Book One

To Believe Again

Chapter One ~ Chapter Two ~ Chapter Three ~ Chapter Four ~ Chapter Five ~ Chapter Six ~ Chapter Seven ~ Chapter Eight ~ Chapter Nine ~ Chapter Ten ~ Chapter Eleven ~ Chapter Twelve ~ Chapter Thirteen ~ Epilogue

Posted

2004

Completed

14 Chaps – 93 pages

Rating

NC-17/MA

Disclaimer

Not mine!

Distribution

If you already archive my stories then feel free, otherwise please ask

Timeline

N/A – Alternate Universe

Pairing

Buffy & Angel, Faith & Spike

Summary

Can two people that no longer believe in love, love again? Or will they succumb to their fears.

Author’s Note

Buffy and Angel have a conversation about cars.  For those of you who don’t know, a Mopar is a Chrysler, Plymouth or Dodge. A Hemi is a type of engine and a pistol grip is a manual transmission.

EBOOK

Download the EBook

It’s free!

(703 kb)

Chapter One

One Door Closes…

LA 2005

Buffy Summers stood on the observation deck of the Griffith Observatory looking out over her adopted city, her black leather duster flapping in the breeze behind her as she stared out into the night.  There were no stars lighting the sky, except for the lights of the city that twinkled below, it was pitch black out.  From where she stood it seemed that the city slept peacefully but she knew that was not true it was 8:30PM on a Friday night and the city below was bustling with activity. 

She titled her head back, closed her eyes and took a deep breath, and the smell of sage and honeysuckle filled her nostrils.  She came here often when she was feeling melancholy and tonight was one of those nights.

She had come home late in the afternoon from her photo shoot and went right to sleep.  When she woke up for some reason she was filled with thoughts of her past.  She had quickly showered and dressed. She had to be at the Whiskey by 9PM to work her shift, but she came here first to stare at the city and collect her thoughts. 

She tried not to think too much on the past and she usually rarely did.  But when she looked at the calendar she realized why.  It was exactly two years today that she first came to LA.

She shook her head she couldn’t believe it.  Two years!  Everything had changed so quickly for her since then.  She was happy now she had a life, something that she hadn’t had in seven years and she would not give it up for anything.

Taking another deep breath she let her mind wander back to nine years ago and the beginning of her seven-year captivity.  She had been so young then only twelve years old and so anxious to see the world and be a grown up.

At the time her parents had split up and her mom, Joyce had started seeing the local librarian Rupert Giles. Buffy was heartbroken when her father left. She was so sure that it was something that she had done but could never figure out what it was.  He just split and she never heard from him again.  Then Giles joined the picture and it was hard for her to accept him as part of the family and so she acted out. 

She started hanging out with an older crowd, or a bad crowd, which is what her mother called them.  Buffy didn’t think they were bad just misinterpreted.  Yes they were bikers and motor-heads, yes they did a lot of drugs and drank a lot, and yes they hung out at bars all night and started fights with other clubs. But underneath those ruff exteriors were decent people with big hearts.  People who held charity events for sick kids and watched over each other like family, for Buffy they quickly became her family and it was a family that she felt she belonged too.

She had a mom, she had a dad (that she never saw), she had an older brother and sister, but they never seemed to understand her.  They only thought that she was going downhill, hanging out with ruffians and doing no good.

Her mom totally freaked when she had come home with her first tattoo when she was thirteen.  It was just a small dagger on her ankle but her mom saw it as proof of her falling off the ‘right’ path.  Then the shit really hit the fan when she found out that Buffy was doing drugs.

Thinking back on it now makes her giggle, it was actually pretty funny.  She was at a friend’s house tripping out on acid and she called home to tell her mom that she was sleeping over her friends.  Out of nowhere Joyce asked if she did drugs and Buffy tripping her face off answered yes!

Then the conversation got very philosophical and her mom got very righteous and Buffy couldn’t remember a damn thing, it was good acid!  She was grounded for a week and Joyce hardly talked to her in that time.  After the week was up, time passed and eventually Joyce didn’t mention the incident at all. 

Then Joyce dropped the bombshell.  She was going to marry Giles and they were moving out to LA.  Her sister Kendra who was in her sophomore year at college was staying in New York and her brother Xander was already out there attending UCLA.

Joyce left it up to Buffy as to what she wanted to do.  And Buffy who couldn’t see anything beyond her friends decided to stay.

So there she was a sixteen year old living basically alone in New York with no supervision and she had the time of her life!  She dropped out of school and started hanging out more and longer then she used it.  She became a permanent fixture at the bars and everyone treated her like a little sister.

Then one night while she was hanging out at Shotz, a local watering hole, she met Parker Abrams.  Parker was a member in the club that Buffy often hung out with, The Brotherhood, and he was a mechanic at the local Harley shop. She thought he was cute and he seemed to be a nice guy.  So they started dating and before Buffy knew it she was initiated into The Brotherhood and they were living together. 

Everything was great for about a year then things changed.  Parker changed.  He became very controlling, jealous and insecure about their relationship.  He would often tell her that she was fucking someone else behind his back when that was far from the truth.  She had only ever been with Parker he was her first.  She would try to convince him that she wasn’t cheating on him that she was faithful, but he was so insecure about himself that he never believed her.

He controlled every aspect of her life; she couldn’t go out without him, she couldn’t wear what she wanted to, she couldn’t even hang out with her sister without him badgering her about where they went and what they did.

Still during all of this, he was showering her with words of love and how he was always sorry for acting the way he was.  That it wasn’t her it was him and his insecurities, and that he would try to change and start trusting her. 

But it never happened and slowly but surely somewhere along the line Buffy lost herself and her whole world evolved around him.  She rarely saw her friends anymore and with the exception of Kendra she hardly ever spoke with her family.

She was cut off from the world living in her own little life of unhappiness and she did nothing about it.  Not that she could have done anything anyways, so she just went with the flow hoping and praying to God that things would change. 

Thinking on it now that was the worst part, that she had lost her own self-respect.  She was ashamed that even though she didn’t love him she still slept with him. Like a whore with a John she fucked him then tried to please him by saying she loved him.

She knew that she was a fucking idiot to stay with a man for seven years that she didn’t love.  But she had no choice and for some twisted reason she felt a sense of obligation to him that she had to stick by his side regardless of how shitty her life had become. 

She had hoped that his obsession with controlling her would pass. She thought he would change and the lust she felt for him would have a chance to grow into love.

But that never happened.

It was just her luck that one-day things did change.  Parker was on his way home from work on his Harley when a truck hit him; he died instantly.  She was filled with guilt that she felt no sorrow for his passing, only a great sense of relieve and happiness.  She was finally free!  Free to live her own life and damn it she was going to do it!

Within two weeks of Parkers death Buffy was already half way to LA.  She had sold pretty much everything that they had accumulated over the years:  cars, bikes, and furniture.  She kept only the things she loved the most, her black 1970 Plymouth Cuda, her CDs, DVDs, her stereo system, and her computer.

She packed up everything, told Kendra that she loved her and would miss her, and left.  She didn’t tell any of her friends where she was going or doing, hell she didn’t even say good-bye.  She wanted no ties to that former life. She wanted to start somewhere fresh where no one knew her or her history.

When she finally arrived in LA she went to her mom’s house. Joyce was so happy to see her that she hugged her for at least an hour until Giles finally pulled her off.  They had sat down and talked about things and to some extent mended the fences. 

They offered to help her get an apartment in Hollywood but only if she cleaned her act up which basically meant; stop doing drugs and get a job.  Buffy thought no problem that’s what I wanted to do anyway, so she quit doing drugs and she quit smoking. 

Getting a job wasn’t such a difficult thing either and as it turned out very profitable. 

She hadn’t known it but her brother Xander became a deputy in the sheriff’s department.  That had made her laugh she couldn’t believe that goofy Xander had become a cop. 

He came to her mom’s house one night and they spent hours catching up with each other.  He questioned her about her relationship with Parker but she didn’t answer him, she just wanted to forget about it.  Thankfully he didn’t pressure her on it.  

When he asked her what she was going to do she didn’t have to think for one minute what her answer was.  She had always wanted to own her own bar. And now that she was free to do what she wanted, she decided to take the first step toward that dream and go to Bartending School.

It was on her first day at school that she met Faith Culligan.  Faith having spotted Buffy’s tattoo on her lower back, recognized it as a symbol of the Brotherhood and started a conversation wit her.  It turns out that Faith was a member of the Cleveland chapter and had the identical tattoo.

Once they knew that they instantly considered each other sisters.  They felt comfortable with each other and talked openly and candidly about their troubled pasts. 

Buffy was even able to tell her about Parker. She knew that Faith would understand because she had been in a similar relationship back in Cleveland.  They were both young when they joined the club and each had become jaded in their outlooks on life and love.  They were two hard cynical women and they were only twenty-seven. They had become so cynical that they questioned if love even existed. 

They quickly became friends and did everything together.  They even took Samba lessons because Faith thought it would be a great way to meet guys and Buffy, after seeing a couple dancing the samba, found it extremely erotic and had agreed immediately.

After they both graduated from school, they got their first bartending gigs together.  Faith’s sister Cordelia was engaged to Frances O’Doyle, or Doyle to his friends, who owned the Whiskey-A-Go-Go, a bar on the Strip. 

Even though he wasn’t too sure about hiring them, Doyle wanted nothing more than to please his fiancé so he gave both girls a job tending bar two nights a week.  And he never regretted it, because the first night that Buffy and Faith were behind the bar, was the busiest night he had in months.  So he hired them on full time and gave them both raises.

Buffy loved working at the Whiskey where it was always bustling with activity and she loved to meet new people. One night she met someone that took her life down another path.   Willow Rosenberg wasn’t hard to miss because she looked really out of place sitting at a bar and drinking a Shirley Temple. Not to mention the fact that she was dressed like a Sunday school teacher.  For some reason she touched Buffy’s heart with her forlorn manner.  So she decided to keep an eye out for her.

And it was a good thing she did too.  Because a guy who had been trying to pick her up followed her to the bathroom, so Buffy followed too having a bad feeling.

When she got to the bathroom the asshole had Willow pinned up against the wall trying to cop a feel.  Willow was trying to get away but the guy wouldn’t let her go so Buffy stepped in and proceeded to teach the guy exactly what no meant. 

Willow was so thankful that she explained to Buffy that she worked for a modeling agency and that her job was to recruit new models for Auto magazines like Hot Rod. She said Buffy would be perfect for that type of work so she offered her a job.

Buffy didn’t take long to consider Willow’s offer she figured the more money in her pocket the closer she was to her dream. So she accepted Willow’s offer and the next day she was at her first photo shoot.

The executives liked the picture so much that they put it on the front cover of the next issue of Hot Rod Magazine, and that was all it took. The modeling took off like lightening and soon Buffy was the most famous auto/bike model in the states.

Her picture was everywhere, in magazines, in calendars, on buildings.  She would travel to car shows and events where she would pose with drivers and sign autographs. She was making good money doing it and she enjoyed the freedom it gave her.  

Her biggest break came two days ago when she was offered to do a lay out for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.  She was real excited about it because hello it was the swimsuit edition!  Of’ course the real kicker was the money that the job would pay.  Doing this gig she would finally have enough money to open her own bar.  She would have to go to Hawaii for a few weeks but hey she could do Hawaii.

The only obstacle was telling Doyle that she wouldn’t be working for a while. She didn’t think he was going to take that very well, because since she became semi-famous from modeling bartending became more profitable for both of them.

Every night the bar was packed with lustful men who came to the Whiskey to see Buffy.  They would give her big tips trying to lure her to go home with them.  Of course most of the time she didn’t but they would stay and get drunk still trying to persuade her.

Only sometimes did she actually go home with someone.  But she always left right away.  She never slept over and she rarely ever saw the same guy twice.  She liked her freedom and she wouldn’t go back to being a bird in a cage. 

She knew that she had become selfish since Parker but she believed that if she didn’t watch out for herself, no one else would. 

Her biggest confusion though was that she couldn’t for the life of her figure out what was so great about this thing called ‘Love’.

Buffy snorted into the night ‘Love’ was a crock a shit, fairy tales told to little children to put them to sleep at night.  It wasn’t real!  Her dad claimed to love her and he left her.  Her mom claimed that too but she also left.  Then there was Parker who did nothing but claim his undying love to her over and over again, while ripping her soul to shreds.

No she was convinced that there was no such thing as love and if there was it wasn’t for her. She was determined that she would never again lose herself in someone. She would never again become that attached to someone; she would just love them and leave them.  Besides she felt so cold inside she didn’t think that she could feel love even if it smacked her in the face. 

She opened her eyes and looked out at the landscape of the city.  The feeling that spread through her when she was here was unlike any other place she had ever been.  It was peaceful, it was a feeling that screamed freedom and she cherished every moment of it. 

Her cell phone rang and vibrated in her pocket.  She took it out and looked at the number, Faith.  She sighed, “Oh well reflection time is over.”

She clicked the phone open “Yeah I’m on my way.”  “Hurry up Doyle’s having a seizure.”  “Alright I’m on it.”  She clicked the phone off took one last look at the skyline and walked back to her car.

*******

The throaty roar of an engine could be heard for miles echoing off the walls of the buildings on the Sunset Strip.  Buffy turned the radio up and looked at her watch, 9:15PM, she was running late.  She stepped into the gas and sped up, the engine coming to live with every inch she pressed on the pedal.

She pulled into the back alley of the Whiskey-A-Go-Go and parked.  She sat there for a moment just listening to the sounds that surrounded her.  The music seeped through the walls of the Whiskey and filled her ears. She smiled The Bloodsuckers were playing tonight she liked them. 

She got out of her car and locked the door and made her way to the back entrance.  The second she opened the door she was hit with the smell of booze, sweat and cigarettes, her favorite smells.  She looked up towards the stage and saw the band jamming out then made her way to the bar.

“Finally made it eh twinkle toes.”  Buffy looked at Faith and smacked her on the arm “I told you I was on my way.”  Faith laughed, “You sure did. Glad to see you made it cause its like a mob in here tonight!”

Buffy looked out over the bar and had to agree with Faith it was pretty crowded already for a Friday night. She assumed that was because the Bloodsuckers were playing because they always drew a big crowd.

She put her jacket and bag under the bar and got to work “What can I get ya sweetie?”

Chapter Two

Love’s Bitch

Across town…

“That’s a wrap everyone thank you.”  Stuntman Angelus O’Rourke got up from the matt he was laying on.  Stretching his long muscular legs he walked over to the buffet table and grabbed a coffee. His long lean fingers pushed their way through his unruly hair as his eyes scanned the set, taking note of everyone in it and what they were doing. 

People were scattering around collecting the day’s work and trying to get out of here so they can go home to their families.  He looked down at his watch, 9PM.  He didn’t realize it was so late he tended to lose track of time when he was working. 

He actually didn’t give a shit what time it was, he had nowhere to be, no one to rush home to.  There were no loving arms waiting for him to ask how his day went.  No that little birdie flew out the window six months ago.

What the hell was he going to do now?  Go home and broad he guessed.  That seemed to be the only thing he did do anymore, except when he was working.  He tried to fill up his days and nights with working on whatever project they threw his way.  No matter how long or dangerous it was he didn’t care.  Anything that took his mind off of the suckiness that his life had become he would do.

Walking back to his trailer he tried to once again figure out what he did wrong?  Was it something he said or didn’t say? Did he not pay enough attention to her? He just couldn’t figure it out.  Maybe it was the long business trips with no explanation of where he was going that drove her to it.  He didn’t know, to him everything was going great then it all went to shit.

He was at a wrap up party for a movie he had just completed when he met her.  She was across the room wearing a purple low cut dress.  Her short blond hair was curled all around her heart shaped face and Angel fell in love.  At least that’s what he thought at the time.

Darla MacKinnon was her name and she was an aspiring actress who had a small role in the film they just finished shooting.  They started talking and as time went by dating. 

His buddy Spike had known Darla previously and had tried to steer him away from her saying that she was nothing but a money hungry whore.  But Angel wouldn’t listen and after a six-month courtship he asked her to marry him.

Angel was in his glory.  He was happily married to Darla, his career was better then he thought it ever could be and he didn’t think anything better could happen to him. 

Until Darla told him the news, she was pregnant.  Angel was overjoyed and thought how perfect could life be?  Yeah that’s what he thought.  But all good things must come to an end and his bubble of happiness imploded one year after Connor was born. 

He had just arrived home from a weeklong business trip when he opened the front door and heard his wife’s screams of pleasure.  He had stood in the hallway for a moment confused, wondering whether or not he was hearing things.

He slowly walked up the stairs toward their bedroom where the screams were getting louder.  He heard a man moaning and then Darla’s scream, “Yes fuck me!”  He was definitely not hearing things.

He pushed the door open and there on her hands and knees was Darla, and behind her with his dick in her ass was Riley Finn.

Riley was also a stuntman though they had never actually met or exchanged a single word but that didn’t stop Riley from hating Angel with a passion.  When he had met Darla that night at a club and found out that she was married to Angel, he saw her as his opportunity to get back at him.

Angel had stormed over to Riley and hit him with a left cross that sent Riley flying across the room.  Darla was screaming at him about what an asshole he was and that the baby wasn’t even his.  The rage he felt at hearing those words was something he had never felt before.  The fucking bitch had been cheating on him the whole time! He couldn’t control his actions as he walked up to her and slapped her across the face so hard that she landed next to Finn on the floor. 

He then walked out of the room and never looked back.  He had filed for divorce the next day and besides the legal bullshit he made a point to never talk to Darla again.

That was six months ago he thought as he sat in his trailer drinking his coffee.  Six months and he still felt as shitty about it now as he did then.  Still felt the same rage and hatred for them today as he did then. 

It seemed like nothing would make it go away.  No matter how many nameless women he fucked, no matter how many drinking binges he went on the taste of betrayal always lingered in his soul.

But what really pissed him off the most was that he actually felt sorry for himself.  Somewhere in the back of his mind he thought that he must have done something to make her turn to other men. 

It was right after they got married that things started to change and he was never able to figure out why?  Did he not please her in bed?  He shook is head no.  He was very proficient in bed many of his lovers had told him that he was the best they ever had.  So he had skills.  Or maybe it was the fact that his cock was huge and had earned the nickname The Beast.

Whatever it was that caused her to stray, he concluded that he probably never was in love with her to begin with. It was just a strong physical attraction.  And why not she’s a beautiful woman or maybe he should say ‘was’ because now when he looks at her she looks more like a demon straight out of hell, like medusa!

But love, definitely not, at least he hopes that’s not what love is supposed to feel like because if it was then he could honestly say that he would never be loves bitch again.

So after much contemplation he decided that he would just play the field and enjoy the company of as many beautiful women as was physically possible.

“Ow Peaches brooding again over that slut ex-wife of yours?”  Spike said as he walked in and over to the fridge.  He grabbed a beer popped it open and sat down next to Angel.

“I’m not brooding I’m searching.” 

Spike just looked at him “Searching for what?” 

Angel sighed “Answers.” 

Spike had seen this everyday for the past six months and quite honestly it was driving him up a freaking wall.

“There are no answers, the bitch was a whore and that’s that. I tried to tell you but you weren’t thinking with your head that day. You were too busy thinking with your other head.”  He points to his crotch.

Angel scowled he hated this conversation with Spike.  And it always came back to the ‘I told you so’ comment.

“Will you stop saying that I wasn’t thinking with my dick I was thinking perfectly clear that day.”  He tried to make it sound sincere but for some reason it came out whiney.

“Bullshit Angelus you and I both know that if you would have stayed at Eve’s that night you would have gotten your brains fucked out of your head and that monster in there…” pointing to Angels’ crotch “would have been so spent that you wouldn’t even have looked at her.”

“Maybe” he sullenly said. 

