Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Joss owns it all damn him!
Thanks to my betagirl Lexa for all her hard work!
***
Chapter 6 - Relatives and Showgirls
When Buffy walked into the main suite the next morning she had a moment of blind panic. The message light on her phone was blinking. She stared at it for a moment, wondering whether Angel had finally found her. Had her name leaked out after all? She wanted to call Will and ask him; whether or not her name had made the papers, whether he'd come down and offer his support. But she knew that after last night he wouldn't want those questions, at least not from her.
She sighed heavily, making her way to the blinking phone. Swallowing, she lifted the receiver and punched the buttons that would allow her to listen to the voicemail. Her relief was so immense when the voice that came through the speaker was not Angel's, that she almost missed the entire message. As it was she caught only the name, Xander Harris, and a contact phone number. Dumbly, she replayed the message and found that this was the lawyer in Los Angeles that Will had mentioned. She made a mental note to call him back as soon as she'd gotten dressed for the day.
***
Spike stood outside Buffy's door for the third time in as many days. He silently cursed himself for his own stupidity. What was he doing here again? He'd convinced himself that he had to let her know that he'd been in contact with Xander and that he'd be calling her soon to make the arrangements for her ID and such. But in his own mind he knew that to be just another excuse.
He railed at his own inability to stay away from the chit. At first sight he'd assumed that she was a harmless child, but now he knew better. Or at least his body did. She was dangerous. Lethal in fact. And she didn't even know it. Which only made her that much more attractive. And arousing. What was he doing here again?
A smooth hand came up to rub along the underside of his jaw before reaching out to knock quietly on the door. It was a small concession on his part. He would not ring the bell. But if she happened to be in the main room she would hear the knock. And if she didn't then he could turn around and pretend that he hadn't needed to be here. After all she was a smart bird. If she received a call from Xander, she'd know what it was regarding and could deal with it all just fine on her own.
Before he could retreat back to the elevator Buffy's door swung quietly open. She stood there, silent in khaki shorts and a pink halter top. Her hair was done up in a pony tail and she looked all of sixteen years old, the small splash of makeup she wore doing nothing but add to her immature looks. And yet, his body responded almost on autopilot. His heartbeat quickened and his skin warmed.
"Good afternoon Buffy." He greeted her. She still had not moved away from the door, barring his entrance to her suite.
"Mr. Giles. What can I do for you?" Buffy forced a cool response, when her body was heated beyond measure. Just seeing him reminded her of his hungry kisses from the night before. She willed herself not to lean toward his hard body, though she wanted nothing more at the moment then to feel him against her.
"May I come in luv?" He raised an eyebrow in inquiry.
"Of course. It is your hotel after all." She stepped aside to allow him entry.
He could feel the frost coming off her in waves. It was just as well, he told himself. There could never be anything between them. She didn't belong here, in the land of bright lights and 24 hour sin.
"I wanted to let you know that I got a hold of my friend, Xander Harris. He was that lawyer I told you about. He should be calling you sometime today." He tried to keep the conversation on business, not allowing their eyes to meet, or his gaze to wander over her body the way it demanded of him.
"You're a little late Mr. Giles. We've already spoken. Thank you for your referral, I would have had to pick from the phone book otherwise." She kept her words polite; the only way she knew to distract herself from his presence. "He seems very competent."
Spike's frown marred his face. He didn't like the way she kept using his surname. "He is. He's one of the best, and completely trustworthy."
"Yes, I knew you wouldn't have recommended him otherwise." She stepped over to the coffee service she had ordered earlier. She felt the pot for warmth, as she sat down on the couch. "Would you like some coffee Mr. Giles?" She poured herself a cup as she spoke.
He snapped. What did she expect from him? "Bloody hell woman! I didn't come here for coffee! And I sure as hell didn't come here to have you spout "pleases" and "thank yous" - and Will!! My name is Will! Bloody use it will you?!"
