Chapter 9
Willow sat at the Espresso Pump, Sunnydale's very own coffee house, eagerly typing up the codes for her website on her laptop. She jumped on her stool when she felt hands cover her eyes, and her vision fade.
"Hello, lover," Tara's soft voice purred in her ear, and a wide smile formed on Willow's face.
"Tara!" Willow squealed happily. "I thought you had Summers' Gallery duty tonight," the red-head continued, referring to Tara's part-time job at Buffy's mother's gallery.
"I did, but Joyce let me off early because she wanted me to put in extra hours next week. Apparently, she's leaving for L.A to close up this huge deal with an equally huge artist," Tara explained.
"Great! Does that mean there will be Willow-Tara time tonight?" Willow asked, hopefully matching it with an expectant grin, recalling what fabulous things usually happened during Willow-Tara time.
Tara looked guiltily away and made a face, dreading to disappoint her girlfriend. "Um.sure, right after we've helped Buffy with her current crisis." Not hearing any loud rants, she looked up at Willow, and sighed, relieved that the redhead had settled for a pout. "She called me at the gallery, and after a couple of minutes of rambling something incomprehensible about Spike, Angel, and kissage, I told her to breathe and meet me here. If you're a good girl, I can give promises of scented candles and a scented bathtub with me and you in it."
Willow cheered up noticeably and piped out, "Are you trying to seduce me, Miss McClay?" She put her arms around her love's shoulders.
Just then, a blonde head popped inside the doorway of The Espresso Pump, scanning the area for her friends. Buffy saw Tara and Willow and quickly headed towards their table. She sighed loudly as she plopped down into the stool after greeting them.
"So, how fare things in Dateville, Buffyland?" Willow asked.
"The habitants are currently rebelling," Buffy quipped.
"Care to give me version 2.0 of the conversation we had earlier on the phone? You know, the version where I actually can make out the words that come out of your mouth?" Tara asked.
"Well, I went over to Angel's to cancel our date and.well.no one answered when I rang the door, and then I heard music coming out from the back. I walked around, only to be awarded with a very drool-worthy vision. Spike. In nothing but trunks, and am I allowed to say 'Wow'? He has these perfect washboard abs and." she trailed off, getting a dreamy look in her eyes, before Willow brought her back.
"And I guess this little story of yours will have a point as soon as you snap out of your little hormone-fest?"
"Oh.yeah. Well, we started sort of arguing about him telling Dawn he liked me when he was seeing Drusilla, and then one thing lead to another and I pushed him into the pool. That would actually be pretty funny if it weren't for the fact that he dragged me in with him." She paused as her friends began laughing.
"You guys! Please! I'm trying to spill, and you turning hysteric at my expense certainly isn't helping!"
Willow snorted and tried to muffle her incontrollable giggling with her hand, while Tara tried a serious face, and snorted before offering, "Sorry. We'll try to behave."
Buffy glared skeptically at them, while their faces contorted rapidly, from serious to grinning, and back again. "Well.when we came up from the water.well. our-faces-were-really-really-close-and-we-sorta-kissed!" Buffy hurriedly tried to explain while she cringed, waiting for their response.
"You kissed?" Willow screeched, giddily. Her action turned quite a few heads in the crowded coffee shop. Tara and Buffy glared at her, and she lowered her voice before continuing. "Wow, this is what you wanted, right? So, was he good with the smooches? What about Dru? Oh, and what about Angel?"
"I haven't gotten to the 'best' part yet." Buffy used her fingers to emphasize her quotation marks. "I heard Angel coming home and practically jumped out of the pool. Then, he made fun of me because I 'fell' into the pool, and I was so embarrassed and flushed from the kiss, that I never got to cancel our date. As for Dru.I really don't know. And yes, he is a fantastic kisser. My lips are tingly just thinking about it. Kissing him.I became all wobbly and completely forgot about my date with Angel.
"So now, I still have a date with Angel for Friday night, and am currently trying very hard not to fall for a certain peroxide blonde, oh-so-sexy, black clad, Brit." She finished by groaning and letting her forehead slump against the table. She started softly banging her head against it as she sung her mantra; "What do I do? What do I do?"
