Buffy glided gracefully across the ice, her mitten-covered hand in Angel's bare one. Ice-skating was one of the many things she had given up when her mother became sick. Angel suddenly pulled her into the middle of the ice rink. He spun her around a few times before planting a soft kiss on her lips.

Darla was watching the couple from a far and she was furious. Angel had never shown any signs of public affection when they were together. 'What makes this bitch so special?' she thought to herself.

"What are you looking at?" Spike asked as he walked up behind her.

"Who's the girl with Angel?"

"Her name's Buffy. You jealous?"

"Does it matter?" Darla asked, annoyed.

"She won't last long."

"Why not?"

"She's too innocent. Even Peaches won't be able to get into her pants."

Darla looked back at the couple. She found them, still hand in hand, getting off the ice.

After taking off her skates, Buffy excused herself to the restroom.

"Angel's too experienced for you."

"What?" Buffy turned around to find a skinny blonde.

"You're too prude for him. Angel has needs that someone like you can't fulfill."

"Who are you?"

"Darla." The girl flashed a smile and walked off.

Shopping with Willow was a new experience. When Buffy asked her if she wanted to go Willow had said, "Okay, but I'm not going into anything that looks remotely like Ann Taylor," and she meant it. Buffy ended up buying a black, leather mini and a tight red sweater that barely covered her, but that was the whole point. She had gotten what she came for.

Angel thought he was dreaming when he saw what Buffy had on. She was wearing the same outfit she had bought with Willow earlier that day. To complete the sluttish outfit she borrowed her friend's knee black, stilleto go-go boots.

"You like?" she asked when she saw the look on his face.

"Yeah, you look great," he smiled and shifted his weight uncomfortably to one foot. He had dated plenty of girls who dressed on the wild side, but he never suspected Buffy would ever go for something like what she was wearing. He opened the door a little wider so that she could come in. She wrapped her arms around Angel's neck and pulled him closer to her for a long kiss. When Buffy started to deepen the kiss he pulled away.

"What's that for?" he questioned.

"No reason. Where are we going?"

"Nowhere"

"I thought we were going out to dinner."

"No, I'm cooking dinner here."

"You cook?"

"Yeah, I do. Why do you sound so surprised?"

"You don't seem like the kind of person who cooks."

"Well, I do a lot of things that you wouldn't think I'd do."

"Like what?"

He smirked suggestively. "You'll find out. eventually. Dinner will be ready in ten minutes."

"You need any help with anything?"

"Nope. Why don't you go watch TV?" he said and gave her a quick peck on the forehead before walking into the kitchen.

"Okay, it's ready," Angel said a few minutes later as he walked into the living room and over to where Buffy was sitting. He reached his hand out to help her up. "Come on," he said, still holding her hand. He covered her eyes with the other and led her into the kitchen. When he removed his hand Buffy found herself in a beautifully decorated candle- lit room.

"This is sweet."

"You think?" he asked as he pulled out a chair for her.

"Of course." She sat down. "You made macaroni and cheese?" she asked when she saw what was in the bowl in front of her.

"I said I cook. I didn't say I cook well."

"This is great."

Over dinner Buffy talked about her life in LA and he mom while Angel talked about college, work and his passion for art. A few time Angel found Buffy's foot trailing up his leg. He chose to ignore it, but then he didn't do anything to prevent it either.

Afterwards, when Angel was washing the dishes, Buffy looked through his portfolio. She was amazed at the detail of his drawings. He drew pictures of people and scenery. She found some of children, which she guessed were campers. There was one of the beach where they had their first kiss. She was about to put them away when she spotted an unfinished drawing of herself.

Just as Angel was drying the last of the dishes, he felt small arms wrap around his waist. He put the towel that he was holding down and turned around to face Buffy.

"You're very talented," she said as she pushed herself up against Angel and pulled him down for a kiss. He still didn't understand Buffy's game, but he decided to play along.

"Thank you," he mumbled, but she cut him off when she deepened the kiss.

She pushed him against the counter and started to unbutton her shirt.

"What are you -"

"Shh." She got down on her knees and slowly began to fumble with the zipper of his pants.

"Whoa!" He jerked away and readjusted his pants. "What are you doing?"

"Isn't this what you want?" she asked as she buttoned her sweater and tried to hide her embarrassment.

"What? No. I would never make you do something you're not ready for."

"But your friend said that this is what you wanted."

"Who told you that?"

"Darla."

Angel grabbed her wrists roughly. "Don't you ever listen to anything Darla says about me."

"You're hurting me."

He loosened his grip.

"Who is she?"

"Lets sit down."

They walked into the living room and sat down on the couch.

"Darla is my ex. She and I dated for about three years."

"Did you love her?" Buffy asked as she toyed with the cross hanging from his neck.

"I did, until I saw her true side."

"What do you mean?"

"I found her in our bed with another man."

"You lived together?"

"We did, but only for a few months. It's getting late. I should get you home," Angel said changing the subject.

Buffy wanted to know more, but she decided not to push. "I can walk."

"Dressed like that, you'll get yourself raped. I'll give you a ride."

TBC.