Chapter 83
The taste of Angel was beyond anything she could imagine. It was rich with power, strength, and overwhelming sensuality.
She tried to settle closer to his lap only to miss and land on the concrete bench. When Angel yanked her back on his lap, she put up her hand to stop his descending mouth.
“What?”
Cordelia waved towards the stone bench. “Not the most comfortable here.” Her tone was more confident than what she was feeling.
Angel held her eyes for a moment before he gracefully uncoiled his body and pulled her up with him. “Inside.”
The intensity of his low command had her leaning away.
Angel loomed over her. “Don’t run from me, Cordelia.”
Cordelia wished that she had worn her boots that gave her an extra couple of inches over the ones that she was wearing. But, she wouldn’t let his overwhelming presence mess with who she was. She fisted her hands on her hips. “What about what I want?”
His eyes flashed. She stood straighter, refusing to give in to the feeling of being bared naked.
Angel’s mouth curled into a half-smile. “And what is it you want, Cordelia?”
Cordelia tried to think of what she wanted — other than his arms back around her. “I want the left over pizza in fridge, I want you to make sure Darcy has enough food, give him his medicine and – then I want you to kiss me again.”
Angel pushed her towards the house – only to abandon her in the living room. Almost before she could blink, he was back. “Done.”
“Darcy’s medicine?”
He lifted his hand to show her the eyed dropper. “He’s upstairs.’
“You can tell that?”
Angel pulled her up the stairs to the master bedroom.
Chapter 84
The doorway kept her steady as she watched Angel wake up the sprawled up kitten on the bed and put him on his lap. With the same gentleness as the previous times he dropped the medicine into Darcy’s eyes.
She picked at the hem of her shirt as she realized that soon his hands would be touching her.
She didn’t remember making a conscious decision to sit next to Angel but she was there and even found herself giggling when Darcy jumped off Angel’s lap. “I think you offended him.” She pointed at the kitten who was now vigorously rubbing his face.
“Well I was designated as the meanie, wasn’t I?” Angel put the dropper on the nightstand and turned to cup Cordelia’s chin. “What was next on your list?” He softly teased as his thumb brushed her lips. “Oh, yeah this.”
The muscles in her stomach flipped and then melted.
Cordelia didn’t know if she shifted closer or if Angel moved towards her. But, her new position enabled her to crawl onto Angel’s lap. Her fingers crept up the sides of his neck trailing her nails along until they reached the back edge of his hairline.
“Angel,” she whispered, needing to break the silence to prove she wasn’t dreaming.
“Hmm.” He nuzzled her neck.
“Nothing. Just want you,” she whispered.
She gasped as she found herself suddenly pressed down into the mattress. Angel molded her flesh as his lips made a path up her cheek. “You want what?”
She closed her eyes so that Angel wouldn’t see her embarrassment.
“Cordelia? What do you want?
She blindly raised her hand, resting her fingers on his lips. “I want you,” she whispered. “But …”
She opened her eyes.
How stupid could she be? Having sex with Angel was a forgone conclusion after everything that happened in the garden.
And if she didn’t, and he called her a tease, it would hurt more than when he called her Queen C.
‘Tease’ was never a label she cared about when she left the various guys she dated groaning with frustration. But with Angel it was different.
“I do. Want you, I mean. It’s just …” She sighed. “ I don’t know what you’ve heard about me …” She paused and shook away the memory of Xander’s cruder insults. “ I’ve never done this before.”
Her need to explain was lost as Angel’s lips covered hers.
Then suddenly he released her. “Do you want me to stop?” His hand traveled up her shirt to softly caress her breast.
Cordelia gasped as his finger teased her nipple. Her eyes squeezed shut as she slowly shook her head and wrapped her hands around his wrist.
“I just thought you should know.” She opened her eyes into his steady gaze. “It’s … no … big deal,” she stuttered.
He gave her a smile that teased her nerves and warmed her to her toes. And then his lips covered hers again.
She squirmed deeper into the mattress, trying to remain grounded as the kiss began to overwhelm her. She was almost grateful when he kneeled up and caged her hips with his thighs.
Cordy licked her lips, as his hooded gaze swept along her body, pinning her as effectually as his legs. “Beautiful.”
Shivers popped up along her skin even before he reached for her shirt.
Then Angel’s lips moistened every expanse of skin exposed as he peeled her blouse off.
Once again, she wiggled into the mattress as his hands and lips unwrapped her as if her clothes hid his most wanted present.
Goosebumps flared over her skin as the cool air swept over her skin and Angel worked his way to her navel. Each swirl of his tongue made her hips jerk. “Angel?”
After he took a broad lick against her belly, he looked up. “Mmm?”
“I …” She shook her head, not finishing.
