WOW! IT has been forever since I posted ANYTHING for ANY of my stories! I am truly sorry for this. My life has been a bit of a mess lately and instead of writing, I've been reading. But I am trying to get back in the groove of things so here's another chapter. THANK YOU to all that have been sending me messages even though I may not have gotten back to you, it has meant a lot soooo here we go! Enjoy.

If I should die this very moment

I wouldn't fear for I've never known

completeness like being here

wrapped in the warmth of you

loving every breath of you

"Lamb" - Gorecki

There was a faint hint of jasmine lingering in the air stinging my nostrils in the best way. I leaned in and noticed the scent was touching my nose. I went to open my heavy eyes as the sun dared to shine through the window. There was something warm against my body and I smiled. She made a faint little noise that brought a smile to my face. She was here, in my arms. I couldn't believe it. She…was here…with me. I opened my eyes completely and looked down to see her enveloped in my arms.

She gripped her arms around me tighter. I bent down and kissed her on the forehead. It was something I never thought I would find myself doing. Being a sweet, caring, loving boyfriend? Wait, am I Brooke's boyfriend? What the hell am I to her now? I really didn't want to have this conversation. It would involve details, rules, and guidelines. Why can't we just be together? Oh yeah, I remember now. I fucked her best friend in high school and pretty much ruined her and every chance we had at being happy together. I am a total ass hole and I don't deserve this amazing woman at all. But I am selfish and I want her all to myself. How damaged am I? How fucked up does one person have to be to treat someone like the way I did to her?

"Hmm…good morning." She said against my chest.

I smiled.

"Hey pretty girl."

She shifted in my arms and I felt her smile against my skin.

"I love waking up to that. I feel like this is our first morning waking up together here." She lifted her head towards me and it was true.

I don't think we've ever woken up together. I was either gone before she awoke and vice versa.

"Yes this is nice." I said leaning down again and kissing her lightly on the forehead.

"What are we doing Luke?"

Jump right to it. She's beating me to it and now I've become completely speechless. What the hell am I supposed to say? I don't have these conversations and I never have. Where do I start? What do I say?

"All I know Brooke is that I want to be able to walk outside right now, hold your hand, and hold you the way Nathan does with Haley and the way Clay kisses Rachel. I want to do that." It was the best I could come up with.

I could see tears shining through her eyes as she scooted closer to my face and let her lips linger gently against mine as she kissed me.

"Okay." She said on my lips as I deepened the kiss.

I pulled her closer to me as I rolled on my back and she fell flush against me wrapping her arms around my neck.

She moaned against my lips as I let my hands slide down her sides and grabbed her ass fiercely making her gasp against my mouth.

There was a knock on the door and it made us jump away from each other.

"I'm not spying on you, I swear." Haley said through the door and when I looked I saw that she had her hand over her eyes.

"I just wanted to let you know I made breakfast. Didn't want to leave you guys out. Continue as you were." She skipped away quickly.

Brooke burst out laughing and rolled on top of me again.

"As much as I would like to continue what we were doing, I am famished." She raised her eyebrows and I smiled at her.

"I am not going to lie, I am too, but not for food." I raised my eyebrows at her to take on my challenge.

"How about we give them a run for their money?"

I was confused at her statement, but she got off the bed, pulled me with her and led me into the bathroom. She began to undress and I realized what she meant. Earlier this week, Clay and Rachel were having sex and apparently wanted the whole world to know. Brooke was suggesting we have sex in our shower that is outside with no enclosure. Extremely sexy of her.

"As you wish mi'lady." I followed her lead and undressed myself.

She was absolutely breathtaking in all her naked glory. She had the cutest, yet perfect tan lines. She reached for my hand and yanked me into the shower. I cut the water on as the steam filled around us. The hot water rolling down my back only added to the amazing sensation Brooke was giving my body.

Her hands caressed around my shoulders, my chest, my hips, and my ass. Her touch was exhilarating. I couldn't take it any longer. I picked her up, her legs clinging around my waist, and I slammed her against one of the walls and she let out a scream of passion.

"I want you so fucking bad." I hissed against her neck.

"Then take me."

Without any more hesitation I thrust my dick inside her hard and she screamed in pleasure. Her tight walls gripped me hard and I bit my lip to thrust in and out of her. I let out an animalistic growl that sent her over the edge. She dug her nails into my shoulders as she screamed my name. It was the most amazing sound ever. She removed her hands from my shoulders and placed them around my head pulling me into her chest. I sucked vigorously on her breasts one at a time teasing and giving them the same amount of attention and added pleasure. She bucked wildly against me and I wasn't even sure how I was able to keep us vertical the whole time.

