Buffy shook her head as she leaned against the grocery cart, endlessly amused at the three boys' antics already, mere minutes into their arrival. This little trip she was invited to come along for was supposed to be a final last minute shopping trip to get a few extra items for the weekend and having been offered to add anything she might want that wasn't already planned but the way the cart was filling up she wasn't so sure they weren't preparing for the end of the world or something along those lines.
She wasn't even sure there would be anything left in the store, at least the snack sections, before they got out of here.
Those familiar butterflies swarmed when he came up behind her, arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her closer to say something she couldn't even focus on to make the words out let alone form a response right then. The extra pairs of eyes of Wes and Lindsey didn't escape her though. Or of the little girl not following behind her mother to stop and stare at the little scene.
By the time they got through the store, the cart was close to overflooding, she had finally started insisting on a couple counter measures of healthier foods to all the junk they had piled up on and had questioned them twice now if they were sure there was even actual cooking they participated in and not just throwing out dozens of bags of chips and jerky out on a table and calling it even.
"You're all making me wonder if you should be trusted out in the world on your own right about now."
Lindsey tossed a bite size reese's her way, which Angel easily caught, all the while sticking his tongue out at her, "Hey now, none of that responsibility business this weekend woman," he laughed, completely ignoring the daggers being shot his way.
Feeling Angel come back up behind her she relaxed against him once again, then tried to hide the blush she felt at the curious glances Wes kept throwing over his shoulder. Lindsey was a little more subtle with his interest, or maybe she was just getting used to it, she wasn't sure, but either way she tried to ignore the swarm of butterflies inside her and just enjoy the moment.
OoOoO
At some point Angel had convinced her to tag along with the lot of them back to his house while they got everything unloaded. In all honesty it hadn't taken very much convincing on his part, after all the time they'd spent together, all the nights on her couch, his house was still a mystery, one that she had very much been itching to explore. He hadn't lied, well not exactly, as they pulled up the cement wasn't lined with gold, but he did have a gated driveway.
He really had tried to be patient and wait until Thursday to have her over, but it all just lined up too perfectly to ignore. Not sure why he was so damned nervous, he tried to gage her reaction as they slowly made their way up the drive, and then as he nearly jumped from the driver's seat to show her in and give her a quick tour. Never more thankful for all the lights in Los Angeles as there was no sight of Lindsey or Wes just yet.
He very rarely had anyone over to his home other than the guys, hardly anyone had ever stepped foot in the place. Even Darla had only been over a handful of times over the years, much to her dismay he would usually just go meet up at her place or some swanky hotel she insisted on. With the office he had to share so much of himself that he liked to think of this place as his one and only refuge from all the bullshit outside.
He raised a brow as he watched her explore. "What are you doing?" he finally asked when she swung open the door of one of the storage closets just off the living room.
"Oh you know," she grinned and shot him a wink, then sheepishly added "Just looking for the usual...bowling alleys, basketball courts, gold rimmed toilet seats," she trailed off.
The last made him actually laugh out loud, linking his fingers back with hers he set about giving her a proper tour, all the while letting her pull away and tease him while she double checked all the closets.
"See," he whispered against her ear as he guided them towards the master which he'd purposely saved for last. "Nothing special."
Whatever she'd been about to spout off in reply died on her lips as they stepped into what was no doubt his bedroom. Looking around she tried to take it all in as every single thing about it seemed to scream his name from the glass burning fireplace, to the small desk with art supplies tucked off in the corner, to the giant four poster bed in the middle of the room. Her eyes went wide as she spun in his arms, "Um your bed is freaking amazing," she gushed, then, "Seriously, this room would make Joanna green with envy."
"Joanna?" he repeated confused, then smirked as he noticed her realizing the bed was nearly as tall as her. "Here," he whispered, lifting her up and turning her around to sit on top of the dark comforter.
That same feeling she'd experienced back at Disney was suddenly there all over again. It was like they had stepped into some sort of tunnel, everything in her peripheral vision faded to gray, while the rest of her senses seemed to shift into some sort of hyper gear as he came to stand in the small space between her thighs. She felt his thumbs slip beneath the fabric of her blouse to gently graze her sides, not even remembering how it came to be, she found her arms back around him, her fingers softly scratching at the small hairs of his nape. It seemed as though her throat went dry, incapable of producing sound, and her mouth watered all at once.