Buffy blinked owlishly up at him. Finally she spoke letting the words leave her lips in a soft whisper, "I'm sorry - Will." She turned her face away from his intense stare. "I was under the impression that you wanted to keep our relationship on a business level. I was only trying to accommodate you." Though her words were softly spoken, he could hear the underlying anger that laced her voice.
She stood abruptly, facing him once more, her own face a mask of angry indignation. "I'm sorry if I'm too stupid or naïve to understand what you had implied last night. I'm afraid you may have to spell it out for me." Her breath was coming in harsh gasps now.
"You're not stupid Buffy."
"Just naïve then." She tilted her chin up in defiance. "I may be from a small town in Kansas, and maybe I've never been in a casino or fancy revolving restaurants - but that doesn't give you the right to look down your nose at me!"
She strode toward the door throwing it open for him. "I told you last night, and I'll tell you again. You don't have to worry about me." Her voice was solid and steady, her green eyes sparking with anger. "I know you don't want me here. I know I've been taking up a lot of your time. You won't have to put up with me much longer. I told you, as soon as I get the rest of my money I'll move to another hotel."
"No."
"No?"
"No. I told you that wasn't what I meant. You're always welcome here at the Crypt." He tried to cajole her, stepping close and resting a cool hand on the arm holding the door for him. She stiffened at his touch, and he felt a twisting in his gut. Slowly he pulled her hand away from the door, letting it click shut beside them. His hand came up to cup her cheek and force her gaze to meet his.
Buffy was still breathing in harsh gasps. Will's proximity was doing nothing to help with the matter. She could feel the warmth spreading with each intimate touch.
"I'm sorry." He stated softly, his head now tilted down toward her, only inches away. "I let that drunken bastard get to me, and I took it out on you. I said a lot of things I don't much remember and doubt I even really meant." He leant down to brush his lips softly against hers.
Buffy's heart was pounding in her chest. How could he be so mean and hateful one minute and sweet and caring the next? He didn't mean what he said? She shook her head slightly. Did he mean to walk away from her last night? Before she could voice the question out loud, his lips were on hers once again.
What was he doing? Hadn't he just vowed to stay away from her? Spike's mind reeled. The smell of vanilla and jasmine permeated his senses. His fingers came up to card through her hair, impatiently loosening the tie that bound it back. He let the silky strands caress his palm. His other hand traced its way up her side, finding the curve of her hip and resting there for a brief moment.
As he forced the kiss deeper his hand moved up, making its way underneath her halter to caress the smooth skin of her stomach. At her hitched breath, Spike's hand moved even further until it was only a breath away from the sweet swell of her breast.
Aching for his touch, Buffy bowed her back giving him even more access. And when his hand came up to wrap itself around her bare breast, she sighed and let the warmth spread until she thought she'd caught fire.
Before he knew it, Spike had Buffy pinned against the door. His lips had left hers to travel down her throat, stopping to lave at the small indentation at the base. He lifted her shirt and bent forward to take one dusky nipple into his mouth. Already hard and pebbled, he brushed his rough tongue over the sensitized flesh causing Buffy to moan and dig her hands into the back of his head.
Buffy was in a daze. She'd never felt anything like this before. Any caresses she'd had with Angel had been nothing compared to the hot fiery passion that took over her senses whenever Will entered a room. When he pulled away from her she mewled in protest. It took her a moment to realize that he'd spoken. It took even longer for her to notice the shrill ring of the telephone. When she did, she realized that the low murmur of words coming from Will were curses.
Quickly she snapped up the receiver, "Hello?"
"And who's this now?" The voice had a definite British accent, the tone demanding. Buffy didn't even think about refusing.
"Buffy Summers."
"Buffy Summers, eh? Pretty name. Are you a pretty girl?" The man asked without preamble.
"Uhm.well...I..." Buffy wasn't sure how to answer that. "Who is this?"
"Thomas Giles, I've been told my grandson is paying you a call." Buffy gulped. Thomas Giles? Will was related to THE Thomas Giles? He was like the second richest man in the country.
"Uhm..Yes Mr. Giles, he's here. Would you like to speak to him?"
