Chapter 11
Neville watched from the shadows outside the crypt as the Slayer left with Angel. He smiled as excitement swept through him. Nicholai was history, the twit. Kow-towing to that preening peacock had just about made him sick. The only way he had been able to do it was by keeping his ultimate goal in mind. Now he just had to wait for the other Slayer and Spike to leave so he could get into the crypt and complete the ritual.
His legs started to cramp so he shifted positions. What was takin' them so bloody long? He wondered irritably. He knew there was only the one entrance to the crypt, so there was no way they'd gotten out another way. That meant they were doing something in there. Just as he decided to creep closer, the door to the crypt opened and the dark Slayer stepped out. He could smell sex on her as she passed just a few feet from his hiding place and suddenly he knew what they'd been doing.
Imagine that! A vamp and a Slayer shaggin'! If that don't beat all, he thought. Then he remembered Angel and his little Slayer. Okay, so maybe not so unusual after all, but still, odd.
A moment later Spike came out with the book under his arm. Neville didn't care about that…he had the ritual memorized, so he didn't need the book. Maybe if they had it, they'd leave him be long enough to do the deed. He almost crowed out loud as he thought of their reactions when it was done. With the Slayer's powers, he'd be damn near unstoppable!
Spike lifted his fist to knock but stopped just short of connecting. He knew they were there—he could feel them. Well, he could feel him anyway, always could. His connection to his grandsire had always been pretty strong. But what had him shifting from foot to foot was the fact that he didn't want to catch them in the middle of shagging. Bad enough he had to lose her to the pouf, he didn't need the mental image of them going at it to add to his shame. He pressed his ear against the door, trying to hear something, anything, that might give him a clue what they might be doing. Was that a moan? He pressed harder, straining to hear. There was whispering and then another moan.
He considered leaving the book there in front of the door. It was wrapped in brown paper, so nobody would know what it was, and it wasn't like there was much traffic in this place. He sighed and shook his head, discarding the idea. He didn't want to take the chance. Finally, when it came down to leaving with the book or just bleedin' knocking, he reached out and knocked hard, three times.
He heard creaking of bedsprings and rustling and then the door opened a couple inches and Angel peeked out. "Spike? What do you want?"
Spike looked up and down the hall. "Let me in, ya wanker. I got something you want."
Heavy sigh. "I doubt that," he said, but he opened the door anyway. Spike slipped in and the door was closed and locked behind him. He gave Angel a once over, taking in his bare feet and equally bare chest. He supposed he should be glad he had pulled on his trousers before answering the door.
Buffy blinked at him from the bed. Her hair was tousled and her lips were swollen and Spike tried to ignore the smell of sex that permeated the air. He told himself he didn't care. When he held out the package to her, Angel took it before she could raise a hand.
"What is it?" she asked huskily as Angel tore off the wrapping.
Spike shrugged casually. "Nicolai's book. I found it in the crypt after everyone left."
When she smiled at him he allowed himself a fleeting moment of fantasy…that she loved him after all and she'd leave soddin' Angel to come away with him. Then the old pouf spoke and blasted the fantasy to oblivion.
"That's a relief. You know what this means, babe?" he asked her with a smile. "You're safe now. Free to go with me."
Spike shifted awkwardly, unsure what he should do now. He hadn't thought past getting the book delivered to her safely.
Buffy smiled and looked from Angel to Spike. "Thanks, Spike. You're a good friend." There was a long pause as everyone searched for something to say. Buffy was trapped in the bed by her nakedness and Spike's presence.
"Well, I guess I'll…go now," Spike said finally.
"What are your plans?" Buffy asked, hiking the blanket up higher.
Spike gave her a wry smile. "I hear Rome's nice this time of year. Think I'll go see what's doin' there."
"Oh, okay, well…take care," she replied with a fond smile.
"Yeah, keep in touch," Angel said generously.
Spike shifted as though to go, but he couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from her lovely face. Angel walked to the door and unlocked it, opening it a bit in silent invitation.
Spike gave a slight nod and turned and forced himself to walk over to Angel. "Take care of her," he said low for Angel's ears alone, and Angel raised a brow at the veiled threat in his tone.
"Don't worry, I will."
Spike darted one last glance her way, then slipped out. He'd had enough torture for one day. He strode down the hall, his steps purposeful. He didn't need her. It wasn't like she was the only Slayer in the world. Hope rose as he remembered Faith's parting words. He'd go to Rome and see if he could tame the wild Slayer. Even if he couldn't, he'd have one hell of a time trying.
Angel turned from locking the door and looked at his lover. She had a pensive look on her face and for a fleeting moment he thought she regretted staying with him.
"He's still in love with you."
