William awoke. He was back in his room at the hotel. In their suite. The curtains were drawn. The room was in darkness except for the small light on the side table.

William groaned as he sat up.

How did I get back here? he wondered.

The last thing he remembered, he was at the strip club.

How long had it been? He had no idea. And there was no clock to tell him of the time.

William fumbled for the light switch in the dark. He found it and clicked it on. And saw the black dress Buffy was wearing last night. Carefully laid out on the bed.

Then his ears picked up the sound of the shower. It was running.

Buffy, he thought. She's back.

Williams stared at the dress. The little black dress Buffy had worn last night. Showing off plenty of her golden cleavage and succulent thigh. Not to mention her slim hips and hourglass physique. His wife had never looked more stunning than she had last night. More sensational.

William found himself wondering. Had the billionaire made his wife take it off? Slowly? For his viewing pleasure? Or had he given himself the privilege of taking it off her? Or perhaps….

Perhaps Xander had fucked Buffy while she was still wearing the dress, William thought.

"Jesus," William muttered.

Now, his eyes fell to his wife's stylish high heels. Which were scattered on the floor. They had been kicked off. Seemingly in haste. Had she left her high heels on last night? While the billionaire fucked her? Had she worn them all night?

William shut his eyes.

Stop, he told himself. Stop.

William found his heart hammering in his chest. He found himself afraid. Of facing her. Of what would come next. For them.

Suddenly, William heard the sound from the shower stop. A moment later, the bathroom door open. And she stepped out. Wearing a bathrobe. A towel wrapped around her head.

Buffy looked pale, William thought. And tired.

He just stared at each her. And she at him.

"Hi," she said. Softly. Her voice slightly hoarse.

Say something, he thought. Anything.

"Hi," he said.

A moment passed. She stepped forward now. Gingerly. And made her way to the sofa.

"You're awake," Buffy said. Carefully plopping herself down, she began drying her hair with the towel.

"Yeah," he said.

"When did you get back?" he asked.

"A while ago," she replied. Softly. "I didn't wanna disturb you."

"Right," William said. "Right."

"Took a shower," she added. Lamely.

"Yeah," he said.

William could sense it. Things were tense between them. Different. Awkward.

"So…" Buffy began. She leaned forward a little. "I was thinking we could do something…."

But William cut her off.

"What happened last night?" he asked.

Buffy hesitated. He saw something in her eyes. Something like dread.

"You… you don't remember?" she asked.

William flinched. Of course he remembered. How could he forget.

"Last night," William said. Through gritted teeth. "With him."

Now, his wife looked downright shocked.

"Why…why on earth would you ask me that, Will?" Buffy asked.

William looked away.

"I just…" he began. "I'm just trying to…understand how things went. For you."

"They went fine," Buffy replied. Folding her arms across herself. She looked uncomfortable now. "Xander was…"

Now, she took a deep breath.

"What?" William asked.

"A perfect gentleman," Buffy said.

William took a moment to let that sink in.

"So you slept with him," William said. Flatly.

Buffy now shot him a look. As if he was insane.

"That was the deal Will," Buffy said. Her voice now dropped to a whisper. "Yes, I slept with him. For $25 million. As we both agreed."

William shut his eyes. He knew what had happened. Of course he did. But hearing Buffy say it out loud made it different somehow. Made it real.

William couldn't stop himself. He'd blurted the question out on impulse.

"How many times?" William asked.

He opened his eyes. To see Buffy looking flabbergasted. His wife raised herself from the sofa.

"Why are we talking about this, Will?" Buffy asked.

Her eyes were wide. Her voice was soft. She approached the bed slowly. Then sat on the edge of it. She was treating him as if he were a wild animal she was trying not to spook.

"It happened, okay?" Buffy said. "We both agreed. One night. For the money. Let's just leave it in the past. And move on."

William couldn't look at her.

"I just," he began. "I just need to talk about it? Okay? Just for a bit. Please."