We were animals going wild with our bodies. I don't think I've ever been that loud but that was the effect Brooke had on me. I didn't care if the whole world was watching us right now and then. I was completely lost in her.

"Fuck Brooke I'm coming."

She growled at me and my eyes shot opened to see her coming as well and the look on her face was priceless. It would be forever embedded in my mind. My forehead fell against her breasts as we both heaved in and out for air.

We finished showering and for once I had to admit I was a little bit embarrassed that Haley, Nathan, Clay and Rachel heard us. As we reached the stairs near the door, Brooke stopped, placed her hand in mine and pulled me inside.

Haley was blushing, Nathan was trying to hold back any comments he wished to share with the group, Clay was grinning like an idiot and Rachel…

"Whores." She said the moment we were inside.

"Slut, don't even. You two woke me from a perfectly good nap the other day. So shut it." Brooke pointed her finger back and forth between Clay and Rachel.

"So can we finally agree that you two are officially together?" Nathan said as he leaned back in his chair.

"Yeah, I think so." I said shocking myself.

"I'm happy for you both." Haley said as the red started to leave her face.

We finished breakfast and we're mapping out our last few days here. It was drawing near to the end but we were going to enjoy every moment we had left.

"I can't wait to go snorkeling." Brooke placed a bag on the bed and started packing some quick essentials and clothes.

"Baby come on now, you know for a fact you don't need anymore clothing especially considering I plan on taking you out of them later." I grabbed her shirt and threw it across the room, picked up her pants and shook my head and tossed it aside as well.

"Hey!" She ran over, smacked me, picked up her clothes and placed them back in the bag.

"What?"

"We do have plans after snorkeling. So I am packing them and you should grab some too." She disappeared in the bathroom.

I grabbed a nice pair of shorts and a shirt. We were going to another beach party but this one was more for a pleasant time, not for horny college students to have a good time. They were having a local concert near the pier and a walk up bar where they served some of the best fish tacos around, your choice of meat and toppings. Honestly, I had to admit I was looking forward to it.

Clay and Nathan booked a private tour of the island with Rachel and Haley. We were going to join, but I think we all could agree that Brooke and I needed some alone time. It was the first day we were declaring ourselves in a relationship together. A celebration with just the two of us was in order.

I let Brooke finish packing for the both of us for many reasons. One, she is a fashionista, she thrives for clothing and surely she would pick out something better than I would for myself. Second, I loved and relished in the fact that she loved taking care of me that way. My mother was the only other woman who did that for me and I didn't feel threatened or babied. It was an unconditional love that is very rare to find in another, I believe.

I ran into my favorite red who seemed disgruntled.

"What's the stick up your ass about?" I leaned against the railing of the patio and she crossed her arms and glared at me.

"Don't hurt her." It was all she said and Rachel Gatina was not a woman of few words.

"Rachel." I called out but she stormed away and a small part of me wondered if she truly believed I would hurt Brooke again.

"What's wrong?"

I turned towards Brooke who carried our bag across her shoulder, I smiled and took it from her.

"It's nothing."

"The look on your face wasn't nothing. Luke is it your heart?" Her hand fell against my chest and I inhaled deeply.

"No, it's not my heart. It's nothing. Remember, I'm brooding." I said in my deepest voice.

She smiled and popped her hip to the side.

"Well then let's go Broody boy, I've got lots of fish to see." She skipped forward and grabbed my hand dragging my along with her.

The car ride became a little bumpy and it started to interfere with my thoughts. I gripped the arm rest tightly hoping it would help me relax and clear my mind again. I took in my surroundings as I really never saw anything more beautiful and peaceful. At the moment I didn't want this feeling to disappear.

The car finally came to a stop. I waited a moment before opening my door.

"What's bothering you?" His voice was a little more concerned that I wanted it to be but he waited to speak while we were alone.

"Nothing." I said in my most chirper mood, he wasn't buying it.

"It's me, Nathan and Haley are not in the car at the moment. Talk to me Rach."

I didn't know if I should tell him or not, Clay sometimes took my words and feelings toward other men a little too forward. Jealousy was an evil trait I really did dislike about Clay.

