No Going Back
She had always imagined that he would be a gentle lover.
Now, with with one of his hands pinning her again the wall and another digging urgently into her hip, she knew that she had been wrong. This foreplay was frantic.
He kissed her neck roughly, slight stubble scratching her smooth skin. His breathing was rapid and occasionally punctuated with deep moans. Her own breath escaped as small cries.
Of course, using slayer strength she could have easily over-powered him. Could have taken control of the situation, or terminated it. She realised she didn't want to.
She reached out her hand to steady herself, and knocked against an ancient vase on one of the Magic Box shelves. It fell to the floor with a crash.
They instantly broke apart and surveyed the damage.
Their eyes met and there was a change in his expression. Where there had previously been nothing but desire there was now conflict.
'Buffy, I'm sorry. I...'
His sentence broke off as he gazed at his bedraggled slayer.
'Giles.'
Buffy almost whispered his name, choked with emotion. A few tears filled her eyes.
After momentarily resting his head in his hands, he shook it slowly.
Tears fell as Buffy saw this.
'I understand.' she stated softly and started to walk past Giles, towards the door.
Giles quickly caught her by the wrist and pulled her back, reviving some of the passion he had displayed earlier.
'You understand?' he gave a small, helpless laugh. 'Explain it to me, because I have no idea what we do next.'
It was true, the Watcher's Diaries and Slayer Handbook did not cover this situation.
Buffy knew she could leave. Or stay. Either way, their relationship was now irrevocably changed.
She moved towards Giles, and began to re-button his shirt.
Her hands lingered a moment too long on his chest and she hesitated only briefly before kissing him gently. A chaste brushing of their lips.
This was enough to elicit a groan from the older man.
She leaned in again, taking control this time. His mouth parted slightly and their kiss deepened.
They explored each other, holding on more tightly as each second passed.
They now knew which path they had chosen. There was no going back.