A/N: So, a couple of things to note: 1)This part is a little more mature than the other two chapters. I've tried to keep as clean as possible, but you know how it is. And 2) For all those wondering about Lindsey... here you go. The reviews so far have been great and I'm really pleased that you've all been enjoying the story so far. Unfortunately, this is going to be my last update until the weekend is over. Hopefully this will hold you guys over until Monday.

__________________________

Their lips pressed against each other again and again. Hands wandered over each other, reacquainting themselves with the curves and lines that they hadn't forgotten. Their bodies moved against on another in perfect harmony.

"Luke," Peyton gasped as their mouths took a beak from each other just long enough for each of them to remove their shirts. "What is this? What are we doing here?"

Once the offending articles of clothing were removed and tossed aside, Lucas took her face in his hands and shushed her. "Shhh… Peyt. Just shhhh…"

And he meant it. As a writer, no one knew better than him that words would just complicate things. Because words usually led to thoughts which usually led to actions. Different actions than those that were happening right now. And all he wanted was Peyton. And if anything put a stop to it, well, he wouldn't be able to deal with that. So he continued kissing her and she responded the only way she knew how, by kissing him back.

Her breath was warm and moist on his neck and he felt it tingle his skin as she kissed down to his collarbone. A light sound escaped his lips as she found his spot. She had been the first person to find it, and as of yet, the only one who knew of its existence. That one little action made his pants feel three sizes smaller than it already felt.

Peyton knew by the way that his body immediately shuddered at her touch that time hadn't dulled her abilities to bring him pleasure. Pride washed over her for a second before the desire for him took its rightful place. As his hand glided over her legs and up her skirt, she had to admit that he hadn't forgotten any tricks himself.

He had been right, she knew that. Now was not the time for talking. They had hours, days, weeks, months, even years to talk and catch up. They had missed each other so much during their time apart and by the way their bodies where grinding and gliding against each other, the time had been far too much for both parties. Lucas shifted his weight off her and lied beside her. His hand came out from under her skirt with her underwear.

"Mmmm…" was all she could get out as he slid the tiny piece of slinky material down her legs and away from them. He watched as she undid her bra and threw it so that it joined the rest of the unnecessary clutter. Peyton watched as his eyes took in her nakedness and await his approval. Which she got when he bit his lip and desperately groped her beautiful breasts. Their eyes met and the arousal was apparent in both her green eyes and his blue.

He leaned down and kissed her deeply and passionately, the way that only Lucas Scott could kiss Peyton Sawyer . Her legs responded by opening just enough so he could lie between them. That was more of an invitation that he needed. Without breaking the kiss, he moved from beside her and to where he felt he belonged. She felt him settle his weight back on her and she pulled him closer to him by wrapping those much admired legs of hers around him. He answered that by grinding his slacks-covered crotched against her bare one.

As he felt the wetness seep through down to his skin he knew that the pants were definitely going to have to be dry-cleaned. Lucas knew from experience that Peyton was not an easy thing get out. After all, three years could not erase the stain she left on his heart.

He chuckled in her mouth as her nails lightly scratched his back with pleasure. He grinded himself against her again, reminding them both of the current lack of purpose his pants served. And then suddenly, her hands were off his back and were between them, fighting with the button on his slacks. She had never been any good at that part…

"Ow!"

He sat up, concerned. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Fucking thing," she cursed as she popped her thumb in her mouth. Peyton saw Lucas watching her, probably expecting an answer or something and she nodded sheepishly. "Yeah, I just broke a nail on your stupid fly."

"Excuse me? You broke a nail?" He couldn't believe that he had heard her correctly. Lucas bit his tongue to keep from laughing to no avail.

She glared at him as he fought for breath between chortles. He looked over at her, still with her thumb in her mouth and he succumbed to another fit of laughter.

"I'm sorry. It's just… how could you break a nail undoing a button?" Lucas willed himself to keep from sniggering.

Peyton just gave him another dirty look. She took the thumb out of her mouth and lifted her chin defensively. "Stop laughing, asshole. It's not my fault that your stupid jeans are harder to get into than Fort Knox."

He just shook his head at her and poked at her. "You know, Brooke never seemed to have any trouble with it."

She swat at him and he caught her hand and pulled her close to him. Peyton was fuming. "Then why don't you go back to her, then?"

"Peyt, I was just kidding. I'm so sorry," Lucas cradled her half-naked body to his chest. He then took her chin and lifted her face so he could look her in the eyes. Those beautiful eyes that he could get lost it. The same ones that were tinged with doubt at the moment. "Too soon?"

"It's always going to be too soon for that joke. Jackass." She tried to pull her face away but despite his gentle touch, the grip was firm. "And you don't want to joke around with me about past lovers. Don't forget, I slept with your brother."

