Peyton was trying to decide what to wear, a decision not being made easier by Brooke. Peyton had her own style which suited her fine but Brooke was always trying to make helpful suggestions. The two best friends were polar opposites in most things and that included dress sense. Peyton thought Brooke looked amazing when she was all dressed up, sophisticated and classy. She always felt a bit of a fraud when she dressed like that, like it wouldn't take everyone long to discover she was really a bit of a hippy and she'd be busted by the fashion police.

'I'm telling you; try on the emerald strapless dress. It will go really well with your eyes,' Brooke interjected for the thousandth time. She was lounging on Peyton's bed sipping champagne and looking perfect. She herself had been ready for an hour. Peyton's date had turned into a double with Brooke and Owen as the nerves started to creep up. Brooke had promised to be there for a while until Peyton gave her the signal.

Peyton was standing in front of her closet in her underwear almost hysterical at the lack of choice.

'I can't Brooke, tonight is the first time I've gone out looking for sex, and I want to at least feel comfortable with what I'm wearing. Hand me that skirt will you?'

Brooke groaned as she handed Peyton the short, floaty, black skirt covered in silver beads and sequins. She knew Peyton could carry it off but she loved busting her chops like this. It was their girly time. Peyton teamed the skirt with a black lace vest top and a pair of Brooke's silver high heeled sandals. She turned to get Brookes approval and grinned when she received the thumbs up.

She sat on the bed beside Brooke and opened a bottle of water.

'You don't want champagne?'

'Nope, I want to be sober tonight. I don't plan on making a habit of this so I at least want to remember it. There's also the added bonus of not waking up in a strange bed with a hangover. If I can keep my wits I can be done and out of there in an hour.'

'What, no pillow talk?' Brooke smirked.

'Absolutely not.'

'Well, it's a good thing you're wearing great underwear. First rule of a one night stand. Second rule is to wear a skirt, that way you don't end up with fabric creases all over your ass!'

'Thanks Brooke, you're making the nerves worse! I haven't had sober sex since Lucas and he didn't give a damn what I was wearing, or not.'

'Well, you're a single girl now honey. You don't have the luxury of being sexy to someone even when you're at your worst.'

'Right, let's get out of here before you enlighten me even more.'

Brooke and Peyton walked into the bar and looked around for Owen and Michael. When Peyton spotted Owen she immediately looked towards the man standing next to him. She breathed a sigh of relief when she discovered he was as hot as Brooke described. She gave him a small smile which he returned and then started to walk towards them.



After a couple of hours Peyton gave Brooke a subtle wink to let her know she could take it from here. She was having a good time; Michael was a lot of fun. They talked about his job as a promoter and hers in the music biz. There was chemistry between them although she couldn't see herself going out with him. It was perfect for what she was looking for. And from the way his hand had been resting on her thigh under the table for half an hour, she could tell they were on the same page.

'Well, Owen and I have dinner plans so we're leaving now but you two have fun,' Brooke stated cheerfully.

Once they were gone Peyton and Michael talked some more but there was an undertone of tension in every word. He had now started stroking her thigh and she was having a hard time concentrating on the conversation. She was feeling hot and antsy and she hadn't felt that way in a long time. She had forgotten how the initial flirtation, the build up, could be just as hot as the act.

He leaned towards her and softly touched his lips to hers. He didn't pull back; instead letting his nose caress hers for a moment until her eyes fell shut. He then settled his lips firmly over hers and pried her mouth open with his. Their tongues immediately tangled and the heat she felt earlier was exploding in her chest. She grabbed at his head, running her hand through his hair and pressing into him more closely.

The hand stroking her thigh made its way higher and she gasped into his mouth in anticipation. Suddenly his hand was gone from her thigh and was instead palming her breast through her top. They were in a secluded booth in the corner and she knew it was unlikely anyone could see. She pushed herself further into his hand and felt her nipple harden with his touch. Her whole body was coming alive in a way it hadn't in years.

He pulled his mouth away from hers giving her bottom lip a gentle bite as he did.

'You wanna get out of here?'

'Yeah,' she replied.

