Author: Bitten And Staked

Title: City of Angels - Chapter 25 - Comfort factor.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary: Not knowing how to tell Spike that she feels comfortable being naked near him Buffy decides to show instead.

Timeline: set in between season 5 and 6, in my alternate world where Buffy didn't die. Spike's crypt is trashed during the final showdown and Dawn convinces Buffy to let him stay since he protected them both.

Series: Part 25 of ?

Pairing: Buffy and Spike. Romance, love and nooky.

Rating: PG13

Disclaimer: everyone else owns Buffy and all associated with her.

Feedback: always welcome so email me - webmaster@talesoftheslayer.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

When he reached her she turned to put her plate and cup on the bedside table behind her, slightly exposing the soft flesh of her back to him and he could see down to the curve of her buttocks. He elicited a small growl and she froze, feeling his eyes burning on her skin.

Buffy turned her gaze to his right hand where it rested on the bed near her, supporting only half his weight yet it was trembling badly. He still had his cuffs on and Buffys mind rocketed through a million scenarios involving them, she took a deep steadying breath.

"Spike." She whispered as she caught his eye, it burned into her with desire.

"Buffy." He growled out, he knew he couldn't do anything she didn't want but it no longer bothered him, being near her was enough.

She felt so comfortable being naked near him she felt she needed to let him know somehow. Wrapping the thin white sheet around her to shield her nudity she leant back against the pillows. Spike cocked his head to one side as she looked at him. She knew she was the queen of mixed signals and it was time to be straight with him, in a way.

Taking up his left hand in hers she could feel his whole body shudder under her touch and it was like an earthquake, but she realised he was only shaking as much as she was. Maintaining eye contact she bought his hand to her lips and kissed it softly, he smiled at her action and it made her melt.

Biting her lip she removed his hand from her mouth and hesitated for a moment before gently placing it over her left breast. She felt a jolt run through her and Spike as he cupped her breast slightly, she quickly realised that there were probably a million better ways than this to let him know she was comfortable being naked around him, he was going to take it the wrong way.

Spike was astounded that the only thing between his hand and her breast was a thin cotton layer, she felt warm under his touch.

"Buffy." Spike choked on her name and she placed her hand shakily over his on her breast.

"It's not a sex thing, it's a nakedness thing. No open invite okay? Just didn't know how to let you know I feel comfortable being naked near you." She stroked his hand and her breast was buzzing underneath his cold fingers.

"You know, they invented words for that. I hear you open your mouth and just say 'I feel comfortable being naked around you Spike.'" He sounded like he was being strangled and kept staring at his hand, the fervent desire to replace it with his mouth kept leaping into his thoughts.

As he moved his hand Buffy shut her eyes tightly and bit her lip. Spike saw room for manoeuvre and opportunity for a little more than just breast cupping in the near future.

"If you're comfortable. Can I see you naked?" He chanced it.

"You're such a pig." Buffy boxed him on the arm but didn't swipe him away.

"That a no?"

"What time is it?" She looked at the alarm clock. "2pm. Strip, make it slow and maybe you can see me naked."

"I like this game." Spike grinned, getting to see her naked was a very grand start.

"One thing first." Buffy suddenly looked like she was going to hyperventilate.

"Yes?"

"I've been thinking. All night long in fact. Everyone will hate me but… can we date this week?"

"Buffy?" Spike almost passed out, his head was spinning so fast.

"You know, like movies and romantic walks. See if we work together in reality since we work so well in make believe."

Spike thought as he steeled himself. Slightly more than a grand start. She wants to date you, got that demon. No shagging the lady with the pointy stick until she asks. Just a little romance, actually just do what you've been doing all week.

"So we just do what we've been doing all week or haven't you realised?" Spike grinned at her with his best 'I'd like to eat you' look.

"Suppose. Stop thinking, it's bad for your brain. Now, strip." Buffy sat up in bed a little more and smiled at him.

Spike grinned as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt to reveal his milk white body underneath, tensing his muscles for show he managed to get a silly grin out of Buffy. As he slipped his shirt to the ground Spike sucked his finger then ran it down his abdomen to his jeans where he worked painfully slowly at unbuttoning them. Finally he stood there in front of her, clad in nothing but black boxers and his cuffs. He grinned at her but she just looked at him blankly. Not good.

"Why stopping? No with the stopping." Buffy licked her lips and felt fire in her belly creeping towards her thighs. Bad Buffy.

"Naked for naked then pet?" He tilted his head to one side as she nodded. Spike turned to face away from her and slipped his boxers off, cupping himself as he went. "Count of three?"

"Okay."

"Promise?" Spike felt nervous, like he was about to get embarrassed.

"Promise." Buffy felt excited.

"One, two, three." Spike turned to see Buffy had already pulled back the covers to reveal herself in all her naked glory, the swell of her breasts as she lay on her back, her small hand that was half shielding herself.

Swallowing hard his brain registered her slim warm body laying nude and seemingly wanting something. Spike looked down at his something, which seemingly wanted her. He searched for something to say as their eyes met.

"Excuse him, he has no manners."

Buffys eyes widened as she took in the full extent of his nudity as he stood there staring at her. "Oh, guess there could be another reason they call you Spike."

Spike growled low and deep, it was almost primeval. She knew what it meant as he stood there with his eyes roaming her body, making it feel like it was on fire wherever they landed.

"William." She also knew he always came back from the brink on hearing his human name.

"Buffy?" He struggled for control and won, pushing his desires back down inside of him for now.

She patted the bed next to him. "Come sleep for a while before we go out. I'm tired."

Spike crawled up the length of the bed and Buffy watched intently as she slipped the covers over him. He lay on his back and turned the light out, Buffy hoped he'd be asleep before long as he had admitted daylight made him sleepy. Before she knew it he was growling contentedly and Buffy took the opportunity to fall asleep with her head resting on his chest.