He was right, Angel though grudgingly.   Before he went to the party where he met Darla he was at Eve’s house.  Eve was a secretary at the film studio he worked for and they had slept together a few times.  She had invited him over after filming that day. He was tired but he went anyway thinking that they could just hang out and talk.  But when he got there, Lilah, Eve’s sister answered the door in nothing but her birthday suit and said that they wanted to take him on together. 

Any other day he would have been pleased to oblige but he was so tired from the shoot that not even the sight of a naked Lilah had turned The Beast on, so he left.  On his way home he stopped in at the wrap up party to talk to his agent and that was the beginning of the end.

He leans his head back against the chair and stares at his favorite spot on the wall; his Hot Rod Calendar. Well it’s not really the hot rod calendar itself but rather the gorgeous sexy creature that inhabits every page; Buffy Summers.

Look at her, Angel thought, could there be any other creature on this planet that is as sexy and gorgeous as she is?  He didn’t think so. 

There she was leaning back against the hood of a black 1970 Plymouth Cuda.  She was wearing a black string bikini with six inch black stilettos, and her long blonde hair was flowing down her back and on to the hood of the car. 

Her body language and the sexy little smile on her face just oozed sensuality. And the fact that it was her car she was wantonly splayed across was even more of a turn on!

She was his light at the end of the tunnel, his savior so many times over the last six months and she doesn’t even know it.  Whenever he found himself brooding over that whore of an ex-wife, he would fantasize about Buffy Summers instead. Those images were much more pleasant than the ones where Finn’s dick is in Darla’s ass. Shit any image would be better than that, even Spike’s naked ass. 

He would stare at her for hours on end and think about all the mouth-watering ways that he would ravish her beautiful body.  If he closed his eyes he could imagine everything about her, from the sound of her voice to the feel of her soft skin.  He had it so bad that that no matter how many nameless women he slept with, it was always her face that he thought of, her body that he imagined he was making love to. 

Then there were the dreams.  He couldn’t count how many nights he would wake up from his latest erotic dream that involved her. With sweat covering his body and The Beast ready for action, he would have no recourse expect that of getting himself off.

Ironically he had Darla to thank for bringing Buffy into his life.  It was Darla that bought the calendar for him a few months before the Finn episode.  She had given it to him as a gag gift for his birthday. Little did she know that after she gave it to him his head was always filled with images of the beauty in the calendar.

Darla would have had a hissy-fit if she ever knew how many times he had dreamt that it was Buffy he was making love to and not her.  Maybe he should tell her next time he sees her just to piss her off. 

Yes Angel thought he was pretty pathetic, obsessed with a woman who didn’t even know he existed. He knew that if he ever did get a hold of her, he would never let her go no matter what.  For her he would be love’s bitch!

Spike sat there watching the play of emotions on Angel’s face and knew the moment that he stopped brooding about Darla. He got this intense look of yearning on his face that Spike never sees except when he stares at that wall.

He followed Angel’s line of vision and smirked.  Of course that’s what he’s looking at, seems like that’s the only thing that gets him out of brood mode.  Well, Spike thought, do I have a surprise for you my friend!

“You know you need to get out have a couple of drinks, meet a chick, relax, oh and GET LAID!” Spike yelled in Angel’s face. 

Angel just rolled his eyes they had this conversation millions of times.  “I’ve done nothing but get laid lately.”

“Yeah right with whatever skank you could pick up, I keep telling you man you can’t feed The Beast trash every night.  He needs something more…substantial.”

“And you know what my dick needs how, exactly?”

“Well I don’t really, but I can tell you that Junior here’s been happy as a pig in shit since the delectable Faith came into our lives.”

Angel had heard plenty from Spike about Faith, a bartender that he met at the Whiskey where his band plays. She had single handily reformed Spike from a different-girl-every-night kind of guy to a pussy whipped asshole who constantly berated Angel for his promiscuous ways. Doing nothing but preaching about love and the joys of being a taken man, it was making Angel sick.

“Look my bands playing tonight down at the Whiskey you should meet me there.  Hang out have a few drinks you never know maybe you’ll meet someone who’s more than just your average lay, someone that you might enjoy talking to for a change.  Hey she might even let you take her home and have your way with her.”  He wiggled his eyebrows.

Maybe Spike was right maybe he should consider looking for more than just a romp for the night.  Lots of people had good healthy relationships. There had to be plenty of nice girls out there that wouldn’t betray him like Darla did; he just had to keep an open mind.

He took one last look at his Goddess on the wall, if only it could be her, he thought. 

“Alright what time should I meet you?”

 Chapter Three

Finding the Reason

It was one o’clock in the morning when Angel finally arrived at The Whiskey-A-Go-Go.  There was a mass of people crowded outside the door trying to get in. And if the music filling the streets was any indication, the place was rocking. 

Angel sat in his car drumming his fingers on the steering wheel and arguing with himself.  What the hell was he doing here?  Was he really ready to look for that substantial someone that Spike had mentioned?  He wasn’t too sure about that but he did promise Spike that he would show and god knows he didn’t want to hear him bitch at him for not showing up.  With his mind made up, he got out of the car slammed the door and walked up to the door.

The bouncer at the door looked like Mr. Universe, big and lots of hard muscles. Angel thought with a flick of his wrist he could probably toss me like a hackie-sack. 

“Angel O’Rourke?” Mr. Muscles asked.  “Yeah that’s me.” 

The bouncer opened the gate that kept the less desirables out. “Welcome to the Whisky-A-Go-Go.  Come on in Spike’s on stage playing right now but he said you should wait for him at the bar.”  Angel nodded and went inside.

The second he opened the door he was bombarded with the sounds of The Bloodsuckers playing AC/DC’s, The Jack and the crowd roaring their approval.  He waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness then moved a little bit further inside and looked up towards the stage.

There was Spike jamming away on his guitar his leather duster swinging with every jerky motion he took.  His body swaying with the cords he was playing, his fingers sliding up and down the neck of his Stratocaster.  It almost looked like he was making love to it, knowing that pecker he probably was.

He looked over to the left of the room and spotted the bar and the mass of people that he would have to go through to get there. He cursed himself for letting Spike talk him into coming here.  He was not much for crowds and the thought of plowing through a sea of people just for a drink, was not his idea of a good time.  Still his feet started the long trek and when he finally got there he leaned against the counter and waited for the bartender to notice him.

“Hey there honey what’s your pleasure?” a raspy voice asked. He looked up and into the brown eyes of the cutest bartender he’d ever seen.  “Whiskey”  “you got it big guy.”  She took the bottle of Jacks out slammed a shot glass down in front of him and poured him his salvation. 

Angel quickly picked it up, swallowed it down and slammed the glass back down on the bar “hit me again.”  The brunette looked at him and poured him another “rough night honey?”  “Rough life” he answered.  “I hear that” she said.

“Faith darlin’ you know I don’t like it when you keep me waiting?” an annoying voice said from the other end of the bar.  Faith looked at the guy then turned to Angel “why is it that the assholes always come back?” then she turned away to help said asshole.  Angel chuckled, she had spunk he liked her, maybe he could get her number.

The last note played out over the speakers “That’s it for tonight every one, thanks but it doesn’t mean you have to leave because our two beautiful bar keeps are still making with the booze so stay and keep on partying!” 

Two beautiful bar keeps?  Angel looked back over his shoulder and only saw the brunette working the bar.  He turned back around just in time to see Spike weaving through the crowd.

Spike came up to him and slapped him on the back “Great you made it!”

“Yeah I made it but I’m not staying for long.”  “Yeah, yeah I’ve heard that one before.”

Spike sat down next to Angel “So you got a drink, been checking out the sights, seen anyone interesting yet?” 

Angel rolled his eyes “Yes I’ve had a drink two in fact and no I’ve not been checking out the sights unless that means you acting like a sex starved man on stage.”

Spike laughed “sex starved?  Me?  I don’t think so buddy, far from it in fact.”  Angel laughed with him.

Spike slammed his hand down on the bar “Bar keep another drink for me and my buddy!”

Faith slowly turned around and walked over to them with a sly smile on her face.  She motioned to Spike and said to Angel “you friends with this degenerate?”  Angel laughed “yeah unfortunately.”

“Friends…not just friends luv, best friends, best buds, in fact I think I’m his only friend. Faith I want you to meet Angelus O’Rourke the best stuntman in the business.”

Faith held out her hand and Angel accepted it “Ah the infamous Angel, we met at least.”  Infamous, just what the hell has Spike been telling her.

“Bring us another round would ya sweets and bring those gorgeous lips over here.”  Faith smiled and moved up to Spike to kiss him. 

She poured all three of them another shot “to a night filled with pleasure” she said and they all drank it down.

When Faith had first seen Angel walk up to the bar her mouth almost fell to the floor.  Here was one fine specimen of man and she thought that she was going to have a hard time not coming onto him. 

But when Spike introduced them and she realized who he was she was so happy, she felt like a kid in a candy store.  And the funniest thing was that the happiness she felt wasn’t even for her but for Buffy.

Faith looked up at the clock, 2AM, what the hell was taking Buffy so long.  Doyle had sent her down to the basement to find some old bottles of scotch and she had been down there for an hour already.  She hoped that Spike could keep his yapping up long enough to keep Angel from leaving.

Angel was just thinking that it was probably time to go, he had enough of listening to Spike ramble on about Faith “I’m telling you man she can doing things with that body I ain’t never seen before it’s amazing!  She…”

He drank down his last shot and was just about to get up and go when out of the corner of his eyes he saw something that he only saw in his dreams. 

He couldn’t believe it!  There before him was his obsession, the woman who had filled his head for the past six months.  The woman who played the leading role in every erotic dream he had since then, and she was as beautiful in person as she was on the glossy pages of his beloved calendar.

She was coming up from the basement her long blond hair swung back and forth tickling the silky skin that was not clothed.  On her beautiful face she wore little makeup but it didn’t make her look plain it only increased her natural beauty.  She wore a tight black leather corset and a short denim skirt that sat low on her hips and inched closer to her secret place with every step she took.  On her feet were a pair of black leather high-heeled boots that went up over her knees and all Angel could do was stare at her hungrily, following every movement of her body with his eyes. 

He was pretty sure that drool was slowly coming out of the corners of his mouth and forming a puddle at his feet.  But he couldn’t take his eyes off of her.  The Beast jumped to attention the second he saw her and he didn’t show any signs of going away.

Buffy was making her way up from the basement when she suddenly felt like she was being stripped naked.  Not an uncommon feeling in this place, but for once it didn’t make her shutter in revulsion.  Instead it started a warming in her belly that slowly spread throughout her entire body. 

She dropped her heavy load on the counter and turned around seeking out the source of that heat.  And looked straight into the most lust filled deep chocolate eyes she had ever seen. 

Her heart was pounding in her chest and her breathing became erratic as she stood there staring right back in to those hungry eyes, a slow sexy smile spilled from her ruby red lips.

Now here was a man that was all man.  She let her eyes travel over his fit form and she wondered what it would feel like to run her hands up and down that gorgeous body and lick every inch on her way up.

She didn’t seem to notice that her brain flew right out the window the second she saw him because if she had she would have heard the warning signals going off in her head. Instead she saw nothing but him, heard nothing but the pounding of her heart, felt nothing but the hardening of her nipples and the dampness growing in her thong.   Her only thought was that he would be hers for the night.

She ran her hands down the sides of her body and watched as his eyes followed their path. She slowly walked towards him completely unaware that he sat next to Spike and that both Spike and Faith were looking at her with the stupidest grins on their faces. 

Angel watched her, saw the darkening in her big green eyes.  He watched her hands roam down her tight body, jealous that they were taking the path that his hands itched to travel.  He watched as her lips formed a small sexy smile just for him.  He continued to watch her as she started to walk over to him.

She was about an arm’s length away when that asshole from the other end of the bar put his hands on her arm to stop her.  Angel immediately tensed and he was ready to jump up and rip those slimy hands off her arms.  He then looked back up to her face he saw how her eyes became slits of ice. She gave him a smile that said ‘I’ll be right there’ and then turned to look at the asshole that touched her.

Meanwhile Spike watched the whole thing play out like his favorite soap and he loved every minute of it.  He knew how much Angel wanted Buffy; hell she was the whole reason for getting him to come down here to begin with. 

Spike had watched Angel for six months drowning in his bullshit sorrows over that whore Darla.  He had watched him staring at that calendar for months with lust and possessiveness in his eyes.  He knew that Angel already thought of Buffy as his and that he was going to have a very hard time controlling that legendary temper of his, which boiled to the surface the second Lindsay touched her. 

Spike knew that Buffy wouldn’t stand for any of that jealous crap but she also wouldn’t be able to resist the lure that is Angel (women never seem to be able to). 

So he leaned back in his chair grabbed his beer and waited for the fireworks, this was going to be better than an episode of Passions.

Buffy stopped walking when she felt a clammy hand on her arm.  It was like getting drenched with a fire extinguisher and it pissed her off.  Her eyes turned cold and narrowed to slits as she looked at her future lover and gave him a smile that said “soon”. 

She turned her gaze to the hand on her arm and looked up into a pair of cool blue eyes. “Lindsay” she drawled out sounding bored. She removed his hand from her arm “what can I get you?”

Lindsay had been coming here for months always with the intention of nailing Buffy Summers.  She had been the object of his fantasies since the first time he saw her writhing to the music on the dance floor.  He had come here every Saturday and Friday night trying everything in his repertoire to get in her pants, but she always blew him off.  Well he was nothing if not persistent.  “You know what I want darlin!” 

Buffy rolled her eyes grabbed a beer and slammed it down in front of him.  She slowly leaned forward until their noses were almost touching, giving him a nice view of cleavage. Then she moved closer to his ear and whispered “Linds, you know what I want?” she seductively asked. 

Angel was watching this from down the bar, his hands clenching into the wood of the counter, his eyes black with rage and his body tense just itching for a fight.

Spike sat drinking his beer and enjoying the display of Angel’s rage and Buffy’s play.

Faith looked at everyone and shook her head not believing what she was seeing.  But she moved closer to Buffy and Lindsay so she could hear what they were saying.

Lindsay swallowed hard, could this finally be his night? Have his months of persistence finally paid off?  He whispered back “what, tell me, I’ll give you anything you want.”  He desperately said.

Buffy just giggled, guys were so easy. She slid her hand in his hair turned his head toward Angel, pointed at him and said “Him.”

From behind Buffy, came the sound of Faith’s uncontrolled laughter, “Holy shit B you are ruthless!”

Lindsay sat looking confused until what Buffy said started to sink in.  Then his eyes turned cold and he looked down the bar at the bastard who she was pointing at.

Angel couldn’t hear what was being said he only saw Buffy flirting with some guy that wasn’t him.  He watched as she ran her fingers through his hair and whispered words in his ear, and he saw red.  He was ready to jump on the prick when he heard Faith laughing. Through the red haze covering his eyes he saw Buffy smiling sweetly while pointing at him and the hard eyes of Lindsay.

Spike didn’t hear the conversation either but he had an idea of what she said when he heard Faith start to laugh and saw Buffy pointing to Angel.  He looked over at Angel and saw him ready to clobber Lindsay so he laid his hand on his shoulder to stop him.

Angel looked over at Spike ready to kill him.  Not only was he restraining him but he also neglected to tell him that he knew Buffy when he knew what she meant to him.   “Hold on their mate, don’t rush into something you might regret.” 

Buffy looked back at Lindsay saw his expression and laughed “Really Linds how many times do I have to tell you, you and I…” she motioned with her hands between them “will never be, give it a rest.”  With that said she walked away from him and towards Mr. Salty Goodness.

Lindsay bored holes in her back as she walked away from him.  “Nice try Linds but I guess you’ll never learn.”  Faith said then followed behind Buffy because she didn’t want to miss a second of this.

Buffy walked up to Angel and couldn’t believe how incredibly hot he was.  “Hey” was all she said and Angel stopped breathing.  “Hey” was his only response as they stood there staring into each other’s eyes.

The silence stretched on as they continued to gaze into each other’s eyes.  Faith leaned into Spike grabbed his beer and took a swig. “Do you think they’ll say more?  The suspense is killing me.”  Spike chuckled “It does seem to be getting a little warm in here, eh?”

Buffy heard them and laughed, “Maybe it’s the steam that’s coming off of Lindsay.”  They all laughed except Angel who still had no idea what transpired with Lindsay.

He held out his hand “I’m Angel” Buffy looked at the hand he offered and reached out to grab it “Angel, pretty name.  I’m Buffy.”  The second their hands touched fire spread through both of them like they had been hit with a bolt of lightning. 

Buffy unconsciously swayed closer as Angel lightly raked his nails over her palm.  She could have sworn she heard him purring and the sound of it turned her into a puddle of mush.

“So you work with Spike?”  She breathlessly asked.  “Yeah we’ve been friends for a long time.”  He answered still holding her hand and moving his fingers lazily on her palm. 

“Actually, I know who you are I’m a big fan.”  “A fan ah?  So you’re into cars?”  Spike snickered.  Angel glared at him.  “Yeah I dabble in my spare time.”  Spike laughed. Angel glared again.

“In his spare time! What a riot!  Luv your picture is his favorite spot on the wall.”  Buffy looked at Angel who now looked a little embarrassed.

“So, what do you dabble in?” she asked.  Angel looked like he wanted to answer by saying you, but instead he said “Mopars.”

Buffy smiled her favorite “Really?”

“Yeah the blokes got a 1970 Plymouth Hemi Roadrunner he keeps hidden in his garage.”  Spike answered for Angel. 

Buffy’s eyebrows went up a notch “A Hemi, for real?” “Yeah, he only takes it out on weekends.” 

She looked back at Angel, “Is it a pistol grip?”  He nodded. “Do you have it here?” Buffy asked excitedly.

Angel, wishing he did have it here, hated to disappoint her “No its home.” 

Buffy clucked her tongue “That’s a shame I would’ve loved to take it for a ride. Nothing like the feeling of a Hemi under the hood and a stick in your hand.” 

She brushed her hair away from her face and moved closer “I’ve got a Cuda outside. It’s not a Hemi but it does have a 440 with a pistol grip and boy does she love to be ridden hard!” she finished that sentence by licking her lips and staring deep into his eyes.

Angel gulped and shifted in his seat.  Spike’s mouth dropped open and Faith just stood there smiling, she knew what was coming next.

“Buffy I need another drink” someone called out.  She turned her head “ok just a sec.’”

She leaned in closer to Angel and grazed her fingernail over his check “If you’re a good boy maybe later I’ll let you take her for a long hard ride” then she sashayed away leaving Angel hard as a rock.

********

As the night wore on Angel watched Buffy work, she was good at what she did. The patrons loved her and she flirted shamelessly with the men.  But she wasn’t alone Faith was right by her side the all time flaunting her wares as well.

Spike and Angel talked quietly among themselves stopping every once in awhile to scowl at some jerk who tried to schmooze in on their women.

“Why didn’t you tell me you knew Buffy Summers?”  Angel asked. 

“You never asked mate!” 

Angel thumped him on the head.  “Does she work here every night?” 

Spike nodded “Mostly for the past two years.  You know Doyle and Cordelia right?”  Angel nodded “Well Faith is Cordelia’s lil’ sis and when her and Buffy got out of bartending school he hired’em right away.  That Doyle he knows a good thing when he sees it.”  Angel just nodded again and turned to look at Buffy.

Buffy feeling those hot eyes on her looked at him and gave him one of her sexiest smiles.

“So B, what’ch think of Angel?”  Faith asked even though she already knew the answer.  

“Mmmmm…well I’m thinking lots and lots of hot monkey sex!”  Faith laughed out loud “Well it looks like we’re in for an entertaining evening!”

Chapter Four

Passions Ignite

The low hum of the radio played over the speakers as the patrons started to leave the Whiskey.  Buffy and Angel were sitting next to each other talking quietly.  “So how did you get to be so knowledgeable about cars?”  He asked her.

“When I was young most of my friends were either auto or motorcycle mechanics and I pretty much hung out with them and picked stuff up here and there.”  She laughed and it was music to Angel’s ears “Actually they kind of drilled it into me.”

