William walked to the end of the hallway. Seemingly in a daze. Just trying to put one foot after another. The kitchen was right there. Just as Xander said.
What am I doing? William wondered.
He stood there for a moment. Trying to decipher what was happening. What he was doing. Why he was here. Why he'd left them alone. Xander and Buffy. Together. Again.
That Xander had asked him came as no surprise to William. He knew it was coming. At some point this evening. He'd been prepared for it.
It was Buffy who had thrown in for a loop. By chiming in. Was this some sort of a test? Of his faith in her? Or was it something else entirely? Did she… did she want to be alone with Xander?
You've overthinking it mate, William thought. It's no big deal. It's just fetching a bottle of booze from the kitchen. Yeah?
William looked around. The fridge was in the corner of the kitchen. It was massive. And stacked with dozens of bottles.
William didn't know which ones to pick. He opened the door. Picked one out. And looked at it. A 20-year-old vintage. That would do nicely. Then, he decided to take another. To save himself the trip.
He picked out another bottle at random. This was merely a three-year-old vintage.
No, William thought. That won't do.
William carefully put the second bottle back. He went to choose another bottle. In the back of his mind, he wondered how long he'd been gone.
It had been two or three minutes. Five at most.
Was Buffy wondering where he was? Why he wasn't back yet? With the booze?
William suspected Xander was not. In fact, he was sure the billionaire was putting their time alone to good use. To flirt with his wife. Hit on her. The thought of it left his mouth dry. His breath quickened.
William knew he had to get back to them. Immediately. This very instant. He pulled out another bottle at random and slammed shut the fridge door shut.
Now, picking up the earlier bottle, he headed back. Trying to calm himself.
Relax mate, he told himself. There's nothing to worry about. Buffy can handle herself, yeah?
But he was moving at a much faster clip than he'd arrived at.
The moment before William stepped into the hall, he paused. Then, taking a deep breath, stepped forward.
Xander and Buffy were still on the couch. Right where he left them. But now the bright lights had been dimmed considerably. The fireplace, he noticed, was roaring behind them. It took a moment for William's eyes to adjust over the distance and in the dim light.
The billionaire and his wife had drawn close. Xander was leaning over Buffy. His hand right hand thrown across her shoulders. His left hand was on his leg.
Buffy's right hand was on the couch. Her left hand was on her thigh. Their heads were bowed together. Seemingly in whispered conversation. It gave William pause.
What were they discussing? Were they talking about him? Or perhaps something else? Something that had happened during the night they'd spent together? Something secret? Something intimate?
A moment later, William stepped forward. Just then, Buffy and Xander turned their heads. Allowing William a good look at what was happening.
Xander was kissing Buffy.
Jesus, William thought. Jesus fucking Christ.
By now, the billionaire's left hand had moved to his wife's leg. Which he was squeezing softly. Only now did William's ears picked up the soft, wet sounds of their lips joined.
What the fuck? William thought.
He had expected the billionaire to use the dinner to flirt with his wife. Maybe make some references about their night together. To taunt William. Rub it in his face.
But this? For Xander to make a move on Buffy? William hadn't imagined Xander would do such a thing. Even now, he couldn't believe his eyes.
William couldn't imagine the nerve it took. The gall of it. Xander thinking he'd get away with it. William wondered how Buffy had reacted in his absence. When Xander tried to kiss her.
Had she placed a hand on the billlionaire's chest? Tried to stop him? Said something about how crazy this was? That William would be right back? Had she resisted? Only giving way when faced with Xander's insistence of a kiss? Or maybe…
Maybe his wife had shot the billionaire a playful look. As soon as he was out of sight. Buffy's sultry eyes asking Xander what he was waiting for. The thought made William take in a sharp breath.
He waited a moment. To see how Buffy would react. He saw his wife place her hand on the billionaire's chest. His hopes flared. Was she going to push him away? To protest? A moment later, William had his answer.
Buffy's hand had moved to the side of Xander's face. Then, to the back of his head. Which she cupped. Holding his mouth to hers.
William was stunned. Stupefied. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Buffy was kissing Xander back. With feeling.
Buffy is kissing Xander, William thought. Why would she do that? Knowing he was in the other room. That he'd be right back? How could she do that? After all the reassurances she'd given him. William didn't understand. Not one bit.
The billionaire now placed his left hand on his wife's waist. His right, meanwhile, moved to her golden locks. Which he caressed with his fingers.
William just stood there. In disbelief. When he blinked, he saw the billionaire's fingers had moved from his wife's leg to her chin. Which he'd gently cupped. When Xander dipped his head a little to deepen the kiss, Buffy obliged.
His wife's lips parted now. Only a little. Buffy's little, pink tongue flashed out of her mouth. As if in welcome. Now, William caught a quick glimpse of Xander and Buffy's tongues teasing.
What the fuck is happening? William wondered.
He watched with wide, disbelieving eyes as his wife sat up a little. Then, turning her body to completely face his, placed her right hand on Xander's thigh. Which she caressed.
Now, the kiss between the billionaire and his wife deepened further. The sounds of their lips smacking together grew louder too. Considerably.
Now, William could hear the As had the sounds his wife was making.
"Mmmmm," Buffy was murmuring approvingly. Against Xander's lips. "Mhmmmmmm."
What the fuck? William thought. His pulse was racing. His heart was hammering so loud he could hear it in his ears. He felt paralysed. He didn't know what to do. Should he clear his throat? To let them know he'd returned?
He imagined doing it. Only for them, preoccupied as they were, to pay him no mind. The embarrassment of it. He'd have to do it again. Louder this time.
Only then would they finally breaking apart. The billionaire grinning from ear to ear. Licking his lips. His wife shame-faced. Unable to look at him.
What would Xander say? He'd try to smooth things over of course. Play it off. But what could he say? Or do? What would Buffy say? How would his wife explain it to him? Could she explain it?
William couldn't bear the thought of it. Them. Knowing he'd walked in on them. In the early stages of a full-fledged make-out session. Or worse, that he'd just been standing there. Watching them.
Then, William felt it in his pants. Himself. Rock hard. He let out a shaky breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
No, William thought. No, no, no.
William did the only thing he could. He fled the scene.