Chapter Text
She hears the click of the cabin door and knows that she is finally alone. She glances around her rustic space, moves her freshly delivered luggage, and lets out an exasperated chuckle at the irony of her situation. She came here to try to get her mind off the impending divorce, to not feel the loneliness so deeply, to take some steps towards moving on... But how could she possibly do this when all she wants at the moment is to be holed up by herself?
It had been a long day of travel to this ranch resort in Montana, one that Gwen Stefani booked on a whim, and she was starting to question whether running from LA was the right decision. She thought that some open air and country charm far away from the Hollywood fishbowl would be refreshing, but currently, she finds her mood to be no better than when she left. She crashes on to the king bed, allowing the poofiness of the duvet to envelope her and hide her from reality. The tears begin to flow, as they had for months now, until her eyes close from pure exhaustion.
It is the growl of Gwen's stomach that wakes her a couple of hours later, and her sleepy eyes are surprised to see that the bedside clock is indicating supper time. She definitely feels more at ease after her unplanned siesta and decides that maybe she will head to the dining room to explore this place a little bit. It's only fair, really, since she promised herself and Sophie that she would make an effort to enjoy the beauty of the ranch. Feeling slightly optimistic, she even ventures to hope that she can rediscover her songwriting ability while here. But, she asks herself, could four days truly make that much of a difference?
Gwen exhales harshly as she subconsciously ponders the odds of that miracle. And there she goes, spiralling back down on the roller coaster that has hijacked her brain.
She finds the strength to peel herself off the bed and makes her way to the bathroom to wash the tear stains away. She looks hard in the mirror, resolute on the fact that she is going to have to keep fighting this all-consuming darkness. She may be a little lost, may have been for quite some time now, but one thing she knows for sure... she isn't going to let herself go down like this.
With her makeup re-done and hair down, Gwen feels a wave of confidence as she enters the main lodge. She is dressed in a cute top, mini skirt and tall boots and knows that she looks more presentable than she has in weeks. She passes the main desk and follows some signs to the dining room doors. She slips into a corner table, ready to enjoy the atmosphere anonymously. Gwen takes a minute to admire the picturesque view through the windowed wall on her left and also makes note of the tasteful decor, complete with a bar made from reclaimed wood and stone. This ranch is smaller, very upscale and private, so she thinks that maybe tonight she can enjoy the freedom of just being another face, another guest. A staff member quickly serves her wine and asks for her meal preferences. She settles on the fish entree. A few sets of eyes meet hers in general recognition, but she is left alone to eat. As she sips on her second glass of Cabernet, the lights dim and a host announces that it is karaoke night. Gwen giggles a little, thinking to herself that this should be good.
She watches as the first few guests take their turn in the spotlight - the hilariously drunk business man (here alone she presumes), the overzealous woman who thinks that she missed her calling (she didn't) and the poor dude whose wife dragged him up there to duet. Despite their general lack of talent, she finds herself smiling and clapping at the camaraderie of it all. So far, this night has been nice... Even enjoyable, she thinks.
More patrons find their glory on the stage as Gwen scrolls through the missed texts on her phone. She hears the host begin to wrap up the activity while she works to reassure Jen and Sophie that she is ok, not living on room service, and that yes, she is indeed out of her cabin. She shakes her head lightly at her closest friends, locks the screen and sets her phone down as the final singer of the night takes the microphone. She is instantly struck by the man and can't seem to move her eyes off of him. He is very tall with a broad chest and thick, wavy hair. He has some light facial scruff and looks like a true cowboy in his boots and plaid. She didn't notice him in the room before and she thinks that she would have. He just seems to have a presence about him. Gwen feels her heart skip as he opens his mouth to sing. He is amazing. He's got his eyes closed and is belting a soulful country ballad with conviction. She has butterflies in her stomach and suddenly, gets flustered by the fact that she is enamoured with another man. She's technically unattached, and God knows, shouldn't have any guilt about it considering... but these feelings just shouldn't be happening, not right now, she believes.
Confused, Gwen rushes out of the building, desperate for fresh air. She wills her lungs to cleanse her and prays for her God to calm the fury inside her. Her pores leak sweat, her eyes well up, but after several minutes of leaning on a lamp post, she feels like she has regained her grip. She trusts her legs enough to start on the path towards her cabin before it hits her that her phone is still sitting on the table in the lodge. She silently curses to herself as she backtracks past the main fireplace and in through the thick, wooden doors of the dining area and bar. When she turns to the corner in which she was previously sitting, she discovers that her chair is now occupied. She freezes and every nerve ending in her body tingles as gorgeous marine blue eyes lock on hers. It's him.
"I'm guessin' this is your phone?"
He has a soft southern drawl and a shy smile on his lips.
"Oh, thanks! I was just coming back to find it."
Gwen reaches her well-manicured hand out to take it from him and feels her skin jump at the slight brush of his fingers. Her cheeks are flushing with color and her stomach is threatening to empty its contents. What is this? She needs to get out of here, quick, she thinks. She flashes an appreciative smile his way and ducks her head to leave.