"Don't take what I am saying the wrong way, you promise?" I turned my whole body towards Clay and he nodded placing his hand over his heart.

"I promise. What's wrong?" He removed his hand from his chest and took mine in his.

"I don't think Lucas and Brooke should be together." There I finally confessed a dark secret I've kept to myself for years.

The look on Clay's face was baffled. He truly didn't understand.

"Why would this upset me? Or are you trying to tell me by asking me not to take what you're saying as wrong as a way of telling me discretely that Lucas is who you really want?" His tone started towards his jealous streak but I realized how that came out and I shook my head.

"No, no, no! I mean…shit…I just think that Brooke and Lucas are like a ticking time bomb. Something always happens that ends up putting them in dark places when things go to shit. I remember high school, you weren't there, I never wanted to see that kind of torment in Brooke ever again and Luke." I couldn't help but grin at the mention of his name.

"Lucas is that friend, that guy friend, that I could never have true feelings for but he means the world to me as if he were my family. He is my family and so is Brooke. I couldn't bear to see something happen to Lucas and then Brooke crumble and lose herself all over again. I couldn't bare it." I started to cry. Tears were not a good thing for my reputation. I hated, no I despised crying. It was a horrible emotion for humans to possess.

"Ray, I really don't think it would matter if Brooke and Lucas were dating or not. They are meant for each in every way possible. I think it would destroy her either way if Lucas were no longer a part of her life at all. Let them enjoy their time together even if it, God forbid, is a short time." He reached up and started clearing up the tears.

"I hate crying." I wiped some of the tears away myself after his fingers left my cheeks.

"You shouldn't. You are absolutely beautiful when you cry. It makes you vulnerable and you believe it makes you weak. It doesn't make you weak, it makes you stronger." He gave me an encouraging smile.

"I just couldn't stand to lose either one of them and for them to lose each other. It's not right, it could…it just can't ever happen." I was definitely letting my guard down and I seemed like a helpless child.

"Talk to them. I don't like to see you this way and I know Brooke and Lucas can pick up on your emotions. They know that you love them both so much and that you don't want anything happening to either one of them but it's not in your control." He was right.

Clay wasn't the smartest person in the world, but he always knew when to say the right thing. Besides Lucas, he was the only other man who understood me. Of course I knew I was in love with him. I took in a deep breath.

"I love you, Clay."

He smiled, "I love you more," and gently kissed me.

"Everything will be alright." He said.

I had to believe him. I just had too.

We finally made it to the best snorkeling site on the island. There were a few other couples and families here as well getting ready for the unknown excitement we would be encountering under water.

"Calm down little lady before you burst out of your skin." He whispered in my ear as his arm slid down my back caressing my hip.

"I've never been snorkeling. This is really exciting for me." I leaned against his warm chest and closed my eyes taking him in.

We were really here together and everything finally felt right and in place. I couldn't imagine being anywhere better and any other person in the world than right here with Lucas.

"Well pretty girl let's get our adventure started."

I squealed as the excitement was becoming too much for me.

We had to sit through a "class" on what to do and what not to do. Basically they were telling us to have a great time but to be cautious of our surroundings and show absolutely no harm to the underwater life.

We were given our own snorkeling masks. The instructors would be swimming with us but giving us our reign to explore on our own. We all swam out together in a small herd and then dispersed along the marked off regions. Another couple chose to follow us and I didn't mind, it wasn't like Lucas and I planned on doing anything naughty, we were really here and excited to explore underwater.

"Don't give yourself a leg cramp, Davis." Lucas winked at me before placing his tube in his mouth and disappearing slightly underwater.

I did the same and dove into the water. The amazing wonders that my eyes fell upon were nothing I could imagine before. I didn't even know if I had words to describe the beauty that I was seeing.

Fish of all different colors swam around us. The instructors showed up pictures with the names of the fish. From the ones I remembered distinctly I could make out as I swam with them. There was a cluster of parrotfish with their exotic pinks, greens, and blues. They were absolutely breathtaking. Then I was able to point out the fairy basslets. They were interesting to me as they consisted of two vibrant colors, yellow and purple. Mostly their front half was one color then the rest of the body became the other color. It was like God wanted just the front half to be purple and the other half to be symmetrical of yellow.

