Chapter 3

Buffy got to the beach a little early and was waiting for Spike to show up. She was watching the ocean for a few minutes, when he suddenly appeared next to her. They were both silent, until she decided to speak up. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" She said as she continued to look at the water.

"Yeah, definitely beautiful." She turned to look at him and noticed that he was staring at her and not the ocean. She blushed as she looked away from him and Spike had to smile at how adorable she was. They spent the next hour walking along the beach and getting to know each other better.

"So, you live in England?" She asked him and he nodded.

"Yes, I'm only here for the summer. I needed a vacation and I used to love it here when I was a kid." Buffy nodded also and felt saddened at the thought of him leaving when the summer was over. He only took her hand and smiled at her. "Care for a swim?" He asked suddenly and Buffy raised her eyebrows.

"It's a little cold out." She said and Spike waved his hand in the air.

"That's the whole point. I promise to warm you up afterwards." He told her and Buffy found herself blushing for the millionth time.

"I don't have a swimsuit." She stated and Spike's smile got even bigger.

"That's even better." He said with a wink as he pulled her closer to the water. "Come on, love. Live a little." He then started to remove his clothes and Buffy gulped at the sight of his bare chest. He then jumped in the water and she was somewhat relieved that he left his boxers on. He looked up at her.

"The water feels great." He told her and Buffy couldn't believe she was about to do this. She started to take off her clothes, so that she was only in her bra and underwear. She then ran in the water and shivered at the cold. He swam over to her and ran his hands down her arms. She suddenly felt warmer at his touch. "See, that wasn't so hard." Buffy lost her ability to speak with the way he was looking at her. He then moved his gaze to her lips and started to move closer to her. He was soon pressing his lips to hers. Buffy was taken by surprise, but then found herself kissing him back. It was the best kiss of her life, not that she had a lot to compare it to. She couldn't believe she was half naked and kissing a man she hardly even knew, but she never wanted to stop. He pulled away to let her breathe and rested his head on hers. "I feel like I've known you forever." He whispered and Buffy had to agree.

"I know the feeling." She told him and Spike tucked a lock of her wet hair behind her ear. They kissed again and right now, everything was perfect.

They got out a little while later and put their clothes back on. Spike placed his duster on her and rubbed her arms again to try and warm her. She just gave him a grateful smile. He offered to walk her home and she grew nervous when they finally made it to her house. She stopped him before they got too close. "Thanks, I can take it from here." She told him and he nodded in understanding.

"Ashamed to be seen with me?" He asked her and she shook her head, not wanting him to think that.

"No, it's not that. It's my parents, they're very complicated." Spike nodded again and looked up at her house. It was more like a mansion. He then looked back at Buffy.

"I see, by the looks of things you would be pretty rich." He said and Buffy shook her head again.

"My parents are rich. I just happen to live here. Dad's a lawyer and mom's a psychologist. I have to say that it's a lot of fun having a shrink in the house. I get free counseling every day." She stated sarcastically and Spike could tell that she didn't seem happy there.

"I take it you're not happy." He said stating the obvious and Buffy gave him a sad smile.

"What gave it away? Money doesn't make everyone happy. I feel like I'm a prisoner in my own house. I would give anything to get away from here." She told him and Spike wished he could make things better. He then reached out and caressed her cheek.

"Meet me here tomorrow at 9? I'm not done getting to know you yet." Buffy smiled and was glad that he still wanted to see her.

"I would have to sneak out." She told him.

"Don't tell me you've never snuck out before." Buffy rolled her eyes.

"Please, I sneak out all the time." Spike clearly didn't believe her, but he let it go.

"Then it shouldn't be a problem. I'll be outside your bedroom window." Buffy didn't think that was the best idea, but she nodded anyway.

"Okay, just try not to get caught. It would be hell for both of us." Spike agreed and Buffy then thought of something else. "You know, this is kinda like Romeo and Juliet." She said as a frown suddenly formed on her face. "Let's just hope we have a better ending." Spike smiled and placed a quick kiss on her lips.

"I promise we'll have a better ending. Goodnight, Juliet." He whispered to her and she smiled.

"Goodnight, Romeo." He gave her one more kiss before he turned and walked away. Buffy touched her lips and smiled as she turned and walked toward her house. She climbed the tree that was outside her window because she didn't want to face her parents and explain why her hair was wet. She opened the window and stepped into her room, only to find that it wasn't empty. Dawn was sitting on her bed and staring at her. "What are you doing in here?" She wondered and Dawn crossed her arms over her chest.

"What are you doing sneaking in the window?" Buffy rolled her eyes and didn't feel like explaining herself to her bratty kid sister.

"I didn't feel like dealing with the parents. What's it to you?" Dawn shrugged and then noticed her sister's appearance.

"Why is your hair wet?" Buffy sighed and sat on her bed.

"That's none of your business." Dawn stood up when she realized she wasn't getting anything out of Buffy.

"You're up to something. I'm gonna figure it out." She said as she left the room and Buffy sighed again as she lay back on her bed. She couldn't think about Dawn right now. She was too busy thinking about Spike. She really hoped they would have a good ending.