Chapter Nine

Primal Release

Angel sat in the kitchen, drinking his fifth cup of coffee and taping his fingers in irritation on the table. He should really be back at the hotel planning his next move but after reading her note, something in the pit of his stomach told him that she would come back here sooner or later, and he wanted to be here when she did.

He knew what she planned on doing with his father’s knife he just hoped that she had enough sense in her head to not go there balls to the wall and get herself killed. He was betting that she would realize that she couldn’t do that, and eventually make her way back home. That was if they let her go. There was just no telling what was happening or going to happen for that matter, and that just aggravated the hell out of him.

Suddenly he heard the door open then slam shut and he bolted out of his seat and into the living room.

Buffy turned toward the kitchen just as Angel walked out.

“Angel.” She couldn’t believe he was here. Was she dreaming? She wanted to pinch herself but instead her hand came up and automatically ran over her hair, smoothing it out.

God why did he have to be here? It’s not that she didn’t want to see him because she did it’s just that she wasn’t exactly looking her best at the moment. Not to mention the fact that she felt dirty and unclean. All the unwanted memories and the pawing she had to endure from those pigs, made her feel like contaminated goods.

Now the one person that had the complete opposite affect on her was standing in front of her and she was extremely conflicted. She wanted to run into his arms because she knew the second she did, his touch would erase all the bad memories and feelings. But then again, she also felt like if she did that she would be infecting him too, and she didn’t want him to be tainted by her past.

She guessed it didn’t really matter at the moment anyway how conflicted she felt because she had no idea why he was here.

“What…what are you doing here?”

He took a step closer to her, “I got your note.” He took another step closer. “Buffy I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry that I jumped to conclusions. I don’t know what the hell was wrong with me. I just love you so much and I just completely freaked out when I saw that you were married. And I…”

He never got to finish because a jubilant Buffy rushed him. She threw her arms around his neck as she jumped up and wrapped her legs tightly around his waist. She grabbed his face and began to kiss him hungrily.

“Thank god you’ve come to your senses!” she said in between kisses.

Angel lost his balance and fell to the floor landing with a loud thud as he hit the wood. He moaned as his arms quickly went around her holding her tightly against him, kissing her back with as much gusto as she kissed him. But then she drew back and he groaned sounding extremely pitiful.

She held his head in her hands as her eyes searched his face. She felt like she hadn’t seen him in weeks and she just wanted to bask in his sexiness.

Angel smiled at her, “So I guess this means you’re not mad at me?”

Buffy chuckled as one hand caressed his chest and moved lower to the button on his jeans. “Oh no I plan on kicking your ass…” She popped open the button and unzipped his pants. She was frantic as she reached inside and grabbed his hard shaft. “…but later. Right now I need you Angel.” She gripped his cock and started to stroke him, ‘So bad.”

Angel couldn’t stop smiling. He felt like a new man. All the guilt he had been carrying around with him just disappeared with her exuberant greeting. He looked down at her hand as she boldly stroked him. He had missed that too. He sucked in his breath as her finger circled the head of his shaft, while her other fingers lightly ran up and down his length. He smirked, yes indeed, she definitely had good hands.

He knew it wasn’t that long ago since they made love but to him it felt like forever. Probably because he thought he would never see her again. But that was behind him, she was here, she was with him not Parker and all he wanted to do was keep her.

She wiggled backwards a little and the sun shone down on her face illuminating her features and his heart almost stopped. Reaching up he touched her face, his own face no longer smiling as he looked at the ugly bruises that marred her beautiful skin.

“God Buffy.” His hands gently touched the welt on her head and she keened blissfully with the comfort that one touch gave her.

“Shhh baby its okay,” she whispered as she leaned down and kissed his lips softly. “Everything’s okay now.”

She moved her skirt out of the way and then moved her panties. “I need you Angel. I need to feel clean again.”

She said it so despondently and sounded so far away that Angel didn’t think she knew she even spoke it out loud. But he heard her and anxiety filled him as he wondered exactly what had happened to her. “What happened Buffy, are you alright?”

She looked at him and she saw the concern in his eyes, she smiled cupping his cheek tenderly. “I’m perfect now, here with you.” She leaned down and moved her mouth over his coaxing him to open up. His eyes stayed open as his mouth let her inside and they kissed slowly.

He knew there was more to the story then what she was telling him and he was having a hard time getting that out of his mind. But then she released his mouth and kissed his neck right on the soft spot above his collarbone. His eyes closed and he groaned helplessly as rapture shot through him.

“I need you inside of me Angel.” She whispered huskily and he couldn’t have agreed more.