Lucas rested his hand on my back as he pointed and my mouth dropped open losing my breathing tube. A barracuda which the guides told us would be a possibility to see was swimming towards us. They told us to remain calm if we were to come in contact with them. They only react if you provoke them. I dug my nails into Lucas' arm. The hellish creature swam along with the fish towards us. The closer the animal came near the clearer I could see its razor sharp teeth. This barracuda was huge, at least six feet long. Even though I was underwater, I was holding my breath in suspense not because of lack of oxygen. The barracuda's tail hit Lucas in the shoulder and I dug my nails deeper into his skin. It didn't seem to bother him at all, but the giant, slender fish slithered away and out of sight. I reached for my tube and resurfaced out of the water.

I inhaled a deep breath trying to regain steady breaths. Lucas surfaced too and removed his mask treading lightly in the water.

"You wanted an adventure." He grinned at me.

"Yes and I got one! That was so exhilarating. Not knowing what was going to happen with that hellish fish! It was awesome!" Yes, I was scared, but it was an exciting scared.

"Want to do some more exploring?" He asked and I reached out to touch his face.

"What do you think?" I winked at him and went back into the water.

We swam around some more, I let my fingers gently glide against the course edges of the coral. More exotic fish, names I didn't know were in our sight. All the wonderful colors that were brought to my attention only gave me ideas for a clothing line. It was great and a fantastic way to literally dive in and be able to do up close and personal research and pull ideas from.

We took a break, climbed up on one the rocks stranded near the snorkeling area and rest for a bit. Swimming was no joke and took a lot out of you. I definitely now didn't want to leave for nobody or nothing. This was the grandest place I've ever traveled to and this is where I wanted to be for the rest of my life. Soaking in the sun with the man I've only ever been in love with. This is what I wanted for my life.

It was beginning to get late and Lucas and I hurried to the showers. I quickly rinsed off the salt water and washed my hair. I let the breeze dry my hair as it began to dry in waves. I decided to keep my outfit choice low key. Yes, I love making a fashion statement but this time I just wanted to blend in. I wore a strapless dress with flowing fabrics. It was a jade green that camouflaged me into the palm trees. I put on some flats and grabbed my bag.

Once outside, my eyes immediately fell upon Lucas. He was dressed handsomely in a pair of khaki shorts and a black button down. Simple as he was mesmerizing.

"Wow." He said and I stopped.

"What?" I almost thought he was shocked that I was not all glammed up. I wasn't even wearing make up. Did he not like me this way?

"What? Should I have put make up on? I just figured with the—"

"No, Brooke, this is the most beautiful I've even seen you before. So natural and care free. You are the most beautiful woman I've ever laid my eyes upon. I genuinely mean that." He reached his hand out to mine and pulled me close to him.

"Lucas, I—" I wanted to tell him how much I loved him but he rudely interrupted me with a passionate kiss.

"Come on or Naley and Clachel will wonder if we abandoned them." He said against my lips.

"Clachel? Really Luke?"

"Hey, I'm trying here." He winked at me.

The band started playing and it was just simply amazing. I usually don't like being involved with crowds of people I don't know but this just felt different. We were all here for vacation and fun. We all wanted to have a great time. Nathan and I met a couple from Atlanta and the guy, Henry, graduated from Duke two years ago. Imagine that.

"I wonder if Lucas and Brooke are okay?" Nathan whispered in my ear.

"Honey, they are pretty much official now, they are probably taking their time to get here or probably doing it the whole way here." I admit I was slightly jealous of them.

They were in love and even though Lucas can't admit that out loud yet, they were crazy about each other. The reason why I feel jealous is sometimes I miss being in love. Yes, Nathan was the only man for me and I was madly and deeply in love with him. Had I become a prude? I know I can be a little shy about sex but maybe I should take a page out of Rachel's book.

"Hey Scott, wanna do something a little naughty?" I have never had sex with Nathan in public where anyone could walk in on us…but I was definitely feeling a little frisky and a bad girl.

Nathan's mouth fell open and his mouth went wide.

"Are you serious?" He asked me as if that was the last thing he ever expected me to say.

"Oh my gosh! Am I really that bad? Am I that much of a prude?"

Nathan started to panic and grabbed my face gently between his hands.

"No Hales, not at all. You're not a prude but you aren't Rachel either. I love that you like to keep that part of our life a secret and just for our pleasure. I love you for who you are not who you pretend to be silly goose. But don't take my reaction negatively. I love that you surprise me and this is definitely a surprise. You sure do know how to keep me on my toes Haley James." He bent down and kissed me gently but with all the love he possessed.

