of him

She grabbed his hand “I never said you were stupid,”
“you assumed.” He shook his head “anyway.” He made his point clear they were changing the topic

“where are we heading?” she asked

He shrugged “Maybe we’ll see the old fruit stand out neighbors had.”

“a fruit stand how cute.” She said smiling

“we used to grow watermelon and cantaloupe for them.”

She leaned against him “I wish I had memories like that.”

“Make some.” He smiled

“I am.. right now with you.” She said kissing him on the cheek

He grinned

“now show me around cowboy.” She said laughing

He kissed her forehead “I am, I am.”

She smiled up at him “Maybe I can get some more country like clothes in that little town.”

“you could.” He smiled and pointed ahead of them through the trees “theres a shortcut.”

She grabbed his hand “lets go.” She started pulling him that way

He laughed “you don’t know the way!”

“then show me.” She said looking up at him

“I will.” He walked through the thicket to the trees and there was a creek which he stepped over

She looked at it “oh dear.”

“come on.” He waved her over

“uhm, what if I fall in?” she asked

“its 2 feet wide.” He exasperated and stepped back over, picked her up and stepped over again

“but you know id fall in, im not lucky.” She said sighing

He shrugged

“derik…do you love me?” she asked out of curiosity

He looked at her then opened his mouth and closed it again

She looked at the trees “thought so.”

“I do.” He was staring directly at her “I really do.”

She looked up at him “seriously?”

“yes.” He sighed

She looked ahead “oh,”

He took her hand “lets go.”

She smiled and followed him into town

He toured her blah blah blah XD

She ended up buying things and ran inside to try them on once back at the house

He laughed and followed her

She went into her bathroom and pulled on jeans and a tank top before walking out

He sat on her bed

“well jeans feel different.”

“Have you not worn them before?” he raised an eyebrow

“dress pants before but never skinny jeans.” She sat down “so im going to go try to ride a horse.”

“not in those.” He smiled “you need straight leg jeans.”

She hopped up “okay.” She changed and pulled on shoes

[Ciel Phantomhive]

Kage was sitting on the fence outside.
derik was sipping his tea in the kitchen

[~Alois Trancy~]

she went outside and right into the barn looking at the horses, she said wondering which one would be nicer to her

[Ciel Phantomhive]

Kage heard her and hopped out of he corral, jogging up to her. "Derik says you wanna ride"

[~Alois Trancy~]

she didn't look at him, still angry with him for calling her a whore "yeah."

[Ciel Phantomhive]

"I'll teach you. as your brother in law." his eyes looked dark and promised his simplicity.

[~Alois Trancy~]

"fine." she mumbled petting the horse next to her

[Ciel Phantomhive]

"Not if you're gonna act that way" he put in "I'm doing this because Derik asked me. I need to redeem myself as a brother." he sighed. "Don't touch that horse. it'll bite you."
The horse was flaring its nostrils

[~Alois Trancy~]

she moved back quickly, hiding behind him watching the horse

[Ciel Phantomhive]

"He isnt broken. i'm working on it" he looked at her. "I'll take you on Jezzabell" he turned and walked down the row to a small white horse with pink bows in her mane.

[~Alois Trancy~]

her eyes lit up "awww pink bows how precious."

[Ciel Phantomhive]

"She is our oldest horse. very mellow. she wont be a problem for you. a two year old would be able to ride her without my help" he pat the horse on the nose

[~Alois Trancy~]

she smiled petting it's neck "well good."

[Ciel Phantomhive]

"I figure you could atleast handle this, princess." he laughed and put the reins on the horse

[~Alois Trancy~]

she crossed her arms "I'm no princess."

[Ciel Phantomhive]

"Oh yes you are"

[~Alois Trancy~]

she looked over at him "how am i a princess?"

[Ciel Phantomhive]

"You cant be country" he shrugged "You live a pampered life with servants and butlers. thats princess." he grabbed the horse and pulled it out of the stall. it looked so tired and bored

[~Alois Trancy~]

she said nothing but watched the horse "she looks tired Kage."

[Ciel Phantomhive]

"She is. which means she is safe." he patted her "She is dependable and you arent going to get hurt. you cant handle any of the other horses."