The cab ride to his apartment was a repeat of what happened in the bar. When they final stumbled through his front door all bets were off. Stumbling through the living room they managed to get rid of his shirt and her top. They reached his kitchen and she couldn't wait anymore.

'Here,' she demanded.

'Yes ma'am,' he grinned, lifting her up onto the counter. She opened her legs and he stepped between them pulling her as close as possible. They went back to making out and getting rid of clothes. His pants were next followed by her bra. He spent long minutes worshipping her breasts and Peyton couldn't get enough, trying to pull him impossibly closer.

She could feel his hardness pressed against her heated centre and she wanted him there more than anything. She lifted her hips and he got the idea, quickly peeling away her panties. She shoved his boxers down and he quickly found what he was looking for in his pants pocket. Once the protection was in place he bunched her skirt around her waist.



Then suddenly he was in her and they were moving together. It was exactly what she wanted, frenzied and hot. Their breath was coming in shallow pants and sweat was trickling down both their chests as their bodies pounded roughly together. Peyton could feel the tension of recent weeks melt away as she fast approached her climax. Once the stars had exploded behind both their eyes he carried her to the bedroom. She hadn't planned on staying but she figured she wasn't going anywhere for a while. They were doing THAT again!

When Peyton got home the next morning she closed the door quietly, afraid of waking Brooke. She had the most amazing night but needed to sleep more than ever. Michael had been insatiable and she would need to buy Brooke a very expensive gift to say thanks. During one of their brief conversations between sex he had suggested it didn't need to be a one night thing. Peyton had explained she wasn't looking for a relationship and he had laughed. Neither was he but everyone needed help "relieving the tension" every once in a while. She would give his offer of being her sex buddy more consideration after a few hours hard earned sleep.

She stepped into the kitchen and startled a little to find she wasn't alone.

'Hey pal, Lucas here popped over to talk to you. I told him you had a late night and would probably want to sleep when you got in, but he insisted,' Brooke said with fake cheerfulness. 'I'm going back to bed.'

Once they were alone he didn't really know what to say to her. He had come here hoping they could talk through their problems and perhaps start fresh but when he saw her walk in thoughts of that flew straight out of the window. She was dishevelled and sporting a huge hickie on her chest, only just visible. She was also wearing the sexiest outfit and he felt his blood boil. Somewhere at the back of his mind he knew he had no right to be angry but he couldn't help it. Someone had been touching his Peyton.

'Good night?' he spat.

'None of your damn business,' she stated calmly walking over to the fridge to fix herself something to eat.

'I know,' he instantly deflated.

'Then why are you here?'

'I just... I wanted to tell you...to apologise.'

'I'd really like to get to bed so if you could just spit it out.'

'I'm so sorry for these last few weeks Peyton,' he croaked. 'If I could take back everything I said and did I would. And for the record you were absolutely right, I do still love you. More than anything in the world. I called off the engagement, Lindsay's gone,' he said with hope in his voice.

'And what, I'm supposed to leap into your arms, grateful that you finally acknowledge me? I've said it before Lucas; you are out of my life.'

'Please Peyton; I just want a chance to prove...'



'You've had all the chances you are ever going to get. I let you make me feel like an idiot for long enough. In high school when you went off with my best friend five minutes after we were together. After the shooting when you laughed off the fact that I told you I loved you. The second time I told you didn't go too much better. Then in LA, when I asked you to wait. I woke that morning and my whole life was turned upside down, AGAIN! The events of the last few weeks have been just as bad, why do you only seem to care when I've given up? Is it the thrill of the chase?'

'NO..I...'

'Save it Luke. I've had 4 parents abandon me in one way or another and a psycho stalker try to rape and kill me but nobody has ever made me feel as worthless as you do!'

The tears were now rolling down his cheeks as she recounted the worst parts of their history and the sense of guilt he had been carrying tripled. He hadn't realised things he'd done in the past had such a profound effect. He had prided himself on being the one who always saved her, it turned out he was the one she needed saving from.

'I'm so sorry Peyton, I'm so sorry.'

'Don't be, that part of my life is over. I want you to leave me alone.'

She turned and walked towards her bedroom, leaving him to find his own way out. With a sigh and a heavy heart he made his way home wondering if Peyton was right. Was she better off without him?

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