'So how's things at home man?' Nathan pries, effortlessly tossing the ball through the net.
'Fine' Lucas grinds out, taking his own shot. It misses for the hundredth time.
'Really?'
'Yes, why?' He shoots his younger sibling his infamous squint.
'You just seem, I dunno, a little agitated' Nathan words carefully. 'And I know I usually beat your ass but I'm slaughtering you today' He adds with a smirk, skillfully dunking another basket much to Lucas' annoyance. 'I know your glad that your mum's moving back and all but it must be putting a bit of a strain on you and Peyton with them in the house all the time'
'Tell me about it' Lucas scoffs, dribbling the ball down the court with determination. He leaps into the air but Nathan blocks him, easily snatching the ball from his possession and scoring yet another basket.
Lucas exhales heavily and tugs his sweaty top over his head, signaling defeat.
'I've lost count of how many days it's been since we last had sex, that's how long it's been' He abruptly announces, slouching down onto the bleachers and draping his shirt over his shoulder.
Nathan doesn't let on that Brooke's already informed him of his somewhat horrible predicament. Or that he has a bet riding on his brothers ability to get laid. Instead he pulls a convincing questioning look.
'Peyton decided she didn't want to have sex until our wedding night' Lucas begrudgingly elaborates. 'And then she finally had a change of heart and my freaking sister turns up'
Nathan actually feels sorry for him.
'I'm going insane Nate' He exclaims uncharacteristically. They don't usually discuss things like this but Lucas isn't exactly himself right now. 'Why does she have to be so fucking hot. Why couldn't I have fallen in love with some unattractive-'
'Ok, ok, you're definitely loosing your mind' Nathan confirms with furrowed brows. 'Did you just hear what you said? You wish Peyton wasn't so hot? Dude snap out of it'
Lucas groans dramatically throwing his head into his hands. 'I need to get laid'
'Yeah, you do' Nathan bites his lip, determined not to splutter a chuckle at his brother's face.
'She won't even entertain the idea with Mum and Lily in the house'
'They can't be there all the time'
'But Peyton is the definition of stubborn. You know what she's like. When she's got something in her head she won't give in'
'Trust me man if she's laying out the rules now, she's going to have you wrapped round her little finger for the rest of your life' Nathan says helpfully. They both know there's really no chance of changing that now, they were and would always be at their girl's feet, willing to do anything they're ordered.
'So what do you propose Nate?' Lucas snaps impatiently.
'You know what girls are like, a little bit of romancing and she'll be putty in your hands, take her out for the day, make her think it's her idea and there'll be no looking back' Nathan winks.
'I don't know when we'll find time to go out for the day, we're both so busy with work'
'Tomorrow? It's a Saturday'
'And Mum and Andy have asked us to watch Lily yet again, they're house hunting again tomorrow'
'Hale's and I can have Lil'
'Yeah?'
Nathan's pretty sure he's never seen his brother look quite so excited. 'I insist' He nods. This was perfect. He was being the perfect brother, helping Lucas out and at the same time he was guaranteeing that he wouldn't haven't to stay behind and clean up at the wedding, that he'd win the bet.
Lucas' planned day of fun, romance and taking back control currently weren't going quite to plan.
Peyton isn't remotely interested in doing anything right now. She took two long hours to get herself out of bed and ready to actually leave the house and now she apparently just wants to relax.
'I'm bored' Lucas whines.
Peyton's laying on her back, sunning her body. 'We've been here not even half an hour' She laughs. 'You were moaning all morning for me to hurry up so we could get here'
'Yeah but I thought we were going to be having fun and we're just laying here' He complains.
'That's generally what you do on a beach sweetie'
'No you don't, you swim in the sea, you build sand castles and play games' He argues.
'Okay' She giggles. 'We'll do that stuff in a bit baby' She humours him.
'Come for a swim with me'
'Luke unless you want me to be as white as my wedding dress I suggest you let me tan for a while'
He lets out a loud puff of air and flops back onto the beach towel.
She counts to ten in her head before he breaks the silence.
'I'm bored'
'Oh my god, you're like a freaking child' She moans. 'Why don't you read'
'I left my book in the car'
'Go get it'
'I can't be bothered' He sighs dramatically. 'It's too far'
'Well you're the one that insisted we find the perfect spot away from all civilisation' She actually likes their secret cove but doesn't let on.
He ignores her comment. 'Come for a swim' He pleads again instead.
'You're being really annoying right now' She whacks him with her magazine. 'Here, read one of these'
He looks at her in disgust as she enforces a glossy mag into his hands. 'I'm not reading that' He cries. 'Don't be so ridiculous'
'Fine, sit there and sulk then sweetheart'
He lays on his front and kicks at the sand in annoyance and when some sprays onto her she gives him a disapproving look.
