This chapter's pretty much all smut, to one level or another. Enjoy!
Chapter 24
Buffy fidgeted, waiting for Sebastian to unlock the door of the rental car for her. She tapped her fingers on her leg where she sat while he rounded the vehicle to get in on the driver's side. Once he had started the car, she fiddled with the radio stations, looking for something to match her mood.
"You're more familiar with them than I, of course. Which cemeteries should we check tonight? Though…do you really want to patrol in your, um, outfit?"
"Hmm? Nah…not really. It's an excuse…sometimes…when I want to get out somewhere else. That's terrible, isn't it?"
"Well, I think that depends on why you're using the excuse. Sometimes, one feels overwhelmed in company, and it gets hard to breathe until you are outside again…"
"Yes! That's it exactly. My friends, I love them dearly, but they're not Slayers, you know? And sometimes I hear the night calling to me…how would I say that to people who live normal lives in daylight?"
"Buffy, people who love you…they don't have to understand everything you tell them, but they want to listen. And there is comfort in someone knowing that you go through things, even if they can't relate in the same way."
"Are you close, with any of the other Knights?"
"A couple. Brothers in arms, is what we've become. We work quickly to make a new member comfortable with the rest of us. Trust is essential – you have to know that you don't have to worry about the man behind your back."
"Yeah, I get that. It would be nice to just be one of many. There was a brief time, when other Slayers had come to town, where it felt nice to have a fellow sister in this, but Kendra died before I really got to know her, and Faith went to the dark side, so…maybe there's some cosmic law about two Slayers occupying the same town. Bad karma, or something. Could we go someplace to continue talking? The car's kinda stuffy." She pouted just a touch, knowing he would cave.
"Alright…we could stop at the diner, or-or back at my suite…or…"
"That sounds fine. The diner's too noisy – too many kids out after a movie."
"O-okay," he said nervously. Buck up, man! It's not like you haven't been alone with her before. Then, the other voice piped up in his head: Yes, but she's never looked like that before when we've been alone! Remember, you're leaving Monday. This is no time to make…entanglements. Sebastian nodded smartly in agreement with that thought, firmly deciding to keep the evening wholly platonic up 'til he dropped her off at home.
Then, Buffy shifted in the seat, revealing more of her lightly tanned thighs…and he felt himself deeply in trouble.
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"Wow, this is way too nice for Sunnydale," Buffy commented, upon walking into Sebastian's room at the B & B. "There has to be a catch. Is it haunted?"
"Not that I know of."
"Run by demons?"
He chuckled. "No. A sweet retired couple owns it. The wife makes a splendid breakfast."
"So, there's nothing weird here?" she asked incredulously.
"Buffy, I've been here since early April. If there were something supernatural in the building, I'd know about it. If it's any comfort, it is on the outskirts of town – possibly not within city limits?"
"That has to be it!" she confirmed, and dropped onto the loveseat in the front room. There was also a writing desk in the corner, and a small table with two chairs, presumably for a couple to have their meal en suite. A sliding door hid the bed and bathroom from her gaze. Buffy started unbuckling her sandals. "Do you mind if I slip off my shoes in here? My feet are a bit sore. Silly me, dancing in new shoes," rolling her eyes at herself. She stretched her legs across the small sofa.
"Would you like something to drink? There's a machine down the hall," Sebastian offered.
"Either water or a soda. If they don't have Diet Coke, then just get me the bottled water…please."
"Of course. I'll only be a minute." Sebastian slipped out the door after making sure he had change in his pockets. He'd never imagined wanting a reprieve from a beautiful woman's presence before, but Buffy was slowly driving him insane. He felt like some randy teenager, and it was just plain embarrassing. She'd done nothing to indicate she wanted him like that, so he really had to get a grip.
Sebastian selected beverages for each of them, then took a moment to steel his mind against any impure thoughts. He was an expertly trained and disciplined soldier. This would only get to him if he allowed it to. He reminded himself of every reason to treat Buffy as any other friend, and went back to his room.
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Spike staked the last vampire a short distance from the crypt.