He reached down and held his cock as she lowered herself on to him. Her eyes closed and she smiled contently as he filled her, “Perfect…so perfect.”

She put her hands on his chest and lifted herself up. Sensually smiling as she slowly slid back down his smooth length. “Oh God I’ve missed you so much Angel.” She whined as she moved on top of him. Taking him into her heat, loving him with every sweet movement she made.

It all felt wonderful to Angel, feeling her body move above him, hearing her growing pants of excitement fill the room, it was all good. But the second his eyes opened and he saw her face his displeasure returned. “I’m going to kill that son of a bitch.”

She slid back down and rotated her hips against him, and his eyes closed again. “Oh god.” He groaned.

“Not unless I kill him first.” She said, just as she did it again slower this time, wanting to keep his mind off of anything other then what was happening right now.

He gripped her waist, “We’ll discuss who gets that honor later.”

Taking control he rolled them over and grabbed her thighs spreading her legs wide, wanting to get as deep as he possibly could.

He took a moment to quietly drool over the vulnerable position she was in. She was so open to him right now. He knew that he could do anything he wanted to her and she wouldn’t care. In fact she’d probably demand it. Her steadfast unspoken faith in him made his heart swell with love and reminded him of his own faithlessness.

He wanted to talk. He wanted to tell her how bad he felt for losing his faith in her but once again she sidetracked him.

He looked up to see her watching him. Her mouth was slightly open and she had one finger on her lip slowly moving it back and forth. He watched hungrily as her other hand slowly unbuttoned her shirt to reveal a white bra. She lightly ran her finger over the tops of her breasts then moved lower to her core. Watching fervently as her finger touched her clit and pressed down, rolling it back and forth. “Don’t think Angel, just feel.”

With eyes as black as night he plunged inside of her groaning from the superb fit and how her body just seemed to wrap around him in all the right places. His eyes closed as his body took over, knowing exactly what she wanted, what he wanted.

Her breath hitched and her back arched off the floor feeling every sensational inch of him as he glided inside of her.

Thoughts of anything else disappeared as he continued to move inside of her with deep accurate thrusts. Gripping her waist tighter he picked her hips off the floor, positioning her for the best angle, and then sunk back inside increasing his pace.

“Angel!” Buffy screamed as her muscles tightened around him. Her body trembled as she came, coating his cock with her juices. His fingers painfully dug into her hips as he slammed inside of her one last time; his own body rocking with desire as he came inside of her.

All he could think about as he slowly came down from his release was that she was right…it was perfect, she was perfect, and he almost lost that.

His body slowed and he lowered her on to the floor, laying her legs down. Leaning his elbows on the floor he looked deeply into her face. He kissed her gently on the lips as she sighed with contented bliss. His lips roamed up her face and to the bruise, he kissed it gingerly.

Buffy opened her eyes and looked back at him with love and devotion, “I love you Angel.”

He smiled at her, “I love you too Buffy.”

They continued to stare into each others eyes, their hands lightly stroking each other’s damp skin.

“We have to talk.” He somberly said. Her smile faltered slightly as did his, the reality of their situation coming back to both of them. “I know.”

He stood up and helped her to her feet, then took her into his arms hugging her tightly.

“Can I take a shower first?”

“Of course.”

They walked into the bathroom and Angel picked Buffy up and sat her down on the countertop. He took her chin in his hands and slowly moved her face back and forth inspecting her more thoroughly in the bright bathroom.

Buffy smiled lightly as she watched him, his face was just one big scowl he was clearly upset with what he saw and that made her feel loved.

Reaching over he grabbed a washcloth and turned the water on, soaking the washcloth thoroughly. Then very gently he wiped at the dry blood on her lip.

She sat there very still letting him clean her up, wondering if she really knew him at all. The man in those folders clashed with the man that stood before her now. The man in those documents was a merciless assassin, trained to kill with his bare hands. Yet those same hands inflicted no pain as they carefully washed her tender bruises.

It was a paradox to Buffy; surely someone that killed for a living would have a cold character? Didn’t the action of taking someone else’s life change you?

She guessed she had those questions because a part of her was afraid for her soul. She had every intention of killing Parker. If she did, would that change who and what she was?

“What’s it like Angel?”

“What’s what like baby?”

“To kill a man, how does it make you feel, inside I mean.”

Angel stopped his ministrations and looked at her carefully. She had just answered his silent question and he was insanely happy with her answer.

“It’s not a good feeling.”

She opened her eyes to look at him, “Doesn’t that depend on who you’re killing? I mean if the person you’re killing did something wrong to you then isn’t it justified?”