Pulling her closer, Angel swallowed hard as he watched her tongue slip out to moisten her perfectly pink lips. Letting his eyes fall closed, he dipped his head until he felt her nose brush up against his own. Her breath was coming out in the softest little pants against his mouth, leaning further he could almost feel her against him.
"Honey we're home," Lindsey shouted as he kicked open the door, his hands full of bags, all the while wondering just where in the hell the two of them ran off too in such a hurry.
Everything seemed to snap back into place all at once as reality settled back around them. Except unlike the last time Angel wasn't nearly as quick to pull away, and she could almost swear she heard him nearly growl something under his breath.
Releasing a long breath, he leaned back just enough to move a few stray strands of hair back behind her ear. Then in just about the sweetest move she'd ever experienced he leaned back down and pressed his lips to her cheek before whispering that he was pretty sure Lindsey held the record somewhere for the worst timing in history.
OoOoO
Somehow she had managed to regain her senses and actually help get things put away as best she could while the guys did all the heavy lifting and carried everything inside. She had to admit she still felt a bit floaty though, and she just knew there was no hiding the pink tinting her cheeks, though for once it wasn't from embarrassment.
He had done his best to give Lindsey every glare and go to hell look he could muster as they walked back and forth from the car. Not that it seemed to be doing much good, nearly as soon as he spotted the two of them appearing from the bedroom he'd been wearing the same shit eating grin. Though thankfully he'd kept any comments to himself for the time being, but knowing Lindsey as he did he was sure it was just a matter of time before the jabs started.
"So we still on for a little pre-game tomorrow night," Lindsey asked as he rather carelessly tossed the bags of chips and a few of the other snacks they had each chosen into the pantry.
"Pre-game?" Buffy asked, sharing a look with Angel as she went behind Lindsey to try and organize the pile of diabetes he'd made.
"Not if you expect me to clean up after you all damn weekend," Angel grumbled as he twisted the top of the beer Wes handed him.
"Please," Lindsey made a point of rolling his eyes, "We all know you love havin' my ass around."
"Uh huh. Sure," Angel grumbled before turning his attention back to her, following behind he waved a hand at the mess she was trying to sort through and began trying to tell her she really didn't need to bother with it given it would probably end up looking exactly the same soon enough.
Feeling her heart rate increase by his nearing proximity as images from earlier once again found their way to the forefront of her mind, it took all she had to clear her throat and keep her voice even as she waved him off, saying it wasn't a big deal. For one, everything about the damn man seemed to always be all nice and put in order so it didn't seem right to leave things looking like a disaster. Especially since she was sure if they did just leave it as is, once everyone had left he would just be in here after they'd all gone home doing the exact same thing. Saving any sort of trouble for him after everything he'd done and planned on doing for her only seemed fitting. Then on the other hand it was something to do to keep herself busy, her mind - somewhat, at least - on something other than the nerves and excitement bubbling up inside of her about these "almost" moments as of late and any future ones she hoped were still to come.
OoOoO
Buffy wasn't entirely sure how she wound up cuddled up on Angel's lap in what she was sure was the most comfortable chair on the planet but she wasn't complaining about it either. After stretching to put her barely touched drink back down on the small table next to them, she relaxed back against his body, her fingers linking back up with his now that her hand was free again.
As the boys all sat around shooting the shit with one another, she found herself more and more interested in her surroundings as she took a second, harder look around the place - at least from where she remained curled up. Every single item in here seemed so perfectly matched to him from the furniture to the artwork hanging on the walls, appliances down to any decorative piece on a shelf, and while everything was absolutely stunning, she couldn't help but feel it reflected him in other ways too. There was a coldness to the beautiful house, too, a sort of lonely feeling that came through amongst all the empty space and perfect setups.
Just as she felt a tug on her heartstrings, lost in imagining him coming home on the daily and being alone in this huge house, she heard Wes announcing that he should probably be heading home if he was going to be of any use whatsoever come tomorrow.
"I did have plans to get home after work and make sure I wasn't packing last minute," she half giggled, half yawned.
"Eh, you got time still."
