Chapter 5

"Okay." Buffy said still surprised by the kiss. She'd liked Riley, but only as a friend. She hopped he wasn't seriously attached to her.

He touched the tip of her nose with his finger. "Do you know you have freckles on your nose?"

"Of course. How cruel of you to remind me!"

"Don't be silly, they're lovely. One day, I would like to count them."

Buffy laughed. "It probably takes all day."

"Good" his eyes darkened.

She was starting to feel uncomfortable under his gaze and said lightly, "I've always thought you grew out of freckles, but I seem to be stuck with them. When I was little I used to go to bed with slices of lemon on my face because someone told me that got rid of them."

"And did it make any difference?"

"No, but I always smelt very fresh in the morning."

Riley burst into laughter. "And do you still do it?"

At the sound of his genuine amusement, Angel griped the steering wheel tightly until his knuckles were white.

"Oh, no. I gave it up years ago. I've learnt to live with them by now."

"Good," he said, and gave her a mocking smile. "Lemon slices might

just be a little distasteful."

He led her to her door and Buffy stepped inside quickly before he decided to kiss her again. Luckily, Riley left whistling happily.

Angel got out the car and slammed the door violently.

While Buffy leaned on the door, in deep thought, she heard the sound of firm footsteps outside the door, and then a sharp knock. "Open the door, Buffy. I know you're in there." Angel's voice was low and determined.

Reluctantly, she opened the door. She wasn't in the mood to deal with him at the moment. His kiss with Cordelia affected her more than she would like.

"What is it now, Angel?" she said tiredly.

He stepped inside and glared furiously at her. "Tell me Buffy, do you always get home this time at night...or rather morning?"

"I didn't know I had a time limit," she said sarcastically.

"Who was your late companion?" He snapped, took her arm with the usual firm grip.

"A friend and I don't see what..."

"He didn't look like a friend to me."

"Just because you're incapable of having a platonic relationship with a member of the opposite sex, don't think everyone is the same."

"No friends, Buffy. I'm letting you have time, but male friends were never part of the deal. You're marrying me. Competition is out!"

"My God, why can't you understand that I don't want to marry you!" for a second she saw a flash of hurt in his eyes, but decided she'd been imagining it two seconds later.

"I'm not joking. Drop him or I'll destroy him."

"You don't have authority over Riley, he's a soldier."

"I have considerable influence in the business and political world and plenty of people need favors. Drop him or else."

"You can't do this to me."

"I can and I will. I'm letting you play for a while but you're mine. Don't forget it." He took her by the shoulders and kissed her, hungrily.

Buffy struggled wildly, trying to hit him, but she was at his mercy.

His lips took hers with fierce anger, forced them to open and ignored her wild curses. With a whimper of fury, she had to stop struggling and hold on to his arm to stop herself from falling at his feet. And it was then, as she grew still, that his kiss got to her. She started to feel a thrill deep inside, made her senses reeled until she felt as if she was drowning.

She gave a soft moan and her arm slid round his neck. Angel held her closer, pressing her hips against his. Buffy gasped and kissed him in passionate response; her body was on fire with this aching need she had never experienced before.

Then the doorbell rang.

"The door," she murmured, "someone's at the door."

"Ignore it," Angel rasped, catching her hand in his and his mouth once again took hers.

The ringing continued. "Angel I have to answer," Buffy murmured against his mouth, and pushing against his chest with her small hands, she tried to wriggle free.

The bell rang again. "Who the hell calls this late at night?" Angel demanded, frustration lacing his voice, but he let her go.

Shocked by what she'd almost allowed to happen, Buffy went to open the door.

"Saved by the bell," she muttered under her breath and opened the door.

"Thanks B, I forgot my keys." Faith walked past Buffy without noticing Angel. "I can't wait to find out how your 'date' with Riley went, you two seemed to hit it off right from the start."