Angel wasn’t sure how to answer her, he was a professional killer; he killed for a lot less then something as passionate as revenge. He knew the right answer would be to say that killing someone was never justified, but he would be a hypocrite if he said that and he wasn’t going to lie to her anymore.

“Buffy just because I kill people for a living doesn’t mean I have all the morally correct answers on it. I understand how you feel baby. You think if you kill Parker then all the pain will go away. All the memories of your life with him will be washed away with his blood. But at the same time you’re worried about it changing you.”

He reached up and pulled her hair away from her face tucking it behind her ear. “I don’t know if you’ll feel gratification if you kill him or remorse, it’s not for me to say. Killing a man is different for everyone. “

He took her face in his hands starting intently into her eyes.

“Honestly Buffy, I don’t want you to know what it feels like. I don’t want you to ever worry about whether or not what you did was right or wrong.”

His eyes hardened and his intense stare actually made her feel uncomfortable; she squirmed on the counter.

“I kill people for a living Buffy, it’s what I do. I’ve killed hundreds of people with no emotion and no remorse. I want nothing more then to take away your pain baby. There would be no kill more satisfying to me then to gut that scumbag like a fish and swim naked in his blood.”

“But I know that sometimes a person has to do things on their own. I won’t stop you from doing it and I’ll be here for you afterwards to help you through whatever emotion you’re feeling. I have only one small request and that is that you wait. Don’t do anything yet. There are other things going on that we still need to talk about, things that need to be resolved first before our revenge is meted out. Once that’s done the choice is yours. Either you kill him or I will.”

Buffy stared back into his eyes and held his gaze. Her heart began to flutter wildly with breathless excitement.

He was showing her exactly who he was and she was completely turned on. The conviction that she heard in his voice and read in his eyes, reassured her of two things.

She knew exactly who and what he was. What he did for a living was just that…what he did. It didn’t change the person that he was underneath he was still loving, caring and devoted to her and her well being.

She also knew that she didn’t have to worry about changing. Like he said, she would either feel closure from it or she would feel guilty. Either way, it didn’t make a difference because after everything was said and done, Parker would be dead and Angel would still be here by her side.

She felt hot and flushed as her body tingled with lust and her head began to swim with dizziness. She had never wanted him more then she did in that moment.

She roughly grabbed his head and yanked him to her, brutally slamming her lips against his, hungrily nipping and biting every bit of juicy flesh she could grab.

Angel responsively growled, his own hands clasping her head as he mauled her back.

When they pulled apart they were breathless and their hearts were beating rapidly together.

Angel swallowed hard, his body shaking from her smoldering gaze. God she was so sexy, so voluptuously needy that he had to turn away from her before he jumped her. She wanted a shower and they needed to talk.

“How bout that shower now?” He gruffly said as he moved away from her to turn the water on.

Buffy grinned at his attempt to ignore her heated call. Her eyes traveled down his back and to his mouthwatering tight ass as he bent over to adjust the water temperature. God she just wanted to bite him.

“Stop it.” He firmly said feeling her eyes burning into him. Standing up he turned around to her innocent gaze.

“What?”

Angel smirked at her, “Get undressed and get in the shower.”

Buffy grinned and jumped off the counter. “You read my mind.”

Slowly she undressed giving him plenty of time to ogle her as she did. Angel took advantage of her kindness and candidly eyeballed every inch of golden skin as she revealed it.

His eyes burned hotly and his voice was deep and gruff, “Tease.”

Buffy chuckled as she stripped off her final piece of clothing. She walked up to his side, rubbing her breast against his arm as she did. “Only for you baby.”

Pulling off his socks, he stepped into the shower behind her. “Good answer.”

With his hands on her waist he placed her under the water and watched it rain down her glorious body. She raised her arms as she put her face under the warm spray and wet her hair. The water turned her honey blonde hair to a dark blonde and it shimmered brightly; looking sleek and sexy as it lay against her naked back. In Angel’s eyes she was the perfect woman and he yearningly scrutinized every magnificent inch of her.

But his budding desire was instantly drenched as his eyes traveled up her arms and to the fading red imprints of someone’s hands. He glowered at the offending marks feeling like the lowliest son of a bitch on the planet.

He stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her back against him. The water trickled down their bodies and Buffy smiled, nestling her head back against the crook of his neck, purring with contentment.

She couldn’t help but think that she almost lost this and it scared her. She never wanted to lose him and though it would be very difficult to tell him she knew that she had to be completely honest with him. It was lies and secrets that almost took him from her and she wasn’t going to risk that happening again. She knew that eventually he and Parker would meet up, there was no avoiding it, and she didn’t want him to hear anything from Parker’s mouth. It was her story and he needed to hear it from her.

