It had been a productive day for Joyce, she and her assistant Helen had packed up the last show. Nearly two thirds of the works had sold, and the gallery had made a tidy little profit. And this afternoon they'd put up Joyce's dream show. Three local artists all with different views of Sunnydale. Helen made some small talk about some family get together her sister was hosting but honestly Joyce was only half listening very aware of the time. Smiling and waving Helen off Joyce suddenly was a whirlwind of activity. A spray of cologne, a lick of lipstick and a rapid brushing of wavy shoulder-length hair. She took a moment to inspect her image in pocket mirror she held in her hand. "Well, Joyce, this'll just have to do." She said glancing at the clock again.
She had nearly fifteen minutes until closing time and nothing left to do but wait for her now expected visitor to the gallery. The bell rang as the door opened as if on cue. For a moment Joyce could see nothing there but then the young man who she had now come to expect stood in the doorway. He had become somewhat a regular to her gallery, always coming in towards the end of opening hours she noted and always very polite and grateful when she kept the gallery open just for him.
The gentleman in question was probably around thirty or if she was honest younger and as ever dressed in black, but ever since her first meeting with him all those weeks ago Joyce found herself warming to him as he walked around the gallery looking at the works. So many people came in and glanced around or tried to start a conversation about "art" with a capital A and never really looked at the things she offered, the things that she loved. This young gentleman *really* looked. She was fairly certain she'd met before but couldn't quite place.
Right now, he was admiring the photographs that Jane E. was doing. All of them were of Sunnydale, but the angles were odd, or some small piece of carving caught at just the right time of day was the focus so that the larger context of the piece was blurry. Overexposure, silver, and albumen development added to the strangeness inherent in emphases. It gave these works an eeriness appropriate to the town's death rate he told so he told her breaking the ice with her yet again.
"I wouldn't have put the two of them again," Joyce remarked glancing at the picture from the side.
"This artist has a very impressive use of shadows," he said pointing to an area on the painting he was standing in front of before turning to face her with a smile on his face. "It's nice to see you again Joyce."
She couldn't help but blush at his gaze. "It's nice to see you too… Liam." And at her confession Angelus smile widen.
XXXXX
Angelus smiled giving Mrs Summers another performance of 'Liam' the smart, charming, art student. It was an idea he came up with a few weeks ago of how to torture Buffy. Angelus had feeling for the Slayer, but they all involved her mental and physical torture resulting in her eventual death. He could have gone the whole stalker boyfriend route and blurted out to Mrs Summers that he and Buffy had slept together which would have caused her a few headaches. He could have done the simple route, the direct route, or the obvious route which someone like Spike might have done which was to simply kill her and leave her broken corpse on the Summer's doorstep. An action that would be a soul-crushing way to rip Buffy's world apart, but true pain required creativity and patience. Just the thought of Buffy's mother giving him a personal performance made Angelus lick at his lips. The evil vampire had threatened all of Buffy's friends, but this was personal.
So late one day 'Liam' appeared at the gallery that Joyce Summers worked. He was charming, engaging and above all patient. He didn't ask her for coffee until a week or so as he knew the answer would be no. He had to take this slow as one wrong move and his plan would backfire. And he had many plans for Joyce Summers. So, he took his time knowing every encounter, every visit to the gallery was bringing her that much closer to him. He enjoyed every moment. There would be no quick snap of her beautiful neck, no painful bloodletting. Certainly not until his thirst for her had been quenched. So many things he could, should, and would do to the Slayer's mother came to mind.
It was about time he got lucky. Being shrouded with a soul for decades, Angelus felt as if he'd been missing something. It had been too damn long since he had been free to choose whom to bed and how he wanted to take her. Not counting Buffy's innocent little games or her recent pheromone-driven bouts of tongue-wrestling, Angelus hadn't had any in over a year.
Darla had been a good and thorough tutor; he knows how to slip his teeth in slyly into a victim's neck, how to slowly draw the blood out, how to make the magic that transforms it from pain to sweet ecstasy so that the victim dies smiling and can be propped neatly in their pew or carriage seat and left there, no-one the wiser. Maybe he would give Joyce's corpse that presentation or perhaps he would hide the body causing Buffy to go mad with grief. Both options had their attractions. He would pick one at some point for now there was no rush.