Angel hadn’t waited. He’d already moved to the V of her thighs. She gasped and tensed, shivers racing up her spine and turning the ache of her belly to need.
She’d never let anyone else do this — had never wanted to be in such a vulnerable position. She tried to inch further up the bed, but Angel’s firm grasp on her hips kept her in place.
“Relax, baby. I have to taste what has been teasing me,” Angel murmured.
“Teasing?” Cordelia looked at Angel.
“In the most intoxicating definition of the word,” he said, fingers brushing her skin in delicate patterns. “I want all of you.”
The wet roughness of his tongue triggered an onslaught of sparks. Cordelia lay back, no longer feeling vulnerable or doubtfully, but powerful in the knowledge that he wanted her.
Chapter 85
Angel lapped up the tangy sweetness. The reality was even better than the Mecca he had imagined; yet he refused to get lost in the sensation.
He had to think beyond his desire. He had to ensure that Cordy’s body only recognized his as the one that could make her tremble in pleasure. He would be the first and last man to touch her.
Cordy’s gasps hummed in his ears and he groaned as her hips began to undulate. Her hands gripped his hair and he smoothed his palm over belly and pressed down to hold her in place. He concentrated his tongue and blunt teeth on the perfect bud swelling between her legs.
“Angel…I can’t…too much,” she gasped, trying to move away again.
“Yes, you can.” He reached up and linked their fingers. “Just hold on to me.”
“That’s it,” he smiled as her nails pierced his skin and breath caught in her chest.
“Oh, god.” Her voice choked in a burst of air.
Angel calmed her tremors with baby kisses and easy caresses, and finally she settled limply on the bed.
*
Cordelia barely felt Angel’s weight as he edged up her body. She was to intent on the lingering sensual buzz his mouth had left behind.
A whimper escaped as Angel’s lips brushed hers. She gathered enough energy to bring her hands around his back to hold him closer. “Angel?” She whispered.
“Yes, Cordy.”
Cordy’s eyes inched open to see Angel leaning over her. “You still have your clothes on.”
“Yes.” He nuzzled her cheek.
She cupped his chin, bringing his eyes up to meet hers. “That’s a bad thing.”
Angel’s brows dipped in mock concentration. “How bad?”
“Very, very bad,” she smiled, her hands leaving his face to reach for his sweater.
Angel kissed her deeply, finally leaving her with a slight tug on her lower lip.
“Hey.” Her hand reached up to stop his retreating form.
“I thought you wanted me naked.”
“You can’t multi-task?” She whined.
He chuckled, stripping quickly.
Her heavy eyelids lifted. Angel oozed pure masculine sensuality, she thought, following the descending path of dark down on his stomach.
She wetted her lips, but she couldn’t help being nervous. “Angel?”
He didn’t answer but settled his body over her. His solid weight soothed her nerves.
Cordelia caressed the hard lines of muscle on his back. “I hope Mr. Perky came with a how-to- guide.”
Angel chuckled into her throat. “Yep. Table of contents and index, even.”
“Funny guy,” she whispered huskily.
“Told you. Now shush, while I try out chapter one.”
Chapter 86
Angel breathed in her scent as his hand caressed over the feminine swell of her belly. His fingers drank up the silky texture that covered the firm flesh.
Cordy’s chin nudged his lips back to hers. He explored her mouth, sinking further into her welcoming warmth.
But when he edged his hand to her thighs, Cordy instinctively clenched them closed.
“Trust me. Let me have all of you,” he murmured into her neck while his fingers stroked her legs open again.
“I thought that’s what was happening.” Cordy gasped.
Angel was surprised at the sound of his laugher. He rolled onto his back hugging Cordelia to him.
“Hey, are you laughing at me?”
“Never,” he said, smiling assuredly. “It‘s just that you are truly one of a kind.” Then he slid his hand between her legs.
“So warm,” he whispered. “You were made for me.” He trailed his kisses to her lips as he aligned his hips with hers.
Cordy moaned as he nudged inside her. “I’m not so sure,” she winced.
Angel paused. “Just relax.” He hid his frustration with soft words and a coaxing touch.
Cordy lay there for a moment, then let out a huff. “Oh screw it,” she grunted and jerked her hips up forcibly.
“Christ, Cordy,” Angel choked, as her quick action plunged him into molten quicksand. He forced himself to still.
Cordy’s eyes widened with what looked like fear. “Oh no.” She shoved him violently “Get off of me!”
Angel groaned. “Don’t move.” He grabbed her hips.
But she struggled even harder.
“Dammit, Cordelia. STOP. Please.”
Angel let out deep sigh as she finally stilled beneath him. He closed his eyes and concentrated on staying calm.
“Don’t kill me,” she said in a small, terrified voice.