"Why?" Buffy asked. She sounded exasperated now. "What good can it do?"

"I just… I just need to know," William said. "So I can move past it. Please."

Buffy scoffed.

"How many times?" he asked. Again.

"I wasn't exactly keeping count Will," Buffy said. She sounded uncomfortable. His wife had dropped her head. Her fingers were toying with the bedsheet.

"More than once though?" William asked. "Right?"

Buffy hesitated. William could see it writ large across his wife's face. Clearly, she and Xander had slept together more than once. It was obvious. Leaving aside the big bucks Xander had shelled out for the privilege of a night with Buffy, it was clear he wasn't a wham bam thank you ma'am kind of a guy.

"Yes," Buffy said. Softly.

"Twice?" William asked. Hoping against hope that was the answer.

But when Buffy hesitated, William knew it had happened more than twice.

"So, three times right?" William asked. Three was his and Buffy's record. For a single night.

By now, Buffy's face was flushed.

"I…. I don't want to talk about this," she said. Standing up.

"Could you please just…" William began. He reached out. And grabbed her by the arm.

"Yes," Buffy blurted out. "It was thrice. Okay? Three times. Now could please let go of me?"

"Sorry," William said. Immediately releasing his wife's arm. "God luv. I'm just…."

"It's okay," Buffy said. Rubbing her arm. "Really honey, I'm fine. Okay?"

"Okay," William said. He took in a deep breath. Trying to come to grips with the facts. Xander and Buffy had slept together last night. A grand total of three times.

"Are you okay?" Buffy asked. Her arms around herself. "Seriously?"

"Yes," William said. "I am. I'm okay."

"Okay," Buffy said. She offered him a little smile now. "Why don't you hop in the shower. I think we can still make it in time for…"

"Where did it happen?" William asked.

"Excuse me?" Buffy asked. Her eyebrows were raised. Her eyes were wide.

"Was it on the couch?" he asked. "Or did you go to the bedroom?"

"I….I can't believe this," Buffy whispered. Now, her voice raised two octaves. "I can't believe you, Will!"

"Just… just answer the question," William said. "Please. Just tell me how it happened."

Buffy just stared at him now.

"I mean….at first we just talked for a while," Buffy said. Nervously fiddling with her fingers.

"Talked?" William asked. Frowning. "About what?"

"Art," Buffy said. "You know. Life. The usual. Just… small talk. About nothing really."

William found himself surprised. He thought that the billionaire would have moved in on his wife as quickly as possible. Tried to fuck her right there on the couch. Before she risked changing her mind.

"For how long?" William asked.

"I don't know Will," Buffy said. Exasperated. "A half-hour? Maybe forty-five minutes? Give or take."

"And then?" William asked.

"Then he…he asked if I was interested in seeing a painting he'd recently purchased," Buffy said.

"In the bedroom?" William asked.

"Yes," Buffy said.

Now, William scoffed.

Smooth bastard, he thought.

"And then?" William asked.

Again, Buffy gave him a befuddled look.

"I said yes," Buffy said. As if she were addressing a child.

"You said yes," William repeated. Stupidly.

"What else was I supposed to say?" Buffy asked. She sounded annoyed now.

"You said yes," William said. "Not okay. Yes."

"So?" Buffy asked.

"Okay is different than yes," William replied. It maddened him. That she couldn't see the difference. "Okay, means okay. Yes, means yes."

"Okay," Buffy said. Looking confused.

"And then…" William added.

"And then….we went to the bedroom," Buffy said. "Okay? Can we drop this now? Please."

"Okay," William said. Exhaling deeply. He placed his hands over his eyes. "I'm sorry."

Buffy shook her head. She turned around now. And began drying her hair.

"Was he good?" William asked.

Buffy froze.

"What?" she asked. Not looking at him.

"Was he good?" William repeated.

Buffy didn't move a muscle.

"Yes," she said. Quietly. "He was good."

William dropped his head. He was in agony now.

"Was he….was he better than me?"