"In a minute lass. So you won the jackpot. Are you married?" Buffy's mind was too befuddled to wonder at the questions he was asking.
"Yes. No. No sir. I'm not married." Buffy was surprised when the phone was jerked out of her hand by a cursing Will.
"Would you like to check her pedigree grandda?"
"Well, Will! Good to hear your voice. Your secretary transferred me. Of course I wouldn't have to be transferred all over bloody Vegas if you'd just call your grandmum every once in a while. She misses you."
Spike smiled. It was an old ploy and one he was well immune to by now. "Now grandda, I just called you and grandmum last week."
"A week's a lifetime to people our age Will, you know that!" Thomas answered quickly. "Besides a visit's better than a phone call any day." He hinted.
"I was just up there a month ago for Alan's wedding." Alan was a cousin on his mother's side.
"Does that mean you can't come visit again? Is there a certain time period you have to wait before letting your grandmum fuss over you? Or are you too busy with the new lucky winner to worry about your old grandparents?"
Spike sighed. "You know I'm always too busy chasing the showgirls around town." He teased.
"Ha!" His grandda guffawed. "You always were a cheeky one."
"I'll call grandmum this week, I promise. Once things are settled down again." Spike placated.
"See that you do boy. See that you do." Then the old man hung up, leaving a bemused Spike on the other line.
"So you're related to Thomas Giles?" Buffy asked quietly. She had been standing at the window gazing down at the city while he spoke with his grandfather. She couldn't help but listen to his end of the conversation, and it had her twisted in knots. Showgirls?
"Yes. His bark's worse than his bite." Will offered with a grin.
"Well, you're probably very busy. I don't want to keep you." Buffy once more stepped up to her door, swinging it open for him.
Spike stood for a moment studying her face. Had he upset her by giving in to his urges earlier? Her face was cold and unreadable. "Yes. I should probably get going." It was probably best if he gave her some time. But before stepping out his hand rested briefly on hers, his thumb running lazily over her knuckles. "See you later then luv?"
Buffy only nodded mutely, before shutting the door behind him.
Thanks to my betagirl Lexa for all her hard work!
***
Chapter 6 - Relatives and Showgirls
When Buffy walked into the main suite the next morning she had a moment of blind panic. The message light on her phone was blinking. She stared at it for a moment, wondering whether Angel had finally found her. Had her name leaked out after all? She wanted to call Will and ask him; whether or not her name had made the papers, whether he'd come down and offer his support. But she knew that after last night he wouldn't want those questions, at least not from her.
She sighed heavily, making her way to the blinking phone. Swallowing, she lifted the receiver and punched the buttons that would allow her to listen to the voicemail. Her relief was so immense when the voice that came through the speaker was not Angel's, that she almost missed the entire message. As it was she caught only the name, Xander Harris, and a contact phone number. Dumbly, she replayed the message and found that this was the lawyer in Los Angeles that Will had mentioned. She made a mental note to call him back as soon as she'd gotten dressed for the day.
***
Spike stood outside Buffy's door for the third time in as many days. He silently cursed himself for his own stupidity. What was he doing here again? He'd convinced himself that he had to let her know that he'd been in contact with Xander and that he'd be calling her soon to make the arrangements for her ID and such. But in his own mind he knew that to be just another excuse.
He railed at his own inability to stay away from the chit. At first sight he'd assumed that she was a harmless child, but now he knew better. Or at least his body did. She was dangerous. Lethal in fact. And she didn't even know it. Which only made her that much more attractive. And arousing. What was he doing here again?
A smooth hand came up to rub along the underside of his jaw before reaching out to knock quietly on the door. It was a small concession on his part. He would not ring the bell. But if she happened to be in the main room she would hear the knock. And if she didn't then he could turn around and pretend that he hadn't needed to be here. After all she was a smart bird. If she received a call from Xander, she'd know what it was regarding and could deal with it all just fine on her own.