Tara reached out for her shoulder, in an effort to stop her. When Buffy looked up at her pouting, Tara offered her a sympathetic smile. "I don't think hitting your head against a dirty table will help." Buffy raised herself, wiped her forehead, and scrunched her nose.
"Why don't you try to cancel your date with Angel one more time, and if that fails, go out with him. I mean, it's just one date. It's not like a serious commitment thing-y." Willow tried to help her friend.
"I guess. But that still doesn't help me in the Spike area. If word gets out that we kissed and-and other stuff, won't people think less of me? You know, when I'm really supposed to date Angel?" Buffy was biting her lip, worriedly.
"Aww, Buffy. We won't think any less of you. And we won't tell. And.what other stuff?" Willow suddenly realized just what Buffy had said.
Buffy smiled and got that dreamy look again, a flushed face added to it. "Well, let's just say he's very talented with his hands as well." All girls giggled, before their heads shot up to hear Harmony Kendall's whiny voice.
"Well, have you asked him yet? You know, Friday is only two days away, and maybe Spike's made other plans," the blonde told her raven-haired idol.
Drusilla rolled her eyes. "Harmony, look at me. Do I look like anything he could possibly refuse?" Dru gestured to her body, before placing her hands on her hips for good measure.
Buffy, Willow, and Tara frowned and shared a glance. Tara was silently praying that the brunette wouldn't notice them. If she did, she would certainly come to their table and taunt them. She always did. Tara was pretty sure that if she did, Buffy wouldn't help but throw her little make- out session in Dru's face. Fortunately, Drusilla never noticed them.
Xander arrived shortly after, with a sullen look on his face. "What's with the not-so-happy Xand look?" Willow asked. Taking a note that Buffy was present, Xander decided it probably was best to bring up why he was in a crappy mood at a later time, when she wasn't. It was an unspoken law in the gang not to refer to Riley in front of Buffy.
"Work," he lied. He was really thrilled about work. "Anyway, I'm here to pick up that coffee blend An claims is an aphrodisiac. You girls want a lift home?"
All girls nodded happily and got up, and left the Espresso Pump for Xander's car. When Buffy got out of the car at her place, Xander filled Tara and Willow in on what had happened earlier in the evening with Riley.
"I feel so sorry for you, Xand. I know he's your best guy friend and all. Don't worry, I'm sure he'll come around; and if he doesn't, it's his loss." Willow tried to comfort.
Xander gave her a half-smile before turning his eyes back on the road.
*********
Buffy shuffled her feet to the back of the house, slipping into the kitchen. She felt her body temperature rise as she saw Spike sitting at the kitchen table, talking with her mother. He looked good enough to eat, wearing a blue shirt, replacing his usual black t-shirt. Her mind brought up the memory of the kiss earlier, and she swallowed.
Spike sat, wondering exactly when Joyce was going to ask him what he was doing here. She hadn't; instead, she had welcomed him, and treated him to a hot cup of chocolate with those tiny marshmallows he loved. He noticed that the reason he was here had just entered the kitchen, and he looked at her. He saw her swallow, and closed his eyes for a second, trying to calm the arousal that began at the mere thought of her.
"Hi, honey. Look who stopped by," Joyce told her daughter. She noticed the looks between them and smiled, as she finally got her answer as to why Spike was here in the first place.
"Hey," came Buffy's meek response. She avoided both their glances and headed over to the stove to get her own cup of hot chocolate.
"Oh, look at the time. The news is on. Better go watch," Joyce said. She got up and scurried out of the kitchen, leaving the two blondes on their own.
Spike thankfully watched her retreating form, before asking, "Could we talk, pet?"
"Sure," Buffy said, heading for the stairs out in the hallway. She gestured for him to follow, and he did. When they reached the second floor, they noticed Connor coming out of Dawn's bedroom.
"And what would mummy dearest say if she knew that your grounded arse was over here and not in your room, studying like she told you to?" Spike smirked, and quirked his scarred eyebrow at the teen. Connor shuffled his weight nervously from one foot to the other, embarrassed at getting caught. He suddenly beamed as a solution came to him.
