Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Joss owns it all damn him!
***
Chapter 4 - Dinner
Buffy's first stop was at the hotel's shops. She stepped into the store and looked around at the different dresses. There had been one in the window that had caught her eye, but it was probably pretty expensive. It looked like one of those dresses you'd see on a movie star or something.
"Hello, may I help you?" A young sales clerk approached her. She saw Buffy's indecision and asked, "Are you shopping for a special occasion?"
"No. Well, yes. I don't know." Buffy stammered. "Dinner I guess?"
"Romantic, or business?"
"Oh." Buffy bit her bottom lip and chewed nervously. "Business?" She wasn't entirely sure. Will hadn't really said, but she didn't think he'd meant to ask her in the romantic sense. After all, why would *he* want *her*. He was so handsome and confident. She could tell that when he walked into a room everyone else stopped to stare. She sighed.
Well she would at least buy a dress that would make her stand out, just a little. Even if she wouldn't be the most beautiful woman in the room, at least she'd look more upscale than usual, she thought. "Can I see the red dress in the window?"
The sales clerk smiled.
***
Buffy was sitting in a salon chair trying not to giggle. Her head was underneath the dryer, and there was a pedicurist doing her toenails. She'd never had her toenails done before! And the giggles were part giddy happiness and part ticklish reaction.
"Now let us see." Henry lifted the dryer off her head. "Is this not a beautiful woman?" He asked the ladies around him, who nodded at his question. Buffy blushed.
Henry led her over to a chair by the mirrors, turning her so that she could see. He had cut her hair in layers, leaving wispy tufts to curl around her face. He'd also put in just a hint of red highlight, giving her hair a shiny and sort of burnished copper sheen. Buffy was amazed.
When she'd first sat down, Henry had given her a tongue lashing. "What have you done to yourself?" He'd asked angrily. Buffy tried to explain her act of rebellion. Angel had constantly told her how to wear her hair, how short to cut it, what color to make it. She'd finally had enough and chopped it off at the shoulder. When she told Henry this he pouted. "Was this man your hairdresser?"
"No." Buffy bit back a giggle at the thought.
"Then he has no business telling you how to wear your hair!" Henry swiped the comb through her short locks in angry rebuttal. "And next time you want to rebel, you come to me." He admonished her. She nodded and smiled, delighted with her new look.
***
Buffy carried all her new purchases up to her room, flopping down onto the comfy couch in the middle of the suite. She couldn't keep the smile off her face. Never before had she had the time or the money to just spend a day pampering herself. She found that she liked the feeling.
Sighing contentedly she stood grabbing her new dress, cosmetics and hair supplies and heading toward the bathroom. She only had an hour and half to get ready for her dinner with Will.
***
Spike stood just outside Buffy's door, taking a deep breath he hit the bell hearing it chime in the room. What was he thinking asking her to dinner? He had enough complications in his life that he didn't need to add a naïve young Buffy from Kansas. But when the door swung open his breath caught in his throat, though he struggled to hide his reaction from her.
Buffy's dress was blood red, and clung to her curves deliciously. Spike stepped into the room, heading toward the bar to pour himself a quick drink. "Would you like anything luv?"
"No thanks. Buffy and alcohol tend to be a bit unmixy." She explained quietly, her head tilted shyly downward.
God, Spike could feel his blood begin to heat up. The dress came to just above her knees, showing off the smooth skin of her calves. The neckline plunged to just between the sweet swell of her breasts, which was excentuated with each breath she took. And the small heart pendant that dangled in the center of that valley, made his heart stutter.
Spike could feel his trousers tighten, and thought it was a good idea to keep the bar between them. "Nice dress luv." He couldn't keep the husky quality out of his voice at the compliment.
Buffy blushed. "I saw it in the window of the shop downstairs. When I tried it on the sales lady said it made my eyes shine like emeralds." Why had she repeated such a silly compliment? Flustered her gaze flew up to meet Will's, her breath hitching at the intense stare she found directed at her.