"They seem a bit keen on attacking you tonight, luv," he said, helping Kara up off the grass. The bulky vamp – now dust – had gotten in a lucky punch that knocked her on her ass.
"Yeah…maybe they missed me? I haven't been patrolling in a while." She dusted off the back of her jeans, grimacing at the grass stains. "Dang it! These are new. Grass stains are not easy to get out. Don't they know it's rude to attack someone in new clothes?"
"Somethin' tells me 'big and smelly' missed the memo, pet. Anyway, why do you think I wear black all the time? It hides all kinds of marks."
"Yeah, yeah…smart ass. I happen to like color. All black is for New Yorkers and Goths – which I am neither. Speaking of colors, I found suede pants last week, like, half off, and they're so pretty. Definitely not patrol wear. I came home with a bunch of stuff…okay, your eyes are glazing over. I'll stop," she said.
"No, go on. I was listenin'."
"Uh huh – what did I say after 'all black is for New Yorkers'?"
"I…I haven't a clue. Sorry, kitten. I'm glad you had fun, though." He opened the crypt door. "After you, sweetheart. What do ya feel up to?"
"Oh! I picked up a movie today. I saw this in the theater, and it just came out on DVD." She pulled the disc case out of her purse and handed it to him.
"'Les Pacte Des Loups'? You want to watch somethin' in bleedin' French!"
"You speak French."
"Yeah, but I hate French people. Especially the bloody Parisians. Never known another country of such stuck up gits…"
"The movie's not like that. Just read the back, and if it still doesn't sound interesting, I'll pick something else."
Well, when she put it that way, he just had to give it a fair shot, didn't he?
"Don't forget the warning under the rating," she advised. Kara noticed the flickers of interest cross his face as he read, and knew he wouldn't say no. It was a mystery flick with elements of horror, and lots of gory fight scenes. If you didn't mind subtitles, it was a pretty cool movie.
"Fine, I'll give it a shot," he sighed.
Kara smiled indulgently. "Thank you."
Spike put the DVD in, grabbed the remote, and flopped down next to her on the sofa, pulling Kara close into his side. She snuggled in, resting her head on his chest. A contented sigh escaped her lips when she'd gotten comfortable. Spike placed a kiss atop her head.
"You goin' to stay awake through this?"
"Maybe. It's two and a half hours, though, and I've already seen it twice. Just carry me to bed, like usual."
"Or, I could just leave you up here and save my back the trouble of getting you down that ladder when you're limp as a rag doll," Spike teased.
"Hey!" she pouted. "I'm not heavy."
"Didn't say you were, pet. Now watch the movie. You wanted it put in."
She scowled and stuck her tongue out at him before turning to the screen. Kara lasted for about an hour before she drifted off to sleep. Spike was into the story by this time, so he continued watching while she dozed on his lap. He absently stroked her long hair, running his fingers through the silky waves. A soft purr vibrated from her throat through his leg, making him smile. He switched to lightly rubbing her back, down over her hip to her thigh, and back up again, and she arched into his touch. On the next pass down, his hand glided over one firm cheek instead of her hip, and Kara rolled to lay face down, her hand now supporting her forehead, instead of her face. Spike slid his hand beneath her tight jeans to caress the smooth skin, and that woke her up.
"Honey, what are you doing?" she asked, her voice muffled.
"Watching the movie."
"I didn't know groping my ass was part of watching a film," she remarked
"It is when you're laying across my lap like this. The view was just too tempting to pass up. You could always flip over, luv," he said with lascivious smirk.
"You have a one track mind," she responded, sitting up. His hand slid out of her jeans.
"You're the one who suggested the movie with hot naked women in it, kitten. Can't expect me not to want you afterwards," he tsked.
"You'd want sex in a blizzard with the flu, Spike. It's not like I have to try hard."
He pulled her onto his lap, her knees straddling his hips. "You want me, too, luv."
"No."
"No?" brow arched in disbelief.
Kara blushed. "Well, not yet. You have 15 minutes left. Watch the end."
"Then I can have my wicked way with you?" he murmured huskily.
"Yep, I promise."