He stops his kicking and lasts a further five minutes before boredom forces him to pick up one of her girly magazines.
He shifts his body and opens it, resting it across her smooth stomach.
'Luke' She whines.
'What, I can see better' He declares, leaning on his hands as he peers at the article.
'You're mucking up my tan. My stomach's white'
'Darling I love the way your skin is as it is and besides who ever sees your stomach but me'
'A lot of people'
'What people?' His head tilts in her direction.
'Lots of people' She has a devilish little smirk on her face and he pokes at her side in response.
Peyton giggles and closes her eyes and Lucas goes back to reading, well skim reading, flipping the pages with an exaggerated huff of boredom. But then something catches his eye and he angles his head closer to block out the blinding sun.
'Hm'
'Hm what?' Peyton opens one eye, wondering what can be so riveting in her magazine for him to have been quiet for longer than two seconds.
'This is kinda interesting' He says slyly. 'Have you read it?'
'What is it?'
'Ten ways to spice up your sex life'
She rolls her eyes. 'Ok, you need to go for a swim' She attempts to confiscate the article but he shakes his head, moving it out of her reach.
'You've read it'
'Have not'
'Have too'
'Our sex life does not need spicing up Lucas'
'No because our sex life would have to be existent for us to be able to spice anything up' He points out.
She pokes his shoulder.
'It says here we can try making things a bit more exciting by being spontaneous- try taking things outside of the bedroom' He reads from the article and looks up at her with a smirk. 'We're in a public place'
Her eyes widen. 'Not here'
'Why not? It's not like there's anyone around, we're in a secluded bay, all by ourselves' He loves that. With his mum, Andy and Lily staying at the house he'd not had any alone time with her. He misses just having her all to himself.
'Anyone could come though and it's not long till the wedding now, we might as well just save it'
He pulls the bow at the joining between the two dark green triangles that are concealing her chest, disappointment masks his face when nothing happens. He'd been expecting the sharp jolt to expose some flesh.
'It's decoration Luke' She enlightens him, patting his head.
He's not one to give up though and momentarily rests his chin on her tummy, his forefinger idly running up her toned skin.
She sucks in a breath and she feels his smile against her.
His feather like touch is soon joined by his lips.
'Luke, no. I don't, we shouldn't'
He's tactful and slow and he's quick to have her speechless and submissive, especially when his tongue circles her navel and shadows the elastic waist of her bikini bottom.
Her fingers sneak into his hair and a moan that's been trying to pass her quivering lips for the last sixty seconds finally escapes and she momentarily hates herself for being so weak.
She's not stupid. She knows where this is going. In fact she's pretty perceptive, she'd known this was his one and only intention when he'd announced late last night that he was taking her out for the day. She's not opposed to it, truth be told she wants it just as much, she just doesn't let on.
He looks up at her, eyes shining with complete adoration. She loves it when he looks at her like she's the most beautiful girl on the planet.
He's convinced she is.
'God Peyt, you're beautiful' He verbalises what he's so blatantly thinking and she smiles, her hand drifting down his chiseled face.
Keeping his eyes locked with hers, he pulls one of the tied strings at her hip. This bow isn't decoration.
Her stomach tightens noticeably and she bends one leg at the knee and then the thin green material falls to the side, exposing her.
He swallows audibly and for a moment he's just staring, mouth slightly open.
She's impatient and arches her back to tell him so. She's not willing to understand- If he wants her so freaking bad, what's with the delay in touching her.
He rolls his eyes at her before slowly climbing up her so they're head to head and then he presses his body against her and her jaw drops.
He smirks and one hand cups her face while the other smooths over her thigh, positioning her right leg higher so she can really feel his arousal.
She whimpers.
He loves that sound, loves that he's the reason for that sound, that he's the only one that can cause it and he's intent on hearing it again and again.
He kisses her then, brazenly slipping his tongue into her warm, inviting mouth.
Peyton's suddenly very glad that he dragged her away from the main beach, that there isn't another soul to be seen because she needs this, she really, really needs this.
Lack of oxygen is the only reason for their parting of lips. They're both panting, foreheads pressed together. He's watching her closed eyelids and decides that he wants to see those shining green orbs that are hiding beneath them.
So he maneuvers his hand between them and doesn't waste anytime in touching her.
As desired, her lashes snap open and she makes another, louder, hair-raising whimper.
'Oh god'
She wasn't expecting that, Lucas usually liked to torment her before giving her what she really wanted.
He smiles and kisses her open mouth.
'I've wanted to do this to you for so long' He whispers and her face crumples with the intensity of his fingers between her legs and his husked words.
But then, suddenly, the delightful sounds coming from her are joined by an unwelcoming noise.