“Angel.”

“mmm”

“I was never totally honest with you about my life with Parker. There are things you should know about, things that aren’t going to be easy to hear, but I want to tell you,” she quietly said.

He didn’t want to hear it…any of it, because he knew his reaction would be volatile and he didn’t want to scare her. Of course he would stand here and listen if it helped her he just had to control his reaction. His arms tightened around her, “Baby you don’t have to tell me anything that you don’t want to.”

She smiled, her fingers splaying across his arms squeezing them. “I know, but I would rather that you hear it from me, than anyone else.”

He didn’t know how she would respond to the fact that Faith was kind enough to already mention some details that he really didn’t want to hear…again. But he knew what this was…this was a new beginning for them, one that would be built on honesty and trust, and he was determined to do just that.

He kissed her head, “Baby don’t be mad, but Faith…she already told me a few things.”

Buffy swallowed nervously, “She did. What did she say?”

“Buffy, nothing that Faith told me and nothing that you could tell me now, matters. It doesn’t change the way I feel about you and it doesn’t change my opinion of who you are. It’s in the past.”

He turned her around and cupped her face tenderly in his hands. “I don’t care how many people you were with before me. You are not a whore and I’m sorry I called you one. I was upset and it was my anger that was talking, not what I feel in my heart. “

“What I care about is how you were treated by those people, and how they took liberties with your body that they had no right to take. Parker is responsible for that not you.”

She smiled at him, unshed tears glistening in her eyes. “Thank you.”

He leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. “Don’t thank me. I’m just being honest with you. The only thing that matters to me is that you are here with me now, right where you belong.”

They leaned into each other, their mouths opening, tongues gently playing with each other. He tasted so good to Buffy, and she moaned deep in the back of her throat.

When they pulled back and looked at each other, his words resonated in her head and her smile faded. “I have to go back Angel.”

“I know they want you to do a job.”

“Yeah, how did you know?”

“It seemed like a logical reason for Parker to suddenly show up again, plus I was hired to do the same job.”

Buffy was surprised to hear that, “You were, by who?”

Angel turned her around and picked up the soap. Lathering it in his hands, he began to wash her back, making Buffy relax once more. “God that feels so good,” she purred.

Angel smiled, “A man named Richard Wilkens the III also know as The Mayor. Do you know him?”

“No it doesn’t sound familiar, but that doesn’t mean anything. I mean Adam and Parker made sure to always keep me out of the loop on who their outside partners were.”

“Well I’m pretty sure that he is, or rather was, one of them. I saw two guys from the Brotherhood going into his hotel.”

“Was?”

“He told me he had a falling out with them but it doesn’t make any sense.”

Buffy sighed contently as Angel’s hands slowly kneaded her breasts, washing away the invisible handprint left by Adam. “That doesn’t really mean anything Angel. There are different chapters here in LA than in New York. Just because he’s not connected with Adam anymore doesn’t mean that he’s not connected with the LA chapter.”

“But I heard them talking, they mentioned you and they mentioned Parker.”

She shrugged, “That’s because they probably know us. Once a year there’s a gathering of all the chapters. People mingle.”

Angel took that in, his mind was in business mode but his hands couldn’t stop touching her. They slid down to her belly, softly washing her, his fingers tipping into her bellybutton. Buffy sighed once again and then wiggled her ass against him as she shivered with desire.

Angel lightly tapped her on the belly, then gently bit her on the ear, “Hey, we’re talking business here lady.”

She laughed, “Then stop touching me.”

He chuckled back then licked her ear, “I can’t.”

“Good.” She pushed back again, rubbing her ass against his semi-hard cock, “Because I never want you to stop.”

He kissed her neck then licked her ear then leisurely moved down to her collarbone as her hands deliciously constricted around his arms. “What are we going to do Angel?”

“What we do best baby…stay together and steal the diamonds.”

His confidence made her smile and flattened any hesitation she might have had with returning to the Brotherhood.

She loved hearing that. They were at their best when they were together, and she had to admit that the idea of stealing something again really turned her on, she didn’t realize how much she had missed it.

“I love the sound of that.” She whispered, unable to stop her hips from rotating against his hard member. “I can’t wait.”

Her wanton movements were driving Angel nuts. His dick was rock hard and his hands wandered down to her core, lightly playing over her moist lips. He couldn’t think of business anymore. “Does it excite you to steal something that isn’t yours?”

“Yes,” she mewled, rocking her hips against his fingers.

“Me too and we will together. But first…first, I’m going to fuck you.”