XXXX
Casual dating is what she calls this. Is her label of choice. No commitments made. Nothing lasting, only a good time with a handsome man on her arm. She was single and he was single. Here they were heading to grab a quick bite to eat before going to a club later. Never in a million years did she think that she would be heading to a club. Okay, it is a date, and she's calling it that on the inside. It's their fourth so far, though this might be the first one that really and truly felt like a normal date. One that later might lead to… focus on driving woman!
Liam had quite simply appeared one day at the gallery. He was charming and interesting in both the contents of the gallery, and it seemed her. He was different than most the men she had encountered which was admittedly a very small group one of which included a school librarian. He was almost flirtatious—which was impossible considering that he was totally younger than her. But interested he seemed. She was still struggling to understand why he might be interested in her. She was on the wrong side of forty, a single parent raising a troublesome teenager and very living month to month with regards to money. Hardly the catch of the year for someone like Liam.
"Would you like to go for a quick coffee? At the coffeehouse just up the street?" He asked casually, surprising her. She looked at him, he looked sincere, and almost...lonely. As lonely as she was. She said yes thinking it was all innocent and she was just going to coffee with a new friend.
Just a quick coffee had turned into a rather long affair. Liam proved to be very interesting company as he talked about his studies and interests in the arts. She had felt a little awkward at times aware of the jealous gazes she attracted from other customers at the coffeehouse, but Liam proved to be engaging company. He asked questions about her interests, her views, and her thoughts. She found herself opening up to him more than she expected. It felt good to open up to someone after so long.
"It must be difficult, being a single-parent," Liam said to her at one point after she had yet again
Joyce smiled wanly. "It's a struggle sometimes but I wouldn't change a thing. Even the loneliness." She tried not to dwell on the silent desperation that arose from going to bed alone every night. Sometimes she fantasised about going out to some bar and taking a different lover home each night but that wasn't her style at all. It wasn't about sex, she just missed being held, being next to someone.
"Loneliness, I understand," Liam said quietly, staring straight ahead. "I've experienced moments where it felt like I could only watch events unfold and not be part of them."
Listening to the ambivalence in the young man's voice, Joyce wondered at who this man really was, where he came from and why he was sharing this with her. What surprised her was that she wanted to find out the answers to these questions. So far, she'd conformed to everything that society, and her middle-class upbringing, expected of her: college degree, husband, child, and moderate success in her chosen field. Even divorce seemed to be a given nowadays, marriage seldom lasted the course. Now… she just wanted to make a connection, that was all, Joyce tried to convince herself as they made plans the next day.
XXX
Today's music left little for someone as old as him to desire, a collection of overpaid untalented artists going over the same emotions time and time again, and yet even he could appreciate a slow song. He recalled seeing a production of Giselle by the Blinnikov World Ballet Corps where despite being soulless, he was moved to tears during the performance. He's already fed tonight, a quick bite before getting on with his plans for the evening.
This was their first official date. It had been so process to get to this event. But Joyce had been too polite to turn his offer to coffee and too lonely to not open up to him. He had given him an impression of an old head on a young body. She clearly had her doubts about even a date with him but had given into his request, nonetheless. He suspected that a date with a younger man which may have included self-doubts and insecurities was still better than some tv dinner she had back home. So, they went to a small club that played live jazz full of professionals a step above the teenaged hormone sponsored The Bronze.
Amidst the dimmed lights, packed house, and soothing vocals of the live bands lead singer, he swayed in the corner with his lady. They had enjoyed their cocktails, the music the band had played. They danced together swaying and twirling with graceful poise to the music. She looked happy and relaxed around his presence which is just what Angelus wanted. Good became better as when the band played a slow song, she did not step away but rather draw him close melting into his arms. Possessively, he cupped the nape of her neck rubbing his thumb across the mark on her throat otherwise hidden by the veil of her loose hair. A soft flush appeared on her cheeks caused by arousal rather than embarrassment. Joyce's older scents filled his senses, the expensive youth-preserving cremes, her classy perfume like a drug in its proximity. Tonight, he had a sense that there was nothing preventing him from indulging himself. The way she looked in his eyes confirmed it.