“Your Cuda is cherry you must’ve paid a fortune for it.”

“Actually I paid shit for it.  It was a basket case in my buddy’s yard and I bought it from him for $1000 bucks then restored it.”  She took a swig of beer while Angel looked at her in surprise.

“You mean your friends restored it for you?”  Surely that had to be the right answer.

“No I mean I restored it myself.  Well some friends helped me out here and there, you know body work and stuff, but I pretty much did it myself.”

Angel was awed he knew how much hard work, time and money it took to restore a classic car and for her to do it alone was very impressive.

“Wow I’m speechless!  I mean no offense but you’re a girl.”  OK that sounded stupid why couldn’t he just keep his mouth shut instead of insulting her.

But Buffy just laughed and put her hand on his thigh and squeezed “It’s ok you’re not insulting me I’ve heard it all before.”

Angel just couldn’t believe that he was sitting here at the Whiskey at three o’clock in the morning talking to her.  She was everything he had always dreamed she would be and he couldn’t help but envision how the night would end.

Buffy was thinking the same thing of Angel.  She was totally hot for him and the more she talked to him the more she saw that he was really a decent guy. Plus it didn’t hurt that they had a lot of the same interests.

Faith and Spike sat at the opposite end of the bar quietly conspiring together.  Spike nodded to the door and Faith grabbed her coat and Spike’s hand.  “B I’m splitting I’ll see ya tomorrow!”  “Ya ah.” Buffy answered.  Faith rolled her eyes.

“Peaches I’ll catch you later” Spike called over his shoulder a smirk playing on his handsome face.  Angel’s only reply was a shake of his head.

“I told you those two would hit it off!” Spike said proudly as he walked out of the Whiskey with his arm around Faith.

As the doors closed behind them, Buffy slowly got off the stool she was sitting in and stepped up in between Angel’s legs laying her hands on his thighs “Dance with me?” she asked with a smile on her face.  Angel spellbound by her beauty didn’t stop to think that he couldn’t dance instead he just shook his head yes. 

He couldn’t believe this was happening.  His every fantasy for the past eight months was right in front of him and she wanted to dance.  Wait did she say? Dance?

“Ah Buffy…” he stammered out. “Yeah?”  Buffy said as she made her way to the radio.  He was embarrassed to admit it especially to her but he figured it was better to tell her now before he cripples her.  “Ah, ahem…I can’t dance.”

Buffy looked at him “oh…” then she seductively smiled at him “Well that’s ok I’ll dance and you can watch.”  She then turned toward the radio fiddling with the dial looking for just the right song.

Angel stood stone still unable to believe his ears.  She’ll dance and I get too watch?  This night couldn’t get any better.

Finally coming over the speakers was the smooth sound of Santana “Oh, Samba Pa Ti…I love this song!”  She remembered when she first started taking her samba lessons that this was one of her favorite songs. 

She turned the volume up and the sultry guitar notes started to play.  The rhythm was smooth and Buffy closed her eyes and let the music take hold of her body. 

She slowly started moving her hips swinging them back and forth in a rhythm as old as time.  She leaned her head back and slowly moved her arms up and then slowly brought them down caressing her hair and face, all the while her backside was to Angel who was watching every move she made like a predator getting ready for the kill.

She backed away from the radio and moved toward the center of the room and slowly turned around to face him.  As the pace quickened her body flowed with it.  Her hands trailed down her body to her legs and then slowly she moved them back up.  She stopped at her skirt and grabbed the hem and slowly waved it back and forth inching it higher teasing him with a glimpse of the tops of her thighs.  She dropped her skirt and glided her hands over her stomach moving them side-to-side. Her hands then traveled up to her breasts, stroking and squeezing them, pushing them up and out of her corset in the process.

She lifted her head and opened her eyes to see Angel right in front of her eyes black with passion.  He lifted his hands and set them on her waist pulling her flush against him all the while keeping pace with the song.  They moved together to the music, legs brushing legs, skin on skin, no words were spoken only the sound of the music and their mingled breath could be heard.

Her teasing was too much for Angel.  He roughly grabbed her by the back of the head and lowered his mouth on to hers.  She opened for him and their tongues began a duel of dominance neither one wanting to give into the other.

They moved backwards until the back of her knees hit the stage and she fell hard her back landing with a thud on the stage.  She didn’t feel the pain only the wonderful feeling of his hard body landing on top of hers. 

His lips descended on her neck licking and sucking every inch of her skin.  She was moaning almost as loudly as the music was playing. Her fingers that had found their way under his shirt were digging into his naked back, pressing his body closer into hers.

He lifted his head for a moment to take his shirt off and she took the opportunity to rip hers off.  He raised his eyebrows at her actions but didn’t complain because now she was bare before.  The most beautiful pair of breasts he had ever seen, breasts that he’d been dreaming about forever. 

He lowered his head and latched onto a nipple sucking it hard.  His hand traveled under skirt squeezing her strong legs then moved higher still until he reached the apex of her thighs.  Her thong was soaking wet and he moaned into her breast while she pulled his pants and boxers down with one quick jerk.  And finally the Beast was free.

Buffy grabbed a hold of his cock and started to move her hand up and down his shaft, marveling at the size of him and wondering if you would rip her in two.

“Yes!” was his answer to that maneuver. Happy with the reaction she got she squeezed him harder and started to move faster, circling the head and spreading his pre cum down his shaft and onto his balls. 

He was lost in the feeling of her strong hold on his cock. Ripping her thong off he touched her sopping lips, wanting her to experience the same pleasure that he was.  His slicked fingers easily slid into her tight opening.  She bucked into him wanting more.  And he obliged by entered another finger, and then another.  All he felt was the heat from her panting breath in his ear and the pounding of her heart as she pushed back into his hand, wanting even more.

It was just too much for Angel who ripped her hand away from his dick and in one shot rammed into her to the hilt.  She was so small and tight, and he was pretty big so he stopped giving her time to adjust to his size.  But she felt so good, so hot and wet; he didn’t know if he could hold back for long. 

The minute he was inside her she gasped and a sigh escaped her lips.  She closed her eyes she had never felt anything as amazing as this.  He was so big and he filled her completely. Her body was on fire from pain or pleasure she didn’t know she only knew that the feelings were so intense that they rippled throughout her entire being.

She opened her eyes to look at him.  His eyes were squeezed shut, his brow was furrowed and sweat dripped down his check. He had this intense look of concentration on his handsome face.  She lifted her hand and caressed his forehead letting him know that she was ready, that she needed to feel the glorious friction that only he could give her.

At her touch on his face he opened his eyes and looked into the deep green eyes staring back into his.  He slowly started to move, pulling out and pushing back in, rotating his hips so that he hit her clit with every motion.

She was lost in the pleasure that he weaved around her, through her. She rocked her hips back into his, keeping in sync with the rhythm of his thrusts.  Their pace started to get faster more urgent as their combined moans of pleasure echoed off the walls of the deserted club.

Angel felt his balls tightening and knew he was about to cum.  He moved his hand down to her clit and pinched her swollen bud and Buffy exploded.  Her back arched and she pushed back into him pushing him further into her tight channel as she came.  Angel couldn’t hold back anymore and he shot his seed deep inside of her screaming her name.

Exhausted he dropped his sweaty head on her chest holding her tight against him while he tried to control the emotions that were running through him.

Buffy wasn’t faring any better after the stars receded, she took deep breaths trying to calm her racing heart that felt like it was going to burst out of her chest.  Her arms were wrapped around him and she cradled his head between her breasts playing with his hair.

Angel stirred and looked up at her, her face was flushed, she had a very satisfied smirk on her lips, and tiny droplets of sweat were rolling down her check.  He couldn’t resist he leaned in and licked it up savoring the taste of her.

The feeling of his tongue on her check licking the sweat off seemed so erotic, so personal, that it aroused her passions again.  She moaned and squeezed her inner muscles clamping down on his cock, which still lay inside her. 

He felt his cock respond to the pressure she was applying and felt himself starting to get hard again he moaned pulling out of her tight heat.  She whimpered at the loss but then was comforted by his hair tickling her inner thighs and his cool tongue lightly licking her outer lips.

Angel had wanted to taste her since he first saw her. He always wondered how she would taste and now he knew, vanilla and strawberries, it was the sweetest of juices. He started to ravish her, licking and sucking every delectable inch then he pushed his tongue inside and started to fuck her.

“Oh God…Angel!”  She was writhing on the stage and he held her hips steady as he continued his assault.  He showed no mercy his only goal was to give her pleasure and take his own.  She grabbed his head and pushed him further into her pussy. Shouting his name as a blinding light exploded behind her eyes as she came again, her body convulsing with the intense throbbing of her orgasm.

He stood up and before she could get her bearings he grabbed her by the hips stood her up and turned her around pressing her into the stage.  He took his cock and slipped it in between her legs rubbing it against her wet clit then he pushed forward and was once again inside of her welcoming body. 

He didn’t wait this time he started moving right away needing the friction needing to feel her everywhere.  He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her up and against his chest pulling on her nipples, panting in her ear.

Buffy was on the edge of a rim ready to explode once again “Oh God Angel I’m going to cum!”  “Yes baby cum for me.”  With one final thrust they came together screaming at the same time. 

Buffy leaned down on the stage resting her hot head on the cool floor trying to catch her breath.  Angel still inside of her couldn’t believe that he came that hard two times in a short period of a time.

He pulled out of her and flipped her so she was laying with her back on the stage.  He rested his body fully on top of hers feeling every vibration that rocked her body against his.

She shock violently in the aftermath of her orgasm, her body tingling with the most intense sensation she had ever felt. When she finally opened her eyes she was staring at the ceiling desperately trying to figure out what had just happened. 

Before in New York her only lover was Parker and the times that they had made love were ok but at the time she had nothing to compare it to.  Since she moved here she had had a few lovers and she always thought that they were pretty good lays, at least better then Parker ever was.  But now she didn’t know what to think because nothing had ever felt like this, no one had ever made her feel so complete, so on fire; no one had ever made the stars sparkle behind her eyes. 

Trying to sort out her emotions she hugged him tighter to her.  Angel with his eyes closed pressed further into her breasts breathing in their mingled scents of sweat and lovemaking.  He wasn’t sure where to go after this he just knew that he didn’t want to let her go tonight.

“Come home with me?”  He asked, kissing the side of her breast.  Buffy who never took her eyes of the spot in the ceiling that now seemed to fascinate her, didn’t know how to answer.

Since moving here her motto was always love them and leave them.  Break it off before any attachments were made both by her and her partner. It was safer that way, better for everyone. 

But for some reason, that she couldn’t quit put her finger on, she didn’t want to leave him and go home alone to an empty apartment.  She justified it by telling herself that it was just the incredible sex and how she never had it so good.  That’s what it was, she thought.  So it would be okay to go home with him.  Why not?  She could have a night of passion with this amazing man and then go home tomorrow morning.  No harm, right?  She could do that!

She lifted her head and ran it through his hair “Okay let me just go to the bathroom and get cleaned up.”  She went to get up but was stopped by his weight still pressing her in to the stage.  She giggled, “Angel you have to get off me” pushing on his shoulders to move him. 

Angel sighed he didn’t want to let her go even if it was just for a few minutes.  But reluctantly he got up took her hand and helped her up.  He stopped her before she could go any further by softly touching her face then he leaned in and kissed her ever so gently on the lips.

Buffy’s head started spinning again, the kiss so gentle compared to the brutality of their joining just minutes ago, nearly undoing her.  She smiled into his eyes, then grabbed her scattered clothes and made her way to the bathroom.

********

They had decided to leave Angel’s car at the Whiskey and took Buffy’s Cuda instead. Buffy true to her word let Angel drive while she groped at him from the passenger seat.

They arrived at Angel’s house entering the door kissing and fondling each other.  Buffy jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist as she kissed him hard, running her fingers through his hair.  Angel quickly divested her of the torn shirt she had hastily put on before they left the bar and pushed her skirt up as she worked to unzip his pants.

She finally freed The Beast and positioned him at her entrance.  She pushed down and smiled at the intense pleasure of him entering her.  She was so excited and wanted him so much that she couldn’t control herself.  Holding on to his shoulders for support, she lifted herself up and slammed back down on him so hard and fast that he lost his balance and fell backwards on to the floor.

“Umpf” they landed hard on the floor but Buffy didn’t stop she sat up astride him laid her hands on his chest and started a motion as old as time.  Angel watching the play of emotions on her face grabbed her hips and lifted her so just the head of his cock was inside of her.  Buffy wanting nothing more than to impale herself on him again started whimpering when he just held her there staring into her eyes.

She opened her eyes and looked at him pleading with him to let her move “Angel…please” He held her there for just another second before releasing her hips and she slammed down again so deep that she could feel his cock touching her womb.

“Aghh God Angel, so good, so fucking good!”  She was moaning her head rolling back and forth, her fingers digging into his chest drew blood and she kept her pace up riding him harder and faster. 

Angel watched mesmerized.  He held himself back because he wanted her to cum first before he did.  She was close he could feel it so he reached down and pinched her clit and she exploded.  Her head thrown back, nails digging even further into his chest, her back arched so tensely he thought she would snap.  “Annggggeelllll yes, yes, yes!

He grabbed her and rolled her over so she was underneath him and started to pound into her wet and welcoming heat.  “Harder Angel, more please more” he was like a crazed animal rutting away into his mate.  The force at which he slammed into her again, again was so powerful that he was surprised she didn’t break into two.  She was so slight of frame but she took it and loved every minute of it calling his name begging for more, harder, faster and not to stop.

God she felt so good so right. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as her legs clamped tighter around his waist and she squeezed her inner muscles.  It felt like she was going to rip his dick off.   It felt so perfect he came with a force that he had never experienced before. He shot his seed into her and his body convulsed his heart racing away.  He thought he was going to die – and if he was going to die, let it be in the arms of Buffy Summers.

********

After their romp on the hallway floor they had finally made it to the bedroom.  Angel brought up chocolate and peanut butter and Buffy’s favorite, Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream. They feed each other nibbling on each other’s lips and giggling like a bunch of idiots.

“What’s the tattoo on your back mean?”  Angel asked.  He had seen the intricate design that looked like a mix of a demon and letters and he wondered what it meant.

Buffy tensed when he asked and avoided his eyes “It’s nothing, just a tattoo.”  He knew she was lying.  He gently tugged on her chin to bring her eyes back to his.

“Buffy I know a tattoo like that isn’t just nothing.”  He knew it meant something and he wanted to know what.

Buffy looked at him and answered his question with her own “Well what does yours mean?”

He wasn’t expecting that, even though he knew to always be alert for anything “The Gryphon protects and the A is for my name.”

Leaning against him she asked in between licks of her ice cream “Is Angel your real name?”

Angel shook his head “No its Angelus but only my Uncle calls me that.” 

Buffy pressed herself further into his chest “Angelus mmm I like it…sounds… dangerous.”  She purred as her ice cream dripped onto his chest. She leaned down and licked it off then licked her way up to his nipple where she rolled it around her tongue.

“Vixen!”  He rolled her under him and made love to her again amongst the candy bar wrappers and ice cream that was now in the sheets and on their bodies.

It was just before he fell asleep that he realized she never answered his question.

********

It was 8AM when Buffy woke up.  She was on her side facing Angel, who was on his stomach facing her with his arm thrown around her waist.  She reached her hand out and lightly traced the tattoo that was on his shoulder.  She had never seen anything look so beautiful.  The Gryphon perched so proudly on his shoulder like he was his guardian angel.  She had tasted that tattoo many times during the course of the night and found herself licking her lips at the memory.

She watched him sleep wondering who this man was. She lost track of how many times they made love last night but she knew it was the most incredible night she had ever had in her live.

He had been so gentle with her, touching her like she was made out of glass, making her feel like she was being worshipped. Then she would make a certain noise or bite his shoulder and his manner changed, becoming more like a possessed animal, savagely taking her again and again and she loved it.  She loved the mixed reactions she got from him and the way it made her feel, powerful and dominated at the same time.

Warning bells went off in her head and her eyes bulged wide as she suddenly realized that this was bad.  This would give her nothing but trouble and heartache.  This man could easily worm his way into her cold dead heart, breathe life into it once again then tear it to shreds in his wake.

She was afraid, afraid that it was already too late, as she felt the beginnings of a crack in the wall that she had built around her heart. She had to get out of here before it was too late.

She gently lifted his arm from around her waist and laid it on the bed, he grumbled but continued to sleep. She silently made her way to the bathroom and got dressed.  She took out a piece of paper from her pocketbook and wrote him a brief note.

She crept back out into the bedroom where Angel was still asleep she placed the note on the nightstand, took one last look at the beautiful man on the bed and left.

 Chapter Five

A New Day

The sun peeked through the curtain of the window and rested on the prone figure sleeping in the bed.  Angel warmed by the sun reached out for Buffy but felt nothing but air.   He quickly lifted his head and looked at the empty place in the bed then looked around the room, she wasn’t there.

“Buffy?” he called out.  He was just about to get up and look around for her when he spotted the note on the table. 

Angel,

I’m not one for goodbyes so I left this note instead. 

I had a great time last night, look me up if you ever

want to go for another ride!”

Buffy (555-2624)

That was it?  That’s all she had to say?  Angel scratched his head he was annoyed that she left so early. They could have had a pleasurable morning romp. 

The sound of the phone ringing broke the silence of the room he reached over to answer it hoping that maybe it was her. “Hello”

“Hey peaches have a good time last night?”  The voice of one very amused Spike came across the line.  Angel could see the smirk on his face and the glint in his eye. “None of your business, William!”

“It sounds like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. What’s a matter Blondie not as good as you thought?”  Angel scowled in to the phone “Shut up!  What you want?”

“Ok I’ll let it rest till you’ve had your coffee.  I’m going to the gym you want to meet me there?  We can take turns punching the shit out of each other.”  Angel annoyed that he had woken up alone found the suggestion of pounding into someone a very good idea.

“Yeah sure what time?”  Then he remembered he left his car at the Whiskey “Shit!”  “What?”  “I left my car at the Whiskey last night, you’ll have to pick me up” 

Spike chuckled “So she kept her promise eh? You got to take her for a long ride?” 

Angel could picture him leering in to the phone.  “Spike don’t be a perv, just pick me up in twenty?”  “Yeah alright.”  He hung up the phone before Spike could say anything else. 

Laying back down on the bed he breathed in deeply and smelt nothing but her, vanilla and strawberries.  God if he didn’t get up now he would spend all day smelling his bed sheets. So reluctantly he got up and went into the shower.

Standing in the stall he leaned his palms against the tiled wall and let the warm water run down his back.  God he couldn’t stop thinking about last night.  How responsive she was to his every touch, the breathy sounds that she made just before she came and how those sounds made him even harder and more desperate to claim her.

He knocked his head against the wall don’t do this to yourself! She’s just another pretty face with a perfectly tight body that was just made for his. 

But she wasn’t just another pretty face she was smart, funny, she knew a hell of lot more about cars then he did and oh God how she had fulfilled his every fantasy of what she would be like.  He had to have her again he couldn’t have just the one night.  He definitely wanted another ride and a real long one where she wouldn’t get away from him again.  

Thinking back to what Spike had said about being in a relationship with someone and how great it could be, sounded even better than it did before.  Because before he hadn’t known that she would come into his life and now he knew that he wouldn’t let her walk away.

********

 “C’mon you have to tell me!”  Spike whined. 

Angel kept on punching the bag that Spike held for him.  “No I don’t have to tell you shit.  Besides a gentleman never tells.” 

“Ha gentlemen my ass.  C’mon mate, we always trade sex stories.  Didn’t I tell you about Faith?” 

Angel never breaking stride with his workout answered, “I never asked about Faith you just talked.”

”Well that’s what I do.  Talk.  Unlike some people I know.”  He grumbled.  “C’mon pretty, pretty please?  I’ll let you punch me in the face.”  Spike trying earnestly to get information out of Angel offered the one thing he knew he couldn’t pass up, punching him in the face. 

