It Doesn't Do Well to Dream

Chapter 34

The drive out to town did her some good; Peyton felt better by the time they got back home. Annalise didn't seem particularly impressed with Smallville, but Peyton hadn't expected her to be. She hung up the car keys and listened to Anna question how they could stand to live in such a no-where town willingly. Peyton rolled her eyes as she made her way to Lex's study.

"You're so hung up on this place being boring, I wonder why you bothered to come."

Annalise blinked in surprise at her snap back and huffed.

"Well, obviously to pass judgment."

"I don't remember asking for it."

Lex sat at his desk when she entered the room and she gave him a smile before she glanced to the side. He had moved her files from Dr. Henson. The coffee table was now clear and the papers nowhere in sight; it gave Peyton some level of relief. Of course he would notice. Lex didn't miss details, especially not after Annalise proved herself to be a snoop.

"Did you have fun touring the sites," he asked.

Lex sat back in his chair and closed his laptop as they reached the middle of the room and Annalise flopped onto one of the sofas.

"I practically expected there to be banjos and a saloon," she droned.

But Peyton was done with listening to her friend's complaining. Annalise might be her only friend here, but she could also be annoying. Seeing Lex shot an impulse through her and for once she didn't feel like suppressing it. It was like a burden lifted when she saw him, and she was so exhausted from curbing every thought, restraining every touch, scolding every bit of fondness. She could never forget the ring. The kiss. Kisses. Right now, she wanted to kiss him again.

She made her way over to Lex, still with a smile on her face. He watched her approach with a mildly confused smile in return.

"Hey, Lex."

Peyton leaned over and cupped Lex's cheeks. The heat of his skin radiated against her palms and she delicately ran her thumbs along his cheekbones as she studied his face. He really was handsome, and it felt nice to think it freely without guilt. They were married after all, it was stupid of her to always try to be so distant, so contained, in light of that.

His expression flickered as her face neared his.

"Peyton?"

She answered his question with her lips on his. And it was all that she remembered, everything she wished for. Lex only hesitated briefly before responding and she tipped his head back boldly as she prolonged their kiss. His hands found her waist and he held her in place as she broke away only to carefully pressed a few kisses at the corner of his lips. His fingers curved more firmly against her skin in response.

It wasn't just about a good kiss, it was him. And she was tired of acting like she wasn't attracted to him. She was tired of pretending she didn't like him as strongly as she did.

A loud clap startled her enough to pull back, and Annalise glared over at them, her hands raised above her head and still cupped together.

"Seriously?" She questioned. "Sweet Gemini, next time let me know and I'll set a timer first. Maybe get you an emergency oxygen tank."

Peyton merely grinned as she straightened; Lex didn't say anything.

"You're the one who wanted to visit newlyweds, remember?" She shot back. That caused Annalise to let out a bark of a laugh.

"Oh, you're shameless! That's new."

Lex cleared his throat and let go of her. His face was slightly flushed and his pupils were wide as he stared up at her, like he was still trying to figure out what happened. But Annalise was right there, watching, so Peyton knew he couldn't ask. And what would she tell him? That she just felt like it? She wondered how he'd react to that.