"I can live with that." He picked her up and spun her around to sit down again, only with her back to him this time. He tried to sneak his hand towards her pants button, and she slapped it. It became a game – he'd try to get the button undone before she smacked his fingers away just as quickly.
"Watch the movie! Or no nooky!"
The second the credits started to roll, Kara found herself on her back on the sofa, with a very horny vampire unbuttoning her top. Her "Hey!" was cut off with a moan when he latched on to one lace-covered peak. His fingers teased the other with a feather-light touch, making her ache for skin-to-skin contact. "Spiiiiike…"
"Patience, sweets. So pretty…" His eyes shone with a mix of adoration and lust while he kept up the (blasted) teasing.
"Please, baby…" she pleaded in need.
"What, kitten? Tell me what you want."
Kara pulled his face up to hers for a passionate kiss. "More of you," she huskily whispered. Maybe it was the increase of hormones just starting to make themselves known in her body, but he'd really just barely touched her, yet, and she already felt desperate to have him. Her heart pounded in her chest, not racing, yet, but thumping against her rib cage like a drum. Kara pulled him down again for another kiss, putting her whole body into it to get her point across.
"Bloody hell, Kara!" he gasped, when she took a breath of air. Spike didn't have a second more to think before she was devouring his mouth again, moving under him like she wanted to crawl inside, she couldn't get close enough. She'd never quite kissed him like this before, and it had Spike feeling like he was about to explode before he could even get his jeans unzipped. Though, the way Kara was entwined around him, he couldn't have slid a hand between their bodies, anyway.
The next time she let him go to breathe, Spike placed a finger on her lips to stall her. "Luv…Wha'? I don' understand…" he panted, just as drunk off their passion as she appeared.
"I don't know…I just…felt," she tried to explain.
"Catch your breath for a second, then we'll go down to bed, yeah?"
Kara nodded. "Okay."
His hands gently ran over her arms in a soothing massage. Once her heartbeat wasn't deafening to her ears anymore, Kara moved to sit up, Spike standing and offering her a hand as he started for the lower chamber. He lovingly kissed the palm of the hand she had given him, dazzling her with a smile she was certain only she saw – since the others never saw him that happy. Her free hand caressed his face as she stepped closer.
"So beautiful, my love," she whispered. Now, it was his turn to give her a mind-blowing kiss that left her dizzy. Spike swept her up into his arms and carried her the rest of the way to the trapdoor, dropping deftly to the floor below.
He placed Kara on the bed, then set about lighting more candles than the two he'd left burning earlier. She quickly removed her shoes and clothes, so that when he turned back around, she was only wearing the lace bra and panty set she'd bought with him in mind.
"How did I get this lucky?" he wondered aloud, eyes raking over her form.
"I could say the same thing. Aren't you glad we did?" she asked happily.
"Hell, yeah. I wouldn't trade any of this for all the blood in China," he punned, kicking off his boots before crawling up the bed to join her.
"Isn't that supposed to be tea?" she teased.
"Yeah, but I don't drink tea that often, do I?"
"What about Man U winning the World Cup?"
"Hmmm…nope."
"Front row seats for all your favorite punk bands?"
"Hmm, tough…but still no."
"Umm…Oh! I know! Angel bringing your blood and the newspaper every morning…in a bunny costume."
Spike let out a bark of laughter, almost rolling off the bed in hysterics. "Oh, pet…hee heee…that's a bloody fantastic image…bunny suit! Ha!…Luv, if I ever need to humiliate the Poof, you're in charge of the ideas. That's bloody priceless! I can just imagine it in my head…him lookin' so morose and broody, and not being able to do a damn thing about it." Spike kissed her soundly. "I love you, you evil minx! Love that wicked brain, and that wicked tongue…mmm, which reminds me…You're the only one's had any fun so far."
"Can't have that," Kara coyly replied. "Any ideas for what my 'wicked tongue' should do?"
Spike placed his hands behind his head, arching a brow at her in challenge. He'd undone his jeans for relief after removing his boots, the t-shirt pulled out of the hem, as well. She knew exactly what he wanted, but she wasn't about to give it to him right away. He needed to be wearing less, first, for one thing.