She sighed, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "I know. He'll get over it." Angel stood there, fighting a surge of jealousy. She rolled her eyes. "You can just get over it too, okay? I never loved him, not like I love you." He came to the bed and she rose to her knees. The blanket dropped as she reached for him. Catching her close to him, he buried his face in her hair and closed his eyes. Her lips kissed his collarbone, making their way up his neck and finally stopping at his ear. "I kinda like jealous Angel though," she whispered teasingly.
Tightening his arms around her, he dropped to the bed and pulled her on top of him. "I am not jealous of that little twerp."
She sat up astride him and shrugged, causing her breasts to bounce. "Deny it all you want. We both know you are, but it's okay. Just don't let it get outta hand. I'm with you, right where I've always wanted to be." Her hands stroked up his ribs to rest on his pecs and she wriggled her bottom against his middle. The distraction worked as his eyes darkened and he forgot about his jealousy as desire for her demanded all of his attention.
Lightning quick, he flipped her under him, propping himself up on his elbows. His hands framed her face and he looked at her tenderly. "Where were we before we were so rudely interrupted?" he asked softly, a smile playing around his lips.
Her eyes, slumberous with desire, gazed up at him and his breath caught as her beauty struck him anew. She smiled, a slow, sexy smile. "You were about to show me how long you could hold out on me. And I…" she said huskily, leaning up to nibble at his lips, "was going to show you how quick I could make you lose it."
His senses spun and he took a shaky breath, bracing himself for the torture to come. Her hands stroked down his sides and around to grab his tush, pulling him tight against her pelvis. She put her legs around him, trying to make the connection, but he held back. Not yet, he told himself. It was too soon.
Moving down her body, he kissed his way down one breast to capture the trembling peak. Her breath hitched and she squirmed as he rolled her nipple against the roof of his mouth, sucking hard. Her hands came up of their own volition to tangle in his hair and she panted, making those adorable whimpers that always drove him crazy. When she started pulling at his hair, he kissed his way over to the other breast and gave it the same tender loving attention. She writhed against him, her hips pressed against his belly, and he fought the urge to take her right then. It was too soon.
Releasing her nipple, he kissed his way down her torso, moist, open-mouthed kissed that stole her breath. Her hands were becoming frantic, running over his shoulders and head as though desperate to find the secret touch that would make him lose control and put them both out of their misery. As his lips reached her navel, he captured her hands and held them down on the bed on either side of her hips. He nibbled his way on down, stopping to nuzzle the curls at the apex of her thighs. She suddenly went still as his intent became clear. Her hands fisted against the sheets and she shifted, her legs splaying to offer herself up to his talented mouth.
The first tentative touch of his tongue brought her hips up off the bed and a ragged cry tore from her lips. He paused just a moment to look up at her. Head thrown back, mouth open as she panted, she was the loveliest thing he'd ever seen. He dropped his head and ran his tongue down her folds, delving into her sweetness and wringing a strangled moan from her. His lips fastened on her clit, alternately sucking and nuzzling as her hips began to move. He darted his tongue into her vulva and nearly lost it as her inner muscles clenched around it.
Suddenly she screamed and tore her hands free. Grabbing his head, she dragged him up her body and wrapped her legs around his hips. With a shout he drove into her, stopping as he reached her center. She began to move strongly, forcing him to begin moving, in and out, faster and faster. He surrendered to her rhythm, pumping strongly, surely, bringing them ever closer to the summit. His lips captured hers as he felt the first strong wave hit her, and his tongue swept in to explore the soft depths of her mouth.
As though the pleasure was too sharp, too intense, she tore her lips away from his and let out a keening wail, raising the hair on his nape. She strained hard against him, grinding her pelvis against his, sending him over the edge. With a hoarse shout he came, wave after wave of ecstasy washing over him, seemingly without end.
All of a sudden Angel froze as he sensed a change in her. Her body had suddenly gone boneless. Propping himself up on his elbows, he looked down at her.
Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was shallow. His heart seized. My God, had he killed her?
"Buffy? Are you okay, babe?" he asked urgently.
For a long, agonizing moment she didn't answer, didn't stir. His shaking hands brushed the hair back from her face. Her eyes fluttered open, a frown between her brows.
"Baby?" he whispered.
"It's gone." Her voice was thready, a fraction of its usual strength.
"What is?"
"My…my powers…they're gone," she said with a sob in her voice.
A/N: I know, I know, I made you wait, like forever, and now this! I want to thank angelsblueeyedgirl (aka Jenna) for the awesome plot twist idea. You are the Queen of Plot Twists, honey! I was gonna just wrap this baby up with this chapter, but she and her musie went bonkers and voila! We have a whole new interesting tangent. Luv ya, sweetie! So now, what I need you to do is click the little blue button and feed the musie, 'kay? I can't make any promises, but I will do my best to crank out the next chappie in a week. Thanks so much for reading.