It was a rule between them that when they worked out together there was no punching in the face because you never knew when you needed that face to pick up some chick for the night.  But Spike feeling like a million bucks after his night with Faith decided to blow caution to the wind and see if Angel would bite.  And he did.

Angel turned around so quickly that before Spike knew what was happening he was laying flat on his back rubbing his chin.  “Oww you wanker that hurt!”

Angel was grinning from ear to ear, God that felt great!  “Well what can I say?  I couldn’t pass that offer up.”  He stepped over to his gym back and pulled out his towel drying the sweat off his body.

“Yeah well now that you got your kicks tell me, spill the beans!”

“There’s not much to say, we…hung out together at the club after you guys left then I took her back to my place.” 

Spike got off the floor and walked to where Angel was “No there’s more to it than that.  She was good wasn’t she?  With a body like hers she must be a tigress in the sack!” 

Angel scowled and took a menacing step towards Spike “I don’t ever want to hear those words out of your mouth again.” 

Spike was about to interject but Angel stopped him “Look it was good, great actually.  I enjoyed myself…”

Spike smirked at him “I bet you did.”

Angel glowered at him “and I think she did too.”

“What do you mean you think?  Didn’t you ask her?”  Angel turned away scowling more, his features darkening with his thoughts “No, I didn’t get a chance she was gone when I woke up.”

“Gone?”

“Yes gone as in I woke up alone, no warm willing body next to me.” Angel growled out.

“Oh yeah I think Faith mentioned she had an early shoot.”  Spike started to walk away but Angel grabbed him by the arm.

“Shoot?  Where?” 

“Ah Venice Beach I think.  Something for next month’s Hot Rod.” 

Angel contemplated this for only a second.  “Hey Spike do you think we can do lunch some other time?”  He started to walk to the showers.

Spike watched as Angel practically ran to the showers, and stifled a giggle “Sure mate, another time.”

********

 “That’s great Buffy just one more shot.”  Buffy was knee deep in the water, soaking wet in just a t-shirt and thong bottoms, and was miserable.

Since she got here at 10AM she had been pushed, prodded, tweezed, plucked and pampered too death, and it was killing her.  She was so tired and sore that all she wanted to do was sleep.

“Fantastic darling now give me a sexy smile.”  Sexy smile? At 11:30 in the morning is he nuts?

Buffy closed her eyes and thought of sexy, Angel, now that was sexy.  Last night was sexy and she remembered every single touch, taste, sigh and orgasm. 

She knew that she could easily fall in love with him.  He was just so amazing; he seemed to know her so well. It confused the hell out of her and literally scared her to death.

“Ok darling that’s a wrap, your beautiful…magnificent!” 

********

Angel stood at the edge of the bicycle path watching her.  The way she moved in the water, the way the water moved around her, trickling down her neck and into the crevice of her breasts she looked like a sea nymph.  With her head thrown back and her nipples showing through her wet shirt, she was sex incarnate and he couldn’t look away.

He could feel himself reacting to her and then did a quick sweep around them and scowled when he saw that the other males on the beach were reacting to her as well.

“That’s perfect Buff thank you darling, you are beautiful as always.”  The photographer yanked Buffy into his arms and hugged her, his hands wandering lower than they should be.  Angel took a step forward ready to jump on the guy but Buffy stepped back kissed the jerk on the check and walked towards the tent.

He stopped himself from moving any further. When the hell did he get so possessive? Especially over a woman that he had only spent one night of bliss with, and who, he got the feeling, didn’t want anything more than that.

But for Angel it was like she was already his.  He had spent too many months fantasizing about her. Then to finally have her last night to be able touch her and taste her for real and not in his dreams, made him even more determined to keep her.  He was adamant that he would do whatever it took to make her realize that she belonged to him.

********

 “He is so slimy, aghhhh!”  Claudia chuckled at Buffy’s outburst as she wiped her hands down her body to get the imaginary slime off. 

“Yup, I don’t know how you stand it.”  “Well for $300 bucks an hour you’d stand it to.”  “Touché”

“I’m going to get a cup of coffee, you want?”  “No thanks honey, but you get yourself an extra large because you look like you had a rough night!”

Buffy stretched her aching muscles “God you have no idea!”   She opened the flap to walk out and bumped into a solid wall of muscle.  “Ompf…sorry I haven’t had enough coffee yet…”

“I know the feeling.” Buffy looked up at the sound of that voice and a big smile crossed her face “Angel”

“Buffy” and that was it.  She was lost, just the sound of her name coming off his lips and she was ready to jump on him like a cat on a mouse.

“What…what are you doing here?”  Angel stared down into her lovely face, his hands on her arms to keep her close to him his fingers making slow circles “You looked like you were going to fall asleep out there and since I feel responsible for your ah…lack of sleep I figured I’d bring you coffee.” 

Buffy looked up at him, a twinkle in her eye “Conceited, much? How did you know I was here?”   “Spike might have mentioned this morning.” 

He smiled that sexy lopsided grin that turned her to putty and handed her a tall double espresso latte. Buffy looked down and took it like it was her last dying breath.  “Oh my God you are a life saver I was just drooling for one of these.” 

His hand came up to wipe the corners of her mouth “Well I wouldn’t want you drooling all over the place, at least…not yet.”  They continued to stare at each other when Claudia pushed her way out of the tent.

“Sweetie did you get your…oh excuse me I didn’t mean to intrude.”  Claudia looked at the gorgeous stud that was currently eating Buffy up with his eyes. Then she looked at Buffy and noticed that she was doing the same thing, isn’t this interesting Claudia thought.

“Oh no it’s ok Claude, this is Angel, Angel this is Claudia, she’s my assistant when I’m on a shoot.” 

Angel turned his gaze to Claudia who almost dropped the skirt she was holding because of the intensity of that stare. My God this man is hot!  “Claudia, nice to meet you.”

“Ah yeah you too.  Ah Buffy I’ll just go get your clothes.”  “Ok thanks Claude.”

“So are you done here today?  Because I thought maybe if you didn’t have any plans that we could have lunch together?”  He anxiously waited for her answer but didn’t have long to wait.

“I’d love to I’m absolutely starving! Just give me a minute to get changed.”  

Angel brazenly raked his eyes up and down her body enjoying the sight “You don’t have to change on my account.”  He suggested as he wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Buffy giggled, “Sex fiend.  I’ll be right back.”  She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips but before he could press her for more she pulled away and walked into the tent to change.

********

Oh my God he’s here; I can’t believe he’s here!  Buffy was frantically running around the tent looking for her clothes.

“Looking for these sweetie?”  Claudia stood behind her with her clothes dangling from her hands. 

“Yeah thanks.”  Buffy grabbed them and started to dress. 

“So is that Mr. Rough Night?” 

“Yup that’s him.” 

“Well if you don’t mind me saying you picked a fine one there.  I mean my God those eyes!”

Buffy thought about her incredible night with him “Yeah he is pretty yummy.” 

“Are you going out with him again?”

“Yeah he’s taking me to lunch.” 

“Well you enjoy yourself and I mean really enjoy yourself.”

Buffy smiled at Claudia in the mirror “Oh I intend too.”

********

When Buffy came out of the tent Angel was leaning against the wall waiting for her.  She walked up to him and smiled.  He just smiled back and leaned down to kiss her “Hello again.”   “Hello”

They walked holding hands toward the parking lot Angel asking her about the shoot and how it went.  She started to tell him but then she saw where they were headed and dropped his hand running full speed towards the black beauty in front of her.

“Wow Angel she’s a beauty!”  Angel was glad she liked it.  He had decided to take the Roadrunner out and give her a chance to see it.

She walked around, her finger trailing behind her over the smooth black paint.  “I bet she’s fast!”

He jingled the keys causing Buffy to look up just in time to see him throw them her way “Why don’t you tell me.”

Buffy snatched the keys out of the air and smiled so brightly at him he thought he would drop dead right there on the spot.  “No way?”

He walked up to her and tweaked her nose “Yes way.”

She jumped up on him and wrapped her legs around his waist and gave him a kiss that turned his toes.

“Whew what till I tell Faith, she will be so jealous!” Angel laughed with her and they jumped in the car and sped off.

Chapter Six

Honesty and Uncertainties

Following Angel’s directions Buffy looked around at her surroundings and the long loopy driveway that was ahead of her “I thought you said we were going for lunch?”  She asked suspiciously.

“We are going for lunch.”  He nonchalantly replied.

“But this is your house.”  Buffy was wondering what he was up too. Angel just nodded so Buffy made the left and turned up the driveway. 

Putting the emergency brake on she looked over at Angel who leaned into her and started nuzzling her neck “I didn’t want to share you so I thought I’d cook for you.” 

Buffy moved giving him better access as his lips made a slow wet trail down the side of her neck. Her hands roamed up to his head playing with his hair. “Mmmmm…that feels nice.  You cook?”

“Mmmm ah.”  Was his only answer as they turned their heads and their lips met in a heated kiss.

Buffy was just about to throw herself over the stick shift that was poking her in the side when Angel reluctantly pulled away, he didn’t want to give his nosey neighbors a free show.  “C’mon.”  Buffy still in a daze only nodded and got out of the car and followed him to the door.

Once inside Angel led Buffy to the kitchen where he sat her down at the table and began making her an omelet and a salad.  Meanwhile Buffy took this opportunity to look around and try to get more of a feeling for him.

The kitchen was spacious and lovely.  The dark blue tiles on the wall and floor went perfectly with the dark red cherry furniture and she could tell that he spent a lot of time cooking because the utensils were close and handy and the shelves and fridge were fully stocked with succulent foods.

She grabbed an apple out of the basket on the table “So where’d you learn how to cook?”

Angel continued to whip the omelet up “Well I was on my own pretty early and didn’t have much money to spend on eating out so I had to learn or I would’ve starved.” 

Buffy stared at his back and watched the play of muscles as his arm continued with the motion of whipping the eggs and wished that those arms were whipping her up instead.

“Good skill to have.  I for one can’t cook for shit.”  Angel laughed, “Well I can teach you if you want.”

“No thank you, I’m quite happy being ignorant in the Martha Stewart department.”  Angel turned around and looked at her curiously.  He had a thousand questions that he wanted to ask her but he didn’t want to push her away.

“Do you want more coffee or orange juice.”  “OJ’s good”

He walked around her to get to the fridge and let his fingers lightly trail down her back as he did.  Buffy didn’t notice, but she leaned into to his touch, Angel noticed and smiled.

“So your schedule must be pretty busy, I mean with working at the bar and the photo shoots.”

Buffy nibbling on her apple nodded her head “mmmm…and the bookkeeping.”

“Bookkeeping?”  “Yeah I also do the books for most of the clubs on the strip.”  Angel looked at her that was a lot for one person.

“Why are killing yourself working so many jobs?  With all the modeling you do I would think that would pay for a lot.”

“It does but I want to open up my own bar one day and in order to do that I need a lot of money.”  She was amazed at how comfortable she felt talking to him so she kept on going “Plus I like too keep busy, it keeps my mind off of other things.” Angel looked at her and she had this far away look in her eyes.

“What kind of other things?”  He prodded.

Buffy shook the memories away “Ah? Oh you know life’s everyday crap.”  She went back to nibbling on her apple.

Angel watched her eat her apple and decided that he would get to the bottom of what dwelled in Buffy Summers if it was the last thing he ever did.

“So Spike mentioned that you used to live in New York?”

“Yeah I came out here about two years ago.”

“Do you like it better in LA?”

“Yes I do.  The constant sunshine is fantastic and I’ve met a lot of really great people.”

“Why’d you move?”  Buffy jerked her head and looked at him he was too busy cooking the eggs to notice the look she gave him “Why so many questions?”

“Just curious that’s all.  You intrigue me and I want to know more.”

“Why?” Buffy looked at him quizzically suspicious of his questions “what’s so intriguing about me I’m just a girl.”

Angel stopped what he was doing and turned around to look at her.  He crossed his arms over his chest and looked deep into her eyes “Maybe I like you.  Maybe since the first time I saw your picture on that calendar I’ve wanted to meet you.  Maybe I don’t think you’re just a girl.”

Buffy didn’t know how to respond to that because he sounded so sincere.  “Well there’s not much to tell really. I was there and now I’m here.” 

Angel knew she was avoiding his earlier question but that was ok he just wanted her to feel comfortable around him and not like a skittish rabbit. Angel turned back around and continued cooking.

 “So what’s your story?  I hear you used to be married what happened with that?”  She had asked it innocently but noticed with the stiffening of his frame that he hadn’t liked the question.

Angel gripped the handle to the pot he was holding “Well like you said not much to tell.  I was married, came home one night and found my wife fucking some other guy.”

Buffy gasped, “Oh God Angel I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked it’s not my business.”  Angel relaxed his body and turned toward Buffy “Buffy it’s ok I want you to ask and I want to tell you.”

Buffy looked shocked this was not what she had expected to hear “You do?”

Angel nodded and moved up to her, spreading her thighs he slipped in between her legs and placed his hands on her waist “Buffy I know we just met and I know that this is going to be hard for you to believe, but I really, really like you and I want to spend more time with you, to get to know one another better.”

Buffy started to pull away this was starting to sound a little too serious for her state of mind “I ahem I don’t know Angel, I mean I like you and we have a good time together but this is moving kind of fast for me and I’m not too sure about getting involved with someone seriously again.”

This was what he was afraid of that this was going to be her answer he just didn’t expect it to hurt so much.  Buffy noticed the hurt look in his face and went to remedy it. 

She reached up and gently laid her hand on his check “Angel can’t we just leave it the way it is?”

Without thinking he reacted “What? You mean fuck-buddies?” and Buffy took offense.  She heard the coldness in his voice felt the emptiness of those eyes staring into hers.

Buffy started to get up “I think I should go.”

Angel knew the second the words left his mouth that it was the wrong thing to say and now he was chastising himself for fool.  He gently pushed her back on to the stool “Buffy I’m sorry I didn’t mean it to come out like that, I just...look last night was incredible I couldn’t stop thinking about you all day and I just, I want more then just an occasional sleeping partner and I want that with you.”

Buffy looked at him with uncertainty and fear “I don’t know if I can give you that Angel.”

Angel sensed the fear and doubt that was starting to consume her but he also saw the deep yearning for that same thing in the green eyes reflecting back at him.

The last thing he wanted to do was scare her off so he had to choose his words very carefully.  “Ok then we’ll just take it slow and see what happens.”

Buffy looked at him trying to see if he was serious.  When she decided that he was and wouldn’t push her, a big smile broke out on her face and she leaned in and wrapped her arms around his neck pressing her breasts into his chest.

“Good.”   And their lips met and words were forgotten, even the food was forgotten as they made their way to the bedroom groping each other along the way. 

They made love over and over again neither one able to stop touching the other. Every touch, taste and feeling was irrevocably etched in their minds. Every sigh and word spoken wrapped around them like a cocoon.  There was no outside world only them and the passion that they created.

 Chapter Seven

Denial

It was dark when Buffy woke from her nap after their last round of lovemaking.  She was draped across Angel’s chest. Her legs were thrown over his hips and her arms wrapped around his middle as her head lay on his damp chest. Angel was holding on to her in his sleep like he was afraid she was going to run.

She had never felt so sated, relaxed and hot for more at the same time.  His every touch made her feel like a goddess. All the dirty things that he had whispered in her ear made her even hotter for him.

Their earlier discussion played over in her mind and in between these incredible feelings of bliss and contentment, confusion and fear started to seep in.   She could feel the wall around her heart crumbling some more and her mind was filled with images of how this could only end up bad.

There was no doubt in her mind that he was an incredibly thoughtful lover and man, but in the end, he would only break her heart.  She closed her eyes and sighed deeply, she really, really liked him but she had to stop it now, especially after the words that were spoken in the kitchen.

She very carefully moved away from him and went to sit up at the edge of the bed, when his strong arms wrapped around her naked waist and pulled her back down on the bed now facing away from him. 

He knew that she was awake and that she was brooding about him and their situation. He had felt her body get tense and knew she was going to make a run for it.

He pulled her closer so her backside was pressed up against his chest and crotch.  He nuzzled her head “Where do you think you’re going?”  She closed her eyes and felt a small tremor go through her body.  Didn’t he know what his closeness did to her? A small tear escaped her closed eyes and ran down her check landing on the pillow. Of course he did that’s why he’s doing it!

“It’s late I have to go to work.”  She tried again to get up but his hold was too strong. 

“No I’m not letting you run away from me again.”  He placed his now very hard cock in between her legs and started to rock it back and forth over her wet lips.

“Angel” she moaned, “I have to go.”  He kept up his pace his other hand slipping around her to play and tease her nipples.  She rocked her hips back and forth riding the length of his cock building the pace up then he slipped inside of her.

He started to move with slow shallow thrusts building up the tension. But Angel being an impatient man couldn’t hold out anymore and began moving faster and harder.  His teeth clamped down on her neck in an act of male dominance and he grabbed her hips and slammed into her one last time “Buffy”  “Ah God Angel Yes!”

He stayed inside of her for a few minutes until his cock went limp.  He turned her around and brought her mouth towards his to kiss her passionately. Buffy gave as good as such got and mauled his mouth as her hands sifted through his hair.

She lifted her lips and stared in his eyes. Her mind was going a thousand miles per minute and she spoke straight from the heart not even realizing that she did “God the way you make me feel…I…I never felt like this before, ever.”  She kept staring at him like he was a magician that just completed the most amazing trick.

“How do you know what my body needs, what I need?  How is it that every touch from you feels like it’s supposed to…be?”  She continued with her questions if she had stopped to realize what she was actually saying she would have fled like a thief in the night.  But she was so caught up in the emotions that he made her feel that she didn’t notice. 

Angel stared lovingly at her flushed face. He lifted his hand and wiped away the silent tear that sat on her check. He brought that finger to his lips and licked the tear off never taking his eyes off of her.

“Because I know you.”  He simply said.  Buffy looking perplexed now asked in a voice that sounded like a small child “How you can you know me? We’ve only known each other for two days?”

“Because I do.  I’ve known you my whole life.  At least that’s what it feels like when I hold you…touch you.”

This was too much for Buffy the tears started to fall faster and she felt like she was drowning in his sweet words and the love that was in his eyes.

She closed her eyes “Don’t say that.” She desperately whispered.

“Shhh its ok baby.”  Angel pulled her very carefully into his embrace and began to comfort her. His heart ached for the emptiness in her voice and the confusion that her body was giving off.

She suddenly pulled away and jumped out of the bed so fast that he barely had time to register that she was no longer in his arms. 

She started walking around the room collecting her clothes and hastily putting them on.  “I…I…I…have to…to…go.”

Angel sat up and tried to reach for her but she avoided his touch running around frantically, her eyes were wide with fear and her face was tear streaked. 

Angel trying to calm her down said as soothingly as possible “Buffy, baby slow down.”

Buffy had gathered all her clothes now and was backing up towards the door “I’m sorry Angel I ahem I have to go.  I…ahem…don’t think we should see each other anymore.”

Angel bolted out of the bed at that outburst and before Buffy knew what was happening she was thrown up against the door by a very pissed off and very naked Angel.

“What?” He asked very quietly but the warning hidden behind those softly spoken words were not lost on Buffy.  The tears were streaming down her face now like a waterfall and she was unable to control them.

She tried to look away but he wouldn’t let her. He grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him “I…I just can’t do this!” 

“Do what have feelings for me…love me?” Buffy violently shock her head trying to deny what she knew she felt in her heart “Lo..love you?  What are you talking about I barely know you.”  She was earnestly trying to get away now but he was too strong and he held on tightly not letting her escape him.

“You’re afraid, afraid of me and what I make you feel.  Afraid of being in love!”  He stated simply.

Buffy looking outraged now “YOU CONCEITED ASSHOLE!  How dare you presume to think that you know how I feel!”  She started to struggle more.