"You won't tell Mom, and I won't tell Angel." Connor smiled and tilted his head towards Buffy. Spike couldn't care less if Angel found out that he had come to see Buffy; in fact, he would get a rush from seeing Angel's sour face when he found out, but he still liked the kids, and didn't really want them to get into any trouble. They shared an understanding nod and entered separate Summers' bedrooms
As Spike entered her bedroom, Buffy closed the door behind them. She couldn't help but inhale his scent as he passed her, only inches away. His unique, as well as tobacco, scent was there as earlier, but in addition, there was a faint masculine cologne. Yikes, he smells delicious.
He went on, inspecting her room and the little trinkets it had. He lifted up a crystal figurine, eyeing it. He set it down and seated himself on her bed. He grabbed her stuffed pig off from the covers and eyed it skeptically, before looking up at her.
"Still sleeping with your stuffed animals, are you? You are twenty-one, aren't you?"
"Hey! That's Mr. Gordo! He's special," she pouted, before trying to grab her pig. He stood up and childishly held Mr Gordo out of her reach. This annoyed Buffy to a great degree, but she still wanted it back, and tried to get it the only way she knew how.by jumping for it. Spike chuckled at her efforts. Buffy felt her anger rise, and before he knew it, she punched his nose.
Spike toppled over and landed, backside on her bed. "Bloody hell, woman! Bugger! You got my nose bleeding!" His hand, covering his nose, muffled his mouth and his shout in the process.
"I'm so sorry!" Buffy exclaimed. She opened her nightstand, frantically searching for the tissues she usually used whenever there was a sappy movie on. She found them, and placed a few of them at Spike's nose. He scowled at her, and she offered her apology several times more.
"You know, I wouldn't have if you hadn't annoyed me to death."
"That's the second time you've reverted to violence today! They have groups for people like you. Anger management. Look. In. To. It." His nose had stopped bleeding as quickly as it had started, and he removed the tissue.
They both suddenly became very conscious of the position she had absentmindedly placed herself in while she tended to his nose. She was currently straddling his lap. She moved to get away, only to have Spike grab her by her arms, holding her back. He gently pulled her to him. He held her emerald eyes for what seemed like forever.
Buffy was almost scared by the serious look in his eyes. His darkened eyes held desire, adoration, and were almost begging. His soft lips were begging, too. Begging for her to move just an inch closer, so their lips could connect, and sparks would once again fly. So, she did.
Spike closed his eyes at the sensations of her warm soft lips touching his, her increasingly warm body covering his. She had kissed him; she had made the final move. It had been her choice. He wanted nothing more than to savour the moment forever when she parted her lips and their tongues carefully tasted each other. They explored each other's mouth at a languidly slow pace, up until the moment their hands came in to play.
Buffy felt him hardening through his jeans, between her legs, and was thrilled by his reaction to her kiss. She let her small hands roam across his well-sculptured chest, and felt his hands against her back, holding her tightly while moving. Frustrated by the fabric in her way, Buffy pulled her hands away, only to slip them under the hem of his shirt.
Eager to help, Spike lifted himself up and was just about to take it off when the word 'no' reached her hazed mind. He looked, puzzled, at a panting Buffy. Buffy had suddenly been brought back to reality. A reality where she had a date with Angel.
"I don't think that would be a good idea if we want to still have the rest of our clothes on in, like, five minutes," she tried to explain. She extracted herself from his arms and sat at the edge of her bed. She was biting her lip in insecurity, and Spike had never seen anything cuter. He moved and sat against her back, with her between his legs. Clutching her against him, he nuzzled her neck, inhaling her sweet smell, trying to come up with other words than 'Want. Take. Have.'
"Who said I didn't want our clothes to come off?" He whispered huskily in her ear, before placing open-mouthed kisses along her throat. Buffy was trying hard to keep the imagery of him naked and the sensations of what he was doing to her throat away so she could stop herself from going further.
"Listen, you were the one who wanted to talk. So talk." It was meant to come out firm, but sounded frail. Spike stopped his actions, but still held her tightly.
"Yes, I wanted to talk. I wanted to talk about this and how I wanted more of it."
"Why?" She asked. It was such a simple question, but Buffy thought he'd have a hard time answering it.