"She was right." Spike couldn't tear his eyes away from her. Closing them tightly he threw his head back and took a long swallow of the scotch he'd poured. "Best get going luv." Finally coming around from the bar, he took hold of her elbow and led her out the door.
***
Buffy was trying not to gawk at her companion. Will looked absolutely gorgeous. He was wearing black slacks with a red silk dress shirt. She smiled inwardly at the sight they must make. It probably looked as if they'd planned their wardrobe.
"What are you smiling at Buffy?" Spike asked, catching her grin with one of his own.
"Us." Then she blushed at what her words implied. "I mean, we sort of dressed alike." She hastened to explain.
Spike's smile grew wider. She was so different than any other girl - *woman*, he'd ever met. She'd blushed more in the past hour than he'd ever seen his mother blush in his lifetime. He didn't think he'd every been around such innocence before.
They had dinner in the revolving restaurant at the top of the casino. Buffy's eyes widened when she saw the view, and she spent several minutes turning this way and that in order to capture the whole picture in her mind. Spike's delight in her grew with each passing moment. His desire grew as well, even as he tried to suppress it.
Spike new Buffy didn't need or want his attentions now. She was just coming out of a controlling, and possibly abusive - Spike inwardly grimaced - relationship. But his libido seemed to have a mind of it's own, racing at the thought of her.
And he definitely didn't want the complications having a relationship with Buffy would bring. She wasn't his type. He wasn't ready for a suburban life with a wife and 2.5 kids. And that was exactly the type of life a woman like Buffy was after. No. She definitely wasn't his type.
Their conversation was pleasant and innocent. She asked about his family and he explained that they owned two casinos; one here in Vegas and one in Atlantic City. The Atlantic City had been the first, and was where his father and mother resided. He told her about Dru, and her recent marriage and even more recent baby.
She laughed in delight at the stories he told of their childhood together. And he felt a stirring in him that had nothing to do with desire, but he quickly shook it away. And when she talked of her own childhood; an only child with an absentee father, Spike refused to allow his protective streak to take over. Instead he gritted his teeth and nodded in all the appropriate places.
By the time dessert had come around, Buffy was stuffed. But Spike insisted that she try at least a bit of the chocolate mousse, and since he insisted she acquiesced. Smiling and ducking her head she asked for a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Spike smiled in return and delivered the order to the waiter when he appeared.
When the confection was placed before her, Buffy felt her mouth water despite herself. She absolutely loved chocolate and ice cream on the side? Who could ask for more. She smiled. Taking up the spoon she took a small sliver of mousse and a tiny dollop of ice cream and brought them to her lips.
Spike watched with barely restrained control as Buffy's sweet lips parted and took in the rich dessert. Her eyes closed and she let out a small satisfied moan as she swallowed down the treat. His own breath quickened at the sight she made.
"You're right. This is excellent. Thank you for insisting I try it." Buffy re-opened her eyes, and gasped. Will's eyes had darkened, and his irises had dilated so that there was only a small bright ring of blue left. Her eyes quickly fell back down onto the dessert and she continued to eat in silence, her heart beating frantically.
Spike used the silence to regain a measure of control. He took deep calming breaths and rubbed his sweaty palms on his trousers until he was able to look back at Buffy without the urgent need to take her, consequences be damned.
"It's late. I should get you back up to your room." Spike stated quietly.
"Oh." Buffy was disappointed. She didn't want the night to end quite so quickly.
Spike caught the hint of sadness and asked, "Or would you rather we stayed out a bit longer?" Not knowing whether he wanted her answer to be yes or no.
The smile that erupted had Spike catching his breath. "Yes!" Buffy quickly suppressed her enthusiasm. "I mean, I thought we might try the casino. I haven't actually ever been in one before. And I've only played the one machine." She blushed at her own inexperience.
"Whatever the lady wants." Spike stood holding his arm out for Buffy; ignoring the tingle that spread when their bodies came into contact. Spike stopped to leave a few dollars on the table as a tip, having already signed for the check. Then he led his date back to the elevators and down to the waiting casino.