Angel’s eyes snapped open as her words penetrated his brain. He looked down at the young woman that only moments ago wanted him. Now fear seeped from her every pore.
“Kill you?” He brought his hand up to her face, but she flinched.
Angel forced himself to roll off her, though he kept a leg across her thighs. “Cordy?”
“Get off me, Angelus!” She struggled, trying to get out from under him completely.
“What?” Angel stared at her. Then he saw where she was pointing. “Aw, fuck,” he grunted, as he touched his ridged forehead.
“Get OFF!” Cordelia yelled and yanked at his hair in a feeble attempt to get him away from her neck.
“Dammit, Cordy, stop.” He lifted his head only when he was sure that his vampire face receded. “I didn’t lose my soul and I’m not going to kill you, okay?”
“Oh, sure, like I’m going to believe, you, Angelus.” She shoved him, again.
“Actually, I’ve lied more with a soul than without.”
“Huh?”
Angel pulled her up and settled her on his lap, “I’m sorry, Cordy,” he said softly, cupping her face. “I didn’t realize that I changed.”
Cordelia scooted away. “You went ‘grr’ and you expect me to believe that you didn’t go all Angelus on me?”
“I told you that my soul was bound. I wouldn’t lie about that.”
“How do I know that?” she shot back. “You just said that you lied more with a soul than without. That means you could be Angelus — except then you would be telling the truth. Arggh, I’ve always hated riddles.” She stared at him. “Okay, if you’re Angel, why did you try to kill me?”
“I — “
Cordelia’s hand shot up. “You did. Don’t deny it.”
Angel tried to ignore the way Cordelia’s breasts were pushed up in the cradle of her arms. He really wished that he could just ignore her question and take what her body offered — except that her body was no longer offering.
Angel wondered if she would accept his apology if he pointed to his deflating penis to prove his innocence.
An indelicate ‘hmmph’ drove any hope that a simple gesture on his part would solve his current problems. But then he realized that while the scent of her arousal was absent, so now was her fear.
Angel leaned against the headboard, making sure to brush his thigh against Cordelia’s.
Chapter 87
Cordelia licked her lips as her gaze traveled along the body laid before her. She bit her bottom lip as an inner voice shouted ‘stop talking and jump him’ in her brain.
With a deep breath she shoved it aside and focused on his face. Not much better, she admitted, but the hint of his smug smile made it double.
Angel sighed. “Cordy, how much do you know about vampires?”
“They’re bloodsuckers.”
Angel shook his head. “Cordy, you do realize that you’re in bed with a ‘bloodsucker.”
“Pig’s blood, duh.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that I’m a vampire.”
“Yeah, but you have a soul. Big difference.” She rolled her eyes.
Her expression turned into a glare as Angel mumbled something about Buffy and déjà vu.
“Hey!” She slapped his arm. “I’m not Buffy. So don’t you dare compare me to her, especially without a really good explanation as to why.”
Angel rubbed his face. “She didn’t understand either,” he mumbled.
“Understand what? So far you haven’t said anything. Say something that makes sense or I’m kicking you out.”
“Cordelia, have you ever tried to get rid of a vampire.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Have you ever seen a truly pissed off Cordelia Chase?”
*
Angel really wanted to know when the promise of the night turned into another visit to hell. He was sure it was his fault or more accurately, he was sure that’s what Cordelia would say.
He rubbed his face again, trying to remember how the whole horrid situation started in the first place. He sighed. It was his fault, first for losing control and then mentioning Buffy.
“Cordy.” He took another deep breath. “I’m a vamp —” Angel stopped at Cordelia’s snort.
“Fine, we’ve covered that.” He raised his finger to her lips to stop her from making another disgruntled sound. “This face,” he said consciously switching into his demon guise, “- is the face that a vampire wakes up with. It’s what the demon wears. It’s who I am, with or without a soul.”
He paused, ready to yank Cordelia back if she moved. To his surprise, she stayed put.
So Angel switched to his human face and then back to his demon one. “It’s the same, I’m the same.”
Angel waited but Cordelia’s frown of concentration remained the same. “If this is your welcome-to-the-world face, then why can’t I remember seeing it before except when Angelus played rough and tumble on me in the grave yard. He –“
“Cordy, you don’t have to remind me — I was there.” Angel snapped, increasingly irritated that Cordelia was following Buffy’s example and choosing to ignore the very real fact that he was not only a vampire, but also Angelus.
He could accept it with Buffy. He understood that Buffy did it for self-protection and justification for loving him. And he didn’t argue the point, not wanting to break her illusion and create even more barriers in their relationship.
But, the thought that Cordelia was splitting him apart made him want to force her beneath him and use her body until she had no doubt of who and what he was.
