Chapter 1, New York, Bright Lights-A Chance Meeting
A/N: Ok, so this is completely AU. Peyton grew up in New York with Brooke and both are from very wealthy families. Luke grew up with Nathan and the story is pretty similar except that Keith is alive, as he never went into the school. Deb and Dan are divorced as let's face it they were toxic together, Nate and Haley got married after college and have no children yet-she is pregnant with their first. Nate plays for the Charlotte Bobcats and Haley is a Grammy winning musician.
He met her at a bar, she was unexpected, and she strode in and took a seat. The bartender knew her; he smiled and placed her usual drink in front of her. Luke stole glances at her whilst he thought she wasn't looking, she groaned inwardly, all she wanted was a quiet drink and a little conversation not some guy eyeing her up and wondering when he can take her home.
She swivelled on the bar stool and sat facing him,
'Can I help you with something?' Her eyebrow was quirked so depending on what mood she was in, she was either being playful or getting annoyed. Luke chose the latter seeing as the look behind her eyes told him to back off. She was feisty, she was sarcastic and she was devastatingly attractive, her eyes were a deep rich green and he could tell that flecks of gold would appear when she was annoyed or maybe even excited. He really wanted to find out the last one, would she be this sexy half naked, he had a suspicion that she would. Luke realized he had been staring and not saying anything, which was rude of him.
'Sorry um…yeah I mean no, can I buy you another drink?'
'Why, are you trying to get me drunk so that you can have your wicked way with me?' He laughed at the expression on her face and shook his head whilst he smiled into her eyes. He could get lost for days in those baby greens of hers.
'Sure thing stud, but just cos you buy me a drink doesn't mean you have an open invitation to my pants' He spat his drink out on the last part, she had quite the mouth on her.
'A drink first, we'll discuss the sleeping arrangements later', he smirked in her direction and caught a whisper of a smile fleeing her delicate features, he motioned for the bartender to get the lady another drink. She tipped her head and swallowed her first drink down in one, she felt the tension in her shoulders ease and she decided she would play nice tonight, besides he was kinda cute in a boy band way. He could be fun, in fact he could be just what the doctor ordered, who was she kidding he was handsome in a way that made you want to kiss his smile and he looked intelligent. Peyton found herself drawn to him, there was a gentle way about him, like he would protect you with his life and he really wouldn't need to do much of anything.
She had that feeling in her stomach that this moment she was in right now would change things for her, if she trusted in the kindness of strangers and the chance meetings of the mind she may have just been lucky enough to find what she didn't know she had been looking for. She felt happy, or at least close enough to it that there really wasn't that much difference.
Her drink was placed in front of her and he toasted to a great evening and meeting a beautiful women on his first foray into the big bad world that was New York City. She laughed at the expression on his face, innocence mixed with vulnerability he was a small town boy-she could tell from the way he spoke and the how he described being in the city for the first time.
'So, what's your name. I can't keep calling you Blondie all night long'
'It's Peyton and you are?'
'I'm Lucas, Lucas Scott-budding author and future world leader' He said the last part with a smirk and a shrug of his shoulders.
She laughed and clinked her glass with his, 'Well you wouldn't be any worse than any previous president so here's hoping' She drank her drink and then sighed, all too soon the night would be coming to an end and she would need to leave and go home. The worst part, he was probably the most interesting man she had met in a long time and she found herself wanting to spend more time with him.
'How about I buy you a coffee tomorrow morning and you can show me all your favourite places in this city of yours?'
'I like that idea, but we should have another drink to seal the deal and then I'll let you walk me home'. He grinned at her and gestured to the barkeep for two more of the same. They spent an hour talking about music and art and they argued over who was a better author Steinbeck or F Scott Fitzgerald. Peyton favoured the latter and Luke had an ongoing love affair with all things Steinbeck. She just sat and listened to his love of literature fill the space between them and she found him so damn sexy when he got all defensive and passionate. He had kissable lips too, she had been staring at them for the last five minutes and mentally chiding herself and restraining the urge to just kiss him. She had a feeling he wouldn't mind.
She lent forward and saw his eyes darken a little, she felt like that was his way of saying ok. She pressed her lips to his and almost immediately he had swept her up into his arms and was gently kissing her back, she was right-he was an amazing kisser. She pulled back and lent her forehead against his, he sighed in pleasure and felt a little breathless she was so damn sexy right now-and he really wanted to know what she looked like underneath her work clothes. He would wait though, she was the kind of woman you didn't rush things with, you took your time and appreciated her and got to know her-the real her. She was a woman to be loved not a plaything and he knew the difference, there was something about her, he really wanted to take his time getting to know her.