"I remember. It must suck for Nathan being inferior to me in both basketball and sex."

Peyton rolled her eyes at him. "You are so lucky that you are so cute."

Lucas grinned at her. "Yeah? And why is that?"

"Because if you weren't, I would just simply shatter your ego."

"Oh really?"

"Yes." Peyton folded her arms across her chest. She huffed, "I'm just too nice to stoop down to that level, you know."

He kissed her. "I know."

Lucas kissed her again as he pushed her down onto his bed and climbed on top of her, their mouths still joined. He started undoing his own fly when Peyton's soft hand stopped him. He broke the kiss and looked at her smiling, softly.

"You know I love you, right?" She stared into his amazing blue orbs as she said it.

He nodded. "And you know that I love you, too. Right?"

"Yeah." She sighed. "But you're still a jackass. And tonight you're going to be a jackass with blue balls."

"What?" Lucas asked as Peyton began giggling. She had effectively turned the tables on him. "You cannot do that to me, Peyton. You can't."

"Oh, I can't?"

His growl was undeniably animalistic. "No, you can't. Please, Peyt. I need it."

"Well, maybe a little begging might persuade me to change my mind." Peyton licked her lips as Lucas scanned her face.

"A little begging, huh? Yeah, I can do that."

And with that he began kissing her neck. Her toes curled as he started kissing lower. Every time his lips made contact with her skin, she shivered. Her entire body was covered in goose bumps.

"Oh my God," she let out as she felt him kiss down her stomach until he was eye level with her panties.

Once again, she was rewarded with that grin of his which made her underwear even more uncomfortable with appearance of new moisture.

Their eyes met and somehow they knew that they were thinking about the same memory. Both faces lit up with a smile and Lucas touched a hand to Peyton's.

"Here, let me do it."

Peyton nodded gratefully and having been relieved of that task, she began running her tongue over his left earlobe. His back arched slightly at the gentle flicks of her tongue on such a surprisingly sensitive area. Her nimble little tongue distracted him for a second from his task. But just for a second before he went back to undoing his trousers.

Lucas hated himself for it, but he had to admit that he had been pleased that Peyton still had trouble undoing men's pants. He quickly pushed that train of thought out of the station before it conjured up thoughts and images that would ruin the entire thing for him.

Luckily, Peyton helped him immensely with that task. For when the pants were undone, she hooked her toes in the pockets and pushed the slacks down his toned muscular legs. As Lucas kicked them off his feet, Peyton started in on his boxers. He pulled her skirt down and off as well. Soon, all clothing had been discarded and left in a pile beside them, leaving them both to admire each other in their nakedness. The was a moment of contentment in that moment, like everything was how it should be. Like everything was right with the world.

And then he settled back into place between her legs. This time there was nothing standing between him and his goal. Their lips met as the bodies joined again after such a long time apart. Moans, groans, grunts and sighs filled the elevator that had previously felt so small but now felt cavernous. There was no fumbling or awkward mishaps. Their bodies were completely in sync with each other. The way it had always been between them.

Much to Peyton's delight, Lucas had not forgotten how to bring her to brinks of pleasure over and over again. She had screamed out his name several times already and her voice was being to grow hoarse. Still, he did not stop. He was like a man possessed. And maybe he was. All she knew was that if she wouldn't mind if he never stopped making love to her.

Because that's what they were doing. Making love. They're weren't just having sex. They weren't screwing or fucking or boning or bumping uglies (a term Peyton despised, because surely there was nothing ugly about either of the things that they were currently bumping). When Peyton and Lucas get together, it always means something. She learned way back in high school that sex with Lucas wasn't just sex. And it never was going to be.

It never failed to surprise her how sex with Lucas could be gentle and rough, soft and hard, sweet and raunchy all at the same time. Sweat glistened on his forehead from the exertion and her hair had darken slightly from the perspiration. Another thrust and she felt herself climax again. His mouth was on her throat as her voice gave out.

That last tightening of her muscle had been too much for him. Lucas unconsciously quicken his pace and started grunting. Peyton knew he was close and she sucked at his spot. His hands balled into fists beside her head. She lifted her hips to meet his and pulled his head down so she could start kissing him and he got closer and closer to his finish.

And there it was. He groaned out her name into her mouth as he exploded within her. They panted for air as he rested his forehead on hers. Their union had been so passionate and desperate and long that they needed to catch up on their breathing. It was pure bliss for them, as they lied there, basking in the afterglow of finally physically expressing their love for each other after so long. Peyton smiled up at him. She had forgotten how it felt to be happy.

He smiled back. After a deep breath he said, "Wow."

