She didn't even know she was sleeping. In fact, she didn't even know she was alive. But he made her wake up—when he touched her hand, he made her.
It was like a jolt of lighting coursing through her body. And she opened her eyes—and he was there. Luca, the love of her life, the man of her dreams. Luca.
The claustrophobia was maddening. It was almost too much to bear. She cried at night, trying anything and everything to get up and walk. But nothing happened. Nothing at all.
And then…in the library…
It was as if all the chains had been lifted.
"Don't let me go…" She had said. And her heart soared. Free. She was free.
And she called out his name, and he called out hers.
The kisses, my God—his mouth was beautiful, just as she remembered. Their kisses were beautiful. He told her he loved her and before she could return the declaration, her strength was gone. She was tired, so tired…
She didn't have enough strength again until that day at the pond…
But in dreams, they found each other. In dreams, they spoke, they planned…
………………………………….
Lucas was trying to keep his vow to stay away from Peyton. She was poison. C'mon, he knew that. It wasn't like some new earth shattering discovery. She was a woman. A viper.
He dreamt last night…dreamt of them. But it was different. She was crying—and not just any cry, a heart shattering cry.
'They've promised me,' she said…
He remembered feeling overwhelmingly sad. Promised? To who?
"Nathaniel…" she sobbed. "I'm to marry Nathaniel…"
There was a flash—a red, angry flash—a man, like Nathan, of obvious nobility…
When Lucas awoke, he could still hear her crying…
He groaned. He wasn't going to see her. Hell no.
Christ, he shouldn't have to REMIND himself that Peyton was a bitch. It should be instinctive knowledge.
The knock at the door was the last thing he remembered…
……………………………………..
Luca blinked and looked at his hands, Lucas's hands, and flexed them. Good. This was good. He heard the knock again…
He stood and walked towards the door, it was almost as if it was tunnel vision.
He opened it…and there she was…
She was a vision, standing in a white sundress. Peyton tilted her head and smiled.
"Luca…" The name rolled off her tongue like silk and tasted of honey.
Luca's eyes watered. And his arms captured her, held her--Willing everything and everyone to stay away from them and their happiness.
He all but dragged her into the house.
"How do you feel, love?" He asked in between urgent kisses. "Are you alright?"
Peyton nodded into his kiss, his love.
"I'm fine. I'm with you. I'm perfect."
"We need to leave in an hour. Are you ready for this?"
She nodded and cupped his face in her hands.
"If something goes wrong…"
Lucas tried to silence her. "No, no…"
"Luca, I need to say this." She paused. "If something goes wrong, just know that I love you more than my mortal life, more than my immortal life. You are the soul that mine was meant for. You are my sun, my moon, you are my stars. Luca, A thousand years was worth every moment spent when I saw you again…"
He kissed her and swept her up into his arms before melting to the floor together. Their fingers, interlaced as they kissed passionately, hungrily.
He pulled Peyton on top of him, his hands lingering across a body that felt so achingly familiar. He sat up, Peyton straddling him in his lap, and moved his hands in her hair, kissing her deeply, his tongue dancing and exploring with hers. He could feel his need building as she felt the same within her. And then suddenly, they were gone…
Lucas looked at Peyton and vice versa. Both never felt more scared, more filled with adrenaline, and more turned on in their entire lives. Dear God…
And he kissed her. He kissed her with an abandon that he hadn't allowed himself before now.
And she kissed him back. She bit his lip, and pulled at his shirt, demanding—needing more.
Lucas ripped at her dress—buttons flying..
Peyton tore at his shirt, thread tearing…
Teeth…nails…biting…scratching…
Peyton shoved him on the cold floor, kissing him breathless.
It didn't matter what circumstances had brought them here. No.
They had been fighting this, desperately pulling against the tide. And yet it felt so wonderful to go with the ebb and flow for once.
The sound of their deep breathing, of Lucas's pants being unbuckled…unzipped, felt so loud in their ears. They didn't want the repercussions. Lucas moved, pinning Peyton underneath him. His fingers dug into her hip as he looked down at her.
"Lucas…" She whispered, her eyes so wide-eyed innocent…
And he moved, moving slowly inside her—letting her feel every deliriously wonderful moment. Peyton tensed, her eyes shutting, it was all too much, too good…
Her fingers went over her lips, to will herself from screaming out…
Lucas kissed her fingers as they moved as one, slowly, as if savoring it.
Their minds were racing, swimming in at out of their consciousness—Lucas…Luca…Peyton…
But there was no denying the ferocity of pleasure as they thrust against eachother, faster now…harder…
"Oh my God…" Peyton breathed…
Lucas buried his head against the crook of her neck.
"I love you I love you I love you…"
Her arms went over his shoulders, her nails scoring his back.
"Don't" She gasped against her euphoria, "Please…Oh God...please…don't love me."
Lucas lifted his head, looking down at her, taking every ounce of restraint to stop himself from moving inside, her body so welcoming…
"I need you to say it," He was fragile…
He pressed himself deep against her.
Peyton cried out and turned her face away…
"Luke don't."
He leaned forward against her ear, moving slowly again…
"It's already in your mind, Peyton, it's at your throat—you love me…say it." He demanded.
And in a rush, she cried it—screamed it…moaned it.
"I love you. Oh God, I love you so much…"
And as if her declaration gave them all they needed, their lovemaking came to its crescendo, crashing down in electric wave after wave of unadulterated, breathtaking pleasure.
He laid on top her still, their hearts beating against one another, simultaneous.
They both suddenly felt very clearheaded.
It was as if the clouds parted and they suddenly knew what Luca and Peyton had been planning all along…
They stood in silence, almost awkward…
Peyton had Lucas get an extra pair of clothes in her trunk. Before it was even opened, he knew what would be in there…luggage…baggage…
He grabbed a pair of jeans and shirt and brought them back to Peyton, who sat on the sofa, covering herself with a throw blanket. He sat down beside her, and pulled the blanket down, kissing her over her heart, easing her tension.
"I meant everything I said, " He said quietly.
"I know." She replied, as she slipped on her clothes. "Now what?"
But she already knew the answer…
"I hope you have your passport."
Peyton nodded the confirmation…"Rome?" She asked.
"Rome."