A/N: Enjoy!! Please, please, if you like it, or even if you don't, REVIEW!! I live off of them!
K-Sue
Chapter 7
Buffy dropped her briefcase on the couch and shed her suit jacket the moment she got home. She was exhausted. After a spectacular, fun lunch with Angel where they talked about nearly everything, they'd had sex in his car. Twice. Buffy was certain she had strained a muscle in her back.
"Hi baby, how was your day?" Riley asked, coming out of the kitchen with a dishtowel draped over his shoulder and a smudge of tomato sauce on his cheek.
"Exhausting," Buffy sighed, smiling to herself as she replayed her lunch break with Angel.
"Think you're up for some dinner? I made my famous meatballs," Riley said with a grin. Buffy smiled and lifted a hand to wipe the sauce off his cheek, licking it off her thumb and giving a little moan of satisfaction. Riley may not have been a cheating bastard, but he was a damn good cook.
Riley leaned down for a kiss, letting it linger. Buffy parted her lips for him, mentally picturing that it was Angel she was kissing. After a few moments, Riley pulled away smiling.
"Preview of what's in store," he said. Buffy smiled, trying to pretend that she was looking forward to sex with her husband. At least, if the condom wrappers in his trash had been any indication, she didn't have to worry about STDs.
"When's dinner? I'm starving," Buffy called as Riley walked back into the kitchen and she kicked off her heels. Her Blackberry beeped, signaling a text message, and she dug through her bag to find it.
"Ten minutes!" Buffy couldn't help but grin when she saw the text.
I haven't been able to stop thinking about you all day. I love you. A
Buffy quickly flipped off her phone as Riley wandered back into the living room. She flashed him a smile.
"Come here," Riley said in a husky whisper. He pulled Buffy into his arms and kissed her deeply, slipping his hands under her shirt and tracing circles on her skin. Buffy shivered and Riley took it as a sign of pleasure, his hands inching higher towards her breasts.
Buffy's cell phone beeped again and she extracted herself from Riley's grasp.
"Sorry baby. Hello?"
"Buffy, it's Willow."
"Hey Will, what's up?" Buffy flopped down on the couch as Riley went to set the table. She raked a hand through her hair.
"We're all going out for drinks tonight and we thought you and Riley might want to come," Willow explained. Buffy's eyes narrowed, even though she knew Willow couldn't see her.
"You want Riley to come?" Buffy asked in a whisper. The gang never invited Riley anywhere.
"Yeah. We decided that we've been being really mean to him, cutting him out of all our plans."
"I'll have to talk to him Will, we had planned to spend tonight in. Can I call you back in a bit?"
"Sure. If you and Riley were planning to spend tonight in, does that mean…"
"No, Willow. It doesn't. I'll call you back." Buffy hung up without waiting for Willow's reply. She loved her best friend, but Willow hadn't been able to let go of what was going on between Buffy and Angel, even if she knew the justification behind it. .
"Dinner's ready, baby!" Riley called. Buffy stood and went into the dining room. Riley had lit candles on the table, served red wine, and dished her meatballs and asparagus.
"Mmm, looks delicious. So, that was Willow on the phone," Buffy stated. Riley raised an eyebrow and waited. "She wants us to go out with the gang tonight."
"Us? You mean your elitist friends want an outsider to join them?" Buffy sighed.
"They're making an effort, Riley."
"I thought we were going to…you know, tonight?" Riley asked, stuttering a little. Buffy shook her head.
"You're an adult and we're married Riley, you can say sex. And we still can…just before or after."
"Alright, we can go."
"Great! I'll call Willow." Buffy jumped up from the table, taking her wine with her into the living room where she dialed Willow. They spoke for a few minutes before deciding that Buffy and Riley would meet the rest of them at The Underground at ten.
"Where are we going?" Riley asked as Buffy came back to the table.
"The Underground. In high school, we used to drive into L.A. on Friday nights and go to The Underground because they didn't check ids. We're meeting at ten," Buffy said as she shoved a meatball into her mouth. She really was starving.
"Wonderful"
*
Riley held an arm around Buffy's shoulders as they wandered into The Underground, obviously pleased with himself. Buffy thought she should win an Oscar for her acting. She'd had sex with Riley between dinner and heading for The Underground, and she'd managed to convince him it was the best sex of their lives. It so wasn't.
"Look, the guys are going to try to intimidate you...just brush it off. Don't believe a word they say," Buffy warned. Riley arched an eyebrow at her and gave her shoulder a squeeze.
"Baby, I've met them before, remember? And hung out with them before too. I can take care of myself." Buffy sighed.
"Okay."
Everyone was already there when they walked into the loud, crowded club. Buffy shrugged out of Riley's embrace to join Faith and Cordelia on the dance floor. Together the three women started gyrating to the upbeat rhythm. Riley instantly felt lust course through his veins.
"They are goddesses, aren't they?" A rough British accent said from beside him. Riley looked over to see Buffy's friend Spike.
