It was raining. The cold droplets of water splashed on Peyton's pale face…clinging to her hair, her lashes. It was cold…too cold. She opened her eyes, adjusting to the darkness. Just then, a flash of lighting filled the sky for just a moment…
Lucas was sitting adjacent from her; his back leaned against a fallen, thick log. His eyes were closed…he was silent.
Peyton's heart leapt in her throat. She looked around, a small cry escaping her lips…confused…
She crawled towards Lucas…grabbing his shoulders.
Lucas bolted upright, shocked and jolted by Peyton's grip. He instinctively grabbed her forearm and pulled her towards him, her face inches from his.
Peyton gasped and froze. The thunder clapped around them, and the cool rain drops fell like a wet curtain.
Lucas's mind raced. He didn't allow himself time to think…
He crushed his mouth on Peyton, pushing her head slightly back with the force of it. His hand held the back of her neck, stilling her against him.
Peyton heart leapt in her throat, scared…confused…
She kissed him back with an animalistic intensity. She cupped the sides of his face before wrapping her arms around him.
He felt so good…so good.
His mouth ravished her, his tongue mating with hers. He bit her bottom lip just so…
Peyton gasped. She pulled his hair just a little too hard…
He growled into her kiss and pushed her to the ground, into the dirt and mud. His body covered hers suddenly, possessively.
Peyton arched against him, her nails, against his back as she kissed him maddeningly, urgently.
"Oh God, Oh my God…" She whimpered quietly.
His hands…they were everywhere…
Her hands…they were everywhere…
This was so wonderfully wrong.
Lucas captured her bottom lip in his…smiling. Peyton's hands dug into the grass, the mud, curling in it.
"I love you…" He said, kissing her neck.
Peyton stiffened. And Lucas's mouth stopped against her neck. Neither one of them moved for a long moment.
Lucas slowly lifted his head and looked down at Peyton, as she looked up at him. Lucas's hand cupped her face then, as she closed her eyes…both of them savoring the moment.
Lucas moved away and stood. He looked down at Peyton, laying on the grass, her hair splayed out, her look—sated yet dazed. He offered her his hand.
Peyton grabbed it and stood. His hand came around her waist and pulled her against him. Her head rested on his shoulder for a moment.
Peyton looked up at him, sadness etched all over her face.
"Would you think any less of me if I said I was scared?"
"No…" He moved away and shoved his hands in his pockets. "That's pretty much what I'm feeling these days too…"
"I want you, Lucas."
Lucas turned away.
"I want you and I don't…I don't know why."
He nodded once.
Peyton continued. "I've been thinking of moving away for a while…"
His head snapped back to hers.
"No."
"What?"
"No. You're not going anywhere. Not now."
Peyton furrowed her brow, insulted.
"Excuse me?"
"You can't take her away from me…"
Peyton's eyes opened a bit more…and she tilted her head. Lucas—he had a sudden accent.
"Are you…okay?"
He walked towards her, his hands coming against each side of her shoulders.
"She's mine. And Ill find a way to bring her back—us back."
Peyton pushed him away. Realizing…
"No. She won't come back—because Ill try everything in my power to keep her away."
Lucas smiled sadly…
"You can't stop fate…"
Lucas inhaled deeply and blinked, looking around.
He looked angry now.
His jaw clenched.
"I'm so tired of this Peyton. I'm too tired of wanting you, needing you…"
His fingers dug into her shoulder. He shook her.
"Leave me alone." He said coldly, and stalked away.
Peyton stood there, in the rain.
She looked around, unsure how she got here, unsure if this was a dream…