***
Chapter 4 - Dinner
Buffy's first stop was at the hotel's shops. She stepped into the store and looked around at the different dresses. There had been one in the window that had caught her eye, but it was probably pretty expensive. It looked like one of those dresses you'd see on a movie star or something.
"Hello, may I help you?" A young sales clerk approached her. She saw Buffy's indecision and asked, "Are you shopping for a special occasion?"
"No. Well, yes. I don't know." Buffy stammered. "Dinner I guess?"
"Romantic, or business?"
"Oh." Buffy bit her bottom lip and chewed nervously. "Business?" She wasn't entirely sure. Will hadn't really said, but she didn't think he'd meant to ask her in the romantic sense. After all, why would *he* want *her*. He was so handsome and confident. She could tell that when he walked into a room everyone else stopped to stare. She sighed.
Well she would at least buy a dress that would make her stand out, just a little. Even if she wouldn't be the most beautiful woman in the room, at least she'd look more upscale than usual, she thought. "Can I see the red dress in the window?"
The sales clerk smiled.
***
Buffy was sitting in a salon chair trying not to giggle. Her head was underneath the dryer, and there was a pedicurist doing her toenails. She'd never had her toenails done before! And the giggles were part giddy happiness and part ticklish reaction.
"Now let us see." Henry lifted the dryer off her head. "Is this not a beautiful woman?" He asked the ladies around him, who nodded at his question. Buffy blushed.
Henry led her over to a chair by the mirrors, turning her so that she could see. He had cut her hair in layers, leaving wispy tufts to curl around her face. He'd also put in just a hint of red highlight, giving her hair a shiny and sort of burnished copper sheen. Buffy was amazed.
When she'd first sat down, Henry had given her a tongue lashing. "What have you done to yourself?" He'd asked angrily. Buffy tried to explain her act of rebellion. Angel had constantly told her how to wear her hair, how short to cut it, what color to make it. She'd finally had enough and chopped it off at the shoulder. When she told Henry this he pouted. "Was this man your hairdresser?"
"No." Buffy bit back a giggle at the thought.
"Then he has no business telling you how to wear your hair!" Henry swiped the comb through her short locks in angry rebuttal. "And next time you want to rebel, you come to me." He admonished her. She nodded and smiled, delighted with her new look.
***
Buffy carried all her new purchases up to her room, flopping down onto the comfy couch in the middle of the suite. She couldn't keep the smile off her face. Never before had she had the time or the money to just spend a day pampering herself. She found that she liked the feeling.
Sighing contentedly she stood grabbing her new dress, cosmetics and hair supplies and heading toward the bathroom. She only had an hour and half to get ready for her dinner with Will.
***
Spike stood just outside Buffy's door, taking a deep breath he hit the bell hearing it chime in the room. What was he thinking asking her to dinner? He had enough complications in his life that he didn't need to add a naïve young Buffy from Kansas. But when the door swung open his breath caught in his throat, though he struggled to hide his reaction from her.
Buffy's dress was blood red, and clung to her curves deliciously. Spike stepped into the room, heading toward the bar to pour himself a quick drink. "Would you like anything luv?"
"No thanks. Buffy and alcohol tend to be a bit unmixy." She explained quietly, her head tilted shyly downward.
God, Spike could feel his blood begin to heat up. The dress came to just above her knees, showing off the smooth skin of her calves. The neckline plunged to just between the sweet swell of her breasts, which was excentuated with each breath she took. And the small heart pendant that dangled in the center of that valley, made his heart stutter.
Spike could feel his trousers tighten, and thought it was a good idea to keep the bar between them. "Nice dress luv." He couldn't keep the husky quality out of his voice at the compliment.
Buffy blushed. "I saw it in the window of the shop downstairs. When I tried it on the sales lady said it made my eyes shine like emeralds." Why had she repeated such a silly compliment? Flustered her gaze flew up to meet Will's, her breath hitching at the intense stare she found directed at her.