"They're a sight, that's for sure," Riley nodded.
"Spike, you remember high school, when the three of them would conspire to drive the three of us crazy…just by dancing?" Another voice asked. Riley looked to his other side to see Xander nursing a beer while he watched the women.
"Us? Um…" Riley stuttered.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I meant Spike, Angel, and I. Of course, Willow and Oz were in there, but they weren't quite as…obviously physical as the six of us were. We couldn't keep our hands off our significant others," Xander said.
"Looks like Angel still can't keep his hands off our girl," Spike said nodding to the dance floor. Jealous rage bubbled inside Riley as he watched Angel slip his arms around Buffy's waist and pull her tightly against him. He had no idea that Buffy and Angel had ever been anything more than friends, and now he was getting information that made it sound like they had been a serious couple. How could she have left that out for so long?
Riley's jealousy was slightly mollified when Buffy playfully danced away, though her smile was much too bright for his taste.
"Our girl?" Riley pressed.
"All three of us wanted her…only Angel got her."
"The two of you were with other girls."
"Sure. Just because things worked out for the best in the end, for Spike and I at least, doesn't mean it was our first choice path," Xander shrugged. Riley found himself disgusted with Buffy's friends. Sometimes, if he didn't know better, he would think they were all just one big couple.
*
Buffy knew the instant hands touched her waist that it was Angel behind her. She allowed him to pull her into a tight embrace before dancing away.
"Riley's here," she said by way of explanation. Angel growled, but put on a smile.
"Why?"
"Because he's my husband, and Willow invited him."
"Willow?"
"Yeah. Look, I told you today she's not okay with what we're doing. She's not going to make it easy on us if she can help it," Buffy explained. She laughed as he twirled her.
"I may just have to have a chat with our resident red-head," Angel hissed. Buffy punched his arm hard enough to make him flinch.
"Leave Willow alone. She's trying to do what she thinks is right."
"I hate being here and not being able to touch you like I want to," Angel admitted. Buffy started at the melancholy in his voice and saw the anguish in his eyes. She stopped dancing.
"Angel…"
"Meet me in the men's bathroom." Buffy gaped at his muscular back as Angel walked away. She knew what he was suggesting could be done, they'd gotten away with it a million times in high school. He'd clear the room, she'd sneak in, they'd lock the door and have their way with each other. Not once had they ever been caught. Not once had her husband ever been in the building.
She danced up to Cordelia and Faith, glancing over her shoulder to make sure that Riley was otherwise occupied. She saw him standing at the edge of the floor, flanked by Xander and Spike. She flashed him a smile.
"I can't give you the whole story right now, but I need a favor from the two of you," Buffy said. "Keep dancing!" She hissed as Faith and Cordelia slowed.
"What's up, B?"
"Remember that trick Angel and I used to pull? The men's bathroom?"
"Hell yeah! That shit was legendary!" Faith cried gleefully.
"What about it, Buffy?" Cordelia asked.
"We're going to pull it again tonight. Don't ask, I told you I can't explain right now. I will later, I swear. Lunch and shopping tomorrow. What I need for the two of you to do is run interference. Keep Riley occupied for fifteen minutes," Buffy begged. Faith frowned.
"Shouldn't Red be helping with this?" Buffy shook her head.
"Willow knows, and if she figures out where Angel and I are…she's going to make it very difficult for us to get away with it. She doesn't approve. So try to occupy her too. I will owe you guys for the rest of my life if you help," Buffy swore.
Faith and Cordelia shared a glance that seemed to stretch out forever. Buffy's heart pounded in her ears.
"We'll do it. And you owe us lunch tomorrow. And we'll help you shop for sexy lingerie," Faith answered.
"Thanks guys. I'm going to tell Riley I'm heading outside for some fresh air. Come back with me and do your thing."
They left the dance floor, heading towards the table where the rest of their group was, minus Angel. Buffy slung her arms around Riley's neck and planted a kiss on his lips.
"Baby, I'm gonna grab a few minutes of fresh air. I'll be back, okay?" Riley smiled and nodded.
"Sure, sweetie. Want some company?"
"Nah, I'm good. Stay, bond with our friends." Riley gave her a pat on the hip and she turned and left.
"So Riley, Buffy says your little brother is violating Dawnie on a regular basis these days. Tell us about him," Cordelia said. Faith rolled her eyes.
"You have no tact," she sighed. Cordelia frowned at her.
"Tact is just not saying true stuff. I'll pass. Seriously Riley, we want to know about the youngest Finn."
"He's actually not the youngest…" Riley launched into the story, but Cordelia already knew most of it from her conversations with Buffy. But it got him talking, which was her goal.
*
Buffy slipped into the men's room and flipped the lock. Angel was lounging against the wall with his arms crossed, looking at her with fire in his eyes. As she face him, he pushed off the wall and stalked towards her before grabbing her by the waist and sitting her on the edge of the closest sink.