His voice was low and husky, deep and dark…alluringly seductive and demanding. She practically whimpered as her body violently pulsated with needy lust. Shaking hands reached up and gripped his hair roughly jerking his face down to hers. “I love it when you talk like that.”

Slowly and provocatively her tongue came out and unhurriedly licked his bottom lip. “It gets me so…hot.” She licked his lip again then gently drew his bottom lip into her mouth and began to suck on it.

Angel moaned, as his finger slipped inside of her wet core. Slowly he started to pump in and then out, rolling his other finger over her clit as he did.

Buffy started to pant as the air in the shower got steamier, and her body temperature increased.

“Mmm…I can feel that baby. You’re pussy’s so hot…so wet,” he moaned, thrusting two more fingers inside of her.

Her body instinctively arched back against him, drawing his fingers deeper inside of her. “I love the way you touch me Angel. It’s so strong, so confident. God you make me feel so safe.”

His own breath hitched, her words turning him on even more. She was putty in his hands right now, her body soft and pliable, her mind completely enveloped around him and what he was doing. She made him feel strong; she created a deep primal need inside of him to possess her.

He turned her around, placing her hands up against the tile, as he pushed her down. He pulled his fingers out then slipped his cock inside of her. He shuddered violently as he entered her. He looked down at her perfect ass and her submissive position and he growled ravenously. He was in total control, he could do anything he wanted to do to her and she wouldn’t protest. Those thoughts increased his pace as his cock got harder and he fucked her faster.

Wrapping his arm around her waist he drew her back against him. Purring contently he licked her shoulder blades his hips rhythmically pumping as he held her shivering body tightly.

“Say my name.” He roughly demanded.

“Angel.” She moaned hoarsely.

He bite her shoulder and her moans grew louder and hungrier.

“No. Angelus…say Angelus.” He commanded again as he pulled out then slammed hard inside of her, pushing her back down as he did and going deeper with his thrust.

She screamed, her eyes rolling back at the sharp pleasurable pain that tingled her body, “ANGELUS!”

“Yes…” his hot ragged breath hissed in her ear, “say it again.”

“Angelus…Angelus!” She cried as he gripped her hips and pulled all the way out and than sank back inside of her heat.

Standing straight he threw his head back, unadulterated ecstasy filling him. “God I love it when you say my name!”

With every fierce plunge he made Buffy pushed back, wanting more…needing to feel him deeper, wanting desperately for him to devour her whole. “Angelus…don’t stop, please!” she whined.

Reaching down he grabbed her head, pulling her up and against him. “I’ll never stop baby.” He smashed his mouth against hers, kissing her ferociously. Growling loudly as her tongue aggressively played with his.

He drew back and Buffy whimpered from the loss of his hot mouth. He pulled back and grunted contently as he watched his cock disappear inside of her tight sheath.

Hearing her say his given name was like throwing kindling on to the already roaring fire. He looked down at their joined bodies, watching as he slide inside of her and then back out. It stroked a primordial need inside of him, a need to claim her and brand her as his. In reality it was pretty much what he always felt when they made love, whether or not he could control it was a different story. When he could, then their lovemaking was unhurried and slow. Each touch was tantalizing and unique. But when he couldn’t, it was pure animalistic need that took over, and many times he would lose control. Now was one of those times.

He growled and groaned like a starved animal just as he pulled completely out.

Buffy whimpered feeling empty without him inside of her, but then she felt his fingers pushing inside of her. They curled up and over, and she openly mewled as pleasure shot through her.

With his free hand, he moved her right leg over and pulled his fingers out. He wanted to taste her so bad, but he held back instead his fingers circled her anus spreading her creamy cum over it, and then he slipped them inside.

Buffy’s head shot up and back, as her heart nearly stopped. “ANGELUS!” She screamed, just as he pulled his fingers out and slowly pushed his cock inside.

She stiffened slightly from the intrusion. It wasn’t the first time they had anal sex so she was accustomed to the feel of it but it was still a little shocking at first.

Angel felt her tense and he moved his other hand in between her legs, touching her pussy, rolling his thumb over her throbbing clit.

“Shhh…” he leaned down and licked her ear, “breathe baby, relax that beautiful ass so I can fuck you.”

“Oh…GOD YES Angelus please!” She whined pitifully.

All she could think about was him and how he expertly consumed her body. Every movement he made, every touch he gifted her with, and every word spoken, was unadulterated utopia and her body instantly responded. Her muscles relaxed and she closed her eyes completely engrossed on his hard cock moving inside of her.

“Oh yes…that’s right baby. God you’re so fucking tight!” he gritted out between clenched teeth. This was the most excruciatingly gratifying and erotic sensation he could ever feel.