Angel knocked her back to the door his hands gripping her arms so tightly she knew she would have bruises there tomorrow.  “I don’t presume anything.”  He sneered.  “I know how you feel because I feel it every time I touch you, every little breathy moan that you make when I make love to you. The way your body shakes after you cum. The way you scream my name over and over again begging me to take you again.”  He was shouting now so pissed off that she could stand there and deny what she was feeling.

Buffy was really starting to freak out and realized that she wasn’t going anywhere and decided to change tactics.  She let her body relax and she wound her arms up on to his chest and started to toy with his nipples.

She laughed, “That’s nothing special that’s how I respond to any Joe, Dick or Harry that fucks me.”  She tried to sound cold and callous but to Angel who had heard the scared and desperate questions of a woman lost knew better.

He twirled a lock of her honey hair around his finger “You keep telling yourself that Baby.” 

She gave up that routine when she realized he wasn’t going for it. With one last jolt of energy she pushed him off her and he stumbled back taken by surprise by her show of strength.

Buffy ran out of the house and didn’t look back.

Angel got off the floor and walked over to the window he drew the curtain back and watched his lover run down the street and away from him.

He dropped his head on the cool pane of the window and swore to himself that he would get her back. He would make her see that they were one that they belonged to each other, always and forever. Because when you loved someone that was the whole point!

Chapter Eight

Space

By the time Buffy had made it home she was all cried out and was so confused she didn’t know what to do.  What she did know was that he had touched her heart and soul so deeply and so soon that she was afraid. 

She didn’t think she was capable of loving again.  Then he shows up and worms his way in, breaking down her defenses, she was absolutely petrified to open her heart to him.

She dropped her body on the bed; her eyes heavy and swollen from crying started to drop when her phone rang.  She wasn’t going to answer it she didn’t want to talk to anyone.  She heard the click of the machine picking it up.

“Hey you know who this is and you know what to do, so do it!”

Beep

“Buffy?”

Her eyes shot open “Angel?”

“I just wanted to call and make sure you got home alright.”  She could hear him take a deep sigh “Listen I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you away or push you into something you’re not ready for.  I didn’t want it to end the way it did. I just want to spend more time with you, cause I...” 

He paused and she could almost see him running his hands through his head collecting his thoughts.  “I don’t know. I just I’m sorry I hope we can see each other again.”

He sounded so sincere that she couldn’t resist talking to him; she grabbed the receiver off the phone “Angel?”

“Buffy?  Thank God are you alright?”

“I’m ok Angel.” 

“Buffy I’m sorry I didn’t mean what I said.”

Buffy sounding dejected “You didn’t?”

“No, I mean I did mean it, every word.  I’m just sorry I was pushing. I guess it does seem kind of soon to be saying things like that I… well it was just how I was feeling and I wanted to be honest.”

The wall cracked again and warmth seeped into her heart “Angel it’s ok, maybe I overreacted.” 

“No you had every right to act the way you did, I mean we’ve only know each other for two days and here I am spouting shit out of my big mouth.”

“Angel really it’s ok.  I…I like what you said it’s just…it seems a little fast.”

“I know I’m sorry. I understand that you need some time to figure us out. And I want you to know that I will give you all the space you need.”

He was so sweet “Thank you Angel, I appreciate that.  I do like you, a lot. It’s just I’m not very good at this relationship thing and I think I need some time to think about it and us.”

He was glad that she was being honest with him and not flat out refusing him.

“Space is good.  I can do space.”  She giggled because she felt so relieved that he wasn’t going to push her.

There was silence on the both ends as each was trying to sort out their feelings.

Angel spoke first “I’d like to see you again soon, if that’s ok?”

Buffy didn’t answer right away and Angel started to get nervous “I’d like that Angel.”

“I don’t suppose you’d be interested in going out tonight?’  He knew he shouldn’t ask that so soon but the need to see her again was so great he couldn’t resist.

Buffy who was feeling good with the way their conversation was going, suddenly felt like a noose was put back around her neck.

“Ummm, I don’t know Angel…” She trailed off not knowing what to say.

“Don’t answer that I’m pushing again, sorry. So I um guess I’ll give you a call sometime then, if that’s alright with you?” 

She smiled “I’d like that, very much.”

“Ok great! Bye Buffy.”

“Bye Angel”

Angel hung up the phone with a smile on his face.  All was not lost.  He would give her time to get used to the idea of them.  He wouldn’t push her again he would give her all the space she needed.  He’ll call her tomorrow.

********

One week later…

Buffy was dreaming, she was slowly licking her way up Angel’s hard sculpted chest when she was rudely awakened by Faith jumping on her bed.

“Rise and shine cupcake?”  Buffy grabbed the nearest pillow and buried her head in it “Ahhh go away!”  She was so tired she had worked till 3AM and then just when she was about to fall asleep Angel had called and they talked on the phone till about 5AM.

After their initial phone conversation a week ago he had called her a couple of times and they had spent the time talking to each other, getting to know one another a little better.  He never asked her out he always ended the conversation with a ‘goodbye Baby I’ll talk to you soon’, which made her feel comfortable.  But last night he asked if she would go out without him.

She had really wanted to but she was deathly afraid that she wouldn’t be able to resist him and that she would find herself once again getting thoroughly loved by a man who wanted it all.  She wasn’t sure if she was up for that battle yet.  So she had declined. 

He wasn’t too happy with her answer. He grumbled something about whatever and then abruptly hung up.

She couldn’t deny that she enjoyed her time with him way too much and that she could feel something else besides cold and indifference in her heart for him.  But love?

God that word scared the shit out of her.  She couldn’t love him she barely knew him!

Faith kept right on jumping “Ah come on B its 1PM the sun is shining it’s a beautiful day, I’m thinking beach what say you?”  “I say hit the road!” Buffy’s muffled voice came out from under the pillow.

Faith grabbed the pillow away from Buffy’s head and threw it across the room.  She then started to peel the covers off of Buffy.  “Now, now, who’s a grumpy bumpy this morning?” 

Buffy made some more undistinguishable sounds that sounded like ‘fuck off’ while trying to keep the covers up.  But Faith already up since 10AM and on her second cup of coffee was a spitfire ready to go.

“C’mon B up, up, up, time to catch some rays and spot all the honeys on the beach.  You jump in the shower and I’ll get your coffee ready.”  Faith walked out of the room expecting Buffy to do as she said.  “If you don’t get up I’ll come in with the bucket of cold water!”  She shouted. 

“I’m up!”  Buffy jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom. 

Faith giggled her way to the kitchen. She’d spent the last week in Cleveland so she hadn’t seen Buffy since that night at the Whiskey and she was dying to know what had happened.

She couldn’t wait to find out all the juicy little tidbits of what went on. She would of course have to tell Spike, her partner in crime, who was supposed to be hounding Angel for info too.

The way she figured it they would have these two together permanently in no time at all. 

********

Spike hadn’t had the opportunity to grill Angel yet since they were working all day.  But when he finally did get his chance he jumped all over him.

They were walking off the set of their newest project toward their trailers “So enlighten me man, I’ve been gone for a week what’s been going on with the beautiful Buffy?”

“What’s with the sudden interest in my love life? 

“Because you’re my best mate and I want you to be as whipped as I am.” 

Angel looked at Spike and answered honestly “Well you can stop your worrying because I’m already whipped.”

Spike grinned like a fool and slapped his knee “I knew it!  So when’s the next big date?”

Angel scowled “I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know, didn’t you ask her out again?” 

“Yes and no.”

“What the bloody hell does that mean?”  Spike screamed.

“Well after a quite enjoyable day spent together in bed I said a few things that scared her off and she ran home.”

“Well what did you say?”

“I might have mentioned how I liked her and wanted more of a relationship with her.” He mumbled.

Spike cringed and fell to the chair holding his head “No, no, no!  Are you that much of a putz?”

Angel took offense “Putz?  How the hell was I supposed to know she’d run like a scared rabbit!  It’s not like my BEST MATE told me she had relationship issues!”  He screamed into Spike’s face.

Spike jumped out of his chair “Where the hell have you been its 2005 EVYERONE has relationship issues!”  Spike screamed back.

They stood toe to toe staring each other down.  Finally Spike backed off and sat back down “Alright so what are you going to do now?”

Angel turned around and stared at his calendar “Well I called her the next day and we talked about it and I agreed to give her some space.”

Spike nodded “How much space are you talking about here?”

Spike could feel the tension radiating off of Angel and he looked ready to kill someone “Well I haven’t seen her in a week.  But I called her a couple of times and it was good…we’re getting to know one another.”  That last part sounded to Spike like Angel was not a happy camper with the ways things were going.

“So why do I sense some underlying rage?”

“Because I asked her out tonight and she blew me off.”

“What do you mean she blew you off?”

“She said it was too soon.”  He ran a hand through his hair extremely frustrated.

He started pacing violently around the room “Damn it Spike I don’t know what to do.  I mean I call her we have these really great get to know you conversations.  I think everything is going good so I ask her out and what does she say? She says no!  I’m losing my mind here!  My cock is constantly hard because I can’t stop thinking about her. And then to top if off, I was so angry I hung up on her and called Eve.”

“What! Eve that skanky ho?” 

“I know, I know.  I don’t know what the hell I was thinking.  I just don’t know what to do anymore.  And I can’t take the pain in my crotch anymore.  So I figure some warm body is better than none.”

Spike didn’t think Angel’s idea was such a good one but then again they weren’t actually a couple yet, so who says Angel can’t see other women.  In fact, Spike grinned evilly, this might actually work in his benefit.

 “Yeah, yeah mate good plan!”  He got up and started to follow Angel. ”Hey did I ever tell you the one about Eve and Lorne in the broom closet?”

********

Meanwhile, Faith was absolutely bewildered by Buffy who was at the moment flirting with some schmuck down on the beach.  She just didn’t understand it Buffy was so tightlipped about what had happened. 

The only thing she said was that it was good and they had a good time.  Good!  Faith couldn’t believe that Buffy didn’t have the time of her life I mean look at Angel for goods sake he’s like a walking God.  Someone with that much body surely knows how to use it?  Besides she had heard plenty of stories from Spike that would suggest that he did, so what the fuck was going on?

Faith had known Buffy for two years now and loved her like a sister.  They had spent hundreds of nights just talking about each other’s pasts and their regrets about those pasts, so she knew all about Buffy’s cynical look on love. 

When she had mentioned it to Spike one night after a good romp he had suggested that she meet Angel who was also having some problems in the love department.  He had told her all about that whore Darla and how Angel swore he would never fall victim to love again.  In their eyes it was a match made in heaven.

Faith shook her head at her own optimism.  She had never thought much about love either, having her own problems.  But since she met Spike the way she viewed love changed.  Her heart felt lighter and fuller then she ever thought it could have, and she wanted Buffy who she loved with all her heart, to find the same peace and feel the same contentment.

Faith was brought out of her thoughts by the arrival of Buffy and her new boy toy. 

“Faith, this is Riley.”  Faith looked up at Riley and almost gagged. 

God what is Buffy thinking?  I mean he’s ok looking his bods pretty tight.  But he’s got that stupid goofy look on his face that just screams asshole!

“Hey” Faith nodded

“Hi. How you doing?  Enjoying the sun?”  Riley tried to be nice but ended up sounding more like a dufus then Faith first thought.

Faith annoyed that the dufus was blocking her sun sarcastically answered “Ya…trying!”

Buffy looked at Faith with her eyebrows raised.  Ok Faith was annoyed and she guessed it was because she didn’t tell her about her time spent with Angel. 

She had wanted to talk to Faith about what happened, but she wasn’t here.  Then when she did get back and asked her she didn’t know what to say. How could she explain what he had made her feel?  She couldn’t even explain it herself and she was too scared to even think about it.

She had worked to hard to get her life back on track. She didn’t want to lose herself in another guy only to have him rip her heart to shreds, which is what they all did.  And she knew as she watched him sleep that given time that’s what would have happened. She would end up kissing the ground that he walked on for just a look or a smile from that gorgeous face. 

No she was not going down that road again.  And that’s exactly what she was thinking when Riley walked up to her.  He seemed nice and he was kind of cute in a country boy way.  But he didn’t stir her soul, he didn’t set her body on fire with just a look.  The blue eyes seemed cold compared to the warm chocolate eyes that she had gazed into last week. 

And that’s when she decided that she would go out with him. Because she was thinking way too much of Angel and that was not good.  She had to go out with other guys to prove to herself that “He” was nothing more than a one-night stand.

“Riley’s a stuntmen with Paramount Pictures” Faith looked at Buffy her eyes saying ‘are you kidding me?’  But said to Riley “no shit, imagine that”

Riley was baffled by both girls’ actions but decided it didn’t matter because the moment he had seen Buffy on the beach he wanted her.  He had recognized her from the calendar that his buddy Graham had hanging on the wall and he’d been lusting for her ever since.

“Yeah we’re going to go to The Palms tonight, want to come with?”  Riley praying that she would say no waited anxiously. 

Buffy also waited anxiously but only because she wasn’t sure about being with Riley herself just yet. There was something odd about him that kind of gave her the willies so she wanted Faith along as back up.

“I don’t know B I might have plans.”  Buffy looked disappointed at hearing her answer.  She looked to Faith with pleading eyes.  Faith saw the look Buffy was giving her and reconsidered her answer.  Maybe she should go. Tag along just to keep an eye on things and make sure Riley didn’t go anywhere he’s not supposed to.  Because for some reason there was just something about this guy that she didn’t trust.

Riley looking like the king of the world at her answer missed the byplay between them and then was shocked when she said, “Alright B, The Palms it is.” 

Buffy was relieved, Riley was depressed, and Faith was thinking of all the evil things that she could do to Riley to get rid of him.

Chapter Nine

The Conspiracy Theory

“You should’ve seen it, it was disgusting!”  Faith said as she told Spike what had happened at the beach early. 

She was pacing back and forth in front of the bed where Spike sat leaning against the wall watching her. 

“I’m telling you I just don’t get it!  What the hell happened?  What did he say to her?”

Spike was starting to get dizzy from watching her.  He pinched the bridge of nose as he answered her “He scared her off with his flowery words of love.”

She abruptly stopped her pacing and whipped around to glare at him “What! Is he stupid?”

Spike sighed, “That’s what I said!”

She started pacing again “Well we have to fix this!”

Spike grabbed her as she paced pass him “Faith sweets, there is nothing we can do, it’s up to them.  Besides…” he cut her off before she could say anything “Angel knows what he’s doing.  She asked for space and that’s what he’s giving her.”

“Then what the hell is doing seeing someone else?” 

“Well you can’t expect the man not to.  I mean we all know Buffy’s going to continue with her boy toys. Like the one she picked up today?”  He waited for her to agree.

Faith sullenly said, “Well I guess so.  But if he fucks her I’ll rip his dick off!”

Spike leered at her lovingly; he loved it when she got vicious “Are you trying to turn me on?”

She playfully slapped his wandering hand and giggled at him.

“Now where will you be tonight?” he asked

“The Palms.”

Spike nodded “Ok.  So I’ll call Angel and see where he’s taking Eve.  Then figure out some way to get them to The Palms instead.”

“Are you sure this is going to work, I mean Angel doesn’t seem to be the type of guy to sit back and watch his girl with someone else.”

Spike grinned evilly “That’s what I’m counting on.  But what about Buffy?”

Faith looked puzzled “What about her?”

“Well is she going to turn tail and run when Angel applies a little pressure?”

Faith’s brows lowered” What do you mean pressure?”

Spike sighed, “Look luv, the man’s horny as hell.  The bloke’s been fantasizing about her for months.  He finally gets a taste of paradise then he’s denied it for a week.  She keeps blowing him off and he’s pissed.”

Faith trying to stick up for Buffy didn’t have much sympathy for Angel “It’s not her fault she’s petrified of what she feels and he needs to be more patient with her.”

“I’m not blaming her pet I’m just saying that he may not be able to control his reaction when he sees that she’s on a date.”

“What do you think he’ll do?”

“Hell if I know, the bugger has always been unpredictable, which actually makes it rather fun to screw with him. But the question is what will she do?”

She thought about his question and she wasn’t too sure.  But she knew in her heart that Buffy was falling for Angel and maybe a little bit of pressure was exactly what she needed to push her forward.

“I don’t know but I’m thinking that I like your plan.”

Spike smiled “Good.”  His hand started a trail up her thigh “Now let’s talk about that new toy you got hidden over there in the closet.”

********

Buffy looked at herself in the mirror.  Not bad, she thought.  Her hair was swept up in a French knot and she was wearing a black slip dress with spaghetti straps, which came, just above her knees with a pair of black stilettos.  It was one of her favorite dresses, not too cheap and not too reserved.  Angel would love it. 

She slapped herself on the head and stomped her foot “Not Angel…NO NO NO…that’s bad! Riley, Riley will love it!”  She said as she twirled away from the mirror to grab her bag.

Faith came in just as Buffy entered the living room.  “Hey” Buffy breezed by her on her way to the kitchen then stopped dead in her tracks and turned around.

She looked at what Faith had on, blue jeans, tank top and boots “What’s the stitch Faith?”  Faith looking innocently at Buffy said “What?”

“Don’t give me that What?  What’s with the demure clothes?”  Faith looked down at her outfit and had to stifle a laugh, yeah this is pretty demure for me.  But since she wasn’t going there to pick up guys she just threw on whatever was clean.

Faith shrugged her shoulders “Don’t know B just the first thing I grabbed out of the closet.”  She hoped that Buffy would accept that answer because she could be extremely stubborn and she didn’t want to have to tell her the real reason.

Buffy thought about it for a second then went into the kitchen her mind clearly on something else besides Faith’s outfit.

“So you ready or what?”

“Almost”

“Where’s captain cardboard anyway?”  Buffy giggled from inside the kitchen.  “Will you stop calling him that he’s a nice guy.” 

“Yeah nice; as in boring, lame, shoot me now before I kill myself, nice!”  Faith plopped down on the couch twirling the remote control in her hand.

Buffy sighed and walked into the living room “Look you know maybe nice is what I need for a change. Besides it’s not like I’m going to marry the guy or anything.  It’s just a date.”

 “Date with a cow.” Faith mumbled under breath.

“What did you say?”  Buffy asked.  Faith dropped the remote and jumped off the couch “Nothing. You ready let’s go I need a drink.”  Buffy followed her out the door “Ok Riley’s going to meet us there” 

“Oh joy!”  Faith said as she closed the door.

********

Angel sat on the couch in Eve’s living room waiting for her to get ready.  His fingers impatiently tapping against the arm, making a constant tap, tap, tap, echo in the room.   His mind in a whirlwind of maybes, should haves, and definitely should not haves, and a whole lot of, what the fuck am I doings?

As he sat waiting for her he was second-guessing himself.  After listening to Spike for hours about Eve’s sexual escapades he wasn’t too sure about her anymore. 

Angel was no prude but for some reason the thought of a woman having sex with a broom handle just to get some guy off was a real turn off.  Angel loved kink but not that kind of kink.

But it didn’t matter she was just a warm body to sooth his raging hard on until the real vessel for his pleasure let him back in.

He almost felt like a cad for doing this but he was just a man.  A man who was in desperate need of sexual relief and would take it anywhere he could get it.

“I’ll just be a few more minutes Angie” Angel cringed.  God he hated that!  Why did she insist on calling him that hideous girly name, did he look like a girl? 

He took a deep breath he would play the game. He’ll take her out then bring her back  and fuck her.  Simple…I can do that. 

Then why was that Buffy’s tear streaked face popped up in his mind the second he thought about fucking Eve.  Because he felt guilty for even thinking it, he felt like he was cheating on her. 

He started to question whether or not he would even be able to go through with it.  He looked down at The Beast and for some reason he got the distinct impression that He would not cooperate.

Eve walked down the stairs and looked to where Angel was sitting.  He looked deep in thought and hadn’t noticed that she walked into the room.  So she took the opportunity to really look at him.

Damn he was one fine looking man.  And Eve who had been with many lovers before, had always known that Angel was the best she ever had.  When he got married she was really annoyed that she wouldn’t be able to have him anymore. 