"Angel, I love you. I need you to know that," Buffy gasped, holding on to his shoulders as he hiked her skirt up.
"I love you too. So much that sometimes I think it might kill me." Angel kissed her with everything he had, while slipping a finger underneath her panties. He groaned around her lips.
"I hate that I can't treat you the way you deserve to be treated. I hate that we're reduced to sex in an office, a car, and a public bathroom. I hate that I can't shout how much I love you from the rooftops. But I love that I get your heart."
There was no preamble to their coupling. They both just needed to be one. When they came, it wasn't mind blowing or world rocking. It was just complete and utter satisfaction. Release.
Angel held Buffy close until he felt her tears soak through his shirt. He pulled slightly away, framing her face with his hands and tilting it up until she was looking into her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Buffy looked away and wiped at her tears, shaking her head.
"It's not enough. It's never enough." She started sobbing in earnest and clung to Angel, wishing she could just disappear into his body.
"I know, love, I know."
*
Riley waved as Buffy pulled her car away from the curb. She was heading out to an afternoon with Cordelia and Faith, which meant she would be gone all day. He smiled bitterly. After a few minutes, when he was sure Buffy wouldn't be back, he glanced at a silver Mercedes parked across the street and gave a slight nod.
A blonde woman slid gracefully from the driver's seat. She was about Buffy's height, and about as small, but where the tiny waistline was natural on Buffy, it looked sickly on this woman. Her eyes were hidden behind dark sunglasses, but her full red lips quirked into a half smile as she crossed the street.
"Hey baby," she purred when she reached him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rocked up on her heels for a kiss.
"Liz." Riley lead her inside. As soon as the door was shut, he backed her against it and mauled her mouth.
"I want you. Now," she gasped as he ripped her blouse open. Riley smiled. Buffy never said stuff like that. Even when they had first started dating, she hadn't been that passionate. She'd never jumped him the moment he was in the door, never fucked him with half her clothes on because she couldn't wait a second longer.
Liz…Liz was voracious. She couldn't get enough of Riley. And Riley couldn't get enough of being wanted.
*
"So, how did it happen?" Faith asked as she, Buffy, and Cordelia sat around a patio table at a bistro in Santa Monica.
"The night before the reunion…I don't know. It just did. I was in bed with Riley and it just felt so completely wrong. So I sent Angel a text, we met, and it happened. We hooked up again the night of the reunion. I thought it was over after that, Riley and I went back to New York. Then I got promoted, moved to L.A. and I couldn't stay away," Buffy explained.
"You never could, Buffy."
"What do you mean?"
"Graduation night? The after party at Harmony's house?" Buffy paled.
"We didn't think anyone knew…"
* June 2, 1999 *
Buffy tried her best to put on a brave face as she wandered around Harmony Kendall's mansion. It was almost eleven, she had promised to stay until midnight. Her friends were trying their best to take her mind off of what happened with Angel, but it was hard to not think about it when her entire world was different.
"Buffy!" Buffy turned to see who and called her name and saw Parker approaching her.
"What do you want, Parker?" Instinctively, Buffy looked around for Angel. He'd always rescued her from Parker before, but this time she was on her own.
"I heard about you and Roarke. I'm pretty sure the whole world heard about you and Roarke, and I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I thought you two were in it for the long haul," Parker said softly, reaching out to pat Buffy's shoulder. She cringed.
"Me too," she whispered. Parker leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, trying to coax her into a more passionate kiss. Buffy sobbed and pushed him away, turning to run up the large grand staircase hoping to find a room, any room.
She found one and threw herself on the bed, sobbing brokenly. She cried for a long time before the door opened and a pair of strong arms turned her around and cradled her body. She burrowed into the solid chest.
"I'm sorry. I didn't see him until you were already running away," Angel whispered, brushing a kiss over the top of her head. Buffy wanted to push him away, scream at him, hit him, anything. Instead, she grabbed fistfuls of his shirt and cried into his chest.
After a few minutes, Buffy's tears quieted. She pulled away to look up at Angel and sniffled.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"You're welcome. Buffy…"
Buffy kissed him. It was instinct and habit, and she didn't care if she looked desperate. She missed kissing him.
"Buffy, we," Angel started. Buffy grabbed his chin and searched his eyes.
"Please don't. Just give me tonight." She started crying again as Angel lowered her to the bed.
* Present *
"We heard Parker bitching about you refusing him again and went to make sure you were okay. We saw you and Angel come out of the room and decided to just let it go," Faith explained.
"But, it does reinforce the fact that you and Angel have never been able to stay away from each other," Cordelia pointed out. Buffy nodded.
"I know. It's true. God, I thought I could fool myself into not loving him. I thought I could love Riley."
"So what are you going to do?" Cordelia asked. There was a long stretch of silence as Buffy picked at her food. Finally she set her fork down and ran her hands over her face.
"I'm going to ask Riley for a divorce."
