The Actual Beginning

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The morning after, as Casen came to understand that fateful night had ended her world as it once was, she sat at her kitchen table and contemplated the very beginning of their story.

Casen and Ashton did not first meet that night at the AMAs, where Caroline and Calum saw each other again.

Casen and Ashton's romance began a year before that fateful night, a chance encounter in an art gallery opening in Austin.

Ashton noticed her immediately, a red dress hugging her curves in the right places, and long, dark hair tucked behind her ears.

Playing it cool, he didn't approach her until later that night, staying on the edge of the crowd and watching her work magic on the gallery owner.

Casen, being the oblivious woman that she was, didn't notice Ashton until she turned around to quick and found herself face to face with his chest.

"Oh- hello?" She took a step back and looked up at him.

Her eyes, the type of turquoise you see deep in the waters of tropical paradises, froze him in his tracks completely.

"Sir?" A hand waving in front of his eyes brought him back down to earth.

"Ashton."

"I'm sorry?"

"It's Ashton, my name is Ashton."

"Ah. Casen." She held out her hand to him and he shook it gently.

"I usually save sir for the bedroom." He flushed red the moment the sentence left his lips, anxiety flooding his body.

To his surprise, the beautiful creature in front of him threw her head back in laughter. Her right hand reached out for his bicep, holding on to him for support while she giggled uncontrollably. "Oh my god- that's- in the- "

"Okay, okay, I can see that wasn't the smoothest thing I've ever said."

"You're funny and hot." Casen paused for a moment. "It's a nice combination."

Ashton fell a little bit deeper into her eyes that moment.

Neither of them remember the moments before they ended up in his car, heading to his hotel with the windows down.

In the background of their conversation, Fall Out Boy played softly until Casen's smile widened and she reached over to spin the volume dial up.

And I confessed, confessed to you
Riding shotgun underneath the purple skies
And we danced, we danced
With windows down, and we danced, we danced

Pulling her hair back in a messy ponytail, she belted out the lyrics in a strong, clear voice.

You were the song stuck in my head
Every song I've ever loved
Played again and again and again
And you can get what you want but it's never enough
And I'll spin for you like your favorite records used to
And I'll spin for you like your favorite records used to

Ashton raised an eyebrow, "The mysterious woman can sing. Who knew?"

"I knew."

"Is that so?" He laughed quietly. "I have a feeling you'll surprise me for the rest of my life."

"That's a really long time you expect me to be around."

"I just have a suspicion about you and my future."

"Who are you, that's so Raven?" Her giggle was music to his ears.

"You just can't give me a break, can you, love?"

"Now what fun would that be?"

The car ride was full of banter between the two and before they knew it, the hotel loomed above them.

Once upstairs in his room, they met in a heated kiss, a kiss that demanded fire and ice to meet and melt.

His heated fingertips cupped her cheek, cradling her gently to him.

The night passed in a blur of clothing thrown to the side and more kisses.

Dressed in nothing more than his dress shirt and her underwear, Casen danced around the room, just out of his reach, that magical giggle of hers hanging in the air between them.

He chased her, letting her win until he got close enough to tickle her sides and they collapsed together on the bed in a fit of laughter.

"Okay, okay, you win, you win."

They shared a quiet moment on the bed, Ashton hovering over her.

"The sun is coming up," He noted, nodding at the dim light around the window shades.

"I better get back to my hotel and pack." She sighed wistfully. "I've gotta be in LA by this afternoon for rehearsals."

"I'd like to take you out sometime?"

"Oh, Ashton, I'm not sure if that's a good idea." She pulled her dress up over her thighs and chest. "I'm sure I'll see you around, though."

She left him there that day, with the intention to leave them there in Austin, a night of fun and nothing more.

If only she'd had a looking glass into the future they'd share together, she may have never rekindled them months later.

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