"Would you… would you like to…" she stuttered unsure and hesitate if she should be saying anything. "Would you like to come back to my house?"
Angelus smiled inwardly. Success but he had to make sure that tonight would be complete. "Your daughter?" Liam the caring, considerate, responsible younger man asked her.
"A late-night study session the one of many I told you about," Joyce explained to him. "Plus, she said she was going to stay over at her friend's Willow's house." Perfection Angelus thought to himself.
XXXX
When the car came to a complete stop, Joyce reached for the door handle. Angelus's hand covered hers. "Let me," he said then exited the car on his side opening her door and helped her out of the car. He takes a moment to admire the long dress she wore which clings to her accentuating curves ripened by maturity and he could tell she liked the fact that he noticed. Joyce felt and enjoyed the appreciative stare. A silly little thrill shot up her spine at the gentlemanly as Liam ever the gentleman asked if he could be invited into her house instead of walking in when she opened the door.
Joyce's eyes fixed on the masculine lines of his mouth, her expression one of growing hunger as she wondered how those lips would feel on hers. Would it be gentle, wild, and insanely hot? But then self-doubt came over her. This was insane! She was like some cradle snatching grey haired Cleopatra even though Liam was in his 20s. She felt utterly ridiculous bedding such a younger man that she pulled back when he moved closer. She stepped away and almost hid herself away from him going to sit on the sofa of the living room.
"I'm sorry but this stupid!" She remarked finally giving into the little voice that had been doing a chorus in her head most the night. "I am far too old for you. There must be someone your own age you must be interested in and if there isn't there most likely will be. This can't happen. I am a mother, and you are closer to my daughter's age than mine."
Angelus saw the flush come over Joyce. He saw the self-doubt in her eyes. Biting back the urge to roll his eyes he instead gave him the best romance he could muster. Worthy of the brooding Angel. "You don't mean that. I can hear it in your voice," Angelus revealed moving to sit down next to her staring into her eyes. "It's what you don't say that tells me all. That little moan. The way your breath catches in your throat. Imperceptible to many, but I hear it." Perks of being a vampire he thought to himself smugly he got to sense all of Joyce's little betrayals. He heard it even now, as her heart thudded in her chest. Lub-dub, lub-dub, lub-dub in an ever-fastening thrill that sent blood coursing through her veins. If there was ever a turn-on for a vampire, it was that.
Joyce still looked unsure, so he moved forward and cupped her face gazing into her eyes. "You are so beautiful," he whispered letting his soft tone seduce her. "Let me show you how beautiful you are."
She looked back at the angelic face before her. Such a handsome and perfect face. He looked at her with such sincerity completely convinced that she would give in to his desires. That confidence drew her closer, held her gaze until she felt connected by it. She should not be listening to this, but the fact that she was not moving away had nothing to do his hands holding hers. Her whole body seemed to be focused on his voice. He was gorgeous, and it was too hard to look away when his attention was so deliberately focused on her. She couldn't help but nod. He leaned forward and kissed her mouth.
His kiss swept her up with its sheer gentility; a tender exploration that left the taste of him on her lips and had her leaning in for more. Beneath the jacket, her palms slipped around his back, just holding on. Fingertips curled along her cheek. Her mouth opened to his. Soft, lingering kisses came one after the other. The wet velvet of his tongue slid across hers. His other arm wound around her, splayed fingers sweeping up and down the curve of her spine in a tantalizing slow caress.
She stood, and taking Liam's hand, led her upstairs to her bed. As soon as the door was closed their lips met, mouths bumping and locking, kisses drawn from each other like breath. Parting her lips, Joyce let Liam's tongue invade her, the sandpaper softness teasing the roof of her mouth. Her hand curled around his neck, pulling him closer, as if she could pull the man into her heart by force. The sheer enthusiasm behind that kiss delighted Angelus. He knew then that Buffy's mother would do justice to his lustful imaginings.