"Not tonight though," she said after another yawn took her over. She was sure she should take a cue from Wes and excuse herself for the evening as well but between her already wanting nothing to do with leaving where she was and the look Angel gave her that felt like a silent plea for her to stay that just wasn't happening.
OoOoO
Earning a raised eyebrow from Lindsey, Angel tried to stand up as carefully as he could without jostling the sleeping beauty in his arms too much.
"You need me to move?" Angel glanced over at Lindsey all sprawled out on the sofa and shook his head which earned him a hearty laugh. "You do know she's gotta go in tomorrow right?"
"Do you remember that you have to?" he shot back, hearing another bottle being cracked open as he moved past. Angel rolled his eyes as Lindsey made some comment about a walk of shame and again any laughter and comments coming from him as Linds apparently hopped up from his perch to take note of exactly what he was doing with the pretty blonde.
After getting Buffy settled in the middle of his bed, he sat the shoes that he'd slipped off of her down and placed her phone on his nightstand. Hearing his name barely a whisper, his head turned back to Buffy, his eyes linking with hers but only for a moment before she seemed to drift back into dreamland again.
With great reluctance he pulled himself away, grabbing a pair of pajama bottoms along the way, Angel headed for his bathroom to quickly wash up and change.
OoOoO
Buffy felt like she was inside a giant, white, fluffy cloud. Everything was just soft and warm and peaceful, and she really wished she could continue in this weird state of peace but try as she might to ignore it or fight it away, the urge to pee was obviously just not going anywhere. Groaning as the edges of reality kept clawing at her, her eyes popped opened as the last thing she remembered came rushing back and it took all but a second to realize where she was.
Heart thundering in her chest, she sat up and let her eyes adjust a bit better to the room, and found herself disappointed to not find Angel anywhere near.
Forcing herself to crawl out from under the warmness and to carefully get down from the giant bed, Buffy padded her way to the master bathroom she really hadn't gotten much of a chance to do more than steal a quick look at earlier. She didn't care one bit how awkward it might be, she knew at some point during her upcoming stay she was going to be asking him about using his fancy ass shower at some point, and what had to be the largest bathtub she had ever seen in her life. Making a mental note to pack along her favorite bubble bath and soaking salts, she couldn't help herself as she nosed her way around, her fingers lightly dancing over the random objects and bottles and other containers around the sink, peeking inside the medicine cabinet and supplies closet.
Once she had her fill snooping around in there, she walked back out into the bedroom then peeked her head out into the hallway. Not hearing or seeing anything, she debated for just a moment before flipping the light switch on and getting another, better look around his room as well.
OoOoO
Being as quiet as she could, Buffy didn't have to look far before she found Angel just a short ways down the same hallway in one of the guest bedrooms. Looking inside the already opened doorway, her eyes immediately found him, and she nearly choked herself sucking in a breath a little too quickly. The moonlight streaming in seemed to fall perfectly on his form, which happened to be half nude, and that certainly didn't escape her any.
Buffy's eyes happily drank in the image before her, her fingers itching to just go over there and touch him, to explore the surprising tattoo she could partially make out from where she stood better. Before she could convince herself otherwise she felt her feet quietly tiptoeing across the plush carpet then carefully lifting the corner of the heavy duvet so she could slip underneath.
Ever the light sleeper, his eyes immediately popped open the second he felt the mattress shifting beside. For just a second her eyes went wide and she looked like she wanted to flee, but within a breath his arms were around her, his own frame curling around her in the most perfect of ways.
"I didn't know where you were," she whispered, linking their fingers together around her waist.
He felt his heart swell, and held her just a little tighter, "Sleep," he told her softly, "I'm right here."
As much as she wanted to stay awake and just relish in the feel of him against her, she felt her eyes closing as consciousness started slowly fading away.
OoOoO
Try as he might he just couldn't get his mind to shut back down after she crawled in bed with him. Even though they had slept a number of times curled up on her couch there was something about having her in bed next to him that made the act seem so much more intimate. Plus he couldn't seem to get past the fact that even sleeping she was the most beautiful creature he'd ever laid eyes on either.
The way her lips parted just slightly once she drifted off, the soft murmurs that kept escaping her, how she fit so perfectly against him, he was utterly captivated. At some point he had come to the conclusion that he was done with whatever game of back and forth they had been playing these last several weeks. He still wasn't a hundred percent certain where she stood, but one of his many talents was reading people and he knew that whatever was going on between them he wasn't the only one feeling it.