Buffy was completely at his mercy, she was consumed with raw hot desire, a desire to please him, a desire to give him anything he wanted as long as he didn’t stop what he was doing.

“Don’t stop Angelus, please…don’t stop!”

Angel couldn’t stop if he wanted to, he couldn’t even speak, he was besieged by the power and the pleasure that controlled him. The more he fucked her, the quicker his pace got, and the louder his grunts became. She was so tight and the feeling that spread throughout him was one of pure ownership.

His fingers played over her sensitive pussy, their pace getting faster as his thrusts became more erratic.

Just as she was about to come, he slammed into her and Buffy’s entire body shot up and slammed against his chest. Her head hit his chin, as the most superb pain radiated throughout her body. She screamed at the top her lungs, her orgasm shooting stars of light behind her eyes.

Angel was right behind her as he came hard, his body shuttering against her, moving violently inside of her, unable to stop. His mind was dead to anything else but her. Mine…was all he we could think about as he continued to plunge fiercely inside of her tight ass. She was his. No other man would ever touch her. No other cock would ever be inside his hot box of love. No one.

“Angel…” Buffy whimpered, her hand coming up to his head, gripping his hair painfully, “…please stop.”

Her voice brought him out of his haze and he stopped moving. He pulled out of her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back and kissing her head. “I’m so sorry baby. Did I hurt you?”

She smiled, “just a little.”

He kissed the side of her neck and then grabbing her cheek he moved her face toward his, “I’m sorry, you just excite me so much and I lose control.” He kissed her smiling mouth.

“It’s okay, it doesn’t hurt anymore.” She turned around and they hugged tightly. When she pulled back he was staring at her with so much love and trust that her eyes watered.

The beautiful and dazed look on her face held his attention and his heart swelled with love for her. “You’re so beautiful,” he crooned to her as his hands petted the sides of her face.

Buffy blushed under his intense stare and her breath hitched from the sound of his deep hypnotic voice.

“I can’t believe you’re mine,” he said it because he meant it, even though the fact that she was technically married to someone else was floating around in the back of his mind. To him she was his and would always be his, and no stupid piece of paper was going to tell him anything different.

Buffy looked deeply into his eyes, knowing what he was thinking, and she whispered passionately back to him, “I am yours Angel, only yours.”

They gently kissed each other, and when Buffy pulled back, she was smiling. ”I think I’m a prune.”

Angel kissed her one last time and then reluctantly let her go, as she walked out of the shower and grabbed a towel to dry off.

He sighed then stepped under the spray of water. He turned the warm water off and let the cold water shock him back to reality.

Buffy avidly watched him, her mind and soul back in her body and once more reminding her of their situation. She wrapped the towel around her and picked up the brush.

“Angel?”

The water turned off and he stepped out of the shower. Grabbing a towel he wrapped it around himself and then grabbed her from behind, kissing her shoulder. “What?”

“What’s the plan?”

Angel smiled at her, nipping her shoulder gently. “Ah a woman after my own heart…right down to business. God I love you!”

Buffy giggled and slapped him on the arm.

He looked up at her, resting his chin on her head as his arms tightened around her. His eyes were clear and serious; all traces of playfulness were gone. “You go back and let them think you’re back with them. Faith will go with you.”

Buffy started to protest, she didn’t want to involve Faith, but Angel silently shushed her. “I know you don’t want Faith involved but if I have to send you back there, I’m not sending you alone. You guys can look out for each other. Besides I don’t trust Parker and I don’t want to take any chances of him touching you ever again.” He vehemently told her as he nuzzled her neck.

She caressed his head, smiling at him as he looked at her in the mirror. “You do know I can take care of myself don’t you?”

He looked at the welt on her temple, his features darkening. It was his fault; if he hadn’t been overcome by his emotions then that never would’ve happened.

Buffy sighed, knowing what that look in his eyes meant. “Angel, that is not your fault.”

Angel shook his head. “Yes it is. If I wasn’t such a shit head this never would have happened. I’m as much to blame as Parker is.”

Buffy turned around and looked at him, “Angel, look at me.” She sternly said and slowly his eyes looked down into hers. “You are not responsible for this. Parker is responsible, hell even I’m responsible, but not you. You reacted the way any man would after hearing that I was married. I don’t blame you and neither should you.”

His hand reached up and touched her face, “You’re not to blame either Buffy. This wasn’t your fault.”

She shook her head, “Yes it was. I instigated it I punched him in the face.”

He smiled fully at her, pride swelling in his heart, “You did, did you?”

She smiled back from ear to ear nodding her head, “God it felt so good Angel. “ She waved her hand in front of her face, “This was well worth it.”