Spike was puzzled by her question. "Because I want you. I have ever since I first laid my eyes on you. You're smart, beautiful, witty, and I want to get to know you better." He emphasized by placing a soft, long kiss to the most sensitive spot on her neck. Buffy clenched her teeth in an effort to suppress a moan.
"Then why did you get all close with Dru?" She asked, more confidently.
"I think you may have gotten the wrong impression about me and Drusilla. It was one kiss that first night at the Bronze. Fortunately, I haven't seen her outside of class ever since. I only let her kiss me because I thought Sod it, since you seemed to be pretty close to Peaches. Seeing her in classes.she showed her true self, and to tell you the truth, she annoys me. 'Sides, you're the one I really wanted."
"Oh," Buffy replied meekly, while inwardly scolding herself for letting herself be led to believe differently by Dru. Spike and Buffy sat a few moments in silence, he stroking her arms. Buffy closed her eyes and sighed. She stood up, knowing she could think a lot clearer away from his comfortable, strong arms and gentle touch. "So. You like me.and I like you, whenever you're not being way too cocky. We want each other. I think that's pretty clear." She paused, waiting for a confirmation. He gave her a nod of affirmation.
"And this would be all good if." she swallowed. "If I weren't going on a date with Angel on Friday." She looked at him out of the corner of her eye.
"Cancel it," he answered, with simplicity.
"Tried that, and now it's less than two days away. Not fair to cancel on this short of notice."
"Bollix," Spike interrupted. "S' not too late to cancel, pet. Just give him a ring and tell him you have an engagement in need of immediate attention. We could.you know." he winked at her and grinned.
"No, Spike!" She was beginning to feel a load of frustration. "It's not that simple. Even if I did cancel, which I'm not going to, this," she pointed between them and the bed, "couldn't happen. I really want to get to know you better, but I do not want to rush into things."
"I'm not that impatient; something tells me waiting for you would be worth it's while, but please! Please cancel with Angel. I couldn't bear knowing that he got to spend time alone with you like that, and I didn't. Believe me, he'll spend hours rubbing it in."
"I will go out on the date! I already said I would!" She looked away from him.
"Fine!" Spike snapped, while standing up to leave.
"Spike," she pleaded for him to stop. He didn't. Spike left the room, and Buffy tried to catch up to him until the stairs. She stood at the top of the stairwell and listened in as he thanked her mother for the hot chocolate and the sound of the front door closing. "There will only be the one date," she whispered to no one in particular, something she had wanted to tell Spike.
Spike got home and saw his father in the living room, watching the news. He saw Jenny coming up from the basement with a basket of Connor's folded laundry.
"Hey, Will. Just finished Connor's laundry. Want me to do yours?"
"Thank you, but I can do it myself. Unlike some of the house's occupants, I know how to. Why don't I bring that up to Connor, and you can sit down and relax with Pops, over there?" He suggested, knowing very well of the fit Jenny would have when she noticed Connor wasn't in his room like he was supposed to be. He took the basket and headed up the stairs, thinking Kid, you owe me big time.
He left the basket in Connor's room, and Connor chose that moment to climb through the window.
"You need to be more careful, kid. Your mum was just about to come up here."
"Thanks, I will. So you and Buffy, huh? Making progress?" Connor asked, and was puzzled by the sad look that crossed Spike's face.
"I thought I did. But she's still going on a date with your brother," Spike replied, and shrugged his shoulders. He left for his own room, plopping down on the bed, thinking about the day's events. Lulling himself to sleep, his last thought was, That girl will drive me crazy.
When Spike had climbed the stairs, Jenny had crawled into Giles' arms on the couch, resting her head on his shoulder.
"So, how has your day been?" She asked her husband.
"The business would be looking a lot more promising if Wesley weren't spreading nails along the road. I had a meeting with Mr. Williams again. He and Mr. Summers have signed on, but Wesley has made it clear to Mr. Williams that he has no plans on making things easy for him. Wesley has apparently gotten to the mayor's office, and Williams even had trouble getting a permit," Giles answered, while watching the television.
"Our lawyers can handle it, though. Right?" Jenny asked.
Giles placed a kiss to her temple and looked at her with love in his eyes. "I'm sure they will. Things will be all right." Giles was still worried about what lengths Wesley would go to, but kept silent about it.