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Sebastian was confused when he re-entered the room, and didn't see Buffy. Then, he heard water from the sink running, and she reappeared a second later.
"Sorry…needed to use your bathroom."
"That's quite alright. It's what it's there for, after all," he replied, shrugging. He handed her the soda, then unscrewed the cap on his water, taking a big sip.
"Must have been some trek in the hallway, if you're that thirsty," Buffy commented.
"Oh, um…"
"Sebastian, I'm teasing. Sit and relax, already." He blushed again, and sat down on one of the chairs at the table. "So, this secret writing thing…how does it work?"
"Well, I already have a solution to that, actually. I have an enchanted mailbox, which we use for correspondence, and I have only to place the addressed letter in the box, and it will arrive at its intended destination. Quite ingenious, really – no chance for postal workers to intercept something, if you catch my meaning. The only fault is that you do not have a means to send something back to me. You could send mail to my house in England, under false names, but I will not be able to reply quickly, unless it is one of the rare times I am actually there. I'm sorry I can't offer an easier way to stay in touch," he said apologetically.
"It's okay. Kinda cool, really – like writing to James Bond. 'My friend the spy', or something," she joked.
He sighed in relief that she was taking it so well, and smiled at her joke. "Thank you for understanding. Is there anything else you'd like to talk about? There isn't much for entertainment, I'm afraid."
"No TV?"
"Oh, there's that. It's in the bedroom, but…"
"Cool. Let's see if there's an old movie playing." Buffy tugged on his hand and pulled him towards the bedroom. Her eyes did a quick scan of the room, before settling on the armoire across from the bed as the likely hiding place of the television. She opened the doors. "Aha! There's always a TV in a hotel room. I wonder if they provide good cable?" She picked up the remote and started flipping through channels, Sebastian standing idly by doing a fish-out-of-water impression. Her impulsiveness was something he was so not used to.
"Buffy, are you sure you want to watch something this late? I still have to drive you home…"
"It's not even 1 AM, Sebastian. Don't tell me you want to go to bed, already. Isn't being a night owl, like, part of your job?"
"Bed! No, no…not ready for that, yet. I just don't want to worry your mother by bringing you home at an unseemly hour."
She looked back over her shoulder with a grin. "You are sooo British. It's cute." She turned back to the TV and continued searching channels for something of interest.
She thinks I'm cute? Is that a good thing? Doesn't matter, mate. LEAVING ON MONDAY. Sebastian took a seat on the end of the bed, feeling helpless about how this evening was going to go. One thing he knew about Buffy – when she took charge of a situation, it was hers to control until she gave that up. It wasn't like he could just drag her out of the room and back home.
"Hey, speaking of James Bond, this will work." She'd found a showing of "Goldeneye".
"Pfft, fantasy rubbish. Real spy work isn't remotely like that," he scoffed.
"That's what makes it a movie. You're just jealous because James Bond is cooler than you."
"I bloody well am not! There is nothing 'cool' about causing wanton destruction of both property and women's virtues."
"I don't see the women complaining. Even Money Penny's hot for him, and she's totally smart. You're just being a fuddy-duddy because you don't get to drive the cool cars."
"I am not a fuddy-duddy! And I'll have you know I own an Aston Martin, thank you very much."
"Fuddy. Duddy!" He was so easy to tease, she just couldn't help it. It was so much fun to see him get all flustered.
"Take it back!" he warned, posing his fingers to tickle her sides.
"Uh unh!" She replied, grinning as she shook her head.
"Last warning…say I'm not a fuddy-duddy…"
Buffy leaned in close, catching his eyes, and grinned mischievously. "No," she enunciated. This was followed by a squeal as he attacked her ribs. She laughed and shrieked, trying to squirm away, but he was leaning on her legs.
"I did warn you, Buffy, dear," he smirked. "Do you give?"
"Never!" she cried, and started wiggling her own fingers on his sides. His muscles danced and twitched under her torturing digits, but he didn't move enough to let her take the advantage. Finally, when she was so breathless from laughing that her throat was dry, she moved her hands away, holding then above her head in surrender. "I give! I give up! I can't…breathe…" Buffy gasped.
