Three weeks later, Dawn had been to visit again twice and Angel and Buffy were growing ever closer. Apart from when Angel was working at the law firm his father had left to him, they spent every moment together. Buffy found herself thankful that he'd taken her, because for the first time, she felt truly happy, and loved. Still, she missed her old life, and her freedom. But Angel had given her as much freedom as he could. She could wander around the house as she pleased, there were no guards outside her door, she could even spend time in the garden if she wished, which was one of her great pleasures, as his garden was huge. She also had free rein over his library, she loved the library.

One day Buffy was out in the garden when Angel came back. Nobody had seen her go into the garden, so he didn't know she'd be there. He started panicking as he searched the whole house for her, with no sign of her. Then, half an hour later, as he looked out of a window, he saw her walking up the garden back towards the house, a book in her hand. He almost cried with relief and held her close to him when she walked into the house.

Buffy: What's wrong?

Angel: I thought you'd gone. Or that someone had taken you

Buffy: I was just in the garden. You were that worried?

Angel: Of course I was!

The truth was, he couldn't see himself living without her. She'd been there for over two months, and it seemed natural that she would always be there. Every day, he thought more and more about what he should do. He'd never intended to keep her forever, but neither had he planned what he'd do after he took her. And now, he knew he wouldn't be able to let go of her, it was too hard. He loved her, more than he thought possible. He'd always thought she was pretty, and over the past couple of years, before he took her, he'd felt a strange stirring inside of him whenever he saw her. But he never imagined he could love her. Before now.

Two days after Angel had lost Buffy in the garden, he invited her to dinner. Obviously they couldn't leave the house, so he'd set up a perfect evening in the dining room. He bought her a dress as well for her to wear, knowing that she didn't have any with her.

When Buffy got downstairs, Angel's heart seemed to stop. She was breath-taking. She was wearing a red dress that stopped just above her knees and had a slit to mid-thigh. It had a low, scooping neckline that showed just a hint of cleavage and her hair was down in ringlets. He noted, with amusement, that she had no shoes on, like him. It didn't seem right to wear them in the house.

The meal was delicious and Buffy felt like she was in heaven. Angel looked wonderful in smart black pants and a white shirt with the top few buttons undone, making Buffy's imagination run wild. He was a beautiful man. Everything about him was perfect.

Buffy: The food was delicious, give my compliments to the chef

Angel: Thank you

Buffy: You made it?

Angel: Why so surprised?

Buffy: It's just I, figured you had people to cook for you

Angel: I do, but I like to cook. And I wanted tonight to be special, and cooking for you made it more special

Buffy smiled and led him into the living room, sitting down on the sofa, patting the space next to her. He obliged and she curled up with him, softly kissing his neck. Angel closed his eyes and lent against the back of the sofa, pulling her closer to him and getting lost in the feeling of her lips on his skin. Then he felt her lips on his and began to kiss her, duelling his tongue with hers. She broke off the kiss and went back to trailing kisses up his neck until she reached his earlobe. As she nibbled it she slid a hand down his chest, gently starting to unbutton his shirt. Angel was so caught up in her lips that he didn't notice her unbuttoning his shirt until he felt her warm hand on his bare chest.

He placed his hand over hers, stopping its rhythmic pattern and Buffy moved away from his neck to look into his eyes.

Angel: Buffy –

He was cut off by her lips on his. She kissed him for a long moment, sending all of her love and passion into him. When she broke off she moved only a couple of centimetres away, so she could still feel his breath on her lips, and stared deeply into his eyes.

Buffy: Make love to me Angel