She burst out laughing, leaving him confused. That is, until he realized that was the exact same thing he had said after they kissed earlier.

"Guess you make me stupid, Peyt."

"No, it's okay. It was definitely a 'wow' moment." She ran her hand through his hair. "It was amazing, Luke. Simply perfect."

He shrugged. "It was great. But not perfect."

She was crushed. "What?"

Lucas kissed softly. "Perfect would have definitely been anywhere but this elevator."

She nodded. "You're right. But other than that, it was as pretty close to perfect as it gets, I think."

He wrapped his arms around her tight. She felt so right in his arms. She fit him like they were two pieces of a puzzle. Being with her was like an elixir for him. After one session with her, he felt like he could take on the world. He was ready for anything. Well, he was ready for anything but what Peyton's next words were.

"I love you."

He stared at her. He couldn't believe it. It had to have been a mistake. She couldn't have said what he thought he heard her say.

"Excuse me?"

Her cheeks burned. Everything had seem so reminiscent of their past couplings that the three word phrase had just tumbled out of her mouth. She would have never consciously have said those words at that moment, she wouldn't have had the courage to. But she was glad she said them, because they needed to be said. Lucas needed to know.

"I love you."

His breath caught in his throat. She still loved him. He had often wondered in her absence if she still cared for him. And now the answer, yes. There was only one thing he could do in the face of such a revelation. He admit the truth to her.

"I love you, too."

She shrieked with joy and peppered his face with kisses. He laughed with her, thinking of the things he missed about her. He couldn't wrap his head around all the time he been without her. All that time that he had been with Lindsey.

Oh fuck. Lindsey.

His girlfriend.

Peyton couldn't help but notice the immediate change in his demeanor. She watched as he wordlessly got up from between her legs and began getting dressed. He didn't even look at her as he tossed her clothing onto her naked form.

"Luke?"

"Get dressed, Peyton." His voice was hard. There was something unrecognizable in his voice. She felt at a loss. What had happened? What did she miss?

She started getting dressed herself, trying to find the courage to ask what had made his mood change so suddenly. When she was decent, she lightly touched her hand to his shoulder. He turned to face her, his expression dark and clouded.

"Are you okay?" Her voice trembled. She needed to understand what was going on. Surely, he was still happy that they had been together.

"No."

And that was all he said. Peyton prodded, "Why? What's wrong, Luke?"

"Everything." Lucas had to force himself to keep from screaming at her. "My life was going fine until you came and fucked it all up for me."

His harsh words rocked her a bit and she found that she was having trouble breathing. He was mad at her? She leaned against the wall as she tried to get her thoughts in order. Her confusion left her speechless and allowed him to continue his anger-filled rant.

"You can't just come into my life and disrupt it like this." Lucas shook with anger. "You just can't. It's not fair to me."

Suddenly the lights came back on and the elevator lurched downward. But Peyton hardly noticed. All her attention was focused on the boy in front of her.

She shook her head. "You can't mean that, Luke."

"Of course, I mean it." He watched as the numbers on the elevator got lower and lower. The elevator trip from hell would be over pretty soon.

The elevator stopped and the doors opened up to the lobby. Lucas stepped out, blinking slightly at the bright fluorescent lights. Peyton grabbed her bag, following him quickly.

"Luke!" His name came out louder than she had planned it to and the several people turned to watch them. She lowered her voice considerably. "You told me you loved me."

He stopped, his shoulders hunched. "I know. And I meant it. I really did. It's just… it's too much right now, Peyt. You're too much."

"But-"

"Please…" Lucas sounded weary and defeated. He was begging her. When she didn't say anything else, he took out his cell phone. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to call my girlfriend now. She's probably wondering what happened to me."

Confusion was replaced by pain which was replaced by anger. She pushed past him, her rage helping her move forward. She kept repeating his words in her head. 'My girlfriend.' Every time she did, she had to force herself not to run back into the lobby and hit him.

As she walked away from the hotel, away from that damn elevator, and most importantly away from her Lucas Scott, Peyton forced herself to calm down. He didn't want her. He had fucked (obviously, she had been wrong and it had NOT been making love) her in the elevator and threw her away when he had been done with her.

No, she told herself. That wasn't what happened at all. She still wasn't sure exactly what had happened, but she knew that he had meant what he had said about his feelings for her. He loved her, she was sure of it. He had proved it to her a hundred times in that elevator. Whatever the reason he was pushing her away now, it definitely wasn't out of lack of love for her.

Peyton sighed. He had been right. It was too much. She was going to drive herself crazy if she kept reliving the past few hours. She needed to stop thinking about Lucas and find a way to deal with the fact that he wasn't going to be part of her life.