Her skin tingled everywhere he touched. A sultry moan escaped her lips as Joyce felt his fingers flutter against the curve of her breasts before skimming back down to her hips. Just the barest touch and she undulated instinctively against the hard thigh now sliding between hers. For a moment, Joyce Summers forgot everything except the feeling of being in his arms, his cool lips trailing fire along her jaw, fingers electrifying her flesh even through the silk barrier of her dress. There was only his mouth and his hands and the way he felt beneath hers. He was hard and angled, bulky and lean at the same time, certainly in all the right places.
Their clothes were quickly shed in one continuous movement like the shedding of layers of skin. Angelus made a point of throwing his long coat over her window so she might not notice the lack of reflection, but he suspected the single mother would not have even notice such was her passion and interest in his body. He could already smell how much she wanted him as she caressed his skin and kissed him hungrily. Moving on the bed they came together in an embrace, groaning as flushed skin made contact, lips crushing together and parting to allow tongues inside.
Angelus caressed Joyce's cheek with a whispered touch, his knuckles drifting gently across the curve of her face. Such a soft sensation from that powerful hand as it reached out in admiration of her beauty. Turning her face towards his touch, she momentarily closed her eyes at the simple pleasure it evoked.
"Don't shut me out," he insisted that she keep them open. "Those eyes are too expressive to be hidden. Let me see them, Joyce. Turn them on me." He wanted her to feel every pit of this. To be consumed and addicted to him. That would make this all the sweeter.
Her lashes flickered open to reveal her hungry gaze. So, he wanted her eyes on him? No problem. She could look into his forever. Those midnight eyes staring back at her and the way his mouth curled into a sensual smile made Joyce heave a heady sigh of longing. Looking just wasn't enough; she needed to touch him too. Running a hands down his shoulders and firm chest. She noted the coldness of his skin but then again, he did say he had a cold body temperature. Her breasts ached for his touch and as if she had begged him, Liam's hands lifted up to wrap around her firm mounds. Letting out a loud moan, Joyce felt rather than saw his mouth kiss its way down her neck toward her tender breasts. He kissed her breasts giving them the attention they deserved as she arched her back up moaning at his actions. When his mouth closed over one nipple and slightly bit her Joyce let out a cry of pleasure Angelus had fight back a chuckle. The slayer's mother liked the rough stuff he decided as she had a fist full of his short hair as she clutched him to her.
His lowered his hands down and felt the hot clench of her tight passage, his fingers sliding in and out spreading her creamy arousal. She was beyond ready he smirked to himself as he felt the woman press her sex against his thigh. Gladly obliging, he move his hand away he adjusted himself until his cock was rubbing against her pussy. Staring at her eyes he pushed himself inside her.
Her body gripped him snuggly, deeply and the heat nearly caused him to lose it right then and there. Angelus held himself still for a minute, enjoying the sensation while getting himself under control. Couldn't risk vamping out at her now no matter how entertaining her shocked expression maybe. Her heat warmed him. The thrum of her pulse beat its pleasure in his ears. Angelus wanted to bathe in her blood but kept his need to murder under wraps. This would be so much more glorious.
Moaning into Liam's ear, wrapping her arms around his neck, she panted hot air against his skin. Her head nuzzled into his shoulder as he held her close, thrusting deeply into her slick passage. God he was so good at this. It was hard to say anything coherent at all. Every thrust brought another 'ahh' to her lips or some other sexy moan that caused him to grunt his approval and fuck her even more vigorously.
His body banged into hers almost painfully, but Joyce didn't want him to stop. She screamed as she came, clutching his muscular ass with both hands and grinding into him. The intensity of her orgasm was like nothing experienced during her late night, under-the-cover masturbation sessions. God, she wanted to keep this man forever. Kissing him again she rolled them over pushing him on his back causing him to chuckle a little. A saucy smile played along Joyce's gloss-smudged lips still swollen and flushed from Liam's hungry parting kiss as she looked down at him. Those large skilful hands touching her in all the right places; his hard male body pressed to hers; the kisses that drove her wild she wanted to finish him off grasping his hard cock she slid down on him.