His wife turned around now.

"Oh honey," Buffy said. Her eyes were soft. Her expression was sympathetic. "Is that what this is about?"

William looked away.

"I love you, Will. Not him," Buffy said. "You know that right?"

"Right?" she asked again. Softly.

"I know," William said. Finally. But he still couldn't look at her. Nor had he missed the obvious. Buffy hadn't answered his question.

Later that day…

William found himself aimlessly wandering the casino floor. It was mid-afternoon. Buffy had decided to treat herself. To a luxurious and relaxing spa day. They had decided to meet up for dinner later. Which meant he had plenty of time to kill.

William froze in his tracks. At the sight of him. Xander Harris III. In a private area cordoned off with a special rope. The billionaire was flanked by two gorgeous women. He was wearing a stylish suit. Not a hair out of place. Looking every inch the man of wealth and power that he was. He was playing baccarat.

For a few moments, William just watched Xander. The man who'd made him a multi-millionaire last night. Many times over. For one night with Buffy. His wife. The love of his life.

William wondered what type of man he was. Had he given William a second thought after he'd left? Or thought about Buffy since the night they'd spent together?

William somehow knew Xander knew he was watching him. Xander was winning of course. Hand after hand after hand. William couldn't help but wonder. Was he actually winning? Or was the dealer letting him win? It was, his casino after all.

William decided to go over. But found himself stopped by two security guards.

"Let him through," Xander waved. Never looking at him.

William now approached the table and sat down. The two gorgeous women now eyed William out of the corner of their eyes.

"Would you like to play a hand sir?" the dealer asked.

Out of nowhere, a third gorgeous woman had brought William a drink. William somehow knew it was free. He threw his head back and downed it in one go.

"It's $10,000 per hand sir," the dealer added. Helpfully.

"Give him one, Sam," Xander said. "On the house."

William nodded. He quickly played one hand. And lost.

"Again?" the dealer asked.

"Yes," William said. Looking at Xander.

"It's always better to quit when you're ahead, Will," the billionaire said.

William knew this was a warning. But not against the game.

Fuck it, he thought. I can afford it.

"Again," he told the dealer.

Who nodded. Again, William lost.

He looked at Xander. Expecting an 'I told you so.' But the billionaire said nothing.

"We need to talk," William said. Softly.

"This isn't a good idea," Xander said.

"Five minutes," William said.

The billionaire thought about it.

"Okay," he shrugged. "I guess I can spare five."

"Thanks ladies," Xander said. He gave them each two rectangular plaques about the size of a playing card. The women now giggled. And kissed him on either cheek.

"Thank you Mr Harris," they said.

The chips were worth $25,000 each, William realised. Xander had just spent $50,000. Like it was nothing.

"Shall we?" Xander asked. By now, he'd stood. And buttoning his suit jacket, had begun striding to his private elevator.

William trailed Xander. Flanked by his private security. Of which there were now five guards.

Once upstairs, Xander quickly dismissed the guards.

"Want a drink?" he asked.

"No," William said.

"Suit yourself," the billionaire said. Then took a seat.

William remained standing.

"So," Xander began. "What can I do for you, Will?"

William inhaled.

"I want to know what happened last night," he said. "Between you and Buffy."

Xander now pursed his lips. The billionaire looked annoyed. At having to explain the obvious.

"The three of us came to an arrangement, Will," Xander said. "You, me and Buffy. It was beautiful. Classy, even."

"I'd prefer things stay that way," the billionaire said. Adjusting his cufflinks. " Why sully things in the harsh light of day?"

"I wouldn't," William said.

Xander leaned forward.

"You have the $25 million, right?" Xander asked. "You were paid in full last night?"

William wasn't sure he understood the question.

"Yes," he said.

"So was I," Xander replied. Now, the billionaire leaned back. And relaxed

Now, out of the artificial light of the casino, William finally saw Xander. The billionaire's eyes were slightly red. His boyish, handsome face was slightly puffy. He looked irritable and restless. Maybe even a little bored.