She should have known that slut Darla wouldn’t stay faithful forever.  And now here he was back in her house and soon to be bed!  “I’m ready sweetie.”

Angel looked up at her and stood.  “Ok let’s go, where’s it going to be?”

Eve grabbed her jacket “Oh I heard that The Palms are having Old School Night, I thought that would be fun.”  “OK The Palms it is.”

They walked out of the house neither one noticing the shadow that lurked behind the bushes.

********

Spike was hiding behind the bushes in front of Eve’s house listening at the window like some peeping tom.

After Faith left to pick up Buffy Spike called Angel to find out where he was taking Eve for the night.  His answer was that he didn’t give a shit and was going to leave it up to her.

He hung up the phone frustrated beyond believe, he didn’t know what to do… he’s not the master tactician that was Angel’s job. So he decided that this was the next best thing.

His legs were starting to get cramped when he saw Eve come down the stairs.  On their way out the door he heard her say The Palms.

He almost fell over on a rock.  Could it be any easier then this?

So now he had to make sure that he got there before them.  Which was going to be very difficult.  Not only was Angel a speed demon but he was also driving a Porsche.

Spike jumped on his bike the second they pulled out of the driveway and sped away praying to the Gods of the Freeway that there would be traffic.

Chapter Ten

Unexpected Encounters

Miraculously, there was traffic, so while Angel was sitting in it Spike was able to weave in and out of the cars and get to The Palms before them.

He now stood in the shadows of the club watching Faith dance her little heart out and God bless her she avoided every male that tried to get her attention. 

His eyes scanned over to the table where Buffy and Riley were sitting.  He still couldn’t believe that Riley was her date.  Faith didn’t say that it was Riley.  All she said was that it was some dork farm boy that she picked up at the beach. 

When he first got there he noticed Riley sitting at one of the tables but didn’t think much of it until Faith and Buffy walked in.  He was shocked to shit when they walked over to the table where Riley was sitting and Buffy kissed him on the check.

Spike was grinning from ear to ear; this just kept getting better and better. Now all he had to do was wait for the right moment. 

He turned his head to the door and smiled evilly, ”Ahh the right moment has arrived.” 

Angel and Eve walked into The Palms and headed for the empty table in the back of the room.  Angel pulled out her chair and sat down next too her.

“Isn’t this place great!  Once a week they do old school night.  I just love old school music you can really dance to it.”  Eve moved her chair closer to Angel’s and laid her hand on his thigh.

Angel was thinking of a better way to get his groove on and with whom “Yeah it’s pretty cool.” 

********

Across the room Buffy sat with a pasted smile on her face as she listened to Riley talk about life on the farm.  When he first mentioned it she almost choked on her Margarita because Faith said that he looked like a goofy farm boy.  Well you can always count on Faith for being observant of people.

“So it was just so funny, my dad fell right into the pile of horse manure.”  Riley laughed

“Ha imagine that, that is pretty funny.”  She drolly said.  She was starting to think that this was a bad idea.  She shouldn’t be here with Riley.  It didn’t seem fair to him.  He was trying really hard to make nice and all she could do was think about Angel and the way their last phone call had ended.

She felt bad for saying no to him and she now wished that she hadn’t.  She was also questioning whether it was even right for her to be here with another guy? 

Well she thought it’s not like we’re exclusive or anything.  I can see other guys! She was content with her line of thinking when it hit her.  He could see other women!  She didn’t like that notion one bit and was now really annoyed with herself for telling him no.

She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard the notes of one of her favorite old songs.

Don’t you stop it, don’t you stop

Don’t stop the music

Don’t you stop it, don’t you stop

Don’t stop the music

Her foot rapidly tapped to the music as thoughts of Angel with another woman started to really piss her off. 

“Riley I’m going to go dance with Faith” She didn’t wait for him to answer she barely even looked at him; she just got up and went to the dance floor.

Riley was extremely annoyed.  Since he had gotten here he had made every attempt to draw Buffy into a conversation, trying desperately to get her to pay attention to him.  But it seemed like she was constantly thinking of something else. 

And now she just gets up and leaves him sitting there like a pansy while she goes and dances with that bitch Faith.  He was getting really ticked off but he didn’t want to make a scene so he just turned his chair around to watch them.

Don’t you know you’ve got me mesmerized

With the beat I always fantasize

Don’t stop the music ‘cause it tends to soothe

I can tell you want to groove

Don’t you stop it, don’t you stop

Don’t stop the music (The beat keep goin’ ‘round and ‘round)

Don’t you stop it, don’t you stop (Turns me upside down)

Don’t stop the music

I just wanna rock [All, all night long]

All night long [To my love song, yeah, yeah, yeah]

I just wanna rock [Just wanna rock you]

All night long [Yeah], I got a love song [Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,

whoa, ho]

Everything we do is right on time

The beat’s so smooth it blows my mind

Don’t stop the music, it’s so satisfying

It feels so good to me, there is no denying

Angel was listening to Eve babble about some bullshit with only half an ear.  The other half was on Buffy and the way she blew him off.  He couldn’t believe that she said no.  Hadn’t he given her what she wanted?

He heard the song they were playing and was surprised to feel his foot tapping along.  He remembered this song it was a good one. 

“Angie baby let’s dance?”  Eve whined in his ear.  He cringed from the use of that name again. 

“No I don’t want to.”

Spike watched as Buffy left Riley at the table and joined Faith on the dance floor. They started to dance together each moving to the music as if their bodies were made for it.  Damn those two looked hot together.  For a minute he let his mind wander to visions of the three of them in bed, but then he shut that door closed, as if that would ever happen.

He glanced to where Angel and Eve were sitting talking to each other then glanced at Riley who was practically drooling as he watched Buffy and Faith.  Spike didn’t blame him though, because damn, HOT!

“Finally got away from farm boy?”  Faith asked as she twirled around Buffy.

“God he so boring!  All he does is tell stories of the stupid farm, like I give a flying fuck!”

Faith laughed, “I told you!” 

Just because it’s two o’clock

Don’t stop the music

Don’t you feel like dancing and prancing

Don’t stop the music

Don’t you stop it, don’t you stop

Don’t stop the music

You don’t really wanna stop, no

You don’t really wanna stop, uh-uh

You don’t really wanna stop, no

You don’t really wanna stop

Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop

Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop

Angel was just about to get up and get a drink when a hand slapped him on the back and a beer was dropped down in front of him on the table.

“Well, well, well what do we have here?”  Spike said as he grabbed the chair next to Angel and sat down.

“Spike, what are you doing here?”  Angel asked suspiciously. 

“Its old school night my friend, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” 

Angel didn’t look convinced “Since when do you like old school?”

“Well since I found out my woman loves to dance to this shit.”  He pointed to the dance floor where Faith and Buffy were dancing.

Angel looked to where Spike was pointing and his mouth dropped open.

There on the floor was Buffy and Faith and if that’s what they called dancing then he was way older then he thought.  They moved their bodies simultaneously with the music, gyrating next to each other, mouths practically touching.  It looked like they were mating not dancing.

My God she’s beautiful!  Her body moving with the beat he could almost hear the pounding of her heart, taste the sweat on her body. He knew that body very well and he could easily imagine what it would feel like right now. 

Eve turned around to see what they were looking at then turned back around to look at Angel, whose mouth was hanging open.  She looked back to the girls on the dance floor and didn’t see the big deal.  They were all right looking but her and Lilah had better moves then that.

“So what, what’s the big deal?”

Spike looked at Eve and didn’t see what Angel ever saw in her.  “Well Eve when you suddenly grow a dick then we’ll talk.” 

His chair scrapped on the floor as he got up and walked over to join the girls on the dance floor.  “You kids have fun now.”

 You’ve got me moving, you’ve got me grooving

Don’t stop the music

Don’t you feel like dancin’

I can tell you wanna dance

Don’t you feel like dancing

You’ve got me grooving, you’ve got me moving

Don’t stop the music, yeah

Don’t you stop it, don’t you stop (Don’t stop the music)

Don’t stop the music

Spike walked up behind Faith and put his arms around her and pulled her back against him.  “I was wondering where you were!”

“Just pointing out the sites to the tourists.”  He titled his head back to where Angel and Eve sat watching them. 

Faith looked over to see Angel his eyes glued on Buffy and Eve looking confused “what do you say we turn this up a notch?”

“Oh my pleasure pet.”

Spike danced around Faith and up to Buffy who had her back turned to them. He put his arms around her waist and pressed his chest into her back. 

Buffy looked over her shoulder when she felt his hands and smiled at him gyrating her ass into his crotch.  Faith moved up behind Spike and pretty soon all three of them were moving seductively on the dance floor.

[I just wanna rock you] I just wanna rock you [All night long]

All night long [To my love song], ho…oh…oh…oh…oh…

[I just wanna rock you] I just wanna rock you [All night long]

All night long, hey [To my love song, love song, love song, love song,

love song]

I can tell you wanna boogie

I can tell you wanna boogie

I can tell you wanna boogie

I can tell you wanna boogie

Don’t you stop it [You don’t really wanna stop], don’t you stop [No]

Don’t stop the music [You don’t really wanna stop, uh-uh]

Don’t you stop it [You don’t really wanna stop], don’t you stop [No]

Don’t stop the music [You don’t really wanna stop]

Don’t stop

Don’t stop (Don’t stop)

Don’t stop (Don’t stop)

Riley watched as some bleach blonde Billy Idol wanna be walked up to Faith and Buffy and started to dance with them.  He was expecting them to push him away but was surprised when they both smiled at him and started to dance with him like they were having a threesome. 

He stood up; no one was going to munch in on his chick for the night.

Angel was sitting absolutely still watching the three of them.  His hands were clenched on his beer and his eyes were black.  His whole body was tense and his mind was filled with images of ripping Spike’s hands off his body and shoving them up his ass.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes and willed himself to calm down.  She wasn’t his; she could do what she wanted.  Besides it was only Spike, it wasn’t like she was here on a date or anything.

He had finally calmed himself down and was going to ask Eve if she wanted a drink, when out of the corner of his eye he saw a man approach Buffy.  He couldn’t see his face but his backside looked eerily familiar.

He watched as Buffy turned to look at the newcomer, she smiled at him then moved closer to him.  What the fuck was going on?

They spun around and Angel finally got a glimpse of his face!

RILEY!  He stood up so quickly his chair fell backwards.  “Angel what’s wrong?”  Eve asked

Angel was so incensed he didn’t answer her.  She was here on a date?  And with that pig Riley!  She blew him off so she could come here with HIM!

His hand clenched his beer bottle so tight that it shattered to the floor and he was left holding the broken bottleneck.

“Angel…oh my god are you alright?”  Eve stood up and grabbed a napkin off the table and started to wipe the blood and beer that was quickly coating his hand.

He ignored her and kept staring at the bastard who ruined his marriage and who was now touching his Buffy.

Spike heard the noise over the music and looked over to see Angel staring intently at Riley and Buffy. Man if looks could kill!  Spike shook his head he almost felt sorry for poor Riley, almost.

Riley and Buffy were still dancing not having heard the commotion on the other side of room.  But she was suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. It felt like someone was staring daggers into her back. 

Her eyes scanned the dance floor quickly and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.  Then they rested on Riley.  It must be him and the fact that she felt very uncomfortable around him.  It was either that or it was just the guilt she felt for even being here with him in the first place.

Riley leaned in to Buffy’s ear and whispered, “I love the way you dance it’s such a turn on.” 

He tried to make it sound sexy but to Buffy it sounded like a snake slithering in her ear.  She had to get away from him.  She smiled sweetly at him “I’ll be right back.” Then turned away and walked over to Faith.

“Faith, I’m going to the bathroom!”  Faith nodded her head and Buffy weaved her way through the crowd and off the dance floor. 

Riley disgruntled that she left him flat on the dance floor moved over to Faith to dance with her and Spike. 

Just because it’s two o’clock [Don’t stop]

Don’t mean that we have to stop [Don’t stop]

Just because it’s two o’clock [Don’t stop]

Don’t mean that we have to stop [Don’t stop]

Don’t you stop it, don’t you stop

Don’t stop the music

“Sorry mate this one’s taken.” Spike said as he twirled a giggling Faith away from Riley who was left standing on the dance floor by himself.

Angel watched as Riley leaned in and whispered something to Buffy he saw her smile at him then after a few words to Faith she walked off the dance floor.

Eve was wiping his hand with the napkin “Eve its ok I’ll just go to the bathroom and wash up.”  “Oh ok I’ll wait here for you.”  Angel left her at the table and followed Buffy to the bathroom.

Buffy was walking to the bathroom trying to come up with a plan to get rid of Riley when someone grabbed her from behind and threw her up against the wall face first.

At first she thought it was Riley and was ready to turn around and kick his ass when she heard the voice that taunted her every dream.

“What are you doing here?”  Buffy felt the tingles go up her spine as he whispered silkily in her ear.  His hands were on her shoulders pushing her into the wall and his back was pressed up to hers.

She could feel the tension radiating from his body she felt his hard cock pressed into her ass and it felt wonderful. She moaned into the wall and answered without thinking “I’m on a date.”

He saw black “A DATE! With that asshole Finn?  Is he the reason why you needed space? So you could compare us?  Did you want to see if he could fuck you as good as I do?”

He leaned in closer to her ear “You could’ve just asked me I would have told you that no one will fuck you the way I do!”

Buffy tried to turn around and slap him in the face but he was too strong. He held her up against the wall and pushed his dick further into the crack of her ass, as his hands started to slip under her dress.

She wanted to hurt him for those words but found instead that she couldn’t help her reaction to his nearness. She was once again putty in his hands as she pushed her ass back into him wanting to feel more. 

“But instead you blow me off and come here with that fucking asshole! I don’t think he can satisfy a woman like you Buff.  I mean even I have a hard time keeping up with you.  You’re too much woman for that boy.”  He sneered.

His words were hard and callous and meant to hurt her.  If she just listened to his words she would have thought he hated her but his actions spoke differently.  His actions were those of a scorned lover and instead of making her mad she wanted to console his anger.

“I didn’t blow you off; you said you’d give me time.”  She once again tried to turn around but he held her strong and wouldn’t let her move.

“Which is what I thought I was doing! But then I come here and see you with him!”  He spat out that last word, the name to repulsive for him to even speak it.

Even thou she wanted to sooth his anger she couldn’t hold back the surge of anger she felt.  Who the hell did he think he was? He didn’t own her! “Well what the hell are you doing here anyway?”

“I’m on a date.” He whispered in her ear.

“What...a..da…date?”  Rage filled her at hearing his words spoken so nonchalantly.  “A DATE! “

Angel felt her body tense and smiled, so she didn’t like the idea of him with another woman good!

“You got some nerve! You yell at me for being on a date when so are you! So what this is your idea of giving me space? Dating someone else? You going to take her home and fuck her too!”

Angel liked where this was going now he could turn the tables on her “What, did you think I would sit by and watch you flirt and date other guys and I wouldn’t?  I said I’d give you space I never said that I would be a monk.”

Buffy was so hurt and pissed off at his words.  But he was right it wasn’t fair of her to ask him to give her space, and not see other women.  Especially when she knew all along that she would see other men.  Wasn’t she just thinking the same thing?

She relaxed her body and calmed her mind and just let herself feel him and his wandering hands that were skimming the edge of her now wet panties.  She grabbed his hand and stopped him.  “What are you doing?”  “What I’ve wanted to do for a week.”

Buffy was like a deer caught in the headlights “Angel stop we can’t not here! What about Riley?”

He growled “Fuck Riley! Fuck everyone in this building!  I don’t give a shit!  I have to touch you, have to be inside you, it’s been too long.”  He desperately said in her ear as his other hand slipped up to her breasts pulling on her hard nipples. 

They struggled with each other, one trying to reach paradise the other trying to stop the decadence that was about to happen.  But Angel was unrelenting and finally took his hand off her breast and pulled her hand off of his.  He grabbed both her wrists with one hand and held them up to the wall.

Buffy was now at his mercy and frankly she didn’t want to be anywhere else.

“He doesn’t deserve to touch you your mine!” 

He reached down into her panties and touched her soaking wet pussy.  Buffy moaned louder into his shoulder as he quickly worked her body up to a frenzy. 

It was too much, his dominate attitude making her want to grovel at his feet and beg for forgiveness.  Beg him to give her the release that she desperately needed, the release that she knew only he could give. 

But he denied her that release pulling away just when she was on the verge of cumming.

“Did he touch you? Has he tasted your sweetness? Has he been to my paradise?’  He sneered in her ear. He had to know if he needed to go kill Riley, because that would be Riley’s fate if he had touched her.

She shook her head wildly against his shoulder “No. I wouldn’t let him. Please Angel, I need to cum, please,” She begged him and she didn’t care. She bucked against his hand urging him to return to his actions.  

“Good girl.”  Angel happy with her answer rewarded her by plunging two fingers into her tight channel. She came instantly her juices coating his fingers, her hips rocking back and forth on his hand riding out the waves of bliss that spread throughout her body.

Angel was excited before but now with her subservience he was ready to explode.  He grabbed her chin and forced her mouth to his plundering it ruthlessly biting her lip in the process. She whimpered at the slight pain

He released her mouth at her cry and seeing the blood on her lip, stuck his tongue out and licked it off, soothing the cut.

She opened her eyes to look at him.  She desperately wanted to hold him to her to find comfort in those strong arms, to make things better.  But he wouldn’t let her. 

He pushed her back and pressed her tightly against the wall. “Now it’s my turn.”  And he slammed into her in one shot; she saw stars. 

She didn’t think she could cum so many times, but his vicious taking of her in the darkness of a club filled with people, just turned her on even more.

“Oh God! Angel yes harder!”

“That’s right baby say my name, know that it’s me fucking you not Finn!” Angel was brutal as he plunged into her tight heat over and over again trying to reach paradise.  He was so fired up from seeing her with Riley that he had to possess her, had to make her see that he was her perfect fit. 

“Angel” Buffy was mindlessly saying his name over and over again then with one final thrust they came together. Mouths fused to silent their cries of passion.

She laid her head against the cool wall to catch her breath as Angel pulled his pants up.  He was pleased, extremely pleased.  She had responded to him like no other woman had before and he wanted more.  He wanted her forever now all he had to do was make her see that.

He was still agitated by the fact that she was here on a date to begin with but he also felt a small measure of guilt for screwing her in a dark club. 

Wanting to comfort her he walked up behind her and wound his arms around her waist speaking softly in her ear “Baby….”

“Buffy?  Are you in there?”  Angel growled and his head whipped around at the sound of Riley Finn’s voice.

Buffy scrambled to put her panties back on as Riley turned the corner.

“Buffy are you alr….” Riley stopped in mid sentence.  There was his date for the evening looking very flushed and standing next to one very satisfied and smirking Angel O’Rourke.  The fact that Angel was putting his belt back on was not lost on Riley. 

“O’Rourke?”  Angel turned to look at Riley with a cocky smile on this face “Finn.”  They stared each other down while Buffy stood there trying desperately to straighten her tousled dress.

“Riley hey I was just on my way back.”  She ran her hand up to her hair, which had now, fell out of the neat twist she had it in.

Riley looked into the eyes of a woman who had just been thoroughly loved. There was a sparkle in her eyes and her skin was glowing.  He stepped in closer to her “Is he bothering you?” 

Angel’s eyes darkened the second that Riley stepped closer to Buffy.  He stepped up to Riley and pushed him back. 

Riley tried to hold his ground but he wasn’t expecting to be pushed so he lost his balance and feel back landing on his ass.

Angel disgusted with Riley’s show of weakness turned to Buffy “And you were going to sleep with this guy?” She slapped him on the arm “No I wasn’t going to sleep with this guy!”

She walked over to help Riley up.  She had to stifle a giggle at how silly he looked sprawled out on the floor his legs in the air.

Riley got up with as much dignity as he could.  He heard Buffy’s answer to Angel and shook off her hand.