His phone is bleeping but they both intently ignore the irritating interruption.
It eventually stops.
Then starts again.
Then stops.
And then starts again.
'Lucas....answer, answer it' Peyton exhales sharply when it rings insistently for the forth time. 'It's obviously.... important'
His hand twitches in displeasure when he slides it from her and she loves that he loves touching her.
She closes her eyes and tries to dissipate that tight feeling in the pit of her belly while he awkwardly moves off of her, reaching for his phone.
His frown deepens when he reads his best friends name flashing on the screen and abruptly presses it to his ear. 'Haley what do you want?' He asks rudely.
'Well hello to you to'
'I'm busy so unless this is important-'
'Can you look after the kids?'
'Lily and Jamie?' He clarifies.
'Uhuh'
'You're meant to be looking after them'
'Nathan's training and I've just been called in for a meeting at the school, I wouldn't ask but-'
'I can't' He snaps. 'I'm at the beach with Peyton'
'I know, I could drop them off'
'No, no, no' He dismisses. 'Nope Hales, Nathan said it was cool. They're your problem. I love you but sorry, no can do. We're having a relaxing day to ourselves without children. Goodbye' He snaps the phone shut.
'That was rude' Peyton observes.
He chucks his cell aimlessly into the sand.
'Don't care' He mutters, hastily relocating himself between her long legs, his lips immediately at her collar bone. 'Really, really don't care' His voice vibrates against her tingling skin and he's fingering at the thin obstructing material that's covering her chest. 'This needs to come off'
She cranes her neck up and leans back on her forearms and he's reaching behind her to unclasp her bikini when her eyes narrow and she stops him.
'Did you hear that?' Her hand is on the back of his neck, her fingers threading through his hair.
'Hear what?' He drawls between kisses.
'LUCAS!'
'That' Peyton whimpers.
He heard it too this time and with reluctance twists his head.
'UNCLE LUKE'
There are three little figures standing on the cliff side, he tells himself they could be anyone, it's too far away to possibly distinguish who they are. But they're jumping up and down and waving and he doesn't have a doubt as to who they are.
'You have got to be kidding me, she can't do this to me' Lucas groans painfully.
'How did she know we were here?' Peyton complains.
'We're not doing it, we're not looking after them'
'Like we can say no' Peyton's quick to note.
This is Haley James Scott they're talking about. She's not going anywhere.
They both sigh. They'd happily look after the two youngsters any other day or time but they'd been craving this time as a couple for too long now, far too long. Andy and Karen have been busy lately, trying desperately to find their own special home nearby. It's proving more difficult than anticipated but they want it to be special but their also eager to leave the young couple and let them have their privacy back. Lily has become Lucas and Peyton's side kick and although they love her to bits, they've been dying for some alone time. Peyton got a little freaked so to speak, when the six year old had been mistaken for their daughter just the previous day. Lucas had just smiled but Peyton had quickly corrected the woman and Lucas had teased her after.
Peyton frantically pushes him away and he tumbles off of the beach towel onto the sand. 'You should go, go cool off' Peyton exhales, eying the bulge in his swimming shorts. This seems to be coming something of a recurrence, them both getting worked up only to be left completely unsatisfied.
She hastily covers herself and ties her bikini bottoms in a tight bow much to Lucas' dismay.
'Luke' She urges.
'Yeah, I'm going' He moans. 'This is the worst day ever'
She's frustrated too but she can't help but laugh at him as he hobbles to his feet and staggers down to the shoreline.
Lily and Jamie reach Peyton before the young teacher, beach towels and buckets and spades in their small arms.
'Peyton' Jamie greets. 'We're going to spend the day with you' He grins and Lily drops all her things in favour of leaping into the blonde's arms. Peyton's confused, she's not quite sure how this has happened or how Haley's managed to hunt them down for that matter.
'Hey Peyton' Haley finally catches up. 'Thank you so much for doing this'
Peyton opens her mouth to argue, she wasn't aware that they'd agreed on looking after the pair yet.
'You're a total star. I brought a picnic and there's a first aid kit in Jamie's back pack if you need it and sunscreen in Lily's bag and if you can just make sure they keep their hats on at all times'
'Haley-' Peyton begins.
'Thank you' The scheming brunette cuts off. 'I've got to dash. I'll speak to you later. Be good you two' She kisses her son and waves at Lily before marching back up the beach.
'Haley!' Peyton groans. She blinks in disbelief. 'Your Mumma is so in my bad books right now J Luke' She pouts.
He just gives her a comical grin and for a second all she can see is Nathan's face. 'Can I swim with Uncle Lucas?'
'Er' She shakes her head, eying her fiance. 'He'll be back in second sweetie, just give him a minute and then we'll all go back in together a bit later ok?'
She's looking around at they're spot.
