Previous chapter can be found here:

Chapter one: http: two:

http: this be anymore difficult? Was all of this happening right now? Why now, when her life was finally starting to fall into place? How come after 10 years, he could look at her in a way that made her body tremble with ecstasy? After seeing him tonight, all she could do was think of his hands touching her body, his cool skin pressing against her warm skin. Why couldn't she really love someone else? It wasn't as if she hadn't had many chances to love again. Spike, Riley, even Devon, the boy she met at the theatre, who she dated for over a year. They loved her, would of done anything for her, but she didn't want them, she wanted him…her Angel.

The kettle whistling shook Buffy out of her daze and she grabbed two cups pouring water in them and placing a tea bag in each. Angel watched her from across the room and Buffy blushed at his taunting gaze. Placing a cup in front of him, she sat down nervously her gaze shifting to her cup.

Angel swallowed hard as the memory of the forgotten day entered his thoughts. Shifting his chair closer to hers, he cleared his throat. "I know you're confused and you want answers and there's much I need to tell you, but first there's something I need to know."

Buffy's head shot up, her mouth curving into a scowl. "I'm not the one who needs to explain themselves."

Angel was hurt by her tone she could see it but she didn't care how he was feeling at that moment. She wanted him to feel what she was feeling. Loneliness, despair, betrayal. Did he really think that he could just say he was sorry and everything would be okay? Did he not know what he did to her, how he ripped her heart out and stomped on it, of course not, why would he? He doesn't love you. Pain and sadness crossed her features and she stood up, walking to the patio door, and opening it a little, letting the warm breeze slip through. She was not going to give into him this time, no she wasn't.

"Do you still love me?" He whispered, lifting himself off the chair he strolled to her side, his hand brushing her arm.

Buffy's temperature started to rise and her eyebrow twitched, snapping her head to the side, her green eyes meet his dark ones. "You've got to be kidding me!"

"Buffy… I…I love you!" Angel's eyes narrowed and tears formed in them, his fingers reached for her face but she jerked back stumbling backwards.

"N…No Angel, don't. Please don't." She murmured and slipped past him into the kitchen. Stumbling to get her balance back she clutched the side of the counter, her breathing increased and her heart began to beat faster.

Angel didn't hesitate he moved quickly around the counter standing right behind her. His stomach gently pressed against her back. A moan escaped her lips and she hissed slightly. "Please Angel, you need to go."

The ringing of her cell phone broke the silence and she sighed loudly, Angel hesitated for a moment but then let her by and she picked up her phone, "Hello?"

"Hey baby, I'm done now, do you need or want anything?"

"Riley, hey, umm I am okay; I do have a major headache though. If you could pick up some Tylenol on your way back, I'd be in heaven." She stated. Riley could hear the awkwardness in her voice and he knew that Angel was still there.

"Sure, anything, I'll be home in a few. Put your feet up, I'm bringing home some food and I'll make you a bath and give you a massage," pausing for a moment Buffy glanced to Angel who was watching her like a hawk.

"Thanks, I'll see you soon. Oh and Riley, that'd be nice, I need it." After hanging up the phone she headed to the kitchen door and opened it. Angel realised what she was doing and he grew jealous. Taking in an unnecessary breath, he walked to the door. Giving her one last disappointed look, he started out the door.

Tears welled up in her eyes and she swallowed hard trying to hold back the soon to be tears. She watched him head down the stairs and her heart broke. Was she really going to let him go? What if he had a good explanation? Maybe in the midst of all this they could work it out. Shaking the thought out of her mind, she opened the door more. "Angel!" she called out, her voice cracking with hesitation.

Angel turned around quickly, his brown eyes raw and red. "Yes." He whispered, he became a little nervous as he waited for her to speak.

"I…I did love you more than anything in this world, b…but I can't do this again, I'm tired and exhausted. I know you are hurting but I am too and well… I did it. I made a life for myself, and I am happy. Which in my case is very unusual, and well… I don't think you can give me what I want, what I need," pausing for a moment she slipped through the door and walked down the steps so she was standing in front of him. Reaching her arm out, her hand cupped his cheek, "I'm sorry Angel, I wish you all the best in life, and I hope deep down in your heart you'll understand why I am doing this. I hope we can still be friends." Wiping the fallen tear from his eye, she kissed him softly on the cheek. Choking on her own fallen tears, she rushed up the stairs; slamming the door behind her.

Angel stood stone still as he watched her flee from his embrace. Wiping his raw eyes, a grin formed on his lips and he headed through the dark night in search of a hotel. He knew this was going to be hard, but he could do it. He would make sure that she would soon listen to what he had to say, and when she did; she wouldn't be marrying Riley; she would be marrying him.

The moon arose above the trees, and a coyote howled; making the dogs next door bark. With one more long glance at her house, he disappeared into the forest.

TBC

Hope you all like,

Lea