'So that was umm..' 'Yeah, it really was-come on it's getting late and I need my beauty sleep'. Peyton stood up and reached for her coat, he reached for her hand and she slipped her small hand into his, it fit like it had been made that way-she groaned inside, she was in real danger of falling for this handsome stranger and she really had no defence against it. She wasn't sure she wanted her defences to come up and that thought scared her more than anything-she had been hurt in the past and had avoided heartache and well just men in general. She wrapped her heart in a protective layer of titanium and guarded it fiercely, she wouldn't let another man break her down and try and mold her into what he thought was the perfect version of herself.
They got to her apartment building and Luke whistled low in the midnight air, 'who are you? You must be really successful to live in a place like this'. Her apartment building was one of the oldest in Manhattan, it had giant imposing doors and a friendly doorman she had known for years, it was also on the Upper East Side.
Peyton had grown up in New York; her father was a captain of industry and had sent her to all the best schools giving her the finest education money could buy. Peyton's mother had been killed in a plane crash over Cape Cod, the summer she turned eighteen and was headed for college. She had left devastated and hardened herself and never worked harder in her life, she graduated with honours and a job offer in Los Angeles, she got it through her own hard work and dedication. She applied with her mother's maiden name and flew to the West coast on her father's jet for the interview. They loved her and hired her on the spot, Peyton left New York the very next week and settled comfortably into her new life, she had loved every minute she spent working at the record label.
Peyton came home 6 years later, a little older a little wiser and she had a business plan, one of the perks of being born wealthy was that she had a very large trust fund and she used all of it to start up her own music label. It was called P & A Red Room Records. It was in honour of her mother and her bedroom of her teenage years when she had been broody and angsty.
She could have started her record label right out of college but she had wanted to learn the business from the ground up and become a success story not another upper east sider who used her trust fund to start a company that ultimately failed. Peyton had always been a hard worker and she knew that she needed the knowledge of how everything works before she felt confident enough to use all her money and invest it in herself.
Peyton had always been smart and working in the business for six years had certainly proved that she wasn't just another feckless kid born with a silver spoon in hand. Her father was so proud of her and all her achievements, he was her biggest fan and flew out to see her every month to see how his little girl was doing, he wasn't like other dad's-he had always taken the time with her, ever since she was a baby-she had been the apple of his eye and he had fallen in love with her as soon as he laid eyes on her.
Peyton was torn out of her memories of the past and saw Luke looking at her strangely; she realized they had been standing there saying nothing for about five minutes.
'What, umm…yeah I uh run my own record label and this apartment has been in the family for years, my father gave it to me when I moved back to New York. He lives in the Hampton's and didn't need this place anymore-he said it reminded him of things that he really didn't want reminders of' Peyton realized she had been rambling and that she really didn't want to go into detail about her mother's death and all the sadness that inevitably came with that line of conversation. Luke sensed a change in her demeanour and he really didn't want to push her, so he brushed his lips lightly against hers and told her he would call her tomorrow. She waved as she walked through the doors and gave John the doorman a wave as she waited for the lift to arrive. Her apartment was dark when she pushed the front door open.
She chucked her keys and purse down and went into the kitchen, her answering machine light was blinking and she pressed play.
' you had better have a hot piece of a ass right now-or something close to it-because you stood me up-Again. I wouldn't mind so much but honey you didn't even call me. So when you get this, call me back. Oh it's B Davis you know your best friend since well, who is else is gonna love you like I do. Anyway call me back. I don't even care how late it is'. Peyton chuckled to herself, she had completely forgotten her drink date with Brooke, and she sighed and picked up the phone. She knew if she didn't call her back, Brooke would call at 6.30 and scream good Morning loudly before hanging up.
'Brooke, I'm so sorry I didn't call. I was talking with a handsome man I met in a bar. So you can maybe hold off the dogs and instead hear all about how we are going on a date tomorrow'. Brooke squealed in delight down the phone and demanded details. They spent the next twenty minutes on the phone discussing what she should wear tomorrow and promising to meet up later for dinner. Brooke told her she had to go, as her hubby was getting impatient with all the gasps and laughter.
'P I gotta go, but you have to call me tomorrow and give me all the gossip-ooh and take a picture of him'.
'Goodbye Brook give Julian my love and I'm not gonna take a picture of him-that would be weird'. Peyton hung up the phone and walked upstairs to her bedroom. She changed into a tank top and boy shorts and slipped beneath the covers. It had been a long week and she was exhausted, all she wanted was some sleep and that feeling in the pit of her stomach to stay awhile.
