Authors Note: Just a quick thanks to those of you who reviewed – I really didn't expect any at all, at least not until I'm a few chapters in so thanks a lot. This is my first fic so like a spaz I didn't know you had to put all this at the top. Anyway – on with the story.
Disclaimer: Not mine, Don't sue, Much appreciated.
Rating: I do love the smut but not sure if there will be much in this story, I'll make a little note in case there is for those of you who would rather skip it.
Feedback: God yes – I didn't really understand the obsessive notes for feedback from all the authors. I've only got a few and I'm already addicted – and I'm strangely interested in receiving 'Flames' – seems interesting.
AN2: Italics indicate thoughts and dreams.
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Buffy stared at the large and ominous house in front of her; no, house was the wrong word – Mansion was the only word that could describe the concrete block whose shadow she was currently cowering in. She felt silly being afraid of a house, more like what the house represented.
Growing up with a mother who constantly struggled to pay the rent with the little money she received from her tiny art gallery, and a father who had abandoned her and loved money more than he did his own daughter had instilled a wariness in her from a young age of those with money. Add that to the little information the agency had told her about this particular family and her spidey-senses were on full alert. Hell, she had only been living in this town for a week and had already heard enough gossip about the cold and heartless businessman and his neglected darling daughter to last a lifetime - and from perfect strangers.
So here's what she knew: the father – one Angelus O'Conner - runs a prestigious and largely successful law firm that kept him away from the home and daughter a lot; the little girl was five years old and had some problems – 'Convenient that said problems were not disclosed. The agency probably knew I'd never take the job if I found out the kid is a little Mike Myers in the making.'
Also, the mother had recently passed away leaving the girl – Isabella was her name – with no one to care for her. Despite the very real possibility of this child being a handful for Buffy in the near future because of her 'problems', she couldn't help but ache for the little girl who had lost so much at such a young age; and then to have the one parent she has left abandon her for work – well lets just say Buffy knew first hand how that felt.
'Suck it up, Summers,' Buffy thought while shaking off the trance the house had put her in. Squaring her small shoulders, she gripped her handbag and made her way down the long driveway to the front door.
Hesitantly raising her hand, then forcing her hand to knock loudly three times when she realised she was acting stupid, she waited with baited breath.
The door opened slowly to reveal a medium sized man with dark, kind eyes; smiling eyes and lively, if a tad unfashionable clothing. Buffy immediately liked him. He didn't look as intimidating as everyone had said he was, maybe this wouldn't be all that bad. She suddenly felt like things were looking up.
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Doyle opened the door to see a beautiful blonde standing timidly in front of him. Doyle's grin widened when he realised this must be the nanny the agency sent over, 'Angel doesn't know what he's in for' He thought with an inward chuckle. Putting on his most charming smile, he decided to play dumb just for fun and casually leaned against the door.
"What do we have here then lass? Whatever did I do ta deserve the presence o' such a beauty at this early hour; I'll make sure to do it again."
Buffy was suddenly nervous again standing there, "Oh, I thought tha- I'm Buffy… Buffy Summers. Th-the agency sent me… I was told you needed a nanny." She hated stuttering out what should have been an easy response, it made her feel weak and vulnerable; two emotions she hated even more than the stuttering, but she couldn't help it.
Life had taught her fear of people and that only doubled when said people where men, another handy quality she could thank her adolescence for. 'Stop it, Buffy. Don't think about it; that was then. Right now you have a man looking for someone like you and is willing to pay lots of money – don't spaz out and make a bad impression!'
"I was told I would be expected," She said; glad when her voice reflected strength and confidence.
Seeing that the girl was obviously nervous, Doyle quickly decided to forgo the teasing for a while – of course when she got to know him better all bets were off. He had a familial right to tease any employees, and if his feelings were right, he would be teasing this girl all the time in the very near future.
Easing into his 'charm smile' once again, he tried to make her feel as comfortable as possible. He needed to keep in her good graces if she was going to help him convince Angel, and he knew Angel wasn't going to come along peacefully – the fact that she was a knockout might help though, he mused.
"Come on in, Lass. Couldn't help myself; being the shameless flirt that I am. Please forgive me Milady for such a shocking display and allow me to show you around the place." He said giving a courtly bow and stepping aside for her to enter.
Laughing as she passed by him, Buffy was glad her first impression of the Irish man seemed to be correct. Turning to face him once more,
"No reason to apologise, even if you had the bow would have instantly made me forgive you," she said with a kind smile.
"I'll remember that for the next time I need to apologise"
This time Buffy knew he was teasing her and chuckled, "It would probably save you some back ache if you just didn't do anything worthy of an apology."
"Duly noted, love. An' look at me with all my rudeness, not even introducing meself. I'm Doyle O'Conner." Sticking his hand out for her to shake.
Buffy took his hand while crinkling her brow, "But I thought the clients name was Angelus?"
"It is. I'm his cousin. Angelus is a little…he's busy with a lot of stuff right now. He asked me to take care of this. I'm not sure if anyone told you but his wife was killed recently."
"I heard" Buffy said in a quiet voice, "I'm extremely sorry for your loss."
Doyle could hear the sincerity in her voice and genuinely hoped that his plan would work. It was rare to find someone as genuine as Buffy appeared to be and he knew it would be something his niece and cousin would benefit from.
"Thanks love. I wasn't close to her bu-"
"Doyle, Isabella. I'm home." Angel interrupted while walking through the front door.