"Whoa, what are you doin' with your beautiful self?"
He's teasing her, but his tone is warm. Gwen stops and dares to look back at him. Seeing the surprise in her eyes, he lets out a rich laugh.
"I'm Blake" he says, "Don't feel like you have to leave just because I'm sittin' here in your spot."
He sips his beer, watching Gwen carefully for a response.
"Oh my God, no, I was going to get out of here anyways. Thanks for taking care of my phone."
The music of the house band catches her attention and she takes a much needed breath as she breaks eye contact with the cowboy. She loses herself for a moment as the lyrics of Foreigner resonate within her.
"You like this song."
"Hmm, what?"
She snaps back to the reality of him standing a mere foot away, just off her right shoulder. She thinks his words were more of a statement, a musing, so she shrugs in acknowledgement.
"You wanna dance?"
Gwen hears the nerves in his voice and thinks maybe he isn't quite as confident as he looks. He's taking a risk here and she can't help but feel desire course through her veins for him. What the hell, she's just a stranger in Montana tonight.
"Yes, please."
He holds out his hand for her and gently leads her to the sparsely occupied dance floor.
"I didn't catch your name?"
"Gwen, it's Gwen."
His face breaks into a boyish grin as he places his hand on her waist and begins to move them to the beat.
"Well, Gwen. Thanks for this."
She smiles maybe one of the most genuine smiles she's had this year. She sees the honesty in his eyes and can't help but feel comforted in his strong arms. She sneaks closer to his body, moving her fingertips up his shoulder and into the crook of his neck. She feels his breath hitch in response as the song comes to an end all too soon. He fixes his darkened blue gaze on hers.
"Up for another one?"
Gwen nods shyly. Whether she likes it or not, she knows that she is affected by him. She hasn't felt this way in years... maybe ever. She's not sure what exactly this is, what to make of it, but it doesn't escape her that this man, Blake, appears to be affected by her too.
She breathes in his intoxicating scent as his large hand slides just a little further down her hip. They continue to sway to the music while he moves to entwine the fingers on his other hand with hers. She can feel the most intimate areas of her body buzz with arousal. What is he doing to her? Gwen's deep cocoa eyes land on his, searching for an answer. Somewhere amidst the sea of blues, she finds only sincerity and, perhaps, a mix of fear and awe.
"Hi", she says softly, as if she's really seeing him for the first time.
"Hi, beautiful", he whispers back, leaning his forehead to hers.
She stares at the contrast between his smooth lips and rough whiskers, wondering what they would taste like, feel like, on her skin. She can feel him pull away slightly and as if he had been reading her thoughts, he speaks.
"This probably sounds crazy, but I want to kiss you."
"Ohhh, umm.."
Gwen continues to hold on to Blake, but she can't seem to find the right words. Yes, she wants to kiss him, but her conscience has checked back in and is telling her that she has trust issues and bad luck and there is no way that any good is going to come out of this... She registers the rejection on the cowboy's face.
"Not here", she hears herself say. "Can you walk me to my cabin?"
Blake raises his eyebrows and flashes some cute dimples her way.
"I'd love that, are you sure?"
"I think so."
"Well, alright then."
He chuckles and takes her hand as they saunter out and under the big Montana sky. They cover the first fifty feet in silence, looking at the stars, before he begins a casual conversation.
"Where are you from, Gwen?"
"LA, you?"
"Originally, Oklahoma."
"Hmm, that explains your cute accent..."
She can't describe what has come over her, can't see all of Blake through the darkness, but she judges by the pause hanging between them that neither know quite how to walk this precarious line.
"What brings you here?"
He asks an unknowingly loaded question.
"Oh God.. I guess I just needed to, like, get away from the city."
Blake squeezes her hand ever so gently and she thinks he knows that there is more to her story.
"Here's my cabin."
She points out the structure just ahead a little too enthusiastically. He takes a couple more strides before stopping them at the top of her walkway. He steps in so that his body is facing hers and casually rests his hands on her shoulders. A current of electricity shoots over her breasts and down to her core. The tension between them is thick and building with every hanging second.
"Goodnight, Gwen. Thank you for forgettin' your phone."
She sees his boot toeing the dirt and recognizes that he isn't going to set himself up to get hurt again. Familiar, she thinks, as she looks up his strapping frame.
"Goodnight, Blake. I had, like, the best time tonight. You have no idea.."
She sees a small smile break across his face as her voice trails off. The look in his eyes makes her think that he's not sure whether to believe her. A laugh escapes her mouth before she can stifle it.
"Whaat?"
Blake's smile grows into a grin, putting his irresistible dimples on display. Gwen can tell he is amused, but completely confused by her. She shakes her head and giggles at the realization that he may be no different than her. That he just might be fucked up and broken too. And in an act of pure courage, she places her arms around his neck and pulls him down so that he can feel her warm breath on his ear.
"About that kiss you owe me..."
And she bravely, slowly, feathers her lips across his scruff until he shifts his head to make their mouths meet.