“Geez. Angel you’re the one that gives yourself two names. You can’t be mad at me for using them.”
Cordelia pulled his hands from his face. “So, how about trying again, but this time skip the obvious.”
Angel shook his head. He didn’t understand her. “You’re looking for a simple explanation.”
“Well, it can’t be any worse than your attempt at the ‘History of the Vamp Face’. Cordelia reached for the edge of the comforter they were sitting on.
Angel reached out and yanked the cover away. “What are you doing?”
She tried to yank it back. “I’m cold.”
Angel pulled her on his lap then wrapped the cover around both of them.
“Hey.” Cordelia squirmed on his lap. “You’re cold.”
“Keep that up and I’ll be warm soon enough.”
She tried to push away. “You haven’t —“
Angel interrupted her with a hard quick kiss. Her protests couldn’t hide the scent of her renewed arousal.
“Shut up and listen while I warm both of us up. Okay?” He cupped her chin.
Cordelia let out a long-suffering sigh but cuddled even closer.
“So,” she said to encourage him to start talking.
“Shush, I’m feeling.” Angel whispered into the crook of her neck, savoring the lush body flush against his.
“Shouldn’t that be thinking?”
“Nope.” Angel caressed the distinct lines of her toned back with his fingertips. He teased the shivers along her skin.
“Angel.”
He heard the censure in her soft murmur, but smiled because it was accompanied by her own caresses along his back.
“You have seen it before. Bruno.” He said softly.
Angel watched as Cordelia’s incomprehension turned into one of understanding. “In the parking lot when you scared him away.”
“That’s a nice way of putting it, but yeah.” Angel nodded.
Cordelia leaned back to stare at him. “You were trying to scare me?”
“No. Never.” He said seriously. “I went ‘grr’ with Bruno to scare him. I went ‘grr’ while fighting the Phermitica –“
”I didn’t see you — oh wait, I was on the ground.”
“Right, I’m sorry, but then vamping out enabled me to fight hard and dirty enough to win. It was a conscious choice just like with Bruno. But with you,” Angel leaned in to look Cordelia in the eyes, “It was an instinctual reaction to sudden intense pleasure. The sensation literally wiped all thought or control from my brain. I had planned to go slow, but you,” he paused to pierce her with his gaze,” had a different plan.”
“I’m more of the ‘rip the band-aid off’ type of girl.”
“Yes, I know that now.”
He watched as Cordelia scrunched up her nose. “Intense pleasure, huh?”
“Yep.”
“So, then the vamp face was a compliment.”
“Very much so,” Angel said softly as his hands reached up through her hair to cup the back of her head, urging her face closer.
“I’ve got absolutely no problem with compliments,” she whispered in the same soft tone, before meeting Angel’s lips in a kiss.
The initial gentleness of the kiss disappeared as Angel savored her taste. Angel dragged his lips away and settled on the pulse in her throat, sucking hard on the soft skin, swallowing each frantic beat that fluttered underneath.
Cordelia palmed his chin and urged him away.
“Cordelia,” he growled.
She brushed at his smooth forehead. “No intense pleasure, huh?”
Angel didn’t know how to answer her.
“No vamp face. How come?”
“Jesus, Cordy.” He half groaned and chuckled as he moved her hand away and dropped his forehead on hers.
“Well?”
“How about — now I’m fully prepared for any and all intense pleasures.”
“I guess that’ll do.”
Angel shook his head. Was this the same girl who only moments ago, was sure he wanted to kill her.
“What about the growling?”
“I didn’t — “ Angel stopped. “ Okay, I guess, I did. Let’s just call that … encouragement.”
“Cool.” She smiled. “So much sexier than the cheesy adolescent grunts and groans of ‘fuck me, baby, fuck me, baby.”
Angel’s smile turned into a concentrated straight line. “Oh, don’t misunderstand, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”
Cordelia stroked the hard lines of his clenched jaw. “Like I said, so much sexier,” she replied in a husky whisper as her tongue darted along his bottom lip. “I think you just may be warm enough now.” She reached down, running her finger along the base of Angel’s hardened cock.
Angel groaned, jerking into her feather-light touch. In a quick move he pushed Cordelia down on the bed and covered her body with his. He braced his weight on his forearms, caging her in, leaning down until he was a hairbreadth away from the desire in her eyes.
“Before we go any further, you need to understand that everything — I mean everything — we do brings me intense pleasure. Except,” he shook his head to silence the emergence of words from her mouth. “When you interrupt me.”
“Geez, Angel, all I was going to say was ‘fuck me, baby, fuck me, baby.”
Pure lust battled with his desire to laugh. “Christ Cordy,” he growled, leaning down to capture her mouth, his lust winning out at her silent demand hidden underneath the teasing.