Before he could retreat back to the elevator Buffy's door swung quietly open. She stood there, silent in khaki shorts and a pink halter top. Her hair was done up in a pony tail and she looked all of sixteen years old, the small splash of makeup she wore doing nothing but add to her immature looks. And yet, his body responded almost on autopilot. His heartbeat quickened and his skin warmed.
"Good afternoon Buffy." He greeted her. She still had not moved away from the door, barring his entrance to her suite.
"Mr. Giles. What can I do for you?" Buffy forced a cool response, when her body was heated beyond measure. Just seeing him reminded her of his hungry kisses from the night before. She willed herself not to lean toward his hard body, though she wanted nothing more at the moment then to feel him against her.
"May I come in luv?" He raised an eyebrow in inquiry.
"Of course. It is your hotel after all." She stepped aside to allow him entry.
He could feel the frost coming off her in waves. It was just as well, he told himself. There could never be anything between them. She didn't belong here, in the land of bright lights and 24 hour sin.
"I wanted to let you know that I got a hold of my friend, Xander Harris. He was that lawyer I told you about. He should be calling you sometime today." He tried to keep the conversation on business, not allowing their eyes to meet, or his gaze to wander over her body the way it demanded of him.
"You're a little late Mr. Giles. We've already spoken. Thank you for your referral, I would have had to pick from the phone book otherwise." She kept her words polite; the only way she knew to distract herself from his presence. "He seems very competent."
Spike's frown marred his face. He didn't like the way she kept using his surname. "He is. He's one of the best, and completely trustworthy."
"Yes, I knew you wouldn't have recommended him otherwise." She stepped over to the coffee service she had ordered earlier. She felt the pot for warmth, as she sat down on the couch. "Would you like some coffee Mr. Giles?" She poured herself a cup as she spoke.
He snapped. What did she expect from him? "Bloody hell woman! I didn't come here for coffee! And I sure as hell didn't come here to have you spout "pleases" and "thank yous" - and Will!! My name is Will! Bloody use it will you?!"
Buffy blinked owlishly up at him. Finally she spoke letting the words leave her lips in a soft whisper, "I'm sorry - Will." She turned her face away from his intense stare. "I was under the impression that you wanted to keep our relationship on a business level. I was only trying to accommodate you." Though her words were softly spoken, he could hear the underlying anger that laced her voice.
She stood abruptly, facing him once more, her own face a mask of angry indignation. "I'm sorry if I'm too stupid or naïve to understand what you had implied last night. I'm afraid you may have to spell it out for me." Her breath was coming in harsh gasps now.
"You're not stupid Buffy."
"Just naïve then." She tilted her chin up in defiance. "I may be from a small town in Kansas, and maybe I've never been in a casino or fancy revolving restaurants - but that doesn't give you the right to look down your nose at me!"
She strode toward the door throwing it open for him. "I told you last night, and I'll tell you again. You don't have to worry about me." Her voice was solid and steady, her green eyes sparking with anger. "I know you don't want me here. I know I've been taking up a lot of your time. You won't have to put up with me much longer. I told you, as soon as I get the rest of my money I'll move to another hotel."
"No."
"No?"
"No. I told you that wasn't what I meant. You're always welcome here at the Crypt." He tried to cajole her, stepping close and resting a cool hand on the arm holding the door for him. She stiffened at his touch, and he felt a twisting in his gut. Slowly he pulled her hand away from the door, letting it click shut beside them. His hand came up to cup her cheek and force her gaze to meet his.
Buffy was still breathing in harsh gasps. Will's proximity was doing nothing to help with the matter. She could feel the warmth spreading with each intimate touch.
"I'm sorry." He stated softly, his head now tilted down toward her, only inches away. "I let that drunken bastard get to me, and I took it out on you. I said a lot of things I don't much remember and doubt I even really meant." He leant down to brush his lips softly against hers.
Buffy's heart was pounding in her chest. How could he be so mean and hateful one minute and sweet and caring the next? He didn't mean what he said? She shook her head slightly. Did he mean to walk away from her last night? Before she could voice the question out loud, his lips were on hers once again.