"I accept your surrender," Sebastian replied magnanimously. "Are there any terms?" His blue eyes danced with the light of his good mood. He hadn't had this much fun in he couldn't even remember.
"One," she whispered.
"Oh?" he asked curiously, tilting his head. She nodded, and crooked her finger in a gesture for him to lean closer.
Buffy had thought to whisper something funny in his ear, right up to the moment when his face was brushing against hers as he brought his ear closer to her mouth. Instead, she giggled, and sucked the lobe between her teeth and nibbled on the edge; so quick, he wasn't completely sure what had happened, only that a jolt of pleasure had shot through his body, and this little blonde was the source of it.
"Buffy…" he replied, not even intending the need that sounded with the word. Sebastian pulled back far enough to scan her whole face, unsure what to do next. "What are you doing?" he whispered.
She didn't really know, and didn't really want to think about it, so she acted, instead. Buffy leaned up and captured his lips in a tentative, gentle kiss. He moaned into her mouth, causing a grin of feminine pride to cross her lips as she deepened the kiss, encouraged by his not pulling away. He tasted good, and his lips were so soft, surprisingly soft, for a soldier. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, one hand playing in the hair at the nape of his neck.
Actually kissing her was better than he had dreamed. She had deepened the kiss to being beyond tentative, then held it there, seemingly waiting for him to decide where he would take it. Sebastian's confidence renewed once he got over the initial shock of having her lips on his own, and he started to actively kiss her back, sliding an arm under the small of her back to hold her closer. She was so warm and sweet in his arms. He firmly thought he could die happy right here, making out with the woman he had become so fond of, and he didn't care in this moment if they went any farther than this, either. It was just perfect, right now.
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Spike pulled the covers higher over Kara's soundly sleeping form. Even though it was summer, the lower level still got chilly at night, for a human, since it was underground. He smoothly slid out of bed and walked over to his coat, extracting the small item from the inner breast pocket. He looked at it, debating when to put it to use, and decided to place it in the drawer in the nightstand on his side of the bed. He'd figure it out later.
Spike tugged his jeans back on and silently climbed the ladder, needing a snack before bed. He warmed a mug of blood in the microwave, taking it out just before the timer would ding, and drank it down. He spotted Kara's bag on the coffee table and picked it up, knowing how particular she was about leaving it in the open. Not that he had thieves trying to break in all the time, but if it gave her peace of mind, he could drop the bag by the bed when he went back down. Spike realized what he was doing, and chuckled at himself. He really was whipped…but even in the midst of their worst fight ever, it was still better than being alone and miserable.
For the first time in his life, and unlife, he belonged – to someone, and somewhere. It was all he had ever really wanted, looked for – to be accepted. If that meant he had to stay on the side of the white hats, well, he could live with that. Hell, even his demon wasn't complaining. He had all the violence he could ask for, an amazing sex life, and the unconditional love of a good woman. What more could he want?
Well, Spike wanted a little more. He wanted the world to know Kara was his, and his alone. It had been building in him since New Year's, at least – no, since he'd given her his mother's opal ring back in September. It had been a promise for things to come, not that he'd specifically said that out loud. She wore it practically every day, though. And he had waited, as patiently as he was able, for her to stop holding back – and god, had she amazed him when she did, on Christmas. It was a gift he'd never forget receiving, and his demon had been nudging him to claim her ever since.
And he'd finally done it, but his impulsiveness, his impatience, and lust had chosen the wrong time, for her at least…and he was pretty sure he understood where she was coming from now. There was only so much female logic he would be able to grasp, not being one. So now, they had half a bond, and while it was reassuring to feel her there all the time, know that she was safe, it also felt incomplete. He wanted to bring the issue up properly, but that little voice that still spoke the insecurities he'd held for a century and a half wondered if she would be ready yet, or delay them still, not finding him worthy of breaching all of her defenses.
Well…he either had to buck up and take the chance, or be willing to be happy with settling for where they were now. Those were just the only choices he could make, because he definitely couldn't let her go.
Spike rinsed out the mug and went back to bed, pulling Kara close, and hoping his mind would quiet enough to let him sleep.