Willow sat at the Espresso Pump, Sunnydale's very own coffee house, eagerly typing up the codes for her website on her laptop. She jumped on her stool when she felt hands cover her eyes, and her vision fade.
"Hello, lover," Tara's soft voice purred in her ear, and a wide smile formed on Willow's face.
"Tara!" Willow squealed happily. "I thought you had Summers' Gallery duty tonight," the red-head continued, referring to Tara's part-time job at Buffy's mother's gallery.
"I did, but Joyce let me off early because she wanted me to put in extra hours next week. Apparently, she's leaving for L.A to close up this huge deal with an equally huge artist," Tara explained.
"Great! Does that mean there will be Willow-Tara time tonight?" Willow asked, hopefully matching it with an expectant grin, recalling what fabulous things usually happened during Willow-Tara time.
Tara looked guiltily away and made a face, dreading to disappoint her girlfriend. "Um.sure, right after we've helped Buffy with her current crisis." Not hearing any loud rants, she looked up at Willow, and sighed, relieved that the redhead had settled for a pout. "She called me at the gallery, and after a couple of minutes of rambling something incomprehensible about Spike, Angel, and kissage, I told her to breathe and meet me here. If you're a good girl, I can give promises of scented candles and a scented bathtub with me and you in it."
Willow cheered up noticeably and piped out, "Are you trying to seduce me, Miss McClay?" She put her arms around her love's shoulders.
Just then, a blonde head popped inside the doorway of The Espresso Pump, scanning the area for her friends. Buffy saw Tara and Willow and quickly headed towards their table. She sighed loudly as she plopped down into the stool after greeting them.
"So, how fare things in Dateville, Buffyland?" Willow asked.
"The habitants are currently rebelling," Buffy quipped.
"Care to give me version 2.0 of the conversation we had earlier on the phone? You know, the version where I actually can make out the words that come out of your mouth?" Tara asked.
"Well, I went over to Angel's to cancel our date and.well.no one answered when I rang the door, and then I heard music coming out from the back. I walked around, only to be awarded with a very drool-worthy vision. Spike. In nothing but trunks, and am I allowed to say 'Wow'? He has these perfect washboard abs and." she trailed off, getting a dreamy look in her eyes, before Willow brought her back.
"And I guess this little story of yours will have a point as soon as you snap out of your little hormone-fest?"
"Oh.yeah. Well, we started sort of arguing about him telling Dawn he liked me when he was seeing Drusilla, and then one thing lead to another and I pushed him into the pool. That would actually be pretty funny if it weren't for the fact that he dragged me in with him." She paused as her friends began laughing.
"You guys! Please! I'm trying to spill, and you turning hysteric at my expense certainly isn't helping!"
Willow snorted and tried to muffle her incontrollable giggling with her hand, while Tara tried a serious face, and snorted before offering, "Sorry. We'll try to behave."
Buffy glared skeptically at them, while their faces contorted rapidly, from serious to grinning, and back again. "Well.when we came up from the water.well. our-faces-were-really-really-close-and-we-sorta-kissed!" Buffy hurriedly tried to explain while she cringed, waiting for their response.
"You kissed?" Willow screeched, giddily. Her action turned quite a few heads in the crowded coffee shop. Tara and Buffy glared at her, and she lowered her voice before continuing. "Wow, this is what you wanted, right? So, was he good with the smooches? What about Dru? Oh, and what about Angel?"
"I haven't gotten to the 'best' part yet." Buffy used her fingers to emphasize her quotation marks. "I heard Angel coming home and practically jumped out of the pool. Then, he made fun of me because I 'fell' into the pool, and I was so embarrassed and flushed from the kiss, that I never got to cancel our date. As for Dru.I really don't know. And yes, he is a fantastic kisser. My lips are tingly just thinking about it. Kissing him.I became all wobbly and completely forgot about my date with Angel.
"So now, I still have a date with Angel for Friday night, and am currently trying very hard not to fall for a certain peroxide blonde, oh-so-sexy, black clad, Brit." She finished by groaning and letting her forehead slump against the table. She started softly banging her head against it as she sung her mantra; "What do I do? What do I do?"