The thrill of seeing Buffy's mother let loose and go wild. If only her daughter could see her now. Joyce hands smoothed over his chest, pressing down as she worked her body closer to that distant peak she had to reach. Beneath her, Liam's lusty growls sounded in her ears. His hands wandered everywhere, finally settling back on her breasts and teasing her swollen nipples. Damn, he wanted to bite her. Sink his fangs in that throat arched so unconsciously toward him. Later, Angelus ordered himself to control that need. He wanted to wait. He needed more of this tight body with its lush curves and shining golden hair.
They clashed their mouths as their bodies pushed and pulled against each other. One of his hands left her breast to slide around her body, cupping the firm curve of her ass. She felt so full of him, his body stretching hers holding him deep inside her hot, slick walls. Cumming hard again she bent back baring her breasts to the world as she cried out. Feeling her tighten around him again pushed him over the edge and he came hard inside her. He looked deep in her eyes and saw what he had been hoping for… love.
XXXX
Morning hinted at the horizon but shielded by Joyce's curtains. Liam had mentioned that he had a sick condition that required him to avoid direct sunlight, so she had kept them close when she had gotten up this morning. Liam lay sleeping in the centre of it with a contented smile upon his handsome face. Washing herself clean from last night Joyce couldn't help but smile as she recalled her night with Liam. Wild and exciting to the extreme that her stomach was doing flip flops.
She came out of the bathroom into her bedroom towelling her freshly washed hair finding him there simply watching her. His handsome face and sharp eyes all focused on her.
As she approached the bed Joyce dropped the towel on the floor and crawled up on the bed to place a soft smooch on his mouth. "Hello again," Joyce sighed across his skin barely able to keep her hands off him. She felt deliciously shaken, sated, and feminine. She felt like a new woman, a distant relative of that sad, lonely person she had been previously.
They had simply started out kissing again, but then both wanted more sadly her growling stomach caused her to pull away. "I need to grab something to eat," she said with a reluctant sigh on her lips. "Want me to cook you something?"
He would prefer her blood than her cooking Angelus mused to himself. "Nah I'm good," 'Liam smiled to his lover. "I'll just stay here."
"Lazy bones," Joyce mocked as she got back off the bed and put on her bathrobe. "Fine then you can catch up on your beauty sleep."
"Think I need it?" His eyebrows quirked upward in response.
Joyce's gaze wandered down the bare column of his muscular chest and abdomen to return to his face. Laughingly, she said, "I wouldn't want to wear you out." She said with a wink. Opening the door, she was startled to see Buffy standing at the door.
"Buffy!" Joyce said full of surprise gripping her robe to her body tightly. "I… um… I thought you would be staying over at Willow's?"
"I was and I did," Buffy told her. Behind Joyce out of Buffy's view Angelus smirked at her short response. She may have not noticed him yet, but she was very aware that her mother had some form of company and was none too pleased with it. He had kept Joyce busy all night very aware they would then sleep in to be discovered by the one and only slayer.
Clearing her throat and trying to be the adult in the room Joyce spoke up. "Buffy this isn't the way I wanted you to find out. But perhaps we should go down and discuss this."
"Discuss this?!" Buffy fired back at her. "Discuss what you hooking up with some random guy!" Ohh Buffy was on a roll! All the times her mother had grounded her or gotten on her case about chasing boys and here was bedding men in their house! It was unbelievable! Who the hell was this guy her mother was with? Buffy wondered fuming as she glanced past her awkward looking mother.
Please God, let it be a hoax. Her mind's idea of a joke.
Her mom and Angel. It couldn't be true. She wouldn't. He wouldn't... Fuck her mother.
There he was the man she loved more than life, but it wasn't him. His body but not his soul in control. Angelus there smirking back at her. In her mother's bed with the air of sex in the room. My god this was some sick nightmare. Buffy could barely remember to breathe, barely remind her heart to keep beating. This was sick.
Angelus looked on as Joyce awkwardly tried to explain who he was and what had happened, but he suspected the slayer hadn't even noticed. The look on Buffy's face was priceless. It was a work of art and everything that Angelus hoped it would be and more.
Pure pain.