It was excitement and a delicious blend of happiness, she hadn't felt this way since her mom had been alive. She fell into a dreamless slumber and was woken in the morning by her alarm, it was 7.30 and she felt more rested than she had in years. She took a long shower and took her time picking out an outfit, she had on dark skinny jeans with a hole in the knee and an emerald green top that was a little showy but set her eyes off. She put on a little make up and let her curls fall naturally to just past her shoulder blades. Even without make up or jewellery Peyton was beautiful, but a little effort and she was utterly breath taking, Luke would be floored at her appearance and she was kinda hoping he would react this way to her.
She knew he liked her, but she wanted to look good all the same, she paused in front of the mirror and stared at her reflection. There was a lightness to her eyes; she could feel herself visibly relaxing as she looked forward to the impending day to be spent with Lucas.
Peyton fished around in her handbag for the ringing phone and flipped it open, it was him calling her, her lips curled into a smile and she breathed out one syllable.
'Luke…' She said his name with a hint of lust to her voice and Luke felt himself instantly get turned on, God the power this woman had over him already was ridiculous.
'Peyt, I'm outside your building, are you ready to show me your city?'
'Sure, I'll be right down'. The elevator ride down seemed to take forever and she was tapping her foot with impatience by the time it pinged at the lobby. She stepped out of the lift and made her way across the lobby, her shoes barely made a sound as she got to the front doors. She saw Luke standing in between the pillars facing the street and she felt her heart lurch in her chest, he looked so cute in the bright morning light and it took all her self-control to keep her hands and lips to herself.
'Good Morning Peyton' he turned around as soon as he smelt her scent enter the air around him, it was a heady mix of strawberry and apple and he didn't think he had ever smelt something quite so delicious. He was a fool for this woman he could tell already, he felt himself get ever deeper entangled with her and he was powerless to stop it. She was trouble and he wasn't sure he wanted to start something with her, he was only in town for the weekend and he didn't come to New York that often. If he started dating this woman then he would need to make some serious changes in his life, changes he wasn't sure he wanted to make. Of course he could just be getting ahead of himself here and jumping the gun a bit but she brought out his devil may care side and he hadn't felt this free in a long time.
'Back at ya, so coffee first then Central Park I want to show you my favourite spot in the whole city'. He nodded his head and she clasped his hand, it felt right. It felt natural and he didn't seem to mind, they went to her local coffee house and got some to go cups, they walked hand in hand down the sidewalk and she pointed out buildings to him. Some interesting some not, she showed him where she went to school and he whistled. He actually made the sound as he gazed up at a formidable white stone building that had the school's crest emblazoned on the giant oak doors leading up to the entrance. Beneath the flying eagle clutching a shield were the Latin words 'In Omnia Paratus' ready for anything. Which would have sounded corny, but Queen Margaret's School for Girls was a daunting school to look at, she giggled and told him she had happy memories of her time there, she told him stories of her and Brooke playing hooky and sneaking onto campus at night to hold parties.
He laughed as he imagined a teenage version of the woman stood before him getting into all kinds of mischief. She said she was an excellent student, but she was also a badass, Brooke brought out this side in her and well they had done everything in their power to break the rules-knowing that family money and well just who they were meant they didn't have to play by the rules that everyone else adhered to. She just smiled at him and said you're only young once, plus we didn't do anything that illegal-just some light breaking and entering-possibly a little damage and maybe a grand theft auto.
Luke raised his eyebrows at this revelation and asked her what they stole, she said that her and Brooke had taken the limo to the Hampton's and used the next door neighbours boat as they couldn't find the keys to her dad's. The cops were called but when they found out who had been behind the theft all charges were dropped providing they perform community service. She spent the summer she turned seventeen, tutoring inner city kids in Harlem and she had never felt more alive in her life, she said it had forced her to see the real world and not the one through dollar signs. She saw the aching grind and poverty and vowed to do something about it.
Peyton used the money her mother had left her and set up a scholarship foundation designed to specifically help under privileged children go to college or start up their own company. It was a non-profit organisation and had the backing of some major companies thanks to her dad and also because it gave them a tax break. It was a multi-million dollar enterprise that was run by Brooke and herself as figureheads. They had a manager do all the day-to-day stuff; they just got involved when a project caught their eye. Brooke ran her own fashion empire and Luke sighed out loud when he realized who Brooke was, of Clothes Ova Bros.
' is your best friend?'
'Yeah, we grew up together, she's kinda special to me-she's the only one that ever really let me be well me and I love her back just as fiercely'
'So Lucas Scott-tell me about yourself-are you related to Nathan Scott of the Charlotte Bobcats or is it just a coincidence?' He laughed.