Tara reached out for her shoulder, in an effort to stop her. When Buffy looked up at her pouting, Tara offered her a sympathetic smile. "I don't think hitting your head against a dirty table will help." Buffy raised herself, wiped her forehead, and scrunched her nose.
"Why don't you try to cancel your date with Angel one more time, and if that fails, go out with him. I mean, it's just one date. It's not like a serious commitment thing-y." Willow tried to help her friend.
"I guess. But that still doesn't help me in the Spike area. If word gets out that we kissed and-and other stuff, won't people think less of me? You know, when I'm really supposed to date Angel?" Buffy was biting her lip, worriedly.
"Aww, Buffy. We won't think any less of you. And we won't tell. And.what other stuff?" Willow suddenly realized just what Buffy had said.
Buffy smiled and got that dreamy look again, a flushed face added to it. "Well, let's just say he's very talented with his hands as well." All girls giggled, before their heads shot up to hear Harmony Kendall's whiny voice.
"Well, have you asked him yet? You know, Friday is only two days away, and maybe Spike's made other plans," the blonde told her raven-haired idol.
Drusilla rolled her eyes. "Harmony, look at me. Do I look like anything he could possibly refuse?" Dru gestured to her body, before placing her hands on her hips for good measure.
Buffy, Willow, and Tara frowned and shared a glance. Tara was silently praying that the brunette wouldn't notice them. If she did, she would certainly come to their table and taunt them. She always did. Tara was pretty sure that if she did, Buffy wouldn't help but throw her little make- out session in Dru's face. Fortunately, Drusilla never noticed them.
Xander arrived shortly after, with a sullen look on his face. "What's with the not-so-happy Xand look?" Willow asked. Taking a note that Buffy was present, Xander decided it probably was best to bring up why he was in a crappy mood at a later time, when she wasn't. It was an unspoken law in the gang not to refer to Riley in front of Buffy.
"Work," he lied. He was really thrilled about work. "Anyway, I'm here to pick up that coffee blend An claims is an aphrodisiac. You girls want a lift home?"
All girls nodded happily and got up, and left the Espresso Pump for Xander's car. When Buffy got out of the car at her place, Xander filled Tara and Willow in on what had happened earlier in the evening with Riley.
"I feel so sorry for you, Xand. I know he's your best guy friend and all. Don't worry, I'm sure he'll come around; and if he doesn't, it's his loss." Willow tried to comfort.
Xander gave her a half-smile before turning his eyes back on the road.
*********
Buffy shuffled her feet to the back of the house, slipping into the kitchen. She felt her body temperature rise as she saw Spike sitting at the kitchen table, talking with her mother. He looked good enough to eat, wearing a blue shirt, replacing his usual black t-shirt. Her mind brought up the memory of the kiss earlier, and she swallowed.
Spike sat, wondering exactly when Joyce was going to ask him what he was doing here. She hadn't; instead, she had welcomed him, and treated him to a hot cup of chocolate with those tiny marshmallows he loved. He noticed that the reason he was here had just entered the kitchen, and he looked at her. He saw her swallow, and closed his eyes for a second, trying to calm the arousal that began at the mere thought of her.
"Hi, honey. Look who stopped by," Joyce told her daughter. She noticed the looks between them and smiled, as she finally got her answer as to why Spike was here in the first place.
"Hey," came Buffy's meek response. She avoided both their glances and headed over to the stove to get her own cup of hot chocolate.
"Oh, look at the time. The news is on. Better go watch," Joyce said. She got up and scurried out of the kitchen, leaving the two blondes on their own.
Spike thankfully watched her retreating form, before asking, "Could we talk, pet?"
"Sure," Buffy said, heading for the stairs out in the hallway. She gestured for him to follow, and he did. When they reached the second floor, they noticed Connor coming out of Dawn's bedroom.
"And what would mummy dearest say if she knew that your grounded arse was over here and not in your room, studying like she told you to?" Spike smirked, and quirked his scarred eyebrow at the teen. Connor shuffled his weight nervously from one foot to the other, embarrassed at getting caught. He suddenly beamed as a solution came to him.