He must have lost track of time, having got lost in one of the many fantasies his mind kept playing through the night because before he knew it Lindsey was flipping the switch on the wall, bathing the room in a most unwelcome light. Instinctively his eyes squeezed shut just as he felt Buffy starting to squirm against him.
"Rise and shine, Princess," Lindsey grinned at the two of them. He'd still been awake when Angel went and turned in for the night in the guest room, a part of him had wondered just how long that would last though, so he hadn't been too surprised when he went to wake her up and found the massive bed empty.
Buffy grumbled something under her breath about the time then turned around to bury her face against his chest. Angel, having been barely able to understand her glanced at the clock, then groaned himself noting the time, "It's not even five am."
"Exactly," Lindsey smirked. "Should give us plenty of time for me to drop her off so she has time to get ready before heading to the office."
Angel squinted, "She can ride with me, you don't have to worry about it."
Lindsey's head shook from side to side, "Uh no, I need her in the office before noon. Unlike you, we, " he pointed to himself and then to Buffy, "Actually have shit to get done today."
He had been just about to argue, and tell Lindsey just how things were about to go when she spoke up. "He's right," she sighed, her breath puffing against his neck. "Especially if you don't want us bringing anything here to work on this weekend."
Lindsey waved his hand through the air at the two of them, "You got twenty minutes," he warned, "If you're not up in ten don't think I won't come drag you're little ass out that damn bed either."
It was an idle threat, but that didn't mean he wouldn't fucking try if they tried to pull some slick shit.
OoOoO
"You really don't have to go with him," Angel told her once Lindsey had disappeared back down the hall.
Her hands seemed to have a mind of their own wandering down his arms, across his stomach and back up his chest completely fascinated with all these brand new parts of him, finally her fingers came to rest around his neck. "Mmm," she groaned, "Unfortunately he's right, I really really do."
Not only was Lindsey right about what all they had to get done before the day's end, she knew better than to trust herself alone with Angel in the position she currently found herself in for too long. He was far too warm, too comfortable, and way too close. Now that the night had past she felt more than a little embarrassed about seeking him out in the middle of it. Clearly he hadn't been comfortable sleeping with her in the first place, otherwise why would he have just left her in his room.
Angel could almost feel those wheels starting to turn behind those pretty green eyes now that all signs of sleep had faded. Not wanting to let her get too carried away inside her own head, he gently nudged her to look up his way, though whatever he'd been about to say lodged somewhere in the back of his throat once he was able to fully drink her in.
Her eyes fluttered closed and he used that moment to tangle his own hand in her hair, he'd probably thought about how this would play out a hundred times last night, and despite all those fantasies, not one of them came close to comparing to the reality before him.
His nose nudged against hers, he could feel her warm breath tickling his lips, whispering her name, he tried to give her one last chance to back out of what was about to happen, but much to his satisfaction he just felt her tighten her hold around him. Not able to deny the invisible pull between them for another second, he shifted his weight to pull her beneath him just as he finally dared to brush his lips against her own.
Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion, the way he rolled her beneath his strong frame, the way he settled so perfectly above her, the soft sigh that escaped her, and the way the kiss itself seemed to deepen afterwards. It couldn't have been more than mere seconds, but she would almost swear a whole lifetime felt like it had slipped inside that time. It almost scared her how perfect he felt, how much she didn't want him to ever stop, and how daunting the day ahead suddenly felt.
When he finally forced himself to pull away, he couldn't help but grin at the blush creeping over her cheeks. Not trusting anything that may come out of her mouth just then, she simply giggled then pulled him back down to her.
All of his anxiety seemed to dissipate when she reached for him again, and he still couldn't seem to get over how fucking perfect she felt, almost like she had been created just for him.
When they broke apart a second time, he wasted no time creating a warm trail down her neck, stopping for a second to lavish the spot just below her earlobe, drawing his name out in a breathy whisper from her lips once more in what was without question the sexiest fucking sound he was sure he'd heard in his life up to this point and that he knew he would never get enough of. Once Angel had reached the curve leading toward her shoulder, he shifted his head over to the other side of her neck to give similar treatment, slowly creeping his way back up the soft flesh.