Just moments before it was set up for a romantic, relaxing day for a couple- they had their towels and a basket with wine and strawberries but now it looked like a family day out. There were toys littering the beach and a huge umbrella that Lily was now trying to put up.
Peyton assists her. 'So much for getting a tan' She mutters.
'Aunt Peyton will you build a fort with us?' Jamie requests.
'Of course I will' She grins. 'Lets get digging'
'You're so good with them' They're sitting down for the first time in the last three hours. Lily and Jamie have had them playing games since the second they arrived. Lucas shifts so he's sitting behind her and pulls her back between his legs, wrapping his arms around her waist.
She smiles and rests her head back against him. 'Not really'
'Yes really'
She looks up at him and he's gazing down at her intensely. 'You ever think about us having some of those?'
Her eyes flutter to the kids playing with a beach bat and ball.
'We can get a beach bat and ball babe'
'Not that' He chuckles.
She knew what he meant. 'Sometimes' She says quietly.
'I want that with you' He kisses her shoulder.
'Ok, slow down mister, one step at a time. Let's just concentrate on the marriage thing first'
He smiles. 'I didn't mean right now'
'I know, but I don't want that right away' She fiddles with his hand anxiously. 'I don't want to get married and then pop out three kids'
'Three huh?'
'Two girls and a boy'
He loves that she's obviously thought about this because he'd be lying if he said he hadn't. 'With blonde curly hair, green eyes'
'Blue eyes, your funny little nose'
'My nose isn't funny' He tickles her sides and she trys to escape but he pulls her back tight against him.
When she's stopped laughing they resume watching Lily and Jamie, they've abandoned their game and are paddling in the water, Lily screeches every now and then when Jamie deliberately splashes her.
'I just want you to myself for a while first is all' Peyton admits. It's something she wants, something she only wants with him, a family of their own. But it's also something that terrifies her. She's scared she won't be good enough or that she'll screw it up.
'I think I'm alright with that' He husks into her ear and it sends a tingle running down her spine. 'And we can do some practicing in the mean time'
'Lots of practicing' She confirms. 'Practice makes perfect'
'So?' Nathan quirks his brow. 'how was your day?'
That question was just code for, did you finally have sex already?
Lucas frowns at him.
'You tell me?'
'What?' Nathan's confused and is more so when he notes Lily waving at him from the car and his son suddenly running up the path.
'Hi dad' Jamie greets. 'Thanks Uncle Luke, I had a great day' He says quickly before racing inside the house in search of his beloved mother.
'Er, why've you got the kids?'
'Maybe because your wife sprung them on us' He scowls.
'Haley?' Nathan's eyes narrow. 'Why?'
'She had to rush in to school for a meeting or something' Lucas shrugs.
'It's a Saturday, She could've just brought them here cause I've...' He trails off. He's been in all day and she'd informed him that she was taking the kids to the cinema. Apparently not though. She was playing dirty. He'd stupidly informed her that he was going to win the bet, stupidly teased her, stupidly informed her that Lucas and Peyton were going to be spending a romantic day at the beach.
He shakes his head.
'I'm sorry man'
'Yeah, you owe me' Lucas jokes, already heading back toward the car. 'Lily Scott is a bit over tired, we've got to get her home. I'll speak to you later'
'Yeah, thanks' Nathan shuffles back inside, eager to go and interrogate his wife.
'Nathan ok?' Peyton queries when he gets back in the car.
'Uhuh'
He makes a face that suggests otherwise.
'But?' Peyton urges.
'Is it just me or is everyone acting weird?'
'What do you mean?'
'Well, I'm pretty sure Haley didn't have a meeting at school and Nathan said they could look after Lily so-'
'What? You think Haley was purposefully trying to sabotage our day together?' Peyton snickers, with a little laugh. 'Ok detective Scott, I think you're imagining things'
He quits the subject, sticking his tongue out at her childishly.
He unconsciously takes a glance in the rear view mirror. Lily's fallen asleep.
'Lil's dropped off. She must be exhausted'
'She's had a busy day' Peyton smiles. It was a pretty great day. 'Today was good'
'Yeah despite having two sprogs to look after' Lucas rolls his eyes.
'Hey, we did everything you wanted to do once they got there, we built a sand castle, we swam and we played lots of games' Peyton smirks.
'That's true, I guess it was kind of awesome' He reaches across the gear stick and settles his hand at the top of her thigh. 'Even if I didn't get between your legs'
She swats at his arm. 'Don't be crude, Lily's in the car' Peyton hisses.
'She's asleep' He pouts. 'And that was the whole purpose of the day'
She shakes her head. 'You're such a guy sometimes'
He winks.
'Yeah, well you better get use to it babe, cause fourteen more days and you're officially stuck with me'