"She was right." Spike couldn't tear his eyes away from her. Closing them tightly he threw his head back and took a long swallow of the scotch he'd poured. "Best get going luv." Finally coming around from the bar, he took hold of her elbow and led her out the door.
***
Buffy was trying not to gawk at her companion. Will looked absolutely gorgeous. He was wearing black slacks with a red silk dress shirt. She smiled inwardly at the sight they must make. It probably looked as if they'd planned their wardrobe.
"What are you smiling at Buffy?" Spike asked, catching her grin with one of his own.
"Us." Then she blushed at what her words implied. "I mean, we sort of dressed alike." She hastened to explain.
Spike's smile grew wider. She was so different than any other girl - *woman*, he'd ever met. She'd blushed more in the past hour than he'd ever seen his mother blush in his lifetime. He didn't think he'd every been around such innocence before.
They had dinner in the revolving restaurant at the top of the casino. Buffy's eyes widened when she saw the view, and she spent several minutes turning this way and that in order to capture the whole picture in her mind. Spike's delight in her grew with each passing moment. His desire grew as well, even as he tried to suppress it.
Spike new Buffy didn't need or want his attentions now. She was just coming out of a controlling, and possibly abusive - Spike inwardly grimaced - relationship. But his libido seemed to have a mind of it's own, racing at the thought of her.
And he definitely didn't want the complications having a relationship with Buffy would bring. She wasn't his type. He wasn't ready for a suburban life with a wife and 2.5 kids. And that was exactly the type of life a woman like Buffy was after. No. She definitely wasn't his type.
Their conversation was pleasant and innocent. She asked about his family and he explained that they owned two casinos; one here in Vegas and one in Atlantic City. The Atlantic City had been the first, and was where his father and mother resided. He told her about Dru, and her recent marriage and even more recent baby.
She laughed in delight at the stories he told of their childhood together. And he felt a stirring in him that had nothing to do with desire, but he quickly shook it away. And when she talked of her own childhood; an only child with an absentee father, Spike refused to allow his protective streak to take over. Instead he gritted his teeth and nodded in all the appropriate places.
By the time dessert had come around, Buffy was stuffed. But Spike insisted that she try at least a bit of the chocolate mousse, and since he insisted she acquiesced. Smiling and ducking her head she asked for a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Spike smiled in return and delivered the order to the waiter when he appeared.
When the confection was placed before her, Buffy felt her mouth water despite herself. She absolutely loved chocolate and ice cream on the side? Who could ask for more. She smiled. Taking up the spoon she took a small sliver of mousse and a tiny dollop of ice cream and brought them to her lips.
Spike watched with barely restrained control as Buffy's sweet lips parted and took in the rich dessert. Her eyes closed and she let out a small satisfied moan as she swallowed down the treat. His own breath quickened at the sight she made.
"You're right. This is excellent. Thank you for insisting I try it." Buffy re-opened her eyes, and gasped. Will's eyes had darkened, and his irises had dilated so that there was only a small bright ring of blue left. Her eyes quickly fell back down onto the dessert and she continued to eat in silence, her heart beating frantically.
Spike used the silence to regain a measure of control. He took deep calming breaths and rubbed his sweaty palms on his trousers until he was able to look back at Buffy without the urgent need to take her, consequences be damned.
"It's late. I should get you back up to your room." Spike stated quietly.
"Oh." Buffy was disappointed. She didn't want the night to end quite so quickly.
Spike caught the hint of sadness and asked, "Or would you rather we stayed out a bit longer?" Not knowing whether he wanted her answer to be yes or no.
The smile that erupted had Spike catching his breath. "Yes!" Buffy quickly suppressed her enthusiasm. "I mean, I thought we might try the casino. I haven't actually ever been in one before. And I've only played the one machine." She blushed at her own inexperience.
"Whatever the lady wants." Spike stood holding his arm out for Buffy; ignoring the tingle that spread when their bodies came into contact. Spike stopped to leave a few dollars on the table as a tip, having already signed for the check. Then he led his date back to the elevators and down to the waiting casino.