OoOoO
As their ten minutes of peace and quiet seemed to both diminish in a flash and a lifetime all at the same time, Angel muttered out loud possible musings about making a few quick phone calls and just having some sort of mass notification sent out for no one to bother coming in to the office today, earning another giggle from the warm body beneath him.
Buffy agreed that while it sounded like an amazing idea, but still she gave out too many words of reason about everything they did actually need to get to today, about everything waiting at the office for them.
Shooting back to her how utterly dreadful it still seemed to leave the comforts of the bed, she smiled and reminded him the quicker they got through the next hours, as long as they seemed, the quicker they could start the weekend.
"Mmhmm," he mumbled, feeling her fingers tangling back in his hair just before tugging him back down, the world seeming to slip away as his mouth slanted across hers. "You sure you still want to stay?" he couldn't seem to help but ask as a burst of anxiety rammed right into him. "I mean... that this... is okay?" he stumbled.
"Mmm, preferred," she corrected with another slow smile his way.
OoOoO
"Would you fuck off?" Angel practically growled, more than a little tempted to reach a hand out, grab whatever he could find, and chuck it at Lindsey's face. "Just go to the damn car and I'll bring her out in a minute."
Lindsey's grin only grew wider, staring at the two of them in their latest position before holding his wrist up, pointing a finger at his watch. "We're already running five, no, now we're at six minutes behind here!"
Buffy buried her face more in Angel's chest as they had a little bout of back and forth bickering before Lindsey let out one last threat about timing then slowly disappeared out of the doorframe. Letting out a heavy sigh, Angel did his best to come to terms with whatever was going on here was going to have to be put on pause for at least the next several hours.
It had taken just about everything he had to get out of bed in the first place, pulling her right back to him then maneuvering about the room and across the hallway with her legs wrapped around his waist, their lips barely taking the time to part from one another as they stopped to pause against this wall and that, making their way from the guest room he'd taken to last night to the master to grab up her belongings left behind. He wasn't sure how he was going to deal with the next few hours, both of their mornings seemed to be packed full so he doubted he would even see her until lunch rolled around.
OoOoO
Making their way back downstairs had mirrored the short trip across the hall from earlier, Angel carrying her the entire way, pausing every so often to get lost in one another all the same. Finding herself pinned between him and the heavy front door and with the way he was suddenly looking at her made her wonder if Lindsey out in the driveway could even hear how loud her heart seemed to be pounding inside her chest.
She became only more convinced of such when Angel's hand came out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear before asking her to come stay with him tonight rather than wait until tomorrow to come back over as had previously been discussed. Seeming to take her pause before answering as hesitation, Angel quickly added there was a good chance Lindsey would be around early as well and Wes would be showing up first thing in the morning, when really she was just lost in a number of sudden flashes of images of what she could do with that extra time and all these new lines being crossed.
"I-I still have to go home and finish packing after work, but then I could," she rushed out in what felt like one giant breath.
"I think I could deal with that," he smiled just before leaning back into her... just as a series of loud honks came from outside.
OoOoO
Buffy was sure she was bright as a tomato as Angel lowered her into the passenger side of Lindsey's car, and somehow things got even worse when they were driving off, now alone with Lindsey and having what had even happened with Angel this morning come slamming into her all at once.
"This weekend sure got a lot more exciting now didn't it?" Lindsey smirked, shooting her a wink before all the laughter and excitement and everything else seemed to come bubbling out, a hand slapping over her mouth as she tried to not completely lose it.
OoOoO
Even after she got home, still managed to get in a quick shower, and was wiping steam off of the mirror, Buffy was using her other hand to fan at her face as another rush of feelings came riding its way through. "You need to get it together, girl," she whispered out loud to herself, shaking her head.
That was a lot easier said than done however. Her heart seemed to thunder in her chest even thinking about Angel, otherwise completely blanking and just filling up with him... she could close her eyes and swear she could still taste him, remember how how he felt perched so perfectly on top of her, between her thighs, how his skin felt against the palms of her hands...
"God, you're so fucking doomed," Buffy laughed at herself.
ButImBroken:
This story is collaboration with Scribes1015!