He petted her hair, love filling his heart, “Even still, I was wrong and I’m sorry.”

She leaned down and kissed him, “I’m sorry too.”

Her lips, body, and words gave him the emancipation that he had been seeking, and he sighed with contentment.

“You know when this is all over, we’re going to sit down and you’re going to tell me everything there is to know about Angelus O’Rourke.” She said with smiling eyes.

Angel smiled back, “yes ma’am.”

They just stood there looking at each other, knowing that their time together was short.

”When does he want you to do the job?”

“He gave me one week to do my recon and get the diamonds.”

“Okay here’s what we’re going to do. You and Faith go back and keep up appearances with Adam and Parker. Every chance you get I want you back at the Hotel.”

“The what?”

“Faith knows where it is. I don’t want you coming here alone. Do you understand me?” His voice was stern and left no room for arguing, but Buffy had to argue with him.

“Angel that’s not a good idea I have to come back here, Parker knows I live here and I’m pretty sure that he’s got his watchdog on me. If I don’t come back here he’s going to know something isn’t right.”

Angel hated to agree with her but she was right. “All right fine. I don’t like it, but I’ll trust your judgment.” He grudgingly said.

Buffy radiantly smiled at him then grabbed his face and kissed him. “Thank you for trusting me. Don’t worry, I’ll be okay. “

He was worried, extremely so, but he was going to hold strong to his determination to be honest and trust her. He was never going to let himself lose faith in her again. “So I’ll meet you here then, every night and you can fill me in.”

She shook her head, “That’s not a good idea either.”

He scowled darkly, “Why not?”

Buffy walked out of the bathroom and into the living room, Angel followed behind her as she stepped up to the window. Very carefully she moved the curtain and pointed outside. “Meet Grant. Parker’s Buffy Watchdog.”

She said it so scathingly that Angel knew the man sitting on the bike below was someone that had hurt her in the past.

His eyes darkened, “We’ll kill him too,” he coldly said.

Buffy nodded, “He’s already on my list.”

She let go of the curtain and looked up at him smirking humorously. “You know a family that kills together stays together.”

Angel smirked back at her, “I never heard that expression before.” He grabbed her and hugged her, “but I like it.”

He kissed her then walked away heading toward the bedroom to collect his clothes. He really needed to get his ass in gear and talk to the gang. “Don’t worry about the dog he’ll never even see me.”

Buffy followed behind him. “How’s that Angel, he’s parked right out front and I’m sure he’s got another guard on the back door.”

“Probably but he doesn’t have one on the tunnels.” He pulled his pants on and zipped up his zipper.

“What? What are you talking about?” Buffy leaned against the doorframe her arms crossed over her chest.

Angel pulled his shirt on, and then sat on the bed to put his socks and shoes on. “I’m talking about the tunnels that are underneath this building and have an entry two blocks down.”

“Tunnels? What tunnels?”

Angel got off the bed and faced her, “Didn’t you do any research on this building before you bought it?”

At her blank look he shook his head at her, “That’s not what I’d expect from a master thief Buffy.” He teased.

Buffy’s eyes darkened. “I was retired…remember.” She gritted out.

He kissed her scowling lips, grinning. “I know baby. Don’t worry I did.” He walked out and headed toward the kitchen.

Grabbing her robe she pulled the towel off and threw the robe on then quickly followed him.

“This building was built in the twenties as a hotel and was the heart of Hollywood. “

“I know that Angel.” Buffy gruffly said as she sat down at the table. Angel poured a cup of coffee and then heated up the tea kettle.

“The tunnels were built so that the stars could freely go in and out of the hotel without anyone knowing.” He took a cup out of the cabinet and placed a tea bag in it.

She watched him with suspicious eyes. She just knew he was going to say something that she wasn’t going to like.

“Remember when you guys started to renovate the building and you had to go to Mexico for a week to do a photo shoot?”

“Yeah.”

“Well while you were gone, I had a crew come in and restore the tunnels so they could be used.” He reached for a grape then popped it into his mouth, nonchalantly looking at her.

“You did.”

He popped another grape in his mouth then drank down coffee. “Yeah, I also had them add three additional rooms; a vault, a recon room, and a bedroom.”

“Uh…huh.” Her eyes were a dark stormy green and Angel was having a hard time not laughing. She looked so perturbed and that just made her look so cute, that he just wanted to smile with glee.

“There’s an entrance to it in the hallway off the living room, one in the bedroom and one in the hallway by the elevator.” The tea kettle whistled and he picked it up.

Buffy sat back in her chair, “And why would you do that?” She was really trying to keep her temper down.

