"What's the matter?"

"Huh?" Lucas looked up from picking at the half eaten dinner on his plate.

"Something's up. You're not eating and you're being way too quiet. Talk to me, babe", Brooke prodded. "What's on your mind?"

Lucas sighed as he finally set his fork down. He had been trying to build up the courage for days and freshly confident from his chat with Nathan, Lucas was ready to have "the talk" with his girlfriend.

"Brooke, there is something I've been meaning to say to you."

"Okay…"

"I love you a lot and you know that. I just don't want you to be angry with me."

"Okay babe, you're starting to freak me out here", she nervously laughed. "Whatever it is, you know you can tell me, Luke. I always want us to be honest with one another, okay?"

"Alright", he took a deep breath. "I don't want you to do the Playboy cover."

There it was. He'd finally summoned the courage to just blurt out what had been weighing in so heavily on him.

"Um, Luke…"

"Just hear me out. I don't mean to be a dick about this and the last thing I'm doing is coming off as the jealous, over protective boyfriend but Brooke, I really, really don't want you to do this."

"Why not?" she asked. "Why is it so important to you?"

"Because I love you and I think you're better than some nude layout. I mean, the money is great but do you really need it? Is it worth it? And yeah it's publicity but baby, all it is really is exposure…literally. You don't have to do that. Be overly sexy or dress in a provocative way or pose naked to get people to see what a wonderful person you are on the inside and what a terrific actress you are. Your talent speaks for itself."

"So that's it? This is just about me?"

"About me too. I won't lie. I am the luckiest man on the planet because I've got you. It never really bothered me the way guys gawked at you before and believe me, they do butI know who you come home to every night. I'm proud to have such a hot girl on my arm but when you mention Playboy, my ego gets the best of me. I'm sorry. The thought of millions of eyes lusting after what's supposed to be for me only, really bugs the hell out of me. I don't want. Instead of being a jerk, I should be proud. I'm not saying Playboy is bad or pornographic and yeah I've looked at it a couple of times but it's different when it comes to you. You are gorgeous but you don't have anything to prove."

Brooke was silent for a while.

"Is that it?"

"Yes", he said quietly. "I mean, I know ultimately it's your decision but I've been thinking about it a lot lately and I felt like I had to say something. I just hope you understand where I'm coming from and you're not pissed."

"I'm not gonna do it, Lucas."

"What?"

"The shoot. I decided a while ago."

"Really? Why, why didn't you say anything?"

"It's not so much that I wanted to do it, I was just confused. I felt it was the proper thing to do to discuss it with you. I want your opinion on everything and I know if Playgirl asked you to expose your package, I'd expect you to talk it over with me first. I never dreamed of this. Playboy is a big deal and it's flattering. I had a huge decision to make. I knew you weren't really comfortable with it and I didn't know if I was comfortable with it. It's exciting but…you're right. It's not for me. I want a serious career and I want critics and fans and everyone to respect me for my work, not my body or looks. Doing this new show is a big opportunity. I know I'll become a role model to lots of young girls. The human body is beautiful and yeah it's art but I'm not sure that is the kind of example I should be setting for younger fans. Anyway, I turned it down last week."

Lucas couldn't help but to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

"Brooke, I…"

"It's okay", she smiled. "I understand and I love you for it. Believe me, the only one I want to get naked for is you."

"Sounds good to me", he smiled.

Standing up, she reached for his hand. Lucas took it as she guided him to the bedroom they were sharing. Easing him down on the bed.

"Undress me", she pleaded.

"Brooke, you know I want to but I don't know if…you know. I just don't want to start something my body not be able to finish. It's embarrassing and I don't want to disappoint you."

"You never disappoint me, Lucas Scott", she said softly. "I just want to feel you. I want to be close to you."

He nodded as he removed the hair tie containing her loose ponytail. A barrage of brunette locks fell past her shoulders. Lucas kissed her gently, his trembling fingers removing each button on her shirt slowly and deliberately. Then he eased it off her shoulders and arms, leaving her exposed in a bra. Carefully, he undressed himself before taking off the rest of her clothes, leaving them both breathing heavily as they found themselves in the familiar position of lying naked together side by side.

"I just want you to know, I've never loved anyone like this before", he whispered.

"Show me."

It just felt right. Somehow he knew it was time. It wasn't about his body malfunctioning or physical limitations doctors had placed on him. It was about holding the woman he loved and being close to her. It was time for Lucas and Brooke to make love. They had waited long enough. Now their love was too strong combined with the ache of undeniable want and desire.

"I love you so much…"

"I love you, too, Luke. I just want to be with you. I just want to have tonight for us. No regrets…nothing else matters."

Lucas smiled and tilted Brooke's face towards his. His lips met hers in a soft, sweet, lingering perfect kiss. She melted in his embrace. Everything was so right and so wonderful as if that one night in time had been made especially for them. Lucas admired her svelte body. She was truly gorgeous. He touched her with tender expertise, making her shiver and moan with anticipation and pleasure. He had memorized every line, every curve. For months he had dreamt about that one moment and all he wanted to do was make her feel good.

Every fear, worry, doubt, and inhibition went right out the window as Lucas rolled over on top of her. Their mouths and hands teased each other's bodies, each lick and stroke threatening to bring the other to the brink of passion. Her eyes closed as she felt the tip of his arousal, his want and need for her powerful and strong. With their eyes locked in a powerful and lovingly romantic gaze, Lucas entered her body, the immediate sensation of ecstasy overpowering both of them. Losing themselves in the feeling, Lucas and Brooke sank into the moment as they became one, mind, body, and soul.

"You got a cigarette?"

"Cigarette?" Lucas frowned, as he held Brooke in his arms after hours of lovemaking. "Since when do you smoke?"

"I just feel like it's the appropriate thing to do since that was so good. You know, a smoke sort of fits hand in hand with sexual afterglow", she giggled.

Lucas laughed as well as he held her tight.

"Seriously, babe. I mean, that was okay for you? Did I, you know, satisfy you?"

"Okay? That was great for me. Luke, you satisfied me alright…three times actually but it's more than that. It was beautiful. I felt really close to you and I'm glad we waited. It made it that much better, that much more intimate."

Content, Lucas sighed as Brooke snuggled closer into the warmth of his embrace. The deal of their union had been sealed with one night of physical and emotional magic. It had truly been perfect.