He stood up and walked up to Angel “What’s your problem O’Rourke?  You want to do this?  Let’s go!” 

Angel who didn’t need to be egged on only smiled evilly at Riley and took a step closer to him, his right hand curled into a fist and he was ready to draw it back, when Buffy stepped in between them.

She put one hand on Angel and one hand on Riley and looked sternly at both of them “Whoa hold up if I see anymore testosterone-poisoning around here I’ll kick both your asses!”

She looked at Riley “Riley why don’t you go back to the table and get my stuff, I’ll meet you there in a minute.”  He looked like he wanted to argue but went anyway.

Buffy turned to Angel who had this expression of disbelieve on this face “Don’t tell me your going home with him?”

“No Angel I’m not going home with him, I’m letting him take me home, plus I owe him an explanation.”

He was stunned “Buffy you don’t owe him shit!”

“Angel please just leave it alone ok?  Look I’m going home I’m suddenly very tired and I need some sleep we’ll talk tomorrow.”  She started to walk away then stopped.

She spun around and punched him the face “That’s for being on a date!” 

Angel rubbing his chin watched her walk away ‘that’s my girl!”

Chapter Eleven

Truths and Revelations

Buffy woke up the next morning to the feel of smooth lips kissing a trail down her back. 

“Angel.”  She moaned into her pillow slowly waking up.  Angel smiled; even in her sleep she recognized his touch.

“Baby wake up.”  Buffy smiled into her pillow, her Angel was here waking her up in the most delightful of ways.  Wait…Angel was here…in her apartment?

She jumped up so quickly that he almost fell off the bed “Whoa, whoa, relax its ok it’s just me.”

Buffy’s eyes darted to Angel and then around the room “Angel what are you doing here?  How did you get in?”

Angel chuckled at her confused look “I saw Faith on my way up and she let me in.”

“Oh. Ok.”  She didn’t sound too sure of herself but she settled back down on the bed. “So…ah…what’s up?  How was your date?” she sneered that last bit out.  Angel looked at her thoughtfully she sounded a little miffed this morning.

Angel decided to play with her a little bit “Oh yeah my date, well she was pretty good actually.”

Buffy’ smacked him on the head “PRETTY GOOD!  You practically fuck me into the wall then you sleep with HER!”  She was livid how could he do that?  It’s not like she went home and slept with Riley, far from it, in fact she had pretty much kicked him out the door the second he took her home.

“Practically? Baby I did fuck you into the wall; I can remind you if you like?”  He moved in to do just that, but Buffy wouldn’t have it she jumped out of the bed “no there will be no reminding.  I am not senile I remember perfectly well.”

Angel chuckled; she was feisty this morning “Oh well if you change your mind…”  “No there will be no changing of my mind, now what are you doing here?”

Angel got up and started to pace in front of her bed, ok time to be serious. “Buffy I came here today because I wanted to talk to you about us, about last night.”

“Talk?”  She questioned his motives because it seemed like every time they ‘talked’ it usually involved bodily fluids.

But Angel held up his hands like he was surrendering “I swear I just want to talk to you.”

“Ok just let me get changed I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”  He nodded his ascent and walked out of the bedroom.

Buffy quickly ran to get dress because there was no way she was ‘talking’ to Angel in her pajamas.

********

They were sitting at the kitchen table across from each other a teakettle in between them and their hands wrapped around their perspective mugs.

Angel not able to stand the silence anymore took the plunge “Buffy about last night.  I want to apologize if I was too rough with you and I want to explain my actions to you.”

Buffy looked right at him “It’s ok Angel you weren’t too rough, I…ahem” she cleared her throat “ …I liked it.”

“Well regardless of whether or not you enjoyed it I shouldn’t have done it.  I did promise to give you space and then the second I saw you with someone else I freaked.”

“I understand I mean I didn’t like hearing that you were there with someone else.” She sheepishly said she reached over and caressed his check “How’s your jaw by the way?”

He put his hand on top of hers and smiled at her “Sore. You pack a big punch in that little hand”

“I’m sorry I still can’t believe I did that.”

“It’s ok I deserved it.” “No you didn’t”

He smiled at “Yes I did.”  They smiled at each other

“Listen there was another reason I freaked out when I saw you with Riley…”

She waited patiently for him to continue.

“He was the one that my wife Darla cheated on me with.”

Buffy gasped “Angel I’m so sorry, I didn’t know.” He held his hand up.

“It doesn’t matter Buffy the point is that after you said no, when I asked you out, I was really pissed off. So I asked Eve out because I wanted to hurt you like you hurt me.”

“Well it wasn’t the most pleasant of feelings to know you were on a date with someone else.”

Angel kept going like he didn’t even hear her “Then when we got there and I saw him with you, touching you, I just went nuts.  All I saw was red, and the burning need to stop him from touching what was mine again, just took over.”

“Yours?”

He took a deep breath “Buffy I know that we’ve only known each other a short time but I am being completely honest when I tell you that I feel like I’ve known you my whole life.  I wasn’t lying when I said that it was true all of it.”

He peeked up at her to try and gage her reaction; she was just sitting there looking at him, her mind open to what he was saying.

“I think…I think I’m falling in love with you and the last thing I want to do is push you away but I want to know you, all of you, I want to know your past, I want to know what you like or don’t like. I want…I want you.”  There he’d said it he half expected her to run out of the room.  But she was such an amazing woman she did what he never would have expected her to do.

Buffy had listened to every word he said she watched his emotions shine so clearly in his eyes and knew that she couldn’t deny it or run away any more.

She reached across the table and took his hands in hers and spoke softly to him “Angel…I…I think I’m falling in love with you too.”  His eyes sparkled at her words and he seemed to sit a little straighter in his chair.

“But I don’t know if I am ready to jump into a relationship with you.” 

“Why?  Please tell me I need to know what you’re so scared of.” 

Buffy sighed she released his hands got up and walked over to the counter her back to him.

“When I was 12 my parents divorced and my dad split.  I haven’t spoken to him since then. But my mom she hooked up with the librarian in our town Rupert Giles.  I didn’t like that so much it was hard for me to accept another man in the house.  My mom said that’s when I started hanging out with the bad crowd.  You know, bikers, motor-heads.  Anyway I did a lot of drugs, drank a lot, and hung out all night long.  Basically living my own life and doing my own thing.  Then my mom and Giles married and moved out here and I decided to stay in New York.”

She took a couple of breaths here was the difficult part.  She turned around and looked directly in to his eyes.

“Remember when you asked me what the tattoo on my back meant?”

“I remember.  I also remember you avoided my question like a pro.”  She smiled remembering her seductive play.

But the smile disappeared and she took a deep breath “Angel that tattoo is a symbol of ownership.  Proof that I belong to The Brotherhood.”

She waited to see his reaction, but the only expression on his face was one of confusion.

“Buffy what are you talking about, what’s the Brotherhood and what do you mean proof of ownership?”  His voice had risen because he didn’t like the idea that she belonged to someone else and not him.

“Angel, please just listen, ok?”  She waited for him to calm down and then finished her tale.

“The Brotherhood is a motorcycle club that I joined when I was sixteen.”

“You mean a gang, like the Hells Angels?”

She shook her head and turned back around not looking at him.  “Yeah…sort of. I was at this party and I met Parker Abrams he was the brother of the Chapter president.  I thought I loved him so we got a place together and started a life together.”

She waited for that to sink in and snuck a look over her shoulder at him.  He was sitting there watching her, his eyes full of love and understanding, and it gave her the strength to continue her story.

“Well things were going good for awhile but then he changed. He got real insecure he became very controlling and possessive.  He controlled everything in my life; who I hung out with, what I wore. He constantly badgered me saying that I was cheating on him. I couldn’t go anywhere without him, he basically appointed himself my jailor.  He always said hurtful things then followed it up with I love you, it’s not your fault it’s mine, I’ll change.” Her voice changed has she mimicked Parker’s words

“But he never did and I became a shell of what I once was. I wasn’t happy I was miserable. Before him, I looked at life with passion and optimism but after everything I couldn’t, I lost that…I lost me.”

Angel listened to her voice listened to the way it changed from sadness to anger.  He wanted to go and comfort her but he knew he had to let her get it all out.

“But I stayed and I kept telling him I would never leave.  The worst part was the sex; I hated having him touch me.  I hated the way it felt, like he never belonged.  And I HATED having to say I love you after every time.” 

Angel could hear the self-loathing in her voice and he got up and started to walk towards her.  She heard the scrap of the chair and lifted her hands for him to stop.

“No please just stay there.”  He stopped.

“I stayed with him for seven years.  For seven years I kept letting him fuck me and I kept lying and saying that I loved him when I didn’t.  Why?  Why would a person do that?  What the fuck was wrong with me?  I wasn’t happy!  I didn’t love him and I sure as hell didn’t want to have sex with him!  But I did over and over and over again.“ She was punching the counter with her fist so disgusted with herself.

Angel ran over to her and encased her in his loving arms. He held her tight as she cried all over his silk shirt.  With tears in his eyes he tried to comfort “Shhh baby its ok I’ve got you, shhh shhhh”

Buffy tried to pull away “NO don’t you see?  I’m nothing but a whore, a whore that didn’t even get paid for her services!”

Angel roughly grabbed her shoulders “YOU ARE NOT A WHORE!  You were young, scared, and alone; you didn’t know what else to do!”

She was shaking her head back and forth “No I knew what I was doing.  I knew that I should have left him.  I knew I KNEW...but I didn’t I’m nothing but a disgusting whore!”

He slapped her across the face and she looked at him tears streaming down her face, her hand went up to her check. She looked at him and saw the anger in his eyes.

“Don’t say that don’t ever say that!  You are not a whore.  He was an asshole who couldn’t see that he was destroying an impressionable young girl.  It was his fault for treating you so callously and not treating you the way you deserve, with respect and love.”

She fell to her knees holding her head crying her heart out. He followed her to the floor holding her tight, rocking back and forth trying desperately to make her see that it was not her fault, that she was not bad.

He gently picked her up and cradled her shaking form in his arms as he walked them into the bedroom.  He laid her down on the bed and she pulled him down next to her.

Feeling safe in his arms she calmed down. Her shaking subsided and the tears fell less “I’m so ashamed of myself. “  She sniffled.  “Seven years.  Seven years of my life I lived like that and didn’t do anything about it.  If Parker hadn’t died I’d still be there.”

He hugged her tighter “Shhh.  Buffy you have nothing to be ashamed of.  You did what you thought was the right thing to do.” 

She didn’t tell him that she couldn’t leave.  She didn’t tell him that you don’t leave The Brotherhood.  Once you are in you’re always the property of them.  You can never run from The Brotherhood. That was the real reason she had always stayed with Parker.  She had no choice.  But when Parker died that was her ticket out.  Faith understood that but she didn’t think that Angel would.  So she felt safe in not telling him because that life was behind her now.  She hadn’t run from them she didn’t have to, but if she had she would surely be died somewhere laying in a ditch.

But maybe he was right.  Maybe it wasn’t her fault.  She was just young and stupid and did what she thought she had to do.  At the time was there really any other course of action for her to take?  No, there wasn’t.  There was nothing she could do until the moment arrived.  Thank god it did.

It was funny she thought, now that she got it all out in the open, things didn’t seem so bleak. Maybe she wasn’t a lost cause after all.

“After that I came here and I promised myself that I would never become someone’s property again.  And that’s why I ran from you because I could feel you in my heart, in my soul and I was scared.”

Angel just hugged her more and tried to calm the rage that he had inside for this Parker asshole.  If the guy weren’t already dead Angel would have gone out and ripped him to shreds just like he ripped his Buffy’s heart to shreds.

He gently touched her chin so she would look at him and know that his words were true “Baby you have to believe me when I tell you that I have nothing but the utmost respect for you.  I would never trample on your heart that way.  I just want to hold it to mine forever, protect it and keep it safe.”

His sweet words just made her cry again.  And as she laid in his arms crying her heart out to him, the wall around her heart came crashing down.  She felt free. And her soul sang with the joy that this man so easily bestowed in her.

She looked up into his eyes and caressed his check “You are a wonderful, sweet man Angelus O’Rourke.”

He smiled and kissed her palm “Don’t let that get out I have a reputation to protect.”  She laughed and the sound was music to his ears.

He made love to her so tenderly after that like he had all the time in the world.  He kissed and caressed every inch of her body, she felt worshipped, she felt loved and she felt free, free to love again.

********

Laying in bed basking in the afterglow of their love making, Angel was pondering whether or not he should ask her the question he’d been dying to ask.

“Buffy?”

“Mmm”

“Where do you want to go from here?”

Buffy opened her eyes and continued to play with his belly button.  She had been dreading this question but she knew it was coming and unfortunately she knew how she had to answer him.

“Angel, I was offered to do a photo shoot for The Swimsuit Edition.  It’s in Hawaii.  And I’m going to do it.”

Angel thought okay not what I wanted to hear but that’s not so bad. “How long will you be gone?”

She sat up and looked at him.  “It’s for three weeks maybe more.  I’ll finally be able to buy my bar with the money I make on this job.”

She felt the tension in his body the second the words spilled out of her mouth.  But she had to go, now more than ever.  She had to know that he would be ok with her still doing her own thing.

Angel looked at her and saw a whirlwind of emotions playing across her beautiful face; the anxiety of waiting to hear his answer, the joy of having her dream finally come true, and most importantly he saw the love she felt for him.  He knew that he had to answer very carefully.

He didn’t like the idea of her being away from him for even a day let alone three weeks but he also knew that if he reacted negatively all would be lost. Besides he did have to go out of town for business and he didn’t know yet how to tell her. 

He smiled at her and drew her back down on his chest “Ok baby you go and do your thing.  I’ll be waiting for you when you get back.”

Buffy was so happy that she jumped on top of him and proceeded to show him how much his answer meant to her.

Chapter Twelve

Escaping Denial

It had been two weeks since Buffy went to Hawaii and Angel was going insane.  He had thought that he could do it, be without her, I mean it was only two weeks for God’s sake!  The first week he was out of town and didn’t have much time to brood about her being gone.

But now here he was pacing in his living room, thinking of nothing but her. 

His front door was thrown open and Spike came barreling in, a case of Buds under one arm and a bottle of Jacks under the other.  “Hey peaches I thought you good use a drink.”

“You have no idea!”  Spike chuckled “Yeah that’s what I thought.”

He looked at Angel “Everything go alright in Vienna.”

“Clockwork.”

Spike happy with answer “Good,”

“So you’re back and brooding, missing Blondie, probably staring at that damn calendar till your eyes bleed.  Hence the medicine! ” He lifted the bottle of whiskey up.

He sat down on the couch and threw Angel a beer.  Then he reached into his duster and pulled out two shot glasses.”

“Spike you do know I own glasses?”

“Pff I always come prepared mate!  That’s my motto B.Y.O.E.”  He filled their shot glasses.

Angel took the glass Spike handed him “Isn’t that B.Y.O.B. for bring your own beer?”

“Nope it’s B.Y.O.E., bring your own everything!”  They clicked glasses and drank them down.

“Have you talked to her recently?”

“I called her before I left last week.”

“And…” It was no wonder Angel was good at what he did, getting him to talk was like trying to take the pipe away from a crack addict.

Angel was staring at his drink like it held all the wonders of the world in the amber liquid “What do you know about The Brotherhood?”

Spike coughed up his whiskey and looked at him “The Brotherhood?  A nasty bunch of bikers that lot.”  Spike wondered why he asked and if Buffy finally told him.  He had known because he had seen the tattoo on Faith and he knew without even asking her, what it represented.

“Buffy has a tattoo on her back and she says that it means she belongs to them.” 

Spike looked fluster not knowing how much to tell Angel.  But Angel saw his hesitation and knew in that instant that Buffy hadn’t told him everything.  “Spike” he said growling, “You better tell me everything you know.”

Faith will kill him but better to die in the hands of the woman he loves then in the hands of the Devil himself. “The Brotherhood is a motorcycle gang with chapters all over the country.  They run guns, drugs, whores, you name it they got their hands in it.”

Angel pondered this “What about the tattoo?”

Ah the difficult part “When a woman joins the club she’s tattooed on the lower back.  It’s supposed to mean loyalty and respect towards the club.  It’s also protection; say from an opposing gang member who might try to get some action off of her.  It also means that once that tattoo is there it never comes off. ”

“What do you mean never comes off?”  Angel didn’t like the sound of this.

“It means that once you are in The Brotherhood you don’t leave.  They don’t let you, if you do your as good as dead.”

“How do you know so much about them?” 

“Faith.  She’s a member too.”

Angel stood up so abruptly he almost dropped his drink.  “Are you fucking kidding me? You knew this the whole time and didn’t tell me? And why the fuck did Buffy not tell me!”  Angel started to panic thinking that there were mad bikers out there hunting his baby down.

Spike knew his line of thinking and went to remedy it quickly, “Hold on mate its ok she’s not in any danger.”

Angel spun around. “How do you know that? You just said they don’t let you leave?”

“Look from what Faith says there is a way to leave the club without gaining a death sentence.  See a man is always attached to the club, no matter what; he’s in it for life.  But the ladies don’t join the group the same way the men do.  The women become members through the man, you know either their husband or boyfriend, whatever. Basically he is their attachment to the group.  So if he dies or he releases her, then she’s free to go.  Don’t get me wrong they technically still belong to the club but they are free to leave the chapter that they were a member of.”

Angel paced while he listened to Spike he started to calm down when he realized that maybe she was safe from harm.  “So why not tell me?”

Spike rolled his eyes, “Probably because she knew how you would react and didn’t want to start any trouble.  Look Angel the lass is starting over here she doesn’t want to remember her past she’s trying to forget it.  Why don’t you just let it rest and help her instead.”

Angel thought on that and he had to agree with Spike.  Though he was hurt that she hadn’t told him the whole story, he understood.  He did freak out because the thought of her belonging to someone else was not something he wanted to think about, he didn’t like to share.

“Yeah I guess you’re right.  You don’t think there’s more to it then Faith told you do you?” 

Spike snorted, “Well you know my Faith she’s a wonderful woman but a terrible liar.  There’s definitely more to it than she’s telling me I’m sure of it.  And I’m pretty sure there’s more to Buffy’s story too.  But hey that’s in their past and I for one believe everyone deserves a second chance.”

He looked at Angel pointedly “Don’t you?” 

Angel couldn’t begrudge her that wasn’t he himself working on that too?  “Your right I just have to suck up this feeling of…”

“Rage and jealousy, the urge to go out and decapitate everyone of them?”

Angel just nodded. 

“I know the feeling mate.”  He poured them another shot “So beyond that how is she?”

“She’s good.  She misses everyone and can’t wait to come home.”

Spike looked bored “That’s it?  No words of love? No I miss you’s?”

Angel couldn’t help the grin that appeared on his face “There might have been some of that.”

Spike grinned back.

“How are things with Faith?” Angel asked.

“Faith, she’s perfect.”  He took a drink of his beer then got this disgusted look on his face “Too damn perfect.  You know I never thought I would ever find someone that made my tummy do flip-flops.  You know, someone you would do anything for, even kill.”

Angel shook his head “I know what you mean.  When I saw her with Riley…” He stopped remembering the rage he had felt “I swear if he had touched her I would’ve killed him”

Spike knew Angel’s words to be true.

 “How the hell did us two bastards find such incredible women?”

Angel was just as bewildered about that as Spike “I don’t know but I can tell you one thing, I’ll never let her get away.  She’s the one Will whether she wants to believe it or not, she’s the one.”

Spike looking thoughtful for a moment “How are we going to tell them?”

Angel who himself had been contemplating the same thing had no answer.

They sat there throughout the night talking about their women and getting pretty hammered in the process.  It was late when they finally passed out.

********

Hawaii

Buffy came back from her early morning shoot on the beach and dropped down on the bed.  God she was so tired.  She was up at dawn, dragged onto a small plane that she thought for sure would crash into the ocean, and flown to the island of Maui for her shoot.  It was now 8PM and she was tired and hungry.