Faith walked towards the kitchen "I want to hear all the juicy details over a cup of hot chocolate, and...Angel!" Faith exclaimed, stopping dead.

"Hello Faith. It's good to see you again. I'm glad to see you and Buffy getting along so well." Then he looked at Buffy with a cynical light in his eyes. "And I wouldn't mind hearing all the juicy details myself." He drawled silkily.

He had no right to take this moral tone with her. A picture of Cordelia formed in her mind and gave the courage to reply carelessly, "I liked Riley. He's a really nice man."

Faith seemed to have lost interest. Instead she was looking from one to the other, a thoughtful expression in her face. She turned to Buffy. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"Don't be ridiculous, Faith. Angel was just leaving." She glanced at Angel defiantly. "Weren't you?"

"Yes, of course. I'll leave you two to gossip." He turned to Buffy, with a wicked gleam in his eyes, added, "Show me to the door Buffy. I have a problem and I'd hopped to solve it tonight. Maybe you can help me."

Marching towards the door, she reached the door knob, her hand ready to open it.

"Wait a second." Angel ordered, trapping her hand with his. She looked up at him seeing determination in his face.

"Get out!" Buffy said flatly.

"In a minute." He hissed, taking her hand. "Feel what you do to me."

Buffy's face burned as he forced her hand flat against his aroused male flesh.

"It's not my fault you're an over-sexed playboy," she hissed back, keeping her voice low. She didn't want Faith to hear this conversation.

"I gave up my playboy's ways the day I realized it was possible to have an erection and be bored at the same time." He spat.

Buffy gaped at him not knowing what he was implying with this admission. Was he bored with her too?

"Concentrate on this game you're playing and forget about the boy."

With that threatening statement he left.

Faith was waiting for her in the kitchen, a mug of hot chocolate in each hand. "Do you mind if I speak frankly? Faith went on eyeing Buffy with a dry smile.

"Of course not," Buffy grinned at her friend. "Why change a habit of a lifetime?"

"We both know I'm a lot worldly than you." Faith confirmed. "Angel O'Connor is not the kind of man you need. You saw him kiss Cordelia Chase a few hours ago, and I assure you, she is not the only one. His kind never settles with only one woman. Even if he likes her as much as he likes you, he'll marry you, but he'll keep his other women as well."

"Don't you think I know that? Don't worry about me."

"Good, I have to leave to Italy in a couple of weeks. I'd hate to think you'll be at his mercy."

"Italy? Now Faith why don't you tell me all about the movie you're in."

That was all it took to get Faith talking about her movie and forgetting about Buffy's love life.

Angel had been distant, speaking only when necessary and ignoring her at other times. He kept this behavior for nearly a month, when finally he summoned Buffy to his office.

Buffy was nervous. He was on the phone when she went into his office and he only motioned her to a seat without even glancing at her. She watched him making fast notes as he listened.

When he finished his call, he looked her. "It looks I'd underestimated you."

Slowly Buffy turned to face him. "I suppose you're going to elaborate on that." Her voice was composed and unemotional.

"I've been reading your report," he said brusquely throwing his pen down and standing up. "I had no idea you're so talented. In fact, I could hardly believe I was reading about you at all. So how come you never tell me you got 'great' computer skills."

"Do you remember my friend Willow?" At his nod, she continued. "Willow was brilliant with computers, she taught me a long time ago, and I'd been taking different courses on the internet ever since."

His rage erupted suddenly and Angel grabbed her, took hold of her arm and pulled her roughly against him. "You've lied and schemed against me. I'm going to teach you a lesson you never forget."

He tried to twist her around and bend her over his knee, but Buffy struggled wildly, terrified of being held close to him like this. "No! Let me go. Please! Please let me go."

The terror in her voice got to him, and Angel became still, his breathing uneven. He still had hold of her but she held herself firmly stiff. After a moment he let her go and stepped back, and ran a hand through his hair. "I lost control; I apologize." He said shortly

Angel apologizing was unheard of. Slowly Buffy turned to face him,

"You apologize?"