"You won't tell Mom, and I won't tell Angel." Connor smiled and tilted his head towards Buffy. Spike couldn't care less if Angel found out that he had come to see Buffy; in fact, he would get a rush from seeing Angel's sour face when he found out, but he still liked the kids, and didn't really want them to get into any trouble. They shared an understanding nod and entered separate Summers' bedrooms
As Spike entered her bedroom, Buffy closed the door behind them. She couldn't help but inhale his scent as he passed her, only inches away. His unique, as well as tobacco, scent was there as earlier, but in addition, there was a faint masculine cologne. Yikes, he smells delicious.
He went on, inspecting her room and the little trinkets it had. He lifted up a crystal figurine, eyeing it. He set it down and seated himself on her bed. He grabbed her stuffed pig off from the covers and eyed it skeptically, before looking up at her.
"Still sleeping with your stuffed animals, are you? You are twenty-one, aren't you?"
"Hey! That's Mr. Gordo! He's special," she pouted, before trying to grab her pig. He stood up and childishly held Mr Gordo out of her reach. This annoyed Buffy to a great degree, but she still wanted it back, and tried to get it the only way she knew how.by jumping for it. Spike chuckled at her efforts. Buffy felt her anger rise, and before he knew it, she punched his nose.
Spike toppled over and landed, backside on her bed. "Bloody hell, woman! Bugger! You got my nose bleeding!" His hand, covering his nose, muffled his mouth and his shout in the process.
"I'm so sorry!" Buffy exclaimed. She opened her nightstand, frantically searching for the tissues she usually used whenever there was a sappy movie on. She found them, and placed a few of them at Spike's nose. He scowled at her, and she offered her apology several times more.
"You know, I wouldn't have if you hadn't annoyed me to death."
"That's the second time you've reverted to violence today! They have groups for people like you. Anger management. Look. In. To. It." His nose had stopped bleeding as quickly as it had started, and he removed the tissue.
They both suddenly became very conscious of the position she had absentmindedly placed herself in while she tended to his nose. She was currently straddling his lap. She moved to get away, only to have Spike grab her by her arms, holding her back. He gently pulled her to him. He held her emerald eyes for what seemed like forever.
Buffy was almost scared by the serious look in his eyes. His darkened eyes held desire, adoration, and were almost begging. His soft lips were begging, too. Begging for her to move just an inch closer, so their lips could connect, and sparks would once again fly. So, she did.
Spike closed his eyes at the sensations of her warm soft lips touching his, her increasingly warm body covering his. She had kissed him; she had made the final move. It had been her choice. He wanted nothing more than to savour the moment forever when she parted her lips and their tongues carefully tasted each other. They explored each other's mouth at a languidly slow pace, up until the moment their hands came in to play.
Buffy felt him hardening through his jeans, between her legs, and was thrilled by his reaction to her kiss. She let her small hands roam across his well-sculptured chest, and felt his hands against her back, holding her tightly while moving. Frustrated by the fabric in her way, Buffy pulled her hands away, only to slip them under the hem of his shirt.
Eager to help, Spike lifted himself up and was just about to take it off when the word 'no' reached her hazed mind. He looked, puzzled, at a panting Buffy. Buffy had suddenly been brought back to reality. A reality where she had a date with Angel.
"I don't think that would be a good idea if we want to still have the rest of our clothes on in, like, five minutes," she tried to explain. She extracted herself from his arms and sat at the edge of her bed. She was biting her lip in insecurity, and Spike had never seen anything cuter. He moved and sat against her back, with her between his legs. Clutching her against him, he nuzzled her neck, inhaling her sweet smell, trying to come up with other words than 'Want. Take. Have.'
"Who said I didn't want our clothes to come off?" He whispered huskily in her ear, before placing open-mouthed kisses along her throat. Buffy was trying hard to keep the imagery of him naked and the sensations of what he was doing to her throat away so she could stop herself from going further.
"Listen, you were the one who wanted to talk. So talk." It was meant to come out firm, but sounded frail. Spike stopped his actions, but still held her tightly.
"Yes, I wanted to talk. I wanted to talk about this and how I wanted more of it."
"Why?" She asked. It was such a simple question, but Buffy thought he'd have a hard time answering it.