'Yeah he's my half brother-which is a long story, I'll tell you another day. He's married to my best friend and they are about to have their first child'.
'Wow, who would have thought it huh? You related to an NBA all star and a successful author to boot. Not to mention your friends with the hottest record label owner in New York City'
'Oh yeah, do I know him?'
She playfully swatted his chest and he felt the spark ignite between them, he looked into her eyes and he knew she had felt it too. She would have to be devoid of emotion not to have felt it, plus the look in her eye told him she had not only felt it but she wanted to do something about it. She tugged his sleeve over to where she told him this was the best view of the city.
He told her he already had the best view of the city and he didn't need to come here to see it. She blushed and the pinkness returned to her cheeks, God she was adorable, he used his index finger to tilt her chin upwards. He guided her lips closer to him and pulled her in for a slow and gentle kiss full of hope and maybe even a promise for the future. He hadn't decided yet what they were, he just wanted to take things slow and see where they ended up.
They stood in Central Park and kissed like a couple of teenagers playing hooky from school, it felt like coming home and taking flight all at the same time. Peyton pulled him closer by grabbing his collar and he placed his hands on her hips. He touched a strip of bare skin where her top had ridden up and she gasped in surprise, he was making her feel things she hadn't felt in a long time.
She broke from his embrace and smiled goofily up into his face, his eyes were glazed over and held a far away look in them. They were just a boy and girl standing underneath a clear blue sky in the middle of Central Park and she had never felt more complete she was waiting for the bubble to burst, it was inevitable, and they were from two different worlds. Her life was in New York and he lived in Tree Hill, she really wasn't looking forward to saying goodbye, but she would enjoy the time they had together because if this was they all had then she owed it to herself to just live in the moment and take what ever was coming her way.
'Well, that was…' Luke was at a loss for words, she was perfect-or at least her imperfections had yet to be shown and all he saw was the curve of her lip and the curls hanging down her face. He saw hope and maybe lust beneath her lashes and he was dreading the departure on Monday it was going to be so much harder leaving knowing all that was gonna be left behind.
'Yeah it really was. Come on, I wanna show you my other favourite places in New York'. He held her hand like he never wanted to let go and she leaned into him and breathed in his scent, she walked them through the park and took him on the tour. Three hours had passed and her phone had just started ringing, she knew it was going to be Brooke asking where the hell she was.
'Luke I gotta take this, she'll just keep ringing me if I don't' Luke nodded his head and sat down on a bench and just let the city sink into him, he could picture himself being here if it meant being closer to her. It was the first time he had ever pictured himself living anywhere else other than Tree Hill. It felt kinda nice to be able to imagine a life for himself here, sure he had Haley and Nate but Tree Hill didn't have Peyton and he was beginning to wonder if he had a choice. He couldn't rush it with her though; he could feel something big happening he just didn't know quite what it all meant.
'Brooke it's me, I'm sorry I lost track of time. No I'm still with him. Ok, are you sure, well ok-yeah I'll be there in ten minutes. No don't send a car we'll catch a cab. Ok, see you soon, bye'. Peyton sighed and hung up.
'Luke she wants to meet you and well I really couldn't refuse seeing as how I stood her up last night and well now we're late for dinner. Let's go'. They caught a cab and Peyton could feel the butterflies dancing like a hoe down in Texas across her stomach. She knew Brooke would probe and ask embarrassing questions that would make both of them uncomfortable, she was nothing if not direct and not everyone was used to the scrutiny that Brooke would put you under.
'Whatever happens tonight, just know that I'm really sorry. Brooke is kind of intense and she is probably going to ask you lots of embarrassing questions and be a nuisance in general'.
'Relax Peyton, I'm sure I can handle myself just fine. I was raised by a single mom so I know the score. She just wants to make sure that you're not wasting your time by seeing someone like me and well she's your best friend so she has your best interests at heart. Don't even worry about it, I'm sure that everything will be just fine' He pressed a kiss to the side of her head and pulled her closer to him, she melted into his embrace and felt more content than she had in years.
They arrived at the restaurant and Luke paid for the cab in spite of Peyton's protests and he pulled her out of the cab. She took a deep breath and wound her arm around his waist, he pulled her closer and they walked towards the front entrance. Before the reached the doors he pulled her flush against him and kissed her long and deep, she was taken by surprise as the way he was kissing her felt like they should really be alone and with a lot less clothing on.
'What was that?'
He smirked at the flush on her cheeks and the lust in her eyes.
