Chapter 13

"Shall I help you unpack, Angel?" Darla asked as she walked towards them, Buffy pulled away nervously. How many more lovers were going to interrupt them? Her hot face was more anger than embarrassment.

"No thank you," Angel said evenly. "I'll unpack for myself later. I'll be with you in a moment. So you can tell me how grandmother's really doing."

"Ok! I'll see you later...Angel." Darla's lips curved triumphantly and left. Here was another woman who wasn't put off by the idea of his forthcoming marriage.

"How are you going to manage to keep this ploy with your friend behind us every time?" Buffy snapped in a low voice.

"I seem to remember saying that you were my friend," he murmured, his eyes on her angry face. "Surely you don't expect me to ignore Darla? I've known her for ages; I was the one who found her."

"I can imagine it! As for being your friend, I'm nothing of the sort and you know it. If I'm in this situation because we have a deal, that's all."

"Is it?" He looked down at her threateningly. "And why so you behave so beautifully in my arms?"

"Feminine instinct," she snapped, wild with jealous rage hurting inside. "After all it's not hard, with you being such an experienced man. I suppose any experienced man could do that to me."

He grabbed her by the shoulders, a rage on his face that quite outclassed her own small fury, and for a moment she really saw the devil in him. At the sight of her suddenly white face, he let her go and turned to leave.

"I'll see you later," he said without explanation, adding mockingly. "Thank you for keeping your voice low. Any time you want to yell at me, we'll walk along the beach."

Buffy went to her room and stood by the window fighting tears. She saw him stepping down to the beach, his hand lifted to help Darla. They walked along by the sea and after a moment Darla clung to his arm. Buffy could hear them laughing.

He didn't love her and never would. This was what she could expect every day of her life if she gave in to the urge to marry him.

Dinner was difficult because Darla had joined them. Buffy asked herself if she would have liked the woman if there had been no connection with Angel, and she had to admit that she would not. There was something about her behavior that reminded Buffy of Cordelia. Maybe he liked his women to behave like whores.

Buffy tried her best to make conversation, but it was hard, all she could see was Darla smiling constantly at Angel.

"When is the wedding?" Angel's grandmother asked determinately, looking at Darla's direction with a frown.

"Buffy hasn't fixed the date yet," Angel said insipidly. "Don't worry. We'll let you know in good time."

"Maybe you should hurry her," she remarked with a mischievous smile. "She might refuse if you leave it for too long."

"She won't refuse," Angel murmured; his dark eyes on Buffy's face. "I've got her firmly trapped, haven't I sweetheart?"

"That's one way to say it," Buffy replied, looking at her ring that sparkled in the light. "Besides, I have to think of how upset you'll be if I left you. I don't think I could face the repercussions."

"I'm glad you said that," Angel smiled at Buffy supposed that to the others it was a loving smile. But she could see the threat behind it. When she finally walked out on Angel it was not going to be easy, she knew that much.

She stood up to go back into her room, but Angel caught her wrist as she passed, looking up at her.

"Walk on the beach?" he suggested gently.

"If you want."

She didn't want to. She didn't want to be alone with Angel at all, but there was nothing she could do. He kept his hold on her wrist as if she would run off and then his hand closed warmly round hers, his fingers lacing with her own. She was aware of the others watching as they walked off and was not really surprised to hear his grandmother's voice.

"They're so close. You can see it. I never thought this would happen to my Angel. You can't imagine you how happy I am." There was a very satisfied sound to her voice.

When they were away she pulled her hand free. He walked quietly beside her, "We have to pass the time until we can go back, can you think of anything else to fill in the time?"

She ignored him, she wasn't in the mood for his sexual innuendo. "When are Wesley and Fred going to arrive?"

"Tomorrow's night."

"Cordelia isn't coming, right?"

"No she isn't. She always spends Thanksgivings with her friends."

"I'm surprised she had any." She said bitterly.

Angel looked at her and said reproving. "Just because you're jealous of her it doesn't mean that..."

"I'm not jealous of her," Buffy cut in. "I just can't stand her, that's all."

"Whatever you say sweetheart." He said smiling.

He took her hand and they kept walking. Angel had insisted they watch the sunset; she was starting to relax in his company, until he put his arm around her shoulders. She tried to ease away from the disturbing warmth of his large frame, but he only tightened his hold.

"The days are still hot in November, but at this time in the evening the air cools rapidly, and you have no other protection but me. So be still and watch."

The sunset was magnificent, and she sighed with pleasure as together they watched the sun sink into the sea.

"Worth the wait, but then the best things in life are." Angel offered softly.

He kissed her slowly and deeply, holding her against him on the quiet beach with darkness gathering around them, turning her into his arms when she just gave in and clung to his lips as if she needed him to keep her alive.

"How long do you think you can hold out against me?" he murmured softly as he lifted his head and looked down at her, and the deep sound of his voice, taunting and sure, brought her back out of her trance.

"Why are you doing this? You have no right to..."

"Right?" he grated savagely. "I like kissing you. You're kissable and a lot more besides."

She turned away from him and said nothing.

"Let's get back," he added irascibly. "I'm tired."

Later that night, Buffy lay in darkness, listening to the soothing sound of the sea. But she found it was difficult to sleep. This situation with Angel was getting more confusing, did he really care about her? He had never said he was in love with her but yet...

"How long do you think you can hold out against me?" The question spun round and round inside her head as she battled for the sleep that wouldn't come. It was getting harder and harder, she doubted she could go on like this.