Spike was puzzled by her question. "Because I want you. I have ever since I first laid my eyes on you. You're smart, beautiful, witty, and I want to get to know you better." He emphasized by placing a soft, long kiss to the most sensitive spot on her neck. Buffy clenched her teeth in an effort to suppress a moan.
"Then why did you get all close with Dru?" She asked, more confidently.
"I think you may have gotten the wrong impression about me and Drusilla. It was one kiss that first night at the Bronze. Fortunately, I haven't seen her outside of class ever since. I only let her kiss me because I thought Sod it, since you seemed to be pretty close to Peaches. Seeing her in classes.she showed her true self, and to tell you the truth, she annoys me. 'Sides, you're the one I really wanted."
"Oh," Buffy replied meekly, while inwardly scolding herself for letting herself be led to believe differently by Dru. Spike and Buffy sat a few moments in silence, he stroking her arms. Buffy closed her eyes and sighed. She stood up, knowing she could think a lot clearer away from his comfortable, strong arms and gentle touch. "So. You like me.and I like you, whenever you're not being way too cocky. We want each other. I think that's pretty clear." She paused, waiting for a confirmation. He gave her a nod of affirmation.
"And this would be all good if." she swallowed. "If I weren't going on a date with Angel on Friday." She looked at him out of the corner of her eye.
"Cancel it," he answered, with simplicity.
"Tried that, and now it's less than two days away. Not fair to cancel on this short of notice."
"Bollix," Spike interrupted. "S' not too late to cancel, pet. Just give him a ring and tell him you have an engagement in need of immediate attention. We could.you know." he winked at her and grinned.
"No, Spike!" She was beginning to feel a load of frustration. "It's not that simple. Even if I did cancel, which I'm not going to, this," she pointed between them and the bed, "couldn't happen. I really want to get to know you better, but I do not want to rush into things."
"I'm not that impatient; something tells me waiting for you would be worth it's while, but please! Please cancel with Angel. I couldn't bear knowing that he got to spend time alone with you like that, and I didn't. Believe me, he'll spend hours rubbing it in."
"I will go out on the date! I already said I would!" She looked away from him.
"Fine!" Spike snapped, while standing up to leave.
"Spike," she pleaded for him to stop. He didn't. Spike left the room, and Buffy tried to catch up to him until the stairs. She stood at the top of the stairwell and listened in as he thanked her mother for the hot chocolate and the sound of the front door closing. "There will only be the one date," she whispered to no one in particular, something she had wanted to tell Spike.
Spike got home and saw his father in the living room, watching the news. He saw Jenny coming up from the basement with a basket of Connor's folded laundry.
"Hey, Will. Just finished Connor's laundry. Want me to do yours?"
"Thank you, but I can do it myself. Unlike some of the house's occupants, I know how to. Why don't I bring that up to Connor, and you can sit down and relax with Pops, over there?" He suggested, knowing very well of the fit Jenny would have when she noticed Connor wasn't in his room like he was supposed to be. He took the basket and headed up the stairs, thinking Kid, you owe me big time.
He left the basket in Connor's room, and Connor chose that moment to climb through the window.
"You need to be more careful, kid. Your mum was just about to come up here."
"Thanks, I will. So you and Buffy, huh? Making progress?" Connor asked, and was puzzled by the sad look that crossed Spike's face.
"I thought I did. But she's still going on a date with your brother," Spike replied, and shrugged his shoulders. He left for his own room, plopping down on the bed, thinking about the day's events. Lulling himself to sleep, his last thought was, That girl will drive me crazy.
When Spike had climbed the stairs, Jenny had crawled into Giles' arms on the couch, resting her head on his shoulder.
"So, how has your day been?" She asked her husband.
"The business would be looking a lot more promising if Wesley weren't spreading nails along the road. I had a meeting with Mr. Williams again. He and Mr. Summers have signed on, but Wesley has made it clear to Mr. Williams that he has no plans on making things easy for him. Wesley has apparently gotten to the mayor's office, and Williams even had trouble getting a permit," Giles answered, while watching the television.
"Our lawyers can handle it, though. Right?" Jenny asked.
Giles placed a kiss to her temple and looked at her with love in his eyes. "I'm sure they will. Things will be all right." Giles was still worried about what lengths Wesley would go to, but kept silent about it.