"Wow, I'm definitely horny now." I winked at him and started pulling him away from the beach.

"Marry me."

I stopped dead in my tracks.

"What?" I whispered nearly losing my voice.

"Haley James." He knelt down on one knee and I loved that nobody was really paying us any attention.

"Marry me? I can't imagine my life with anybody else but you." He reached into his pocket and pulled out that little black box every girl dreams of receiving from the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with.

"Yes." I said nodding my head furiously.

He opened the box and it was the loveliest ring I'd ever seen. He slipped it on my finger and it was perfect.

"I love you Nathan Scott."

"I love you Haley James."

I couldn't control myself anymore. I dragged him into the trees and we got lost in the darkness together.

As we arrived I saw Haley dragging Nathan into the darkness away from the crowd. I knew exactly what they were doing and I shook my head.

"Naughty girl. You go Haley James." I meant for just myself to hear until Brooke spoke.

"What about Haley? Where are they?"

I grinned and took Brooke's hand in mine.

"Let's just find Clay and Rach."

Once we spotted them, they looked as if nobody else in the world mattered except them. For the first time, I didn't envy them because I experience that with Brooke every second I'm with her.

Rachel finally spotted us and her face, I couldn't read it and that was very unusual for me. I looked at her and then she looked away.

"Penny!" Clay shouted and ran towards Brooke picking her up in his arms.

There was no sting of jealousy coursing through me at all. That was a first definitely for me. I walked over to Rachel as Clay and Brooke started talking.

"I want the truth Red. What the hell is going on with you?"

Rachel looked over my shoulder towards Clay and Brooke and Clay took Brooke by the hand and they walked off. Carrying on into conversation as Brooke winked and waved at me.

"I'm sorry for how I walked away from you earlier and just spat out at you like that."

"Well, then talk to me. What's going on Rachel?" We walked near the water and dipped our toes in the wet sand.

"I am scared that Brooke will lose you all over again, Luke, and I can't, I can't bear to see that again. I don't want any of us to lose you and I don't want you to get hurt as well. Clay told me that no matter if you and Brooke were together or a part it would still be devastating for her to lose you either way and like I said I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier like I did. I had no right too."

I took her hand in mind and gave it a squeeze.

"You love Brooke and I understand you getting defensive of her, but only death can take me from her now." I pulled Rachel into a side hug and I kissed her forehead.

"I'm not going anywhere this time; I have everything I need now."

"I'm happy for you Lucas, I really am."

I was going to speak when I heard the familiar shrill echo through the air. Rachel and I turned to see Brooke drooling over Haley's hand and grinning like an idiot at Nathan. Rachel and I walked towards them and that's when I noticed it. There was a large diamond ring residing on Haley's left hand. I turned towards my brother and he blushed.

"Believe it or not I was going to ask for your blessing to marry Hales."

"You wouldn't have had too. Congratulations!" I pulled my baby brother into a hug then reached for my sister to be finally into my arms.

"I am so happy for you Hales." I breathed into her hair.

We spent the rest of the night celebrating and enjoying the life that we were blessed with, particularly me.

Once we made it back to the house, we opened a bottle of wine since we didn't have champagne and made a toast on Nathan and Haley's behalf. We all got in our swimsuits and enjoyed each other's company in the pool. After some time I got out and watched as some of the people I cared about most in the world were happy.

As I finished my last beer, something didn't feel right. I sat up straight and took in a deep breath. Something was wrong. All of a sudden I was having trouble breathing, my vision started to degrade.

"Br—" I choked.

Everybody was having a good time in the pool, splashing water at each other.

"Brooke." I choked once more and it wasn't loud enough for anybody to hear.

I threw the beer bottle I had in my hand on the ground and watched as it shattered around me.

Things were growing dark, I couldn't feel anymore.

"Brooke." I said once more.

I finally got everyone's attention. What vision I had left fell upon Brooke. She went pale.

"LUCAS!" She screamed as she started rushing towards me as everyone else did as well.

"Brooke, I, I…"

"LUCAS!" She climbed out of the pool and rushed towards me and it panned out in slow motion as I felt my body begin to shut down.

"I, I, I love you." Everything went black.

Don't hate me!

Love it? Hate it? I did a lot with this chapter, I am satisfied about it, but your opinions mean a lot to me! Read and Review! I love hearing from you all!

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