"I thought we could go out to lunc-" Stopping mid sentence whilst turning the corner into the hallway to see Doyle with a woman beside him. 'God she's beautiful.'
Looking at Doyle inquiringly, he silently asked him to explain the woman's presence – and he hoped to god it wasn't because he was showing off his new girlfriend to his best friend because then he may have to beat up his own cousin to steal his girl
'Where did that come from?'Blinking, Angel tried to get his bearing on the situation and was about to ask who the girl was, but holy Christ someone could fall into those eyes. He didn't even know if there was a name for all of the colours her eyes were, and those lips, Jesus – how could someone not want to go over there and crush her agai- 'Focus Angel' With that, he focused his attention on the two people standing before him.
Doyle saw Angel's immediate attraction to the girl standing next to him and hell if that didn't make him happy, 'Maybe Izzie won't be the only one needing some TLC' he thought with a wry grin.
"Hello" He nodded to the goddess with what he hoped was an appropriate smile – appropriate to what he didn't know, but he knew if he didn't keep some propriety he wouldn't be able to stop himself from going to her. Turning to Doyle, "Hey, what's going on?"
Buffy wasn't faring any better than Angel at the minute. As soon as he walked around the hallway corner she had been fastened to her place, unable to move.
Looking at him, she realised she was attracted to him. A first for her having always been too afraid to be alone with a man – except for Lindsey of course – let alone initiate someone more intimate.
Staring at this man she didn't get to the fear because blind lust assaulted her as soon as she saw him – how could it not when presented with those chocolate eyes she wanted to bathe in and those arms, wow those arms – she's no expert on arm models or if arm models was even a real job, but she was sure he would be shoe in.
"Angel my man, this here is Buffy Summers."
'Angel – must be his family's name for him; it suits him perfectly,' Buffy thought.
Angel noticed Doyle's nervous attitude and was instantly suspicious, "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Summers" Angel said politely – ever the gentleman.
"Hello" Buffy replied with a smile, surprised she didn't collapse when she heard his smooth as velvet voice.
Angel would have been lost in another spell from the sweet tone of thewoman's voice ifhewasn't stillcurious as to Doyle's attitude, and got the feeling it was connected to this divine creature in front of him.
'Angelus, your wife dies less than a month ago and you're already drooling over this girl; okay she's the most gorgeous being you've ever seen but… just stop!'
"What brings you two here today then?" He asked kindly.
His inkling of Doyle's nervousness was confirmed at his cousin's deep intake of breath and the slight widening of his eyes.
"Well, you see Angelus" Use of his full name, definite nervous sign Angel thought. "Buffy here is a…well she's from a place wher-…I thought tha-"
"I'm the nanny the agency sent" Buffy explained easily for Doyle, seeing the trouble he appeared to be in trying to spit it out.
Silence engulfed the room. Doyle looked at the floor avoiding Angel's awaiting glare; Angel's face portrayed a silent fury whilst glaring holes into the top of Doyle's head; while Buffy just stood there quietly wondering what she had said that was so wrong to cause this kind of reaction.
'Even when he's angry he's hot' Buffy thought embarrassed to be thinking it.
"Doyle, can I talk to you in the office for a minute – Now!" Angel spat out the last word before turning to face Buffy with an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry Miss Summers but we won't be long, I just need a private word with my cousin." Walking into the office without a backward glance as to whether Doyle had followed or not, Angel went straight over to his desk and waited.
Doyle glanced over at Buffy with a grim smile and followed Angelus, closing the door behind him.
Buffy slumped down in the chair outside the office, wishing that she had a time machine to go to this morning to tell herself to call in sick.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Buffy sat on a couch bigger than her bed in the foyer outside of the office, listening to the yelling within. She was about to get up and leave thinking that no job was worth listening to this crap – no matter how gorgeous the boss was.
'Bad Buffy, naughty thoughts about working for that man with his hard… lean chest… and those arms tha- Stop it.' Just as her feet hit the floor, Buffy saw something move from the corner of her eye. Looking over to where she saw it. It was a little girl, Isabella most likely, hiding behind a table with a large vase that concealed most of her body except for her little face poking around the side.
Buffy was instantly in love. The little cherub face was the cutest little thing she had ever seen; with long dark hair in wavy curls and large doe eyes; the little girl looked like a life-sized doll.
Leaning her head sideways, Buffy lifted her hand in a wave. Silently lifting her hand in a copycat motion of Buffy, Isabella waved before lifting the teddy bear she was clutching to her chin.
Hearing a door open to her left, Buffy turned away from the enchanting girl to see Doyle standing in the doorway and an angry looking Angel past him leaning against his large desk.
"If you'd like ta come in now Buffy," Doyle said, nodding his head towards the office.
Quickly looking back to where Isabella had been standing only to find her gone, Buffy frowned confused before turning back to Doyle with a smile and standing up.
"Sure." Walking past him, she got a clearer view of Angelus and her smile faltered slightly at the sight of his arms crossed at his chest and his pissed off frown. Not letting it get to her, she moved confidently to the chair Doyle was currently holding out for her and waited for Angelus to stop staring at the wall like it called his mother a name and look at her.
Doyle coughed loudly when it seemed Angelus was to entranced by the plaster to realise her presence, which caused Angelus' head to snap sharply to look at Doyle with a grunt. When he figured out the reason for the cough, his eyes travelled slowly over to Buffy's waiting ones – and when they met, she was lost.