Xander hadn't slept last night, William thought. Not a wink. Which meant that Buffy hadn't either. Which meant….

Xander and Buffy were up all night. Having sex.

Buffy lied to me, William thought. I asked her and she fucking lied. Right to my face.

"This is a bad idea," Xander said. He looked genuinely sorry for William. "You coming here. You know that, right?"

William didn't answer. He needed to know. He just did.

"How many times?" William asked. His voice trembling.

The billionaire looked surprised now. At the question. He decided to answer the question with a question.

"Did you ask Buffy?" Xander asked.

"Yes," William said.

"And?" Xander asked.

William paused.

"She said twice," William lied. "Once last night. And once again this morning."

The billionaire looked amused at the statement.

"Is that so?" Xander said.

"Yeah," William said.

Xander seemed to genuinely consider his response.

"I don't make it a policy to kiss and tell," the billionaire said. Finally. "But you can be rest assured of one thing, Will."

"And what is that?" William asked.

"I was a perfect gentleman with your wife last night," Xander said.

William flinched at the words. Which were the same he'd heard Buffy from Buffy's lips this morning.

"Meaning?" William asked.

"I treated Buffy with the utmost respect," Xander said. "I was considerate of her feelings. Attentive to her needs."

"I treated her like I would a queen," the billionaire added. "My queen."

William looked away. He felt ill. The billionaire's words only made him feel worse. A moment later, William realized why. Part of him had been hoping Buffy had been lying about what happened last night with Xander.

That the billionaire had treated his wife like shit. To punish her. For the deal they'd made. A deal she'd pushed him to accept.

Now, William found himself feeling guilty. At not having done more. To reject the offer. To convince Buffy to do so.

"And her?" William asked. Shutting his eyes. His voice trembling with emotion.

William heard Xander take in a little breath. He seemed to choose his words carefully.

"She was…" Xander began. "Appreciative. Grateful. And most… obliging."

William opened his eyes . To see a sparkle in the billionaire's eye. A smile at the corner of his lips.

Now, William felt even worse. He'd been hoping that Xander had somehow forced himself on Buffy last night. Or she'd just laid there. Cold and unfeeling. While Xander took what he wanted. That hadn't happened. At all.

Instead, the billionaire had taken his time. Established a rapport with his wife. Then, only after Xander and Buffy had gotten comfortable on the couch, had he suggested moving things to the bedroom. Offering up the painting as an excuse. To spare her the embarrassment.

Son of a bitch, William thought. Played his cards perfectly.

"Look," Xander said. He leaned forward now. "Buffy and I spent quite some time talking last night."

"And?" William asked.

"She made one thing very clear to me," Xander said.

"Which is?" William added.

"That we were gonna fuck," Xander said. "That's all."

William now flinched. He could actually see Buffy putting it that bluntly. Practically hear her say the words.

"And that's all that would ever happen between us," the billionaire added. "Nothing more. She loves you, Will. With all her heart. She made that very clear."

Great, William thought.

"The three of us got exactly what we wanted last night," Xander said. "All of your and Buffy's financial problems are gone. Forever."

"And I spent a lovely evening getting better acquainted with your beautiful and charming wife," the billionaire added.

The satisfaction in his voice wounded William.

There's a word for it, William thought.

"There's nothing for any of us to be ashamed of or embarrassed by," Xander said. "We're all adults, right? There's no shame what happens between consenting adults."

William said nothing.

"Buffy and I parted as friends this morning," Xander said. "I'd like for us to do the same. Okay Will?"

William sat there. Trying to take it all in. Everything that had happened last night. What Buffy had told him about their night together. Then what Xander had said.

The facts, to his mind, were clear.

Xander and Buffy had spent a long, sleepless night together. The billionaire had fucked his wife. More than thrice. Several times, in fact. Both of them had enjoyed themselves. A lot.

William found himself acting on impulse now. He leaned forward. And spat in Xander's face.