"Yes, a hundred times over." He glanced at her with a look in his eyes that she could not fathom. Then he paused, and said harshly, "You're moving up here, you'd been promoted, you're now my personal assistant."

She stared at him. "But I'm not ready."

"I'm ready." He snapped. "I want you here where I can see you."

"You'd planned this from the start," she stated resentfully.

"The thought crossed my mind," Angel admitted in cold amusement.

"Fine, it's only that I...I wouldn't know where to start. I mean...I..." he was very impatient and it was impossible to imagine that he really wanted to marry her.

"You wanted a job and I promised to play fair. I'm keeping my end of the bargain. Let's see how you manage being my personal assistant."

"What will I have to do?" She was uneasy about this 'play fair' bit.

She wasn't sure he would consider she had been playing fair if he knew she was still seeing Riley.

"What will you have to do? Why, everything, Miss Summers." He assured, "If things get too tough, don't forget that I once offered to take care of you."

"What about Harmony? Isn't she your assistant?"

She didn't like Harmony Kendall very much. She was the kind of girl that never gossip, talked or socialized with co-workers, she thought herself to be above all of them.

"Don't worry about her. She's temporary relocated, after all it'll be just for a short time." he said quickly. "The desk outside is already cleared out for you. Move there now. I'll see you latter."

She got out in no time. Personal assistant. If she could pull this off she would be able to get a job anywhere else easily. Personal assistant of the managing director would look very good in her C.V., she wondered if Angel would give her good references. Well he had promised to play fair.

The morning turned out to be a surprise. Buffy had always known Angel was bright, but watching him in action was an education. He created an electric atmosphere simply by his presence; power and dynamism radiated from him. It was fascinating to see Angel work.

She was just leaving to lunch when the intercom buzzed. Angel' voice stated coldly, "get in here, Buffy." She went in at once and found Angel with Wesley Windham-Pryce. They were looking over blueprints.

"Trouble at the Hawaii project," Angel growled as she came into his office. "I'll leave in a couple of hours; I need you to take some notes."

Wesley smiled at her sympathetically.

She took notes when he snapped orders at her. He was being too harsh

at her and she thought that she'd annoyed Angel in some way.

Finally Angel stood up. "A quick lunch before I have to leave.

Wesley, you'll join me?"

Buffy showed a bright smile. "Well if you excuse me, I must get going." She started to the door.

"Buffy, the three of us are going to eat. I need to give you some instructions. Let's get out of here."

Over a light meal of pasta and salad, Angel sought Wesley's views in the Hawaii project, the location, and how he intended to exploit all the advantages. Buffy was speechless with admiration. An hour later, they were back to the office.

Angel dismissed Wesley but, grasping Buffy's hand, he prevented her from following him inside. The kiss he bestowed on her parted lips left her utterly speechless.

"Behave yourself, I'll be in touch," he said and slide into his car.

He was gone before Buffy could get her breath back.

She looked around, terrified that anyone she knew had seen her, but

the flow of people walking along the sidewalk was devoid of any familiar faces.

Sighing, she walked into the building and entered the elevator. Harmony was standing with her finger on the hold button.

"Aiming a bit high, aren't you?" she said in a cold voice.

Buffy blushed. Obviously Harmony had seen the kiss and drawn her own conclusions.

"I'm nor aiming anywhere."

"Angel O'Connor is a great lover, but don't get any ideas. He'll never marry a penniless girl like you. If he ever does marry, it will be some filthy-rich society girl. Believe me, I know."

The bitterness in her voice was undeniable.

"You're probably right," Buffy agreed. It was a relief to walk out of the elevator. Harmony's words got to her. Clearly she was one of Angel's lovers too.

With a cold determination she picked up the phone and dial a familiar number.

"Riley? Hi, it's me Buffy, any plans for tonight?"

tbc