'If dinner gets bad, just remember that you have something to look forward to'
She laughed and kissed him on the lips, a little less heated this time around but with real feeling behind it. He smiled and leaned his forehead against hers.
'Come on Blondie, let's go see what the firing squad has in store for us'.
'Peyton, you made it. You must be Lucas. I'm Brooke and this is my husband Julian'. Brooke had stood from the table and made the introductions, Julian pulled Peyton into a friendly hug and she whispered a thank you in his ear he just smiled at her and knew instinctively what she was referring to. Brooke was on her third drink which meant she was going to be mellow and not bombard them with questions. Thank god for Julian-they both seemed a little tipsy which meant this wouldn't be awkward and uncomfortable but possibly rowdy and uncontrollable. Wonderful Peyton thought, now he gets to see my friends potentially wasted and well-Sod it, she ordered a bottle of wine for the table and picked up her menu.
'P don't think by ignoring me that you are forgiven and won't be asked questions by me about Lucas over there or about your day'
'I wouldn't dream of it Brooke, but before you ask your questions can we please order a starter I'm starving'
They ordered all the food in one go as it was becoming increasingly obvious that Brooke would have forgotten all about food in the onslaught of the questions.
'So Lucas what brings you to this city of ours?'
'I'm publishing my first novel and I had to come here and meet with the editor and publishing company. I met Peyton on the first night, I was sitting in a bar and she walked in and sat down sighing in frustration. I liked her even then'.
He placed his hand over hers on top of the table and traced lazy circles on her hand whilst playing with her fingers. God just one touch from him and she was ready to hail a cab and haul ass outta there, if it had been anyone but Brooke then she would have made up an excuse and practically sprinted out of there.
'An author huh? What's the subject about?'
'Brooke, slow down honey, let the guy catch his breath'. Peyton looked at him and smiled.
'I grew up in Tree Hill, single parent home. I have a half brother who plays for the Charlotte bobcats. Haley my sister in law is a musician. My novel is about falling in love when you're a kid and realizing that some things are just not meant to be. I have an uncle and a little sister who I'm close to. I play basketball and coach a local high school team. I think that covers everything that Brooke was going to ask'. Brooke smiled at him and knew Peyton had met her match, he was everything she had always been looking for and not quite finding. Plus he could hold his own with her which was a feat in and of itself.
'Well, well-looks like Brooke has finally met someone who can give her a run for her money'. Julian was smiling at Luke and raised his glass to toast him, he felt accepted. It was like being part of an exclusive club that you wanted to be a member of but it wasn't something you joined-it was something you either were made to fit or you were left out in the cold.
The night wore on and the table got even rowdier, Luke knew he had made it, they were all getting along so well at this point. Brooke was looking a little worse for wear and well Peyton just looked like Peyton-she didn't look drunk although she had matched Brooke drink for drink. She had a goofy grin on her face and she was talking about getting a cab and maybe a nightcap (code for you're staying over). Brooke and Julian called for the check and paid before the other two could even get their wallets out. They hugged goodbye and promised to keep in touch, Brooke and Julian glided into the waiting town car and said they would see Peyton next week.
They went for a walk and the city lights twinkled at them, it all seemed so magical, Luke couldn't help but get that ache deep within him that all too soon this would be over and that the real world beckoned. He brought her closer to him and pressed a kiss to the side of her head and they strolled the few blocks to her apartment building. Words weren't exchanged and it was a pleasant walk.
'This was…'
'Yeah it really was, do you want to come up for a night cap?' He didn't need to be asked twice, he took her hand and they walked across the foyer. The lift got there sooner than expected and Peyton began to feel nervous, so she kissed him. He walked them back into the lift and pressed her up against the wall. She gasped in surprise and deepened the kiss. They arrived at the penthouse at what seemed like mere seconds later, both were a little out of breath and her cheeks were flushed. His heart was beating wildly in his chest and all he could think about was getting her inside like now before he did something indecent with her in the hallway.
She fumbled with her keys and pushed the door open, Luke took her hand and she led him over to the living room. She shook her shoes off and made herself comfortable, he undid his tie and untied his shoes, he placed them carefully side by side and she laughed at his OCD antics.
'What's so funny Blondie?'
'Do you always do that with your shoes?
'Not always, but I want to be able to find them in the morning and flinging them across the room doesn't really appeal to me' He smiled at her and she just kissed him before he could explain any more she really didn't need to hear the why, how and when all she wanted was him on her and there really wasn't anything else to say.
Her phone started ringing in her bag just as Luke was pulling her top off, she sighed and groaned and he thought it was both sexy and adorable.