Angel smiled as he poured her a cup of tea and placed it in front of her. “Well I spend a lot of time here baby and I need to have quick access to the gang and my…stuff.”

He walked back toward the counter, putting more distance between them. He started fidgeting with the papers that lay on the counter; here was the part she really wasn’t going to like. “Plus it was a good way for me to um…keep on eye on you.”

Her brow lifted, “Keep an eye on me?”

“Yeah well I um…had video surveillance installed throughout the loft and the club. It all goes to the main frame in the recon room, which I can um…access with my watch wherever I am.”

Buffy was completely stunned and a little peeved. “So you’ve been stalking me in my own home?”

Angel shrugged. “Well I wouldn’t call it stalking. It’s more like protecting.” He smiled at her.

Buffy pinched her nose. “I won’t even tell you how disturbing this is.”

“Baby, you make it sound like a bad thing. But it’s not. I did it because I love you and want to make sure you’re safe.”

Which was true, yeah he was here a lot but there were times when he wasn’t and those were the times that he secretly watched her. For two reasons, one was to make sure that she was okay, but the other reason and the real reason for doing it was because no matter where he was he could see her.

He walked over and sat down next to her, pulling his chair closer to hers, he put his arm around her. “Buffy I didn’t do it because I think you can’t take care of yourself, I did it because I have to reassure myself that when I’m not with you, you’re okay.”

He snuggled against her neck, “Plus I miss you so much when I’m away, I have to see your beautiful face at least once a day.”

He started to kiss her neck and Buffy’s anger slowly dissipated under his sensual assault. Oh he was smooth wasn’t he…he just thought he was the king of stealth.

“Aren’t you sweet?” she mumbled.

She sat there, letting him lave her neck with kisses and hot breath, enjoying his attention. She kept her hands tightly around her tea cup so they won’t tighten around his neck instead.

“And who has access to these rooms?”

“Well I do, and you will of course, and Spike.”

Ah…his cohort in crime. “Spike…I guess that means that Faith knows about this then?”

“No. I told Spike not to tell her until I told you first.” He sucked on her shoulder and Buffy chuckled, “ah…smart man.”

“I know.” He said proudly. “I knew you’d appreciate that.”

“Indeed.” She smiled. “So your lackey Bubba doesn’t know it exists?”

His head shot up and he looked at her, “You know about that?”

She snorted, “Baby please, I may have been retired but I can smell money changing hands a mile away.”

He smiled at her. “No…my lackey doesn’t. You’re not going to tell him are you? Because you know he likes to look after you without you knowing, it makes him feel like he’s paying you back.”

“Why? Does he think the money you give him and everyone else is going to stop now that I know?”

“You know about that too?” He looked disappointed that she knew his little secrets.

She nodded and he sighed.

“Why does Bubba feel that way? He doesn’t owe me anything.”

“You saved his sister from getting raped Buffy. That’s a big deal to Bubba and he was upset when you wouldn’t let him do anything for you. This is his way of returning the favor.”

“Oh posh! He doesn’t owe me anything.”

“That’s not how he feels.”

“Fine I won’t say anything to him.”

He stood up and kissed her on the head, “Good thank you. Now I want you to rest and get some sleep. I’m going to the hotel.”

She stood up and followed him out of the room, “What’s this hotel you keep mentioning?”

“Faith will fill you in. Don’t leave until I come back, do you understand?” he looked at her intently.

She rolled her eyes, “Yes Angel I understand.”

Buffy watched as he opened up the closet door and then slid his hand along the top molding. A door silently slid open to reveal a dark and winding staircase. She peered around him to look down. “Wow…that’s pretty cool. When do I get to explore it?”

He smiled at her, “Later, now you have to rest.”

Her face puckered unhappily, “Angel I’m not a baby.”

He continued to smile at her, “Yes you are. You’re my baby. What time will they be expecting you back?”

“I didn’t say what time I’d be back, but festivities usually start around ten. I should get there by midnight to avoid suspicion.”

“Festivities?”

“Yeah, the nightly carousing of booze, sex and good times!” She smiled at his scowling face, “It’s just a normal nightly biker party Angel. Don’t worry.”

Angel didn’t like hearing that and his scowling face showed it. “I’ll be back by ten. Don’t leave until I come back.”

Buffy nodded her head, “I won’t leave until you get back.”

Angel smiled at her and leaning forward he touched her face lovingly, his eyes caressing her beautiful features. “I love you,” he softly said.

“I love you too.”

He kissed her on the lips and then ran down the stairs the door sliding shut behind him.

Buffy sighed and walked back into the bedroom, taking off her robe she slid into bed yawning. She fell asleep the second her eyes closed.

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