What was he doing? Hadn't he just vowed to stay away from her? Spike's mind reeled. The smell of vanilla and jasmine permeated his senses. His fingers came up to card through her hair, impatiently loosening the tie that bound it back. He let the silky strands caress his palm. His other hand traced its way up her side, finding the curve of her hip and resting there for a brief moment.
As he forced the kiss deeper his hand moved up, making its way underneath her halter to caress the smooth skin of her stomach. At her hitched breath, Spike's hand moved even further until it was only a breath away from the sweet swell of her breast.
Aching for his touch, Buffy bowed her back giving him even more access. And when his hand came up to wrap itself around her bare breast, she sighed and let the warmth spread until she thought she'd caught fire.
Before he knew it, Spike had Buffy pinned against the door. His lips had left hers to travel down her throat, stopping to lave at the small indentation at the base. He lifted her shirt and bent forward to take one dusky nipple into his mouth. Already hard and pebbled, he brushed his rough tongue over the sensitized flesh causing Buffy to moan and dig her hands into the back of his head.
Buffy was in a daze. She'd never felt anything like this before. Any caresses she'd had with Angel had been nothing compared to the hot fiery passion that took over her senses whenever Will entered a room. When he pulled away from her she mewled in protest. It took her a moment to realize that he'd spoken. It took even longer for her to notice the shrill ring of the telephone. When she did, she realized that the low murmur of words coming from Will were curses.
Quickly she snapped up the receiver, "Hello?"
"And who's this now?" The voice had a definite British accent, the tone demanding. Buffy didn't even think about refusing.
"Buffy Summers."
"Buffy Summers, eh? Pretty name. Are you a pretty girl?" The man asked without preamble.
"Uhm.well...I..." Buffy wasn't sure how to answer that. "Who is this?"
"Thomas Giles, I've been told my grandson is paying you a call." Buffy gulped. Thomas Giles? Will was related to THE Thomas Giles? He was like the second richest man in the country.
"Uhm..Yes Mr. Giles, he's here. Would you like to speak to him?"
"In a minute lass. So you won the jackpot. Are you married?" Buffy's mind was too befuddled to wonder at the questions he was asking.
"Yes. No. No sir. I'm not married." Buffy was surprised when the phone was jerked out of her hand by a cursing Will.
"Would you like to check her pedigree grandda?"
"Well, Will! Good to hear your voice. Your secretary transferred me. Of course I wouldn't have to be transferred all over bloody Vegas if you'd just call your grandmum every once in a while. She misses you."
Spike smiled. It was an old ploy and one he was well immune to by now. "Now grandda, I just called you and grandmum last week."
"A week's a lifetime to people our age Will, you know that!" Thomas answered quickly. "Besides a visit's better than a phone call any day." He hinted.
"I was just up there a month ago for Alan's wedding." Alan was a cousin on his mother's side.
"Does that mean you can't come visit again? Is there a certain time period you have to wait before letting your grandmum fuss over you? Or are you too busy with the new lucky winner to worry about your old grandparents?"
Spike sighed. "You know I'm always too busy chasing the showgirls around town." He teased.
"Ha!" His grandda guffawed. "You always were a cheeky one."
"I'll call grandmum this week, I promise. Once things are settled down again." Spike placated.
"See that you do boy. See that you do." Then the old man hung up, leaving a bemused Spike on the other line.
"So you're related to Thomas Giles?" Buffy asked quietly. She had been standing at the window gazing down at the city while he spoke with his grandfather. She couldn't help but listen to his end of the conversation, and it had her twisted in knots. Showgirls?
"Yes. His bark's worse than his bite." Will offered with a grin.
"Well, you're probably very busy. I don't want to keep you." Buffy once more stepped up to her door, swinging it open for him.
Spike stood for a moment studying her face. Had he upset her by giving in to his urges earlier? Her face was cold and unreadable. "Yes. I should probably get going." It was probably best if he gave her some time. But before stepping out his hand rested briefly on hers, his thumb running lazily over her knuckles. "See you later then luv?"
Buffy only nodded mutely, before shutting the door behind him.