As she tossed and turned with a groan she turned over and buried her face in the pillow, trying to expunge the memory of his hands touching her, urging her on. She wasn't convalescent anymore and he was so close; so unbearably close. She had only to open the door; and go to his room. Or not even that. She knew that she had only to call his name and he would wake and come to her.

It was hours before she slipped into sleep at last. And even there, he followed her...

They were getting married, the church was full of sunshine and everyone was there, as she was walking the aisle towards him, Buffy knew that it was going to be all right; That he really loved her...And her heart was bursting with happiness.

Until he turned, and his face was the face of a demon. And his eyes were coals of fire.

"Angel!" She woke, startled and sweating with terror, and for a moment it seemed only natural that he was there, standing over her, his figure silhouetted against the morning light.

"Angel?"

And then she snapped into wakefulness with a start of fear as she saw the hunger in his eyes and realized what he was looking at. Her tossing and turning had pushed the sheet to the floor and her short nightgown was entangled at her waist.

It only needed a spark to start a fire that would engulf both of them. "Angel...Angel, this is your grandmother's house, you said..."

He was still staring at her like a man entranced. "You called me. I only came here because I heard you called my name."

"I was dreaming. Please..." She backed off slowly towards the bathroom. But her movement seemed to break the spell, and she saw his face twist with sardonic amusement.

"Oh, for God's sake, don't let's go through that again. I told you; you're safe...if that's what you want. Although I would say that erotic little exhibition casts a few doubts on whether that's true..."

"No! I don't need..."

But his voice cut in on hers, harshly. "You don't know what you need." His eyes caught hers, and held them. "But you might, if you listened to your dreams."

The next morning, after breakfast Angel announced his grandmother that he was going to take Buffy out.

He reached down to Buffy, holding his hand out. "Come along, love."

"I'll change into something more appropriate..." Buffy said glancing at her outfit, thinking they were going to the beach she was wearing a very short sundress with her bathing suit underneath.

"You'll do fine as you are. It's a gorgeous day and you might like a swim."

"I..."

"Don't struggle," Angel warned. "Just come along nicely. We're being watched."

"I did notice! Surely you feel awful, leaving your precious Darla behind?"

"Let's see...you don't want me, but you don't want anyone else to have me either?"

"I never said that!" All her anger and frustration were channeled into the harsh words.

"That's a relief!" he exclaimed bitterly. "Come on Buffy, you're the one that I want. It's the only reason I brought you here. Darla is the persistent type but don't let it worry you."

"Why should it?" Buffy snapped in a low voice. "She's nothing to me, after all. Neither are you."

"There, you said that very nicely as if you'd learn it off by heart. So...as we're nothing to each other, relax. I've got something to show you."

"Where are we going?"

"I want to show you our hotel."

"Our?"

"Once we married everything I own will be yours too."

She sat next to Angel in the passenger seat while he maneuvered the car along the road.

"Where is 'our' hotel?"

"It's located in one of the smaller islands. We need to get to the harbor; the yacht is waiting for us."

"Yacht? You have a yacht?" Buffy echoed.

Her gaze skimmed over lines of boats lying at anchor. "Which one is it? No, let me guess," she went on with a touch of mockery. "The largest and most luxurious!"

His dark eyes fixed on her sarcastically. "Do you think that I need to show off my wealth?" Then he walked on towards the harbor, and smoothly jumped aboard a medium-sized yacht moored near the pier.

Buffy gave a small sigh. She just didn't seem to be able to say the right thing to Angel.

It was the first time in her life that she had been on a yacht and she felt a wave of excitement that quite chased away her dark mood. Angel soon had them under way and skimming across the water.

After a while Angel cut the engine and they coasted in close to the shore as Buffy stood and surveyed the golden beach, the swaying trees that came almost to the water's edge in places.

Angel urged her to follow him. The hotel came to view, it was a magnificent resort surrounded by exotic gardens everywhere, it was isolated from everything which was it's real beauty. The ideal spot for honeymooners.

"Wow. I have to say, I'm impressed. Really impressed."

"Just wait until it's finished. I'm planning of making this place like an Eden."

She turned to Angel, green eyes shining. "You're doing a terrific job! I love this place."

"I'm glad you do," Angel said, with an indulgent smile at her vibrant face.

Later, sitting at a table outside the restaurant, Buffy said, "I can't believe how lovely it all is." She gestured with her hand, and turned a beaming face to Angel.

"Be careful with your hand!" he exclaimed with a chuckle.

She followed to where his eyes were focused, and laughed out loud. A big old pelican was attempting to snap at her waving fingers. "What the...?"

"He seems to like you. I can't blame him."

It was a perfect day, Buffy thought happily as she stood next to Angel on the beach.

He was standing looking out to sea. That air of masculine virility which always surrounded him usually blinded her to the man inside, but with the sun shining on his hair, she was struck by how sad and lonely he looked. Buffy had an overwhelming urge to go to him and put her arm around him. Did it matter that he didn't love her? He wanted to marry her, and maybe with time he might grow to love her. She has to take the chance.

She took a step towards him, prepared to tell him how she felt.

Angel looked around unexpectedly and caught her in the act of staring at him. For a long moment they simply looked into each other's eyes. Then Angel moved and his arms were around her. "Enjoying yourself, Buffy?" he asked tentatively.

She reached up on her tiptoes and gently put her lips to his. "Yes," she murmured, the kiss was freely given with all the love in her heart.

"I will make you happy. I promise." Angel vowed, his dark eyes gleaming golden into hers, and in that moment something intensely personal: a recognition of their need for each other, flowed between them.

"I know you will," Buffy confessed, and Angel found her lips again with his own.

Tbc...