She had been so busy that she hadn’t had much time to think about her situation with Angel. But as she lay there now in the quiet of her hotel room she realized that she didn’t have to think. She did have feelings for him, strong ones, stronger then she had ever known.  And she was confident in the fact that he felt the same way.

There was no denying the passion that was between them and that when they made love it was as if the whole world stopped and it was only them.  

She also couldn’t deny that he was generally a good decent man, who had morals, albeit sometimes he was a little strong handed and possessive.  But she found that in him she didn’t mind it.  In fact she loved it when he took control.  His claiming of her was nothing short of pure possession and she craved it.

No he was nothing like Parker.  He would always treat her with kindness and thoughtfulness, with respect.  With him she could lose herself within his passion and warmth, yet still be her own person. She didn’t have to be afraid to open her heart to him because he would never try to cage it.

She was still a little nervous about how fast things had progressed but hey love makes you do the whacky! 

Love… Oh my God I Love Him!  She sat up abruptly.  Where the hell did that come from? 

Oh well, she guessed it was unavoidable really, when you looked at it, because what girl in her right mind good resist him?  With those dark chocolate eyes that just seem to look right into your soul, telling you all the sensuous pleasures to be found in his arms. Yes trying to deny it had been a lost cause from the beginning.  She was just too stupid to see it.

Her eyes grew heavy and she started to drift off to sleep with wicked thoughts of chaining Angel up and having her way with him, when the phone started to ring.

She reached over to grab it, knocking the clock off the table in the process “Hello”

“B how’s it hanging babe?” 

“Faith? What’s going on?”

“Ah same old shit you know how it is.  I just wanted to check up on you and see how you were.”

Buffy had her suspicions that Angel probably put her up to the call.  She had only spoken to him twice since she’d gotten here.  She knew that he probably would have called more but he didn’t want her to think that he was suffocating her.

“Oh yeah I’m sure.  Is Angel with you?”

Faith looked over at an anxious Angel “No why would Angel be with me?”

“Oh I don’t know I hadn’t talked to him in a while and I thought maybe he had you calling to check up on me.”

“Gee B could you be anymore paranoid?  Actually I’m at the Whiskey getting ready for the mad rush; I had a free minute and wanted to talk to you.”

Buffy was a little disappointed “Oh ok is everything alright?  Doyle, Cordelia, Spike?”

“Everyone’s great B, but we all miss you. When are you coming home?”

Buffy looked at her calendar “I think in another week we should have everything wrapped up.”

“Great!  I can’t wait to see you.”  Faith turned away from Angel and Spike who were listening to every word she said, and walked down the other end of the bar so they couldn’t hear her.

“B you sure everything’s cool?  I mean you know with Angel and all?”

Buffy smiled “Everything is very cool Faith.  I didn’t think being away from him would be this hard but God I really miss him.”

“Well he misses you too. Because you know he’s brooding in here ever damn night and it’s driving me fucking crazy.”  She swatted Spike away who had inched closer to try and hear.

Buffy laughed “Well if it’s any consolation I’m brooding too.  I never realized how deep my feelings were for him until I was away.  Now I can’t think of anything but him, all the time…actually, its pretty god damn annoying.  But don’t tell him that his head is already swollen”

Faith laughed and looked at Spike she knew how Buffy felt it was the same way she felt for Spike.

“Alright call me before you leave I’ve spotted the perfect place for the bar and I can’t wait to show you.”

 “Great I can’t wait to see it.  Alright I’ll talk to you soon ok?”

“Oh B?”

“Yeah?”

“Get some sleep girl you sound like shit!”

“I love you too Faith, bye”

Faith hung up the phone and was immediately bombarded with questions from both idiots at the other end of the bar.

“What did she say?”

“Is she going to bring me back pictures?”  Angel just looked at Spike like ‘are you kidding me’   “What? Have you seen the swimsuit edition?”

“Guys, guys, hold up.  She sounds good, tired but good.” 

Angel scowled “She’s not sleeping enough which probably means she’s not eating enough either.”  Looking all concerned.

Spike looked like he was going to puke “Aren’t you cute worried about the little woman.” Then he turned to Faith, “What about those pictures?”

Faith slapped him upside the head “You’re not getting any pictures you rutting fool.”  Then she leaned in to kiss him.

Looking back at Angel “Don’t worry; she can take care of herself.  And she did say that she missed you.”

His face lit up “really?”

Faith nodded her head “She also knew that you had me call her.”

“Damn.”

“Blonde yes, stupid she’s not.” Faith answered.

Just then Doyle walked in “Hey was that the lass you were talking too?”

“The one and only!”

“When she coming home? Because you know business has gone down the tubes since she left.”  Doyle said.

Faith looking affronted said “Hey what am I Chopped Liver?”

Spike pulled her into a hug “If you are you’re my chopped liver.” “Ew gross Spike.”

“Now Faithy you know that’s not it, it’s just that Buffy draws them in like cattle to a watering hole.”

Angel sat there listening to their banter his mind on Buffy and how much he missed her.

Chapter Thirteen

Pleasurable Reunions

He was awakened by a scratch on the windowpane he tried to move his arms but discovered he couldn’t.  He quickly opened his eyes and looked up to see his arms tied to the bedposts with scarves. He went to move his legs and found that they were also securely tied. He was spread eagle on his bed.  What the fuck?

“Hello lover.”  A sultry purr from across the room was heard and he looked through the darkness to see the petite form of Buffy standing there in a trench coat.

“Buffy?  When did you get back?  Why didn’t you call me? And why am I tied to my bed?”

She stared at him not answering then slowly walked over to him her stilettos clicking on the wood floor with every step she took.  “Tonight, I wanted to surprise you, and because I like you like that, it’s a good look for you.”

Angel watched her approach wondering how the hell she got in without him waking up, was he losing his touch?

She knew what he was thinking; she smiled slyly at him “I have many talents that you don’t know about my love.”

His eyebrows went up a notch, along with The Beast, who suddenly became very interested in learning what those talents were.  He watched her slink across the room with a look of pure lust in her eyes.

He was feeling a little uneasy at being tied up he wasn’t used to being the dominated one.  But then again the thought of Buffy dominating him was an extreme turn on. “Baby why don’t you untie me and I’ll help you with your coat?”

When she reached the side of the bed she looked down at her captive.  She marveled at his strong beautiful body she couldn’t wait to have her way with him.  She touched his foot and slowly raked her nail up his leg.

She pouted “But I like you all tied up and at my mercy.”  She slowly unwrapped her coat and let it fall to the floor.

Angel’s mouth dropped open as he stared at her gloriously naked body.  Did she drive over here like that? 

“Buffy did you come here dressed like that?”  He didn’t like the idea of her riding across town practically naked.

She looked at him thoughtfully “Well I did drive here like this yes, but…”

She touched the head of his hard cock with her finger making slow circles around the tip, licking her lips “I haven’t cum here…yet.”  Angel moaned as she leaned down and took his cock in her mouth.

She alternated between long licks up and down his shaft, to strong sucking over the tip, reveling in the taste of his pre-cum as it filled her mouth.  She was humming as she worked.

She was so excited she had been fantasizing about this moment since she left Hawaii.  While she waited for him to wake up the excitement had built. And now that she had him at her mercy with his big cock in her mouth she could feel her pussy throbbing.  She couldn’t wait to have him inside of her but first she wanted to taste him, she wanted to make him scream.

He wasn’t far from it, the second she put her mouth on him he thought he would cum from the exquisite warmth she created.  He had been too long without her and he didn’t think he could hold out for long.

He was struggling with his restraints desperately wanting to touch her, to grab her head and push his dick further into her mouth.  “Baby let me touch you?”  He pleaded.

She kept on sucking him the shake of her head the only response she gave him.  She sucked harder her hand moving up and down his shaft with the rhythm of her mouth.  “Oh God Buffy please stop I’m going to cum.”

But she wouldn’t stop she kept her pace then started to caress his balls, then went in for the kill she deep throated him.  “Ahhhh BUFFFFFYYYY!”

Feeling his cock touch the back of her throat was all it took and he spurted his seed down her throat.  Buffy held on to him drinking his seaman down loving the way it smoothly glided down her throat.

“God you are amazing!’  He was panting so hard he thought his heart was going to burst out of his chest. He opened his eyes to see her licking her lips a pleased smile on her face. 

“Take these off so I can touch you.”  It was a command but she wasn’t ready to give up her control.

She sat up and crawled up his body so they were nose to nose.  She ran her tongue over his lips; her wet soaking pussy was hovering over his semi-hard cock.  “No.” 

His eyes darkened slightly. “No?”

She pouted again and lowered her pussy on to his cock and sat down.  She raked her nails across his chest stopping to tweak his nipples.  “No I’m not done with you yet.”

She started to rock back and forth her wet pussy gliding effortlessly over his now hardened cock.  She threw her head back enjoying the velvety feel of him, so soft and yet so hard.

He watched her as she pleasured herself; squeezing her breasts and pinching her nipples all the while riding his cock, God she was beautiful. 

She stopped and grabbed his cock.  Looking into his eyes she positioned the head of his cock at her entrance and slowly lowered herself on to him.

When he was all the way in, they groaned in unison never releasing each other’s stare.  “Angeeel…I missed you so much. Couldn’t wait to feel you inside me again, where you belong.”

Her eyes lowered and her pace quickened.  He continued to watch her the ecstasy she was reveling in so clear on her face. She rode him hard and fast, the bedposts banging against the wall as she quickened her pace.

“I’m so close baby, so close.”  She was on the edge she touched her clit and pinched the hard nub cumming instantly, “ANGELLLLL!”

Angel watching her the whole time was an animal possessed.  With one good tug the scarves were ripped.  He grabbed her and threw her down on the bed and started to mercilessly plunge into her over and over again.

“Angeeel yes right there baby, harder, please.”  She was out of her mind with the pleasure that his smooth pumping rhythm gave her.

“OH GOOOODDDDD ANGEELLLLL YESSSS.” 

He slammed into her over and over again both of them lost in the feelings the other created, the magic that was their union. They came together shouting each other’s names. 

The pleasure was so intense and felt so complete that she started to cry hysterically holding onto him so tightly he almost couldn’t breathe, “I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.”  She rambled on and on, and for the first time in her life she actually meant it.

Angel’s heart exploded at the sound of her words and he held her body to his trying to sooth her “I love you too baby, always.”

Epilogue

Another Door Opens…

Three Months Later…

It was the opening night of The Graveyard and the place was packed.  Buffy was so happy that everything went without a hitch. 

The day after she got back her, Faith and Angel checked out the building that was for sale and the girls loved it. 

It was a beautiful gothic style four story building on Sunset.  Angel thought it needed some work but Buffy and Faith were adamant that this was what they wanted. Both girls had been saving for years and with the lump of money that Buffy made on the swimsuit shoot they were able to buy it outright and restore it.

They decided that the first floor would be a dance club and the second floor would be a hang out bar.  Buffy would get rid of her apartment and move into the top floor and Faith would take the third floor.

When they told Angel that the name would be The Graveyard he had thought it was a little morbid.  But had to agree that with the gothic style of the building and the underworld theme of the club that the name fit.

They decided that for the opening night that they would open the club to the public but kept the bar closed for their own private celebration. They sent out invitations to their family and friends and they were all gathered there together having a great time.

Angel, Spike, Giles and Doyle sat at the bar drinking whiskey, talking about the old country.  Buffy hadn’t quite understood what that meant when she asked them what they were talking about, but she was so happy she didn’t really care.

Since she had gotten home she and Angel had talked many times about the past and the future.  They had both agreed that they would take things slow and wouldn’t see other people.  He had told her of his childhood in Buffalo and his parents who had died when he was young and of the Uncle who had raised him.

When she asked for his address so she could send him an invitation, he got close-lipped and avoided her question.  She didn’t think anything of it. She just assumed that there was bad blood under the bridge and that in time he would tell her.

Over the past three months they had spent every day together talking, making love going out with Spike and Faith.  Things were progressing quite nicely she thought. There was just that one weekend when he seemed to disappear and didn’t tell her where he went. 

Her brow furrowed thinking about it now.  That was strange and the only thing he said when got home was that it was an overnight stunt somewhere in Mexico.  She was a little suspicious until they undressed for the evening and she saw the huge black and blue mark he had on his back.

She had ran a bath for him and proceeded to give him a little TLC.  He showed his appreciation by pulling her into the bath with him then making love to her.  It took her all of the next day to clean up the water that had sloshed onto the floor.

She couldn’t wipe away the smile on her face at that memory while she sat with her mom who couldn’t seem to say enough about how wonderful Angel was. 

She had to admit that she was a little nervous about her family meeting him, but she was glad that they all seemed to like him.

Angel on the other hand was more than a little nervous, to say the least, when he met Buffy’s family.  He didn’t know what to expect. 

Joyce had walked right up to him, hugged him and whispered “Thank you” in his ear. He wasn’t quite sure what to think of that until Giles stepped up to him. 

“Angel nice to meet you I’m Rupert Giles.”  They shook hands. 

“Mr. Giles, nice to meet you too.”

“Oh no please call me Rupert or you can call me Giles, that’s what the kids do.”

“Ok Giles I’m glad you and Joyce could make it, I’ve been wanting to meet you both.”

“Yes indeed, Joyce and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”  He stepped in closer and lowered his voice “Joyce has been very happy since you showed up in the picture.  And you know what they say if the wife is happy the husband is happy, and let me tell you I can vouch for that.”  He smirked at him and Angel laughed, he liked Giles.

“She was very worried about Buffy, you know with the whole Parker bit. She seemed different, I don’t know, shall we say cold.” He seemed far away in thought for a moment.

“But since she’s been seeing you, she seems so happy, so lighthearted, it’s remarkable really.”  Angel smiled it seemed he had a friend in Giles and Joyce.

Xander had been a different matter all together.  When he arrived he walked up to Angel and asked to speak with him privately.  The second they walked outside, Xander had grabbed him by the lapels of his jacket and got right in his face “Listen I don’t know who you are and I don’t think I even care.  For some reason you have my baby sister all tied up into knots and you guys barely even known each other.”

Angel was getting a little annoyed at being manhandled but tried to pacify him. “Listen Xander I know that things have moved quickly but it’s not like we’re getting married or anything we’re still just dating.”

“I don’t give it shit how you slice it buddy I just want you to know that if I ever find out that you hurt her I will kill you.”

Now Angel was pissed off. 

He grabbed Xander’s wrist applied pressure and twisted it off of his shirt. He stepped right back into his face and sneered at him. “Just so we’re clear, I personally don’t give a shit about you either.  Buffy is what I care about.  And since she obviously cares about you I’m going to forget your little threat and enlighten you on three things.  One, you don’t ever have to worry about me hurting Buffy because that will never happen, ever.  Two, what happens between Buffy and myself is our business not yours, so don’t ever try to interfere in our relationship.  And three…” he leaned in closer till their noses were practically touching “if you ever touch me again, I will definitely kill you.”

He released him and stepped back.

Xander looked into the hard eyes of the man who had stolen his little sister’s heart and believed every word he said.  It was the deathly calm of his voice and the waves of strength that radiated from his body that screamed power, and the confidence to follow through with his threat. 

He had felt it many times before from the guys in S.W.A.T. and it made him a little uncomfortable, afraid almost.  He wondered who this man really was. But the way he figured it better him then that asshole Parker.

He walked up to Angel and slapped him on the back “Good glad to know we’re coming from the same place and that the Bufster isn’t dating a pussy. Nice move by the way where’d you learn that?” 

Angel recognized a truce when he saw it he also could smell the fear and he thrived on it.  He smiled back at Xander it was good to have the upper hand!

They walked back inside like the best of buds where the festivities were in full force.

********

Kendra and Buffy sat at a table in the back talking quietly.  They hadn’t spoken much lately and they had a lot of catching up to do.

“So tell me how you met?”

Buffy glanced over at the bar where Angel was standing drinking with Giles and Spike, a smile brightened her face and Kendra noticed that her eyes seemed to glaze over with the memory.

“It was at the Whiskey, I was working and he came in to see Spike.”

Kendra smiled “So it was a mutual attraction right away ah?”

Buffy thinking of that night blushed “Yeah I guess you could say that.”

“Well he seems like a really decent guy not to mention the fact that he’s gorgeous.”

“Yeah he is really special.  There’s something about him that just seems to sit so right with me. You know, I know this is going to sound melodramatic, but it almost seems like it was destiny or fate, whatever you want to call it.”

Kendra smiled back at Buffy she had never seen her sister look this happy and contented.  “Well I’m glad you finally found someone that you can believe in Buffy, you deserve it.”

They both had tears in their eyes as they got up and hugged each other.  Joyce who had noticed her girls talking quietly walked over to join them.

“Can I get in this family hug?”  They opened their arms and all three of them held onto each other. 

”My beautiful girls together again, I honestly never thought I would see the day that all of us would be together like this again, happy.”

“Whoa what’s this, tears?  This is a happy occasion ladies there will be no tears or I might have to start issuing some summonses.”  Xander walked up to them.

They all laughed at him and grabbed him into their hug.

Angel looked over at them and smiled, it must be nice to have a family that was close.  He wished that he could’ve invited his Uncle, but that was another story.

Just then Faith jumped up on to the stage and grabbed the mike.

“Ok ladies and gents, this is a special request for the Lady of the Evening, my partner in this lovely new establishment and our very own swimsuit seductress, Buffy Summers!” The applause vibrated off the walls as Buffy stood on the dance floor and started to bow. “Thank you, thank you very much.”

Faith continued with her speech “Ok, ok don’t be a cheese.”  Everyone laughed.

“This song is for all the ladies, so girls get your buts out on the dance floor and shake your groove thing!”

She jumped off the stage and on to the floor where Buffy was.  All the girls joined them and when the first notes started to play, they all started to dance. 

Buffy looked over to Angel who was smiling at her, she held his gaze and sang the song making her way over to him. 

Now that we have come to be

A brand new life I can't see

Never thought you'd be a special part of me, no baby

The reasons are because of you

I can go on and make it through

I can't even take my mind off loving you

and I wanna say

She pulled him up and onto the floor.  It was a fast tempo beat but they held each other close, foreheads touching, and slowly swayed to the music. 

Buffy continued to sing to him, the song’s lyrics spoke what her heart felt and she wanted him to know.

I never knew there was a love like this before

Never had someone to show me a love

Love like this before

I know you can't see

all the things you mean to me

I'm so amazed that you are mine, yeah yeah yeah yah

if we can work together

maybe this could last forever

this is something that I wanna hold on to

so baby try to understand

baby try to understand

I'll go crazy if you leave

cause you compliment my style

(ooh ooh ooh)

and I like the way you walk

and the sexy things you talk

you don't know just what you do to me

you see I never

I never knew there was a love like this before

Never had someone to show me a love

Love like this before

I never knew there was a love like this before

Never had someone to show me a love

Love like this before

Everyone stood by and watched the couple dance.  The love that radiated off of them was almost blinding in its intensity.  But soon everyone join them. 

Between the party upstairs and the club downstairs The Graveyard was a hit and the music and the flow of booze continued throughout the early morning hours.

********

It was 4AM in the morning and Buffy was sleeping peacefully a small smile on her lips and her arm thrown over Angel.  Angel who was too riled up to sleep just watched her, it was quickly becoming one of his favorite past times.

The house was dark and still.  Everything was peaceful and then he heard a sound he didn’t think he would ever hear again.

He carefully rolled Buffy over and stepped quietly out of the room.  He went into his closet and hit the concealed button on the wall, a door slid open and he stepped inside to a darken room.

He hit the switch on the wall and the room lit up with red and green lights.  He walked over to the machine and spoke into the mic.

“Relay 2-4-8-9-3”

A clipped British voice came over the other end “Ah, Angelus you’re still alive I see.”

The End

Author’s Note:  Continue the journey with Buffy and Angel in Book Two:  Lay It On The Line